Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 391) (1885 01 20)
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THIRD EDITION, = =—\——— 1 Single PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS, Price, Oe Vol. XVI. Number. No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. 5 Cents. No. 30. CHAPTER I. ‘*BY THIS RED STAIN I SWEAR!” “ WELL, who’s rr “Oh, open up! ‘ye want ter k boyy ol night = rain?” wep ae ot ‘Not even a dog, much less a human bei should be refused shelter on such a night = thu —come in,” The rude door of the ruder but was flnng wide open, the wind catching it as it swung ajar, and clanging it with a tremendous bang against the log wall, when, as if in echo to the crash, a pistol-shot rung out on the howling gale of the night, and the occupent of the cabir, staggering back with a tremendous cry of psin, fell to the floor and lay motionless. He had been shot fair between the eyes, and was dead before he struck the planks that cov- evered the ground inside the but. Stepping inside, and becoming in an instant plainly visible by the light of the smoking kero sene lamp that stood on a shelf opposite the door, the man who bad fired the fatal shot strode across the room to a door that opened through a partition into an adjoining apart- ment, tried the latch and with an oath that **BY THIS RED STAIN I SWEAR TO AVENGE MY FATHER’S DEATH,” ;
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Kid-Glove Kit. made the rafters ring, turned to his three com- psanions who bad entered after him, and growled ‘The girl’s in there, boys, but has fastened thedvor. Hercules, bu’st it open!” The man who was thus addressed, and who owed bis cognomen to his immense stature and tremendous strength, placed the rifle be carried ia one corner, and, stalking across the narrow room. placed his brawny shoulder against the closeiy-ceiled planks, threw his weight against them, and the door splintered into a thousand fragments. ‘* Hercules,” the giant and bully of the mines, deserves more than a passing notice, as he is to figure somewhat extensively in this drama of the mountains, and a pen portrait of him will not be out of place. Standing six feet two in his bare feet—for he disdained socks—he was broad in proportion, and possessed a magnificent physical develop- ment. His strength was such that to fell a bullock at a blow was but child’s play for him, and in all the length and breadth of the Rockies there could not be found a miner who dared cross bim when angered or thwart him when in liquor. is coarse and unkempt hair and beard add- ed to the savageness of his appearance, while the blank hollow where his left eye should have been higatened the fierceness of his decidedly forbidding countenance. It had been gouged out in one of his numerous rough-and- tumble bar-room encounters, As the door crashed in, the leader, who had in the mean time taken the lamp from the shelf on which it stood, dashed into the room thus rudely carried by assault and glanced hastily about him. A dainty chamber it was, and seemed decided- ly out of place among these rude surroundings, and presented a strong contrast to the rough, uncouth trio that clustered about the door and vented their disappointment in growls and mut- tered expletives; for the room was untenanted and the snowy couch, that stood in one corner, bore no impress that would bear witness toa late occupant. ‘* A thousand curses on the luck!” burtled the leader, as he scanned and scrutinized every crack and crevice of the room, even to those that could scarce shelter a mouse, “the girl is not bere, and our expedition is partially unsuc- cessful! “Baffled by her absence our task is but half completed; for while she lives we are in con- stant danger.” ‘But, Cap,” interposed Hercules, ‘‘se must come back soon—s’posin’ I wait hyar an’ catch her when she comes. I'll bet ef Lever git her throat in them fingers I’ll shet off her wind quick enough.” ‘“‘ Hercules, it isn’t often you talk, but when you do speak your words are diamonds. ‘You wait bere and ‘fix’ Miss Dainty and we'll go on about our work, **- You know where to find us,” ‘‘ Sart’in, Cap. She can’t be long a-comin’ fur I reckin’ she’s only gone down. to ther gulch ter git some med’cine fur the ole man. ‘* Small need of a doctor he has now!” And at the brutal jest the others laughed loudly as they returned to the other room, more than one of them spurning with his foot the dead body lying there so still and quiet, with a slowly flowing stream of dark fluid gliding over the floor from the wound in the forebead and rapidly becoming thick and clotted, A noble form it was that was thus stretched out in death, with the damp dews shining on the forehead, while the white bair that cluster- ed so thickly about the massive brow, and the snowy beard that swept the broad chest were clotted and matted with the life-fluid that be- smeared them all. Paying not as much attention to the corpse as they would to the dead body of a favorite dog, the man whom the others addressed as captain, and two of his followers left the cabin, with a parting word to Hercules, and mounting their horses that were fastened toa rack in front of the door, galloped off into the darkness, the hoofs of their mustangs splashing through the mud and sending it flying in every direetion. Hercules, thus left to himself, began his pre- parations in anticipation of the arrival of the girl who seemed destined to become the second prey of the night to this ravening band of as- sassins. Taking rougbly hold of the heels of the dead man, he dragged the body scross the room and flung it heavily into the adjoining apartment, the course being marked by a sinuous trail of blood, for the dark stream still welled from the yawning wound in the forehead, and then spread a buffalo-robe, which ,be took from a pile of skins in the corner, over the red pool in the middle of the floor. Then closing the outer door, and fastening it, he turned the light low, and throwing himself upon the fur couch in the corner, waited, THe minutes sped on and he had just begun to nod into a slight doze when the clatter of a horse’s hoofs outside roused bim in an instant, and in a second’s time he was standing by the door and on the alert. A moment more and there came a gentle tap on the door, anda fresh young voice called out: a PS father, it is I, Dainty.” And stepping forward, Hercules drew the bolt and gave admission to the applicant. A slight, girlish figure emerged from the outer gloom, stepped into the room and cried: ‘“*Why, father, allin the dark! why don’t—” A rude grasp on the delicate throat, a fierce clutch about the slender neck, and the succeed-~ ing words were lost in a gasp and a gurgle that showed how deadly was the encircling band that thus strangled ber. But it was not the intention of the giant to choke ber into instant insensibility, for he pre- ferred to toy with her for a time as does the cat witb the mouse, so be relaxed bis cruel grip and suffered the girl to escape for an instant, plant- ing bimself in the doorway, acd thrusting ber from him with such force that, her foot catch- ing in the robe he had spread, it was dragged away and she fell heavily to the floor. A wild shriek sprung frora ber lips, and — ing to her feet, she turned the lamp to its full- est blaze, and turning, confronted her assail- ant, For a moment they stood thus, her eye catch- ing the crimson pool in the middle of the floor and dilating with horror, when suddenly, as sd cried out again, the giant sprung toward er. But on the instant, a lithe body flashed through the open door and a small gloved hand shooting out on the instant, a stunning blow caught Hercules behind the left ear, and he went to earth as if shot, As composedly as if in a ball-room the savior of the young girl walked to the light, and with an en of decided disgust on his almost feminine features, examined his right band, on which the lavender glove he wore was split from wrist to fingers with the force of the blow. ‘€ Another pair of glovesruined. Kit, my boy, you should remove your kids before you give way to your impetuosity !” And tearing the glove from his hand he tossed it from him, when it fell in tbe pool that hat the spot where the dead man had fal- en. The girl, who had stood a silent witness of the encounter, now turned and caught sight of the dead body of her father through the open doorway, and rushing to it, threw herself prone on the corpse, with a thousand inarticulate moans and kisses, But suddenly she started to her feet as if stung by an electric shock, re-entered the main room, and, falling on her knees by the crim. son spot, picked up the lavender glove that lay therein, stained and red, and lifting it high in the air cried: ‘*By this red stain [ swear to avenge my father’s death and track his murderers to their graves!” While the young rescuer, Jifting his hat rev- erently from his head, added asolemn: , * Amen!” CHAPTER II. A CHALLENGE, REVERENTLY with bared head, the young man stood thus for a moment, and then, as the pros- trate giant in the corner began to give some signs of life, he walked over to where he was lying, and, stooping, removed the pistol and murderous-looking knife from Hercules’s belt. Returning to the girl, wko yet remained kneeling where she had thrown herself, he took her by the hand and gently lifted her to her feet and spoke a few words of kindness and comfort, And the girl, turning her lovely blue eyes full upon him, seemed for the first time to fully realize how near she had been to: death, and placing her hand on ber throat, which was scratched and scored and torn by the cruel clutch of her would-be assassin opened her lips as if to speak, but before she could uttera word, burst out in a wild torrent of tears and cried like a child. J lt was a blessed relief, and ber compation realized that it was better that nature should take ber course, so did not endeavor to quiet ber but stood silently awaiting the lulling of the storm, : ; And the very violence of the fit of weeping soon brought quiet, and gradually the sobs that shook the slenaer frame ceased, and the fair gi’! became quiet by degrees and was able to turn to and thank ber rescuer. And a lovely picture they presented as they stood there together—she with her masses of golden hair, loosened in the struggle and stream- ing far below her wais*, her delicate complex- ion, her clear-cut features and ber magnific-nt blue eyes; he, the: living embodiment of his companion, So much alike were they in feature, hair and eyes, so startling was the resemblance, that an observer would bave taken oath that they were not only brother and sister, but twins. “Dress them both’in like costumes,” would bave said the on-looker, “and it would be im- possible to distinguish them apart.” ; But now they were dressed anything but alike. She wore a close-fitting habit of dark-green cloth, which showed her slender form to the best advantage, while a broad-brimmed hat, in which drooped a magnificent white ostrich featber, was planted firmly on the back of ber shapely head. Small boots incased her shapely feet, to the heels of which were attached silver spurs with tiny jingling bells, which tinkled musically as she walked, and snugly-fitting gauntlet gloves covered her hands. The young fellow who bad so opportunely ar- rived in her dire distress was, as be stood there, a swab for a Rembrandt, wenty-two years bad with them brought no sign of beard, and his complexion was as sinooth and fair as a woman’s. His hair, virgin to the scissors’ touch, bung far below his shoulders, and was of the bue of burnished gold, with streaks of light sparkling in it here and there, as the rays of the lamp glinted among the flowing strands. Jt was identical in color and sbade with that of the girl, while bis eyes were as like hers as one pea to another. But with his face and head the resemblance ceased, for he was clad in a costume which was so striking that it would have attracted atten- tion any where. His coat—a loose-fitting sack, with silver but- tons as large as trade dollars—was made of the finest Lyons velvet, of a deep claret color, the vest, which was cut low, being of the same material, Tightly-fitting trowsers, also of velvet but Prussian blue in color, clothed his lower limbs, and boots of the shiniest of patent leather, but nov’ flecked here and there with patches of mud, came to his knees, while gold spurs, small = neat, with balls attached, ornamented his heels, His hat was broad, and black as night, the material being also velvet, it being encircled with a gold band an inch and a half in breadth, fastened on the left side with an enormous gold en buckle, in which sparkled a diamond of un usual size and purity. A crimson scarf, knotted negligently, hung from-beneath bis turn-down collar, and in the bosom of his shirt shone a stud that capped the diamond iv his hat. His left hand was gloved with a kid covering of the most delicate lavender hue, he baving split the glove on his right hand when he stru k the bully, who yet lay balf-unconscious in tise corner. ‘ A small case of Russian leather bung at his left side, being suspended from bis right shoul- der by a massive gold chain, while about his waist was buckled a broad belt that carried ia it two handsome and deadly six-shooters and a keen, ivory-handled knife, He was slight, although tall, not weighing more than a hundred and thirty-five pounds, yet beneath the velvety covering of his coat and skin lurked muscles and sinews of steel, while the lightning’s flash is not quicker than were bis motious when in action. But while these two stood thus, Hercules had almost fully recovered his senses, and softly stealing one hand along the floor he grasped a small billet of wood, and unperceived, drawing back his arm, he flung it at the lamp on the shelf, striking it fair, overturning it, and leay- ing the room in total darkness, . * ei] aA
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At the crash the youth sprung to the door, to bar the exit, For an instant all was still, each one of the actors in the drama holding their breath avd waiting. Then the voice of the stranger broke the silence. * Young lady, if you will strike a match, I will attend to our friend. ‘Do not fear to move boldly. “Should he move, [ will shoot him as I would a mad cur.” Clear and firm came the answering voice: ‘There is not a match in the bouse, “One of my errands to the gulch was to pro- eure some, but I must have dropped them on the road.” “Then come this way and stand near me; when there are wolves about we must have a care lest we get bitten.” And as the girl stole to his side and nestled her hand confidingly in his; the gruff voice of the bully broke out on the stillness of the room, for the storm had subsided and no sound broke the silence of the night from outside: ““Ye’r’ a brave youngster, you be, “Ye've taken away my weepins, an’ now ye think ye’ve got me. ‘Give me half a show an’—” “Shut up and listen: “T now unloose my belt and fling it to the floor.” And suiting the action to the word, he un- elasped the belt and allowed it to fall to his feet ret Now, we are equal, and will see if you will win.” “Ob! pray be careful!” pleaded the voice of Me young girl, as she clung to the young man's and, ‘‘You do not know this man. “You do not know the reputation he beurs in the neighborhood. *‘ He will surely kill you if he once gets you in his grasp. “Lot us fly; the door is open, and in the dark- ness we can escape.” “My dear child,” mildly, but firmly, inter- posed the young fellow, “do not worry. I am well able to take care of myself and of you. “T will teach this gentleman something that I believe will be of service to him. ‘‘ Stand to one side, and fear nothing. : ‘Now, sir, Lam ready to argue this question with you.” “All right, my young sprig, lll take your measure for a coffin!” CHAPTER III. AN ESCAPE AND A CAPTURE. TuEsE words were sufficient for the delicate- looking young fellow, who, thas guided by the voice, leaped lightly forward, straightening his left arm as he did 80, his small clinched, gloved fist coming; in ¢rashing contact with the lips of the giant, and driving him back, with crushing force, the back of his head striking the log wall of tho room and causing a thousand stars to dance before his’ eyes. For an instant ‘ho stood, leaning against the wall in a semi dazed condition, and then, with 4 roar like a wounded lion, he rushed blindly for- ward, with outstretched arms, and encounterin his adversary, clasped him as in a vise, anc fairly ecrushod the breath out of bis lungs as he squeezed the slim young fellow against bis bravpy chest, For a few moments his position was a desper- ate one, and it seemed as if be were doomed to die, particularly as the giant began to rain blows on his head with his free hand, until the lad’s brain was one whirl of dazed confusion, But be was quick as a flash, supple as a snake and slippery as an eel, and suddenly crouking his leg behind Hercules’s knee, he glided from his grasp and, with an unexpected strength, gave him such a push that he was tripped up and fell with a tremendous thud to the floor. And then there was a sudden crackling, a fizz, and a sputter, in the corner of the room, where the young girl bad found a match and lighted it, and before the bully regained bis feet the lamp was burning clear and bright, and the two combatants were plainly visible to each other, Springing bastily to his feet, Hercules, who resented a terrible appearance, his lip bavin een split from the last blow he had receive and gusbing blood, shook himself and again rushed on his young adversary, his sledge-ham- mer fist raised high in the air to crush the life out of the youth with one blow, Cool and calm and smiling the other awaited him, and as the giant swung his fist in a swing- ing, round-arm blow, he dodged down almost to youn standing with clasped hands, trembling with fear, courteously doffed his hat and addressed ed her. ness offsuch scenes. it would be better if you sought shelter with friends; for such you surely have in the neigt- borhood?” while a mournful smile stole about the corners of her mouth. said, “and not familiar with the dwellers in this vicinity. for shelter within miles and miles, for none but miners occupy the cabins hereabouts.” performed and my father—” here her voice fal- | Kid-Glove Kit. NRT EE ne the floor, the stroke passing harmlessly over his head, and then, rising, planted tbat dainty little fist just under the giant’s jaw, with such force and precision that Hercules was lifted clear off his feet, his jaw-bone was cracked and disloca- ted, and he fell all in a heap, howling with pain and rage. Paying not the slightest attention to him, the fellow walked over to where the girl was | “ft is not fitting that you should be the wit- “The rain bas ceased, the skies are clear and | At the rte (OE the girl sighed sadly “You are evidently a stranger bere,” she “There is no one to whom I could apply “ But you can not remain here,” ‘‘ Here I remain until the last sad rites are tered for a moment, but was instantly steadied— ‘and my father is laid to rest. ‘Can I count on you to aid me in performing this office?” “You can rely upon me to undertake what- ever you may ask.” With a graceful bend of her proud head in acknowledgment, the girl left him and walked lowing no longer sounded on the rocky road in front of him. He drew rein quickly, but too late, for the forelegs of his horse encountered a lariat tight- ly drawn across the road and stretched at a dis- tance of a foot or so above the ground the steed stumbled and fell on bis knees, and flung his rider far into the air, whence he fell with an | awful thud on bis rigbt shoulder and lay in the middle of the road, insensible. At the same moment three brawny forms leaped from the shadow of the rock at the road- side, and six muscular bands seized and bound him fast, as Hercules, standing by, surveyed toe proceedings with a grin of maligoapt de- ight. CHAPTER IV. A SECOND VICTIM, Lert alone in the cabin with tne body of her beloved father, the hours rolled on unheeded by Dainty, who was lost in an agony of grief and despair, The sudden and brutal murder of her father, now that the excitement of the past hour or so bad subsided, overwhelmed her and rendered ber oblivious to all surroundings. Buried as she was in ber sorrowful thoughts, she was unaware of the escape of Hercules, of the departure of his adversary, and had searce- ly beard the words |shouted back by the latter as he galloped away. But finally the earliest streaks of dawn glim- mered through the open door, and roused her from her thoughts, and rising, she walked into the other room, the perfect ghost of the bloom- ing, cheery girl who bad ridden up to the door the evening previous. into the other room, where she stood by the body of her dead father, looking down into the cold still face, but uttering never a word—shed- ding never a tear. Her friend and ally followed her, and, re- moving his hat, stood silently awaiting what- ever she might wish to suggest. And so they remainod until the pent-up emotions of tue girl again broke forth in a storm of sobs, and he, respecting her sorrow, | : | returning to the house, for the first time fully quietly retired, going into the other room, and mechanically glancing at the spot where Hercu- les had fallen. But the room was vacant—Hercules had dis- | appeared, Evidently having profited by their abstrac- tion the ea had crawled to the door unper- ceived and escaped into the outer darkness. As the young fellow sprung to the open door- way, a clatter and splashing of hoofs sounded | y outside; and under the dim light of the stars a horseman was indistinctly visible, dashing down the road at a break-neck pace. Without hesitating an instant the youth leap- ed outside, uttered a shrill whistle, and as his horse c me cantering up, neighing with delight at the sight of his master, he bounded into the saddle and calling out: ‘¢ Wait until I return!” dashed off in pursuit of the fleeing Hercules, who already had a con- siderable start. Down the rocky road he sped, touching his horse gently with his spur and encouraging bim to his greatest efforts with hand and voice, while the noble brute, as if realizing bow im- portant the errand was, spurned the road be- neath his hoofs, and devoured the miles as if by magic. But Hercules was also well mounted, and al- though he did not gain an inch, neither did his pursuer, the latter being guided in his chase only by the sound made by the foremost horse, as be galloped wildly on, for the intricate turns | and twists of the mountain road hid bim alweys | from sight. At one moment the pursuer caught a fleeting glimpse of the fleeing horseman, and his hand sougbt bis belt to draw revolver and halt the fugitive, but with a sudden’ shock he realized that his weapons were lying on the floor of the cabin, where be had cast them prior to his late encounter. For a second he hesitated and almost drew rein; but the innate recklessness and courage of | the man prevailed, and loosening his grasp he again urged his steed forward. And so he galloped oxy & on for a quarter of | ll the time intently to | an hour more, listening a the sound of tho flying horse’s feet in front of | bim; but as the ride began to grow wearisome | he allowed bis thoughts to | in its monotony, strey back to the fair girl whom he had so latelv left. Lost in a bright reverie he galloped mechani- cally on when suddenly he aroused himself as he realized that the hoof-beats he had been fol- Expecting to find the room tenanted, she glanced around, and could at first scarcely com- prebend tbat she was alone, and then, thinking that the stranger might have stepped outside, she went to the door and Jooked about, All was deserted and silent, no living thing being in sight but ber horse, which still stood fastened to the rack where she had left bim the night before. She soon had him stabled and fed and then, realized that sbe was alone. The belt, with pistols and knife, lying on the floor where it had been flung, recalled vividly the encounters of a few hours before and like the memory of a dream came to her the recol- lection of the clatter of boofs she bad heard as pursued and pursuer dashed away, and the memory of the words, caMled out in that clear oung voice: ‘+ Wait until I return!” And then she gasbpashenniet that Hercules must have escaped and that ber young champion | had started off in pursuit of bim. So returning to the side of ber father, whose bead she bad tenderly raised and placed on a folded blanket, she recommenced ber lonely vigil, and sat there quietly, until exbausted nature asserting herself, she gradually drooped, until finally she fell into a deep slumber and became oblivious to all surroundings. The day grew clearer and brighter, the sun rising high in the heayeus sbone through the open doorway, and still she slept on, until finally a eng eed footstep approached the open door and a dark shadow fell across the thresh- old. A head was thrust into the room followed by a body, when the intruder might bave been recognized as the leader of the bard which had attacked the cabin the night before. | Quietly and cautiously entering, he stole across the room to where a small cupboard was built into the corner, and finding the key in the lock, be quietly opened the door, took a small, oblong tin box from one of the shelves, and thrusting it in the bosom of his shirt, turn- ed his attention to the adjoining room, With a smile of fiendish delight he realized how completely the girl was at his mercy, end tip-toeing to the door be leaped upon and seized her before she was aware of bis vicinity. She was powerless. in bis grasp, and seemed instantly to realize that to cry for belp would | be useless, so submitted silently while be fasten- | ed her arras behind ber with the raw-hide lariat | he carried, and only fixed her eyes steadily upon him, asif to burn the photograph of his | features into ber memory. | Oblivious. or careless of the fact that the | leatbern cord was cutting deeply into her deli- |eate flesb, the bandit drew the bonds tight | about her slender wrists and fastened them se- | curely. Then attaching the end of the lasso to a hook | driven firmly into the wall, he disappeared in
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S the direction of the stable, soon returning with ber horse, completely saddled and bridled. Returning to where she still sat, pale but un- daunted, he addressed her: ‘Your dandy, kid-gloved friend is in my debe more completely than even you are. oes not this information make your heart leap with very joy?’ To his taunts he received no answer. ‘You doubtless think him a royal champion, butin my hands he is as a wheat-straw—to be broken whenever I will it.” And still no answer came from those delicate lips, white through physical and mental suf- fering. ‘‘A pleasing pair you will make as you swing together from the branch of some convenient tree; for you both die to-day.” The girl’s-patrician face blanched a trifle, yet she looked calmly and scornfully at her tor- mentor, and answered never a word. “Curses on you!” fairly hissed the mocking demon, who scowled fiercely on her from under his bent brows. *- Til rouse you yet.” And casting his glances moodily about, his eye caught the belt and pistols forgotten by her champion in his hurried exit in pursuit of Hercules. ‘*Ha!” he cried, ‘‘ this accounts for the young dandy’s being unarmed. “Does it strike you, Miss Dainty Danford, that it is to you he will owe his death? “That it was in your behalf that he rode away after my friend Hercules? ‘* That, as he gasps and strangles and strug- gles at the end of the tightening cord, his last thought will be that you are his murderess?”’ “For God’s sake!” sobbed the girl, ‘torture my body as you will, but spare me this mental agony! ‘* Murderer of my father as Inow know you to be, Craig Colton, murderer to be of that brave youth and myself, I defy you, amd believe that God’s justice will not not long allow you to con- tinue in vour career of blood and crime. *‘ Again I say—I defy you!” And magnificent in her disdain the young girl arose and drew her slight form, quivering with passion, to its full hight. He had roused her, at last, but the storm of her indignation was such that he cowered be- neath it like a whipped coward, and without a word in reply, unfastened the ets and, drag- ging, rather than leading her outside, lifted her and fastened her securely in her saddle. Then going to the door, he removed the key from the inside, closed the door and locked it, throwing the key into a clump of bushes by the roadside, and then mounting, and leading ber a by the bridle, he rode off slowly down the road, He anticipated meeting no one, for it was a wild and desolate country and but few miners inhabited the neighborhood, they being at this hour all engaged with their labors, besides which fact, the road they were following was an old, abandoned one, lately supplanted by the new stage-route some miles distant. After riding for some time along the road over which the followed and the follower had galloped so impetuously the night before, they came in sight of a little group that was evident- ly awaiting their arrival and expecting them. The young fellow who had proven bimself such a hero in the girl’s defense was fastened by a rope tied about his ankles, to a tree, his hands being unbound, while be looked as jaunty and unconcerned as if in a drawing-room. Hercules, with his head bound up in a cotton handkerchief, and his two companions, lolled about in listless attitudes, keeping however a sharp watch on their prisoner, whose prowess they evidently feared. As the captor and the) girl rode up, the men came forward, one of them lifting her to the round, she shuddering at his touch and releas- ng herself as quickly as possible from his grasp, hurried to the young fellow who stood there so Sl and witb hands still bound behind her, eried: “And itis I who bave brought you to this! Can you ever forgive me?” “‘ Anything done in your service, even to the facing of death, would be to mea willing sacri- fice!’ And stretching out his arms as she wavered, he caught her as she fell, fainting, and laid her gently on the turf. CHAPTER V. THE RIDE TO DEATH. THE wretches who stood about only Jooked on and laughed, while the prisoner, walking as Kid-Glove Kit. far as the rope would permit, scooped up some water in the hollow of his hand and allowed’a few drops to trickle therefrom on the forehead of the insensible girl. Gehtly chafing her hands, she was soon re- stored to consciousness, and, sitting up, gazed about her in amazement, but soon came toa realization of her situation, and with a deep sigh turned her eyes on the man to whom she owed so much, with a pleading look for forgive- ness in her magoificent blue eyes. An answering look of devotion gave her cour- age, while he bending forward to raise her, whispered, unheard by the outlaws, who were attending to their horses: “Do not despair; while there is life, there is always hope!” “T cannot despair;’ she whispered, while a deep blush mantled her cheek, ‘‘so long as you are near me!” What he might have answered remained un- spoken, for at that moment they were inter- rupted 2 the leader of the gang who came toward them and roughly ordered them to mount and follow, stooping as he spoke and untying the rope from his prisoner’s ankles, a Ai ig a noose he formed in it about his neck, Then all having mounted, they rode on down the road for some distance, finally reacbing a narrow path which branched off to the left, and up which, owing to tbe narrowness of the route, they were compelled to proceed in double file. The man whom Dainty had addressed as Craig Colton and Hercu'es took the lead, the two risoners coming next, they being followed in turn by the other two members of the band, ‘* What is to be our fate®’ whispered the girl to her companion, as they rode a along. ‘‘Hanging, I imagine, from what I gathered from their conversation. At least that is to be .my fate, and—forgive me for the apparent selfishness of the remark—I hope it will be ours ” ** What can you mean?” ‘*T mean that it is better you should die than become the wife of that hound.” And the young fellow nodded toward the leader who preceded them. ‘‘A thousand times better,” answered the girl, almost speaking aloud in her righteous in- dignation. “ Does he imagine for an instant that I would place my hand in one stained with my father’s blood? ‘‘ITam sure he killed him, or if he did not, one of his satellites did, and he was a party to the crime.” ‘* Well, you are to have your choice,’and if you are the brave girl I take you for, he will never call you his wife, even if the grave con- fronts you as the only alternative.” ‘‘And your faith in me shall be justified by my acts,” ‘* Here! this confab has lasted long enough be- tween you two, , ‘Young fellow, you fall back and ride with my partner; T’ll keep ther young lady com- ?. And with an evil leer one of the men who had been riding behind pushed forward and inter- rupted tbe conversation. n the meantime Colton and Hercules, who had ridden some distance ahead of the rest of the party, were also talking regarding the fate of the prisoners, “He shall hang, of course,” answered Colton, in response to some query of his conrpanion. ‘*An’ I'll yank tber rope,” cbuckled the other, every feature of his forbidding counte- nance distorted into an expression of exultant joy. ‘* And you can pull the rope, if you wish,” as- sented his leader. ‘* An’ ther gal?” ‘*Tne girl promises and swears to marry me, or she dangles from the same tree.” ‘* Better string ’em both up to oncet, Cap; ’t’ll save a heap o’ trubble. ‘* An’ then ther mine—” Shut up, you fool,” interrupted Colton, say- agelv, as he gazed fearfully around, ‘‘Do you want to give the whole snap away?” ‘*Beg pardon, Cap; I clean forgot ther other two blokes didn’t stand in.” “Well, try.and remember something more than ten minutes at a time hereafter, ‘*Tt would make things safer if she should be- come my wife; there’s no telling in these mat- ters what may turn up ” ‘You've got all ther papers?” “Safe oa sound,” ‘Wal, what’s ter be feared?’ “Everything.” $8 Everything ol ‘ es ’ ‘*T don’t tumble,” ‘*You wouldn’t tumble if Pike’s Peak were to fall on you.” ‘‘Now see hyar, Cap, hain’t you a-ridin’ a leetle rusty %” ‘*Not half as rusty as you deserve, ‘‘But enough of this; we’ve got to hurry upif we want to escape a ducking.” For the sky was now as black as midnight, and as Colton spoke, the low growl of distant and muttering thunder betokened a coming storm, while a vivid flash of forked lightning split the somber vail from top to bottom. Turning in bis saddle, he called to the others in the rear to hasten, as the storm would soon break, and in obedience to the order the caval- cade broke into a quick trot, ore of the men leaning forward, and severing the bonds which still chafed the wrists of the girl, that she might be able to sit in the saddle without diffi- culty, And soon they came to a level stretch of ground, in the center of which stood a huge tree, under the spreading branches of which was a stone hut, of a single story. This was the home of the outlaws. CHAPTER VI. A MIRACLE, Ir was a wild and desolate place, this plateau into which they rode, and the gloom of the sur- roundings was hightened by the weird, yellow light that the storm-cloud shed down on all the landscape, Towering cliffs of rugged rock sprung abrupt- ly from the valley on all sides, their beetling fronts so abrupt and precipitous as to be entire- ly unscalable, while high up on the face of the loftiest of them was perched an eagle’s eyrie, about which the birds were circling and screaming, as if affrighted by the approaching tempest. The entire party were soon dismounted, and the horses being led away, were quickly stabled in a small building near the main edifice. The young man was again bound, while the girl was allowed to seat herself on a small rock underneath the tree. Then Hercules went into the house, and pres- ently returned bearing a long and stout rope, both ends of which he quickly and skillfully knotted into running-nooses that would have excited the envy of a professional hangman. This rope be coiled and then, standing under the tree, selected his branch. Not more than a dozen feet from the ground a huge limb sprung from the main trunk, whieh, acouple of yards from its junction with the tree. split into two branches, forming a borizon- tal Y, and over these two brancbes he flung his rope, so that the two nooses dangled close to the ground, and a half a dozen feet apart. He held the middle of the cord in bis hand, so that by pulling on either the right or left side he could raise or lower either of the nooses at will, and his preparations being complet«d, seated himself on the ground and waited. “Miss Dainty,” began Craig Colton, court- eously, ‘‘ you hold two livesin your hand. Ac- cede to my wishes, and your friend goes free and your life is safe. Refuse, and—” ““IT say, Cap!” growled Hercules, wroth at the prospect of being cheated of the revenge for which he so ardently longed; ‘‘ yer ain’t a-goin’ ter let ther young snip off, be yer?’ **Silence!” shouted Colton, livid with rage and fury at this insubordination, ‘‘ Open those swollen lips of vours again before I give you ermission, and, by the black demon I worship, Pil blow you to the lower regions to singe eter- nally!” ' ¢ And drawing his revolver, he pointed it straight at the giant’s head. The latter, knowing with whom he had to deal, immediately subsided, and contented bim- self with incoherent growlings and mutter- ings. yrs the thunder crashed in near proximity to the spot, following close upon a vivid flash cf yellow lightning. ; ‘¢ Your answer must be given in fifteen min- utes from the time of asking the question. “That you may not think me harsh ans cruel ”—laughiog sardonically—‘ we will retire and afford you opportunity to consult with this young gentle:nan, “But this only on the condition that you promise me not to endeavor to free him or to escape yourself, although the latter would bea vain effort.
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Do you promise this?” 1 promise.” © You will not endeavor to untie those cords or to escape?” *{ wiil not.” “ Well and good. ‘*T know I can depend on your word, for your truthfulness is but one .. your me 1y virtues, * Now, as to my -juestion, * Will you, within twenty-four hours, lay your band io mine and marry me? ** Scop!” lifting his hand as the girl was about to speak. “ Take your time and consider well before you answer. ““And remember, besides, that your reply does not affect you alone; this young fellow is equally interested by it with you. “Tf your answer is ‘ Yes,’ he shall be released and no barm shall ever come to him from any of us. ‘*Should your answer be ‘. 0,’ then he dan- gles from one of yonder nooses, you from the other, “Save his life or murder him! ** Choose!” And rising, and followed by Hercules, who secured bis rope by placing a stone on it, and by the other two members of the gang, he walked to the house, wherein they all disappeared. Scarce had the door closed behind thom than the girl, with streaming eyes and clasped hands, turned to the young fellow who stood there, with a look of intense disdain playing over bis handsome features, ard, sobbing, cried: “Oh! counsel, advise me! ‘Was ever weak womanhood put to sucha test as this; in one balance of these terrible scales hangs your life; in the other a lifetime of self-loathing and misery for me. **But what is my despair compared to your life? My mind is made up; I choose marriage, and your safety; death can always relieva my sufferings!” And turning, she walked proudly toward the house. “cc Stop!” And as she arrested her firm step, he con- tinued; a, life is not for sale on the terms pro- posed. ** As Heaven is my judge, if I am set free, the first shot 0. any weapon that I can procure will bo for that cur, the second for myself. ‘* Tf life is to end, as you say yours will in the event of your marriage, lot us die together and dying, thwart this villain who would make / whatever of life that was Ic’t tc you a torture!” “*}ty brother—for more you cai: never be— you aro even now more noble than I thought although I knew what your answer would bo, ** And now, good-by!” And bending over him she kissed him solemn- ty on the forehead, just as Colton came from the house,” ‘Your answer, Miss ainty?”’ *Deatu, *»ther than life with you!” * Then so be it!” he shrieked, “ Hercules, do your work!" A minute sufficed to place the nooses about the necks cf Uhese twain, doomed to die so young. A spike, to wi ich to fasten the rope being driven into the tree-trunk, Hercules and owe of the others caught the ropo, tho girl’s faands were ‘astened bebiod her and at a signal from Colton they pulled, and Dainty and the brave young fellow who died for her, swun chokingin, the air as the fatal rope dehtened about their necks. The rope was fastened to the spiko, and Colton, Hercules and the two others, stood, leaning against the tree, gloating over their victims. But at that moment Jue black pall overhead was rent asuader as >y magic, a deafening Jlap of thunder split the air, while a vivid flash of lightning descending straight down from the cloud overhead, struck the tree, shiveriny *t to atoms and wrenching ‘e limb, on hic hing the two viclims, from the trunk, and dashing them to the greund. The bandits, standing about the treo, were hurled in evory direction, while at the same in- stant the rain descended in torronts. CHAPTER VII. A CLOGE CALL. For a short time it seemed as if the bolt from Heaven had descended with equal fatality on exocutioners and victims, for not one of them stirred and they were, to appearance, dead. But in a short time the cooling rain and the brisk breeze that swept over the valley, re- vivifled the daring young fellow who had but a Kid-Glové Kit. i ASE ROS SE SS EE eS NT ES moment before been choking to death, and the fail having loosened the noose, he was able to breathe without difficulty. So, sitting up, be looked about him, and in an instant realized that ho bad been saved by a miraclo, but as bis eye caught the prostrate form of the young gir!, lying there so still and white, his beart “ave a mighty bound and stag- gering Jo his feet, se tugged and pulled at the cords ‘which encircled his wrists. To his great joy be found that they were so soaked with tho rain that they stretched considerably and were casily slipped over his hands, when he hurried to Dainsy’s sido and, loosening the cruel rope from ber white throat, used all of his efforts to resuscitate he>. His efforts were soon rewarded, for she heaved a deep sigh, opened her eyes, and in a Jew moments was able to sit up, weak from the shock, but thoroughly conscious of ber surround- ings. Colton and his three courades, still lay mo- tionless, and, standing as they had been, close to the trunk of the tree, bad evidently been in- stantly killed by the thunderbolt. In fact, one of them, who lay nearer to the youth and Dainty than the others, bore on his temple a small, black spot, showing where the flash had struck bim, The storm-cloud passed as quickly as it had come up, and ina few momeuts the girl was able to mount the borse which ber companion had procured and saddled for Her, and ride off with him from this terrible scene of desolation and death, Before leaving the fatal spot, however, the youth had secured bis belt, which lay on the ground near where Colton had fallen, and, buckling it about hic waist, feit able to eope with scores of enemies in defense of the fair girl to whom fate had so closely linked him. After they had left the valley and a bend in the path bid it from their gaze as they turned and looked; they gradually fell into conversa- tion, Dainty being somewhat embarrassed at the recollection of the caress she had bestowed on her companion when she thought that they were about to die together. But this feeling soov wore off and the recol- lection of her father’s awful fate came surging back to her memory with renewed force. ‘* Now that we are once more free, I want to ask you a question which I should bave put to yor before, if it had not been for this succession of stirring incidents that drove everything from my mind.” ‘Ask anything, and if I can answer it, be assured that I will, Miss Dainty.” ‘“You know my name?” with open-eyed sur- prise, “You see that I do.” ** And how did you learn it, pray?” “Did not the man who lies dead back yonder, speak to you by name just before our—our— accident? “True, I had forgotten it. ‘ut now that you know m not’ think it only fair that ours?” “¢) Tost ~-suredly.” ““Then—pray tell me it.” “‘T. ean only give you the name by which I am known out here; I am called Kip-Guove Sit ‘Gut your last name?” ‘It is the saddest thing I can say to you, but —I Ao not know is.” “Do not know your own name!” ‘1 do not know my own name!” / a But—" “Pardon me, Miss Dainty, but it is a very, very sad story, and too long’ to tell you now. ‘“ At some future time, perhaps—” “Oh! pray forgive me! I hope I have not hurt von by my persistence; that I have not wounded your feelings.” : ‘Not tho »oast in the world,” returned Kit, hee. !iy “olease call 1::e vust Kit’ in the futcre, -- “if Ihave no name now, I will try and -\-e one yor myself before I die!” ** nm one condition I will call you ‘ Kit.’” * And that condition is?” ; “That hereafter you will drop the ‘miss,’ and -all 1-9 by my first name—‘ Dainty!” ** “greed * ‘«™hen there is riy band on it.” © (\nd there is mine,” And the two hands met in a lingering clasp from which they seemed /oth to withdraw. “And now, one thing more—Dainty,” his tongue hesitating an instent over the unaccus- tomed syllables. “Yes?” she replied, encouragingly and blush- ing delightfully. name, do you should learn ‘¢ We ere no longer ‘ brother and sister?” ‘‘Oh yes we are,” gayly, and then solemnlv: ‘‘For you must remembor my father yet lies unburied, and riy first duty is to him. ‘*But my hat! In the burry of departure from that awful spot I left itlying on th» ground, ‘*We must return for it.” ‘‘Spare yourself that visit; let me go alone, I will gallop there and return and you can await me bers. ‘* Are you familiar with fire-arms?” * Perfectly.” ‘Then take this revolver, use it if necessary, but trust rather to your horse’s speed should any one approach you. “Should you not be here I will join you at your cabin. ‘Farewell, and good luck!” “Hurry back,” she cried, as be galloped off at full speed, kissing her band to him ‘as be reached a bend in the road. Lifting his hat in acknowledgment of the salutation, he spurred up the path, swept around the bond and disappeared. Riding on rapidly he soon came to the valley, and rode up %o the tree, from the spike in which yet dangled the fatal rope, saw the bat lying there, leaped from his horse and picked it up and then glancing about, saw that not one of the stricken men wasin sight! At the same moment a shot rung from the stone house, and a bullet, whizzing by his ear, seored his cheek and brought blood. CHAPTER VIII. A BLAZING HOM, Kit had too much common horse-tense to at- tack a concealed enemy, barricaded behind the stone-walls of a house, 30, leaping into his sad- dle, be hent low, stuck his spurs deep into bis horse’s flanks, and scampered down the valley as fast as his thoroughbred could carry him. One or two more bullets sped after him, but without inflicting any injury, for either the marksmanship was very poor, or the nerves of the shooter were unstrung by the late shock from the lightning. Thanks to the fleetness of his steed, he was ‘soon out of all danger, and, turning the bend in the path, drew rein, not wishing to run the risk of injuring bis horse by galloping him down the rock-strewn steepness of the road. Proceeding leisurely along, carefully holding the ostrich-feather decked hat, be soon drew near the spot where he had left Dainty, and quickening bis horse’s pace somewhat, he bur- ried on at a quick trot, rapidly nearing the bend in the path, which, once turned, would bring him in sight of the fair girl. But at that moment a pistol-shot rung out on the still air, and with a snort of pain his horse bounded forward, as the needlo-like, golden rowels were sunk deep in his sides. And as he swerved around the corner of the bluff, a riderless horse, with the empty stirrups of his empty saddle battering his sides and frightening him to still greater speed, came dashing ..p the path, and barely avoided collid- ing with him. And as be came in view of Dainty, he saw that young girl bending over a human body which lay stretched on the ground, using her handkerchief to stanch the blood which flowe:! freely from a wound in the shoulder of the prostrate man. ; Riding hastily up. he drew bis horse on to: ~ 3 haunches with a vigorous pull on the bit, and with a voice tremb!ing wita emotion, cried: ‘+ What does this mean?’ ‘‘Only another of Colman’s band, who tried to abduct me,” replied Dainty. more cooily than would have been expected. ‘ But, thanks to your revolver, I was able to defend myse’f.’’ “ And he offered you i jury?” The tones of his voice fairly bubbled with wrath, as be asked the question. “7 will tell you,” answerod Dainty, as, hay- me finished ber surgical lnhors, she turned to it: ‘Just before you returned this man came riding up the path, evidently on *.e wey to the house we saw un under tho tree in the valley and which is the rendezvous for 7'! of _raig Colton’s bart, ‘*When he saw me he approached, and very . asked me if I bad seen a party of four orsemen riding up the path. I replied im the negative, when he approached still closer, and before [ could ~e«lize what bo insonded, ke had rasped me by. .ue arm, exclaiming: *«<T¢ T mistake not, you are l-iss Dainty Dan- ford, and a young lady whom Mr, Craig Colton JNA
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Soe, ed eee pee aaa aha aS cea a wa 6 Kid-Glove Kit. will be very glad to see at his home; so come along,’ ‘My right hand, which held your pistol, was concealed in the folds of my skirt, and before he could defend bimeelf, I had aimed and fired, the ball passing through his shoulder and the shock throwing bim from his horse. ‘I do not think he is as much hurt as he ap- pears; but for fear of serious results, I bound up bis wounds, first taking the precaution to remove his weapons,” and she pointed toa belt lying near, in which were two magnificent, ivory-handled revolvers. Jumping down beside the wounded man, Kit examined him carefully, and then, with a de- cided sneer on his handsome face, exclaimed, with a kick: ‘Here, quit your shamming, and scatter for home. I’li give you just three minutes to get out of’sight,” and he emphasized his remark with a click of his revolver. The prostrate man did not wait for a second bidding, bus sprung to bis feet, and with an agility which proved how slight his wound was, started off up the hill, being halted, bowever, before he had gone many steps, by Kit, who called out to bim: “Take that handkerchief from your shoulder and hand it to me. Noman of your stripe can wear Miss Danford’s property off in that man- ner and boast of the trophy afterward.” Sullenly the man obeyed, and then in obedi- ence to Kit’s repeated order, he burried off and was soon lost to view. ‘Oh, thank you!” cried Miss Danford, as Kit handed her hat to her, she quickly and deftly lacing it on ard fastening it to her sunny ocks. “ But those men who were killed by the light- ning: who will give them the burial tbat every man deserves?” “They are not quite ready for burial yet and are the liveliest corpses I ever encountered, as ‘witness this scratch on my cheek,” ‘““Why, what do you mean?” “That they were only stunned by the flash, as we were. One of them, the man who bad the spot on his temple, was probably instantly kill- ed, although they had probably carried his body into the house.” And Kit related to her bis adventures in the enone and his surprise at finding that the sup- posed corpses had disappeared, ‘Then,” said tbe girl, solemnly, ‘‘ Heaven has left my vengeance to myself. I thought that the thunderbolt bad destroyed my father’s mur- derers, bat mv vow must be fulfilled. I swore by my father’s blood to track them to their raves, and as soon as my father is in his grave I Begin my work of vengeance!” ** And whatever I can do that will aid you, Dainty, will be only too willingly done; you be- lieve me do you not?” “« As I believe in Heaven!” And again the hands met and their eyes dwelt in the liquid deptks of each other until Dainty read something in Kit’s eyes which caused ber to color and turn her bead. But.as they at length cantered along the road and came in sight of the bouse where the dead man lay, they saw that it was in flames, and oy ery of horror they dashed wildly for- war CHAPTER IX. IN THE JAWS OF DEATH, Tue horror-stricken expression of the young girl was enongh for Kit, for he saw that she was thinking that in those flames her father’s body was beiug consumed, and that only a few charred bones, if anything, would be left to bury. So, dashing up to the front of the blazing house and leaping from his horse, he sprung toward the door and endeavored to open it. But Colton bad locked it, and as the door opened outward he was unable to break it down, so looked about for other means of en- trance, But the windows were all closed with heavy wooden shutters, which were also firmly bolted inside, and he saw no way by which he could force his way inside, ; The flames were now leaping high above the roof, which threatened at any moment to fall in, and Dainty, seeing that if he did succeed in haggis would be at theimminent peril of his life, called out to him and begged him to give up the attempt and not risk the danger. But Kit, when he had once undertaken any- thing, almost invariably carried it through, so, running around to the back of the house, he dis- cove that by climbing vp on the ede which constituted the stable, he could gain the roof of the cabin and then probably drop down the chimney, which was huge and wide, Quickly scrambling up, before the girl could fully comprehend his intention, he climbed to the edge of the chimney, lowered himself into it by his hands and dropped out of sight. Minutes that seemed hours passed by, and Dainty sat there, waiting and watcbing, until finally one of the closed shutters was flung vio- lently open and at the window Kit appeared, He was bearing something which made him stagger beneath its weight, and which, on being lifted up, proved to be a buffalo-robe, in which something was carefully wrapped, and it was not difficult for Dainty to divine what that “something” was, She could but admire the consideration of the young man who, to spare her feelings as much as possible, had taken time in the midst of this whirlwind of smoke and flame to carefully en- fold her father’s body in the buffalo-robe which had been his bed during bis life, Tenderly raising bis burden and lifting it out- side the window, be gently lowered it and de- sited it on the ground where no sparks could all on the robe, for the wind was blowing from the front and swept the smoke and flame and burning particles of wood, that rose in the air, toward the back of the house. Having thus cared for bis burden, Kit turned to cast a last look around to see if there were anything in sight worth saving, when, witbout a moment’s warning. the roof fell in, while a cloud of smoke and flame and sparks shot high in the air, The piercing scream uttered by the girl, and which echoed far away among the hills, was al- most instantly drowned by the crash of the fall- ing timbers, and then all was still, Choked for an instant by the falling mass the fire smoldered for a moment, and then the flames burst out with renewed fury, and the heat became so intense that the buffalo-robe, in which the corpse was wrapped, began to scorch and burn. Regardless of the heat and smoke, Dainty, who had dismounted some time before, rushed up to the burning building, seized the robe, and exerting all of her frail strength, succeeded in dragging it some distance from the spot and beyond all danger of burning. And then her next thought was for Kit. Looking at the roof, she saw that the fire was still confined te the end of the house opposite to that on which stood the chimney, and knowing that the flue was built of rough stones and plas- tered mud, realized that she could easily climb down and up again without any danger. For no smoke came from the chimney, and she was convinced that the draught was in the’ other direction, ayer erey 3 not an instant, and praying that she might be able to render some assistance to Kit, she ran around the house, and with some little difficulty clambered upon tbe lean-to and thence to the roof, where she stopped a moment to rest, so wildly did her beart beat, But as she stood there a pistol-shot rung out from the room below, so startling ber that she nearly lost her balance and came witbin an inch of falling to the ground below. Was it a signal, or had the fire reached Kit’s body, and did the report mean that the flames ive so heated the pistol as to cause its dis- charge? With hand pressed hard on her throbbing breast, and every sense on the alert, she waited, listening for a second report. If it came instantly, then indeed must it be the result of a heated cylinder; but if it was delayed a few moments—no matter how few— then she would know that Kit still lived and was signaling to her. Imperative as it was that she should hasten, she could no more have moved than with a tear she could bave extinguished those roaring flames, every muscle seeming paralyzed as she listened. After what seemed an age a_ second shot was fired, and asif it had been a signal to free her from the chains which held her, ber muscles re- gained their strength, her brain its clearness, her heart resumed its quiet beatings, as with firm step she walked over the roof to the chimney. To ber, strong and active as she was, the de- acending of the flue was a simple matter, so tying her riding-skirt tightly about her with the cord sbe wore for that purpose for conve- nience in walking, she stepped on the chimney- ledge, and: with all the grace and ease of a skilled athlete, lowered herself into the grimy, sooty flue. In 4 moment she reached tie bottom, and the sight that met her eyes was one well caleuaté to unnerve a stronger person than she. ._The end of the room oppesite to where she stood was one seething mass of glowing embers and leaping flame, the fiery tongues springing high in the air through the opening above where the roof had fallen in. This was her salvation, for owing to the fire being at the otber end and the heat pouring out through the roof, the draft was down the chim- ney, in the fireplace of which she stood, and she found no difficulty in breathing. The beat was, however, intense, and already ber dress began to smoke and scorch, while the ostrich feather in ber hat was instantly shriv- eled into nothingness, And just in front of her, face downward on the floor, and pinned there by a buge beam that had fallen across bis back, Jay Kit, unable to move, while the flames were siowly creeping nearer and nearer. And with a murmured prayer. Dainty sunk to the floor and crawled toward him, CHAPTER X. RESCUED! CROUCHING low to the floor, to avoid as much as possible the heat and smoke, Dainty crept on until at length she reached the spot where Kit was lying helpless, just as he fired another shot, for he had succeeded in worming his hand down to bis belt, drawing one of bis pistols and firing it as a signal He had begun to despair. for what cculd a frail girl do with this mighty weight that crushed bim to the floor and rendered him help- less, even if she sbould hear his signal above tbe crackling and the roaring of the flames? So he had about given up all hope. and was rerving himself to undergo the fearful torture that threatened him, when a voice that sonnded like an angel’s tones fell on bis ears, as Dainty bent over him and whispered: ‘As you saved me, so will I save you!” Ard rising nearly to her full hight, she grasp- ed the beam, which was wedged in a mass of rubbish at either end, and pulled on it with al} the nervous strength of ber frail bands. But the effort was as the power of a pigmy exerted egairst a Samson, for not the thou- sandth part of an inch did the beam move. Try and push and pull snd drag as she would she could not succeed in effording Kit, who wes cruelly bruised by the weight across bis loins, an instant’s,relief, nor could she raise the beam in the slightest degree. So it seemed as if Kit were doomed to die a terrible and a lingering death, and calling to ber as loudly as he could, bis voice caught her ear and sbe bent to listen to what he had to say: ‘Tt is useless; you bad best save yourself be- fore you are injured by the heat and smoke.” ‘* What care I for pain, so long as there is the slightest chance of saving you?” * But, Dainty, I am doomed. ‘‘Your frail strength can never move this weight that crushes me and renders me power- less to aid you in your efforts to release me. ‘Go and live long ana happily, and think of me sometimes.” “TI will always think of you, Kit, as the truest, noblest friend 1 ever had and—” “Do not talk that way, Dainty! You only make death barder to bear. “Oh!” he cried, bitterly. ‘‘ It is hard thus to die, caught like a wolf in a trap!” At the word a wild shriek burst from tke parted lips of the girl, as she cried; “Saved! Saved! You are saved And bysterically laughing and crying, she again sunk to the floor, crawled a little nesrer the flame, and forcing ber hand under the beam, which lay across Kit’s body, drew a bolt, after some little difficulty, and the flocr giving way, Kit, with a loud cry of startled surprise, fell beadlong through the opening, striking on the round helow with a tremendous thud, but be- ing uninjured. : n an instant Dainty was beside him, having Cescended by means of the steps which Jed into the cellar, she having opened the trap-door which gave access to it, and on which, most providentially, Kit happened to be lying, Dainty bad closed the door, and they found themselves in utter darkness, and in a close and stifling atmosphere, but which was still an im- provement on the furnace above, ; “This is bat a temporary respite, after all,” said Kit, ‘‘and you, foolish child that you are, instéad of escaping, bave sought your tomb with me. “*The fire will soon eat through the floor and Y” \ ‘ | | = {;
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hi eo f, \ : : F . E will be roasted in here like a fox in his bur- OW, “Dainty, Dainty, why did you make me re- sponsible for your death!” “T am not dead yet, nor are you. “Do you feel able to walk?” **A little sore across the back, but able to walk for miles. ‘“‘But why do you ask? Wecan not enjoy a very extensive promenade in tbis cellar!” ‘“Don’t laugh at my cellar. If it were not for it you would now be in a sad plight. **T bad forgotten all about it until you men- tioned the word ‘‘trap,” when it flashed upon = all at once that you were lying just over the oor, ‘* But give me your hand, and follow. “Itis getting warm here and hotter every minute, ‘* A breath of air will be very acceptable,” ‘¢T only hupe you may find it!” muttered Kit, as he took the small hand extended to bim and followed willingly. Much to his pings ode the cellar, which he sup- sed would at least be no longer than the ength of the house, seemed to extend indefi- nitely and they walked on for some minutes without stopping. At length they apparently arrived at a door, judging from the sound of a key grating ina oek, and he having followed Dainty through it, was warned to look out for the steps, which be ascended to the number of a dozen or so, the door clanging to behind him as he released it, Not stopping as suddenly as he was told to do by Dainty, alongside of whom he had ascended the steps, bis bead came in sbarp contact with some solid substance above, and which on the girl’s opening it, proved to be a second trap-door, through which they passed into daylight. And as he gazed about him, Kit could not suppress a cry Of astonishment, for he found himself inside the hollow trunk of a huge tree, the place in which he stood being some six feet square, High up in the side was a hole through which the light poured, rendering all about him as plainly visible as if outside under the clear sky, and by it be could examine the surroundings perfectly. But short time was given him for reflection, as Dainty, turning to him, asked him if he felt able to climb up to the hole above and see if there wero any one in sight, and he reply- ing in the effirmative, rapidly clambered up to the lookout-place by means of slats nailed to the interior of the trunk. At first be looked out cautiously, but seeing no one about—for that portion of the country was generally deserted, he projected his head and looked about him. He could scarce suppress a word of wonder, for the tree grew just on the edge of a precipice some six hundred feet high, and it was into these depths he was gazing. Dainty had instructed Ki to push a small ease, he would find inside, out of the hole and to remove the cover, doing which he found that the box contained a mirror, and that by mov- ing it about in various directions on its hinged iron rods, the whole extent of country on the other side of the tree;was plainly visible to bim. He could see in all directions without any risk of being seen. He was admiring the ingenuity of the device, and was carefully examining the country, when he was recalled to a sense of his surroundings by the reproachful tones of the young girl who seemed to think that she was entirely for- gotten. bey So folding back the case inside the tree, he rapidly descended and joined Dainty below, CHAPTER XI, AN EVENING BURIAL. _“Parpon my remaining so long away,” he explained, *‘ but being entirely unfamiliar with the workings of that ingenious arrangement up there, I could not, at first, adjust it exactly.” **T thought that you had entirely forgotten that I was here.” ‘Not at all, nor have I forgotten that you have a duty to perform, in which I must aid you. ‘Your father must be buried to-day, and already the sun is sinking low in the west.” ‘Then come,” cried the girl, and going to the side of the tree that yang, the precipice, sbe unloosened a catch, and a door, skillfully cut through the bark, swung easily outward. Take care!” she warned him. Kid-Glove Kit. 7 “The ledge is very narrow, and you will fall if you are not extremely careful.” ** And you?” “Oh! Tam accustomed to it. “Swing the door after you are outside and it wil) catch with the spring-lock.” ‘* And can it be opened from the outside?” ‘* By any one who bas the secret, yes.” As she spoke she swung herself around the massive trunk with the quickness of a squirrel, while Kit, following more deliberately and supporting himself by the tough vine which covered the tree, swung the door to. It closed with a snap, and he saw that owing to the thickly-matted vine, the closest scrutiny would fail to reveal any artificial opening in the trunk. Joining Dainty, be walked rapidly away, but turning to look, he found that he could not dis- tinguish the hollow tree from a dozen or twenty others which, like monarchs of the forest in size, grew along the edge of the precipice. It was some distance to the burning house, and they walked along in silence, for Kit re- spected the sorrow of the young girl, which grew more and more profound as the bour ap- proached when she must bid a final farewell to her father. ‘ Arrived at the bouse, which was yet burning fiercely, Kit, without a word, left Dainty, and goiug to an out-house near by, took from there a pick and shovel, and plunging into the wood, selected a grassy plot, sbaded by a gigantic pine tree, and here he began to dig a grave, first cutting the turf carefully away. Owing to the nature of the soil, which was rocky and difficult to dig, the task occupied him some time, and it was not until the sun had set that the receptacle was ready for the body. Returning to Dainty whom he found watch- ing by her father’s body, which was still envel- oped in the buffalo-robe, although sbe had thrown the edge of it back that she might look for the last time on the beloved features, he removed his hat and stood patiently by. The girl, who bad washed away the gory | stains from the wound, and brushed the long, white lecks over the bullet-hole, for a time seemed unconscious of his presence, but at length roused herself and cast a look of inquiry upon him. He bent his head silently in'response, and she, rising with a deep sigh, walked in the direction whence he had come. _ Kit, who, though so slight, was possessed of immense strength, lifted the dead man from the ground and followed her, walking slowly until | they had arrived at the grave, when he laid the body gently on the turf. He realized that words of condolence would be a hollow mockery at such a time and under such circumstances, but he deemed it impera- tive that Dainty should secure whatever papers or letters or valuables the pockets of her mur- = father might contain, and so suggested to er. ‘*Please look, then, if you think it best: any memento of my father would be of the highest value to me,” And obeying her request he reverently began his search, finding nothing, however, but a small locket, suspended about the dead man’s neck by a plaited leathern cord, his, without a word, he handed to Dainty. Mechanically she took it, mechanically she opened it, when a small pace of folded paper fell to the ground which Kit picked up and re- turned to her. : Unfolding it she glanced at the few written words it contained, and then handed it to Kit, who read as follows: ‘Should a betes Wy | happen to me, Dainty, you will find my will find a schedule of my property in the tin box in the corner cupboard,” This was all, ‘The message from the dead comes too late to the living,” she murmured. “The box and papers are long since destroyed by the fire which has destroyed my home! “Tt is a doubly unfortunate accident at this time,” _ “Tt was no accident, I'll dare swear,” broke in Kit, 3 ut All the circumstances point to incendia- rism, ‘* There was no fire in the house, and I noticed that the lamp, which was doubtlese lighted when you were dragged away, stood on the’ floor beside your father’s body, where you bad placed it, empty, having burned itself out. ‘*The house wes set on fire, after haying been robbed, for there were footprints in the ashes of Se Recneee when I dropped down into them, which I plainly saw. i pRB) OS aes chd ASS Khe ia a asap MES hi liad ails gah dtp es 8 ain «intl | apenas apn “No doubt the mian you shot, and who be- longs to Colton’s band, was acting under orders from his leader, stole the box and then fired the house to hide bis crime, ‘‘ Fool that 1 was to let him go!” ‘¢We must talk of that later; my father de- mands our attention now.” And carrying out ber wishes, Kit laid the body quietly in the grave, the fur robe its coffin and its winding-sbeet, its requiem the sobs of the girl, who cried as if ber heart would break. And then, the grave being filled and the turf carefully spread over it, Dainty became sudden- ly quiet, and kneeling beside the grave, took from her bosom the kid glove which Kit had torn from bis hand efter striking Hercules, raised it bigh toward Heaven and cried: “ Again, my father, who art watching over me to-night, I swear to avenge your death and to follow your murderers to their graves!” And rising, she uttered the single word, ‘¢ Come!” and led the way to where their horses were grazing. Mounting, in a few moments they had reached the mysterious tree, when the borses | were unsaddled and unbridled and turned loose, and, still following the girl, Kit swung around and entered the tree, when Dainty disappeared | down the steps, and almost immediately re- turned with a goodly supply of cold meat and | bread, and some cold coffee, of which Kit par- | took ravenously. Then again descending, she, saying: ‘«] have a room below,” shot the bolt in the lower side of the trap and sought ber couch, while Kit, too tired to think, threw himself on a pile of skins at one side of the hollow trunk and in a moment was fast asleep CHAPTER XII. A STARTLING PROPOSITION. A LONG rest completely restored Kit, and when he awakened the next morning, and, bav- ing taken an observation from the lookout hole and satisfied himself that no one was in sight, had stepped out to look after the borses and taken a good wash in alittle brock which rau near by, be felt like a new man. The two borses be found grezing quietly near, | and after a short walk along the edge of the pre- ‘ cipice, which overhung an inaccesestle canyon, into which the stream plunged with a magpifi- cent leap, he returned to the tree, where he found Dainty awaiting bim. She looked charming. her beauty hightened by a look of sadness which had settled over her features. But there was an expression of stern resolve about ber chin and clear-cut mouth, that de- noted that sbe had stepped from girlbood to womanbood in a short thirty-six bours, and that her cne aim and object in life was ven- geance on her father’s assassins, Requesting Kit to follow ber, she descended the steps which led into the underground pas- sage and after going 8 short distance, turned to the right and opened a door which led intoa lateral passage, at the end of which was a small room, cut out of the solid earth and fitted up as a kitchen. An oil stove occupied one corner and a table and three or four chairs completed the furni- ture of the apartment. Light was obtained from a small bole cut through the bank and overlooking the canyon before mentioned, Here Dainty bad prepared an appetizing breakfast, to which Kit did full justice, while the girl forced herself to eat, doubtlets realizing | that it was of the utmost importance that she should preserve her strength. During the meal she explained to her compan- ion that her father had gained the ill-will of the miners by déclining to associate with them or join in their carousals and that inveriably when he came in contact with them, harsh words followed. He was much more refined and intelligent than the rest of the dwellers in the region, and was dubbed “ Aristocrat ” on account of bis gen- tler birth, Fearing that he might have trouble with them at any time, he bad constructed this pas- sage to the tree, having discovered by accident that the latter was hollow, and dug out the rooms alone and unaided, Now that the house was destroyed and the ruins had fallen into the cellar, no one would ever discover that end of the passage, while thanks to the ingenious arrangement of the mir- ror, they could always scan the country before going out, and thus avoid detection. ie ai AR oe Aa) re} ary toe es a 7 P CT
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re 7 Fn <a bat Se a ee de ang Potable “ But now,” continued Dainty, as Kit pushed his chair slightly away from the table, baving finisbed his breakfast, ‘‘ advise me what plan I had better pursue; for you know I will never rest until I bave avenged my father.” “IT thought about toat, this morning, while I was walking around, ‘But first of ali you must understand one thing, positively: ‘In all your actions I am with you, heart, soul and strength.” “Thank you, my friend, I know that.” “Now would it not be better for you to re- main quiet either here or at any otber place you may choose, even to go to Denver, and let me remain here and be the instrument of your vengeance! Y ‘o that I never will consent! “ T have sworn over my father’s blood, over his grave, to wreak my vengeance myself, and to fulfilling this oath I benceforth devote my every energy, my every moment!” “Then so be it; now listen to my plan.” And he drew bis chair up to the table again, while the giri listened intently. * As well as [can judge,” continued the young man, ‘“‘we are eacn the living image of the other, a fact that is more remarkable as it is certain that we are in no manner related. ** Cut your hair a little shorter, so that it will be the same length as mine, clothe us alike and I defy any one, even a person intimately ac- quainted with us both to tell us apart.” A slight suspicion of what Kit intended to convey caused a faint blush to mantle Dainty’s cheek, but she nodded to him to continue. wa’ woman,” pursued the lad, ‘‘is invariably hampered by her sex, when she undertakes a man's work, so my advice to you is to become a man, in appearance, if not in reality. ‘Dressed alike as we would be, each the liv- ing counterpart of the other, and your enemies, who are now miue, would be continually non- plused and baffled, and with you here, me there, they would not be able to comprehend the sud- den appearance and disappearance of the per- son whom they would think miles and miles away. “Superstitious as all criminals are, they would be brought to the belief that there was something supernatural about me, for they would never suspect that you were disguised to resembje Kid-Glove Kit, and would believe that you had left this section of the country. “Your vengeance must be something terrible, unbeard of, besides which you owe it to your dead fatber to regain possession of the property that he guarded for you, and for which he un- doubeediy lost his life. vd Separated as we will be very often, it will be necessary for you to have some means of communicating with me if you are in danger or trouble, “You can always purchase a messenger, and if you desire my presence, send me the glove tbat you have wkich I threw away, write your message inside, and I wil) come as fast as horse- flesh can bring me,’ ** But there is one obstacle to your plan, feasi- ble as it otherwise seems to me, “Tt is humiliating to confess it, maybe, but— I have no money.’ “Do not let that worry you, I have an ample supply; if you object to taking it, consider ita loan; you can repay me when we obtain your father’s papers; for lam certain that he would not have preserved that scrap of paper so care- fully had there not been something of value connected with it.” And slinging tbe Russian leather bag he car- ried on the table, he unlocked it with a small key he carried fastened about his neck by a gold chain, and placed the contents on the cloth in front of him. A small package, wrapped in tissue paper, be tossed carelessly aside, and then, picking upa roll of bauk-notes, he opened it and counted the bills one by one. ‘*Ten thousand and a few hundred dollars,” he said as he finished. ‘That is our fortune; let us begin to-day, and — if it will not be sufficient to accomplish our euds|" CHAPTER XIIL 4 BAD CROWD. Drvip1nG the sum be possessed into two equal portions, he handed one of them to Dainty, who hesitated a moment, and then, extendin her hand, took it, smiling on him divinely, an saying: ‘I accept this asa loan, in the same spirit in which it is offered. ee sere Kid-Glove Kit. ‘‘ But how can I ever thank you!” “T may tell you at some future time, not now. ‘But I must be off to my den, and procure you clothing suitable .o your new role, ‘*- You will remain here until I return?” ‘* Most certainly. ‘Is your—‘den,’ as you call it, far from here?” “Ton miles as the crow flies, nearer fifteen by the road. “| have there a suit identically similar to this one,” designating bis own attire, ‘*which has never been worn. “] think it will fit you to a T.” ‘* You are kindness itself, and overwhelm me with favors.” ‘‘It is not worth mentioning. ‘* But before 1 go, try on a pair of these,” And Kit untied the tissue- paper parcel he had drawn from the leather, bag, took from it a dozen pair of exquisitely tinted lavender kid gloves, one pair of which be handed to Dainty. ‘If you want to be my double,” be laughed, “you must never appear in public without wearing a pair of these. ‘6+ Kid-Glove Kit’ would soon lose his title if you neglected this precaution.” Dainty took the gloves and slipped them on her slim fingers, where they fitted as if made for her, so small and delicate was Kit’s band. “Excellent!” he cried, ‘tbe only problem that worried me is solved; for if my gloves did not fit you, I should be at a loss where to pro- cure any in this region. ‘‘f have plenty more stored away, so do not hesitate to abuse them. ‘Would you mind letting me bave one of your shoes for a moment?” Dainty without hesitation handed him a high- laced gaiter from a number in an adjoining closet, and he, removing bis boot, easily slipped it on his slim foot over his silk sock, where it fitted like wax. ‘Nothing could be. better; pair of boots that I have and from sole to crown. ‘*Tn about two hours expect me. ‘*-You can reach the observatory?” “T have climbed up there a hundred times, when I was looking for father.” “Then you can see me coming and open the door for me. “ For a short time, farewell!” ‘*Good-by, and take good care of yourself, Kit.” It was the first time she had called him by his name, and be thougbt that the monosyllable bad never sounded musical before, and would have had ber repeat it, but rousing bimself with an effort, he put on his boot ;, stuffed bis gloves and money into the bag he carried, and without another word, left the room. That the girl’s thoughts were pleasant ones, was atiaeMt by the quiet smile that played about her lips, as she sat there for some time after Kit had left the room, But finally, heaving a deep sigh as she rose, she murmured: ‘How generous, how noble, bow brave he is!” And then, as if awakening from a pleasant reverie, she again sighed and then began to busy herself deftly with her housebold duties, moving lightly and quickly about the room, un- ti] everything was in per fect order. Kit, meanwhile, bad saddled and bridled bis borse, and mounting, had ridden rapidly away, having first. assured himself that there was no one in sight. Striking the main road, he galloped along it for a distance of five miles or s0, in the direc- tion opposite to that which Dainty had followed the day before, when the prisoner of Colton, until be came to a small mining village known as The Gulch, and which consisted of a long, straggling street of twenty or thirty houses, every other one of which was a gambling and a drinking saloon combined. It was the dull hour of the day, for the min- ers were all at work, and it was only in the evening that these resorts did any business, so that in the majority of cases the proprietors or barkeepers of the gin-mills were sunning them- selves at the front doors of their saloons. On Kit came, galloping up the street, his long hair streaming behind him, while his ex- quisitely gloved hand held the reins carelessly, he having put on a new pair of kids before start- ing on bis ride—many rude and sarcastic re- marks were shouted ae him from the occu- pants of the doorway “Get onter bis nibs, Billie,” said one. “ Won- der when ther circus is a-comin’ ter town.” ‘““'Tain’t no ‘him,’” shouted another, from ou can wear a can fit you out nn across the street; ‘‘ it’s a gurl nt nn re a ee aa u maskerade.” g i ‘Stag his kids; ain’t them purty dukes fer a prize-figbt?’ * He’s a pony-express rider,” chimed in an- other. ‘‘ Don’t yer see bis mail: bag slung ter bis bloomin’ side?” “*E’s a Queen’s messenger, brawny Cockney, “‘a- carry in’ war in Hegypt to the guv’ner.’ ** Hyar, my young bantam. git down off’n that horse, an’ come in an’ set’em up fer ther ‘boys; their throats isdead dry from conversiu’ wid you.” And a six-foot barkeeper, whose face was scarred with the wounds from a hundred rough- and-tumble fights, grasped his horse by the nostrils, and brougbt him to a dead stop. Kit smiled sarcastically, although a nervous twitching of bis nostrils and a deep-red spot that suddenly glowed on each cheek would have warned any one familiar with bim to look out for trouble, But dropping the reins on his horse’s neck, he began quietly to draw cff bis left glove, while he replied: ** And suppose I decline?” ‘*Then we'll make yer!” growled the bar- keeper—‘‘ won’t we, boys?” And be turned to the crowd of roughs that bad by this time gathered abcut them, while be stil] restrained the horse, having shifted his gras to the bit. ou bet!” ‘““We don’t want no frills—pony tip!’ ‘Git down end walk up to the bar ike’ man and set ’em up!” 7 Cockey | there'll give you some goat’s milk, ef Jemon-an’-sugar’s too strong for yer.” This sally produced a laugh, and when it bad subsided, Kit answered: “Ti see the whole b’ilin’ of you to the North Pole and back, before I'll spend a nickel on such a gang of cut-throats as you!” A yell of rage arose at these words, and the crow@ was about to rusb on and pull bim from his horse, when the powerful voice of the bar- keeper was heard, bigh meer’ the tumult: ‘* Leave bim to me, bo Vl fix bim!” And sliding his hand a cates the rein, he walked back toward Kit, who sat coolly awaiting what- ever was to follow. CHAPTER XIV. KIT’S * DEN.” QUIETLY turning in his saddle so as to face the ruffian, as he came up to his left side, Kit ihrew bimself back the slightest possible dis- tance, and, looking straight down into the other's shifty eyes, accosted him: ‘Now, look here, I’m not seeking any trouble, and iif any follows; it will be of your own mak- ing. “ All rigbt, my chicken, we'll risk ther con- sequences, But now ther question is, will yer treat, or must we make yer?” “T won't treat, and you won ’*t make me! ‘*See byar, youngster ye'r’ a-bitin’ off a heap more nor yer can chew. Better pony up, au’ save thi m nice clothes ye'r’ a-wearin’!” And the six-footer laid his brawny, grimy paw on Kit’s knee, Kit extended his band and brushed the buge fist away as if it had been a fly, and then in the most insulting manner in the world, coolly dusied his trowsers with the glove he beld in he right hand, as if the touch bad contaminated 1m, The gesture and the act added immediate fuel to the already aroused anger of the rumseller, so, releasing the bridle, he stepped forward, with both hands extended, to seize Kit, and drag bim from bis borse. But as he came within reaching distance, Kit’s small clinched left band shot straight from bis shoulder with the rapidity of an electric flash, and as it came in contact with the right eye of the bully, the blood spattered in a red rain, right an "left, and ‘ Cockey,” falling straight back, lay like a dead man on the ground, At the instant the blow was delivered, Kit called to his horse, and the intelligent brute sprung forward, knocking the crowd in frent in every direction, while Kit, twisting around in his seat with all the skill of a professional horse- man, faced the mob behind him, a cocked re- volver in each hand, and cried: ‘The first man who puts hand to belt, dies!” And, the gang of cut-throats being complete- ly overawed, he galloped off down the street, eg a and soon left the town far bebind e 1 cried a news hof tho ” Relaxing his pace as he reached the open
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untry and resuming his normal position in he saddle, Kit replaced his revolvers in his belt, again put on his glove, and, as his horse walked along, thus soliloquized: ‘Fifteen minutes, at ieust, lost in that little equabble, and Dainty waiting. “No more of that, my boy, at least for the present, ‘But as it was not my fault and I could not avoid it, I suppose there is no use worrying about the matter, ‘*Come, Dick, we must make up for lost time!” And lifting his horse into a canter, he loped rapidly along until he arrived at a point where the road ran between two high banks, both of which were ebrupt as the sides of a bouse. But, scanning the face of one of tue banks, and evidently washed out by the spring’s floods when the snows above melted, was a gully, in whieh grew a luxuriant mass of bushes, seem- ney impenetrable. 0 one, it would seem, would care to endeavor to climb up this ravine, as there was apparent- ly nothing to be gained by so doing, but Kit evidently was not of that opinion. Dismouoting and removing saddle and bri‘le, he gave the horse a gentle slap on the flank, and with a farewell whinny, the bay trotted up the road, evidently seeking a pasture with which be was familiar. Casting a basty glance up and down the road, so as to he sure he was unobserved, Kit then plunged into the undergrowth, carrying his bridle and saddle with him, and scrambled up the decidedly steep incline-of the gully. Some rods up he came to a place where lay the trunks of fwo trees, side by side, they hav- ing evidently een washed down from the sum- mit of the bfuff by some unusually powerful freshet. Masses of tangled brush were piled and heaped on them and the ends of the logs were completely hidden by the heaps of dead branch- es that lay, scattered about, and there was no trace of human being visible anywhere. But Kit, depositing bis burden on the ground, caught hold of a huge branch that projected from the pile, pushed it to one side and tne en- tire heap of brush moved away, disclosing the ends of the logs, Between them was a space of three or four feet, and hiding bis horse furniture in a thicket near by, Kit, lying down, wormed bis way feet foremost, into the opening, pulled the stick which acted as a lever and the pile of brush, moving back into place, resumed its normal condition, Moving carefully backward, and lying on his back, Kit continued his progress dat he en- countered a smooth surface, which seemed to be made of planks, when, feéling on the right, he grasped a rope that hung taut, and, holding it firmly, immediately sat upright. He was in total darkness, but was evidently thoroughly familiar with his surroundings, for, allowing the rope to slip slowly through his hands, he descended to the distance of a hun- dred feet, when the trap on which he was seated stopped and he stepped off, Feeling aboit for a moment, his hand en- countered a shelf, from which he took a box of matches, and quickly struck one, then lighted a lantern which swung from the ceiling a foot or two above his head. Then, having seen that the catch which held the trap was secure, he walked along the corri- dor for a short distance until be came to a large, vaulted-room, which, when a second lamp was lighted, was dazzling in its beauty, The room was some twenty feet square, and the same number of feet in hight, the sides and top glowing with a dull yellow, which betokened the presence of immense quantities of gold- bearing quartz, rich beyond the wildest dreams of the most avaricious miner. The chamber was perfectly dry and the air perfectly pure, the room doubtless being venti- lated by some unseen air-sbaft; while the floor was six inches deep in fine sand, in which spar- kled thousands of golden nuggets, ranging in size from a pin-bead to a pea, some of them be- ing even larger than that. In one corner stood a huge chest, evidently constructed in the room, for it would have been impossible to bring it there by means of the shaft down which Kit had descended from the outer world. Such was Kit’s “ den.” CHAPTER XV. A&N UNEXPECTED ALLY. Tas ‘‘den” was a veritable store-house of wealth, and it could easily be seen how Kit Kit. ’ Kid-Glove could afford to dress in the expensive garb he always wore, and manage to carry ten thousand dollars about with bim so carelessly. Millions were in sight, and millions more were doubtless hidden behind the rocky walls of the cavern, whence a few strokes of the pick would dislodge them. But without even casting a glance at this | } | never drink.” immense wealth, Kit hastened to the chest, opened it, lifted out the tray, which was jam- med full of bundles of bank-notes, and placed it on the floor, In the bottom of the chest were at least twen- ty suits of clothes such as Kit always wore— boots, hats, each one of the former with a gold spur attached to the heel, each one of the latter | with an immense diamond sparkling in the buckle; while at one side were packed a dozen belts, identical with the one worn by Kit, all | containing a pair of revolvers and a knife. E.ch of the belts also contained a store of | cartridges, and was ready for instant wear. Taking out two complete suits, with two hats | and a couple of pairs of boots, Kit replaced | the tray and closed the lid of the chest with a bang. A pair of saddle-bags hung on one of a num- ber of wooden pegs driven into the wall at one | side of the vaulted room, and in these Kit care- fully packed the articles he had selected, and then, extinguishing the lamp, left the cavern by the same corridor through which he had en- tered it Agzsin seating himself on the trap and placing his saddle-bags beside him, he caught .the rope, and pulling on it steadily, hand over hand, be hoisted himself to the top, his labor being less- ened by a weight attached to the other end of the cord which pulled bim up. Fastening the platform in place, he crawled out of the space between the two logs, carrying bis parcel with him, moved the pile of brush, stepped out into the open air, and looked about. No one was in sigbt, and collecting together his traps, he climbed down the gully, drew his right-hand revolver and fired a shot in the air, tbe report echoing afar. Scarcely bad the reverberations died away, whenin answer to the signal, for such it was, his horse came galloping down the road, stop- ping alongside Kit and rubbing his nose affec- tionately against his shoulder. Dick was soon saddled and bridled and Kit, flinging the saddle-bags on the horse’s back and securing them to the cantle, mounted and rode back toward The Gulch. He bad not béen more than an hour away, and he could see that little groups of men were gathered in front of the ‘* Gold Dust” saloon, over the destinies of which ‘‘Cockey ” pre- sided, They were evidently discussing the late oc- currences, and as it was necessary that Kit should pass down that street, he anticipated, and nerved himself for, trouble. The men were gesticulating and evidentl talking loudly, apparently being much exeitel, and as there were a couple of dozen of them standing about, Kit realized that he had considerable of an undertaking before bim. But he cantered on, until suddenly it became evident that be bad been seen, judging froin the general movement and pointing that followed if Loosening his revolvers, he was about to spur up and dash as rapidly as he could through the threatening crowd, when he saw a man, whom he recognized as a gambler, known as ‘‘ Faro Frank,” leave the group in front of the ‘Gold Dust” and walk rapidly toward him. Frank was faultlessly attired in the finest broadcloth, and wore a shiny silk hat, his ap- pearance betokening financial ease and perfect content with himself and all mankind. He belonged in Denver, where.Kit had seen bim before coming to The Gulch, for the lad had only been in the country forty-eight hours, and had never before that day, seen the town, or rather village, by daylight. As soon as the gambler arrived within hailing distance he stopped, and called out to Kit, hold- ing meantime, bis switch cane across his shoul- ders to show that he carried no weapon in his hands, 4 “ Put up your guns, young fellow”—for Kit had drawn and cocked bis revolvers. ‘*You won’t need them here to-day.” ! Kit, seeing that but one man confronted bim, slid his pistols back into their resting-places and quietly awaited what the otber bad to say. ‘*The boys just told me about your knocking Cockey cold,” continued Faro Frank, “and I swear it’s the pluckiest thing I ever heard of in my wild and varied career. 9 ‘“The idea of a slender young fellow like you possessing such strength; they say that when ou | struck out the blow sounded like the kick of | @ mule, “Pm with you, and no harm comes to you this day, l’ll see to that. ‘* Come and have a drink.” ‘“‘ Much obliged,” returned Kit, laconically, ‘1 ‘*A cigar then.” “Never smoke.” “Well, hang it, take a lemonade.” ** Since you insist, I will. ‘| feel. a little thirsty and a sour lemonade won’t go bad. ‘“* This isn’t a steer your civing me?” ‘On the word of Frank Francis, I'm giving it to you dead inh Ph ‘* All right then, VP) join you.” And Kit knew that he was perfectly safe in so doing, for although Faro Frank was a con- firmed gambler and the hero of a score of des- perate knife and pistol fights, he bad never gone back on bis word. In Denver, his honesty when he bad pledged himself, was proverbial, and so well-known that every one relied on it. So Kit rode quietly alorg, the gambler, who was a magnificently built man, eying the young fellow quizzically, and shaking his bead and muttering to himself as if be found it im- possible to comprehend how such a slight figure could possess such tremendous strength. As they drew near the saloon, the crowd about the porch scowled and glared at Kit and several of them, evidently wisbing to toady to Cockey, made threatening remarks, But Frank stepped quickly forward and ad- dressing them said: ‘‘Look here, you fellows, this young gentle- man is a friend of mine, and any one who in- sults him, insults me. ** So just keep civil tongues in yo. r heads, or by the great born spoon you’l’ ~egret it. ‘‘ You know me!” “And I’m with you, Frank,” remarked a quiet, determined-lookivg fellow, Frank’s part- ner, as be stepped out from the saloon. “You see, you are all right, so come on.” And Kit Sistouniting: entered the saloon, while the crowd about them slunk away from the angry glances Frank and his partner flung right and left. ak CEAPTER XVI. A BAR-ROOM ROW. THERE were many persons in the saloon, and most of those who were standing outside, fol- lowed the trio through the swing doors, so that, once all were inside, so great wes the crowd that it was almost impossible to move. Elbowing his way up to the counter, Frank shoved every one in his way right and left, being closely followed by Diamond Dan, his partner, and Kit. As the latter leaned on the bar, Cockey who was engaged at the otherend spied him and came rapidly toward where he was standing. Cockey was a total wreck, and looked as though he had been interviewed by a pile- driver. His eye was beginning to color and promised in ashort time to become a magnificent blend- ing of blue, yellow, black and brown. He had tied a handkerchief over it, but so ragged and full of holes was the bandage, that it did not conceal bis injured optic in the least. Before he could address a word to Kit, Frank, who cared for and feared no one on earth, called out to him: ‘““What’s the matter with the eye, Cockey? ‘‘},ooks like a rainbow in a fog.” An inarticulate growl was the only answer to this sarcastic speech, and Cockey, bringing down bis massive fist witha tremendous thud on the counter, cried: ‘OF you’ve come in bvar ter look fer a row, young feller, youll get it sooner nor yer think. **Git out o’ my saloon!” ’ “Gently, Cockey, gently!” interposed Faro Frank, while Diamond Dan drew a little closer, and turning, faced the crowd bebind his friend. **This young gentleman isa friend of mine, so you just shut up and hustle ’round and get us our drinks.” : ‘* Now, look hyar, Frank Francis, you’ve been a-runnin’ this yer town long enough. an’ I’m hanged ’f I’m a-goin’ ter stan’ it any longer. ‘“*An’as fur this yar young snip, ’f be don’t vamose pretty considerable quick, I'll fling bim through ther door, an’ you, too!”’ “Cockey, you’re drunk. eee ees pete he
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10 Kid-Glove Kit. . “Give us those drinks, and pretty consider- able Aguick, or we'll belp ourselves,” ‘Yer will, will yer? ‘* Now you jest scatter!” And as he spoke he drew from beneath the coun- ter a huge revolver, already cocked, which he thrust squarely into Faro Frank’s face, the muz- zle touching his forebead. But with a movement like the spring of a panier: Kit caugot the brawny wrist of the ully, and gave it a quiek twist upward, while at uhe same instant Francis dropped to the floor behind the shelter of the counter. Tue pistol was discharged, the bullet burying itself harmlessly in the ceiling overhead, and fell to the counter, and thence to the floor, while the barkeeper, seizing his right hand, fairly danced and howled with mingled pain and rage. Fis wrist was dislocated, But at the same time Cockey’s partner, who was standing just behind Kit, and who was even stouter and taller and mors powerful than Cockey, rushed on our hero with hand uplifted to administer a crushing downward blow. t! And as Diamond Dan’s right arm shot out, Blinkey, as he was affectionately termed, staggered back and would bave inevitably fallen, had he not been caught by some of his friends. Frank had arisen and turned to face the crowd, drawing a pair of wicked-iooking der- ringers from his coat kets as he did so, and cocking them, while Kit kept his attention di- rected toward Cockey, not knowing what might be the next move of that worthy. But Cockey was just at that moment interest- ed in nothing so much as his wrist, and was standing by the faucet, allowing the cold water to run over the injured member, which he had pulled back into place, At sight of the wicked-looking weapons which Faro Frank beld, the crowd, which a moment before had seemed inclined to side with the bar- keepers, fell back as far as it could while some of the men began to sneak out of the door and hunt their homes, Imitating Faro Frank's movement, Kit and Dan drew their weapons, and the trio, realizing that itgwould be foolish to remain any longer where they were, backed out of the saloon, con- fronting the crowd, and retreated to the street, Frank burling back this parting threat: “Remember! If any harm ever comes to my friend here, through you, Dan and I will see that he is terribly avenged!” When they were once more in the street, Faro Frank turned to Kit, and er his derringers back into his pocket, extended his hand to Kit, and said: ‘Well, you are a daisy. “*Cockey had me dead, and, as there is no love lost between us, would pecteny have henry out old scores with a bullet through my ea ‘*You saved my life, undoubtedly, and we are stanch pards for life. ‘* Put her there!” And grasping Kit’s hand he shook it warmly, in which action he was seconded by Dan. “Now I must leave you,” remarked Kit, when they were through congratulating him. **T am not at liberty to say what calls me away, but Iam sure that when I tell you that it is most¥important that I should go, you will excuse me.” “Sure, pard, sure. If Ride have anything of importance to attend to, skip out “But, remember, should you ever need a friend, call on me, and if I’m not to be found, Dan bere will see you through.” | “You can plank down your chips on that, my boy, every time,” assented Dan, while Kit thanked them warmly. ‘*But before you go, tell us what we sball eall you,” added Frank, ‘* My friends know me as Kid-Glove Kit, but simple Kit will do.” ‘“ Well, good-by, Kit, and good luck!” * Good-by!” And swinging himself into the saddle Kit cantered off down the street, while the two gamblers walked away to their rooms, where they soon forgot the last occurrence in the ex- citement of a little game, It did not take long for Kit to reach the burned house, when branching off to the north, he galloped over the plain toward the hollow tree, fastening his horse in a thicket near by and ‘ae returning and entering the hollow trunk, Stooping, be rapped at regular intervals, Yigg, hree times, and then twice n, and, in se ute or two, the bolt was shot below, and, lifting the trap, the fair face of Dainty appeared at the foot of the steps, “You have been away much danger than you said,” she called out, pouting prettily. ‘* And have bad numerous adventures, which, when you bave heard them, you* will acknowl- edge excuse my protracted stay.” ** Possibly,” still pouting. ‘* But come down here and tell me about it.” And Kit, descending, closed the trap and fol- lowed her. CHAPTER XVII. A WESTERN FARO-BANK. Dainty listened with glowing cheeks and sparkling eyes to Kit’s narration, and when he had finished, extended her hand to him, and said: “ Forgive me, my friend, for my childish pet- tishness of a while ago. ‘‘T should bave known that something unu- sual bad detained you, but with nosing but my sad thoughts for company,the day has been very long.” ‘* And it is now too late to leave here, and it is best that you should have another good night’s rest before we start out on the trail against Colton and his band. ‘*T baye a plan which I think may prove a successful one, and to prepare it thorougly I must return to The Gulch to-night. ‘‘ Your horse seemed a little lame yesterday.” “Yes, poor fellow; he pe oe on a loose stone, night before last, as yas hurrying home, and evidently sprained bis shoulder.” ‘‘ Well, I will see that you have a better one to-morrow. ‘In there,” designating the saddle-bags, “you will find a complete outfit, and by the time I return-in the morning I hope to find you all ready and prepared for an early start. ‘It is a pity, and almost seems a sacrilege but you must sacrifice some of your beautiful hair, so that it will be the same length as mine,” ‘‘Then you must act as barber.” ‘Very unwillingly, but it isabsolutely neces- sary, and I will console myself with the thought that it will soon grow again.” A pair of shears was soon found, and Daint having carefully measured the length of bis hair, Kit gave a few scientific snips, and the masses of golden tresses were shortened by nearly a yard. Carefully collecting the glittering strands, Kit wrapped them up and placed them in bis leather sachel that hung at bis side, remarking: ‘«These leave me only with my life!” And then telling her that he had forgotten one or two necessary adjuncts to her costume, he advised her not to dress before he returned. And then, after a basty lunch, Kit rose, and telling Dainty not to worry if he were detained, but to wait patiently until be returned, was about to leave the room, when she called him back. ‘You are going to venture into that awful place again?” ‘Tt is absolutely necessary.” “Then pray—pray be very careful! ‘What would I do, should anything happen to you that would end seriously “Do not fear, Life has become too precious to me within the past day or two for me to risk it foolishly. “ec Good- > ae And Kit left the room, while Dainty, bury- ing her face in her hands, whispered to herself: ‘ What could be have meant by that last re- mark be made?’ But her wildly beating heart answered ber quickly, and her face settled into a tender smile, which yet played about her mouth when she slept. For her dreams were of Kit! The long street of The Gulch was one blaze of light as Kit rode into the village, kerosene torches flaring in front of the saloons from posts set at the edge of the road, while from the in- terior of the sbanties came sounds of laughter, loud voices, the click of ivory checks and the rattle of the ivory ball spinning around the re- volving roulette-wheel. Riding up to a building which was somewhat more pretentious than its fellows, and which pea ornamented with a sign bearing the inscrip- on: “Tre GuLcH Hore,” Kit dismounted and gave his horse in charge of one of the stablemen, who was lounging near by, and requested him to take care of bim for a time, emphasizing his directions by slip- A ee ee $$ porn five-dollar note into the fellow’s reac and, ** He’ll,be looked after as if be was a babby, sir,” replied the hostler, doffing bis bat and looking admiringly at Kit’s magnificent mount. ‘* A fine horse that, sir, and well suited to carry a fine gentleman like you.” And, as be Jed the horse off in the direction of the stables, Kit turned and walked up the street in search of Frank's place. He opened the swing-doors of half a dozen resorts, but was disappointed, until at length he came to a low, ay tery frame building that stood a little back from the street. It wasconstructed of rough, unplaned boards, and did not boast of the 2, pon sign of paint; but on opening the door and stepping inside, he saw Frank seated back of a faro-table, about which was grouped a crowd of men three deep, each one intent on the bets that lay scattered about in every direction. In the “lookout” chair was Diamond Dan, carefully watching that no mistakes were made in the. bets, Raising his eyes mechanically Frank recog- nized Kit, and instantly called out: ‘*Pete, a cbair for Mr. Christopher. Here, some of you sitters, move out and let this gen- tleman have a piace!” And, as Kit walked forward, the negro atten- dant brought a chair, the crowd about the table who were seated squeezed together a little closer, Kit took a place directly opposite the dealer, and, diving into his pocket, produced a roll of bills, ‘‘Give me a thousand dollars’ worth, please,” he said quietly, as he counted the money ‘out on the table. ‘Certainly; what price?” **Oh, five hundred a stack.” ‘Ther kid’s a-goin’ ter play twenty-five dol- lar checks, by gum!” muttered a grizzled old miner who sat near “ keeping cases,” and who had evidently found luck agaiznst him, as be did not bave a single check in front of bim. Receiving his two stacks, Kit, as it was near the end of the deal, waited and looked about him. Judging from the exterior, the interior was a complete surprise, for it was fitted up with av elegance that would have been no discredit toa Broadway bar-room. Magnificent plate-glass mirrors stretcbed from the ceiling to the floor, many of them berring on their polished surfaces the marks of numer- ous and sundry bullets, which bad evidently more than once flown thick and fast here. The bar-counter was constructed of exquisite- ly carved mahogany with a top rail of bird’s-eye maple, while the foot-rest was heavily nickel- pl«ted and sbone like silver. Dozens of cut-glass decanters, bottles and tum- blers sparkled in their tek purity on the shelf bebind, while a balf-dozen white-jacketed barkeepers were kept continually busy attending to the demands of their always thirsty patrons. A roulette table occupied one side of the ball, while in a corner at the back. part of the room, a round, green-covered table was surrounded by a numberof men who were intent on a game of poker, ‘‘ table stakes.” he place was crowded, and the air heavy with tobacco smoke, while nearly every one in the room was intent on one object—gair. CHAPTER XVIIL BUTTED OUT OF TIME, As Kit finished his observations, the gruff voice of the case-keeper growled out: “‘One turn and a call!” And hostilities were suspended for a few mo- ments to enable the players to make their final bets on the deal before the last cards were drawn from the box. And then, as they were slipped out, various ejaculations arose from the crowd of betters, as they had won or lost, ‘Called her that time!” “Struck the turn at last!” ‘* Hang the deuce, she lost four times,” ‘“‘ Pay this bet, Mr. Dealer.” ‘« Give me five hundred.” “T]l take another stack, o’ blues,” And the bets being collected and paid, the cards sbuffied and again placed in the box, Kit turned his attention to the game, and scattered his checks about with a reckless profusion that caused even the seg vag! A imperturbable Frank to raise his eyebrows in slight amazement. For two hours Kit sat there, playing with varying fortune, seeming entirely indifferent as to whether he won or lost. At one time he had won forty-two thousand dollars, but not long afterward his ivory capital
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' me that I recognized you t was reduced to.the bundreds; but at the end of the time me.tionea, at the close of an unusually successful deal, on counting up bis cavoks be found that he was exactly even, not having won or lost a dollar. : #%; Being somewhat fatigued from sitting so long in the same position, be arose, his cnzir being in- stantly appropriated by one of the players who was standing behind him, and, slipping his checks in bis pocket, walked away, calling back to the dealer: “See you later, Frank.” He strolled about the room, from group to group, remarking as he did so, that there was not one of the men in tbe room that he bad seen during his adventures at the Gold Dust, that crowd having been made up of bar and saloon- keepers, who were now evidently busy with their duties. Again approaching the faro-table, he stood there a moment, when be was accosted by a tall, fair-haired young fellow of his own age, who was looking on, but who was not doing any betting. “ As we are not playing, suppose you join me in a drink.” Kit was about to decline, courteously, when he caught Frank’s eye, and the latter nodded, almost imperceptibly, evidently baving over- heard the remark. Kit instantly took the cue and replied, pleas- antly: “Certainly, if you'll excuse my not taking anything stronger than a lemonade.” “Anything you wish,” replied the other, courteously. ‘That's exactly what I’m going to take.” And laying bis hand on Eiv’s shoulder in a friendly way, they threaded their way through the crowd to the counter. It was momentarily deserted, and no one was standing there but a tall, rough-looking cus- tomer, who had evidently been drinking more than was good for bim. To add to his evil temper, he had been losing heavily in the poker game, and was evidently in a decidedly ugly mood. Paying no more attention to him, the two bm fellows gave their orders to one of the attendants, in response to his pleasant: “ What will it be, gentlemen?” And while he was engaged in mixing the two lemonades, Kit’s new acquaintance turned to him, and said: 3 “Taat you may understand how it happened that I invited you to drink, I must introduce myself. ‘I am Frank’s brother. “I only reached here this evening, and while at supper he told me of what you had done this morning, and so described i appearance to @ moment you en- tered. ‘Let me thank you, on my own behalf, for what you did for bim.” “Your gratitude is grateful to me; but both you and be are making & mountain out of a very small mole-bill.” “That may be your view of it, but I assure you we look at it in a very different light. *‘ Well, here's to our life-long friendship,” he added as the barkeeper placed their glasses be- fore them, and placing the straw to his lips, he was ebout to drink, when he was interrupted by the man who stood near. “Say! young fellers, what do yer drink such wash as thet, fur,” hiccoughed the bully, as be staggered toward them. “Drink good old straight whisk’, thet ’ll make hair grow on yer faces.” “It evidently don’t make a civil tongue grow in your head, at all events,” quietly retorted Kit, as he began to suck on the cooling mix- ture. “Nor does it seem to be of much benefit to you when you're playing poker,” added his com- panion, who had ac sitting in the game and who had been the chief winner. “Not when I’m a-playin’ with a lot 0’ card- sharps and black-legs,” growled the man, stag- gering yet nearer Frank’s brother. ““What do you mean? returned the other, setting his glass on the counter, and looking his late adversary straight in the face. “Thet I was cheated, an’ swindled, an’ thet you rung a cold deck in on me" “You're mistaken, my friend, and too drunk to know what you are talking about. Better go home-—if you have one to go to.” Thrusting bis hand deep into the pocket of his coat, the miner growled: “°F you say I’m drunk, yer lie, yer gamblin’ thief!” And raising his coat, he fired through the Kid-Glove Kit. en ee ee eee 5 pocket, straight at Kit’s friend, who still leaned against Lhe counter. But be missed his aim, for Pete, the negro at- tendant, who was hovering about the trio, saw the action, and at the moment the miner moved his arm to raise his pistol, the darky lowered his head, and rushing from bebind, butted the would-be assassin just below the short ribs with his woolly crown, sending him flying as if hurled from a catapult, knocking the wind from his entire body, and causing the bullet a bury itself harmlessly in the mahogany coun- er. At the report the crowd scattered to the sides of the room, leaving a clear lane between the bar and the faro-table,and Frank and Dan, half-rising, seemed ready to take part in any dis- turbance that might happen. But as they saw the ludicrous termination of what might have been a fatel tragedy, they set- tled back in their seats, and the game went on as if nothing had happened. Pete, sbouldering the form of the inanimate miner, took it to the door, and incontinently dumped it in the street, where be reiieved bim of his weapous and left him to sleep off the effects of his debauch. And the two young men, finishing their lemonades, walked into a back room end began to talk about a dozen different things, never once referring to the late occurrence, which seemed to them as if entirely unworthy of com- ment, CHAPTER X'X. A METAMORPHOSIS. THEY bad not sat long thas, when they were interrupted by a knock on the door, an in re- sponse to the answer, the black and smiling face of Pete was thrust inside. He was grinning from ear to ear, and his white teeth chou Tike ivory behind his scarlet- red lips. “Scouse me, gen’l’men, *scuse me, Massa Charley, but Massa Frank, be wan’ ter know ef you'll be good enuff ter spell bim a bit.” “ all right, Pete; but here!” as the negro was about to withdraw. ‘* Take this.” And pulling a bundle of bills from his pocket, he drew from it a hundred-dollar note, and banded it to the delighted derky. “‘ And this, Pete, added Kit, capping the gift with a bill of like denomination. “‘ Maybe you can do the same for me at some future time.” “Tank you gen’l’men; tank you bof. “T always tries ter act with judicion, when any of the gen’! men gits inter trouble.” And he «miled so vigorously that it really seemed to Kit as if the back of his head must inevitably fal] off. Excusing bimself, Frank’s brother left the room bidding Kit remain where he was as it was more than likely that Frank wanted to see and talk to him. And in a moment the other came in and greeted Kit warmly. j “‘ Delighted to see you, my boy, delighted. ‘“What’s the best word?” “ There’s nothing new; but I want you to do mea favor.” “ Anything in the world, Kit. “Tf you want any money, you can have every cent there is ia the house. “jf you are in apy other sort of trouble, we'll close the shebang and go with you where- ever you wish,” “Thanks, old man, but it’s nothing of that sort at all. ‘When I saw you im Denver, you were rid- ing a magnificent horse; have you him bere?” “Stabled and stalled not a hundred yards away from where we are sitting.” “ He is fast?” “Pl) give fifty yards start in a quarter of a mile to any horse in Colorado, and bet a thou- sand to a hundred I'll beat him home.” ‘¢T thongbt as much when I saw him. ‘‘] particularily need a speedy animal, and want to borrow him for a short time, say a week or two.” . “ Since I have owned Dandy, no leg but mine bas ever been thrown across bis back. “T have never loaned him toa soul on earth and bave vowed that I never will.” : It was curious to see the look of disappoint- ment that stole over Kit’s face at this announee- ment, and he evidently could not comprehend how Frank could return such an answer after all bis protestations. Bat he was not allowed to remain long in sus- nse, for Frank, leaning back in his chair, roke out laugbing and cried: exact match for your horse.” ty to tell you. lows rode side by side along the road which led toward the path which led to Colton’s home. Dressed exactly alike, their borses gS. each other perfectly, with twin saddles anc a bridles, the hair, eyes. features of the two riders ny perfect images, one of the other, any one meet- + LE bere “That is true, yet whenever I look at you, eae ‘* But now to business. ‘‘When they see you, gallop straight down ooted as a goat— ride straight to Faro Frank's, the place is called ‘The Broadway,’ and stable your horse, “ Go inside and tell anybody you see that you want to go into the private room and lie down on the lounge, being tired. ‘*Wait for me there.” wie a . tele “Pil do exactly as you say; but here is my oa path, hide yourself carefully! om “T will; good luck and good-by.” been And Kit rode off into a thicket where he could not be seen from the road, and dismounting. seated bimself on the grass to wait as patiently as he could. Dainty rode rapidly up the path until she came near the end of her journey, when she proceeded slowly, until she could peer around the bank at the side and look ahead, Seated under the tree which had so nearly been her gallows, she saw three men, eating their dinver, while their horses stood near, and. riding out boldly, she showed herself openly. She was instantly perceived, and supposed to be Kit, so with a sbout, the men sprung to their horses, mounted and galloped toward her, whi'e she coolly waited. CHAPTER XX. FACE TO FACE, Ir was evident that Colton and his men were completely deceived, aud that they thought it was Kit who thus defied them, as they galloped down the valley toward Dainty. It was douttless the case, also, that they wisbed to capture ber alive, for although their pistols glistened in the sunlight, not a weapon was drawn, not a sbot fired. As they began to draw uncomfortably near, Dainty turned. Dandy’s bead, for she war ea mounted on Faro Frank's gift to Kit, and be- ra eat Ses | Pow ms Sai Sg taats e ag Aero ae ~ rs ce re oe See epee “Sher a =s3
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12 gan tocanter slowly down the path, increasing the speed of ber borse as her pursuers drew nearer and nearer. Kit had told her of Dandy’s wonderful speed and endurance and she felt no anxiety about being able to ride away as she wished, when- ever she desired, but as the men who were fol- lowing her possessed good horses, she was by degrees compelled to quicken her pace, until finally, her horse fairly flew down the steep and rocky path, never stumbling once, and, picking his way over the loose stones that lay — about, never checked his speed a par- ticle. nye proved magnificently what Kit bad said of im: ‘He is as sure-footed as a goat,” while the light burden he carried seemed but a feather’s weight on his broad back. Reaching the road Dainty swept off to the right at full speed, again allowed the howling trio behind her to gain a few rods until a mile away from the path, and then, gently touching Dandy with her golden spur, she dashed off at a pace that defied pursuit. Still Colton did not abandon the chase, but pressed on until he arrived at a spot where the road forked, one branch leading to the main stage-road, the other passing through The Gulch, and as the fleeing rider be was in pursuit of, was by this time out of sight, he drew rein and ordered his companions to stop. He was completely nonplused, and knew not which direction to take. ‘* Curses on the young whelp!” he growled, ‘“Tnsulting us by riding nearly to our camp and then escaping in this manner! “The next time he comes witbin range, boys, I give you permission to shoot him down as you would a dog. “ Let’s go back; I don’t feel quite right yet, and orphee you are uotentirely recovered from the shock.” And, in truth, such had been the effect of the lightning-stroke, that had killed one of their number and stunned the rest, that this was the first day since the event, that they had ven- tured outside of the houss, “We'll take a good rest to-night, and will be all right in the morning. ‘‘There’s no need of our keeping watch, no one will barm us, and that young cub will not dare venture near us, thinking as he doubtless does, that we are on the alert.” And so, turning their horses, they rode slowly back toward their camp, as they called it, mean- ing the stone house in which they lived, osten- sibly carrying on the work of bonest miners in the vicinity. As they had swept by Kit’s hiding-place, be looked with admiration upon the magnificent horsemanship displayed by Dainty, and the wonderful, easy, stretching stride of the animal she rode. And as they disappeared in the distance, he mounted and galloped up the path they bad just descended, and reaching the valley rode straight up to the house. Having seen that there were three men in the party which pursued the girl, he was convinced that there was no one in the vicinity, believing, as he did, that one of their number had been killed by the lightning. , The black mark that had shown so plainly on is temple was almost proof sufficient of this, but had Kit needed any confirmation be would have found it in a green mound that rose above the turf, under the branches of the spreading tree, Fresh earth scattered about showed that a grave had recently been dug there, and in it doubtless lay the body of the poor wretch who had been so suddenly stricken. Leaving his horse standing there, Kit opened the door, which was uvfastened, and entered the single room that composed the interior of the dwelling. He had no specific purpose in coming there, but hoped that he might come across some clew that would lead to an explanation of the murder of Dainty’s father, so he began rummaging around in every direction. But look as he would, being hurried in his search by the thought that the bandits might re- turn at any moment, he could find nothing, and was about to abandon the search, when he stumbled over a pair of high boots that stood in one corner, This would not have attracted his atten- tion had it not been for the fact that one of them gave out a metallic sound, which he at first thought proceeded from a spur; but to sat- isfy himself, he kicked it again, when the clink qounded louder than ever. Kid-Glove Kit. His curiosity thoroughly aroused, he picked up the boot, turned it upside down, when there | could not comprehend bow a young fellow could fell to the floor with a clang, an oblong tin box, at the sight of which hestarted, and tnen eager- ly picked it up. Tbe box was japanned, and on the top was written, evidently with some sbarp-pointed in- strument, the name of Drake Danford. ‘Now bere’s luck!” soliloquized Kit. _ “tf I'm not entirely mistaken, this is the iden- tical box that Dainty’s father mentioned in his writing in the locket. *I only bope the papers are still inside and have not yet been disturbed.” _ And he examined the box, which to his great joy, he found bound about with a piece of tape, which was sealed with wax, the seal bearing the stamp of a signet ring he bad noticed on the dead man’s finger. _The box could not have: been opened without either cutting the tape or breaking the seal, so that Kit felt convinced that the contents had not been tampered with. Hastily placing it in a capacious inner pocket of his coat, be left the house and again took bis seat in the saddle, hoping that he might be able to regain his hiding-place by the road before Colton returned. He felt convinced that they would abandon the chase when they reached the forks in the road, for he had impressed on Dainty the neces- sity of being so far ahead, when sbe arrived there, as to be out of sight, and thus baffle her pursuers. Hurrying down the valley, he began the de- scent of the path, and was just congratulating himself upon being in time, when, as he rode out from behind the bill, he found himself al- most face to face with Colton and bis two com- panions! CHAPTER XXi. DAINTY’S PERIL, DaIntTy galloped swiftly along, nerving her- self for the first experience that she was to have in her present costume, when brought face to face with those who knew Kit personally, and were familiar with his appearance. Her voice was somewhat low-toned for a wo- man, though sweet and well-modulated, while Kit’s voice was rather high-pitched, so that, sbould they converse in the hearing of a third party who could not see them, it would have been difficult for the listener to decide which one was speaking, With his usual foresight Kit had given her the chips he had purchased the evening before at The Broadway, and which he had neglected to ‘‘cash in,” thinking that some inquiry might be made for them. He had related to her, even to the minutest particular, everything that had happened to him during his absence, so that she feit perfect- ly able to hold her own, should any reference be made to past events. So she rode bravely up to the saloon after reaching the town, and wasabout to lead Dandy to the stable, having dismounted, when Pete, the woolly-headed, came bursting out of the door, removing his cap as he did so, ‘*Mawnin’, Massa Kit; you’se back early. ‘*Didn’ ’spect you so soon. I’ll take your horse, sah,” and consigning Dandy to the ne- gro’s care, Dainty strode into the saloon, much relieved that the first ordeal was safely passed. But would she be as successful with sharp, shrewd Faro Frank, with keen-eyed Diamond Dan, with shrewd Charley? That remained to be seen, and consoling her- self with the thought that she was among Kit’s friends, in any event, she walked straight up to the faro-table where Frank was busy with his checks, seeming much perplexed about something. _ “Hello! Kit, my boy,” cried Frank, extend- ing his band and grasping Dainty’s delicate lav- ender glove. * You’re just the person I want to see. ** Did you carry off any of my chips last night when you left? “Tf you didn’t, I’m hanged if I know where they have gone.” “Pye got a few in my pockets,” replied the girl, her voice trembling somewhat, despite her efforts te steady it. ‘‘'m awful sorry, Frank, but I clean forgot all about them.” ** Well, I did, too, so we're even. It don’t make a particle of difference, only I do like to keep track of them. ‘* How many have you got?” : ** All I bought when | started in—five hun- dred or a thousand, I forget which.” / oo Frank looked at Dainty a moment, as if hé forget a matter of five bundred dollars in a dozen hours, but said nothing, taking the checks that the- girl threw on the table and stacking them up in regular piles. ‘“A thousand, even. Wait till I open the safe and I'll band you the ducats.” ‘*Ob, no hurry, keep ’em until some other time, ‘But sav, Frank, I'm dead tired: any objec- tion to my going in yonder and taking a nap on the lounge?” ‘Of course not; sleep there all day if you like, and. if any body comes in here making a noise I'll fire °em into the street. ‘I'l go in with you and see that everything is all right.” Everything seemed in good order, so Faro Frank, telling the supposed Kit to lock the door if be wished, withdrew, while Dainty, trem- bling like a leaf, sbot the bolt, and threw ber- self on the lounge, crying bitterly. “Ob, my father,” she sobbed in a whisper, ‘““T fear that my woman’s strength will not be | equal to the work I have vowed to perform. “Would you, I wonder, be very angry if I broke that vow?” But she soon became calmer, and, overcome by nervous exhaustion, was soon in a deer sleep, which promised to do her more good than aj] the drugs physician ever prescribed. She slept on for some time unconscious of ber surroundings, when she was suddenly awakened by high words in the saloon, for the partitions were none of the thickest, and only a thin-plank wall separated the room in which she was from the bar-room. Wide awake on the instant and with every sense alert, she sat up and listened intently. ‘Mr. Francis gave strict orders when he went out that no one was to be allowed to go ivto that room,” said a voice which Dsinty supposed to be that of the barkeeper, who was alone in the saloon, Farn Frank haying gone to bis lodgings and taken P te with bim. The rest of the barkeepers had not yet put in an appearance, : s very little business was done at The Broadway, or, indeed. at any of the sa- loons, before the lemps were lighted. ‘1 don’t give a cent w’ot Faro Frank er enny other bloke says, I'm a-goin’ inter that room an’ find thet young snip w’ot broke my wrist and lick the stuffin’ outen bim.” “Yes, you bet, an’ I’m a-goin’ too!” growled a second yoice. Dainty immediately realized that these could be none others thau Cockey and Blinkey, wlio had evidently heard of ber beiug there and sup- posed that it was Kit. These two worthies evidently were familiar with The Broadway, and knew that as Kit was not visible in the main room he must be con- cealed in the small room, which was reserved for private ee when the different gamblers of The Gulch got to bucking against each otber. The two men evidently began to walk toward the room where Dainty sat, and she, drawing & revolver, was about to prepare herself to resist to the last extremity, when the voice of the bar- keeper was again heard: **] tell you, once for all, you can't go in there; and if you persist—” There was a sickening thud, and something came crashing against the partition and then fell to the floor. ‘‘Well struck, Blinkey,” remarked the cruel voice of Cockey. ‘**Thet fool’ll not bother us any more; now, let’s go an’ skin the youngster,” In e moment there eame a thundering rap on the door, and in response Dainty called out boldly: ‘* What do you want?” ‘Open this door or we'll bu’st her down!” Trembling with fear Dainty turned to the open window, and was about to climb out when it was darkened, and an agile form sprung into the room, ‘Here I am, Dainty.” he whispered, ‘safe and— But what is that?” he asked, as the door cracked and creaked. ‘‘Cockey and Blinkey are trying to get ip to kill me, thinking it is you.” “Ohb-bo! Is that the way the land lies? Stand to one side, out of harm’s way, and see what we do with murderers where I come from!” The door crashed down as Kit drew his revol- vers, while as Blinkey and Cockey came stum- bling in, two pistols spoke as one, and the men who were ravening for his blood fell to the floor without a groan or acry. Each had been shot through the heart!
Page 13
= Kid-Glove Kit. 13 CHAPTER XXII. AT THE NICK OF TIME. WE must now go back in our story to the mo- ment when Kit encountered Colton, Hercules and Big Jim, as the third of this delectable trio was called. It is almost needless to say that Kit was much } vexed at this unfortunate meeting, for he knew } that Dainty would be nervous under the ordeal through which she was about to pass; and now that his ruse bad been successful, and he had obtained more than he had hoped for or ex- pected at the stone house, he wished to consult with her regarding their future movements. But there he was, face to face with the gang, and putting on the best face he could, he saluted them blandly: **Good-morning, Mr. Colton; good-morning, Mr. Hercules; good morning, Mr. What’s-your- name, I never have had the pleasure of an in- troduction, so cannot address you as I would wish.” The trio gazed at Kit as if they thought him some supernatural visitor, not being able to conceive how he came to be there when they were certain that they had lately pursued him for a distance of mites, and being positive that there was no otber means of reaching the point where they had encountered him save the road by which they bad returned. Hercules was by far the most troubled of the three, and trembled visibly, whispering to Col- ton: ‘‘Where in thunder could he hev sprung from? ** 'Tain’t nateral, an’ I swear I believe he’s a gbost! ‘* He couldn’t ’a’ got back hyar onless his crit- ter kin fly, an’ I don’t see no wings.” “* We’il soon see whether his be mortal or im- mortal!” cried Colton, and leveling his revolver Le tired straight at Kit, who sat quietly smiling at him. Rither bis aim was exceptionally bad or his nerves were decidedly unstrung for the ‘bullet ‘s uizz d barmlessly by Kit’s head and he laugh- ed sardonically, adding to the terror of the giant and Big Jim. Hercules did not remain any longer to see what would be the result of a second shot, but put spars to bis horse, and with a yell of fear s arted off up the road on a dead run, being fol- lowed by Colton, whose horse becoming un- manageable, followed the flying hoofs of his s able mate. Recovering somewhat from his frigbt and be- ing really a brave man, although a natural buily and thief, Big Jim drew one of his re- volvers and was about to cock and fire it at Kit. But he never finished the movement. More rapid than thought was Kit’s motion, and as his pistol was raised to a level with his eye, he fired apparently without taking aim. And true to its mark the leaden messenger sped, and entering Big Jim’s forehead, passed through his brain and sent him with a crash to the ground, stone dead, — Kit had well preserved his reputation for bein the ‘ quickest man ou the trigger in the State o Colorado!” ; And then he cantered on, realizing that two of the band upon which rested the suspicion of Dainty’s father’s death, had been wiped out of existence. i One bad fallen by the hand of Providence, the second by his own hand. But the two most desperate of the quartette yet remained alive, one of whom had possibl fired the fatal shot which killed Mr. Danford, and made Daiaty an orphan. . Reaching the orks of the road, Kit saw by the boof-prints in the mud, that the two horse- men had taken the left-hand road, or the one which led to the stage route, so riding ona little further, he fastened bis horse, and, retracing bis steps, hid himself and waited at the point where the roads branched. He sat for some time, waiting until at length he beard the sound of voices and soon perceived Colton and Hercules riding slowly back, the lat- ter casting fearful glances ahead and seeming to need considerable urging to persuade him to con- tinue the route. Colton was arguing with him and urgiog the necessity of returning to their home to secure sundry documents, which were there, and which would be of immense value to them. At which remark Kit chuckled quietly and tapped the tin box in his pocket eens. As the two men disappeared down the road, Kit, having located them, which wasall he cared to do for the present, returned to where his horse was standing, mounted and rode away to The Guleb. As we have seen he arrived just in time, and had he been delayed a minute longer, would have been too late, Cockey and Blinkey having been so summa- rily disposed of, Kit turned his attention to Dainty, whom he found quivering like an aspen Jeaf, but he soon soothed and quieted her, after which he, in as few words as possible, related his adventures, telling ber also of his success in | finding the tin box. ‘* And now,” said he, ‘‘slip out of the window and return home, and there wait for me. ‘*T must see Frank and tell him what bappen- ed while he was absent. ‘‘Do not take the main street, but ride out back of town, so as to escape observation, if it be possible!” “Oh, Kit!” sobbed the frail young girl, ‘‘do not remain long away from me! “1am not so strong asI thought and a few more days of this will kill me.” ‘*T will be there almost as soon as you are, my child. and whether near or far, will always watch over you,” With a long hand-clasp they separated, Dainty stepping out of the window and Kit going into the bar-room. There he found the barkeeper, lying on the floor, stone dead, his skull baving been crushed like an egg-shell by a tremendous blow from the butt of a pistol. The sight was a sickening one, and Kit gladly turned.away from it and walked to the door, where he encountered Frank, who entered at that moment. In a few words Francis was placed in full possession of the facts, and thanked Kit for so quickly avenging the death of his assistant, to whose side he walked and looked down at him sadly. ‘*Poor Jack,” besaid, he wasa nice fellow and as honest as he was clever. ‘* But as he is gone, we will see that he hasa funeral that will do him justice, ‘* Asfor that carrion back there,” and he nod- ded in the direction where Cockey and Blinkey lay, “ I’ll have Pete dump it in a wheel-barrow and take it over to the Gold Dust, with my com- pliments.” And Kit, promising to see him soon, went to the stable and rode off toward Dainty’s under- ground bome, as fast as his horse would carry him. CHAPTER XXIII. A FEARFUL DEATH, As Kit rode past the still smoking and smo)- dering ruins of Dainty’s former residence,’ which yet burned slightly at the bottom of the mass of timber which had fallen into the cellar, he became aware of the fact that be was fol- lowed by some one, as he could hear bhoof-beats sounding on the road behind him. Anxious as he was to once more rejoin Dain- ty, who might, he feared, be still suffering from tbe late shock to ber nerves, be hurried on, turned to the left, and after a short gallop, ar- rived at the hollow tree, and sending his horse trotting off up the bank, be swung around by the vine, and rapped on the trunk. The door was fastened on the inside, and be was compelled to rap louder and louder, finally hammering with the butt of his revolver, before he heard the sliding of the bolt, and the door ane opened, he saw Dainty standing before im “Excuse my peeping you waiting, but I had gone down the underground poreege for a mo- ment, to see if there was any danger of any one entering through the cellar. But the passage i full of smoke, and the other end is choked oe with rubbish from the fire, so that it is im pos- sible that any one should notice the opening.” Kit stepped in and closed the door after him, when, drawing the tin box from his pocket, be handed it to Dainty, saying: ‘“*No hands but yours shall break this seal or untie this knot.” “*Then come below,” she answered, ‘‘ and to- gether we will examine its contents.” Seated in the dining-room, Dainty struggled with the intricately twisted tape for a few mo- ments, and then seizing a knife, quickly solved the problem by cutting the knot, placed the box on the table and opened it. Lying one on top of the otber were two sheets of folded foolscap, which she unfolded and read, afterward handing them to Kit. ; The first, evidently written some years be- fore, as was proven by the faded color of the ink and the yellowness of the paper, bore date 1866, and was thus worded: a g-St ee eee “I give and bequeath everything I now possess or may hereafter come in possession of, to my beloved ; daughter Dainty. “* (Signed) ‘* Witness, James HARTWELL. “New York, December 11, 1866.” The other was dated 1884, and was in the form of a letter to Dainty, and, condensed, in- formed her that by great good fortune, be was able to leave to her property which would make her an immensely rich woman. He bad discovered a mine, which, proper] worked, would prove of inestimable value, it being situated in a canyon which was supposed to be inaccessible, and which— Here the letter terminated abruptly with the words; “Tam interrupted, but will finish this later.” Tke date of the month att c Lop was that on which Mr. Danford bad been murdered. He had evidently been writing when inter- rupted by the assassins’ knock, and never had ‘been able to finish it. “Had your father never spoken to you of this matter?” asked Kit. ‘“Never. He was a peculiar man, and always put on paper any matter of interest he wished to convey to a person, ** He often told me that, if he should sudden- ly die, I must search the house for bis will, but never referred in any manner to any of his pro- perty or wealtb. ‘In fact I always thought we were very poor. for our larder was empty half the time.” “ But how did Colton become familiar with the existence of these papers?” “*T can not imagine.” ‘“ Well, we must endeavor to solve the mys- tery, and I will devote myself to that end. “But I must go out and see if those who were following me are in the neighborhood.” And leaving the room, Kit returned to the hollow tree and climbed up the ladder to the lookout hole, With a rashness that was unpardonable, he immediately stuck his head out, and looked around when suddenly a shout echoed from be- low, so startling bim that he nearly lost bis balance and came witbin an ace of falling from his loft rch to the ground below. Just below, one on the right, the other on the left of the tree, stood, looking up at him, Colton and Hercules, and as be jerked his bead inside, a bullet whizzed past the hole, clipping the leaves of the vine which clambered round it, and burying itself in the tree-trunk. ‘* We've treed him, Cap!” cried Hercules, ex- ultingly, ‘‘ an’ now we'll purceed ter smoke him out in the most scierntific manner.” “What are you going to do, you fool?” re- turned Colton, as he began to move about, col- lecting dead branches and twigs, and piling them about the trunk of the tree. “*Goin’ ter light a bonfire fer his benefit.” ‘* And you expect to smoke him out in that manner?” “Sure.” “Why, you double-dyed idiot, can’t you see that the whole tree is so wrapped about with that green vine that it would never take fire?” “ Right you are, Cap, ‘““Thet sarcumstance didn’t strike me afore.” And scratching bis bushy bead he continued: *“ But what'll we do about it?” “‘Camp here and starve him out, standing watcb and watch. ‘*He’ll have to come out at last, and as there is evidently no way of getting out of the tree except by that hole, which only looks smal] on account of its immense distance from the ground, be will have to climb down the vine to reach the earth. ‘That is evidently the way he got in the tree and that isthe way he’ll have to get out. ‘“When he climbs down we can easily cap- ture him, for he will beable to offer no resist- ance.” ‘** An’ then we'll chuck him inter the canyon. ‘Wot a be-a-u-tiful smash ther’ll be when he gits to ther bottom!” And Hercules grinned in high glee as he gloat- cS over the anticipated death of the young fel- ow, * Colton had succeeded in talking bim out of his superstitious fear, inventing some plausible ex- cuse to account for Kit’s mysterious disappear- ance, It had been by accident that they had seen Kit and tracked him to bis hiding-place, beliey- ing it to be only a temporary resort, and not dreaming of the perfect living arrangements that existed in the ground below their feet, or of the lower entrance to the bollow tree, The day passed, and the night, and the two HENRY DANFORD,
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Kid-Glove Kit. men watched by turns, having luncheon with them and procuring water from the stream near by: and still Kit gave no sign of life, and when the third day had passed Hercules grew impatient. “Tm a-goin’ ter climb up ther tree by ther vine, an’ take a squint inside, Cap,” he said, to- ward evening. ‘* Go ahead,” And Hercules grasped the stout vine, which twisted and turned in every direction, and easily climbed to the hole, into which he thrust his head, But just then something terrible happened, for the vine, growing weaker asit grew bigher from the ground, was here not strong enough to bear bis immense weight, and first broke away under his feet, leaving him hanging by the hands, . And then the supports he grasped also tore away,and he was left hanging by his neck to the jagged bark at the lower edge of the hole, — tore and cut his throat like the fangs of a wolf, And finally, the rotten wood of the trunk splintered and gave way and his hugo body went turning and tumbling and twisting through the void, until it crashed on the cruel, pointed rocks below, where it was crushed out of all semblance of humanity. Colton, covering his eyes with his hands fo sbut out the awful sight, wttered a fearful yell, and fled wildly. CHAPTER XXIV. CONCLUSION, Krr, who was standing at the bottom of the tree-trunk, when Hercules had looked in, al- though invisible from above on account of the darkness, had been a partial witness of Hercu- les’s struggles, and immediately realized what had happened when be heard Colton’s ery. So climbing up tho ladder, he looked cau- tiously down, and saw, lying far below bim, all that remained of Hercules, and then placing the mirror in position, surveyed the plain behind him. Aknost immediately his eye caught the re- flection of a human figure lying motionless, a ahort distance away, which, from its general appearance, he instantly recognized as that of Colton. Horrying down the ladder, he opened the door and soon reached Colton, who was grovel- ing on the ground in an agony of fear and re- morse, and immediately secured him, tying his hands and feet firmly, and then searching him oh re of finding some further clew to the lost mine. There was nothing in his pockets but a half- finished letter, which Kit, having called Dainty, read to the girl: “* My pear Curt,” it began. **T got your letter all O. K., and through it learned of Danford’s communication to you, in which be tells you of tho mine he had discovered, Thinking that your proposition that we should obtain pos- session of it was a good one, | watched his house, and spied his every movement, night after night, through a convenient cravice, until finally my tience w1s rewarde”’, one evening, by seein™ him come from an inner 0051, where he doubilels had some secret hiding-placo, carrying a tin box, **He began to write a letter. but I, helieving that the box held the memoranda we wanted, and Zear- ing the return Of the girl— Dainty, you know— knocked, and asked for admission. “To was raining liko tuunder, and the old man. hastily putting the letter into tho box, where there was I saw, another doenment, tied the reeeptable with a tap and, having sealed it, put it in a small Supvoar ind then, after a few -7ords opened the coor ‘And -hen Ishot him and secured the box—what “co you think of your humble servant, Craig Colton, auy/ Ww ay? / ** t was pretty tough to kill 1 man whose former friend | was and whose hospitaJity I had so often enjoyed, but it was the only way. * He was a perfect lion in strength, you know, and if 1 had not adopted strong measures, we s7ould nee have succeeded in getting what we wanted so much, “ft am afraid the girl may give us trouble, par- ticularly as a young champion hes lately; espoused her cause, coming from nobody knows where, and I shall remain until I have settled them both. “Thave had no time yet to examjne the papers, but will do so soon, when I will finish this.” Here the letter, containing full proof of Coiton’s guilt, ended, and Kit, turning | to Dainty, said sternly: “There lies your father’s murderer, whom you have vowed to track to his grave. i ‘* What shall be his fate?” Stern as destiny itself, Dainty, with not the slightest tremor in her voice, answered: * Death!” ** And by what means?” ‘Send him to joim his comrade!” And with a gesture like a queen, Dainty pointed toward the canyon. Kit, going to his and Colton’s horses, took from their heads the raw-hide ropes with which they were fastened, and then, saddlirg Colton’s horse, he returned to the spot where the ex- captain lay. : ntying his feet, and liftimg him into the saddle, he fastened him firmly in the seat, tying him to the horn with one lariat and to the rings in tho caotle with the other. Then, taking a large silk handkerchief from his pocket, he blindfolded the horse so carefully that not a ray of light could enter his eyes, the r brute quivering all over, as if he anticipat- ed his terrible end. ; Then, leading the horse by the bridle, he walked close to the edge of the precipice, stopped, and turning, with whip in band, he waited until Dainty should give the signal to him to lash the horse on the flanks and cause him to bound madly forward over into the fear- ful gulf below. But the girl was stunding, with closed eyes and clasped hands, ber face turned toward heaven, praying, and was unaware of what Kit had been doing. But a moment later she looked toward him and realizing what an awful fate he had in store for Colton, she leaped forward with all the des- perate energy of her nature, seized the horse by the bridle and dragged him away from tbe brink, crving: “Oh, Kit! [can not, can not do it! ‘*See! [break my vow and let this man go free, my father’s murderer though he is.” And tearing the bandage from the horse’s head, she cut the ropes that bound Colton and with a sweep of her band pointed to the east. And without a word he turned, without a word rode away and, without looking back, dis- appeared in the distance, “Thank you, Dainty; it is only what I ex- pected from you,” said Kit, “And now your task is done, your father’s murder avenged, for the pardon you extended to him is more bitter than death. ** But now, before we separate, let me ask you a question. ‘Short as our acquaintance has been, it has been so fraught with danger as to bind us more closely than years of friendsbip. “Can you reciprocate the love I have borne for you since the instant I saw you? ‘Can you, honestly and with no thought of gratitude paying a supposed debt, lay your hand in mine and say: ‘Kit, I love you, and will be your wife?” “T can and do, Kit, for, as this is no time for false pretenses, I can say to you, frankly, that no man but you could ever be my husband.” Two weeks after that day, Kit and Dainty were married in Denver, and that evening Faro Frank, Diamond Dan and Charley Francis, Frank’s brother, kept open house, and cham- pagne flowed like water. The whole town was invited to drink as much as they wanted and Old Pete, in particular, be- came so very bilarious that he passed most of the latter part of the evening in going from door to door, and butting them into splinters with bis woolly head. Kit and Dainty went East, and were not seen in The Gulch again for some weeks. THE END. The Dime Dialogues No. 3. Containing twenty Minor Dramas, Extravaganzas, Burlesques, Farces, Dress and Humorous Pieces, for the Amateur Stage, varl--3, Schools and Exhibitions. All original and by favorite authors, professors, teachers and amateurs, For sale by all newsdealers, or sent, post-paid, on receipt of price—ten cents. BEADLE AND ADAMS, Pvs.isHers, 98 William Street, New York. BEADLE AND ADAMS’ STANDARD DIME PUBLICATIONS. Speakers. Each volume contains 100 large es, printed from clear, open type, comprising the best collec- tion of Dialogues, Dramas and Recitations. The Dime Speakers embrace twenty-four volumes, viz.: . American Speaker. . 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Dialogues No. Six. |Dialogues No. Twenty-one. Dialogues No. Seven. |Dialogues No. Twenty-two, Dialogues No. Eight. |Dialogues No, Twenty-three, Dialogues No. Nine. Dialogues No. Twenty-four, Dialogues No. Ten. Dialogues No. Twenty-five. Dialogues No. Eleven. |Dialogues No. Twenty-six. Dialogues No, Twelve. |DialoguesNo. Twenty-seven. Dialogues No. Thirteen. | Dialogues No, Twenty-eight. Dialogues No, Fourteen | Dialogues No. Twenty-nine Dialogues No. Fifteen. ‘Dialogues No, Thirty. Dialogues No. Thirty-one. 15 to 25 Dialogues and Dramas in each book. Dramas and Readings. 164 12mo Pages. 20 Cents. For Schools, Parlors, Entertainments and the Am- ateur Stage, Bi peng 4 Original Minor Dramas. Comedy. Farce, D ess Pieces, Humorous Dialogue and Burlesque, by noted writers; and Recitations and Readings, new ;nd standard, of the greatest celebrity and interest. Edited by Prof. A. M. Russell. DIME HAND-BOOKS. Young People’s Series. 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Grant. a Song Books. a BrApur’s Dre Sone Boors, Nos. 1 to 34, containing ee the only popular collection of copyright songs, lodis XSrool Melodist, | Music and Words. Joke Books, Pocket Joke Book. Jim Crow Joke Book. Paddy Whack Joke Book. The above publications for sale by all newsdealers or will be t, Este on receipt of price, tem cents cach, by BEAD AND ADAMS, WiLtuae Srreet, N. Y.
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EE ek ee a 5 ee Ee @yY PHUIP & WAKNEK 4 William Street, te
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BEADLE'’S«H ALF- DIME*« LIBRARY. Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents. No Double Numbers. BY EDWARD L, WHEELER. Deadwood Dick Novels. 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. 20 Double Daggers; or, Deadwood Lick's Defiance, 28 Buffalo Ben; or, Deadwood Dick in Disguise. BS Wiid Ivan, the Boy Claude Duval, 42 Phantom Miner; or, Deadwood Dick's Bonanza, 49 Omaha OL: or, Deadwood Dick in Danger. & Denadwoud Dick's Eagles; or, Phe Pards of Flood Bar, 73 Dendwood Dick on Deck} or, Calamity Jane, the Heroine, ZZ Corduroy Charlie 3 or, Veadwoud Dick's Last Act, 100 Deadwood Dick in Leadville. 104 Dendwood Dick’« Deviee: or, / be Double Cross Sign, 109 Deadwood Dick as Detective. 129 Deadweod Dick's Double; or, The Ghost of Gorgon's Gauleh, 128 Bl ade EM): or, Nexdwood Dick's Home Base. 142 A Game of Gold ; or, Deadwood Dick's Big Strike. 156 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood; or, The Picked Party. 195 Deadwood Dick’s Dreamy or, The Rivals of the Road, 201 The Black HMtll* Jezebel; or, Deadwood Dick’s Ward. 205 Dendwood Dick's Doom; or, Culauity Jaue’s Last Ad- venture. ZiT Cuptain Crack-! hot, the Girl Brigand, ¥21 Sugar-Coated S:tm yy or, The Black Gown, 2452 Gold-Duat Dick, A Rotmunce of Rough and Toughs, 263 Deadwood Dick ¥ Divide; or, The Spir.t of Swamp Lake. | 265 Deadwood Dick « Death Trail t0OY Deadwood bich’s Big Deals or, The Gold Brick of Oregon. $21 Deadwood Dick's Dozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats. 847 Deadwood Dick » Ducats; or, Ruiny Days in the Dig- ings. 851 Deadwood Dick Sentenced; or, The Terrible Vendetta. B62 meetegus Dick’s Claim; or, The Fairy Face of Faro ute. 405 Deadwood Dict in Dead City. iv meseweed Dick s Diamonds; or, The Mystery of Joan urter, 421 Deadwood Dick In New York} or, A “ Cute Care,” 480 Beadwood Dich’s Dust or, The Chained Hand. 448 Dendwood Dicky Jr. 448 Nickel-Piate N edz or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Defiance. 4538 ieee er Samy, 0! Shasta; or, Dendwood Dick Jr’s Full land. 459 Flush Fany the ferret; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Big Ronnd- Up. 465 Phitto Fly, of Phenix; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Racket at Claiin 10, A471 Bozeman Bill} or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Corral. A76 Humboldt Mery, the Hurricane; or, Deadwood Dick Jr's Dog Detective. 481 Moll Mysterys or, Deadwood Dick Jr, in Dendwood. 491 Prince Pistol, the King of the West; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Compact. : 496 Monte Criate, Jr.: or, Deadwood Dick Jr's Inheritance. 500 Deadwood Jrick’s Diggings¢ or, Dr. Death-Grip’s Swoop. BOS Deadwood Dick's Deliverancs. 515 Deadwood Dick's Protegec. 522 Deadwoed Dick's Three, 529 Deadwood Vick’s Danger Ducksy 5S4 Deadwood Dick's Death Hunt. 539 Deadwood Dick Jr., in Texan, 544 Deadwood Dick, Jr., the Wild West Vidoeq. Other Novels by E. L. Wheeler, 26 Cloven Noof, the Buffalo Demon. $2 Bob Woolf; or, The Girl Dead-Shot, 89 Death-Face, Detective; or, Life in New York. 45 Old Avalanche; or, Wild Edna, the Girl srigand, 58 Jim Bladsoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix. 61 Buckhorn Bill; or, The Red [title Team. 69 Gold Rifle, the Sharpshovter; or, The Boy Detective, 80 Rosebud Rob; or, Nugget Ned, the Knight. 84 Idyls the Girl! rz or, Rosebud Rob on Hand, 88 Pheto rer Phil; or, Rosebud Rob’s Reappearance, 92 Canada Uhet ; or, Old Anaconda in Sitting Bull's Camp, 96 Watch-Eyes or, Arabs und Angels of a Great City, 118 Jack Moyle the Young Speculator. W117 Miilt-Edged Dick, the Sport Detective 21 Cinnamon Chip, the Girl Sport. 5, Miner. King of Bootblacks, m, the Boy Road-Agent. Ferret, the Néw York Detective; or, Boss Bob’s ob. 161 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective. 177 Nobby Nick of Nevada; or, The Sierras Scamps, 181 Wild Frank, the Buckskin Bravo. 209 Fritz, the Bound-Boy Detective. 218 Fritz to the Front; or, The Ventriloquist Hunter, R26 Snoozer, the Boy Sharp; or, The Arab Detective. 286 Apolle BAN, the Trai! Tornado. 240 Cyclone Kit, the Young Gladiator, 244 Sierra Sam, the Frontier Ferret. B45 Sierra Sam’ Secret; or, The Bloody Footprints, 253 Sierra Sam’s Pard; or, The Angel of Big Vista. BSS Sierra Sam’s Sevens or, The Stolen Bride. 278 Jumbo Joe, the Boy Patrol; or, The Rival Heirs, 277 Denver Doll, the Detective Queen. R251 Denver Doll's Victory. 25 Denver Doll’s Decoy ; or. Little Bill’s Bonanza, 291 Turk, the Boy Ferret. 296 Denver Doll’s Drift; or, The Road Queen. 209 A No. 1, the Dasbing Toll-Taker. R208 'Liza Jane, the irl Miner; or. the Iron-Nerved Sport, 625 Kelley, Hickey & Co,, the Detectives of Philadelphia, 880 Little ek-Shot; or, The Dead Face of Daggersville. 684 Kangaroo Kit; or, The Mysterious Miver, 839 Kangarve Kit’« Racket. $48 Manhattan Mike, the Bowery Blood. B58 First-Class Fred, ‘he Gent trom Gopher. 865 econe Jim, the Gold-Gatherer; or, The Lottery of ate 72 Yreka Jim’s Prize. 87s Nabob Nedy or, The Secret of Slab City, 882 Cool Kit. the King of Kids; or, A Villain’s Vengeance, BS5 Yreka Jim’s Joker; or, The Rivals of Red Nose, 889 Bicycle Ben; or. The Lion of Lightning Lode. 894 Vreka Jim of Yuba Dam, 400 Wrinkles, the Night-Watch Detective. 416 High tat Warry, the Base Ball Detective. 426 Sam Slabsides, the Beggar-Boy Detective. 484 Jim Beak and Pal, Private Detectives. 488 Santa Fe 4al, the Slasher. 486 Sealskin Sam, the Sparkter. BY BUFFALO BILL (Hon. Wm, F. Cody) 8 Kan«as King: or, The Red Right Hand, 19 The Phantom Spy: or, fhe Pilot of the Prairie. 65 Deadly-Eye. the Unknown Sec ut. 68 Border Robin Hoody or, The Prairie Rover. 3568 Fancy Frank of Colorado; or, The Trapper’s Trost, BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM, 7 The Flying Vankee; or, The Ocean Outcast, 17 Ralph md the Boy Buccan-er; or, The Fugitive Yacht, 24 Diamond Dirk ¢ or, The Mystery of the Yellowstone, 62 The Shadow Ship; or. The Rival Lieutenants. 75 The Boy Duellats or; The Cruise of the Sea- Wolf. 02 Dick Dend-Eye, the Boy Smurgier- 11 The Sea-Devil ; or, The Midshipman’s Legacy. 16 The Hussar Captain; or, Whe Hermit of Hell Gate. 7 Little Grit; or, Bessie, the Stock-Tender’s Daughter. 04 Gold Plume; or, The Kid-Glove Sport, Bison BIL, the Prince of the Reins. Grit, the Bravo Sport; or, The Woman Trailer. Crimaon Kate 3 or, The Cowboy’s Tnumph, Lone Star, the Cowboy Captain. 5 Merle, the M'ddy 3 «1, The freelance Heir. The Midshipman Mutineer ¢ or, Brandt, the Buccaneer, t Re Floating Feather; or, Merle Monte’s Treasure siand,. The Gold Ship; or, Merle, the Condemned. ere Monte’s Cruise; or, The Chase of “The Gold » Mp. Merle Monte’s Fate: or. Pearl, the Pirate's Bride. 4 The Sea Marauder; or, Verle Monte’s Pledge. 287 Billy Blue-Fyes, the Boy Rover of the Rio Grande. 804 The Dead Shot Dandy ¢ or, Benito, the Boy Bugler. 808 Keno Kit; or, Dead Shot Dandy’s Double.” Fhe | Mysterious Marauder; or, The Boy Bugler’s Long rail. Bonodel, the Boy Rover? or, The Flagless Schooner, The Indian Pilots or, The Search for Pirate Isiand. Warpath WILL, the Boy Phantem. Seawalf, the Boy Lieutenant. Isodor, the Young Conspirator;: or, The Fatal League. The Boy Insurgent ; or, The Cuban Vendetta. The Wild Yachtsr or, The War-Clouu’s Cruise. Dunean Dare, the Refugee. A Cabin Boy's Luck; or, Toe Corsair. 7 The Sea Raider. The Ocean Firefly ; or, A Middy’s Vergeance, 446 Maphazard Harry; or. The Scnpegrace of the Sea, 450 Wizard WII: or, The Boy Ferre: of New York. 454 Wizard Will's Street Scouts. 462 The Born Guide; or. The Sailor Boy Wanderer, 468 Neptune Ned, the Boy Conster. \ 474 Floras or, Wizard Will’s Vagabond Pard. Ferrets Afloat; or, Wieard Wil!’s Last Case, Nevada Ned, the Revolver Ranger. im doe the Boy Pard of Texas Jack, uck Taylor, King ot the Cowboys. The Royal Middy: or, The Shark and the Sea Cat, The Hunted Midshipman, 611 The Outlawed Middy. 620 Buckskin Bill, the Comanche Shadow, 525 Brothers in Buckskin. 530 The Buckskil: Bowers. 685 The Bue skin Rovers. 5640 Captain Ku-Klux, the Marauder of the Rio, 5645 Lieutenant Leo, the Son of Lafitte. BY CHARLES MORRIS, 118 WII! Somers, the Bov Detective. 122 Phil Mardy, the Boss Bey. 126 Picayune Pete 3 or, Nicodenins, the Dog Detective. 180 Detective Dick 3 or, The Here 1 Rags. 142 Handsome Harry, the Boothlick Detective, 147 Will Wildiirc, the Thorougkpred. 152 Black Besa, Will Wildtire’s Qacer. 157 Mike Merry, the Harbor Poles Boy. 162 WII Wildtire in the Woads, 165 Billy Baggage. the Railroal Boy. 170 A Trump Cardy or, Wi)! Wildfire Wine and Loses. 174 Bob Rockett; or, Mysteries of New York. 179 Bob Rockett, the Bank Runner, 188 The Hidden Hand har Will Wildfire’s Revenge. 187 Fred Halyard, the Life Boat Boy; or, The Smuygiers, 189 Bob Rockett; or, Driven to the Wall. 196 Shadowed; or, Bob Rockett’s Fight for Life, 206 Dark Pawd, the Tiger King. 212 Dashing Dave, the Dandy Detective. 220 Tom ‘Tanner; or, The Black Sheep of the Flock, 225 Sam Charcoal the Premium Darky. 235 Shadow Sam, the Messenger Boy. 242 The Two * Blooda”; or, Shenandoah Bill and His Gang, 252 Dick Dashaway ; or, A Dakota Boy in Chicago, 262 The Young Sharps: of, Rollicking Mike’s Hot Trail. 274 Jally dim, the Detective Apprentice. 289 Jolly Jim’s Job; or, The Young Detective. 298 The Water-HMound; or, The Young Thoroughbred, 805 Dashaway, of Dakuta; or, A Western Lad in the Quaker rity. 824 Ralph Ready, the Hote) Boy Detective. 841 Tony Thorne, the Vagabond Detective. 858 The Reporter-Detective ; or, Fred Flyer’s Blizzard, 867 Wide-Awake Joe; or, A Boy of the Times. 879 Larry, the Levelers or. The Bloods of the Boulevard. 408 Firelly Jack, the River-Rat Detective. 428 The Lost Finger; or, The Entrapped Cashier, 428 Fred Flyer, the Reporter Detective. 482 Invinetble Logan, ths Pinkerton Ferret. 456 Billy Brick, the Jolly Vagabond. 466 Wide-Awake Jerry, Detective; or, Entombed Alive. 479 Detective Dodge ; or, The Mystery of Frank Hearty. 488 Wild Dick Racket. 501 Boots, the Boy Fireman ; or, Too Sharp for the Sharper. BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, JR. 2 Yellowstone Jack; or, The Trapper. AS Black John, the Road-Agent; or, The Ovtlaw’s Retreat, 65 Murricane Bill; or, Mustang Sam and His Pard, 119 Mustang Sam ¢ or, The King of the Plains. 186 Night-Hawk Kit; or, The Daughter of the Ranch, 144 Dainty Lance the Boy Sport. 151 Panther Paul: or, Dainty Lance to the Resene. 160 The Black Giants or, Dainty Lance in Jeopardy, 168 Deadly Dash; or, Fighting Fire with Fire. 184 The Boy Trallers; or, Dainty Lance on the War-Path, 208 The Boy Parda; or, Dainty Lance Unmaske. 211 Crooked Cale, the Caliban of Celestial City, 810 The Rarranca Wolf’; or, The Beautiful Decoy. 819 The Black Rider; or, The Norse-Thieves’ League, 885 Old Double Fist; or, The Strange Guide. 855 The King of the Woods: or Daniel Boone’s Last Trail. 449 Kit Fox, the Border Boy Detective. BY OLL COOMES. 5 Vagabond Joe, the Young Wandering Jew. 8 The Dumb Spy. 7 Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide. $1 Keen-Kuilfe, the Prince of the Prairies. 41 Lasso Jack, the Young Mustanger. 58 The Border King; or, The Secret Foe. 71 Delaware Dick, the Young Ranger Spy. 74.dlawk-eye Harry the Young Tiapper R nger. 88 Rollo, the Boy Ranger. 184 Sure Shot Seth, th. boy hifleman, 148 Sear-Face Saul, te Silent Hunter, 146 Silver Star, the Boy Knight. 158 Eagle kit, the Boy Demon. 168 Little Texas, the Young Mustanger, 178 Old Solitary, the Hermit Trapper. 182 Little Hurricane, th~ Boy Captain. 202 Proa«pect Pete ; or, The Mees Outlaw Hunters. 208 The Boy Hercules: or, The Prairie Trumps, 218 Tiger Tom, the Texas Terror. 224 Dashing Dicks or, i repper Tom’a Castle. 228 Little Wildfire, the Young Prairie Nomad, 288 The Parson Detective ; or, The Little Ranger. 248 The Disguised Guide ¢ or, Wild Raven, the Ranger, 260 Dare-Devil Dan, the Young Prairie Ranger. 272 Minkakin Mike, the Boy Sharpshooter. 290 Little Foxfire, the Boy Spy. 806 The Sky Demons or, Rainbolt, the Ranger. 884 Whip-King Joe, the Boy Ranchero. 409 Itercules; or, Dick, the Boy Ranger. 417 Webfoot Moxe, the Tramp Detective. 422 Baby Sam, the Boy Giant of the Yellowstone 444 Little Buckskin, the Young Prairie Centaur, 457 Wingedfoot Fred3 or, Old Polar Saul, 468 Tamarac ‘Tom, the Big Trapper Boy. 478 Otd Tom Rattler, the Red River Epidemic, 482 Stonewall Bob, the Boy Trojan. BY T. C. HMARBAUGIL 28 Nick o’ the Night; or, The Boy Spy of '76. 87 The Hidden Lodges or The Litth Hunter. 47 Nightingale Nats or, Tne Forest Captains. 64 Dandy Jacks or, The Outlaws of the Oregon Trait. 82 Kit HWarefoot the Wood-Hawk. 94 Midnight Jack ¢ or, The Boy Trapper. 106 Old Frosty, the Guide: or, The White Queen, 128 Kiowa Charley the White Mustunger. 189 Judge Lynch, Jr.: or, The Bey Vizilante. 155 Gold Trig, © he Sport; or, The Girl Avenger 169 Tornado Tomy or, Injen Jack From Red Core, 188 Ned Temple, the Border Boy. IPR Arkansaw : or, The Quen of Fate’s Revenge, 207 Navajo Nick, the Boy Gold Hunter. 215 Captain Rullet 3 or, Little Topknot’s Crusades 231 Plucky Phil; or, Rosa, the Re Jezebel, 241 Bill Bravos or, T ¢ Roaghs of the Rockies. 255 Captain Apoll , toe King-Pin of Bowie, 267 The Buckskin Detective. 279 Old Winehs or, The Buckskin Desporadoes, 294 Dyugmite Da or, The Bowie Blaae of Cochetopa, 802 The Mountain Detective: or, The Trigger bar Bolly, 816 O14 Eclipac, Trump Card of Arizona, 826 The Ten Purds«¢ or. The Terror ot Take-Notice. B86 Big Benson: vor, The Queen of the La so. 845 Pitiless Matt; or, Red Thunderhol ’s Secret. BS" Coola me tar go The Terrible Six. 866 Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective. 886 Captatu Cutlass; or, he B ceuneer’s Girl Foe, 896 Rough Robs or, The | win Champions of Blue Plazes 411 The Silken Lasso; or, The Rose of Ranch: Robin. 418 Felix Fox, the Boy Spotter. 425 Texas Trump, the Border Rattler. 486 Phil Flash, ike New York Fox. 445 The City Vamplres; or, Ked Rolfe’s Pigeon. 461 One Against Fifty ¢ or. The Last Man of Keno Bar, 47@ The Boy Shadow ; or, Felix Fox's Hunt. AT? The Excelsior Sport: or, The Washington Spotter, 499 Single Sight, the One-Eyed Sport. 502 Branded Ben, the Night Ferret. B12 Podeer Dick, the Wharf-Spy Detective, 521 Dodger Dick’« Beat Dodze. B28 Fox and Falcon, the Bowery Shadows, BSS Dodger Pick, the Dock Ferret. 548 Dodger Lick’s Double; or, The Rival Boy Detectives, LATEST AND NEW ISSUES. 546 Captain Cctus, the Chaparral Cock. By Liens. A. K. Sims, B47 Sandy Andy; or, A Good Man Down. By P. S. Warne, B48 Mart, the Nicht Express Detective. By J. C. Cow drick. B49 Deadwood Dick on Mis Mettle. By E. L. Wheeler, 550 Lafitte’s Legacy; or. The Avenging Sov. By Col. Prentles Ingraham. &1 Nick Nettle, the Boy Shadow, By Jo Pierce. B52 Ariel, the Athlete. By David Droid, Bb8 Dodger Dick’s Dexperate Case. By T. C. Harbaugh, bh4 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Gotham. By E. L. Wheeler, BSS The Creole Coraalr. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. BSE Lartat Lily or. The Cast fora Life. By Philip §. Warne, bb? Rroadway Billy’« Death Racket. By J.C. Cowdriek, BSS The Sure-Shot Parda, By Arthur C. Grissom, 59 Harlem Jack, the Office Boy Detective. By Jo Pierce, 560 Pawnee RI, the Prairie Shadower, Ry Col. P. Ingraham, 561 Deadwood Pick tn Boston. By Edward 1. Wheeler. 5e2 Riundering Basil, the Hermit Boy Trapper. By Ol! Coomes, 568 Dodger Dick, the Roy Vidocq. By T. C. Har auch. 564 Powder Phil, the Boy Miner. By John W. Osbon. 565 Kent Kingdon, the Card King. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. B64 The Secret service Boy Petective, By Charles Morris, 567 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Fhiladetphia, By Edward L. Wheeler. 5E8 The Dandy of Dodge. Py Lient. A. K, Sima, 569 Brooklyn Ben, the On-Hie Own-Hook Detective, Pierce. :) the Card Queen. Evo Camgites re ce, the Young Engineer. By J. C. Cowdrick, B72 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Chicago. hy E. L. Wheeler, 578 The Twe Shadows. Py T. C. Harbaugh. Realy July 17, B74 Old Wensecl-top, the Man with the Dogs. By P. 8, Warne, Ready July 24. 5TS The Surgeon-Scout Detective, By Colonel Prentise Ingrabanr.. Ready July 71. 4 576 The Stlver Sport. By Lieut. A. K. Sims. Ready August a, 577 Pavement Pete, the Secret Sifter, By Jo Pierce, Ready Angust 1h. 578 Pondwood Dick, Jr., Afloat. By Edward 1. Wheeler. Ready August 22. A New Issue Every Tuesday. The HWalf-Dime Library 's for sale by all newsdea'e », five cents per copy or sent by mail on receipt of six centa each, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New Work. By Jo By Col. Prenties Ingraham