Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 692) (1890 10 28)
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Eo a LOL a .s py ee Pe lalalalalalalallalalalalatalaly s CF y x 3 ; ae rood TOT = rece er ne - “a \ az : , ; ” MMW AY AAA Ws wT WS al si 2 \ mm. Wi \ AN ll co f _ NOAA 0 Mi AS NS Entered at the Post Office at New York. N. Y., at Second Class Mail Rates. Copyright 1890, by BEADLE AND ADAMS, October 28, 1890. $2.50 PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS. Price, No. 692. a Year. No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. 5 Cents. Vol. XXVIL. IP Ny a ee CE ee if , Uy ii) i OR, SS Redfern, the Seoret Service Scout. A Romance of the Rough Southwest. BY COL, PRENTISS INGRAHAM. CHAPTER IT, THE MEETING AT THE SCHOOL-HOUSE, ‘Ont. [ have forgotten my bistory, and to- morrow is examination, I must go back for it,” “I will accompany you, Miss Ethel, if you will permit me that pleasure.” ‘ ** Certainly, Gray,” With the last remark two of a group of a dozen lads and lassies, varying in ages from twelve to sixteen, wheeled their ponies and sped at a “WHO ARE You?” THE BAFFLED WOMAN ORIED aS SHE DROPPED BACK INTO HER gallop back down the path they had come CHAIR, ‘“‘THEY CALL ME HERE THE GOLD REVOLVER SHARP.” through the woodland.
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— r . The Rival Sharps. It was a party of children on their wav home from school, and the scene was on the Hastern shore of Maryland, where the farms were large, the houses consequently far apart, so that near- ly two-thirds of the scholars, boys and girls, rode to and fro daily. ‘‘ A smile was upon the faces of several, at the return of the two, and one young girl of sixteen said spitefully: ‘*Ethel Enders left her history on purpose, for she knew Gray St. John would go back with her after it.” “ft does look so, Miss Laura, and I think it’s a gone case with both’ of them,” a youth re- marked, ‘*Well, he has a dangerous rival in Hngh Hammond, for he has sworn he'll cut Gray out.” ‘Or kill bim, he said to me,” added a youth. “Oh, there he is now,” said Laura Hastings. The little cavalcade were just turning into the highway, from the path through the woodland, EF when they saw seated upon his horse, as though awaiting them, a youth of eighteen. 7 He was richly dressed, the horse he rode was a thoroughbred, the trappings were costly, and the general appearance of the rider was that he was of wealthy parentage, His face was a fine one, at first glance, but a closer look revealed the fact that there was much of evil in it, that he had a temper of fire, and a peculiar look in, or feature of, his eyes which it was hard to account for, until the na- ture of it was indicated. He had one blue and one gray eye, and each had a different expres- sion. Ye glanced over the group, and, with a frown, asked: “ Dick Burdett, where is Gray St. John?” All knew that he meant Ethel Enders, though, F and Laura Hastings smiled wickedly at Dick Bardett's reply: ‘* He did not come on with us, Hugh.” ‘“No; he went back with Hthel, who forgot her history,” said Laura, viciously, ‘* Well, I wanted to see Gray,” and with this. Hugh Hammond touched his spurs to his Lei i mare, and dashed up the wood- and, He had a rifle, silver-mounted\and with hand- somely carved stock, swinging from his saddie- . horn, for nearly all of the boys carried their ‘ guns to school with them, often bagging a fair amount of game on the way. The two who had gone back after the forgot- \ ten history, proved that Laura Hastings’s re- mark, though said maliciously, as she was her- self desperately in love with Gray St. John, hit - pretty near the truth, for Ethel Enders said: ‘*T wished to speak with you, Gray, and then remembered my history, so I get the chance, - after all,” She was‘a girl of fifteen, with an exquisitely graceful form, a face of rare loveliness, and stamped with a character beyond her years, She was the belle of the school and the neigh- h borhood, and though all the lads had fallen in g _ love with her, she had not lost, by ber successful rivalry, any of her girl friends, unless it was Laura Hastings, “She jnst can’t help being lovely, and so is not . to blame,” one girl had declared. Two years before an old bachelor living in comfort on his farm had died, and Ethel Enders had been his heiress, so she and her mother, all there were of the family, came there to live. All the neighbors had liked them at once, but there had sprung up a rivalry between Gray St. by. Jobn, the son of a poor widow, and Hugh Ham- aie mond, the heir to the richest estate on the east- oy ern shore of Maryland. Hugh's father, the district judge, had held hopes of bis boy and sent him to the Naval y: but, after a year, he was dismissed irned home to again attend the country bich was taught by an abler man than ound outside of colleges, tray St. John worked bard on the farm and stood at the head of his class in school, handsome fellow he was, too, a favorite all, and with a noble nature that won him ts and admirers among old and young. “ Well, Ethel, what have you to tell me?” asked Gray, for, away from the others, he vs T 9 not f his threats, se ) t i ed ear his threa » Baek tee mus * - a i 0 SES ee ee eee let you alone, for others have told me how he persecutes you. But, here we are at the school- house, and I’}] soon get your history.” ** Let me hold your rifle and horse, Gray.” He handed her the rein, but- kept his rifle, and dismounting, entered the scbool house, It was a picturesque old building, standing in the midst of a forest, and on the bank of a small stream. Upon trees scattered here and there were boxes, just for the horses of the children te have their noonday lunch, which was brought to school for them. The school had once been a church, and near it was an old graveyard, the tombstones over- grown with moss and crumbling to cecay. Rustic arbors the children had built bere and there in the woods, and there was a board table for them to eat their luncheon on, and a happy picnic this noonday meal was for them, every day. CHAPTER II, THE DOEL. ** Ou! why has he come here?” The words came from the lips of Ethel Enders, as suddenly came into view, advancing from the woodland path, Hugh Hammond. He was in an angry mood, for his face was white, his eyes having a wicked glare in them. ‘* Well, Miss Enders, you came back with that fellow for a lovers’ talk, did you?” he demanded in: olently as he drew rein by her side. ‘*Mr. Hammond, I beg you to go away, for I care for no trouble between be and Gray St, Jobn, and he is not one to submit to my being insulted, or himself either.” ‘“*Ah! Then he is the very one I wish to meet, for [I came to insult him, and feared he had not the courage to meet me,” ‘*This is unmanly in you, sir, and you show a coward heart,” retorted Ethel with an angry flash in her fine eyes. ‘Hal you fling it into my face thatI am a coward do you? & Well, your lover shall answer for that in- sult, ‘For fear you may not understand it, Hugh Hammond, and desire to put it upon a young girl, let me tell you that J say you area coward,” and Gray St. John stepped into the door of the school-room: He bad Ethel’s history in one hand, his rifle in the other, and baving overheard what Hugh Hammond had said, he Was in no humor to stand trifling. “That is just what I wished you tosay,Gray St. John, for it gives me the right to thrash you right here—no, to force you to meet me ina duel, as gentlemen should with their affairs, for I will, overlook. the fact that you are no gentle- man, ““T will meet 7 at any time, Hugh, though this quarrel.is 0 * be making, not mine. “Now ride off and let me see Miss Ethel home.” “*My time is now, boy.” ‘* What do you mean?” ‘You shall fight me now.” “ Not in the presence of a lady?” “Tsay yes.” 3 sg And I say no.” : ** Well, if you refuse, I shall strike you, and perhaps that may stir up your coward blood.” **Do not strike me, Hugh, for I amno coward, and will meet you to-morrow morning at any time and place you say.” “No, sir; I say now!” and riding nearer be suddenly slashed Gray across the face with his riding whip. Instantly Gray St. John had him covered with his rifle, and cried in a voice that quivered with emotion: y “ Now, sir, [ shall kill you for that blow!” ““My God! don’t kill me, Gray,” cried the now thoroughly frightened youth, while Ethel called out quickly: ‘No, no, Gray, not that!” Instantly the rifle was lowered, and Gray St, John said: “Yes, it would be cowardly; but_you shall answer to me for that blow, Hugh ammond, cur that you are!” “ Let it be now, then,” ‘* Ethel, will you ride on home alone?” ‘** No, Gray, I will remain and go with you.” “Thon you must witness 4 duel, and the death of your lover, Ethel Enders.” “So be it; I will remain to see that you do not murder him, for if you do, you sball hang for it,” was the bold reply. sie “What if he should me?” snee Hammond. ae ny “Then it would be a good rid ‘ community, and my testimony would show that you forced this fight upon him.” ‘Well, he shall meet me, and now, and you can see fair play.” ‘*No, Hugh Hammond, to meet before this lady is revolting to me,” ** Weil, if you do not, I shall lay my whip over your shoulders this time,” ‘**Oh, Ethel! what shall I do?” pleaded Gray. ‘“As Hugh Hammond gives you no alterna- tive, Gray, meet him!” was the plucky re«ponse, and she added, as she slipped from her saddle te the ground: ‘‘And I shall step off the ground, give the word, an‘ see fair play, and upon your head be the result of this duel, Hugh Hammond, for you have sought it,” and Ethels eyes were ablaze as she uttered the words, Hugh Hammond gave a mocking laugh of triumph, while Gray St. John looked very serious, for it went against bim in every way, this duel before the young and beautiful girl he loved so dearly. ‘Hugh Hammond, will not the man in you let this meeting be delayed until another time?” begged Gray. ‘That your lady-love may have the law stop us, and thus save you from proving a coward before my rifle?” \ ‘* Oh, no, not that, for I do not fear to meet you, though I will not kill, as I warn you now I shall only break your aim,” ‘* Hal ha! ha! how generous; but I shall kill you, remember that.” “It you can; so take your stand if it must oJ Ethel herself stepped off fifty paces and marked the spots where the two were to stand, She placed Hugh Hammond with his back te the schoolhouse door, for he demanded that position, and Gray fifty paces distant. She knew that both youths were good shots, Gray St. John being noted as the dead-shot of the neighborhood, and as she bade him take his position, she said in a whisper: ; ** Don’t kill him, Gray, but fire quickly and wound him, thus saving your life and his,” ‘Such is my intention, Ethel; but if I should fail, remember always through life your boy lover.” “T will, Gray, and avenge you,” was the al- most savage response of the young girl,” } ‘‘ Ho, there, you are plotting against me, I ess. en Lucky I have my rifle in my hand, or you might draw the bullet out,” said Hugh Ham- mond, with a sneer. Neitber Gray or Ethel made any reply, and the former took his stand. ‘*T will give the word: “ Are you ready? One! two! three! fire! ‘“‘ And remember, I stand as a witness against ta Hugh Hammond, if you fire before the word. “ Ah! and how about your lover?” “My lover will act as ¢ gentlenian of honor should.” ; ‘**- You seem to know the dueling code strange- ly well fora girl?’ sneered Hugh Hammond. “‘f saw a due] when I was but eight years old, and it was a fatal one, for my father fell at the first fire.” Then raising her voice, Ethel Enders called out; ‘** Are you ready? “One! two! three! fire!” Gray St. Jobn fired two seconds the quick- est. Hugh Hammond’s shot followed, and— Gray St. John dropped in bis tracks like a dead man. Ge : CHAPTER III. THE FLIGHT. ‘¢ On, Heaven have mercy! You have killed him, Hugh Hammond!” and Ethel ren to the fallen youth end dropped on her knees by his side. “Youll find the wound in his heart, sweet Ethel, for I aimed to still its beating,” sneered young Hammond, coming forward. And then he added: “But, it was a fair duel, as you can testify, and of course I am not to blame.” The wound was over the heart, a5 Ethel saw; but she saw also that the youth was not dead, and heard his whispered words: ‘There was no bullet in my She sprung to her feet and the school-house. is Eagerly she glanced over I mark there % .
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_ © Hugh Hammond, you have murdered Gray / {%t, John, for you borrowed his rifle to-day and . “drew out the bullet, and came here to kill him, : ’ You are unhurt, and there ss no bullet in this door, which was bebind you, ** You shall hang for this, I swear it!” { With a cry of terror the youth sprung toward | ‘his horse, threw himself upon bis back and rode away like the wind. : But she did not heed him, for, going to Gray’s side, she said: “T will go for help, for you shall not die, Gray. No! no! no! you shall not die!” A moment more and she was in her saddle riding at full speed through the woodland road, while the wounded lad lay there*where he had fallen, bis rifle by his side,’ Never before had she so urged her horse with the whip; but it was over a mile to the doctor’s, and she knew how much depended upon her get- ting his aid for poor Gray. ; Up the avenue to his house she dashed, just as ‘the had finished his supper and was going out to See a patient. : “Doctor Parsons, Gray St. John is lying at the school-house, I fear fatally wounded, so _ please go to him, while I hasten ou to his house to send the carriage and help for him.” With this she was gone, but she knew how much Dr. Parsons liked Gray, and saw him spring into his sulky and dash away at a speed that surprised his staid old horse, Soon she arrived at Gray St. John’s home, a snug little cottage with a well-tilled farm about | it, j A woman with a refined and pleasant face met her and heard the story; but she acted promptly, for Mrs, St. John was possessed of wonderful nerve. She called to her farm-hand and had him _ hitch the horses to the carriage, and back with | her in the gloaming rode Ethel, telling the story as John went along at a rattling pace. It was just dark when they reached the spot, and found there Dr. Parsons, seated by the side of the wounded pee | ‘* {she dead?” asked Mrs. St. John withstrange calmness, ; ** No, and I believe we can fetch him round. } “T extracted the ball, which barely missed | ‘the heart. “Let us raise him carefully,” and this was ‘done, the good doctor riding in the carriage with his patient and Mrs, St. John, while Ethel fol- lowed in the sulky. Arriving at the farm, Gray was placed in his mother’s large, pleasant room, and the wound was carefully dressed. . Then the doctor. called Ethel out upon the “piazza and asked: ‘* How did this happen, my child?” In a fow terse words she told the story, and added: ‘* Now, doctor, I am going to ride to the house of Judge Hammond and demand a warrant for the arrest of his son.” “‘Ethel, you have got the nerve of a man, and | a brave one at that. “If you had not come first for me, poor Gray would have bled to death; but it isnight now, and f your mother must be anxious about you, so I __-will drive by your house with you and then go f to Judge Hammond’s, for if there was no bullet in Gray’s rifle and Hugh took it out, then it was a deliberate ee at a cowardly murder, ' “Come, my cbild, I will send some of the _ neighbors over to help Mrs, St. John, just as ‘soon as I have seen you home, and given you ‘some medicine, for you need it.” id So Ethel rode off, the doctor following in his ‘sulky, and arriving at her house her mother put her at once to bed and the doctor gave her a ‘nervine, for she was now almost unnerved, Then the good doctor stopped and sent a neighbor or two over to the St. John farm, and { ‘next wended his way to the grand home of Judge Hammond. | ‘The judge had just finished his supper when the doctor was announced, ‘* Ho, Parsons, what brings you here without a all, for you never are at all social?” cried the t judge, f “Is Hugh here, Judge Hammond?” asked the doctor. { ** No, the scamp is off skylarking somewhere. ‘He is a sad case, Parsons, and I fear will { but being my son d red mot meet shall. at once issue ths war- | 5 ae Ra seriously } Then | note to Ethe The Rival Sharps. rant for his arrest, send for the constable and order him to serve it. ‘Let me inquire if the servants know aught about him?” The servants were called in and questioned, and the housekeeper, for the judge was a widower, said that Master Hugh had been home something over an hour before, and she had seen him writing a letter at his father’s desk, which he also had opened with a key. Then he rode away and carried a pair of well-filled saddle-bags with him, as he said to ber he was going on a journey for a few weeks, on business for the judge. The judge stepped to his desk and there found a letter addressed to him. It was hastily written and as follows: “Dear FATHER:— : **I shot Gray St. John in a duel at the sckool-house this evening, and as charges may be made against me to cause me trouble, | borrow some cash from rouand go out of the law’s reach until the affair hows over, for I suppose St. John will die as I aimed for his heart. “When I need more money will write you where to send it, for surely you will not wish your only son- and-heir to hang. — ‘ “Yours affectionately, “Hua.” CHAPTER IV. THE OUTCAST. THE doctor left the elegant house of the judge, and returned to his wounded patient, and the sorrowing father sent a servant at once to tell the constable to come to him. Then he turned again to the letter which he had received from his wild, wayward boy. He read it over while his stern face quivered. and glanced over the contents of his desk. It was there that he kept the money which he frequently had in the house, until he could take it to the bank in the town, Only his son besides himself knew the secret compartment in the desk, and this he opened. ‘* My God! be has taken all! ** A murderer perhaps! a thief he certainly is, and my son,” groaned the unhappy man. For a long time he seemed too full of sorrow to speak, but at last said: xy Yes, all gone, and at this time, when my speculations bave all proved worthless, and this money was intrusted to me to put in the bank, ‘*Ten thousand dollars gone? ‘Oh, Heaven have mercy upon me!” He seemed crushed by the blow; but at last arose and went up-stairs to his son’s room, ‘* He has taken some things with him— Ah! what is this?” and he picked up a ring from the oor. ‘** What! this is from my wife’s jewel-case.” So saying he rushed to a wing of the house seldom visited, for it had been his wife’s suite of rooms, Thé key was in the door, having also been taken from his desk, and to a solid secretary be- tween two.windows he sprung. ‘Great God! he has broken into the drawer and stolen his dead mother’s jewels!” With a groan tbe unhappy man sunk upon a chair and there remained for half an hour, until he heard the clatter of hoofs without. Then he arose and hastened down-stairs, his face deadly pale, but stern and determined. Phe county constable awaited him in the library, and was startled by the words: “*Constable Dunn, you are to get deputies at once, aS Many as you may need, and scour the country for Hugh Hammond, for I shall at once write out the warrant of arrest,” ‘Your son, sir?” ‘Hugh Hammond, sir, I said, and you well know the relationship he bears to me; but that has nothing to do with it, as he is a fugitive from justice, having shot, perhaps fatally, young St, John this afternoon. Arrest him, Constable Dunn, and should he resist, treat him as you would any other criminal,” The warrant was at once made outand signed, and getting what information hegcould as to the direction taken by the young fugitive, Consta- ble Dunn Meparted. And through the long hours of the night Judge Hammond paced the floor of his library, but at dawn dispatched a servant to ask Doctor Parsons how his patient was. The doctor had just returned home and sent word that there was a hope of Gray’s recovery, though he could hardly yet tell what the result would be. Judge Hammond sat down and wrote a : Enders, for the doctor had told im just how it all occurred. _ He asked her to meet him at the school-house . deadly pale, caused her to start and gaze at him in a fixed sort of way that puzzled him. kindl come and forced a at ten o’clock, for it being Saturday no scholars would be there. Strange as it may seem, she had never seen the father of Hugh Hammond, but bad always heard him spoken of as a noble man, with the one weakness of humoring a wild boy, his only son. Her mother had driven over to’ the St. John cottage to learn just how Gray was, and so Ethel mounted her horse and rode away to the school- house. The judge was there, she saw, asshe approach~ ed, his horse being hitched near. _As he came forward she saw that his face was and something she saw there Ever courtly, be raised his hat and said in a tone: ‘*My dear child, yesterday’s tragedy was no scene for your beautiful eyes to rest upon; but I would hear the story from your lips,” She told bim all, from how she bad turned back with Gray St. John, and Hugh Hammond had uarrel upon him. ‘* And where did Hugh stand in the ¢gel?’ ‘* Just here, sir, with this door at his back,” ** How far distant?” “ At the foot of the step, sir, not two feet from the door.” ‘** Young St. John is a dead shot, I believe.” “Yes, sir.” ‘* He fired a second or two first?” iV es, sir.” ““Aid me to find where his bullet struck, . please,” They searched in vain for it, and Ethel said: “I am sorry to wound you, sir, but your son borrowed Gray’s rifle during the afternoon, and I feel sure that he drew the bullet From it.” ‘** Alas, my child, I can believe it; but Consta- ble Dunn is on his track, and if he finds him he will find his father a merciless judge. And more: if that poor boy dies I will pass sentence of death upon my own son as I would upon any other criminal. If the constable does not find him, then from this day oe Hammond is an outcast from my heart and from his fellow-men. But why do you regard me so, my child?” ‘‘Oh, merciful heaven! you are the one who killed my father ina duel! I know you now,” cried Ethel, shrinking away from Judge Ham- mond as she would from a serpent. CHAPTER V. AN UNFORGOTTEN FACE. A STARTLED cry broke from the lips of Judge Hammond at this bold charge against him from a young girl. ‘**T killed your father in a duel?” he said with a face quivering with emotion. ‘*'Yes! I cannot forget your face, I remem- ber it now—you are theman !” exclaimed Ethel, firmly and standing aloof, now, as if on guard. ‘“*Pray tell me where you ever saw me before?” ** Did you not kill my father in a duel?” “Girl, I never knew your father.” ** Yes, Iam not mistaken in your face.” *“*I resemble some one who has wronged youy my child.” “*Did you never kill a man?” ‘Alas! yes, It has been my misfortune to have that sin upon my conscience.” ‘** Was it in a duel? "Yeu? “Did you not first fight with swords, and then you demanded a second meeting with pistols, al- though my fatber had spared your life?” “Girl! who are you?” ‘‘T am Etbel Enders.” ‘*T know, but that is not your true name.” “ Let me picture a scene to you, sir, and see if my memory is not good, if I do not recall your face.” “TI will hear what you have to say,” answered the judge sadly, ; ‘ “Seven years ago my father lived in Virginia, — our home being near the town of W——, : ‘One day a gentleman came there and hada long talk with my father, all of which I over- heurd, ig: ‘“My mother was away upon a few days’ visit and my father did not heed my presence; but f heard enough to know that he was accused of some wrong which he denied, but for which satisfaction was demanded. “Roath tek + x , i bi bal ee
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The Rival Sharps. a neighbor, who carried a couple of swords, Then a carriage drove up and two gentlemen got out, and you were one of them. **T saw the duel with swords, and my father disarmed you, but you demanded a second meet- ing with pistols, and I saw my father fall, and I must have fainted, ‘* When I came to I ran to the house, where all was in confusion, for my father was dead, “Tt nearly killed my mother, and it was a terrible shock for me, a mere child. **Who had shot my father no one knew, for. he kad died without a word; but he had left a letter for my mother telling ber he had, in early life, done a grievous wrong, and was going to meet the one he had wronged.in a duel, and, being a splendid swordsman, spare his life. he fell, however, he would, by bis death, atone | for bis crime, ‘*My mother sold her little home and went elsewhere, and two years ago her bachelor brother left us the far.n where we now dwell. “Now, sir, do you deny the charge I have made against you?” ‘*My poor child, I admit that years ago, un- der just such circumstances I fought a duel, but it was with one who had won the love of a sister whom I idolized, and deserting her on false charges trumped up by a rival, he broke her heart. ‘* Her love for him in the end turned to bitter- est hatred, and she forced from me a pledge to ; avenge her, ‘“T kept my pledge and killed the man in a duel, fought es you describe; but his name was not Enders.” ‘* Binders, sir, is my mother’s maiden name, | which she again took,” j ‘** And your father’s name?” eagerly asked the judge, ‘* Armstrong, sir, Edgar Armstrong.” { ‘You are right! my act smote your young ' heart.a cruel blow, and now my son has dealt you @ severer onc, for I know that you loved the boy he may perhaps be the murderer of; but, for your sake, I say—God forbid that it should be so! “ But, tell know who I am ‘*No, I only knew it by recalling your face.” ‘*Da not tell her, I beseech you! And now let me go from your presence,” and he turned sadly away, then once more stepped toward her, and in his courtly way said: “Can I place you in your saddle, miss?” “* No, no! do not touch me!” and she sbrunk back, while the look that crossed his face she never forgot. Leading her horse to the block, she sprung into the saddle and rode away, while Judge Hammond mounted bis horse and went slowly homeward, The constable was there awaiting him, and made hnown that he had traced the fugitive outh tothe Fred-Avon, where he had sold his orse, saddle and bridle, and taken passage upon a vesse} bound down the coast. ‘*T would have done my duty, constable, had the boy beer taken,” the judge said, and added: ‘* Now I must seek rest, for I am iJl.” And iJ} indeed the strong man was, for, only ' six weeks after he was borne to his grave, » It was found that his estate was mortgaged and he had died a bankrupt. ° Gray St. John improved steadily, and, three months from the day of his being wounded, he returned once more to the country school which . had so nearly been the scene of his death. e, my child, does your mother , ¢CHAPTER V. fe A MYSTERIOUS PLOT, ~ * Joan, do you wish to make a hundred pesos ‘with but half a day’s work?” Mite: Yes, senor, very glad to make money—love money,” was the candid reply. _ * Well, Ihave a little game for you to play for which I will give you big money,” _ “ Yes, senor; Juan meine ** But, that bullet wound in your head you got Jas night in the camps?” - *Ttno hurt much, senor, but look bad: the bullet hit Juan’s hard skull and turn up, so! see?” ** Yes, and that wound will come in well in the part I wish you to play.” ** Yes, senor.” Of the two thus engaged in conversation one was a tall, splendidly formed man, dressed in the costume of a miner. His hair was long, curling, and fell upon his broad shoulders, while his dark beard reached to his belt, in which he wore a handsome bowie _ and a pair of silver-mounted revolvers, the butts 4 ically carved, : He was clad in top-boots, a broad black som- brero and not far from him was a fine horse equipped most gorgeously with Mexican trap- pings, The one with him was a Mexican, dark-faced | cunning-eyed and with the look of a thorough villain, He was dressed in the costume of his country and when the other rode up had been searching a stream for gold, The scene was in the gold region of New Mexico, and far beyond all habitations, except a few mining-camps scattered ‘here and there miles apart. The time wasmore than eighteen years after the flight of Hugh Hammond, driven away by Ethel Enders’s threat to bave him banged if Gray St. John died of the wound he had given him in pe ie when but one rifle had been loaded wita ullet. ‘““What senor have Juan do for so much money?” asked the Mexican. **Tll tell you:—over in Yellow Canyon there is a miner who has been in this country only half a year, I find, ‘“*T saw him the other night, and I wish to get acquainted with him in a way that will make us firm pards, do you see?” ‘*'Yes, senor,” ‘* Now I wish you to go to the Yellow Canyon an‘ creep up near’ him, rifle in band, for I have drawn here a map of the position you must take, just where heis and where I will bs, ‘* When you are in position I will come pate and fire, not at you, but over your head, an you will fall.” “Senor will not make mistake?” **No, Juan, for I am your friend.” ‘Yes, senor save my life one time and me re- member.’ “You must take that bandage from your head, lef the wound bleed a little as though it was just made, and pretend to be dead.” ‘* 1t’s bad luck, senor, for Juan might die.” **No, it is not bad luck.” The Mexican sbook his head dubiously. ‘Well, Juan, I will make it two hundred pesos,” ** Bueno! Jaan ready!” ‘** Let me see that wound,” He took the bandage from the head of the Mexican anda wound was revealed just over 4 left eye, where a bullet had struck and torn its way. “ That Rovclver Sharp meant well, Juan.” ‘* Yes, senor, he thought he kill me, for 1 play dead and then runoff. Caramba! but I have his life, some time,” savagely said the Mexican. “Well, if you do not some one else will. saw myself that you were cheating that old miner at cards, but said nothing and the volver Sharp chipped in on you. ‘* But now you are to play dead again; see?” ‘¢ Yes, senor.” ‘* Well, here is the map, so go to the place at once, for it willbe nearly sunset by the time you get there.” ») ‘Yes, senor.” Tbe miner drew from his ket a rudely drawn map, and the two studied it over together for some minutes; then the Mexican went off on foot, and the other, mounting his Lorse, soon after followed. In the head of a large canyon, wild and rug- ged in the extreme, some three miles from where the horseman and the Mexican met and parted, a man was working steadily, pick in hand. Near him lay a shovel, and, after digging for a short while with bis pick, he would take up bis shovel and scatter the loose earth to one side, Then he would sit down and search it over carefully, separating some small yellow particles from the dirt and place them in his large red handkerchief which lay upon the ground near im, “Fortune has indeed favored me, far sooner than I could have dreamed of, and if this lead holds good I will be a rich man and can return to my beloved wife and child. “How Ethel must bave rejoiced over the little bag of gold I sent her, and felt that had kept my pledge to make her a rich woman after all the struggle we had in fighting poverty. * Well, a year here, if this lead holds good, will make me a very rich man.” He paused in his work and leant upon his shovel, It was a graceful attitude and displayed his fine form well. is face was bronzed by ex falling upon bis neck and his year’s growth. | P itn It was a striking face, resolute and full of telligence, while there was a. finement in sure, bis ard of site which his rude miner’s dress and surroundings ad did not mar, . elay “It is nearly sunset and I must be going to Gr my cabin, To-morrow I will build a cabin hereollo in the canyon so as to be near my work.” | Th Hardly had he uttered the words when a shotlac« rung out sharply and filled the canyon witkhoote many a ringing echo, as though a regiment of At riflemen bad emptied their guns in a scatteringst. J fire at an enemy who had surprised them. a Th CHAPTER VI. vas THE TWO MINERS, jad At the crack of the rifle the miner sprungiis { toward his belt of arms lying upon a rock near id bim, is t Quickly he had them belted on and then! * seizing his rifle sprung to cover among theluch rocks, pri What the shot meant he did not know; heibw could only guess that some one had fired at him) “ and missed him. v fir But he was not left long in doubt, for a horse- T: man rode into sight and called out in a hearty whe way: ind “No danger now, pard, for yonder lies my TT game upon that rock,” jook He pointed toward a rock a hundred yards G away where was visible a man’s form, bis hands \n a grasping a rifle, laz It lay all in heap, the body did, as though 1bo crouching upon hands and knees. ; . “Did you kill him, my friend?” asked the oro miner coming forward and gazing upon the es horseman with peculiar interest in the glance, ni ‘Yes, J was coming up the canyon and ob- iab served his movements, which were very sus- lal picious and I felt sure he was after game of ‘ some kind so I dismounted and watched him. and ‘IT heard the sound of a pick, and then [I St. knew that it was a man-hunt he was on, -“T could not see you, but I saw that he was tha a Mexican and determined to save whoever he ha‘ meant to kill by knocking bim over; so, just as his he was preparing to fire, I threw my rifle up pla and pulled trigger, J ‘*T am glad I happened this way, pard, but thi it was an accident, for I have lost my bear- jles I owe you my life, sir, and those who love 18s me will bless you for this deed as 1 co, Heaven ever guard you, sir, and let me tell you that in me Gray Sr. John you have a life-long friend,” and — the miner spoke with emotion, an ‘* Well, pard, I am es of your friendship, : tos for its a scarce commodity in these parts where i every man’s band is against you; but you are not long in the mining country, I take it?” ‘““No, sir, only six months; but may I ask your name, and if you are a miner, too?” “Yes, 1 am a miner and have a little lead some score of miles from here which Ss me a well, though I have not struck it rich thus — ar. ‘*But you asked my name, so I will tell you that in the mines Iam known as the Lone Star Sharp, for 1 am from Texas, ag you see by the star on my hat, and I play, the boys say, a — rattling sharp game Of cards, while I’m rather — quick with my weapons, — i? “ But my name, pard, is Trent Baxter. ima _ Texan, as I said, and running into a streak of (© bad luck I came to the mines to help myself out financially.” . “* Well, Mr, Baxter, I certainly am happy to *! know you. You are lost, you say?” jh ‘Yes, I took the wrong trail back to Yellow Canyon, and it brought me here. Amonmy way to the camps to make some purchases.” = «© “Then spend the night in my cabin, I beg you, for itis a short mile away. But, isthat ™® man dead?” “ Kies ** Of course, for I shoot to kill. “Tt is a virtue one must possess in this wild lk country—pard—pard—I forget the name,” “Gray St. Jobn.” a 0 “ Well, while you get your tools together, Mr. St. John, Pl ‘eke a fook at my game" : \ ‘ We must bury him of course,” 13 “In the morning, for he'll lie safe enough up there on that rock until then. “Dll take a peep at him,” } Then the Lone Star Sharp, as he said he was _ known in the mines, climbed the rocks to the | ! point where Jay the form of the Mexican, oq « It was doubled up, as though in agony, and — lay motionless upon the bare rocks, the wound _ in his head showing plainly, “T am not hardened enoug John, to rob the dead, even reckless community to dwell i il morning, for nig 1 Lone Star Sharp t had come with him
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The Rival Sharps. _ ~~ ** Yes, it will be best, for the path to my cabin ings a dangerous one for a horse, and we must not . elay,” and the two started off together. x ta Gray St. John led the way and Trent Baxter heréollowed on foot, leading bis horse. The trail was a rough one, and there were shotlaces here and there where it needed a sure- witlsooted horse and a nervy one to go over. t of At last, just as darkness fell upon the valley ringst. John led the way into a little glen from vbich flowed a small stream. | There, hidden away among rocks and pines hes asmall cabin, the home of the man who ad come to the mines of New Mexico to seek ungiis fortune. ear, Opening the door with the key which hung to is belt, he said pleasantly: hen) ‘‘ You are wesome to my home, Mr. Baxter, theluch as it is; but I have plenty of food, the ring is but ten feet away, and wood in heibundance, lim) “‘ While you look after your borse, I will build b fire and get supper.”” ‘se-/ Trent Baxter staked his horse out in the glen, rty where he could go to the_spring when thirsty ind had an abundance of grass, my| Then he hung uphis saddle and bridle and jook his seat in front of the door, rds. Gray St. John had meanwhile builta good fire ids n a cavity of the rocks outside and its cheerful laze sent shadows dancing in all directions gh eo the glen. . There was the aroma of boiling coffee, bacon he droiling upon the coals, and hoe-cake, while pota- he :oes were roasting in the ashes and several large -mions were upon a tin plate upon the rude b- jable, which had been set for two, with tin is- dlates, cup and serviceable knives and forks. of ‘* You will excuse my having no table-cloth and napkins, and lack of silver, I know,” said ZT St. John with a smile. ave a supper there to tempt a parson to break is fast in Lent, My lot bas fallen in pleasant laces,” ‘*T am glad you are pleased, Mr, Baxter; but hink how desolate this cabin, and how doubly lesolate that little home away up in Maryland, ad you not saved me from that Mexican ssassin. n | ‘Providence guided your steps there to save m me, Mr. Baxter.” a © Without doubt,” was the laconic response, and the two miners sat down toa hearty supper , together, e j . 2 i wy CHAPTER VII. na ST. JOHN’S STORY. AFTER supper fresh logs were thrown upon j the fire, which sent forth an acceptable heat and » ruddy glow, the pipes were lighted and the two ; miners sat down for a talk together, The manner of Trent Baxter was off-hand, nd he seemed like a whole-souled, generous ellow, while he readily won over Gray St, Jo m whom he held the claim of having n, w aved his life, ith such a bias in his favor the Lone Star _ Sharp would surely win bis way. i _ For some little time the two sat in silence, ach busy with his thcughts. Then Baxter said: | ““) was regretting, pard, that we did not bury that Mexican who tried to murder you, for they “are as slippery as eels.” _ “But he was surely dead, was he not?” “Quien sabe?” * was the answer with a sbrug __0f tha shoulders. e | The truth is a Mexican is like an Indian: - mever dead until decevtly buried, or pulled __ apart by coyotes, A “T have fought them for a long time and | know them,” | T know little about them: in fact, I may say, nothing, for I was never among either Mexicans _ or English before coming here.” | ‘*What motive had the Greaser for killing ’ TOU td Bhs 6 ‘Then you never saw him before?” oT thong h thi as ought he was perhaps some worthless fellow. } rau had working ~eghea and had dis- charged him?” _ ‘No, [have always worked alone.” Ba You are very new to the mines?” , _ “ Yes, I came’ here with a bundred dollars in my pocket, and began to prospect for gold, and was 80 lucky as to make a good find.” “Now I ve not been fortunate in my gold ajote that I am aware of, unless to rob me,” deen csi cn reigns finds! but I have been a kind of rolling stone, you see, ‘“‘Tam without any one to love me, or to love, and so have drifted about, taking my own part when I have had to do so, which has been quite often, and I am really glad to meet a com- panionable pard in you, for anignorant hard lot most of ’em are out here.” ‘Then why not come here and dig gold with me, Mr. Baxter?” ‘“* Mister Baxter! Now that sounds strange to me, so call me Lone Star, or Baxter, Trent or anything you like, but don’t mister me.” “ All right, Lone Star, and I say come here and work with me, for I shall change my cabin to-morrow up near my find, and there will be plenty for two,” ** No, no, ee “T say yes, for, but for you I would be dead now, and those I love would have gotten noth- ing. “‘T have an idea my find is a rich one, for it pans out larger each day, and my first streak of luck was over sixty dollars in raw metal. ‘*Yes, I mean it; come half with me, Bax- ter, and we'll grow rich together.” ‘* You are just the noble fellow you look, for your face does not belie you; but I'll tell you what I'll do.” oe Yes?” **T’l) come here and work with you, and half I get I'll take, the other going to you. ‘* Now that is being generous with your lead, so don’t say no.” ** As you piease, but I am willing to go equal shares with you.” ‘**No; but let me ask you if you are aware that you have to register your finds out here?” ‘Yes, I discovered that, so as soon as I struck my lead I drew out two maps of the place, homesteaded my allowance in acres and regis- tered in the name of ny wife and child, sending them one map and full particulars,” ‘* You were wise, wise indeed, for no one can get it from you now.” ** Not a soul can rob them now, for even if I died, they could send bere und keep some one at work, you see.” “Yes: but you speak so lovingly of your family, I am interested in them. ‘* How many children have you?” “ But one,” k ‘ A boy, I suppose?’ “No, it isa girl, now in her fifteenth year, and as beautiful as her mother, which is saying a great deal. “* As I like to talk of them, and you have a right to know something of my affairs, I'll tell you of my wife if you wish?” ‘Nothing could interest me more, for, some- how, I feel [1 ad a claim upon you.” St. John filled and lighted his pipe afresh, and said in a musing Wing bs “1 was born rich, but left poor by the failure of my father in business, and my mother moved with me, her only child, to her birthplace on the eastern shore of Maryland, a little farm, which was all she had left. ‘‘ With a superior education, she taught me thoroughly, each evening at home, while [ went to a country school by day, and also looked after the farm, so I was not an idler, as you may know, *“ At the. school I met a little girl, whom I loved at first sight, but having some dangerous rivals, 1 despaired of ever winning her love. “* Still { did win it, and my most formidable rival was the son of the biggest landowner in | the county, and a prominent judge as well. ‘** My rival’s name was Hugh Hammond, and though he had good traits he had an ungovern- able temper, and hated me for winning from him Ethel Enders, for such was her name, ‘One evening, when I had returned to the school-house with her, after her history, he came there and by insults, threats and blows forced me into a duel with him before Ethel.” ‘** Could she not prevent it?” “She was so indignant that she was willing to see me meet him, but asked me to wound, not to kill him, for I was a dead shot, and intended only to break his arm, and so told him, * Well, Ethel stepped off the distance for us, and gaye the word,” “5 Plucky girl!” You may well say so, and when she saw me fire first and miss him, and that I fell at his fire, she ran to the school-house door, against which he stood, and saw no b: Jlet imbedded there. Then she told him she would testify that she had seen him with my rifle that afternoon, as she had really done, and that he had drawn out bn ala on purpose to kill me and escape him- $ ie ge " n : ere oad aes ad ee TNs df oe rar t. + Me - a ER RD SB fy Salih ong BAe, Da SA Napier f oy A age 3 _ ‘Tn terror he fled, and Ethel sprung upon her horse and rode for the doctor. ‘*He arrived in time to prevent me from bleeding to death, and I was taken home, where after long months I got well. ‘“The judge had put a constable upon his son’s track, but Hugh had escaped, and the next day he found tbat the youth had robbed him of all bis money and jewelry that had belonged to his mother. «The blow broke the old gentleman down, for he was financially embarrassed at the time, and he died.” ** Tt killed him, then?” ‘* Yes, his son proved to he indirectly bis mur- derer, for the judge never rallied. “Then it was found that his estate was in- volved, and when all debts were paid there was nothing left. ‘In the mean time I got the position as teacher in the country school, as the one who held it was called to a far more lucrative place. ‘“‘Then Ethel’s motber died, and my mother was left her guardian. So she came to live at our home, and when she was not yet seventeen and I but twenty we were married, “‘T do not know why, but from the first year of my marriage misfortune dogged my steps, My home took fire and burned down, and my mother nearly lost ber life, the shock making her a confirmed invalid. “*T bad no insurance on the house and out- buildings, so it was a total loss; but, Ethel’s home had been sold and the money was in a Bal- timore bank at interest for her. “So I began to build with that, and bad my house but half done when the bank failed and we lost all that was there. ‘“* My first-born, a bright, splendid boy, died the following year, we supposed from eating some poison berries, as he had a handful when we found him. ‘‘ The following year my poor mother passed away, and then I lost the school, for some evil- minded persons spread false reports about me which caused my dismissal. ‘* Then came a ray of sunsbine, in the birth of my little daughter, which I named Ethel, after her mother, ‘* From that time on it was a hard struggle for life, until I got the gold fever and came out here in search of a fortune, and thank Heaven, I have found it!” ‘¢‘ And from my heart I congratulate you, and wish you all kajpiness in the future,” vas the earnest reply of Trent Baxter, who bad listened with the deepest interest to the story of Gray St. John’s life. : CHAPTER VIII. A REMARKABLE DISAPPEARANCE, WRAPPED in their serapes, the two miners slept soundly through tke night, and were up bright and early to enjoy a guod breakfast. he Lone Star Sharp had told St. John that he would go by the mine with bim, help bury the Mexican and then keep on to the camp where he wished to make a few purcheses, after which he would pack up his traps at his own camp and come to live with bim, And, he added: “Tt will be Lest for you to build a cabin on your own land, and we can easily do so to- gether,” At the request of St, John, Lone Star waited for a short while for a letter. ‘“*T must write at once of my narrow escape, Lone Star, and tell how you saved my life and that I will have a good and true friend near me ow, ‘You will mail the letter in the camps for me?’ Lone Star horse, while St. John wrote the letter, they soon after started for the mine, Arriving there Lone Star gave a startled cry, and his face turned pale. “ What is it?” quickly asked St. John, . Pointing to the rock the excited answer came: “ He is not there!” ” ‘Then contrary to our expectations coyotes got up there and pulled the body down,” sug- gested St. John. : J Dismounting hastily Lone Star ran up the rocks and called out: ‘“* He is not here!” ‘** Look down in the ravine.” * Nor is he there,” St. John now hastened to the rock, __ The only trace of the Mexican was a little poof of blood upon the rocks, mi What can it mean?” almost gasped Lones e: A ‘ mised to do so, and, saddling his — Hi ete Need > 4 an is : a
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ess ORS See a Eo ae ~ on Se > am (gi $re rs De eat Bese Ae rt oe md re PRAISES BRS LS : onde +- a a Re “He was not so badly wounded and so re- gained consciousness and departed,” St, John said, ** Impossible, for I aimed at his heart,” ‘““The bullet must have glanced on a bone, and perhaps he was shamming death, which carries out your idea that a Mexican or an Indian is never dead until buried.” “J shot him squarely through the heart,” muttered Lone Star, though St. John did not hear it. Then he added in the same low tone: “I meant to do so, at least.” Aloud he said: “Tf he is wounded, then he cannot be far away.” 3 Lot us search for him,” And a-thor6ugh search was made, but without the result Lone Star hoped for. ‘‘ Perhaps some one came along and helped him,” said Lone Star, ** No, for no trail leads by here, and you would not have found me had you not gotten lost.” * Then no one comes here, ever?” ‘““T have never seen any one since I struck the mine two months ago; but if the fellow is wounded why, let him go, for I do not wish his life.” ‘* Ab, my dear pard, he was a Mexican.” ** Well, what if he was?” “You do not know their nature, which is never to forget a wrong or forgive a foe. They are more revengeful than a Comanche, and he’!l never rest until he gets even with me,” “‘T am sorry.” * And you will have to look out, too, for that Mexican knows you have struck it rich and will not give up the game without a bard fight to win. hs “Tf you see him loafing around, just drop on im.” ** But 1 do not know him.” ** Never mind, drop any Mexican you see nos- ing around and you can’t go amiss,” “This is a cruel life to lead out here,” sadly said St. Jobn. “Tt is the country where self-preservation is lived up to as the first law; but I must be off.” ‘© When will you return?’ “Within the week at furthest, perhaps sooner.” Thus, with a grasp of the hand they parted, Miner St. John to continue his work in the mine, and Trent Baxter to again make a thorough search for some trace of the Mexican. At last he muttered: ‘*T must give it up; but what a fool I was not to bury him at once, for held down by rocks and dirt even that Juan the Fox could not have ex- tricated bimself. “Strange that I did not put my bullet through his beart, as I aimed to do, ‘*But be was not too badly wounded to play dead most thoroughly, and now, if he has not died in some place near, be will bold me respon- sible for this attempt to kill him and bis two hundred pesos as well, ; “Tf I don’t pay him big money, why then I will be the sufferer. ‘* Now to see if [ can hear of him in the mining- camps,” and Trent Baxter rode on his way once more, — lt was night when he rode intoa large mining- camp scattered through the valley,and the camp- fires were glimmering on mountain-side and vale, A group near the center of the valley, and this was known as ‘‘Devil’s Ranch,” and it was not by any means an inappropriate name when the dwellers therein were taken into consideration, for a harder lot it was hard to find congregated to- gether even in a State’s Prison, a place where many of those who made up that mining-camp should bave been, and would have been ha they not been fugitives from the iron arm of justice. _ Saloons, a couple of one-story taverns, or so called, a few stores, two blacksmith shops and a ‘* Chinese laundry ” with some scores of miners’ cabins, made up the town. | Of course the saloons were all gambling dens, and the love of play went to such an extent that a miner would gamble for bis night’s lodging and meals with the landlord, with the keeper of the bar for drinks, and with the storekeepers for what they wished to purchase, Then, too, the blacksmiths gambled for their horsesboeing and mending utensils and even the trio of Chinee Jaundrymen had caught the sport- ing fever and gambled for their wash-bills, and itis needless to say generally came out ahead, for the Heathen Chinee is an expert at cards. of several hundred shanties were The Rival Sharns. Nearly half the camps were composed of Mexi- cans and half-breeds, the balance, with a few exceptions being Americans, bailing from Maine to Texas, Florida to Minnesota. Up to one of the taverns, which was known as the ‘‘New Mexico,” rode Lone Star, and dis- mounting at the door he muttered: ‘“* Juan the Fox was not much hurt,\I will find him here, and find him I must,” CHAPTER IX, THE LONE STAR SHARP, THE man who had said be was known in the mines better by his sobriquet of the Lone Star Sharp, rather than by his own name, seemed familiar with the place he had entered. His horse was led away by a half-breed Mexi- can who served as stableman for the tavern, and who seemed very willing to perform the ser- vice for Baxter, though it was seldom any one else was so honored, but had to take their own horses to the stables, ‘*Have youseen Juan the Fox around, Pe- dro?” asked Lone Stur of the stableman, ** No, senor, not since be well nigh met bis death last night at the hand of the Revolver Sharp,” answered the man. ‘* And where is that young gentleman, Pedro?” ** Don’t know, senor, for he has not been here to-day.” ‘* Any of my comrades here to-night?” ‘* Yes, senor, Don Cavalho and Miner Corallez are at the card table.” With this Lone Star entered the tavern and walked up to the evddy known as the office, ‘*T will stop with you to-night, Du Val,” he said to the landlord, who responded: “Giad to have you, senor; but you cannot have your favorite room.” ** And why not?” was the angry question, ** A lady has it, senor,” * What, a lady in the Devil's Ranch ?” ‘Yes, senor. She came in on the Santa Fe coach,” ‘* What does she want here?” ‘She has just that look in her face, senor, which said: ‘ Don’t ask me,’ so I didn’t,” “Who is she, Du Val?” ‘* She signed as Senora Dolores, senor,” “Some Mexican woman on the trail of a lover who has deserted her, Ill warrant, for they are so terribly revengeful,” “You have had experience with them, then, Senor Lone Star?” ‘‘'Yes, L once lived in Mexico; but I want supper, and the best bed in your old Owl’s Roost, Du Val.” “Til give you the third best, sencr, for the second best is engaged.” ‘To another woman?” ‘* No, senor; to the Revolver Sharp.” .“ Ah! I would like to play that youngster a game, jast to take him down a peg or two, for he is getting terribly forward for a boy.” ** Don’t man thoug on him.” ‘Oh, he’s a terror to rile, I admit; but I'd like a game of cards with him for all that,” and Lone Star entered the dining-room, where he was quickly given his supper, the best the place had, too, for the servants knew how liberal were his fees. As he passed through the office again, Land- lord Dn Val hailed him with: “T say, senor, the Revolver Sharp is here, and I told him you wanted a game with him, and he said he would be only tod happy to oblige you; but I have made gazement for you to play.” ‘* Indeed? And who is to be my partner?” The lady.” ‘** What, Senora Dolores?” "Yes." ‘*Is she pretty?” **T do not know, senor, for I have not seen her face,” ‘“* Why not?” ‘* She is heavil ee uarrel with him, senor, dangerous you be, unless you have the drop also a prior en- vailed, senor.” The mischief, you say! And amI expected to play with a masked. woman?” ** Vailed, I said, senor,” “It is the same thing, for who can penetrate a woman’s vuil? She is doubtless some old gambling scarecrow who may play aces upon me at every big bet.” “IT think she is young, senor, and pretty,” ** And you told her I would play with her?” **T did, senor.” / «, You are a little previous, Du Val.” Well, senor, she said she never played for Jess than a hundred dollars, and I suggested Don Cavalho and Miner Corallez as large play- . Naat 2 ers; but she said she had heard of you and wish- ~ ed to match her luck against yours,” ‘Where is she?” ** Awaiting you in the saloon,” *¢ All right.” “Pl introduce you,” and the landlord of the New Mexico walked into the gambling saloon with his guest, There sat the woman, dressed in a black rid- ing-habit, and wearing asombrero with a heavy black plume pinned in with a smaJl dagger pin of rare workmanship, the hilt being set with rubies. A heavy vail fell from over her head, worn under the hat, and reaching to her waist com- pletely enveloped her, revealing not even the color of ber hair. Gauntlet gloves concealed her hands, and it could not be told whether she was pale-face, Indian or negro, ; “Senora Dolores, permit me to present to you a gentleman well known in these parts as the Lone Star Sharp,” said Landlord Du Val, Baxter bowed low, and the woman bent an earnest gaze upon him it seemed, while she slightly bent her head in acknowledgment of the introduction, and said: “T am glad to meet Senor Lone Star, and thank him for giving me an evening of pleasure, for he has come to play with me, has he not?” ‘Yes, senora, I am at your service; but I never played with a lady, before, for gold.” ‘Then let me tell you Iseek no mercy, and | We will 4 shall give none. Sit down, senor. play here, if you please,” For the first time in his life those about the | Lone Star thought he seemed a trifle nervous; | but tosit opposite that vailed woman, to feel her eyes were upon him, and not to know whether she was white, black or red-skin was | enough to shake a nerve as strong as that of the Lone Star Sharp. The landlord brought afresh pack of cards and a game was begun, while the strange sight of a woman in Devil’s Ranch, and playing cards for a large stake with the most successful gambler and desperate man in the mines, drew | | | | | | | | a large crowd about the table. CHAPTER X, SENORA DOLORES. In spite of his nervousness, playing with one whose face he could not see, the Lone Star Sharp was_ lucky and won straight along, game after game, against the Senora Dolores, If she felt his success and her ill-fortune, the fact was hidden beneath her vail, and her hands were as steady as ever, “T hate to win from a woman—I beg pardon, a lady,” said the Lone Star Sharp after he had won steadily a dozen games. ‘**'You need not feel troubled on my account,” senor, for I play to win, and if I lose accept the situation. “That is the twelfth game you haye won, I believe?” remarked the vailed woman calmly. ‘Yes, I bave just twelve bundred dollars of your money, senora.” ; ‘‘ Well, somebow I have faith in Number Thirteen, a pumber which most persons believe to be unlucky, and for the next game I havea proposition to make to you, senor?” ‘© What is it, senora? “You have twelve hundred dollars of my money?” “ es,” «¢ Well, I will match the sum—here it is,” and she placed that amount upon the table, “Well?” ** Now I will match my money and a silent bet against you on the next game.” — ‘*T do not exactly understand, senora,” “Tf you win here in addition to what you have,” “ce Yes,” ** Tf you lose I shall claim my silent bet,” ‘* And what is that?” P “It must be unknown until I win.” “Tf you lose?” . “Tt remains unknowb.” “But if you win you claim it?” oy S ” §8 aon the money I have won from you?” “ Of course.” re sheet ‘ “T bardly think tbis is fair, as I remain in ig- norance.” ey “Then I will equalize it the more,” , “ Yes, and how?” “T will put up twelve hundred dollars more for you to win, “And you?” $ ; « Will, if [ win, claim my silent bet only.” “That is better, but I don’t like this silent bet, as you call it?” ati be] you take my twelve hundred _ 4 1 , PD hig
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“a You have won twelve straight games, so you are in luck; I am having a streak of ill-luck.” “ True,” “Yet I stake twenty-four hundred dollars on the winning of a game.” ** And you lose it if I win?” “Yes, besides you keep the twelve hundred you have won.” ‘*T understand; but your silent bet?” ** T will make known if I win.” **T fear some catch in it.” **Tf you are afraid to play, Senor Lone Star, then back squarely down, don’t hedge,” The man’s face flushed, for he heard the laugh the woman’s words caused, ‘*I fear no man living,” he said, hotly. “Nor woman?” was the quiet query. He started slightly at this and returned: “I fear nothing—Heaven, Hades, Humanity or the Brute Creation,” was the almost savage rejoinder, ‘“Then do you play, or back down froma woman?” ‘“*T play.” “With conditions I named?” “ Yes, though it is unfair not to name your stake,” ** How so?” “Tt may be worthless.” | ** [ll pledge you it is worth more to you than the sum I have named,” ‘* Agreed.” * You pledge yourself to pay the bet?” Tao.” ‘“* Here, before witnesses, you pledge yourself to pay the stake I demand?” ‘“* Yes, what more do you want?” ** Your. oath.” * Til not give it.” “That shows you meant to back down from your word,” ** No, but why should I take my oath on it?” ** Because a woman, whose money you have won—a woman whostakes double as much more on one game asks it.” “Well, Pll give you my word.” ‘*A man who would give his word, yet fear to give his oath is a coward,” was the cool re- ply of the woman, “What! you dare take advantage of your sex to insult me?” “Til humbly ask pardon if you prove my assertion untrue regarding yourself by taking your oath that I may collect my bet if I win.” ‘* Agreed! T’ll swear that you may do so.” **Thenany words did not apply to you and T yetract them, humbly asking your pardon.” “Granted! but now, let us play more and talk less, senora,” and the gambler seemed really moved, for he knew that half a hundred men had their eyes upon him. Somehow he began to fee) that the one who faced him was not a woman after all, but a man. This brightened him up and gave him courage, for no man did he fear, or he felt that he did not, which was just as good. “Tam ready for the game, senora,” he said in his usual manner. “And so am I, senor,” and the money was counted out and placed upon the table. The strange game had interested all in it, and especially after the conversation between the two players, The silent bet of the woman created a sup- ressed excitement and now all stood breath- “eel watching the game and awaiting the re- sult. What the stake could be the woman would claim no one could guess, and they could not but admire the coolness of the Lone Star Sharp when perine to abisg aA ee an ordeal, for now e was perfectly calm, asmile upon bis face. and his hands were steady asa rocky™ am” CHAPTER XT. THE SILENT BET, THe Lone Star Sharp was n-t the only one who felt the mysterious influence of the vailed woman. They all seemed to feel it, and Landlord Du Val was asked several times about her. “I never saw her face,” he whispered. ‘She was heavily vailed wben she came in the coach, and the driver had not once seen ber face,” be responded. : 2 She may not be a woman, after all.” ,., hen her feet belie her, for she’s got pretty little ones and no mistake; and, jast look at her tiny hands,” replied Du Val, who always had a weakness for small hands and feet, being very fond of his own, aod i The Rival Sharps. “‘T guess she’s a woman if her gloved hands are any indication,” responded the miner who had been questioning the Jandlord, The game had now become so interesting that all watched it closely and even failed to notice a new-comer who made his way near the table, standing just behind the vailed woman, for several who had observed him near them in- voluntarily made room for him, He was a mere youth, not over eighteen, cer- tainly, and was dressed in Mexican garb, though he did not appear to be of that race, his hair be- ing brown and waving, for it fell upon his broad shoulders, and having eyes of such dark blue as to almost appear black. His form*was tall, elegant, and his every movement was graceful, while he had the ap- pearance of being an athlete. His Mexican costume was of the finest velvet; the buttons were of gold, as were also the mas- sive spurs, and the heavy buckle of bis belt. His shirt was of white silk, with broad collar, and spotless in its cleanliness, The most striking thing about his attire was his sombrero, which had an exceedingly large brim, and was of a bright scarlet hue, encircled by a cord of gold, The left side of the sombrero was looped up with a pin representing a miniature gold revol- ver, and besides an embroidered belt about bis waist he wore a scarlet sash of silk. In his belt were a pair of gold-mounted re- volvers of large calibre, and a bowie with a carved hilt and long blades. A pair of buck- skin gauntlet gloves had been stuck in his sash in a neglige manner, Altogether the youth was a very remarkable looking personage, for bis face was almost effemi- nate in its beauty, which, however, was also strongly stamped with manliness of the highest order. He nodded pieasantly to several who gave way for him, aud took his stand behind the vriled woman, The game was being played very slowly, every play being dwelt upon most cautiously, until the suspense to the lookers-on became in- tense. But how much more intense to the two players, The woman was calm, silent, for she uttered no word, but her hand was hardly as steady as in the previous games she had played—a fact that all noticed. A; for the Lone Star Sharp\he seemed to have coms to the conclusion that his opponent was a man in female garb and his courage arose ac- cordingly. His hands were steady as he held the cards, Yet be played with the greatest caution it could be seen by all. On the last round the two held their hands back, neither seeming anxious to show them. At length the woman said in a low voice: ‘* f hold four aces—can you beat that hand?” With a muttered imprecation the Lone Star Sharp threw down his band, beaten, He had beld cards that would have beaten any other band than four aces. ** You have won,” he said, in a mock-cheerful tone. “Yes, I told you that thirteen was my lucky number, when most persons find it unlucky for them—yon, for instance,” ** ‘Well, now let us understand this bet.” ** Yes,” “*T keep what I have won?” **' You do,” “ But lose the twenty-four hundred?” ‘You do not, for I risked that against my silent bet, so you take the twenty-four hundred dollars. There it is,” and she shoved the money toward him, He did not pocket it, simply putting it with the other he had won, as though now, embold- ened by the money, he was willing to go on, ** But, as you lost the game, you have to pay me my bet.” ** What is it?” ‘« My silent bet.” . ‘*T asked you what it was,” ‘““T have your pledge that I can collect it.” ae Yes.” **T have your oath that when I demand it you will pay it.” “Well, wnat mcre do yon want, senora?’ he asked. in an excited tone, “* The bet!” was the answer, in a voice strange- ly deep and stern fora woman. * know not what it is.” - ou shall know what itis, and in spite of your nerve, Lone Star Sharp, your face will whiten when I claim my stake.” The manner of the vailed woman caused all to feel uneasy. What did she mean to claim as her stake which she had won? As for Lone Star, he became again uneasy, for there was that in sitting before this Sphinx in Black, as she seemed, that was enough to shake the strongest nerves, ihn she meant to claim now he could not think, He had glanced at her hands now for the first time, and the thought that bis adversary might be a man faded from him, for no man could have such tiny gloved hands as those; so he said almost excitedly: ““T ask you again, what am I to pay you, senora ?” ‘“* Your life is the stake you have to pay me!” cried tke vailed woman, and, quick as a fiash, she had covered the Lone Star Sharp with a re- volver. CHAPTER XII. THE REVOLVER SHARP CHIPS IN, THE revolver held in the hand of the vailed woman covered the breast oft the Lone Star Sharp. The most interested observer could not deny that, That she meant to fire, too, was evident, for, after her startling words to him, of what her silent bet bad been, she said: ““T intend to kill you, Huascar Del Sol, and the second before I touch the trigger, I shall tell you by whose hand you die.” The Lone Star Sharp was now like a man turned to marble, for there was a tone in the voice of the woman which he seemed to re- cognize, as a groan came from between his teeth, He looked like a man who Had seen a ghost — knew that it was no fancy of an excited rain. To save his life he could not move, and he gazed upon the vailed face before him as helpless as a corpse. Only a few seconds did the woman pause, as though to give full force to her words; then the lips parted once more: “If claim my bet, Huascar Del Sol, and you die by the hand of—” The revolver was knocked suddenly upward, and the bullet was buried in the roof of the saloon, for she had touched the trigger. Like one maddened with rage she sprung from her seat and rushed upon the one who had foiled her, to be confronted by the smiling face of the youth in Mexican attire, 5 ** You saved him?” rung out in a voice full of ury. “Yes, lady, I took that liberty,” was the complacent reply, ‘* Then you shall die!” and her revolver again was leveled, but never fired, for it was wrenched from her hand by a quick movement, and the youth said calmly: “This is not my day for dying, lady, so sit down and let us talk the matter over quietly,” ‘Who are you?” the baffled woman cried as she dropped back into ber chair. ‘ ‘They call me here the Gold Revolver Sharp, some often shortening it to the Revolver Sharp, lady,” was the youth’s reply, ** Are you ashamed of your real name?” “Ob, no, lady; [ am on the roll at Fort Blanco as Redfern, the Scout.” ¥ ‘“* Well, then, Redfern, the Scout, Gold Revol- ver Sharp, or by whatever other name you care to be known, pray tell me by what authority you have interfered in this affair,” and the woman’s voice showed her fierce earnestness, “In the first place, my dear lady, I interfered because I did not wish you to kill a man who could not, or would not, protect himself by firing on a woman,” ‘Then he is your friend?” ! ‘*On the contrary, the ini ped Sharp has seemed to feel in a most unfrien me,” “Then why save his life?” “ Why take it?” “T have my reasons, sir.” ** And 1 mine for saving him,” “* Will you not give me a reason?” “Certainly. He hasan engagement to play cards with me, after his game with you was over,” é ‘* And your interference I resent, aS you dis- armed me.” . ; ** I did so as you seemed to desire my life, too; but let me ask you not to attempt to repeat your act either upon the Lone Star Sharp or myself,” uch in the tone and manner in which this was said impressed the woman. The youth was ly way toward looking squarely upon the vailed face, and some~ —
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! { how his eyes seemed to control her, for she responded: ‘*T shall not offend Redfern the Scout again— at least not now.” ** You are wise, lady, and let me be generous, for 1 will play a game with Senor Lone Star, letting the forfeit be whether he shall lose his . ed life to you, or you yield your right to kill him, What clo you say?” on “This is a most astounding proposition, senor.” ite ‘¢ Hardly more so than your demand for him (30 to play you for a forfeit you would not name Sie until you won the game, lady.” “Pll agree to it, senor,” she said, quickly, as though moved by some sudden impulse, 2 The youth smiled in his pleasant way, and se said: fed ‘‘ Now to see if I can raise the stakes,” sek - Then he turned to the Lone Star Sharp and ae" asked: ee “Senor, will you stake your life upon the turn of a card in a game which I shall play with this lady, who shall vield whatever claim she inay have to kill you if she loses?” one Star had sat in silence while all the foregoing conversation had been going on. His eyes bad seemed to be striving to pierce that black vail and discover who it was that had so determinedly sought bis life. That he owed it to the Kevolver Sharp that he «was not a dead man, he well knew. _ He had never liked the Boy Scout, for he was hardly more than a boy in years, and pow he was placed under the deepest obligation to him that one man could be to another. He noted, too, how quickly be had disarmed yp the woman, when she had turned her revolver ad in ber rage upon him, 4 Who he was, more than that ha was known as a young scout, guide and hunter he did not know. ; Often he was seen in Devil’s Ranch, and bis ‘5 he ae remarkable aim and the fact that he carried , -2) geld-mounted weapons had gained for him the name of the Gold Revolver Sharp. Now came the cool query from the youth for him to put his life up as a stake ina game he should play with the woman. \ With a certain recklessness born of the situa- ayy tion, and withal a perfect faith now in the Ti youth, he answered: “T accept the alternative, Senor Redfern, arity and stake my life on any game you play, if that woman takes oath to attempt no underhand way to kill me.” % ‘*She will certainly give her oath, as you did, ‘by. to keep her pledge,” the Revolver Sharp as- sured, and be turned a questioning look upon ; the woman who answered firmly: Rhee ** Yes, I will so pledge myself by oath, for the ae fe time of one year at least.” a ‘‘ Very well; that will do,” acquiesced the \ Lone Star Sharp quietly, and all could not but admire his nerve, “Tf I win though?” suddenly asked the wo- Sek niger . - map. “ Why, kill him, of course,” was the free and easy answer of the youth, and it brought a gen- eral burst of laughter, even Lone Star smiling while be muttered: ‘Theres is something back of all this that I ) don’t fathom.” "| CHAPTER XIII. THE REVOLVER SHARP AS A CARD SHARP. THERE was a remarkable interest felt in Devil’s Ranch by all its denizens for the young Revolver Sharp, id i : Woat brought him there no one knew, and me --yet he came with marked regularity once each hae month. , my More than that he was known at the fort as _an extraordinary scout and guide, no one knew M mc sc oha enPag bim, _\ His name was Redfern, he said, and’yet he dressed as a Mexican and spoke the language without the slightest accent. Yet he did the _ same as regarded the English language, _ Heseemed fond of playing cards, always had Bi Gane + ella rat and was noted for his luck, ba Pe. Bet _ the game of chance what it might. a. 2 _ If he won money froma poor man he return- Ba ed it with the remark that he played for the _ sport of it, _._ A dozen or more personal encounters he had Pes? had, and yet he never sought one—even seemed | ~~ ~——~—s to avoid trouble; but, when trouble came they 7h found bim a most dangerous foe, ue firet with amazing quickness, and never = 4 - od ~ arse Aaa eee B aA 3 ae = Cesta ON er Pa EP - missed his mark. a ____Only two nights before be had taken the part —— The Rival Sharps. Juan the Fox and several others. The Mexicans had drawn and were preparing to fire when the revolver of the young scout w»s thrown forward and the bullet cut along the top of Juan’s head; whereat, down dropped the Maticns: and he had the good sense to “ play ’possum” until the Revolver Sbarp left the saloon, when of course he departed with thé threat to one day kill Redfern. The Lone Star Sharp had seen the affair and the next day, as has been seen, hunted Juan up and made an engagement with him which was to have proven fatal to him, forso the Texan intended it, Such was the youth who now held the life of the Lone Star Sharp in his hands, to vin it, or lose it on the turn of a card. “Shall we make it three games, sir, the last two tv win?’ asked the woman, and Lone Star smiled. Itseemed to him an evidence of doubt on her part of winning, for she had sought no such terms with him. ‘** As you please, lady, one game, best two in three, or three in five,” was the pleasant re- sponse of the youth. ‘Then have it best three in five,” she request- ed, eagerly, and again Lone Star smiled, while he felt still more confidence’in\ the young scout, The Gold Revolver Sharp bowed his acqui- escence and Landlord Du Val banded over a new pack of cards. The Lone Star Sharp was given a place at the table and took it calmly, though naturally his face was very pale. The woman dealt and her gloved hands be- trayed more nervousness, which, however, she quickly controlled. The first game was played by the woman with extreme caution, while the Revolver Sharp seem- ed perfectly indifferent. ** You are a good player, lady, and you have won,” he said, with a smile. At once the woman gained more confidence, and the game was played in silence. “ Again you win, lady,” remarked the youth, and she gave alittle gasp of joy, while Lone Star became tbe bue of a corpse, though he kept his nerve. pe, Another game won by the woman and his life was in her hands! And more, she had won two games already, and had three more chances to get the one more needed. The excitement about the table was intense, though suppressed, and all eyes turned upon the Gold Revolver Sharp. His-face had not lost its smile, and he seemed a3 indifferent as ever. But then it was not his life that was at stake, thoucht Lone Star, ‘He saved me, and now I am to be sacri- ficed,” be muttered, while he added: “But they forgot my arms, and that woman shall never kill me.” The third game was bogun amid the greatest of interest. The woman seemed confident, and played ac- cording. But at last the turning-point came, and the young scout said in his cheery way: ‘*T hold four aces, lady. **Can you beat it?” All heard the low imprecation that caine from beneath the vail; but she nerved herself quickly, for the battle was not yet wholly lost to her; there were two more chances for her to win one game in, So the fourth game was played, and in the same light way, at the end came the words: “Four aces to beat, lady.” Again ‘she had lost, and. once more there was intense feeling, while the fifth and last game was being played, é At last the youth said:, “T hav’n’t the four aces this time, lady, but I have confidence enough in my hand to wager one thousand dollars that 1 win, Don you take my bet, lady?” “Yes,” was the sharp reply, that made the Lone Star Sharp fairly start, 4 Geutlenien, ¥ am so fond of a wager that J would like to make a few outside bets—one hun- dred, two, three, four, five; yes, a thousand that [ win, and I'll tell you frankly I have uot four aces,” Y ‘‘Pll go you a couple, Redfern,” said Land- lord Du Val, and the money was put up. ‘And 1 a hundred,” called out a miner, and it was taken, “Pll bet you a thousand, if you'll take it,” cried the speaker, Don Cavalho. Redfern bowed assent, and Miner Corallez hl of a miner who was being cheated at cards by | asked to put up five hundred, and it was taken, ‘* Any more?’ demanded the Revolver Sharp 7 with a smile, oem There were no takers and he turned to Lone. Star and asked: b ‘* How will you wager, senor?” the * But one way, for one of your nerve can’t lose,” was the quick response, ‘* Will you wager a thousand on that, senor?” 7 asked the woman quickly. “Yes, senor,” was the Lone Star Sharp’s rs equally quick response, and the money was put ). Ms Now, lady,” and the Revolver Sharp’s face i did not lose its smile, or his voice its cheery tone, ‘‘ what have you to beat a pair of aces and a pair of Jacks?” be bitter imprecation from beneath the vail re showed that the woman had lost, and Redfern said; ‘‘ Now, Senor Lone Star, I am ready fora hi game with you, if so you wish,” a: “1 am ready, Redfern,” and Lone Star ie glanced toward the woman, who slowly arose W and left the saloon, ¢ CHAPTER XIV, I A MIDNIGHT VISITOR. I For some reason the Revolver Sharp did not ‘ care to play many games, great as was the in- bi terest manifested in seeing these two engaged in a game of cards where the stakes ran high. f The youth played in the light-hearted way natural to him, and though constantly losing, the smile never left his face, ner did his manner change, \ ‘He wears that same smile when he’s got his R death aim on a man,” said a miner. “Yes, I seen him drop Reuben Daws one night and never git up from the table, and then we found out Reube was in a plot ter fix him which he tumbled to jist in time and pulled trigger. “Then he calls out to ther Don, who he was playin’ with: “1 calls yer, Don,’ jist as sweet as though nothin’ bed happened: ob! he’s a dandy—that boy is.” * Are he a boy?” ‘* Waal, be isn’t old enough ter vote fer several years yit.” ‘*He are older than be looks, pard, and some- times it do strike me he is a woman, for he’s as pretty as one,” Thus the conversation about the young scout went on, until suddenly bis luck changed and ~ he began to win, Steadily the games wero won until ‘he had gotten even, when he said: - “Quits for to-night, senor, but another time we'll play again.” ve ““Yos, with pleasure; but you'll join in a bottle of wine?” PC “Tf I drank, yes, but I do not, thank you. Good-night,” ‘* Let me say how deeply I appreciate your service to me to-night,” ‘“Don’t speak of it, Senor Lone Star, for I simply saved a life when | saw one in danger,” and with a wave of the hand, be left the saloon, Soon after he was in his room, preparing to —— retire when & gentle tap came upon his door, No He opened it to find there the vailed lady gambler. i b “Ah! I was wishing to ree you, and intending to do so to-morrow, Will you come in, lady?” ‘No, for one can overhear what is said here, but in my room it is safe.” ( **T will come,” and he followed the woman, le who still was heavily vailed. Sit down,” sbe said, as he entered what Landlord Du Val called his ‘Star Chamber,” for it was the best in bis tcvern by far. “Are you going to tell me why you sought the life of the Lone Star Sharp to-night?” asked the youth, in his pleasant way. \ a Are you goiug to tell me wbhy you saved bis ife?” \ ““]]1 exchange secret for secret with you, ady.” ‘ ner Then tell me why you did not let me kill | bim?”’ “You are bis enemy ?” “ Yes, the worst foe he bas on earth.” “Then L will tell you that Isaved him from 0 no feeling of friendship.” r ‘* Why, then?” } “Because, by his death, I would loge portunity to carry out certain plans I band,” ‘ 7 ~ “You wish to use him, then?” «After a manner, yes, but not to let bim think I am doing 80. “Ab! I thought I read as much in your face. to-night; butdo you know him? ) > sh Na oat A 4 } i an Op-— : have on
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** Yes, as the Lone Star Sharp, a Texan, who is a most daring and successful gambler, a dead shot and dreaded greatly in the mines, though he is also liked.” ** What else do you know about him?” “Tam sure of nothing else, but I am suspi- ious of him and am trying to verify my suspi- sions. You see I talk frankly to you.” ** As you may do,” ** Now tell me why you hate him?” ‘** First let me know if you verify your suspi- ions, is he to be punished?” “ Yes ” “By whom?” ant the hangman, I guess,” was the laughing reply, ‘“ Ah! Isee that you are in earnest, and so I jwill not tell you why I hate him! but, I will leave him in your hands for one year, as you have my word that I will—my oath, infact. Butif, then you have not tracked him down J shall act and i will come to you and tell you all I know.” “* Why not now, lady?” ‘You forced me to give an oath to-night, for ne year, not to take hislife, If I told younow, I would be taking his life, thus breaking my oath which I deem sacred, as you would hang him within ten days.” ‘*T see how my own request has headed me off; but, I suppose I must wait, unless I find out in my own way all I would know.” ‘*T see no other alternative; but, now tell me who you are?” “*Ttold you to-night, lady, that my name is Redfern, and [ am a scout, zuide, Indian-fighter and wanderer.” * Are you a Mexican, or an American?” and he woman eagerly asked the question. ‘© T am a Texan,” ** Were you ever in Mexico?” ** Often!” “ Where are your parents?” “They were massacred by Comanches, five jyears ago in Texas.” ** Have you brothers and sisters?” ** None,” ** ‘You are alone in the world?” * All alone, lady.” “Some day, Senor Redfern, I will see you again: now good-by.” He arose and grasped the hand that she held out and left the room, ; “What a mysterious woman! I must know ~fnore about her, and when she leaves bere I will follow her trail,” he decided. But in the morning, when he asked after reakfast for the vailed woman, Landlord Du Val informed bim that she had taken the stage back to Santa Fe, and had been four hours gone. He at once called for his horse, a splendid bay, Pquipped with a Mexican saddle and. bridle, and set off in a sweeping gallop to overtake the Santa Fe coach. Bi on! CHAPTER XV. A LOST TRAIL. Tue horse which the young Revolver Sharp bestrode seemed to be tireless, for he kept up the long swinging lope he bad started in from ‘Devil’s Ranch until many a mile bad been left At length he came into a mountain pass where the knew be must soon overhaul the coach, and he urged his horse to a swifter pace to suddenly ‘come upon @ scene that was startling, to say the east of it. : |. Without an instant’s hesitation however, he turned in his saddle and called out: | “Now we have them, boys!” zhen he spurred forward, a revolver in each . Wand, The scene that he had come upon was one that many a brave man would not haye rushed so ‘boldly upon, for the coach was therajn the road, }end about it was grouped half-a-dozen or more road-agents, Bat the bold ery of the youth, und his daring charge upon them, scattered the outlaws, but not until one of their number and a horse had jfalien under bis deadly aim. } nto the recess of the mountains dashed the outlaws in alarm, while alongside of the coach trode the young Revolver Sharp, crying out: “Drive for your life, Mexican Joe for I am alone!” Mexican Joe, the driver, needed no second bid- ding, and away his horses went at full speed, while the youth led the way. .The coach swayed wildly, the passengers were _ jin dire alarm, but Mexican Joe was a superb _jhand with the reins, and now had a chance to save a box of treasure which, a minute later, would have been in the hands of the outlaws. t : The Rival Sharps. Coming to a long stretch, where the road was good but down grade for acouple of miles, he sent the team fairly flying along, the Revolver Sharp keeping ahead and leading the way. At last, after several miles run, Mexican Joe drew his panting horses down to a slow trot and called out; ‘*'You saved the old coach that time, Revol- ver Sharp, and a box of gold-dust as well, with more from the passengers, for they had us foul. ‘“T am’ glad I happened along as I did, Joe; but how many passengers have you?” ‘* Six, now that strange lady left me.” ** What, the vailed lady?” ‘*The same, sir, whom you played keerds with last night at Du Val’s.” ‘*Did she not come with you from Devil’s Ranch?” ‘* Yes, sir.” : ‘* Then where is she now?” ‘*She left the coach ten miles back at Valley Spring.” ‘* How did she leaveit, for therais not a ranch near there?” ‘*T saw a party of horsemen there, and, thought the road-agents had us, especially as I noticed that they all wore masks,” ‘* Wore masks?” ‘*Tact, Redfern, they were all dressed in buck- skin and wore masks,” ‘‘ How many men did you see?” ‘“‘ Twenty.” “ This is scrange ” . ‘They waited until the coach came up, and I hung back at seeing them, until the lady called out that they were friends of hers, ‘* When I drew rein she got out and mounted a led horse with a side-saddle on him, and bid- ding me good-morning, rode away.” ‘*T saw a trail leading southward from Valley Spring, but being in a hurry to overtake the coach [ came or, ** That’s the way she went, pard.” ‘‘ With the horsemen?” ** All of ‘emi.” “Then it seemed as though they had met her there by appointment?” “That's just what I am sure they did.” ‘** And they were masked?” ** Every one of them.” ‘* Had they nothing to say?” “Not a word, and when one helped her to mount, he rode off ahead, she followed, and the others came along behind two and two.” ‘‘ They were not soldiers?” *“T’'m sure they were not,” ‘Nor rangers?” ee No.” ** Mexicans?” pat | couldn't tell, for I did not see their faces, ard,” ‘*T cannot understand it, Joe.” ‘Nor me, pard.” ‘She seemed willing to go?” “ You bet she did, and it’s lucky she did.” “ce Why ” “Them road-agents asked for her, first thing,” “'The outlaws did?” ** They sure did, Pard Gold Revolver,” “What did they say?” “They were mad as hornets that they did not find her, for they seemed to bave expected a good thing by ber capture.” ‘*'You told them how she had left you?” “Yes, and it was talking about her that put their robbing us off until you came up; but, Lord! how game you did that, pard.” ““f say, Joe, you took the lady to Devil’s Ranch?” 3 i ow ‘ Where did she join you?” ** She came on Prot dante Fe.” ** You are sure?” ** She sure did,” “Well, Joe, I hope you will have no more trouble, and I'll report ‘at the fort that road- agents are on the trail,” and unheeding the thanke of the passengers at his saving them from robbery, the Revolver Sharp rode back up- on the trail he had come, unmindful of Mexican Joe’s warning to look out for the disappointed road-agents. Back to Valley Spring went the young scout, and then he took the trail of the horsemen who had carried off the vailed woman; but, after a few miles he lost the trail in the mountains, and, good scout and trailer that he was, he was forced to give it up and return to Devil's Ranch, It was night when he arrived, and learned that Lone Star bad also departed, going, no one knew where, CHAPTER XVI. PARDS. For a man who took the chances that he did, almost every day of his life, Trent Baxter, the Lone Star Sharp, was very much impressed by his narrow escape from death at the hands of the vailed woman. Perhaps it was the fact that he owed his rescue to the Gold Revolver Sharp, a youth whom he had cordially bated as well as stood in some dread of, He knew that though young Redfern was fond of sport, and card-playing, and roamed about the mines in a seemingly aimless sort of way, he yet had a legitimate calling in being a Govern- ment scout, He, Baxter, also was supposed to be a miner, but he possessed several old worn-out mines which he had won by gambling and only spent a day in them now and then to claim to be a miner instead of a professional card-player. So finding tbat the young scout had left the camps, Trent Baxter also took bis departure, after baving put a Mexican spy, he kept in his employ, on the Jookout fir Juan the Fox, who he was now sure had eqraped the death he had intended for bim, He told the Mexican where to find bim, in case he saw or heard.cf Juan the Fox, and having discovered that the vailed woman bad departed by the Santa Fe coach, and the Revolver Sharp left on horseback, he mounted his own horse and rode away. Bat he did not go as he came, for he took back with him a handsome horse, saddle and bridle, and packed upon the animal a goodly supply of provisions, ammunition aad other things to make the cabin of Gray St. John more comfort- able. It was late in the evening when he rode up to the cabin, and found St. John resting after his day of labor. He was greeted pleasantly, and then the spor6 ~ said: ‘*T took the liberty of making you a present, Pard St. John, for asa had no horse, and now — we can take rides about the country together.” ““Tt was, indeed, most generous of you, Bax- ter, and I had intended getting me a horse the very next time I wenu to the camps for provi- sions. “A fine animal it is, too, and I thank you most heartily, only I wish you would let me pay you for him.” **No, indeed, for have I not, without paying out a dollar or by any exertion of mine, been given by you a handsome interest in your mine? No, I am your debtor, I assure you; but see, E gov these new Apache blankets, and a few other things, along with a lot of provisions, so we won’t live slow, will we?” ‘* By no means; we will live like princes, and Ill tell you that I spent to-day clearing out a space forour new cabin, and we can now have a comfortable home there.” ** And it will be better near the mine.” Supper was soon over, and the two men begarm to pack up for removing the next day. At dawn they were up and at work, and the oo were all carried over to the new place, he spot chosen was upon a shelf of rock over= bung by a high cliff, There was a generous sprivg of water tum- bling over the rocks there, and the cabin would be sheltered and command a view of the mine and the approach up the canyon. i There at its head the canyon widened into & bow)-like valley, several acres in size, and with steep, overhanging bluffs upon all sides, heavily wooded here and there, Below, the canyon was not sixty feetin widtb, and this could be fenced off so as to give the horses freedom, while the grass was in the greatest abundance, and of the juiciest kind. The traps from the old cabin were all brought over first, and then the fence was built across the canyon and the horses turned loose, after which the two men so strangely met sat down to breakfast. The door and window-skutters of the old cabin were made use of for the new, and whem night came the walls were ready for the roof. Two rooms had been built, with a shed in the rear for the horses in bad weather. The next day the new cabin was finisbed, and found to be a snug house indeed, with one room for sleeping in, the other as kitchen, eating and sitting-room combined, 3 “Now we are most comfortable,” said Gray St. John, as a cheerful fire burned upon the ~ hearth, and he glanced admiringly around bis ~ little quarters, “Yes, we have reall ! here in the wilderness, Pard St. John, and @. a comfortable home -
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Sronth AOS o if en en o * ch SR ae at te eS Tfahe es tr 10 year’s work will make us rich men,” was the answer, *“ Yes; and when we are dwelling in luxury once more in Civilization, we can look back upon our life here with rea] pleasure. ‘*T think, too, we can help our fare along a little, for we can take turn about each day hunting and fishing for a couple of hours, and not work so hard, for the mine is rich enough to give us each a fortune, I am sure.” “Tt certainly appears so; but did you find no further trace of that Mexican whotried to kill you?” ‘“None, though I went all over the ground again after you left.” **T cannot understand it.” *T can only by the belief that your bullet missed him.” The Lone Star Sharp smiled and said: ** Oh, no, I never missed him, though my bul- Jet may have glanced, on a bone and slightly wounded him.” : ** And he pretended to be dead?” ‘Yes, and escaped soon as we left; but if you happen to see him again, just shoot him at sight, for these fellows fawn like a dog, and are as treacherous as a snake, “Now, he had been watching you for some time, I guess, to get a chance to kill you, rob your mine, and Iam glad to be here soas to be a protection to you, for nothing must happen to you, my dear St. John, for what would your toyed wife and little daughter do without you?” * Go knows; but you mailed my letter to my wife?” te Oh, yes.” ‘ _ I must write my daughter to-morrow night, for I take turn about, and Sundays I always ride to the camps after provisions and to mail my letters, for 1 never work on that day.” ‘“*Nor I! but have you the likeness of your loved ones with you, St. John?” ** Yes, I will show them to you,” and he took from his traps two photographs, One was of a beautiful woman, who was still in her thirties, and the other was of a young and lovely girl of fourteen, a striking resemblance existing between mother and daughter. “These are my two earthly idols, Baxter, and you can see for yourself what they are,” he said, proudly. The Lone Star Sharp gazed at each picture Yong aud earnestly. e seemed almost fascinated by them, and at ‘last with a deep sigh and a voice that quivered the said: “You are indeed blessed, St. John, with such @ wife, such a daughter.” Witnont another word he arose and sdught his blankets, tbe spell of the likeness seeming to still rest upon him, CHAPTER XVII. JUAN THE FOX. JUAN THE Fox, as the Mexican was known, whom the Lone Star Sharp had hired to aid him in bis mysterious manner of making the acquaintance of Gray St. Jobn, had done his part of the affair as agreed upon, Juan was a native of New Mexico, hence a Mexican who had become a citizen of the United States, ’ This bonor Juan did not wholly appreciate I fear, for he stuck to many of his old habits, The worst one of these perhaps was killing, for had Juan been bargained with by the Lone Star Sharp tokilhGray St. John, instead of to pretend to do so, it would have been all the same to him, for he would have done so for the same sum he had been promised for the mock attempt. He did not know Miner St, John nor where the was located; but Juan luckily did not suspect that he had ‘‘ struck it rich,” and was then all alone or be would have gone his own way about getting rich himself, Tere was a tradition in Juan’s mind that his ' forefathers had once possessed riches, and this degenerate son of the ancient Mexicans was desirous of emulating their example, How he got wealth made n9 difference to him so that ho got it, So Juam had bargained with the Lone Star Sharp for two hundred dollars to have a little mock tragedy, in which he was to be the actor. He was to becaught aiming at St. John, and the Sharp from Texas was to fire over his bead and rushing forward was to play the life-pre- server of the miner. Without his game, the sharp might not be able to prove the great service rendered, so that the Mexican was to“ play *pessum,” ~ In other words, he was to use the wound The Rival Sharps. received the night before at the hands of the Revolver Sharp for this occasion, He was to make believe that the bullet of the Sharp from Texas had cut its way there, in- stantly killing him, And he was to rest all in a heap, so silent, so motionless as to make the miner believe he was dead, Of course the sharp would find some way to protect him from too close observation, and take upon himself the carrying of the body to camp, under pretense there was a reward on his bead, and then he, Juan, the Fox, could escape and still be considered dead by the miner. But, very much aliveindeed, it was Juan’s in- tention to see just what game the sharp from the Lone Star State intended to play. : If there was money in it, Juan wished his share, It was true that the sharp held strong claims upon the Mexican, or what most persons would have considered strong claims, for he had saved the Fox from dancing at the end of a tight rope with no footing to speak of one time when the | Rgulators bad him for some deed he bad been guilty of. Of course Juan appreciated the service, but he appreciated himself the more, and if he got the chance to better Juan the Fox at the cxpense of the sharp he intended to do so. He did not wish to harm the sbarp, only to discover how much money he was going to make out o1 Miuer St. John and to come in for | his Share too, . ; Now the Starp from Texas was a dandy, so to speak, and with no confidence in a Mexican he decided to simply bave the secret of Miner St. John all his own and so make it a real tragedy for Juan when the latter had expected to himself play a part. So Juan, with no thought of treachery, took up his position, raised his rifle and waited. He saw the sharp gain his position and wave to him. It was the signal for him to be ready to pre- tend to fire upon tbe miner just one hundred yards distant from bim, while the sharp was that far away from the Mexican. One rifle cracked. : Se lt was the sharp’s, and with a stinging sensa- tion in his side, Juan fell in a heap. He was not killed, but had felt the bullet tear into his flesh, He knew that the Sharp from Texas had fired to kill him, and he ground out oaths beneath his teeth most savagely. He half-saw, but heard all that took place, and saw the sharp and the miner come toward him. H,» could have sprung to his feet and bolted. But Juan was revengeful. His benefactor had become his bitterest foe, and be would be avenged upon him, So Juan the Fox lay as silent as though dead; so motionless, so pale he was, in fact, that he deceived the Texan sharp. They went away and left him. ‘* To be buried in the morning,” he heard the sharp say. The sun had set, the dark shadows of night fell upon the canyon and high, overhanging hills, and the two men had departed, leaving him lying upon the rocks dead, as they believed. - But Juan well deserved the name he had won as the Fox. ; He was playing a foxy game of ’possum, and playing it well. But in the darkness he arose, and stripping aside his coat, felt of his wound, It had bled freely, and he took the ramrod of his gun and probed it. To his delight the end of the ramrod turned upon the rib and came out balf a dozen inches away from the wound. The bullet bad not entered his body, but had glanced and cut its way out. A wild yell of joy broke from the lips of Juan, and seizing his rifle be slipped down from the rocks, sought the spring, and wetting pieces of his clothing which he cut off for the purpose, bound them, saturated with water, upon the wounds, ** Juan live yet very long, “‘ Kill sharp some day; other man, too, and be rich.” he mutte in broken English, as he strode away in the darkness, apparently caring little for his wound, but everything for revenge, t CHAPTER XVIIL A LETTER FROM THE MINES. In the suburbs of the City of Baltimore, ina cozy little cottage, half-hidden with vines and surrounded by a flower-garden, the wife and SS sens enn poster of Miner Gray St. John had made their ome, It was a pretty place, situated upon a hill which commanded a grand view of the distant city and the bay. A little meadow-land stretched away in the rear, where a cow and staid old horse were pas- tured, a vegetable garden well tilled was to the left, anda lawn dotted with fine trees on the right, the flower-garden being in front. An old negro and negress were the servants of the motber and daughter, and but for the fact that the loved husband and father was far away in the gold mines of New Mexico, facing deadly perils and working day after day for them, those two would have been most happy in their little nest, When the first large remittance had come to her, Mrs, St. John, who had been boarding in the city, while Ethel was attending school, had gone out into the country one bright April morn- ing and purchased the little place which she had seen advertised. Then it was fitted up, furnished carefully and the negro man and his wife engaged to do the work, for Mrs, St. John determined to devote roa time mostly to the education of her daugh- er, A horse and phaeton were purchased for their pleasure, while Ethel also often went for a horse- back ride. A piano was also purchased, some books, and those two ~who had lived in poverty for. years began to feel that they were now living a life of luxury, ‘ As they sat there upon the piazza one pleasant afternoon, Mrs. St. John looked strangely youth- ful for one who had a daughter almost her coun- terpart in size, and certainly in beauty of face and form. She was the same lively, fearless Ethel Enders who had so bravely arranged the duel at the school-house in Maryland, between her boy lover Gray St. John and his rival, Hugh Hammond. That was nearly a score of years before, and yet at thirty-eight Mrs. St. John was a very beautiful woman. She had been true as steel to the man she had saved, and nursed back to life, becoming bis wife while they were yet hardly more than children. The duel she had witnessed in her early girl- hood, when she saw her father fall, the duel she had seen at the scbool-house when Gray St- John was shot by Hugh Hammond, and the sorrows and hardships which had come upow her in her married life, had left no deep impress upon her lovely face. " Since his flight, no word had ever come of | Hugh Hammond, and it was discovered that the | vessel in which he had sailed from the Mary- land shores had been wrecked and all on board perished, And there by her watcher’s side upon the piezza sat Ethel. She was idly running her deft fingers over the strings of a guitar, and her attitude was grace- ful, her face beautiful. A combined likeness of her handsome parents, she bid fair to be even more beautiful than her mother, while her physique, gir] though she was, was perfect. real ' Suddenly a horn, winding a few notes. fell — n'a f their ears, and springing to her feet Ethet cri “The postman! now for a letter from father.” Away she ran down to the gate just as a two- wheeled cart dashed up and the post driver handed her a letter, and sped on his way, wind- ing his horn once more for the next cottage on the ridge that there was a letter for. ‘From father!” cried Ethel, holdin letter as she ran to the house, and bre seal eagerly she read aloud: up the ~ ng the “Capmy Lonesome, GoLd Dusr Canyon. “Sunday, October 10th, 18—. : Tne REN DAvofor & letter and I h t * This is your day for or, an am ha oO verify my home cepressed in my last letter tS your sweet mother as a reality, for the mine ‘pans out,’ | as we say here, richer ever, and beyond my | highest expectations. ; ; “*T must confess, however, it is owing in a great. measure to my ‘pard’ Trent Baxter, of whom I have so often written, for he’ knows ‘pay dirt’ so — well, and just where a vein should run and be found. “A year’s work here, I feel confident, will give us a fortune, while I can still work the mine under hired help and come to live with my loved ones. “Tn fact those same loved ones shall now have a chance to travel, to see more of the world than it | has been their lot thus far. |. “ Pard Baxter brought me your letter telling me how happy you were in your new home, and that |} your mother had paid for it and all in it, ket
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=] : “ Also how you enjoyed your drives and rides, and that you were improving far more in your studies and music under your mother’s teaching than ever before. ‘“‘I am delighted to know all this; but now, as you ask me to tell you of my life here, of my pard, Trent Baxter, and other strange characters we meet in this strangest of lands, I will do so; but I must come to a close here for the present as I see a horse- Iman coming up the canyon, and Baxter is not here to entertain him. Au revoir. : “WarTuer,” CHAPTER XIX. SOMETHING ABOUT NEW MEXICAN .“ PARDS,”’ Resumixe his letter upon another page, Gray St. John continued as follows: : “It is now night, my dear child, and I am alone in my cabin, ** As my visitor remained for some time it was too, latafor me to take my letter to the camps to be mailed, so it cannot go before next Sunday, unless Baxter should ride over to Devil’s Ranch, as he often does, in which case I can send it by him. ‘* You know I devote my Sundays to letter-writing home, and carrying my letters to the mail, fifteen miles away, where I can head off the coach to Dev- il’s Ranch. ‘*tf I need stores I go to Devil’s Ranch, thirty miles away, £0 you see I am quite isolated. * “My nearest ‘neighbor’ is twelve miles off, unless I include wolves and other ‘ varmints,’ which are rather too neighborly, **Our cabin is a most: comfortable one, and we will be all right in it this winter, be it ever so severe. ‘“ Baxter is one of the noblest fellows I ever knew, for he is always doing something for me. ““T wrote your mother how he refused to share equally in the mine with me, and since it has panned out—you see I use expressions familiar here—so well, he will only receive one-fifth, and frequently, when he strikes a large lump, he'll toss it overto me with the remark: ; “ sees upon the stage, horse was a splendid one, the Mexican saq- dle ani bridle being yold-mounted, and gorgeous jo the ext ane ted, and gained Wweapo unted, ain ON pons were also gold-mo Revolver Sharp. His name is Redfern, I believe, and he is a _ ‘Texan, whose parents were massacred when he was f ‘ 4 é " 4 yy « y. 4 \ rl as ‘| i Roe een tie 2 alse 7, tes . pe ae sees ; te y : er ng F ite, i the strange name he has, which is the Gold | The Rival Sharps. a mere boy by Comanches, so he is the deadly foe of tndians, “ He holds the position of scout at Fort Blanco, distant from here some eighty miles, and wanders at will, it seems. “He came to see me to ask if I knew of any new settlers in the mountains, or strange miners coming in, while he said he was warning the gold-diggers of a band of outlaws who had been lately robbing coaches upon the trails, and also afew miners. “ This young man, so Baxter told me, had saved his life, was one of the best card-players in the mines, and the deadest of shots, while as a horse- man he had no superior. ‘*T had him to dinner with me, showed him yours and your movher’s photographs, and enjoyed his visit immensely, though he made the strange re- quest of me not to teil Baxter that he ha! been nere, as he had a reason he would some day tell me, “But I have written you such a long letter, my dear child, that I must close ere I tire you. “Say to your movher that a letter to her shall fol- low, and in a couple of Sundays I will ship by stage another box of gold-dust to go to the bank to be placed to her credit, and it will double the other amounts sent thus far. “ With every good wish for my two dear ones, ‘Lovingly, ‘Your father, ‘Gray St. Jonn.” “P, §.—Address now to me to care of Store: keeper Cloggett, Devil’s Ranch, Fort Blanco Trail, New Mexico, for as Baxter goes quite often there, he brings any letters arriving for me, and 1 buy my stores from Cloggett.” Such was Miner St. John’s letter to his daughter. CHAPTER XX. THE FORT scout. Fort BLANCO was an outpost under the command of a gallant United States cavalry officer, who had won the eagle on his epaulette by daring deeds, added to his skill as a soldier. Colonel King had under his command a light artillery battery, a battallion of mounted infantry, and another of cavalry, in all abous five hundred soldiers, along with the necessary hangers-on of an army outpost. Then there were a dozen scouts, hunters and guides, so that the garrison was very well sup- plied. The fort was on the trails leading out of Texas into New Mexico, and from Los Angeles to Santa Fe, while there were numerous other trails branch- ing off from that point which gave it a central lo- cality from which to throw troops to any place they were needed, eitherio keep down tue red-skins in the Indian Territory. strike a blow at the Comanches and Apaches when they went upon the war-path, or to send a company into the mining country. As a ma‘ter of course the country about Fort Blanco was a dangerous one, R negide whites, small bands of Indians, road- agents anil outlaws ingeneral were often s en upon the trails and life was held cheap by all of them, while to get gold was their only aim, and get it in any way possile The fort notwithstanding was a pleasant abiding place, for it was well located in a healthful country, with streams near, and is foree could defend it, situated as it was, against twenty times their fight- ing number. A number of the officers there had their families with them and altogether Fort Blauco was a favor- ite station. Two stages passed there each week, going west- ward.and returning eastward, and a wagon train was due each month, so that the soldiers did not consider thems: lves outside of the world in spite of their isolated station. It was to Fort Blanco that the Revolver Sharp went after his return to Devil’s Ranch, to discover that the Sharp from Texas had also left the New Mexico tavern. Colonel King, the handsome and gallant com- mander of Fort Blanco, bad just finished his supper when his orderly announced: a Redfern, the Scout, sir.” ) Ah! show him in, orderly,” said the colonel, and & moment after the young scout entered, ‘Sit down Redfern, you look tired out, ‘‘ When did you arrive?” : Five minutes ago, sir.” * And you are just off of another of your roving scouts, I suppose?” “Yes, sir, I have been in the mining country, colonel, and rode back rapidly to report that the road-agents are again on the trails.” ‘Ab! this must be looked to at once; but which band is it, and where did you hear of them, Red- ern “T saw them, sir, and it is the band of Blue Jacket Bill, sir,” “ Al! that deserter again. “We must catch and han* him, Re‘fern,”” “Yes, sir, it would be well to do so.” “ But you say you saw them?” “ Yes, sir, they had held up Mexican Joe's coach, and I was in chase of it for a purpose I will explain, when I dashed suddenly upon them,” The Blue Jackets?” “Yes, sir, and the coach too. potraat so waved and called to imaginary troops n eon. “Just your style, Redfern; but you were not alone?” “Yes, sir, for I seldom have company, sir, I could not. “The road-agerts scattered at once, and I told. Mexican Joe to dash on, which he did and he es- caped them.” ‘Were there many passengers?” “Half a dozen, sir, and they would have lost con- payee while there was a treasure-box on the coach.” ‘“Another good deed to your credit, Redfern— Well, orderly ?”’ “A courier has arrived, sir, with these dis- patches.” Colonel King took the official looking envelop”, detaining Redfern who had arisen to go, and break ing the seal, said: “Ah! from the mahager of the stage company, scout, and hear what he says: “*T have the honor to report that Mexican Joe’s coach was held up by road-agents, of the Blue Jacket Band at the Cedar Cliffs on its last run, and a treasure of great value, with the pocketbooks and jewelry of six passengers, were saved through the daring of a Fort Blanco scout known as the Revolver Sharp. “But for this young may boldly charging alon upon the road-agents, the Stage company woul have been heavy losers, and] am empowered to in- close the within check of one thousand dollars which I will ask you to be good enough to hand over to the person referred to, with the thanks of the com- pany. pe Scout Redfern will doubtless report the affair to you, but from what Mexican Joe says of bim, he will hardly give himself the credit he deserves. ‘| have the honor to be, etc., etc.” “Now, Master Redfern, allow me to have the pleasure of han: ing over to you this check from the manager of the stage company, and to say that you richly deserve it.” ** Pardon me, Colonel King, but I do not need the money, ner willl take a reward for baving simply done my duty, and I would esteem it a favor if you would return it for me with my decision regarding , anti the “But, Redfern, you are on a scout’s pay i them @ company are rich, while you have save larve sum,’ urged Colonel King. “No sir, I will not take it, as Ido not need the money, and the paymaster will tell youI have not drawn adollar of my pay since I came here for service a year ago. ““ Why, colonel, it would pay somebody well to kill and rob me, for I carry a small fortune in the me tal upon my saddle, bridle and weapons, not to speak of a few golden orzas in m M pocket,” and taking out a handful of twenty-dollar goid-pieces the yovth jingled them tcgether merrily and laughed in bis light-hearted way. ‘ *You area strange boy, Redfern, and I wish I knew more of you, for you area mystery to me, I frankly admit, and with all your happy-go-lucky manner lam sure that you are often a sufferer from some hidden cause.” The face f the youth changed instantly, flushed quickly end then grew pale, while he said wiih the air of one far beyond his years: ; ‘‘We ars ajl hypocrites, Colonel King, for no one knows us as ‘we really are.” Then, quickly changing his manner to his free- and-easy style again, he continued: “*T have another report to make toyou, sir, and one I cannot fathom,” “ T will hear it. Redfern,” answered the colonel, more and more impressed with the strange boy be- fore him, and who was an unfathomable mystery to | all in Fort Llanco, ; CHAPTER XX], REDFERN'S REPORT, REpFERN the Scout had come to Fert Blanco one night, a year before heis introduced to the reader, and made a report that 4 large band of Comanches were lying in wait for a wagon-train. = A force was sent under the boy’s guidance, while scouts went along to see that no trap was intended, ) for the dashing-looking youth in. his Mexican ces-_ tume did not inspire confidence with all. He led the force to the scene of the ambush, show- ing a wonderful knowledge of the country, the. scouts said, and enabled them to reach a position to , — attack the Comanches in the rear, The result was a complete panic for the Tndians | and the saving of the train, which would have marched into the trap that very day but for the youth, : When the fight was over the boy who had been in | the thickest of it. had three scalps which he had taken, and he quietly remarked to Captain Plum- . mer, who commended the foree: “T always keep them, sir, to register.” “To veqister ?” asked the surprised officer. “Yos, sir, I have a contract fur just so many, * and the hoy turnedaway. . Several davs after he agein appeared at the fort) and asked Colonel King to take him as a scout. ‘* You l now the country well, I kelieve?”’ * Yes, sir.” “ Whar is yourname, my lad?” *« Roy Redfern, sir."’ * Are you a Mexican?” **T do not know, sir.” “Ah. you live in the United States, so consider, yourself an American?” “J donot know, sir, what I am.” “You have parents?” a The Comanches killed them, sir, and took their’ Ds - "7 * My poor boy! where were you living then?” “In Texas, sir.” “ Where have you been since then?”
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‘ Wandering about, sir." ** Why do vou dress in Mexican attire?”’ **1 like it, sir.” ** Do you.know the mining country?” ** Yes, sir, I have been all through there. “They gave me the name of the Gold Revolver Sharp in the mines.” * Why so?’ **T betieve because I never missed my aim, sir.” “Well, Master Roy Redfern, qoa can report to Major Sam Hall, better known as Buckskin Sam, who is my chief of scouts.” “Ys, sir, he was with Captain Plummer when we went to the relief of the train.” “ Yes, and Buckskin Sam said that you were as good as any scout he had, so you will report and be put on full pay from the day you started with Cap- tain Plummer to save the train.” * Thank you, sir; but, I don’t care much for the pay ” “ How will you live without money?” “ve got some money, sir,’ was the smiling re- ply and thus Redfern became ascout at Fort Blanco. He proved himself a very valuable addition to the scouting force, and Cologel King gave him a kind of roving commission, going where he pleased, and time and again he brought in valuable information, of an intended Indian outbreak here, an outlaws’ raid there, and other items important to be known. There was not a better horseman at the fort, that was soon discovered, nor one who rode better animals, for the young scout’s three were superior to those of Colonel King, that were so highly prized. : Then Redfern was a dead shot with rifle or revol- ver, though he never carried the former weapon, and he could throw a lariat equal to Buckskin Sam, which was saying a great dea). To the surprise cf the officers he was a good swordsman, while he also possessed the art of de- fending hims°lf with his bowie-knife against a sword in skillful hands. The mystery about the boy, with the stories told of him, made him a hero, and yet no one knew mora of him than he c2red to tell, while now and then a scout, or an officer would return from the mines and tell of strange tales told there of the Gold Re- volver Sharp and tbat he was dreaded as a most dangerous youth by the miners, especially the most lawless amon: them, Such was the youth who was now to make a second report to Colonel King, and who was as much, if not more, of a-mystery to all in the fort as he was when a year before he had come there, + Witbout drawing any money from the paymaster he always dressed like an exquisite, and worea costum- worth a dozen officers’ uniforms, while also he was never known, as he said, ‘‘ to go broke.”’ * Weil, Redfern, what other ee have you to make, other than about the attack on the coach by Blue Jacket Bill and his band?"’ ; “There’s a woman in the case this time, sir,” said Redfern with a smile, ‘* A woman, eh?” “Yes, sir, for a strange lady arrived on the’ Santa Fe coach a week agoat the New Mexico in Devil’s Ranch.” arm * A cheerful place, certainly, for a Jady, scout.” **She seemed to find itso, sir, for she got into a game of cards in the evening, playing with a man of whom you bave heard, the Sharp from Texas.” ‘* Yes. and pleasant company she had?” * Spe liked it, sir, and she got him to let her make asil nt bet against him, and she won it too.” Then Redfern told of the gambling scere between the vailed womanand ths Sharp from Texas, and how it had ended. ‘ Of his own talk with the woman, for some strange reason he did not speak, but went on to tell how in following the coach to discover who she was he had saved it from the road-agents. ‘Having heard the story of Mexican Joc cf how the vailed woman left the coach, he had tried to track her, but losing her trail had returned to Devil’s Ranch, to find Lone Star gone, for he had hoped to find out through him something about the woman, feeling sure that he must know who it was that had been so determined,to take his life, “Failing to find the Sharp from Texas, he had again gone andtaken vthetrail of the womanfrom where she ba. left LIexican Joe’s coack. “T at last struck the trail, sir, and di:covered that every effort hac been made to cover it up; but I fol- lowed it to the Rio Grande and am sure she went into Mexico; so I came back to report to you, as, i she did, she is a Tlexican, and those with her were either Mexican troops or outlaws, sir.” “Well, Redfern. there is much in all this worth looking up, and you are the one to fathom it for me, only do not speak to any one else about the strange woman.” \ “I can, sir, follow the trail into Mexico, if you wish it.” - {t is a most risky thing for you to do, Redfern.” “1 do not mind the risk, sir, if 1 can discover who the woman is and why she came here with a large force, sir, for I forgot to say that the twenty masked men who met her in the coach were not one-half of those with her. for she joined two other bands , equally as large on the Way to the Rio Grande,” * Indeed!” ‘* Yes, sir, for I marked well their trails. and nota - a less than sixty she had when she crossed the ver. “This iss range.” * And it is also, sir. that when Blue Jacket Bill held “Well, Redfern, the case is in your bands to ferret out, so begin when you please.”* “TL! start to-morrow night, sir, and would not like any one to know that I have left the fort, for you know not who may be spies, sir.” “Very true, and you are right to act with the greatest caution.” The following night the Revolver Sharp, mounted upon his best horse, left Fort Blanco to ones more take the trail of the Vailed Gambler. CHAPTER XXII. ON A WOMAN'S TRAIL, Reprern left the fort at midnight, going out quiet ly past the sentinel at the stockade gate, and rode a number of miles before he balted for a rest. It was sunrise when he awoke and after breakfast he pushed onhis way at asturdy gait that threw the miles behind him. So he kept on until he came to the ford of the Rio Grande where the vailed woman and her escort had crossed. He cid not hesitate about crossing, and seemed as much at home in Mexico as in the United States. He had been several days away from the fort and yet the splendid large roan he rode seemed notin the least fatigued. Ha'ting at the hacienda one night he began ina cautious way to make inquiries about the vailed woman. He could not expect to longer follow her trail, but he knew that she must have passed by that very haciexda, as there was no other way she could have taken from the ford, After certain cautious inquiries, he learned that a cavalcade had passed and the ranchero ssid: ‘You must mean the Lancero Queen, Captain Do- lores!” Redfern said, indifferently: “Yes, that is her name, for I had forgotten it. ““T have a message for her which I am anxious to deliver, so would hke to know where to find her, senor?” ‘* She is at her fort, as her ranch is called.” “ Her fort?” “Yes, if she is the one you seek, for it was Cap- tain Dolores who passed here on the day you refer to, ti gh her escort of Lanceros; which she com- mands. ‘**A woman command soldiers?” asked the youth. “ Yes, for she saved the frontier settlements from being wiped out'by the Comanches, and held a force at bay with her cowboys until the troops arrived, directing all herse f, and for her gallant services the Government made her a Captain of Lanceros and she has uniformed and armed her own vaqgueros at her own expense.”’ ‘*She must have a number of raqueros ?” “Shea has fuly a bundred upon ber three ranches.” “Ts she so rich, then, senor?” “Yes, she is very rich, but lives alone in a hacien- da which she calls Fert Unknown, and not any one but her few faithful servants know what is within, and itis said that no one ever sees her face,” “That is the woman I am after, muttered Red- fern, but aloud he said: “Is sbe then so homely as to be afraid to show her face?” * No, for it is supposed she is beautiful: but she made her vow never to reveal her face until sue had accomplished a certain purpose and she has kept it as far as { ever heard.” * Has she n> kindred, no friends, senor?” ** None that I ever heard of. **She was the heir of an old ranchero who owned those three ranches and lived the life of a hermit, as she does “She came at night, from no one knows where, took possession and was snown as the Vailed Un- known. “She gives generously to charity but receives no visitors, and how she knew of the Comanche raid no one discovered; but she was prepared fur them, warned the settlements and beat back the red-sking until the soldiers came, for which, as I have said, she was made a Captain of Lanceros, and is now known as Captain Dolores, the Black Nun, Lancero Queen and by several other names, Og often leaves her home, senor, does she no “Seldom, I believe; but then she goes with an escort of from twenty to fifty, of her vaqueros, all of whom are splendid riders and thoroughly armed,” = She must indeed be a strange woman, senor?” ‘She certainly is, and 1 have an idea, though I may be wrong, that she goes alone sometimes across the Rio Grande and is gone for days and weeks in the United States; but you said you hada sees for her?”’ P 1 i 4 have a message for a vailed lady who was in the United States ten days ago, and yh I only had the description of to trace her by, as she crossed into Mexico with an escort of over half a hundred men. “Then it is Captain Dolores you wish to see, though you'll find it no easy matter to do so, for she sees no one, unless it is a Government officer on business,’ “Weil, [can make the attempt at least, senor,” was the response of Redfern, and when he retired that night in the pleasant room the hospitable ran- chero had assigned him he made up his mind that he would see Captain Dolores before he left Mexico, The next morning he went on his way, and a score up Mexican Joe's coach, the first thing he asked for | of miles brought him in s'‘ght of a large hacienda was the vailed woman, and they were in ; f mot finding her. & rage gi situa ted upon a bill, with heavy timber about it, and all around prairie lands which were dotted with herds of cattle, attended by numerous »va- ueros. The hacienda did indeed look like a fort, and had turrets at either corner, while immediately sur- rounding it were ornamental grounds, A vaqguero rode toward the scout as he advanced and halted in his path. ‘Well, senor, what do you wish here?” he asked politely yet firmly. : ‘*To see the Senora Dolores, senor, if you please,’” was the reply, ‘Your visit is useless, senor, fr Captain Dolores Sees no one.” ‘*Perhaps she will make an exception in my case, as I have important information for her.” * She makes no exceptions, senor, and if you will give me the news you bear I will see that it reaches her ears.” ** No, I can tell only the Senora Dolores.”’ “You cannot tell her, senor, for you must not go nearer to the hacienda than you now are, and I obey orders only in demanding that you go on your way.”* “Still the senora does receive a visitor now and then?” suggested Redfern. ‘To whom do you refer, senor?” ‘** Government officers.” “Ah! Captain Dolores receives an official of the Government when occasion demands, and she ex- pects one now. ‘“‘ Are you an officer of the Government, senor?” Redfern was tempted to say yes, and try that plan of so a the mysterious Lady Captain; but he an- swered: “No, 1am not an officer of the Mexican Govern- ment,’ and with a salute he rode on his way mutter- ing to himself: “She expects an officer now, doeg she? ““ Well, he can come but one way, and I’ll camp on the trail he must take. “ It’s a bold game to play, but I'll risk it,” and the younz scout rode rapidly on the trail leading further into Mexico. CHAPTER XXiTIl. REDFERN’S PLOT TO WIN. TE young Revolver Sharp was a youth of devices, ° He was as cunning as an Indian with all his coure age, and he had a brain that was always busy. Both the ranchero, with whom he had halted all night, and the vaguero, who had_refused to allow him to go to the hacienda of the Lady Captain. had said that the Vailed Unknown received a Government official when he called at her house. The vaquero had even said she was expecting an officer there, and more, had asked Redfern if he was one. , So the young scout made his way to a rid throngh which the trail ran to the ekveet fort to the hacienda of the vailed Woman. He argued that if an offleer came, he would come via that fort, and so he went into camp on_ the trail, selecting a wild and picturesque spot in which to lie in ambush. 1t was the afternoon of the second day, when he beheld, from his point of observation, which com- mandod a view for miles, a horseman coming along the trail. : t Quickly saddling his horse, he mounted and rode forward to meet him, : As they approached each other, Redfern saw that he was a young officer, wearing the rank of a lieu- tenant of Lanceros, and he saluted him politely and drew rein. ‘oe Mexican also halted, and Redfern asked po- ely: “Are you the officer going to visit Captain Do- lores at her hacienda, senor? “Tam, senor.” Quick as a flash the Mexican was covered, and Redfern said slowly: be ee ‘Hands up, senor, orI will kill you! Obey, and your life is safe! The Mexican was com letely caught off his guard, and there was something in the face of Redfern that caused bim to promptly obey the command. “ Now, senor officcr, upon my word I will do you no re as I will explain to you if you will only do my biJding. ** What bave you to say?” was the stern question. = First, -d ies oe you-+-there! Now I wil e your bridie-rein and you with me.” tak Whither?” y pt to go with me Off the trail a short distance, for I have a snug hiding place. “Come, for I donot wish to use force, or to make you obey by threats,” The Mexican offered no resistance, and Redfern led his horse back on the trail to where he had made bis own camp. There he ordered him to dismount, and having taken from bis pocket a couple of pairs of manacles, slipped them upon his ankles and wrists, “Now, Sener Officer, with your mission to the Lady Captain I have nothing to do, for that is not my business; but I desired an interview with her, and was unable to gain it. . “Tam anxions to see ber upon a matter of ve great importance to her, and not even alettcr w be taken to her from me. ’ S ‘Learning that an officer of the Government was to visit her, I waited, and now have you in my power,” “This camp is not an unpleasant one, and I will have to ask youto remain until morning, while L borrmo your horse and uniform.” * Oaramba!” snapped out the Mexican: but Red- fern continued: : *T do not intend to rob vou of your clothes, nor of asingle peso. but I do wish the tise of your uniform in which I can visit the Lady Captain,”
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“Aha! you cannot doit, for you do not know the countersign,”’ said the officer. “Thank you for informing me that I had to have & password, senor, and you'll give it to me.” ‘Never!” ‘Well, if you refuse I shall simply take you to the Comanche village and turn you over for funeral Services according to their style, and if you give me the wrong password I will do so upon my return, “T pledge you my word I will only use it to gain jan interview with Captain Dolores, and that Imean to serve her, not to harm her. “Take your choice, senor.” . The Mexican quickly did so by saying: _ “The countersign is Day, if you reach the hacienda in the night, and Wight, if you arrive there in daylight.” “Thank you, and now as a proof that I mean you no harm, ? will not search you, nor touch what dispatches you may have for Captain Dolores; but I must borrow your uniform, and your outfit, senor,” There was no use to fight against the inevitable and the Mexican yielded with what grace he could. Redfern at once set to work to change clothes with him, hats and all, and found the uniform no bad fit for him. Then he unsaddled his horse and staked him out, and giving his prisoner some supper told him he would return in time to give him his breakfast. His long hair he pinned up under his uniform hat and securing the prison-r so he could lie down an rr 9 upon his blankets, but not escape, he mounted the Mexican’s horse and rode away. It was just after nightfall when he rode up to a group of ragueros and was halted by them. “[T desire to see Captain Dolores, senor,” he said politely. ““What name, Senor?” asked the very vaguero he had seen the day before, “Day,” and as Redfern uttered the word he was jready to fire and fly if itwwas wrong. “* Bueno, senor! “Ride on to the hacienda and you will be admitted on the password,” said ‘the Vaquero. edfern promptly obeyed, and ee reaching the massive gateway in the adobe wall rapped upon it with his knife hilt, is Who is it?” asked a voice within. — A Government officer to see Captain Dolores.” “The countersign?”’ ay."” a ae | pe senor, enter,” and the gate was thrown pen, Dismounting he said to the servant who took hig 10rse: “Hold him in readiness, for I must return to- might.” ‘*So soon, senor?” “Yes, it is urgent,” and he followed another gser- vant who led him into the hacienda. He had gained his point thus far, and he had the herve to face whatever ordeal was before him, ‘though he could not but admit to himself that he chad taken terrible chances, | And for what? ‘To carry out the uncontrollable impulse he had to See that vailed woman again. CHAPTER XXIV. CAPTAIN DOLORES, . THE hacienda of the vailed woman seemed to be ike the court of a prince, for servants were numer- ous, and all dre: in the rich Mexican costume, Then there was an air of wealth and elegance upon every side, A large plaza, or court, was in tho center of the hacienda proper, anda fountain, the waters brou rht from the nelghboring mountains in pipes, sent streams far up into the air falling back witn a rippling sound that was very goot!-ing. The plaza was full of beautiful flowers, a few trees, and a hammock was hung there. On the inside of the buildin all around the plaza was a double balcony, affordi ga promenade, and on the outer side were also covered verandas, from which a’grand view could be obtained, The room into which Redfern was ushered was very large, exquisitely furnished and had in it a piano, a harp, Spanish guitar and a stand of music n English, French, Italian and Spanish, There were many souvenirs of the chase scattered about, a well-dressed bear’s head and rob>, another of a buffalo, deers’ antlers, birds of various kinds, with wolf and fox-skin mats. In an adjoining room, through which the peon servant led the scout to meet his mistress, there were innumerable relics of Indiang, bows, arrows, traps, and in fact whole red-skin outfits, The next room was full of military trophies, but the young adventurer had only @ passing planes at these as he walked through the h + ly lighted | ouse, for the plaza was also 4s bright as noon- fal ander the glare of many lamps, softened by a | oon, Entering a fourth room, Redfern found himself in | achamber which seemed to b2 wholly of a past eneration, for he appeared to have stepped into yt 2 balls of the Montezumas. © furniture and all he saw there was of a time centuries before, and seated in te modst of ths splendor of her surroundings was the vailed wo- And she was sti i d still heavi aie a. as still clad in black, and s/il heavily efore her was a table of antique design, and | Sige sores yamemher peor nk ote, a * human skull, serving as a paper-weight, ~ Butfrom head to foot the woman was vailed. a The Rival Sharps. t ee Pa Soe; 4 13 The servant left the visitor at the portal, and the vailed woman bowed in a dignified way, and said: “Be seated, Senor Lieutenant, and let me see the orders you bring, when I will give into your hands what information I have gleaned; and— ‘Pardon me, senora, but before you say aught ermit me to present myself as the Goid Revolver Sharp, of that you woul. not have a stranger know, p Devil’s Ranch,” A slight cry broke from the woman’s lips, and she sprung to her feet, now for the first time really looking at her visitor, whom, as a matter of course, she regarded as yne of the Government messengers, ini the habit of coming to see her at stated times. “You are that beautiful boy.” she said, as though thinking aloud, and then asked sternly: “Why have you intruded here, senor?” “Pardon the intrnsion, senora, but I came to serve you, and being refused admission as I was, I changed my plumage for that of a Mexican officer of Lanceros.” Ant you do wear the dress of a Mexican Lan- cero.”’ “Tt was that alone that gained me admission.” ‘“* The password?” a got that as I did this uniform, lady, by bra- vado. “How did mit you here? “*T learned that you received Government officers * certain times, so I layin ambush for one and here am.’ ‘You killed him?” cried the woman excitedly. “He is as alive as Iam, senora, not in the Jeast harmed, andif you will permit m3 I'll tell you just how I captured him.” — ‘“*T will listen,’? and the woman resumed her seat, while Redfern told his story. ** And his papers?”’ “ He has them.” “You did nuf look at them?” ‘Of course not, any more thanI allowed you to betray yourself, if there was aught to betray. ‘**T sought you for a purpose and I have found you, 80 with your other affairs [ have nothing to do,’ “You are a strange boy.” ‘Thank you.” “But how did you find me here?” “ T trailed you,” ** Impossible,” “No, I rode in after the coach in which you left, and found it held up by Blue Jacket Bill and his band, noted outlaws and road-agents who infest the trains from California to the Missouri, and Wyoming to Texas, “ Believing that Ihad others with me, the road- agents ran off and the coach went on. “Then Mexican Joe tho driver told me that the first demand of the outlaws Lad been for you.” ‘* For me?” ‘So he said, and they seemed enraged at not find- ing you, while they grumbled at having lust a great deal of money through missing you.” “ This is strange.”’ “So I thought, and when Mexican Joe told me how you had Teft his coach, after piying your way to Sunta Fe, I went back to find you. **Tlost your trail, so went on to Devil’s Ranch to find the Sharp from Texas.” “ Ah!” ‘*He had departed, so Iagain sought your trail, found it, and discovered whe:e you had others awaiting you and had crossed the Rio Grande. “Of course, lady, I crossed too, and unable to see you by f.ir means I tried foul, ambushed the lieu- tenant, rigged up in his clothes and here I am.” “So [ see,” and there was a world of meaning in the woman's words, few as they were, CHAPTER XXV. A MYSTERIOUS BADGE. Tue vailed woman seemed strongly moved at the coming of the youth. f Had he told her the truth. or did he know more than he admitted tat he did? Had he lft the Mexican officer as he had said, or was he dead? : ; These thoughts troubled her, ty tage as she did not seem to understand just WHY he had come. After awhile she asked: ‘And why have you sought me here, senor?” * First tell me whose portrait that is on the wall there?” and Redfern’s eyes were gazing with rapt intent upon a life-size portrait of a woman in full Mexican costume, The face was one of marvelous beauty, though it was of a weird kind of loveliness that was attrac- tive, yet to ba feared, F ““Why do you ask about that portrait the vailed woman somewhat nervously asked. ! *T wish you would tell me whose it is?” persist. ently said Redfern, The face of the portrait was that of a maiden of eighteen, and her form was the perfection of sym- metrical grace. 4 The eyes g2zed into the youth’s as though the portrait was really flesh and blood, and he seemed to font their strange influence, for he was fascinated with it. *‘ [think I have seen you before.” The woman started, for the words were not ad- dressed to her, but /o the por(rait. “‘ Where have you seen me before?” asked the woman almost in a whisper, as though she answered for the portrait. Seemingly now unconscious of her presence the youth had risen and stood before the magical paint- . which was an exquisite work of art of an ex- Muisite subject. ‘Idonot remember, lady, but 1 have seen you— you know that the uniform would ad- erhaps in my dreams, for your face is one I cannot orget.”' The woman had bent earnestly forward now and seemed to be enraptured by the scene, of the youth talking to the portrait, and again she asked: ‘“* Tell me when and where you have seen me ?” The words came too abruptly and awoke Redfern from his reverie, He regained his consciousness of the present at once, and said with a lauzh: ‘** Pardon, lady, but_1 believe I was talking to that portrait, and it scemed_to answer me,” “My young friend, that portrait is of one who was once very dear to me. “But she is dead now, and I alone remain, ** Whose likeness did you think it was?’ * Your own!” came the quick reply. ‘** Wine?’ aud the voice was startled in its tone, ““T thought so,” “But you have never seen my face.” “Then why should I recognize that portrait ag yours?”’ * But you could not without seeing my face.” ‘Why, the voice is the same as yours, lady,” “The voice of uw portrait?” “Ah! I forzet, it was you that spoke.” “Boy, who are you?” and the woman’s voice was full of pathetic misery now. “I told you, lady.” The woman sighed and then said: ‘Tell me now why you came here.” “TI wished toknow why Blue Jacket Bili wished to eapture you, and what he knows about you. *“{ wished to warn you against him, and to tell you that it is hardly safe for you to cross the Rio Grande with a force of men, your soldiers. **) wished to know if it was not the Sharp from Texas who had lain in wait for youin the coach and pretended to be the band of Blue Jacket Bill. ‘And more, I was anxious to have you tell me all you know of the Sharp from Texas, and why you called him Huascar Del Sol the other night at Dev- il’s Ranch. ** And more, I will tell you that I have made a vow to ae that man some day, that Sharp from Texas, and if you can give me a clew against him to aid me, do s0. ‘“That is why I have come here, senora,” The woman listened with the deepest interest to all that Redfern said, and for a while seemed lost in deep thought. ‘ At length she said: “I believe just what_you scy, senor, as to your tracking me here; but I hold you to all secrecy as to your finding me. “As to Blue Jacket Bill, who sought me,I think his spies must have known who I was, if only as the Vailed Mexican, and thus given him the clew to get a laige ransom through capturing me. “The man you know as the Sha’p from Texas I know as Huascar Del Sol, but until one year has assed, the demand made upon me that night at ed Ranch, I will say nothing, do nothing against m. “If vou discover that he i3 crooked, hang him, “When you have done so. come to me, “T will give you a badge that will admit you here when you seek me, yet come_only when you know that man is dead, having died at the rope end, or when you need me. “Tf the world goes hard with you, come to me, for yonder portrait shall be as an angel mother to ou. me Will you come to me when you need me?” “T will,” was the firm response of tke yourg scout, who seemed strangely Crewn toward this mysterious woman with the vailed face. *I am content, and can alford to wait. ‘* Here, come nearer ”’ Redfern obeyed, and taking from beneath her vaila pin, she fastened it securely in the front of the scarlet sombrero of the Revolver Sharp He turned the sombrero in his hard and gazed at the signet, : It was a most peculiar design, set in a massive gold star and representing a human eye, The white of the eye was of pearls, the blue 4. ag by turquoise, and the pupil by a dia- mond, ‘There is a reverse to the eye, senor,”’ said the a oe woman as she saw him attentively regarding t. He then saw that the star worked upon a pivot pin, the otherside revealing another eye, only in- stead of the blue turquoise there was black onyx. «That badge will admit. you to this hacienda, senor, or to my presence wherever I may be. _ ‘When you seek me through my people, advance with your right hand raised to your sombrero, halt and turn this eye cn its pivot, revealing the black eye, and it will pass you without your uttering a word, it will cause your Geatbif you use my secret unworthily, though, cid I not trust you, T would not give it into your Keeping, “ Again, senor, should you at any time ina crowd, be you where you may, get into trouble where aid is needed, place your hand to the eye and turn it on its pivot,’ : ‘* Who could aid me on such a sign, lady?” “‘ Woit until you need aid and see,” ‘“*T will, and I thank you ”’ ** Now, will you be my guest for the nlght?” “No, I thank you, senora, for I left the lieuten- ant in somewhat cramped quarters,” and Redfern laughed in bis merry way, “Yes, I forget; but I shall look for him early in Were be tails to. apgibe as e Sto a enora, mine will not the fault. pasa RRR be “Now let me bid you buenas noches, senora.” &
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= 5 a3 ae{ POS “3 re ae a ses bya ~~ _—— Ls - Se gy ht ‘ eres ee ale eT, ede Seam Sa Aes 7K oe eee te A ‘ ~ He bent low over the gloved hand she extended and then turned toward the portrait, threw it a kiss from the tips of his fingers and left the room and left the hacienda, wondering at his strange visit: Two hours after he had set the Mexican free with the advice: * Tf you follow me, senor, I shall kill you.” But the ag officer seemed satisfied to get away with h rode hastily off without thanks. Redfern laughed at his hast and then turning his horse into another trail muttered: “*T have seen her. ** Now for the other shore of the Rio Grande.” CHAPTER XXVI. TAE RETURN FROM MEXICO. Reprern rerurned to Fort Blanco just one month from the day he left it. As was his custom he came after nightfall, and he always left during the night. Some scouts who were envious of him had made complaint to Buckskin Sam, their chief, that the boy was drawing good money for bad services. They complained that he never had anything to do but ride about the country, was never on hand when wanted, and, dressed up as a dandy he was continually in the mming country gambling and winning a name as a desperado. ‘The boy is spoilt and should be brought up with a round turn,” they said. . : Buckskin Sam asked them to make their complaint in writing and that he would submit it to Colonel | King. This they did, though they stated that they did not wish to see Redfern lose his place, only to do something, to win his pay as a scout. “Trezret to submit this, sir, but [must doso at | the request of my men, who seem to be envious of Redfern,” said Buckskin Sam, and he handed over the compl int of the scouts against Redfern. cepa King read it through carefully and then said: ““Ohief Hall, just say t» your men if any one of them will match the services rendered the year past by Redfern, I will give them oae year’s pay out of | my own pocket. ' ** He came here after rendering a service which was invaluable to the Goveroment, not to speak of the massacre he prevented. “He has been the means of arresting half a dozen outlaws upon whose heads prices were set, and in every case has turned the reward in to the Soldiers’ Relief Fund. “ He has not drawn a dollar of pay siace he came, and more, returned to the stage company a check for a thousand dollars sent him for saving a valua- ple perce from capture by Blue Jacket Bill's and. ** Avain, he has a string of scalps in his quarters numbering nine, and all taken in fair fight, and let a scout here match that record. * You are aware that he has shot two of the most lawless men in the mines who were always causing trouble, and did so in self-defense. “A few days agolreceived a medal from the stage company for him, because he would not ac- cept their pay, and two letters from passengers who were in the coach inclosing checks, which I know he will return. ‘ * Redfern, let me further say has, never left this fort except with my knowledge and Me wee my ser- vice, and he is now absent on duty, and I much fear is a prisoner or dead, so say to these scouts if I hear any more of their complaints, I shall show up pheir records agaiost this boy’s.” * Colonel King, I am most glad to take back your words, sir, for I have in vain argued with my men that it was unmanly in them to vent their envy against a boy, and one who has done far more than a man’s part,” and Buckskin Sam returned with the colonel’s message, which was a decidei set-back upon the grumblers, and a cause of re- “a in the compiaint against the young Revolver Sharp. That evening as Colonel King was passing his quarters, and meditating sending out a search- party for the long-absent young scout, the orderly announced: ‘** Redfern, the Scout.” Colonel King had really become very much at- tached to this handsome young scout and in his joy at his return stepped forward ti. meet him with ex- tended hand. “Redfern, my lad. I was just thinking of sending Buckskin Sam and his men to look you up, for really be to fear you were dead ” ‘No indeed, Colonel King, I am all right, sir, only tired after a long ride of it.” “Tam glad indeed to see you back,so sit down and tell me all about your trip.” Redfern tock the seat offered him and then the colonel said: ‘*You have been to Mexico of course?” **Yes, sir.” : “T felt sure that you would do so. “But with what result?” “*T saw the vailed lady, sir.” “ Ah! she ic a Mexican then?” “TI suppose so, sir, for her home is there,” **On the Rio Grande?” “No, sir, a day’s ride in the interior.” ** What is she?” **T do not know, sir.” “You saw ber face this time?” ** No, sir, I did not.” “This is strane,” “She was vailed, as before, and lives a kind of ipicing at their discomfiture to those who had not | gi joine is life, his papers and his purse, aud | much to end coach and train robbing in this part of | the country. | late?* : | some cavalry scouting about their villares to hint to | the colonei once more to his meditations, which, it | scouts were surprised to see Redfern again at the i Texas, if he could—to corner him. in fact. The Rival Sharps. j | hermit life in her hacienda, having a large ranch | and many cattle. | “I know little about her, sir, but do know that | she has some bitter grudge against the Sharp from Texas and came to the mines to take his life. “‘ Failing in this, and pledged not to take his life | for one year, as you remember I told you, sir, she will not tell aught she knows against him, or do anything to help me insnare him for that time. conceal, | “‘*Tf, after a year I have not entrapped him, then Then he asked about the Lone Star Sharp, an | she says that she will help me, and that means his ;" was told how the two had met. | conviction I am sure. St. John gave the Sharp from Texas a good name, “She calls him by what must be his real name, { told how he had refused what he had offered him, Huascar Dei Sol, and she has vowed to take his life, | and how true a friend he was to him and if 1 do not bring him to the gallows she will.” At dinner the youth ate heartily, for he was given ‘** And of Blue Jacket Bill?” a good meal, and the miner was a good cook. “She seems to know nothing, and says that he! Then the miner was a good host, and b: sides Red- doubtless. sought to capture her to get a large ran- | fern had fallen in love at sight with the photograph! som for her return.” of pretty Ethel St. John. ‘*What had she to say of the force she brought “T have to ask you the favor, Mr. St. John, not into the United States with ber?” to speak of my visit to you to the Sharp from ‘They were her people, sir, and brought for her | Texas. protection in case she should need them.” “Now, I cannot explain my reasons, but at ‘*Weli, R-dfern, you have done weli; but we must ! another time I will do so, and I trust you can do as) hang this Sharp from Texas, if he is the man you | [ask of you?” think he is, without the aid of the vailed woman.” ‘Certainly, Master Redfern, with pleasure, for LE “Yes, sir, the thing for me to do is to get the | feel that you have some good mctive, and 1] fear proof against him, and then act, and I am sureif [ that you and my friend Baxter are not just good catch him, there are others who are playing the | friends, and I am sorry. same game with him who will also fall into the “ He is a gogd fellow, when you know him, and L trap.” hope he wiil some day give ur his love of gambling, ‘* Rave you been to the mines lately?” for outside of that il can find no fault with him,”* “‘T came through the mining country, sir.”’ was St. John’s reply. “Did you find the Texan sharp there?” Then Redfern took his leave, promising to calt ‘No, sir, but I heard that he had become pards | again, and he firmly meant to do so. with a miner up in the Yellow Canyon country, but He rode along slowly and seemed to be lost in I did not have time to go by there, so will make a | deep thought. wip especially in a few days.” He left Gold Dust Canyon behind bim and took “Yes, do so, and I begin to feel as you do, that | the trail through Yellow Canyon, where there had when we lay hands upon one or two of these men | once been a Wining camp, for great expectations we will catch the leaders of the road-agents, and do | had been held of the country tl ereabout. But the exponen had not been realized and Devil’s Rauch had become the center of attraction fo place of Yellow Canyon City as it had then been sown. A few cabins stood here and there scattered about, and the place was desolate in the extreme. The scout had been through there before and knew it to deserted, so W8S_nOW somewhat surprised to see aman come out of a cabin on the hill slope and. advancing down into the trail await his coming with the air of one who bad business with him, CHAPTER XXVIII. THE FOX MAKES AN ACCUSATION, ‘‘ WELL, senor, what do you wish?” f The question was asked by Redfern, who was on his guard to meet a friendly advance, or a foe. and the one he addressed stood in the trail beyond him, his hands raised above his head without the asking. It was the one who had come out of the cabin or | the mill and stood in the trail awaiting the approach of the Gold Revolver Sharp. ‘You are the Revolver Sharp, senor?’ asked the man. ‘*So they call me.” “You speak Spanish?” “* Yes, as I do English.” ‘*Good! Ican talk to you in an honest tongue,” returned the man, in the i ogee language. ‘* What have you to say to me?” ‘“T am Juan the Fox ” ‘* Ah, I have heard of you as a great villain.” “Senor, do not believe all you hear, for you have heard of the Sharp from Texas as a good fellow. ” * Ys, but I don’t believe it of him—he’s not guilty of that charge.” ‘**] know him to be a rascal.” ‘“‘ Well, it is money in your pocket to prove it.” “T wok now for reverge, senor,” was the savage horse out and stay to dinner, the two were soon friendly converse. Redfern, young as he was, could read the human | face well. : | He understood human nature, and he felt that he had made a grievous mistake about the miner. He urged him to talk of himself, and soon knew the hisiory of Gray St. Johu, who had nothing to “But have you noticed any sign of Indians of “They are becoming bolder in their hunting ex- cursions of late, sir, and that always means that they are hungry to be on tue war-path again.” * So Buckskin Sam _ reported, and I shall send | them that weare watching them pretty closely: but you look tired, so had better go to bed and rest. “By the way, here are some letters for you, or rather for me with inclosures for you.” They were the letters from the two passengers sending checks for the young scout in return for what he had saved them by his dash upou the road- agents. *Redfern’s face flushed as he read them, and he said: “Tam going to trouble you agoin, Colonel King. to. return the checks with my thanks, and say that I never accept pay for services thus rendered.” “You will not accept the checks then?” “No indeed, sir,’ and with a salute Redfern left is needless to say, were most complimentary to the young scout. The next morning the grumblers among the fort; but if he was aware of their complaint against him he did not show it by his manner, which was as genial and cheery to them as to those who were friendly to him. After a rest of several days the Gold Revolver Sharp again left the post, and this time his visit was to the cabin of Miner Gray St. John. CHAPTER XXVIL. REDFERN MAKES A VISIT. Tur visit of the young Gold Revolver Sharp to Miner Gray St. John has been told in the letter of the miner to his daughter Ethel, which has been uct 4 5 ** Money makes a very nice sauce for revenge; but then aman who hates another can never tell the truth about him,”’ ; ; “*T cane senor,” ‘“* What have you to tell?” - os a are a Goverument scout? ae es. ” “From Fort Blanco?” “ee,” ** He hates you?” I ‘Many do that—all rogues, in fact, do.” ‘“‘He lives only for gold?” “Yes; a great many others do the same.” ‘“‘T can tell you how he gets it.” “1 know.” : “How do you think, senor?” ‘He gambles and does some mining,”* “His mining is a blind.” “You know this?” “Yes, senor.” * Where is he now?” ‘Gone to Devil’s Ranch. “Ah! but I have kept my eye sought to kill me.” “Indeed?” “Yes, senor.” i ‘ “ Do you think that I do not recognize you as one I thought I had killed months ago? [ only gota glimpse of your face that night. my foxy friend, but T have not forgotten you. ise your sombero and — let me see the wound I gave you. The Mexican obeyed, while he returned: “You did right, senor, for I sought to kill you but you were the quickest with your gun, But, I played dead and so got away. / “Why did you see to kill me?” “T was paid to do it.” ** Who was the purchaser?” “ Blue Jacket Bill.” ven. A ; The scout had a motive in calling upon the miner. It was to find out more about the Sharp from For some reason, from the very first, Redfern had decided that Trent Baxter was a villain, He believed him to be more than the gambler he appearei to be on the surface. | n fact. Redfern connected him in some way in his mind with outlawry. He supposed that when he captured Blue Jacket Bill, he would find the Lone Star Sharp in the same company. The truth was that Redfern was a detective scout, but his being employed. by Colonel King in a Socret rvice capacity, was known to the youth and his commander alone. The colonel had decided that in Redfern he had the one to break up the lawless bands in the mining country, and infesting the trails, and so be had told the young scout to go about it in his own way, and this he proceeded to do. __ He had watched about the canyon where St. John’s cabin was, until he saw the Lone Star Sharp | take his leave. | Then he had ee an interview with the miner. He had expected to find in Miner St. John a man who was an out-and-out villain. : The one who came to greet him_with a kind] smile and hospitable manner was tall, well-formed, and with a dark beard and long hair, a few silver threads on either temple. _A fine-looking man he was, in @ neat suit, and the air of a refined gentleman. He greeted the youth pleasantly, looking him squarely in the eyes, and asking him to stake his on him, for he |
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in ey TE The Rival Sharps. | 15 o Ah’” “Itis true, senor; but I have no feeling against you for that shot though I have against the Sharp rom Texas, for he led me into @ snare, pretending Twas to help him, and he shot to kill me and thus silence my tongue. : “Tt was when he went ep with the miner up Gold Dust Canyon, but his bullet glanced on my rib —it struck me just here. I got away from him and he has dreaded me ever since. “Now, senor, I will get my revenge, for I will tell you who heis.” | Le © Well, out with it, my Man. - ‘He is Blue Jacket Bill, the chief of the road- agents |” y The youth reegh | started at the information, and the Mexican saw that he had made an impression. “J half suspected it,’ muttered the Revolver Sharp. 33 “T know it, senor.” “Give your proof.’ : “You will not harm me if I tell you?” “ ” “You will swear to let me go free if I tell you all Iknow?” ay “Tt’s a bargain. “ T will tell you then, senor.» “ Out with it at once!” * Twas a member of tie band.” **- You look it.”’ “Yes, senor, I belonged to Blue.Jacket’s Band,” ‘‘ Why did you leave it?” “7 was afraid he would kill me.” *¢ You were wise to Gesert; but you declare that this man known as the Sharp from Toxasis no more nor less than the robber chief, Blue Jacket BT ua “Yes, Senor Scout,” “He has now gone to Devil's Ranch, you say?” “ Yes, senor.’’ “ Then come there with me and Twill arrest him upon your charge—nay, no harm shall befall you, and you shall be free to go, then.” Juan did not like the idea, but the youth had en- forced his request by drawing his revolver; so_ the Mexican obeyed orders, walking on ahead of Red- fern’s horse, Tt was night when they reached the New Mexico inn, and going to a room with the Mexican, Red ae asked Landlord Du Val if the Texas sharp was ere, ‘He is playing in the saloon now, Senor Redfern,” was the answer. ‘Landlord Du Val, follow me and keep your gun on this Mexican, letting it go of if he attempts to do the same,” ordered nae , promptly. ‘ “What's up, Revolver? ’ rs Ooms and see,” and the Revolver Sharp led the way to the saloon. The Sharp from Texas was there, gambling heay- ily. Walking up in front of him, where he sat atthe table, Redfern suddenly covered him with his re- volver, and said sternly: ; he “Senor, I accuse you of being Blue Jacket Bi'), the road-agent chief. Hands up, quick !” The Sharp from Texas obeyed promptly, raising hands above his head. ; His face paled slightly, but he said coolly: “T always obey the man who has the drop on me, senor, while of all men I wish no quarrel with you, who saved my life, a. who brings this ridiculous charge against me “ This man, Juan the Fox.” “Ah! Tsupposed I had killed him once, when I found him about to fire upon a miner pard of mine up above Yellow Canyon; but, he escaped, it seems, with bis life, and now ia revenge brings this charge against me.”’ “It is true, Senor Scout, ke is Blue Jacket Bill,” cried the Fox, excitedly. ‘““Hang ! im!” came from a hundred throats, and a movement was made toward him. But the Revolver Sharp turned upon the crowd. * Don’t press me, gentlemen, for I arrest this man in the name of the Gsvernment, and he is my pris- oner. * Show your office.’s shield,” said a commanding voice. In an instant, having none, it came to Redfern to gilenc2 all by showing the badge on his red sombrero the double-eyed insignia, given him by the vailec woman; so he raised his hand and instinctively turned the pin on its pivot: At once half a dozen voices cried out: “The Secret Service Badge of the Government!” ‘Respect it, men,” cried another voice. Redfern had won, for the crowd feil back; but he Was amazed, for he knew that there were those present who owed allegiance to Captain Dolores, the vailed woman. . “Men, thig man 1s only accused, not proven guilty, so let the law deal with him. Come, senor, you are my prisoner,” and the Rovolver Sharp led the Sharp from Texas out of the saloon, alf an hour after he was on his way to Fort Blanco with his prisoner in irons, while behind fol- owed Juan the fox as a guard, well mounted and —_—_— CHAPTER XXIX. A FALSE CHARGE. _. THE young Revolver Sharp arrived safely at Fort Blanco with his prisoner, and at once the barracks rung with his praises, for alone he had captured the celebrated outlaw chief, Blue Jacket Bill. uan the accuser, proved conclusively to aa that there was no mistake, but he was Wise enoug not to give it away to others that he knew the out- daw from having served under him. ag \ Of course the capture of the bandit meant his ! death at the rope’s end. He was soon to be tried, which trial would result in his being found guilty. But one evening a horseman arrived at the fort and asked to see Colonel King. At that time Redfern was with the commandant, | who intented sendivg him off for certain witnesses against the Sharp from Texas. The stranger on being admitted proved to bea large man dressed in uniform pants, with a goid stripe, a slouch hat encircled by a gold cord, and a | blue jacket trimmed with lace and brass buttons. He wore a belt to which hung a saber, and a pair of revolvers. Top boots with spurs adorned his feet, and he had a full beard and long hair. He might be a soldier courier,-or a scout accord- ing to his looks, “Well, sir?’ demanded Colonel King, with a piercing glance at him, “‘ where are you from and on what business?” ‘*T have come to tell you, Colonel King, that you have made a grave mistake—that that young man arrested the wrong man for Blue Jacket Bill!” “Do you speak the truth?” “T do, sir.’’ “ You of course bring proof? “The best in the world sir.” ** Show it.”’ “lam Blue Jacket Bill!” , The words were uttered with the greatest calmness and Colonel King sprungto his feet and stepped closer to the man. “Do you mean this?”’ “Look at the man accused and your prisone*, and note how closely we resemble each other. That is what deceived the Mexican, for my men seldom ‘saw me by daylight, and never without being i: disguise. | *“ See, this beard is false, as alsoI wear a wig. Do you observe?” and the ma » took off a perfect fitting false beard and his ‘wig of long hair. Then his face stood revea.ed, clean shaven, and his hair cut close. “Why do you give yourself up, sir, may I ask when your doing so condemns you to the fall ws? “Well, colonel, [ never believe in death until ir comes, and I owe my life and much more than I can ever tellto Trent Baxter, the man accused of my crimes. “He is not a saint, I admit, but he is not a lawless man, andT will not see him dis whenIcan save him, for, sooner or later I must go the way of all flesh, so what matters afew more days, months or years? c “Send for a guard, Colonel King, and have me put in irons. I warn you that I shall escape if I can.” “Redfern?” * Yes, Colonel King.” ‘A great mistake bas been made here?”’, ““It would seem so, colonel.’’ ““( must release the man Baxter.” ‘*T do not see how you can do otherwise, sir.” An officer was sent for, the sitaation explained to him, and the self-confessed robber was led away to be put in double irons. Soon after the Sharp from Texas came to thank the colonel, refused his invitation to pass the night at the fort, and departed with the remark: “T hold no ill-will toward yaqu, Redfern, for the mistake was well intended,” Then he departed, and Redfern went out to find Juan the Fox. But that worthy had disappeared most mys- teriously. When the sun arose Colonel King sent for the young scout. F The orderly returned with the report that he had left the fort with his three horses, and traps, and leaving a letter addressed to the commandant. The letter was as follows: “*CotongeL CHas. Kina:— ‘My Dear Sir:—You have always been a good friend to me and 1 goto prove my appreciation of your many kindnesses, bs ‘IT cannot believe that the self-accused man is ca Jacket Bill; I still believe that Trent Baxter is guilty. Pr “T take the trail to see if I am Fight or wrong, and some day I hope to report to you that { was not deceived in my man. ‘Tam also anxious to find that Mexican, Juan the Fox. once more. Please do not put me down as a deserter, but as on special duty, and oblige, “Yours with respect and gratitude, “Roy REpFern, “ Secret Service Scout, U. 8, A.” —__ CHAPTER XXX. CONCLUSION. : Lone months after the note left for Colonel King was received, the mail broucht to Fort Blane» a somewhat bulky package addressed to the com- ence i Z ‘ “By Ceesar’s ghost! it is from Redfern, my Boy Scout!” cried tie colonel, and he eagerly detenredl the contents of the let:er, which in the main was as mg ‘I have heard how a party of settlers from Texas came to Fort Blanco, and told you that the prisoner = held was not Blue Jacket Bill, buta madman, he son of an old ranchero there, who had all kinds of delusions and had pretended to be the noted out- law chief, and thus got bim out of your hands. “ But, it was a trick, for they were not settlers, etable as they app , and the old white- haired man who claimed is son, Was paid for doing so. \ “They were outlaws who played the bold game to release their officer who, tosave the chief, had de- clared himself Blue Jacket and thus got a large re- ward for the great risk he ran. “The chief, Trent Baxter, no one saw about the mines after the night he lett the fort; but I followed his trail, and knuw that he killed Miner St. John and then sought out his wife as the best friend of the murdered man and would have brougat ruin upon them had I not thwarted him. ‘“*T tracked him to Colorado and I send you here- with the official papers of the execution there by law of one, Hugh Hammond, alias Trent Baxter, alias the Sharp from Texas, alias Blue Jacket Bill the road-agent chief of New Mexico. “Phe official documents, signed and sealed, will show you that I was right, after all.” : The colonel hastily glanced over the papers sent and cried: * Bravo for the boy! He was right, after all, and 1 shall write to him to return here, at once.” Then the colonel continued the letter: “Having fulfilled my mission, Colonel King, for that man led the Comanche band that took thelives of my parents, I shall go to Mexico, where I have a property that ail along has paid mea liberal in- come, and where I will visit that mysterious woman. who has written to me to come and be her adopted. son, and offering inducements 1 fear I can not resist. ** But on the way I shall have the honor of seeing you, as Miss Ethel St. John, the daughter of the murdered miner. since her mother’s death has made me her sole guardian, and I desire to look after the working of ber mine in Gold Dust Canyon, which is panning out richly, for ber.” Six wees aiter the reception of this letter, Roy Redfern came to Fort Blanco on his way to Mexico, and the reception he met with made his heart | glad, That he eould become Ethel’s guardian and not fali in love with her the reader readily surmises, and so, when “Captain Dolores,” who was the secret leader of a Mexican conspiracy, which never struck the blow intended, became his adopted mo- ther, Ethei also was included as a daughter, and Senora Del Sol, as she was afterward known, sought a bome for life on the American side of the Rio Grande, where Roy Redfern afterward won fame as a colonel of Texas cavalry in the Confederate Army, THE END. Beatlle's Half-Dime Library. BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, JR. 2 Yellowstone Jack; or, The Trapper. 48 Black John, the Road-Agent; or, The Outlaw’s Retreat. 65 Hurricane Bills or, Mustang Sam and His Pard. 119 Mustang coms or, The King of the Plains. 186 Night-liawk Kits or, The Daughter of the Ranch. 144 Dainty Lance the Boy Sport. 151 Panther Paul; or, Dainty Lance to the Rescue. 160 The Black Giant; or, Dainty Lance in Jeopardy. 168 Deadly Dash; or, Fighting Fire with Fire. 184 The Boy aalients 3 or, Dainty Lance on the War-Path. 208 The Boy Pards; or, Dainty Lance Unmasks. 211 Crooked Cale, the Caliban of Celestial City. 810 The Barranca W olf; or, The Beautiful Decoy. 819 The Black Rider 3 or, The Horse-Thieves’ League, 885 Old Double Fist; or, ‘The Strange Guide $55 The Kine of the Weoda: or, Danie) Boone’s Last Trail, 419 Kit Fox, the Border Boy Detective. 625 Chincapin Dan, the Boy Tratler. 677 Chincapin Dan’s Second Trail. MISCELLANEOUS AUTHORS, 4 The Wild-lMorse Hunters. By Capt. 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HOS GUD eet) _— RD DIME DIALOGUES RU Ce LUE oN. 25, <2 \Qreyos 15 to 25 Popular Dialogues and Dramas in each book. Each volume 100 12mo. pages, sent post-paid, on receipt of price, TEN CENTS, Dime Dialogues, No. 1. Meeting of the Muses. For nine young ladies, Baiting a Live Englishman. For three boys, Tasso’s Coronation. For male and female. Fashion. For two ladies, Therehearsal, For six boys. Which will you Choose? For two boys. The eg of May. For two little girls. ‘The Tea-Party. [or four ladies. Three Scenesin Wedded Life. For male and female, Mrs. Sniffles’s Confession. For male and female. The Mission of the Spirits. For five young ladies. Hobnobbing. For five speakers. The Secret of Success. For three speakers. Young America. For three males and two females. Josephine’s Destiny. For four females, one male. ‘The Folly of the Duel. For three male speakers. Dogmatism, For three male speakers. The Ignorant Confounded. For two boys. The Fast Young Man. For two males. The Year’s Reckoning. Twelve females, onc male. The Village with One Gentleman. and one male, Dime Dialogues, No. ©. The Genius of Liberty. Two males and one female. Cinderella; or, the Little Glass Slipper. Doing Good and Saying Bad. For several characters. The Golden Rule. For two males and two females, The Gift of the Fairy Queen. For several females. Taken in and Done for. For two characters. Country Aunt’s Visit to the City. Several characters. The Two Romans. For two males. Trying the Characters. For three males. The Happy Family. For several ‘ animals.” The Rainbow. For several characters. How to write “ Popular ’’ Stories. For two males, The New and the Old. For two males. A Sensation at Last. For two males. The Greenhorn. Fortwo males. The Three Men of Science. For four males, The Old Lady’s Will. For four males. The Little Philosophers. For two little girls. How to Find an Heir. For five males. The Virtues.-_For six young ladies. A Connubial Eclogue. The Public Meeting. The English Traveler. For five males and one female, For two males. Dime Dialogues, No. 3. ‘The May Queen. For an entire school. Dress Reform Convention. Tor ten females. Keeping Bad Company. A Farce. For five males. Courting Under Difficulties. Two males, one female. National Representatives. A Burlesque. Four males, Escaping the Draft. For numerous males, The Genteel Cook. For two males, Masterpiece. For two males and two females. The Two Romans. For two males. The Same. Second Scene. For two males. Showing the WhiteFeather. Your males, one female, The Battle Call. A Recitative. For one male. Dime Dialogucs, No. 4. The Frost King. Foren or more persons. Starting in Life. For three males and two females. Faith, Hope and Charity. For three little girls. Darby and Joan. Fortwo males and one female, The May. A Floral Fancy. For six little girls. The Enchanted Princess, * 2 males, several females, Honor to Whom Honor is Due. 7 males and 1 female, ‘The Gentle Client. Seyeral males and one female, Phrenolo A Discussion. For twenty males. The Stubbletown Volunteer. 2 males and 1 female, A Scene from ‘* Paul Pry.”’ For four males. The Charms. For three males and one female, Bee; Clock and Broom = For three little girls. ‘The Right wa A Colloquy. For two boys. What the Ledger Says, For two males, The Crimes of Dress. A Colloquy. For two boys. The Reward of Benevolence. For four males. Thé Letter. For two males. Dime Dialogues, No. 5. The Three Guesses. For school or parlor. Sentiment. A “ Three Persons’ ”’ Farce, Behind the Curtain. For males and females. The Eta Pi Society. For five boys and a teacher, Examination Day. For several female characters. Trading in ‘‘ Traps.”? For several males. The Schoolboys’ Tribunal. For ten boys. A Loose Tongue. For several males and females, How Not to Get an Answer, For two females, Putting on Airs. A Colloguy, For two males, The Straight Mark, For several boys. Two ideas of Life. A Colloquy. For ten girls, Extract from Marino Faliero, Ma-try-Money. An Acting Charade. The Six Virtues. For six young ladies. The Irishman at Home. For two males, Fashionable Requirements. For three girls. A Bevy of I’s (Eyes). For eight or less little girls. Foreight females | True Pride. | Twenty Years Hence. Dime Dialogues, No. 6. The Way They Kept a Secret. For male and females, The Poet under Difficulties. For five males, William Tell. For a whole school. Woman’s Rights. For seven females and two males, For male and females, Allis not Gold that Glitters. The Generous Jew. For six males. Shopping. For three males and one female. The Two Counselors. For three males. The Votaries of Folly. For a number of females. Aunt Betsy’s Beaux. For 4 females and 2 males, The Libel Suit. For two females and one male, Santa Claus, For a number of boys. Christmas Fairies. Yor several little girls. The Three Rings. For two males. Dime Dialogues, No. 7. The Two Beggars. For fourteen females. The Earth-Child in Fairy-Land. For girls. Two females, one male. The Way to Windham. For two males. Woman. A Poetic Passage at Words. Two boys. The *Ologies. A Colloquy. For two males, How to Get Rid of a Bore. For several boys. Soarding-School. For two males and two females. Plea for the Pledge. For two males. The Ills of Dram-Drinking. For three boys, A Colloguy. For two females, The Two Lecturers. Vor numerous males. Two Views of Life. A Colloquy. For two females. The Rights of Music. For two females. A Hopeless Case. A Query in Verse. Two girls. The Would-be School-Teacher. For two males. Come to Life too Soon. For three males. Eight O’clock. *For two little girls. True Dignity. A Colloquy. For two boys. Grief too Expensive. For two males. Hamlet and the Ghost, Little Red Riding Hood. For two females. New Application of an Old Rule. Boys and girls, Colored Cousins. A Colloquy. For two males, Yor two persons. Dimo Dialogues, No. 8. The Fairy School. For a number of girls. The Enrolling Officer. The Base-ball Enthusiast. For three boys. The Girl of the Period. For three girls. The Fowl Rebellion. For two males and one female, Slow but Sure, For several males and two females. Caudle’s Velocipede. For one male and one female. The Figures, For several small children. The Trial of Peter Sloper. For seven boys. Getting a Photograph. For males and females. The Society for General Improvement. For girls. A Nobleman in Disguise. Three girls and six boys. Great Expectations, For two boys. Playing School. For five females and four males. Clothes for the Heathen. Yor 1 male and 1 female. A Hard Case. For three boys. Ghosts. For ten females and one male. Dime Dialogues, No. 9. Advertising for Bee: For a number of females, America to England, Greeting. For two boys, The Old and the New. For 4females and 1 male, Choice of Trades. For twelve little boys, The Lap-Dog. For two, females. The Victim. For four females and one male, The Duelist. For two boys. The True Philosophy. For females and males, A Good Education, ' For two females, The Law of Human Kindness. For two females, Spoiled Children. For a mixed school, Brutus and Cassius. Coriolanus and Aufidius. ; The New Scholar. For a number of girls, The Self-made Man. For three males. The May Queen (No. 2). For a school. Mrs. Lackland’s Economy. F or 4 boys and 8 girls. Should Women be Given the Ballot? For boys. Dime Dialogues, No. 10, Mrs. Mark Twain’s Shoe. For 1 male and 1 female. The Old Flag. School Festival. For three boys. The Court of Folly. For many girls. Great Lives. For six boys and six girls. Scandal. For numerous males and females. The Light of Love. For two boys. The Flower Children. For twelve girls. The Deaf Uncle. lor three boys, A Discussion. For two boys, The Rehearsal. Jor a school, : The True Way. For three boys and one girl. A Practical Life Lesson. For three girls. The Monk and the Soldier, For two boys. 1776-1876. School Festival, For two girls. Lord Dundreary’s Visit. For 2 males and 2 females. Witches in the Cream. For 3 girls and 3 boys, Frenchman. Charade. Numerous characters, The Hardscrabble Meeting. Yor ten males, For three girls and two boys. Dime Dialogues, No. 11. ypearances are very Deceitful. For six boys. 21e Conundrum Family. For male and female. Curing Betsy. For three males and four females. Jack and the Beanstalk. Tor five characters. The Way to Do it and Not to Doit. For three females, How to Become Healthy. For 1 male and 1 female, The Only True Life. For two girls. Classic Colloquies. For two boys. I, Gustavus Vasa and Cristiern. II. Tamerlane and Bajazet. Fashionable Dissipation. For two little girls. 4 School Charade. For two boys and two girls, Jean Ingelow’s ‘Songs of Seven.” For seven girls, A Debate, For four boys. Ragged Dick’s Lesson, “ For three boys. A x | School Charade, with Tableau. A Very Questionable Story. A Sell. For three males, The Real Gentleman. For two boys. Dime Dialogues, No. 12. Yankee Assurance. For several characters, Boarders Wanted. For several characters. When I was Young. For two girls. The Most Precious Heritage. For two oys. The Double Cure. For two males and four females. The Flower-garden Fairies. For five little girls. Jemima’s Novel. For three males and two females. Beware of the Widows. For three girls. A Family not to Pattern After, For ten characters. How to Man-age. An acting charade, The Vacation Escapade. For four boys and teacher, That Naughty Boy. For 3 females and 1 male, Mad-cap. An acting charade. All is not Gold that Glitters. Acting proverb. Sic Transit Gloria Mundi. Acting charade, Dime Dialogues, No. 13. Two O'clock in the Morning. Tor three males. An Indignation Meeting, I’or several females. Before and Behind the Scenes. Several characters. The Noblest Boy. A number of boys and teacher, Blue Beard. <A Dress Piece, For girls and boys. Not so Bad as it Seems. For several characters. A Curbstone Moral. For two malesand female. Sense vs. Sentiment. For Parlor and Exhibition, Worth, not Wealth. For four boys aud a teacher, No sifch Word as Fail. For several males, The Sleeping Beauty. For a school. An Innocent Intrigue. Two males and a female, Old Nably, the Fortune-teller. For three girls, Boy-talk. For several little boys. Mother is Dead. For several little girls. A Practical Illustration. For two boys and girl Dime Dialogues, No. 14. Mrs. Jonas Jones. For three gents and two ladies, The Born Genius. For four gents. — and lady, ris. For two boys. More than One Listener Yor four Who on Airth is He? For three gir The Right not to be a Pauper. For two boys, Woman Nature Will Out. Fora pied school Benedict and Bachelor, For two boys, The Cost of a Dress. For five persons, The Surprise Party. For six little girls, A Practical Demonstration. For three boys. Refinement. Acting charade. Several ch Conscience the Arbiter. For lady and gent. How to Make Mothers Hap vy. ‘or two girls. A Conclusive Argument. For two boy speakers, A Woman’s Blindness, For three girls. Rum’s Work. (T emperance). For four gents, The Fatal Mistake. Tor two young ladies, Eyes and Nose. For one gent and one lady. Retribution. For a number of boys. Dime Dialogues, No. 15, The Fairies’ Escapade, Numerous characters, A Poet’s Perplexities. For six gentlemen, A Home Cure, For two ladies and one gent. The Good there isin Each. A number of boys, Gentleman or Monkey. For two boys, The Little Philosopher. For two little girls. Aunt Polly’s Lesson. For four ladies, A Wind-fall. Acting Charade. For a number, Will it Pay? For two boys. The Heir-at-law. For numerous males. Don’t Believe What You Hear. For three ladies, A Safety Rule. For three ladies. The Chief’s Resolve. Extract. Fortwo males, Testing her Friends. For several characters, The Foreigner’s Troubles. For two ladies, The Cat Without an Owner. Several characters, Natural Selection, For three gentlemen, Dime Dialogues, No. 16. Polly Ann. For four ladies and one gentleman, .* The Meeting of the Winds. For a school The Good The coe hed six ladies, The Boy Who Wins. For six gentlemen, Good-by Day. A Colloquy, For three girl The Sick Well Man. For three boys,
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4 investigating Committee, For nine ladies. ‘Corner ” i For four boys. in Rogues. » Imps of the Trunk Room. For five gir's. Pp Boasters. A Colloquy. For two little girls. y’s Funeral. For several little girls. atagem. Charade. For several characters. sting Her Scholars. For numerous scholars. p World is What We Make It. For two girls. P Old and the New. For gentleman and lady. Dime Dialogues, No. 17. LITTLE FOLKS’ SPEECHES AND DIALOGUES. e@ Happy You Must be Good. For two little girls ind one boy. nescent Glory. For a bevy of boys. b Little Peacemaker. For two little girls. at Parts Friends, For two little girls. ‘ ‘tha Washington Tea Party. for five little girls } old-time costume. , b Evil There is init. For two young boys. ke and Foolish Little Girl. For two girls. hild’s Inquiries. For small child and teacher. » Cooking Club. For tworgirts and others. vw to doit. For two boys. Hundred Years to Come, For boy and girl. *t Trust Faces. For several small boys. bve the Skies. For two small girls, > True Heroism. For three little boys, 2 Us Little Boys a Chance; The Story of the Plum idding; I'll Be a Man; A Little Girl’s Rights peech; Johnny’s Opinions of Grandmother; The asting Hen; He Knows der Rest; A Small Boy’s liew of Corns; Robby’s Sermon; Nobody's Child; utting at Grandpa Gray’s; Little Boy’s View of ow Columbus Discovered America; Little Girl’s iew; Little Boy’s Speech on Time; A Little oy’s Pocket; The Midnight Murdér; Robby Rob’s bcond Sermon; How the Baby Came; A Boy’s bservations: The New Slate; A Mother's Love; Ihe Creownin’ Glory; Baby Lulu; Josh Billings on he Bumble-bee, Wren, Alligator; Died Yesterday ; he Chicken’s M yer Us from Evil; Don’t Want to be Good; Only a runken Fellow; The Two Little Robins; Be Slow Condemn; A Nonsense Tale; Little Boy’s Deela- ation; A Child’s Desire: Bogus; The Goblin Cat; wb-a-ditb; Calumny; Little Chatterbox; "Where e They? A Boy’s View; The Twenty Frogs; Go- sto School; A Morning Bath; The Girl of Dun- pe; A Fancy; In the Sunlight; The New-laid Egg; e Little Musician; Idle Ben; Pottery-man. Dime Dialogues, No. 18. y Wishes. Several characters, male and female. ose Without a Thorn. Two males, one female. Greedy by Half. Forthree males. _ Good Turn Deserves Another, For six ladies. rting Melinda, For three boys and one lady. New Scholar. For several boys.. Little Intercessor. For four ladies. cedents. For three gentlemen and three ladies, a Dog a Bad Name. For four gentlemen, g-Time Wishes. For six little girls. t Charlie: or, the Gipsy’s Revenge. For numer- is characters. ttle Tramp, For three little boys. Times, For two gentlemen and four ladies, Lesson Well Worth Learning. For two males hd two females, Dime Dialogues, No. 19. Awful Mystery. For two females and two males, entment. For five little boys: b are the Saints? For three young girls, fornia Uncle. For 3 males ‘and 3 females. Kind to the Poor, A Jittle folks’ play. vy People are Insured, A “duet.” or. Acting Charade, For four characters. Smoke Fiend. For four boys. indergarten Dialogue, For a Christmas Festival. Personated by seven characters. Use of Study. For three girls. Refined Simpletons, For four ladies. hember Benson. For three males. ern Education. Three males and one female. With Too Much Lore, For three males. Fairy’s Warning. Dress Piece, For two girls. t Eunice’s Experiment, For several. Mysterious G. G. For 2 females and 1 male. l Mortgage the Farm. For 1 male and 2 females. Old-Fashioned Duet. Auction. For numerous characters. Dime Dialogues, No. #0. | Wrong Man. For three males and three females. brnoon Calls. For two little girls ’s Present, For four boys. ge Not. For teacher and several scholars. ing Dreams. For four little folks, d by Love, For two boys. ken Identity. For two males and three females. ldn’t Read English. For three mates, one female. ittle Vesuvius, For six little girls, la.” For three boys. Air Castle. For five males and three females. lanhers and Country Hearts. 3 girls and 1 boy. Silly Dispute. For two girls and teacher, One There! For four male characters, at For numerous characters. ping Boarders, Fur two females and three males, re for Good. For one lady and two gentlemen. Credulous Wise-Acre. For two males. Dime Dialogues, No. 21. y Donation Party, For several. of Debt r, three fethalen Danger. For three males and e Red Riding Hood. For two children. Feed Sgt (ete eee istake: The Heir Apparent; De- : | Fandango. , Hans Schmidt’s Recommend. | Checkmate. | School-Time. | } ' a ~ re Ye hed Pe ee The Dime Dialogues. How She Made Him Propose. A duet. The House on the Hill. For four females. Evidence enough. For two males. Worth and Wealth. For four females. Waterfall. For several. Mark Hastings’ Return. For four males, Cinderella. or several children. Too Much for Aunt Matilda. For three females. Wit against Wile. For three females and one male. A Sudden Recovery. For three males. The Double Stratagem. For four females. Counting Chickens Before They were Hatched. four males. Dime Dialogues, No. 22. The Dark Cupid. For 3 Gentlemen and 2 ladies. That Ne’er-do-Well. Two males and two females. High Art. For two girls. Strange Adventures. For two boys. The King’s Supper. For four girls. A Practical Exemplification. For two boys. Titania’s Banquet. For a number of girls. Mcnsieur Thiers in America. For four boys. Doxy’s Diplomacy. For three females, etc. A Frenchman, for two ladies and one gentleman. Boys Will Be Boys. For two boys and one girl. A Rainy Day. For three “fen ladies. God Is Love. For a number of scholars. The Way He Managed. Fortwo males, two females, p For various characters. The Little Doctor. For two tiny girls. A Sweet Revenge. For four boys. A May Day. For three little girls. From The Sublime to The Ridiculous. Heart Not,Face. For five boys. Dime Dialogues, No. £3. Rhoda Hunt's Remedy. For three females, one male. For two males, Cheery and Grumble. Tor two little boys. The Phantom Doughnuts. For six females. Does it Pay? For six males. Company Manners and Home Impoliteness. For two males, two females and two ahtaren. The Glad Days. lor two little boys. Unfortunate Mr. Brown. For one male, six females. The Real cost. For two girls. A Bear Garden. For three males and two females. The Busy Bees. For four little girls. For numerous characters. For two little girls. Death Scene. Two principal characters and adjuncts, Dross and Gold, Several characters, male and female. Confound Miller. For three males and two females. Ignorance vs. Justice. For eleven males. Pedants All. For four males. For For 14 males. Dime Dialogues, No. 24. The Goddess of Liberty. For nine young ladies The Three Graces. For three little girls. The Music Director. For seven males. A Strange Secret. For three girls. An Unjust Man. For four males. The Shop Girl’s Victory. For 1 male and 3 females. The Psychometiser. For 2 gentlemen and 2 ladies. Mean I; No Word For It. For four ladies. Whimsical. A number of characters of both sexes. Blessed Are the Peace-maken. Seven young girls. The Six Brave Men. For six boys. Have You Heard the News? A gossip’s catastfophe. The True Queen, A colloquy in verse. 2 young girls. A Slight Mistake, For 4 males, 1 female, ete. Lazy and Busy. Adialogueinrhyme, 10 little fellows. The Old and the Young. 1 gentleman and 1 little girl. That Postal Card. For 3 ladies and 1 gentleman. Mother Goose and Her Household. A whole school fancy dress dialogue and travestie, Dime Dialogues, No. £5. The Societies of the Delectables and Les Miserables. For two ladies and two gentlemen, What Each Would Have. For six little boys and Bunsthe th 1e‘Clouds. For f unshine Through the Clou or four ladies. The Friend in Need. For four males, The Hours. For twelve little girls. In Doors and Out. For five little boys. Dingbats. For one female and threé males, The Pound of Flesh. For three boys. Beware of the Peddlers, For seven mixed characters. Good Words. For a number of boys. A Friend. For a number of little girls. 4 The True Use of Wealth. For a whole school, Gamester. For numerous characters. Put Yourself In His Place. For two boys. Little Wise Heads. For four little girls. The Regenerators. For five boys. Crabtree’s Wooing. For several characters, Integrity the Basis of All Success. For two males. A Crooked Way Made Straight. Gentleman and lady. How to ‘‘ Break In” Young Hearts. For two ladies and one gentleman. Dime Dialogues, No. %6, Poor Cousins. For three ladies and two gentlemen. Mountains and Mole-hills. For 6 ladies and spectators. A Test That Did Not Fail. For six boys. Two Ways of Seeing Things. For two little girls, Don’t Count Your Chickens Before They Are Hatched. For four ladies and a boy. lis Fair in Love and War. 8 ladies « 2 gentlemen. How Uncle Josh Got Rid of the Legacy. For two males, with several transformations. The Lesson of Merey. For two very small girls. Practice What You Preach. For four ladies. olitician, For numerous characters. The Canvassing Agent. For 2 males and 2 females, Grub. For two males. A Slight Scare. For 3 females and 1 mi Embodied Sunshine. For three young ladies, How Jim Peters Died. For two males. Dime Dialogues, No. 27. Patsey O’Dowd’s Campaign. 3 males and 1 female, Hasty Inferences Not Always Just. Numerous boys. Discontented Annie. For several girls. A Double Surprise. For four males and one female, What Was It? For five ladies. What Will Cure Them. For a lady and two boys. Independent. For numerous characters. Each Season the Bést. For four boys. Tried and Found Wanting. For several males. The Street Girl’s Good Angel. 2 ladies & 2 little girls, A Boy’s Plot. For several characters. “That Ungrateful Little Nigger.’ For two males. Af I Had the rie For three little girls. Appearances Are Deceitful. Several ladies & 1 gent. Love’s Protest. For two little girls. An Enforced Cure. For several characters. Those Who Preach and those Who Perform, 3 males, A Gentle Conquest. For two young girls. Dime Dialogues, No. #8. A Test that Told. For six ladies and two gents. Organizing a Debating Society. For four boys. The Awakening. For four little girls. The Rebuke Proper. For 3 gentlemen and 2 ladies. Exorcising an Evil Spirit. For six ladies. Both Sides of the Fence. For four males. The Spirits of the Wood. For two troupes of girls, No Room forthe Drone. For three little boys. Arm-chair. For numerous characters. Measure for Measure. For four girls. Saved by a Dream. For two males and two females, An Infallible Sign. For four boys. A good Use for money. For six little girls, An Agreeable Profession. For several characters. Dime Dialogues, No. 29. Who Shall Have the Dictionary? two females. The Test of Bravery. For four boys and teacher. Fortune’s Wheel. For four males. The Little Aosthetes. For six little girls. The Yes and No of Smoke. * For three little boys. No References. For six gentlemen and three ladies. An Amazing Good Boy. One male and ene female. What a Visitation Did. For several ladies, Simple Simon. For four little boys. The Red Light. For four males, two females, ete. The Sweetest Thought. For four little girls. The Inhuman Monster. For 6 ladiesand 1 gentleman, Three Little Fools. For four small boys. Beware of the Dog! For 3 ladies and 3 ‘t Dodgers.” Bethlehem. For a Sunday-School Class Exhibition. Joe Hunt’s Hunt. For two boys and two girls. Rags. For six males. For six males and Dime Dialogues, No. 30. Invisible Heroes. For five young ladies. A “Colored” Lecture. For four males. Wishes. For five little boys. Look at Home. For three iittle girls, Fisherman’s Luck, For two males and three females. Why He Didn’t Hire Him. For several characters, A Fortunate Mis‘ake. For six young ladies, etc. An Alphabetical Menagerie. For a whole school, The Higher Education, For eight boys. The Vicissitudes of a Miiliner. For six females. Cat and Dog. For two little ones. The Alsthete Cured. For 2 ladies and 3 gentlemen. Jim Broderick’s Lesson. For two boys. The Other Side of the Story. For five females. The Test that Told. For five males. Wooing by Proxy. For 2 ladies end 8 gentlemen. Learning from Evil. For five boys. The Teacher's Ruse. For ten boys and three girls. Colloquy of Nations. For eleven personators. Additional Personations for ‘‘ Goddess of Liberty.” A scenic piece in Dialogues No, 24. Dime Dialogues, No 21. Barr’s Boarders, For various characters. A Lively Afternoon, For six males. A New Mother H ubbard. For six little girls. Bread on the Waters. For four females. Forninst the Scientists. For two males. Sloman’s Angel, For two males and one female. What Each Would Do. For six little girls. Twenty Dollars a Lesson. For eleven males. Aunt Betsey’s Ruse. For 3 females and 1 male, The Disconcerted Supernaturalist. For one male and audience ** voices.” Grandma Grumbleton’s Protest. Fora “grandma” and several gir) grandchildren. Nothing Like Training. For a number of males. The Bubble. For two little gi ls. Medicine for Rheumatiz. or two “ cullud pussons.” That Book Agent! For three males and one female, The Well Taught Lesson. F of five little boys. A Turn of the Tide. For 8 males and 3 females. A True Carpet-Barger. For three females. - Applied Metaphysics. For six males. hat Humphrey Did. For 5 males and 3 females, For sale by all newsdealers, or will be sent, post- paid, to any address, on receipt of price, ten cents, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Pup.isuErs, 98 William Street,.New York, “t Ba ran. = ot kai me s = MY fj i 4 a 7 ot 4g " ‘<a “he is ge BS
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mo es bP: Sr Sateen s ee ae, ae eee Tgy ATE Se ner or bene sod SD ea are soe: eel >. 2 — —_ =e it= “4 33> 7 « apes rs ~~ = “bite Sack? 7 stl - * hart,’ ~thems €- a <= = “i ; es DCE edie UPTO THE DIME SPEAKERS Oe D Each Speaker, 100 pages 12mo., containing from 50 to 75 pieces. eee Dime American Speaker, No. 1. Yo America, J. Jeboom’s Oration, Birthday of Washington, | A Dutch Cure, Plea for the Maine Law, | The Weather, Not on the Battlefield, ’ | The Heated Term, The Italian Struggle, Philosophy Applied, Independence, An Old Ballac Our Country. Penny Wise, Pound Fool- The Equality of Man, Character of the Revo'’n, The Fruits of the War, The Sewing-Machine, True Manhood, The Mystery of Life, The Ups and Downs, The Truly Great, ree) Retiring and Ris’g, A. Ward’s Oration, True Nationality, Our Natal Day, Solferino, Intelligence the Basis of The War, [Liberty, Charge of Light Brigade, After the Battle, Woman's ‘Rights, The Glass Railroad, Right of the Governed, Case of Mr. Macbeth, My Ladder, Prof. on Phrenology, Woman, Annabel Lee, one, Washington’s Name, The Rebellion of 1861, The Sailor Boy’s Syren, | Disunion. Dime National Speaker, No. 2. | | Ohio, | Oliver Hazard Perry, Our Domain, Systems of Belief, The Indian Chief, The Independent Farmer | Mrs. Grammar’s Ball, How the Money Comes, Future of the Fashions, Loyalty to Liberty, Our Countrv First, Last, and Always, sritish Influence, Defense of Jefferson, National Hatreds, True Cleanliness, [ish, Sat’d’y Night's Enjoy'ts, “In a Just Canse,’ No Peace with Oppres- sion, A Tale of a Mouse, A Thanksgiving Sermon, | The Cost of Riches, Great Lives Imperishable The Prophecy forthe Y’r | Unfinished Problems, Honor to the Dead, Immortality of Patriots, Webster’s Polit’] System, A Vision in the Forum, | The Press | Union and its Results, Our Country’s Future, The Statesman’s Labors, True Immortality, Let the Childless Weep, Our Country’s Glory, Union a Household, Independence Bell, The Scholar's Dignity, The Cycles of Progress, A Christmas Chant, Stability of Christianity, | The True Higher Law, The One Great Need, The Ship and the Bird, Tecumseh’s Speech, Murder Will Out, Territorial Expansion, Strive for the Best, Martha Hopkins, Early Rising, The Bashful Man’s Story, | Deeds of Kindness, The Matter-of-Fact,.Man, | Gates of Sleep, Rich and Poor, The Bugle, Seeing the Eclipse, A Hoodish Gem, Beauties of the Law, Purity of the Struggle, Ge-lang! Git Up, Old Age, The Rats of Life, Beautiful and True, Creowning Glory of U.S., | The Worm of the Still, Three Fools, Man and the Infinite, Washington, Our Great Inheritance, Eulogy on Henry Clay, Dime Patriotic Speaker, No. 3. America to the World, History of Our Flag, Love of Country, T. F. Meagher’s Address, Right of Self-Preserva- | We Owe to the Union, Lan e of the Eagl Was eon “—- | The Deluge. Vur Cause, [tion, | Lincoln’s Message A Kentuckian’s pppect, Last Speech of Stephen Kentucky Steadfast, A. Douglas, Timidity is Treason, Great Bell Roland, The Alarum, The New Year and the April 15, 1861, yi Cotton, [Union, The Spirit of ’61, Battle Anthem, : The Precious Heritage, | The Ends of Peace, The Irish Hlement, Train’s S$ h Christy’s peech, Freedom the Watchword Crisis of Our Nation, Duty of Christian Pa- Let Me Alone, triots, Brigand-ier-General, Turkey Dan’s Oration, The Draft, A Fearless Plea, Union Square Speeches, | The Onus of Slavery, The Union, A Foreigner’s Tribute, Our scat By Call, The Little Zouave, The Story of an Oak Tree, | Catholic Cathedr: L-e-g On My Leg, The ‘‘ Speculators.” Dime Comic Speaker, No. 4. Klebcyergoss on the War, | A Song of Woe, Age Bluntly Considered, | Ward’s Trip to Richm’d, oe, pm \ | Parody, The Wasp and the Bee. The Mountebank, Comic Grammar, No. ts Compound Interest, I'm Not a Single ‘Man, A Sermon on the Feet, A. Ward's Advice, Old Dog Jock, . Buzfuz on Pickwick, The Fishes’ Toilet, Romeo and Juliet, Brian O’Linn, Happiness, Crockett to Office-seekers Dogs, .| Who Is My Opponent? re : Political Stump Speech, A Texan Enlogium, Comic Grammar, No. 2, How to be a Fireman, Farewell to the Bottle, The United States, The Cork Leg, Puff’s Ace’tof Himself, | The Smack in School Practical Phrenology, _| Slick’s Definition of Wife, Beau q Tale of a Hat, Cabbage, The Debating Club, ~ Disagreeable People A Dutch Sermon, What is a Bachelor Like? | Lecture on Locomotion, Funny Folks, Mrs, Caudle on Umbr'lla. — A Sad Story, Dime Elocutionist, No. 5. SEC. I. Privcrpies or True Envncration.—Faults in Enunciation; How to Avoid Them. Special Rules and Observations, SEC. Il. Tae Art or Oratory. Sheridan’s List of the Passions: Tranquillity, Cheerfulnmess, Mirth, Raillery, Buffoonery, Joy, Delight, Gravity, In- quiry, Attention, Modesty, Perplexity, Pity, Grief, elancholy, Despair, Fear, Shame, ‘Remorse, Courage, Boasting, Pride, Obstinacy, Authority, Commanding, Forbidding, Affirming, Denying, Difference, Agreeing, Exhorting, Judging, Approv- ing, Fee 8 Condemning, Teaching, Pardon- ing, Arguin ismissing, Refusing, Granting, De- pendence, Veneration, ope, Desire, Love, Re spect, Giving, Wonder, Admiration, Gratitude, Cu riosity, Persuasion, Tempting, Promising, Affecta- tion, Sloth, Intoxication, Anger, etc. SEC. I, Tue Component ELEMENTS OF AN ORA T10N.—Rules of Composition as applied to Words and Phrases, viz.: Purity, Propriety, Precision. As applied to Sentences, viz.: Length of Sentence, Clearness, Unity, Strength. Figures of Speech; the | Exordium, the Narration, the Proposition, the Confirmation, the Refutation, the Peroration. SEC. IV. Represenrative EXERCISES IN PROSE AND Verse.—Transition; A Plea for the Ox; Halstaff’s Soliloquy on Honor; the Burial of Lincoln; the Call and Response; the Bayonet Charge; History of a Life; the Bugle; the Bells; Byron; Macbeth and the Dagger; Hamlet’s Soliloquy; Old Things; Look Upward; King William Rufus; the Eye; an Essa Onto Musik; Discoveries of Galileo. SEC. V. OBSERVATIONS OF GoopD AUTHORITIES. Dime Humorous Speaker, No. 6. Poetry Run Mad, Right Names, , Scientific Lectures, The Ager, A String of Onions, A Tragic Story, Cats, Courtship, The Cockney, Debt, The Codfish, Devils, Fate of Sergeant Thin, The Features’ Quarrel, Hamerican Voodchuck, The Harp of a Thousand Dow, Jr.'s Lectures, Ego and Echo Fashionable Women, Fern Thistles, Strings, Good-Nature, The Last of the Sarpints, Gottlieb Klebeyergoss. The March to Moscow, Schlackenlichter’s snake, The Mysterious Guest, Hosea Biglow’s Opinions, | The ey 7d . How the Money Goes, The Sea-Serpent, The Secret, The Shoemaker, The Useful Doctor, | The Waterfall, To the Bachelors’ Union League, United States Presidents, Vagaries of Popping the Hun-ki-do-ri’s Fourth of July Oration, If you Mean No, Say No, Jo Bows on Leap Year, Lay of the Henpecked, Lot Skinner’s Elegy, Matrimony, Nothing to Do Old Caudle’s Umbrella, Question, Old Grimes’s Son, What I Wouldn't Be, Paddle Your Own Canoe, | Yankee Doodle Aladdin, Parody on “Araby’s| Ze Moskeetare, Daughter,” | 1933, Dime Standard Speaker, No. 7. The World We Live In, | John Burns, Gettysburg, Woman’s Claims, No Sect in Heave Authors of our Liberty, | Miss Prude’s Tea-Party, The Real Conqueror, The Power of an Idea, The Citizen’s Heritage, The Beneficence of the Italy Suffrage, [Sea, The Mechanic, Dream of the Revelers, Nature and Nature’s God | HowCyrus Laid the Cable The Modern Good, [Sun, | The Prettiest Hand, Ossian’s Address to the | Paradoxical, Independence Bell—1777, | Little Jerry, the Miller, The Neck, | The Blarney Stone, Foggy Thoughts, | The Student of Bonn, The Ladies’ Man, The Broken Household, Life, The Bible, The Idler, The Purse and the Sword The Unbeliever, My Country, The Two Lives, True Meret Courage, The True Scholar, What is War? Judges not Infallible, Butter, Fanaticism, My Deborah Lee, Instability of Successful | The Race, Agriculture, {Crime, | The Pin and Needle, Treland, The Modern yoy a The People Always Con- | Immortality of the Soul, Music of Labor, —_ [quer, | Occupation, . Prussia and Austria, Heroism and Daring, Wishing, A Shot at the Decanter, Dime Stump Speaker, No. 8. Hon. J. M. Stubbs’ Views | New England and Union, on the Situation, The Unseen Battlefield, Hans Schwackheimer on | Plea for the Republic, Woman's Suffrage, America, [Fallacy, “Right of Secession’ a Life’s Sunset, Human Nature, Lawyers, Wrongs of the Indians, Appeal in behalf of Am. All for a Nominatio: Old Ocean, The Sea,the Sea, the open Star Bangled Spanner, Stay Where You Belong, tate’s ri ba Make It, iesof Wan fabert ere’s My Money, ries of War, Ys h from Conscience, A Lay Sermon, n’s Relation to Society | A Dream, The Limits to Happiness, | Astronomical, Good-nature a Blessing, |The Moon, (zen Sermon from Hard-shell | Duties of American City | Tail-enders, (Baptist, | The Man, The Value of Money, Meteoric Disquisition, Be Sure You are Right, Be of Good Cheer, Temptations of Cities, Broken Resolutions, hy There is no Death, 1 ces, Crabbed Folks, (Shrew, A Fruitful Discourse, Taming a Masculine | A Frenchman’s Dinner, Farmers, [Our Country, | Unjust National Acqui’lp The True Greatness of | The Amateur Coachma The Cold-water Man, | John Thompson's Dau Permanency of States, House Cleaning, Liberty of Speech, * It Is Not Your Business Dime Juvenile Speaker, No. 9. A Boy’s Philosophy, Tale of the Tropics, Hoe Out Your How. Bromley’s Speech, Six-Year-Old’s Protest, The Same, second extra The Suicidal Cat, The Fisher’s Child, | A Valediction, Shakspearian Scholar, |; A Maiden’s Psalm of LiffF? The Editor, A Mixture, It The Same, in rhyme, Plea for Skates, The Fairy Shoemaker, | Playing Ball, Popping Corn, What Was Learned, Ah, Why Press.On, Live for Something, ‘ The Horse, Lay of the Hen-Peckedj’; The Snake in the Grass, | The Outside Dog, Wolf and Lamb | Prayer to Light, Lion in Love, | Little Jim, Frogs Asking for a King, | Angelina's Lament, Sick Lion, Johnny Shrimps on Boo Country and Town Mice, | Mercy, Man and Woman, Choice of Hours, Home, Poor Richard's Saying The Lotus-Planter, Who Killed Tom Roper; Little Things. Nothing to Do, A Baby’s Soliloquy, Honesty Best Policy, a4 Repentance, Heaven, A Plea for Eggs, Ho for the Fields, Humbug Patriotism, Fashion on the Brain, Night After Christmas, On Shanghais, Short Legs, A Smile, Shrimps on Amusements, | Casabianca, ( How the Raven Became | Homoeopathic Soup, Black, | Nose and Eyes, A Mother’s Work, Malt, [Cont s The Same, | A Hundred Who Rules, |The Madman and Bf A Sheep Story, | Little Sermons, [Razé A Little Correspondent, One Good Turn Deserves My Dream, [Another, Rain, T’ll Never Use Tobacco, A Mosaic, Base-Ball [Fevé The Old Bachelor, Prescription for Spr’ Dime Spread-Eagle Speaker, No. 1 Ben Buster’s Oration, | Drum-head Sermons, Hans Von Spiegel’s 4th, Schnitzerl’s Philosope : Josh Billings’s Advice, ““Woman’s Rights,” » A Hard-shell Sermon, Luke Lather, The Boots, The Hog, The Squeezer, Jack Spratt, Noah and the Devil, | New England Tragedy A Lover’s Luck The Ancient Bachelor Jacob Whittle’s Speech Snuffles on Electricity, The Two Cradles, The Ocean Storm, Do Thy Little—Do it W Little Puss, Hifalutin oe 1us Digestion and aradise, Jerks Prognosticates, Distinction’s Disadvant- | A Word with Snooks, Sut Lovengood, A Mele Ride, Josh Billings on Buzze Il Trovatore, Kissing in the Street, Scandalous, Slightly Mixed, . Th The Office-seeker, Th Old Bachelors, Th Woman, As The Niam Niams, 1 Vi | People Will Talk, Ba | Swackhamer’s Ball, | | Who Wouldn’t be Fir@ ‘4 | Don’t Depend on Dad Smith, .. ages, Gushalina Bendibus, A Stock of Notions, | Speaking for the Sheriff, Daking a Shweat, Then and Now, : Josh Billings’s Lecturing, Doctor De Blisters Ann't, Consignments, Hard Lives, Dan Bryant’s Speech, A Colored View, Original Maud Muller, Nobody Train of Circumstances, Good Advice, | Music of Labor The Itching Palm, ‘The American Ensign, Debater and Chairman’s Guide No. 1.—Derpatine Socrery. | Order of Business a Its Office and Usefulness, Proceedings, Formation of, The “ Question.” Hov Constitution of, ean be Treated, By-Laws of, The “ Question.’’ How Rules of Government, be Considered, Local Rules of Order, Rights to the Floor, Bij Local Rules of Debate, | Rights of a Speaker] My Subjects of Discussion. Against the Chair, 11.—How To DEBATE. e! Yeas and Nays §jj Why there are few good | Interrupting a Vote, | pr Debaters Organization of Delibe Prerequisites to Oratori- Ive Bodies, Convé K cal Success. tions, Annual or G@ ge The Logie of ‘Debate,. eral Assemblies, 1 Do The Rhetoric of Debate, | Preliminary Organizati} Ga Maxims to Observe, _ Permanent anizatid Tp, The Preliminary Premise, | The Order of Business Gr Order of Argument, Considering Reports, ¥ F,¢ Summary. 4 gs etec., “y 11, —CBAIRMAN’S Gurpe. | Of Subsidiary Motion# Ye bag e free C ering Questions, Gommiteceds Be Ordinary Meetings and Assemblies, The Organization,
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Objects of a Committee, heir Powers, How Named, When Not to Sit, — of Order and Pro ure. “How to Report, og, [Lhe Committee of the CB, ole, » Miscellaneous, reatment of Petitions he Decorum of Deba Hints to a Chairman. IV.—DEBATES. te in full: Dime Exhibition e Orator of the Day, he Heathen Chinee, he Land we Love, im Bludso. e True to Yourself, -traqAh Sin’s Reply, A Plea for Smiles, he Stanislaus Scientific Free Italy, [Society, Italy’s Alien Ruler, Curse of One Man Power, Treaty of Peace (1814), The Critical Moment, The East and the West, ceajis There any Money in it? Are we a Nation? Social Science, Influence of Liberty, The Patriot's Choice, Bool Lhe Right of the People, The Crowning Glory, The Pumpkin, When You're Down, What England Has Done The Right of Neutrality, The National Flag, Our True Future, [ze 1 e, Wi IDeba ma Jau ness ar, Lif ings per, . , By PopvuLar ORATOR. Fanny Butterfly’s Ball, Topics Uncongenial ui ‘reatness, 2 ive for Something. ‘ond Civil & Religious Liberty, “3 }8econd Review of the ~ q_ Grand Arm mishonesty of. Politics, 1¢ Great Commoner, tYs Character and Achieve- ment ; ht Have Been, ‘eyé Don’t Strike a Man When p u Down, 1 On Keeping at It Treasures of the s, | Keep Cool perv A Sk The Precious Freight, Swonten : biter. SAT nver, , WW 4 “ Deep, —the man, or Poet? Debates in Brief: I._ Is the Reading of Works of Fiction to be Condemned? . Are Lawyers a Bene fit or a Curse to So- ciety? V.—QUOTATIONS AND : PHRASES, Latin. Speaker, No. 12. Gravelotte, Hail! Emancipation of Science, yee of Forgiveness, nesty and Love, Beauty. Song of Labor, Manifest Destiny, Let It Alone! | Disconcerted Candidate, / Maud Muller After Hans | Breitman, / What Is True Happiness? The ret a It, A a. at We See in the Sky* What I Py | Good Manners, | A Ballad of Lake Erie, | Suffrage, | The Caucasian Race, A Review of Situation, 4 | Little Breeches, — [ding, | Hans Donderbeck’s Wed- , A Victim of Toothache, Story of the Twins, A Cold in the Nose, My Unele Adolphus. ’ The True Gentleman, The Tragic Pa, SABBATH-SCHOOL PIECES, A Cry for Life, The Sabbath, Gnarled Lives, A Good Life, To Whom Shall We Give Thanks? Resolution, Never Mind, The Bible, Christ ianity Our Bul- wark Tk, The Want of the Hour, The Midnight Train, The Better View, mo Thy Little—Do it Well sus Forever, The Heart, tn barat eautiful Thoughts A Picture of Life ; ys Baron Grimalkin’s Death | Be True to Yourself ay} Qhed Se acm ‘Young Man, or, 4, Catastrophe, Time is Passin ach Cheerfulness, * The Gospel of Xutumn, Mountains, Speak Not Harshly, Last Lay of the Minstrel, | Courage, The Un ucky Lovers, The Eternal Hymn, The Dread Secret Live for Good, oj Civil Service Reform, | The Silent City. _ | Dime Ludicrous Speaker, No, 14. » | Courting, pe Higher, Queer Peeple The Closing Year, Biting One's Nose Off, The Maniac’s Defense. Golden Rules, The Hen Scratches, ’ | The Singular Man, | Ass and the Violinist Fourth of July Oration Views of Married Life Cheer Up, Bachelors and Flirts,’ _| Self-Esteem, ind Job’s Turkey, Buckwheat Cakes i GA Hardshell Sermon, Twain's Little Boy My First Knife, A Word with You,’ Der Loddery Dicket, A Chemical Lament, i.) A Canni-Ballad, e Candy-Pulling, oman’s Rights, ntentment, , What's the Matter, On Courting, . Jones's Pirate, On Laughing, id De Goose, The Tanner og Touch of the Sublime, On Wimmen’s Rights, ow) 2looded Van Snoozle, The Healer, last Against Tobacco; | ‘The Criminal Lawyer, Bir ne Boys, Ballad of Matilda ane, us Water, r | My First Cigar, The Ballad of a Baker, vi Sle: T’-tale, Good for Something, : r Wed i ermon, e Prohebishom, ‘ A Moving ave Karl Pretzel’s Komikal SpeakerNo,15 nm Sorrowful Tale, ath Don’d Been Afraid, The Loafer’s Society, tid Gamboling, It’s the Early Bird, ete., ‘ Indemberane Music, 7 Gretchen und Me ‘0 Oud, | On Lager Beer, “| Hope. | Das ish vat it ish’ | Caudle’s W dding Day, Dot Musquiter,” Dot Youur Viddow. Leedle Gal-child’s Dream | The Bes. Cow in Pe Dhere Vas no Crying, Frequent Critters, Leedle Roodches, In for the Railroad, Pells, Pe iy Song of the Sink, The Puzzled Dutchman, | Case of voung Bangs, Which is the Greatest | Benefit to his Country | Warrior, States- | | The Source of Reform, Wish, ‘bed The Dime Sneakers. Address to a School, The Illinois Assembly, His Sphere, The Cannibal Man, Translations from Esop, | Boss Bagshaw, The Treachery of Jones, | Pretzel as a Soldier, Don’t Call a Man a Liar, | The Raccoon Man. A Lecture, My Childhood, Bu'st. A “‘ Dialect,” Schneider's Ride, Simon Short’s Son Sam, | Boy Suffrage, Reckermember der Poor, | Gardening, Natural History Views, He vas Dhinkin’, | 'The Cart before the Horse | Abner Jones’ Testimony, To See Ourselves, By a Money Changer’s, Dime Youth’s Speaker, No. 16. A Call to the Field, A Drunken Soliloquy, To Retailers, The Work to Do, War, War to the Death, | To Labor is to Pray, Adjuration to Duty, The Successful Life, The Crusader’s Appeal, | Better Than Gold, A Boy’s Testimony, Seed-Time and Harvest, I Have Drank My Vast Invocation to Cold Water The Spirit-Siren, ow, Learn, Rum’s Maniac, The Great Lesson to Life is What we Make it, | The Toper’s Lament, Taste Not, | God’s Liquor, The Evil beast, | Value of Life Work, Help “* Accept the Situation,” The Hardest Lot of All, | Died of Whisky The Curse of Rum, | A Story with a Moral, The Two Dogs. A fable, Breakers Ahead, Ichabod Sly, | Effects of Intemperance, | The Whisky Why is It, | Local Option, Be Good to the Body, | Worth Makes the Man. Speaker, No. 17. | Stand by the Constit’n, | A True Friend, The Mocking-Bird, The Want of the Country The Value of Virtue, She Would be a Mason, Evils of Ignorance, The Use of Time, Come Down Anatomical ‘Lecture, Minnetunkee, The Printing Press, The Sabbath, Busybodies, Anatomical Lecture 2, A Blow in the Dark, The Specter Caravan, The Rum Fiend ‘rue Law and False, In Bad Company, The Only True Nobility, The Inebriate’s End, Dime Eloquent An Adjuration, The Kings of Business, Purity of Speech, Parson Caldwell, Value of Reputation, Hand that Rocks World, Swelling Manhood, Summer, Woman’s Love, The Bricklayers, Words of Silver, Drive on! Drive on! The Tramp, The State Trimnostak The Moral Factor, Walking with the World, The only Safety, Knowledge, The True Saviors, Be Careful what you Say ‘ True Fame, Something to Shun, A Call to Vote, Plea for Ireland, Smile Whene’er you Can, The Wood of Stars, The Modern Fraud, Running for Legislature, To a Young Man, A Thought, Heads, The Housemaid, The New Dispensation, The Goblin Cat, Turning the Grindstone, Aristocrats, Short Sermon. The Knightly Newsboy, | Hail Columbia Speaker, No. 18. Columbia, Sink or Swim, Washington, The Buff and Blue, pppoe or Liberty, The Union, The American Hero, The Martyr Spy, Resistance to Oppression, | Lexington Patriotism, Our Only Hope, Green Mountain Boys, Declaration of Independ- iotnieece of Otis, | The Liberty Bell, [ence, Washington, Washington’s Attributes, Freedom the Gaty Hie} reedom the ope, Day of Disinthraliment, No Alternative but Liber- Carmen Bellicosum, [ty, Sword of Bunker Hill, The Fourth of July, Warren’s Address, : What We Are, Our Great Trust, God Bless our States, Looking Backward, | Marion and His Men, | Liberty and Union, A Noble Plea, Original Yankee Doodle, A Call to Liberty, | Wolfe's Address, Good Faith, | Watching for Montgom- Revolutionary Soldiers, | The National Ensign, [ery Our Responsibility, _ God Save the Union, British Barbarity | Our Natal Day, How Freedom is Won, | The 22d of February. Adams and Liberty, _ New England's Dead, Our Duties, | Repeal! eal! Our Destiny, | The True Hero, The American | Old Tronsides The True Union, | Our Gifts to History, American Independence, Uncle Sam’s a Hundred, Washington and Franklin Centennial Oration. Serio-Comic Speaker, No. 19. The American Phalanx, | The Little Orator, The Same. ag od Squash, The Old Canoe, Mr. s New Version, Room at the Top, The Midnight Express, New England Weather, Morality’s Worst Enemy, Bluggs : The Silent Teacher Lee e Yawcob Strauss, | The Working People, A Fable, The Moneyless Man The Tramp’s Views, Strike Through the Knot, Moral ue ences, ES ee Address, Yawcob Hoffeltegobbl e New Scriptures, The Botting Sachem, n The Trombone, Street Arab’s Sermon, Don’t Despond, Address te Young Ladies, | The Mill Cannot Grind, A Little | Man, What Became of a Lie, The Test of Friendship, | Now and Then, The Price of Pleasure, How Ub vos Dot for High, Sour Grapes, Early 4 The Unwritten “ Claws,” | Smart Boy’s Opinion, The Ager, . The Venomous Worm. ish, Ju Not Thy Brother, Thebes St. Bernard, ’ The Liberal Candidate, A Boy’s Opinion of Hens, Good Alone are Great, The Great Napoleon, The Two Lives, The Present Age, At Midnight, Good-night, Truth, The Funny Man, Dead Beat in Politics, War and Dueling, Horses. A Protest, Excelsior {celsior, Paddy's Version of Ex- The Close, Hard Man, A fom and Application ; Old Scrooge, fered, Man, Generically Consid- A Chemical Wedding Dime Select Speaker, No. 20. God, Save the Republic, Watches of the Night, The Closing Year, Wrong and Right Road, An Enemy to Society, Barbara Freitche, The Most Precious Gift, Intellectual and Moral Thanatopsis, [Power, New Era of Labor, Work of Faith, A Dream, La Dame Aux Camelias, Penalty of Selfishness, Lights Out, Clothes Don’t Make the | The Last Man, {Man, Mind Your Own Business My 4tho July Sentiments My Esquimaux Friend, Storyof the Little Rid Hin My Castle in Spain, ' Shonny Schwartz, The Indian’s wore, Address to Young Men, Beautiful Snow, Now is the Time Exhortation to Patriots, He Is Everywhere, A Dream of Darkness, Religion the Keystone, Scorn of Office, Who are the Free, The City on the Hill, How to Save the Republic The Good Old Times, Monmouth, Hope, Moral Desolation, Self-evident Truths, Won't you let my Papa Work, [Guide, Conscience the Best Whom to Honor, The Lords of Labor, | Early Rising, | Pumpernickel and Pep- | Only a Tramp, [schikoff, ( Cage Them, Time’s Soliloquy, Find a Way or Make It, | The Musquito Hunt, The Hero. Dime Funny Speaker, No. 21. Col. Sellers Elucidates, Clory Mit Ter Sthars und Sthripes lotism, Terence O’Dowd’s Patri- Lime Kiln Club Oration, Farmer Thornbush on The Fiddler, [Fools, The Regular Season, The School Boy’s Lament, Dot Baby Off Mine, Bluggs Once More, Views on Agriculture, One Hundred Years Ago, De *Sperience ob de Reb’- rend Quacko Strong, A Dollar or Two. On Some More Hash. Where Money is King, Prof. Dinkelspei on the origin of Life, Konsentrated Wisduta, Joseph Brown and the Mince Pie, John Jenkins’s Sermon, A Parody on“ Tell Me Ye! Winged Winds,”’ elmann) A Pogey, Day, | New Mythology (Vulcan), | The New Mythology(Pan, } New Mythology (Bacchus) I Kin Nod Trink To-Nighd, New Church Doctrine, ~* Wilyum’s Watermillion, | Josiah Axtell’s Oration, Parson Barebones’s An- | athema, | Ceesar Squash on Heat, | Fritz Valdher is Made a | Mason, | Joan of Are, | Blessings of Farm Life, | The People, Thermopyle, Cats Jim Bludso. | A Catastrophic Ditty, | The Maniac’s Defense, | Woman, God Bless Her? Be Miserable, Dodds versus Daubs, The Cadi’s Judgment, | That Calf. Dime Jolly Speaker, No. 22. Grandfather’s Clock, Tae XI Xth Century, Mary’s Von Little Ram, A Lecture on Science, Old and New Time, Clayfoot’s Sout Race, The Village School, A Sermon for the Sisters, De Filosofy ob Fun, Disappointed Discoverer, A Heathen’s Score, Der Dog und der Lobster, The Young Tramp, Delights of the Season, The Delights of Spring, Josh Billings’s Views, Beasteses, How tew Pik out a Watermelon, How tew Pik outa Dog, | How tew Pik out a Kat, How tew Pik out a Wife, | This Side and That, Nocturnal Mewsings, The Lunatic’s Reverie, A Bathetic Ballad, The Ear, | Backbone, | A Weak Case, They May Be Happy Yet, Orpheus. A Side View, Perseus. A ‘‘ Classic,” Rigid Reformation, The Funny Man, Don’t Give It Away, A Dark Warning. A “Colored ” Dissertation An Awful Warning. An Effective Appeal, |, De Parson Sowed de Seed, 'Pompey’s Thanksgiving | Turkey. | The New ‘Essay On Man, |A New Declaration of Independence, The Jolly Old Fellow. A Christmas Welcome, | y First Coat, | The Fire-Brigade, A Patriotic ** Splurge,” The Good Old Times, In- deed! Stealing the Sacred Fire, Owl and the Pussy-Cat. Dime Dialect Speaker, No. 23. Contains 53 Dialect rman-American, and Western Vernac' Narratives, ar ieces. consisting of Irish, Engl sh, Cockney, Negro, Yankee Speeches, Recitations and Readings and Recitations, No. 24. Contains 47 pieces of thé most “ taking ” Recita- tions and Readings for School. Dime Burlesque Contains 76 pieces of t the most noted A Funny Fellows, For sale by all newsdealers or sent, any address, on receipt of pri BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 Willliam st., New York, the Stage, Platform and Speaker, No. 25, he choicest of Humor, b merican Wits, Humorists, an t-paid vide cia. sogge<
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Dime Dialogues, Speakers and Hand-Books. THE DIME DIALOGUES Dime Dialogues, No. 32. \ Persecuted Man. For various characters. Too Curious for Comfort. For 2 niales and 2 females, Under False Guise. Several females and children. A Sure Guide. For seven males, Che Right Little Boys from Nonsense Land. How They See the World. For five little girls, The Doctor’s Office. For several characters male an’ female. Too Much Side Show. Por a number of boys. How Mrs. Ponderous Was Paid. For 4 young ladies. Polywog Versus Wolypog. For numerous citizens. Tongue and Temper, For two ladies. Flour of the Family. For 3 ladies and 1 gentleman. Middleton’s Mistake. For five males. A Valuable Neighbor. For one lady and one boy. The Man of Cheek. For two males. Mr. and Mrs, Blizzard at Home. For man and wife. Morgan’s Money. For five males, The Courtship of Miles Standish. School Festival, Dime Dialogues, No. 23. [The Wrong Trunk. For several male characters nd one female. Saucy Jack Leee. For four males and four females. Che Pretty Preacher. For two young ladies, \ Contrast. For two little girls. nly Joe. For five ladies and one gentleman. rhe Tables Turned. For several males. Why Did You Do It? She Had Him Three, For 1 lady and 1 gentleman, For a school of little children. | The Fairies’ Prisoner. A Scenic and Dress Piece for a Young Ladies’ School, or Garden Parv,, or Par- lor Entertainment, The McFlackertys and McDooz’ers. and three females. The Children of the Week. For two males For seven little girls, The Land of **Once-on-a-Time.” For 7 little boys. Jupiter Johnsum’s Affairs. For one maie and one female and one outsider The Bores ofa Day. For four males and six females, Rather Mixed. Fora number of small girls, The Ould Oirish Tay. For several males and two females. Cherubino and Seraphina, The Comic Valentine. For four boys and teacher. The Two Roberts. For five malesand one female, Keeping Bachelor’s Hall. For several males and one female. Four Wishes. For four little girls. Things Are Seldom What lhey Seem. males and two females. 1 The Charity Student. For several girls. A Catch at Last. For three males and one female. The Bogus Doctor. For four malesand a ghost. Preparing for an Exhibition. Forteacher and three children, For sale by aJl newsdealers, or will be sent, post- paid, to any address, on receipt of price, ten cents. BEADLE AND ADAMS, Posuisuers, 98 William Street, New York. For two IME F{AND-Booxs. Dime Dialogues, No. 37. | DIME §PEAKERS Uncle Raspy’s Ruse. For one male and four females, | For 1 male and 1 female. . | Hezekiah | I Would I’ Were Dime Dialect Speaker, No. 23. Dat's W’at’s De Matter, The Mississippi Miracle, | Ven Te Tide Cooms In, Dose Lams Vot Mary Haf Got, Pat O'Flaherty On Wo- The Home Rulers, Dawson Mothers-In-Law, He Didn’t Sell The Farm, The True Story of Frank- lin’s Kite [Again, a Boy A Pathetic Story, All About a Bee, Scandal, A Dark Side View, Te Pesser Vay, On Learning German, Mary’s ShmallVite Lamb, A Healthy Discourse, Tobias So To Speak, Old Mrs. Grimes, A Parody, Mars and Cats, Bill Underwood, Pilot, Old Gra nley, The Pill Peddler’s Oration WidderGreen’s last words | Latest Chinese Outrage, [man’s Rights, | On | | The Manifest Destiny the Irishman, Peggy McCann, Sprays from Josh Billin De Circumstances ob i Sitiwation, Dar’s Nuffin New Unde de Sun, A Negro Religious Poen That Violin, Picnic Delights, Our Candidate’s Views, Dundreary’s Wisdom, Plain Language, | My Neighbor’s Dogs, | The Stove Pipe Tragedy | Condensed Mythology, Pictus, The Nereides, | Legends of Attica, A Doketor’s Drubbles, | The Coming Man, | Out West. The Tiligant Affair at Mu doon’s, {the Corne} That Little Baby Aroun A Genewine Inference. An Invitation to the Bir of Liberty, The Crow. Readings and Recitations, No. 24. For two gentlemen, A Report of the Affair. For two gentlemen | Mrs. Araold’s Misconception Each Voiume 100 12mo Pages, and thr Trishman’s Panorama, When the Cows Com = ( The Lightning-rod Agent Home, The Year "Round. For twelve impersonators. Defending the Castle. For 2 males and 2 females. \ Perfectly Veracious Man. For1maleand1 female. Sympathetic Sympathy. For 3 males and 2 females, Ananias at Home, For one male and three females, ‘he Man from Bangor. 1 gentleman and 3 ladies! Casabianca in Two Versions. For two boys, The Tragedy at Four Ace | Ton my Taft, tuth and Naomi, [Flat, | A Michigander in France Carey of Corson, | Not One to Spare, | Babies, Mrs. Breezy’s Pink Lunc | John Reed, Rock of Ages, The Brakeman at Church | J. Cesar Pompe Passun Mooah’s_ §sur- Squash’s Sermon, mount, Annie’s Ticket, Arguing the Question, The Newsboy, » ladies. | Young People’s Series. Ladies’ Letter-Writer. Gents’ Letter-Writer Book of Ei Book of Verses. Book of Dreams, Fortune-Teller, Lovers’ Casket, Ball-room Companion, Book of Beauty, | s00k of Games. yuette, Dime Dialogues, No. 34. [t's English You Know. For three /‘or six) males and e'grht females, A Much Misunderstood Man. For one male and one female. The Glass Man. For seven males. Mrs. Podberry’s Views on Education. males and several children, girls How She Managed Him. For one male, one female, and child. The Oyster Resurrection. females. A Neighborly Quarrel. Fortwo males. Blessed are the Pure in Heart. For four females. What the Boys Knew of it. Fora school—a!l males. A Warm mga ay For 2 males and 2 females. fupposings. For ten little girls. When I Grow up to be a Man. For six little boys, Enforcing a Moral, For three or four males and several females. Blaying Big Folks, What Are Little Girls Good For? For two fe- For two males and two Tor several children. For 9 little girls. The Bump-Scientist’s Reception in Clarionville Cen- ter. For 8 males, or 7 males and 1 female. More Than She Bargained For, and one male. Dime Dialogues, No. 35. In the Wrong House. For 2 males and 2 females, The Sham of It All. For 3 females and 1 male, The Surest Proof. For several males and one female, Too Much for Jones and Smith. Fortwo males. Naughty Boy Blue. For Mother Goose and several children, Only a Working Girl. For 4 females and 2 males. How He Got Even with His Enemy. For two males. Mrs. Bigson’s Victory. For one male and one female. The Mysterious Boarder. For 3 females and 2 males. The Mugwump Sisters. For a number of females. Dolly Madison’s Method. For 2 males and 1 female. Miss Lighthead in the Country. For one male and one female. The Cruel King, For seven little boys. Shoddy and Wool. For five males and six females. The Best Profession of All, For four little girls and one grown person. Florence Elton’s Mistake. The Bewitched Music-Box. For 2 males and 1 female. For two males. Dime Dialogues, No, 36. The King Discrowned. For an entire school. Meeting of the Bulgertown Philomalian Literary So ciety. For five or more males, and three females, Wise and Otherwise. For six little boys. Moonshine, A Jingle. For six lit le cirls. 3eware Of Mr. Oily Gammon. For four males. Sarah Hannah. For four females, The Cowboy Consin. For 2 males and 2 females. The Proverb Chi'dren, For six little girls. The Happiest Manin the Country. For two males and two females. The Repudiated Legacy. Prof. Pachyderm’s Mastodan. For two females. For four males, For three females | Dr. Hand-Books of Games. Handbook ef Summer Sports, Book of Croquet. : Yachting and Rowing, Chess Instructor. | Riding and Driving. Cricket and Football. | Book of Pedestrianism, Guide to Swimming. | Handbook of Winter Sports—Skating, ete, Manuals for Housewives. 1. Cook Book. 4, Family Physician. 2. Recipe Book. 5. Dressmaking and Mik 3. Housekeeper’s Guide, linery. Dramas and Readings. 164 12mo Pages. 20 Cents. For Schools, Parlors, Entertainments and the Am ateur Stage, comprising Original Minor Dramas Comedy, Farce, Dress Pieces, Humorous Dialogue and Burlesque, by voted writers; and Recitationg and Readings, new and standard, of the greatest celebrity and interest. Edited by Prof. A. M. Russel, The above publications are ror sale by all news dealers or will be sent, post-paid, om receipt of price, ten cents each, BEADLE AND ADAMS, PuBLisHErs, 98 WsLLIAM STREET, N: Y, The Banner Weekly. The OP scntiiawas Ger ee ‘ts Unrivaled Corps of Contributors, almost all of whom write erclusively for its publishers embraces the following authors of world wide repute— Ingraham. Albert Ww. Capt. Mark Colonel Prentiss Noel Dunbar. Aiken, Ol Coomes, C, Dunning Clark, Buffalo Bill, White Beaver. Leon Lewis, Major Dangerfield Burr, Philip §. Warne. T. C, Harbaugh, William R, Eyster. J. C. Cowédrick. ; i Tae BANNER Weekty 18 Pvpuisnep at THE FotLowinG RAtTEs: For cur Months.. .....- Reo s'y wisn eb: le ec CULane 1,00 For One Year............- Piss cin avr .0 Two Copies for One Year. ............ 2.0. ves ee 5.00 Singles Oovlem o's iealhas dso sl cca Leh danbeee 6 cents Supplied by all Newsdealers, BEADLE AND ADAMS, PousiisHERs, 98 William street, New York, Wilton, Joseph | EK. Badger, Jr.. Edward L. Wheeler, Charles Morris, | Jim Wolfe and the Cats, The Dim Old Forest, Rasher at Home, The Sergeant's Story, David and Goliah, | Dreaming at Fourscore, Rum, Why Should the Spirit of Mortal be Proud? The Coming Mustache, The Engineer's Story, A Candidate for Presi- Roll Call, [dent, Accession to the Family, The Donation Party, Dime Burlesque Plenty Small’s Proclama- tion, | The Mother-in-Law, The Widow O’Shane’s Rint. (Pro, Leatherlung’s Obn and A Cockney’s Experience, The “Free and Equal” Humbug, [tions, Scipio Scroggs’s Ques- | The Treachery of Jones, Declamation, ! Shtichen Oats Dot’s Wild, Treadwater Jim, A Leadville Sermon on the * Prod,”’ Address to ' he Giantess, The Ass and the Lark, Tony Johnson’s Protest, Watermelons, Very Pathetic, A Telling Plea Back to Griggsby’s, Advice to a Young Man, The Plagues of Fee pt, Julius Ceesar Sumuer’s Views, John Jones—His Horn, Sentiment [Man, Bu’stin’ the Temperance Ediket, The Scenes of Childhood, Sancho Brown is Mad, Pilkins’s Landlady, The Collegian. Tilumin- _ ates, [’Splain,”’ Uncle Cuff ‘ Rises fur ter Assorted Women. Like his Mother Used to Make Set ’em Oud! Yankee Courtship, } Peter and Pat's Correspondence, Death of th’ Owd ‘Squire Mein Tog Schneid, At Elberon, The Cry of Womaphooc The Judgment Day, The Burst Bubble, Curfew Must Not To-night, The Swell, The Water Mill, Sam’s Letter, Footsteps of the Dead, Charity, An Essay on Cheek. Speaker, No. 258. The Tay we Celebrate, Dot Fritzy, The Crivic at Work, Fortunate Wlander Shows his Teeth, Guilty, of Course, | No More French, | Animile Statistix, [Fo} Some Things Accounte! | The Cats, [tol Astronomical Coruscé The Pcet Bold, January Jones Defend | the Eagle, The Mule, {Liare Brother * Gardner _ 0 That Lamb, Ticke} his Lotter The Mosquito Adjured, “ That Bircben Tree,” The Late Mr. Shakspere Rin | The Pie for Me, | Fuckeye Bill, ote. epi Rev. Peter Bill's Warr Jones's Wife’s Aunt, A Rhyme cf the Time, A Short Debate on Runt The Good Woman, The Clerv of the Weathe That’ Ncble Animal, Mar The Bold Fisherman, Cuvdjo Hardsin’s Pré¢ scription. | A Tale of Two Buckets, | Dot Hobot en Bucket, The Sale of Old Bachelor The Difference, | Getting a Photograph, As Others Ser Us, The Cotton Field Hand, Signs of Summ: r; A ** Fish Story,” For sale by all newsdealers, or wil be sent, post paid, to'any address, on receipt of price, ten cents, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Puprisuers, 98 William Street, New York