Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 533 — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

~ ys = ite yee . + * 6 a special grievance that she had been permitted ' lieve that it was—then be knows too much al- to travel through unmolested. ‘*] had an adventure that might have proved as unpleasant as your own had it not been foran unexpected piece of good fortune. I had ex- pected to be the sole passenger, but it turned out that I had a companion who was equally ready with tongue and revolver. When the stage was attacked the ruffians were beaten off, and I am here in safety. Now, teil me briefly what bas happened ; and, especially, what was said. There ought to be a valuable hint or two to be gathered out of it.” ‘* Ah! You had someone to fight your battle! I did not even have the chance to make a fight. The lights went out a second or two before some one got a grip of steel on my throat, It seemed to me that I was tossed up through the ceiling; but, I was so dazed I couldn’s tell exactly how the thing was done. I fancy they thought I was altogether imsensiblee Then I was hastily dragged along.” e ceased speaking and turned his head side- wavs, in an attitude of listening. here was a light footstep along the un- carpeted floor of the hallway; and just as North threw up his hands, a derringer in each, the door flew open before a pair of Herculean shoulders hurled against it. Quick as thought the young man fired. There was a half-choking cry; and the man who came lurching over the threshold tossed up | his hands wildly and went down with a crasb, just as North, without even a word of leave- taking, sprung through the window and disap- peared. CHAPTER VI. CHESTNUT BRINGS A LETTER, THE man who stumbled headlong into Viola’s room could thank the unnecessary impetus he had given his shoulders, for saving his life. The man who went out of the window would have fared worse had not Oregon thrown up his hands as he fell. The action was an instinctive blind when he found the drop was on him and tke bullet com- ing. As he touched the floor his right hand was at his waist. Then his revolver came up cocked, and he pulled trigger as he lay. ‘** Picked sticks at a shader, by ther rollin’ wheels!” Up he s'arted, and rushed to the window. He knew he had missed his mark by half a dozen inches: but was in hopes he could catch a glimpse of the game within pistol-shot. he disappearance was complete. - Bebind bim there was something like a comedy going on. Viola, without a cry, had sprung to the wall, There she stood, 1s much out of harm’s way as possible, watcbing the unexpected fray. The action of Neville North was, to say the ready, without any telling of mine. But, how is it that he has not only learned of our coming, but even of the little minutize that have only been spoken of between ourselves—our plans fur going and coming? If he knows this much, he must: know all.” ‘‘No; or be would not run the risks be has done to obtain an interview with you when you were totally off your guard. But he suspects, and is on his defense. More than that. He must believe in his own strength, or be would strike where he dallies,” ‘¢T should say he bad struck. Perhaps [ can safely lay to him the attack on me along the road; and certainly you yourself have felt the bog of his hand since you bave been in Brace ox.”’ ‘* He dared to attack you?” ‘¢ Some one did; and, as they seemed unwill- ing to proceed to extremities, | begin to think this same Cyril North had something to do with the affair.” “¢ How was it?” Again Viola rebearsed her adventure with Gadley’s Gang. This time she felt more certain of her audience. When she had finished, she added: ‘*T have heard one account of the affair at the Bower and what followed immediately after- ward, Perhaps it was reasonably correct, but I did not learn how you made your escape, and how you bappen to be here so opportunely.” ‘¢ The whole story is short enough, and needs little explanation. Some one turned the lights out, and in the darkness I was choked into in- sensibility. ‘‘The proprietor of the house, or some of bis employees must have been a party to the out- rage, I may have been dropped through a trap, ' but it is just as likely that I was carried out bodily. The next thing I knew I was dressed in these rags—all but the hat, which I picked up afterward—tied up neck and heels, and lying in the darkness of a small cellar. If Oregon’s eyes had not been better than yours, I would have been there yet, and Cyril would bave been deep in your confidence. He saw me, as he thought, creep outof a sbanty, and steal away toward the hotel. - ** Providentially, he was in no great haste to claim acquaintance. He thought he detected something suspicious in my movements, and de- cided that, anyhow, I could get away without assistance. Meantime, it would be just as well to take a look at the place I came from, ‘¢ He found me there, and ravenously hungry. Excitement bas been bolding in check the gnaw- ings that I felt, but they are coming on again, I ropose that there should be ashort recess while Tiget into decent clothes. Then we can adjourn to the supper-table, and continu. the consulta- tion afterward. If Iam not m™. tsken, you have not tried the cuisine of the h»:13>, and I assure least, very remarkable, for she had recognized | you it is not bad for a frontier “emp.” the Sport with a Scar the moment the door flew open. What had come between these two, that they should seek each others’ lives? And, who was this at-Oregon’s heels? As the latter rose to his feet, and cleared the doorway, this other man stepped in, He looked pretty much hard times. An old slouch hat, that might have been dug from the bottom of an abandoned sluice, was pulled well down over hiseyes. A pair of muddied jeans pantaloons, fairly well reduced to streamers, festooned his ieeale and was gathered in, almost at his arm-pits. A scant een that mignt have been the remnant of oseph’s coat of many colors, was drawn tight- ly over his shoulders. ‘* Viola!” this object exclaimed, giving the overshading slouch a toss, and facing the young lady, who stood staring at the apparition, This young man turned out to be Neville North also. ‘ It was no wonder that Viola held up both hands to wave him off, while she eagerly scanned his face, There seemed to be no mis- take about the tones of that voice; yet, if this was Neville, who was the other ? **Oh! yer needn’t be afeard ov him!” said | ike the ghost of said he had, it wil } ' | Oregon, as he turned away from the window, | satisfied that there was nothing to be seen of the fugitive, and that pursuit was useless, ‘This byar are ther pure, white quill, an’ ef pow listen to him warble his leetle yarn, you'll e apt ter learn what a thunderin’ fraud that other gerloot war.” ‘* What is the meaning of this? If you are Neville North, who was it that I found here?” | | | ‘“That I cannot tell with certainty, since I | did not see bim; but I believe it could have been none other than Cyril.” * That's ’bout ther lay ov ther land, ezI figger | it out, marm!” interposed Oregon, ‘* You must reely excuse us fur comin’ in, so ter speak, head-first; but we heard him a-chin- | nin’, an’ kinder feared be’d git more p’ints than war good fur yer heath ef we let ther interview oon. That war bis leetle game. An’ I guess r. North, hyar, wouldn’t Lev objected ter git- tin’ a leetle even, sence they give him a purty | rite shake-up.” that was Cyril North—and I can well be- | | | | As Neville told his story lis spirits revived. By the time he had finished iti he vas very much himself again. In proportion as he grew gay, Viola grew grave. ** Your prototyge has just cleaned out my sacbel, so that I a! Sate you bave fasted as he be best to follow your sug- gestion. But I confess the boldness of these lotters and planners is greater than I could pave believed, And what surt of a plave is it where such things can go on without causing even passing comment among the citizens? Two revolver-shots in this room, and not a soul cared to inquire whether there was anything wrong.” “Bless yer soul, miss, this are Brace Box,” explained Oregon, ‘‘ Ther popyerlation are too busy, each man a-lookin’ after his own deviltry, ter keer what happens ter outsiders, onless thar’s a chance fur coin in findin’ out. You kin bet it’s all a skin game hyar from ther word go.” ‘‘Talk a little slow, Oregon,” remonstrated Neville. “Tommy was giving me a square deal, and that’s a fact.” ‘* 4 winnin’ on ther trap what he lost on ther table,” responded Oregon, with some scorn. ‘‘A chief hyar kin shoot, gouge, stab an’ tramp all over a tenderhuff an’ nobody won’t take notice ez long ez they don’t see a safe chance ter deal a game ov the’rown, Yer hev ter take keer ov yerself ef ye’r’a stranger in Brace Box; an’ be mighty keerful who yer gits ther drop on when yer doin’ it. This camp would rise right at a man that minded his own business an’ wouldn’t be either a lion er a lamb.” “That is Brace Box to a dot; now we will look into the larder,” laughed Neville. “Tf he gets to descanting on the merits of the only honest man he has met here I will die of starvation.” ‘‘Hyar goes fur grub, then, ef we kin find it. Reckon it will take a little scouting ‘round, but it’s good when we get it: now, that’s a fact.” The result justified Oregon’s belief. The sup- r had been in course of preparation, and eville found Bower on the eve of starting to are his lady guests, and apologize for the long elay. The reappearance of Neville North was cer- Oregon, the Sport with a Scar. en Et ES LL tainly a surprise; but his questions, a whole volley of which he let drive, were promptly met with a reply that it was perfectly impossible to talk while so terribly hungry. ‘* All right, then. Just step ’round to ther bash rooms; an’ [’Jl come at yer when other things is slack, Thar’s a young lady hyar now axin’ fur you. Guess I'd better tell her you’ve come in,” ‘*T have seen ber and she says she is nearly starved. Keep her waiting so long again and you'll know the reason why.” Bower looked curiously at the speaker, and then led the way, being joined outside of the ‘ office” by Miss Viola and Oregon. The corridors were not very extensive. A few steps through a narrow hall brought them to the “bash room,” and as they entered a bright-luoking young lady glanced up and nodded at Miss North. ‘* Thought you’d find your way here, and was too hungry to spend time looking you up. Not much danger of getting lost wandering about through the vastness of this establisbment. I see you have found your friends?” Viola had allowed ber acquaintances of the stage todrop out of sight without much cere- mony; but it had not been intentional. Her interest in other things had simply caused her to forget. She answered with a cordiality that she really felt. ‘Yes, Thisis the relative I spoke of, Mr. North, Miss May. Consider yourselves ac- quainted.” ‘‘Thanks, very much, for the honor,” said Neville, bowing low, “‘]T have heard of the adventure with Gadley’s gang, and when I get toit you'll hear my praise, astonishment and admiration. I have had an adventure myself, however, and am hungry enough to eat for three. Positively, I can do nothing else.” ‘‘No one wants you to. Here is the lay-out. Coasider what is your especial vanity and regu- late yourself accordingly. I am mum as an oyster until I have seen you go clean through the bill of fare.” Merry May laughed, and set the example by devoting ber time strictly to enjoying the plea- sures of the table. Of course, now and then, a few words were said but there was no regular conversation. They were getting near the home stretch, and all pretty much together, when the door opened, and instead of the landlord the young man known as Chestnut Chink came shambling in. He stopped just after he had crossed the thres- hold and stared at the party. Something was evidently not exactly in the shape he had expected to see it, for he scratched his head and even made a motion as though he thought of beating a retreat. ‘¢ What is it?” éf Neville North looked up sharply, and spoke sternly. The interruption was not at all to his taste. ‘‘ Why, boss, it’s suthin’ like a. mis-deal, an’ I reckon I'd better go back an’ git a fresh shuffle, It’s ‘mazin’ how keerless some folks is ’bout bizz- ness. ‘*What do you want? What did you come in here for? Talk quick! There’s a tingling about my fingers that seems to tell me I am destined to drop somebody through the window soon; and I wouldn’t wonder if that somebody was ou. ms Door’s ae ernuf fur me, he, he! Jest take it easy an’ [’ll open ther box. Gospil truth an’ no lyin’! Ther feller w’ot’s ter go outen ther winder ain’t hyer, But be give me a letter.” Chestnut, as he spoke, beld up the missive, ** Well, who is it for? Can’t you read? Your tongue seems to be able to do its full duty, anda little more.” ‘‘T kin read; but in this hyer lay-out readin’ don’t count. Ther outside’s all white paper. Ther d’rection’s in thar,” He struck his forehead with his smudgy paw, and continued: ‘““T war ter d’liver it ter ther young lady at Jimmy Bower’s w’ot ’rived on ther hearse, Mebbe you'll answer ter that same?” He addressed bis question to Merry May, who happened to be seated nearest to him, and was watching him with good-natured interest. ‘*T certainly came this evening, and by the stage, but I don’t know that any one here would be apt to send me a letter.” ‘‘No. I sh’d jedge yer warn’t s’pectin’ this. Yer see, whena pair of queens come out ter- gether I war afeard I’d lost my ante, Ef I ain’t right I ort ter be, an’ that’s all ’'m keerin’ about. . . ‘* Thar’s one thing more. ‘‘] war ter slip it inter yer hand when nobody warn’t a-lookin’, Ef ther balance ov ther party’d jest close thar opticks, er turn 'em towards that winder this gentleman ’pears ter hev a mortgage on, I kin close out ther deal an’ go on rejoicin’.” ‘** But before I take a letter that comes in such a questionable way, I must have a better idea of who it is from. Come, sir! I am not used to being trifled with, You don’t look like the man to originate an insult, I warn you, though, that you may find yourself in hot water,” Eomichboo aa) “S —~2- —— Ss ce et geome ees REE —— J . Rd