The Deadwood Dick Library: Denver Doll's Device — page 28: what you’re looking at

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

sister Gerty !” Z > “What! “Do nee mean to tell me that my sister still lives?’ Denver Doll cried, excitedly, interrogatively. Denver Doll's Device. | restoratives as were to be had, the stricken man finally opened his eyes and was conscious. Heseemed surprised at the sight of Doll and Yankee, for bis gaze roved from the face of one to the other. ‘““ Why did you touch me?” he gasped, faintly. - ** Why did you not let me die?” ‘Vor the simple reasen that you are too valu- ablea man to let die just yet,” Yankeereplied. ‘*T have a little account to square up with you, and so has Denver Doll here. “Neither of you wil any longer have reason to curse me, for I can make reparation for what wrong I have done,” McParland said. ‘‘ All I want of you is your assistance to get me to some place where I can die in peace, and I will sur- SS Bae c “How do you mean” 3 ‘*T will tell you-as soon as I get a little strong- er. If you will get me a drink—” —<— Denver Doll procured some water, which the wounded man eagerly uated. He then rested a few minutes, when once more spoke, ad- dressing his words principally to Yankee: “This girl,” he said, indicating Doll, '‘ has been my enemy for years, and she has helped to drive me to do many bad ruinee by her persis- tent dogging, which otherwise I probably would not have done. I am her half-brother. There was a bitter feud in our family, some years ago, and my step-mother used every effort to keep me out of property that came to me by my father’s death. And finally she succeeded by bribing the jury to whom the case was left for decision. I had no way of redress, and was bounced out upon the world. a “ Knowing my temper, and fearing that if I remained around my native town I would seek revenge, she fastened a_crime upou me which necessitated my flight. But she reckoned with- out her host. I had my revenge, Of her two fair daughters, I plucked the fairest, and ab- ducted her. A bloody knife was found, and the charge of murdering and making way with her, was laid upon my shoulders, and Doll, my half-sister, set ouf upon my trail, like a relentless blood-hound. AI this happened, Yankee, before I turned up in your vicinity, and we bacame enemies because we loved one girl. To you, Denver Doll, I have no apology to make, as I have never harmed you nor your the light of joyous anticipation gleaming from her eyes, “T mean to say exactly that. She has been with me, and been one of my warmest friends, since I took to outlawry. She can vouch for herself that 1 have been a most tender captor.” “But where is she?” : “In a safe place; I will perhaps tell you later.” He then asked for more water, which was given him, after which he turned to Yankee, a strange expression in his face, “You've sworn to kill me, I believe?” he said, © You couldn't well count me as sinning, if J did kill you? Yankee replied, coolly. ‘ You lave done me isreparable injury!” : | ‘So you think. But you reck’ witbout your host, Ilied to you the other night—but stop! I will make a clean breast of it, You and I both loved Dora Porter, and she married you. It hurt me to lose her, but I resolved to bear the less, if she washappy. But when I saw she was unhappy, through your recklessness and inat- tention to her, the devil prompted me to once more pay attention to her. Ee aif you know how you ran away and left. her. It partly crazed ber, and when I tried to. prevail upon her to come to my protection, she repulsed me, and shortly after fled away into the mountain districts with her child. <A spirit of revenge set upon me, and I followed, For weeks I failed to find her, and in the mean time I organized_my band of road-agents. Finally, one wild November night, [ came across her and the child, both about half-starved and frozen. I told her then that if she did not be come mine, I would kill her, She scornfully refused, and I struck her down in my bot anger and fled in horror at wy crime, But I did not o far. My accusing constience turned my footsteps back; the Almighty commanded me to return and try to save ber ,whose life 1 had at- tempted, I went back. I found her body and removed it toa mountain cave. In going for her body, I had discovered the child in Denver Doll's camp, and concluded to leave it there temporarily, _In the cave [ donned the disguise of Sir Ralph Raphael, and set about the task of bringing the dead tolife. Ido not think man ever worked harder or prayed harder than I. And at last I was rewarded. She came back to life, but it was a long while ere she wus well enough to walk. By my asxiducus attention IF won her respect and gratitude, if not her admi ration; so that she finally told me her story, lit- tle suspecting that I was acquainted witb it. She Speke kindly of her truant husband, but de~ clared their paths in life, forever hence, lay apart. Finally I offered to start ber in the lit- tle business in Shinmg Bar, to which she con- sented, on the conditions that she pay me back dollar for dollar, and that she has done, The child I recovered and placed in the bands of Denver Doll’s sister, who took tke best care of it. For Dora my love’ revived, and I quietly pushed my suit. But it is destined that she neyer shall be anything tome, Yankee Hisler, your wife and child still live in good health. You arenow at liberty to fulfill your oath of vengeance |”? “i Anu the road-agent folded his arms, au ex- pression of satisfaction upon his face, Yankee gazed at him a moment in medita- tion. “Tf what you say be true,” he said, “I cer- tainly have not much cause to be revenged une you. But to-morrow is the 20th of November, and I want my child.” “'1t matters not whether you possess the child to-morrow or not, so faras the Porter inherit- ance is concerned, for I have informed the ex- ecutors, some days since, that the child is alive and well, and in your posression, Now that you see I] amreally not the wretch you picture me, I will propose terms: Since the desertion of me. ee 3 Soe my men, I have resolved that if my life is J spared, I will abandon this wild career, and b; pee Sn