Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 531 — page 25: what you’re looking at

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

—EE ——E i “Tf I killed Pem it would be just like Jessie to adore his memory. Give a woman a chance to do a foolish, idiotic thing, and she’ll do it.” ‘‘Yes. Strange that they can’t be reasonable, like men, We, of the sensible sex, murder our rivals and cast off our lady-loves when we see a new charmer,” ‘*As to Pembroke, he’s a weak-mined chap, anyhow, and has been as much afraid of me as the devil is said to be of holy water. Pem still fears me, but he now has flashes of spirit which are not agreeable,” ‘‘ We'll talk of this later. Let’s go back tothe ost-office, and, anon, we'll kidnap your pretty essie,” Back went the plotters, little suspecting how the different subjects which they had mentioned might be connected, They had spoken of abducting Jessie, and of the alleged journey of Czarina to Belated Camp; but had they known that the journey to Belated Camp was only a blind, and that, during the day, Czarina had made arrangements to stay secretly with Jessie Hollis, they might have suspected who remained with Mrs, Hollis while Jessie walked with Hall Pembroke; and it might | also have dawned upon them thatif they went to the Hollis cottage they would find more than one young lady. When they reached the post-office again, they found that a feeling of uneasiness was beginning to exist. ete Jordan had never before been so late in landing the stage at Si Gotch, and as the trail was in many places dangerous, there were some who were giving opinions cf a serious nature. Dyckman and Judah mixed freely with the crowd for half an hour. Many eyes were watching for the stage, butit did not come, and patience became exhausted at last. [t was agreed that something serious had happened to Pete Jordan, and half a dozen men got their horses and started to investigate, Harrington did not go with this party, but Mardwin was determined to know the exact condition under which Pete and the stage were found; so he saddled up and galloped off with the rest, The journey along the up-grade brought no discovery, but as they neared the scene of the assault, 5 udah made out the dark shape of the stage. His companions were not much bebind him, and witb a shout they rushed forward, ‘‘Here’s the team, anyhow!” cried Con Byrd, who was of the party. ‘‘ But whar’s Pete?” ‘¢ The horses are loose,” ‘*Thar’s been foul play!’ declared Con. ** Whar’s Pete?” ** Whar’s the mail?” There was a medley of questions and exclam- ations, but the men bad leaped to the ground, and all were eager to investigate. Suddenly another cry arose: ‘‘ Hyar’s Pete, dead on the box!” ‘¢ Didn’t I tell ye thar’d been foul play?” asked Con, ‘« Pete ain't dead, but he’s senseless, Git out yer whisky-flasks, fellers!” Every man produced the desired article, but it was wisely decided that Pete did not need many quarts of the beverage. A lantern had been brought along, and by its light they worked intelligently. Pete was taken under treatment, and the lantern used for other purposes. ; The traces was cut!” announced one man. ‘* And the mail is gone!” added another. “T reckon Si Gotch ain’t goin’ ter git left when we consider road-agents!” declared Con Byrd proudly, ‘* Boys, ef Pete don’t die, this will be a big night fur us—we kin have road- agents as well as any other place. Say, we've all got liquid terror; le’s wash out our throats. Mine’s full o’ dust; it ought ter be washed out, an’, by sixty! it shall be washed out!” This sentiment was grateful to most of the crowd, an the dust was carefully looked to, but one of the party who was not thirsty made a new discovery just then, — : ‘© A revolver!” he exclaimed, picking some- thing up from the ground. “Say, was this Pete's or the robbers’? Hold the light!” The order was obeyed. ' ‘““Tt’s marked ‘ H. P.’, an’ by sin, I know the weepon! It’s Hall Pembroke’s the blacksmith, Say, you chaps, it strikes me this is an artom suspicious!” _—_—_—_—_ CHAPTER XXXIII. ““EILL! KILL!” Ir was the next forenoon, and a hammer was ringing lustily in Hall Pembroke’s shop as Judah Mardwin came down the street. There was an evil smile on the man’s face, but he sauntered into the shop with his usual non- chalance. ‘* Hullo, Pem! you’re hard at work, I see!” he said, in a hearty voice. * The blacksmith looked up, and a frown gathered upon his face as he saw who his visitor was. He was fashioning a piece of metal heated to a white hue, and, without a word of reply, he lowered his gaze and renewed his sturdy blows, Saddle-Chief Kit. Still there was no reply. ‘* What did Quinn have to say?” added Mard- win, as unmoved as ever. Pembroke ceased his work. ‘* You are like a buzzard.” he answered, ina deep voice. ‘‘ Whenever there is trouble you scent it in the air and gatber to torture the weak and helpless!” ** Bless me, Pem, what’s all this about? I shall have to ask, later, but, just now, I have another question. I hear that your revolver was found by the robbed stage, and that Sheriff @uinn called to see you about it, Pm glad you’re not under arrest, Pem!” ‘* You speak falsely!” retorted the black- smith, in hot anger, ** Come, now, Pem, that’s a trifle tough on an old friend like me—” **Silence!” thundered Pembroke. ‘' I won’t hear any more of your infamous talk, You have come to taunt me about my new misfor- tune. Don’t lie!” ‘* Well, [ would like to know how you explain the fact that your revolver was found there.” hi The weapon was stolen from me two days ago, ‘* Quinn let you off on that excuse, eh?’ ‘* He let me remain on my parole of honor.” ‘** Pei, you’re the luckiest dog I ever knew. Your revolver was stol n two days ago! Old man, that excuse isso old that its teeth have fallen out.” ‘It was no excuse; it wasthetruth. Beware how you insinuate, Judah Mardwin!—I have borne all [can from you. As for the revolver, Lam not sure but you know more about it than Ido. Isuspected you when the silver was found in my shop; I suspect you now. The revolver would not have been left at the scene of robbery without a motive. The motive was to criminate me. Who except you would wish me ill?” ‘*Pem, you’re talking outrageously!” returned Mardwin, with an injured air, ‘*T am talking to the point, I warn you that [Tam not blind, and you will suffer if I am brought to injury through you!” Sternly and warningly the blacksmith faced his enemy, and it was plain that he was in no mood for trifling, or for easy-going measures, Judah began to wish that he bad not come, Hall Pembroke in a bold, defiant mood was not the Hall Pembroke he took pleasure in taunt- ing. Before he could make answer, however, another man entered the shop. It was Tyring- ton Perham, and he was in a state of great agi- tation—so great that he did not notice Mard- win, ‘** Pembroke!” he cried, ‘“‘have youJheard the news?” ‘* What news, sir!” ‘* Jessie Hollis has been abducted!” ** What!” cried the blacksmith, in a loud voice. ** Jessie is gone. Unknown men entered the cottage last night and kidnapped her!” ** Where is she now?” **Ttis not known. I came at once to tell you when I learned of it, The house was entered by tampering with a window, and Jessie taken away without an alarm. Czarina, who was stopping with her, is gone too!” Pembroke did not hear the last words. He turned upon Judah Mardwin with his face dis- torded with fury. ** Demon!” he excl imed, ‘ this is your work!” ‘You wrong mé, Pem—” ‘**Add no more lies to your list. You have passed the limit of my forbearance; you shall pay the penalty. Only a moment ago I warned you not to pressme tothe wall again. Scoundrel! —fiend in human shape!—you shall pay for all this!” The blacksmith caught up his discarded ham- mer,and the expression on bis face filled Perham with horror, Pembroke saw him not, but he saw another shape than Judah Murdwin’s hat- ed form. Before bis eyes seemed to float the red mist,and within it stood that thing not of earth— the mysterious Tempter—and its finger pointed to Mardwin and its lips pantomimed the old com- mand— ‘ Kill! kill!” ‘‘T hear!” shouted Pembroke, madly; ‘ I hear, and [ will obey. Mardwin, vour race is run; you bour has come, I will kill !—kill !” Swinging the hammer aloft he sprung forward, determined in bis dread purpose, but terror seiz- ed upon Mardwin. With a’ hoarse, startled cry he dashed at full speed toward the door, and as he went he heard the heavy footsteps of his would-be slayer behind him. He fled, but his own speed would not have saved him then, He was nearer death than ever before, but the pur- suit was interrupted. P Tyrington Perham, sick at heart with horror, retained presence of mind which made amends for all his weakness of the past. Youthful agilty seemed to return to his aged limbs, and one of bis hands grasped Pembroke’s arm before the latter could cross the threshold, ‘Stop, Hall Pembroke!” he commanded, solemnly. ‘In the name of the over-ruling Providence, I bid you stop!” His grasp was only that of a child in com- parison to the sturdy blacksmith’s, but even at ‘* T’ve heard that you’ve had company,” pur- | that critical moment the ascendency of mind sued Judah. which he had always exercised over Pembroke ' nappers. : a —— ———————————————————————————————— 25 did not desert him. Nothing else—unless, per- haps, the voice of Jessie Hollis—could have checked that headlong pursuit; but, deaf and blind though Hall Pembroke was to the things of earth in their true form, that voice penetrat- ed to his darkened understanding and stayed his steps. He wavered—hesitated—paused ! ‘*Be calm, my friend, be calm!” added Per- ham, and his kind old face was full of lofty strength and pity. ‘* fle has passed the limit of forbearance,” huskily replied the blacksmith. ‘* Leave him to the just God who knoweth his every act. Oh! my dear friend, seek not to right a wrong with another wrong! Let the light of Divine wisdom shine in upon your tor- tured mind! Carry your afflictions to One who is able to help you.” **T have spared the man too long.” “Would you stain your hands with the blood of such an ignoble man?” ** Sooner or later, it must come to that.” *“T tell youit must not. ‘Yield not to the im- pulse which is upon you; be strong; be manly.” ‘* Am I to stand idle and let him ruin me?” ** He shall not. [ will stand between you und his evil plots,” ‘‘ He caused the silver to be concealed in this — shop to prove me guilty of the robbery; he had the revolver left where the stage was robbed to have suspicion fall upon me; and now he bas stolen Jessie, I know he has done all this--am I to endure it tamely?” ‘* You are to meet him firmly, as an innocent man should, and I will help you.” ‘He is bound to ruin me, and now Jeasie is gone, Great beavens! do you realize what that means?” ‘*T do, but the evil-doers shall be circum- vented. My own Czarina is abducted, too, but the stoutest of hearts is enlisted in her bebalf. Kit Jameson swears that the girls shall Le res- cued and the guilty men pe Perham had accomplished his purpose at last; he had engaged Pembroke in consultation until he was again calm. ‘The blacksmith tossed his hammer aside, ** Jessie demands all my care,” he observed, in a steady voice. ‘‘]I will forget all else until she is rescued. How was she taken?” “It is not fully known. As you are aware, Czarina stayed with Mrs. Hollis while Jessie walked with you last evening. When Jessie re- turned the two girls spent some time with Mrs. Hollis and then retired, they occupying the same room, In the morning Jessie did not come as usual to her mother, but it was not until a neighbor called that the abduction was discov- ered. ‘* Was any clew left?” ‘*No. The kidnappers entered by forcing a window open, and, after that, seem to have met with no trouble. It is very sad, indeed, I pit Mrs. Hollis most ef all, but rejoice to say she is bearing it nobly. She asserts that Jessie will be recovered unharmed.” ** Where is Jameson?” ‘**T left him at the cottage.” ‘*7ll go there at once and Jend my aid—unless [ am arrested.” ‘Tor the stage-robbery ?” te Yes.” ‘‘ Sheriff Quinn believes you innocent,” ‘* Others may not do so,” The minisver did not reply. He knew that public feeling was strongly against the black- smith. Coming so soon after the bank-robbery astrong case seemed to be made out against Pembroke, and the people of Si Gotch were al- most unanimous in the opinion that he ought to be arrested, They blamed Quinn for not locking him up at once, but the sheriff was an obstinate man. He had adopted the idea that there was a conspiracy against Pembroke, and he would not arrest ul. Pete Jordan, the stage-driver, had not recov- ered consciousness, and could give no informa- tion to aid the investigation. Pembroke threw on his coat, and they went at once to the Hollis cottage. Hall was in deep thought during the journey, but Perham no- ticed that dark glances were cast lo bim by all they met, The minister breathed a silent prayer for his friend. When Mrs. Pollis’s house was reached they found Kit Jameson in conversation with a man who was a stranger to them. ‘What news?” Perbam asked. ‘Our rescue-party will soon start.” ‘** Have you any idea which way to go?” ‘“T havea theory. Here is Mr. Pembroke; I am gladto meet yon, sir, and regret that Miss Hollis has met with trouble for another’s sake,” ‘**T don’t understand,” Pembroke replied, ‘The attack was aimed at Miss King.” **T don’t think so,” * Why not?” “Tt was aimed at Jessie, and Judab Mardwin was at the bottom of it all, Such is my firm conviction.” ‘‘'There may be something in it,” the Centaur replied, thoughtfully, ‘‘ but I have the best of proof that Dyckman Harrington led the kid- He and Mardwin may have joined ane - <_<. Teomrebooks