Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 551 — page 30: what you’re looking at

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

ewer ctr -taine i wd re] 30 the City - nounced. —_—— ‘whom she had promised to betray the men, women and children of the city—and shosaw Colonel Yoke Norman standing by, idle, while his neighbors were fighting, a supercilious smile on his liquor-marked face; and then a feeling, new and strange, came over her. ** Just Heaven!” she whispered, ‘‘ what man- ner of a woman am I? Am I the enemy of all who are good and true? Am I the ally of Yoke Norman and those howling, would-be murderers? Oh, Heaven! look down in mercy upon me, for Lam afraid of myself !” She shivered, and, indeed, was cold, but it was not the result of the atmosphere; it was due to more potent circumstances. She moved to one side and sat down. Her face was toward the frightened non-combatants, but she scarcely gave them a thought. She saw them and their manifest terror but vaguely; heard but apathet- ically the sounds of shot and shout. Her mind had gone back over a period of years, She remembered how Abram Brackett had ‘wooed her with grave respect and tenderness; how attentive he had been to her and her slight- est wishes; how friendly Alice, then a child, had been; how the demon of her ambition had come between them, producing, first of all, dissatis- faction, and, anon, coldness and alienation. All this, she knew, was her own fault, and she realized at last that she had flung away the dia- mond for a string of glass—the substance for the shadow—happiness for ambition, She had wished, but a little while before, that she was rid of the Iron Judge, Now the mere knowledge. that he was in peril made her faint and sick at heart, ** May Heaven protect him!” she murmured, Presently she caught sight of Colonel Yoke Norman, still idle, still sneering, and, while the flush of indignation arose to her face, she hastily approached im, ** Why are you not aiding in the defense?” she demanded, in a hard voice, The Kentuckian shrugged his shoulders. ‘*Since we hope to see the Reds triumph, you and I have no call to fight at them,” he an- swered, carelessly. **Do you see these women and children?” ée Yes.” ** 'W hat will be their fate if Bradley’s men tri- umph?” **The aristocrats will probably suffer.” ‘* All are likely to share alike, and they will be as safe as though with tigers—no safer. Col- onel Norman, if you are a man, take your place with the other defenders!” Her imperious tone caused his eyes to open widely. ‘* Eh?” he muttered. | **T spoke plainly.” ‘** W hat do you mean?” ‘Simply this: I repudiate my bargain with ou. 1 have been blind, and worse than that; I ve been criminally wicked. Thank Heaven! my eyes are opened at last, and I cast off the chains which have bound me to evil. I decline to consider political glory further; I decline to aid your own ambition; I decline to be the ally of the Reds, and shall watch well to see that ou do not betray this party to them. Colonel orman, a new life begins for me with this hour, and if you are a man, you will take place by the side of your old friends and fight with them, I have no more to say!” She turned and swept away from the dum- founded colonel, who stared after her in blank amazement and consternation. He saw her go a few paces aimlessly, and then pause and fix her gaze on a scene 4 few steps away. A man had been wounded, and those who were trying to care for his wound were showing unusual awkwardness, Mrs, Brackett swept to the place; she gave her aid; her fingers moved deftly, and while his blood discolored her hands and dress, she worked with skill and dili- nce. Colonel Yoke Norman gave his mustache a spiteful jerk. ‘The jig is up! When proud and lofty Mrs. ‘Brackett descends to such labor, the millennium is come, and there is no room on the express train forme. Ill jump off!” When Brackett, Kean and English Jobn left Hall they found no one to interrupt or molest them. The Reds were in consultation near that part of the building which they con- sidered the weakest, and with an open way, the rescuers were soon clear of the place. Deeply moved as the Iron Judge was, he re- his usual clearness of perception, and ae halted before many rods were left behind em, “Tam go at once to my house,” he an- “‘It matters but little whether me th- rioters succeed in burning it, and I shall draw my men and scatter them in all directions, ran for and intercept the missing persons. , however, will cause some delay, and I - ‘want a watch established on both the east and west roads as soon as possible. Will you two men undertake this work, one going to each point, and remain there until you have further ons?” _ There could be but one reply to this request, Thier neortie 7 ' : Garry Kean. i —_—- ——_—. | and both Garry and John promptly answered in LE — the affirmative, The separation was made at once, and each man went bis way. The ex-actor’s course was toward the west, and he regarded it as the one the least likely to produce discoveries. This, however, did not prevent him from being alert and watchful. The whole village was quiet wes at the City Hall. Somewhere about the place were stationed the men whose duty it was to foil any effort to burn the dwellings, but they were not to be seen, If there were Reds elsewhere en at the City Hall, they, too, were invis- ible, Garry hastened along the deserted streets, and found no one to oppose his progress. At last he approached Pfaff’s saloon, and there for the first time he discovered a light. More than that, voices sounded inside, and as such a step did not seem likely to delay him for more than a moinent, he determined to see who was there. It could not be that Pfaff was getting his usual trade when war was the order of the nigbt around him. This was rendered all the more advisable be- cause the voices were pitched inanger. — Kean pushed the door partly open. A light was burning at the further end of the saloon, and it revealed three persons, one of whom was the corpulent proprietor. The other two— Garry started and looked in amazement, Confronting Pfaff like David before Goliah, there stood Elmer Nicholson, and, reclining on a couch, and with her face buried in her hands, a female form was close at band. Alice! There could be no one like ber. Con- cealed as her face was, it was surely the judge’s daughter. By mere chance, Garry Kean had gone in precisely the right direction, and captor and captive were discovered, Pfaff was talking excitedly and angrily, yet showing in every way a fearof Elmer born of the latter’s position as the mayor's son. ‘*T don’t t’ink dis vas all right!” he declared, ‘*Der young lady is meeserable, and J tink dere is somet’ings wrong. I vant you to go right avay!” ‘Don’t you fash yourself, old man!” Nichol- son retorted. ‘'I don’t move at any man’s bid- ding; Pll go when I get ready, and not before.” ‘* You vill pring trouble on this saloon, and kill my trade so dead as a stones,” ‘‘T don’t care a rap for that.” ‘*My advice is dot you send der young lady avay. She haf not swoonded for not’tings,” ‘* Rest easy; my men have gone for horses, and when they come again, I’ll take her away.” The words were barely out of Elmer’s mouth when a heavy band was laid upon his shouider, and a powerful effort forced him down upon one knee. Writhing in vainin that painful grasp, he looked up and saw the stern face and flashing eyes of the ex-actor. The latter had worked ng and silently, and the surprise was com- ete. ae Scoundrel and woman-stealer!” Garry Kean sternly uttered, ‘‘ you shall return yonder girl to her home! i ask not to do it, but that shall be By ss punishment. You shall take her back, and then others can deal with you as they see fit. In my opinion, there is no other reward so fit for you as to be scourged in the public streets, with the lash well laid on!” CHAPTER XXXVII. THE GATHERING OF THE FRAGMENTS. As the Man with Backbone spoke he caught a brand outof the blazing fire and swung it cha his head to increase the light in the sa- oon. ‘Holt on!” cried Pfaff, in terror. ‘* Don’t scatter dot fire around here, or you will be-low us all oop. See dot powcer!’ He pointed toasmall keg infront of Garry, and one glance was enough to sbow that it was half full of the article he bad named. The Reds had ordered powder and stored it in the saloon, and when they bad that night secured what the wanted for immediate use, the keg was left as it bad last been used, and Pfaff had too much fear of it to move it back, All this appeared to be a simple affair, but it was destined to be anything else before the se- quelcame,_. Pfaff fled back to avoid the possible explosion, and some sparks were flying from the torch, but a geet danger wasat hand. While Elmer still crouched under Garry’s painful hold, there was a sudden sound of heavy steps and voices near the door, and into the saloon came a dozen men with Thad Jobnson at their head, ‘* Pfaff!’ cried the bully, ‘‘ we’re as dry as Sarah Desert. Set out the liquids—” He stopped short and stared in dumfounded surprise, ‘*Great Scott!” he ejaculated, ‘‘ bere’s a go! Hyar’s Garry Kean, kid Nicholson an’—whoop! hyar’s Brackett’s gal! ’Tarnal snakes! but ain’t we in luck? I dunno how they got hyar, but they’re our game, anyhow!” t was a sight calculated to alarm the bravest man, but the ex-actor. remained firm. He was only one against a dozen, each of whom was better armed than himself, In a fight he 3 rt 2 fs 4 » Ve ae orp , — ---— would have no chance against them, but his manner was calm and dauntless, Thad Jobnson suddenly leaped into the air and came down heavily on his thick boots, ** Whoop!” he yelled, ‘‘ D’ye know I’m goin’ ter chaw ye all up, pooty play-actor? ah! Pll have yer hide ter make a saddle out on, by Cain! Critter, ’'m comin’!” The ruffian was well filled with whisky, which: was partially responsible for his extravagant speech, but, whatever he might say, he wasin an ugly mood and bent on venting his hatred upon the Man with Backbone. He took one step forward, but Kean’s voice rung out clearly and commandingly: ** Stop!” Thad obeyed mechanically. ‘*T warn you not to molest me,” added the speaker. ‘‘ be force of numbers is on your side, but I can annibilate you allif I see fit. If you advance, or draw a weapon, it will be sure death to you!” ‘*Ha! ha! the little rooster crows wal. How’ll yedo it? What are your weapons?” The blazing torch described a circle before the bully’s eyes. ‘* Here is my weapon!” Garry Kean retorted. ‘* Keep back, or I will throw this torch into the keg of powder!” ohnson fell back a step, and then laughed mockingly. ‘* Come, now, that’s good!” he replied, but his manner was uncertain, ‘‘ Don’t ye know, you fool, that ef you do that you’ll suffer as much as us? Thar is powder enough thar ter splinter this buildin’, an’ blow you into nothin.” ‘*T am well aware of tbat, but I had rather die that way than by your hands,” ‘* But the gal—” ‘*She is unconscious, but I speak for her. Rather than have her fall into your’ hands death by annihilation would bea blessing. I mean business, Thad Jobnson! Keep back, or you and your foliowers shall die!” ‘*He means it, Thad!” declared one of the Reds. ‘* Don’t you go up—I don’t want no part of a blow-up.” ‘Nor I,” added a second man; who theretpon beat a retreat from the saloon. Johnson looked ugly, disappointed and uncer- tain, but his face suddenly brightened. ‘‘By Judas! we ain’t done up yit!” he ex- claimed. ‘‘Ef Kean wants an explosion, he shall hev one. Boys we'll go outside an’ set the place on fire. It shall be blowed up, but we won’t be byar ter sail up with it, Get out, my bully boys, an’ we’ll set the fire at once!” The Reds made a rush for the door, yelling as they went, and Elmer Nicholson broke into piteous lamentations ! ‘Oh! ob! we shall die, and I ain’t fit. Kean tell them [am not yourally. I don’t deserve—” Garry gave him a, push which sent him sprawling upon the floor, and then sprung for- ward and lifted the insensible girl from the couch, ‘“We go tolife or death!” he uttered. “I will fight my way through or fall in the at- tempt!” Well aware that his only hope lay in prompt action, be ran toward the rear door, the girl’s weight not being a very severe test of his good muscles, When he reached the outer air no one was to be seen, and he continued his flight with- out. emt. But he was not able to get clear so easily. Vhere was a shoutin the rear, and, turning, he saw Thad Johnson running forward with his ruffians at his back. Garry set his teeth tightly, Itlooked as though he must meet the men in unequal fight, and though he carried two revolvers, there could be but one result of the encounter. It was a bitter knowledge, and he instinctively pressed the form of the blind girl closer in bisarms, It would be a consolation, if he must die, to know that it was for her, but what would become of her when he had been conquered? In looking back at his enemies he bad thought less of where he was going, and suddenly, he found himself among other men, Then—it was the rarest music he had ever heard—the voice of English Jobn sounded close at hand, ‘* Run behind the hut, lad! Thar’s fightin’ on foot byar, an’ the leetle gal mustn’t git bit!” Garry gave one sweeping glance and saw John, Judge Brackett and other men, and then he obeyed the miner’s direction, There was the sound of firing, but he remained behind the hut until his friends reappeared. ‘* Hurrah for Garry Kean!” cried honest Eng- lish John, ‘‘ our young lady is saved, and the credit is all his,” , ae Brackett stepped forward, trembling vio- ently. ‘* My daughter!” he gasped; “‘ is she injured?” ‘* Not a particle, lam sure!” Kean cheerfully replied. ‘ She is in a swoon, but I do not think she has suffered any injury.” The Iron Judge grasped the speaker’s hand, “My heart is too for words,” he said, brokenly. ‘‘ For now I will only remark that a father’s thanks are yours, but I shall haye more to say presently.” Another day had dawned, and there was peace Gomicbooks. a. y 4 | > * + ” * ™ 7 - ’ 4 J Lm x se —