Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 545 — page 27: what you’re looking at

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

. special use, — Hustler Harry, the Cowboy Sport. —— _ . — oe make the girl his wife as well, that Molina will ever leave this place alive.” ‘*No more do I.” ‘That was a staange misunderstanding con- cerning that young tenderfoot. It seems that tne chief sent one or two of the men into Cim- arron to work up the crowd against tlhe young- ster and get him lynched. That worked all right; but at the same timea portion of the gang got the idea that the chief considered Craddoc of importance and desired him for As a result, they swept in and snatched the young fellow from the lynchers. The chief was furious when he found out what they bad done without orders from him.” ‘* Where is the young fellow now?” ‘In the cabin, bound and gagged.” After a few more words, the two moved away and disappeared into one of the passages, ** Now is our time!” whispered Ruth, Clinging to each other’s hand, the two girls darted torward, They were under the full glare of light within the chamber, when there came a hoarse shout of surprise, and two men sprung out of a passage and rushed toward them. Pearl uttered a cry of terror and despair, and Ruth quickly threw up the band which held the revolver. But before she could fire she was seized from behind. An instant later the two men were upon them, ** Hang t’ her!” cried one, er go now!” Ruth struggled desperately, but was easily handled by her captor. In the struggle the re- volver was discharged, and in a few seconds the chamber was filled with the Brothers of the Red Heart, Both girls were easily conquered. At the sight of Ruth the men were filled with amazement. How came she there? ‘* Place them both in the chamber where Miss mec na was confined,” ordered the white-robed chief. Then they were borne back along the passage. CHAPTER XXXIV. WITHIN THE CLUTCH OF A FIEND. InTO the prison chamber the two girls were thrust and the heavy door closed behind them. Pearl appeared utterly crushed by this un- lucky turn of fortune’s wheel, and Ruth Fosco- Jo’s heart was filled with despair. But Ruth had strength enough to assist her companion to walk across the chamber, and when the sofa was reached, Pearl flung herself down upon it, bursting into a flood of tears. Ruth knelt by her side and tried to comfort her, ‘*Ob, Ruth!” sobbed Pearl, “Sif it had not been for me—if you had not tried to rescue me, ou would not be here now, I feel that I am to iianie for your present misfortune.” ‘* Hush, dear friend,” said the brave girl, try- ing not to let Pearl see how much she herself was distressed, ‘‘ Youare in no way to blame for this, Do not weep.” But Pearl’s heart was too full, and she sobbed as if it were righ isan ‘*T cannot help feeling that I am the cause of your capture by these dreadful men,” she de- clared. ‘* Oh, what will become of us?” ‘¢ We will escape in some manner,” was the brave reply. ‘The All-wise Being will not al- low these wretches to triumph forever!” ‘Oh, I hope we may escape, but my heart is full of despair. Father is a prisoner in the bands of these wretches, and you heard that one who said he would never leave this cave alive, I fear we are all doomed.” ‘¢ But the men of Cimarron may find this cav- ern.” ‘*No, no! I fear they will never come here so many miles away.” ‘“* Why, Pearl,” exclaimed Ruth, is within rifle-shot of the camp.” At first Pearl could not believe her compan- ion’s words; but Ruth soon explained everything and made her understand just where the cave was located, The fact that they were so near the camp filled Pearl’s heart with hope, and her friend did not tell her that she feared that the very fact of their being so near would prevent their rescue. Ruth knew thatthe men of Cimar- ron did not think that the retreat of the Red Heart Brotherhood was within miles of the camp, therefore they would not look for it until they were far away. Finally Pearl said: . ‘“*And Eric—did they mean him when they spoke _of another prisoner? One spoke his name! “Yes, I think they meanthim, He was res- cued from a band of lynchers in Cimarron by a small party of borsemen who charged into the town. It seems that the horsemen were a part of this band_of outlaws.” At this moment they heard the sound of some one advancing along the passage. The bolt which held the door was shot back, and the white-robed chief of the Red Hearts stood be- fore them. ‘¢ Hello! hello!” came from beneath the white mask. ‘‘Sothisismy new bird. I took a fancy to inspect ber.” Ruth Foscolo’s eyes gleamed with a deadly light, but she said nothing. Pearl shrunk from ‘* By Moses! here’s ** This cave i don’t fancy | the chief in fear. He kept his eyes fastened on Ruth, and continued: “*T would give something to know just how you succeeded in getting in bere, my girl. That old woman is getting careless when she allows two persons to pass her. Such negligence shall be punisbed.” Still Ruth kept her lips tightly closed. She understood that the chief thought she had ob- | tained admittance by the regular entrance, and | LL BSBKX XXL LL LLL she resolved not to undeceive him, [f the rope- ladder was not foundit might possibly aid some of them to escape by and by. ** Why don’t you speak, girl?” cried the chief, peevishly, ‘* Have you lost your tongue?” ‘*What do you want me to say?” asked the Girl Avenger, in icy tones, ‘** Say anything; don’t act as if you are dumb, How came you here?’ That is for you to find out.” He gazed straight at her for a moment, and then burst into an unpleasant laugh. ‘**'You are a cool one, but your spirit will be broken ere you leave this place. Do you know where you are?” ** Yes, in the hands of a fiend—a murderer!” Ruth fairly hissed the words. The man appeared startled. After a few sec- onds, he said, with a sneer: ‘** You are complimentary to say the least.” ** But truthful, You dare not deny the accus- ation, you wretch!” ** What is the use? To do so would be simply wasting breath.” ** To do so would be a lie!” Ruth had started to her feet, and now con- fronted the white-robed chief, Her face was transformed by a terrible look and her eyes blazed thi >t Involuntarily he shrunk back before her, She langhed—a wild, chilling laugh. ‘You shrink before the child of the man you so foully murdere!!” she cried. ‘* Were your face uncovered, your guilt would be plainly written upon it. Hustler Harry—Philip Barret, murderer, justice does not sleep!” The man’s eyes were fastened steadily upon her. When she ceased tospeak, he uttered sa sneering exclamation. ** Justice may not sleep,” but I reckon thaé just now the hand of justice is paralyzed, so that it cannot harm me.” | | haggard face. He took her cheeks between his two hands and looked down into her blue eyes. ‘* My poor girl!” he murmured. ‘ How have these desperate men treated you? Have they offered you insult or outrage? By heavens! if they have, they shall suffer!” ‘* No, papa, no further outrage than in keep- ing me confined here, But that terrible man, the chief, swears that I shall become his wife.” “Tf know, I know,” groaned Molina. ‘ He has dared to tell me that. My God! Can it be that such wickedness can long triumph?” There was a despairing ring to his voice, and she knew that he considered their case desper- ate indeed. She did not whisper to bim that her heart trembled more for bim than for herself, ‘* We must not give up all hope, dear father. Providence may intervene in our behalf.” ** Something will end the career of this treach- erous cowboy, I hope, What a traitor he is! And that Craddoc—he, too, was false.” Pear] started up. ** No, no, father! You wrong him! Erie is good and true.” **Good and true!” he repeated. ‘‘He is as vile a traitor as this Hustler. In fact, he is in league with the pretended cowboy, and I have no Sonbt but that Eric Craddoc is one of these red-hearted desperadoes in cloak and mask, ‘** But, father, I can prove to you that you are wrong. Mr. Craddoc may have been deceived by this false cowboy, but never has he played a double part. At the present time, like ourselves, he is a prisoner in the hands of these villains,” She then told bim what she bad heard from Ruth’s lips. She also told bim how the Girl Avenger aided her to escape from the cell, and what followed. When she bad finished the story she noticed that Ruth was awake, and she hast- ened to make her father and the strange girl acquainted, ; Ruth fully substantiated the story which Pear? had told, and Molina was obliged to confess that he had been in the wrong. ** Tt is pussible that I judged the young man a trifle harshly,” he admitted, “I fear that I did. And so he is a prisoner?” ‘*'Yes, made such through a misunderstand- ing. The cowboy intended that he should be lynched by the roughs of Cimarron,” ‘“‘That infernal cowboy shall be brought to ‘** You do not deny that you are Hustler Harry | justice!” cried Molina, ** When I am once more —that you are Philip Barret?” free I will spend half my fortune in bringing ** Indeed not. I acknowledge that Iam Philip | him to the punishment which bis wicked deeds Barret, and am proud of the fact that as Hust- ler Harry I blinded the eyes of more than one of my foes—fooled them until I got them into my power. This is my day of triumph,” ** You never deceived me for an instant, you blood-stained wretch! [ suppose that you will have the boldness to acknowledge that you murdered my poor father?” ** Not quite, for I deny that it was a murder, He sprung upon me and [struck him down in self-defense.” ‘** And over his body I swore to have your life for the dastardly act,” A slender dagger gleamed in the Girl Aveng- er’s band, and she sprung forward, striking sgt at his breast, crying: ‘* This for vengeance!” He sprung back and caught her hand even when the point of the dagger bad pierced the white Robe, With a terrible oath, he struck. her senseless to his feet. “There, you she-cat!” he snarled. that will quiet you.” Then he turned and left the chamber. Pearl, trembling anc terrified, bent over the unconscious girl and called her name. Ruth did not stiror reply. Pearl began torub her hands and loosened her dress, Then she sprung up aad rung the bell which stood upon the stand. A minute passed and there was no response, Then she seized the bell and rung it close to the aperture in the door. In a few moments a black mask appeared at the opening. ‘* Bring me some water,” commanded Pearl. She was quickly obeyed, and with the aid of the water, soon restored the stricken girl’s senses, At first Ruth could remember nothing, but she soon started up , exclaiming: ‘*That fiend! He escaped me! Oh, heavens! will the time never come?” She sunk back, and Pear] endeavored to soothe ber as well she couJd, As soon as Ruth was able to rise, her companion assisted her to the sofa. Oneof Ruth's temples was bruised and discolored where the brute’s fist had fallen, This place Pearl bathed, and sat by Ruth’s side, until the strange girl fell into a fitful slumber, more than an hour later, Rutb bad slept but a short time when the cell door again swung open and Martel Molina was thrust in. Pearl uttered acry and sprung to- ward him, to be caught in his arms, ‘* My darling girl!” chokingly murmured the mine owner, as he bent and kissed ber tenderly. ** Oh, father, father!” she sobbed, and could oy no more, be clung about bis neck, and he held her close to him, as if he would shield her from further danger. It was an affecting meeting, and Ruth who had awakened, witnessed it all, Finally, Pearl led her father to a chair. Then she knelt at his feet and gazed up into his drawn, ‘* See if so justly merit!” ‘* Aush, father!” gasped Pearl, ‘* Do not say that! If you are heard it may seal your fate,’ Within her heart she felt that, unless the hand of Providence interfered, his fate was already sealed. It seemed as if they were alb doomed, ** You are right,” he acknowledged, ina lower tone. ‘I should haveacare. IJ may go forth from this place a poor man. Yet I still havea hope that this den will be discovered by Kel- ot. ' “Father, do you know where this cave is: located?” ; ** No, Ido not, but I fancy that it is within ten miles of Cimarron City.” ‘*Tt is nearer than that. It is within hailing distance of the camp.” ‘* Impossible!” exclaimed the startled man, ** But true,” declared Ruth. The Girl Avenger then told him where the cave was located and how sbe came to be there. When she bad finished, Martel Molina uttered a hopeless groan. ‘*It will not be found,” he muttered, in de- jection. ‘‘ Kelnot and his men are conn e miles away among the hills. No one will thin of looking for the retreat almost witbin the borders of the camp.” ‘That is what I feared,” said Ruth, ‘They came upon me when I slept,” Molina added. ‘‘Il was seized, bound and gagged be- fore I could resist. Then they horse and we rode miles and mules, I tried to keep track of the course we traveled, but soon found myself confused. 1 little thought when we paused that I was so near the place from which we started. **How came these men to let you come im here?” asked Pearl. ‘*T was brought here at the order of the chief,” was the reply. ‘‘He came and talked with me and threatened dire things if I did not try to influence you to marry him. Then they brought me here.” a At this moment there came a rap on the door, and one of the Brotherhood announced that the time given for Molina to remain with Pear] had expired, en the mine-owner arose to go, Pearl clung to him, sobbing and saying: ‘*Be careful, papa; say nothing that will anger this dreadful man.” , He held ber in his arms and kissed her, * ‘*For your sake I will be careful,” he said. **May God aid us!” , ‘ Then he advanced and the door opened before eee he bse t gave on gr oe pie hurried along the dark passage. other door swun open and he was pushed forward into the cell. Then he found himself face to face with Eric Craddoc! laced me on a — m S) JOO (E(O) (E