Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 545 — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

ee 6 Phe er Harry, the Cowboy Sport. | * an ed hin tee a ee { PCs at ot Se ry whenever he approaches me. Horace Kelnot is a handsome man and apparently a gentleman, but he is nota person toward whom I could ever feel the least affection.” Again Martel Molina drummed nervously on the desk beside him, He knitted his brows and stared fixedly at his pretty daugbter. ‘* Tt will be more difficult than I anticipat- ed,” he thought. ‘‘ But she must give up that Craddoc, even if she will not accept Kelnot.” Aloud he said: **Pearl, you must know that I would do nothing but what I thought for your good. I teil you plainly that 1 consider Horace Kel- not a good match and any young lady is for- tunate who gets him.” ‘*A sort of capital prize in the matrimonial lottery,” with a touch of scorn, ** This is no light matter,” declared the mine- owner, sternly. ‘‘I wish you to look at it seri- ously, not with your natural flippancy.” Pearl arose and came to his side, passing one arm around his neck. ‘** Indeed, dear father, it is a serious matter for me. Do you think that I have no heart’s desire in regard to the man whom I would choose as my husband?” Now it was coming. He had dreaded it for some time, but now he nerved himself for what he felt sure would follow. *“*But you must know, my dear girl, that a child is not always capable of choosing proper companions without the direction of older and more experienced persons,” She started from him. “A child !” she cried, “ AmTI always to be regarded as a child? Am I never to be ac- knowledged capable of choosing for myself?” He rubbed his hands nervously together, the set look showing more plainly upon his face, Surely now was the time to speak. ** Pearl, listen. I am about to speak of a matter that has pained me somewhat.” She caught a swift breath, and he con- tinued: __“*T know of your occasional meetings with Erie Craddoc among the hills, whither you ride so often. You have been seen with bim, Yet ou have never mentioned to me that you met im there.” His last words were full of reproach. She shrunk back a little as if hurt by them. He knew. She had often thought that she would tell him of Eric, but he was always so busy, Their meetings at first had been quite accidental. Some little misadventure had served to make them acquainted. He was a handsome, gallant fellow, and she had learned to look forward with interest to the next time that she should see him. Within her heart she had acknowledged that she more than admired the gallant young man, She had even dared to think that perhaps she might learn to care for him even more than as a friend. If he proved good and true he might become a lover, a husband. Indeed, little Pearl’s pretty head was not free from romance. She made a motion to speak, but her father quickly continued: . ** Who is this Craddoc? A scamp, an adven- turer [am willing to wager. He has come here to ply his crafty schemes, Perhaps he is a gambler, Ifso, he has been shrewd enough to let the cards alone while here. And for what reason? Because he has spotted larger game—a wealthy man’s daughter. “* Pearl, you must not be deceived by this smooth-tongued scoundrel, If you have not judgment enough to shun him, then I shal! step between the wolf and his prey. I forbid you speaking to Eric Craddoc again.” The mine-owner had worked himself into a white heat. He felt that the time had arrived when he should show his authority. Pearl's face flushed and then became very white. She stared at him with wide-open eyes, Never had she known him to show such emo- tion before. ‘* Father,” she cried, helplessly. He looked up at her, his face set and deter- mined, ** You have no right to speak so of him—” He leaped to his feet. “Have no right to!” he almost shouted. *“Have no right to protect my daughter from a scheming scoundrel? We wii! see as to that! Girl, go to your room!” She gave him one strange wild look and then fromtheroom, Once beyond her father’s sight and hearing, she burst into tears, With her handkerchief to her eyes she passed up the stairs and entered her own room. | The window was open, andalamp, turned low down, was standing on a little round table. As the girl stepped into the room she was suddenly seize! in a powerful grasp, and, ereshe could cry out, a heavy cloth was thrown over her head. Then she was lifted and borne toward the open window, So sudden had been the attack that for a time Pear! was utterly robbed of power and did not offer to make any resistance. Possibly her cap- tor thought she had fainted. Through the window, down a ladder and around the the corner of the house, There the Adnapper found a horse, and in an indescribably * YY ot a es short pace of time he was upon the animal’s back, dashing down the street with the girl held like a huge bundle in his arms, /ith a sudden movement, Pearl succeeded in getting her head from beneath the cloth, Then she shrieked out a wild cry for belp, which was = short as the cloth was again jerked over her ead, A terrible oath burst from the kidnapper’s lips as he saw a dark mass of human beings come pouring out of the Silver Palace inte the circle of red light shed by the colored glass globe above the door. CHAPTER VII. RESCUE AND ESCAPE. THE crowd heard that wild cry; they heard the sharp clatter of a horse’s hoofs and saw the galloping animal coming down the street. Some of them seemed paralyzed, but one or two leap- ed into sudden action. Eric Craddoc had entered the Silver Palace in time to witness the fight between Hustler Harry and the bully of the camp. Craddoc had also observed Hickory Bill’s friends, Posey Pete and Casper Gonzalo, as they giided here and there among the spectators, speaking a low word now and then. ‘‘ They are up to some dirty trick,” was Eric’s unexpressed opinion. ‘‘ I wonder what it is?” He soon discovered, for he witnessed the accu- sation of the victorious cowboy and the sudden rush of the crowd as they threw themselves upon Harry. Ina moment he penetrated the scheme. Governed by a hidden power, the crowd was about to attempt to lynch the Man from High Notch! At the same instant there were several others who saw through the trick. Like Eric Craddoc, they all attempted to reach the cowboy’s side that they might show their friendship in an at- tempt to protect the Hustler from his foes. As a result, it seemed that the entire crowd leaped upon him, frenzied for his blood, With the throng, Eric Craddoc was swept to- ward the door. As they poured out into the street, he heard that sharp cry for help and recognized the voice! Harry also heard the cry, and his keen eyes perceived the oncoming horse, its rider and the dark form in bis arms, With an answering cry, the Man from High Notch sprung suddenly into action. He seemed to have the strength of a giant, for he hurled those who were clinging to him to the right and left as if they were so many babies. In an in- stant he was free. Lower down the steps the crowd was thick between the cowboy and the street. A second wild cry broke from his lips, and he shot into the air, sailing out over the heads of those be- fore him asa bird might have done! It was a wonderful leap, and ere ahand could be raised to stop him, he was in the street. Lightly as cat he alighted, and swiftly as a cat he darted forward. Not an instant too soon to intercept the kidnapper. The villain witnessed that splendid leap from the hotel steps, and saw the dark form springing forward to intercept him. Witha parage oath he attempted to draw a revolver, but he was so incumbered by the maiden in his arms, that for one moment he failed, That moment was enough, Hustling Harry had the horse by the bit. ** Hoop-la! I’m Hustler Harry, the Hard Nut ter Crack! Whoa up, ye pesky critter!” With an iron hand, he forced the horse back upon its haunches, bringing it to an almost dead halt. Then the kidnapper succeeded in jerking ferth a revolver. There was a red spout of flame, a sharp report, but the Hustler was untouched. In his excite- ment, the kidnapper had missed. Then the desperate fellow saw a second form nearly upon him, and he realized that if he es- caped there must be no delay. Repeating the snarled oath, he relinquished his hold upon the maiden, and slid from the horse’s back. Eric Craddoc was on hand, and caught Pearl’s falling form in his arms, at the same time shout- ing to Harry: ** Don’t let the wretch escape!” Like a frightened deer the baffled kidnapper fled for the nearest shelter. hoping to put one of the shanties between his foes and himself, and then escape in the darkness. Harry did not notice this move soon enough to stop the flying desperado with a bullet, but he sent a lead ball after the fellow just as he disap- peared round the corner of a shanty. Eric Craddoc sunk upon bis knees, and swift- ly removed the stifling cloth from around Pearl’s head. He uttered a cry as he saw her face revealed by the red light from the globe above the door of the Silver Palace, the rays of which barely reached the spot. ’ _ Sbe was conscious, and soon succeeded in gasp- ne Bric ” ‘“My darling!” he murmured, hoarsely, scarcely knowing what he said. ‘‘ You are safe! ‘¢ Then it is really er female, pard?”’ said the voice of Harry, as the cowboy peered over Eric’s shoulder, still holding the horse by the bit. ** Glory ter good luck, we saved her!” ** You did,” was Eric’s swift, unselfish reply. ‘* If you had not reached this spot just as you did, J wouldn’t have been able to rescue her. It will be a long day before J forget it, and I may some time have a chance to show my grati- tude. ‘*Don’t mensbun it,” laughed Harry. “Til dance at ther weddin’. That'll satisfy me.” “You are in danger here—” ‘“*T reckon ye’r’ shoutin’ now, pard. Ther critters are cumin’, heads up an’ tailsrisin’. I don’t believe it’s healthy fer me to tarry byer. Yer fist, pard!” For one half instant their hands met in a hearty grip. Then Harry said, softly: ‘*Good-by. Take keer of ther leetle gal.” The next moment he leaped upon the back of the kidnapper’s horse. The crowd seeined to be all around him. Half a dozen hands reached to grasp the bridle. **Out of the trail!” shouted the cowboy. ‘* CPar ther track fer ther Hard Nut from High Notch. Scoot, ye scrawny burro!” Away sprung the horse, away into the dark- noes mocking laugh floating back from the lips of Harry. Some one sent an ineffectual shot after the dis- appearing cowboy. **Durn ther cross-grained luck!” mumbled Posey Pete, as he stared down the street, ‘ The p’isen critter’s got clean away.” ‘““Durn ther cow-puncher!” cried another. “ Sumbuddy git arter ther dirty cuss w’at war tryin’ ter kerry off this byer gal. He’s our sar- dine. Foller me.” The speaker started at a run toward the spot where the baffled kidnapper had disappeared, and was followed by half-a-score of fellows with drawn weapons in their hands, ‘‘ What is the trouble? What has happened?” Both Eric and Pearl recognized that voice. Horace Kelnot stood beside them. The girl could not repress a slight shiver as her eyes rest- ed upon that tall, handsome figure. ‘‘ Miss Molina!” exclaimed the proprietor of the Silver Palace. ‘‘ You here?” Briefly Eric Craddoc outlined what had hap- pened, using as few words as possible. Handy Horace seemed amazed, ‘*T heard the excitement in the saloon, and was just going to see what it meant,” he cried, ‘*] was a moment too late to witness this affair on the street. Miss Molina, I congratulate you on your escape.” ‘Thank you!” she murmured, faintly. “But [fear you are injured,” hastily added Kelnot. ‘If you will permit me, I will see you safely home.” ‘Oh, no!” she exclaimed, starting up with sudden strength. ‘‘I am not burt; I am all right. I thank you for your kind offer, but Mr. Craddock will accompany me.” Horace Kelnot shot Erie a mad glance and suppressed an oath on his lips. be young Easterner expressed his thanks by softly pressing Pearl’s hand as he assisted her to arise, ‘‘You have aresponsible charge, Mr. Crad- doc,” observed Kelnot, stiffly, as he eyed the young man sharply. “‘ Have a care that nothing happens to her, or you shall answer to me.” Eric uttered a little whistle of amazement. ‘* Pardon me,” he said, with a touch of sar- casm. “I did not know that you were her guardian.” Again Handy Horace shut bis teeth hard to keep back an oath. Inwardly he vowed that the rash young Easterner should answer for his insolence, ‘“‘T am afraid you are not yet accustomed to Western ways, young man,” he remarked quiet- ly. ‘In acamp like this, every honest man considers himself the guardian of any lady who may reside in the place.” Eric bowed; he did not care to make further talk. A moment later he walked away, with Pearl clinging to his arm. Handy Horace watched them till they disap- peared in the darkness. ““Curse that presumptuous young hound!” muttered the proprietor of the Silver Palace. “He dares to step into my path! We will see what the result wil be. That girl shall become mine—I swear it!” . Then he wheeled and made his way down the street in the opposite direction. Toward Pearl’s home the young couple slowly walked. As they moved along, the girl told Eric how she came to be in the power of the kid- napper, carefully avoiding speaking of the un- pleasant interview with her father. ‘‘Oh, Mr. Craddoc!” she exclaimed. ‘‘How fortunate it was that you happened to hear my cry!” x I am afraid you give me too much credit, Pearl—Miss Molina.” ; “Call me Pearl if you like,” she said, softly. “‘Surely you have won that privilege to-night.” ‘“Thank you, Pearl,” he lightly yet earnestly breathed. ‘ But, again, I say that you give me too much credit.” ** How so, Mr. Craddoc?” . ‘That will never do,” he declared, reproach- Gomichoo )