Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 604) (1889 02 19)

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IEP aA RNR Ce ta EE \\ \ \ \ \ \ ? \; S » \ Hig tx=n | | - a f\ i! it nt A Al td lANS February 19, 1889. li No 604 $2.50 : PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS, Price, Vol. XXIV a Year. No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. 5 Cents. FOR A MOMENT IRON FERN STARED WILDLY AT THAT PALE BEAUTIFUL FACE, HIS WHOLE FORM CONVULSED WITH EMOTION, OR The Dove amme Vultures, A Romance of Rocket Gulch. BY WILLIAM G, PATTEN, AUTHOR OF ‘‘ THE DIAMOND SPORT,” * CAPTAIN MYSTERY,” ‘‘ DAISY DARE,” ETO., ETO, CHAPTER I. THE FACE BENEATH THE VAIL, OnE of the celebrities of Rocket Gulch was the Man of Fire. He was a tall, handsome, brown-bearded fellow, who always dressed fault- lessly, and about whom there was that unmis- takable air which invariably proclaims the polished gentleman, Although he was usually uiet and reserved, be had few friends in the little mining-camp. Only too well was it known ee PO ae ree

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peileeietes pe PO MAORI 4 Iron Fern, the Man of Fire. that his quiet manners concealed the fiery pas- sions or a fiend, and that when aroused to an- ger, those handsome brown eyes would flash and glow like twin orbs of flame. It was on ac- count of this peculiarity of the strange man that some one had called him the Man of Fire. The name bad struck the fancy of the people of Re Rocket Gulch, and therefore it had ‘* stuck.” On his first appearance in Rocket Gulch he had given bis name as Fernald Irons, but, in some way peculiar to the country, the name - had been transposed and abridged till it became y Iron Fern, and, as Iron Fern, the Man of Fire, he was universally known in that camp. lron Feru was a gambler. Not a common card- a ‘sharp who fleeced such innocent ‘* chickens” as a might be lured inte his grasp, but a sport of 4 nerve, who met and coneres those who boast- y ed of their skill in the disreputable profession. ct He played recklessly, and bis success seemed \ pure luck instead of skill or keen judgment. Sometimes he met with heavy reverses, but usu- . ally he was fortunate. He only played when in * the mood to do so, and, as he. recklessly staked a his money on the turn of a card, his eyes were is filled with that strange red light that cautious men well knew was a danger signal. His cheeks would be flushed, his blood leaping in his veins, aud the touch of his hand was like that of a hot iron, Woe to the one who arcused the ire of this Man of Fire, then! ‘ The sport carried no visible weapons, yet not ‘i a few knew to their discomfiture that there fs were weapons on his person which seemed to leap into his hands at the command of his will. Somewhere within hidden pockets he carried a * pair of handsome gold-mounted revolvers, and 2 when it was necessary, he could produce an hs work them with lightning-like rapidity. The most of the gamblers of ket Gulch steered clear of Iron Fern. They had learned that this was the best course to pursue, That val he was more than a match for the best of them “Ff had been proved to their satisfaction by his en- to that date esperate and a ae —— e counter with Flusb Font, who u had been considered the most successful gambler in the camp. Font challenged Iron Fern to play, and, with alacrity the Man of Fire accepted the challenge. ao a They met in the White Dove Saloon, and with f a crowd of eager 2g oe around them, play- ed till one was broke. Flush Font was the loser. Quickly he drew a revolver, at the same time iia crying: : ‘Foul play! You cheated, Iron Fern!” Quick as had been the vanquished gambler’s By movements, those of Iron Fern were equally as OE swift, A revolver gleamed in his hand, a sharp report rung out, and Flush Fout’s weapon was tora from his hand by a bullet which splintered on the cylinder, ae his fingers with tiny particles of lead which stung ike so man wasps, Then, as the hammer of, the gold- % mounted revolver rose by the pressure of a Sy steady finger on the trigger, the Man of Iron rs h if ‘ “‘ Swallow those words or swallow lead!” Flush Font saw the red glow in those steady, piercing eyes, and felt that it would be worse than rashness to hesitate. Slowly, and with a look that plainly told the effort it cost him, he apologi for what he had said. From that day he was Iron Fern’s bitterest foe. here was another and pleasanter side to the character of the Man of Fire. Once there came to Rocket Gulch a young fellow who was flush from the recent discovery of a rich.gold ket filled with yellow i op hoe The young fellow— a mere boy—was fresh from the East, a veritable tenderfoot. Elated by his good luck, he indulg- ed freely in liquor, and finally expressed. a de- sire to try his hand at draw poker with the best man inthe camp, Several sharks were ready and eager to fleece the lad, but he had heard of fron Fern and would play with no one else, -The Man of Fire smiled scornfully when the young fellow challenged him to play, “T am not robbing babies,” was his reply. At this the young man became fearfully en- raged. f lam no baby!” he cried. ‘Iam your equal any day. You are called the champion card- sharp of this camp, and if you are not a coward you will play with me.” That word ‘‘ coward” stirred the sport’s fiery blood. The red light apes into his eyes, and in Spain tone which belied the flush upon his face, C) 3 “ You have said enough. Were youa man, I would drop you in your tracks for that insult. As you are only a boy, 1 will teach you tbat you know nothing at all of poker.” They sat down to play, and in less than an hour’s time the youth bad parted with his for- tune. The final pot was a heavy one, and the young man attempted to bluff on one small pair. Iron Fern did not hesitate to see the young fellow’s reckless bet and go him better. nally, the youth dashed the cards on the table, uttering a cry of despair as he declared that he was ruined. The Man of Fire smiled grimly as he dropped‘ his cards face upward upon the table and raked in the pot, Anctber cry came from the young man’s lips as his eyes fell upon the exposed cards and he saw that lron Fern had only held queen high. Quickly the youth drew and cocked a revol- ver, which he placed against his own head. But ere the weapon eou'd be discharged, the sport wrested it from the mad boy’s hands, “Fool! he exclaimed, ‘‘ Would you kill yourself?” “Yes,” was the reply. ‘“‘Iamruined! With that gold I could have made my poor old mother comfortable during the rest of her life. Now she will die in the poor-house. Give me that weapon that I may blow out my worthless brains!” But Iron Fern did not give up the weapon. He arose and led the lad out of the saloon, and, as they paused beneath the stars, he thrust into rem youth’s hands the gold that he had won from im. “Take it!” he commanded hoarsely, ‘‘ Take it and go back to that poor old mother. You should thank God that your mother is yet spared to you. And, above all things—avoid liquor, and shun such dens as this in which to-night you gambled away a fortune. I[¢ is well for you that you fell into my hands, instead of the hands of the sharks which infest the place.” That night the youth disappeared from Ro¢tk- et Gulch, and perhaps his mother is alive to-day to thank Iron Fern that she was not left in the poor-house to die, One day the stage brought a closely vailed woman to Rocket Gulch, She was a petite, graceful creature, every movement lending new charms to her delicate, well-rounded figure. Her shapely hands were concealed by gloves, but one could well imagine that they were white, soft and beautiful. As she —— down from the stage, the spectators caught a glimpse of a dainty little foot and a small, round ankle. The baffling vail effectually concealed her feat- ures, but, there was not a man who saw her alight but would have sworn that the face be- neath was beautiful. About her appearance there was a nervous, half-frightened air that captured the hearts of balf-a-score of rough fellows, any one of whom would willingly and gladly have become her protector. Witbin the hotel, peering from a window,, was asmall, smooth-faced man who uttered a suppressed exclamation of excitement, and started back as his eyes fell upon the vailed woman. “At last!” he exclaimed, beneath bis breath. ** She has come! I lost her trail, but knew that she was steering this way. She cannot escape me again.” . Then he turned swiftly and left the room. The Man of Fire was also a witness of the arrival of the vailed woman. The moment be saw her appear in the door of the stage he started and gazed ititently at her, muttering in low tone: “1 ‘*Good heavens! Is it possible?” Eagerly he noted every movement as she left the ei _ He held his breath, hoping that she peared through the doorway. } ‘*My God!” he gasped, bis face white and bloodless and his hands tightly clinched. “Can The vailed woman did not appear beyond the limits of her room again that ae. were carried to her, and the gossip-lovers sud- denly awoke to the fact that there was a mys- tery in their midst, for it was whispered that the woman still wore the heavy vail even within her room! ) That night Iron Fern lay awake to hear soft footsteps that carelessly paced up and down the floor of the adjoining apartment. Slowly the hours wore away till midnight came; still that same soft, ceaseless walk continued. Once or twice the man thought he caught the sound of a suppressed sob. As he lay there all the blood in his veins seemed turned to liquid fire, and the impulse was almost resistless to batter down the frail well which separated them and go to her. He was sure that she needed his aid and pro- tection, yet cruel fate had placed an insurmount- able barrier between them, The night was far spent when he fell asleep, only to dream of her rapturously beautiful face, of her sveet, musical voice and rippling laughter, , After breakfast the following morning, Iron Fern lit a cigar and sauntered leisurely away down the gulch. Soon a bend hid the camp from his view, but still he walked on, his bead bowed in a deep reverie. He must have trav- eled nearly two miles, when he paused and seated himself on a bowlder beside the trail. A few moments’ later, the sharp clatter of iron-shod hoofs came to his ears. e looked up swiftly to see a horse and rider come sweeping around the bend from Rocket Gulcb. The rider was the mysterious vailed woman. Straight by the man on the bowlder galloped the horse, e woman was looking straight abead through the folds of ber vail, and did not observe him. Ina moment horse and rider dis- appeared around the winding walls. Barely had they vanished from view, when the sound of a revolver-shot came to the Rearing of the Man of Fire, followed by a sharp shrie of fear or pain. With a fierce cry, Iron Fern sprung to bis feet and dashed forward, Within a minute’s time he came in sight of a riderless horse that was galloping away down the gulch. Then be sawa small, dark form lying silent and motionless be- side the trail. Swiftly he ran forward and knelt beside the fallen woman. The thick vail had been torn away, and, as he dropped beside her—her silent, beautiful, bloodless face was re- vealed to him. A cry that seemed wrung from the depths of the strong man’s heart burst from bis lips. ‘God in beaven! Lona, my wife!” he shrieked, CHAPTER II.» A BLOW FROM THE SHOULDER, For a moment Iron Fern stared wildly at that pale beautiful face, bis whole form convulsed with emotion, All color bad left his own face, and for a time it seemed that his heart ceased to beat. His breath came in gasps, and he ap- peared like a man wounded unto death. Just then the Man of Fire seemed more like a man of clay. Then bis lips moved, but no sound came from them. Finally, in a whispered sob, he uttered: y darling—lost to me for- ‘She is dead! ever!” He wrung hishandsin a helpless manner, His whole form swayed to and fro as if moved by a strong wind. Forthe time he appeared like one who had suddenly become demented. “‘No! no!” he boarsely gasred, ‘‘ She is not dead! I cannot lose her now\” He gazed earnestly into her face, but there was no sign of life there. She did not breathe; not even an eyelid quivered to tell him that her spirit had not taken flight. : A sudden calmness took possession of the man, He ceased to wring bis hands and gazed silently down at her. p “It is better so,” he whispered. ‘‘ We were. forever separated in life. Death alone can re- unite us. She isso beautiful, and yet how false she was! Her perfidy drove me to become the reckless, contemptible thing that 1 am, and yet T have no reproaches to utter. She is dead, and all is forgiven!” He began to look for a wound, but failed to find anything but a swollen bruise upon her head, which had forcibly struck the ground when she fell from the horse. He sprung to his feet and glared around. “Who fired that dastardly shot?” he hissed his eyes beginning to glow with the old red light, as he scanned the rocky walls witha — piercing glance, There was no answer to his question, There appeared to be no living thing in sight save a lazy wheeling vulture poised in the air overhead. The immediate vicinity seemed deserted save by the tall, handsome man and the silent, uncon- scious woman. Once more he bent over her, his eyes feasting

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on her fascinating beauty. How fair and pure she looked as she lay there, pale and helpless as a broken lily! It did not seem that she had ever been capable of deceit and treachery. He tad loved her once, how dearly none but himself could tell. He had heard those white lips, then ruby red, Min hs a loving pledge to be his for- ever. He had held her in his arms and pressed his own lips to hers, again and again. , how he thought that it had been better if death had claimed them both at that moment. How much anguish and suffering it might have prevented! ttering a cry of mingled emotions, he stooped and lifted her in hisarms. The very touch of her seemed like magic. His heart gave a great leap and his bl danced madly through his veins. Swiftly he kissed her on the brow, the A ghe is mine!” he whispered. ‘‘ My wife in the sight of God! We were legally married. Even though she may have forgotten her mar- riage vows, she is mine. How I loved her! I love her still!” He clasped her tightly to his breast. Had she been conscious, his grasp would have hurt her. He trembled like a leaf, and again he pressed passionate kisses upon her face, ‘“*She may not be dead,” he cried, a hope growing within him that she wasn’t, ‘She may ~ be stunned. I will see.” elaid her down ina comfortable position, and Py drew a small flask of liquor from one of his pockets. Iron Fern never touched liquor as a beverage, yet he kept some by him constantly to use case of an emergency like the present. e poured a few drops throngh her clinched teeth and bathed her temples withit. Ina few moments he was gratified to observe a slight flutter of returning consciousness. Like a gentle breeze her soft breathing fell upon his nand, and a faint murmuring sighcametohis ears, Never had the man heard music which sounded sweeter to his soul. ‘* She lives!” he whispered, ** Thank God for that!” For a few moments all the old pain and despair were forgotten in the joy of knowing that his darling was not dead, hocan tell what bright visions of future happiness floated before his mental vision in that short space of time. Slowly the color came back to her lips and cheeks. Her bosom rose and fell with her gentle breathing. And, as he sat beside her, it seemed to him that never had she been so beautiful be- fore. His eyes feasted on her loveline:s, and bis heart beat strong and hard like the regular strokes of a hammer. For a time she lay with her eyes closed, and it seemed as if she were sleeping. He sat taere mer down at her face, and feeling that he ould be content to remain thus forever. He almost feared to have her open her eyes, for it seemed that then the sweet spell would be broken. She sighed softly and a faint whisper came from her lips. He bent forward eagerly to hear what she said, and thought he caught his own name as it those sweet lips. Regardless of everything, he caught her in his arms and held her close to his heart, kissing her and whis- pering: “Lona, my wife! My treasure, you are alive, and once more I hold you in my arms!” A faint smile of happiness flitted across her face, and slowly she opened her dark eyes and zed straight into his own shining orbs. To is dying day Iron Fern never forgot that rap- turous look of joy, love and perfect content. In an instant he knew that she still loved him. Her lips parted, and she faintly breathed: * Neil!” Never had that name sounded so sweet to his ears. Often had he heard her speak it, but never before had it stirred the very depths of his soul as it did then. In the ecstasy of his joy he could have crushed her to his breast, but his better judgment prevented. He only held her fast and gazed silently into her face, She seemed perfectly content to lay there, with her head against his throbbing breast. It seemed right that she should be there, and for a time she did not question how she came thus. The memory of the past and its bitterness was blotted out by the joy of the present, “My darling!” he muttered, as he bent and kissed her, . The touch of his burning lips aroused her. Like a flash memory threw its dark vail over the rapture of the moment. Faintly she strug- rapturously. gled to escape from his arms. ‘*Lona! Lona!” he murmured, and still held her fast. _ Let me go!” she panted. Iron Fern, the Man of Fire. **No! no!” he replied, hoarsely, ‘‘ You are mine! Lf cannot—will not let you go!” ‘* You must!” she declared, wildly. ‘‘ You do not know what a dreadful creature you are holding!” Ah! He felt that he knew only too well. Those words restored his reason. e unloosed his grasp and allowed ber to slip to the ground. Then he staggered to his feet, and stood with hands tightly clinched, looking down upon her. She covered her face with her small, gloved hands, and her slight form trembled like a slen- der reed. A heart-sob of anguish came from her lips, but no soothing tears dimmed her eyes. He folded his arms, and for a time stood look- ing down at her without speaking. It seemed as if the barrier that had been almost swept away had again risen between them, After a few moments he stooped and touched her shoulder, saying: “ Lona 1? She glanced up, a wild, haunted look gleam- ing in her eyes. * How came I here?” she cried. ‘* What has ae ay Where am I?” “You are in Rocket Gulch, about two miles from a camp by that name. You came here on horseback. Your horse became frightened at something and threw you. I found you lying unconscious on the ground.” “Yes, yes; I remember. I saw him at the hotel in the camp—the little sleuth-hound! I pretended to hire a horse to go for a ride; but I paid for it, and I was going anywhere so that I might get away from him. ‘“Whom do you mean?” ‘Oh! that dreadful man who is followin me. He would drag me to prison—to the gal- nah But he never shall! will kill myself rst “You speak in riddles. Who is following you, and for what?” ‘“*For murder!—murder !” she gasped, as she tore the glove from ber right hand and held up the slender, white fingers before him. “That hand did it! That hand caused his death!” She arose and stood before him, a look of horror on her beautiful face. “TI killed him,” she declared; “but, God knows I did not mean to. Oh, Neil! Neil! If “ee ever loved me, you will despise me now, for am a murderess!” He shrunk back, his face transformed with amazement, She saw the movement, and a cry of heartfelt agony came from her lips. She felt that now, indeed, that man whom _ she loved dearer than all the world bated and abhorred her. “Neil, my darling!” she wailed. ‘‘How I have loved you tongue cannot tell, And now you ha‘e and despise me. This is worse than death!” Those words touched bis heart. Wasshea murderess? What cared he? She loved him! She had confessed that she loved him, He had read her love in those dark eyes ere she spoke, What could separate them now? He sprung forward and clasped her again in his arms. She had seemed about to fall as be caught her. A moan of relief escaped her lips as her head rested against his breast. “‘T will protect you,” he declared. ‘They cannot take you from me, You are safe.” She made no response. Indeed, her tongue refused to move. She felt his strong arm around her; she felt herself pressed close to his breast, and almost swooned for joy. oa he murmured: ‘I care not what you have done, Though both your hands are red with blood, I will pro- i eal a are my wife.” Ds y she tore herself from his and stood panting before him. alt “Tam not!” she cried, You were false—false /” an looked amazed, ot my wife?” he repeated. ‘Lona, you are mad! Legally, in the sight of Galland wan, you are my wife, No matter what has hap- pened since that fateful midnight marriage four years ago, you are my wife.” “No! no!” she wildly declared. “I never married you. You were false to me!” ‘** False!” the word came sneeringly from his lips. ‘* False—never! But you—barely was I away ere you forgot your marriage vows. You are the one who was false!” “You are wrong. I was driven to what I did, Never for a moment, Neil, has ‘my heart been false to you.” “Driven to what you did? Why did you not show your certificate and declare that you were married? bi Migerokd you do this, instead of surrendering the wishes of your greedy, ‘*f am not your wife! a =! —— e covetous parents? But again, I say you are mine for all of the past, You are my wife, and no other living man has a claim on you.” ‘* Ah-ha! I beg todiffer!” said a smooth voice, and a small, smooch-faced man stepped into view from beyond a — of bushes. ‘I hap- pen to have a claim on this lady that it is my professional duty to enforce.” The woman uttered a shriek and stood star- ing with distended eyes at the small man, At the sound of his voice fron Fern had wheeled like a flash. In a moment the red light had leaped into his eyes, and in a suppressed tone, he asked: ** ‘Who are you?” The little man bowed, ** f am a detective, sir,” he replied; “ and it is poe ae wr duty to arrest this lady.” e advanced and laid his hand upon the shoul- der of the cowering woman. Then Iron Fern’s fist, driven straight from the shoulder, caught the detective fairly under the left ear, hurling bim senseless to the ground! CHAPTER III. A WOMAN’S PASSION, Far up the rocky wall crouched the person who had fired the shot which frightened the horse ridden by the vailed woman, Amid some bushes which grew upon the edge of a rocky shelf, knelt a woman who wore a black mask over her face. In her hand she held the revolver with which she had fired at the vailed woman. A low cry of triumph came from her lips as she saw the horse spring to one side, and heard Tona’s shriek as she fell to the ground, Away went the riderless horse down the gulch, but the woman lay quite still on the rocks where she had fallen. “T have killed her!” hissed the masked wo- man. ‘‘I meant to do it, but feared that I should fail. Fortune directed that bullet, and she is out of my path forever. She came here to rob me of his love; but, Neil Fernald is mine, mine, and no human being shall stand between s! She bent forward, and gazed down at the silent form below. Then she again drew back the hammer of the revolver which she held, and pointed the weapon at the unconscious form, Ere she could fire, Iron Fern came dashing into view. The masked woman drew back with a gasp of surprise. “¢Tt is Neil,” she whispered to herself. ‘* How came he bere?” Then she saw the Man of Fire run swiftly for- ward and kneel beside the senseless woman. She heard the cry that came from: his lips as his eyes fell upon Loua’s face, and she ground her teeth with rage, as his passionate words came to her ears, ““ She is not bis wife!” ga the masked wo- man. ‘Yet he still thidks so. Would to Heaven that he loved me as he does her! But, he shall—he must!’ She is dead, and now he is mine!” With gleaming eyes she watched the scene be- ow. She heard Iron Fern’s passionate utterances; she saw him clasp Lona in his arms, and cover her face with kisses, and she came near shrieking aloud with rage, Beneath her breath she hissed: * Kiss her! kiss her! She is dead! She will never know! I would give my life—I would sell my soul to be held thus in your arms for one minute. Oh, Neil, Neil, how I love you! How I love you!” She drew far back from view when Iron Fern sprung to his feet and glared around for the one who had fired the shot. He did not see her, although she trembled lest he should. She saw the man produce the flask of liquor and pour afew drops into Lona’s mouth; she saw him bathe the unconscious woman’s tem- ples, and, with hushed breath, she awaited the It. resu She did not hear his rapturous whisper of joy when he discovered that Lona was not dead, but something seemed suddenly to whis- per in her ear that she had not killed her hated ‘oe. “T have failed!” she exclaimed, in a whisper. “She is still alive; but she may die—she may die! I hope she will! Ob, heavens, if she re- covers to find herself in his arms! The thought is maddening!” She saw fim again ¢ the woman to his breast, but she could not hear his murmured words of love. Suddenly a fierce rage seized

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m a a ee oo a. f + — > i Pe a Li i. piensa ta ha 9 Sah ee Sea ee oT oe St > Iron Fern, the Man of Fire. ——. meen her, and she drew back the hammer of the re- volver, and pointed the weapon straight at the two forms below. ““T could kill them both!” she breathed. ‘‘I could kill them in a moment. Two sbots—per- haps one would do it. I have half a mind to do it. That would end it all in a moment,” For several seconds she seemed on the point of firing. At last she lowered the weapon. *“No! no!” she said. ‘‘I will notdoit, They would die in each other’s arms—happy. Even that joy is denied me. I will wait, He shall yet be mine, He shall tell me of his love even as he is whispering it to that woman now.” She witnessed Iron Fern arise to his feet and stand gazing down at Lona, who had buried her face in her hands, The masked woman’s eyes gleamed through the eyeholes, and had her oe been exposed to view it would have beena udy. ' Lona’s declaration that she was a murderess came Peg! to her ears, and breathlessly she listened to what followed. It was with diffi- culty that she repressed an outburst, when she heard Iron Fern declare that be loved and would protect Lona even though her hands were stained with blood, **Oh, heavens!” she murmured. ‘‘ What would I not give to hear him tell me that. He is mine, but she has robbed me of his love. I failed to kill her to-day, but she shall die!|—she shall die!” A cry of joy came near bursting from her lips as she witnessed what followed; and when the little detective appeared and attempted to arrest Lona, the ed woman half rose to her feet, She sunk back again as she witnessed the terrific knock-down blow delivared by the iron fist of the Man of Fire. As Iron Fern knocked the detective senseless, Lona turned with a cry and ran swiftly down the gulch, The Manof Fire gazed intently at the fallen man for a moment, and then turned and watched Lona’s fleeing form. For a time he hesitated whether he should pursue her or not. A sudden resolve seemed to come over him, and he turned swiftly to retrace his steps toward Rocket Gulch. The masked woman watched him till he dis- appeared; then she sprung to her feet. Thrust- ing the small revolver into a pocket concealed in the folds of her dress, ske started swiftly to descend into the gulch. A narrow, dangerous natural path ran down the rocky wall, and along this she picked her way, It was slow and difficult work, but she finally reached the gulch bottom. ““Now [ will overtake her,” she cried, in a low tone. ‘‘ She shall not escape me again.” Away she ran in pursuit of Lona, who had disappeared. She wasa swift runner and now along with every nerve strained in the en- vor to overtake the fugitive, Soon she came in sight of Lona. The girl had run until nearly exhausted, and was now walking slowly and aimlessly down the gulch, “*T will catch her,” panted the masked pur- suer, ‘*She is mine! mine! mine! Im her pono pp time’ I will be so near that I cannot miss, Gasping for breath,’ she ran on. Soon she was so near Lona heard her swift footsteps and looked around in suddenalarm, Uttering a cry of fear the unfortunate woman again started to flee. “Stop!” cried the masked pursuer; ‘stop, I say!’ . Bat, these cries only served to accelerate Lona’s speed. She was nearly breathless from her recent run yet for several rods she almost flew over the rough ground, Suddenly her strength failed. She could run no further, and with a look of despair on her beautiful face she turned toward her pursuer. Ina few moments the masked woman came up, ms and breathless. “Who are you?” asked Lona, tremblingly. “What do you want?” For atime the masked female did not reply. Finally she said: ** Back in Rocket Gulch I am known as Madam Mask. What 1 want you shall soon learn.” There was a wild gleam in her eyes that terri- fied Lona. Her voice, which was filled with suppressed passion, sounded strangely familiar. or two minutes, at least, the women stared fixedly at each other. Then Madam Mask ke: “You are beautiful. It is useless to deny that. ‘Your beauty won his love. He was captured b a handsome face. The face beneath this ek is far from ugly, yet he does not love me,” “He? Who { do you mean?” cried The mask did not heed her question. Calmly she continued: ‘**-You are beautiful, yet you are a murderess. For all of that, he loves you still, Many have called me beautiful, but my hands are not stained with crime, Yet he doesnot loveme. To-day I sha]l become a murderess, too.” ** Are you mad?” gasped Lona. ‘* Perhaps so,” admitted Madam Mask, still calm and self-possessed. ‘‘I am mad with love —mad with hate. I love him; I hate you. Were you removed, possibly I might win his love. I shall kill you!’ A shriek burst from the terrified Lona, and she sbrunk back, trembling with fear. She thought that the masked woman must be mad, indeed. ‘* You are afraid!” hissed the strange creature, her eyes twinkling like ebony balls, ‘* You fear death, yet alittle while ago you would have died happy in his arms.” * **Who are you?” Lona asked again. “Tama woman, like yourself,” was the re- R —‘*a woman with human passions. I love; ate. Only one living man ever won my love. You robbed me of that, and I will have re- venge,” | don’t know you. I am sure I never harmed you, ‘* You aresure! Yet you won Neil Fernald’s love. Only a few short minutes ago he held you in his arms and whispered loving words in your ear. Isaw it—I, who would give my life al- most for one loving word from his lips. He called you his wife; but you are not his wife. You shall never be his wife, Never! never! NEVER!” The final words were almost ashriek. She started forward, ard Lona retreated, trembling with fear, ‘*T will kill you!” she cried. Suddenly she produced the reyolver. Lona saw the weapon, and uttered a gasp of terror. “Don’t! don’t!” she begged. An almost maniacal laugh burst from the masked woman’s lips as she cocked the weapon. Lona turned, and, frantic with fear, ran swiftl away. Madam Mask threw up her hand, too. a quick aim and fired. At the same instant the fleeing woman fell to the ground, CHAPTER IV, THE MAGIC MIRROR, WitH bowed head, the Man of Fire walked back to the camp of Rocket Gulch. Not once did he lift his eyes from the rocky trail before him as he br ong forward. His hands were tightly clinched and his lips pressed firmly together. His face was as calm and impassive as a stone, but that wild, red light still shone in the depths of his eyes. Straight to his room in the hotel he went, and it was high noop ere he sania appeared, It did not take Iron Fern long to discover that Lona had not yet returned to the hotel. For a moment a look of surprise and alarm swept over his face. ‘* Strange,” he muttered. ‘“‘I expected that she would return. Where can she have gone?” After asking himself this he bowed Se his head in deep thought. Finally, he glanced up, a startled look upon his face. ‘*Can it be?’ heexclaimed. ‘‘I was a fool to leave her thus, but in the excitement of the mo- ment I did not pause to think.” In a few moments, however, he learned that the little detective had returned to the camp. That quieted his fears from that source, but left him quite at a loss to account for Lona’s absence, ‘“*She isnot in his power,” said Iron Fern; ‘and yet she has not returned. I should be at her side to protect her, but between us there is an awful chasm dug by her own fair hands.” An hour later he was standing on the steps of the hotel, watching for Lona’s return, when a small boy suddenly appeared before him. ‘Hullo, mister,” saluted the ragged urchin. ** f reckon you're thor feller w’ot they calls Iron Fern, hain’t ye?” “; Sure, Johnny,” replied the man, as he glanced down at the boy’s dirty face, “Then this here’s fer you,” and the little fel- low held out a small cream-tinted envelope. Iron Fern took it with unfeigned surprise. Upon the envelope his name was written in a fine, dome hand, plainly a woman’s chiro- graphy. “Hold on here,” cried the Man of Fire, as the boy was turning away. ‘‘ Who gave you this?” he dirty little scamp laughed and winked significantly. you know,” he grinned, ‘ Reckon there hain’t meny women critters in this heer hole, an’ they are mighty few who would be after sendin’ roun’ sweet-smellin’ ’pistles o’ thet kind,” Iron Fern held up a silver quarter. ‘* Who gave you this?” he repeated. The boy’s eyes glistened as he saw the money. ‘*Thet feemale as wears a mask over her face an’ lives in a little tens down this-a-way,” he an- sere jetting. his thumb cver his shoulder, ie oh shé must, be dead struck on ye.” Iron Fern gave him the quarter and quickly tore open the envelope. Then he drew forth a small, delicately perfumed sheet of paper, on which was written the following message: “To Iron Fern, THE MAN OF FirE:—The mystic mirror reveals strange secrets of the past, present and future. Things of the t are recalled and mysteries of the future laid bare. The light of re- velation is thrown along the path of life, and all its barriers and pitfalls revealed. ' “The mirror has revealed to me things concerns ing you which it is well that you should know. Come to my tent at once, and with the mirror’s aid, I willshow you one whom you love and one who loves you dearly. I will show you the false and the true. “ This is not a trick to obtain patronage, but in truth I wish to reveal to you something which con- cerns you deeply. It is for yourinterest that you do not disregard this invitation. “* Mapam Mask.” Iron Fern uttered a low whistle of amuse- ment and derision when he bad read the letter. ** Bah!” he exclaimed. ‘* That is too thin.” He stared silently at the beautiful writing for several minutes, “Ts this a trick of my many foes?” he asked himself, ‘‘ Do they think to decoy me into an trap? Ihave t» be on the outlook for such li tle snaps, and that is why I questioned that bo so closely. By heavens! If I thought it was!” But, finally, he shook bis head, “Too open. They would not dare try it on in broad ay. By gracious! I believe I will go. He arose and walked along the main street of the camp. The fortuneteller’s tent was sit- uated on the outskirts, and he soon reached it, It was quite a commodious affair, and above the door was a sign which read: ‘**MapamM MASK, The Female Wonder.” And upon the side of the tent, in a favorable position to be seen by those passing, was pinned a canvas, upon which was painted the represen- tation of a mirror. Within the mirror were these words: “Your past, present and future revealed by the Magic Mirror for Five Dollars. Satisfaction Guaran- ae ty, do not recognize some of the scenes. revealed by the Mirror as things which have trans- ired in your past life, your money will be Re- Funded,” Iron Fern entered. The tent was divided into two apartments, Iron Fern found himself in one which contained asmall table and two chairs, Seeing no one, he seated himself in one of the chairs and pre- pared to wait, A minute had not passed when the damask curtains which divided the tent stirred slightly and then parted to reveal a bandsome female figure standing before him. The perfect fitting arment which she wore, while it concealed her orm revealed enough of its rounded, graceful outlines to make one feel sure of its finished beauty. Her face was concealed by a dark mask, A mass of midnight hair was coiled and twined upon her queenly head, ‘oa one small, white hand she beckoned Iron ern. thrilling voice. these curtains,” The Man of Fire started. He had often seen the masked woman but never before bad he heard her speak. Now there seemed something strangely familiar about her form and voice. he magic mirror is beyond He arose promptly and followed her beyond . the damask curtains. The apartment beyond was so thickly curtained on eitber side and overbead that it was nearly dark within, Only ‘ ~ light struggled through the folds of the ota, Madam Mask pointed to a chair, ‘* Be seated,” she said. Iron Fern sat down, Before him he saw a structure that was completely concealed by curtains. This he thought was the magic mir- ror, and subsequent events proved his surmisal correct, ‘These things which you will see in the mir- ror have all been revealed to me one by one when I was least expecting them,” said the wo- ** Come,” she nits in a strangely sweet and

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Iron Fern, the Man of Fire, man, ree: pour eyes straight ahead, and do not ‘* First you shall iook back into the past. speak lest you break the Spell.” While she was speaking her voice had grown fainter and fainter, and when she cea Iron Fern seemed to be alone, Gradually a dim light which pervaded the whole apartment appeared, here it came from the man could not tell. Slowly it grew more brilliant until the apartment was flooded with its radiant brightness. Tbe Man of Fire looked straight ahead, and though no human hand seemed to touch them, the curtains which concealed the magic mirror were removed, Fernald saw before him what seemed to be a common mirror. Plainly he could see his own reflection in it, But gradually his form faded from view, to be replaced by that of another. The man bad set his teeth, firmly resolved to show no surprise at anything he might see, but for a moment he came near breaking his reso- lution. Before him, appearing as natural as life and seeming to be reflected by the large mirror, was a beautiful girl, She was attired in a plain but tasty short print dress, and her hands were filled with wild flowers. Around her neck was twined a wreath of buttercups and daisies, Her dark, curling hair, held back by a dainty rib- bon, fell to her waist. Her face was as sweet and beautiful as a poet’s dream. Her dark eyes seemed gazing straight at him, and as he looked her red lips parted ina smile, It seemed that she was about to speak, What a great bound of commingled joy and ain his heart gave! How it pounded in his fraait and what a feeling of longing and regret seized bim! Before him he saw Lona, his loye—Lona, just as she had appeared on that bright June morn- ing when he first met her years ago, In a moment she vanished from his gaze, and another scene appeared in the mirror, How quickly he recognized the old, ivy-coy- ered country church! It was midnight. Sev- eral dark figures were astir on the portico near the entrance of the vestry. He leaned eagerly forward and counted five forms, There were two figures which appeared quiet and passive like witnesses, There was a tall man and a closely-vailed woman who stood hand in hand. Before them was a man who appeared likea clergyman. He seemed to be speaking. A marriage ceremony was paring place! Gradually the scene changed. The group of three remained in the same position, but their appearance changed, The man was small, round-shouldered. and unpleasant appearing; the woman, who was dressed in white, was divinely beautiful, yet how pale and despairing she looked! Now they were in a brilliantly- lighted room, and there were many people all about them. The clergygnan was still speaking. Again a marriage ceremony was being per- formed, | Only too well did Iron Fern know the pale- faced woman who was selling her soul for gold, and linking her fair young life to that of the repulsive man. Involuntarily a groan broke from his li In an instant the scene vanished, and another took its place. He saw the interior of a sick chamber. On a bed lay the man who had married the beauti- ful girl, His face was convulsed as if with pain, and he tossed restlessly on the couch, The door of the chamber opened and the girl entered. Ske approached a table and soon produced a white powder from a tiny package which she took from her bosom, This she gave to the suffering man. Then she sat down by the bed- side to watch and wait—for what? Gradually the man ceased to toss ut upon the bed, and finally he seemed to sihk peacefully to sleep. Then, bestowing an unfathomable look on the silent form, the guilty-appearing woman crept from the room, : The next scene revealed a coffin with a dead man lying in it. The sick man was through with his sufferings forever. Swiftly the coffin faded from view, and in its place was seena gallows, At the end of the rope that was suspended from the cross-beam bung a female form. The black cap was pulled down over her face, effectually concealing the features, yet the form seemed familiar to the horrified man who was staring into the magic mirror, A gasp of horror burst from his lips, and he sprung to his feet. ‘*T have seen grey i !” he cried. In an instant Madam Mask was by, his side, ‘Wait! wait!” she entreated, “There is 7 F) s 7 ust 4 way rt ‘a much more to see. You have only seen the false love who betrayed ag and then stained her bands with crime. ou must see the true love, whose heart is still yours, and yours alone!” ‘*No!l” he groaned, ‘‘I will seeno more! I have witnessed enough of your vile trickery. I must go, ere I forget myself and shatter that fiendish mirror into a thousand fragments,” And, reeling like one intoxicated, he stag- gered from the tent. CHAPTER V. A GLIMPSE AT THE PAST, HIGH up among the mountain crags a man was standing, with a powerful glass to his eye, gazing down into the gorges andravines, From bis elevated position he could plainly see the camp of Rocket Gulch, and could gaze far along the winding stage-trails which led away to the north and south, Bebind the mana narrow path led back along the jutting crag, and through a thick screen of bushes the outlines of a rude cabin could be seen. The hut was planted against what ap- peared to be the solid mountain wall. From Rocket Gulch, some miles away, the cabin in the air was invisible. It had been built so far back from the edge of the cliff that it could not beseen from below. The thick bushes also aided in concealing it from view. The man with the glass was not looking to- ward Rocket Gulch, but was gazing at two ag far down. at the foot of the mountain. hey were two women, and although the watcher could not hear their words, their vigor- ous gestures plainly told that an exciting scene was taking place. The lone watcher was a tall, handsome, dark- faced man, whose eyes were dark and piercing, and who wore a drooping black mustache, which effectually concealed his mouth, With the exception of a pair of stout leather leggings, which reached far above his knees, he was dressed as a professional card-sharp is often attired. The form concealed by the elegant dark suit was compact and well-built, showin unmistakable evidence of uncommon physica power. The hands which held the glass, al- though strongly knit, were long, slender, and white as @ woman’s, ‘“* Who are they?” muttered the man, as he continued to gaze at the two females. ‘‘ The one whose face is concealed is the mysterious fortune-teller of Rocket Gulch, But the other— who is she? A stranger in camp, I'll allow. I cannot get a square look at her. face. “But what can they be talking about? By their gestures, I igus say that both are fear- fully excited. If they were men, I should think a fight was pending. Now I don’t know— Gods:” This final exclamation broke from his lips as he saw one of the women turn and run as if for life. Then he saw the other throw up her hand, There came a puff of smoke and the fleeing wo- man fell to the ground, ‘** Good heavens!” cried the watcher, ‘‘ That He was murder!” Keenly he watched the masked woman, saw her pause a moment and gaze steadily at the fallen, motionless form; then she turned and fled away toward Rocket Gulch, **T must go down there,” declared the man in some excitement, ‘‘ I must see who that unfor- tunate womanis. If she is dead, Madam Mask shall be called to an account. . She is worse than a fiend.” Swiftly he closed his glass and thrust it into a handy pocket. Then he turned and hurried down a winding and difficult path. It was some time ere he reached the gulch bottom and stood above the silent form of the unfortunate Lona, A cry of mingled emotions broke from his lips as he saw the woman’s beautiful pale face, and quickly he knelt by her side. ‘*Great heavens!” he gasped. ‘It is Lona— Fer two years she has been Lona, my darling! lost to me, and at last I have found her— dead !” He lifted her in his arms and gazed wildly in- to her white face. He called ber endearing names, and like one demented, entreated her to speak to him, Then he kissed her cold lips and laid her gently down, “Tf she is dead,” he cried, ‘‘I swear by the Power above to wreak vengeance on that fiend who killed her!” Then he began to search for a wound, In a few moments, he exclaimed joyfully: “She is not touched! She still lives! She must have tripped and fallen justas that woman a ee aoe i eae fired, thus escaping the lead. She has swooned from fright and excitement.” Again he lifted her in his arms and arose to his feet. ‘*T will carry her up to the Roost,” he said. He walked swiftly along to where the path led upward out of the gulch. Still bearing the unconscious woman in bis arms, be undertook the ascent. He soon found the task to be a difficult one, and before he reached the jutting crag far up the mountain-side, he was compelled to pause and rest a score of times. Finally, pant- ing and breathless, he staggered along the path, passed through the screen of busbes meh en- tered the cabin, the door of which was standing open. In one corner was a rude eot of blankets and skins, and on that he placed the unconscious woman, Then he sat down to rest. As he sat there, a slight moan came from Lona’s lips. The man started and muttered: “She is recovering. | Perbaps it is best for her not to know who I am for a time.” He arose swiftly and approached a small closet at one side of the room, He opened the door and took from a shelf within a heavy black beard. This he quickly adjusted to his face, making him appear at least ten years older than he was. When he turned around, he found that Lona had recovered and was gazing wildly around the room. He walked slowly toward her, but she started in alarm, faintly crying: ‘* Who are you? bere am I?” *T am a friend, and you are safe,” in a smooth, low tone. ‘* What bas happened?” she asked. ‘* Nothing serious,” was his quiet reply. * Don’t give yourself any alarm. Everything is all He spoke right. She sunk back, closing her eyes and -lookin very white. Fora moment the man feared tha she had swooned again, but pretty soon she again opened her eyes and glanced around the room. Lona could not remember whxt had happened. In vain she tried to recall the exciting events of the day. Her mind seemed in a whirl, and she could only remember a confusion of things, Of course she could not tell where she was or how she came there, She did not recognize the tall, black-bearded man, but he had spoken kindly, and she did not fear bim. Had she known who the tall man was, she would not have fallen asleep as peacefully as she did within the hour! While she Sept, with one arm curled above her shapely head, he came to her side and looked down upon her, bisarms folded upon his heaving breast. ‘*Sleep on, my beautiful one!” he whispered. ** How fair—how lovely you are! And you are all mine! I have bartered my soul for you— stained my hands with the greatest of crimes— and long I feared that I had lost you. For two ears | have sought in vain for you, but you ave come to me at last and never again shall we part. HowI love you! How a man must love who will commit the terrible deed that I did in order to secure the object of my pas- sion!” For a few moments he was strongly tempted to stoop and press passionate kisses on tions sweet red lips, but he refrained, fearing to awaken her. ‘Hold! hold! Have caution!” he breathed, softly. “Your time is coming, oh, burning heart of mine! She is yours and yours alone! Not all the world can take her from me now. Once more the future looks radiant! Love and happiness lay before us!” Lona slept for hours. When she awoke, she discovered that she was alone in the cabin, A small stand stood beside the couch upon which she reposed, and on the stand were a few dishes cortaining food. She discovered that she was very hupgry, and at once sat up and partook of the victuals provided. Soon she had satisfied her hunger and at- ay 9 to arise, but quickly discovered that her legs were very weak und would scarcel bear her weight. With a faint sob, she su back upon the couch and covered her face with her hands, Having slept little for several nights, Lona was yet far from being rested. As she lay there, vainly trying to group together the dis- jointed scenes which her memory recalled, she once more fell asleep. When she awoke it was night. A brightdight was burning in the cabin, and near at hand sat the tall, black-bearded man. He saw her open ber eyes and stare fearfully at him, and he said, softly: > | wate tor ra sae t.

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a fe vat ee eek Pik Duna re, ae 3 cS —_ = 7. - _ —— not VASE - *, 7 , Ts » + = “ay fads Iron Fern the Man of Fire. ? - ** Don’t be alarmed, Mrs, Clayburn.” ‘*Mrs, Clayburn!” she fairly shrieked, as she sprung to her feet. ‘‘ Who are you? Why do you call me that ?” He bit his lip in vexation. He had madea blunder in speaking that name, What was to be done? “Sit down, please,” he said, coaxingly. ‘I am your friend, never fear.” “Tf don’t know you,” she declared; “yet you call me by that name—that hated name!” “Tf you will sit down, I will tell you who I am,” he smiled. She sunk down on the couch, staring at him with a hunted look in the depths of her dark eyes. ‘*Look well at me,” commanded the man. ** Don’t you recognize me?” She passed her hand across her forehead and gazed searchingly into his face. ‘* You look familiar,” she admitted; ‘* but my head is so queer. ‘* Let me recall some of the scenes of the past, then perhaps you will remember. Are you will- re) to listen? he did not speak, and he continued: “Three years ago you met Mark Clayburn for the first time. You were young and beautiful, as you still are to-day; he was middle-aged and an invalid—a hopeless asthmatic. But, he was rich, His wealth excited the cupidity of your parents, and within a few months they forced you into a repulsive marriage with him.” A moan broke from the beautiful woman’s lips, “*True! true!’ she sobbed. ‘A hundred times I was tempted to kill myself ere my life was bound to his, Would to God I had done so!” ‘*It was a cruel sacrifice,” admitted the man. “At the wedding you met for the first time Mark Clayburn’s half-brother, Fontray Del- mont. The moment his eyes rested ov your rege face and form, Fontray fell madly in ve with you. He had never loved his half- a and from that moment he had hated m ** And I—I abhorred him!” panted the woman. “Six months , and one night Mark Clayburn breathed his last on earth. He had been sick for several days, but no one thought the sickness dangerous. He had had hundreds of other similar and more distressing attacks, In the morning, when Fontray Delmont enter- ed the room where his brother lay, he found @ corpse. “T killed him! I killed him!” gasped Lona, wringing her hands wildly, ‘I did not mean to! ve him the sleeping powder, but the oo ans pronounced it tobe poison, I did not ow! No! no! I did not know!” ' ‘* Yes,” continued the man, ‘ he was poisoned. pa turned on you, but, ere you were ap- prehended, Fontray Delmont discovered your danger. Although you were a murderess, he was as madly in love with you as ever, and he resolved to save you. It is needless to tell how he succeeded in spiriting you away beyond the reach of the law, This he did, sending you toa place where he hoped soon to join you. But when he came to search for you, you were gone and he could find no trace of you. For two ears he has been searching everywhere, and at he has found you.” “Then you are—” ‘In Rocket Gulch I am known as Flush Font, but you know me by my true name.” ith these words, he removed the heavy beard. She saw his face and gasped: ** Fontray Delmont!” CHAPTER VI. “SHE IS MY WIFE!” FiLusH Font had been seen to carry the un- conscious woman up the mountain path to the cabin on the crag—the ‘‘ Roost,” as he had call- it. The unlucky detective who bad rum against Tron Fern’s hard fist witnessed the difficult ascent. ‘*Who is that man?’ muttered the woman- hunter. ‘‘Can he be this ferocious Man of Fire? He is tall and well-built like that man, and yet he seems different somehow, This is un- pleasant business, hunting down a handsome woman, even though she is a murderess, but when Selim Scott tackles a case he never turns back.” - Atdusk the detective stole cautiously up the mountain, The shadows of night were gather- ing thickly inthe gorges and ravines and the last gray light of dying day was fading from the mountain peaks, Ere he had made half the ascent, mountain and valley were hidden by the’ darkness, The little sleuth did not see a tall man with pale he OF oR ED ee | earaien eyes who followed cautiously in his ootsteps. He littie dreamed that he was “ shad- owed.” Selim Scott reached the mountain crag and saw before him a light which shone from the cabin window. With the stealth of a creeping panther he stole forward, making scarcely any perceptible noise. Passing around the corner of the cabin, he crouched beneath the window and listened. Plainly he heard voices, a man’s and a woman’s. They were talking earnestly, and he ventured to lift his head and peep in at the window, He saw within the cabin the man and woman, Fontray Delmont and Lona Clayburn, Again he had run his game to earth, Breathlessly he listened to Delmont’s story of the marriage and murder, and again heard Lona confess that she killed her husband. ‘* She is mine!” whispered the detective, ‘I will take her back and claim the reward, I must not be chicken-hearted now.” Swiftly he stole around the cabin and paused at the door. Only for an instant he halted, then oe tia against the door and burst into the cabin. The man and woman sprung to their feet in alarm, Leaping to the side of Lona Clayburn, Selim Scott grasped her arm firmly, crying sharply: ‘*T arrest this woman for the murder of Mark Clayburn, her husband!” Lona uttered a shriek and sunk helpless to the floor. The little detective stood above her, glaring defiantly at Flush Font, who for a moment seemed stricken motionless with sur- prise. Finally, the tall man demanded: ** Who are you?” “T am a detective, sir, at your service,” bowed Selim Scott, ‘** A detective!” hissed Delmont, his face trans- formed by rage. ‘‘ Why are you here?” “That's a silly question,” replied the little man, bluntly. ‘‘ You just heard me say that I arrested this woman for murder, What more do you want?” ~ * Fool!” snarled Flush Font. come here alone for her, have you?” ‘No, not alone,” was the quick reply. ‘‘ I took this along for company.” A revolver gleamed in the detective’s hand. A sneering smile swept over the tall man’s face. He calmly measured the detective with his eyes, the look of contempt growing deeper on his face, He stood witb his left hand in one of the side pockets of bis coat while his right carelessly stroked his long dark mustache. “* Tt is a pity for such a good-looking weapon to be lugged around by such an insignificant creature,” he sneered. ** You will find that I know how to use it if you give me cause,” declared Scott. ‘‘ Throw up your hands!” “* What for?” ; “It makes no difference what for. Up with them!” Flush Font did throw up his hands, but as the left one came from its resting-place in that side pocket of his coat it held a self-cocking revol- ver. The next instant there was a flash anda heavy report, and Selim Scott reeled back and fell to the floor! With the still sméking revolver in his hand, Delmont sprung forward and gazed at the silent man whom he had remorsely shot down, The little detective lay upon his side, the hand that ae grasped the revolver being doubled under m, ‘That settles him!” muttered Flush Font, an unfeeling laugh breaking from his lips, “He never will bother you any more, my dear Lona,” ‘*Have you killed him?’ she whispered, in a horrified manner, “* Well, it looks that way,” admitted the man. ‘* Flush Font seldom wastes lead,” **Oh, how could you?” she gasped, a murderer!” ‘* Lona, Iam ready to do anything for you,” he replied. ‘This man was a sleuth-hound who was on your trail, determined to drag you to the gallows that he might obtain a paltry re- ward for his work. I have removed him for- ever, and, for the time being, you are safe.” **'You did this for me!” she shrieked. ‘ I was the cause of his murder, and his blood is on my soul! Iam doubly a murderer! Oh, Father in “You have “You are “Heaven! what will my punishment be?” She covered her face with her bands and gasp- ed for breath like a strangling person. At that moment she suffered the tortures of the damned, ————————————————— O_O Delmont witnessed her agony and _ his own © hard heart was wrung with pain, With his own face marked by tender sympathy, he ap- roached and touched her on the shoulder, say- ng softly: ** Lona!” She started away from him as if his touch had scorched her. ** Don’t touch me!” she cried, springing to ber feet and standing before him with blazing eyes. ‘© Don’t touch me! Your hand is red with blood! You did it for me, you say! Thus you heap an- other crime upon my soul! Don’t touch me!” Her wild excitement was painful to witness. The strong man shivered as he looked at her face now haggard with despair. ‘“‘Lona!” he repeated. _ og ia She looked straight at him, a light in her eyes that he had never seen there before. “Don’t!” she gasped—‘‘ don’t call me by that name. That is the name my mother gave me; that was the name of an innocent, thoughtless girl. Don’t call me that!” ““You are crazy!” exclaimed Fontray. ‘“Would to God I were!” sbe moaned, as she flung herself face downward on the cot. He stood looking longingly and lovingly at her for a few moments, then he bent over the silent detective. The fallen man’s hat lay on the floor and in a short time Flush Font found the wound upon his head. He examined it closely and then uttered a smothered exclamation, The man was not dead! The bullet from Delmont’s revolver had plow- ed along the man’s skull, making a furrow in his scalp, but had only stunned bim for the time. Within an hour, if unmolested, the de- tective would be himself again. ; ‘“‘Tona!” he cried, ‘‘ Lona, the man is not dead!” 2 She uttered a shriek and sprung up from the > couch, With one bound she was by his side, grasping him almost fiercely by the shoulder, “ What do you say?” she gasped. ‘* Not dead? not dead?” “That's what I said. Here is where my bul- let plowed along his skull, simply stunning him for atime, A dozen such scratches would not killa man, He will soon be all right.” “ Are you sure?” ; “Positive. There is not a doubt of it.” “Thank Heaven!” she murmured, and burst into tears, Staggering to the couch, she once more sunk upon it, abandoning herself to a perfect torrent of sobs and tears. 4 “Perhaps that isthe best thing that could happen,” thought Delmont, and indeed it was. Her overtaxed nerves had been so worked upop by the excitement of the bour, that relief from some source was positively demanded, A fit of weeping was the easiest and most natural way of removing the tension. \ Stooping, the man lifted the unconscious de- tective in his arms and bore him from the hut. ‘My bullet failed todo the work,” he mut- tered, as he reached the open air, ‘‘1 will now make sure of the job. She will never know, and the sleuth will be forever removed from the trail,” Straight to the edge of the precipice he bore the unconscious man, There he paused and gazed down into the blank darkness. ‘¢ He will be dashed to death on the rocks be- low,” said Flush Font to himself, ‘‘ He is un- conscious now, and will never know what hap- pened, It is an easy death,” Far away the lights of Rocket Gulch were atwinkle, but be did not glance toward them. For an instant be held the helpless man out over the abyss. He hesitated ere he loosed bis hold. It was a terrible thing to do, but the dark-faced man was capable of terrible deeds. He let go his hold apd the body shot down- ward into the darkness! Turning swiftly, he hurried back to the cabin. He did not see a d : ly appeared on the crag and stole silently along in his footsteps. : Flush Font entered the cabin and found Lona still lying on the couch, ber form shaking with suppressed sobs. He stopped beside her and gazed silently down at her ceful figure, How he longed to take her in bis arms and kiss away the tears which dimmed her eyes! How he icnged to whisper his love in her ear and feel her soft arms clinging around his neck! He felt ready to do anything possible for mor- tal man to do if thus he might win her love, He bent over her again, repeating her name in soft accents, She did not stir or look u He laid his band on her arm, and still she did t i . me My darling!” he whispered. ‘“‘Cease your ark form which bad sudden-

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weeping. You are safe with one who loves you dearer than life.” Still she did not heed him, but continued to sob as if her heart were breaking. “ Oh, Lona,” he murmured, as he bent until his hot breath fanned her cheek, ‘‘ your grief is ainful to me. Every sob cuts my heart like a Enife, Why do you weep? You are safe—safe with me; and I love you so dearly!” She seemed to shrink from him, but this only fanned his passion into a more lurid flame. In an instant he caught her in his arms and press- ed burning kisses on her face. Like a whirlwind, a dark form burst into the cabin. Then came a hoarse, angry shout, and Lona was snatched from Delmont’s arms, At the same instant Fiush Font was hurled head- vag, oye the floor. e astonished card-sharp looked up to see the fiery eyes of Iron Fern glaring at him over the leveled barrel of a heavy revolver held in his right hand, On his left arm the Man of Fire supported Lona, ; “Hal” snarled Flush Font, staggering to his feet. ‘‘ How came you here?’ Iron Fern did not reply; he only glared straight at the cowering villain, his eyes seem- ing to gleam more redly than usual. ‘‘ Speak, you devil!” hissed Delmont, ‘‘What do you want?” ‘¢T want this woman!” was the reply. ** What is she to you?” ‘*She is my wife!” thundered the Man of Fire, CHAPTER VII. DOWN TO DEATH, Fuss Font looked amazed. ** Your wife?” he repeated, crazy!” Iron Fern did not speak, but continued to lare at Flush Font, a terrible purpose gleam- foe in his fiery eyes. The card-sharp saw the look and trembled with fear, for he knew that his life hung by a thread, ** Don’t shoot!” he implored, ‘*And why not, you miserable cur?” gritted the Man of Fire. ‘‘ Why should I spare your worthless life?” ‘*Why should you shoot me down in cold blood?’ asked Delmont. ‘‘ What have I done?’ ‘What haven’t you done? How came this woman here? By what right do you hold another man’s wife in your arms and press kisses on her face? Answer that,” “She has no living husband. Mark Clay- burn is dead.” ‘What care I for Mark Clayburn!” sneered Tron Fern, ‘‘Zam this woman’s husband?” " For an instant Flush Font came near calling him a liar, but fear restrained. him, He saw the muzzle of that never quivering revolver frowning upon him, and knew that it would only take a pen upon the trigger to send a bul- let through his heart. Iron Fern never missed. What do you mean?” demanded the fuming villain. ‘“*T mean just what I say,” was thereply. ‘I married this woman ere she ever saw Mark Clayburn. Though she may have been mar- ried a dozen times since, she is still my lawful wife.” These words sagueren Flush Font. Iron Fern appeared to speaking the truth, yet how could it be? Lona was a young and thoughtless girl when he had seen her become rk Clayburn’s wife. Could it be that she had married this man of the fiery eyes ere her union with Clayburn occurred? “Ido not believe it!” he snarled, forgetting his caution. ‘Iron Fern, I believe you lie!” The Man of Fire thrust Lona behind him. Weak and dizzy, she reeled back against the cabin wall, : ‘*Have youa knife, Flush Font?’asked Iron Fern, in a cold, even tone, “ ” **Man, you are ‘Then draw it and defend yourself! I will meet you with a similar weapon, thus giving you an even chance for your life,” In an instant a keen blade gleamed in Del- mont’s right hand. A similar bias 8 quickly took the place of the revolver in [fron Fern’s hand. Then, crouching in their tracks, the two men se fiercely at each other. _ “ Youshall never leave this cabin alive, Iron Fern,” hissed Delmont, The Man of Fire did not reply, but advanced slowly toward his foe, ‘i Suddenly Flush Font stamped sharply on the oor, Iron Fern, the Man of Fire. In an an instant the floor beneath Iron Fern’s feet gave way, and the Man of Fire uttered a cry of alarm, as he shot downward through a cunningly arranged trap-door into some kind of a pit beneath the cabin. A cry of joy and satisfaction burst from Fiush Font’s lipsas Iron Fern disappeared, and run- ning swiftly forward, he peered down through the trap into the blank darkness, ‘* Reckon that salts your bacon!” laughed the triumphant villain, ‘‘ You have gone down to death, for no man ever escapes from that hole alive. Flush Font is the victor, and the fair Lona is his and his alone.” In an instant Lona was beside the trap, ‘* What have you done?” she shrieked, as she stared down into the darkness, ‘ Neil! Neil! where are you?” There was no answer to her cries. All was silent as death below. ‘*He is dead!” she wailed. ‘' Dead! dead! And I love bim so dearly! I have nothing to live for! I will die with him!” She was on the point of leaping down through the trap when Flush Font sprung across and caught her in his arms. ¥s adwoman!” he gasped. ‘‘ What would you do? ‘* Let me go!” she cried. ‘‘ He is dead, and I would die by his side! Let me go!” She stru ay to free herself from his arms, but he held her fast, “Stop!” he commanded. what you are doing!” She struggled on with the strength of despair, He had all he could do to hold her, Once she came near dragging him tbrougb the trap. Her desperate energy seemed almost unlimited. ‘*Lona!” he panted, ‘‘ For God’s sake, stop!” But she struggled until exhausted, then sunk helpless at his feet. uttering a thankful exclamation, Delmont quickly closed the treacherous trap. It had served his purpose well, but came near depriv- ing him of the woman he loved, as well as his bitter foe. He lifted her in his arms and once more car- ried her to the couch. Sbe was conscious, but so weak and helpless, that she cuuld offer uo re- sistance. She lay on the couch without uttering a souud save an occasional gasp. Several times hig called her name, but she heeded him not. Drawing a stool near the couch, the man sat down upon it and waited. A look of grim de- termination rested upon his face, An hour passed, and then Lona stirred, utter- ing alow moan. He bent toward her, saying Oi ‘* My darling!” She turned her dark eyes on him, and in their depths was a look of the most unutterable loath- ing and fear. The mansaw it and ground his teeth furiously, ‘You have killed him!” she muttered. ‘He is dead, and you are his murderer!” ‘““What was that man to you?” demanded Delmont. ‘‘ Surely not what be claimed—your husband?” She did not reply. She only gazed at him scornfully —loathingly. For a moment he sbrunk back before her steady look. Then he uttered a hard laugh, ‘“*1t makes little difference, He is disposed of, and will trouble me no more, Every ob- stacle is removed from my path, and you are mine, mine! You shall become my wife,” ‘Never, you detestable murderer and villain! You have mein your power now, but I i ake care You know not my own life ere I will submit to you! not for death; it has no terrors now.” “* Lona, your words cut my heart like knife- strokes. You know not how dearly I love you, If you will marry me, we will go far, far away tosome distant land, where I will devote my whole life to the sweet task of *making you happy. ‘ e paused, but she did not speak. He drew nearer, and she shrunk from him, ‘“‘ My beautiful one,” he whispered, thrilling- ly. ‘* My heart is mad with Jove for you. You can never know the depths of my passion, What would I not do to win your love? With you a dreary desert would be a paradise; with- out you the fairest spot on earth would be a desolate waste.” She heard his passionate words, and for the time seemed-bound by some strange spell, She sa not stir. He drew still nearer, and gazed straight into her dark eyes. The serpent was fascinating the dove! : ** We will go faraway,”hemurmured. ‘‘ We will leave the hateful memories of the past be- hind, In a land beyond the sea we will find a home where love and happiness shall reign su preme. We will forget the bitter past, and live —, for the 7uture.” is breath was on her cheek; his eyes seemed gazing down into the depths of her soul. Still she did not move. Then be reached out and at- tempted to take her in his arms. His touch aroused her. - ‘*You are a murderer!” she shrieked, as she started to her feet and stood panting before him. ‘ Don’t touch me!” Then her whole heart burst into one wild, sad, passionate cry: “Neil! Neil, my lost love!” She clasped her hands and swayed to and fro, moved by the power of ber emotion, Fontray Delmont arose to his feet, his whole face black with rage, For the time the devil within him triumphed over his calm judg- ment, ; ‘**Call for him!” he hissed. ‘Cry loudly; he cannot hear you! You are mine—mine, bod and soul! I claim you now, and death itse alone can take you from me!” He sprung forward and grasped her. Frantic with fear, she struck blindly at his face, The blow fell fairly between his eyes, staggering bim for an instant, A snarl of fury escaped bis lips, and he held her crushed against his breast until she ceased to struggle, exhausted, ‘*T will tame you yet,” he declared, ‘* You shall learn to be as submissive as a kitten. I will place you where you will be safe for the time.” He bore her straight to the cabin wall, which seemed planted against the mountain-side. Reaching out, he touched a hidden spring, and a door swung open, revealing a dark openin beyond. Through this doorway he steppe without a moment’s hesitation, closing the door behind bim, Darkness surrounded them, Not an inch could the man see, yet he walked boldly alon as though perfectly familiar with his surround- ings. In despair the woman had abandoned all efforts at resistance. She felt herself borne along through Stygian gloom, and thought she was going to her doom. Finally Flush Font halted. He placed Lona on her feet, but still held fast to her. Then came a creaking sound, asof a heavy door turn- ing on rusty hinges. Once more she was lifted and borne forward a few feet, ‘* Here we are, my beautiful one,” announced Fontray Delmont, as he once more placed her on her feet. ‘‘ Now, if you will remain standing a moment, I will strike a light,” A second later he lita match, Then he ap- roached a lamp, which was suspended before m. Soon a brigbt light illumined the place, Lona looked around and with a feeling of wonder saw that sbe was in a small cavern chamber. A soft carpet covered the smooth rocky floor, and beneath the lamp, which was arc goo in the center of the chamber, was a table, on which lay books, papers, and various things to amuse an idle mind, Near by stood a large easy-chair, Within the chamber was also a couch of blankets and skins similar to the one in the cabin on the cliff, ‘‘There,” said Delmont, ‘‘ try to make your- self comfortable here for a time. I am sorry that necessity compels me to fasten you in here, a prisoner. I shall call and see you often. Within ten days I pope to leave this part of the country forever, taking you with me.” He took down a small tin lamp from its rest- ing-place on a rocky shelf and lighted it, Then witb one last word of adieu, he turned and left the chamber, closing and locking the massive door behind him, Along a winding passage he made his way, descended a flight of rude stone steps and soon swept away the curtain which hung before the opening to another chamber, A giance showed him four rough-looking men who were sitting around a table playing cards, On the table were several piles of coin, plainly indicating that they were gambling, This chamber was also a small one, and was evidently used as a sleeping-apartment, as there were several bunks around the walls. The air of the place was filled with tobacco smoke, for every man had a pipe in his mouth, Tney all looked up as Flush Font appeared, ‘* Johnson,” said the man by the curtain, “ an- other prowler has dropped through the trap into the Death Pit. I wish you would look into the place and see if he is finished. If he is not, complete the job.” ** All right,” was the Then Delmont drop away from the chamber. uff reply. the curtain and turned rt “Ww

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= CHAPTER VIII, ESCAPE AND RESCUE, Down into the darkness skot Iron Fern, the Man of Fire. The trap-door had dropped from beneath bis feet with a suddenness that had not iven him amoment’s warning. Almost before =i knew that anything unusual had happened, he was through the trap in the floor. A gasp- ing ery broke from his lips, and he made one wild ineffectual grasp for the edge of the trap. How far he fellhe did not know. He struck on his feet and was dashed forward on his hands aud knees among the rocks, His head came in violent contact with something and for one in- stant he was stunned. Flush Font’s sneering, triumphant laugh, although it sounded leagues away, aroused him, He was lying on his side, but his head had fallen between two stones in such a position that he was able to look directly upward. Far, far above he saw the square hole in the floor through which he had taken the fearful plunge, Even then he could not tell how far he had fallen, but it seemed a fearful distance. Indeed, it was a miracle that he had escaped instant death on the jagged stones amid which he lay. rr he lookec upward he saw Flush Font’s dark, sinister face as that individual peered vainly down through the trap, He heard the villain’s harsh, triumphant words, then he saw another form beside the trap. It was Lona—Lona, his wife! He saw her as she gazed downward into the dark pit, and he heard her wild cry of: ‘“‘Neil! Neil! where are you?” Vainly he attempted toanswer. His tongue refused to move, and his voice died away ina faint gurgle. Then Lona’s despairing wail came to his ears, and he witnessed her attempt to spring through the trap. He saw Flush Font spring across and catch her in his arms, and then he knew no more for a time. When he again became conscious, he found hiaiself still lying among the rocks, All was black darkness above and on either hand. He attempted to move, and to bis surprise found that he could not stir. Vainly he strug- gled, He seemed bound by some terrible spell. His head felt queerly. It seemed surrounded by an iron band that each moment was drawing tighter about it. | His temples throbbed and his blood poured through his veins like molten fire, Still be could not stir! It was a horrible feeling to experience. He felt that he was going mad, He tried to cry out, but still he could not, He thought that he was doomed—doomed to die in that terrible place. He would lie there among those jagged rocks until he perished of hunger and thirst or that terrible iron band crushed his skull. He thought of Lona, The woman of a beau- tiful face and form, yet with a heart so false, How he had loved her! How he still loved her! And she—after all, she still loved him. While still his lawful wife, she had sold herself to an- other—sold herself for gold! But that other was dead—dead, and she still loved her true husband! ¥ Suddenly a pertect frenzy seized him. She was in the hands of his worst foe. What a ter- rible fate might be hers! Fiercely he struggled to throw off the spell which held him ie hand —and su ed! ; He lifted his head and a hollow groan broke from his dry lips. He moved with difficulty, but his heart was filled with joy because he could move atall. With a great effort he sat up and stared into the black darkness, ‘*Ha! hal’ he laughed, harshly, and_ the sound of his voice filled the place with hollow echoes. ‘‘I live! I move again! Flush Font has not seen the last of the Man of Fire. He shall yet quail before me like the miserable cow- ard that he is,” He attempted to get upon his feet, but at that moment his legs refused to support him. He sunk forward on his hands and knees, uttering a groan of anger and dismay, “What is the matter with me?” he moaned. **T feel so queer! My head swims and my flesh burns. What is this that is crushing my head? Am I dying? No! no!” he gasped. ‘TI will not die in this hole. I will hye—I will escape, and then, Flush Font, beware!” : He Srept slowly around on his hands and knees, He felt sharp, jagged rocks every where, and wondered how he had escaped death upon them, Suddenly he yay with a Gaspin cry. Before him, lying on the ground, he Sine saw the dull, gleaming outlines of a Necnen skeleton. The bones glowed with a whitish, _ phosphorescent light, and the skull was grin- Iron Fern, the Man of Fire. ning in that horrible, mocking manner peculiar to human skulls, He reached out and toucbed it. It moved be- neath his hand, and slid down from the stone on which it was resting. He could not refrain from shuddering with horror. “Some poor devil who has met death in this horrible hole,” muttered the Man of Fire. ‘‘This isa regular death-trap. I believe Iam in the hands of the Vultures, and that Flush Font is their chief.” And he was right. The Vultures were a band of robbers and ruf- fians who had long terrorized the surrounding country. It was thought that their place of re- treat was somewhere near Rocket Gulch, but no one had succeeded in discovering it. Several had found the cabin on the mountain, but usually it had appeared bare and unoccupied. If any one thus far had found it tenanted, he had not lived to tell of it. By the robbers the place was called Vultures’ Roost, For some time previous to the opening of this story the Vigilantes of Rocket Gulch had been so active that the Vultures were compelled to lie low. It was thought by many tbat the bani had been frightened out of the country, but a greater mistake was never made. They were only lying low, biding their time to make a big scoop. Aud while honest people congratu- lated themselves on the disappearance of the Vultures, the robber chief walked unsuspected through the streets of Rocket Gulch. Iron Fern finally crept to the wall of the pit. Placing his hands against: the cold ledge, he succeeded in arising to his feet. **T will explore this place and discover what kind of a hole I am in,” he declared. ‘It is not impossible but I may find a way to escape.” He started slowly forward, feeling his wa along by keeping one hand against the wall Suddenly he stopped, uttering a sharp excla- mation. Fool!” he cried. ‘Why didn’t I think of that before?” Quickly he reached into one of his pockets and drew forth a small, well-filled match-safe, It took but a moment’s time to secure and strike one of the matches. Then he held the tiny light above his head, and peered searchingly around. The pit was small and circular. The dim light showed him that, and also revealed, set within a depression at one side, what appeared to be an iron door. By the light of the dying match he crossed the rocky bottom of the pit and stood before the door. Then the match went out. He quickly lighted another and eagerly ex- amined the door. It was set in the solid rock, and appeared firm and immovable. He tried to open it, and found the effort useless. 1t would not stir, “Tam hopelessly shut into this hole!” groaned the Man of Fire. ‘‘ Unless some one comes, [ shall die here. Some one comes! Who will come, unless they do so to make’ sure that I am already dead? But if seat Se come they will find me very much alive, oe to the man who euters here!” His second match died out, leaving the place again in darkness—black, dismal darkness! ‘What am I to do for a light?” gasped the man. ‘It is terrible to remain here in the dark, I would not mind so much, but a cold hand of iron seems pressing on my forehead, A antag hand that is slowly but surely crusbing my skull. My legs tremble. I never knew them to before. How my heart pounds and my temples throb! I believe I am going mad!” He sunk down beside the iron door, once more feeling weak and helpless, Fora time he lay there, gasping for breath and muttering wildly, incoherently. Suddenly he rose up be- fore the door and beat against it with bis bare fists, He only succeeded in causing his knuckles to bleed, and when the fury of the moment was spent he sunk down once.more exhausted. He lay there a few moments, his head in a whirl. Suddenly to his ears came the sound of heavy footsteps advancing beyond the door. His heart gave a great bound, then he stood still, He held his breath and listened. Some one was lle A gleam of light stole into the pit from be- neath the door. The footsteps paused beyond, and a moment later a key was fitted into the rusty lock. In an instant the Man of Fire was his cool, caiculating self. Noiselessly he arose to his feet, one of his deadly revolvers in his hand. He reversed it, firmly grasping the barrel, and then crouched breathlessly in bis tracks, The rusty bolt turned with reluctance: the heavy door swung slowly on its hinges, Then one of the Vultures, bearing a light, stepped into the pit. Evidently he was not thinking of danger, for he took no precaution, Down came the revolver with all the force that a strong man could muster, It struck the man fairly between the eyes, knocking him senseless to the floor. The lantern which the fellow carried fell oa its side, but Iron Fern quickly caught it up. The Man of Fire bent over the ruffian and looked searchingly in his face. The features were grim and repulsive, plainly telling how heartless was the chosen executioner of the Helpless victims who were unfortunate enough to see the interior of the Death Pit. ‘Hal ha!” laughed Iron Fern. ‘It strikes me that you ran against a full-grown surprise. You expected that I would be killed or disabled by the fall, but I was not. Iam a hard man to kill. Ishall live to meet Flush Font face_to face once more.” He dragged the unconscious man further into the pit, then turned and left the place. He closed the iron door bebind him and locked it. Then he removed the keys and dropped them into one of his pockets. He turned and made his way along a winding passage. He did not go far before be paused at the head of a flight of rough stone steps and listened. The sound of voices had come to his éars, and. a moment later he heard a burst of coarse laughter. ‘“-Yes,” he muttered, ‘‘ I am in the den of the Vultures. There is no doubt of it. But what dolIcare? Iron Fern is able to take care of himself, Iam going to leave this place and woe to the man who stands in my path!” He did not descend the steps but continued along the passage. He soon noticed an iron door set in the wall and similar in appearance to the one to the Death Pit. He stopped and look curiously at it, There was a small aperture in the upper part of the door and through this shone alight, Hé advanced noiselessly and peered through the aperture. He saw the interior of a small cham- ber, and stretched prone upon the floor he ob- served a familiar form, A great cry came near breaking from his lips, Was that Lona? Her face was turned from him, but surely that was Lona’s form. She had thrown herself down in a perfect abandonment of despair, and her dark, unloosed hair lay in a tangled mass about her head and shoulders. Swiftly he noted every rounded outline of that beautiful figure. Yes, that was Lona! Was she dead? The thought struck him mo- tionless for an instant. hat if she was? Perhaps it was better for them both if she was. What was there tolive for? The past had been full of bitterness; would not the future be sha- dowed by the blackness of sin and despair? Producing the bunch of keys which he bad retained, [ron Fern tried them one by one in the lock. Finally, he found one that threw back the bolt. The door swung open and he entered. The woman still lay motionless on-the floor. He approached and stood beside her; still she did not move, Then he bent over her and whis- pered her name, In an instant those dark eyes unciosed, She saw him, and what a_ glad, choking cry of joy broke from her lips. He lifted her to bis breast; her arms were about bis neck, and for one mad, Joyous instant their lips met. © Oh, Neil!” she panted. ‘Neil, my life! my love! You are not dead! You are alive, and you have come to take me from this dreadful place!” ‘* Yes,” he answered, boarsely, “‘1 have come for you—I have found you! e will never be parted again in life or deatb—in life or death!” She clung close to bim and repeated: ‘* Never—in life or death!” ‘*We will leave this cave together never to return,” said Iron Fein, ‘‘ Come.” e placed her upon her feet, but weak with excitement, she could not stand. ““ Never mind,” be said; “I will wy hh fae Here, take the lantern and hold it so the light will shine along the path. With your other arm cling tight about my neck.” Again he lifted her in his arms. Nerved by some strange power, he scarcely felt her weight. She clasped ber arm about his neck; ber head lay against bis, and his derk bair fell all about their sboulders, Then be kore her away along the winding passage, That Magog 4 through the mountain caves seerned more like a dream than anything real. There was but one passage that wound or they knew not where. Blindly Iron Fern fol- lowed it, hoping to reach an opening in time and be was not disappointed, They descended

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- on = -- Sdn —r ert en” net pensrhin th Ro f m * Me eeivean ime e A. Kae, ioe Al ee aa Me? 2 7 = r ‘ Se ; ‘ = - © Iron Fern, the Man of Fire, ‘ing, stumbling and falling, an two rude flights of steps and at last came to an opening screened by thick bushes, Through these they forced their way, and finally found themselves in the open air, just as the full round moon showed itself above the eastern peaks. CHAPTER IX, SAVED—FOR WHAT? ‘* THANK Heaven! we are out of that horrible place.” It was Lona who spoke. The Man of Fire looked into her face but did not reply. They were some distance below the mountain crag on which was built the cabin in the air. The moonlight which flooded the scene revealed How that terrible night passed she never could tell. Morning came and found her wan- dering aimlessly along a narrow valley far from the den of the Black Vultures. Finally she came to a deserted cabin set in the midst of a thick scrub growth. ‘*T am so tired,” she murmured. ‘‘I will rest here. They cannot find me.” Within the cabin a few dead boughs lay in one corner. She lay down upon these, and was soon fast asleep, Slowly the hours wore away. The sun mount- ed high in the heavens, and still Lona slept, What fate directed the footsteps of her bitter- est foe to that spot? How illy she would have Lona, ‘‘I promised thatI would. But he was false! When I failed to escape from the house and meet him at the old church, be married ou. 4 “True,” assented the strange woman. “He married me; yet it is not in Neil Fernald’s heart to be false. I was vailed, and he thought tbat he was marrying you.” A cry burst from Lona’s lips. ‘Is this true?” she a ae “True as gospel. When the ceremony was finished I fled from his detaining arms. In the morning, according to arrangement, he depart- ed for Colorado to look after some mining prop- erty there. To this day he believes that he mar- a narrow path which descended the mountain, rested had she seen the gleaming, triumphant | ried you.” Iron Fern’s eyes still blazed with a steady un- | eyes which peered in at the door! She did not ** And he swas not false to me as I thought,” natural glow and that hand of iron was still | hear the low, suppressed laugh of fiendish tri- | cried Lona. pressing on hisforehead. Wild, fantastic visions seemed passing before his gaze. His face was flushed and his flesh burning hot. ** We will go down,” he finally said. His voice sounded strangely, causing Lona to look swiftly into his face, There she saw some- thing that made her shudder. **T can walk now,” she declared. He placed ber on her feet, but still held fast to her arm. yy they went downward. ‘““Never—in life or death!” repeated the strange man several times, Finally they stood on the brink of a precipice near which ran the path. Iron Fern stopped umph which came from the lips concealed be- neath a dark mask, Unconscious of her danger, the sleeping wo- man stirred and murmured as if dreaming pleasant things, A smile was on her face, and the name of the man she dearly loved came from her lips. How those dark eyes blazed through the twin holes in the mask. adam Mask stcod over the sleeping woman, and in her right hand gleamed a dagger. ‘* Dream of him!” she hissed, as she crouched by Lona’s side. ‘‘ Murmur his name! It is the last time that you will have a chance to do so ‘* No; but you shall never have him, Youdie now!” And springing upon Lona, she once more raised the glittering dagger. At that instant her uplifted wrist was caught by a man who had noiselessly entered the cabin. In a moment the knife was wrenched from her hand, and she was lifted to her feet and sent reeling across the room. ** Just in time to block — little game,” cried Flush Font, as he caught Lona in bisarms. ‘I will take care of this woman whom you seem determined to murder.” Lona had been saved from the madwoman’s and peered over the verge. on earth! e never shall see you again! | gleaming dagger, but might it not be for a fate The moonlight did not reach the valley far | Never! Twice I have failed to take your life; | more terrible tban death at the hands of Madam below. It showed the rocky hights all around | the third time has come, and you shall not es- | Mask? them, but far below was a sea of darkness, cape. Lead has not accomplished the work, but For a long time the man of Fire continued to | steel will!” CHAPTER X. gaze downward. He seemed to be controlled by a strange fascination, and for several min- utes he scarcely breathed. Lona also held her breath. She knew not why, but a feeling of terror stole over her and held her spell-bound. Up from the valley floated the long-drawn mournful cry of a mountain wolf. The sound Again Lona murmured in her. sleep. The words were low and indistinct, causing the masked woman to bend tow in order to hear them. <A light of ere gleamed in Madam Mask’s eyes as she listened. ‘*She dreams of me,” muttered the woman, with the dagger, ‘She fears me, and well she HEART TO HEART, TRON FERN had been seized about the body in a manner that made it impossible for him to exert his wonderful strength. “Vainly he tore at the hands which were clasped in front of him, Vainly he sought to twist himself around so that he could face his unknown assailant. seemed to break the spell, for Iron Fern started | may. How TI hate her! She is so fair—so beau- Back from tbe verge of the abyss he was drag- and began to mutter wildly: tiful! Yet those soft hands committed a | ged, and like wild animals the men struggled on ‘Oh, no; we'll make nofeast for you. You | crime! For all of that, he loves her. He Joves | in silence. Finally they both fell to the ground; are far down—far down. We are not coming there. You are down among the rocks. 8 will not fall‘'upon the rocks, No! no! We'll make no feast for you.” Lona was speechless with horror, for she felt that she was in the hands of a madman. It was plain that something had shaken Iron Fern’s wonderful nerves and made him demented for the time. ** Look, Lona, my love!” he cried, drawing her nearer the brink. ‘‘ Down there lies a beau- tiful sea—the dark sea of death. How fitting it would be for us to -float away together on its bosom !” She looked downward and could discern the dark sea which his imagination viewed as the sea of death. Below the point where the liquid moonlight bathed the rocky steeps with mellow glory lay the gulf of gloom, Again the man ee Dat os es darling, we will never again be parted in life’ or death. The years have been 0 long since we stood hand in hand together, My heart has been bitter with anger and my soul has slowly been eaten by despair. But once more you are mine, I have seen the love-light in your + aig have felt your arms about my neck—I have heard your lips speak lovin “There is only one way to escape fate,” he continued. The law’s iron hand will tear us apart in life, but in death nothing— nothing can separate us, Together we can leap from this cliff into the dark sea of death and be borne away on its bosom. Come!” He seized her unresisting form in his arms and was about to spring out into space when he was suddenly seized from behind and dragged back from the brink, A sharp voice cried: ** You are mad!” J The Man of Fire released his hold on Lona and endeavored to break the weep of those arms which were locked about his . Struggling desperately, the two men fell to the ground. or a moment Lona stood motionless, then in sudden terror, she fled away down the moun- tain-path. On, on, she ran, Sg and gasp- hen struggling up hurrying on, Leena eae OO is her, while I perish for one tender glance from his eyes. But he shall never have her! She shall die!” The gleaming dagger was raised, and the wo- man bent forward to strike, Then Lona opened her eyes, and gazed up at the dark figure above er. A gasping an of fear broke from the threat- ened woman’s lips, and then she struggled to arise, ** Lie still!” hissed Madam Mask, as with her left hand she pushed Lona back upon the dead boughs. ‘‘ Don’t attempt to escape, for if you do, I-shall kill you instantly !” Powerless with fear, she could not but obey. She gazed shudderingly at the dagger held in the masked woman’s right hand, ‘* Who are you?” she gasped. “T am your bitterest foe,” was the reply. ‘*T hate you so that Iam determined to remove you from my path. Twice I have made: the attempt, and failed each time. The third and a time has arrived. Pray, now, if you ever id! “Don’t!” begged Lona; ‘* don’t strike me with that knife! I am sure I never willfully harmed you. Why do you hate me so?” ‘“T told you once,” was the reply. ‘I hate tore the covering from her face, The features revealed were those of a woman of twenty-five or six. She was unmistakably beautiful, yet about her mouth just then there was a heartless, cruel look. Her black eyes were filled with a look of unutterable hatred. “Oh, Agnes!” cried Lona, starting up. ‘‘ Sure- ly you would not harm me! We used tobe such friends—such dear friends!” ‘That was long ago,” was the reply—“ long before he came. I looked upon you as a thought- less child. I did not fear your fair face then. But when he came to see me, you won his love.” “Oh, I did not mean to—I did‘nottry! I don’t know why he loved me.” “But he did—that was enough, All my ar- tifices to turn his attention to me were failures. He was wildly enamored by your baby face, and every effort was vain.” ** Yes, he asked me to be his wife,” murmured still the grasp of the unknown remained un- broken, Furiously the Man of Fire struggled, = every effort was impotent to accomplish his object. ree No, you don’t!” the unknown panted. ‘‘ Lie still, you tiger. You can’t break the grip of Selim Scott.” Those words told that Iron Fern’s assailant was the little detective. How had Scott escaped al when dropped from the crag by Flush ‘ont? It happened that Delmont had dropped the unconscious man directly down upon a scrub ine which grew on a small shelf some distance low the crag. The hardy little tree had broken the man’s fall, and detained him on his downward plunge to death. When he recov- ered consciousness he escaped from the tree, picked a perilous path along the steep mountain- side, and finally reached a place of comparative safety, As luck had it, he was ina position to prevent Iron Fern’s mad act. As the Man of Fire heard the detective’s words he renewed the struggle with redoubled fury. From side to side he dashed, in a wild endeavor to break that strong grasp. Suddenly Tron Fern’s head struck sharply against a large bowlder, and with a groan he sunk back uncon- upturned face appearing white and ghastly in the moonlight. ‘“*He’s a handsome man,” Scott continued “but a perfect devil when he gets started, if would rather the Old Boy himself would get after me than Iron Fern. I believe hat ho is two-thirds crazy. His talk a few minutes age sounded loony.” e bent forward and peng sharply into Iron Fern’s face. He saw that the man was appar- ently stunned in such a manner that he would not soon recover consciousness. *T can’t stop to fool with him,” muttered the detective. ‘I don’t know as I want to, any- way. It may not be healthy for a fellow of m size around here when he recovers. I think —— the woman. ar, But Selim Scott underestimated the strength which terror had given the woman. She cannot haverun He soon words. All the old dead passion has returned, | you because Neil Fernald loves you, He is law- | scious. and never again will we be parted in life or fally mine, yet he cares not forme, You have Releasing his hold, the detective arose, pant- death!” bewitched him!” ing and gasping, to his feet, Suddenly she seemed to catch the wild spirit ‘© Who are you?” ‘That is the worst tussle I-ever engaged in,” which controlled him. Swiftly her fear and “Who am If I am Neil Fernald’s wedded | Scott declared. ‘‘If I hadn’t got a regular horror vanished. What had she to live for? | wife!” death-grip on him, he would have got at me. What cared she for death? Softly she whisper- Lona uttered a cry. And if he had—” ; ‘ “No! no!” she Paneer. “You are not—” He stopped speaking abruptly and shook his g “fe ‘* Never, Neil!” : “Agnes Braddox—yes!” and Madam Mask | head. The Man of Fire lay flat on his back, his , ¥ such a

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10 Iron Fern, the Man of Fire, discovered this as he hurried down the mountain in a vain attempt to overtake her, For a long time Iron Fern was unconscious, and when he finally recovered, he found himself once more held motionless by a spell similar to the one experienced in the Death Pit beneath the cabin on the crag. He could not stir, try as he might. The round moon was riding far up in the sky and the white moonlight fell all around the spell-bound man. All around brooded a pro- found silence, save when it was broken by the cry of a wolf or bark of a coyote. For a long time it remained thus, then Iron Fern finally thought he heard his name spoken softly by some one near at hand. A moment later his disordered imagination saw Lona, the woman whom he loved, bending over him. She stooped and lifted him in her arms. He wondered how she could do it, She murmured in his ear: “* Never—in life or death!” She bore him to the brink of the precipice, and now the abyss seemed filled with the sea of gloom, Near at band on this dark sea rocked a handsome boat. She pointed away across the black waves to where a golden rainbow seemed an arch above the portals of glory, ** See,” she whispered, thrillingly; ‘* there lies eternity and happiness. We will sail away over this dark sea together.” She placed him on his feet and stepped into the boat. Instantly it sunk from sight, and she went down with it, uttering one wild cry which rung in his ears like the wail of a lost soul. Then he tried to burl himself over the precipice, and once more became unconscious. The moon had long ago disappeared behind the western peaks and the darkness which fol- lowed was being Sepeien by the gray light of dawn when Iron Fern again recovered con- sciousness and sat up. He was still beside the bowlder against which his head struck during his struggle with the little detective. He rubbed his head and stared vacantly around. Fora time his memory did not serve him at all, He arose slowly and painfully to his feet and staggered down the narrow path. Occasionally he uttered a meaningless laugh, “Pm going down!” he eeiten, ‘* Dve long been going down! I commenced to go down long ago, when I heard of her falseness. I’ve been going down ever since. Ha! ha! ba! I’m going down!” At times the path skirted the brink of danger- ous precipices, Yet he did not mind, He stag- pores on, at times seeming about to plunge aon, 4 ong over the verge and fall upon the rocks far below. He laughed and even attempted to sing, but the song was a jargon of broken sentences aud mingled tunes; The path led around the mountain and did not descend into Rocket Gulch. He finally found himself in a small valley. Along this he dered, going he knew not where, The morning sun arose to find Iron Fern still wandering aimlessly along the valley. Sudden- ly to his ears came the clatter of a horse’s hoofs, nstinct caused the demented man to spring be- hind a elump of bushes and crouch down. A minute later Flush Font appeared, mounted on a powerful horse, and swept by, going down the valley. The moment he had , Iron Fern arose from his concealment and shook his clinched fists in the air. “Go on!” he cried, furiously. ‘ It is well you did not stop! You area villain! I know you must be my enemy! I knew your face. You are in league with Satan! Goon!” He followed the horseman down the valley. Slowly he wandered on, uow and then stopping to rest. Higher mounted the sun and slowly the minutes passed. All at once he was seized by a wild desire to find the woman whom he loved. He shouted her name again and again, but only the echoes an- swered, “Where are you?” he cried, ‘t Why don’t you answer? Lona! Lona!” He listened. The hoof-beats of a horse com- ing up the valley reached his ears. ‘He is returning!” cried the Man of Fire. ‘He has taken her from me, but he shall pay the penalty, Let him comej” Again be crouched ina place of concealment and: again Flush Font swept into view. But this, time the chief of the Black Vultures was not alone, forin his arms he bore Lona Clay- burn, a helpless captive, The ambushed man saw the captive’s face and his eyes glowed redlier than before. A revolver gleamed in his hand. “Tig her—Lona a9 love,” he whispered: * and she is in the han ‘whelp! of that Satan’s whelp! eee senate I must have a care not to hit her when I fire. I will drop the horse.” Unaware of his danger Flush Font came on. Suddenly a revolver-shot rung out, and with one wild spasmodic leap, the horse fell dead. The man and woman were hurled headlong to the ground. Springing from his concealment, the Man of Fire ran swiftly forward, the still smoking re- volver ip his hand. Flush Font bad struck the ground in such a manner that for the time he was rendered un- conscious, Lona lay beside him, somewhat dazed, but comparatively unharmed, She looked up at Iron Fern as he reached her side, but did not speak, The Man of Fire paid little heed to his fallen foe. One glance he gave toward Delmont, then turned to the woman, ‘* We meet again,” he said, slowly. She did not speak. Once more a feeling of fear stole over her. She looked into Iron Fern’s face and saw something there that made her shudder. He bent over her and fixed his burn- ing eyes on ber face, She shrunk from him. ** Don’t do that!’ he pleaded, ‘' You look frightened, but you need have no fear of me. I would not harm you for the world. I love you too dearly.” ‘*Ob, Neil!” she cried, with a burst of tears. ‘* ‘You are mad!” He passed his hand over his forehead and looked at her queerly. ‘* What did you say?” he asked. ‘‘Mad? Am Imad? Idon’t know, My head feels so queerly. Perhaps I am, but I love you just thesame. Did you bear me calling for you? I shouted your name, and the voices of the rocks and pines mocked me. You did not reply.” She did not look up. Her face was buried in her hands and the tears trickled between her fingers. ‘* Why don’t you look at me, Lona?” he asked. ‘You should not weep—you should be happy, for are we not again together? And we will nevermore be parted—never, in life or death!” But she did not lift ber head. He replaced the revolver in his pocket, and stooping touched her on the shoulder, ‘*Come!” he whispered, softly. ‘* We will go away from here—far away!” She attempted to arise, she even succeeded in getting on her feet, only to sink forward with a ow moan and he caught her in his arms. ‘*T am so weak!” she moaned. ‘* Never mind,” replied Iron Fern; ‘“‘I am so strong. I cancarry you.” He forgot his own weakness of a few moments before. The very touch of her seemed to give him strength, and he lifted her as easily as if she had been a child. Her head lay upon his shoul- der and a sudden calm seemed to come over her, A sigh of content escaped her lips and softly she murmured: ‘*Ob, Neil, my love! death with you is far preferable to life without you!” And with her pulsing heart against his own heaving bosom, he bore her away like a weary child carried in the strong arms of a tender parent. ale F CHAPTER XI, A CAPTIVE AGAIN, ALONG the valley walked Iron Fern carrying the beautiful woman in his arms, He did not seem to feel her weight fora time. He walked along with a quick, firm step which betrayed little of bis recent weakness, Lona’s head lay on bis shoulder and her dark bair flowed down his back. The white, scared look had left her face, and the color was slowly returning to cheek and lip, His eyes were filled with a bappy, contented light. Finally, she whispered: ‘* Where are we going, Neil?” He paused and gazed blankly around. A troubled look came over his face and he slowly shook his head. “T don’t know, he admitted. tell.” ‘* Are we going back to the mining camp?” i 9 he shook his head and replied: **T don’t know.” ‘* He is lost,” she thought. ‘‘ Weshall wander among these mountains until we are exhausted and perish, We will die together and I am not afraid.” Once more the Man of Fire started forward, but now his steps were slow and uncertain. Gradually the weakness of a few hours before was returning. He staggered a little as he walked but still pressed forward, The lifeless horse and unconscious man were left far behind. Finally Iron Fern became so exhausted that “T cannot Reaching a assy spot, screened by some bushes, he placed om on her feet, but her legs were still too weak to bear her weight, and sbe sunk tothe ground, ‘*T cannot walk,” she declared, ‘* Don’t try,” he said, as he sat down upon the he could carry Lona no farther. ground, ‘* We will remain here until the boat- man comes,” “The boatman—whom do you mean?” ‘*The boatman—the dark boatman, who will ferry us over the black sea. He will come by and by and we will go over together. Beyond the dreed sea lies Eternity.” ‘He still raves,” she thought. ‘‘Poor Neil! That terrible fall through the trap in the cabin floor wrecked his reason.” He bent toward her, holding out his hand in a warning gesture. “Hush!” he cautioned. ‘He is coming! Can't you hear the dip of his paddles? He is coming for us and we will go over together, There is happiness on the other shore.” The look ou his face awed her. She gazed at him in wonder. His gaze seemed fixed on some- thing far away and a look of peace and joy transformed his features, She held her breath, not daring to speak lest the spell should be broken. ; Finally a look of disappointment stole over his face. ‘“What makes him so long?” muttered Iron Fern, impatiently. ‘‘He should be bere now. Come on! come on!” he cried. ‘‘ We are wait- “T must try to turn his mind from such things,” thought Lona, ‘‘ How can I do so?” That was a difficult question to answer, At last, she said: ‘* Neil, listen to me.” ‘Be still!” he commanded. ‘‘ Your voice drowns the sound of his paddles. them at all now.” ‘* Neil, you must listen,” she persisted. Slowly he turned his eyes toward her, She did not wait for him to speak, but continued: ‘*T wish to speak of the past—” “Stop!” he cut in swiftly. ‘‘It is dead and buried! Let it lay in its grave.” ‘“‘ Neil, I wish to correct an awful error of the past—one that has filled both our lives with sorrow and bitterness.” ‘* Why speak of it? It can dono good, better to forget it all.” ‘‘But we cannot forget. If we could it would be different. As we cannot, it will be better to know the trutb.” He did not speak, but gazed steadily at her, She took courage and continued: ‘“T thought you were false to me, and I made a terrible mistake by marrying another map.” I cannot hear It is ‘‘For gold! for gold!” he cried, ‘‘ And you were then my lawful wife!” ** No,” she declared, ‘‘I was not. It was an awful mistake, You never married me.” For a moment he gazed wildly at ber, a most incomprehensible look on his face, Then he re- plied, more calmly: “You are right; I did not marry you. You area true, loving woman, I married a false, deceitful girl. How you have changed!” ‘No, po!” and she wrung her hands in de- spair. ‘‘ You must understand! I did not meet you at the old church that night—it was another,” ‘“*Ha! ba! bal” he laughed, hoarsely, ‘It was anotber—oh, yes; it was another! Hark! He is coming! T can hear the dip of his paddles again, It was another! Very true—very true! Listen! Can’t you hear the paddles? Never— in hfe or death!” Once more she burst into tears, He was mad —hopelessly mad. She could not explain about that terrible midnight marriage which had wrecked botb their lives, for he would not un- derstand. She threw herself down upon the soft grass in an abandonment of grief. “‘ Don’t weep!” entreated Iron Fern, ‘* You should not fear bim, for be will not harm us, He is only coming to ferry us over the dark sea together. Don’t weep!” She did not h him,, Her slender form shook with the great agony tbat she suffer- ed. He sat there looking down half-wonderingly at her, The minutes slowly passed, and gradually her sobbing ceased, but she still lay with her face buried upon ber arms. After a time she slept from sheer exhaustion and weakness, Sbe knew not how long she lay there, but when she awokeIron Fern was gone, Shestart- ed up, gazing wildly around her, but no one was in sigh

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x yore ee ; ay %2 RE ay GY Iron Fern, the Man of Fire. ae nes 11. ** Where can he be?” she murmured. ‘'Can it be that he has wandered away and left me here alone?” The thought was terrifying. With sudden strength sbe sprung to her feet and gazed around. There was no one near, “He has gone!” gasped the frightened wo- man; ‘‘gone and left me alone! What can I do? Oh, Neil, Neil, why did you leave me?” With faltering footsteps, and many a back- ward glance, she left the spot where they had been last together. Once more she wandered down the valley. Finally she resolved to call tobim, Loudly e cried: ** Neil! Neil! Neil!” But only the echoes answered: 6 Neil!” ** We are separated,” she sobbed. ‘I fear we shall never meet again. He is crazed, and may spring from the brink of some awful chasm!” Thirty minutes later she sat down upon a small bowlder to rest. Fora long time she sat there looking up at the towering peaks. It was near mid-day, and the summer sun was pouring its warmth into the valley. Finally she arose, and walked onward once more. very now and then she would call her lover’sname. Not that she expected an answer, but some uncontrollable inion caused her to sh do so. Suddenly she stopped and uttered a cry of terror. Up from behind a bowlder not far away arose a fierce-looking man, who uttered a hoarse laugh of satisfaction. “Thar ye be, pritty bird!” he cried, exultant- ys as he stepped swiftly forward. ‘I reckon ough Mose ‘ll gaffle onter thet leetle hundred dollars as ther cap’n offers fer yer safe retarn.” Swiftly she turned and flew away from him. Nerved by fear, she almost flew over the ound, With an angry oath, the man started in pursuit. ‘*Hole on!” he shouted, as he lumbered along. ** Hole on there! W’ot in sin yer runnin’ fer? Tl ketch ye, best you kin do.” He did overtake her, but not until she had given him quite a chase. He grasped her in his strong arms, uttering a panting laugh. ** Rui, didn’t ye? aal, you are some on ther fut an’ no mistook.” ‘Who are you, sir?” gasped Lona. Lona hung back. ‘* No, no! Let me go!” she cried. A fierce scow] darkened Rough Mose’s bearded face and he glared at her savagely. ‘*Cum on, I say!” he snarled. ‘ Ef you don’t it'll be ther wuss fer you. I hain’t ther kind o’ a galoot as stan’s foolin’.” She shuddered and dared not disobey. Rough Mose held fast to the trembling captive, and side by side they walked along. They did not go far before they entered a thick scrub growth and approached the deserted cabin in which Lona had had such a terrible adventure with Madam Mask. The woman shuddered as she recognized the place. The door was standing open and Mose dragged her toward it. ‘* Help! help!” she cried. ‘Let me go, you monster! Help!” “Come along,” he gritted. “I hain’t ter hurt ye. ’ot yer actin’ this way fer? Through the doorway he dragged her and then she sunk helpless on the floor. * Mase advanced to where the dead boughs lay in the corner and with a single kick swept them aside. Then he stooped and lifted a trap- door which had been concealed beneath, A rude flight of steps leading downward into the darkness was revealed. Turning swiftly, he seized Lona and dragged her to the trap, ‘*Go down,” he commanded. **Qh, no! no!” gasped the terrified woman. ‘** Please don’t make me go down there! Please don’t!” He raised his heavy, brutal fist. ‘*Go down!” he repeated. And she was forced to obey. goin’ CHAPTER XII. THE MASK REMOVED, For some time after Lona fell asleep, Iron Fern sat silently looking down at her. veral times he passed one hand over his forehead, and then shook his head in a strange way. Often he seemed to be listening and an eager, expectant look was upon his face. Each time the look eae emg changed to one of disappointment. inally, he bowed his face upon his hands and sat thus for several minutes, At last he raised his head and muttered: “*He does not come. No longer can I hear the dip of his paddles, He has passed us by, Fire wandered on. Finally he discovered a tiny spring which bubbled from the rocks at the foot of a mountain, and soon slaked his thirst. He lay in the shade beside the spring and soon fell asleep. Thoroughly exbausted, Iron Fern slept soundly as the sun sunk behind the West- ern peaks, and the afternoon wore away. The shadows of night were gathering when he awoke, He sat up and gazed around in amaze- ment. ‘““Where am I?” he asked. ‘‘ How came 1 here? Night is coming on and I am alone in this valley. What has happened?” Vainly he asked himself these questions, For the time the memory of the events since his fall through the trap in the Vultures’ Roost was lost tohim. From that time everything seemed a blank, That something had happened since that fatal fall he felt sure; but vainly he asked him self what had occurred. ““My head pains “me,” he muttered, as he passed one hand over it; ‘‘ and here is a large contusion, as though I had received a heavy blow. 1 remember falling through the trap, and after that everything seems confused. I do not know what occurred. I feel as if I had been dreaming.” He arose to his feet and gazed around, “Night is at hand, and I know not where I am. In which direction does Rocket Gulch lay? That 1s a question which I am unable to answer. Unless I am fortunate I shall probably be obliged to sleep beneath the stars to-night. Never mind, I am good for it. 1 bave spent more than one night with the blue sky fora can- opy above me, and with the stars to keep me warm.” He started forward without any definite idea of the direction he would go. He thought that possibly he might strike the mountain stage trail and follow it into Rocket Gulch. Night came and found bim still wandering on. ‘‘Guess you'll sleep on the grass to-night, Tron Fern,” he laughed. ‘‘ You might fare worse. It is better to sleep on the grass than under it—at least most people think so. Hullo! what’s that?” He stopped in surprise, Some distance ahead he saw a light. It did not shine out brilliantly, but was subdued as if coming from within a tent. And within a tent it was, Iron Fern soon decided. ‘* Who in the world can be camped there?” he ‘Me? Waal, Ireckon I’mer tuff olecustomer,” | and we must wait a while longer. It is tire- | asked himself. ‘“‘A p tor or miner who was the reply. ‘I’m ginerally called Rough | some waiting, I long togoover. And yet I |.has madea find in this vicinity, perhaps. Any- Mose by ther as know me. §Sh’u’dn't won- | should leave my bitter foe still living. Why | way, 1 am going to investigate.” der er tarnal te ef Ll war jist er leetle rough | didn’t I kill him when he lay unconscious at my He walked slowly and cautiously forward. ter look at,’ feet? I might have done it, but I let him live. | His trusty revolver was in his hand, and he was “But why do you detain me? What right I was a fool!” on the alert for danger. As he drew nearer the bag Phy to ursue and capture me?” He reached his pocket and drew forth his re- | outlines of the tent ame more apparent. The “Ther rig to’ might, was therreply, ‘‘ You] volver. Deftly he removed the empty shell | tent was closed, and there were no signs of life can’t deny that. from the cylinder and slipped a good cartridge | anywhere about it. The Man of Fire paused ‘You had better release me,” declared Lona. “‘T have a friend who will call you to an account if you do me harm.” or an instant a startled look swept over Rough Mose’s face. He peered sharply around, as he replied: “Thet devil, Iron Fern. Waal, he is bad medicine, an’ no mistook. He laid Johnson out in great shape, 1’ll allow. Ther’ don’t none o’ us want ter run ag’in’ him, but ther cap’n’s offered a cool hund fer your safe return to ther Vultures’ Den an’ I’m a-goin’ ter take ye back or bu’st. If Iron Fern puts in his han’ thar’ll be su’thin’ drap. You hear me!” ‘‘The captain?” repeated Lona. ‘* Whom do you mean? Where are you going to take me?” ‘*Back to ther place ther man o’ ther fiery eyes helped ye out ov las’ nite. Ther hull gang are s’archin’ fer ye, but I’m ther lucky galoot as scoops ther hundred, He must be dead struck wi’ Ne offer so much,” ‘What is your captain’s name?” “Down in Rocket Gulch they call him Flush Font, but—” Lona interrupted him with a cry. ‘Heaven protect me!” she wailed. ‘Save me from that terrible man!” ‘‘Reckon ye don’t love him none too well,” grinned Rough Mose. ‘‘ He’s handsum, but he’s wuss as ther Ole Nick when he breaks loose. He’s er bad man ter bev fer er foe, but I don’t reckon as he’s got anythin’ ag’in’ you, I take it he’s plumb offen his nut an’ is dead gone onter yer gvod looks, By gum! you are a beauchy an’ no mistook.” He gazed admiringly at her for several mo- ments and suddenly a look came over his face that made Lona shrink back with fear. “Td good mine ter do it,” he muttered. “6 Wot dol keer ferer hundred! She’sa beauchy ; no gittin’ round thet. By gum! she’s wu’th five hundred! I'll doit! Cum on, gal.” in its place. Then he twirled the cylinder to see if it was in good working order. ‘IT must find him,” muttered the madman. Pane whispers in my ear telling me to kill him. hy should I spare him? He would not hesitate to take my life had he the chance, Yes, I must find him.” He stooped over the silent woman. Softly he called her name, but she did not stir. “She is asleep,” said Iron Fern. ‘She will sleep till Icome back. I won't be gone long, my darling. He is not far away, and I can easily find the spot. The horse is dead, and he shall lie a Hs by the animal’s side, Then I will return, I won't be long; oh, no, 1 won’t be — hen, asif fearful of awakening her, he stole softly away. Back up the valley he made his way, that deadly revolver cla in bis right hand. His madness had taken another turn, and now he was controlled by a fierce desire to shed the blood of his foe. Aftera time he reached the spot where the horse had fallen,; The animal still lay with a bullet in its brain, but Flush Font was gone, Hie had either recovered and walked away, or had been removed by some one. A terrible cry of baffled rage esca Tron Fern’s lips as he realized that his foe had escaped. ““Gone!” he cried; ‘gone! But he shall not escape me. I will find him. I was a fool to let him escape when he lay silent at my feet! But I will find him,” He burried on hoping to find Flush Font. He seemed to have forgotten the woman whom he had left behind. His one mad desire seemed to be to find his foe and shed his blood. It is useless to attempt to describe bis aimless wanderings. The hours passed, and still he was searching for Delmont. Nooncame. The blazing sun far up in the heavens poured its warmth upon the earth. Tortured by thirst, the Man of within ten feet of the canvas house, ‘“A tent, sure enough,” he thought; ‘and it looks familiar. [ am going to see the interior, or my name is not Neil Fernald. TI will be on my guard, andif any one catcbes me napping, they are welcome to do so. Here goes,” e advanced noms and swept away the curtain which concealed the opening to the tent. A cry burst from his lips as he saw the interior. It was the tent of the masked fortune- teller of Rocket Gulch. The woman was not in sight; but a moment after Iron Fern’s cry of amazement was ut- tered, there was a commotion bebind the cur- tains which divided the tent, and Madam Mask appeared. She uttered an exclamation of sur- prise and joy as she saw the Map of Fire, ‘‘You have come!” she cried. “I hoped you would, Come m.” ‘*How came you here?’ asked Iron Fern, as he still remained in the opening. ‘“‘ 1 thought you were in Rocket Gulch.” ‘* Tt matters not how I came,” was her reply. ‘“‘Tam here. Rocket Gulch is not so very far away. There is nothing strange about the move. But how come you here?” “That [cannot tell. It isa mystery to my- self. You say Rocket Gulch is not far away. Will you kindly direct me so that I may find it? I shall esteem it as a great favor. The woman hesitated. Finally, she said: ‘*T will on one condition,” , “ And that?” ‘*Is that you come in and listen to the com- plete story of your past and future life.” Iron Fern drew back with a haughty gesture. “T bave no desire to witness more of your tricks,” he declared, ‘‘I have seen enough of that fiendish mirror, If you wish to preserve it unbroken take care to keep it beyond my ch, ‘*Tt is not necessary to call the mirror into See We

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docked in her room, 12 Iron Fern, the Man of Fire. use,” asserted the woman. ‘‘I know your past and future, and can tell it to you without the aid of the wonderful glass. Will you listen?” A laugh broke from Iron Fern’s lips. ‘“*T have more of a taste for a square meal than for listeniag to the wild fancies of a brain fertile with money-catching expedients. How- ever, I suppose that the quickest way to get ata square meal is to listen to your talk.” He advanced into the tent, and quickly she brought a large easy-chair from beyond the damask curtains. This she placed for him and he dropped into it with a tired sigb. ** Now drive ahead,” he said. She brought another chair and sat down uarely before him, so near that their knees almost touched. Then she leaned forward and gazed keenly into bis face for several moments, ‘“*Thav’s the same old phiz,” he observed. ‘‘I don’t believe you see anything new there.” ‘* Hush!” she warned, ‘‘Give me your hands —both of them—and listen. First you shall hear of the past.” ‘* Well, touch it lightly,” implored the Man of Fire. ‘‘I am pretty well acquainted with the st and care to hear no more of it than I can elp. Make your story as brief as possible.” ‘* To begin: Your life has been filled with both joy and sorrow. The latter has turned to the itterness of despair. Long ago you loved a beautiful and wealthy woman and your affec- tions were fully reciprocated. That woman loves you just as dearly to-day, but you have learned to love another. The woman’s name was Agnes Braddox, and she was a _ young heir- ess whose father had recently died. Among her friends were some people named Wilson— people who had once been wealthy and aristo- cratic, but bad ‘lost a fortune through business reverses, They had a daughter—a beautiful child called Lona, ‘One summer—on® fatal summer—Agnes Braddox accepted an invitation to spend a few weeks with the Wilsons, Sbe went, and soon she and Lona became fast friends. She little dreamed of the sorrow that would come to her through the beautiful girl. Better for her and yon wopks it have been had neither seen Lona ilson ‘* or some time you had been paying atten- tion to Agnes Braddox, although you had made no serious proposal to her. It was but natural that you should happen in the quiet country village where the Wilsons lived, and of course you met the beautiful Lona, The moment that you saw the heartless creature Agnes Braddox lost your love.” ** Stop!” commanded Iron Fern, ‘‘I have heard enough. You are telling a story well- learned. There is nothing mysterious about that. Insome way you have learned the story of my past life. ho are you?” ‘Listen! listen! You must listen!” cried the woman. ‘‘ITamabout to explain the mystery of that midnight marriage. ‘“‘You soon conceived a passion for Lona Wilson. How the young creature bewitched youlIam unable to say. She wasstill young and her parents were hopeful of marrying her to a wealthy man. Although not poor, you were far from wealthy. A month passed and you were still remaining at Lona’s side, when suddenly you were called to attend to business matters in Colorado, You told Lona of this and asked her to be your wife. She consented, but when you asked the privilege to lay the matter before her parents, she would not bear to it. She was inclined to be wild and roman- tic as well as fickle. it was her fertile brain that planned a midnight marriage to take place at the little country church. She finally over- ruled your every objection, and the ceremony was performed at midnight before the day of departure. Within three months after you went to Colorado Lona Wilson married Mark Clayburn.” ‘Why repeat the story?” said} Iron Fern, huskily. ‘ Already it is written on my heart with an iron pen, You have told me nothing new. _ “True I have not, but I will. Lona Wilson and Agnes Braddox were of equal hight and weight. You married a closely-vailed woman at the country church that night, While the ceremony was taking ace, Lona Wilson was t was Agnes Braddox who stood by your side and me your wife!” ** Woman!” cried Iron Fern, hoarsely ; ‘‘ don’t lie to me!” ‘Tt is true,” she declared, ‘‘ I swear it!” ‘© What proof have you?” ; “Proof? I have the certificate which was leftin Agnes Braddox’s hands, Here it is, and there you see her name instead of Lona Wil- son’s,’ She held the paper up before him, He snatch- ed it from her hands, One glance he gave, and a groan broke from bis lips. ‘Tis true,” he acknowledged—“ true! And you—you are Agnes Braddox!” “T am—Agnes, your wife!” she replied, as she snatched away the mask. ‘Oh, Neil, my husband! forgive me! forgive me! I loved you so dearly!” He sat there like one dazed, staring at her with a wild, unnatural glare. He aid not speak or move, She sprung up and clasped her arms about his neck, ‘* Neil! Neil!” she cried. ‘‘ Don’t look at me in that way! Iam perishing for your love! Do not spurn me now |” He uttered a hoarse shout and sprung to his feet sending her reeling from him. ‘* Love you!” he groaned. ‘‘I would sooner love a viper!” And turning he sprung out of the tent and fled away through the darkness, I CHAPTER XIII. THE DETECTIVE’s DOOM. Down the steps into the darkness went the trembling woman, closely followed by her vil- lainous captor. Weak with fear and despair Lona came near falling once or twice and only saved herself with a great effort. At the foot of the stairs she paused in the darkness, ** Stan’ right whar ye are,” Rougk Mose com- manded, ‘ Ill hev er light in a minute,” He struck a match and lighted a lamp which he found ona shelf near the foot of the stairs. By the dim light it became apparent that the cellar was divided by a rude partition, It was a dismal]-looking hole, and the air was damp and unwholesome, Rough Mose seized Lona by the arm and drag- ged her toward the partition. Terrified beyond expression, she could scarcely keep on her feet. ose opeved a door set in the partition and thrust Lona through, following close behind. ‘* Hyer we are, pritty bird,” chuckled the vil- lain, ‘‘ This here hain’t exactly a palace, but then itll do ter stop in fer a time, 1 don’t pro- pose ter keep ye hyer a great while, fer ye w’u’d pine away an’ die, Ye sha’n’t stay hyer no longer ’n ther cap’n are comin’ ter tarms, but he’s got ter fork over five hundred or he’ll never set eyes on ye. Thet’s settled.” She looked around, It was far from a palace, indeed. Nota ray of light stole in from the outer world, and the air smelled close and musty. A rottea floor covered the ground, and on three sides were rough stone walls. A large table stood in the center of the room—if room it could be called—and there were several stools stand- ing around. There was no other furniture in the place. you don’t want ter be skeered, but “ ow jist keep cool till I cum back,” said Mose, ‘I reckon ye must be summat hungry, an’ I shell skin back hyer wi’ snm grub jist erbout ez soon ez sarcumstances will permit. There is northin’ hyer askin hurt ye a bit, an’ ye hev no cause ter be squarmish, Ef ye feel like hollerin’, hol- ler. "Tain’t likely any one will hear ye, an’ so thet’ll do no hurt.” The woman’s terror at being left in sucha place overcame her fear of theroughman, She started toward him, holding out her hands im- ploringly and crying: ” ‘* Oh, sir! please don’t leave me in this lonel place!—please don't! I sball die of fright! never could stay here all alone!” ‘Oh, yes, ye can,” be grinned, ‘‘ There hain’t nortbin’ to be skeered ov, an’ I reckon you kin stay ef ye hev ter. I tell yeI won't gone long, an’I will bring ye back suthin’ ter eat. P’r’aps Pll take ye out o’ hyer then, so keep up yer pluck. Il leave ther light on this byer table.” He put down the lamp and backed out through the doorway, closing and fastening tbe door. She was alone! Alone in that dreadful place beneath the deserted cabin! Seized by a sudden mad fear, she sprung forward and beat agaiust the door with her fists, calling wildly: ‘Come back! come back!” There was no answer to her wild appeal. She tried to still the throbbing of her heart and lis- ten. She heard Rough Mose mount the steps and close the trap-door. Then she heard bim cross the cabin floor and close the door that they had found open, He was gone. ‘‘Oh, Heavenly Father!” she moaned: ‘* what will my fate be? Death may be a_ thousand times preferable. I hope never again to fall into the vile hands of Fontray Delmont.” Again she was seized by a feeling of frenzy and beat against the door until her white hands bled. For a time she seemed like a madwoman, Suddenly the thought came to her that she was indeed going mad. ‘* Yes, I shall be mad!” she gasped. “If I re- main here long, I shall be as bad as poor Neil. I wonder where he is. He is probably wander- ing through the valleys and ravines, not know- ing or caring whither he goes. If he were sane, he would find and rescue me; but I have no hope of that now—no hope! no hope!” She staggered to one of the stools and sat down, All the time she continued to mutter: ‘‘ Poor Neil! How lwrongedhim! I thought he was false to me, but he only fell into a snare set by that woman—that terriblewoman. How desperate { became when, after Neil’s departure, she showed me the certificate as proof of their marriage! I thought him false to me, and I did a terrible thing by marrying that man—that man whom my very soul abhorred, And then I killed him; but God knows I did not mean to! I gave him the powder as I had done many times before. I never dreamed that it was poison; yet I am a murderess!” She bowed her face upon her arms, which rested on the table, For a long time she was silent. When she lifted her face it looked haggard by the dim light. *¢ A sleuta-hound is on my trail; I am hunted for murder, Mark Clayburn had wealthy friends, and they have offered a reward for ay capture. If death does not come to my relief, shall surely be dragged back there to expiate my crime. I would to Heaven that together Neil and I had sprung from that cliff last night. Our lives and our sufferings would have ended on the rocks below.” She sprung up and paced the floor. The rot- ten boards ta and craunched beneath her feet. She wrung her hands and pressed them to her hot temples. ‘Yes! yes!” she murmured; ‘‘I shall go mad! I know I shall! It seems as though I could bat- ter Gown that wall, yet I know I cannot. would cry for help, but no one would hear me. By and Ly that terrible man will return, Oh, if Neil would only find me!” After a time she did cry for help. Again and again she shouted. She did not expect an an- swer, yet something caused her to call. The minutes became hours, and still she paced the floor, only pausing now and then and resting a few moments, It was more than two hours after Rough Mose’s departure, when she fancied she heard @ cautious step on the cabin floor overhead. She pressed her hands to her throbbing bosom to still the beating of her heart. She held her breath and listened. : “Tt must have been imagination,” she whis- pered. ‘No! no! There it is again!” Yes, this time she was sure that she heard a light footfall above. Some one was crossing the floor, They paused in the corner near the trap-door, and then she heard the dead boughs removed, Some one was coming! Despite the fact that she had been calling for help, the thought terrified her. Helpless with fear, she sunk down on one of the stools and waited. Only by a powerful effort did she pre- vent herself from shrieking madly, She heard the trap-door lifted, and then the person, whoever if was, uttered a smothered ex- clamation, She felt sure that it was not her recent captor; but who was it? Faltering steps descended the stairs, and then she knew that the person was just beyond the rough partition. Still she choked down her de- sire to shriek, and sat staring straight at the door, waiting for it to open. Soon she heard the unknown fumbling with the fastenings. ‘Hang that match!” muttered an unrecog- nizable voice. Then there was a few moments’ pause, after which the fumbling was resumed. Soon the door swung open. With a cry of satisfaction and triumph, Selim Scott, the de- tective, stepped into the apartment. — “T bave found you again!” he cried. ‘“‘ For- tune directed my steps to the spot where I heard your cries for help.” Lona did not speak, Her lips were dumb with despair, and her heart felt like a stone in her bosom. ‘‘ How came you here?” asked Scott. She did not reply. |. ‘Oh, well, it makes little difference so long as I have found you,” he declared. ‘Come, we had better be getting out of thishole. I wouldn't fancy being caught im here by a foe,” He grasped her arm with one hand and lifted the lamp with the other. Then he led her from the place, She made no attempt to resist, but

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Iron Fern, the Man of Fire. 1s yielded herself to her fate. They ascended the stairs and stood in the cabin above, ‘‘] have no further use for this,” remarked Scott, as he extinguished the light and set it down upon the floor, ‘I can’t stop to close this trap in the floor. The individual who left you there will be somewhat surprised when he finds the cage open and the bird missing. The air eb will probably be filled with sulpbury oaths.” a They crossed the cabin floor and passed out of any the door. Barely had they reached the open air when a pistol-shot sounded close at hand and without a cry or a groan the detective fell ) to the ground. Rough Mose sprung into view, revolver in 1 hand. With a gasp of terror Lona sunk beside aN the stricken man, In an instant Mose was bending over the detective. 9 “ Jist in time, by gum!” cried the villain. “7 war bringin’ yer fodder, leetle one; but I reckon ef I’d been a leetle slower I’d hed my trubble fer northin’. I reckon I got erloug sooa ernuff ter cook this coon’s smelt.’ He bent over the detective and examined his wound, “He'll never poke his nose inter my bisness ag'in,” declared Mose. At this moment swift footsteps reached the ruffian’s ears. He whirled sharply, his revolver half-upraised, and an angry oath of dismay es- cages him, : lush Font stood not ten feet away, looking at bim over the barrel of a revolver. ‘* Helloa!” exclaimed Delmont, in evident sur- prise, as he saw the face of his satellite. ‘Is that you, Mose?” “| reckon itis,” was the gruff reply. “Well, what does this mean?” asked the chief of the Vultures, as he lowered his revol- ver, “‘Tt means thet [ found this galoot draggin’ ther lady inter this ole but, an’ salted him on ther spot, or words to thet effeck.” ‘*-You did well, and have earned the hundred which I offered for her return tome. But who is this chap?” Flush Font gazed into the detective’s face, Hy! and then uttered a cry of amazement. als 1 ‘‘Great heavens!” he exclaimed. ‘‘It is the iy detective whom I drop over the precipice at the Roost last night, ow in the world did he escape being dashed to pieces on the rocks below?” “Don’t ask me,” grunted Mose. ‘‘I’ll never ‘* Well, his career is finished this time, sure. We shall not be troubled by him again. And now we will carry this fair lady to the Vul- tures’ Den.” Rough Mose shot an angry look toward his chief, but he did not dare remonstrate. : CHAPTER XIV. A TERRIBLE FATE, HELPLESS to resist, Lona was carried back to the Vultures’ Den. Her captor conveyed her to the chamber from which the Man of Fire had rescued her, Ere Rough Mose left her, he whis- ed in her ear: ‘Ther cap’n sha’n’t hey you fer er hundred, ritty one, Five hundred is less’n you’re wu’th. ‘11 git you away frum him, or my name ain’t Rough Mose.” ; She did not realize the, import of his words, She was powerless with a sort of dumb despair, and a torpor enveloped ber mental faculties, For the time she had lost all interest in her fate, She felt that death was preferable to life, yet could she have killed herself by lifting her hand it is doubtful if she would have made the effort, Within the cavern chamber, Fontray Del- mont placed her in the large easy-chair beside the table. The lighted lamp was still swingin in the center of the chamber. The man stop and, with folded arms, stood looking at the wo- man. Finally he said: *¢ Lona, you are to be my wife. I have sworn it, and Iron Fern, aided by a legion of demons, cannot prevent the marriage, 1 have secured wealth. It matters not how I got it, but when ou are mine, your every desire shall be grati- ed, I am sincere in my desire to marry you, for I love you with more than a passing fancy. Your beauty, the divine lightin your eyes, bas kindled a flame in my heart which nothing can subdue. Only your own sweet self can keep it within bounds,” He paused, but she did not speak—she did not even look at him, Her face was very pale, so pale that it looked almost ghastly. Her suffer- g i telling severely on her, He saw this, and : " “ Lona, I am sorry that you are suffering so much, I hope you will believe me when I tell = 3 : ~ ns Pe Sea Re HSE es ie is ey ~ a IBY TE kee Se Ry eae re ye ge a PST ee al of a a you that I am willing to do everything in my power to lessen your troubles. I love you far too dearly for my own present happiness, but I look longingly to the future when [ hope that true happiness will come to me through your love. It is impossible for you to understand how much I love you. No woman on earth has ever aroused in my bosom the emotions which your fair self has made real. Once before I saw you I thought I loved a woman, but I now know that I misinterpreted my own heart. You and you alone have I ever truly loved.” Again he ees yet she did not look at bim. He seemed disappointed. ‘*T shall have to leave you fora time,” he continued. ‘Food shall be brought you at once. I hope that, for your own sake, you will eat. You must require sustenance. Try to pre- serve your strength.” A moment later and he was gone, Delmont descended the stone steps and soon swept away the curtain which covered the en- trance to the Vultures’ sleeping apartment, Rough Mose was there, silently smoking in a corner, and one of the other men was asleep ina bunk, Flush Font strode forward and aroused this man. ‘““Wake up here, Carl,” he commanded. ‘* Where are Stubble and Johnson?” The fellow sat up and rubbed his eyes, ‘* They have not yet returned from the search,” he answered. ‘Stubble is probably determined to make a desperate attempt to secure that hun- dred offered for the recapture of the girl, and Johnson swears that he will know no rest until he gets even with the Man of Fire.” ‘“Good for Johnson! All that I ask is that he brings that devil to me, I will finish Iron Fern if he ever falls into my power again. \I could crush the life from his body without a qualm of remorse,” And Flush Font looked as if he spoke the trath. He continued: “There is a lady in the unfortunates’ parlor, Carl, and I wish you would prepare and carry her some food as quickly as possible. Have a care that it is something temp‘ing, and be very particular not to cause the Jady any unnecessary alarm. Do you understand?’ “I do, captaia.” * All right, then, be about it.” And, without glancing at Rough Mose, Del- mont left the chamber, Carl burried away to obey his orders. “Go!” hissed Mose. ‘You didn’t stop ter look at me—oh no! You never mentioned thet leetle hundred—oh, no! But thet’s all right. Ole Mose hain’t no fool, an’ you’ll pay five hun- dred fer her. Ther fu’st chance I git, I'll take her out o’ hyer, Five hundred—she’s w’uth er thousan’!” The captive was increasing in value in Rough Mose’s estimation. Delmont retired to the cabin on the crag, and he was not seen in the cavern again for hours. Darkness had lomg shrouded mountain and ravine when the two absent robbers returned to the Den. They came back flushed with triumph, bearing a bound and helpless man, Iron Fern had once more fallen into the hands of his ene- mies, Quickly Delmont was summoned. He found the Man of Fire lying at the foot of the stone steps. Several flaring torches lighted the scene, and revealed the white face and burning eyes of the captive. good fortune I did not expect. How in the world did you do it, boys?” Johnson answered: “We were s’archin’ fer ther gal—that is, Stubbles war lookin’ fer ber, but I'll allow that I cared more ter git my peepers onto this daisy. We hunted everywhar, an’ darkness found us sum’ way from hyer. Jist arter dark we dis- kivered a lighted tent, an’ war creepin’ toward it, ter see w’ot fool war campin’ thar, w’en out jumps this galoot an’ runs plumb inter our arms. It war sort o’ a s’prise, I'll allow: but I reckon he war taken back jist er leetle ther wu’st,. Stubble grabbed him, I had my small gun in my han’, an’ let him hev it quick ez lightnin’ with ther butt, Thet jist knocked him plumb down, an’ ther way we picked onter him an’ trussed ’im up war er caution ter greased wind. Wehad’im foul afore he c’u’d rekiver frum ther thtiimp onto ther cokernut. Then we fotched him in,” *“Good enough!” exclaimed Delmont. ‘ You have dove well, and shall be duly rewarded. Luck has again turned inmy favor. Once more the world moves in the right direction.” Then he approached Iron Fern and crouched by his side. The light of the flaring torches re- vealed a fiendish look upon the triumphant vil- lain’s face. He glared straight into thecaptive’s fiery eyes for the space of a mipute ere he spcke. Then he hissed: ‘* Now, you devil, you lie powerless before me, Your bonds are rong, and you cannot break them, lam your deadly foe. If I saw fit to do so, I could sheathe a knife in your bosom in an instant. One quick, sharp blow, and your life would be ended.” ; He paused and glared down at the Man of Fire. Iron Fern’s eyes returned the gaze un- waveringly. The helpless man neither flinched or trembled. Indeed, in the derths of his glow- ing orbs shone a contemptuous light. ‘You do not flinch,” continued Delmont. ““You even dare to look disdainful; but I tell you now thatere you are an hour older I will make you plead like the most abject coward on earth. Since the moment when you forced me over the card-table to swallow some words I had uttered, I have hated you; but since f learned that you are devoted to the woman whom I love, my hatred has known no bounds. In some way you escaped uninjured from the fall through the trap into the Death Pit, and then you succeeded in getting out of this cav- ern and taking Lona with you. But once more you are in my power, and Lona is also a pris- oner, “Ha! Thatmade youstart! Well, listen; Ihave more to say. Lonais soou to becomemy wife. love her dearly, truly. I shall do everything in my power to make her happy. We will leave this country and find a home far over thesea. I will surround her with every luxury that bu- man heart can ask for. Our home shall become a Paradise of happiness and love. She shall learn to listen longingly for my coming and run eagerly to meet me. She will forget that you ever existed, and all our lives will be overflow- ing ote peace and joy. How like you the pic- ture?” ‘‘Bah!” cried Iron Fern. ‘‘ You are a fool to think such a thing possible! Do you fancy that sh3—pure and spotless as a white dove—could learn to love such a vile serpent as you? Man, T gave you credit for more brains, villain though you are.” ‘*T do not think anything about it,” Delmont declared; I know that I can teach her to love me. I have only to cause her to forget the past to accomplish my object, Far away from the old scenes and faces, with nothing to conjure up painful memories, this will be a compara- tively easy task. Meanwhile, you will be mol- dering in your grave, for to-night you die!” The Man of Fire laughed. There was little mirth in the sound; it had a cold metallic ring, but it showed that the man’s nerves were still wonderfully steady. ‘““You are making considerable talk,” said Iron Fern, quietly. ‘‘ There is an old saying about there beiag numerous slips between the cup and the lip which may apply to this case.” “You think so? Well, keep on thinking, In ashort time you will sing a different tune. I do not mean to kill you at a single stroke, but L shall devise some method of tcrture that will give me the satisfaction of seeing you writhe in agony and groan aloud in anguish of soul, The passions within me are of the most intense na- ture, When I love, I love with my whole soul; when I hate, the bitterness of a fiend isin my heart,” Iron Fern felt that the man spoke the truth, yet not by word or look did he betray a trace of fear. What the strain was on his nerves no living man but himself could tell. He had been well named Jron Fern. Delmont arose to his feet and turned to three of his satellites who were witnessing the scene. Rough Mose was not present. ‘**Men,” cried Flush Font, ‘‘do any of you raise an objection to this man’s punishment? I bave decreed that he shall die.” No one spoke, **Good! It is well that you do not care to dis- pute the decree, Now, how shall he die?” “We are willing to leave that to you,” said Johnson, ‘‘ All that we ask is that he is put out of the way.” 4 “Good again! The executor shall be chosen by lot. But ere he breathes his last, I have de- termined he shall beg to be killed. To forco him to do this, I shall call fire tomy aid. He sball be-blinded by a red-bot iron!” A gasp of amazement escaped the lips of the listening Vultures. ‘*-You have heard the decree,” cried Delmont, waving his hand. ‘Johnson, bring the little blacksmith’s forge and build the Make haste to prepare the gleaming iron that shall

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14 Iron Fern, the Man of Fire, forever burn out the red light in those glowing eyes. My soul hungers to hear his cries an entreaties. Make haste! Make haste!” CHAPTER XV. THE STRENGTH OF DESPAIR, STERN, pitiless as death, Fontray Delmont tood with folded arms while his chosen tools hastened to execute his orders, His dark face was marked by a fiendish, malignant look that was plainly the reflection of his inhuinan soul, It seemed that a legion of demons were dancing with joy within his throbbing bosom. With all possible haste, Johnson brought the forge and built the fire. Stubble brought for- ward an iron rod and thrust it into the dancing flames. It seemed that there was no way for the Man of Fire to escape the awful doom, Delmont watched the proceedings with ill- concealed impatience, his eyes moving from the glowing forge to the hard-set, immovable face of the captive. Iron Fern watched the pre- parations with a sort of fascination, It seemed that he did not realize his great peril, but Flush Font felt sure that the man’s wonderful nerve was sustaining him. **T will bring him to it!” gritted the fiend be- neath his breath. ‘‘I will make him beg, or my name is not Fontray Delmont! The sound of his pitiful cries will be music in my.ears, and will bring joy to my burning heart, When my hatred is sated, then I will give myself up to a life of happiness and love,” And Iron Fern’s heart was crying: “God in Heaven! must I die and leave Lona —my darling Lona!—in this inhuman monster’s great I fear the thought will break me down, ere it not for her, I could better meet my fate. Her doom will be a hundred times worse than mine; and yet I am powerless to save er.” ** Ha!” cried Flush Font, who had been eager- ly scanning Iron Fern’s face.. ‘‘ You are be- ginning to weaken already. Good! I will havo you begging within five minutes. Slowly the iron is turning red—the iron that will sear F boa eyeballs, and for you blot out the light of day forever! With my own hands I will press the gleaming iron upon your eyes, Ah! what a re- venge for a soul that hates as mine!” Delmont’s rough companions shuddered as they heard their leader’s words. They looked at him with awe, and wondered as they heard Tron Fern’s calm reply: ** All signs of weakness are pictured by your imagination, You have ‘seen none, As for begging, were you able to inflict upon me the tortures of the damned, you could not make me do that.” ‘* We shall see,” was the low, fierce answer. Within a minute’s time the iron was gleam- ing red. Still Johnson worked the bellows un- til it changed to a lurid white, Then Flusb Font stepped forward and seized the unheated end. Swinging the glowing instrument of tor- ture above his head, the villain turned swiftly toward the Man of Fire. ~** Ah!” cried Delmont, with a fiendish laugh. ** Now you shall know the depth of my batred! Now you shall be made tocry out in agony! Now you shall taste of the tortures of the con- demned!” He advanced swiftly and knelt beside the pe wag captive. He held the glowing iron within ten inches of Iron Fern’s face. The heat almost scorched the prisoner, yet he did not cry out or shrink away. His hands were tightly clinched, and his teeth pressed together like the laws ofa vise. Within his soul was an un- athomable robes ‘Look around, Iron Fern,” continued Del- mont—‘“‘ look around. Use your eyes for the last time on earth! First comes blindness—then death!” There was no relenting look on the villain’s face—he had no thought of showing mercy. Mercy! The word was unknown tohim, Iron Fern knew that there was no hope that entreaty or prayer would stay the cruel hand. **The last moment has come!” declared Flush Font. ‘Still you do not beg. Now, your eyes shall feel the iron!” At that instant there came the sound of swift- ly running feet, a sharp shriek and a baffled oath of rage. Down the stone steps came a fly- ing female figure, and in amoment Iron Fern rolled swiftly over and over, for the time get- ting beyond the reach of that terrible iron. Rough Mose had been getting in his work. While the others were busy with the captive Man of Fire, Mose had bent his energies in an attempt to leave the place with Lona, The rough had fallen in love with the beautiful woman himself, and had resolved that Delmont should pot have her unless he paid a good round price, It is uncertain who Lona feared the most, Rough Mose or Fontray Delmont. It was but natural, however, that she should improve any opportnnity to escape from the Vultures’ Den, even though Rough Mose were the person who aided her todoso, But when the ruffian at- tempted to clasp her in his arms, she quickly broke away and ran, Fortune directed her to the spot where she witnessed Iron Fern’s peril, With Rough Mose in close pursuit, she fled down the stone steps. Stubble seized her in his arms, “Hold fast, to her!” cried Delmont, as he dropped the glowing iron and leaped to his feet. ‘* What does this mean?” The question was addressed to Rough Mose, who came panting down the steps, For an in- stant the ruffian was unable to reply. ‘* Mean?” he finally gasped. ‘‘It means that thet woman has esca frum the place whar she was confined an’ I’m arter her.” **'You lie!” shouted Flush Font, ‘* You re- leased her, you traitor!” For a moment Rough Mose shrunk back; then a sudden defiant look transformed his facegand he replied: ‘* Hev it ter suit yerself, I reckon ye’r’ about right. I did release her, an’ w’ot’s more, she hain’t goin’ back thar unless you fork overa clean thousan’ in. spondulics,” An instant Flush Font seemed struck dumb with amazement. That one of his followers would dare face him like this he had never ene Finally, a sarcastic laugh broke from is lips, “You r fool!” he.sneered. ‘‘Have you lost your head? You should know hetter than to make such a demand of me, Your folly shall cost you dear.” ‘** Not much it won't,” was the dogged reply. ‘*T’m not afraid o’ you, ye’ll find out. You've had things pritty much yer own way ever since I knew anythin’o’ yer, an’ now I’m goin’ ter utt in a say-so. ou hear me, an’, by gum, ’m talkin’ bisness!” Delmont advanced toward the villain, threat- eningly. but Rough Mose did not cower. In- stead, he drew a long knife and faced Flush Font, snarling savagely: ‘*Cum on, durn ye! Cum on, ef ye wants er leetle picnic! I’m hyer ter stay, an’ you'll find it out arter atime. Thet gal’s mine as much as she’s yourn, an’ I’}] fight fer her!” Delmont paused long encugh to extend his hand toward Johnson and say: ** Give me your knife,” Not for an instant did he take his eyes off Rough Mose, and, with Johnson’s knife in his hand, he advanced oncemore. He was an adept with the weapon, and felt himself fully the mas- ter of his-rebellious follower. Mose stood his erend and the two men met, The flaring torchlight showed a gleam of cir- cling steel, then there was a clash as the two knives met, Then the spectators witnessed a terrific combat, Round and round the men cir- cled, their eyes blazing, and their breath coming quick and short. It is impossible to describe the battle, but Flush Font was the better man, as Rough ‘Mose Rt or pea sim edi the: Wailer.” *T old on, cap’n 6 traitor, guess ye’r’ too te tition I cave |” “Stand up like a man,” gritted Delmont, ‘I shall show you no quarter. This is a fight tothe finish!” Rough Mose did not mere again. He fought like a tiger, but his efforts were unavailing. Flush Font parried every stroke, and gradu- ee step by step, he forced the ruffian back- w Suddenly Mose uttered a groan, dropped his knife, and staggered away into the darkness of a passage. Delmont flung down the knife that had served his purpose, and turned to the silent spectators, ** Tt is finished,” he declared. ‘‘ He has met a merciful fate for a traitor!” No one ventured to speak. ‘* Heat the iron again!” commanded Delmont. ‘The tragedy is not yet ended,” Then he advanced and took hold of Lona’s arm. ** Come!” he commanded, peremptorily. ‘ nu sought to break from him, but he held her a st. ‘Let me go!” cried_the desperate woman. “You are a monster! Let me go!” ‘* Tt is useless to struggle,” declared Delmont. “You must return to the chamber from which that man released you.” oo a I will not!” she screamed, ‘‘ Release your hold!” ** Do be reasonable,” implored the man. ** You cannot stay here, for things will happen which you should not see—shall not see!” She did not repiy, but struggled with all the strength of a terrible terror. He seized her in his arms, and attempted to bear her away. Oue wild ery broke from her lips: ‘*Oh, Neil! Neil, my. darling!” That cry seemed to pierce the very depths of Iron Fern’s soul. Nerved by despair, he seemed suddenly to have the strength of a giant. One mighty effort he made, and the cords which bound him snapped asunder, In an instant the Man of Fire was on his feet. Ere any one knew that he was free, he had snatched Lona from Fontray Delmont’s arms, and sent that individual to the ground with a terrific blow. For one brief instant Iron, Fern clasped the woman he loved to his breast. He found time to whisper in her ear: ‘*Have courage! I will save you, or we will die together!” A cry of joy came from her very heart. He heard it, and for one instant felt a thrill of su- preme happiness, As Flush Font struck the ground his hand closed on the haft of the knife he had dropped a few moments before. He ss ae up with the deadly weapon in his grasp, anda cry of fiendish fury echoed through the cavern, Straight toward the weaponless Man of Fire leaped Fontray Delmont, the red knife held aloft. He had resolved to slay his foe at once. ** You devil!” shouted Delmont. ‘I will have your blood!” “Come on!” cried Iron Fern, as he thrust Lona behind him, ‘I will meet you barehand- ed, you coward!” : ; Flush Font struck straight at his foe’s breast, but, quick as a flash, Iron Fern knocked aside the blow. Delmont was whirled half-way round, and before he could turn, he received a blow be- hind the ear that hurled him forward upon his face. He uttered a proan and lay still, for his own knife had been buried in his breast! CHAPTER XVI, AFTER SHADOW, SUNSHINE, THESE exciting events had transpired with astonishing rapidity, Flush Font’s three com- panions had witnessed the thrilling me without being able or willing to interfere. They had been amazed to see the Man of Fire burst his bonds and spring to his feet, and now they were not less astonished at the unlooked-for ter- mination of an armed man’s duel with a bare- handed foe, They had expected to see their captain strike down the unarmed Iron Fern, but, instead, had witnessed a most unexpected event. ‘Good Lord!” gasped Stubble, as_he gazed with distended eyes at the terrible tableau. Jobnson uttered an oath and reached for a revolver. In an instant he bad the Man of Fire covered, when, swift as thought, a woman sprung out of a dark ge and threw herself in front of Iron Fern, just as Johnson’s revolver spoke. With a cry, the new-comer sunk to the ground. ‘*Great Moses!” exclaimed the startled rob- ber, ‘“‘ I hev dropped a woman!” The unfortunate female was the mysterious fortune-teller of Rocket Gulch! She had heard the noise of the scuffle when Iron Fern was cap- tured by the two Vultures, and bad seen him borne away by them. She had followed them through the night to the mountain cave, and had arrived just in time to witness Iron Fern’s ril, and to save his life by stopping Johnson’s ullet with her own body, hen she fell, she dropped a revolver which she had held as she flung herself in front of the imperiledman. Iron Fern stooped swiftly and grasped this weapon. ‘*Throw up your hands!” cried the man, with the gleaming eyes, as he leveled the weapon at the dismayed robbers, ‘‘ Up with them, or I will bore you!” The deadly glow in his eyes cowed the startled villains. Stubble and Carl quickly obeyed; Johnson alone hesitated. “Up with them!” thundered the desperate man. “Drop that revolver and put up your hands or die!’ No longer did Johnson hesitate, for he well kuew that it would mean death to do so, luctantly he put up his hands, ‘“‘Now you fellow,” said Iron Fern pointin one finger streight at Carl, whom he had a once selected as being the most cowardly of the three, “‘advance one step, Right! Now : { \ / : . = 1%

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ies Le of a mies Si a Se 4 ; 7 be careful how you move, for I am chain Hightnige (oa the shoot and I never miss my me. move the weapons from Stubble’s t and drop them on the floor. Good enough! You are sure that you have not overlooked anything? Very well. Up with your hands again.” Controlled _by fear, the ruffian obeyed impli- citly. Iron Fern continued: “* Now, Stubble, seeing that your claws are clipped, you will accommodate me by removing your companion’s weapons and treating them ashe has yours. You will observe that I am looking at you over this revolver all the time.” Of course the man obeyed. There was some- thing in the aspect of the Man of Fire that caused Stubble to shudder lest he should mis- construe some of his movements. He felt that the least false move sealed his doom. “Now, Johnson, right about face! Don’t lower those huge paws an inch. Walk direct- ly backward till I tell you to stop. There; that’s far enough. Now, Stubble, you remove Johnson’s weapons. Have a care while you are about it!” And thus Johnson was disarmed. ‘Now, gentlemen,” went on the Man of Fire, Me a will form in line facing me, Rightagain! ou fellows appear to be well drilled. Ad- vance!” Straight toward him they came, When they were a dozen feet away, he cried: ‘“‘Halt! Now down on your faces, every man. Lay flat! Be lively about it! That’s proper. Extend your hands above your heads—so, Now lay perfectly quiet. Remember this re- volver and that the one who tries anything fun- ny will get hurt so bad that he will never be able to tell what struck him.” During this time Lona, who had sunk helpless to the ground upon being thrust behind Jron Fern, bad watched the proceedings in a dazed manner. Now the Man of Fire turned to her and said: 7 ** Lona, come here!” a arose with an effort and advanced to his side. “Here,” he continued, “take this revolver and stand right here. If one of the men stirs put the weapon against his back and pull on the trigger. Do you understand?” *“ Yes, yes! But, where are you going?—you are not going to leave me?” “Only fora moment, I will return quickly, dear. Be brave, and do as I have directed.” He was gone. In less than two minutes he re- turned with a stout rope which be had procured in the Vultures’ sleeping apartment. He was surprised to see Madam Mask sitting up and gaz- ing vacantly around. He paid no attention to her, however, but proceeded to bind the defense- less robbers. This task was soon qomplaiads ‘ There,” cried the Man of Fire, ‘‘ those fellows 8 ooo Now I will take a look at Flush ont. He advanced to Delmont’s side and turned him over. As he did so, a groan broke from the wounded man’s lips, his dark eyes unclosed and he gazed straight into Iron Fern’s brown orbs. *Lost!” gasped the poor wretch—“ all lost! The game has turned against me on the last deal! Lost—hbappiness, love, life—all lost!" ‘*You are wounded unto death,” said Iron Fern, quietly. ‘* You are dying now.” ‘“*T know it,” he whispered. ‘ Dying—I know it! 1am going before the Great Bar of Justice! My God! what a crime-stained wretch I am!” “Is therc anything that you wish to say? You have not long to live.” “Yes! yes! I must confess— Ah! heavens, who is that?” S He started up with one hand stretched toward Madam Mask, who was sitting up, a few feet away. The woman’s hands were pressed to her side, and she looked very pale and ghastly. “Who is that?” repeated the dyin ‘‘Not Agnes? Surely that is not Agnes?” ‘* Yes,” replied Iron Fern, with suppressed eagerness, ‘‘ that its Agnes—Agnes Braddox, who has been known in Rocket Gulch as Madam man, kk, “ Merciful Father!” gasped Fontray Delmont, “*T did not know her, for I never saw the face beneath the mask. She is my wife!” “What?” shouted the Man of Fire— what do you say? Your wife ?” ; "Yes; I married her eight years ago, before her father died. The old man opposed the union, but we were secretly married, We re- solved not to make this known till after her father was no more, for we feared that he would disown her if he discovered. After a year I wandered away and have never seen her face since until a moment ago.” oP + + Usage Tiny Le Ss are) Iron Fern, the Man of Fire. **T thought you dead,” said the woman. ‘‘I heard so, years ago. Oh, Ray, I truly thought you dead!” ‘*T shall be dead in a short time,” he groaned, as he sunk back to the ground. ‘If this knife were removed, I should bleed to death in one minute. But I must confess before I die—I must confess!” ‘* What is it that you wish to confess?” * It’s about the death of Mark Clayburn, my half-brother. J killed him!” Such a shriek as burst from Lona’s lips as she fiung herself on her knees by his side! ‘““What do you say?’ she cried. ‘Killed Mark Clayburn—you ? Heavenly Father! Is this true? How can it be? Speak! speak /” ‘*T loved you so!” panted Delmont. ‘I was ready to forfeit my soul for you. HowI hated my brother for possessing you no tongue can tell. Iresolved to kill him. As you know, his de ies forbade him using liquor at at all, ut I sometimes induced him to take a little when he was having one of his ill turns, On the day that he died I did this, and the wine that I oe him was poisoned, Not two minutes after Lleft the room, you entered and gave a simple —, such as the doctor had prescribed. hen it was discovered that Mark Clayburn had been poisoned of course suspicion pointed to you. Before this you had spurned my love, but then I thought I saw a chance to force you to become mine, I aided you to fly, with the in- tention of joining you and making you my wife. It is unnecessary to tell the story of subsequent events,” ‘‘And I am not truly a murderess?” cried Lona. “No, you are not. Iswear it with my dying ' breath!” ; Then the wronged woman uttered a faint cry | and sunk in a swoon. Iron Fern lifted ber in his strong arms and , bore her to the Vultures’ sleeping-chamber. There he placed her on one of the cots, and set about restoring her. This he svon accomplished, No human pen can picture the scene that took place then. Iron Fern finally returned to the spot where he had left his captives and the manand woman of sinful lives, He was not gone long before he returned. “Come, Lona, darling,” he said, “we will leave this awful place.” ‘* What of them?” she asked. ‘‘The man’s spirit has retarned to the One who gave it,” he replied, ‘‘ The woman lies be- side the body and refuses to move.” Iron Fern took a lighted lamp, and together they made their way out of the cavern. They ssed the spot that was still lighted by the flar- ng torches, and na shuddered and turned away her eyes as they went by the two silent figures that lay on the cavern floor. Soon they stood on the mountain crag, beneath the million stars that twinkled in the Bins vault above, SS In the morning a band of men from Rocket Gulch visted the mountain cave. They found that the three Vultures had slipped their bonds in some way and escaped. Rough Mose, how- ever, was discovered in the passage where he had fallen. : Side by side the sinful man and woman, Fontray Delmont and his wife, were found. Both had passed over the Dark River to the unknown shore, and their passionate hearts would know no moreof love and hatred. They were buried within the cavern in one grave. Of the cscaped Vultures, Stubble was never afterward heard of, Johnson met a violent death in Arizona, about a year later, Carl, for- tunately, fell into Neil Fernald’s hands and was taken East to aidin proving Lona’s innocence of crime, he having heard Delmont’s confession. On being released, he at once disappeared. ‘Tron Fern, the Man of Fire,” no more exists. He is now known as plain Neil Fernald, and the beautiful Lona is his wife, All the bitter- ness and sorrow of the past is forgotten and blotted out by the great happiness of the present. No longer do his eyes glow with the red light of fiery passions; looking into their brown depths Lona can see only a light of tenderness-and true love, THE END, — re a A i ie ee ts nas Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. BY WM. 6. PATTEN. 489 The Diamond Sport; or, The Double Face of Bed Rock 519 Captain Mystery ; or, Five in One. 581 Daisy Dare the Sport from Denver. BY MAJOR E. L. ST. VRAIN, 292 Sancho Pedro, the Boy Bandit. 801 Leadville Nick, the Boy Sport. 812 Redtop Rube, the Vigilante Prince. 8838 Krimstone Bob, and His Lightning Horse Quartette, 852 Tombstone Tom, the Arizona Boy of ‘ Sand.” 859 Durango Dave, the Young Chamiion Wrestie s 871 Kingbolt Chria, the Young Hard-Shell Detec¥ve. 880 Avalanche Alf, the Foothills Guide. 890 Jaguar Joe, of the Mountain Mail-Line. BY ALBERT W. AIKEN, 11 The Two Detectives; or, The Fortunes ofa Bowery Girl. 76 Abe Colt, the Crow-Killer. : 79 Sol Ginger, the Giant Trapper. 288 Joe Buck of Angels and His Boy Pard. New York Nat. A Tale of Tricks and Traps in Gotham. 458 New England Nick; or, The Fortunes of a Fouadling, 464 Nimble Nick, the Circus Prince. 498 Taos Ted, toe Arizona Sport. 510 Cool Colorado, the Hal!-Breed Detective, 515 Cool Colorado in New York. BY CAPTAIN FRED. WHITTAKER. 15 The Sea-Cat; or, The Witch of Darien. 29 The Dumb P. of Bid The Doge’s Daughter. 48 Dick Darling, the Pony Express Rider. 150 Lance and Lasso; or, The Children of the Chaco. 154 The Sword Hunters; or, The Land of the Elephant Riders, 159 The Lost Captain; or, Skipper Jabez Coffin’s Cruise to the Open Polar Sea. 200 The Boy Bedoutns; or, The Brothers of the Plumed Lance, 214 Wolfgang, the Robber of the Rhine. 249 wile Romer, the Animal King; or, The Round the World anderer. 265 The Tiger, Tamer ; or, The League of the Jungle. 881 Black Nick, the Demon Rider. 895 California Joe’s War Trail. BY GEORGE WALDO BROWNE. 86 Dandy Rock the Man from Texas. 90 The Drend Rider; or, The Texan Duelist. 99 The Tiger of Tuos; or, Dandy Rock’s Angel. 16 The Mad Miner; or, Dandy Rock’s Doom, 1 The Golden Hand; or, Dandy Rock to the Reseue, 1 18 164 Dandy Rock’s Pledge ; or, Hunted to Death. 178 Dandy Rock’s Rival; or, The Haunted Maid of Taos, BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID. 78 Blue Dick: or, The Yellow Chiefs Vengeance. 87 The Land Pirates; or, The League of Devil’s Island, 187 The Helpless Hand; or, Backwoods Retribution. 289 The Gold-seeker Guide; or, The Lost Mountain. BY MAJOR HENRY B. STODDARD, Ex-Scout, 806 Neck-Tie Ned; or, The Dug-Out Pards, 846 Rapier Raphects or, The Swordsmen of Zacatecas, 891 Kid-Glove Kit, the Dandy of the Rockies, 898 Kid-Glove Kit and Pard; or, The Gold King. 406 The Mad Man-Ilunter; or, The Mystery of Golden Gulch. 505 Powell’s Pard; or, The One-Armed Giant. BY BRACEBRIDGE HEMYNG. 89 Ialand Jim; or, The Pet of the Family. 91 The Captain of the Club; or. The Rival Athletes. 101 Jack HMarkaway in New York. MISCELLANEOUS AUTHORS, 4 The Wild-Horse Hunters, By Capt. Mayne Reid and Frederick Whittaker, 9 Adventures of Baron Munchausen, 12 Gulliver’s Travels. By Dean Swift. 14 Aladdin; or, The Wonderful Lam 16 Robinson Crusoe. (27 Tilnetrations.) 18 Sindbad the Sailor. His Seven Voyages. 22 t Jo Sea Serpent; or, The Boy Robinson Crusoe. By Juan wis. 88 The Ocean Bloodhound; or, The Red Pirates of the Carribees. By 8, W. Pierce. ’ 86 7 Boy Clown; or, The Queen ofthe Arena. By Frank e nn. 88 Ned Wylde, the Boy Scout. By Texas Jack. 51 The Boy Rifles; or, The Underground Camp, By Archie C, Irons. 95 The Rival Rovers; or, The Freebooters of the Mississippt. By Lieut.-Col. Hazeltine. 98 Robin Hood, the Vutlawed Earl; or, The Merry Men of Green- wood. us bags Gildersleeve. 105 Old Rube, the Hunter; or, The Crow Captive. By Captain Hamilton Holmes. 112 The Mad Hunter; or, The Cave of Death. By Burton Saxe. 124 Tippy, the Texan; or, The Young Champion. By George epson. 128 The Young Privateer; or, The Pirate’s Stronghold. By arry Cavendish. 148 Sharp Sam; or, The Adventures of a Friendless Boy, By J. Alexander Patten. 227 Dusky Darrell, Trapper: or, The Green Ranger of the Yel- lowstone. By Edward Emerson. 261 Fergus Fearnaught the New Y irk Boy. By George L, en. 266 Killb’ar, the Guide; or, Davy Crockett’s Crooked Trail. By Ensign C, D. Warren. 298 Red Claw, the One-Eyed Trapper; or, The Maid of the Cliff. By Captain Comstock. ~~ 817 Peacock Pete, the Lively Lad from Leadville. By Lieu- tenant Alired Thorne. 828 The Sky We*ective; or, A Boy’s Fight for Life and Honos By Maior Mickey Free. 850 Ked Ralph, the River Rovers or, The Brother’s Re- venge. By Ned Bun tline. 865 Baltimore Ren the Bootblack Detective. By A. P. Morris, - 874 Gold-Dust Tom; or, Ben’s Double Match. ‘By George H.’ Morse. ; 876 California Joe’s First Trail, By Colonel Thomas A18 Billy Bombehell, th By F. S. Winth y_ Bombshell, the Cliff Climber. . 8. throp. 4%5 The Black Ship. By John S, Warner. 484 Comanche Dick and His Three Invincibles, By Henry J. Thomas. 4 br, ae ee ae _— “A B _ F. Holt, e Cow uke. win ‘orrest, 552 Ariel, the Athletes By David Druid. A New Issue Every Tuesday. ‘ The Half-Dime Lib is fe le by ail newsdealers, eonte por copy, or sent by mail oo acaba iit cists each. vy BEADLE ANP ADAME, Publishers, 98 William Street, New Yérk,

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BEADLE'S« H ALF- [IME* LIBRARY. Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at tne Uniform Price of Five Cents. No Double Numbers. Mir ae | a BY EDWARD L, WHEELER, Deadwood Dick Novels. 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. 20 Double Daggers + or, Deadwood Dick’s Defiance, 28 Buffalo Hen; or, Deadwood Dick in Disguise. 85 Wila Ivan, the Boy Claude Duval. 42 Phantom Miner; or, Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza, 49 Omaha at or, Deadwood Dick in Danger. 57 Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar, 78 Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity Jane, the Heroine, 7% Cordugoy Charlie; or, Deadwood Dick’s Last Act, 100 Deadwood Dick in Leadville. 104 Deadwood Dick’« Device; or, The Double Cross Sign. 109 Deadwood Dick as Detective. 129 Deadwood Dick’s Double; or, The Ghost of Gorgon’s Gulch. 188 Blonde Bill; or, Deadwood Dick’s Home Base. 149 A Game of Gold; or, Deadwood Dick’s Big Strike. 156 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood; or, The Picked Party. 195 Deadwood Dick’s« Dream; or, The Rivils ef the Road. 201 The Black Hills Jezebels or, Deadwood Dick’s Ward. 205 Deadwood Dick’s Doom; or, Calamity Jane’s Last Ad- venture. 217 Captain Crack-Shot, the Girl Brigand. 221 Sugar-Coated Sam; or, The Black Gown, 282 Gold-Dust Dick. A Romance of Roughs and Tougha, 268 Deadwood Dick’s Divide; or, The Spirit of Swamp Lake. 268 Deadwood Dick’s Death Trail. 809 Deadwood Dick’s Big Deal; or, The Gold Brick of regon. 821 Deadwood Dick’s Dozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats. 847 Deadwood Dick’s Ducats; or, Rainy Days in the Dig- ings. B51 Deotweel Dick Sentenced}; or, The Terrible Vendetta. 862 Roakvont Dick’s Claim; or, The Fairy Face of Faro ats. 405 Deadwood Dick in Dead City. 410 Deadwood Dick’s Diamonds; or, The Mystery of Joan Porter. 421 Deadwood Dick in New York; or, A “ Cute Case,” 480 Deadwood Dick’s Dust; or, The Chained Hand, 448 Deadwood Dick, Jr. 448 Nickel-Plate Ned; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Defiance. 458 Sunflower Sam, of Shasta; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Full Hand, 459 Flush Fan, the Ferret; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Big Ronnd- Up. 465 Philo Fly, of Phenix; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Racket at aim . 471 Bozeman Bill; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Corral. 476 Humboldt Harry, the Hurricane; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Dog Detective. 481 Moll Mystery; or, Deadwood Dick Jr. in Deadwood, 491 Prince Pistol, the King of the West; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Compact. 496 Monte Cristo, Jr.: or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Inheritance. 500 Deadwood Dick’s Magings ; or, Dr. Death-Grip’s Sweop. 508 Deadwood Dick’s Deliverance, 515 Deadwood Dick’s Protegee. 522 Deadwood Dick’s Three. . 529 Deadwood Dick’s Danger Ducks, 584 Deadwood Dick’s Death Hunt, 539 Deadwood Dick Jr., in Texas. 544 Deadwood Dick, Jr., the Wild West Vidoog. 549 Deadwood Dick on His Mettle. 554 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Gotham, 561 Deadwood Dick in Boston, 567 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Philadelphia. 572 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Chicago. P Other Novels by E. L. Wheeler. 26 Cloven Hoof, the Buffalo Demon, 82 Bob Woolf; or, The Girl Dead-Shot. 89 Death-Face, Detective; or, Life in New York, 45 Old nae fy or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand, 58 Jim Bludsoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix. 61 Buckhorn BIL; or, The Red Rifle Team, 69 Gold Rifle, the Peete or, The Boy Detective, 80 Rosebud Rob Ms ugget Ned, the Knight. 84 Tdyl, the Girl Miner; or, Rosebud Rob on Hand, 88 Phetograph Phil; or, Rosebud Rob’s Reappearance, 92 Canada Chet ; or, Old Anaconda in Sitting Hull's Camp, 6 Watch-Eye 3; or, Arabs and Angels of a Great City, 8 Jack Hoyle the Young Speculator. 7 Gilt-Edged Dick, the Sport Detective 1 Cinnamon Chip, the Girl Sport. 5 Bonanza Bill, Miner. 8 Boss Bob the King of Bootblacks, 1 Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent. Captain Ferret, the New York Detective; or, Boss Bob’s 088 JOD. New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective. Nobby Nick of Nevada; or, The Sierras Scamps, rank, the Buckskin Bravo, Fritz, the Bound-Boy Detective. Fritz to the Front; or, The ot ge Hunter, 26 Snoozer, the Boy Sharp; or, The Arab Detective, 286 Apollo Bill, the Trail Tornado. 240 Cyclone Kit, the Young Gladiator. 244 Sferra Sam, tho Frontier Ferret. 248 Sierra Sam’s Secret; or, The Bloody Footprints, 258 Sierra Sam’s Pard; or, The Angel of Big Vista, 258 Slerra Sain’s Seven; or, The Stolen Bride. 278 Jumbo Joe, the Boy Patro); or, The Rival Heirs, 277 Denver Doll, the Detective Queen. 281 Denver Doll's Victory. 255 Denver Doll’s Decoy 3 or. Little Bill’s Bonanza, 291 Turk, the Boy Ferret. 296 Denver Doll’s Drift; or, The Road Queen. 299 A No. 1, the Dashing Toll-Taker. 808 *Liza Jane, the Dir! Miner; or, the Iron-Nerved Sport, 825 Kelley, Mickey & Co., the Detectives of Philadelphia, 880 Little Quick-Shot; or, The Dead Face of Daggersville, 884 Kangaroo Kit; or, The Mysterious Miner, 889 Kangaroo Kit’s Racket. 848 Manhattan Mike, the Bowery Blood, 858 First-Class Fred, the Gent trom Gopher. 8658 Tineke Jim, the Gold-Gatherer}3 or, The Lottery of Ate 872 Yreka Jim’s Prize. 878 Nabob Neds or, The Secret of Slab City. BS2 Cool Kit, the King of Kids; or, A Villain’s Vengeance, 885 Yreka Jim’s Joker; or, The Rivals of Red Nose, 889 Bicycle Ben; or. The Lion of Lightning Lode, 894 Yreka Jim of Yuba Dam, 400 Wrinkles, the Night-Watch Detective. 416 High Wat Harry, the Base Ball Detective. 426 Sam Slabaidea, the Beggar-Boy Detective. 484 Jim Beak pes | Pal, Private Detectives. 488 Santa Fe Sal, the Slasher. 486 Sealskin Sam, tho Sparkler. BY BUFFALO BILL (Hon. Wm. F. Cody) 8 Kansas King; or, The Red Right Hand, is Bs Phantom Spy : or, The Pilot of the Prairie. 1 ad BNA . esa

Deadly-Eye, the Unknown Scout. Border Robin Hood; or, The Prairie Rover. Fancy Frank of Colorado} or, The Trapper’s Trast, EE SS eee i BY CHARLES MORRIS, 118 Will Somers, the Boy Detective, 122 Phil Hardy, the Boss Boy. 126 Picayune Pete 3 or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detective. 180 Detective Dick; or, The Hero in Rags, 142 Handsome Harry, the Bootblack Detective, 147 Will Wildfire, the Thoroughbred. 152 Black Beas, Will Wildfire’s Racer. 157 Mike Merry, the Harbor Police Boy, 162 Will Wildfire in the Woods. 5 Billy Baggage, the Railroad Boy, 0 A Trump Card; or, Will Wildfire Wins and Loses, 4 Bob Rockett; or, Mysteries of New York, 9 Bob presets the Bank Runner, 8 The Hidden Hand Fat Will Wildfire’s Revenge. 7 Fred Halyard, the Life Boat Boy; or, The Smugglers, 9 Bob Rockett; or, Driven to the Wall. 96 Shadowed ; or, Bob Rockett’s Fight for Life, 206 Dark Paul, 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 * Bloods”; or, Shenandoah Bill and His Gang. 252 Dick Dashaway ¢ or, A Dakota Boy in Chicago. 262 The Young Sharps; or, Rollicking Mike’s Hot Trail. 274 Jolly Jim, the Detective Apprentice. 289 Jolly Jim’s« Job; or, The Young Detective. 208 The Water-Mound; or, The Young Thoroughbred. 805 Deshawaye of Dakota; or, A Western Lad in the Quaker sity. 824 Ralph Ready, the Hotel 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 Firefly Jack, the River-Rat Detective. 423 The Lost Finger 5 or, The Entrapped Cashier, 428 Fred Flyer, the Reporter Detective. 482 Invincible Lo an, the 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, 5666 The Secret service Boy Detective. 16 17 1% 17 18 18 18 1 BY OLL COOMES. 5 Vagahond Joe, the Young Wandering Jew, 18 The Dumb Spy. 27 putclope Abe, the Boy Guide. 81 Keen-Knife, 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 Hawk-eye Harry the Young Trapper Ranger, 88 Rollo, the Boy Ranger. 184 Sure Shot Seth, the Boy Rifleman. 148 Scar-Face Saul, the 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, thé | Captain. 202 Prospect Pete ; or, The Young Outlaw Hunters. 208 The Boy Hercules: or, The Prairie Tramps. 218 Tiger Tom, the Texas Terror, 224 Daching Dicks or, Trspper Tom’s Castle, 228 Little Wildfire, the Young Prairie Nomad. 288 The Parson Detectives or, The Little Ranger. 248 The Diaguised 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. 80® The Sky Demon ; or, Rninbolt, the Ranger. 884 Whip-King Joe, the Boy Ranchero. 409 Hercules; or, Dick, the Boy Ranger. 417 Webfoot Mose, the Tramp Detective, 422 Baby Sam, the Boy Giant of the Yellowstone. 4d Little Buckskin, tne Young Prairie Centaur. 457 Wingedfoot Fred; or, Old Polar Saul, 468 Tamarac ‘l'om, the Big Trapper Boy: 478 Old Tom Rattler, the Red River Epidemic, 482 Stonewall Bob, the Boy Trojan, 562 Blundering Basll, the Hermit Boy Trapper, BY T. ©. HARBAUGH. 28 Nick o’ the Night; or, Th» Boy Spy of ’76. 87 The Hidden Lodge}; or The Little Hunter, 47 Nightingale Nat), or, Tne Forest Sere 64 Dand Sack 3 or, The Outlaws of the Oregon Trail, $2 Kit Warefovt the Wood-Hawk. 94 Midnight Jack; or, The Boy Trapper. 106 Old Frosty, the Guide; or, The White Queen, 128 Kiowa Charley the White Mustanger. 189 tudes Lynch, Jr.: or, The Boy Vigilante. 155 Gol Trig, er, the Sport; or, The Girl Avenger, 169 Tornado Tom; or, fajun Jack From Red Core, 188 Ned Temple, the Border Boy. 198 Arkansaw ¢ or, The Quen of Fate’s Revenge. 207 Navajo Nick, the Boy Gold Hunter. 215 Captain Bullet; or, Little Topknot’s Crusade. 281 Plucky Phil; or, Rosa, the Re | Jezebel. 241 Bill Bravo; or, Tie Roughs of the Rockies. 255 Captain Apeli., te King-Pin of Bowle. 267 The Buckskin Detective. 279 Old wipeh or, The Buckskin Deaperadoes. 294 ye Yan; or, The Bowle Blade of Cochetopa, 802 The Mountain Detective; or, The Trigger Bar Bully, 816 Old Eclipse, Trump Card of Arizona, 826 The Ten Pards;: or. The Terror of Take-Notice. 886 Big Benson; or, The Queen of the Lasso. 845 Pitileas Matt; or, Red Thunderbolt’s Secret, B56 Cool Sam und Par; ov The Terrible Six. 866 Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective. 886 Captain Cutlass; or, '! he Bsccaneer’s Girl Foe. 896 Rough Rob; or, The (win Champions of Blue Blazes, 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, the New York Fox. 445 The City Vampires; or, Ked Rolfe’s Pigeon, 461 One Against Fifty ; or, ‘The Last Man of Keno Bar, 470 The Boy Shadow ; or, Felix Fox’s Hunt. 477 The Excelsior Sport; or, The Washington Spotter, 499 Single Sight, the One-E£yed Sport. 502 Branded Ben, the Night Ferret. 512 Dodger Dick, the Wharf-Spy Detective. 521 Dodger Dick’s Best Dodge. Ee ns Gad Falcon, = pene Shadows. & Dodger Dick, the Dock Ferret, 548 Dodger Dick’s Double; or, The Rival Boy Detectives, 558 Dodger Dick’sa Desperate Case., 568 pedier Dick, the Boy Vidocq. 578 The Two Shadows. BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM. 7 The Flying Yankee}; or, The Ocean Outcast. 17 Ralph Roy, the Boy Buccancer; or, The Fugitive Yacht, 24 Diamond Dirk; or, The Mystery of the Waleddena 62 The Shadow Ship; or, The Rival Lieutenants. %5 The Boy Duelist; or, The Cruise of the Sea-Wolf, 102 Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy Smuggier. 111 The Sea-Devil; or, The Midshipman’s Legacy. 116 The Hussar Captain ; or, ‘The Hermit of Hel! Gate. 197 Little Grit; or, Bessie, the Stock-Tender’s Daughter. 204 Gold Plume; or, The Kid-Glove Sport, 216 Bison BILL, the Prince of the Reins, 222 Grit, the Bravo Sport 3 or, The Woman Trailer. 229 Crimson Kate; or, The Cowboy’s Triumph, 287 Lone Star, the Cowboy Captain. 245 Merle the Middy § or, The Freelance Heir. 250 The Midshipman Mutineer ; or, Brandt, the Buccaneer. 264 fre Floating Feather; or, Merle Monte’s Treasure sinnd, . 269 The Gold Ship; or, Merle, the Condemned, 276 merle Monte’s Cruise; or, The Chase of “The Gold on Pp. 280 Merle Monte’s Fate; or, Pearl, the Pirate’s Bride, 284 The Sea Marauder; or, Merle Monte’s Pledge, 287 Billy Blue-Eyes, the Boy Rover of the Rio Grande. 804 The Dead Shot Dandy ; or, Benito, the Boy Bugler, 808 Keno Kit; or, Dead Shot I andy’s Double. 814 ae Mysterious Marauder; or, The Boy Bugler’s Long Trail, 877 Bonodel, the Boy Rover; or, The Flagless Schooner. 888 The Indian Pilot; or, The Search for Pirate Island. 887 Warpath WIL, the Boy Phantom. 898 Seawalf, the Boy Lieutenant. 402 Isodor, the Young Conspirator ; or, The Fata! Leagues 407 The Boy Insurgent; or, The Cuban Vendetta. 412 The Wild Yachtamans; or, The War-Cloua’s Cruise, 429 Duncan Dare, the Boy Refugee. 488 A Cabin Boy's Luck; or, The Corsair. 487 The Sea Raider. 441 The Ocean Firefly 3 or, A Middy’s Vengeance. 446 Haphazard Marry; or, The Scapegrace of the Sea, 450 Wizard Will: 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 Coaster. 474 Flora; or, Wizard Will’s Vagationd Pard. 488 Ferreta Afloat; or, Wizard Will’s Last Case. A487 Nevada Ned, the Revolver Kanger. 495 Arizona Joe the Boy Pard of Texas Jack. 49T Buck Taylor, King of the Cowboys. 508 The Royal Middy ; or, The Shark and the Sea Cat, 507 The Hunted Midshipman, 511 The Outlawed Middy. 520 Buckskin Bill, the Comanche Shadow, 525 Brothers iu Buckskin, 580 The Buckskin Bowers. 585 The Bue skin Rovers. 540 Captain Ku-Klux, the Marauder ot the Rio. 545 Lieutenant Leo, the Son of Lafitte. 550 Lafitte’s Legacy: or. ThepAvenging Son, 555 The Creole Corsair. 560 Pawnee BIIl, the Prairie Shadower. 565 Kent Kingdon, the Card King. 570 Camille, the Card Queen, 575 The Surgeon-Scout Detective, LATEST AND NEW ISSUES. 577 Pavement Pete, the Secret Sifter, By Jo Pierce. 578 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Afloat. By Edward L. Wheeler 579 The Chimney Spy; or, Broadway Billy’s Surprise-Party” By J. C. Cowdrick. 580 The Outcast Cadet; or, The False Detective. By Col. Prentiss Ingrabam. 581 Donble-Curve Dan, the Pitcher Detective, By George C, Jenks. 582 Dodger Dick’s Drop. By T. C. Harbaugh: 588 Saffron Sol, the Man With a Shadow, By Lieut. A. K. Sime, 584 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Denver, By Ed. L. Wheeler, 585 Will Waters, the Boy Ferret. By H, Enton. 586 The Buckskin Avenger. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, 587 Old Bombshell, the Ranger Detective. By Wm. G. Patten, B88 Jack-o’-Lantern, the Under-Sea Prospector. By Jo Pierce, 589 Tom-Cat and Pard; or, The Dead Set at Silver City, By Lieut. A. .K. Sims. 590 Deadwood Dick, Jr’s., Decree. By E. lL. Wheeler, 591 Delmonte, the Young Sea-Rover. By Col. P Ingraham, 592 The Boy Pinkerton. By J. C. Cowdrick. ; 598 Keen Clem, the Ranch Imp. By P. S. Warne, 594 Little Lon, the Street-Singer Detective. By T. C. Harbaugh. 595 Pogtwoot Dick Jr. in Beelzebub’s Basin. By E. peeler, 596 Jimmy the Kid; or, A Lamb Among Wolves. By Chas, Morris. BYT The Young Texan Detective. By Col. P. Ingraham, 598 Flute, the Singer Detective. By Geo. C. Jenks. 599 Jim Dandy, the No-Name Sport. By P. S. Warne. 600 Bendwood Dick Jr. at Coney Island. By Edward L. heeler. 601 Ha Mana, the Dutch Vidocq; or, Red-Hot Times at Rows Up. By Lieut. A. K. Sims, atte 602 The Vagabond of the Mines. By Co]. P. Ingraham. 608 Wide-Awake Bert, the Street-Steerer. By Jo. Pieree. 604 Lron Fern, the Man of Fire. By Wm. G. Patten, Ready February 19. 605 William 0’ Broadway; or, The Boy Detective’s Big In- ning. By J. C. Cowdrick. Ready February 26 606 Deadwood Dick Jr’a Leadville Lays; or, Bristol and Bneket’s oom. By E. L. Wheeler, Ready March 5. 607 The Rover Detective; or, Keno Kit’s Champions. By Col. P. Ingraham. Ready Mareh 12. 608 The Pitcher Detective’s Foll; or, Double Curve Dan’s Double Play. By Geo. C. Jenks. Ready March 19, 609 Bolly Dorrit, the Veteran Detective; or, Little Lightning’s. Invineiles, By John W. Osbon, Ready March 26, A New Issue Every Tuesday, The Half-Dime Library is for sale by all newsdealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each, BEADLE AND ADAMB, Publishers, 98 William Street, New Yerks ©