Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 531 — page 21: what you’re looking at

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

Saddle-Chief Kit. 21 ver, though he was short of money. I acciden- tally referred to this before I knew trouble was afloat, and Quinn tried to use it against him. ‘Mr, Pembroke said he was going to buy sil- ver plate?’ quastioned Jessie, knitting her brows. te Yes,” ** ‘Why should he do that? We are poor.” ‘* Possibly he knew where to get some cheap.” ‘*T don’t believe any can be bought near Si Gotch,” ‘*One set was here, and you’ve seen that Pem gofit. Ha! ha! Possibly he referred to that, pte he spoke to me, and intended to buy that, ’ **Judah Mardwin, you are conveying the im- ression that Hall did take the plate!” exclaimed esse, ‘**Nonsense! Pem isn’t that sortof a necm. He told me, it is true, that he should ‘ raise the desired articles some dark night,’ but I under- stood that he meant that he should ride over to Jobble Camp and purchase it after his day’s work was done,” Mardwin’s words, significant as they were, did not convey as much as his insinuating man- ner. While he affirmed that Pembroke was in- nocent his every tone and way was that of one who knows an accused person is guilty, but wishes to defend him from the suspicions of others. All this Pembroke himself heard, and he was lashed to fury. He had all day been yielding to the idea that he must some time slay Mardwin and that the sooner it was done, the better, and he had not the old control over his emotions. More clearly than Jessie he saw the attempt to poison her mind against him, and he could hardly keep from revealing bimself. This, how- ever, he dared not do. Hehad borne Mardwin’s persecutions until the limit of endurance was reached, and he determined to bear no more. He drew his knife and crouched like a tiger in the bushes, Had he felt able to control himself he would have gone to Jessie's aid, and ordered his enemy away, but be was afraid that he should kill the man before her eyes. Doomed though Mardwin was, the deed must be kept from her knowledge. When she was gone he would be alone with Mardwin, and then— He looked at his knife with a terrible smile. Jessie would endure no more, ‘We part here, Judah Mardwin!” she ex- claimed, ‘‘I will not listen to you any longer, for your malevolence is visible in every word, You seek to injure Hall, but, thank Heaven! I know him too well to be influenced by any cal- umnies, From this time, sir, you and I are stranger's!” She started quickly along, and Judah did not attempt to follow or to reply. He shrugged his shoulders, and smiled cynically, ** Constancy, your name is woman, but you and she are alike of brittle stuff. The fair Jes- sie shall yet be convinced!” He turned and sauntered away, and after him glided Hall Pembroke. The latter’s chance had come, but there was no need of haste. They were near the houses of Si Gotch, and so near Jessie’s that any outcry might reach her ears; while Judah’s course was away from all the scenes where discovery lurked. He was moving toward the uninhabited hills, and there, it seemed probable, no one would interfere be- tween them. Silently, patiently, craftily as an Indian did Pembroke follow his prey, the long knife grasped in bis hand, It was a bold which would not fail at the crisis; no longer did Mardwin awaken nervous uncertainty in the blacksmith's mind, The die was cast, and bis nerves were of iron. Judah went on carelessly, whistling in a barely audible way, and wholly unconscious of the dark figure which was coming behind him. The shades of twilight grew deeper, and began closing around the two, and the grim shape of Mount Lookout projected its adow: darker yet, down the hillside just in front of them. Pembroke saw the shadow, and decided that there should the deed be done. On went pursuer and pursued. Judah entered the shadow. Pembroke quickened his pace and raised his knife. A few seconds more would have settled all, but there was an interruption. As Pembroke passed a dwarfed tree, a hand was suddenly laid upon his arm and he was brought to a halt. Startled, he raised his wea- pon, but his hand fell nervelessly to his side. EO pig Perham stood beside him, The sight took all the pirength from the black- san af arm, and he stood like one turned to § . ‘‘ What would you do?” the minister solemnl asked. ‘Remember th ivi ‘Thou shalt not killp ” PO gh pelt Sak Pembroke gasped for breath and stood dumb. Perbam knew his secret; Perham knew bow near he taa been to murder; and the strung as- cendency the good old man held over his afflict~ ed friend was now a blow stronger than any one else could have given. Perbam stood erect and seemed to tower above the other man in stature as he did, at that mo- ment, wentaily, The preacher of the Word was at his best, he was on familiar ground—ground plainly marked by the Bible—and all his usual uncertainty was gone. He was strong, grave, impressive and accusing. ** What would you do?” he added, deeply. **T—I don’t know!” Pembroke faltered, ‘*There is murder in your heart; you would have struck down a fellow-man!” ‘** He drove me to it!” muttered Pembroke, ** Do you remember your pledge to me?” ‘cc Yes,” ‘* You promised to control yourself.” “Tf I could.” ‘*Tf you could! Are you a man, and make such a confession of weakness?” Pembroke flung his knife aside, ‘*T am a miserable wretch!” he cried; ‘ a lost, lost wretch!” He covered bis face with his hands and leaned against the tree, weak and trembling. ‘* Hall Pembroke, only that I had come to rue aid; only that [ had seen you by chance as wandered idly about here; you would be a mur- derer now! The moment your awful passion was satisfied you would bea man hunted and hounded py his fellow-men. Totheend of your life, awake or sleeping, the shadow of the gallows would fall upon you as falls the shadow of Mount Lookout at our feet. And was it for that you would bave broken your pledge to me? Was it | for that you would haveslain a fellow-man? Oh! my erring brother, remember you not the Divine words?— Thou shalt not kill!” The light of a great peace, of Christian trust, of pity and of great tenderness was upon Tyring- ton Perham’s face, and a tear from his eyes fell upon one of Hall Pembroke’s hands, which he had taken in his own, **Worbear! forbear!” gasped the black- smith. ‘‘ You know bow he has tempted me.” ‘* T have heard what he said in your shop.” ‘*T was innocent; I swear it!” ‘* I believe you, poor soul,” ** Yet, he tried to ruin me, and, to-night, he has poured the poison of his venomous falsehoods into Jessie Hollis’s ears. Can I bear all this?” ** Justice will triumph in the end.” “But he is drawing the net more tighly against me every duy. He bas turned other men against me,and will ruin me beyond redemption.” CHAPTER XXVIII. A CHECK TO THE GAME, PEMBROKE did not speak bitterly or rebell- iously, but his words were those of a man who is unutterably wretched and without hope. Perham held his band as he might that of a grieving child, but the minister’s compassion turned to a source higher than the crowning geth of Mount Lookout, seeking aid and mute- y praying for power to convince that darken- ed mind, ** Let not your heart be troubled,” he an- swered, ‘*There is One who will watch over and protect you. Judah Mardwin’s falsehoods will recoil upon himself, and the real criminal be discovered. As for Jessie Hollis, do you think she will believe him?” ‘** Never!” *“Then why despond?”’ **'You don’t know how he has hounded me!” ** You have told me a part.” ‘* He drives me mad,” ‘** Be of good cheer, He is not a good citizen, and I will consult with our pave" men to see if he ought not to be expelled from Si Gotch.” ‘** You don’t know the shame that is upon me, Look at me! I am twenty-five pounds heavier than Mardwin, and my muscles are hardened with toil; his, weakened by an indolent and dissipated life. Tbe man would be a child in my hands, yet I dare not lay hands upon him; I dare not defend myself or Jessie from him, If once [raise my hand in anger against him, I shall end lis miserable life.” ** Are you so beyond self-control?” **T am helpless in the hands of fate. The doom which overtook my ancestors will be mine, struggle as I may, and do, against it. From the hour when first I saw Mardwin I have never hada doubt that | was created to slay him. My ancestors struggled in vain; in vain will my struggle be made, He will die at my hands!” ‘* Madman!” ‘**Perhaps Iam mad, for I have seen things not of earth, I have seen the red mist; I have seen the figure of my Tempter, distinct yet be- yond description, standing within the mist, I have seen his finger point to Mardwin and his lips command, ‘ Kill! kill?” Perham’s hand sought his companion’s wrist, ** Fever, high fever!” he commented, ‘So is there fever in the volcano’s heart,” The minister hesitated for a moment. Dark- ness had fallen and they were alone in Lookout’s shadow. Judah Mardwin, who had heard noth- ing, suspected nothing, had gone on and might beamile away. Perham did not care for him. He linked his arm within Pembroke’s and drew him away. ‘**Come to my study,” he said, kindly. ~ ** Just as you wish,” Perham dropped the previous subject, and on the way spoke cheerfully of other matters, The blacksmith grew calm with unexpected quick- / ness, and his quiet, logical, unhesitating replies seemed to puzzle the elder man more than ever. His manner was not that of one deranged, or disturbed by fever, but Tyrington Perham could not believe in the ‘‘ fate,” the accursed in- heritance, or the Tempter so strongly believed in by Pembroke, What, then, was he to think? They went to his study as he desired, and there they remained during the evening, Per, ham had set his heart upon curing Hall of his belief, and he labored as he had never done be- fore, Every argument of logic, science, religion and common sense that he could think of was used; and he madea great effort to crush his companion’s belief in ‘‘ fate,” and to save him from committing crime. He bad a docile listener. Pembroke heard and tried to be convinced because he wished to be, but it was a failure, When Perbam was done, Pembroke still be- lieved that he was destined to kill Mardwin, and that nothing could save bim from it. The minigter was deeply disappointed, but be had to be content with Hall’s promise that he do his utmost to avoid trouble, When the visitor departed Perham watched him out of sight and shook his head gloomily. ** Grave forebodings beset me!” he murmured, ‘*The man is not cured of his mania, and if Mardwin persists in annoying him, I tremble for the result, I hope all will be well, but—” He sighed deeply and closed the door. If he had spoken his mind freely he would have ad- mitted that he had a presentiment as well as Pembroke, and that it was to the effect that Mardwin would soon meet with a violent end, That night the minister slept but little. He worried about his friend, and the fact thata crisis was approaching in his own affairs made him nervous, Saddle-Chief Kit had gone to Belated Camp to see the Reverend Mr. Sherrick, but would be back in the morning. When he came the crisis would be at hand, At breakfast the next morning, the Bastions. were in high spirits, They all knew of Esther’s. success in getting the ten dollars from Perbam, and, believing that it was only the beginning of a financial rain which would fill those empty but greedy reservoirs, their pockets, they were exultant, and more than ever impudent. An hour later came Saddle-Chief Kit, who was closeted for some time with Perham; and when he went away, Czarina was summoned to her guardian. ** My dear,” said Perham, ‘‘ I have heard from the Sherricks,” ‘*T suppose they are well as usual?” ‘*Mrs, Sherrick is not in the best of health.” Perham tried to speak with an air of concern, but he was so much elated that it was hard not. to announce the alleged illness as a joyful fact. Everything was arranged for Czarina to go to Belated Camp, and when she was gone, the Bastions were to be dealt with summarily, Consequently, Perham was in great good humor, ‘*T trust Mrs, Sherrick’s illness is not serious,” answered Czarina, anxiously, ** Not particularly—not be any means. The fact is, she is not as pa as she was once, and she confesses to being homesick and lone- some,” ‘* Indeed! Iam sorry,” ‘* She bas planned a remedy,” ** What is it?” ‘*To have you visit her,” ‘* Tndeed |” ** Yes, and I quite approve of it. Mrs. Gran- ger can manage here, and Mrs. Sherrick is too good a friend to be neglected. She is no longer young, and bas great claims upon our consider- ion, **T should certainly be glad to oblige her, and to go, but when you speak of Mrs, Gran- ger, you forget that she is to leave us to-mor- row, ‘* She has consented to remain.” This was a fact, Perham had seen the house- keeper, and by promising ber that the Bastions should go inside of forty-eight hours, had won her pledge to stay. ‘Then perhaps I can go,” Czarina admitted. ** Certainly you can, my dear; and Mrs, Sher- rick would be deeply disappointed if you did not. *T will go.” Perham smiled broadly, as hat's right, Czarina; always be kind to the aged. ’ ‘* By the way, how did you get word?” ‘By Mr, Jameson, He was going to Belated Camp, and I asked him to call on Brother Sher- rick and give him my regards, When can you start?” ‘* Within two hours, But can you get along — with the Bastions, uncle?” | ‘*Oh, yes: and I fancy they will not remain over a couple of days, anyhow.” ‘*In that case I have nothing to keep me here, and I thank you for the leave of absence, I shall be glad to get away for awhile,” ef Quite right; and the change will do you ‘ood “T will getready at once,” Eomicboo Sy