Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 551 — page 3: what you’re looking at

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

! es OT net pte a ; ‘~. * ee - ‘¢‘ And get in the grasp of the law,” added the | know it for anything, and you have kept very Irou Judge, with cold severity. ‘‘ Wait,” directed Bradley; ‘‘it is possible that we may yet arrive at an understanding. I desire to speak with you alone,” ‘* Tt is not necessary!” declared Brackett. ‘‘ It is very necessary.” A glance at Thad Johnson was enough to make that individual rise. The third embassa- dor protested as soon as he understood the idea, but his vehement words were not comprehensi- ble to any one, and Thad took him away, half by force. Bradley and the lron Judge were left together, The latter looked sterner than ever; he anticipated a dishonorable attempt to influ- ence—perhaps to bribe him—and felt that he was acting very leniently to endure the man’s presence. ‘*‘This is a matter between you and me,” ob- served Bradley, suddenly assuming a very bland manner. ‘* Proceed, sir,” was the icy reply. ‘*T want to be your friend.” ** Then don’t lead the roughs of Jack’s Delight on in their would-be lawless career.” ** Pardon me; it will not come to that. There will be no outbreak. I shall be elected mayor, but it will be by peaceable means, and, once I am in office, you shall see that the change has not been for the worse. Even if the votes of a rough element elect me, I shall administer the law with strict honor and justice.” ‘* Come to the point!” directed the judge, im- patiently. 3 ‘“T will, and 1 want to make this a personal matter. 1 wish to be your friend—” ‘‘ Words, empty words!” ‘‘Don’t force me to be too abrupt,” urged Bradley, with an actual exhibition of embar- rassment. ‘¢ Task you to come to the point.” ‘I will do so!” was the prompt reply, and there was an unpleasant ring to the speaker’s voice. ‘“‘ Judge, you and I ought to hang to- ether. You can help me; J can injure you, if see fit, What if I were to tell abroad in Jack’s Delight the old episode of the valley house of Saint Ledair?’ The words were quickly, sharply spoken, and Bradley’s gaze dwelt watchfully on his com- panion’s face. He looked to see a change—he Saw a ae Abram Brackett started abruptly and the full color swiftly deserted bis fine face. It went, and left behind a pallor no man had before seen there since the Lron Judge came to the mining-town. Iron grows weak under cer- tain circumstances, and the firm justice of Jack’s Delight clearly had his vulnerable point. He did not speak, but sat staring at Nathan Bradley in silence, pallid, dismayed, frightened, ‘* You might defy the specter of Saint air,” Nathan added, ‘*‘ but Alice Brackett cannot—nor can you defy it for ber.” The judge reached quickly over and grasped Bradley’s arm ina hold which was almost crush- ing. 3 Utter her name again and [ will kill you!” he declared, speaking in a whisper the husky in- tonation of which’ did not conceal a fixed and terrible purpose. ** Be calm, sir! Have I not said I wished to be your friend? The secret is safe with me—on conditions!” Brackett made a quick, strong effort to re- cover composure. The first shock of dismay was over, and his strong will re-asserted itself, ‘** What nonsense do you talk? I know of ho secret.” “Don’t struggle on the book: When I men- tioned Saint. Ledair you knew at once that a cer- tain page in your life was open to me, You are a man too intelligent to waste time in idle de- nials, How about the summer day nearly a score of years ago; the hill-tramping student; the swift-running stream; the rescue; the old ~— and theo her person, of the valley house; the halcyon days; the trip the village parsonage; the interposing shadow of another judge, not you—” Abram Brackett put out one hand command- ingly. R You have said enough,” he said. ‘ Stop!” Not even when on the bench had his voice been more imperative and firm, but it was only a caricature of firmness; it was not a desperate mask, but the habit and practice of years; the nature of the man asserting itself even in the moment when the most poignant despair was tearing at his heart. He was no weakling, to be crushed by secrets of the past, and had this particular secret af- fected himself alone, he would have defied Na- than Bradley at once and inexorably. But it did more; it closely concerned one whose happi- Hg was dearer to the Iron Judge than his own e. ‘* You understand me,” Bradley added. “Understand what?” ‘‘That we can be mutually useful to each other.” ‘* How can you be useful to me?” _“* By keeping your secret.” _ “* Because you have been prying into my pri- vate affairs, do you call it a secret?” ** T do, for no one at Jack’s Delight knows of it save youand me, You would not have them ril and the. a » — " te * ea” ‘ : ‘. . » Garry Kean. quiet.” ‘* How bave you learned so much, then?” ‘** That 1 can’t state.” ** Why sbould my private affairs interest you?” ‘They never did until 1 wanted your bhel».” ** From whom did you learn my past?” ** You must excuse me from telling.” ‘*TIs the person here now?” sé No.” ' ‘* Does any one share your secret?” sé No.” The judge was silent, but his powerful face had an expression which would have worried Nathan Bradley had he been of less firm will, himself. Knowing no mercy, and being desti- tute of honor, he judged others by himself, and felt sure that Brackett was meditating bow he could use his official position to crush bis daring enemy. Bradley, situated as the judge was situated, would have Jaid a trap for his enemy and crippled his enemy’s sources of mischief by etting bim confined within the walls of a prison. e suspected that Brackett was considering this ae ron but it did not trouble him; he felt able to attle against even the Iron Judge. ** ‘You see bow easy itis for us to make terms,” Nathan finally added. ‘* What do I get by the bargain?” ‘* Safety for your secret,” ** And you would get the mayor’s chair?” ** Yes,’ Abram Brackett leaned hack and gazed steadily at his companion. He had known him a yood while; be knew no good of him. He knew his looks well, but desired to gaze again and sea what new villainy, or meanness, was expressed in his face. The bargain proposed was an insult to the judge. He had always scorned political bargains and the bargainers, At the beginning he had heard Nathan with poorly-concealed annoyance—now, he was com- pelled to listen to what he revolted from, He looked to see what new meanness Nathan had developed in the way of personal appearance, and he had more respect for the worm that crawled in the dust than for the man who dared to suggest official corruption to him. Nathan met his gaze unwaveringly. Villain the man might be, and was, but he was no craven. ‘* Suppose I decline your proposal, sir?” Brackett resumed. **T don’t think you will.” “Why not?” ’ **’You don’t want the secret told.” ** And ots would tell it if I refused?” ** Frankly an ‘* What if I defy you?” ‘You cannot; you have no right to. The blow would fall heaviest, not upon you or your present wife, but upon Miss Alice, your afflicted daughter,” ‘* What is to hinder my leaving Jack’s De- light, and leaving my present acquaintances and the secret alike behind?” ‘*7 am the obstacle. I may as well ak plainly. Having plunged into the stream, [ am going to swim it. I cannot agree to let you eave Jack’s Delight. Should you go secretly, I shall soon know of it, and shall follow you. T can tell your secret as well in some other town as here, and it will fall as heavily upon Alice there,” Brackett’s nostrils dilated. ‘“You threaten me!” he uttered in a deep voice, ‘* You have compelled me to speak plainly.” ‘‘Nathan Bradley, if it were not for my daughter, I would settle with you promptly!” “T know it, judge; but for her sake, you will avoid violence and accede to my proposal. What have I asked of yon? Nothing, surely, that you need hesitate to grant. The t men in politics unite to help each other, and I deny that it is dishonorable, Now, I say to you— help me in =f attempt to be mayor, and, two ger bence, I will throw all my influence to ave you re-elected judge.” . By the votes of the Reds?” se es.” ** Honorable backing.” ‘*‘ There was never a great end achieved with- out some rude, practical fellows in the ranks.” _ Brackett made a deprecating gesture. The idea of referring to the Reds so politely was a little more than he could silently endure, ‘“When do you want your answer?” he asked, ‘* At once, if you please; though, of course, I shall not be so severe as to insist upon it.” ** Give me forty-eight hours,” “T will. Now, judge, don’t get the idea that [ am your enemy. ere is no man in the city who is less so. If I have made what seems a hard bargain, it is because I am anxious to win. Once in the mayor’s chair, I will keep the fair fame of Jack’s Delight always in view—” **No doubt!” was the grim, ironical reply. ** We will not discuss that point.” He arose, and Bradley followed his example, The latter was not reluctant to go: he had been as successful as he dared to hope, and it was prudent to leave the judgealone. He said a few words at parting in a polite way, and Brackett listened with outward patience; then the lead- 3 ing ‘‘ Red” called to his eager followers and led them from the house. Abram Brackett was left alone, Not until then was any suggestion given of the overwhelming force of the blow be had re- ceived. His strong will bad sustained him while Nathan was present, but now that all eyes were removed from him, he sunk intoa chair and all the strength seemed to leave his physical and mental being. ** Lost!” he uttered, in amoaning way. ‘‘ The blow bas come at last, and may Heaven help my poor Alice!” CHAPTER III. GARRY KEAN TO THE BAR, AN hour later a score of men approached the Brackett house. At first glance the party might well have been taken fora mob of ‘*‘ Reds” on some destructive mission, and there certainly were Reds at the rear: rough, lawless-looking fellows, whom no honest man would care to have for companions by night or day. At the front, however, were men of different charac- ter, and the scene was to be easily understood by any one who was well acquainted with Jack’s Delight. The leader of the procession was stout Am- brose White, the sheriff, and in his charge wasa prisoner. The latter was not one of the tougbs of the lace. On the contrary, it would have been ard to find a finer-looking man at Jack’s De- light. He was young, well-formed, manly, and respectably dressed, and in any place would have attracted more than amie. attention, Plainly he was not a miner. is bands were soft and white, and his round, well-colored face had not the deep bronze common among -the gold-diggers. Neither did he look like a crimi- nal. An unprejudiced observer would have thought well of him, and marked him as an hon- orable man, if Jooks went for anything. Prisoner though he was, he gave no signs of being the victim of hard usage, while he walked boldly in the sheriff’s grasp, and held his head erect, The party paused in front of Brackett’s house, and a peremptory summons soon brought the judge to the door. He was again perfectly calm. ‘* Judge!” cried White, ‘‘ here is Mister Garry Kean again!” ** So I see,” Brackett replied, shortly. ** Under arrest.” “What new villainy has he been up to?” ** Stealing a horse! ‘*Go slow, Mr. Sheriff!” calmly mterrupted the man who had been called Garry Kean. ‘“* Don’t bite off more than youcanchew. I deny the charge.” ‘*That’s all the good it will do you!” ‘* Are you a judge on the bench?” ** No; but you'll see a judge on the bench soon enough.” ‘* Why are you here, sheriff?” asked Brackett, impatiently. ‘** To tell you about my prisoner.” ‘*Court is not in session. If the man is guilty, put him in jail. Ican’t be bothered by im. ** Ah! ing!” *‘More?” ‘* Yes. Put the crowd back!” The last words were addressed to his aids, and they gave prompt obedience; the idle observers were forced back out of i ‘* Judge,” White added, ‘I’m sorry, but I have bad newsfor you. Prepare fora shock !”” Garry Kean smiled scornfully. ‘* Speak out!” Brackett sharply ordered. ‘This man was running away with your daughter !” The Iron Judge recoiled. The announcement had been made without any feeling, but it was a severe revelation to Abram Brackett. Once more he had been touched in his only vulner. able part; he might be a man of iron at other times, but he was terribly weak when Alice Brackett was concerned. His mind remained clear, however, and he heard Garry Kean’s stern retort: e 1c gp you have told an infamous false- but there is more than _ horse-steal- ‘*The proof is complete. Brackett, he was running away with your blind daughter!” The [ron Judge moved forward and laid one hand upon White’s arm. His manner was very calm, but his dark face had grown pale and his eyes glittered unpleasantly. “Sheriff,” he said, in a low, husky voice, “*yvyou must prove that charge or make me your enemy. The name of my daughter.sball not be made the theme of idle talk. Proveit! You might as well try to prove that the sun has been blotted out of the heavens. How dare you asso- ciate my daughter’s name with that man’s? I, too, say that you speak falsely!” His voice remained as low as ever, but it was an ominous mood; thus did the raging storms which, at times, ‘is over the mountain to gather strength for desolating fury in a lull of dangerous een Ambrose White was staggered; his nature was toocommonplace to comprehend the emo- cComilebooks ~s 2 > yp P) ae De » *