Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 535 — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

Fanny sighed, nestling a little snugger under his strong arm, ‘** [ fear he’ll never get cured if it depends on my mistress, Sometimes I’m almost certain she was born with a lump of ice for a heart, so far as mankind is concerned. She'll never give him a chance to see her, unless it is across the table; and then she is more an automaton tban a woman of blood and flesh,” ‘*Then—cain’t we sorter put up a job onto her, little gal?” the valet coaxingly whispered. ** She cain’t stop over in-dvors all the time. She must go out fer to take the air ’casionally? Tben —what’s the matter with givin’ the boss a weenty hint like, so’s he mought chance to stray over the same trail, an’ never nobody know nuthin’ how it happened that way?” ‘* Did he send you to propose such a scheme?” a little sharply. ‘** Don’t you think it, honey dove,” with splut- tering eagerness lest he had taken a false step, ** All he done was to write a note an’ ax me could I find out whar the lady lived, an’ would [ be so kind as to try an’ git that letter inside the door? An’ I said 'd make the riffle or bu’st a trace. An’ Icome this way, never lettin’ on that I'd see’d you, honey, be sure. An’ [’ve got the let- ter right hefe—see?” ‘**T wouldn’t dare!” murmured Fanny, shrink- ing back from the missive as thoughit was a terribly dangerous weapon that might ‘‘ go off |!” ** An’ I wouldn’t dare go back with the thing in my rijimentals, nuther. So, ef you won’t drap it sorter by accident whar rics mistress would be sure to stumble over it, I'll bev to wait an’ watch ontil she comes home, An’ ef she kicks up a racket—well, it ll be all of a piece with what I’ve hed to bear up onder these many a long day!” Solemn Saul sighed lugubriously, yet with an undercurrent of earnestness that seemed to strongly affect his lady love. ‘* Not that—give me the letter, dear,” choking back asob. ‘She would shoot you at your first word, and that would kill—kill more than the one the bullet was meant for!” ‘*Pay the postage, honey?’ coaxingly mur- mured Saul, paying himself without waiting to hear her answer. ‘An’ ef it all comes round sy jest think what it'll mean fer us! Jest think |!” ‘* What can it mean, save that she'll turn me adrift without a character if she so mucb as suspects my part in the trick!” sobbed Fanny. ** Then I'll see that you git a better place, an’ a loving husband ‘long with it, pritty chick,” reassured Sunday. ‘‘ Fer the boss’ll back me up in all that, ef we manidge to fetch him an’ your lady together. Hesaid as much; anyway, he said ef he ever ee good an’ settled down to suit his notion, he’d give me any sized stake I was a mind to say. An’ besure [ll hit him hard— hit him afore the fu’st glow hes hed ‘time to Dandy Dutch. have hoped, and he rose to his feet with a soft ery of delight as Fanny came hurriedly up. ‘* Be guarded, dear,” she whispered, taking his arm and leading him toward the gate, though taking care to keep as completely under cover as the nature of their surroundings would admit. ‘* La Masque suspects nothing, as yet, but she is so awfully suspicious! She has ears like a fox and eyes likeacat! If sheshould ever doubt me—” ‘*She won’t do that, boney love,” gently re- assured Sunday. ‘ Fer I won’t tempt any resks by keepin’ you out o’ her sight any longer than to let me git onto that idee you hinted at. Not but what I’d love to putt in a sosid month—an’ every day a year long—talkin’ to the sweet- est, prittiest, neatest bit o’ calico the big sun ever shone down onto; but I kin deny myself ef I have to!” Fanny properly rewarded this loverly speech, then hastily added: ‘*T bardly dare let my mistress see that note, as yet. I fear it would only makeéher harder to win over by your master, But if he could man- age to favorably impress her, first, then it might do good work.” ‘* Jest give him the ghost of a show, honey, an’ef he don’t melt the heart o’ ice you talked about, then I don’t want a cent!” confidently declared the valet. ‘* You was goin’ to say?” “That La Masque spends every Sabbath day in the saddle, as a rule. I believe she in- tends to ride to-morrow, as usual, and if your master could manage to meet her, by accident, mind you, Saul!” é ‘* He'll do it so slick he’d be willin’ to make a davy it was clean by chaince, honey love!” ‘You can pire him the cue, then,” with a sigh of relief, now that the words were fairly spoken, ‘“ Which way does she gin’ally ride out in, though? What ef the boss was to take the wrong trail?’ soberly asked Sunday, ‘* Tl find out to-night, or early in the morn- ing, and let you know,” was the quick response, 3 Fou remember the corner where we first met?” ‘* As ef I could ever fergit it?’ reproachfully murmured the lover. ‘Then meet me there, early: V'll come, sure, 80 don’t grow weary if you have to wait a bit,” with a sigh of relief as she submitted to his ardent embrace once more. Solemn Saul acted as though he knew his time was short as his appetite was buge, and ane Fanny had nothing to complain of in that line. And yet, she really seemed to enjoy the infliction! Very properly, though, Fanny made the first move toward terminatiug that blissful inter- view, struggling free sufficiently to murmur: sa’ | Hye must, darling. La Masque—if she should call for me, and I not at band imme- **T’d blow my brains out, through pure cha- grin, ma’am!” There was a striking contrast between the two voices, though each in its way was musical enough, That of La Masque rung out cold, cutting, yet with an undercurrent of angry impatience to be detected by the practiced ear. And from behind her velvet mask, those dark eyes seemed to win a spark of aciual fire, so vividly did they glow and shine in the lamplight, That of the Decorator an adroit con. mingling of sport and suitor, of bluff and submission, just as the oue who listened chose to interpret his tones. And in the magnetic black eyes as they encountered the sparkling orbs of the faro queen, there was the same queer combination to be read, For a single breath it was a duel of eyes, then La Masque looked down once more at the deck of cards her white-tipped fingers were so dexter- mae! rippling. “Ts it death or life, fair lady?’ persisted Dandy Dutch, leaning a trifle forward, thus covering from general view the strong meaning which he threw into his gaze, and which he dare not fully eee by tone alone. La Masque flashed a glance upward, but hard- ly long-lived enough to read his full meaning, one would have thought. If it had been, per- haps her voice would have been less cold, less steady in its response: ‘*T am paid to deal faro, not to sit in judg- ment on saint or sinner, As long as money or money’s worth falls on the lay-out, it matters not to me whether it comes from one hand ora score,” ** Kiven if that one hand belongs to me?” ** As well yours as another, just so your fin- Pee let go freely,” was the indifferent retort, as a Masque slipped the deck once more into the box, ready to begin a fresb deal. ‘* Come lightly, go easy,” laughed the Decora- tor, parrving that shaft with gay good-humor, “<r t bad to work for the ducats, possibly my grip might stick tighter. But that isn’t getting any closer to the kernel for which my teeth are justhungering. Gentlemen, I asked your figures for a little more elbow-room, but i? you’re not inclined to sell, ll have to pull out for a more accummodating quarter. I never could bear even the thought of being hoodooed!” ‘* Tf there is any cause for dispute, perbaps I might be able to decide it, gentlemen,” sounded the clear, cold tones of the proprietor as Aubrey Conyers came forward, his keen, watchful eyes seeing that the game was being delayed for some reason. ‘‘The gentleman wishes full swing of the table, I believe,” coldly explained La Masque. ‘* Provided I can buy the privilege, dear sir,” amended Deutsch, with a careless glance over his shoulder at that blonde face, ‘“ Simply Le- fade!” diately, she’d kill me!” cause I can’t stand a hoodoo, and the very worst | \ ‘** Tf it only comes out as you picture!” sighed “An Td hang ber with ber own hair!” | to me is to have any sport tack a tail tomy | Fanny, taking the missive. fiercely vowed Sunday, reluctantly relaxing his | system.” ‘4 ‘*Be sure it will—it’s jest bound to, honey | embrace, sighing like a furnace as he added: ‘** Do you charge any one person with deliber- dove. An’—take mighty good keer o’ that | ‘‘ Ef that ble corner was a little more lone- | ately annoying you, sir?” | dockymint, little lady. It’s so chuck full o’ love | somer in the mornin’! Ef it was all fenced up ‘*Not through intention,” was the frank re- an’ sweetness that ef the bumblebees gits a | so nobody couldn’t peep inside! Ef—” sponse. ‘I’ve done the same thing when for- | scent of it, they won’t be even the enwollop left | ‘‘ Don’t be so silly, dear,” laughed Fanny, | tune gave me more kicks than smiles, but that ' for your mistress—no sir!” drawing away. ‘I never did see such a man! | don’t make it any the less hoodoo, So—as I | anny was on the point of speaking, when Towee ki me enough—” hate to jump a game while a winner—I just | - her restless eyes caught sight of a dark figure “Not enough, not nigh nur nothin’ near | begged these gentlemen to sell me their space \ rapidly approaching the gate, on the further | enough, honey dove o’ never-endin’ delight!” | and time for a few minutes, to let me chaw or side, and with a subdued exclamation of alarm | the adfully lovesick valet declared, deftly | get eaten up, Either way, your time won’t be if she caught Solemn Saul by the arm, drawing | clasping the treasure once more in his strong | lost, dear sir.” ’ fe him hurriedly away from the path, into the | arms, and stifling her remonstrances after the Aubrey Conyers frowned a little, his jeweled denser shade afforded by the rank shrubbery. most approved fashion. fingers slowly threading his yellow beard as his ‘‘Tt's my mistress, coming home from the But all things must find an ending, and so did | blue eyes passed from face to face, pausing at Oasis,” she hurriedly breathed, pressing him | that loverly parting, Solemn Saul standing still | length upon the mask across the table. down under cover, “if she suspects, all is | to watch the cloaked figure flitting through the La Marque barely moved her head; it may lost!” yard and back to the rear of the dwelling. have been inadvertently, but if it had really ** Hunker down an’ she cain’t see neither of us, When her figure was fairly lost sight of, Saul | been a signal, the decision could not have come honey.” picked up bis staff and strode rapidly away in | more promptly. | i? ‘No, I must be inside to greet her, or—wait, | the direction of the Oasis, where he had left his | , ‘‘ It all rests with you, gentlemen,” bowing so te here until I can steal out again. I think ve} master at the faro table. And had Fanny | as to include al] the remaining players at that 3 got the idea you want. Pro me you'll wait, | Black caught the words which dropped from his | one table, ‘‘ Of course I can’t say you shall or o ear?” lips as he burried along through the night, she | shall not play, but I may at least make a re- ““So long Pll take root ef yon don’t come sooner, honey!” earnestly asseverated Saul. ** Hf you'll give me jest—” The boon was granted before he could com- lete the prayer. “Fanny dropped a kiss upon is lips, then crouched low under cover, glid- ing off around the house, vanishing from his sight without a sound, lemn Saul turned his attention toward that other tall, lithe, graceful figure, watching its 9 aa through the limbs before his face. ven in the sober light he recognized La ie tis though a long cloak shrouded her gure, She passed along to the front door, tapping sharply on the panel, the raps Aidaared to form a signal which her maid was doubtless familiar with, for almost immediately the bar- rier was swung open to admit the cloaked figure, then closed again. And as he listened, Solemn Saul could hear the faint rattle of chains and bolts, Settling down in a comfortable position, like one resigning himself to a eer of waiting, the Sad Man from San Saba sun - judging from his grave face, . waiting was far shorter than he could into deep thought ee... ———————————————————————————————————————— ee might well have termed him a base deceiver! ** Wonder if she swallowed it all? Jomehow it hits me the old girl was entirely too willing! I played it the best I knew, but did it take her in? Time will tell, but [have my doubts, For all she tried to play the silly, lovesick girl, I fancy Miss Fanny Black is too smart, too well phe ben to pick up with a fellow trigged out as am!’ , Saul Sunday was stiil debating the matter in his busy brain, when the sounds of excited voices broke upon his ears, coming from no great distance ahead, And as he paused to hearken, he distinguished a well-known voice erying out; ‘Down you go, anyway! the same stuff!” ‘“*Dandy Dutch, and he’s in trouble of some sort!” gratingly ejaculated Saul Sunday, grip- ping his stout staff more firmly and darting at the top of bis speed to the rescue, And here’s more of CHAPTER XVII. DANDY DUTCH MAKES A RECORD. a AND if I should decline to deal for you alone, sir?’ quest: as a personal favor to the house, will you permit this gentleman to have his way, this once?” ; ‘‘For a consideration, please,” amended the Decoratcr, with a bow. ‘‘ This is not an auction room, I beg of you to bear in mind,” just a little sharply interposed the proprietor. ‘‘If these gentlemen yield to your slightly unreasonable whim, it will be through pure courtesy to a stranger, not as huckstérs. Your decision, gentlemen?” There was but one answer possible after words like these, and a general consent was given, thus leaving the stranger sporta clear field; as to the favor, that lay concealed in the future, This unusual dispute, if dispute it may be called, had attracted no little attention, and when the matter was finally arranged amicably, | quite acrowd had gathered about that partic- ular table, eager to see what it would end in, Dandy Dutch glanced quickly over the triple line of faces, but what might have annoyed or disconcerted many another gambler, only drew /a fleeting smile to his face. Then he turned his whole attention to the game before him, He bowed gravely to La Mesque, who ree GComicbooks::