Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 531 — page 20: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

£ 20 a useful animal, be was seized with a sudden im- pulse to appropriate it. This would not be new business to him, though it was astep in crime he had never ventured upon in Si Gotch. He laid his hand upon the animal and began to untie him, but a man suddenly turned the corner of the hotel with a drawn revolver in his hand. ‘*T wouldn’t do it, ef ’se you, stranger!” the unknown observed. ‘The owner o’ that hoss may want him, hisself. Hoss-stealin’ ain’t pop’lar here, an’ I’d band ye over ter justice, only I’m bound by promise ter Saddle-Chief Kit ter let yet alone unless you try ter skip!” The words fell upon Harrington’s ears with unpleasant force, and he did not attempt any answer. Here, at the first step, he found Kit Jameson’s man, Silently he turned and walked away. He expected the unknown to follow, but he did not. On the contrary, he turned and en- tered the saloon. Dike could hardly believe his good fortune, and he moved on swiftly. After all, he would get the start of his enemies, he thought, and it Saddle-Chief Kit. since I heard Dave bragging about the grip he claimed to have on you, and how they were us- ing it, I’ve felt a strong desire to get a hand on them and fire them out,” ‘** Pray tell me what David said.” Kit complied with the request. It was his de- sire to have a frank understanding, for he had set bis heart upon being of service to Perham and Uzarina—and thereby winning the esteem of the latter—and he told how he had ‘chanced to overhear the talk between David and Har- rington, He had a very clear recollection of their words, and he kept nothing back, The matter was laid before Perham bluntly. When the story was told Kit settled back in discreet silence, and for awhile not a word was spoken in the room. Perham was thinking, however, and his meditations bore fruit. He at ' last raised his gaze to his companion’s face, was only afew steps to the wild hills where | there were hundreds of coverts fit for a fugi- tive. His heart grew lighter as he neared the edge of the village, but, all at once, a six-foot giant ina red shirt and a weapon-laden belt ap peared in his path. “This is the end o’ the beat, old man!” re- marked the giant, carelessly, ‘' Kit Jameson’s orders are ter meen you inside the camp, an’ ’m bound ter doit. Turn back!” Harrington’s heart sunk. Already Kit’s statements were being verified, and he was literally a prisoner. The giant looked big enough to crush him, and as he advanced, Dike turned back, CHAPTER XXVI, KIT BECOMES A ‘‘ FIGHTING PARTNER,” SoMEWHAT later the same day Harp Moy brought word to the Reverend Mr. Perham, as the latter sat in his study, that Kit Jame- son had called to see him, and the visitor was at once admitted. Perham greeted him cordially. ** You are welcome, very welcome, sir!” he declared, “Thank you. I thought Id drop in a few minutes,” “You did quite right, I have nut seen you lately.” ‘“Pve been out of town,” Kit explained. ** Away on business, I suppose. My business keeps me here,” and Perham sighed. ** You have the advantage of me in one re- spect; you have a pleasant home,” remarked the entaur, ** Ye-es; it has been pleasant,” he t understand you eee friends visiting here now. “Ahem! We have company,” Perham *" amended, ** It must be pleasant for you.” * Well, as to that, 1 was contented when only ‘Czarina was here,” “Mr, Perham, why don't you come out bold- ly and say that the Bastions are a pernicious millstone upon your neck?” Kit bluntly asked, “Eh? What? How is that, sir?” asked the ‘minister, in confusion, ““T happen to know that you don’t love the Bastion tribe, and would dispense with them without a tear, if they would only pack their trunks and skedaddle,.” ‘Indeed, sir, I cannot imagine how you learned that,” answered Perham, uneasily. ‘*T had it from David Bastion’s lips,” Perham’s face clouded, ‘* Ts he a friend of yours?” ‘*Never exchanged a word with him in my life, but a critical analysis of the fellow leads me to believe I don’t banker to class him as my friend, I resign all claims in favor of the bangman, who js bound to get him in the end.” ** Do you know of any crime he has commit- ted?” was the eager inquiry. ‘* None, excent blackmailing you.” Perham’s face flushed, ‘** How did vou know that?” **From Bastion’s own lips. Parson, if I was a I'd pitch that Bastion crew into the gutter— would, by St..George and the other chap!” The minister looked anxiously at Kit, and a ray of hope struggled into bis mind. He had been painfully conscious that he, with his sim- ple, anti-practical mind, was not the person to cope with Esther Bastion. A stronger intellect and, perbaps, stronger mind was needed; and as he looked at the bold, manly Centaur a new idea occurred to him. He had liked Kit from the start; he had already had a proof of his good will; and every instinct of the elder man’s nature told him that the visitor was one to do es service in a cause he espoused, and to wear is honors modestly and with good judgment, x. He made a sudden resolution, “IT am an old man, Mr, Jameson,” he an- wered, ** Should you need help I am at your service.” ‘* Then you don’t like the Bastions?” “‘'m not acquainted with them, but ever ‘*Mr,. Jameson, are you a discreet man?” ‘¢T am, sir,” ** T have faith to believe, also, that your na- | ture is honorable, and that your sympathies would go with the worthy and deserving as against evil-doers,” ‘* Correct, sir, correct!” ‘* You have volunteered to help me,” ‘*T have—I do,” ‘* Then, believing in your honor, I accept your offer with gratitude.” The speaker’s voice was unstead and he stretched out his hand, hearty pressure, ‘** Parson, ’m a man of few words,-and those I try to make to the point. I hate to see con- demned rascals rule the roost; if you see fit to take me in as a fighting partner, Pll stand by you through thick and thin!” ‘*T believe you, Mr. Jameson, and [ll come to the point at once. David Bastion told the truth in nearly every way: [am in the power of bis mother, because of a secret which she holds. As he boasted, [ dare not send them away.” ‘* And this secret concerns Miss King?” ‘OT eae” ** She is ignorant of it?” ** Wholly.” ‘* And you want to keep her so?” ** Her happiness depends upon it. Shall you be offended, sir, if I ask you to excuse me from telling what the secret is? It began and ended before Czarina was old enough to remember a thing—it even began before she ‘was born. It does not concern her later years in any way, shape or manner, except that if she knew of it, it would cause her untold sorrow,” ‘Exactly. Well, I don’t approve of flinging secrets around too loosely, especially when they concern young ladies, If I can work against the plotters, intelligently, without ep the the secret, I have no objection whatever to being kept in the dark.” his frank, generous statement made Per- ham’s face brighten perceptibly. “Thank you, sir; thank you!” he earnestly re- lied, ‘' Your kindness is greatly eppreciated. ell, then, the case is this, in few words: rs, Bastion has no direct power over me, for the secret does not concern me; but for Czarina’s sake I must do all I can,” ‘* Quite right. I approve that!” ‘Mrs, Bastion has come here anc, by means of the secret, forced herself upon me with her children. She said, at first, that she should re- main only afew days, but, once domiciled, she has remained, She has made usall miserable, and, to-day, she blackmailed me for money to help her son carouse in the saloons, Think cf that, sir, and I a preacher of the Gospel!” ** It’s right tough, parson!” ‘Of course I would bave sent her away be- fore now, but I dare not. She declares that if I attempt it, she will tell the secret to Czarina, and defies me.” + ‘** You’re anxious to keep the secret from Miss King?’ ‘* T would not have her know it for worlds!” ** And you don’t know how to get the female Bastion out of the house without her telling it?” ‘* That is just it.” ‘Why, parson, it’s as easy as pulling teeth!” ** Tt is?” ee Yes.” sé How?” ‘* The first step is to qt Miss King where Bas- tion can’t get ather, Have you friends in towns near here?” ‘* There is the Reverend Mr. Sherrick, at Be- lated Camp,” ‘* Just the place. It is thirty miles away, and the female Bastion is not likely to go there. Well, send Czarina there!” A brighter look flashed to Perham’s face than had been there before in many a day. ** Just the idea, upon my word!” he cried. ‘* When she is gone, so that our belligerent female can’t possibly see her, we will descend upon the female like an avalanche, I havea but earnest, it gave ita bit of silver in the way of a badge which will | added Judah. ass for that of a detective, though it is not, magine a scene like this: ‘**T touch the female on the shoulder and say: ‘ Bastion, skedaddle!’ She willsay: ‘I won’t!’ I shall gently add, ala a roaring lion: ‘Tama detective; you have blackmailed the parson; Bastion, get out or you’ll get in—to prison!” SS ene —_—— ee *¢ All this will be dramatic, and I shall score asuccess. The one grip upon which the pug- nacious female relies can’t be used, for Czarina will be gone, and the horde of vandals will pack their collar-boxes and put the Rogues’ March into practical use, See?” Perham’s eyes were sparkling with pleasure. ‘*Grand! grand!” he exclaimed. ‘¢ Mffective, at least.” ‘* But David may resist, physically.” ‘‘ Tf he does he will soon be a hospital case,” Once more Perham grasped Kit’s hand, ‘Mr, Jameson, you have made mea happy man!” he declared, warmly. ‘‘ How can I ever repay you? And to think that the simple ex- pedient of sending Czarina away never once occurred to me!” ‘‘ Have you any excuse to give her for going?” ** N—no.” ‘‘Ts the parson of Belated Camp a healthy man?’ ‘* Mr, Sherrick is, but his wife is something of an invalid.” *¢ Does she know Czarina?” ‘Yes: and loves her well.” ‘Mrs. Sherrick will be seized with a feeling of great loneliness, or homesickness, and a tinc- ture of the blues. Ske will feel an ungovern- able desire to have Czarina with her. She is advanced in years— Or isn’t she? How is it?” ** She is.” ‘‘T thought she must be, Well, Czarina can’t refuse the earnest request of an aged, kindly old friend. See?” é; ‘* Indeed, I do; and your idea is great.” Saddle-Chief Kit abruptly rose. ‘Tm off for Belated Camp. At present, Mrs. Sherrick is not lonesome, homesick or blue, but the sight of me will make ber so--when I ex- plain that she ought to be, She will send back word by me to have Miss King visit ber at once; Miss King will agree; Miss King will go; then you and I will sort of fall heavily upon the Bastion vainpires with a dull thud, and the gang will pack and skedaddle!” The last words were spoken at the door, and before the confused but happy minister could re- ply, Kit was gone, CHAPTER XXVIII. THE BLACKSMITH DRAWS HIS KNIFE, Tue shadows of evening were gathering, and Hall Pembroke was walking near the outskirts of the town, Despite the discovery of the silver plate at his shop he was a free man, but he could see that bis character had gone down. There are plenty of persons eager to grasp at the breath of suspicion, and as the story of the plate had gone abroad, there were many who saw fit to believe Hall guilty. He saw this in the meaning Yo cast upon him, but he bore it philosophically. He bad greater troubles than the loss of their, good opinion. Passing on aimlessly, he suddenly heard the sound of steps, and Jessie Hollis appeared only a few steps away. She had a package in her band, and was evidently returning home after doing some errand, Pembroke’s face brightened, and he started to join ber, but some one else was ahead of him. A man abruptly appeared, and Hall scowled as he recognized Judah Mardwin, His swarthy rival raised his bat to the girl. ‘‘ Good-evening, Jessie,” be said. “I did not expect to bave the good fortune of meeting rou,” me Iam going home,” she answered, curtly. “T will accompany you.” ‘* Excuse me, but I must decline your com- any !” “Why so?” ‘Tt is not welcome.” me pain. Pray, what have I done to forfeit your good cpinion?” pe ee no explanation to make, Mr. Mard- win, except that 1 don’t like you. Ibear youno ill-will, but it is my wish that, henceforth, our acquaintance shall be of the most formal kind. essie had spoken plainly at last, and it was most agreeable to Hall Pembrcke. He stood still, drinking in every word and rejoicing at the blow to his rival’s hopes, but Judah con- ducted himself with most exemplary modera- tion. ‘‘'You grieve me deeply, Miss Hollis,” he re- plied, ‘‘but your wishes make my law. The will of a lady is a paramount claim to the good- will of aJl honorable men.” ‘*T am glad you think so,” Jessie returned, a touch of skepticism in ber voice, ““T believe [ will leave Si Gotch,” Judah pur- sued, ‘‘and I fancy my friend, Pem, will go with me. You have heard of the unfortunate affair in which he is concerned?” ; ‘* He is innocent,” declarcd Jessie, with spirit. ‘“‘Tl] stake my life vpon it,” quickly, deeply “Tt is not in Hall Pembroke’s nature to do a wrong act.” “You are right.” “ He is innocent, and it will be proved. I re- gret that Pem let the matter pass so easily at the shop. He to!d me, only a few aays ago, that when you and he were married he was going to buy, as a wedding present, just such a set of sil- ‘Plain talk, at least, Jessie, though it gives _ ' Lt >. Gomichboo Sj (E (0) ‘o-~ —* a