Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 531 — page 23: what you’re looking at

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at Saddle-Chief Kit. 23 With this coarse, brutal conclusion Esther stepped to one side, and Czarina was free to go, She did not neglect the chance. Biting her lips to keep back the indignant words which strug- gled for utterance, she passed Mrs, Bastion in silence and hurried up-stairs, As chance would have it, she bad barely reached the second floor when the outer door opened and Tyrington Perham entered. Ksther’s fountain of malevolent mischief boiled again. a So you’re back, Tyrie!” she exclaimed, ‘* You’re jest the man I want ter see,” ** Indeed !” ‘*'Yes, We've been in Si Gotch some time now, but my children ain’t beeu inter sassiety none. I want Pansy an’ David ter go, »1’ they be goin’; an’ [ want you ter send the lung girl along as their ehappyrun,” ** How’s that?” ‘**] want her ter go along with ’em, You may as wal agree to it right off, fur you hadn’t dare refuse.” ‘*To be sure, Mrs, Bastion. Czarina will be pleased to help your children, and I will speak to her about it, Yes, yes; she shall go with them,” Now, this speech had a surface and a secret meaning. Mr, Perbam had seemed to yield very readily to Mrs. Bastion’s commands, but he bad done it because he was strong in the belief tbat the Bastions would be expelled from the house within twenty-four hours. As long as they were to be sent off, why quarrel about minor matters? Czarina did not have this secret understand- ing. Although invisible to Mr, Perham she was still where she overheard this conversation, and the words fell upon her ears with painful force, To all appearances the minister had aban- doned all idea of resisting Mrs, Bastion’s impu- dent claims, and was as helpless in her hands as a child. Czarina waited for no more. She retreated to her room, locked the door, dropped into a chair and, for the first time in Esther’s rule, burst into tears, She had borne prolonged im- udence, insults and interference patiently, for har guardian’s sake, but the last hope appeared to be gone, and her nature arose in bitter rebel- ion. ‘*Oh! if I were a man—ifI were only a man!” she panted, rather than exclaimed. Her hands locked and unlocked nervously. ‘*T can bear this no longer!” she added, bitter- ly. ‘‘I had hoped to see a change for the bet- ter, but it has been just the opposite. What does it mean? Weak as Tyrington Perham is, he should have some manhood left; be should, at least, preserve me from insult! He does not, and there is no one else. to whom I can turn,” The stubborn truth forced itself upon her that what was needed at that moment was a MAN, and one of courage; and for a moment she had an unpleasant conviction that she had not done the wisest thing in the world when she took position as a hater of the ruder sex, She forced the idea aside. A man could for- cibly eject the Bastions, but she had claim upon no one. ‘* What can be that woman’s hold upon Mr, Perham?’ she continued, aloud, ‘‘He is too good to have ever committed a crime, but she has some hold upon him, If I were a man—” She paused and made an impatient move- ment, **A man!’—always ‘a man!’” she bitterly exclaimed. ‘‘ That is fine talk for cne who de- spises the lords of creation. I hate myself as much as I do them—yet, I wish I had a brother who could stand up bojdly against those wretch- ed Bastions!” There was but little consolation in this wish, and when she remembered that she was ap- proaching the pale of day-dreaming, she arose impatiently. ‘¢ T won’t think of it!” she declared. This was a good resolution, and_she kept it sufficiently well to cease weeping. Making her- self busy about the room, she soon succeeded in regaining her composure and firmness, and when she went down to superintend the dinner she gave no evidence of the recent emotional storm. At the table she was made to feel the weight of Esther’s venom. For some reason no refer- ence was made to the woman’s latest scheme, but she gave Czarina many thrusts which were full of malevolence. Czarina disregarded them, and so did Mr. Perham, but they awoke re- sponsive irritation in their minds, » Czarina had ) prmege to visit the west end of the village, and she went at once when dinner was over. She longed to get away from the Bastions. After leaving she walked mechanically, but rapidly, toward her destination, Her mind still dwelt upon the state of affairs at the house, and she began to feel some bitterness toward Per- ham. Surely, she thought, there could be no sufficient reason why they should be compelled to endure so much, ‘“*Oh! that arrpaton Perham had the firm- ness 0: cther men!” she thought, resentfully. Sse sep——sen—=——-—-—sss esteem She had reached one of the ridges which bounded ‘‘ Purgatory Road,” and as she looked across she saw Saddle-Chief Kit coming from the opposite side, She had learned to think better of him than | in the first days of their acquaintance, and the | recognition brought no regret. Her pride had been humbled to the dust, and as she had reason | to believe that he was really her friend, she greeted him, when they met, with a gracious | smile. ** Out for a walk?” he asked, lightly. ‘*T was going to the west village.” ‘* Tf you’re not in a hurry, I'd like a word with you.” ‘*T am not,” Kit noticed that the coldness once to be ob- served in her manner was gone, but he did not assume an air rnore than respectful. ‘What I wanted was to refer to your visit to Belated Camp,” he explained. ‘* T have decided not to go.” ‘‘ So I have heard, and as I was the bearer of the invitation from Mrs, Sherrick, 1 am natu- rally interested. Allow me to ask a question, if you please. Would your objection to going to Belated Camp also prevent you from leaving your own home, if you went to some other house in Si Gotch?” | ‘‘T am not sure that I understand,” ‘** Would you refuse to remove for a few days from Mr. Perham’s to some other house in this place?” : _Czarina’s surprise was shown in her expres- ion, ‘* Why should I do that?’ she asked. “Pll try to explain. Ihave the honor to be somewhat in your guardian’s confidence, and am working for him. He is so unfortunate, just now, as to have the Bastions quartered upon him. He wishes to get rid of them, but is well aware that they will not go willingly. They must be put out forcibly, and when that is done there will be the tallest kind of a row, to put it bluntly. Being well aware that if you are then present you will be exposed to a good deal of insult and mortification, he wishes to spare you that, It was to save you that the visit to Belated Camp was planned; you would not haye received Mrs. Sherrick’s invitation had | not gone over and requested it. I state this with your guardian’s sanction.” Czarina looked bewildered. ‘* This is very strange!” she murmured, ** A trifle, I will admit.” ‘““Why didn’t Mr, Perbam tell me why he wished me to go?” ‘* He wanted to keep you ignorant of the com- ing tempest in his house,” ‘‘Is he really going to send the Bastions away?” “« Ves,” ‘They will not go for him,” Kit smiled grimly. ‘* That’s where I come in, Miss King, It isn’t modest to boast, but it’s the plain truth that when I order the Bastion colony to get out, they are going! Muscle will tell!” Czarina’s eyes were sparkling, ‘* Has this really been determined upon?” ‘* It has.” ‘“‘And you are going to aid Mr, Perham to put them out forcibly?” **T rely upop him to superintend the work. I shall do the talking—and the fighting, if the ex- pression don’t alarm you. To boil it down— pray don’t think me a braggart, Miss King—I ntend to chuck them out heels over head, and;I can do it!” Calm, systematic Czarina now surprised both Kit Jameson and herself. She gave him her hand impulsively, aud the sparkle in her eyes and the flush in her cheeks made her look pret- tier than ever, ‘*Mr,. Jameson!” she exclaimed, ‘if you will clear our house of those wretches you will win my ries gratitude,” ** Pll do it.’ “They have humiliated me to the lowest depths; I shall rejoice in their downfall,” ‘It will be a good deed.” ** As for the plans you have for me, I agree to them Dt I have—have guod reasons why I do not wish to leave Si Gotch, but I shall be glad to go to some other house and avoid all part in the trouble when they are sent away.” ‘Exactly. There is a condition about it, however- When you are gone it will be an- nounced that you have gone to Belated Camp, and it will be necessary for you to keep close in- doors, and not let any one know you are still in Si Gotch, This is to keep the Bastions away ae gare me bet a that you are here, sther utter down upon you at the first note of alarm.” ites **T agree to all this,” ane you any place in mind where you can g ‘* My choice would be with Jessie Hollis, and I will see her on my way home.” ‘““Good! You will be safe there, and I think ou’ll sleep there-to-night. “Things are working amously, and I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t score a success. The Bastion dynasty is trembling on its base!” 5 CHAPTER XXI, A DEED WHICH MAY CAUSE TROUBLE, Tux stage from Cobble Camp was not due in Si Gotch until two hours after dark, For several miles the road was a bard one, being up- hill, crooked and rough, but during the last half-hour of the trip the ground descended and the vehicle went bowling merrily toward the smaller village. On the evening of the day when occurred the last scenes of our story, Pete Jordan, the stage- driver, yawned and straightened up as he neared the highest point of land. A little further and his slow progress would give place to a shar trot, and he would be correspondingly pleased. He glanced up toward the summit of Mount Lookout, which reared up in the sky, black and frowning, with a clear, star-gemmed expanse of the heavens all around it, ‘Light enough up thar!” muttered Pete; ‘*but its dark an’ Peed down hyar in the gulch. Wish I had a passenger ter talk with, but Iain’t. Git up, Isaac! G’lang, Jacob!” Isaac and Jacob were his horses, and they pricked up their ears and quickened their ace, Pete shut his eyes and shook his head. “Td like suthin’ bet— Hullo! what’s the matter, thar? Glang, Isaac! Git’ up,’ Jacob!” The driver opened his i suddenly as the horses came to a stop, and the advice he gave them was good, but they did not start. At the same moment Pete’s hat was knocked off, and, turning, he saw the muzzle of a revolver close to his head and a man behind it, ‘* Hands up!” cried the man. ‘‘ Chestnuts!” retorted Pete; ‘‘ you can’t scara me, especially with a stale order. ‘Hands up!’ is wore threadbare, Why don’t yesay, ‘Steady! —not a wiggle?” The driver imagined the whole thing to be a joke, but he was soon shown that it was not, A hand closed upon his throat from the opposite side, and it dawned upon him that trouble was in the air. He made a quick move, but thud! thud ! came the revolver, used as a club, down upon his head. ‘*Hold the horses tight, Pembroke!” shouted one of Pete’s immediate assailants, Poor Pete wasin a bad way. Hewasa brave man, and was making all the fight he could, but he had begun too late, The blows confused him, and be suddenly lost all consciousness of what was going on and fell back on the box, insensi- ] e. When this became apparent to the assailants they ceased their blows. One laid bold of the mail-bag, which had been between Pete's feet, and then both leaped to the ground, The horses, unconscious of the trouble their master was in, were standing still in the grasp of a third man, The first two had no sooner reached the ground than they began to cut the traces. The horses were soon freed from the stage, but no effort was made to start them on. ‘Ail right!” announced one of the trace-cut- rs. The man at the animals’ heads released his old. ‘*Now let’s be off!” added the previous eaker. ‘Ts the driver done for?” as Yes.” ‘* Hope you haven’t killed him.” **Do you take me for a novice?” ** Anything else, by Jove!” ** Now, let’s be off!” Ail seemed to be of one accord, and they start- ed at a moderate run along the trail to Si Gotch. ‘* No more talk until we get to a safe place!” commanded the leader. They went on briskly. There was no sound of horses’ steps behind them, and it was evident that Isaac and Jacob bad not deserted their master. How long they would remain with him was uncertain, but the time was near at band when Si Gotch would be unpleasantly informed that read-agents had descended upon them, As the robbers went on the lights of Si Gotch were visible in advance, but they continued boldly until within a comparatively short dis- tance of the town, Then they turned to the left and n ade their way a hundred rods among the rocks and bushes, There the leader paused. ** As well close up the job here as anywhere. The rocks are high; there is no danger of dis- covery.” They paused, and one of their number pro- duced a small lantern, It was soon lighted, and the light revealed the trio plainly—a faces. Over these masks were worn. ‘Now, then,” added the spokesman, “squat down, all. This mail-bag has grown heavy, and | my legs, too, are weary. How is it with you, eet tm all right.” m . ‘““You’ve done nobly on your maiden job— hasn’t he, Mardwin?” ‘“‘ Right well,” agreed the third robber, ‘‘ He pounded the stage-driver merrily.” ‘Hold up, Dike!” hastily replied the object of these compliments. ‘‘ The air has ears; I don’t want ter be advertised here.” ‘‘ Bless you, Dave, there’s no danger. Weare but their com Ebooks:co