Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 551 — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

- ay > . ‘4 I, : mm. . on “ 4 AOE 7 X <5 we af dt of her fair step-daughter did not receive con- firmation then. She turned her face fully upon Kean, and her expression was smiling—more, it was indulgent and playful. ‘*Madam,” answered perplexed Garry, ‘‘if ou will allow the expression, I will say that, tween you, you and Miss Brackett monopolize the charms of all Idaho!” “You are very kind, I wish you to be kinder.” **T do not comprehend.” ** Miss Brackett is now a young lady.” ** Yes, madam,” **T am jealous of her.” The speaker struck Garry playfully with her fan, and smiled charmingly upon him, and he, not being aware how truthfully she spoke, re- garded it as a very good joke, ** Surely,” he answered, ** Mrs. Brackett ought not to fear any rival. She would not, if she ees how the people of Jack’s Delight regard er, “Do they speak well of me?” “They do, indeed!” “Am I to believe you, Mr. Lawrence?” **T speak with sincerity, madam, The mere sight of you passing through the streets creates excitement. Jack’s Delight is proud of what is —pardon me if [ say grand and beautiful—and stranger that I am, 1 have often heard it said that you reign without a rival.” “** The king is dead; ae Use the king!” mur- mured Mrs, Brackett. ‘*‘ Weare soon forgotten. We are all butterflies; creatures of brief life. All kings and queens ultimately give place to some new meteor of the heavens, It will be so with me if I temporize, but, having seen my danger, I shall meet.it boldly. It is a generous queen who will use a rival well. I will be gen- erous. Mr. Lawrence”—here the lady’s voice grew firm and business-like—‘‘I wish you to elope with my step-daughter!” CHAPTER XVI, THE EX-ACTOR IS INVITED TO ELOPE, Ir Garry Kean had been puzzled, he was now dumfounded. He looked doubtfully at his fair companion, *“‘lam not sure I understood you,” he an- swered, ‘IT wish you to elope with Alice Brackett,” was the deliberate response. “Upon my word, Mrs. Brackett, I am sur- prised!” eee hardly expected a favorable decision, e ‘* What! Has the judge—” ** T have not seen the judge,” *“*Then Miss Brackett—” o She and I have had no words upon the sub- ject. ‘* Then I do not understand your interest.” ** Stupid man!” exclaimed Agatha, in disgust. **Do you fear the coachman will overhear us? That would be impossible under any condition, while as to my servant, he is utterly deaf. My money is in his ears, if I may speak so coarsely, and he hears nothing which I wish should re- main secret. Speak out, Mr. Lawrence! Hav- ing taken the decisive step, you should not be timid, I will aid you to elope with Alice.” ‘* Perhaps Miss Alice would have something to say.” ‘* Has she not given her consent?” **'Po elope with me?” Garry’s voice expressed unbounded surprise, and Mrs, Brackett plainly became disgusted. “Sir, if you want my aid you will have to drop this low comedy!” she severely declared. ** Madam, I crave your pardon if [am giving offense, but "—Garry was duly prudent—‘‘ I do not understand why you have made such a re- markable proposition to m2.” “‘Then why did you write to me?” *“* Write to you? [have never done so,” Mrs. Brackett impatiently produced a sheet of letter-paper, held it before the ex-actor and pointed to the signature at the foot of the note. “Ts, or is not, that your name?” she demand- Kean looked in surprise. “It is my name, but I never wrote the letter,” he quickly auswered. ‘‘It is a forgery!” A swift change overspread Mrs, Brackett’s face; she looked doubtful and extended her hand to take the paper; hesitated and drew back, ** Read it!’ she directed. Her companion obeyed, and rapidly perused the following lines: “Mrs. BRACKETT:—You will, no doubt, be surpris- ed to receive this letter, but I ask your pardon, and appeal to your well-known sympathy and good will to read Saree If lL intrude upon you, pray con- sider the circumstances, ‘*Madam, I love your daughter, the adorable Alice, to distraction! Since 1 have seen her she has been the bright, beaming star of my existence; 1 live only in hope of her. Life with her would be a Paradise; ‘ without her, it would be a desert drear. Unfortu- mately, the course of true love does not run smooth; udge Brackett frowns austerely upon my consum- ing een Alas! I am in despair! ‘In this horrible condition, madam, I appeal to you. You are a woman, and must pity an unfortu- nate wretch whuse life-boat is careening in the deadly rapids. Dear madam, pity me! I aspire to wed our Alice, and if you will aid me, I will bless _zyou. How? you will ask. I reply: Elopement is the onl snore ti 4 In that I trust, and in you. Will you help me? [implore your aid. Iwill be by the north road at four o’clock to-day, if you will drive that way, and will see you and arrange matters. May I rely upon you? rf U Ageocmuy to tenderly cherish Alice. I have been a wild blade, and have sown a free crop of wild oats, but have resolved to reform. Wine and cards I for- sake from this time, and I will lead an honest life. I promise it. Faithfully yours, ‘*Husert LAWRENCE,” The ex-actor handed back the letter in grim silence. ‘* What have you to say?’ Mrs. Brackett asked, ‘*Madam, the man who wrote that letter ought to go to State’s Prison!” ** Are you so scrupulous as that?” ** Probably you do not understand me, No doubt you thought me the writer, but you must have despised me as you read; you must have seen the writer was a fool ora villain. I know he was both. No sensible man would write in such terms; the letter is nauseating. Observe the extravagant, sentimental, high-flown—ay, idiotic—-expressions, Noman with brains would indulge in such bombastic lan uage, No matter how deep his affection might or a lady, re- spect for himself, if not for her, would lead him to eschew terms so extravagant.” The Man with Backbone spoke with emphasis, and his indignation was so manifest that Mrs, Brackett’s face grew gloomy. ‘* Then you really did not write it?’ she asked. **T did not.” ** Who did?” ' ‘Some of my enemies; I am not prepared to say who,” This was not stating that he did not know, He did know; in the high flown language, as well as in the writing, itself, he saw the handi- work of Elmer Nicholson, ' **Why was it done?” continued the lady. ‘* To injure me,” ce How 7 ‘Tt was expected that you would at once give the note to Judge Brackett.” Agatha was silent, The reply was convinc- ing, and she saw that she had been deceived. This angered her—not because of the trick, but because it was not the reverse. Sbe could for- give the plotter, but not the fate which made his work a farce, She had hoped to get rid of her step-daughter, and all her plans had gone to ruin. Sbe mechanically folded the letter, and, as she did so, her gaze chanced to rest upon the lines where the writer promised to be on the ** north road ” at four o’clock. She showed the words to Kean. ** Tf you were ignorant of this letter, how did you happen to be here to keep the appointment made by this mysterious writer?” ‘‘Tt was chance, and nothing more. I came out for an idle ramble, little dreaming of seeing you. As for the scoundrel who wrote this, he could not have known that I would be here.” ‘‘He did one good thing, in bringing us to- gether.” ‘Observe the last lines of his infamons ef- fusion,” added Kean, bitterly. ‘‘‘ Wine and cards I forsake from this time!” Fine language to put into my mouth! It would appear to be a confession that [ had been a drunkard and gam- bler, What if Judge Brackett had seen this letter?” a ve You owe me gratitude for not showing it to him. ‘‘So I do, Mrs, Brackett, and I thank you cordially.” ‘* Bad as the letter is, good may come of it,” * How?” Mrs. Brackett did not answer at once, but looked steadily, critically at the ex-actor. ‘‘- You look like a man of courage,” she finally observed, “*'Thank you.” ** Are you such?” ‘*T am generally able to take care of myself, madam,” ‘*The Man with Backbone, they call you,” added Agatha, musingly. ‘¢ Tdle talk, Mrs. Brackett.” The lady suddenly aroused, ‘¢ Suppose you make the title good?” ** How?” ‘* This letter”’—she tapped the paper with her shapely finger—‘' speaks of an elopement.” ‘Yes, May misfortune seize—” = hig shouldn’t we have an elopement?” Mrs. Brackett spoke with determination. Her manner was very business-like, and she faced her companion and studied his face closely. ‘* Between whom?” Kean asked. **'You and Alice!” ‘‘Mrs, Brackett, you will excuse me, I trust, but is this a trap?” ‘* A trap? hat do you mean, sir#” “Being only human, I cannot overlook the possibility that this is an effort to learn my own plans and purposes. If so, I will say—” yh sonid be angry with you, stupid creature!” asserted the lady, with considerable severity, ‘but I will admit that your own position is delicate. Possibly you are wise to be cautious, but you need not doubt me. Ispeak with sincer- ity, and announce myself as your ally. Will you elope?” **Mrs. Brackett, you will have to show your hand more plainly,” Garry firmly announced. She settled back with an air of resignation, ‘*The stupidity of men is amazing!” she de- clared. ‘* Who termed them the lords of crea- tion? A man, of course; nobody else would be so foolish. The world is ruled by men, but they rule merely by their physical strength. Of mental strength they have none, but they make up for the deficiency with stubbornness. Yes; men rule by physical strength and mental stubbornness. As for perception, they have none. A womancan read another’s mind like an open book; she suspects all secrets as soon as they are in existence; a hint will lead her to understand the whole; a glance, or an unguarded tone, will tell more to her than a volume cantoaman. Having seen and heard, she is never at a loss as to what is true and what is false: her perspicacity is marvelous, Woman is an eagle-eyed reader of the human race; man is a blind bat!” ‘*You speak eloquently, madam,” responded the ex-actor, with perfect good humor. ‘‘ You would lead me to expect that you willyet bea great philosopher, did I not remember that all such persons have been men.” ‘¢ We will not argue the ‘point. You are puz- zled to know why I wish you to elopé. p am surprised. Have I not told you that I am jealous of Alice?” ** You did say so.” ‘‘That should give you the clew. She is no longer a child; she is pretty; and despite her blindness, she will yet be my rival if she stays here. For that reason, believing that you area worthy young man, I am prepared to take sides against Abram Brackett and aid you and Alice to elope.” ** Do you think this would be well for Alice?” ‘* Don’t you intend to use her well? Are you not able to care for her?” ‘*Tdo; lam. Thus briefly can I answer your questions, but the subject is not so easily dis- posed of. An elopement is a serious thing for a young lady to engage in, especially when she has a father as kind as Judge Brackett. I do not think Alice would agree to such a thing, and, as highly as I regard her, I shall certainly not sug- gest it to her!” Mrs. Brackett looked disgusted. ‘** Have you no spirit?” she demanded, ‘* A measure, probably.” *¢ And you throw this chance away?” ‘*T see no occasion for it.” “‘ Does Judge Brackett approve of your suit?” ‘‘T intend to convince him that lam a man by birth, breeding, social standing and char- acter suitable to be his associate. This may seem a sentimental claim to aristocratic conditions, but it is not; I have no more love for the upper ten than for the lowly million; but I must not forget that the Bracketts have social position, and may demand something in return.” “Do you not see that, by means of an elope- ment, you can capture all at one stroke?” ‘¢ By a dishonorable act.” ‘¢ Nonsense!” ‘‘ Were Alice a few years older, and in posses- sion of her sight, it would be different. As it is, I should be doing wrong to suggest such a thing. Thanking. you for your interest, I must decline to act in the case,” Kean spoke politely, but this did not prevent Mrs. Brackett from being both disgusted and angry. She had been acting no part; she was sincere in her offer; and the failure of the plan to get rid of Alice was veinouree’ peoples She had thought thechance secure when she received the letter; on learning that it was forged, she had pla ed a strong card and—lost! She despised Garry Kean for what she con- sidered his lack of manliness. She wasnot trou- bled with the possession of what she regarded as his finical scruples, CHAPTER XVII. THE WATCHERS ARE PUZZLED. IN her anger and disappointment Mrs, Brack- ett was strongly tempted to order the ex-actor from her carriage, at once, and compel him to walk back, but diplomatic measures prevailed, It occurred to her that, although ber plans were frustrated, then fate might yet make the man useful to her. As long as he remained a suitor for Alice’s hand he was/in a measure, an object of interest. True, she had spoken of him con- temptuously in Abram Brackett’s presence, and she did not believe in his claims to good descent at all, but he was a marriageable man, and, as such, might yet take Alice out of her path. It would not do to offend him. “You have disappointed me greatly,” she said, ‘‘ but I am not going to quarrel with Alice’s friend.” ‘*T appreciate your forbearance, madam,” ** We will remain allies. in a measure, but if I am ever to help you win Miss Brackett, we had better keep up the impression that we are strangers.’ Kean smiled slightly. His fair companion had declared that he had no intuitive perception, but . he read her wellat that moment. er excuse was not candid. In point of fact, she was too proud to admit acquaintance with him: she would be ashamed to know one so humble. Mrs, *GOMmIGDOOKS ys