Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 533 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

ied _ A queer sort 8 Oregon, the Sport with a Scar. get my horse and go on at once. Be good to) yourself,” Then he turned to Merry May. ** Sorry for the disappointment, but I'll have to excuse myself. Brother Jim has got himself shot, and I’ll have to go over to Left Bower and nurse him. It’s an eighty-mile road over the mountains, and I want to get there before morning.” ‘Sorry you have to go, but of course I won’t | detain you. Perhaps we'll meet when you get back.” The messenger had disappeared, Coldcard went also and Merry May was cast on her own resources, ‘‘No use,” she’ muttered to herself. ‘‘ The fates are not with me to-night. If I was wise I'd go back, touch the top stone in the south- west corner of the foundation of Jimmy’s hotel, | steps, and made her almost think she was walk- and then go to bed; let the Norths run their | ing in fairy land. On the opposite side of the own market wagon; and see what fish fate | table sat a beautiful woman, who looked up brings to the net to-morrow, Only—that’s not | with a languid stare, and then raised her eye- my style. I'll see it out, or break a wheel, The | brows in a way that indicated mild astonish- time’s almost up, anyhow.” | ment, It was not hard for ber to while away the | “For a shrinking maiden, accustomed only to half-hour she had to spare; and promptly on | the mild way of the effete East, you come in | rather a questionable shape. Nevertheless you time she. was gliding almost within ti | distance of the post that supported the huge red | are just as welcome as though you were in silks and diamonds, Be seated.” lantern suspended over the entrance to Hank’s | underground saloon, Merry May threw herself leisurely in an easy- There she halted, and, first consulting ber | chair, Her elbow rested on an arm of the chair, watch to mark the exact hour, raised her right | and her hand supported herchin. The action arm thrice, extended to its full length above her | brought to view an eye of fire, that gleamed over head. at Mrs, Morrison. She could not miss seeing the great solitaire that glowed on the finger of her seen his face, which be kept sedulously in the shadow, but his voice hardly agreed with his slouchy, hang-dog appearance, and for an old man it was certainly clear and firm, What would his wife be like? The way was open, and without further hesi- tation Merry May went forward to see. The building in which Morrison was domiciled looked but little better than a sbanty from without; once within, the cabin became almost palatiate. es a mild radiance over it, its softened light pene- trating to every corner. The table on which it stood was near 4 covered, and on it lay a dozen richly bound volumes, On the walls were hung framed pictures, while under Merry May’s feet, heavy carpet deadened the sound of her No one was in sight, but a score of men might be lurking unobserved among the | visitor. shadows. ** Neither diamonds nor silks are exactly the It did pot take long to know that her signal | apparel to be used after nightfall: but if a had been observed. A shuffling footstep close | diamond can be of any vse in this matter I can behind caused her to look around hastily. | show my credentials. Ah! I see you observe. A bent little man stood almost at her elbow. | Pretty, ain’t it? You want to look at it?” * Well, my dear, you got the note of the little | The diamond did seem to have produced a old man, and were not afraid to trust him, | peculiareffect. If Mrs. Morrison was not cower- The room was lit by a shaded lamp that shed. That is right. He can do you no harm, and | ing back in her chair she lookea very much like | it. ess 0, no,” she said hastily, waving Merry May ‘That ring! Surely there is not another like Mes fans only like to ask how and where you ot it : Merry May gave one of her peculiar laughs. ‘**Don’t imagine [ stole it, or even bought it with a price. It came to me as it vame to others, and I know just what itis worth. I will believe what you may now choose to tel] me a good deal more than if you had never seen it, Never mind the silks. I can show them the next time 1 come, Just proceed with your information.” Mrs. Morrison had recovered her nerves hefore Merry May ceased speaking. ‘**Pardon me foran agitation that I do not often show. A friend of mine once had such a ring—its very image. The friend died years ago. When you grow a little older you will un- derstand better how I have felt at sight of if, And now, to what I may call business, I under- stand, no matter in what way, that you are ae information of one Cyril North, Is it a) ‘* Not information so much as the man himself. Yet, if you have anything tosay in regard to him, you will find me an attentive li-tener.” “y might tell youa great deal, but since I have seen you [am not so sure it would be to your profit. I doubtif you need the warning that I sent for you to give,” “Tf you think Tam not willing to listen to words of wisdom from one who knows how to speak them you are very much mistaken,” “When you deal with Cyril North, young lady, you are dealing with a dangerous man, a fox, a wolf, a tiger that would devour, If you are wise you will depart from Brace Box at the earliest possible moment, and leave bim to work out his own destiny.” ‘* | have no love for Cyril North, madame; but I have for justice, Hemay have graduated into the veriest ruffian that ever walked the earth, but I do not forget wbo and what started him on the downward course. I do not sy that I would not give thousands to keep quiet the history of all the sinand shame and crime of the days and nights that are past; but if their record must be known, it must. He shall bave justice—if he wants it.” ‘““A fig for justice; what he wants is hard coin. willdo you good, But come away from here. It is not a good place to talk; and if we stay | too long we may have some friends around at | the interview that you do not care to meet, | You ought to know that you are in danger in Brace Box.” ** Or out of it, too, for that matter, old gentle- man. When a young lady has the handling of a cool half-million she is considered fair game for every hawk and vuiture to fly at. You can ut it down at the top of the page in your diary, or the day, that I’m not trusting you a bit further than the rest; and that if I catch you try- ing to stack the cards or set them up fora bottom deal, in the language of the camp, there will be cold meat for breakfast. With that warning, given in sober earnest and for the good of your soul, you can lead the way.” She spoke with a coolness that the little old man evidently had not expected. If the shadow of a suspicion of her identity had once entered his mind he might have at least asked some questions. Her tones were certainly not those he would have expected to hear from Viola North. But he took it so thoroughly for granted everything was all right that he only shrugged his shoulders and turned away. P Merry May followed bim without hesitation. ° When they had gone wks og twenty or thirty rods the man turned toward her again. *T am not going to try to mystify or deceive you. Iam Paul Morrison, I live up the gulch, and am taking you to my house, ou will find there the individual who wishes to see you, and give you important information.” ‘* This person—is he Cyril North?” ‘¢ Bless your sonl, no!” ‘‘ Or his representative?” “ Scarcely; but let time show that, I prom- ised you important information regarding North, and will keep my word. It may prevent some uneasiness, so I will tell you that it is my wife you are going to see,” ‘‘ For a square deal I would rather meeta wife than a widow; but I don’t think I would feel partitularly uneasy if I knew [ was to meet the old gentleman from below, It required a | oung lady with nerve to undertake the pecu- liar quest t have on band. and, thank the good master, I haveit. Don’t trouble yourself about me and my revolver. We can take care of ourselves.” ‘‘T see you do not need encouragement now— after the interview perhaps my effort, if 1 make avy, will be better appreciated. For the present I will keep silent.” After this somewhat significant speech, Paul Morrison hurried on in silence, and Merry May followed close at his heels. In spite of his as- surances she was not altogether certain what kind of a reception she was to meet at his lonely little cabin, up the gulcn, | ; When be halted, at last, it was to signify that they had reached their destination. ‘ ‘Go in, my dear, She is waiting for you, and as what she has to say may not be for ge! ears I will take a stroll back to the city. don’t think you will want old Paul about while you do your gushing, but I wil be back before it 1s over.” e may demand the first, but rest assur- ed he will take the second, if you allow him the chance.” ‘* Then, all yon sent for me for was to give me a warning,” said Merry May, a dash of scorn in ker voice. ** Not all, though I thought if needed I would give you a leaf out of my own bitter, black ex- perience with him, so that yeu might know tbe manner of man you are seeking.” ** And now? ‘*Perhaps it might be as well to omit that, nT ie tell you what you have reason to ox- pect. ** But if I come in all friendliness, what can I have reason to expect, save that when he is found—that is, if he is in the land of the living —he will give mea respectful hearing? If no- of a man he was. She had not thing more comes of the interview, he can go —_ rr TS ST his way and I can gomine, Why should harm - come out of that?” ‘** Because, by so doing, you will have proved him to be yet living—something that few now know—and because he will never believe that you come as any other than a foe,” ‘** He isa coward, then, as well as cruel,” was Merry May’s cutting remark. ** Nevertheless, he may think what he chooses so long as he listens. fter that, whatever he may decide, we have done all that conscience requires, It may be the better for us, or it may be the worse. Can you put us face to face with bim?”’ **T? Scarcely—nor would Lif I could. Who can find him if he wishes to stay hidden?” ‘* Why then did you send for me?” **'To warn you of bim and of men I have rea- son to believe his friends. In Brace Box their name is legion, and chief among them are Colo- rel Rollins, Captain Coldcard, and a man known as Sam Ryan, or Solid Sam, LEitber one of them is dangerous in his way, but when guid- ed by a man like Cyril North, they are no less terrible because blind instruments of his wrath.” ‘**One thing you have forgotten—give to me the name by which Cyril is known here, Given that and I do not suppose the difficulty in finding him will be so great.” ‘**1 do not know it--no one knowsit, It was by a chance that I learned the true name of the man of mystery. If I have revealed anythin to you it was because it seemed my duty, an because you could uuderstand my duty, and be- cause you could understand me. There ere some men here that you do not talk of, and do not ask questions about, if you wish to die of old age. The less you know of their affairs, the better.” Merry May had been watching through the interview more keenly then she seemed to be, and had long since decided that this woman had changed her tactics, or, at least, was carefully holding back the story that she had intended to tell. ‘*T fancy she knows when the chances are she will be beaten; but, what is her object now? Is she this Cyril North’s friend or foe; or is it all a loos that she is making up as she goes along?” his was what she was thinking, but aloud she said: ‘*T have no doubt there are men here as wicked as the worst, but Ido not think that even they will interfere with strangers who attend strictly to their own business. If they do we must defend ourselves the best we know how, and trust to luck.” ‘* And what can three do against the whole camp?” ‘* Three?” ‘* Yes—unless the man known as Oregon is not of your party ; though I was given to under- stand that be was your guide and mentor. I know next to nothing of him, but, if he is a man equal to his position, after what he has seen of the city, bis advice should be the same as mine,” ** Perhaps it will raise him in your estimation to tell you that he bas been insisting on that very point, He has had his doubts if Cyril North bas ever been here, and that whether he bas or not, the quest in this direction will be hopeless. Quite disinterested in his advice, since he has been receiving a very fair salary to lead us in whichever direction we may elect to go. But I need not tell you that the hour is late. If you have nothing more important to reveal I think I had better take my departure,” ‘* Have | not told youenough? Asone woman to another, [ have said wkat manner of man Cyril North is, and at how much peril you seek him, It is more than one in a thousand, baving had my experience, would have dared to do.” ‘Thanks, thanks! Do not think | am un- grateful. One never gets all they bope for; but Lappreciate what you have tried to do for us. Of course, if you should obtain any direct in- formation that will be of use, you will let me know. Good-night.” ** Good-night. You will find the doors open, and my husband no doubt in wetting. 1 shall be glad to see you again, when you have more time and less business,” She bowed ber visitor out without ever rising from the chair in which she was seated, ‘* A good looking minx,” thought Merry May, as she passed out into the darkness, ‘* but, upon my soul, I believe she brougbt me here to pump me about Oregon.” She saw, or thought she saw, Paul Morrison some little distance away, and called to him, at the same time quickening her steps a trifle. To her surprise he paid no attention to her call, but wheeled about and bent forward in an atti- tude of listening. Then a man sprung swiftly up at his back and she saw him go down before what seemed a furious blow, while almost at the same time a handkercbief was pressed over her mouth and a strong arm swept around ber waist. CHAPTER IX, MERRY MAY USES HER WEAPONS, WHATEVER Merry May’s skill with her wea- pons, and courage in the face of danger, they | i ; ’ Eomicbooks i ae 4 cal — —s oe ET Ne