Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 551 — page 26: what you’re looking at

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

» « See a y J. shall not do what they can’t do, When a small boy is chastised by his father he will go out and abuse the househoid cat; when a man, or wo- man, can’t run all the world, he will join the rohibition party, set up on his hind legs and ow! like thunder!” The colonel was Joyal to his State, and de- livered his oration on principle, but it had one good effect; it gave Alice time to grow calm, and she began to believe that she did not wish to leave the room, Her father was not present, and it would be well to have a check upon the tongues of her present companions, ‘*Favor us by remaining, Alice,” caressingly added Mrs, Brackett. ‘* By all means,” supplemented Norman. “Thank you; I will!” Alice calmly returned. Her sudden change of manner staggered the Kentuckian, who did not know of Agatha’s sus- picions, but he imputed it to the variable temper of the fair sex, and very ostentatiously aided Alice to find a chair. This disgusted her, for she believed him to be seeking her favor so that his secret would be safe, but she was in error; it was only sincere attention from a man bred to be polite, urged on by his admiration for Alice, personally. ‘My dear Miss Brackett,” he exclaimed, ‘‘ the ball last night was a grand success!” ‘* How many conquests did you make?’ The retort passed Alice’s lips in spite of her. It caused Mrs. Brackett to shoot her a hostile lance, but Norman, who had been making love or over three decades, remembered the scene in the conservatory only as a passing incident, and remembered as little concerning what he had said as about the number of drinks he had taken during the same evening. ‘* The reports are not all in,” he jocosely an- swered., ‘Then you expect a good many victims of your fascinations?” **Not over a score, and I fear that none of those will be so far affected as to resort to suicide.” ‘* Do you mean all that you say to the ladies?” *““ All, and more! By Mars! I live in the light of their smiles—why should I not tell them so?” The gallant colonel had assumed a striking position and was accompanying his remarks with appropriate gestures, as blissfully uncon- scious as a child that anything but idle talk was afoot. Butif he, man-like, wasstupid, Mrs. Brackett, woman-like, read as she would read a book. She had been scanning Alice’s face, and she now sat down heavily, as it were, upon the loquacious Kentuckian. ‘You must not suppose they would believe you, sir. Women estimate men for what they are worth, and find them a very cheap article. Now, don’t utter any more nonsense, or you a lose our good will. Sit down, and be sensi- el Her commands would only have produced a more radical outburst, but she made a gesture so imperative, and frowned so heavily upon the clumsy warrior, that even he took the hint. ** A little nonsense, now and then, is relished by the wisest of men,” he meekly remarked, as he sat down, Deeply Alice regretted her blindness then, For ten years sight had been denied her, but she had the instinct of her sex, and was eager to watch and study her companions. Had one of them touched her, she would bave shrunk away as from contamination, for she loathed both since what she had heard in the conserva- tory, but she felt that the family honor was at stake, and, for her father’s sake, was eager to uphol it. Had she not been blind she would have been a werful factor in the case, for the Brackett iron will was strong within ber, but she now felt as she really was—painfully helpless. At this point there was an _ interruption. Abram Brackett had finished with English John and courteously seen him to the door, and, hay- ing been told that he had a caller, he entered the parlor. He understood very well why Yoke Norman was there, but his manner was as courteous as ever when he greeted him, ‘*How’re you feeling after the ball, jedge?” airily inquired the Kentuckian. ‘Very well, thank you.” ‘* After pleasure, business. Eh?” ‘‘ That is the usual order.” ** Hope you won’t be put out to learn that ’m here on business,” ‘*Not in the least,” Brackett tranquilly an- swered., ‘* We must now whoop her up on election.” ‘* The day is near at hand.” ** And we who are to be candidates must fling our flags to the breeze.” ** Provided one can be raised.” ‘* Ha! ha!l—good joke: very good joke!” as- ‘serted Colonel Yoke, rubbing his hands and pre- tending to be greatly amused, hope to raise a breeze.” That is pleasant, for you.” c Yes,” The Kentuckian leaned forward and confi- dentially added; — “Well, sir, I Waee Ctra ST i es Garry Kean. Jedge, 1’m going right in on my muscle to be mayor.’ “cc Yes?” ‘Yes, sir/ And, jedge, I want your help!” The speaker flung himself back in his chair so abruptly as to create a natural fear for the safety of his neck, and eagerly awaited Brack- ett’s reply. He, like the female Cesar, studied the judge’s face in painful suspense, but that firm countenance had never been more steady and unreadable, ‘* Colonel,” was the deliberate reply, ‘“‘if you want a ese ae | put in your watch, would you hire a blacksmith to do it?” ** Would I? Of course not.” ‘** Tt would be as a ee. as to ask me to pull political wires, am not a politician.” ‘* But you are a man of influence.” ** Limited !” ‘* Nonsense! There isn’t another man now in this city who has the influence you _ possess, Nicholson wields power, it is true, but if he was not mayor, what would he amount to? You know that by education, experience, business ability and strength of mind you are far his su- perior.” 5 ‘* Nevertheless, you fear him more than you do me,” dryly returned the judge. ‘*f understand, Yes; I fear him in my race to be mayor. I shvould fear you far more were you a candidate, for I know your influence, I want that influence thrown for me, Brackett!” Alice listened in indignation. The Ken- tuckian’s audacity amazed her—how dared he make love to another man’s wife, and then seek the aid of the wronged husband? More than once she was on the point of starting up and denouncing the conspirators, but-she disliked to be the one to throw the bomb into the household which should hopelessly sunder it, So she trem- bled with indignation, and shrunk further away from Yoke Norman and Agatha Brackett as from so many luathsome serpents. Colonel,” the judge gravely replied, ‘* you have had my answer previous to to-day.” ‘* Opinions change.’ ** Not always.” ‘*T believe Mrs, Brackett has asked this of you, as a personal favor?” ‘*She has; and has been answered as [answer you. My lite has been a busy one, and I have seen the workings of politics in the East and in the West; in large places and in small places, 1 have known the party-workers, big and little; have seen the way the ‘machines’ are run; know something about the degree of purity which prevails in such matters; and from my own experience, [ am led to affirm that it would be hard to find anything more corrupt than pol- itics. Take the business where you will, if is a dirty pool of mud and water. I want no part of it. I have always refused to enter politics; my intentions have not changed!” Calmly Brackett looked at his hearers. His voice had not expressed the least trace of emo- tion, but he had never been more truly the “Tron Judge,” Mrs. Brackett, who knew him so well, felt that their cause was wholly hopeless. She did not accept defeat philosophically, Her face was pale with anger, and her teeth shone almost carnivorously from between her parted lips. All that was evil within her was aroused, but she imitated her husband in one respect— she curbed her passion, and gave no violent ex- hibition, but was none the less dangerous, Colonel Yoke Norman was disheartened, but not wholly discouraged. He had too much at stake to yield tamely. He rallied bis argumentative powers to meet the difficulty and did his best. He was eager; Brackett was icily calm; Mrs. Brackett was sul- len: Alice wag anxiously listening to hear the result. If her father had yielded, she might then have made known what she had overheard in the conservatory, buf be did not yield. Not once allowing his temper to become ruffled, he refused to argue with Norman, and reiterated his refusal until even the Kentuckian was com- pelled to believe. It was hard, and the doughty ex-soldier did not take it at all kindly. He said a few vicious things, which were not answered, and then prepared with more haste than cere- mony to leave the house, As he did so, he gave Mrs, Brackett a signifi- cant glance and nod, He took pains to do this when the judge would not detect him, and as Alice could use her ears only to weigh the schemers in the balance, the secret signs passed unseen by all except Agatha. Then Norman left the house. He did not vouchsafe a word of farewell, and good manners were thrown to the winds, ‘The door closed with a bang, ani there was something ominous about the sound. CHAPTER XXXII. THE GLITTERING BAIT, Tur Bracketts were alone. The sound made by the banging of the door had died away, and the silence was oppressive. Only Alice looked relieved—the judge was stern, and Mrs, Brack- ett’s lips were drawn together in that peculiar, rigid line which those of her sex affect when rhe indignation is marked with ill-tempered ence, Stiffly she arose and turned toward the door, Then Abram Brackett spoke her name: ‘* Agatha!” ecw sm and te oh at bim yee oer O ou are not too much disappointe he added. ~ ncRNA An expression of withering contempt and sar- | casm appeared upon her face, ** My lord and master,” she returned in low, measured, but bitter words, ‘‘even though it were your august desire to have me decapitated, it would be my duty and desire to conan with your wishes!” An@ then she swept from the room like a queen, Abram Brackett arose, but made no effort to stop her. His face was somber, but there was no evidence that he was in any way weakening. Alice arose, She spoke, and her voice was faint and tremulous, ** Father!” **'Yes, my child?” ** Are we alone?” ‘Yes, Alice.” ‘* Do you know what you have done?” “lo what do you refer?” ** You have refused to help Colonel Norman, They will be very angry at you.” ‘* No doubt.” ‘* Watch them well, father; they are not be to trusted. Ambition is a fatal fire, which con- sumes all that is good in one’s nature. Those who scheme to rule the city will not let any- thing, or any one, standin their way. Watch them, father! Oh! for my sake, guard your life well, I should die if harm came to you,” Her self-possession had deserted her. She was thoroughly alarmed, and shook pitifully with overpowering emotions. The judge had taken her hand and passed hisarm around her waist, and he pees to soothe and quiet her, Never before had his physical and mental strength, his strong will and his fatherly affection been more noticeable. ‘* Be calm, my dear child!” he said, in low steady, reassuring voice, ‘* There is no ground for fear, Colonel Norman may be angry, but he is powerless, His personal following is in- significant, and [ could afford to smile at his ir- ritation did I not consider it beneath my notice, Have no fear, Alice!” He did not for a momentindicate that he knew of the secret upon which Alice’s fears were grounded, but his influence was strong; be quiet- ed the girl with the same power he had exercis- ed in her childhood, and she half forgot her fears, : Somewhat later he escorted her to her room, and then, meeting Marie, made inquiry: ‘* Where is your mistress?” **She has gone to ride, sair. Did you veesh to see her?” the French girl inquired, ‘* There is no haste,” With this reply the judge left Marie. To him the ride taken by his wife seemed to be a very trivial matter, In thus thinking he fell into er- ror—it was important, The lady had gone out with a motive, and it was soon made manifest. She had delicate business on hand, and would under no condition have trusted Marie. She did trust her magnificent creature in but- tons, the coachman, and, despite his indiscretion ag the arsenic, she could do so quite safely. He drove her out on the road where she had once encountered and entertained Garry Kean in her carriage. This time she found a com- panion, but not one with the ex-actor’s sense of honor and justice. Colonel Yoke Norman was waiting by the way; and at Mrs, Brackett’s order, the statue in buttons reined in the horses and gave the Ken- tuckian a chance to enter. He did so, the jour- ney was resumed, and the schemers looked at each other in momentary silence. The colonel’s face bore a vicious expression, and he was not long without words. ‘* Well, weare done up brown!” was his in- elegant, but forcible comment. ‘ Yes,” ‘* No hope of Brackett now.” ab } oO” ‘He would rather crush than help us.” ‘* T presume so.” ‘You speak like a mere machine!” Norman irritably exclaimed. ‘‘ Have you no life left?” ‘*Colonel, I was tempted not to come here,” Mrs. Brackett slowly answered. ** You were?” he cried, with a scowl. “Yes. Only my promise brought me, Colo- nel, Iam sick at heart! What can I do, what can I amount to, in this world? I am ambitious, and I possess the qualifications necessary for me to make iny way. Call me vain if you will, but I have beauty, intelligence and wit—” * Divine trio!” Mrs, Brackett shrugged her shoulders. The interruption had broken the thread of her re- marks, and her conclusion was made in a dif- ferent tone: ‘** And a husband who isa clod! What busi- ness hasa judge to be indifferent to honor and alvancement? What business had the man to marry ME, and then decree that we should sink into a life as mild as that of owls?” ‘“* None, by my life! Madam—’’ Gomichoo cS — > "ss é ef a “i -— 7 7