Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 708) (1891 02 17)
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LiL Le is Lalla Ja li RS IS A EE Di BS OES BN Rie SN EI Se SATA RS SOT Yt! Ht Lit! tl Lt Kn! at i i nl Copyright 1891, by BEADLE AND ADAMS, No 708 $2.50 PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS. Price, des " No, 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. 5 Cents. THE LUCKY LAD'S WINNING HAND BY JOS. E. BADGER, JR., AUTHOR OF THE ‘‘CHINCAPIN DAN” NOVELS, “DAINTY LANCE” NOVELS. ‘‘ MUSTANG SAM,” ‘* HURRICANE BILL,” ETC., ETC. CHAPTER I, A STRANGELY-ASSORTED PAIR, ‘Dry wood and wet water, with a kitchen as extensive as all out-doors! What more can you ask for, Lemuel?” ‘* Wha’— wha’s de kitchen, boss?” = ——=> “You're its central ornament, Lemuel, and ————— though the roof may be a trifle bigh, the walls ; DOAN’ TAKE ME reach out to correspond. The floor might be a DIS TIME, AN’ I’LL NEBBER LIE AG’IN—NEBBER NO MOAH!” little cleaner, perbaps, but with Jupiter Pluvius a SO a OS
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sow Light-heart Lute’s Legacy. making a colander of those clouds overhead, and you—shall I use you to mop up the earth with, Lemuel Claybank?” ** De good Lawd!” ‘‘Exactly! Then buckle down to work,-else our supper-dishes will get washed before we have time to soil them, What’s in the larder, Lem?” **De lard, boss?” “You're two-thirds right, and that’s a vast improvement over your usual score, Lemuel. Through I view such a prospect with the deepest melancholy, and would gladly give all my old boots could [only coax, trick or scare you into consenting to a divorce from my bed, board and society, Claybank, I really velieve that with six months more of my training, you would grow actually wise. Not handsome, Lemuel! One has to draw the linesomewhere, and—to be con- tinned!” Breaking off abruptly, Light-beart Lute sprung forward to examine several flat stones lying at no great distance, the arrangement of which had caught his keen glance, The smoke-blackened edges, and the layer of soft ashes within, told a story too plain for mis- taking: and even as he thrust a hand into the rude fireplace, Luther Larrimer cast a swift, suspicious glance around, like one who more — half-expects to sight unwelcome neigh- ors, . ‘ The ashes were cold, and no trace of heat lingered in the stones, other than the warmth borrowed from the sun itself. No rain had fallen in that region for days back, and cane Lute knew that the owner of the hands by which that fireplace had been coustructed, might be many a long league away at that moment, “‘Here’s your range, Lemuel!” he called out, cheerily, rising erect. ‘‘ There’s no sign out, so we'll call itan abandoned claim, and jump it accordingly. Skin your small deer, while I turn wood-gatherer for the nonce!” {t was growing dusky, the gathering storm cutting the twilighteven shorter than usual. Light-heart Lute could *‘ rough it” with the best, when occasion demanded, but, in addition to —— particularly hungry that evening, he was civilized enough to prefer a comfortable meal to an uncomfortable one. He fell to work, collecting material for the fire, unheeding if he saw the dubious glance which Lemuel Claybank cast in that direction, ever and anon, ‘¢ Wha’s dey any deah, small or t?udderwise?” the colored gentleman mumbled, as he unfasten- ed the furry trophies from bis belt. ‘‘Is data deah? giving a loving pat toa gaunt ‘ole bar’” before gently laying it across a handy rock. ‘Ts dem ‘small deahs?” giving a lofty suiff of contempt as hé viewed a brace of gray squirrels, ‘‘ Wha’s dey ho’ns? Wha’s dey— Yaas, boss! I'm gittin’ dah, at ae wate oi “That's all right, Lemuel, but don’t burry too mighty fast, or your heart may go back on ou,again. And that would be terrible—coming fore supper, too!” “ He’s crazy—jest plum’ luny! Dat’s what he is, now, fo’ suab!” muttered Lem, with a half- snort, half-sigh. ‘ Pokin’ fun at a poah debble Jong o’ his farmities! Doan’ I know what I do know? An’ ef Lhain’t got de heart disease, wha’ fo’ all dat wind come belchin’ up my froat whenebber I bin eata hyarty meal? Eh? You? Dat’s what J want to know!” Smothered indignation’ did not hamper Lemuel’s hands, and by the time Light-heart Lute bad built upa wee pile of dry fagots, the squirrels and rabbits were ready for cook- ing. “Cut them up for a quick roast, Lem, old boy!” nodded Lute, busying himself over a handy knapsack arrangement which, of late, had been generously transferred from his own shoulders to those of bis recently acquired comrade. ‘No time for artistic touches, if we want supper over long enough before tae rain falls to hunt upa hotel.” ‘* Ef I jes’ had some ob dat lard you was talk- in’ "bout, boss!” “Why didn’t you send word you were lost and waiting for my finding, Lemuel? I’d have brought lard, and butter, and a fryingpan, and a coffee-pot, and— Of course J couldn’t_tore ‘em all, but you—well, that’s different! We'll strike out for civilization in the morning, and if I don’t load you down to the gunwales, it'll be because my pocket isn’t deep enough, or my credit good at the junk-shop, Lem!” ‘* Yes, sah!” ‘* Heads I win, tails you lose! Good enough! T’m not nicknamed the Lad of Luck for naught! It’s my first brew, but I'll help you pray the rain off long enough to boil a second quart of coffee. Give me a corner of the range—so!” deftly placing the dingy tin cup where it would receive the full benefit of the fiercest flames, If Lem recalled the old story of turkey and buzzard, he said nothing. Although their ac- quaintance was so recent, he had already learn- ed to take a good many puzzling things for granted, Then, too, his gratitude was genuine, for he knew that, in allhumau probability, Light-heart Lute had rescued bim from starvation, or a less protracted death under the claws of the mountain wild beasts, Nearly a month-had passed by since Luther Larrimer left the busy little mining-town which had sprung up near the recently heralded “ rich strike,” and where bis former ‘‘ side pardner” and bosom friend, Poley Applejohn, had settled down with his pretty little bride. For long years past—though still so young himself—Light-heart Lute had been searching for what ke bad as yet failed to find: a father, who had vanished from sight and hearing long ago, Until now, he had never wanted for a genial, tried and true companion, Even now, a single word would have put that honest, faithful chum in barness, but Lute could not say it. . ‘‘ Nixey, old man! You’ve gota wife to look after, and I’ve got my freedom ones more!” he said, laughingly. ‘‘Makes me feel so mighty good to get shut of your apron-string, Poley, that I’m off for the hills, where I can yelp and howl and kick up my heels to my heart’s con- tent! So-long, pard! Pll be back in time to help name the baby!” It was during bis-:seemingly aimless wander- ings on this occasion that Light-heart Lute came across that bewildered, almost despairing wan- derer, who still bore signs of the privations which had brought him almost to death’s door before that fortunate meeting took place, He was anything but handsome, now. He had been fairly repulsive, then. ln bis blind, igno- rant fight for lise agaiust such heavy odds, the poor fellow had caught something of the wild- beast-like look in his great eyes, his dusky face, his gaunt form, Still, he was a man and a brother, and Light- heart first filled his stomach before striving to lighten his brain, Then, when the r tellow began to realize that be had fallen into kindly hands, Larrimer was not long in learning his simple bistory. His’ tame was Lemuel Clayhank. He had drifted West—mainly by the Empty Freight and Brake-beam Line—with the vague hope of pres upa fortune: goldernor silvern, he vared ittle, just so it was enough. His latest employment was cooking for a party of prospectors, or explorers, but that had come, to an abrupt termination, “ Dey jest kicked a bale o’ hay outen me, boss, an’ so I—I jest up an’ charged myse’f, so I did, now!” : ‘* And, per consequence, I’m charged with your keeping! Lemuel, hold _up your feet, please! I begin to believe—fooled again!” with a slow shake of his head and a deepening of that puzzled expression in eyes und on face. No holes there to plug up, and—do you always eat as much, Lemuel?” ‘When I kin git de whar with, boss!” “That does settle it! Lem, I’m going to sac- rifice myself, and send you ona visit toa very dear friend of mine. Not for good, you know; merely until Iecan buy, beg, borrow or steal a train of pack-mules numerous enough to tote at least one week’s provisions for the pair of us! L hate todo it, Lemuel, for you come in might handy packing the camp truck, but—first know, you'll be picking my bones, and calling them ‘ole har’!’” Light-beart Lute uttered this decision positive- ly enough, but he found it impossible to shake off this modern ‘‘ Man o’ the Sea,” and hence it came about that we find Lemuel still in his com- pany. , _ On these excursions, Larrimer always traveled lightly laden, preferring tashootsuch game as he cared to eat, living very well without bread-stuff so long as his supply of coffee lasted. But Lem had a coffee-tooth, as well, and it was mainly be- cause this all-important article of food was run- ning low, that Light-heart Lute turned his face toward home: the home of Poley Applejohn, for the adveuturer knew none other! Despite the threatening clouds and the low rumblings of distant thunder, the oddly assorted pair seemed to enjoy their rude meal by the dim glow of the camp-fire, Hunger is the keenest of sauces, and roasted game. hot from the spit, is not to be despised. ee , Light-heart Lute preferred the squirrels, but, true to tradition, Lem felt there was nothing to equal ‘* Molly Cottontail.” ***Ceptin’ dey was two ob’em! Or ef ’twas a jack-yabbit! Big as a mule—an’ all mine!” sighed the hungry African, licking his fingers and then tackling the last quarter of the hare, ‘““Whieh would you rather be, Lemuel: a pitcher of base-ball, or a head cook in a hash- foundery where the owner was too proud or too lazy to keep you whistling all the time you were at work?” ‘“* Bofe, boss! All two bofe on ’em!” spluttered Clay bank, with an enthusiastic gesture, his great eyes rolling in fine ecstasy at the mere idea, “Td fan’em out! Jes’ fan ’em all out! An’ den—Good Lawd! Den Vd be hongry ’nough fer to—oh, mamma! Wouldn’t I eat? Makes me crawl all. ober jest to—dar she am, agin!” dropping the picked bone and clasping both bands over his stomach, his face turning an ashen gray. ‘* You kin laugh, boss, but ef dat doan’ mean heart disease, den what’s the mattah wid me? Eh? You? What's de mattah wid me? What makes dat flitter-flutter go? What sets tr frog to kickin’ up a ’sturbance right yar? “TVs Molly Cottontail trying to shake paws with her kindred gone before, Lem,” laughed Light-heart Lute, casting a glance upward at the lowering clouds while his nimble fingers were en- gaged in filling bis short-stemmed pipe for an after-supper smoke, ‘‘ Watch your coffee, old fellow, or it’ll—ha!” A sepulchral groan came through the gloom and as Larrimer caught up a blazing brand an cast it toward the sound, the ruddy glow fora brief space lighted upa pale, ghastly-lookin face, the unearthly eyes in which seemed fix full upon the frightened negro. ; ‘* De debble J” gasped Lem, dropping upon his knees with clasped hands extended toward that strange vision. ‘‘Good Marse Debble—boss— doan’ take me dis time, an’ I’ll nebber lie ag’in— nebber no moab!” CHAPTER II. RESCUED FROM THE GRAVE. ““ Srgapy, there!” sharply cried Light-heart Lute, one swift leap carrying bim beyond the limited circle of light, bis mght band gripping a revolver. ‘‘ I’ve got you lined, and I'll blow you through at the first crooked move!” The brand flickered, then the flame died out. That ten face was lost to sight, and with the spell partially broken, Lem rolled over and over, then scrambled to his feet and started in head- long flight from—what was it? e ran plump against Larrimer, who uncere- moniously tripped him up, sternly growling: ‘‘ Lie still, you fool! Try to run away, and TI’'ll chase yon with hot lead! Isay—you ellow, over yonder! ‘‘Help! where am I?” Hoarse, husky, uncertain the accents, yet plainly those of one in suffering. But Light- heart Lute had passed through too many scenes of peril to take aught for granted, and only pausing long enough to distinctl y utter: ‘Keep him covered, Lem, and riddle him at the first crooked move!” Then, with swift, noiseless steps, he glided ; around far enough to bring that spot between himself and the merrily blazing camp-fire, He caught sight of a buman head feebly lift- ing—from the very earth, as it seemed! And though he strained bis eyes to the utmost, he failed to detect aught of a body to correspond! **Don’'t—Grace, my—” _ The head sunk back, with a husky moan such as no well man could counterfeit, and after another keen glance around, Light-heart Lute sprung forward to find— A shallow grave and its occupant, who cer- tainly had been living when interred, whatever might be his condition just now. Deathlike enough he looked now, with his face so ghastly pale despite the dirt and blood- marks visible by that indistinct light. ‘““Marse Lute! O-h-h, boss!” came the quaver- ing cry from the darkness which enveloped the negro, cs Button up! Lay low—and watch!” sh ly cried Larrimer, then swiftly altering his position, Although he felt reasonably sure that no other person could be lurking vigb, Light-heart Lute was taking no wild chances. Living or dead, this buried stranger could better afford to wait a few minutes longer without the help he had asked, than they\ to blindly risk sharing the same fate which had overtaken him. With this thought uppermost, Lute quickly took a scout around, making sure no enemy was
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Light-heart Lute’s Legacy. skulking near. Then he returned to that inef- fectua: grave, bending low and gazing keenly ‘into that ghastly face, ‘* Not dead—thank the Lord!” he breathed, softly, recognizing a swoon, ‘'Foul play—for dead sure!” Though the light was so dim. just there, he could see enough to explain at least a part of what haa puzzled him. This unfortunate stranger had been buried so hastily or so care- lessly, that while hidden from their sight while passing near in gathering fuel, he bad been able ‘to force the dirt, leaves and sticks from over his face, the growling thunder smothering such sounds as he made while so doing. Satisfied that life still lingered in that form, Lute quickly set about rallying Lemuel, whose aid he knew would be essential. He found this awork of time, for the poor fellow was half scared to death; but at heart Lem was a true dad, and when his natural dread of “ spooks” thad been overcome, he fell t> work with a chearty good will. Together they disinterred the stranger, the pity of each growing as they noted those marks of brutal violence: the gashed scalp, the per- ‘forated chest, all telling of murder, attempted af not perfected. Bearing the body closer to the camp-fire, Light-heart Lute bade Lem search among the shelving rocks hard by for aspot where they might be sheltered from the coming storm, then set about examining the body more carefully. The stranger was past middle age, judging from his gray hair and almost white beard. His hands bore signs of hard work, and his clothes were such as a miner or prospector would maturally wear; coarse, stout, of material fitted for roughing it. There was nothing in any of his pockets to identify him; no money, no writing; and though Light-heart Lute knew, from the signs of wear on his trowsers, that he had recently worna belt of arms, that also was missing. The lacerated scalp told of acruel blow, or blows, but gentle manipulation with his finger- tips assured Lute that the fracture, if any, could be of no great extent. It was different when he came to examine that broad chest, carefully cutting the blood- stiffened cloth until the hurts were rovealed. These were two in number; small, livid spots, now closea, but telling only too plainly that the assassin had fired twice. ‘He must have the constitution of an ox, to thave lived so long!” the adventurer reflected, frowning darkly as he flashed an involuntary glance around them. ‘‘if he pulls through—but he can’t! The day. of miracle working are past and gone!” “TV done ’skivered it, boss!” cried Lemuel, at this juncture. : “* Discovered what—whom—which? “Hole in de wall, boss! Jes’ like twas made fo’ us-all, an-—huh!” with a goose-like cocking of his eye toward the clouds as the patter of heavy rain-drops began. ‘‘Dah she comes, boss! Yainin’, fo’ suah! Mighty wet, too!” as a big drop struck one of those wildly rolling eyeballs, “Oatch hold—gently, you rascal!” said Larrimer. ‘‘ Lead the way to this hole of yours, and—stumble if you dare, sir!” Between them they carried the unconscious stranger a few rods from the camp-fire, along the shelving ledge of rocks of which mention has been made, and when Lem nodded toward the eave he had discovered, Lute caused their burden to be lowered until he could investigate for himself. The entrance was both low and narrow, and his nostrils were greeted with auythiag but an agreeable odor when he crept inside; but the mateh which he struck showed him that the den was spacious enough for thom all, and would at least afford perfect shelter from the increasing storm, Backing out, he resumed his burden, and tho unconscious stranger was quickly under cover. “Run out and fetch in the rest of the wood; Lem,” hastily muttered Lute, at the same time striking another match and by its faint light quickly raking together a quantity of leaves which had drifted into the hole. @ gave a little start as his fingers closed over a cold bone, but there was nothing superstitious about it; he knew now what he had suspected when that rank, disagreeable odor came to his nostrils, “A wild beast’s den! All right; we’re here first!” he muttered to himself, casting the bone aside and turning to relieve Lem of his first arm- ful of wood. “Bring more: we'll need light to see by, if we’re to do this poor fellow any good.” ‘*Den—he hain’t done dead, boss?” faltered Lemuel, “Don’t you think it, old fellow! Brinz wood before it gets soaked, and I’l) look after the rest,” With the dry leaves asa starter, Lute found it an easy task to get a small but cheery fire to burning, and by its clear light hedid all that lay in his power to aid the luckless stranger. Before trying to restore his senses, Light-heart neatly bandaged those ugly wounds in his chest, to lessen the liability of bemorrhage should the ot pas recover sufficiently to talk, One bullet ad passed entirely through the body, but the other had stopped inside, **So much vhe worse for your chances, stran- ger!” mutterod Larrimer, when this point was as- certained. ‘‘I wouldn’t dare go hunting for it, even if i had the prover instruments!” Having Lem fill the pow: J with cool water from the spring, Light-heart Lute produced a half-pint flask of good rien and mixed a fairly strong draught in his pocket-cup, Drop by drop at first, then in gradually in- creasing potions, he succeeded in getting this mixture down the throat of the wounded man, to be shortly after rewarded by a gasp, a sigh, a frightened start, and a moment Jater an opening of those hollow, sunken eyes! ‘Easy, pardner!” soothingly murmured the adventurer. ‘* We’re your best friends, just now, and we'll pull you safel pied if you'll just ay quiet and let us doall the work. Under- stand?” **) say, boss!” croaked Lem, his great eyes glowing whitely from out the gloom into which he had retreated. ‘*Dar’s de heapin’est pile ob ole bones ober heah, dat ebber you—” ** Kat ’em, if you like. Take ’em outside with you—go watch against any one’srunning off with our fire, Come back when I call you; not be- fore—nunderstand?” Lem grumbled, but obeyed, as he always did when Light-heart Lute assumed that stern man- ner. He never suspected the truth that Lar- rimer hoped to keep from him the fact that they had sought refuge in the den of a wild beast! True, it might not have been occupied for many months: be had had no time to decide that point bya closer examination; but if he was to coax this almost corpse back to life, all excitement must be avoided, Pleased with the result, so far, Larrimer strengthened the dose of grog, coaxing the wounded man to drink, much as he might have coaxed a fretful child.. And, little by little his strength seemed to return to him, though that wild, haunted, dazed look never once left his eyes. Touching lightly on that point at first, watch- ing closely the effect of his words, Light-heart Lute at length contrived to make his patient re- alize how they had found him partially resur- rected from an untimely grave by his own hands! “‘T know—I was smothering!” the stranger gasped, shivering like one who still experiences that awful agony of both mind and body. ‘He didn’t kill me—though he—tried!” Although naturally eager to hear the whole truth of what he knew must be a strange, thrill- ing story, Larrimer held his curiosity in check for a time longer, giving his patient frequent sips of nearly pure brandy, a practiced finger keeping tally of his strengthening pulse. “Don’t try to talk too soon, pardner,” he would say, cheerfully, ‘Of course we’ll pull you|through all right, but it’ll come all the lighter if you don’t stop to dig in your toe-nails too often! You’re worth a thousand dead men, al- ready!” ““T never knew—no warning!” moaned the or fellow, flinching at each gasp, as though is hurts were being freshly probed. ‘‘ Ana my poor little girl—Grace—dear child!” - **She’s coming—she’ll be here soon to help nurse you back to bealth and strength again, pardner—never worry !” murmured Lute. “ Coming—where?” cried the stranger, lifting his head and shoulders with a spasmodic effort; only to drop back again, with a moan of an- guish which surely was not all bodily, ‘She can’t—she don’t know where— O-h-h!” ‘** She can—she shall come, dear man, if you'll only direct me how and where to find her,” dis- tinctly uttered Larrimer, leaning over until their eyes could squarely meet, A brief silence, during which those sunken eyes seemed trying to read the whole truth, Then he strove once more to rise, unaided. In vain. He felt his impotence, and groaned aloud in acute anguish. ; “Can I—trust you?” he huskily gasped, re- eo hag om gaze, only to close his ids with an- other shiver of bitter pain. ‘J must **'Yes, you must,” slowly repeated Larrimer, very gravely. ‘‘I swear to be true to whatever trust you ey place in me, but—you must speak now—if at all!’ ‘* Then—tell me the whole truth! ing?” **] fear you are, poor fellow!” was the husky response, I am dy- CHAPTER III. LIGHT-HEART LUTER’S LEGACY. ALTHOUGH he surely must bave anticipated such an answer, the wounded man flinched visi- bly before those gravely reluctant words, ‘*T bate to say it, pardner, but in a time like this, anything short of the truth would be a curse, rather than a blessing,” added Larrimer, too brave and true-hearted himself not to feel strongly agitated. ‘‘1’ll do my level best, of course, but—well, I’m sadly afraid it’s your last sickness, and if you bave any word to leave—” “*My poor little girl!” huskily muttered the stranger. “Tlldo my best to soften the blow to her, stranger. Just tell me how and where to fin her, For— What is it, old fellow?” Those closed lids flew open. Those* sunken eyes seemed to catch a brighter, keener light from the ruddy glow of the fire. An unsteady hand lifted far enough to touch an arm, and Light-heart Lute drew a bit closer as be asked that question, ** Let me—your eyes!” ** They’re bonest, if I do say it myself,” witha faint smile, bending nearer as he civined what was wanted, ‘Still, it’s for you to decide, [If there was any other person near enough to trust, I'd gladly step aside in their favor, but—what’s done at ail, ought to be done quickly, dear man!” It was not easy to say just what impression was made upon the injured man by that gaze or those warning words. His heavy lids closed and his feeble fingers dropped away. He seemed sinking into a stupor ‘which might be the fore- runner of death, It seemed cruel to disturb him, since each at- tempt at speech must cause him pain, but Luther Larrimer dared not lose more time, The pale, sad face of a little child seemed to flit before his eyes, and he could almost hear a tig voice reproaching him for criminal neg- ect, “For her sake,” he said, slipping a hand un- der the wounded man’s head, gently raising him afew inches, ‘* For little Grace, brace up!” ** Grace—all alone—all alone, now!” “You have friends or relatives, surely?” **None—all alone!” groaned the stranger, shiveringly, closing his lips and trying to avert them from the proffered dratgbk “Call it medicine, and take it like a man,” almost sternly spoke the adventurer, persisting. You must tell me how I can find your child, and this will lend you strength, Come—swal- low a drop, pardner!” ““T didn’t know. I thought—yes, give it— strong!” Light-heart Lute did not wait to be asked twice. Believing as he did that the end was nigh, and that the poor fellow was beyond being injured by anything he could administer, he brought the flask into play, and permitted his patient to swallow what he could. That was not much, from a well man’s stand- point, but the spirits produced ap almost magical effect on that weakened frame. A clearer light came into his eyes, A tinge of color showed in his face. His voice grew stronger and the words came with less pain. ‘I thank you, sir! I will—help me fight back death until—I can trust you to do right?” The old haunting doubts came back again, bearing witness to a troubled past. Surely, enemies must have been more plentiful than friends, in this poor fellow’s experience! “*T'll do my level best, sir,” earnestly replied Lute. ‘While I lay no claim to being better than the average, I’m white and free born. I had a mother—once—and I’d be ashamed to lie and think of her, as I do of nights, at spells, if I thought anything could make me go back on my word when once given to a dying man.” * Forgive—I ort eS og ** All right, pardner!” as he apg ye that cold, nerveless hand once more, ‘ Now tell me our name, and where I can find — home, *m asking it for her sake, remember With his eyes the injured man asked for the brandy flask, and after swallowing a few more drops of the powerful stimulant, he gave the de- sired information, Even yet it seemed difficult for him to speak, and the sentences were broken, at times too dis- connected for any one less deeply interested than
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_ Light-heart Lute had grown, to follow without losing his real meaning. He gave his name as Adam Elton, and his lace of residence as being on or near the left Bank of the little river called Little Roarer. It was a poor little place, such as one man might raise in a few days, but it was home to him, for there his darling—his only child, a daughter named Grace—had dwelt with him for nearly two years, This much the wounded man said, before a spell of weakness caused him to break off for the time being. Light-heart Lute said little, though his sur- toa was great enough, He knew that Little oarer River was not far distant, but he knew, too, that it ran through the wildest part of that country, where even a strong, ragged man would find it a sore trial to live. What, then, must it be for a little girl? The storm without was increasing in severity, the rain falling in heavy sheets, the thunder crashing, the lightning flashing with blinding brilliancy at short intervals, Remembering poor Lemuel, Lute stole out of the cave, and waiting for another flash, caught sight of his follower crouching under the shelv- ing rocks, sheltered from the wet, his arms en- circling his doubled-up knees, his face buried in the hollow thus formed, Whether sleeping, or merely hiding from the lightning, Light-heart Lute could only surmise, but content with knowiag Lemue! was in com- arative comfort, he crept back without hailing im, returning to the side of his patient in hopes of gaining a little more definite information. This he did, thanks to the stimulating brandy, and to his adroit questioning, though there were many minor points which he was obliged to leave untouched upon, lest the end should come before those more essential were cleared up. Adam Elton said enough to givea fair idea of what had led him to locate in that wild, deso- late region, Financial misfortunes had driven him toward the setting sun, and when he had found at least a portion of that which bad brought him, like s0 many others, to the mining country, lone- liness and paternal love combined to work the rest—he brought his daughter ‘‘ home.” “She made it home—the only home I’ve known since her poor mother left us!” sighed Elton, his lids closing once more. ‘Poor child, I’d say!” mentally amended Luther; but that was no time for reading a homily on selfishness, and he touched on a dif- ferent point. “ Who did you up, Elton? How many were in the gang? And what did they hope to gain— dust only?” ‘““T don’t—I’m not sure; but—oh! twas cruel!” with a brief outburst of despairing indignation, *‘He never gave me warniog! Never gave me ee ghost of ashow! Just butchered me—like a de F who did it, pardnerf” persisted Larrimer, ““T'll pay bim back in full, if you'll just set me on his track, Who did it?” ‘*] don’t—I never saw—’'twas all like a night- mare!” , Elton added other words, but his voice had os too husky and indistinct for even those een ears to pick out the meaning. And once more Larrimer forced the injured man to sip a few drops of brandy. “Try to brace up, pees and while you're trying, Pll do the heft of the talking. Now, do you know the man who downed you? Nod if you do, shake if you don’t.” A feeble shake of the head came in response, Adam Elton did not know for certain just who had attempted his death. ‘‘Why did he do it? Had you any large amunt of money on your person?” ‘‘Some—few hundred. But—the secret— bonanza!” Light-heart Lute gave a start at those words. A s2eret bonanzi! Did Elton realize what he was saying, or was this but one of those wild, vague fancies which so frequently haunt the last minutes of aman who comes to his death-bed through violence, ““No—I mean it!” said Elton, speaking with greater distinctness than before, rallying once again, thanks to the brandy. ‘I found it—be- fore bringing Grace. I dared not be away so long—to visit ber. And she alone, besides me, knows where —the place is,” Light-heart Lute gave a little shiver at this, for his thoughts flashed away toward the “ lit- tle child.” She knew of this dangerous secret, and—had the murderer or murderers paid her a visit, too? “God above! you don’t think—you can’t Light-heart Lute’s Legacy. think they'll harm my poor child?’ gasped Elton, seeming to read that dread fear in the kindly face before him. ‘** No, no, of course not, dear man!” soothingly assured Larrimer, gently lowering that head. “How could they? If only you and Grace know of the bonanza, how could any other per- son catch a hint that way?” “He said—what did I hear him say when—or, was it a dream?” “ A dream, of course, dear sir! Now—” “‘T can trust you? You will be true to my little girl?” panted Adam Elton, gripping an arm with feverish force once more, “ll be true to her, as Heaven hears me was the earnest Ng Once more those haggard eyes were vailed, and only for the painfully-laboring chest, Larri- mer might have fancied death bad claimed its prey. But Elton quickly rallied, speaking with feverish energy: ‘“‘There’s millions in it, if properly worked, and a, her—only my poor little girl to claim it! Only Grace—and you, my friend!” “All hers, pardner. I ask nothing for the little I may be able to do,” quickly interposed the young adventurer. ‘‘No—share even—enough for both!” eagerly panted the injured miner. ‘‘ Swear to be true— Pinas treat her as—your dead mother’s child, and— ‘‘T swear it, pardner,” was the grave re- sponse, ‘I swear to treat your daughter as I would my own sister, if she’ll accept my ser- ices, “She will—she must! She'll be all alone when—I’m gone! And that devil—kill him, if he dares to try to harm my darling!” ‘* J’}] kill him as I would a hydrophobia cat, if he and I ever meet up with each other, Adam Elton.” ‘You have sworn—be true to my little girl?” “T have sworn,” ‘‘Then--remember! It’s a sacred legacy—a legacy from the grave! My body ’ll bedust, but in spirit P’ll—as ye dv unto her, 80 may Heaven deal with you!” In his intense emotion, the wounded man had epee raised himself up from the folded lankets, gripping both Larrimer’s hands be- tween his own, pressing them spasmodically while pronouncing those words, But now, ex- hausted by the effort, he fell back, limp and nerveless, more like a corpse than a man who had a long life before him. Light-heart Lute was pale with strong emo- tion, for he felt that this could only hasten the end, and though he bad vainly striven to hold the dying miner in check, he felt partly respon- sible for the outcome. His first fear proved groundless. Adam Elton was not dead, though he looked so corpse-like. Aud a that he must learn more, Luther again called the precious brandy-flask into play. Elton swallowed feebly, and presently his lids opened, His sunken eyes told that reason re- mained, and Lute began to question him more closely nonoenine the exact location of bis cabin home; was it further up the river, or was it below that point? Elton made some reply, but the words were lost amid the thundering which caused the earth to ee for several moments, Then, just as Light-heart Lute was about to repeat his ques- tions, a wild, eldritch screech came from out- side, closely followed by the gaunt figure of Lemuel Claybank shooting through the narrow entrance on all-fours, his tones full of terror as he yelled aloud: “* De debble—de debble’s comin’, boss !” If not the devil, something else was! CHAPTER IV. A LITTLE MORE LIGHT. SoMETHING more dangerous to honest men than Satan could have proved, too! As that wild yell rung forth, Light-heart Lute leaped erect and to one side, his hands seeking the belt of arms about his middle, for only too well he knew the meaning of that alarm, Closely following Lem—so closely, in fact, that its claws gave his hunched-up shoulders an ugly rake in aaa Mian the long, gaunt shape of a mountain lion, driven to its den by the crashing of thunder and the blinding glare of lightning. : It struck fairly upon tbe little fire, scattering the glowing sticks as it bounced aside the next instant, arching its back and showing its long teeth in a howl of mingled rage and affright, Then another strange thing happened. ; With a maniacal cry—half-laugbter, balf-de- fiance—Adam Elton flung himself upon the fierce brute, grappling its throat with his fin- i gers, fairly overthrowing the lion with the vigor of his onset! Fortunately the fire had only been scattered, not extinguished, by those paws, and there was: light enough to guide hand and weapon as Light~ heart Lute leaped forward to the rescue. Man and beast were locked together, rolling over and over in a death-grapple, It was im- possible to use a pistol, and realizing the im- rtance of haste in action, Larrimer flashed orth his long knife, feeling for and clutching the lion by the nape of the neck before sending his steel home, Only one blow was needed, thank Heaven! With spine divided, and that keen point fairly reaching its heart, the gaunt beast gave one spasmodic shiver, then permitted its assailant to be drawn from its powerless paws without resistance, ‘Freshen the fire, you howling idiot!” cried Larrimer, sternly, to the frightened negro. He feared the worst, for Fiton lay limp and nerveless in his friendly grasp, as though his. feeble spark of life had gone out in that one mad struggle. Lem tremblingly obeyed, and quickly had a bright light leaping up from the dry leaves. And by this, Light-heart Luto saw that—as yet —his worst fears bad not come true, Adam Elton was alive, but that was about alb one could say. He drew his breath feebly, flut- teringly, in irregular gasps. His eyes were half-open, but they seemed already glazing, and nothing of reason or intelligence could be detected therein. Yet he bad suffered but little from the claws of the lion. A few superficial scratches were all Larrimer could discover, and they had not. disturbed the bandages over his wound. Yet— surely the poor fellow was dying! Light-heart Lute turned to the brandy-flask, but Elton made noeffort toswallow. The liquor slowly oozed from the corner of his li ; . In awed silence Lem watched his master, shivering at brief intervals, more with terror than with cold, And then, fearing less the wild beasts, the thunder and lightning, the darkness without, than the death within, he crept through. the narrow opening and once more cowered close to the friendly rocks which at least shelter- ed bim from the falling rain. ‘¢ Wha’—wha’ is it, boss?” he quavered, after a time—ages it seemed to the poor fellow--as he caught sight of Light-heart Lute coming toward him from the cave. “ It’s all over, poor fellow,” gravely spoke the young adventurer, as he squatted down beside a negro. “He went off easy, at the last, and— “Kin we go now, boss?’ wistfully muttered Lem, shrinking away from that cave, ‘‘De rain hain’t nigh so wet as it was, an’—an’-—” “Why should we run, Lem? ‘We never harm- ed the poor fellow in life. Weaided him to the best of our poor ability while life lingered. Why should we be frightened of him now ‘¢Good Lawd! wha’ fo’ I ebber come to sech & kentry as dis al moaned the BOERG, hidin his face on the arms that closely hugged doubled-up knees, rocking from side to side. Instead of mn a at or chiding him for his folly, Light-heart Lute spoke gently, kindly, soothingly, doing bis best to remove those fool- ish fears of the harmless dead. And, in course of time, he succeeded in a measure, Once or twice Larrimer crept into the cave, to freshen the fire, and hoping against hope to again bend over that silent figure. His passing away had been so calm, so peaceful, that it was very hard to believe death had indeed claimed its victim, And so the gray dawn found them, chilled, le from watching and from strong emotion, ut both with steadier nerves and stouter hearts than had been theirs while that darkness lasted. : The storm had long since ceased, though a number of clouds still lingered, It was clear- ing away, giving promise of a fair, bright ay. Light-heart Lute left Lem crouching there under the rocks, and entering the den, he brought out the remnant of wood with which he quickly started a fire, out of sight of that narrow entrance. With those dry fagots for a foundation, it was no serious task to build up a cheery pile, and filling his quart cup with water at the spring, imer soon had a dose of strong coffee to offer the negro. “ Aftab you, boss!” huskily mumbled Lem, though his wide nostrils were all aquiver with that welcome scent. “Drink; and swallow it red-hot, too!” per- emptorily spoke the adventurer. “T can’t
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| | stand that teeth-rattling any longer! Then, too, { need your help in more ways tbanone, Drink, say!” pr obeyed, though the scalding-hot coffee brought tears streaming down his cheeks. But it was just the stimulant required, and when Light-heart Lute topped it off with a fair swal- jow of brandy, the son of Africa was fairly him- self once more, despite that object of super- ssutious dread lying in the wild beast den so near _ ut band, - ‘“* Now, old fellow, hustle about and dish up what there’s left, for breakfast, Little enough, worse luck! but we'll make it answer until some- thing more substantial offers. And— Lem!” ** Right heah, boss!” “Call me when you're ready. I’m going ia yonder to— Well, J’ll hear you if you call loud enougn.” Without waiting for an answer, Light-heart Lute entered the den, shortly appearing again, dragging the carcass of the mountain lion after him, leavirg it at the edge of a clump of bushes some distance from the entrance, then retracing his steps. The fire bad died out, but enough light came through the opening to assure him that no changes bad taken place since bis last visit to the unfortunate miner, who had so strangely been thrown into their company. He lay as he had been left, on the folded blankets, bis hands resting upon his bullet- pierced bosom, his lids closed, his face calm and composed. The gloom hid those ugly blood- stains, and no one seeing him thus, could have dreamed that Adam Elton had come to his death through such bitter agony. Light-heart Lute knelt beside the body, low- ering bis head until one ear gently touched the clothing over that heart. No sound—not the faintest flutter, as there surely would be if life lingered. : “Poor fellow!” huskily murmured Larrimer, lifting bis head and gazing almost wistfully into that pale face. ‘‘ Your earthly troubles are over, but—mine are just beginning. Vd give a hand, almost, not to have been your confidant, but—I took the oath, [ accepted your sacred legacy. And—Heaven helping me! J’ keep that vow |” He rose to his feet and left the cave, just as Lem called out that grub was ready. And gether they ate the scanty meal in silence. When the last of the coffee was swallowed, Light-heart Lute nodded to Lem, leading the way to the cave entrance, a blazing brand in his hand. Reluctantly he won Lemuel to gaze upon that Masa face by the ruddy light, saying: “ Steady, boy! See if you can’t place him, Lem, Did you ever see him before last night? Slowly—take your time!” ; “T fink—fo’ suah, boss!” huskily ejaculated the negro. , “Allright; it just struck me that it might be so,” nodded Larrimer, as he turned away to leave the den. ‘Come outside, boy. There’s a bit of work to be done before we do any talk- ing.” j , PET gave a shiver as he thought of handling that corpse, but his spirits quickly rallied when he found out what Light-beart Lute really in- tended doing; not digging a grave, but walling the body up in the den itself, This was quickly accomplished, though 80 thoroughly done. Countless stones had dropped from that rocky shelf, some of them large enough to baffle even a mountain lion to roll aside when properly backed up by other rocks. And so, after half an hour’s work, the job was finished. ; ‘** Now we'll have a smoke, old boy,” nodded Light-heart Lute, with more of his wonted jollity than he had shown since that strange resurrection had taken place, ‘*‘ And then you can tell me when, where, and how you first met our poor friend in yonder.” That was briefly told, for Lem was only too anxious to get away from that vicinity, He said that te had stumbled upon a lone cabin near the river a couple of days before Light-heart Lute met him, Dar war jes’ de man, fur’s I see’d,” he added, between puffs. ‘He ‘peared mighty ugly, like he finked I was dah fo’ no good, ’stead ob bein’ hongry clean frough an’ frough! He frowed mea bunk o’ bread, an’ “lowed I'd lib heap sight longer ef I skun out o’ dar in a holy aang: ‘* You are sure it was the same man?” “ Suah, fo’ sart’in, boss!” declared Lemuel. “ And you didn’t catch sight of any other per- 30n about thehouse? Nothing of alittle girl, for instance?” ‘Shoo! was dar one, boss!” Sat Ae ape Light-heart Lute’s Legacy. ‘* That’s what I’m asking you: Was there any such about?” Not that Lemuel had seen, though it was pos- sible, he admitted, For, scared by the dark frowns and barsh words of the man, and eager to eat his hunk of bread, he had skurried away atarun, And when, later, he tried to find the same place again he failed. “Den you come ’long, boss, an’ I clean fo’got all dem tra—dat pore gemman in dar!” hastily amending his oe ute sat in silence for a few Light-beart minutes, deliberating how far to trust this fel- the need of some one to low; but then, feelin talk freely to, even if he could offer little help and less consolation, he told Lemuel pretty much all he had gathered from Adam Elton before his passing stig ‘*T didn’t learn near all 1 wanted to—not near- ly all I ought to have found out,” he added, staring thoughtfully into the fire. ‘I would have learned more, only for the coming of that infernal beast!” ‘** T couldn’t holp it, boss; ’deed an’ double ’deed I jes’ couldn't /” **Pm not blaming you, old fellow. I know you couldn’t, Only— But what's done can’t be undone, and we'll make the best of it as we go along. So—Lem?” ** Hyar I is, boss!” “We're going to look up that little girl, first thing. I'd givea finger if I could shirk the job, but it’s got tobe done! Can you find that cabin, think?” Lemuel hesitated. He seriously doubted his ability, but with that staady gaze upon his face he feared to hint as much. «+ ‘* Bf ’tain’t clean runned off, boss, why—” ** Because it’s got to be found, as the starting- point and if you can’t find it Dll bave to. muel?” ‘* Boss?” “‘T never knew a man to die of heart-disease after being skinned alive from top to toe! You'll , never prove the exception. o--prtine yourself trustworthy in this ugly job, and Dll make a man of you. On the other side, if you play the fool, Pll kill you by inches! Now you know what to expect, we'll pick up our feet and travel!” CHAPTER V. DISAGREEABLE GUESTS, ‘For pity sake, Grace—don’t/ You make me nervousas astray cat, with your constant fidgeting id , ‘*T’m sorry, Mrs, Shaw, but—” Grace Elton left the apology incomplete, ap- parently forgetting what her lips bad started to utter, so great was her growing anxiety. Why did he not come? What could be keep- ing him so much longer than usual? Could any- thing— ‘*Guard and protect him, kind Heaven! Bring him back in safety to his little girl, for—he’s all I have to live for, now!” She did not utter the words aloud. She would not let them take perfect shape even in he mind, for that would be admitting the posei- bility of what sbe feared so intensely even while fighting against the bare idea: that some evil had overtaken her. dearly beloved father, Adam Elton. Yet, for all that, just such a plea was rising from her aching beart as Grace Elton stood by the open window, gazing blindly out across the bleak, rugged landscape before her, A landscape for the most part composed of bare rocks, naked peaks, gullies and gulches, with here and there a stunted tree or clump of mountain shrubbery, with yonder a patch of fertile ground where the grass grew green and fresh after the recent storm. : Deep down in its water-worn channel rolled Little Rogrer, swollen by the rains until it more nearly merited the title of river, even though it did less credit to the name it had won by brawl- ing. over and among the rocks and bowlders which ages bad caused to drop away from those high, rugged banks, A wild and rugged landseape, truly! And yet—it might bave been more cheerlcss, True, the cabin was composed mainly of ir- regular stones, chinked and plastered with - mud-mortar,” But one could easily forget this iv looking at and admiring the ivy and vines which covered walls and roof, and even twined around the buge, wide-mouthed stone chimney at one end of the cabin. Over the building leaned the one unstunted, shapely tree of that vicinity, To the rear spread a fairly luxuriant kitchen-garden. On one side lay the spring, grass growing along the little stream by which all superfluous waters found a way to Little Roarer. On the other, and in neat beds shaped before the cabin, homely flow- ers were blooming with a freedom that betoken~ ed loving and intelligent care, Grace Elton saw nothing of all this. She bad thoughts only for her absent parent, and as @ distinct, moving figure caught her eyes, ber breath came quickly. Only to be followed by a sigh of disappointment as she recognized, not her anxiously expected parent, but the busband of the woman on whom sbe had unconsciously turned her back but a few moments earlier, Huck Shaw announced bis coming by a husky yet sonorous clearing of his throat, and the tall woman sprung to the open door with the greeting: : : * Anything new, Shaw?” “Not a dug-gun thing—the way you mean, Roxy!” ‘* Did you look down the river trail, Mr. Shaw!” asked Grace, turning from the window toward her guests, for whom she felt such an uncom- fortable dislike. Man and wife interchanged glances before Huck Shaw attempted to answer this simple question, The woman nodded, her red lips compressing and her black, arched brows con- tracting a trifle. ‘* Waal, I did look, but I knowed aforehand I wouldn’t see what you're hopin’ fer, Grace.” ‘*T hardly—please explain your meaning, Mr. Shaw!” exclaimed the maiden, frowning a little at that uninvited familiarity. ‘‘I am expecting - Mr, Elton, and he always comes along that trail. So—” ‘*Tt’s about time we were laying pity aside in favor of business, Shaw!” coldly interposed the tall woman, nodding her head sharply. “Show Miss Elton the bill of sale, and iet’s get it over with!” ‘‘The showin’s easy ’nough,” grinned the fel- low, drawing a folded slip of paper from his pocketbook, opening it and fluttering it before those startled eyes. ‘It’s the gittin’ over part as worries me!” “*T don’t—what does this mean, sir?” “Tt means that we’ve been doing considerable lying on your account, Grace Elton,” quickly interposed Mrs, Shaw. ‘It means that you’re looking at a bill of sale, signed by Adam Elton, making over this house and all bis claims to land here or hereabouts, to H. Shaw and wife, for value received!” That one bewildered glance had shown the maiden as mucb, though she really understood but one point: that the bold signature of her father was appended to that slip of paper. ‘* Av’ when you come to count it all up, it’s a mighty more value he received them we got back ag’in!” barsbly laughed Shaw, drawing the slip back from the unsteady fingers which made a move to take it. ‘‘ An’ that’s why I say: look all ye like, but tetch mighty light! Sure, it shows how Huck Shaw was sucked in fer the fu’st time in his life, but that’s no reason why I’d ought to let ye ’stroy all I’ve got to show fer the years 0’ hard work an’—” “Rest your chin a bit, Shaw,” interposed his wife, dropping the fairly ladylike mask which sbe had worn up to that hour. ‘“ And you, my dear,” with a curt nod toward the be- wildered gil, “ are old enough to learn that all is not gold that glitters? Your father—are you Good MES? Adam Elton is your father, by the wa ‘What do you mean, madam?” “That’s better,” laughing a bit as Grace flashed up. “I like nerve in a girl, and you'll bave use for all you can muster.’ ‘* What do you mean, I ask once more?” “Just what my question implied. If the fel- low who calls himself Adam Elton is—” “Stop! You are speaking of my father, and though you have claimed the rights even a say- age shows a guest, there is—” “ Don’t forget that we are beneath our own roof-tree, Grace,” maliciously laughed Mrs, Shaw. ‘“ You are the guest, or that bill of sale tells a lie!” «Tt surely does!” flashed the maiden, ber face flushed, her great eyes all aglow, ‘Father would never have taken such a step without first consulting me. Even then—what evil scheme are you trying to work? Ycu have lied —you admitted as much, just now—have you still blacker crimes upon yonr souls?” “‘Oh, come off the perch!” sneered the woman counterfeiting a yawn. ‘You make me too tired for any sort of use!” “Yonder is the door; shall I sbow you the way outside?” “Dip lightly, Roxy!” verninaly muttered Shaw, ‘No use in kickin’ up a bigger dust then we hev to—see?”
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Light-heart Lute’s Legacy. “No use in swearing sour milk is sweet cream, now she’s taken the first taste! And—you want the whole trath, Grace—vall it Elton, if that ene you most! And J want to give it to you, f only to pay off the score you’ve been piling up ever since we came here!” ‘* Because I felt, instinctively, that you were false—false to the very core!” impulsively cried the maiden, facing the virago undauntedly. “I could not deny that you knew my father, since you claimed as much; but I felt you were lying when you said you were his friends, Because my father is a'gentleman !” Rice words stung sharply, as that deepening flush declared, and as though conscious that the tempest mast fairly spend itself, Huck Shaw slouched across to the door, leaning lazily against one side of the casing, glancing from face to face under his shaggy brows. ‘* A gentleman, eh?” shrilly cried Mrs, Shaw, her arms akimbo. ‘Yes! Adam Elton is a entleman—if to be a gambler, a cheat, a liar, a dicanieed fraud and slimy-tongued seducer, is a gentleman!” Grace Elton turned pale as a corpse as she listened to that swift tirade, When the last word was uttered, she sprung forward and back, both movements taking barely a single second. Yet that brief space was long enough for her small, brown hand to sharply smite those red lips! Ki Stiddy, Roxy!” cried Shaw, fairly frightened, starting forward like one whodreads a tragedy; but the virago waved him back, laughing shrill and mockingly before saying: **Don’t be a bigger fool than the girl, Huck Shaw! [ll pay her off, but not after your fash- ion: my blows will cut, not bruise!” **You have gone too far, Mrs. Shaw,” coldly uttered Grace Elton, one hand pointed toward the door. ‘‘Go! leave this house, and never—” ‘* When I get a good ready, which will not be before I’ve ovened up with the silly idiot who calls herself the daughter of Adam Elton,” was the sneering response. ‘* You surely could not have understood the full meaning of that bit of paper, Miss Elton?” ‘Itshows a lie on its face, just as your face now proves. my first instinct correct, As you asked shelter in my father’s name, I could hard- ly refuse it; now,in his name, I bid you be- one! ac You said that before, and idle repetition is hardly a mark of good sense, leaving good taste entirely out of the question.” For afew moments there was silence between them. Grace stood with her trim, rounded, maidenly figure drawn proudly erect, ber beau- tiful face very pale, but showing no sign of per- sonal fear. She knew that she was physically unable to enforce that command against this tall, powerfnl woman, leaving aside the burl man with the bull-dog face. She disliked yield- ing, even in part, but those walls could no longer contain both ber enemies and herself, **Will you oblige me by taking your de- parture, madam?” ‘*From my own house?” replied the other. **You utter a falsehood when you ree that, but [ll not lower myself to your degraded level. Since you refuse to go, Pll leave you for—” * On guard, Huck Shaw!” sharply cried the woman, as Grace turned toward the door. “Tm rigbt hyar, Roxy. An’ you, little gal, don’t run clean over me, please!” chuckled Shaw, fquarivg bis burly form and fairly filling the doorway. * How dare you, sir?” “Because I say so!” laughed the woman, lacing herself in front of the door leading Ee the other room, used by Grace as a bed- chamber, ‘ Because we’ve both got a big debt against Adam Elton, and since he declines to show up, we’ve got to do the next best thing: pay it off on your stim shoulders, my beauty !” *Take care!” warningly spoke the maiden, retreating a little, but still showing a brave front. ‘It’s true, I’m only a girl, but I know how to defend myself against insult and out- rage.” 3 Is the simple truth an insult?” sneered Mrs, Shaw, plainly enjoying her triumph, pitiful though that must have seemed toa true woman, “If so, square your shoulders, for ’m going to pelt you without end! “You flung out because I asked if Adam Elton—so-called—was really your father. In- stead, you ought to have thanked me for doubt- ing ee a dirty scoundrel as he has proved him- could be father toa perfect lady, such as you have shown yourself!” ‘© You shall pay for every word that passes your lips, madam! When father comes home—” ** Meaning to this lovely palace?” sneered Mrs, Shaw. ‘Bah! you poor fool! back here, for—” **'You have not dared—what have you done to my poor father?” ‘““What bas he done to us, rather!” flashed the woman, hotly. ‘‘ What has he done to my poor sister? What has he—stop, girl!” abruptly breaking off, as Grace turned toward the door, “Bar the way, Shaw!” “It’s done barred, Koxy!” grinned the bull- dog ruffian, “Out of the way, sir!” panted Grace, almost suffocating with rage. ‘‘Give way, | command you! ** You command !" sbrilly laughed Mrs. Shaw, her handsome face—if was handsome, though too masculine in strength and feature to be termed beautiful—showing both scorn and pity for themoment, ‘*‘ What right have you tocom- mand? Instead of being mistress here, you are aslave! A slave—bought and paid for!” CHAPTER VI. DRIVEN TO DESPERATION. DESPITE her native courage—and Grace EI- ton was a true daughter of a brave man in that respect—the maiden shrunk toward the wall furthest from her newly declared enemies, a strange chill of dread attacking her as she looked into that glowing face, ‘*T mean just that,” nodded Mrs, Shaw, asshe called herself for the occasion. ‘ You area slave, duly bought and fully paid for. Ay!” with a sudden access of bitterness in her tones, “paid for at a figure ten thousand times above our real worth, at that!” “Tetch lightly, Roxy Ann!” warningly rum- bled the man with the bull-dog face. ‘* No need to rub it in too mighty deep!” ‘**-You button up!” flashed the woman, with an angry glance in that direction. ‘I’m running this outfit, please bear in mind.” **An’I ain’t doin’ the kickin’, Roxy, jest so jyou don’t run it clean into the ground—ye mind that?” growled her fitting mate, It was only another instance of how prone a drowning person will catch at a straw, but Grace Elton turned toward the sulky brute, holding out her hands appealingly as she fal- tered: ! ‘Oh, sir, you are a man, and—tell me—no harm has come to my dear father?” ** No wuss harm then he’s brung onto bimself,” was the gruff response, his blocdshot eyes flash- ing a brief glance into her pale, appealing coun- tenance, then sinking to the floor. ‘‘Go on, Roxy Ann! Git itover with, kain’t ye?” ‘Pll do the talking, if Miss Grace will do the listening, be sure,” laughed the woman, lightly, ‘*T wish to hear no more, madam!” “Then you'll need something better than your dainty finger-tips toplug up your ears with, my angel!” sneered Mrs. Shaw. ‘‘ Now I’ve fairly struck a trot, ’'m bound to keep on until under the wiré—a winner, you mind! A win- ner, even though I’ve lost far more than a host of your class could ever repay!” she added, with an abrupt change of tone. “You haven't forgotten what we told you on our arrival, two days ago, but nevertheless I’m oirg to recall a part of that, We told you we ere old friends of your father’s, That was only partly a lie, We would have hit the mark had we said old acquaintances, instead, for we never were friends with Adam Elton. ** We did know him: had known him for near- ly two years. He never came to town without calling at our place, partly because it was the place of all others where he could make or break the most speedily. In still plainer words, he came to our place to gamble!” ** And you expect me to believe the base cal- umnies you have poured forth against him—a true-hearted, honorable gentleman?” slowly asked the maiden, twin spots of color coming back to her cheeks, her eyes shining brightly, ‘“ You— a pair of self-admitted gamblers?” “* With Adam Elton desperately striving to climb high enough to be entered in the same class: don’t forget to add that, my dear,” sneered her immediate adversary. ‘‘It is the naked truth, We kept a gambling-hell, and your father—if he really is your father!—was one of our regular patrons.” “You are lying when you make that charge.” * You are lying when you deny the truth, though I'll give you the poor credit of believing what you say, my angel,” bowed her enemy, clearly enjoying this battle of tongues. ‘ And when I’ve ruv this deal out to its end, you'll be forced to admit as much! “As I started to say, we ran a gambling- room, and whenever your father came to town —for supplies, or to bank his gold, as you no He’ll never come | doubt believed, poor innocent!—he was the first: man inside, the last man to leave the table be- fore the lights were turned out. “Tl give him what little credit is his due; he was a bold, reckless player, and never hung back while he had a stake left to his hand. And at first, he was willing to quit when his supplies ran short, ‘* Later on, he broke this rule, and would ask for credit, or an advance. We generally gave it. Why not?» He had poured many an ounce of cleaw dust into our coffers, and we knew that. he was too true a gambler ever to make a sneak while he had a stake left about his clothes! “That is how wesummed him up, after the first few visits. And, at that time, the estimate was a true one. But then—well, the wisest of us will make mistakes, and we were not the rare exception, as [’ll soon prove to you, my girl! ‘We never knew where Adam Elton held forth when at home; indeed, we never knew that he had a home, at first! Least of all di@ we suspect that he had a child of your age and dimenstons. If we had—but, as I said before, we all run up against a cold deck, at least once in the long game!” ‘“You are growing wearisome, with all the rest of your sins, Mrs. Shaw,” coldly interposed Grace, moving toward a chair neafer the inner room. ‘‘Since you force me to listen, at least: permit me to sit down,” The human bull-dog at the front door gave & soft chuckle at this, and only for the angry flush that leaped into the face of his ally, he might have betrayed his appreciation still more posi- tively. “You are wise in time, my angel,” forcing herself to speak with a sweetness hardly suited to the occasion. ‘I’m coming toa point in the deal where you'll require some such support.” ‘““ Enforced listening does not imply belief, Mrs, Shaw.” “But truth is mighty, and will prevail? Which is a platitude to match the one you pre- sent, my child,” sneered Mrs, Shaw, ‘And now—to business! ‘*When I said that Adam Elton was a bold, reckless player, it was the same thing as tellin you he nearly always rosea loser. So he did, And even at the very hour when he was plan- ning a foul play, we were pitying him because of bis streak of bad luck!” ’ ‘“T believe I alluded to a sister, some few minutes ago, but now I’ve got to speak of her more at length, though—bah!” flinging out one hand and restlessly pacing back and forth, though still keeping near enough tothe inner door to frustrate any attempt which Grace might make to escape into thechamber. ‘‘ What’s done is done, and I’m a weak fool for stammering over —out with it, then!” Turning to face Grace, her own countenance showing strong excitement, the woman spoke rapidly: ‘Yes, I bad a sister; younger than I am, an@ much more innocerit, as the goody-good ‘world judges. I never permitted her to enter the room where cards ruled. I kept her ia almost complete seclusion, guarding her against all of our wild associates as one guards the apple of one’s eye! Yet—lI let down the bars in favor of —Adam Elton!” ‘Beware, woman!” sternly cried Grace, her hand rising in menace, ‘* You shall answer for every word you utter now—I give you fair warning!” ee “Thank you for nothing, Miss Grace!” bowe@ the woman, mockingly. ‘‘I have only the sim- ple truth to speak, and even your saintly gentle- man of a father could bardly object tothat! Of course he could do nothing which he would fear baying all the world know—including his ange} of a daughter! “As I said, I let the bars down, once. We believed Adam Elton was # bachelor. Iam un-. der the impression that he told us as much im plain words. Am I wrong, Mr. Shaw?” “ He said it—sure!” “One liar backing up another!” sneered the maiden. “We are in good company, My angel,” laughed the woman, recklessly, then adding, rapidly: “And under that belief, really pity- ing the luckless fellow who was pouring a yellow flood across the painted cloth into our coffers, I gave Adam Elton an introduction to my sister, ’ Possibly you can guess the rest, but I prefer telling it after my own fashion. When weary of playing—and we both noticed that Adam Elton would occasionally leave the table before losing his last dollar, contrary to his previo habit—this honorable gentleman would call a our private rooms, to see—my sister! \ \ ie
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— “Doubtless you remember the last time he left here to go to town? So do we, though, at the time, we little suspected that he was paying his last visit to our table! ** He bet freely, as he always did, but that was nothing odd, for, as I said before, Adam Elton played recklessly, But we noted another thing, which was contrary to his usual custom, his heavy drinking! “T gave him a hint—even I had no right to do more—but it produced no effect, If any- thing, he drank all the harder, and when his dust played out, he asked for loan after loan, un- til his heavy betting finally won the lay-out to his lonesome self, all other players preferring to look on and enjoy the sport. Then—but why draw it out any longer? ‘* We won everything, then tried to close the game, but he begged for just one more deal. He swore that he had a valuable home—this wretched place, forsooth! He yowed that be owned a bonanza worth millions if properly worked, and—well, we dealt again! Simply to soothe the poor fellow, you understand! We took that bill of sale, which you will see covers both this home and his secret bonanza, We had no idea of keeping it, partly because neither of us believed his wild romances, but mainly be- cause we really pitied the poor fellow! Think of it, will you?” with a short, hard laugh, * Actually pitied him, while, all the time, he was planning to elope with my young sister— and still more!” “Do you really expect me to believe all this bosh?” scornfully interposed Grace Elton. “You can’t help it, when I show you the damning proofs!” was the fierce reply, one hand slipping into her bosom, coming forth with a folded piece of paper. ‘*‘ We found this in my sister’s chamber, the next morning—but my sister was gone! And—so was that honorable gentleman, Adam Elton!” She thrust the paper into that reluctant hand, turning it so Grace could see the signature— that of her absent father, real or admirably counterfeited. And, almost unconsciously, Grace read the lines traced thereon, beginning withous date or address; “When you read this, we will be safely out of reach, and long before you can catch up. Laura will be my wife! She has helped herself to a few of the dollars you won from me—call it even, and bear the loss as best you can, is my last advice, ‘*You have my home, my bonanza, my little girl— everything! Treat her as near white as you know how, if you hope to live and prosper! “Tell her to forget and forgive, if she can! I loved her, but—I love Laura a thousand times more dearly! She is my life, my soul, all the world to me from this hour, until death tears us apart! ‘* When you go to claim your new rights, give the note inclosed to Grace. ‘Tell her that it is the last word she will ever hear or receive from the one who has tried to be a father to her until now. “Apam Z. Evton.” hbo. keenly, Mrs, Shaw placed a second bit of paper into the girl’s band the instant her dazed eyes reached that signature. “This is the note he speaks of. Read it! And while reading, remember that tbey took with them every dollar we could call our own! Robbed us of our all! Left us beggars—save this miserable hut, this fabulous bonanza, and— your sweet self, my angel!” ‘“‘Grace:—When this reaches you, I will be far away. never more to return, I go with the one wo- man who makes all the world to me, now! **Tell your new friends all Share our golden secret with them, and they will treat you squarely. Settle up, then go back to our old home, to begin a new life. Forget me—and forgive! “Once Your FATHER.” For a moment Grace sat like one in a trance, staring at those horrib'e words, but then, with a desperate effort she rallied, springing to her feet with a choking cry, tearing that lying paper to bits, and dashing the pieces into tbe woman’s face as she sprung toward her with aogry hands. \ ‘Tis alie! Allalie, you cowardly schemers!” Grace panted, whipping forth a revolver and covering Mrs, Shaw, as she added: ‘ Where is my father ? Tell me—or die!” CHAPTER VII. A CHOICE OF EVILS. THIS was no empty threat. Driven to des- peration by those pitiless taunts, by those re- eee insults, by that awful fear that karm had efallen her father through the machinations of this evil pair, Grace Elton fully meant every word that crossed her lips just then, Mrs. Shaw stopped short in her rush as that enacing muzzle rose to the level of her face, most touching it in that first second. The flush of rage faded a bit, but it was to give Light-heart Lute’s Legacy. , : lace to an ugly, sneering smile, rather than a ook of fear, Huck Shaw gave vent to an inarticulate ery, and fearing lest he should make a rush to inter- fere, Grace sprung back toward the chamber door, still holding the woman under cover with her weapen. “Speak!” she repeated, sternly, her eyes glowing. ‘Confess, or I'll shoot you like—” The chamber door flew open behind her, anda blanket was cast over her head and brought down to her middle, strong hands forcing ber arms downward with that same swift motion, while a hoarse voice growled; ** Duck an’ dodge, or—” The revolver dropped from the fingers of the thoroughly surprised maiden, striking the floor at her feet, but without exploding. Mrs. Shaw laughed, mockingly, betraying neither surprise nor gratitude. Instead, there was a touch of anger in her tones as she spoke, ““Who asked you to chip, cully? Will you never learn to—” ‘*Cheese it!” growled Huck Shaw, pushing forward to where the new-comer was finding it no easy task to keep those muffling folds about his captive, without using more force than even an evil man likes to show toward a young and beautiful maiden, ‘' Le’ me run this, pardner, an’ you—git back whar you come from!” ith the blanket covering her to the waist, where the ends were twisted almost into a knot, a Grace was pretty effectually hampered. he did all she could to bréak away. She tried to shriek aloud, but her voice was nearly smoth ered by those folds, Twice already she had tripped, kept from falling only by her agility, since her unseen assailant had all he could do in those first moments to keep his grip on that muffler. There was a vast difference when Huck Shaw assumed control, and the poor girl quickly realized as much. Whether he was so much more powerful than the other, or because he was less fearful of calling those muscular powers into play, Grace felt little more than a child in his savage grasp. With a quick jerk and twist, Shaw tripped her feet ana laid her on the floor, using his legs to keep her quiet while freeing one hand to fumble in his pocket for a stout cord, Wrapping this about her body, inclosing the ends of the blanket, Huck quickly knotted the thong, thus rendering it impossible for Grace to fling aside the blinder when his savage grip was removed. The second man grated forth a low warning, but Shaw acknowledged it only with a curt nod, though his wife was more free with her tongue. *7Pisn’t your chip, cully! Huck knows what he’s tackling, and needs none of your extra lip, You sabe 2” ‘Thar’s bina heap sight too dug-gun much lip wasted a’ready, to my notion!” growled the hu- man bull-dog, flashing a scowling glance from one face to the other, then stooping to lift the hampered figure in his sturdy arms, ‘‘Git yer clapper-clawin’ over afore I come back, or thar’ll be two o’ ye to sabe !” me Grace struggled at that movement, but her vain fight against captivity bad greatly reduced her strength, and those heavy folds were shutting out the air so entirely that she was already be- ginning to grow faint. “Quit yer kickin’, pritty!” growled Huck Shaw, as he bore her over the threshold and into tbe outer air, ‘‘ J hain’t gwine fer to hurtye, to speak of. I’m jest savin’ ye from heap sight wuss, Fer Roxy Ann isa holy terror when she gits her mad way up—an’ you was stirrin’ of her up mighty piert—yaas ye was, now, honey!” It was evident that the ruffian had little dread of Adam Elton’s speedy home-coming, since he did not even take the precaution to cast so much as a single glance along the town trail, but strode briskly away from the little cabin, mak- ing his way with the precision of one whose course has been laid out in advance. Poor Grace was hardly conscious of this, she was not insensible, but ber brain seemed spin- ning like a top, and the heatas of a furnace seemed to envelop her, The burly ruffian bore his helpless burden along toward the rising ground, turning a pile of massive rocks which shut bim off from sight of the cabin, bringing him to a not very extensive tract of stunted timber, the trees scattered among the bowlders, many of which were hid- den beneath wild grape and other vines, Pressing cn until he stood in the shadow east by a formidable cliff, Huck Shaw lowered his burden to the ground, resting a heavy foot on a fold of the blanket as a precaution against ——— eed any attempt to escape, while he gazed keenly, suspiciously around, **Nobody—bow could thar: be, ye dug-gua fool critter?” snarling at bimself viciously, for wasting time in taking such needless precau- tions. Again lifting his captive, be hastened along the face of the cliff for a short distance, then pushed aside a mass of hanging vines, laying bare an irregular opening in the rock, into which he plunged with his burden, Groping his way through the utter darkness which reigned when that leafy curtain fell, using his feet in lack of bis hands, Huck Sbaw soon reached the point he had in mind—a pile of min- gled leaves and dried grass, upon which he placed Grace Elton. i , ‘*Reckon yea like a weenty snift o’ fresh air, honey,” be chuckled, while feeling for and cut- ting the stout thong that held the blanket in place. ‘Suck in yer fill, pritty, but don’t think ye kin make a sneak on the ole man in the dark —don't ye think it, now!” He loosened the muffler, without entirely re- moving it, then moved away through the dark, only the slow sbuffling of his heavy feet betray- ing his progress. A few moments later there came the dull glow of an igniting match, after which the darkness was partially dissipated by the rays streaming from a sma)! lantern. By its light, Huck Shaw for the first time seemed to realize how nearly he had smothered his precious prize by his precautions, and in bis evident anxiety for her safety, he quickly brought about her restoration, That loathsome touch proved more effectual than if he had been armed with a dozen restora- tives! “ Don’t~-touch me, sir!’ panted Grace, shrink- ing away, weak but still far from broken in spirit, ‘* You coward) You vileslanderer |” ‘* An go-fo’th. sc on, likewise, moreover, to be continued wbeu we kin ketch ‘nother breath!” coarsely chuckled the ruffian, rubbing his hands together in grim glee. ‘* Talk ’bout smotherin’ auwoman; Thar’s on’y one way, an’ that’s to tie up her clapper fer an hour or so!” Grace sprung to her feet in the wild hope of escape, but her brain fell to reeling, and as she staggered blindly, Huck Shaw quickly caught and reduced her to captivity, using the severed thong to bind her arms and her ankles, “Thar!” he grimly ejaculated, when so much was accomplished, standing with feet far apart hands on his hips, in front of his prisoner ‘* Et yereckon that’s tough, who’s to blame but pritty, her own self?” ' “You miserable cur!’ panted the girl, bit- terly. * Fara words don’t bu’st no bones, bopey, nur even take the bark off, when ye sling ’em ata ole stager like your uncle Fuller. but—ef you hain’t the plum’ idjiot Roxy Ann cailed ye, back yen’ way, you'll bridle that tongue an button them lips ontel ye kin make out how mighty much better it’d be fer ye to make a fri'nd thenainemy. Fer you'll fee] the need o’ the one, heap sight more’n you'll find the lack o” t’other, an’ [’'m reelin’ it off straight as a string, Gracie, gal!” +o friend—you ?” ‘¢ Waal, thar’s curiouser tngs come to pass then even so much,” deliberately added Shaw squatting on his heels, elbows on knees and chin supported by his joined palms. ‘‘[ kin pan out big in the fri’ndly line, ef ye come at me jest the right way. kin make what little life’s left ye a red-hot bell on airth, Grace Elton!” ‘“*There must be a hel]—or such demons as you—and that vile hag—would never have been created!” : ‘* Meanin’ Roxy Ann? Good enough!” with a malicious chuckle. ‘‘T’ll tell my lady, jest to see her show them pritty tusheso’hern. It’ll be better’n a pinny-pinny-poppy-show! An’— but that hain’t business, Grace Elton,” his tone and manner abruptly changing. | ““Mebbe ye reckon we was givin’ ye empty wind, back thar? Ef so, you never made a wider mistake in all yer life! "Twas business— clean, sharp business, I tell ye! “Roxy Ann told ye never a bit more’n the simple truth, an’—” / ‘You are lying now, as that hag, your wife lied then!” flashed the maiden, her spirit still unconquered. “T refuse to listen, and—” ‘Then Til make ye, Grace Elton,” with a vicious nod. “I'll gag them dainty jaws © yours, an’ prop yer ears open with a stick, ef I can’t come at ye no milder. Shell [ do it?” You vile brute!” Swift as thought one hand closed upon her \,
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ti i iF throat, and with his other, aided by bis strong teeth, Huck Shaw quickly fasbioned a rude but effectual gag out of his bandkercbief, this in place, he drew back to his former posi- tion, taking up tbe thread where he bad been | forced to drop it a few moments before, business from this hour on! e know yer pap hes some sort o’ bonanza up this way, fer ef he hedn’t, whar’d be git all that dust to blow in? ‘Roxy Ann wasted a sight o’ good wind over it, but the ’count sbe give ye was straight— Elton did run off ‘long’ith Laury, an’ he did sign over all his other b’longin’s to us both, jest as we proved up. ‘* Now we paid a powerful big price fer that secret you hev the keepin’ of, Grace Elton. Paid a powerful price in good dust, never mentionin’ the gal he tuck as make-weight! An’ hevin’ paid that price, you kin bet yer socks we’re dead-bent on hevin’ the goods! “Roxy Ann give ye a weenty taste o’ her metal, back yen’. From the way she lashed ye with her tongue, mebbe you kin makea guess what'd it be to hev her ten claws j’ine in the music, An’ thar’s jest the one way fer you to git shet o’ both—by trustin’ me as a fri’nd, an’ follerin’ the d’rections giv’ by your pap in that letter! ** Show me whar that bonanzy lays; treat me white an’ (ll come back at ye’lonz the same route, I'll stan’ yer fri’nd ag’inst Roxy Ann, an’ never let her lay the weight of a single fin- ger onto ye, no matter how hot she may grow over thinkin’ o’ Laury. Til give yea honest share o’ the dingbats, ef the bonanzy pans out anythin’ nigh the figger Adam set her at, An’ I'll see ye safe on the road to yer old bome, ef so be ye want to turn yer face that way. Now— which?” Leaning forward, he removed the gag, wait- ing for her answer. It came, promptly enough, though hardly in the shape he wisbed. ‘* Even if I possessed the knowledge you say, I’d rather die than betray the trust my father— what have you done to bim, you demon?” ‘*Not a dug-gun thing, wuss then to send a few hot cusses lookin’ fer the critter—an’ what he toted off ‘long ’ith the gal!” grimly retorted the human bull-dog, ‘Shell I go over it all, ag’in? Shell I git down on my marrer-bones an’ sw’ar that Adam Elton run off with Roxy Ann’s sister?” re Swearing toa foul lie can’t make it truth, you villain!’ * An’ talking toa crazy fool caia’t turn her into.a wise woman!” growled Huck Sbaw, ris- ing to his feet. ‘* Roxy Ann kin mebbe make a better show of it, but I hate the idee o’ turnin’ ye over toher! Ef Ihkev to—an’I will, ef you don’t grow wiser, gal—she’ll make you suffer heap sight wuss then a common death! ‘Think that over, ag’inst 1come ag’in, Grace Elton!” CHAPTER VIII. A DELECTABLE PAIR. Not a word was spoken by the woman, or the man who bad come so suddenly to her rescue, after Huck Shaw took command, until he had lifted the unfortunate girl and borne her in bis muscular arms out of the house, Mrs. Shaw moved to the door, watching them until they were hidden behind the mass of rocks; nor did sbe turn, even then, until the man back of ber pronounced her name: ‘“Raxy! Haven’t you a word to throw at— am 1 a dog, then?” ‘* Something marvelously like a poodle caught in mischief, Showy Joe, when you put on that sickly look!” laughed the woman, turning to gaze half-sneeringly into that handsome face, For it was handsome, after its fashion, though only an evil-hearted woman could bave viewed it with anything like love. “Showy Joe” Hoover, he was called, there in the mining country, and right desperately he strove to deserve that title. He was tall, rather slender in build, though his movements betrayed no lack of muscular power, combined with an activity and supple- ness such as very few athletes have been gifted with. With equal courage to back this up, Joseph Hoover would have proven an awkward customer for the best of men to tackle. : He was a blonde, of the purest type. Hus hair, worn long, in curled locks that brushed his shoulders, was fine as silk, of a flaxen hue, as were the well-kept mustaches shading bis full, red lips, ’ His eyes were of fair size, deep blue in color, but set too closely together for honest beauty. At most times, too, they held a crafty, shifting expression; eyes that rarely looked another ! Binding | — Light-heart Lute’s Legacy, man, | His complexion was very fair, his skin smooth and velvety as that of a healthy child. The it, for his being in this wild region was ample proof that he could rough it on occasion, His clothes were of the elegant cut and fit, of material better fitted to the city than the vulgar, | His slender fingers were fairly burdened with rings. A heavy chain of gold was around his neck, festooned over his vest, the ends attached | toa pair of watches bidden in pockets on his bosom. His stiff, white shirt-front bore studs and a big cluster-pin of diamonds, while jewel- ed hoops of gold sparkled in each ear! Such was the outward semblance of Showy Joe Hoover, gambler, all~round sport, knave and rascal-in-general; a character only too well known at that date throughout the mining regions, A faint flush came into his face at those mock- ing words, and his shifting eyes drooped: to rest on the pistol which had fallen from the maiden’s hands at his sudden assault. ‘*That might have worked mischief, Roxy, opvly for my coming out of cover!” be ejacu- lated, pointing at the weapon, ‘ How could you, darling? [’m all ashiver, even yet, whenI think of your terrible risk !” ** Risk, is it, Joey?” laughed the woman, stoop- ing to lift the weapon, her trained fingers quick- ly releasing the spring and setting the ejector at work, catching the cartridges in one palm as they shot free. ‘*Do you take me for a fool?” ** The little spitfire might have shot you!” ** With these dummies, Joseph?” sneered Mrs, Shaw, bolding up one of the shells, letting the light fall squarely across it, showing where the primer had already been deeply indented, then | deftly twisting the bullet out of place, blowing into the hollow shell, ** Doctored!” “Of course, you sweet idiot!” laughed Mrs. Shaw, casting the useless articles out through the open door, ‘I knew she carried a gun, and | 1 watched my chance to fix it, before opening fire. I did that last night, while the silly was sleeping, great tears standing on her baby cheeks, dreaming of ber precious dad, no doubt! And— where is the old codger, Hoover?” Showy Joe drooped his eyes, one hand quickly rising to smooth his mustache, but his hesitation was barely perceptible; one less thorougbly ac- quainted with him, would never have ncticed it. ** Where he'll be safe enough, Roxy, never you fear!” ‘*Is he—so?” filling the hiatus with a gesture which could not be mistaken, ‘*] tell you he’s safe ; isn’t that sufficient?” ** But—how safe?” persisted the woman, with a touch of anger. “Safe as—the grave, if you will have it!” growled Hoover. There was a brief silence, but the woman showed slight traces of being shocked, Instead, one might bave said she was viciously pleased to learn so much! : “Did you—youw didn’t do it yourself, Joe, I hope?” she at length murmured, her face grow- ing more feminine, her strong voice almost mu- sical as she gen*ly laid a band on his arm, gaz- ing intently into his face the while. ‘No, I didn’t make the turn, myself, if you must know. Can’t you let it drop? Isn't it enough to know that the old rascal will never turn up to dispute our possession of bis bo- nanza? ‘« Then—there really is one, Joe?” ‘*Ts there?” he echoed, with genuine surprise in both face and voice, ‘ What're we bere for, if there isn’t?” ‘-Pwouldn’t be the first wild-goose chase we’ve taken, but—I’m mighty glad to bear you speak so positively, Joe, old boy! For—do you know—I’'d almost come to doubt the existence of any such grand bonanza as we’ve been gloating over—in imagination!” ** Why should you doubt? Haven’t we proofs enough? What’s come over you, old girl, all of a suddeu?” ‘Tt hasn’t seemed sudden to me, Joey,” with a short, hard laugh, that brief womanliness van- ishing, ts will you tell me jast what you mean, ("4 “That with all my prying and spying and sneaking, I’ve been unable to hit on a single positive clew tosuch a secret,” was the sullen response, her white teeth viciously nipping ber red lip, ‘“ Nota hint, even! And to think of i | sun and weather apparently had no effect upon | * As Iset out to say, pritty, we mean pure | desert, though the colors were ‘ loud,” almost | man squarely in the face; eyes that better | the sweet silliness I’ve plastered all over that befitted a treacherous knave than an honest | little vixen—it makes me hot, old fellow!” ‘* Did she give you a chance to search this old shack, then?” ‘*Only by snatches, From the very first, she soured on us both, and only while she was sleep- ing, or when she ventured as far as the turn in the river trail, yonder, to look for her dad, I never had the ghost of a show. But I pumped her pretty dry, for all that!” ‘fOr thought you did!” with a show of his teeth. ‘Come, the way is open now, and we'll see if there isn’t some sort of a clew to be found by two pair of mighty keen and bungry eyes)” Together they searched the cabin, living-room and chamber, even the tiny lean-to in which the cooking was done during warm weather; but all their prying proved labor spent in vain, If the coveted secret was lying beneath that roof, it was hidden too cunningly for their eyes to discover it. ‘* No use, as I warned you, Joe Hoover,” mut- tered the woman, sulkily, ‘I don’t believe it’s here—if anywhere! After all, what is it we're hunting for, anyway?” ‘*You said 1t: a clew to the bonanza, of course,” ‘‘In what shape is it, then? Tell me that, if you can!” ‘*Wisb I could! Yet—it’s here, in some shape, or—if not, do you know what comes next, Roxy?” “Maybe I will, when you show it up!” ‘*You’re convinced that you can’t scare or coax the secret out of the girl, aren’t you?” “You were listening. Answer that for your- self, Joe Hoover.” ‘““Well, then it comes to just this: we'll have to fall back on the old game.” “ Explain ycurself.” ‘“* What Grace refuses to give an enemy, she may consent to share with—a lover!” slowly said Hoover, flashing a covert glance into the face of his companion; to droop his lids in- sees as he noted the bot, angry flush that leaped into her face at his last words, “A lover, is it? And that lover must be— yourself, Joe Hoover?” ‘* Unless you reckon Huck Shaw can fill the role better, Can you imagine that sweet- scented Adonis making sheep’s-eyes, Roxy?” laughed the dashing gambler, but with a faint touch of nervousness in his tones, “‘T can better imagine you, kneeling at her feet, with honey on tbe tip of your tongue anda love-light in your big eyes, only—you beautiful devil !” ending with a shrill, hissing whisper as her strong hands closed on bis shoulders with a force that made him flinch, her glowing eyes seeming to fairly scorch his face as she strove to meet those shifting eyes with her own. ‘*Let up, Roxy!” be growled, sulkily. ‘* Will you never Jearn to trust me as a loyal husband should be trusted?” ‘** You're mighty anxious to play the part of lover, as you call it, Joe Hoover! Have you fallen in love with that silly fool, so quick? If! thought so—see !”” She snatched a slender-bladed dagger from its sheath in her bosom, flashing the steel back and forth above his heart while adding: “If you ever try to play me false, Joseph Hoover! If you turn to anotber woman, even in your dreams—I'll fill your heart so full of holes that one might use it as a strainer!” “ And Vil fill your sweet mouth so full of kisses that there’ll be no room for such ugly words, my angel!” declared the gambler, clasping ber to his bosom and suiting the action to bis words, Instantly the dagger dropped from her hands, and she gave embrace for embrace, kiss for kiss, And, man-like, Hoover was first to draw away, ( ‘** You're my lawfully wedded wife, Roxy, and as such I swear that you are the one ard only worran this wide world contains for me, But— we’ve gone entirely too farin this dangerous game to think of drawing back, now, Wemust win—don’t you see it, darling?” ““T know, but—I hate to think of you playing the lover, even in sport, to that nasty vixen!” “{f youcan show me how the game can be won by cther means, I’m more than willing to cut the lovering out, Roxy,” langhed the gam- bler, once more his usual self, ‘* ’m not hanker- ing after it, Lassure you! In some eyes, Grace Elton might pan ont a beauty, but in mine—I want something more than a doll, as I proved when I won you, my beauty!” “She wouldn’t be the first girl you’ve gone | astray after, Joe!” ‘* Not the first—but that was before I met you, Roxy. Come; I beg of you to ook at itin a reasonable light, We want this bonanza—” “ We must have it, too, Joey!” tag y
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a a en ae ed ee ee ee ee Se o- Light-heart Lute’s Legacy. And if we can’t win it in one way, Can’t you see, ** Just so, we've got to hatch up another, that, dear?” “Then—there was nothing found on—Elton didn’t carry any such clew about with him, Joe?” ‘*Not a sign—curse the luck!” with an ugly frown contracting his finely arched brows, ‘J hoped for better luck, though, of course, it was all achance. Carrying sucha clew, to such a secret, would be a risky thing to do; yet I never before met a man who owned a bonanza wno didn’t commit just that very folly!” *“You looked, then?” slowly asked the woman. ** You searched him with your own hands, Joe?” ‘*Didn’t I say there was no clew found on the old rascal?” impatiently growled the gambler, his eyes shifting quickly. ** Joe—tell me—you didn’t do the job with your own hands?” persisted Roxy, strangely nervous on that one point, as it seemed. ‘ Tell me you didn’t do it yourself, dear?” “Of course I didn’t do it,” growled Hoover, turning abruptly away to gaze out at the still open door; only to shrink back with a low, scared cry as he caught sight of an approaching figure. ‘* That devil—here! And now!” CHAPTER IX. DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND. Ir was the face of a craven cur that turned toward the startled woman, and Showy Joe Hoover trembled in every limb, like one under an ague spell. ** Who is it? Not—not Elton?” The wild fancy paled her own cheeks a bit, but Roxy Ringgold—to give her the name un- der which she was best known—proved berself far better a man than the rascal she loved with all the ardor of her fiery, untamed nature, Where Hoover retreated, she advanced, one hana seeking a weapon as she cast a keen look through the open door, ‘*Stop ’em! Don’c let that devil inside!” hoarsely panted the terrified gambler, shrink- ing from the hand which Roxy stretched out in his direction, protectingly, as a mother might try to guard and reassure a frightened child. *“*Who is he?’ hurriedly muttered the wo- man, standing like one whom idle curiosity has drawn to the door. ‘There'stwo, Which one: black or white?” *‘ White—devil roast him!” ** You can drop him from cover, if—” “*T can’t—you don’t—” ‘“* Back—other room—lay low, then!” swiftly breathed his guardian, but without perceptibly moving her lipsas she gazed forth upon the ee now only a short distance from the cabin, She heard Hoover creep across to the cham- ber, the door of which he closed behind him, and despite the mad passion she felt for the knave, something like pitying scorn curled her red lips for an instant, ‘Lost his sand, poor devil! But I've got enough for both, and— Hellow, thar, stran- ers! The alteration was marvelous, not alone in voice, but in looks and carriage as well. The first was barsh and coarse. Instead of her erect, graceful, almost queenly carriage, Roxy Ann half-filled the doorway, leaning against one side, her figure that of a perfect slouch. Nor was the alteration in face bardly less complete; by some strange power she hid her claims to beauty, marring the regularity of her features without any visible attempt at dis- tortion, through which suspicion might be wak- ened rather than lulled, Still, in spite of all this, she formed a rather striking picture, just then, being a woman such as a stranger would hardly expect to see in such a desolate region. Then, too, Light-heart Lute was expecting to meet quite another sort of be- ing. For be was the person whose totally unex- pected appearance had so completely unmanned the gambler, and close at his heels shuffled Lemuel Claybank, his lips rolled back and his enormous mouth gaping widely with delight at his perfect success as guide. ‘Fo’ dar she am, boss, sho’ly!” he declared, at their first glimpse of the vine-wreathed cabin, **T kin smell de hunk o’ bread what he didn’t fin’ time to gib me—cl’ar dis yer fur, so I kin, “ All right, Lem, Only, you want to mind this: button up that lip, and let it stay so! J’ do the talking, be ghost / to what you'll be afflicted with. You under- stand?” ‘* Hope may die, boss, ef I eben fink a word.” But Light-heart Lute was running no chances, just then, and when the cabin was still a number of yards distant, he bade Lemuel stop and wait his word before drawing closer. Hastily as Showy Joe Hoover had drawn back from the open door at sight of his ancient enemy, the eyes of Light-heart Lute had been still quicker. He had caught a glimpse ofa moving figure, though not with distinctness = ea to pronounce upon it with certainty. et— ‘**'You’re another, madam!” he inwardly ejac- ulated, as Roxy Ann stepped to the door, “>? Ware hawks, old man!” There was nothing of this suspicion visible in his frank, honest, smiling face as Light-heart Lute tipped his hat in answer to that brusque salutation, ‘*Good-afternoon, ma’am!” he cried, bowing as he advanced, hat in hand, ‘‘Is Mr. Adam Elton at bome?” Although she fancied herself perfectly on her guard, nothing bad been further from Roxy Ringgold’s thoughts or expectations than an ad- dress like this, She gave a start, her superb figure resuming its wonted erectness, her face more nearly like her ordinary self; only for a Single instant, then she slouched over with a shoulder against the other casing, staring stupid- ly into that manly countenance as she drawled; ‘* Mister—who’s a damn meltin’, critter? Ef you reckon you kin run any o’ them dug-gun fool rigs onto me, jest beca’se Pm a wimmin critter, why—you’re clean off yer nut. An’ that’s jest what !” , It was admirably played, but brief though that slip had been, the harm was wrought. Light-heart Lute recognized Roxy Ringgold, whom he had seen on more than one occasion, and with whose rather shady (to draw it mildly) reputation be was even better acquainted, ut he, too, could play a parton occasion, and nothing of this discovery, or of the serious anx- iety which it wakened in his heart, could be read in that mobile countenance. ‘* Beg pardon, ma’am, but you misunderstood my meaning,” be said, bowing again, then add- ing slowly, like one desirous of averting another humiliating mistake: ‘‘I asked for Mr, Elton; first name Adam, Is he at home, at present?” ‘*Oh! is that the how, stranger?” “Just that, ma’am,” bowed Light-heart, smiling but persistent. ‘Js the old gentleman at home—pray?” Roxy Ann yawned lazily, her lifting hand too slow to hide more than the closing operation; but theu she drawled forth: “Not knowin’, cain’t say, stranger.” ‘¢ But this is his house, surely !” ‘“*Reckon ye hain’t got no money that says so, stranger?” “JT never bet with a lady, but—surely Adam Elton lives here?” insisted Larrimer, his brows arching and a treubled, annoyed expression coming into his face. ** Did, but don’t,” drawled Roxy Ann, with a sleepy smile showing her magnificent teeth. ‘'Tain’t so mighty much in the bigness, stran- ger, but thar’s a powerful sight o’ dif’rence atwixt them two words, a’ter all! Don’t ye reckon?” “Don’t live— Is that possible?” ‘*Hes a sort o’ leanin’ that way, fer a fact, stranger. Any kin to the ole gent? Or—hain’t a sher’f, nur nothin’, don’t reckon? The good land o’ liberty! Fer all his saft words an’ tony a’rs, I never tuck him fer ary much better’n a— What’s he wanted fer, stranger?” ‘**Nothing—in that line,” Larrimer hastily said, but with that look of puzzled annoyance deepening in his face. ‘‘ I’m not an officer of the law, thank gracious! But—I can’t see through it, at all!” ‘Ef I bed a pa’r o’ specs, stranger, I’d mighty glad lend ye the loan of ’em,” laughed the woman, resuming her lazy attitude. : “Gone, you say? May I ask how long since?” ‘*Waal, I don’t know’s I kin jest say, as to that,” with a reflective look at the white-flecked sky. ‘‘ But it’s bin quite a right smart bit, Mebbe I mounght hit a weenty mite closer the len’th, ef [ knowed jest the why ye ’pear so powerful anxious fer to, ketch the ole gent up! +t A. simple matter of business, ma’am, and it’s enough sight more to his interest than to mine that he should keep the appointment made! I was to meet him here, this day, and—” ‘* Matter o’—waal, I hain’t the business eend o° “*My business was with Adam Elton, you un- derstand, ma’am, but if his daughter will con- sent to see me for one minute—” **'You don’t reckon he’d leave her ahind, do aaa They both skun out, bag an’ baggage, too ‘* Without—surely he left some sort of word for me? Jobn P, Green, ma’am! If you'd only take the trouble to reflect, perhaps—I can’t really believe he’d go without leaving anyway a word of excuse, if not explanation, for me!” ‘* Ef so, be never bothered me with it,” curtly nodded the woman, but turning her head a little and curving a hand at the side of er red lips, she sent forth a stentorian shout, followed by the words: ‘‘I say, you Huck! O-h-h, Pap!” “*Q-h-h, hesh!” came an answering blast, as the burly figure of Huck Shaw came in sight from among the scattered bowlders, ‘‘ Ef ye split that thrapple o’ yours, old gal, billy-be- dug-gun ef J pay fer the patchin’ of it up! Fer —Hellow, stranger!” seemingly just then observ- ing the presence of another. ‘‘ How d’y’?” ““A feller lookin’ for Elton, Pap,” explained Roxy Ann, burriedly. ‘‘ I tole him the ole gent hed skun out, but—waal, ’pears like he didn’t keer to take the word of a lady, so I yelped fer you. ‘* Beg pardon, ma’am, and yours, sir,” hastily interposed Light-heart Lute, who by no means wished to come to blows, just then. ‘‘ Of course I couldn’t doubt the word of a lady, but I had to blawe Elton for not waiting to keep the appointment he made with me.” “"P’intment, eh?’ growled Shaw, still suspi- ciously eying the young man. ‘* That meansa sort o’ meetin’, don’t it?” ‘Yes, sir. I was to meet Adam Elton at his home—this very spot, if I’m not greatly mis- tuken—to-day, between noon and dusk, I’m here, but where is Elton?” ‘* Mebbe that’s why he skun out in secha hurry, Pap,” suggested the woman, in undertones, as pam for bis ears alone, ‘* You’ve got the bill of sale all right, hain’t ye, Huck?” ‘*Bet yer sweet life I jest hev, now!” gruffly growled the human bull-dog, pulling forth the decument and shaking it defiantly before Larri- mer’s face. ‘‘ Thar she am, stranger, straight as a string, an’drawed up so keerful that ivll hold water ag’inst a bull rijiment o’ dug-gun critters who might be fools ’nough fer to try to pick a hole into it! An’ef so be yow’re one o’ them—” ‘*No, no, my dear fellow!” ejaculated Lute, falling back a pace with admirably counter- feited alarm. ‘‘ Don’t fly off the handle, I beg of you! I bring no claims—I wouldn’t take the place as a gift, for—” ‘* Tt’s jest low-down ’nough fer the likes o’ us, mebbe?”’ Huck Shaw seemed more than eager for a row, but Light-heart Lute showed little disposition to meet him on that basis, and after a forbid- ding wink from Roxy Ann, the bull-dog mod- erated bis tactics. Larrimer assured them that his business had nothing to do with tbe cabin or aught in that vicinity, and after examining the bill of sale, simply to satisfy its present owner, as he took pains to make perfectly clear, he begged pardon tor the trouble be had given them, ‘“* After all, Elton’s the biggest loser, though his fool trick has brought me far out of my course. Tl give him a bit of my mind, when we next meet up with each other—be sure! Then—he didn’t say just where he was striking out for?” ‘Back Hast, I reckon, though I cain’t say jest sure, ’Peared like he wasn’t honin’ fer cluss ques- tionin’, an’ as we’d made a pritty tol’able bar- g’in, it come easy ’nough fer to humor the ole critter,” grinned Shaw, carefully stowing the paper away in his bosom. * And—bis little girl?’ ventured Larrimer. ‘* Of course she went with him? How long since, did you say?” Aca ® “ Didn't suy, but I kin; jest fo’ days, toa nick, stranger!” ‘“*T can’t make out why he didn’t wait, but as he has gone, there’s nothing for me to waste more time over. Good-day, ma’am, and you, sir!” “Gittin’ "long to’rds night, stranger; better stay an’ make a new start in the mornin’, hedn’t ye?” suggested Roxy. ‘ We kin eat ye both, an’ make out to sleep ye, too, ef the nigger wouldn’t mind bankin’ in the kitchen, fer once,” ‘‘ 4 thousand thanks, ma’am, but reckon we'll mog along. We've lively legs, and can makea right smart piece before dark. I’ve lost too J Gene if you drop even ( this outfit, an’ ef it’s business ye want to chin, | much time over Elton, already! Well, it’s his t of a bint— ell, heart disease isn’t a patching | why—” loss, not mine, please the pigs}’ eh / , “ae ee 4 » ‘ \ PA a % pa 7 ¢ ; < iy ie det 7 7 4 , ‘ if X » 4 4 5 , ee ‘ ‘ Ps m: = e “Avia = Rage aD Mi say - sea i it se = abet: es ROC, Tne ak, ene | "ete ae Se ae ad ~
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10 CHAPTER X, LEMUEL’S GOOD RIGHT ARM, WITHOUT giving a chance for a more pressing invitation to stop over night, Light-heart Lute nodded to Shaw, tipped his hat to Roxy, then turned{and strode briskly away, signing Lemuel to follow in silence. He was by no means certain that he had com- one hoodwinked that couple, but be never ok a look back, although he knew the odds were at least even that a bullet might be sent after him. For he naa not the slightest doubt as to who those unknown enemies of poor Adam Elton were, after this meeting. From the very first he had dreaded being too late to aid the “little girl” on whose account the murdered miner had suffered his bitterest . pangs before relief came. LJ He had made all possibly haste, and fortune had favored bim so far as discovering the lone cabin was concerned, Lemuel had recognized a curious landmark, and then they struck a trail which led them directly to the place, reaching it on the afternoon of the day following their strange encounter with Adam Elton. ‘*@one, four days ago! Took the girl with him! Sold out his place! All lies, from start to finish!” was his mental summing up. Lemuel followed in silence, as bidden, but when the lone cabin was lost tosight, and Light heart Lute still showed no signs of pausing, or of giving an explanation, curiosity reached its limits, and Lem ventured: ‘*Did—was de little lady glad fo’ see you, boss?” ‘* So terrible glad, Lemuel, that I reckoned I’d never get away without leaving some part of me behind—as a keepsake!” with a short, hard laugh, at the same time casting a quick glance over one shoulder. ‘So powerful glad, Lem, that I wouldn’t wonder a bit if she sent after us to add another farewell—forever!” ‘* Funny, de ways difent folks bas!” mumbled the negro, dejectedly. ‘*W’en J’m so pow’ful lad to see folks, J done ax ’em to grub—I does, o suah!” ‘*So did they, but I didn’t believe their cook- ing would agree with our delicated constitutions, Lemuel,” laughed Light-heart Lute, once more his usual self, so far as outward indications went, ‘‘Madame Roxy isa terrible nice lady, and all that, of course: being of the fair sex she couldn’t well be otherwise. But—I’m afraid she forgets to wash her hands before mixing tho dough, Lemuel! And I saw too many loose hairs embroidering her gown not to have doubts con- cerning her hash. And—butthat’sa big plenty, my boy, and if I make any more suggestions, ou'll see my boots beginning to come up red ane! Lemuel looked far from satisfied, but he dared not risk any further hint or remonstrance. Light-heart Lute was master, firm and even, = on occasion, though ordinarily so kind and jolly. ‘*That isn’t the worst of it, neither, Lemuel Claybank,” gravely added the adventurer, all the while pushing briskly forward, following the river trail up which they had so recently passed. ** We’ve been hoodooed, all two both of us!” ** De good Lawd, boss!” ** Melancholy, isn’t it? And yeta fact, Lem- uel! Just hoodooed, from crown to sole, from side to side, from back to front and double- cross¢ays into the bargain! ‘* Now, I dare say you fully believe that we met a gentleman called Adam Elton, last night?” “Don’t, boss!” huskily mumbled Lem, cast- ing a nervous glance about. ‘‘T lay under that impression, my own self, Lemuel,” persisted the adventurer, never slack- ening that rapid pace. ‘* And right there is where the hoodooing process began. We didn’t meet auy such person. We never found a half- buried man, nor he didn’t die when that big cat chased you into the hole. In fact, there never was any such being as Adam Elton! Deny it if you dare, Lemuel!” ‘* Ef you say so, boss,” meekly mumbled the subdued negro, ‘“If I do say so Lemuel, it’s because I have to. I’ve recently had a revelation, and the spirit—” ** Wha’—wha’—not a spook, boss?” quivered the negro, turning almost ashen gray, his teeth chattering with superstitious terror, his great yew protruding as he cast a fearful look around em. *“‘ It appeared only to me, Lemuel, and your vision is far too muddy to make it out, But— eyes to the front, and still those bones, or you } Light-heart Lute’s Legacy. may anger it into taking a bite out of the back of your neck! So! Now I'll finish: ‘*That revelation contained a warning speci- ally for you, Lemuel. The spirit swore that if oe ever let drop augbt of what we so foolishly elieved took place at our last camp, or if you ever dared whisper the name of Adam Elton, no matter to whom, or where you might be, a mighty hand would grip your neck, lifting you up clear of the ground and shaking you so hard that your joints would fly asunder, and your flesh he sowed over seventeen acres—long meas- ure! Think of that, Lemuel, please!” ‘* T_T don’t like to, boss!” “Then forget threat and subject together. You're perfectly safe so long as you’re wise enough to steer clear of that one dangerous point, and if I see you beginning to slip, be sure Pll lend you a kick hard enough to lift you over to the right side of the fence!” Light-heart Lute was not talking entirely at random, though it may seem that way, on the the surface, For one thing, he wanted to make sure of Lemuel, in the perilous times which were almost surely before them, did not make bad matters worse by reckless talk. For another, he wanted to guard against dangerous curiosity on his part. Lute felt fairly confident that they would be followed and spied upon after leaving the Jone eabin. Although he could not know that he himself had been recognized for what he really was, rather than simple Jobn Green as he had announced himself, he had recognized that wo- man, and knew enough of her to feel that almost any means would be taken rather than run the risk of defeat in the nefarious plans she surely had formed. Uniess silenced in some fashion, Lem might suspect what was wrong, and by his actions put the possible spy on his guard too soon, ithout openly looking back, Light-heart Lute managed to keep fairly well posted as to what was going on in their rear, and before their re- treat had covered half a mile of ground he knew that Huck Shaw was dogging their steps! He gave no bint to his companion, and by free use of his nimble tongue kept him from looking back, as well as contriving to set the simple fel- low more at ease. Fortunately this did not have to last much longer. Thespot he had in mind, as most suita- ble to wind up that dangerous espial, was not more than a couple of miles from the Elton cabin, and when this was reached Light-hearé Lute called a halt, : “ Here’s wood, water, and al] that goes to make an ideal camp, Lemuel, my boy!” he cried, gazing keenly around, picking out a spot which could be approached from only one point with- out discovery. ‘‘ You’re toting game enough for supper, and there’s a round of coffee left, enough for a hog—and a gentleman! It’s a bit early, of course,” with a squint at the declining sun, ‘‘but what’s the odds, so long’s you're happy : ‘** Shell I set de fiah, boss?” ‘“Not just yet. Lem, were you lying when you bragged of that good right arm of yours? Did you ever pitch ball?” ‘*Good Lawd, boss! ef I on’y hed a fat ole har’ fo’ all de games I done won in de box!” enthusias- tically cried the darky, his big eyes aglow, his thick lips working, his right arm itiany om. Per and forth, with long fingers working as though already gripping the ball, ‘‘Ef I jes’ hada nickel fo’ each boy I done fan out—good Lawd, boss! 1’d want a pow’ful train ob freight-kyars fo’ tote ’em all, so I would!” ““You can sling a stone right piert, I admit, Lemuel,” lazily drawied Larrimer, balf-reclining on the grass which grew thickly near the spring, filling his pipe as be spoke, ‘* But bard throw- ing isn’t all it takes to win a game of ball now- adays, you understand,” p ‘Doan’ I know, boss? An’ hain’t I done ketched ’em all? Hain’t I got all dem yar kyurves an’ shoots an’ drops an’ rises an’ fannin’ tricks, yight hyar in dese hooks? grinned the ee fellow, working his long, bony fingers rapidly, So you say, but— Wish I had a ball here for you to practice a bit with, Lem, I’m no slouch in that line, my own self, if I do say it, but Tnever could do anything with a stone. Can you? For answer Lem selected astone, then pointed out a stunted tree at a considerable distance, which ho hit squarely, grinning as he said: ‘“ What's de mattah wid dat kyurve, boss?” **Did the stone really take a curve?” ‘Wha’ yo’ eyes, boss? Di’n’ yo’ see how he kyarl up, like he was gwine wrop yight yound he neck—eh?” ‘ SEE ‘* So did you—in your mind, Lemuel,” yawned Larrimer, slowly brushing one hand across his eyes like one chasing sleep away. Instead, those eyes, very keen and compre- hensive, were taking note of a crouching, shape- less form stealing through the stunted bushes, evidently trying to reach a covert near enough to the spring to catch the words passing between the twain. It was Huck Shaw, as Light-heart Lute had long since distinguished, and it was merely to keep Lem Claybank from discovering the spy that he broached the eubject of base-ball, know- ing from past experience what a complete ‘*crank” it had made of the colored lad, He had little difficulty in divining what par- ticular point the spy was making for, and though he knew he was running a certain amount of risk in permitting such a near ap- proach, Lute was waiting for Shaw to attain that covert before making any decided move, With this end in view, he kept bantering the negro, whoreally did perform wonders with his good right arm and such clumsy substitutes for his beloved ball. Although with less certainty, owing to the irregular shape of the stones, Lem. gave examples of all the different curves, shoots, and other eccentricities which comprise the ‘* whole art of pitching,” Light-heart Lute purposely directed Lemuel toward a portion of the grounds where bis pitching feats would not interfere with the movements of the spy, occasionally pointing out certain objects which he wanted hit, or gg which he wished Lem to curve a mis- sile, “© You're not all a fraud, Lemuel,” he said, ap- provingly, afteratime. ‘‘ Yououghtto makea success in the box—or would, if it wasn’t for the foolish prejudice against your color, See here, old man!” sitting erect, like one who has suddenly conceived a grand idea. “‘T’ll give you a chance, if we both live to get back to civilization again!” “Dat’s all I ax, boss,” eagerly. ‘Jes’ a chaince—dat’s all!” “You shall have it, sir! A glorious chance, too! I'll get up a club of royal foreigners, from a yellow 5. ohn toa tattooed cannibal! And Vik turn you into a Spaniard—‘t Senor Don Lemuelo, the Spanish Dude!” oe Lawd!” “Shut up! Pll do it—sure! Then you'll be better even than a white man, and the ladies— why, Lem, theyll just paralyze you all over? They'll smother you with kisses,and—but you’ve got to swear off on onions, Lemuel!” ** Yo? foolin’ boss!” chuckled Lem, his head drooping, basbfully. ‘*How dem w’ite ladies come to kiss dis— G’way, now, boss!” “Dont forget that i'll bill you—in lettersa foot high, Lem—as the Spanish Dude, and that'll make all the difference in the world! It’s a glorious idea, and we'll carry it out, too! But—you must keep that good right arm of — yours in training, Lemuelo, and— Got arock?” ** Bet I has, boss!” “T saw something rustle the leaves of that bush, yonder, just now—a skunk, probably; but see if you can’t knock him out 0’ the box, Lem!” cried ‘Larrimer, in Clear tones, pointing at the cover beneath which Huck Shaw had snugly bestowed himself! Whiz! went the stone, and as it pierced the very center of the bush, the spy leaped to his feet with a bowl of angry terror, bounding away in headlong flight, while Light-heart Lute cried, langhingly: ‘¢ Didn’t I tell you "twas a skunk, Lemuelo?” And drawing a revolver, he sent a brace of bullets whistling in close proximity to the flee- ing spy. CHAPTER XI. SHOWY JOE CROWDS THE GAME. ‘‘ Wo be they, an’ what fetched ’em hyar, anyway?” were the firet words uttered by Huck Shaw, after Light-beart Lute turned away and ¢ took the river trail in company with bis ebony companion, , $ “Keep an eye on them, but don’t make it too plain you're watching,” bastily muttered Roxy Ann, stepping back from the door without changing her slouching demeanor until sure a backward glance of those honest blue eyes could not detect the alteration. She was reaching out a hand to the chamber door, when it swung open and Showy Joe Hoover showed himself, asking In a whisper: ‘Has he gone? Why didn’t you— “They’re both gone. If you wanted anything in particular done, why didn’t you say so before hunting your hole, cully?” The Gambler flushed a, bit, more because of a Eales Se ill ae a a ls ee
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Ne ie ee Light-heart Lute’s Legacy. 11l the half contemptuous look which bore those curt words company, than the question itself. A man must fall low indeed when he can bear even an implied charge of cowardice from a woman, without a sense of burning shame. “They've bit the river trail, like they was ullin’ foot fer town,” Huck Shaw sent back over is shoulder. ‘“‘ You know ’em, Joe? Surely they hain’t tryin’ a mix in this job?” ‘*Tt don’t seem possible, but—that fellow’s a very devil!” “What's he gwine off, foot-free, fer, then? What'd you give the wink to play easy, Roxy?” an ugly look in his bull-dog face matching the vicious snar] in bis voice. ‘** You tell, cully!” and one strong hand closed | on Hoover’s shoulder, her glowing eyes staring | keenly in the face. ‘In one word: Live or die? Wasn’t it you that said, a bit ago, we’ve got to win this game?” : * Live, if he’ll heep hands off! But—reckon he meant anything more than showed on the surface, Roxy?” * **T could give a better guess if I knew more about the fellow. He said John P. Green; is that his right namie?” “No, He’s Luther Larrimer, better known as Light-heart Lute, and the Lad of Luck—devil toast bim!” Roxy Ringgold gave a start, her expression changing to a degree, , She had heard more than one story concerning that dashing adventurer, and for the first time she began to realize the ex- tent of their peril if—but how could he suspect aught? “Talk quick, cully !” she said, frowning, after a glance that showed her the two strangers just vanishing from sight at the crook in the river trail. ‘*’Tisn’t too late to call the turn on ’em, even yet! Is it follow and shoot, or—what?” ‘*Let ’em go, if they will, only—if Shaw could play spy long enough to make sure this retreat isn't a dodge, why—” “Take the scent, Huck!” sharply cried the Amazon, striding to the door, ‘Don’t let ’em throw you off before you are dead sure they’re playing white, Go—you know enough without my See you!” ““ That’s what!” grimly grunted the human peer looking to his revolvers as he took up e trail. “Try to hear what they talk about, iat? the mee sent after a xf mn drillem both, for keeps !” ** Bet I will!” Huck Shaw was watched until he passed that turn in the trail, and then, turning to face her companion squarely, Roxy Ringgold said: “* He’s not much for pretty, but—Huck Saaw wouldn’t have taken water for any one devil: red, white, black or yellow! While you—” “Showed better sense,” interpolated the gam- bler, with a forced smile, beginning to rally after the unnerving shock he had received. ‘* Shall I prove that to you, Roxy?” “IT only wish you could, Joe!” with a partl smothered sigh, a wistful glow chasing that half- contemptuous light from her big eyes. ‘I al- ways did hate a cur, and the mere thought of you being—- I'd have to smite my own lips for daring to utter the nasty word, Joe!” ** And [’ll smite them for—so!"? as he pressed his lips to hers. ‘‘f didn’t take cover simply because I recognized the Lucky Lad, Roxy, my girl. He's a bad man, Ill admit, but I’m no slouch, my own self!” “‘Then—but you did hunt your hole, Joe!” Because I knew the devil would smell a mighty loud mice were be to catch a square look at your servant, Roxy! I don’t like his coming here and asking for Elton. I don’t like his hurrying off at such a late hour of the day, our game— “instead of closing with your offer of bed and grub; but, if he’d known I was here, he’d_ have been dead sure something was wrong! Didn’t I ever tell you about that Old Mystery affair, ‘* What! this isn’t the same fellow?” “The very same!” with an ugly snarl in his tones. ‘‘ Only for him, and his giant pard, I’d have made my everlasting stake that whirl! As it was—well, | was mighty lucky to get off with a whole skin!” For several minutes there was silence be- ween the evil pair. Both had ample food for thought, and both were plainly dreading the out- come, ane Ringgold was the one to break silence “You don’t really think he’s playing the same role now, Joe?” ““Tt don’t seem possible! How could he have learned anything? We covered our trail too thoroughly for that,” “The old man, Joe?” whispered the woman, gazing intently into tke face of her companion. ‘You had all signs blotted out? They couldn’t have stumbled across the—anything?” ** Not if he was a hound runring on four legs in place of two!” was the prompt response. ‘““Yet--I’m free to own it makes mea bit un- easy, old girl! And--I’m going to crowd the ame all I can, from this time on!” “We've got to win, of course, Joe? There isn’t to be any jumping the game before the bo- nanza is ours?” ‘* Not if twenty devils, each one worse than the Lad of Luck, jump in between!” was the vicious response, ‘‘ It’s the one chance of a life- time, Roxy, and when fairly won, we’ll be able to skip this risky way of living, and play tony high-rollers across the big drink |” “Just you and me, Josey? Huck couldn’t figure in a role like that!” * Just us two, Roxy! And—youw'll not kick too nasty over my playing off with that little girl? It’s the only way—don’t you see? You tried to scare her, and failed, If I can win by lying, why not?” ‘* Don’t try to make it too real, cully!” slowly warned the jealous amazon, tapping ber bosom with a finger, recalling the wicked weapon which found a sheath therein... ‘‘ lm mighty apt to strike as I love; once for all!” A frown flitted across the gambler’s face at this unreasonable suspicion, but he held his impatience well in hand, simply saying: “You can follow and listen, if nothing less will suit you, Roxy; but don’t forget that girl is far from being an idiot, and if she has the least cause for doubting that I am working flat against you and Huck, at the risk of my own sweet life—good-by John!” “T know, T’ll trust you from start to finish, since I’ve got to trust you at all, Joe. Go make your lay-out, Ill have a little bunt of my own, in here, while waiting for Shaw to gy be turned away and entered the chamber, Hoover gazed after her, irresolutely. This sud- den yielding looked suspicious in his eyes, Yet, what could he do? With Light-heart Lute in the field, he dared not waste more time. And he had seen enough of Grace Elton, himself unseen, to know that it would be a work of time, patience and great in- genuity, to break her will and extort a full con- fession from her lips. He left the cabin, moving rapidly along in the direction taken by Huck Shaw with his cap- tive, only pausing before that leafy curtain to make sure there were no curious eyes watching his movements, “She'll be coming—devil toast her for a jealous fool!” he viciously muttered, barely above his breath. ‘ All right! Dll give her something to chew on, if that little spitfire don’t drop to the track too soon! And—if I could carry off both bonanza and girl, it'd no more than serve my top-lofty madam just right!” By which it may be surmised that, while Roxy Ringgold might be jealous, she surely was not the fool Showy Joe called her—in his mind! Creeping under the mass of vines, Showy Joe Hoover cautiously made his way into the cave, pausing when pretty sure the fair prisoner must have noted his approach, through her sense of hearing. ‘ “*T say—Miss Elton!” he whispered, in p paer ed tones, pausing for an answer which did not come, then adding: “I can’t see you, but I know you're nigh enough to hear my words, Miss Elton. They tried to keep it from me, but I watched that ugly brute bring you bere, and —I’m risking my very life to say this much, Grace!” “Who are you?” — “Your friend, if you'll let me prove it. Grace!” “* My name is Elton, I don’t know you, but— you are a friend to the Shaws?” “They reckon so, but—can I trust you, Miss Elton? You laugb—” AO is “T really couldu’t help it, sir. ‘You are free, of course, since you came here of your own ac- cord: Iam bound, band and foot; yet you seem to fear Ican harm you!” | ‘““My very life rests in your hands, Miss Elton!” earnestly declared the gambler, moving a bit nearer, striking a match and holding it so the light fell upon his own face, ‘One word from your li ne little hint to those two dey- ils, back at the house—as to this visit, or that I offered to aid you against them, would consign me to death as surely as though a bolt from heaven had smitten my poor bead!” “You are astranger—I never saw you be- . \ ? EO GEAR” fa" Clea, yt ee. ee fore!” said Grace, as the short-lived light van~ | ished, ‘* Perhaps ’twould have been better for me if I'd never seen you, Miss Elton!” sighed Showy Joe, throwing a bit of sentimént into both words and tone, ‘‘But—having seen you—I ean’t stand by and see those wicked people tor- tnre you as they bave schemed, Icouldn’t do it, Grace, though I knew it meant my certaim death to interfere!” ‘¢- Yet—you are one of them?” slowly uttered. the fair captive. ‘* Oaoly in name, notin heart, dear Miss Elton,” was the hasty reply. ‘‘Ican explain it all—I can make you see that I’m really not account- able for what’s been done, or what is still im- pending. But—there isn’t time, just now. I’m risking life every minute I spend in here! One or the other may come here, at any moment, and if ’m found—you can guess what would be my fate!” ‘* Why do i linger, then?” ‘* Because I’m a fool, perhaps!” with an ae~ cent of gloomy hitterness. ‘* Because I’m not. stony-hearted enough to stand idly by with fola- ed arms while an angel—while they carry out: their evil plot!” “Tf you are honest, as you say, and my friend,” slowly uttered the unseen captive, after a brief silence; ‘‘tell me why my father does. not come home?” ‘** Because he can’t!” \ ‘* What! you don’t mean—he is not—” qua- vered Grace, ber wonderful nerve not quite proof against the sickening dread conjured up by that blunt sentence. “T don’t think it’s quite as bad as that, dear Grace,” soothingly spoke the villain, draw-- ing still closer, resolved to ‘crowd the game’ as much as it would stand. ‘I really believe: your poor father is alive—as yet !” ‘‘ Where? Why does he not come ‘home, then?” panted the tortured girl. ** Because they’ve got him confined, much as: you are, dear Grace,” he hastened to assure the- maiden. ‘‘I Jearned that much, but I couldn’t make out just bow, or where, or when they cap-— tured him. I learned, too, that they counted on. making him tell where his bonanza lay, by swearing to torture you—poor child!” ** Oh, sir, if you could only—” ‘* Hist!” for your life—not a word of my visit!” hastily whispered Showy Joe, shrinking: close to the wall as there came the sound of heavy footfalls on the loose stones without the entrance, Huck Shaw entered the cave, cursing the darkness, and while he was striking a light, Showy Joe stole out of the den, unseen, CHAPTER XII. LEMUEL’S REMARKABLE EXPLOIT. “ Just to make it more binding, you know!” laughed Light-heart Luke, as be fired those: shots, aiming at the rocks beside the fleeing spy, rather than at his person direct. ‘ A skunk is- terrible fond of music, and—didn’t the lead screech just elegant, Don Lemuelo?”’ Glancing from the rocks, whistling sbrilly as their battered surface rent the air, those bullets caused Hnck Shaw to execute some won- derful bounds and comical contortions, without* lessening the speed of his flight. ** Fo’ de good Lawd!” gasped Lemuel, staring in wide-mouthed amazement at this totally un- expected result of that pitch. ““Making a home-run off your pitching, Lem,” laughed Larrimer. ‘*You want to do better than that when you poseas the Spanish Dude, or the enemy will just naturally knock you: out of the box—sure!” ‘¢ Shell I ketch de warmint, boss} I kin do it: —des as easy |” “Would you dare tackle him, Lem?” curi-- ously asked ‘Luther. ‘¢ Bf you say so, boss, I'll done fotch de critter’ back beah fo’ suah!” was the eager response, . ‘¢ Doan’ no fool w’ite man make no home-run off * me—no sah! Doan’ make no bome-run off dis chile!” There was no pretense there, and Light-heart. Luke gave a nod of grim approval. There was good metal lying inside that dusky bide, and it. was with a comfortable sense that he conld de- nd on Lemuel in a tight pirch, that Larrimer patted the “‘ colored phenomenon ” on a shoulder’ while saying: “Never mind, pardner, Let the rascal go, for- the present. If we really want him for any-— thing, Pll know right where to clap a band om his shoulder.” ‘*Den—you done knowed he was dah, all de wiile, boss?” “ There's mighty little that I don’t know,
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———eEE—————eeeEeEeEeeee mie * oy 2 . “ee e a er —* A sie = — other, while approaching the 12 Light-heart Lute’s Legacy. Lem, when on the trail. I have eyes located on every knob and corner, then. Yes, I knew the fellow was there, looking for notes, Hope he feels paid for bis trouble!” “Ob, mamma!” ejaculated Lem, in comical chagrin. ‘Ef I des bin know all dat, boss! Make no home-run off me, he wouldn’t! I des bu'st he fool’ head wide open! I des—ef I only bin know he was dah!” ‘** You scared thirteen kinds of daylight out of him, as it was, Lem, so you needn’t mourn,” laughed Light-heart Luke, stepping across to ‘the spring and taking a hearty drink, “ Fill ‘your tank, my lovely Dude, for we’ve got to ‘shift our boarding place, and we mayn’t be ae so lucky in hitting another such spring. Drink—lively, too!” Without exactly comprehending what all this meant, Lemuel obeyed, then picked up their zame and traps, foliowing his master as Larri- mer moved rapidly away, plunging into the ‘thick lying rocks and crags, at a course nearly at right angles with the one taken by the fleeing Spy. Ina short time, Light-beart bade Lem await his return, rapidly climbing up a pile of rocks, from the top of which he soon caught a glimpse of Huck Shaw, plainly heading for the Elton cabin. ““That’s all I wanted to learn of you, Mr, Shaw!” be muttered, with grim satisfaction, lying low to avoid possible discovery should the discomfited spy look behind bim for pursuers, *““You’re hunting your hole, though you’ve precious little news tocarry back to Roxy! And she’s entirely welcome to all she can make of it, ‘too!” Watching until certain that Huck Shaw had no present intention of dogging them further, even if his suspicion bad not been completely swept away by the innocent words he had been able to eavesdrop, Light-heart Lute turned his re Pe in the direction of his dusky compan- ion. Asa matter of course he intended probing this mystery to the very bottom. He had given a dying man hissacred oath to aid and protect his “ little girl.” He suspected otber evil, then, and now he knew it had or was being worked against Grace Elton, even as it had fallen upon the father. Up to date, he had looked upon Lemuel Clay- bank as little better than a fantastic toy, to be sported with in idle moments, but by no ‘Means one who could be depended upon in an emergency. But now— ‘*There’s heap sight moro sand in the fellow than I ever gave him credit for!” was his meutal decision. ‘‘ He wanted only a nod to chase and tackle that rascal, and if looks don’t lie, Mr. Huck Sbaw would have passed a mighty bad quarter of an hour, once those big paws fairly closed upon his frame! ‘*Now—Il’ve got to go back to that cabin. Shall 1 doas I at first intended: place Lem ina hole, to await my coming—if I ever pull through? Or—tell bim the whole truth, and trust him to hold one end level?” Although he had only spoken to two persons ‘at the cabin, Light-heart Lute felt firmly con- vinced that he had caught sight of at least one uilding. ‘* A man, I’m betting long odds, If a woman, why didn’t she show up, to back Roxy in her sparring match? It couldn’t have been Grace, for Adam called her his little girl. Then, too, any ,ove inside that cabin surely must have heard my questions, and a daughter would never have lain low and listened to all that rot about her fatrer! So—L reckon [ll have a ‘sober talk with my dandy dude!” Light-beart Lute was as good as his word, once bis mind was fairly made up; but, for all that, he bided his time before enlightening Lem, Picking their way through the broken ground, drawing a little nearer the Elton cabin, while partly encircling the place, Light-heart Lute at length reached a spot where he felt sure ‘they might indulge in a fire for supper, without running any risk of attracting unwelcome at- tention. He gave Lem a liberal share of the remaining coffee, and topped it all off with a dose of brandy, Then, while they lay ata safe distance from the dying fire, smoking their pipes, Lar- Timer opened his budget, By first judiciously praising Lem for the “*sand” he had displayed in the spy episode, making bim feel that he now looked upon him asa man in more than mere dimensions, Light- heart paved the way to what might lie before ‘them that night. Lo ag y sketching the material points gleaned from Adam Elton, he told Lem of the vow he | was menacing Grace Elton. And after relating the lies told him by the people found in posses- sion of the cabin, he added: “I firmly believe that those rascals have got the little girl in their power, Lem. I believe she is even now held a prisoner in ber own house! But—shall we permit her to remain a prisoner, Lem?” ** No, sah, boss!” was the indignant response, | had taken, and the great peril which he believed | his homely face lit up with sturdy resolution. ‘““Ef you le’ me go, boss, I des bu’st dar fool’ heads wide open!” ‘‘ What if they were to object, Lem? What if thev had guns?” ‘** What J keer fo’ dey guns, boss? Ain’ you tote guns, too? Des gi’ me one dem guns, boss, } an’ | walk yight frough dem ‘funnelly warmints! Or—I kin knock ’em out des wid a club—an’ dornicks, boss!” Light-heart Lute leaned across and lightly touched the negro’s wrist. The pulse beat strong and regular. This was not the result of excite- ment, and more than ever Larrimer began to think he had found an unlooked-for treasure in this gaunt fellow, Still, he would not decide too hastily. Al- though the sun had set and it was rapidly grow- ing dark, he knew it was too early to open the campnign, as yet. And that interval was spent in still further testing the colored boy. The result was satisfactory, on the whole. Lemuel proved full of pluck, so far as could be told without seeing him in actual combat, and as Light-heart Lute had little expectation of coming to blows—or shots—with the Shaw outfit, that night, he finally gave Lemuel permission to play a part in the work before them, * But you don’t want to forget the conditions, my good fellow,” was the grave addition. | “You're to act as reserve guard, and lie low ! where I station you, making no move on your | own hook until you hear me distinctly call to you-—out loud, you understand?” Lemuel promised implicit obedience, and doubtless he fully intended to follow instructions to the very letter, at the time. But for all that, a burning thirst for glory was fated to plunge him headlong into a truly remarkable position that night, It was an easy task for so practiced a moun- taineer as the Lad of Luck to lead the way direct to the Elton cabin, despite the broken nature of the ground and the darkness, There was a light shining dimly through the front window, across the inside of which a cur- tain was closely drawn. The front door was | closed. but Larrimer felt confident that the / Shaw outfit was within, and hoping to surprise | their secrets, through attaining some point from | whence he could catch their words, if talking, | he bade Lemuel lie in wait at a safe distance, then stole silently away. For some little time Lem remained where be had been stationed, but he gradually grew ner- vous with inaction, longing most ardently to still further prove his manhood and value to his “ boss.” Little by little he edged forward, until he could command a fair view of the cabin and its immediate surroundings, This contented bim for a time, but presently he began fidgeting again. ‘*When he gwine holler out? Why doan’ he fotch onde sarcus? I’m des a common, brack niggah, but—ef / was playin’ boss, bet yo’ sweet | life dey fink a bull bumbly-bee nes’ done bu’st wide open ’twixt dar hine-laigs, fore dis yeah time—dey des would, now!” He fingered the revolver with which Light- heart Lute had intrusted him, betraying the love which only one of his race can show toward the first “gun” that fortune has bestowed upon him. He leveled it at the cabin, at the lighted window, at the chimney-top, and then—gave a sudden start as he noticed the long limb of the tree which reached out toward the roof, “*De good Lawd! w’y di’n’ I see dat ar’ fo’ de boss done sloped? Could sbin up dab—git on rufi—heah ebbery word dem warmints blaat out | —des aseasy/ Ef de boss hedn’t bin 2 s0—- ’ Alas! temptation was already assailing the young tollow, and rapidly getting the upper band, too! It seemed such 2 very simple matter to Lem- uel! And he was such a magnificent climber, too! Neveia squirrel was nimbler, never a ’pos- sum could cling moresurely to a swaying bough! And—the boss was so very anxious to over- hear those rascally schemers, shut up so closely | inside the cabin! ‘**Wondah ef he would boot dis niggah ef— co’se he wouldn’t!” with a sniff of lofty indigna- | tion at the debasing thougbt. ‘‘De boss is a clean gemman, he is! An’ den—be nebber know nuffin’ ’tall bout it ontwel J tell him des all dey say, wud fo’ wud—so dar !” . That was the final struggle with conscience, and carefully securing his revolver in the Jeather thong twisted about his waist, Lem crept toward the tree, pretending that he was just looking for Light-heart Lute, to point out that aerial ladder of hope! ** Sorry I dosn’ fin’ him!” mumbled Lem, with difficulty smothering a chuckle over his ‘‘ bad luck” in that search, ‘* Would wait, an’ hunt furder, on’y —dem fool’ folks gittin’ pow’ful sleepy, yight now! Dey go bunk in fo’I kin fin’ de boss, Den—he kick, fo’ mighty suah!” That reflection was enough, Lemuel dropped all scruples, clasped the trunk and ‘* swarmed” up it like a particularly active bear. He reached the limb already alluded to, and noting its strength and apparent soundness, he crawled out along it, eager to gain the roof where he confidently expected to win so much lory. 4 ee success already within his grasp, and either bis keen ears or an active fancy caught indistinct sounds as of human voices engaged in earnest conversation, rising through the wide- mouthed chimoey, now almost directly beneath his crouching form! ‘Doan’ I say so, a’ready?” was his exultant whisper to his own ears as he crept still further along, with greater haste and eagerness, ‘‘ Ef dar bain’t somebody mos’ mighty surprise dis yer’ night, den I—” And that somebody was fated to be Lemuel Claybank, first of all! : The limb suddenly broke beneath him, and he toppled over, flinging out his arms in a vain ef- fort to break his fall! And then he plunged headlong directly into the chimney, up which the hot smoke was curling! CHAPTER XIII, A GENERAL UPSEYTING, Born rN Lute and Lem Claybank had guessed aright: the trio of evil schemers were gathered inside the Elton cabin, busily engaged in discussing the present situation, and trying to see their safest and speediest path to success, : } If Huck Shaw had been a little less tender of his own reputation, and had given a full and faithful account of his adventures while in the act of playing spy, perbaps the arguments might have been shorter, more nearly unani- mous. But he made it appear that the couple he had shadowed were intent only on getting out of that region with the least possible loss of time, and at the same moment he swore that this haste could have naught to do with the Elton case, He had heard enough to fully satisfy all doubts on that point, by stealing within earshot of the fellows when they went into camp for an early,meal, Not a bit of it! Even the devil Showy Joe called Lute Larrimer, couldn’t possi- bly have suspected his eavesdropping! ‘ Roxy Ringgold seemed inclined to neutrality. but Hoover took the exact opposite. The Lad of Luck had not turned up at that precise junc- ture without a serious surpose, He was not asking after Adam Elton for naught. And if they knew the cursed devi] one-balf as well as he, Showy Joe Hoover, knew him, they’d take nothing for granted until they had to, The cabin was closed, though a brisk little fire blazed and crackled on the wide hearth, for the nights were cool enough to make a bit of artificial heat quite agreeable, even to full- blooded people. : The curtains were closely drawn over the win~ dows, and Showy Joe would have dropped the ~ heavy bar across the front door, only for Huck Shaw, who showed his teeth in half-defiance, half-derision. 5 The discussion was beginning to grow decided- ly warm, when there came an interruption so Pape poms so odd and startling that it fairly dazed the infamous trio. A wild, nondescript ery—as much the yell of a wild beast as the shout of a human being— came from the upper regions, followed by a furious scrambling noise in the wide-throated chimney. ; : But before the startled schemers could fairly comprehend even so much of the truth, a heavy mass fell into the fire, scattering the glowing brands, kicking up a cloud of bot ashes as it assumed the shape and semblance of— surely Huck Shaw was right when he yelled, terror: “The devil! It’s the devil come to fetch us pore critters!” —
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—— Light-heart Lute’s Legacy. Headlong Lemuel Claybank shot down the | duced bimself to their attention after such a chimney, his outstretched hands saving his neck when the heavy shock came, yelling wildly, seemingly furnished with a dozen legs, each one of which tried to outkick all 1ts mates. And through the vail of smoke and sparks and ashes, his big eyes shone, his wide mouth yawned, his face took on a score or more of different expres- sions, the mildest of all being quite enough to scare a body of ordinary nerve into convulsions, Huck Shaw made a break for the front door as he howled forth the words placed on record. Showy Joe Hoover tumbled over his own chair, while Roxy Ringgold—proving herself so much a woman—leaped on top of the stout table, gathering skirts tightly around her legs, giving one shrill scream. But she was the first to rally from that sur- prise, and recognizing a human being in that tattered shape, a8 Lemuel rolled out of the fire to the hearth, she cried aloud, fiercely: ¥ Kill him! It’sa spy, you fools! Kill him, r— The front door swung violently inward, caus- ing Huck Shaw to stagger and nearly fall as it struck bim in the act of turning in response to Roxy’s savage cry. ‘What's the matter with playing ye don’t, my hearties?” cried a clear, mocking voice, as Light-heart Lute, the Lad of Luck, sprung across the threshold, striking two blows in swift succession, each one of which sent a stout knave reeling to the floor, “Kill the dev—” Roxy Ringgoll was in the act of repeating, when that bold rush paralyzed her tongue for the moment. “Come off your perch, Roxy!” cried Light- heart Lute, gripping the table and upsetting both it and its burden squarely across the two rascals who had fallen before bis blows, but who were now struggling to regain their feet. ‘You're a fallen angel now, if you weren’t be- fore!” “ Fo’ de good Lawd, boss!” poor Lemuel was sputtering, when Light-heart Lute grip his bony neck and sent bim flying through the open door, following after and jerking the barrier to behind him. ‘* Run, ye imp!” the Lucky Lad cried, stern- ly, giving Lem another impulse that sent him a dozen feet in advance, ‘‘ You've spoilt my pud- ding, now see if you can’t save your own bacon!” Taken so completely by surprise from all uarters, Roxy Ringgold could do little more than seek to save her face, if not her bones, from that fall, She fell across her two companions in evil, and then Light-heart Lute completed his fan- tastic pyramid by pitching the table, legs up- ward, on top of them all. Of course there ensued a mad scramble, in which limbs seemed wonderfully tangled and owners mixed up, while tongues spat curses and venom at random. ‘ ; py writhed her way from under the table, just a little too late to catch a parting glimpse of their unceremonious visitors; but she heard a re ry hong shut, and i wae Si cien end her fierce passions and quick wit nage Se ud ied p, ye devils!” she screamed, plucking from her bosom the dagger with which eo bad that day menaced Showy Joe Hoover. ‘“‘Up, and kill! Up, and follow—kill! Ye'’ve got to, or = jig’s aia 9 us all!” he tore the door open, aud springing across the threshold, glared viciously cheat in search of the audacious enemy, _ ‘*There—that way!” she cried, pointing to- re the _ gee? she had—in truth or in ‘ancy—cau & gimpse of the fugitives. x4 Chase and—hill, ye devils !” far By this time the two men had rallied sufficient- ly to get outside the cabin, and catching her savage ardor, Huck Shaw growled to his mate: “Got to, Joe! It’s clean work or a plum’ fizzle—ye mind?” “There—that way, ye sluggards!” fiercely panted the woman, seeming fairly beside herself with impotent fury. “Ob! if Vd only bad a un! I could have dropped ’em both, while— hat P ig devils, I say! Chase and kill—kill— The two ruffians darted off through the dark- ness, ag Prete a keeping pace with them for a short distance, only falling out then because she fell in—a ditch, through catching her foot in * Past the. point indicated by Roxy Ringgold ast the point indica xy the two Ticees dashed, pistols in hand, ready for a flying shot the instant they should sight the enemy; but nothing could be seen of either Light-heart Lute or the negro who had intro- rr ce SS novel fasbion. “We've got to ketch ’em—jest got to!” snarled Huck Shaw. ‘* They’ve dodged—you go that way, I'll take this!” as hurriedly panted Showy Joe Hoover, veering a little to the right without waiting for argument or amendment, With the stars alone to shed light upon the earth, and with the broken ground multiplying the shadows in every direction, it was a very simple matter for the two men to become lost to each other almost instantly. Then what was to insure the one against mistaking the other for one of the fugitives? Possibly it was some such reflection as this that caused Showy Joe Hoover to abruptly use, crouching low behind a gray bowlder, seeping his ears on the strain until he could no longer catch the sound of Huck Shaw’s beavy footfalls. And it may have been for this same reason that, a few moments later, the gambler was gliding as rapidly as the gloom and a feel- ing that silence would be a very good ally, just then, es course which promised to carry him past the Elton cabin, and to that part of the cliff in which the little cave was situated. In that same den, still bound beyond the pos- sibility of escape unaided, Grace Elton was pass- ing the long, weary hours in thoughts gloomy and bitter enough to have turned a brain less clear and evenly balanced. For the most part ber thoughts were on her missing parent, but at times she recalled the words whispered through the darkness by Showy Joe Hoover, Would he come again? Had that scheme been abandoned, or—could it be possible that he meant to betray his associates, not her? She was thinking of this at the very instant when the gambler gained the curtained en- trance, and she was hardly surprised when his voice reached her ears through the darkness: ‘‘Not a word, Miss Elton, if you would not foil our last hope of escape from worse than death!” he panted, creeping to her side in the utter darkness, and using a knife to set her limbs at liberty, ‘‘ I’m offering my very life to save you—don’t bring the blood of a poor, mis- guided devil upon your head by betraying him to those demons!” “You mean to set me free—without condi- tions?” “T’ll guide you to your father, and only ask that you trust me—that you tell him the simple truth—how I risked death in a thousand forms rather than stand idly by and see you tortured like— I can’t say the word, dear Grace!” breaking off with a shivering sob. . 7 the rer Ce then?” aie **Tf you don’t delay me—yes!” as he gra’ ahand to guide her out of the dungeon. “I kicked up a racket—never mind how—we must get away from here!” in tones that betrayed genuine agitation, this time, ‘ If we’re suspect- ed—if we're caught, salt won’t save me! And you—come! Iswear that I’m leading you away from worss than a score of ordinary deaths!” “* Tl follow—move faster!” muttered the maid- en, saeming to catch some of his excitement. “Once out of this miserable hole— Ob, thank heaven for this!” giving a little gasp of intense relief, as the mass of vines gave way and per- mitted her to catch a fair view of the star- studded vault above them. “Not a word—not a sound, for your life!” hissed Showy Joe, his grip tightening on her wrist, bis other hand fast to a revolver-butt as he cast an uneasy look toward the cabin. 2 pepe if they sight us now, we're gone up!” race Elton offered no resistance, seemingly to be full as anxious as he to leave those perils well behind them; and as rapidly as the diffi- cult nature of the ground would admit, they pressed on through the night. : Only when fairly out of sight of the cave, did her guide seem to breathe freely, and at the same time to remember that the maiden was taking his wonderful sacrifice entirely too much for granted, : ‘‘ Tf you only knew—but no!” with a passion- ate outflinging of his free band, ‘‘ Why should T tell you all ’ve gone through, since making up my mind to rescue you from those vile clutches, or give my own life as a poor atone- ment for having been duped so long? What do you care for all that? J’m naught to ou—I’m worse than the dirt beneath your feet “Not that, only—is this the time for idle talk?” With a heavy sigh, like one crushed by the weight of hopeless misery, Hoover led the way for a time in silence, then paused close to where two horses were tethered. 13 ‘*T stole them, for you, Miss Elton,” he said, with a hollow laugh, pointing out the animals. ‘* A horse-thief! Web twas my mad, insane, hopeless adoration for you, my angel—” “« Stop, sir!” cried Grace, sbaking off the hand that would have drawn her nearer. “If you are really my friend, if you are really honest in your protestations, prove it now, before we take another step! Give me one of the revolvers you ar carrying, or I'll go no further with you! ‘* What—what do you mean?’ a touch of an- ger in bis tone, “That Pl go no further in your company, without the means of defending myself should you dare—” Pa on cursed fool! I'll take you in spite (#8) oe But before his fierce grip could fairly close upon Grace, a heavy blow crashed against his skull, bringing him to the ground in a heap! CHAPTER XIV. TAKING HER OWN PRESCRIPTION, ALTHOUGH fiercely angry with Lemuel Clay- bank for ruining his growing hopes of getting at the very heart of the Elton mystery, Light-heart Lute could do no less than to cbip in to save the negro from paying tbe pevalty due his disobedi- ence of orders, And, having snatched him “‘ out. of the fire” in a double sense, the Lad of Luck fully intended to keep the negro under his own guardianship, at least unti] the hue and cry which was sure to ensue, had died away. For atime he did this, urging Lemuel on to speedy flight across the rough ground, knowing that they would be at some disadvantage through the superior acquaintance of their ene- mies with that immediate section. But then, thanks to the thick-lying obstacles to speedy flight which met them at every stride, and the necessity of swift dodging and abrupt turns, the twain became separated. Listening to the angry shouts of the oa in their rear, Light-heart Lute did not immedi~ ately notice this division, and when he did, pausing to peer through the darkness, deceived by first oneand then another of the many shadows. cast by the rugged rocks, he lost a few more precious moments by guardedly calling to them. —not to Lemuel! “Allright!” was his final conclusion, scowl- ing as he caught the sounds of Huck Shaw com-~ ing in chase. ‘‘ A fool for luck, they say, and if that nigger hasn’t proved his right to claim that protection this night, then I don’t want a cent!” moma 2 aloud to Lem, would only give the en- emy a double guide if the colored lad should hear his summons. And, though he felt fully able to hold his own with either or both of the two rascals whom he had seen at the cabin, Light- heart Lute bad no wish to come to blows, just then. ‘*Tt'd be kill or get killed!” he muttered, re- suming his flight. “‘And it’s information, not gore, I’m thirsting for just now!” Still, the Lucky Lad did not entirely drop the idea of saving Lem from the punishment he cer- tainly had done bis level best to deserve, and while taking good care to cover his own person, he still made noise enough while fleeing, to keep. Huck Shaw fairly close to bis track. For fully balf an hour, Light-heart pursued these tactics, and making sure that he had not shaken his pursuer off, as yet, he abruptly changed bis manner of flight, turning sharply aside from the line he had n following, mov- ing through the gloom with perfect silence, laughing in his sleeve as he heard that human bull-dog go blundering past, cursing and grow]-_ ing, athirst for gore! “Holler if you get lost, my covey!” muttered the Lad of Luck, once more changing his course, this time beading almost direct for the lone cabin, ‘Sorry to shake ye, but—ladies first, always!” ; As hinted, Light-heart Lute had managed to gain a point from whence he could both hear and watch the trio of schemers as they held their consultation, and though the unfortunate interruption caused by Lem had cut that eaves- dropping short all too soon, he bad heard enough to prove his first suspicions correct: Grace El- ton was a captive, and held in confinement at. no distant spot. ; Just information enough to make him hungry for more. And Light-heart Lute mentally vowed to learn the rest before the rising of an- other sun! *“*T don’t reckon Roxy joined the hunt,” he: mused, while making his way back to the lone cabin. ‘She wouldn’t, if the little girl is held a prisoner under that roof—for sure! Her see
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~ Light-heart Lute’s Legacy. thead’s too long to run it into a possible snare, dike that! *So—good as old wheat!” He caught sight of the cabin, and by the light which streamed out through the open ‘door, he saw Roxy Ringgold in front of the ‘building. ‘“‘T want you, Roxy—want you bad!” the adventurer muttered, moving rapidly forward, yet taking care not to expose himself unneces- sarily. When the Lucky Lad wanted anything par- ticularly bad, he generally got it, by hook or by crook, and he was resolved that tbis should not ‘prove an exception. Still, he knew enough of Roxy Ringgold, by reputation, not to take success for granted sim- yly because he had one of the weaker sex to cope with, He knew that she was more dangerous ‘than many a stout man, and that she would not ‘hesitate to strike or shoot should he afford her ‘the slightest opening for so doing. Fortunately he needed to alter his line only a few yards, when he had the corner of the cabin as a cover to his advance; and without a sound to betray his coming, the Lad of Luck quickly reached the end of the stone building. Peering around it, he caught a glimpse of a dress just vanishing across the threshold, and fearing to lose more time in listening for other enemies, lest Roxy close and bar the door, he glided forward and leaped upon the woman rom behind, Taken by surprise, Roxy Ringgold was trip- ped up Light-heart Lute smothering her cry of angry fright as they fell together. Then, with more haste than modesty, Larrimer muf fled her head in her own skirts, thus effectually disabling both arms and her tongue for the time ing. As neither blow nor shot had greeted him while doing this, Light-heart felt pretty well assured that neither of the men were at the cabin, and he took time to make his capture sure by knotting a stout thong around that handy muffler. This done, payiug no attention to the smoth- ered cries and curses which came from his cap- tive, leaving her to roll and kick as savagely as her humor dictated, the Lucky Lad made a hasty but thorongh search of both chamber and kitchen. Vainly. Grace Elton wasnot to be found about the place, and convinced that fur- ‘ther delay would endanger both his life and the retention of his captive, Light-heart Luke gave over. None too soon, as it proved, for Roxy Ring- old had managed to draw that dagger from ber m, slitting open the skirts with which her head was muffled, and then sawing away at the ‘thong itself. . ‘*Play ye don’t, Roxy, dear!” mocked Larri mer, as he deftly avoided the venomous thrust which the desperate woman aimed at his breast, at thesame time catching her wrist and wrest _ the weapon from her grasp. ‘‘ I know it’s only a love-pat, but I’m too busy to waste time in such soft nonsense!” “You devil! T’ll—Joe—help, for—” “ Joe’d sooner face the real devil, Roxy,” laughed Larrimer, as he deftly crammed a por- ‘tion of the severed cloth into her mouth, ‘When I really want to interview the dear _fel- ow, be sure I'll know how to find him. Until then—leave a silent kiss for your lover, dear! I ‘must take you on a weenty bit of a jaunt, don’t you know?” It looked like a case of overloading, but Light- heart was a marvel of elastic muscle, and with Roxy Ringgold in his arms, he left the lone ¢abin, striking into the rocky tract, seemingly not.noticing her desperate kicking and wen cings to win free. Pausing once or twice to rest, and to shift his grasp on that uneasy burden, Light-heart Lute was not many minutes in gaining the point which he had in mind; a massof rocks where, in ease of need, he could readily ‘stand off” a dozen men, each and every one to the full as ugly customers as either Huck Shaw or Showy .Joe Hoover. Once here, he set about making the prisoner a bit more comfortable, yet giving no chances away. She was far too precious—viewed as a hostage-—for him to take any unnecessary risks, “I'm going to remove that gag, my dear madam,” he said, in cold, even tones, ‘“ But I want to give you a word of warninug, first. ‘*{ know who and what you are, I know what dastardly crimes you, in company with your mates, have committed of late. And— though 1 never to date laid a rude finger on one of your sex—T’}l kill you rather than Jet you go free, without first getting my full price! rs ; Hv removed the gag, but kept it in sight, at the same time shaping the cloth into a still more effectual form, Half-suffocated, the woman gasped forth a vicious curse, but only to have the mass of cloth clapped over her lips again. * Curse all you like, Roxy, but beware of how you lift your sweet voice! Showy Joe might hear it, and come to learn what his honey wish- ed. Tken—Il’d wipe out all debts, both old and new, and you'd stand in sore need of a supply of widow’s weeds!” P Light though his tone, there was something in those coldly blazing eyes as they looked down into hers, that awed the woman. She knew that this man would surely make his threat good if the occasion arose. “Don’t—I'll not—mercy!” gasped Roxy, in smothered tones. ‘*¢ You’ve earned it, haven’t you?” mocked the Lucky Lad, but at the same time removing his hand and leaving her lips free, ‘‘ But: I never try to drive too tough a bargain with a cus- tomer. And, Madam Ringgold, you’re owner of something for which I have an ardent long- ing. Reckon we can come to a trade?” *T don’t understand you!” muttered the cap- tive, sulkily, es You'll be wiser before the end isreached, my ear. ‘“*What do you mean by this shameful out- rage? How dare you insult a lady without—” “Meaning yourself, Roxy Ringgold?” curtly interposed Larrimer, his lips curling, a look of scorn leaping into his eyes. ‘‘ Shall I go over your past record, to show how much you are entitled to call yourself a lady? Shall I begin at this end and run back? Shall I start with Adam Elton—” ‘“‘ What do I know of that old fool? If he’s skipped the—” ** You know that he was to be put out of the way. You know that he was shot and buried. But you don’t know that—well, we’ll keep that little point in reserve for the pres- ent.” ‘* What—what do you mean, you devil ?” hoarse- ly panted Roxy. “Well, 1 mean so many things that you’d hardly recover if I was to fling ’em at you all in abundle. So—for one thing, 1 mean to cheat Huck Shaw and Showy Joe Hoover most abom- inably! How, do you ask? By trading you to them in even exchange for a true lady!” He laughed softly as he noted the start she gave. He could read her thoughts almost as readily as though they had been printed in bold letters upon her brow. “You hope I'll try it on, so your rascally associates may have a chance to stick or shoot me from behind your skirts? Is that it, Roxy?” “} don’t—you’re all wrong, sir,” her tones softening, her face taking on a meek, injured, reproachful expression, ‘‘ I’ve done no wrong, beyond playing a little part, this afternoon, when you called. I thought Yn wanted to drive us from our poor home, believed that ie old man had sold his place to you, as well, and— ‘Oh, Roxy!” drawlingly interjected Larrimer, ‘*-You make me tired{” “I swear to you, sir, that ’m—” * A wild and ssc He from the ground up If not. that ought to be the ending you bad in view Can’t you see that 7 know you, Roxy Ringgold? Can’t you mak. up your mind to meet me as yourself, not as something you are not, never was, never can be: a woman! ‘“You, Showy Joe and Huck Shaw are play- ing for the bonanza Adam Elton owned, be that real or imaginary To in it, you three plotted his death. Between you, he was shot down, and buried!” “No! no!’ ‘“T said it, and I have the proof. I found the poor fellow, and ee him out of his living tomb— Does that bite, Roxy? It ought, but I'm giving it to you straight asastring! Adam ton was alive when buried, and alive when I chanced upon his grave, I helped him out, and he told me all about his bonanza, bis daughter, his enemies and his fears. I swore to do what he was too weak to attempt, and I’m here to keep that vow. Now—where have you hidden Grace Elton?” “Tt’s a lie! She went with him—her father!” panted the woman. ‘ “Tt is a lie, but your lips shaped it, Roxy Ringgold,” was the cold, stern retort. ‘ You refuse to accept the one chance that I can offer you? You still refuse to tell me what I ask?’ “T can’t tell you what I don’t know—can I, you devil?” ; “You can pay the penalty due your crimes, atany rate, 1 hate to think of fitting a noose about the throat of one built like a woman, but —unless hie confess in full, Roxy Ringgold, I swear to hang you like a sheep-killing cur, be- tween your two partners in sin!” CHAPTER XV. ‘““WHEN ROGUES FALL OUT.” SHowy Jor Hoover fell like a log beneath that blow, so deftly delivered that he never caught a glimpse of his assailant. Not a sound had come to his ears in warning, and never was a knave caught more completely off his guard, How long he lay unconscious, he could only surmise by the relative position of the twinkling stars overhead; and during those first minutes of painful restoration, the gambler had no room for calculations. His head seemed spinning ’round like a drunken top, at the same time throbbing as though a particularly impatient imp was imprisoned witbin his skull, out of which be was doing his best to burst, His first thought was of Grace Elton, and he stared dizzily around in quest of her, again and again staring stupidly at the point where he re- membered having left the two horses bitched. They were gone, but even after fully realizing so much, the dazed gambler could not realize that other equally evident fact: that Grace Elton was gone, too! Little by little the truth sifted through kus tangled up wits, and for a brief space Showy Joe cowered by the side of the bushes, hand on pistol as he glared about him, expecting to see each dim shadow suddenly turn into that dread- ed enemy—Light-beart Lute, the Lucky Lad! But his rallying wits were working with greater accuracy as he recovered from the shock of the stroke that had laid him low, and meas- uring Larrimer in his own bushel, he grew pretty well convinced that another band than his must have dealt that blow, and robbed him of his precious prize. ** He'd have butchered me, double-times over! He’d never leave mea chance to come back at him! Then—who did it ?” With his fears lessened greatly by this reason- ing, Hoover groped about the spot in quest of some signs by which he might solve the mystery, but with poor success, All he could swear to, was the vanishment of both maiden and horses, “Tf I knew! If I could only guess!” he groaned, mechanically turning toward the lone cabin, ‘If those two fools had only backed me up, as bonest pards should, why— By Satan!” It seemed the work of magic to Hoover, but in that instant he believed he saw the entire truth, which had puzzled him so thoroughly. “Pil kill him! Til kill em both if they’ve tried to play me dirt!” he viciously snarled, hastening toward the cabin, hand on pistol. A treacherous cur himself, it was not difficult for him to picture Huck Shaw playing much the same game, and in those first moments of savage rage, Hoover was positive the human bull-dog had followed and tricked him out of the golden prize. Still, his rage was not blind enough to make him forget all caution, and as he came within sight of the cabin, Hoover slackened bis pace, crouching low and looking for ible traps. Not for long. Hecaught sight of a human firurc nearing the but, and heard the familiar voice of Huck Shaw calling aloud to Roxy ‘* She’s in it, too, eh?” snarled the half-crazed gambler, advancing swiftly, holding his drawn revolver close along one thigh, hidden in the loom, but ready for instant use. “Who's thar” harshly challenged Shaw as he caught sight of that moving figure. ‘* Yelp out liver , or I'll bore ye, too—” e *7t’s me, pardner—don’t shoot!” interposed the gambler, choking back his venomous hatred for the moment, ‘ Where’s Roxy?” ‘You tell! She cain’t be in yender, or she’d show up when I catled out. Reckon—she didn’t join the chase, Joe?” } “Tsn’t she with the girl? Didn’t you leave them both together?” ora “Didn't I—why, ye dug-gun fool!” in sudden heat. “ Didnt Igo chasin’ them cussed critters? An’ bain’t I jest got back? An didn’t you— whar’s the gal an’ Roxy, Joe Hoover? “That’s it, Huck Shaw—where are they? Out with it, ye dirty cheat! It’s my face that’s toward ye now, not my back! they?” “ Stiddy, critter!” ree Shaw, too utterly puzzled to at once take in the enormity of those epithets and insinuations, “Ef the gal’s gone, it’s you an’ Roxy playin’ me dirt, an’\— What’ve here are
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Light-heart Lute’s Legacy. Be done with her, ye creepin’ sneak on two aigs?’ “Vou lie, Huck Shaw, if you dare hint—” ‘*Chawit! Swaller it back, ye cur!” savagely growled Shaw, jerking fortk a pistol as he spoke the words, But Showy Joe Hoover was already prepared, as we have seen, and his weapon was the first to speak, even as he squatted and sprung nimbly to one side, the more surely to foil his adver- sary’s shot. hance guided his lead, for it struck and shat- tered Shaw’s right band, knocking the revolver from his grasp, wringing a howl of savage rage and pain from his lips, “Ye devil! Tl drink yer blood fer—” he roared, stooping to snatch up the weapon with his left hand, but falling forward on his face as Hoover fired two more shots in swift succes- sion. __ “Say you will, eh?” snarled the gambler, as he saw his antagonist fall, seemingly shot through and through by both bullets. ‘ Play double on @ man and your master, will you? Try to—” iving a startled curse as a glare of light lit up hat prostrate heap, and a bullet whizzed close ‘to his face. Huck Shaw was not dead, though he might be crippled, and realizing as much, Hoover shrunk back, lifting his pistol for a finishing shot. Before he could perfect his aim, Shaw fired again, and a yelp of pain burst from Hoover's lips as the pistol fell from his benumbed fingers, Without attempting to regain his weapon, showing far less pluck than the lesser ruffian, Showy Joe turned and took to his heels, too badly demoralized to make an effort to find out how badly be was burt, He was able to dodge nimbly from side to side as Huck Shaw sent bullet after bullet in chase, and just then his sole thought was of carrying his precious carcass out of range as speedily as possible, He had forgotten all about Light-heart Lute and his possible allies, for the time being, and it was only when he caught sight of a man run- ning to cut his line of flight—only when he heard a clear, stern voice hailing him, that he remembered, f “Halt, Showy Joe!” cried Light-heart Lute, Rates: yg the slender figure of the fleeing gambler, ‘ Halt, or Pll down ye for keeps!” Instead, Hoover wheeled abruptly to the left, too blind with fear to see what lay before him! ‘* Look out, ye fool!” cried Laarimer, in hasty warning, ‘Halt! or you'll fall—” é He left the sentence incomplete, for words were useless, Realizing his peril only in time ‘to give vent to a despairing screech, Showy Joe Hoover plunged over the nearly perpendicular wall of rocks, down to the bed of Little Roarer, full fifty feet below! Light-heart Lute ran swiftly to the spot, but he could see nothing of the gambler. He called to him, but Showy Joe Hoover made no reply. ‘He never knew what burt him!” shivering a bit as he turned away, after a final look, ‘*f didn’t mean Fhe that sort of ending. It’s too mighty good for such a dastardly cur!” aving noted the spot from whence those shots came in chase of the doomed gambler, Light-heart Lute, his own pistol in readiness, picked his steps that way, quickly distinguishing the motionless y ofam “Ts that you, Lem?” he called out, yet stand- ing on his guard. o answer came, and seeing nothing to alarm him further, Light-heart Lute drew closer, giv- ing a breath of relief as he recognized Shaw, not Clay bank, as he had at first feared would prove the case, ‘It took but a few moments to assure him that Huck Shaw was still living, though badly burt; and knowing that this accounted for the entire outfit, he did not hesitate about dragging the wounded rascal across to the cabin, where he could examine him more thoroughly by the aid ? of a light. ; “You've got your last dose, old fellow,” he { said, as Shaw opened his eyes with a faint groan. “*Clear off your score as well as you may, and tell me where to find Grace Elton, as a starter?” “T—durn ye, Joe—I'll down ye fer—” It was clear that Shaw neither recognized him nor comprehended that question, A spasmodic struggle accompanied that broken speech, then the wounded wretch seemed to fall into a sort of stupor, Light-heart Lute frowned darkly, his hands clinching as though they itched to close upon that hairy throat and shake the whole truth out of the knave, even though life came away with the information. But that temptation was quickly put aside, and disarming the fellow, he ‘fore she could ra — out of the cabin, closing the door behind im, after which Light-heart ran at top speed to **Lem!” ““Dat’s dess who I is, boss!” chuckled the the spot where he had left Roxy Ringgold in | negro, dancing a double-shuffle on the doorstep, nds, He had been drawn from her side by the sound of firing near the Elton cabin, and naturally fearing that Lem Claybank was in sore trouble, had made hot speed tothe scene of comhat, ‘* You’re wanted, Roxy,” he said, cutting the bonds. from her legs. ‘‘It’s a case of dow eat dog, and your husband is at the cabin, ¢yinz!” ‘Dying? My husband? Ob—iet me go to him! My love—my life!” panted the woman, terribly shaken by the news, so bluntly broken, CHAPTER XVI. BETTER THAN ‘GOOD ENOUGH!” AFTER all, it proved a lucky mistake Light- heart Lute made, acting on the parts played st Fico Ringgold and Huck Shaw the day be- ore, It was her one weak point, Roxy’s intense love for Showy Joe Hoover; and the statement that he was lying at the point of death in the Elton cabin, Kar ye unnerved her, and be- ly her wits, Light-heart Lute had a fresh stroke in 1 eadiness, His main point was to learn where Grace Elton was hidden, and until her safety was fully assured, he had no room for pity for these convicted criminals. When Roxy betrayed her intense relief and joy at finding Huck Shaw instead of Showy oe, Light-heart Lute pitilessly described how the gambler had rushed blindly to his doom, Then the woman really broke down, and a full confession was not difficult to extort from her lips. With high hopes, leaving Roxy bound, and Shaw barely conscious, the Lad of Luck has- tened to the cave, only to weet with disappoint- ment, though he paused long enough to make sure that a prisoner of some description had surely been stowed away in that cheerless den, Returning, he used his last drops of brandy in bracing up the wounded rascal, making him fully comprehend the utter uselessness of further lying, since his death was. only a question of a few hours, at the best, ‘““Take your choice, Huck Shaw,” he said, with merciless distinctness, ‘‘ Die in peace, or be choked to death like a sheep-killing cur! For, J] swear to you by all that’s holy! unless you make aclean breast of the entire business, Tl fit a noose about your neck and haul you up to a limb of the tree out yonder!”: “*Sw’ar you'll lets me—die my own way—l’ll tell!” panted the wounded wretch, gazing up into those stern eyes, ‘*] swear: now do your part, or I’ll do mine! First! what were you and Hoover fighting about?” Huck Shaw explained, as well as he was able, and by adding what he already knew of Showy Joe and his plans—vaguely outlined during the consultation so abruptly broken up by Lem Claybank—Light-heart Lute gave a shrewd guess as to what had taken place, Grace Elton was gone, yet all three of those plotting against her were accounted for. Lem- ‘| uel had vanished, as well. Then—what more likely than that those two had come together? Leaving that point for the present, Light-heart Lute questioned Shaw concerning Adam Elton, and after se:uring a repeated pledge that he would not be tortured, the dying criminal con- fessed that he and Joe Hoover had waylaid the old gentleman, each one shooting him at the same time, then burying his rifled body, as they supposed, forever. till other crimes were confessed as the miser- able wretch grew weaker and less able to parry the questions his own broken words suggested, and before the end came, Huck Shaw made one particular revelation which was fated to exert &@ powerful influence over the Lad of Luck in days to come; for it was tbe first itive clew Luther Larrimer had as yet found ring on the mysterious disappearance of his father, so “ey 4 long years before. As the effects of the brandy began to die sen Huck Shaw grew less coherent, finally breaking out into wild curses, threats against his enemies, interspersed with prayers that he be shown merey—that Light-heart Lute would not bang him for killing Adam Elton. ‘Yo’ plum’ foolish, w’ite man!” just then broke forth a familiar voice from the threshold, ‘**Kayn’t hang a man fo’ killin’ a man what hain’t bin killed! How yo’ kiJ] a man when he hain’t dead, eh?” - r ‘ the picture of high glee. ‘‘ An’ de young lady, she done ax me to ax you, boss, ef—” “What young lady?” ‘*Miss Grace Elton, sah! Fo’ a fac’, boss! An’ she’s back dab, sah, at de hole we walled np, nussin’ ob de ole gemman, boss, what—” “Tf you’re lying, Lem Claybank, I'll skin you alive!” ejaculated Light-heart Lute, unable to believe his own senses, It was nearly noon when Lemuel Claybank put in his appearance at the cabin, and it was more than an hour later before all misty points were fairly cleared away. Blind luck Jed Lem to the right spot, after becoming separated from his boss, and seeing this young lady with one of the conspirators, who was in the act of using force to bring about his wishes, the plucky colored lad called his good right arm into play again, literally ‘‘ knocking out ” the arch-villain. At first Grace Elton regarded Lem with sus- picion, but in the end they reached an amicable understanding, and having drawn from him the account of Adam Elton’s finding, Grace insisted on his leading her to the death-cave at once. Thanks to the horses provided by Showy Joe for quite another purpose, this journey was uickly made, and no sooner had they touched the first of the rocks piled up before the en- trance, than a hollow groan came to their ears from within, Lem wanted to run, but Grace held bim under her pistol muzzle, making him work swiftly, for she divined the marvelous truth—her father was living, not dead! And so it proved. He himself explained, later, how he had fallen intoa trance, which Light-heart Lute mistook for death. He could hear all that was said, but could neither move nor speak. And bis one consolation was the solemn vow Light-heart Lute made above his body, to rescue and care for the ‘‘ little girl!” By the time Lem bad finished his story, Huck Shaw had paid the last penalty, dying in a dull stupor, apparently without pain, at the end, Light-beart Lute prepared a package of food, giving it, together with a loaded revolver, to Roxy Ringgold. He bade her depart, with the somewhat sarcastic bope that she might repent her sins and jive a better life from that time henceforward, Like one in a dream, the sorely broken woman moved away, and so she disappears from these pages. The corpse was removed from the cabin, and placed for the time being in the little cave where Grace Elton bad been confined. Then, fastening the house, and mounting the horses which Lem had brought back with him, the two men nasten- ed on their way to join the Eltons. It seemed a miracle, but Adam Elton actually did recover from his hurts, and within a few short months became as strong and hearty as ever before. His gratitude to Light-heart Lute and Lemuel Claybank was very great, but only Lem was willing to accept any actual reward. The colored lad was richly rewarded, and after a time he drifted away, growing tired of life in the mining regions, where he could not “ play ball!” His greatest ambition was never fully grati- fied, owing to the prejudice against his color, but Lemuel is to-day the ‘* phenomenon” of a strong amateur club, champion of its county; and only the other day the writer had the piea- sure of seeing him “‘do up” a rival club while officiating ‘‘in the box!” And Light-heart Lute? At first he was a little abashed in the presence of the lady whom he had pictured only as a ‘‘ little girl,” but that feeling soon wore off, and in due course of time there was a wooing and a wedding, in both of which Luther Larrimer maintained his reputation as a “‘ Lad of Luck.” . THE END.
Page 16
d a BEADLE'’S* H ALF- DIME* LIBRARY. Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents. No Double Numbers. — a BY EDWARD L. WHEELER. Deadwood Dick Novels. 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. 20 Deadwood Dick’s Defiance; or, Vouble Daggers. 32 | noob ane 54 _ eg ineeted Buffal, Ben 5 Deadwoo ek in s Castle. 42 Deadwood Dick’s Bonansa; > ep The wantom Miner. 49 Deadwood Dick in Danger; or, Omana Oll. 67 Decdwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar, 23 Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity ¢ ‘ne, the Heroine, a6 ey arom et ies —_ or, Cordurvy Charlie, endw ovo ck eaday Ye #33 peegweed en P gsr or V'he Double Cross Sign. endwoo ck as Detective. 129 Deadwood Dick’s Double; or, The Gorgon’s Gulch Ghost. 188 Deadwood Dick’s Home Base; or, Blonde Bill. 149 Deadwood Dick’s Big Strike; or, A Game ot Gold. 156 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood: or, The Picked Party. 195 Deadwood Dick’s Dream; or, The Rivils of the Rond. 201 Deadwood Dick’s Ward; or, ‘The Black Hill’s Jezebel, are. gocewces wie eee Ra peentig yanea Adventure. endwoo ck’s Dea eal. 221 Deadwood Dick’s Death-Plant. 282 Gold-Dust Dick. A Romance of Roughs and Toughs, b+ aay race cs “ haved mle Spirit of Swamp Lake. eadwoo ek’s Dea rail. i 809 Deadwood Dick’s Deal; or, The Gold Brick of Oregon, 821 Deadwood Dick’s Dozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats. 847 Deadwood Dick’s Ducats; or, Days in the Diggings. pres ynedweed yee Pemtemoess or, The Terrible Vendetta, endwoo ck’s Claim. 405 Deadwood Dick in Dead City. 410 Deadwood Dick’s Diamonds, 421 Deadwoed Dick in New York; or, A “Cute Case,” ryt rot eed pe ee or, The Chained Hand. e o ¢ r. 448 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Defiance. 458 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Full Hand. 459 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Big Round-Up. 465 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Racket at Claim 10, 471 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Corral; or, Bozeman Bill. Shs Besivecd wings Sr), in Denduced. . eadwoo ick, Jr. eadw ood, 491 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’ 496 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Inheritance. 600 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Diggings. Sd Esctused sie: $n’ Poem 56 Deadw : iy egee. &22 Deadwood Dick; Jr.'s, Three oH} pondpes Beets ¢ F's, Benger, Dacia. endwoo ck, Jr.’s, Deat unt. 589 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Texas. 644 Deadwood Dick, Jdr., the Wild West Vidocg Sit betdveed Dick) Srte Gotham 5 eadwo g . totham, 561 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Boston. 235 | ey ere wee 5 bia = Fe eeahia. eadwoo ck r., in Chicago, 57S Doadweod Dick. Jr., Afloat. &S84 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Denver. 590 Deadwood Dick, Jr’s, Decree. 595 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Beelzebub’s Basin, 600 Deadwood Dick, Jr.» at Coney island, 606 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’*, Leadville Lay. 612 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Detroit. Sha Deadwood Dick, Jc) In Nevadar 680 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in No Man's Land. HSS Eo a yo e + dr. uffalo. 645 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Chase Across the Continent 654 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Among the Smugglers. 660 Deadwood Dick, oh Pe Leemranee Case. 666 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Back in the Mines. 672 Deadwood Dick, Jr., ta Durango; or, *‘ Gathered In.” p+} Beadvesd Picks 4 a Bicpevery} or, Found « Fortune. . eadwood Bs zzle. 690 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s- Dollars. 695 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Danger Divide, Other Nevels by E. L. Wheeler, 26 Cloven Hoof, the Buffalo Demon. 82 Bob Woolf; or, The Girl Dead-Shot. 89 Denath-Face, Detective; or, Life in New York. 14 Old Avalanche) or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand. 58 Jim Bludsoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix. 61 Buckhorn Bill; or, The Red Rifle Team. 69 Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter; or, The boy Detective. 80 Rosebud Rob or, Nugget Ned, th» Knight. 84 Idyl, the Girl Miner; or, Rosebud Rob on Hand. 88 Pheto; reek Phil; or, Rosebud Rob’s Reappearance. 92 Canada Chet 3 or, Old Anaconda in Sitting Bull’s Camp. 96 Watch-Eye 3 or, Arabs and Angels of a Great City, 118 Jaek Hoyle the Young Speculator, 317 Gilt-Edged Dick, the Sport Detective 121 Cinnamon Chip, the Girl Sport. 125 Bonanza Bill, Miner. 188 Boas Bob the King of Bootblacka, 141 Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent. 145 Captain Ferret, the New York Detective. 161 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective. 177 Nobby Nick of Nevada}; or, The Sierras Scamps. 181 Wild Frank, the Buckskin Bravo. 209 Fritz, the Bound-Boy Detective, 218 Fritz to the Front; or, The Ventriloquist Hunter, 226 Snoozer, the Boy Sharp; or, The Arab Detective, 286 Apollo Bill, the ‘Trail Tornado. 240 Cyclone Kit, the Young Gladiator. 244 Morre Sam, the Frontier Ferret. 248 Sierra Sam’s Secret; or, The Bloody Footprints. 258 Sierra Sam’s Pard; or, The Angel of Big Vista. 258 Sierra Sam’s Seven; or, The Stolen Bride. 278 Jumbo Joe, the Boy Patrol; or, The Rival Heirs, 277 Denver Doll , the Detective Queen. 281 Denver Doll's Victory. 285 Denver Doll's Decoy ; or. Little Bill’s Bonanza. 291 Turk the Boy Ferret. 296 Denver Doll’s Drift; or, The Road Queen. 299 A No. 1, the Dashing Toll-Taker. 808 ’Liza Jane, the Girl Miner; or, the Iron-Nerved Sport. 825 Kelley, Hickey & ©o., the Detectives of Philadelphia. B80 Little Quick-Shot; or, The Dead Face of Daggersville, 884 Kangaroo Kit; or, The Mysterious Miner. 889 Kangaroo Kit’s Racket. 848 Manhattan Mike, the Bowery Blood. 858 First-Class Fred, ‘he Gent from Gopher. 868 Vreka Jim, the Gold-Gatherer; or, The Life Lottery. 872 Yreka Jim’s Prize, 878 Nabob Ned; or, The Secret of Slab City. B82 Cool ae the King of Kids; or, A Villain’s Vengeance, 885 Yreka Jim’s Joker}; or, The Rivals of Red Nose, 889 Bicycle Ben; er. The Lion of Lightning Lode, 894 Yreka Jim of Yuba Dam. 400 Wrinkles, the Night-Watch Detective. 416 High Wat Harry, the Base Ball Detective, 426 Sam Slabsaides, the r-Boy Detective, 484 Jim Beak and P. vate Detectives, 3 Santa Fe Sal, the Slasher. Sealskin Sam, the Sparkler. BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM, ? The wives Yankee} or, The Ocean Outcast, 17 Ralph Roy, the Boy Buccaneer; or, The Fugitive Yacht, 24 Diamond Dirk hoe The Mystery of the Yellowstone. 62 The Shadow Ship; or, The Rival Lieutenants. 75 The Boy Duelist; or, The Cruise of the Sea-Wolf, 02 Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy Smuggier. 11 The Sea-Devil; or, The Midshipman’s Legacy. 16 The Mussar Captain ¢ or, ‘The Hermit ot Hell Gate. 97 Little Grit; or, Bessie, the Stock-Tender’s Daughter. 04 Gold Plumes or, The Kid-Glove Sport, 16 Bilson BIL, the Prince of the Reins. 222 Grit, the bravo Sport; or, The Woman Trailer. 229 Crimson Kate}; or, The Cowboy’s Tnumph. 287 Lone Star, the Cowboy Captain. 245 Merle, the Middy ; or, The Freelance Heir. 250 The Midshipman utineer; or, Brandt, the Buccaneer. 264 The Floating Feather; or, Merle Monte’s Treasure. 269 The Gold Ship; or, Merle, the Condemned. 276 Merle Monte’s Cruise; or, “The Gold Ship” Chase. 280 Merle Monte’s Fate; or, Pearl, the Pirate's Bride, 284 The Sea Marauder; or, Merle Monte’s Pledge. 287 Billy Blue-Eyes, the Boy Rover of the Rio Grande. 804 The Dead Shot Dandy} or, Benito, the Boy Bugler, 808 Keno Kit; or, Dead Shot Dandy’s Double. 814 The Mysterious Marauder; or, The Boy Bugler's Trail, 877 Bonodel, the Buy Rover; or, The Fl»giess Schooner, 888 The Indian Pilot; or, The Search for Pirate Island. 887 Warpath WILL, the Boy Phantom. 898 Seawalf, the Boy Lieutenant. 402 Isodor, the Young Conspirator; or, The Fatal League, 407 The af Insurgent; or, The Cuban Vendetta. 412 The Wild Yachtaman; or, The War-Clouu’s Cruise. 429 Duncan Dare, the Boy Refugee. 488 A Cabin Boy’s Luck; or, The Corsair, 487 The Sea Raider. 441 The Ocean Firefly ; or, A Middy’s Vengeance, 446 Haphazard Harry; or, Tne Scapecrace of the Sea. 450 Wizard Will: er, Tie Boy Ferret of New York. 454 Wizard Will's Street Scouts. 462 The Born Guide; or, The Salior Boy Wanderer. 468 Neptune Ned, the Boy Coaster. 474 Flora; or, Wizard Will’s Vagabond Pard, 488 Ferrets Afloat; or, Wizard Will’s Last Case. 487 Nevada Ned, the Revoiver Kanger. 495 Arizona Joe the Boy Pard of Texas Jack, 497 Buck Taylor, King ot the Cowboys. 508 The Royal Middy ; or, The Shark and the Sea Cat, 507 The Hunted Midshipman. 511 The Outlawed Middy. 520 Buckskin BILL, the Comanche Shadow, 525 Brothers in Buckskin. 580 The Buckskin Bowers. 585 The Buc.skin Rovers. 540 Captain Ku-Klux, the Marauder ot the Rio, 545 Lieutenant Leo, the Son of Lafitte. 550 Lafitte’s Legacy; or. The Avenging Son. 555 The Creole Corsair. 560 Pawnee BU, the Prairie Shadower. 565 Kent Kingdon, the Curd King, 570 Camille, the Card Queen. 575 The Surgeon-Scout Detective. 5SO The Outcast Cadet; or, The False Detective. 5S6 The Buckskin Avenger. 591 Delmonte, the Young Sea Rover. 597 The Young Texan Detective. 602 The Vagabond of the Mines. 607 The Rover _ Detective; or, Keno Kit’s Champions. 617 Ralph, the Dead-Shot Scout; or, The Kio Raiders. 644 The Hercules Highwaymun. 650 Butterfly Billy, the Pony Kider Detective; or, Buffalo Bill’s Boy Para. 656 Butterfly Billy’s Man Haunt. 662 Butterfly Billy’s Bonanza. 668 The Buccaneer Midshipman. 674 The Wizard Sailor; or, Red Ralph, the Rover. 679 The Sea Shadower; or, Tho Freedeoter’s Legacy. 686 Orlando, the Ocean Free Flag; or, The Tarnished Name. 692 The Rival Sharps; or, Redfern, the Secret Service Scout. 697 The Scarlet Sombrero; or, The Sharp from Texas, BY BUFFALO BILL (Hon. Wm. F. Cody). 8 Kansa« King; 07, The Red Right Hand. 19 The Phantom Spy or, The Pilot of the Prairie. 55 Deadly-Eye, the Unknown Scout, J 68 Berder Robin Hoods; or, The Prairie Rover. 158 Fancy Frank of Colorado; or, The Trapper’s Trust. WW BY CHARLES MORRIS, 118 Will Somers, the Boy Detective. 122 Phil Hardy, the Boss Boy. 126 Picayune Pete; or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detective. 180 Detective Dick; or, The Hero in Rags. 142 Handsome Harry, the Bootblack Detective, 147 Will Wildfire, the Thoroughbred, 152 Black Ress, Will Wildfire’s Racer. 57 Mike Merry, the Harbor Police Boy. 62 WIll Wildfire in the Woods. 65 Billy B: age, the Railroad Boy, 70 A Trump Card; or, Will Wildfire Wins and Loses, 74 Bob Rockett; or, Mysteries of New York. 79 Bob freckatt, the Bank Runner, 188 The Hidden Hands or, Will Wildfire’s Revenge. 187 Fred Halyard, the Life Boat Boy: or, The Smugglers. 189 Bob Rockett; or, Driven to the Wall. 196 Shadowed ¢ or, Bob Kockett’s Fight for Life, 206 Dark Paul, the Tiger King. 212 Dashing Dave, the Dandy Detective, 220 Tom Tanner; or, The Black Sheep of the Flock. 225 Sam Charcoal the Premium Darky, 235 Shadow Sam, the Messenger Boy. 242 The Two ** Bloods”; or, Shenandoah Bill and His Gang. 252 Diek Dashaway : or, A Dakota Boy in Chicago. 262 The Young Sharps: or; Rollicking Mike’s Hot Trail. 274 Jolly Jim, the Detective Apprentice. 289 Jolly Jim’s Job; or, The Young Detective. 298 The Water-Hound}; or, The Young Thoronghored. 805 Dashaway, of Dakota; or, A Western Lad in Quaker City. 824 Ralph Ready, the Hotel Boy Detective. 841 Tony Thorne, the Vagabond Detective. 858 The Reporter-Detective or, Fred Flyer’s Blizzard. 867 Wide-Awake Joe; or, A Boy of the Times. 879 Larry, the Leveler; or. The Bloods of the Boulevard, Firefly Jack, ihe River-Rat Detective. 428 The Lost Finger; or, The Entrapped Cashier. 433 Fred Tiver, the at Sf Detietives nvinetble Logan, the Pinkerton Ferret. 456 ely Brick, the Jolly Vaganond, rt a onweres Jerry, Deedes or, Entombed Alive. tective ze yz or, The tery of Frank H . 488 Wild Dick Racket. iia Kae 501 Roots, the Boy Fireman: or, Too Sharp for the Sharper. 5&6 The Secret Service Boy Detective. 596 Jimmy the Kid; or, A Lamb Among Wolves. 627 Tom Bruce of Arkansas; or, The Wolf in the Fold, 655 Plucky Paul, the Boy Speeulator. 667 Bob and Sam, the Daisy Detectives. hk pe pr jee peed BY J. 0. COWDRICK, 860 Silver-Mask, the Man of Mystery. 869 Shasta, the Gold King; or, For Seven Years Dead. 420 The Detective’s Apprentice; or, A Boy Withou: » Name, 424 Cibuta John; or, Red-Hot Times at Ante Bar, 489 Sandy Sam, the Street Scout. 467 Disco Dan, the Daisy Dude. 490 Broadway Billy, the Bootblack Bravo, &06 Redlight Ralph, the Prince of the 514 Broadway Billy's Boodle. 524 The Engineer Detective. 536 Broadway Billy’s ‘ Diflikilty.” 548 Mart, the Night Express Detective. 557 pregerrey evllys Peath Racket. 424 Alias? oo Maes Young cst linen ai e Chimney Spy; or, Broadway y’s Surprise-Party. 592 The Boy Pinkesten. sf 605 William 0’ Broadway; or, The Boy Detective’s Big Inning. 615 Fighting bef the Chief of Chained Cyclone. 628 Broadway Billy’s Dead Act. 640 Barebsek Beth, the Centaur of the Circle. 647 Typewasiter Tilly, the Merchant's Ward. 659 Moonlight Morgan, the * Pizenest ’’ Man of Ante Bar, 669 Broadway Billy Abroad. 675 Broadway Billy’s Bests or,Beating San Francisco's Finest 687 Broadway Billy in Clover. 696 Broadway Billy in Texas. BY T. ©. HARBAUGH, 28 Nick o’ the Night; or, The Boy Spy of ’76. 87 The Hidden Lodge; or. The Litt! Hunter. 47 Nightingale N at}, or, Tne Forest Captains, 64 Dandy Teck 3 or, The Outlaws of the rages Tra. 82 Kit Harefoot the Wood-Hawk. 94 Midnight Jack ; or, The Boy Trapper. 06 Old Froaty, the Guide; or, The White Queen. 128 Kiowa Charley the White Mustanger. 189 Judge Lynch, Jr.; or, The Boy Vigilante. 155 Gold Trigger, the Sport; er, The Girl Avenger. 169 Tornado Toms or, Injun Jack From Red Core, 188 Ned Temple, the Border Boy. 198 Arkansaw ; or, The Queen of Fate’s Revenge, 207 Navajo Nick, the Boy Gold Hunter. 215 Captain Bullet ; or, Little Topknot’s Crusade. 281 Plucky Phil; or, Rosa, the Re Jezebel. 241 Bill Bravo; or, Tie Roughs of the Rockies. 255 Captain Apoliv, tne King-Pin of Bowie. 267 The Buckskin Detective. 279 Old Wised) or, The Buckskin Desperadoes. 294 Dynamite Dan; or, The Bowie Blade of Gochetopa. 802 The Mountain Detective; or, The Trigger Bar 816 Old Eclipse, Trump Card of Arizona. 826 The Ten Pards: or, The Terror of Take-Notice. 886 Big Benson; or, The Queen of the Lasso. 845 Pitilesas Matt; or, Red Thunderholt’s Secret. B56 Coo! Sam und Par’; o- The Terrible Six. 846 Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective. 886 Captain Cutlass ; or, the Breeqneer’s Girl Foe. 896 Rough Rob: or, The Twin Champions of Blue Blazes, 411 The Silken Lasso: or, The Rose of Ranch Robin, 418 Felix Fox, the Boy Spotter. 425 Texas Trump. the Border Rattler. 486 Phil Flash, the New York Fox. 445 The City Vampires; or, Red Rolfe’s Pigeon. 461 One Against Fifty; or, The Last Man of Keno Bar, 470 The Boy Shadow ; or, Felix Fox’s Hunt. 477 The Exceisior Sport; or, The Washington Spotter, 499 Single Sight, the One-Eyed Sport. 502 Branded m, the Night Ferret. 512 Dedger Dick. the Wharf-Spy Detective, 521 Dodger Dick’s Best Dodge. 528 Fox and Falcon, the Bowery Shadows. 588 Dodger Dick, the Dock Ferret. 548 Dodger Dick’s Double; or, The Rival Boy Detectives, 558 Dodeer Dick’s Desperate Case. 568 Dodger Dick. the Boy Vidocq. 578 The Two Shadows. 582 Dodger Dick’s Drop. 594 Little Lon, the Street-Singer Detective. 610 Old Skinner, the Gold Shark; or, Tony Sherp on Guard, 626 The Champion Pards. 687 Dick Doan, the Dock Boy Detective. 645 Kit, the Pavement Sharp. 658 Billy Bantam, the Boy Beagle. 671 Jersey Jed, the Boy Hustler; or, Shadowing the Shadower: 685 Happy Hugh, the Boy-Musician Detective. ' LATEST AND NEW ISSUES. 698 Old Crazy, the Man Without a Hend; or, Lightheart Luke's Clean Sweep. By Joseph E. Badger, Jt- 699 Simple Sim, the Broncho Buster or, Playing the Fool fos Big Stakes, By Lieut, A. K. Sims. 700 Deadwood Dick., Jr.’ Prop; or, The Sojourn at Satan’s Spring. By Edward L. Wheeler. 201 Photograph Fred, the Camera Sharp; or, The Fight to the Finish. By T. C. Harbaugh. 202 Blue Jacket Bill; or, The Red Hat Rangers Red Hot Racket. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 208 Broadway Billy’« Brand; or, The New York Delegates in Hard-up Camp. By J. C. Cowariek ss dweod Dick, Jr., at Jack-Pot; or, Making Crooked 08 eee night. By Edward L. Whee 20% Violet Vane’s Vow; or, The Crafty Deteetive’s Craft. By Wm. G, Patten. 206 Tom Thistle, the Rond-House Detective; of The Harlem Sport’s Star-Faced Racer, By Jo Pierce. 207 The Rea Sombrero Rangers; or, Redfern’s Last Trail. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, or, The Lucky Lad’s 708 Light-Heart Lute’s 1 ; Winning Hand. B Jos. E. Banger, tT.” Ready February 17. 209 The Curbstone Detectives ot, Harry Hale’s Big Beat. By Charles Morris, Ready February 94, 710 Dead .» in San _ Franeiscos or, Kodas Kate, the eae cn? “By award L- Wheeler. : Ready March 3 : A New Iasue Every Tuesday. The Half- Dime Library 's for sale by All newsdealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York. =