Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 551 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

e pe oe Tt te . 8 Bradley and Colonel Yoke Norman had put in their bids. Every one of the candidates had made a strong effort to secure his support, and to aid one was to morally offend both the others, What the result would be with Bradley, the judge already knew; the candidate of the ‘**Reds” had backed up his request with a threat. He ha: plainly revealed that he knew a secret in the judge’s past; he threatened to reveal it, if his demands were not acceded to satisfactorily. This matter now became the most serious of all with which Brackett bad to deal, The case of Garry Kean could be handled, and, if any one was known to speak ill of Alice, her father knew how to deal with him, The secret held by Bradley was wholly differ- ent. Arsenic poison can be destroyed by a sweep of the hand; malarial poison is hard to conquer. So with Nathan Bradley. He and his secret made up the malarial poison—sly, secret, insidious, vague, yetdeadly. There was much that was mysterious about his power. How did he learn the secret? Of whom had he learned it? Did others share the secret? These questions Brackett could not answer. An enemy who menaced only himself he could freely meet and never doubt his ability to mas- ter, but the sly knave with hissecret, the weight of which wouid fall upon Alice, was a different customer to conquer. Another caller came to interrupt the judge’s meditations—a bluff, stout, red-faced, mutton- chop whiskered man whose nationality stood re- vealed at a glance, Brackett knew him well. The new-comer was English John, the miner who has before been mentioned. English as the man was in appearances, he had so long been in America that his old-time mannerisms bad disappeared, and he talked like a regular man of the West. ** Jedge, ve come on business,” he announced. ‘Pray proceed.” **Tt’s about Garry Kean.” ** Are you a witness against him?” * Against bim?”" The big miner gasped the words, and was a eneen for a moment, but he quickly ral- ied, “Against him! Great Scott, no! Why, Garry an’ me are bosom friends; reg’lar Damon an’ Pythias, as it were. Why, jedge, Garry an’ me are pards!” et Oh ” ‘* Jedge, he’s the squarest man that ever lived!” ‘Can you prove it?” ‘* Prove it? Why, I know him!” ‘** Have you heard of his arrest?” ‘*I hev, an’ that’s why [I am here. Why, jedge, it’s an outrageous shame; that’s what it is. I didn’t think it o’ Sheriff White. I’m danged ef that man ever gets a vote from me again!” English John slapped his ponderous hand nderously down upon his big knee and looked elligerent. ** White could not Brackett observed. ** Didn’t he know Garry was innocent?” “No. Do you?’ ‘Why, of course.” “You will confer a favor upon Lawrence by proving it.” ‘““Innocent! Why, of course he is. Jedge, did you see him play Mare Antony?” ‘Indeed, I did not!” was the short response. ‘You should ’a’ seen him!” cried the miner, with unbounded enthusiasm. ‘‘I tell ye he jest made Rome howl! I’ve seen Macready, an’ I’ve heerd tell o’ Garrick, Kean an’ all the rest o’ the big fry, but Garry Kean ean wax ’em all. by, when he made the declamation by Ceesar’s coffin, I was so worked up that I got a-holt o’ my revolver, an’ could bardly keep from jompin’ on ter the stage an’ tellin’ Marc Antony was with him!” _* We will leave the Roman era, if you please. What about Lawrence!” “Oh! he’s jest as good in comedy. He played ‘Sailor Hal,’ in the ‘ Sea-farer’s Sweetheart,’ like a jewel—” ** That will do!” sharply interrupted Brackett. *“* Say no more about plays and players. Your friend is in jail. Do you say you can prove his: innocence?” ‘‘That’s why I called on you. Jedge, I’d like ter hev you chip in an’ help me save him,” “Tn what way?’ | ‘** Why, he’s innocent, an’ his friends ought ter rise up an’ help him.” Judge Brackett’s eyes flashed ominously. — ** Do yon call me bis friend?” he cried. *“*'Your’e a just man.” ‘*1f vou believe that, don’t ask me to aid that knave!” ‘* Saint George!” English John gasped the word in amaze- ment, and bis eyes seemed to become several er, ‘“I want nothing to do with him. Heisa wandering actor; a man known to have en- gaged in several personal affrays; a man ac- cused of crime; a man afraid to tell his own ame—” ** It’s Hubert Lawrence,” ‘* Where is his bome?” ignore the charge,” mE _ o_o ‘**T don’t know that—” ‘*No; and you don’t know his real name. That Lawrence is his stage-name I am well aware, but he the same as admitted to me that if was no i.ore, He refused to say who he was, or from whence he came,” ‘*He don’t want bis folks to be worried by news 0’ his trouble.” ‘* John, you are an bonest man, and you mean _ not hesitate to confide in me, and your secrets are sacred to me, | piness, too, is inexpressibly dear to me, eagerly. ‘‘ His enemies are trying to cruso him, Oh! father, he is not guilty; I know he is not!” Brackett sighed deeply. ‘You speak strongly, Alice.” **T feel strongly.” ‘** Let us understand each other, my child. Do I am your father, Your hap- Tell me well in this matter, but I advise you not to | frankly, Alice, how deep is your attachment to stand by Kean any longer. The words were uttered with con*entrated vehemence which amazed and dismayed the miner, ‘* Why, jedge, you must be jokin tested. ‘*l am thoroughly in earnest, and am sur- prised that a man of your sense should uphold a quarrelsome, suspicious character like Lawrence. You had better turn over a new lea’. You will get no honor, and make no friends, by arraying yourself with bim.” ‘But, great Scott! he’s a friend -of Miss Brackett’s!” John exclaimed. ‘“If you were not an honest man, English Jobn, 1 would chastise you for that statement!” Brackett uttered the words in a low, icy voice, but his unnatural calmness did not hide the hot anger that was raging within him. His face darkened with wrath, and the veins along his forehead swelled perceptibly. The first charge had come; the first free mention of Alice’s name: he expected more to follow; and it was no idle threat that he made, , , English John leaned back in his chair help- essly. o | ‘IT giveup! I’m beat!” he muttered. The judge made no reply. ‘*T didn’t think this,” the miner dolefully added. ‘* You can see how Lawrence is regarded.” ‘* By St. George!” John cried, ‘he’s got one friend left! I know the boy, an’ I'll stan’ by him through thick an’ thin.” “To your own detriment?” ‘**T never desert a friend.” “Mark my words, Garry Kean will make you a sorry man, some day!” ‘“ Whoever te’ches the boy 7 will make a sorry man!” John fiercely declared. ** Be calm!” ! John raised bis nose scornfully. _ **Go to, you lump o’ ice! I want none o’ you. I thought you was a decent sort of a man, but mistakes will happen.” ‘* You made one when you cume here to in- duce me to defend Garry Kean, If you take yourself off out of sight you will not be making another.” , The miner arose promptly, walked to the door stiffly, and in utter silence, but at that pcint he turned and slowly enunciated: ‘** What fools these mortals be!’” And, with this quotation from inimortal Shakespeare he bowed profoundly and resumed his exit. Judge Brackett did not reply or make any hostile movement, There had been a time when such a speech to him in bis own house would have been resented promptly, but trouble had left its impression on the Iron Judge. He might talk with other men—might even quarrel—but closer to his mind than any otber matters were two oft-recurring questions: How was he to shield Alice? How was he to smother Nathan Bradley’s secret? He scarcely heard English John go out. Be- fore the man was on the street the judge was engaged with the all-absorbing problems once more, 9999 he pro- CHAPTER IX. AGAIN THE IRON BENDS. THe Iron Judge sat with bowed head; the rustling of garments caused him to start; he raised “his head and saw Alice. An expression of mingled anxiety and eagerness was on her facé, and she turned her head from side to side as though to learn with her auricular organs that which her sightless eyes would not tell her, ‘* Father !—are you here?” she asked, timidly. “Yes, my child; Iam with you.” ‘*T wanted to speak with you.” ‘i ‘Certainly, Alice. Sit down!” He arose, placed a chair for her, and with great care and tenderness, assisted her to find it. ** Are we alone, father?” she asked. ‘** Yes, my child.” ‘*T wanted to—to speak with you about—Mr. Lawrence!” she faltered. ; The judge’s brow contracted, but his voice lost no part of its former kindness as he answered: ** What about bim?” * Electa saw him taken away to jail.” “It had to be so. The charge was direct and itive. Sheriff White could not ignore it; and had no right to interfere.” . ‘But you can bave bim proved innocent?” she asked, eagerly. ‘ Spepeee he is guilty?” : ‘* He is not; indeed, he is not. Whocan think that, when every one knows he was on bis way back to this village when he was arrested? He is the victim of a plot,” Alice continued rapidly, Cr a He is a scoundrel!” | Lawrence?” The girl was silent, and her hand trembled ' upon his sboulder. ‘*T am waiting, my child.” ‘*[ think you know already; do not ask me to speak!” she murmured. Abram Brackett was himself silent then. A deeper shadow settled upon his face, but it was that of profound sorrow, not anger, He bad the truth at last, and it was. a severe blow. Alice misunderstocd him and raised her head quickly. ‘* You are angry!” she tremulously exclaimed. “Not angry, Alice, but grieved — deeply grieved.” ‘* You do Mr. Lawrence wrong by suspecting him. Heis noble and good. I know be is!” ‘‘ For your sake I hope so, but I doubt it.” ‘¢ You will not turn against him because he is unfortunate?” ““T think you know me better—” ‘“T do, father; I do! You are too just and merciful for that.” ‘““He shall be judged fairly; of that you can rest assured. But, Alice, I wish you would for- get him,” ‘“*T cannot!” she whispered. ‘Suppose that he is proved guilty by evi- dence which even you cannot doubt?” | ‘* He will will not be; be is innocent!” The judge made a despairing gesture. Twenty years of legal experience bad not shown bim how “ ah os a woman with the trustful heart ofa child. ‘** Father,” Alice resumed, ‘‘ promise me one thing!” “ What is that?” ‘That he shall have a fair trial. I do not doubt your fairness, but how is he to have his case properly presented? He is without money, and almost without friends. Who will present his case? Who will gather evidence for him? There is no one unless you see to it. Promise that you will do so!” The Iron Judge was silent for a moment. He had felt bitterly toward Hubert Lawrence; had believed that it would be a pleasure to him to see the actor overwhelmed with adverse evi- dence; but he was not proof against the force brought to bear upon him. Alice’s arms were around his neck, and in that loving embrace the iron of his nature melted awey. “Tt shall be so,” he yi Fee om ** The ablest of our three lawyers is Edmund Stanley; he shall defend the prisoner, and when he un- dertakes a case, no stone is left unturned. If Lawrence can be acquitted, Stanley will ac- complish it.” It was a great sacrifice on his which cost bim pain, but, though his judgment reproached him, his reward was great. Alice’s heart was full of gratitude, and she did not make chary acknowledgment of it, With words, caresses and kisses she gave her thanks, and for awhile the judge’s heavy heart was lighter. When she had left him he shook his head gravely. ‘‘ Were I twenty years older [ should say’ that my mind was weakening. What if Law- rence is cleared? I am not sure that the evi- dence against him is strong, for even Sheriff White admitted that Lawrence was returning to Jack’s Delight when arrested. Suppose he is acquitted? He will go free, and have the liberty of the same town where Alice lives. Am I planning to let loosea viper who will involve me, and all I love, in destruction?” With bent head and frowning brows the judge paced the room. How easily he could deal with the case if Alice were not concerned init; bow difficult it was now! ‘* And then there is Nathan Bradley and his secret. What of him? He is a knave by his own confession, and a dangerous one, too, Let him beware! There is no one dear to me who will try to shield him, and he bad better not press me too far. If he persists, he must be— crushed!” The bent head was raised; the large, dark eyes flashed: the Iron Judge was himself again. ‘fT do not know,” he slowly uttered, ‘‘of a man less likely to be Mayor of Jack’s Delight than Nathan Bradley !” A call to supper interrupted him. He and Mrs. Brackett were the only ones at the table that night. Before she left him Alice bad ex- pressed an unwillingness to encounter other eyes, and she remained in her room in charge of faithful Electa Parsons, Two hours later Judge Brackett was called away. News came that there was trouble at the Yellow Jacket Mine, a place ten miles away, and that he was wanted as an arbitrator. This was a position he often filled. If two men, or two bodies of men, had a difficulty, it was always referred to him. His honor, ability and art, and one *% - = ‘- 7 9 ‘ . ." ‘a ‘ pe es @ E - ‘ ’ bs F = * % r CAN DD ciety ee “ ; ad ; “@ * me & .