Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 747) (1891 11 17)
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GUISE! = ae ee a imme \ \\ aaa TTT NS A . \ WW \ XS \ aa P| ie, “a Copyright 1891, by BEADLE AND ADAMb». {MNT Nt i a Sa (GA Wn as eas a ri ___ Entered as Second Class Matter at the New York. N. Post Office. November 17, 1s. No. 47. = $2.50 PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMs. Price, Vol. Oe he. a Year. No, 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. 5 Cents. WO ‘ SS | —— THE TANDEM TEAM OF TEDDY’S TAILINGS. BY ED. L. WHEELER, AUTHOR OF ‘‘ DEADWOOD DICK” NOVELS, ETC, =F a aT CHAPTER I. SOMETHING SURPRISING. Tue first to see it was Spht-nose Budge, and at sight of it he cried: **Je-whipperty! What d’yer call thet ’ar thing, anyhow!” He pointed, and every eye followed his index. ‘There it was, in plain sight now, the most re- markable spectacle Teddy’s Tailings had ever witnessed, AES Aes SL ESARSOLN GS es eed SSA ote Al Sare s Eb) n> hee poe j “Teddy’s Tailings,” an odd-enough name, AS THE WONDERFUL OBJECT ROLLED ON TO THE NEAREST POINT OPPOSITE THE CAMP, THE Pd surely, was a bright and breezy mining--camp of CLEAR NOTE OF A BUGLE RUNG OUT, WAKING THE ECHOES WITH ITS SILVERY SALUTE,
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2 the Wild West, and took its name from its old- est inhabitant, one Teddy Terhuuve. This Teddy Terhune, out on a prospecting round, dropped into the inviting gulch one day, to make the discovery that somebody had been there before him, though quite evidently a good while ago, He found the remains of cradles and rockers, with some old crumbling sluice-boxes, while spread along down the bed of the little creek was a great quantity of ‘ tailings,” as the refuse from the washings is called. He had stumbied upon a deserted placer, Examining the tailings, Teddy found some particies of goldin the first handful he took up, and unslingivg his pan, set to work with a will, He was delighted with the result, and pitching his tent right there, entered on the business of re-washing the refuse—a task that he could not accomplish in a lifetime, alone, He had been there for some weeks, and bad made quite a good thing out of it, when one day a party of half a dozan or so came along and dis- covered him, At first be tried to make them believe there was nothing there, but all the evidence pointed the other way, so they, also, settled down to test the matter, and, like Ted ly, continued right on, And the tailings paid big returns on the labor invested, it began to appear strange to these industrious toilers, finally, that such a qnantity of gold should have escaped the eyes of the first wash- ers. This, naturally, led to investigation, when the truth was discovered that it was not all tailings, but that they bad struck throuzh into the origi- nal deposit, which was immeusely rich, They were profiting by a mistake the first workers of the diggings had made, Instead of beginning at the bottom of the pocket and work- ing up the creek, the originals had set up their * eradles near the upper end, probably because it happened to be there they found the first gold. Anyhow, their ‘* tailings” bad covered all the rest of the bottom, and when the upper end of the gulch refused to yield any more pay-dirt, they had probably packed up and got out, little dreiming they were leaving behind them the very cream of the pudding, as it were. And so, . in brief, bad the camp come by its peculiar name, and there was no indication that it would ever have any other, From that small beginning the camp had growa rapidly. ’ There was enough gold there to keep a goodly number of men busy for years to co.ne, Naturally, Teddy bad protested, at first, claim- ing the find as all his own; but what was one voice against somany? He was simply laughed But, finally, when it became evident to all that restrictivns of some sort would have to be drawn to keep the bottom from being overrun, then Teddy’s claim was admitted and all the diggers agreed to pay bim a tax, bis suite] Teddy immensely. The tax amount- ed to more, daily, than he had ever earned at the pas bimself, and he gave up work immedi- ately and settled down to enjoy his wealth. And it suited all the others, too, since it had been agreed that no new-comer could work in the diggings without first payiag a fee of a hun- dred dollars. 4 And this hundred dollars, while but few could J pay it, was occasionally passed over for the privilege of panning in the gulch pocket, and was at once divided among all the members of the unig 1¢ company, though it seldom amouated ae to more than two dollars a msn all around, The , new-comer, too, received his share of it, becom- ‘ / mest once a partner in the combine, m one or two occasions Otier miners had f come into the pocket in force, to take the dig- gins by violevce, but Teddy, taking time by the orelock as it were, had promptly marshaled his j ' hosts and the invaders had been obliged to retire a in ignominious defeat, ; Be ses 4 . And 80 matters stood at the time of our story, = regarding Ted«y’s Tailings and the little com- a pany who, with Teddy as leader, ruled its desti- Bh nies as far as they were able. ' There was besides, now, a regular mine at the top of the pocket, operated by macbinvery and working a vein with which Teddy Terhune had nothing to do. This mine was called the “ Ripe Pear,” and at first had caused something of a sensation by the : ichness of its ore, Latterly, bowever, it had | been dropping cff, till now 1t was getting to be ; decidedly ‘‘ lean.” ' - ia The manager of the mine was one Bud Roe- ee. ble, a man about thirty-five years of age, good- ing, dark complexioned, and with Fatty a pn nnn RRR ER ERR ooo oo enn Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Doublet. black bair and eyes. He was muscular, well made, aud commanded respect more for his prowess than because he was liked. He was fa- miliarly spoken of as ‘* Buddy.” The camp itself was like most of its kind. It had it hotel, saloons and shanties, end its deni- zens were of the usual type. There were bard- working miners, the gamblers who preyed upon them, adventurers who were eyer coming and going in quest of a fortune to be picked up easily, somehow or anybow; and all the rest. Teddy Terhune was mayor of tbe camp, as well as pretty much everything else in the offi cial way from the chief of police to justice of the peace, He could arrest and consign to the “cooler” any unruly vitizen who, baving laid aboard too heavy a ‘‘ jag” of ‘‘ jig-water,” was inclined to do lurid and promiscrous painting; or he would marry any pair wr happened to 1 Quire service in that line A peerless day was drawing to its close; the day’s work was done, and tse denizens of the camp were out upon the street in force. In front of the Whip-poor-will Hotel and the Nightmare Saloon the crowd was greatest, for it was a stage day, and the old “‘ hearse” was exjected to come in sight at any moment, On the other side of the gulch, high up, was a ledge trail, aloog which the stage bad to pass Le- fore it could get down into the gulch, and all eyes sought that direction to catch sight of the stage when it came out at the point where it could first be seen, And it was while they thus waited aad watch- ed that sometbiug rolled out into view on the ledge—a something that was not the stage, de- cidedly. In fact, no one was able to tell what it was at first. Ono Split-nose Budge was the first to discover it, 1nd he made the announcement in the words with which our story opens. Every eye followed where he pointed, to be- hold the gay flashings of bright red garments and the glittering of polished wheels and rods of a strange vehicle, And as they looked, and as the wonderful ob- ject rolled on to the nearest point opposite the camp, the clear note of a bugle rung out; wak- ing the echoes with its silvery salute, “Et ar’ a beiv’ from anuther world, that’s what et ar,” cried Split-nose in answer to his Own question. *Thar’s two of ’em, then,” averred Dawson Kredge, proprietor of the Nightmare Saloon. This was true, as was now plainly seeu, a full side view being had. ‘“ Woy, it’s a tandem tricycle, as I’m born!” exclaimed Bud Roeble, whom the excited shout had brought to the door of the hotel. ‘** An’ what ther doose ar’ a tingum tricycle?” demanded Split-nose, ‘There it is, to answer your question,” said Roeble, pointing. ‘* Mighty fine girl driving it, too, if ’'m any judge.” A woman, or girl, in red, occupied the first seat, while behind her rodea man, The bugle was heard again, and it wasseen that it was sounded by the man. At the same time the woman waved her band. “Come right erlong hyar!” yelled out Split- nose, taking off his hat and waving it in response, ‘* Yer is a stunner, I allows, an’ by ther je-whip- perties we is all waitin’ fer ye!” and be jum up, waving both arms, and cracking his heels together, let out a yell that might have been ay a mile, he bright vision sped on, the gay red and the flashing nickel making a fine effect, and in a few moments more was lost to sight behind a ledge that sbut off the view for the time being, It would be ten minutes or more before the tricycle could enter the pocket, and while they waited the curious crowd feil to wondering what manner of persons its passengers could be, offer- ing speculations of every sort conce>ning them and their mission, Said one man: ‘* What d’yer s’pose hev ever brought sech a prims beauty to seca a place as Tedldy’s Tailin’s? I reckon she must hev got switched off onto ther wrong trail, an’ hev come hyar by chance.” “Not a bit of et!” assumed Split-nose Budge, “She ar’ comin’ hyar ter see me, that’s what’s ther matter wi’ Hanner! Mebby it’s one of ther charmers what I left behind when I skipped from Salt Lake some years ago, when my fifth wife made it too hot fer me when I br. ught in the sixth!” This Split-nose Budge was a character. He was a bul'whacker, if that word ever aptly fitted av man and was always to be seen an heard, ig name was understool to be John Budge, but his nose having been split in some past scrimmage, gave to bim the odd nickname he wore, Budge had drifted into Teday’s Tailings along with the early settlers, was a member of Teddy’s combine, and a fighter. He was feared, and generally did pretty much as he liked, When be had a little *‘ influence” aboard, and he ’most always did have more or less of the ‘* double distilled ” in bis ‘‘ biler,” be was wont to talk about his experience, real or imaginary, as a Mormon. He claimed to have bad six wives, ** Comin’ ter see you,” sneered Dawson Kredge, ‘* Not much sbe aia’t, She ain’t one of yer de- sarted fairies, yer Mormon half-dozen, Split, no way yekin makeet out, Sle’s as young an’ bootiful an’ fair ter look upon as a rose, ter Jonge of her at long range, 1 don’t reckon she fills ther bill, co she?’ ‘Waal, et makes no difference, anyhow,” in- sisted Mr, Budge. ‘I tell ye she ar’ comin’ byar ter sea me, an’ when she arrives I’i] prove et to rer.” : ‘** An’ how will yer go ter work ter prove et, we'd like ter know?” “Why, I'll greet her wi’ a kiss, ter be shure.” “Taw! haw! baw!” “Do yer think I kain’t do et? Do yer think I dassen’t doet? You jest wait till ther dainty roller gits around hyar, av’ you'll see,” ‘You had better be careful what you try to do,” aimonished Bud Roeble. ; ** Why bad I better be keerful, Mister Roeble?” the bullwhacker demanded, ‘* Because, she may bea high-strung beauty, and might give you a lead pill if you attempted any such thing as that.” “That makes me larf, by ther je-whipperty et do} ‘* Besides, there’s a man with her, and hemight take a fall out of youif you made yourself too familiar on short acquaintance,” “That makes me larf louder yet, et do,” de- clared Mr, Budge, ‘‘Ezif ary man what's set up on two legs could take a fall out 0’ me— me, ther great howlin’ hippertammus of ther woolly wilds! Haw! haw! haw! Why, et tickles me cl'ar down inter me boots; et do, fer a fack!” CHAPTER II, WILLING TO COMPROMISE, WHEN §Split-nose Budge made a foolish boast, he would foolishly stand by it, no matter what came of it, Perbaps that stubborn trait in bis character had had something to do with his get- ting his nose so badly disfigured; no one could say as to that. Having unwittingly declared that he would kiss the red rider of the tandem when she ar- rived, he had immediately assumed that the crowd was bantering bim to do it, and nothing would tura him from his purpose, And then, the idea of her being able to hinder him, or of the man being of any account in that way, was simply ridiculous, in his sight. The idea of her trying to shoot him, and worse— of the man’s undertaking to do anything in the matter; why, he had good reason to laugh, **-You’d better not spoil the delightful sensa- tion, then, by attempting avything rash,” advised Ferd Wishby, the proprietor of the Whip-poor-will, in response to tie last quoted de- claration, ‘ In the first place, the lady would cer- tainly raise au objection; the man with her would undoubtedly take the matter up; aud we should feel in duty bound to protect her, So, you see _ how it stands, and you had better taper off and draw yourself in a little.” ** Je-whipperty whips!” screamed Split-nose, “‘gin’t I past twenty-one? Ain’t I of age yett Wull, I should ruther sneeze ter opine thet I am, or tharabouts, an’I reckon | am able ter take keer of Number One, you bet! Seems ter me this hyar is all in ther way o’ banter that I dassen’t do et, Ef et ar’, I’ll show yer, that’s all, Dll kiss her, fellers, or bu’st a button a- tryin’, an’ yer hear me say so, Hooray! byer she comes, by ther jumpin’ Asa weg est ter see them ’ar purty feet 0’ hern fly, will yert She’s a daisy, you bet she ar’!” The dainty tricycle had now entered the pocket, and was rapidly drawing near, and as | Bplit-nose drew attention toit he took off his bat and waved it wildly, Ry ye Most of the crowd waited in silence, admiring the graceful figure of the lady in red as she advanced, It took but a few moments to make the run and when the tricycle drew up before the hotel and stopped, the lady saluted the crowd witha graceful wave of the hand. Es She was both young and good-looking,and, =
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f in her gay costume, was irresistibly charming. She had a bright, happy face, laughing eyes, a smile was on her lips, and sbe was a picture of robust health, She was attired in jacket and short skirt of bright red trimmed with gold. On her head was a jaunty hat of red and gold color, witha clinging black plume, and gauntlets covered her bands. Her feet were incased in high buttoned shoes of patent-leather and kid, and a glimpse was had of black stockings above. A glance at the man behind her told that he was simply her servant, He was buttoned in a suit of bottle-green, the buttons of gilt, and was topped off with a silk hat something after the pattern of a coachman’s, it having a wide band and buckle, The man was neither old nor young, and his age might have been bard to guess, He had a smooth face, was rather good-looking, but, sitting with folded arms and with eyes set straight ahead, be looked like a statue. It was plain enough that he was only a ‘‘ passenger.” Almost the moment the tricycle had stopped and the lady had saluted, forward sprung Split-nose Budge. ; ‘*How de do, Miss Beautiful?” he cried, ex- tending his paw. ‘‘ May I be jest everlastin’] je-whippertied ef you ain’t a stunner, jest as told ther boyees when we fu’st spotted ye. How’s all ther folks ter hum?” “Folks are all well, I thank you, sir,” was the smiling response. ‘' All sent their best re- spects to you. It isn’t necessary to inquire how you are; I can see for myself that you are bloom- ing.” This in a light and airy, careless fashion, but the lady did not notice the outstretched paw of the a hear A : ay I be most etarnally je-whipperty-whip- tied!” cried the delighted Badge he ray hull team, you is, and driver yerself, with ther dorg under ther wagon and a jackass mounted bebind. Say, kin et talk?” poking a finger at the buttoned servant. “Oh, yes, when required,” was the smiling answer, ‘ But, sir, if you will give me time | will introduce myself to the people here, and—” ‘Don’t mention et yet, purty gal, don’t men- tion et yet,” interrupted the talkative Split- nose, making his facial expression perfectly hide- ous with a broad smile. ‘‘ Let me have ther floor fu’st, ef yr please,” ‘¢ Very well, say your say, then.” ‘‘'Yer see, et ar’ Jike this hyar: When you was cavortin’ along on ther ledge trail up thar, ther lads hyar sort o’ bantered me ‘ter offer ye a kiss 0’ welcome when you aroved, an’as ’ma galoot what never takes no banter, I took ’em up prompt an’ sassy.” te Yes?” ‘* Yes; you jest bet I did. Waal, now ther thing can be settled rigbt byar an’ now, an’ wi’out ther least trouble, ef you will hold right still an’ not make arya show of yerself. Dll plant a kiss on that ar’ purty mouth 0’ yourn in a way that will make ye think et’s yer long- lost lovyer—pervided ye shut yer eyes while ’'m doin’ et.” 1 “Indeed?” “Sartain. Now, what do yer say? Ef ye won’t make no fuss, et kin be settled in jest two seconds an’ no harm done. If yer does make er fuss— Waal, I is goin’ ter kiss ye anyhow, so yer kin do jest as yer please about et. I can’t take no banter from ther boyees, so you must be kissed. Make ready that ’ar purty mouth o’ yourn, now," “ Sir, you must be joking, ‘Tm course I’m jokin’. Et ar’ alla joke, purty one, but et’s a joke what’s in dead earn- est, every time, I must have that ‘ar kiss, so don’t hang back. Yer may live ter kiss a wuss feller, I allows, evea ef I do say et meself,” “I may, buf I doubt it. I certainly will never find a more homely one. Ill kiss you, however, on one condition.” The man in bottle-green and buttons still sat as still as though made of straw. ‘Name et,” cried Split-nose, ‘name et quick, I’m willin’ ter meet ye half-way, every time the clock strikes.” ‘Very well; and you hear what he says, entlemen, Come around on my centennial irthday, then, and 11 kiss you for all I’m worth. Is ita bargain?” The crowd laughed heartil;. “ Waal, hardly,” the bullwhacker drawled, “That's lookin’ too mighty fur off inter ther got ter be done byar an’ now, so I'll perceed ter begin. sp’ile et, sure.” A‘l tbis had taken place in a few moments, hence ter suit me, This kissin’ pe hev 1 No squealin’, now, or you’ and no one else had had a chance to get in a word, As he finished, Split-nose Budge advanced, but only to fiod himself brought up against the wicked tube of a business like revolver. ““T hate to go to extreme measures,” spoke the little woman, mildly, ‘‘ but I shall have to, if persist. You had better go and take a walk, now, and think it all over.” ‘“What did I tell you, Budge?’ cried Ferd Wishby. ‘She will drill you, as sure as you live this minute.” “Of course she will,” echoed Bud Roeble. “You bad better taper off, as Ferd told you,” ‘* Let ’er shoot, ef she wants ter!” the bull- whacker cried. ‘‘I set out ter have that kiss, rit wy ther je-whipperty I’m goin’ ter have et, 20 ‘‘T don’t see how you are going to get it,” coolly remarked the woman in red. “If you come any nearer IJ’ll bave to fix you for plant- ing, much as I’d hate to spoil a good bullet!” ‘* Waal, dring dat yer pictur’, anyhow!” cried the bullwhacker. ‘*’W hat do yer mean ve sech imperdence ter me? Et can’t be thet ye knows wholam! Pm Split-nose Budge, ther king-pin of ther camp, I’m ther boss bruiser of ther burgh. Don’t make me have ter scare ye, jest fer one leetle kiss, now!” “Oh, no; I'll try not to get frightened very badly. You are wasting valuable time, how- ever, for your simple request will not be com- plied with, Go away, now, like a good fellow, or I shall have to order my footman to throw you into the creek «ver there, and I would not like todo that. Water and you are evidently see strangers that the result might be barm- ul, Now the crowd cheered and hooted, and Mr. Budge was getting wild, ‘Throw me inter ther ‘Throw me inter ther crick! thar do et?” ‘* Yes, sir, if you do not take yourself off im- mediately. I’m tired of fooling with you, and have no desire tokill you, The creek 1s the next best thing.” Mr. Budge saw that his kissing exploit was out of the question for the present, owing to the revolver and the flishing eyes back of it, and he was ready to get out in any way possible, “Waugh!” he screamed, ‘‘ Let him come an’ try et on, that’s all, Miss Pooty. Jest let him come an’ try et on, only oncet, an’ if be don’t git jerked out o’ them ’ar togs an’ buttons, yer kin use me fer a foot-wips, that’s all. Lot him come, I tells ye, an’ you'll see fun!” ‘Tt may not be funny for you,” ‘* Not fun fer me! Bless ye, I'll jest relish et, you bet! Tell ye what I'll do, purty one.” ‘What is that?” ‘You let that ar’ buttoned thing o’ yourn git down hyar an’try ter put me inter ther crick, an’ I'l] say nothin’ more ’bout ther kiss,” he man in green still sat like a statue, as though he neither saw nor heard anything that was said, And the crowd-—every man in it, was keenly alive to the fun of the moment, No one would interfere to stop this part of the programme, whatever they night have done regarding the kissing, bad the lady needed belp. “It is a bargain, on one condition,” the little lady spoke, ““ What is ther condition?” deranded Budge, “* Anything that’s reasonable, an’ I’m witb yer.” ** Reasonable enough, I assure you, It is this: You must promise that when you have got done with my footman you will let the matter fo all timé, and hold no grudge against bh m, ‘“ Why, that’s no condishun er tall, that ain’t. In course I won’t hold no grudge ’g’in’ him! When I git done wi’ him oncet [ll be done fer good an’ all, you bet on that. I won’t promise not ter muss bim up some, howsumever, Waugh! Jest let him come, ‘* All right. Gentlemen, you have heard the agreement, Whatever comes of this, this fellow will have brought it upon himself, Jones,” turn- ing to the man in the green and buttons, ‘Yes, m’lady,” responded the statue, coming crick!” he cried, That ’ar thing e, “Take this impudent fellow and throw him into the creek over there.” “Yes, m’lady,” was the cool and matter-of- fact response again, and Jones proceeded to get down from his seat to carry out the order he had received, Mr. Budge eyed him wonderingly, while the whole crowd looked on much amuned, eager to see what would come of it. Certainly the little woman seemed to have wonderful confidence in her man Jones, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Doublet. AL ee —— CHAPTER IIT. MORE THAN HE BARGAINED FOR. Wuen ‘His Buttons” got upon his feet, the crowd and Mr. Budge could get a better esti- mate of bim, He was a man of about medium height, and looked to be compactly put together, but ap- neared to b* buttoned too tightly to be able to andle himself, ~ Those who were any judge at sight, noted two points, and these were—width of shoulder and massiveness of neck, These points spoke in favor of the stranger in green, and strongly. ‘* Wouff!” snorted Budge, in disgust, as he surveyed his anvtagouist. ‘‘ Yer has tooken a big contract this hyar time, Mister Buttons, sure’s ye’re borned. I would back out, ef IT was you, an’ that’s ther gospel truth of et. Miss, yer hed better call him off,” **T will do so, if you want to back out,” re- sponded the lady, with a smile, “Back out—me? Wull, I ruther guess not! { was goin’ ter say that ef yer didn’t, I’d spile his clothes fer him,” “Ob, if thatis all, don't stop a moment on that acconnt. I am willing to assume all the risk of that, my gvod fellow, You were ea- er to have some fun, so don’t let me spoil it,” * All right; ef that’s 1t, why so be it, But- tons, is yer ready ter be baptized in ther latest approved style? If yer is, inter ther crick yer goes! Jones hac said nothing, but had coolly pulled up his sleeves in a business-like way, and now stepped fowrard as though the evil eyes of the disfigured bullwhacker had no) terrors for him, He made a reach for Mr. Budge, “* Ho!” cried the bullwhacker, springing back, “yer means ter try et, does yer? ull, et couldn’t be expected that yer would flunk with- out makin’ a try fer et, with ther purty eyes of yer missus on yer, Howsumever, I opine yer uncle will be ther one ter take ther lead in ther dance this byar time. ‘Look out, keep off, or Pll «pile ther looks of one of yer eyes fer yel By ther je-whipperties, what do you mean ter do, anybow? Jones had followed him up, and had made another reach for his collar, **Don’t yer do that ergain,” cried the bull- whacker, now getting angered, ‘‘ or Il] have ter tap ye one on ther snoot, jest ter let yer know I’m around, Look out, 1 say, or by je-whip- perty-whips Vill doet— Wull, take that, then, as a ’minder that Vm— The footman in the buttons, following him up promptly, had made yet another grab at him, and now Mr, Budge aimed a blow at his face to keep bim off. He met with a surprise, however, for the face was not there when his fist arrived, and he was carried forward, to be brought up the next in stant with a jerk by the back of his collar, Cut short in what be had been going to say, he was not permitted to finish, The footman buttons, having a grip on bis collar, jerked him clear off his feet, flopped him over, took hold upon the ‘‘ bosom ” of bis breeches with the other band, and ran bim toward the creek, The crowd broke into one wild, loud whoo of approval, while the little lady in red look on, smiling confidently. ** Good-by, Budge!” shouted some. ‘Goin’ ter take er bath?” ‘Is yer tryin’ ter walk Spanish?” ‘*Too mavy buttons fer you ter tackle, hey?” Such cries with many more of similar im- port, assailed the ears of the unhappy Budge, ‘Hold on!” he shouted. ‘Hold on, I say! This byar ain’t no fair tackle er tall, it ain't, I wasn’t ready fer ye, I wasn’t. Hold on!" And the man was holding on, too, " ‘‘ His Buttons” had his orders, and was obey- ie See ‘ own toward the creek he ran the straggling bullwhacker, at a rapid pace, in spite of all b struggles, And the nearer to the creek they came, the louder the bullwhacker bellowed to be set free, He claimed a foul, and wanted to have it a little more his way. ‘‘Let up! Let up, I say!” he roared, ‘Ef yer don’t, by ther je-whipperties ef I don’t jest most everlastin’ly maul yer! Dll jam yer neck down inter yer stummick an’ tie yer legs inter a knot! Ill make ye eat every blasted button thar is on yer duds! Hold on, or ’il—” What other dreadful thing he was going to threaten was not made known, for at that mo- ment they reached the creek, when the man in hg and buttons lifted him with as little ef- ort, apparently, as though he had beenfa man‘of straw, and gave him a fling that sent bim flying © out like a great ba | es ~~ J >
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Ny 4. Deadwood Dick Jr.’s, Doublet. Out he went, arins and legs all spread. Then | thers was a splash and the water was sent flying in every direction. And the bullwhacker— where was he? At first be was not to be dis- covered, but presently his back came up to view | out of the shallow water. The crowd was in an uproar of hilarity, and | all sorts®f things were being said for the benefit of Mr. Budge. ** Tbat was the neatest thin life, fair lady,” declared Bud in red, ‘Oh, that was notbing,” she responded laugh- ingly. ‘‘I knew Jones was fully equal to the ores: or I would not have ordered him to oO it. ‘He is a powerful fellow, I should say,” re- marked Ferd Wisbby, ‘‘ You certainly have a good protector in bim, lady. A fellow is led al- most to envy him the position he holds,” Both the mine-manager and the hotel-proprie- tor had stepped near the tricycle, and were speaking in their most agreeable mood. Wisbby was a younger man than Roeble, by five years, and fully as good-looking. The lady smiled upon them both, in her arch way, as she responded: “Ob, yes, Jones is fully able to protect me, when I need protection; for I am generally able to take care of myself. But, see, the trouble seems only to have just begun.” She pointed away to the creek, where Split- nose Budge was emerging from the water, puff- ing and snorting, and making all manner of dire threats against the man who had so humbled him in the eyes of his fellow-citizens, ‘“*Yer is never goin’ ter live ter do that ’ar trick ergain!” be screamed, between his puffs and svorts, ‘‘I’m goin’ ter take out yer liver now, in spite of all yer buttons, Yer will be sorry that yer ever came to Teddy’s Tailings, you bet yer will! Waugh—wouff !” ** His Buttons” stood calmly on the bank, as though he had no fears for the safety of his liver and other internal arrangements, * Do you know what I’m goin’ ter do to yer?” the bullwhacker bellowed, as he waded toward the shore, ‘I’m goin’ ter jest most everlastin’ly ges ca: Bed ther very daylights out of yer! I’m goin’ ter curl yer back hair till yer won’t be able ter shet yer eyes! I’m goin’ ter make ye look so sick that yer boss won’t own Tever saw in my oeble, to the lady ** Jones,” the lady in red called out. _ ** Yes, m’lady,” was the calm response, * Protect yourself, Jones,” 6 Yes, m’lady.” ‘* Tfardly necessary for me to tell him to do that, you know,” she said aside to those near her, ‘* but he always looks for instructions from me,” * But, he bas got a tough nut to crack, in Split-nose Budge,” warned Bud Roeble, ‘If Eo say the word, Judy, I will chip in and relieve im of the responsibility. I can do it,” * Yes, let us do that,” urged Ferd Wishby. ** Budge will be likely to get the best of it in a real fight.” ‘** No, do not interfere,” urged the lady, smiling confidently. ‘* You will see that Jones can take care of bimself. If he can’t, it will be the first time. Do not interfere.” By that time it was almost too late, anyhow, for the bullwhacker was out of the water and muking a run at bis foe. “Til show yer now!” he roared. ‘I’m goin’ ter pulverize ye, sonny, fer that ’ar mean trick what yer done when I wasn’t ready, I’m goin’ ter make mush of yer, right byar in ther sand! ' But, be didn’t do it that way, Undoubtedly he meant all he threatened, but he was counting without his host, The manin green and buttons bad a vote in the matter. In the town terror rushed, as he uttered his terrible threats, his arms flying wildly about, ia his big fists beating the air with pile-driver orce, “But, ‘‘His Buttons” made no effort to get out of his way; rather, he awaited with reckless coolness, as it seemed, On plunged the dripping bullwhacker, and when close up he let fly two powerful blows that, hud they hit the footman, might have killed him on the spor, But they didn’t hit anything, for the blows were brushed aside with little or no effort, and the same thing happened again that had hap- pened before, The momentum of his rush and the force of his blows carried the bullwhacker forward, and before be was aware of it the man in green and buttons had him by the collar and rear, and he was swung clear of the ground and sent sprawl- ing out into the water again, “ SSS Oe } At which the crowd literally roared with de | light, There was one wild cheer for ‘* Buttons,” with many a groan for the dethroned champion and | terror. And it had all been done with such ease and | dexterity, as it seemed, that no one could realize | just what’ bad taken place. Was it science or | luck? When Split-nose Budge came out of the water | this second time, or rather when he stuck his bead out, ke did not move with such baste, but paused to take a look at the man who had wrought bim such evil. ‘*Et ar’ no use, Budge,” some one called out to him. ‘Yer might ez well craw] out an’ ’pollygize.” “Pll show yer!” the bullwbacker stormed. | sh Pil show yer what Ill do, by ther je-whipper- ty!" | He waded ashore deliberately this time, hav- ing evidently come to realize that he was no match for the man in green nd buttons in a fis- tic way. ““* His Buttons” awaited him as calmly as be- fore, apparently ready for anything that might be next on the programme, judging by what he | had already shown of his prowess, ‘ Split-nose made no move until he had got well out of the water and was free to act unhindered, when, with a snarl, he made a grab at his belt and jerked forth his revolvers, He meant business now, beyond any question. CHAPTER IV, FORCING AN APOLOGY. THE mine-manager and the hotel-proprietor, hovering around the charming lady in red like moths around a light, both uttered exclamations of fear. ‘* Heavens!” gasped Roeble, ‘your man is dead, fair lady.” ‘** Budge will kill him!” cried Wishby. But the lady in red only smiled. ‘*T bave no fear,” she declared. The same moment proved that her confidence was well placed, for a pair of flashing ‘‘ tools ” leaped into the hands of the man in green and buttons, The bullwhacker was promptly covered, and was placed at a disadvantage where he had look- { ed upon having everything bis own way and of providing a funeral for the amusement of his townsmen, * Put them right back again!” ordered the man in ena and buttons, sternly. ‘If you don’t, I'll shoot them out of your bands,” With a snarl of rage, the bullwhacker, seeing that everything was agaiust him, thrust the re- volvers back into his belt spitefully, favoring his foe with a look of anything but Jove, “That is right,” thealways ready footman approved, ‘‘ Do you think you have had enough, now?” “Tain’t had no fair sow,” the bullwhacker growled, ‘ ** And I don’t mean to give you any fair show to kill me, either.” **T kin lick ye, an’ I knows I kin, in a fair fight,” Mr, Budge complained, At which the crowd laughed. They had seen enough of this stranger to know that was im- possible, “You can’t do it, Budge,” cried Roeble, “You have met more than your match this time. This charming lady is well protected, you have found,” ‘* And you hrd better taper,off now and draw yourself in,” Wishby advised again. “If you don’t we shall have to take a hand init ourselves, and run you into the calaboose,” ‘* Pll show ther cuss, ther fu’st chance I gits,” the bullwhacker viciously threatened, ** Now, sir, that is going back on your word,” spoke the lady in red, sweetly. crowd if it isn’t.” ‘¢ That’s what et ar’,” assented Dawson Kredge, ‘* Yer said yer wouldn’t hold no grudge, Split, an’ we must bold We to et. Come, can’t yer set- tle ther thing? e is dyin’ ter know who this lady be.” ‘*AndI have been eager to tell you,” assured the lady, sweetly, ‘‘It was too bad to suffer such a delay, and all for notbing. But, it will happen now and then. I am well protected, as you have seen, gentlemen. This fellow must apologize, and then [ am ready to forgive him,” “Do yer bear that, Split?” cried yi a etter ‘* Tappeal tothe “Yer must git down on yer marrows., do et gracefully an’ save time an’ trouble,” “‘'You will see to it that he offers proper apology, Jones,” the’ lady ordered, ‘Yes, m’lady.” | With that, the man in green and buttons, with his weapons still bearing upon the unhappy Budge, ordered him to walk back tothe tricycle. “Pll be blamed if I will!” the bullwhacker shouted, defiantly. ‘* You'll be blowed if you don’t, sir,” was the grim assurance, ‘ [ll blow your head off.” ‘* What do yer mean ter make me do, any- how?” ‘* You must go to m’lady, get down on your knees before her, and ask her pardon for your rudeness,” ** No, darn me ef I will!” “You will be worse than darned, if you don’t. Then, when you have done that, you must apolo- gize to me, too.” ‘¢ Worse an’ worse! What do yer think I am, anyhow? What do you take me fer? I don’t own licked yet, let alone makin’ a clean surren- der in that way.” ‘“Then you mean to break your word?” asked the lady, ‘‘No more fooling,” ordered ‘‘ His Buttons.” ‘You just walk up there and doas I tell you. If you don’t you'll regret it.” Vith that, he advanced, till the cold and cruel- looking muzzles of the weapons almost touched the bullwhacker’s temple. ‘“‘T have my orders, sir,” he said, sternly. ‘¢You must apologize or I’ll have to take satis- faction.” The proximity of the cold tubes, and some- thing in the eyes of the man in green and but- tons, caused tke bullwhacker to change his mind. ‘* Wull, yer has got ther drop on a feller,” he sullenly mumbled. ‘‘Say what I has got ter do. Ther wind don’t blow every day from ther same corner though, yer don’t want ter ferget ter remember.” ‘Tam not going to argue against; that,” re- torte! the footman. “All I have to do is to obey the orders of my lady. You will walk up there where she is, get down on one knee be- fore her, and tell her you’re sorry for your con- duct. if you don’t, your funeral will be an- nounced.” Mumbling and grumbling, the water-soaked bullwhacker, to the tune of the laughter and jeers of the erowd, proceeded to rego Coming up near to the tricycle be got down on his knee, in mock earnestness, put up bis hands, and said: ** Leddy, ’m mighty sorry under the sarcum- stances that this hyar thing happened. Yer sees he hev ther drop on me. If yer don’t want ter kiss me yer needn’t. I won't ’sist on et.” “Then you didn’t throw my footman into the creek?” asked the lady, in pretended sur- rise. Bie No, hardly. Yer see, he didn’t give me no chance, Et wasn’t my fault,” ‘““And you haven’t mussed him up badly, either?” . * No fault o’ mine.” k ‘¢ Well, under the circumstances I am inclined to forgive you. See that you do not cress me again. I may order Jones to serve you worse another time. Lady Peri is not always so lenient, I assure you.” “Lady Peri!” exclaimed Bud Roeble. “A dashing name!” supplemented Ferd Wisbby. ‘*T have been forced ter take water,” growled the bullwhacker, as he got upon bis feet again: and the crowd laughingly assured him that he certainly looked as if he had. ‘Yas; I has been forced ter take water,” he repeated, “but, that ain’t ter say that ’'m downed, No rooster in green an’ brass is goin’ ter come ter this hyer camp o’ Teddy’s Tailin’s an’ snatch ther laurel an’ bay from ther classic brow of me, an’ don’t fergit that. Buttons, we'll meet ergain.” a eo ** We will have it out now, if m’ lady is will- ing,” proposed the footman. * No, not jest now,” refused Mr. Budge, mov- ing off. ‘Some other time when I ain’t so damp,” ‘¢Yander comes ther stage!” suddenly called out Teddy Terhune, who had been a quiet observer of all. ‘* Yander comes ther old hearse!” ‘*Then I must hasten with what I would soy to you, people of Teddy’s Tailings,-one and all,” spoke the lady in red, ‘It might have been said long ago, but for that noisy fellow. lam known as Lady Peri, I am mistress of my own actions, Jam taking alittle exeursion because it pleases me. My footman here is my protector as well as servant, and you have seen what he can do. Whatever I order him to do, that he does, If I remain a few days here in your wild camp, I hope [ may have the frienship of all and the ill will of none.” : x
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Her footman had taken his place near her, with arms folded, and looked none the worse for his recent exertion, The manager of the Ripe Pear took it upon himself to respond. ** Weare proud of the honor you have shown our camp by coming here, Lady Peri, and will try t> show ourselves in some slight degree worthy of the honor,” he spoke, ‘‘ I can assure you that you are welcome here, and can safely promise you that the citizens of Teddy’s Tailings will stand by you in any emergency. Person- ally, if I can be of any service to you, you have but tocommand me. My name is Bud Roeble, and Lam manager of the mine here, Welcome to our camp, Lady Peri! Men, a cheer!” Tbe cheer was given with a will, ** Allow me to indorse all that Mr. Roeble has said,” spoke up Ferd Wishby. ‘* I am proprietor of this hotel, Lady Peri, and its best room is at your service, free of charge. The obligation will be all on my side. Itis seldom that a lady favors us with her presence, and one so fair as yourself has never been seen here before, Welcome! And now let me introduce to your notice Mr, Teddy Terhune, in whose honor this camp was named, avd who holds the offize of mayor. Mr. Terhune, Lady Peri, whose coming here ought to mark a red-letter day in our camp’s history.” Teddy came to the front and put out his great, brown paw. ‘*Glad ter know yer,” he said, in bis best style, grabbing his hat clumsily iu his other hand, ‘‘ Yer is welcome hyar, ’sure ye.” The lady deigned to give him her hand, which caused Teddy to blush like a boy, giving him a thrill of pride he could not disguise. He felt the honor of his position, and was the lady’s devoted slave from that moment. , ‘*T am glad to know you, Mr. Terhune,” Lady Peri spoke, as she pressed his big paw. **T am sure you and [ shall befriends. Any favor you can do to make my stay here pleasant, will not be forgotten.” “Yer has only ter command me,” Teddy stumbled out, ‘‘an’—” “Ob, I am sure of it,” the lady exclaimed, with a sweet smile upon the local sovereign. “* There is only one thing I can ask, at present.” ‘* Yer has only ter speak et right out, ma’m.” ‘“*T hope you will see to it that that fellow, that Mr. Budge, will not do harm to my foot- man in a treacberous way. I know he bears him uo good will, and he may mean to avenge himself if he can, ‘* Pll take keer of bim,” the mayor declared *tef I have ter lock him up in ther galaboose an’ keep him there every blessed hour yon is hyar,” ‘* And we'll support you, too,” cried Roeble, ‘Wishby, Kredge and others. “Thank you, gentlemen, thank you!” ac- kknowledged the lady in red. ‘‘ And now, with your permission, I will retire to the room prom- ised me, You will allow Jones to put our tri- eycle in a safe place, please, and he will sleep before my door, as usual, Jones, your hand.” Her footman was ready at the word, and helped the lady to step down from the seat she had occupied. Ferd Wishby, lifting his bat gallantly, led the way up the steps and into the hotel, while the man in green and buttons rolled the tricycle away toa place of safety for the present. And it was then that the stage came bowling into the pocket, in the same direction from which the tricycle had come only a little while before. ; The driver was flourishing and cracking bis whip, his horses were coming in on a run,.and with a wild shout he cut a half-moon on the space in front of the hotel and came to a stop. ** Whoap!” he cried. “ re we is, pilgrims an’ tenderfeets. An’ now ! wants ter know, citerzens, ef yer kin tell me what sort of a baby kerridge et war that kem in hyar ahead of me! I’ve been wonderin’ over et fer many a mile, seein’ ther dainty cut et made, an’ I see it hev come right hyar, What war et?” All this before be bad hardly stopped, and cer- tainly before any of his passengers had time to ahght. And for answer, as promptly as possible, ‘ the crowd told him the thing was a ‘‘tingum trixle,” something the Jew Jebu evidently could not comprehend, for he scratched his head, CHAPTER V. TOO IMPORTANT A PERSONAGE, “T GIvE et up,” be decided, ‘ I guess I don’t know whatetar’. I thort mebby et was ther angel o’ death with an advance coffin.” t was the crowd’s turn to stare, then, for neither could they coniprehend what the driver / ; ees Ss : i , ES is ah ey ‘ Ae oy ee rte Pe y $i es * ‘ = : - - . ES ae ere Oey! ass : ; mM ee PMs oe oh ee oN a si ao, ar Are: - ¥ er Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Doublet, | 5 was getting at by such an allusionasjthat, But it was explained demonstiatively in the same moment, The door of the stage opened, and a very death’s-head looked out upon the astonished as- semblage, At any rate that was what they took it to be at first sight, for it was a face that was but the barest skin and bones, and as yellow as a jaun- diced corpse, Seeing the crowd stare, the driver glanced down, and grinned, and jerked his thumb to- ward the wonderfully thin personage. ; id ok ag day after ter-morrer,” he heartless- oked, The death figure was getting slowly out, and those around imagined they could hear his bones rattle as he moved. When fully out, he stood up and looked around him, his hollow eyes gleaming with the wasting fire of disease, and as be looked he gave a cough that was like the hollow sound of a big drum, Tke next passenger to follow, immediately af- ter, was a robust personage of full color and vigor, a wonderful contrast. Following him immediately, was a young lady of beauty and evident bigh spirit. These two started toward the hotel at once, leaving the hollow-eyed man of bones still look- ing around inquiringly. ‘**T fail to see one,” he presently sighed, in hollow tone, ‘* What ar’ ye lookin’ fer, anyhow?” inquired Mayor Terhune, with somewhat of curiosity. ‘*T was looking for an undertaker’s sign,” was the solemn. response, ‘¢ Yer will look in vain, hyar,” the mayor de- clared. ‘‘ We don’t have no sech in this camp.” ‘*Too bad, too bad. I don’t like the idea of being buried without a coflin, but if I must I suppose I must.” © gave another hair-raising cough, ‘‘But, yer ain’t dead yet,” reminded the worthy mayor, “I’m just as good as dead,” was the doleful response, ‘‘ Both lungs gone, and a hole in my liver that you could put your fist into.” Several hollow barks followed this statement, as though to attest the truth of it. ** Yer is in a bad way, then, I allow,” said the sympathetic Teddy, “Yes, truly. Ill never be worse till I’m better, that’s sure. I’mat my worst now. But, you have a gravedigger, surely? Don’t rob me of that one hope, I beg of you.” ‘Ob, yes, ’most any of the boyees kin perform that sarvice, stranger,” ‘“*T am glad to hear it. It’s bad enough to look the prospect in the face that no coffin is to be had, but it’s worse to think of one’s bones bleaching in the sun. I have no dread of any- thing else.” : The driver was grinning from ear to ear, some in the crowd essayed a sickly smile, but most of them were shocked, That a man evidently so near the end could speak so slightingly of it all, was something new to them. ; But, then, he seemed to be only too terribly in earnest after all. ‘Does my apparent levity shock you?” the skeleton asked. ‘‘Let me assure you, then, that [ am deadly in earnest.” He smiled at his grim humor, bis skinny cheeks rolling away in wrinkles and disclosing his jaws, ‘* Who mought you be, stranger?” inquired Dawson Kredge. ‘* Well may you ask,” was the hollow answer. “To-morrow it might be too Jate, Man is only a shadow at most, If I were any less I wouldn’t be here. Iam known as Consumptive Chet, the Cadaver from Yonder,” It was a vame that caused a shiver to run down tbe back of the public generally, taken together with the dread aspect of the man be- fore them. And the adjunct in no wise lessened t. ‘You needn’t look so glum about it,” the Cadaver remarked, looking around in bis bun- ery way. ‘It is no funeral of yours, is it?” ‘Stranger, yer is enough ter shock a stone image, yer is!” declared Teddy. ‘“‘Ha! ha!” was the hollow laugh. ‘ What is the use of mourning over what cau’t be helped! I’ve got consumption, and I know it—so does everybody else, fur that matter. What will it help me to go moping around as though in pre- mature mourning for myself? Nixey! I mean to be cheery as Jong as I can wiggle a toe, and don’t you forget it.” And then he cougbedina way that threatened to tear his bony structure ali asunder, Peni z La Ge ae fs we ee ‘ WSS sue Dla ee tr; Aa er iid Cee dusk "et sind i re et he ap ty iP 5 4: i ogra : wi - ry oN Fai timed eat “ep Sule Dee? oe Ps bets rdis at a rag fA ee _ ‘ Sr ee + wy = a Ex Be oh, a . OE eal ge be By this time the other passengers had alighted and the driver was ready to go around to the stables, : ** Fe’s a character, hear’!” he declared. “If thar ain’t a second class funeral hyar afore the week is out, I miss my guess. Gee-up, thar!” ‘“T wouldn’t be a bit surprised if you are right, my friend,” the Cadaver admitted. ‘© Well, all I ask is a decent burial, and I sha’n’t kick, But, come; who will take something?’ And, with acommingled laugh and congh, in hollow mockery, the Cadaver made his way to- ward the saloon, the crowd nothing loth to ac- cept his invitation, feanwhile, the other passengers mentioned had gone into the hotel, as said, and the man had entered the bar-room to register, Stepping to the bar, he demanded in a rather imperious way: “See here, I want the best room you have in your house,” ‘“‘Sorry, but you can’t have it,” answered ‘Wishby’s clerk. ‘¢ What! What is that you tell me, sir?” ‘*Sorry, but the best room has just been en- gaged. You can have the next, however.” ‘*T want the best or none, young man, under- stand that. I do not travel second-class, I'd have you toknow. Who has got the best room? I'll buy bim off.” ‘Tt has just been given to Lady Peri, the lady sport who came in on a tricycle just ahead of the stage. I don’t think you can buy her claim, so you had better take what you can get,” ‘Where is this woman? Til see her. I have my daughter with me, and she must have the best that’s to be had. Do you understand me? Weare from New York City, young man, and we want the best,and are able to pay for it, Where is this creature you speak of?” “The lady, sir, is in the sitting-room, I be- lieve, where she is talking with the proprietor, Mr. Wishby, and Mr. Roeble, the mine-manager, who are stuck on her—as I'll tell you confi- dentially. This man here is her footthan. Dve — no doubt he will inform her of what you want, if you speak to him,” ; The man in green and buttons, having stored the tricycle away in a corner of the bar-room, was waiting to get a chance at the Register. Tbe man from New York turned and favored him with a stare, ‘* His Buttons” returned the stare coolly. ‘*Where is your mistress?” the New Yorker demanded, ‘*Jn the parlor, sir,” was the respectful an- swer, ‘‘ Humph! a grand parlor, here! I want to see her, I want the room she has engaged,” ‘*T don’t think you can get it, sir,” the foot- man declared. ‘* You might step in and see her, if you want to, but I don’t think it’s any use.’ : ‘“*Confound you for your importance! Go in and ask her what she’ll take for her right to it, Tell her a gentleman from New York is here with his daughter, and is bound to have the best in the house,” ‘¢- Yes, sir.” “The man in green and buttons inclined his head, and went from the room, In a few moments he returned, and the New Yorker stopped in his pacing up and down and. demanded: “Well?” ** She says you can’t have it, sir.” “*Can’t have it! It is only a matter of dol-. lars, Tell her Pll give her a cool hundred for it. “Tt won't be of any use,” the footman as- sured, “A thousand wouldn’t buy it, When m’lady says a thing, she means it. You can’t have the room,” ‘¢ Get out of the way, and I'l see her myself. I know all about such persons, I fancy, I think a hundred will give me the room fast enough, I'll step in and see her myself.” He bustled out of the room, and into the sit- ting-room. y Here was bis daughter, in an easy-chair at the rear of the room, while by a front window sat the Jady in red, with Roeble and Wisbby still forcing their attentions upon her, ‘“* Ahem!” prefaced the New Yorker, on enter- ing. ‘‘Are you the—the person who has en~ gaged the best room in the house?” ‘*T am the person, sir,” was the cool response, and the lady’s bright eyes met those of the a pous Gothamite fearlessly. ‘Well, | want it, want it for my daughter,” the man explained ce “T am willing to poy your price for it, for I am bound to bave it, hat will you cede it to me for?” : “You can’t have it at any price,”
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; , f ; ‘*Nonsense! Tl give you a hundred dollars or it. “* Money is no object to me, sir. A thousand would not buy it, though a simple, respectful request might have gained your object for you. Is this young lady your daughter, sir?” ‘*T’m sure we don’t care so much about the room, papa,” the young lady spoke up. “But we do, though!” the man _ stormed, ‘When I want a thing | want it, that’s all, and I’m willing to pay for it. Yes, she’s my daugh- ter, madam.” “Well, [am willing to compromise the mat- ter, for hvr sake,” ‘ ‘““What do you mean by that? How com- promise?” “*T will permit ber to share the room with me, as I am alone, and we can be company for each other,” ‘ Wh-what!” the robust New Yorker explod- ed. ‘Dare you propose such a thing to me? I do not know you, madam, and I do not—” **T am sure she ia a lady, papa,” tbe daughter here interrupted. ‘‘I am sure her cffer is kind- ly meant.” ‘You will probably know me better,” the lady in red calmly returned. ‘‘ Your daughter is right in saying that my motive was kindly meant, However, you had better secure the choice of rooms that remain, sir.” ** And you will find it a good one, sir,” spoke up Wishby. “In fact, itis just as large as this lady’s, except one window. You will find it all right. You certainly cannot expect this lady to surrender any rights to you.” Grumbling something to himself, the man left the room, and as soon as he had gone his daughter made apology for bis rudeness to the lady inred. She had evidently seen enough of her to be assured that she was a lady. CHAPTER VI. THE CHEERFUL CADAVER, THE man re-entered the bar-room still mum- bling, and strode to the bar and laid hold upon the register. The man in green and buttons had just shoved it back, after registering for his mistress and himself, as was evidently a part of his duties, * Humph!” sneered the important man from New York, as he glanced at the latest entry, ‘*a woman without a name, eh? An adventuress, no doubt, Lady Peri—that’s a good one,” ** Will you permit me tocall your attention to one thing, sir?’ asked the man in green and buttons, ‘*Call attention to what you please,” was the gruff response, ‘* Well, { will call attention to the fact that mlady is a lady. As her footman, I will not bear ber name sneered at. If she chooses to travel incog,, that is her own business,” “Ob-ho! ‘Then you toke that upon yourself, do i And what if I donot choose to heed you ‘Then, sir, I shall tweak your nose for you, that’s all, My instructions are to permit no ‘slighting remarks to go unchallenged in my bearing.” *You’d tweak my nose—you? Ha! ha! hal That’s pretty good, that is, Why, you flunky, Vd wear my cane out across your back if you tried such a thing on with me.” ‘**T trust you'll not have occasion to do it, sir,” It was said with cool politeness and civility, and the man in green and buttons backed from the room with a formal bow. ** Dast his impudence, anyhow!” cried the ex- asperated gentleman from New York, “I have a notion to go after him and pull his ear for him. I would do it, too, if it wouldn’t be low- ering my dignity.” “Tt might be the means of lowering some- thing else, too,” said the combined clerk and bartender, insinuatingly. ‘“* What do yomean by that?” ‘* Will you allow me to give you a pointer?” ‘© Yes; fire ahead,” ** Well, that fellow in green is a terror when you wake him up. He badn’t been here two minutes before he threw the boss bruiser of this camp into the creek. And when he came out he pitched him in again,” ** What care I for that? What did he do it for?” ‘ ‘* Because the man offered insult to the lady inred. I thought I’d tell you and put you on “your guard.” - “Humpht Well, I am no fighter, but l’d like to see him tweak my nose as he threat- ened to do, that’s all, I’d show him—by gad I would!” ’ SS With that the man took up the pen savagely, and proceeded to make an entry under the one last recorded, The names he put Gown were these; ** HARRISON WALSINGHAM, stay 09 “ VERENIA WALSINGHAM, | New York City. ‘* There,” he said, *‘ give my daughter the best room you can, and Ill take anything that’s left. Give me one adjoining, if possible,” This arrangement was soon adjusted, and Mr. Walsingham began to cool off from his heated irritability, Supper was soon announced, and the hungry passengers sought the dining-room. Bud Roeble and Fred Wishby entered the bar-room, ** By Jove! but she is a charmer!” Bud Wishby exclaimed, They had just parted from Lady Peri. ‘*T agree with you,” was the response, how about the other one?” ‘“*A darling. I tell you what itis, I guess we shall not have to fight over the Peri.” * But, ** How so?” ‘*T’m stuck on the beauty of the otker one.” ‘*That’s a good thing. I was afraid I should have to challenge you and kill you off, in order to have the field to myself.” ‘*Ha-ha! Well, 1 had some such designs to- ward you, but now it is all unnecessary. I will leave Lady Peri to you, if you will leave the other little beauty to me.” ‘*Tt’s a bargain.” * That settles it. -Let’s see what her name is, if it’s down,” : With that Wishby stepped to the Register and pulled it around to read the new names on if, *“* Thunder!” he ejaculated. ** What is it?” demanded Roeble, also looking. ‘The name is Walsingham!” ‘* Blazes!” The two read the names, and then looked at each other, ** And from New York, too,” remarked Roeble. ‘* There can be no mistake about it, I guess,” “No, I think not. In fact, it’s improbable, This is the man, and he is here for the purpose Riggles mentioned to you.” *There’s no doubt about it. He'll be after me, when be bas filled his locker, be sure of that. Well, I fancy I am about the right person to tackle him.” ‘*- Yes, you willdo. But, there is hisdaughter with him, We may be able to come to a nice little understanding all around. I tell youI am more than half in Jove with the girl already.” “*Go in, old fellow. May you win the prize. If you do, J sha’n't envy you your daddy-in-law, that is a sure thing.” ‘* Aa! ha! hal No, I should think not, Let’s = over to the Nightmare and talk it overa ittle. **Come on, and I'll steady my nerves for a set- to with old Walsingham,” The pair passed out of the bar-room and en- tered the siigon, There they found a big crowd, with the Cada- ver the object of attraction, -Thetreat was over, and Consumptive Chet was reciting Gray’s Elegy for the edification and amusement of the crowd, ‘* Heavens! what have we here?” gasped Wish- by. Mi Death, without the pale horse,” responded Roeble. ** Isn’t he a horror!” ‘¢ Rather.” The Cadaver noted them, but made no pause in his recital. His tone was deep and hollow, and as sepulchral as a voice from the tomb may be imagined to be, These two leading spirits of the town pressed well forward, and listened to tho concluding verses of the doleful poem, and when the Cada- ver moreed he broke into his awful grave-yard cough, Not a sound of applause was to be heard. The effect had been most depressing. “Strange that I can’t make you smile, not once,” the Cadaver observed, as ho looked over the crowd. ‘‘ Anybody would take this fora funeral assemblage.” ‘“* T opine et ar’ ther next thing to et,” declared Teddy Terhune, ‘*T believe you are right,” the Cadaver admit- ted. ‘‘I hope you will be more cheerful at my planting, though.” ‘* What would yer consider ther proper caper?” asked Split-nose Budge, He had made a change of clothes, and was around again as good as new, with perhaps some improvement. ‘* What would I consider fitting for such a cheerful occasion? the Cadaver repeated, , ‘Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Doublet. ‘* Let me see: If you hada brass band, or some- thing of that sort, and would escort me to my hole to the tune of Sally Come Up, or some stch stirritg air as that, Iam sure | would appre- ciate 1t, And then when you had done the proper thing by me, that is to say, when you had planted me in good shape, I would suggest a dance, with plenty of free lunch to brace you up. **’'You must carry an insurance on your life, that makes you so jolly,” suggested Bud Roeble, “No; I only wish I did,” was the response. ‘Tn the midst of life we are in death, you know, and what’s the use of making a long face over what can’t be helped? No; | am not insured. I applied too late. {[ had only one lung left when I made my application, and a piece of that was gone, and they told me I badn’t much liver to speak of. You see, it was a liver they wanted. Wish I were insured for ten thousand. or so, it would make some poor devil happy when I’m gone. But, what’s the use of repin- ing? I’m not going to kick, you bet.” And then he coughed his awful cough again, ; **You seem to take it cool, and that’s the act,” *“*And why not? If I didn’t joke about it, somebcdy else would. I remember one camp where I put up some time ago, before I’d got as bad asf am now. I was looking for work. I inquired if there was an opening anywhere for a young man, and they t:ld me no; saying they generally made them to order, two by six. I shook the dust of that camp off my feet in haste, I wouldn’t die there to please ’em.” The Cadaver smiled his horrible smile, and coughed again. ‘By the way,” he observed the’next moment, ‘¢ what is the difference between a cough and & coffin?” , ‘‘Not a mighty sight, in your case, I opine,” said one man. **T am afraid you’re mistaken, in my case,” was the response. ‘‘ There isn’t a coffin to be had here, I am told, and yet here I expect to die. I know I can’t hold on many days.” ‘““Well, then, what is ther answer?’ asked Teddy Terhune, ‘The difference between a cough and a coffin is a yard, sir,” ‘A yard?” “Yes; a graveyard.” Another fit of coughing. ** And still I can’t make you smile, eb? the Cadaver presently observed. ‘‘I guess there’s no use in trying any longer. But, I can’t see why I should cast such a gloom over you. I’m as good as dead and buried, I know, but my death is no more certain tban yours, every man of you. It’s only a question of time. There, since I can’t make you smile, think over tbat, and—get insured,” A harder fit of coughing than usual, and the ed mortal sat down on a chair and rested by a table. “That fellow’s in for it, and no mistake,” remarked Roeble to his companion, as they found seats, ‘‘He’s only hanging on to save funeral expenses, 1 guess, But, our interest is with the living, at present.” “Yes; yowre right. What are we going to do al out this affair, if Walsingham gets too in- quisitive?” “Tet bim be as inquisitive as helikes, Ili attend to his case. What you want to dois to take care of the daugbter.” ‘What do you mean by that?” ‘* Make her fall in love with you.” “Pshaw. Do you think I could do that?” “Why not? You are just the sort of fellow,” she may have a flame at home, don’t ou see.” we What if she has? It is your business to oust | him and jump it, With that Apollo face and form of yours, it ought to be easy. I only wish my prospect was haif as good with Lady Peri. But, never say die, you know,”’ CHAPTER VII. DOUBLY WARNED. THE two men talked for a considerable time. And their talk, whatever it was, became one full of interest to them both, When, finally, they arose, it was to clasp hands as though some compact were thus sealed. and made binding, The Cadaver had gone out while they talked, and had stepped into the hotel to find supper and lodging, things he was hardly yet prepared to forego. ‘‘T am far gone, I know,” be said to the sym- pathizing clerk, ‘‘but I have to eat and sleep,
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Se the little I can. le Sleep is the one balm of my ex- istence, And then be proceeded to quote; **Some day I’) take a berth In about six feet of earth, And I'll sleep for all ’'m worth— Under ground,’” “You make light of a grave subject,” re- marked the clerk, as though his pun were erigival. ‘“Yes;.and your people will soon have a chance to make grave of a light subject—even myself,” was the response. ‘ But are the others through supper yet?” ‘“*T guess they are, or nearly so, Why?” “T don’t like to crowd myself in, you see. I ‘Seagh eed take away the appetite of the others. ut, if you think they’re near done, Ill go in.” “‘T think they are.” After stopping to cough, the Cadaver sought the dining-room. He bad registered, but with the name he had before given in response to inquiry—Consump- tive Chet, the Cadaver from Yonder, When heentered the dining-ronm, the Cadaver found Mr. Walsingham and his daughter still at the table. The daughter was through, and her father was about finishing. ** Don’t let my ghostly coming interfere with your eating,” the Cadaver spoke. ‘“* We are about done,” responded Mr. Walsing- “*T see you are after some of the substan- tial yet.” ‘Yes; I eat to be in style, that is about all. Well, have you found the man you told me you have come here to see, Mr. Walsingham ?” “T have not looked for bim yet, but I believe I have seen him. I believe I ran across him in the sitting-room a little while ago. He was talk- ing to that gay lady in red. Have you seen her?” ‘No; who is she?” ** A woman who came here on a tricycle, with a footman in livery, only just a short time ahead of the stage.” “Ob, yes; the driver was asking questions about that vehicle, and it gave him a good deal ef worry all the way, wondering what it was, What manner of woman is she?” ‘*She is a lady, sir,” spoke up the daughter, “*T call her simply a woman,” said Mr, Wal- singbam, ‘She isa gay creature, good-looking I admit, but a good deal of a sport,” ‘* Perhaps I sball get a chance to see her, after supper. But, I was going tosay that I bave seen your man, Mr. Walsingham,” ‘*You mean Mr. Roeble?” “ Exactly.” *“ Where did you see him?” **In the saloon—the Nightmare they call it,” “A fitting name, no doubt, But, how could you know the man?” “Why, heard bis name mentioned. There was another with him, one Wishby, I believe.” ‘** Yes; he is proprietor of this house.” “Well, I would say a word to you in private, Mr. Walsingham.” i This was said in a low tone, and ended in a fit of coughing that made the room echo, ‘* What is it?” was asked. “They are a pair of fellows who will bear watching.” “What do you mean by that? Honest men will bear a good deal of watching,” “IT will put it plainer, then. I mean to say that they are a brace of fellows whom it will be well for you to look out for,” This was said with much earnestness, . Mr. Walsingham looked at the living skeleton inquiringly. “I don’t yet understand what you are getting at,” be declared. ‘‘How can you know any- thing about them?” : “Well, I can’t make it any plainer for you, sir,” the Cadaver made answer, ‘for I don’t know anything positively upon which to base my warning, Itis only ina general way,” ‘Then why do you mention it at all?” ‘* Because [ know you are from far East, and what we call a tenderfoot.” “Then you think I’m not able to take care of myself, eh? I’m much obliged to. you, I’m sure,” “There, there, no need to comment on it in that way. You have been warned, and if you allow yourself to be imposed upon, it’s your fault.” : “Yes; it will be, rest assured of that. When they can impose upon Harrison Walsingbam, they’ll be older men than they are to-day. have cut my eye-teeth, sir, clear through.’ ’ “I am pleased to hear you say so, for you will need them, to carry you through here on a level keel, You haven’t a cordon of police arcund you out here in the wilds, and your daugbter ‘ | rman tg Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Doublet. needs your care more tbanever. So, just take the advice of one who has been there, but who isn’t very likely to get there any more, and be wary.” This was said so earnestly that it made its im- pression. It ended with another fit of coughing, and by the time the poor consumptive had come out of it the New Yorker and his daughter hud left the room, ‘* What do you suppose he meant, papa?” asked the young lady, when father and daughter had gone up to their rooms, ‘*T do not know, Verenia,” was the sober an- swer. ‘* Tio bas really alarmed me.” ‘* Nonsense! Y:u must think nothing of what he said, my child.” ‘But, how can I help it? He seemed to speak as though there is danger here for you and me,” ‘¢ Merely bis diseased mind. He cannot be ex- pected to be perfectly sound, with death staring him in the face as it does, His imagination is too vivid.” ‘* But, you will be carefol, won’t you, papa?” thy girl asked earnestly, ‘t What would 1 do, were anything to happen to you?” “There, there, now, you must brighten up, Nothing is going to happen tome, We are not in an outlaw camp, child, Law and order rule here, the same as at home, and we are safe.” ‘Tam notso sure, He spoke about our not having police protection here, I am sure be meant sometbing,” *Confound bim! I wish he had kept his im- pressions to himself,” ‘“*Then you do think there is some cause—” ‘Not a bit of it! We are as safe as though we were at home, Let any one try to harm us, and I will teach bim that we are able to take care of ourselves,” ‘“Do you know, papa, that—” ‘* What would you say?” “‘T am half-sorry you did not let me share the room of Lady Peri,” ““Pshaw! She is no company for you. What ter very appearance do you know about her? is against her. No, you are better off alone than with her. Your door shall be well secured when it is time to retire, and I will leave the one between our rooms ajar,” ‘*T am sure there is nothing bad about the lady, papa, I know I could not be mistaken. Her face is pure and good. But let us not dis- cuss it; I am willing to let it be as you say, for I know you have my best gocd at heart,” She reached up, caught ber father’s face be- tween her hands, drew his head down and kissed him, an? after a few further remarks they part- ed for the time, ‘IT do not know what this feeling is that bas come over me,” the young laay said to herself, when alone, ‘I feel that there is danger here for us, What it is I cannot imagine. I must watch over papa all I can.” She sat down and was thoughtful. ‘‘He warned papa against Mr, Roeble,” she mused, ‘‘the very person he came here to see, What can it mean, | wonder? And then, this Mr. Wishby, the proprietor of the house, who seems so gentlenanly. I cannot understand it, phi og his mind is not very sound, as papa said, While she thus mused, there came a light tap at the door. Tt was not dark yet, and she opened the door without any hesitation or thought of danger. _ What was her surprise to find there the lady in red, Lady Peri. _ The moment the door was opened, the woman in red, putting ber finger to ber lips as a signal of silence, stepped in. Verenia Walsingham looked at her with some- thing of surprise, as she coolly closed the door, silently, and helped herself to a seat, motioning Verenia to another, ‘Pardon my manner,” she then spoke, ‘I have come to have just a word with you in pri- vate,” ‘“*f am afraid papa would not like to find you here,” said Verenia. “*T thank you for your frankness,” returned the lady in red. ‘‘ But your papa has stepped down to the bar-room, and isnot likely toreturn for some minutes at least,” ** And what is it you would say?” ‘“*T want to warn you.” ** Another warning!” “You exclaim as though you have already been warned,” i And I have, or rather papa has,” i Indeed. Do you mind telling me by whom?” By that poor consumptive who came in the stage with us,” — ‘ bie 4 us Sar Le peer, Ae eae a rey USie nn Ore OPES WR, Mun ek ANSE SS f 4 <4 phi. i bie ; ; a Gy tty) yay nilnael eeP st Ge } . Py vib AY alates - of * » fi , i ae ne he “Of what did he warn you?” ‘‘T am not sure that I ought to tell you.” “No matter; [ will tell you what I have come tosay. I believe your father is interested in the Ripe Pear Mine?” “ He is.” ‘*And be has come here to inquire into it, being a heavy stockholder in the concern,” ‘* How did you know that?” ‘‘No matter, since I do knowit, But, then, your father bas as good as told his business al- ready. Now, his investigation is likely to lead him into danger.” “*T knewrit!” ‘You say you knew it?” ‘‘T have felt sure there was danger of some kind in it,” ‘* Well, it is of that I would speak warning to you, though I do not want it to be known that I have spoken to you about it, Can you keep that secret, even from your father?” ‘* Oh, yes; and I feel sure you are to be trust- ed, I like you, even if papa is rather against ou,’ ‘“*Thank you. Well, the warning I would give you is this: Be very watchful of the manager of the mine, Bud Roeble, He might mean harm to you. And, you can, in your own way, tell vour father that you distrust him, You need not say that I have warned you. Do you understand me?” CHAPTER VIII. A STREAK OF GOOD LUCK. THE girl looked at Lady Peri as though trying bard to understand, ‘*T do not know whether I do or not,” she responded, ‘*‘Why should we distrust Mr. Roeble!” ‘*So that you may be on your guard against him, that is all,” Lady Peri made answer. ‘IT am not prepared to tell you more now.” ‘** But he is manager of the mine, and the very person papa has come here to see, It seems strange tbat he is to be suspected of mean- ing us any harm, I wich you would tell me more, “Perhaps I will, shortly. Now, may I ask you a question?” ‘Yes; as many as you please,” ‘*Who was it warned you before? did tell me tbat, warned you,” “‘It was the consumptive, as I said, and his warniug was about the same as this you have given me, But, he included Mr, Wisbby with Mr. Roeble,” Lady Peri was interested, and showed if, “Indeed!” she exclaimed, ‘‘I would not have thought it, But, why not? There, I am speaking my thoughts aloud, I find, I will now go. If you wanta friend, do not hesitate to call on me,” ‘* T feel that I may,do so.” ‘You will not be disappointed, I assure you. More, I will instruct my footman to watch over you all be can, and you may trust bim as you would me. He is well able to protect you if oceasion requires it, and will do so, too, Com- mand him any way you will,” With that, the lady in red was quickly gone, before Verenia could shower upon ber thé ques- tions that were at her tongue’s end. ‘tT am more mystified than ever,” the girl mused. ‘‘ What in the world does it all mean? But, it is plain enough that we must look out for Mr. Roeble; and yet, who could suspect bim of wrong? J am puzzled, greatly.” Mr, Walsingbam returned to his room within pa agi and both he and his daughter retired early, ; The evening’s excitement in the Nightmare Saloon had then no more than fairly begun, This saloon was one of the usual sort, as such places go. It was a roomy place, with bar near the front, and with tables around, At the rear was the gambling corner, Here was a long table, at the center of which was a faro Jay-out. At each end were other games whose per- centage was about as favorable for the bank as the faro, The faro game had just opened, and the dealer was a woman clad in rather fancy costume, but with beauty rather far along on the wane, ‘“‘Make your play,” her voice was heard; ‘*make your play, gentlemen,” There was quite a group near the table, and 7 But, you I meant toask of uhat he some of these began to play at cnce, as if seek-. ing satisfaction for a previous occasion. Among these was Mr. Split-nose Budge, who, by the way, bad more than bis gambling de feats to seek satisfaction for. He bad quite a £ Ri i . “ er ee bet o . en i ‘ y are ’ be =e) 5 cai ——— = YONGE OF [oe
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ey a — = dl ~ Py a ‘make a change. lot of chips, and went in liberally on the queen, / ** You begin heavy, Mr, Bufige.” remarked the dealer, with a smile, “Yas, Faro Fan,” was the response, ‘an’ I mean ter stop heavy, too, if et ar’ in me.” ** Well, 1 hope you will, that’s all. Your luck has been running against you long enough. Only don’t break the bank, please.”’ This brought a laugh. It was not very likely that Split-nose would do that. The plays laid, the dealer began to draw the cards, and the. business of the evening began in earnest. This was the principal resort of an evening, at ~ camp, and usually hada big crowd till a late our. The business of the night was in full blast, when who should enter but Lady Peri, with her footman at her heels. A murmur of excitement immediately ran round, and all eye; were soon focused upon the dashing iady in red and her attendant in green. Lady Peri looked around with cool careless- ness, and soon had drawn a person to her side. This was Bud Roeble, who, stepping forward, made her a profound bow. “This is an agreeable surprise,” he had to say. **T thought I would look in upon your camp’s evening amusements, Mr. Roeble,” was the sweet response, ** And you are welcome, too, Here, Kredge, bring au easy-chair for Lady Peri, and place it wherever she will have it. Her pressnce does your den an honor you ought to appreciate.” Dawson Kredge was already bringing the re- quired article, ‘Do not go to any such trouble,” the nay protested. ‘*I can make out for myself well enough,” ‘*We couldn't think of et, ma’m,” spoke Kredge. ‘* We couldn’t fergive ourselves ef we did. Whar will yer have et, ma’m?” ‘Oh, anywhere. You may place it near the table there, and I will watch the playing fora little while, to pass the time away. Jones, come,” . Hardly necessary to say that, for the footman was right at her back, with a red cloak over his arm, When the woman took her seat, the footman in green and buttons took his place behind her chair, standing, bis arms folded, . : Respect for the lady and for the mine-man- ager, who seemed to have made a conquest, might have brought respect for the statue in green and buttons. But, exclusive of all that, there was a reason why he wasrespected for his own sake. Teddy’s Tailings had seen a sample of his prowess, and no one was anxious to provoke him, Faro Fan, the dealer, cast a keen glance at the woman in red as = sat down. In her presence, her own beauty looked even more sere and yellow than ever. ‘*The game is not exciting,” remarked Bud Roeble, as Lady Peri sat down. ‘* We seldom have any big playing here.” ‘‘It must always be exciting for the player IT am,sure,” spoke the lady in red attire. ‘* Oh, Lsupposeso; but as long as it never gets out of the hundreds, the onlooker can feel but little interest in it.” ‘* Right hyar’s whar ye hev et in ther thou- sands, then, Buddy,”,spoke up Split-nose Budge. He had been having a splendid run of luck, and bis whole winnings, something over a thou- sand dollars, still reposed on the queen. ‘*What! You don’t mean to say you are in _ luck, do you?” exclaimed the mine-manager, ‘It is about time. get your start?” j ‘Yas, luck is on my side ter-night, you bet. Ther queen hasn’t lost a turn yet, fer me.’ I’m allin’ fer five thousand, hard. When I git thar ’m goin ter pull out.” - ** And get drunk, eh?” **Mebby.” “You say the queen hasn’t failed you once?” “Nary a oncet, so fur, Buddy, old boy. I’m in fer et, sure,” ‘* You will be in for it, I’m afraid, if you don’t If the queen hasn’t lost once, it’s about time she did.” “Oh, ther old lady ar’ goin’ ter stick to me now, sartain. Another play after this hyar one, an’ [’l] be out on top of ther heap, Let ’er slide, How in the world did you Fan. Et ar’ mine ergain, you bet.” The cards were drawn, and, sure enough, Split- nose won. More than half of the looked-for five thousand was now his, and he was beside bimself. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Doublet. ‘* Whoop!” he yelled, ‘what did I tell yer? Hyar et ar’ yet, old gal, ready fer ther next queen. This hyar time, an’ I'm fixed. I won’t bu’st yer bank, fer I know when ter stop.” ** Will you let me whisper a word to you out aloud?” asked Roeble. “Yes, whisper away, et can’t hurt me any. [ll soon be a swelled aristocrat, Buddy.” ‘* ‘You had better gather in these two thousand while you are sure of them, and play with your odd hundreds, ~One loss would ruin you.” “Ob, no, not any. Ef ther queen won, I’d inca be kicked all over ther hull durn she ang.” ~ ** But, what if she loses?” “Td have ter grin an’ bear et, I s’pose. But, she ain’t goin’ terlose. I fee] et in me bones that she ain’t. Let ’er slide, Fan.” ‘* Make your play, gentlemen.” ** Would you like to play, for the fun of it, Lady Peri?” asked Roeble. *Oh,I do not care much about it,” was the easy response. ‘*T will place a stake for you, if you would care to try your luck.” **Ob, I would not think of your taking the trouble. Jones can do it, and Ill let him lay a smallsum, Jones!” ‘* Yes, m’lady.” ‘You will place a thousand for me.” ** Yes, m’lady.” ‘““A thousand!” gasped Roeble. that a trifling sum?” ‘*Why, yes; a mere nothing. Anything less would not be worth the while, you know.” “You have a good deal of nerve.” ** Ob, no, not so.” j The footman in green and buttons had unbut- toned his coat and taken a pocket-book from an inner pocket, Opening it, he made an entry upon a slip with a pencil, and taking out a one-thousand-dollar note, held it in his teeth while he replaced the book in pocket, ** Where will you have him lay it, Lady Peri?” asked Roeble, ‘*Ob, anywhere; it makes no difference. Put it anywhere, Jones. It is gone, anyhow, and wil) help the bank to withstand the drain this gentleman is making. “Et ar’ purty likely ter come over ter my pile,” declared vd, pan with a grip, ‘““You are welcome to it if it does,” was the quiet rejoinder. The man Jones laid the bill on the tray, and the game being closed, the cards were drawn, The first out was an ace, some blank draws followed, and then came a tray, and Lady Peri had won. The amount was promptly paid up, and the game continued. : Lady Peri allowed the whole sum to remain on the winning card, and in two turns it won again, Still it was allowed to stay there, and, before a queen had been seen, it won yet again. Faro Fan was pale and slightly nervous. Another loss and the bank would be broken— more than broken. The man in green and buttons now gathered up the winnings, placing the original thousand on the deuce, A sigh of momentary relief came from the dealer, as she said: ‘Make your play, gentlemen, make your play.” ‘* You call CHAPTER IX. SOMETHING AT SHOOTING. THERE was enough interest around the table now. Almost the whole crowd had flocked to that ‘end of the room, to see the play of the red lady. The man in green and buttons was as coo) as ice, the lady in red none the less so, andif any one there was excited it was the dealer. Split-nose Budge was watching every card with intense interest, Since this other winner had come in he evi- dently felt less secure, yet bis whole winnings were still on the card of his choice, On the first draw, again, the deuce won for the lady in red, and on the next the queen came out for the bank, Split-nose saw his big pile scooped off into the box, and he uttered a groan. But it was a groan that was immediately fol- lowed by a Somk a cutie did I tell you, Budge?” demanded Roe- 8. ‘* Yer is a cussed Jonah, that is what yer is!” screamed Budge, shaking his fist at Lady Peri. ** Hold on!” cried Roeble. ‘‘ Have a care how you address this lady, sir, or I shall take it up for her. She had nothing to co with your loss.” “Yas she had, tov, She changed ther luck Pp bl did ther minnit she comed in. She ar’ a cross-grain mascot, that’s what she ar’, an’ I’m sayin’it, An’ as fer you,” turning to the footman, “‘ you look out fer me.” The man in green and buttons was seemingly taking no notice of him, “T tell you it was your own fault,” cried Roe- ble, warmly, ‘‘ Nobody but a fool would have stuck to one card with all his winnings for so long. It was bound tocome out for the bank sooner or later.” ‘‘6 would ’a’ been a good deal later, ef et hadn’t been hoo-dooed.” ** Nonsense! And don’t let’s hear any more whining out of you about it. If you are done playing, get out of the way.” Roeble spoke now in a way that meant busi- ness, ‘¢ No; do not force him away,” spoke up Lady Peri. ‘‘He wrongs me by thinking that my playing bas hurt him, The cards would have come out just the same, anyhow. But I do not care for that. Jones?” ‘6 Ves, m’lady.” ‘¢ Give the man the five thousand he was try- ing to wip.” Yes, m’lady.” The bullwhacker stared blankly. For that matter, everybody else stared in the same manner. ** You can’t mean it!” exclaimed Roeble. ‘“‘Of course I mean it,” assured the lady, smiling. Her man was counting it out. ** But I-won’t have et!” suddenly cried Split- nose, getting power to speak. ‘““Then you is a double-blasted fool, that’s all I bas got ter say!” exclaimed one man who stood near him. ** But Ill tell yer what I will have,” the bull- whacker continued, ‘‘an’ that is ’venge on this hyar dummy in buttons. You green-livered skunk, you has got ter fight fer this.” ‘* Let me say a word,” spoke Lady Peri. ‘* Waal, say et.” ‘* You have refused my generous offer.” ‘Yas; an’ p’int blank, too. I wouldn’t tetch et. Thar’d be no satterfaction in et ef I didn’t win et meself, an’—” ‘¢ We won’t discuss that. You have refused. Very well, the offer is withdrawn, Now, if you do not quiet down, I shall direct my footman to throw you through a window, so be warned,” ‘¢ He kain’t do et!” screamed the bullwhacker, wild in his rage over his loss, and also because, perhaps, he had not taken the offer. ‘“‘Make your play, gentlemen,” spoke Faro Fan. ‘‘Yas: I’m goin’ ter make my play,” cried Split-nose. ‘You come out hyar, you green an’ brass dummy, till I shoot some of ther but- tons off of yer duds, I kin do et, an’ not half try.” Mr. Budge was proving the truth of what Roeble had said—that he was a fool. ‘T will not do anything of the kind, sir, un- less m’lady says I shall,” was the footman’s re- sponse. “If she says so, then it will be dear work for you, for I can shoot a little myself, I give you fair warning.” ’ “* He shall not fight with you, sir,” decided the lady inred, ‘‘ You are not worth the waste of owder.” 3 “Tl show yer!” screamed the bullwhacker, growing more and more enraged at each pass- ing second, ‘ llshow yer! Take that ’ar, an’ see how et makes ye feel about et!” ; With that, the dirty fellow took a quid of tobacco from his mouth and flung it at the foot- man, who barely dodged it, and it struck a Dutchman behind him squarely in the eye. and the same instant, as it seemed, there was the report of a revolver. The }whoop from the Dutchman was echoed by ascream of pain from Split-nose, and with band clapped to the side of his head he went dancing around madly, continuing bis howl- ing. It had been done so quickly. that no one could at first tell what bad happened. The smoke was seen lifting from where the man in green and buttons stood, however, and he was discovered with a revolver in hand, That he could have drawn and fired the shot, in so brief a moment of time, did not seem pos- sible, ‘He would have it,” spoke Lady Peri, to Roeble, ‘‘ and I do not blame Jones for what he iq? ‘““Whatdid he do?” asked Roeble. “I did not see him shoot. He must be lightning.” ‘‘ He is well practiced, I assure you.” **T should say so.” There was a whoop from Germany, instantly,
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Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s eee a a nr eens ‘“‘ He has no doubt clipped the rascal’s ear with ‘a bullet.” **The deuce! I can’t believe it.” **COusses on yer!” now screamed the pirouet- tinz bullwhacker, ‘‘ what did yer do that ’ar fer?” ** You tried to improve my appearance,” cool- ly responded the footman, ‘‘and I thought I would return the compliment.” ‘* But, yer has shot my ear off!” ‘*Oh, no; I only put a hole in it, as [ intended to do.” * An’ Pil look purty, won't I!” “Tt perhaps won’t improve your looks any, that’s so. But, it was your own fault.” ‘“What was?” savagely. “That you got it, You hadn’t the sense to take m’lady’s offer.” ‘* An’ yer means ter say that yer done et a purpose?” “*T certainly did. You had better draw out,” ‘“¢-Yer lies! Yer meant ter kill me, an’ missed, Yer has got ter try et ergain.” ‘* You are a greater fool than I took you to be,” spoke up Lady Peri. ‘You are not wise enough for your own good, even.” ‘*Mebby not, but I’m goin’ ter have this hyer thing out, ef et costs me a leg an’ both ears! Does yer bear that ’ar? i’m goin’ ter have et out, an’ you wants ter amble right out hyar to ther front!” : ° He moved toward the door, reaching his hand toward a weapon. The red lady’s footman did not follow, but kept his eye well upon him, as if looking for treachery. He was not disappointed. £ Suddenly the bullwhacker turned his revolver drawn, and lifted his arm to fire, Snap! : It was the revolver’s sharp report again, and the bullwhacker’s weapon went flyivg out of his hand, ‘Whoop! Yow-ow-wow !” So cried Mr. Budge, as he shook his hand, dancing worse than ever, ‘Yer has crippled me, cuss ye!” he screamed. “Your own fault,” said the lady. ‘You meant to kill him.” ‘* Yer shell die fer et!” the fellow wailed. ** Me hand is shattered, cl’ar to ther core!” He ventured to look at it now, when, to his surprise, be was unable to see any blood on it whatever, and he looked silly. ‘ “Why, yer fool, yer ain’t hurt a bit,” cried Teddy Terbune, ‘Yas, I be, too,” was the retort. ‘ Reckon Yd orter know. But et don’t bleed yet,” ‘No, ner et ain’t goin’ ter bleed, nuther,” de- clared Dawson Kredge. ‘1 don't see no marks on et er tall.” ‘* Yer ain’t hit!” ™ “ Yer only thort so!” “ Haw! baw! haw! Yon isa gilly!” The snap-shot bad been at the weapon the bullwhacker had bad in hand, and it had posi- tively bit its mark, “Take a look at his revolver,” suggested the man in green and buttons. It was picked up immediately, by the man to whom it lay nearest, and at once he raised a shout. ‘* Drat me,” be bellowed, “ef ther t’other fel- ler’s bullet didn’t go square in ther puzzle of ther gun, an’ stay thar!” ‘* Tmpossible!” “¢T¢ can’t be!” *¢ Let’s see et!” Such cries from every side, So it was, for the fact, though the man in green would not have laid claim to having in- tended any such result, He had simply taken a snap-shot at his foe’s pistol hand, little caring what the effect was, since his own life depended on the shot, ‘*T warned him that I could shoot a little,” the footman reminded. ‘Shoot er little!” was the shout, ‘‘ Mister Buttons, yer kin shoot big, an’ that’s ther fack!” Split-nose Budge could not believe it till he bad seen it for himself. “Darn me ef et gin’t so,” he had to admit. ‘* But, et war only chance. I’d show yer, ef me hand wasn’t so numb,” , f *“Then I am glad your band is numb, sir,” spoke Lady Peri. ‘it may be the one thing that saves your life, Now I hope you will go quietly away.” f “If he doesn’t,” declared Bud Roeble, “I will have him locked up, that’s all. Teddy, have him watched to see that he don’t try a shot on the sly when this lady and her servant leave,” “ Jest what 111 do, you bet on’t,” assured the worthy mayor. Split-nose went out, leaving bis revolver in the hands of the proprietor of the place, It was now a priceless curiosity. And, the fellow being gone, quiet was soon restored once more, It had been an exciting time for Teddy’s Tail- ings. CHAPTER X, DROPS SOME HINTS, LADY PERI stopped at the table, And in doing so, she directed that half of her winnings be returned to the faro dealer, the other half to be given to the poor in the camp. Such a disposition of winnings at cards was a surprise to all present, It was something new in the order of things. And it proved something in regard to Lady Peri. That was, that she had means at her com- mand, and did not, apparently, follow gambling as a profession. “You are a wonder, Lady Peri,” remarked Bud Roeble, who hovered near her, “Oh, ro; I cannot see that I am,” was tho smiling response. She favored Roeble with her sweetest smiles, * But I insist that you are, You have given away a small fortune,” ‘* Tam none the poorer for it, am I?” ‘*No; but it was yours,” ‘* J cannot agree with you. Money exchanged at the gaming-table has no rightful owner ex- cept the first loser, whose toil earned it,” ‘You take a strange view of things.” **T take the right view, I think.” ‘* Well, Iam not prepared to argue with you. But, your servant—he is a marvel.” ‘*He is an excellent attendant, I assure you. I am safe from insult, with him at my call. You have seen him display his muscle and marksmansbip.” ‘Yes, indeed; and it seems still beyond be- lief. Where did you pick him up?” ‘* He came to me, well recommended.” ‘** As he well might. I never saw his match, 1 am sure.” The man in green and buttons was right at the kack of Lady Peri’s chair now, hespiog everything, ‘“*And you have not seen anything of him, yet. But, I will say no more, for praise is not poe, if too lavishly expended, 1 have been told. ‘You mistake there. Nothing is so stimu- lating, where praise is honestly deserving, I want to say, though, that your man has un- doubtedly made an enemy of the fellow he took down so nicely,” “Oh, no doubt not,” “Still, it will bo well for him to look out. You want to have your eyes well about you, my man.” ‘**T am never asleep when I’m awake, sir,” was the odd response, ** No; and perhaps you are never awake when you ara asleep. You had better keep one eye open all the time,” * ' ‘** Pll endeavor to be on the lookout.” ‘** And now, Lady Peri, will you honor me by taking a glass of wine with me?” asked Roeble. **Obliged to you, sir; but it is somethin: I never indulge in,” was the sweet response. ‘ I merely came in here to see the sights, as I said, ye) i guess my curiosity has been about satis- ed. ‘* You are not going so soon?” ** Would you have me stay longer?” “One would prolong a great pleasure indefi- nitely,”” .** Now you would flatter me, sir.” ** Indeed, no!” ** Perhaps you would die for me, and all that sort of thing,” laughing. ‘ ; “I am no foolish boa:ter. If occasion re- quires, and I can serve you, only command me, that is all.” ““That sounds sincere. manner, Mr. Roeble.” “Thank you. I only bope that you are as sincere as I am myself. ou almost give me reason to love you.’ ; ‘Nonsense, Mr, Roeble. But, let us go out from here. Would you mind giving me your arm for a litttle stroll? You know you just bade me command you.’ ‘“‘T can scarcely believe that I amso honored,” the mine-manager cried. ‘* You need not call itacommand, It isa higher favor conferred. I would not have dared hope for so great a pleasure.” ‘No flattery, sir. Idetesta flatterer. Jones, follow me within a few yards during my walk.” bout it, but Jones fears him I rather like your , Doublet. ‘*'Yes, m’ lady.” The lady in red and the mine-manager passed out of the room, the footman following as ordered, Once without, the manager offered his arm to the lady, it was accepted, and they strolled off in the direction of the mine buildings, There was no moon, but the night was nota dark one, and the air was delightfully cool and refreshing, It was just the sort of an evening for a ramble, even though it was growing late, Any amount of smaljl talk was indulged in between the two, none of which is worthy of quoting, **'You say this is the mine of which you are manager?” Lady Peri asked, finally, when they neared the buildings, ‘“ Yes; [happen to hold that position, Lady Peri,” was the response, ** Ts your mine a good one?” ‘* Tt has been a very good one.” ‘*-You speak of it as though on the wane,” ‘*So it has been, of late. Iam in hopes that it will improve, however,” ‘“ Why, yes, for your sake so do I. Perhaps you are a stockholder in it, as well as manager.” ‘*T happen to hold very little stock. 1am all concern for those who do, however,” ‘“* As I van well believe. What is the pros- pect for the mine?” **T believe itis coming up. The vein seems to be growing better again, at present,” “That is good,” **Tt is just possible that you hold stock in it.” ‘*Oh, no, I do not, But, like you, I am con- cerned for those who do, It is always bad for the losers.” ** Still, as I say, I have hopes that it will come, out all right. It is bad for the mine, however, even though it should turn out better than ever. But, this must be dry talk for you.” **Oh, no, I assure you not,” ‘“*Shall we turn back? The path is very rugged beyond this.” ‘Yes; let us return. And, Mr. Roeble, would you grant me a slight favor?” ‘¢ You have only to name it,” ‘Will you escort me into the mine to-mor- row?” ” \ ‘Tt is hardly a fit place for you to go, Lady Peri, but if you would like—” * And I would, ever so much!” “Then it is settled. I will call for you to- morrow and show ycu all there is to be seen, You will need a rough dress, of course,” ‘*T will be »repared. Jones may accompany me?” ‘*Why, yes, if you wish it so.” And so it was arranged, and when finally Roeble parted company with the lady in red at the hotel, he voted her the most charming woman he had ever met, Roeble immediately sought Wishby, He found him in the bar-room of his estab- lishment, Grasping the hand of his friend, he shook it heartily before he said a word. ‘* You seem to feel mighty good,” Wishby re- marked. “And so I do, you ean bet, old fellow!” was the response, “What has happened? Faro Fan’s bank?” ‘*'You know I don’t buck the tiger. I leave that sort of business for the fool portion of the camp.” “Well, what then?” “The Lady Peri.” ** What of ber?” ‘i “T have made an impression, sure as you ive. “Good for you. I’m glad I’m not your rival, as 1 would have been, only for the coming of the other.” ** And what of her? Have yon seen her?” “Oh, no; her fond papa tucked her away in bed at an early hour.” “That reminds mo of old Walsingham, I suppose I shall have to stand an interview with him in the morning.” ; ; ‘Most assuredly. But, what of it? You can swell bis head, big as itisalready. He thinks he knows it all, andsome more, Pat him on the back well.” “Yes; with a club, as I’d like to. I want him to make bis business brief, at the office.” ‘* Something else on hand, eh?” ‘Lady Peri is coming to let me show her through.” ‘*The deuce she is! you, and that’s the fact.” ‘*No more so than I am on her, and maybe not half so much. If she stays here a week I’m going to propose to her.” Have you broken She must be stuck on
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\4 — ot 25 oo ~~ = ge eee 10 “Whew! That’srushing it, Maybe there’s a husband in the background.” ‘*T don’t care anything about that, if she don’t, Whetber she is maid, wife or widow, it is all one tome. Ud marry her if she were a grand- mother. And then her man Jones will be look- ing for a situation mighty quick, I can tell you,” * Then you don’t admire him?” “Only for the handy way in which he bas served bis mistress, He’s too much in the way. So much so that you can’t say a wcrd in pri- vate to the woman.” ** T hope you'll get rid of him, then. about the clean-up?” “We'll see to that after Walsingham goes away.” ‘* Yes; but suppose he has come here on pur- pose to be present?” ‘ ‘*Then, confound him, we won’t clean up, that is all. We'll declare the mill is out of order, and must be fixed.” ‘*Wouldn’ it be better to run ina lot of lean stuff?” ** Haven’t got it to run in, as you know.” ‘¢ Then we'll bave to resort to a trick, that is to say, you will. Put the mill out of order so that it can’t be repaired ina month. He won't stay here that long, with his daughter.” “Unless you can win her heart, and induce her to stay longer, eh?” “Hal That is the other view of it, isn’t it, But, all the more reason why they should stay.” ‘* And if you are not so successful as I have been, what then?’ “There are more ways than one to skin a ‘Well, there’s no use dwelling upon these things till after I have had it out with Walsing- ham. Then we'll know what we are about,” “ Right you are. And we'll have to be about it, too, perhaps.” “Weare ready. But, by the way, you will have a good chance to court the fair Verenia while her dad is interviewing me. ‘Throw your- self right into it for all you are worth,” ‘““T intend to. Maybe we’ll soon be able to ive Teddy the job of tying a double knot before ong, eh?” ® ‘*And then to settle down to enjoy life. Ha, ha, ha! We will be well fixed for it, anyhow, and will have a pair of charming partners to help us blow it in, Oh, we are wide awake, I fancy, Roeble.” CHAPTER XI. PECULIAR WORKINGS. Next morning Mr. Walsingham made his in- quiries for Roeb-s, That gentleman was not hard to find, and after preliminary greeting the two went to the But, what - mnine office. ** Now, sir,” Walsingham demanded, when they were seated, ‘‘I want to know the whole truth about this mine,” “ Well, sir, it is told in few words,” answered Roeble, ‘It bas well nigh petered out, but I think it is picking up again now. I think it will come up again all right.” “And you give me that as your candid opinion?” — ‘I do, sir.” “Then, if you were me, you would not unload your stock at a great sacrifice, eh?” ‘*T would not, positively.” SA me tell you that I carry a big load of it. ** So much the better for you, then.” ** You are confident?” **T wish I hada capital to buy up some of it while it is depressed, that’s all, sir.” ** Ha! that sounds more like it. Now, would you advise me to buy up more of it, and so get a controlling interest? A little more would give me that.” ** Now, sir, you are pushing me too far, Min ing is uncertain, While I feel sure that this vein is growing better again, there is a chance that it may not last. I wouldn’t want you to increase your risk on my word,” “Yet you say you would buy yourself, had you the means,’ “Yes, I would do that.” **Good enough. I know whatI will do, then, I will depress the market still more and gather: in what I can.” “Your report will hardly bold, if you do not back it up by selling, will it, sir?” “That’s so, I'll have to make a blind deal. But I can easily fix that with my banker, Tl tell him to dispose of a hundred shares at any figure, and, on the quiet, buy up five hundred.” . “That will do it, nicely.” ** But let us go and see this ore,” . “IT hope you are a good judge of it, sir.” ** On the contrary, I’m no judge at all.” ** Loo bad. But I'll explain it to you. on,’ They passed ont, and after an hour’s inspec- tion, Mr, Walsingham left the mine with the im- pression that he had one of the besv things in the world, there, Roeble had done all he had promised Wishby he would do, and maybe more, Whatever their scheme was, it was working well so far as Mr. Walsingham was concerned. Walsingham had been gone but a few minutes when Lady Peri entered the office. She was accompanied by her man Jones, as usual, and was warmly received by the delight- ed manager, 1 ‘You have surprised me, Lady Peri,” he cried, ‘* And, pray, how so?” the lady in red asked. By coming here,” “ Why, I tcld you I-would come, did I not?” “True; but I dared not hope that you, meant it, or at any rate that you would remember the engagement.” *¢-You will find that Lady Peri is not so fickle,” was the smiling response. ‘¢ And Isee you are prepared for the visit into the tunnel, too, Very good, I am ready.” The little lady had on a yair of heavier shoes than those in which she had made her appear- ance into the cawp, and also a dark skirt over her pretty red. ‘My footman will accompany me,” the lady remarked, **To be sure, if you desire it.” ‘He accompanies me everywhere I go, you know.” ‘¢ AsT have learned. Have you ever visited a mine before?” ‘* No; and I anticipate much pleasure, though I shall be a troublesome visitor, Iam afraid.” “Why so?” *¢-You will have to explain everything.” “The greater the pleasure to me, then, since it will take the longer.” So talking, they passed out of the office and toward the tunnel, the manager and the lady in red going side by side. The man in green and buttons brought up the rear ata few paces distant, und walked as stiff and orderly asa new recruit on dress parade, with eyes set straight before him. The manager talked in bis most lively man- ner, and was trying his best to do the agreeable, and to all appearance his companion was well pleased with everything he said, It did look as though he had made a conquest, as he claimed to be the case, for the lady io red’ was prompt to meet bim at every advance, _ As they went along,a very close cb:erver might have noticed that the footman was not uninterested in things, His quick eyes took in everything, without seeming to do so, and he listened to all that was said »%y the oily-tongued manager, After inspecting the tunnel, the lady was taken throagh the mill, where the process of extract- sing the gold from the refuse was fully explained, and where the manager endeavored to deepen the impression he believed be had made, It was here, too, that the man in green showed unusual interest, though he was not spoken to, of course, His menial position would not admit of that, on the part of either, Fin lly it was done, snd Roeble accompanied bis fair charmer back to the hotel. “ On the end of the piazza sat Verenia Walsing- am, She was alone, but had not long been so, for Ferd Wishby had recently been with her there. Lady Peri bad to pass near her, and spoke to her in her pleasant manner, Verenia’s reception of her was rather cool. The Jady in red paused, as if about to ask some- thing or make some remark, but did not do so, and passed on. Verenia called to her. She came back immediately, smiling pleasant- Come y. ‘*T will ask your pardon for not greeting you more civilly,” said Verenia, “And you have it, certainly,” was the re- sponse. ‘I noticed that you did not appear pleased.” “*T am puzzled, that is all.” ‘* And of course I know why.” “Well, why?’ “T have warned you against that man Roeble, and yet—” ** And yet I find you accepting his attentions with had indication of pleasure. “That is it.” “ And it is that which puzzles me.” Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Doubles. | ‘¢ Are you prepared to believe my word, Miss Walsingham?” “Your actions are not in keeping with what you have told me before,” ‘T admit it. Let me urge, however, that what I said to you was the truth. J cannot ex- plain more now. You will shortly have reason to think better of me than perhaps you now do, ‘¢ You seem to have insnared Mr,.Roeble.” ‘* And with a purpose. J despise bim utterly. Do not betray me in this; I speak only to reas- sure you.” ‘ “You may trust me. I have just been deal- ing with Mr, Wishby according tu the bint you gave me. I guess he thinks me a tartar.” ‘* What has he been doing?” “Trying to make me fall in love with him, I fancy. Ha! ha!” ‘¢ Ba as wary of him as you would of a snake, It is no idle warning I give you, Miss Walsing- ham,” Mr. Walsingham was now approaching, so Lady Peri passed on, her feotman following her into the house, ‘‘ What was that woman saying to you?” Wal- singham demanded, *“T did not speak to her very civilly when she came up the steps, and she noticed it.” ‘Served her right, too. Don’t te familiar with ber, for I don’t like her way. She’s not your sort, Verenia, dear.” That was all that was said about it, the father taking the opportunity to say how well pleased he was with his inspection of the mine, after which he entered the bar-room to write some letters. While this was going on, Roeble and Wishby had met in the Nightmare, Roeble was all smiles, Wishby all frowns. “You look as cheerful as a funeral, Ferd,” Roeble greeted. ** And you appear happy enough to make up for it. What tickles you so mighty highly?” ‘Why, the way things are working, of course. Old Walsy don’t know a. thing about mining, and we can do the clean-up right under his very eyes. ‘*T’m glad of that, anyway.” “Then why don’t you smile? Come, what has run your spirits below zero?” “That girl has frozen me.” “Ha! ha! That's pretty good, I vow.” ‘‘Iv’s so, Sbe is as cold as ice, and the more I try to break through, the coleer she gets, till she freezes me clear out entirely.” “That is a bad state of things, true enough, But, there is time yet, for by what the old man said he is going to stay some time, Pll speak a good word for you, for lam solid with him,” ‘¢ And with Lady Peri too, I take it.” y ‘“*T should say so. Leave me alone, Ferd, and Tll get there, you bet, Now, let us talk business for a few minutes.” And they talked business accordingly, While they were thus engaged Mr. Walsing- ham was interrupted at his writing. It was a terrific cough that interrupted him, and it was so close at bis elbow that it gave him a start. ‘“*Beg your pardon, sir,” said Consumptive Chet, ‘‘ but I went off suddenly and couldn’t belpit. I won't berk much Jopger, Part of my liver came up this morning.” *“* Confound yeu, you are encugh to make a man shudder!” cried Mr, Walsingham. ‘' You look like death itself, What do you want, any~ how?” If there’s anything I can do for—” ‘* Don’t mention et, sir, You have been to see that mine.” ‘* Well, what of it?” Ly, You are impressed that it is played out, and— ‘“‘“What need it matter to you how J am im- pressed? What is it to you? If you have any- tbing—” “¢ Pardon, I must cough. Let me speak before 1 do, If you beheve that mine is going down, it isn’t so, It was never better. Keep your ae open, and don’t mention that [ told you this. At that he stopped, and went coughing out of the room, almost taking bimself off bis feet at every cough. CHAPTER XII. SOMETHING UNEXPECTED. Mr. WALSINGHAM looked after the consump- tive with a frown, “Confound bim!” he muttered. ‘‘ What does he mean? Whatis it to him, anyhow? [Tvea mind to speak to Roeble.” He continued glaring at the floor, even after
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' what doesn’t concern bim, 1 can tell him, , Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Doublet. the Cadaver had passed out of sight, and it was some moments before he resumed his writing. When the consumptive had finished his spell of coughing, he entered the house and went to his room, where he was soon engaged in the same occupation as Mr, Walsingham. The next mail that went from Teddy’s Tail- ings carried conflicting reports regarding the condition of the Ripe Pear, That evening, at the Nightmare Saloon, Mr, Walsingham mentioned to Roeble the hint Cad- aver had dropped. At first the mine-manager appeared to look uneasy, as Mr. Walsingham was able to detect. When he spoke, however, his words were cal- culated to disarm suspicion, “Tt is my word against that of such a fellow, then?” ‘No; [have merely repeated what he said,” * Asif I do not know the mine.” ‘¢ Don’t be offended, Mr. Roeble. stock in it, Why sbould I? dence in you.” ‘*T have aright to be offended, after the hint Ihave given you. Still, lam willing to let it pass. What interest ‘has he in the mine?” ‘¢- You ask me too much, now,” “Well, he had better keep his nose out of You want to look out for him, Mr. Walsingham. He has an ax to grind, be sure of that.” “T can see that, of course, but it puzzles me to know what it can be. Now, if be had run the mine down, saying it was no good, if would have been different; but you see he says it was never better. It is queer, isn’t it.” “Oh, well, don’t trouble your mind about it. IT have told you the truth of the matter. I will have an eye upon him,” There was more talk of a similar sort. “How does your daughter like if here?” Roeble presently asked. “Very well, I guess,” was the response, ‘¢ The novelty hasn’t worn off yet, you know.” “Tam glad she likes it. Her stay will be more pleasant,” “Oh, Verenia can adapt herself to anything.” ‘Phere is something 1 feel that I ought to speak about, Mr. Walsingham.” ** And what is thar?” ‘¢-Your daughter bas won a lover here,” What!” “That is what I mean.” ** Who is the rascal? [ll love him!” “ There, there, don’t be hasty. Hear me out first.” ** Well, out with it, then. cure him of all that.” ** Don’t be hasty, sir. This person is a friend of mine, or I would not have spoken.” “Who is he?” “Herd Wishby.” “*Confound him for bis impudence!” “* Don’t be hard on him, sir, You don’t know Ferd as I do,” ‘* But he’s no fit person to love my daughter, sir, and 1 won’t haveit, Vilstophim.” — “Mr, Walsingham, [ wouldn’t bave mentioned this, if it badn’t been that I like Ferd so well. I want him let down easy,” ** What do you mean?” “Well, I suspected that you wouldn’t take kindly to the thing, when you came to find it out, and I thought I'd speak first, Ferd is an Al fellow, educated and rich, anda man every uch, * Well?” : ** And when he sets bis affection upon a wo- man, be means business, If there is no chance I took little I have all confi- Tll see if I can’t _for bim, he ought to know it, that’s all,” ** And know it he shall, too! Why, I know nothing about him, and I cannot allow this to go on. “Then be kind with bim, and tell him so, be- fore he gets too far gone—though I imagine he’s clear gone already.” And on this point, too, there was further talk during the ensuing half-hour. | About the time when Walsingham left the saloon to return to the hotel, Wishby entered and joined Roeble, “ Well, old man, I’ve done it,” remarked ble. ** You’ve done what?” “Said a word for you to Old Walsy.” “The deuce you have! What have you said to him?” “Ob, about what we arranged, yon know, He don’t take to it.” q “Just as [ thought it would be. Neither does the girl, confound her!” ; * You'll have to play your points better than eng have, Fer(l. f don’t want to see you get e ** And you won’t, either!” But, when two weeks had passed, Ferd Wishby did not seem to be any nearer the goal than he had been at first. Yes, two weeks passed by without striking in- cident of any sort. During that time the camp had enjoyed a season of unusual quiet, Lady Peri and her footman in the green and buttons were still at the hotel, as were Mr. W al- singham and his daughter. The poor consump- tive was there, too, still above ground, Bud Roeble’s suit had progressed finely. He had not proposed yet, but he was sure of acceptance—too sure. Lady Peri had never said a word to discourage him, but bad rather led him on, though she never for an instant relaxed her ladylike dig- nity. Wisbby, on the other hand, had made no pro- gress at all, as stated. But he was not in de- spair, Other plans were in bis mind, and in Roeble he had an able supporter. One day, about this time, Mr. Walsingham tore into the office of the mine like a wild man. ‘‘ What in blazes is the meaning of this?” he thundered. ‘* The meaning of wkat?” asked Roeble. ‘This letter.” “© What about it?” “You know I directed my agent to drop a hundred shares at short notice, and then buy up all he could on the quiet,” ‘T know that was your plan, sir.” “Well, the hundred were unloaded easily enough, but when it came to buying up more, they were not to be had.” “You don’t say so! What do you make of that?” ‘6 Don’t you see?” “A conflicting report must have leaked out.” ‘¢ Yes; and ten to one it was the work of that darned Consumptive Chet.” ‘“‘-You think so? Why, I have watched that fellow well, and he don’t seem to have any in- terest in the matter,” ‘Then, if it wasn’t him, who was it?’ Mr. Walsingham demanded, with more of force than of grammatical elegance, ‘**) can’t imagine,” ‘¢ Well, you see what it has done for me,” ‘‘T see, and I’m sorry for you. It’s too bad, and I wish [could help you,” ‘*- Yes; but your wishes don’t help me worth a cent, Instead of strengthening my hold, I have weakened it.” ‘*But, you don’t blame me, do you?” ‘6 Yes, in a way, 1 do.” * And why so?” ‘* Because you approved of my course when I spoke of the plan.” ‘* Well, now, that is ‘rather far-fetched, don’t you think so? How could I foresee anything of this sort?” ‘TI tell you what it is, Roeble, I would go to any length, almost, to recover that hundred shares of stock, if the mine is going to come up all rigbt,” **T don’t doubt that.” ‘* Well, isn’t there some plan?” Roeble was thoughtful for some moments, “I believe I do see a ghost of a chance for you,” he said, ‘And what is it?” was the eager demand, “Ferd Wishby might help you, on condi- tions.” ‘ 9 "8 bet mean for my daughter? “Never! I’m not a scrupulons man by any means, Roeble, but I wouldn’t do a thing so mean as that,” ‘Then [ don’t see any other way.” “Fact is, I like your friend the less, the more I see of bim,” Their interview was not long, and as soon af- ter it as possible Roeble found occasion to talk with Wishby, ‘* The deuce is to pay!” be declared, “What is it now?” Wishby asked. ‘* The fact is out about the mine.” He told what he bad just learned. ** And what does that mean?” asked Wishby, “Tt looks a trifle like danger ahead,” was the answer, ** And what’s going to be done about it? Who is the accused spy?” ‘*Old Walsy thinks it’s the Cadaver, I don’t know. As to what’s to be done, the clean-up must be had, and then I’! skip.” ** And what about me?” “Oh, you are safe; you can’t be suspected.” ‘* And the old fool is bound to stay to the clean-up anyhow.” ' ‘“*I¢ seems so, and the sooner it is over the better. It must not be put off.” ‘You think others will come?” ‘* Sure; and they may be men who can’t be fooled,” “Then let’s have it over with, by all means, After that, then I’m going to show my hand,” ‘* Regarding the gir)?” **'You bet,” “All right, and I’m ready to aid you all [ n ¥ Just then a terrible cough, outside the win- dow near which they were standing, startled them both. There was no need to look to see who it was, for they knew at once, They did look, how- ever, to see what Const mptive Chet was duing there. CHAPTER XIII. VERENIA’S FLAT REFUSAL THY saw the Cadaver making his way to- ward the front of the saloon. He was not in haste, and there was nothing to prove that he had been listening. It was quite probable that he had been pass~ ing that way, and had happened to cough as he was under the window, “What do you think about it?” asked Wishby. “T don’t know what to think,” was Roeble’s response, ‘ i **Do you suppose ho was listening?” “He may have been; and yet it’s an even chance that he wasn’t.” ** Anyhow, I wish he’d turn up his toes, with- out any more fooling about it. I don’t see whati he hangs on for, do you?” ‘He won't hang on mnch longer. He gets weaker by the hour. But, let’s cut short for this time, [am going tosee Lady Peri, and put things to the test,” ‘¢Tbhe deuce you are!” ‘* Yes; for I want to know the truth before the clean-up.” ““To govern yourself accordingly, eb? Ha! ha! Well, I wish you better luck than I have had.” ‘ Some further words and they parted, ¢ Bud Roeble passed out of the saloon by a rear way, and came out upon the one street of the camp as though he had just come from the office, He advanced toward the hotel, where Lacy Peri was seated upon the piazza, ' ‘¢His Buttons” was seated respectfully behind her, ready to obey any order she might be pleased to give. j Roeble approached with an easy air, lifting his hat to the lady as be sprung up the steps, and she held out her hend to him, . ‘You seem happy this morning, Mr. Roeble,’ the lady remarked, “And sol am, in expectation,” was the re- sponse, as he took her hand and gave it a fond pressure, ; A She did not withdraw it. a" ‘‘Tn expectation?” she repeated inquiringly. ‘‘Yes, Lady Peri. L hopo to be still more happy within the hour.” “T hope that you may.” “Will you allow me to speak with you in pri- vate, Lady Peri?” ‘‘ Weare in private right here, if you speak low,” was the response, ‘‘Yes; but your man ishere, He is in the way. Can’t you send bim off to do something ?” “Jones? Never mind bim, Speak right out, the same as though he were not by, I bave no secrets from him, none whatever.” Roeble looked annoyed, but put on a brave face, “Well, the whole thing right out, Lady Peri, is this: Will you marry me?” t Still she did not withdraw her hand, nor did she evidence any surprise. She merely looked down, thoughtfully. “Why should I marry you?” she asked. ** Because I love you,” was the earnest answer. “Tam going to be frank with you, Mr, Roe- le. ” : ‘‘T want you to be so; but, do not dash my hopes to the ground.” “Tam well off asIam, Ido not love you, and if I marry you there must be some induce- ment,” ‘Do you mean to ask what I am worth?” | “Yes, This is no sentiment on my part; it is business. Iam rich myself, and if I marry at all I must marry rich,” ‘“‘T am no beggar, Lady Peri.” ’ \ “The meanest employee you have_is no beg- ar.” ore What do you demand?” \ ‘‘ Wealth equal to my own.” “And how much are you worth?”
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Bi vn } ' 4 eee 4 —— ' ere ES ~ _ _ claimed, » “Something over a million.” “ Whew!” ” Roeble fell back amazed. ‘*Can it be possible?” he gasped. ‘Why not?” was the smiling response, ** And you will not marry me unless I can show equal wealth?” Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Doublet. The man rose quickly and placed himself in her way. ‘*T am determined that you shall hear me out,” he said, *¢ You will detain me by force?” “*Tf necessary, yes.” **' You are less a man than I thought you were, ‘**T don’t believe I wiil, I should have to think | and my former estimation was low enough,” over it for some time.” ‘* You are unjust, Lady Peri,” ‘*T am a woman of business,” ‘“‘There was no mercenary thought in my mind, I knew not how much or how little you were worth,” ** That is true.” _ “And yet I offered myself, with all I have, { can boast a cool hundred thousand,” rs a are pretty well secured, then, after all.” “Yes; but that is farfromamillion. Pray do not hold me to such a demand, Lady Peri.” ‘*T am inclined to be more easy with you.” ** What terms will you accept?” “T must have proof for the amount you mame,” ‘* You shall have it.” * When?’ ‘** As soon as you please.” “ Now?” “Well, not at a moment’s notice. JMay I ‘trust you, Lady Peri?” in a lower tone. ** Would you ask me to marry you, if you could mot?” ** Pardon such a question. Dare you come to ‘the office of the mine to-night, alone, at nine?” ‘*T dare, certainly.” “Tf you will do so, I will give you the proof you ask,” “Then you prohibit Jones from accompany- ing me?’ “Yes; I must. While I trust you yourself, I will not repose the same confidence in him, You must come alone,” “Very good, [ will be there.” ** And you will decide then, after you have had the proof?” ** Not at once, ‘to think it over, ‘to answer you.” **T can ask nothing fairer than that, Is there any other condition that I am required to fill before there is hope for me? I hope not.” ‘*No; I will impose no other, Show me the ‘wealth you claim to have, as proof that you are no mere fortune-hunter, and it will be enough. A million awaits you if I marry you.” With a few soft nothings, then, and a fond pressure of the hand, Roeble went off toward ‘the raine, He was in high feather now, and believed that he had won his suit, When he had passed out of sight, Lady Peri rose and entered the house, her servant in the buttons following her, and together they en- sered her room. ‘* Have I done right?” the lady asked. ** You have played your part nobly !” was the mais nd then they fell to planning, in secret, for moves to be made. While they were there, and thus engaged, something else was going on in the little apology for a parlor below. _ Miss Walsingham had been there alone, read- ing, when Ferd Wishby entered in a rather abrupt manner, At sight of her, he stopped short, as though he had not expected to find her there, “*I crave pardon, Miss Walsingham,” he ex- “*T see I have startled you. I was not aware that you were here.” “There is no harm done, Mr. Wishby,” was the response, “* Are you uot lonesome?” he asked, “Oh, no, indeed! Don’t you see, I have a book.” * Yes; so 1 see, May I sit down for a mo- “ment?” * Why, isn’t the house yours, Mr. Wishby?” “True; but you are holding this room by right of prior occupaney.” “You bave my permission, then,” - hhaatay hag ot be took a seat, e young la et her eyes fall again upon her b fin i A ag g' po ‘** There is something I would say to you, Miss Walsingham,” the a spoke, feet 2 el inquisitively. am going to ask you, plainly and simpl to,be my write.” you, p y ply, n have told you, plainly and simpl that I never will,” a the rotoaty oe With the words, the young woman closed her book with a snap, and rose and started toward the door. You must give me time enough To-morrow I may be prepared Her tone and words wero cutting. “What a perfect little fury you look!” the fellow offered as thougk for a compliment. ‘*T desire to leave this room, sir!” ** And I want you to remain just a moment, Verenia Walsingham, I have made up my mind to marry you, and if you won’t have me willing- ly, you will have to take me anyhow. Now I have warned you,” ‘* You intend that for a threat?” **Oh, no, not at all; merely an expression of my fondness for you. You are to be mine, and I defy you to get out of it if you can.” ‘*¢ Ts that all you have to say, sir?” “That is all, for the present, 1 guess.” ** And I may be allowed a word?” *¢ T suppose so,” ** Well, then, this to begin with!” and her right arm came up with a revolver clasped in her white hand, **'You don’t mean to shoot?” ‘*'Yes; unless you step aside this instant, There, that is better. And now hear me: If you come in my way again, Mr, Wishby, I will shoot you as I would a dog. Do not forget it.” She was gone the next moment, and the pro- prietor of the hotel was left to stare blankly at the door, ‘* Well, P’'ll be blowed!” be muttered to him- self, ‘‘I wouldn’t have believed it, by Harry!” He seemed to be too surprised to move away from the spot, at first. **No, sir, 1 wouldn’t have believed it was in her!” he exclaimed, striking his fist into bis hand, ‘‘ But, Pll show her a trick worth two of that, Illtame her proud spirit before Iam done with her. lll have her now, if it makes trouble all around the circle. Vil have her, I swear it!” And with that be left the room in no gentle temper, CHAPTER XIV. / §PRINGING A SURPRISE, ‘TRUE to ber word, Lady Peri left the hotel about nine o’clock, and alone. Nothing was seen of ‘‘ His Buttons,” as the servant in green and buttons was familiarly known, She made her way immediately to the office of the mine, having by this time become fa- miliar with the lay of the land in and about the camp. There was a dim light in the office, as she was able to make out as she drew near, and advancing boldly, sha tapped lightly upon the door, As she did so, she ,heard the chirp of a cricket in the darkness, The door was promptly opened by Roeble, Lady Peri stepped in without hesitation, and the door closed upon her, **You have kept your word,” the pleased mine-mavager remarked. ‘“*As I always do, Mr. Roeble,” was the re- sponse, ‘© Will you sit down?” ‘““T desire to remain as short a time as pos- sible, sir.” “Very well, it shall be as brief as I can make it, But sit down for a minute, while I explain something.” he lady obeyed, ‘*The proof which I must show you, Lady Peri,” the man went on, ‘is not bere in the office, nor am I able to bring it here, Dare you go with me to where it is?” ‘‘This is strange, Mr. Roeble. Still, I feel that I may trust you.” “T assure you that you may.” . Phen I will go with you.” The man eyed her sharply. * Are you alone?” he demanded. “‘T assure you that I came here alone, Mr. Roeble, But, why are you so very particular about it all?” ** For the reason, Lady Peri, that the fortune I spoke to you about is buried in a gulch not far from here, and were its hiding-place to become known, it would be sure to be stolen,” ** Ah! Now I can understand, Yes; I am ready to pein sped you.” ‘Then we will go at once, and the sooner geti back. Let me light this dark-lantern, and we'll be off.” ‘He took up a bull’s-eye from a closet under the desk #8 he spoke, and when he had Jighted it, put out the other light and was ready, , ‘*Now,” he spoke, “‘open the door and step out, and [ will turn off the light and be with you. You can understand that I do, not want to be followed on an errand of this sort.” “T fully understand,” was the response, Lady Peri stepped out, and a moment Jater the man followed, closing and locking the door. “Now, if you \will accept my arm,” he said, ‘you will be safe from falling and I will quick- ly lead you to the place of our destination, The, lady accepted, and they moved away in the darkness, Again the chirp of the cricket was heard, and then all was still. But Roeble led his fair companion out of the valley pocket, and little was said until they entered the gulch. Here it was less likely that any one would overhear them, and Roeble spoke, half aloud: ‘¢ You see the risk I am taking for your sake,” he reminded, ‘Rather for your own sake,” the lady corrected. | “For the hope of winning you,” be put it, ‘ There isn’t another soul in the world to whom I would reveal this thing.” ‘** Then I ought to feel honored.” as You ought to admit it as proof that I love ou,’ vias We will not talk about that now, Mr. Roe- Let us attend strictly to the business in’ Peri remarked. ‘*T thought it best not to have it too far. Still I might have placed it a little further off than this, had not this been such an excellent hiding- place, Will you hold the Jantern?” She accepted it, and cast the light where he directed, Stepping to the wall, he reached into a niche and drew forth an iron bar. With that he attacked a crack in the wall, near the bottom, and tried to pry a part of the rock away. Presently it moved back, and further and fur- ther as he renewed his hold with the bar and pulled again and again, and a cavity was dis- closed, “*'There,” he hoarsely whispered, “flash your light in there.” Lady Peri stooped and did as directed, and the hole was found to be quarter filled with bright gold. “What do you see?” he demanded. ‘*Gold! and plenty of it,” was the response. “Right! Half of it is mine, to the value of a hundred thousand.” * Only half of it? Then to whom belongs the other balf? TI supposed it your own, all of it.” ‘*No; part of it belongs to Wishby.” ‘Fortunate Wishby! But, it is in your power to deprive him of his share,” ‘* What do you mean?” “You might decamp with the whole of it.” * Yes; Isuppose I might. Still, I rather Jike Ferd, and it would be rough on him,” ‘“‘ Even if there were no other reason, eh?” ~ ‘¢ What do you mean now?” “Lady Peri is not blind. You two have been pards in some desperate game,I take it, But, that is nothing to me,” ‘‘ Perhaps you are right, Lady Peri, though I do not admit it, All the same, I will admit that Ferd has something of a grip on me, and i. wouldn’t dare to play him so mean a trick as that. ‘Nor would I want you to. Your half ofjthis splendid pile is no beggar’s portion, that is cer- tain. ‘* Are you satisfied?” “* Perfectly,” ‘* And your answer?” ‘¢ To-morrow.” : ‘Very well, I will wait.” Roeble rose and took up the bar again, and with it pried the stone back into place, after which he put the bar where be had found it, ‘* We will now return,” he said. ‘*-Yes; let us not delay,” responded the lady, ‘Have I not kept my word with you?” “You certainly have.” ** And you will do no less?” ‘Respecting what you have asked?” **To be sure,” **-You shall have the answer to-morrow. Let: : us say no more about it now.” |
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‘* So let it drop, then. _T am not without hope, Lady Peri. Ishall be ‘very busy to-morrow, however.” “a Yes?” “Yes; it is clean-up day.” ‘*Then I will let you know very early in the morning.” At that it was dropped, and they talked of other things as they retraced their steps to the | office. There Roeble left the lantern, and accompanied | Lady Peri on tothe steps of the hotel piazza, where he bade her good-vight and left her. Next morning the bubble burst. When Roeble went to the office, at an early hour, a surprise awaited him. The office was open, and in the chair at the desk sat Jones, the man of the green and but- tons, ‘t Hello!” exclaimed Roeble, in great surprise. ‘Ditto to you,” was the cool response, ‘What are you doing here?” ‘*]'m here to give you your answer.” ** From Lady Peri?” “ Just so.” ** But, how came this office open? How did you get in here?” Roeble was unable to comprehend it. Not a suspicion of the truth of it all came to bim. ** Why, I opened the office,” was the answer, ‘fand proceeded to make myself at home till you arrived, Not going to get mad about it?” “You opened the office!” Nea,” ‘* Well, darn your impudence, anyhow! But, what word to you bring?” ‘*M’lady says she can’t marry you.” “Can't marry me? What reason does she give?” Get out, you're fooling. If 1 thought you were, I’ kick you out,” ** You might find that you couldn’t do it.” “Be careful, or I'll try it on, anybow, I am no blowing bullwhacker, like Split-nose Budge.” ** No; I don’t believe you’re as good a man.” “Pah! Ido notquarrel withservants. Who is the husband of Lady Peri?” ST ano, “ You!” ** Exactly.” ** And who are you, then?” “Well, my name is Richard M, Bristol, but I am better known as Deadwood Dick, Junior.” Bud Roeble reeled back as though shot.” The redoubtable Richard had now risen, and had him covered with a revolver, ‘‘T see you have heard of me,” be remarked, smiling. ** Y—yes, I have heard of you,” the fellow easped. ‘*Who—who is Lady Peri? I have veen tricked.” ‘Yes; you have been tricked, truly. Lady Peri is no other than my wife, my dauntless doublet in this case. Bud Roeble, you are my pri-oner!” The fellow seemed to be regaining a little of his nerve, ““What do you arrest me for?’ he asked, stepping carelessly to the corner of the desk, in the face of the weapon. / “T arrest you for your swindling operations in. this mine. We have given you plenty of rope, and you bave hanged yourself beautifully. The little jig is up, Mr. Roeble.” “ It is, eh?” with Satanic sarcasm. you takea tumble.” CHAPTER XV. KATE TO THE RESCUER. DEADWOOD Dick was on the alert, as he saw the man’s smile, but the thing that happened was a thing least looked for, there. ' With his words, Roeble pressed upon some- thing behing the desk with his foot, and instant- ly a trap opened and Dick felt himself going own. He fired, but his shot did not take effect, and the next second be plunged into water that was over his depth, and its surface closed over him in darkness. _. Managing to get his revolver back into his belt, he struck out to swim, and was soon on the surface, where, by the dim light that came from above, he was able to look around, He was in what appeared to be a mine shaft, On all sides was nothing but jagged rock, with no means of climbing up, so far as he could see. He looked up, and saw his foe bending over the opening, peering down. He was tempted to shoot, but on second thought refrained from ** Suppose * doing so. a ‘* How do you like it?’ Roeble called down. ‘*T can’t see you, but I know you are there. If you can swim, you may be good for half an hour; ifnot, then you are as good as dead now,” He drew back, and the door closed with a slam, and all below was inky darkness, ** Well, Pll be shrived if I haven’t got into a fix!” Dick muttered to himself. ‘‘ Who would have thought of such a thing as that? How am I going to get out of it? [took a tumble, and no mistake,” Reaching the nearest wall, he supported him- self by grasping a corner of rock, and listened, He heard steps overhead for a moment; then followed the closing of a door, and after that all was still, ‘* He’s gone out,” mused Dick, ‘ I won’t have to wait long for help, now.” He knew that Kate, his wife, was on the watch, and seeing Roeble come out alone, she would know something had bappened. Leaving the office in haste, Roeble rushed im- eit to the Whip-poor- will and demanded ishby. His exclamation when they met will not bear repetition in print. ‘* What's that you say?” demanded Wishby. ‘‘Itisall up. We have got to get our stuff and git!” ‘“ Yes; but what’s the matter? What's up?” ‘‘ Deadwood Dick is after us, hot—or was.” ‘‘ Who is he—where is he?” ** You know well enough who he is; and as to where be is—well, the dogs won’t bite bim.” * And whkat’s going tv be done?” ‘¢Two things, and mighty soon.” ‘¢ Wiet are tbey?” “‘T have mentioned one, The other is, to get our revenge at the same time,” ’ You talk in riddles to me,” ‘*Can’t you guess? But, no wonder. ite Lady Peri and ber man in buttons.” St¥ G8, ‘¢ Well, they were none other than this Dead- wood Dick and his wite. We ought to have suspected him, seeing what we did of him.” Wishby was almost too surprised to speak. ‘“‘And they have been playing you for a sucker, eh?” ‘** Just what I am, too! Curse them! the played it well, I must say that much for them.” ‘But, the revenge?” ‘Ha! we'll come in for that, for we'll nip things right in the bud, We'll take the two women and our gold and make off with them,” ‘“*Can’t we leave the gold? It’s safe, and it’s no ligbt thing to carry.” “You haven’t heard the worst of it. I re- vealed the hiding-place of our treasure to the woman last vigibt, in my weakness,” Wishby fairly jumped up and down in his rage, cursing Roeble for a fool. | Hasty explaaations of the situation followed, and they quickly agreed that their first busi- ness was to look to the safety of their gold. The hour was yet early, and the two set out for the gulch in which their ill-gotten treasure was hid, Meantime, Lady Peri, having seen Roeble leave the office of the mine, had gone there in = marie as soon as Roeble had entered the otel, She found the door locked, but gcing around behind the office proceeded without delay to de- molish a window, ben an opening large enough to admit her body had been made, she looked in. Her husband was not to be seen, and a dread seized her, Clearing away the splinters of glass, she climbed into the rooni and looked around, Not a sign of Deadwood Dick was there, and yet she knew he had not left there since she had seen him enter. ‘** Dick!” she called, ‘* Dick!” She listened, and heard a response! _ At first she was unable to tell whence it came, She called again, and several times, and at last located it, Lying down and placing her ear to the floor, she called yet again, and this time was satisfied, _ Briefly Dick shouted his directions to her, tell- ing her of the drop door in the floor, and asking her to get help at once. Kate had ideas of her own about that, how- ever. She knew that it would be fatal to let Roeble learn that she was there, as he would learn if she left the office then. She looked around, and hope leaped high in her breast. In one corner were a lot of tools, ropes, ete., and amovg the rest an ax. This she took up, and first examining her You Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Doublet. weapons to see that they were in order, lookec for the trap door. While she looked a something like the end of & loose bolt, uear the end of the desk, caught her eye, and without any especial desigh she tapped it with the ax. What was her surprise when the floor opened at her feet! She had touched the spring that worked the trap, and, as the door dropped, she sprung back. a step in affright, Only a moment was she idle, however, for she well knew that everythibg depended upon her haste and carefulness in the rescue of ber husband, “ Are you all right, Dick?” she called down. ‘*' Yes: so far as whole bones are concerned,” was the response, ‘Hold fast, then, and I'll bave a rope down to you ina moment. We'll trap them yet.” The brave little woman sprung to her task with a will, Taking up one of the ropes, s e made one end of it secure around a beam that was within reach, and the other end let drop into the open- ing in the floor. Her fear was that it was not long enougb, but it reached the water, and in a moment more Dick bad grasped it, ‘* Will it bear me?” he asked. “Yes; have no fear of that,” Kate responded. Hand over band Dick climbed up, and in & few moments was safely out. “ Brave little wife!” he cried, grasping Kate's bands» ‘This one case is your own, from be- ginning toend. I have had nothing to do with it. I’m ooly a passenger this time. sure.” She responded, but there was little time for idleness then, ‘* What will you do now?” Kate asked. ‘* Get the drop on those tellows as soon as pos~ sible,” was the grim reply. ‘*Do you know where they are?” ‘**Roeble went to the hotel, and I came here immediately afterward,” * As I knew you would, have your weapons ready.” They had to leave the office in the same way in which Kate bad got in, but there was no de- Jay in that. Straight to the Whip-poor-will they went, and Dick led the way into the bar-room, wea-- pons in hand, ‘¢ Where is Bud Roeble?” he demanded of the astonished man at the bar, ‘“‘Him an’ Wishby jest went out,” was the answer, ‘‘ Know where they went?” “They was b’ilin’ mad, an’ I heard em talk. about some gulch.” Dick had to smile, “T have an idea they will be madder yet,, when they return,” he remarked, He and bis brave life ‘t pard” went to their room, and when, a few minutes later, Dick re- appeared he was in his native babiliments, The change in bis appearance was so great that no one would bave recognized him, at a glance, as the same man who had been known to them as “ His Buttons,” And Kate, too, came forth in more sober at-- tire, In the mean time Roeble and Wishby had reached the gulch where their treasure was sup- posed to be, and had made the discovery that it. was gone! , It were useless to attempt to describe what. their rage was, They raved frantically, execra- ting each other and their luck in the same breath, They bad been tricked again, ‘‘What is going to be done?” cried Wishby, ** Revenge!” was the vicious response, “Then let us be about it, It is early as yet,. and the discovery bas not been made at the camp that Buttons has gone.” “Pll fix Buttons, curse him! If he is alive when I get back to the office, he won't be alive long. Dll shoot him and let him rot in that bole where he js trapped.” Back they started, in mad haste, and ere long were at the office. | Well, come on, and Roeble opened the door and stepped within, ~ and the instant he did so an exclamation es- caped bim. bere were the open trap door, the rope, the wet floor—evidence plain enough of what bad ta- ken place. “*Gone!” ‘ How could he get out?” questioned Wishby. ‘*Why, bis wife has helped bim, of course}’” declared Roebie, guessing the fact. : / ‘* And the best thing we'can do, then, is to shake the dust of this camp from our boots as: soon as possible.” ee
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_— ee — Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Doublet. ‘Never! Dll not leave till I have the revenge I want! This accursed detective shall feel the weight of my batred before I go. I fear him not, armed as [ am.” “You had better think twice about that.” ‘*T have made up my mind. Come on!” “Stay; hadn’t we better get away while we cau, and come back for our fair deceivers la- ter on?” ‘* No!” cried Roeble; *‘ we'll fight it out now, If we can only lay out Oid Walsy and Dead- wood Dick, we’ll have the women in spite of them, and there may be a chance of our getting back the gold, too.” CHAPTER XVI, THE GENERAL WIND-UP, LOOKING to their weapons, they left the office and went direct to the hotel, By this time men were beginning to arrive at the mine to begin the work of the day, and a foreman stopped Roeble, ‘*Shall we go ahead with the work, sir?’ he asked. ** Yes, go right on,” was the short answer. **T’ll be back soon.” ‘* Hadn’t we better get out our horses, the first thing we do?” suggested Ferd Wishby. “1 don’t know but you’re right,” agreed Roe- ble. ‘* We'll do that, and have them ready in case we need them.” So, stopping at the steps of the hotel, they turned and went to the stables and got their horses out, leading them to the side of the build- ing that was little visited, As they came out again into sight they sa Mr. Walsingham going off in the direction of the mine, ‘* He’s early, confound him!” grated Roeble, “‘ Means to see everything that is going on,” added Wishby. ‘* Well, he’s welcome to. He won’t see much of me, that’s sure,” ‘* Hal” suddenly exclaimed Wishby, stopping. ** This is just my opportunity.” “Your opportunity for what?” asked Boeble. To get away with the girl,” ** How will you do it?” “Ym going to her room and tell her the old man has sent for her, When she comes out I'll nab ber, clap a hand over her mouth and carry her ont the rear way and be off with her.” **Can you do it?” ‘*T’d like to see any one hinder me,” ; ** But, you don’t want to forget that we have Deadwood Dick to buck against.” “Pm going to let you deal with him. Shoot him at sight. You can say you did it in self- defense, and the boys will clear you for it quick enough.” “Just the ideat Dll do that; and then lll have his charming widow, or know the reason, me on.” “No; [ll go this way. If I need help I can get it.” They parted com Dy Roeble passing around to the front, while Wishby entered the house by a rear way. As Wishby entered, he met a villainous- is a fellow in the hall, and stopping him, said: “You stay here a minute, Mose; I may want your help.” ‘* Allright, boss,” was the ready response, Wishby went on and up tke stairs, and knocked at the door of the room occupied by Miss Walsingham, She was up, and had just completed her morn- 7h toilet, and was about to leave the room, he deor was opened at once, and at sight of Wishby a dark look came upon her face, **Your pardon,” he spoke, coldly enough, “‘but your father desires you to hasten down. He wants to see you.” _ ~ ‘*Has something happened to him?” the girl asked, ip alarm, ** Nothing serious,” was the response, The young woman came out in haste, and was half-running toward the stairs, when Wishby ‘sprung after her. As the villainous landlord moved, however, he was astonished to find that ke rn his face against the cold muzzle of a revolver! Consumptive Chet, the Cadaver, had placed his frail body in the way, and the proprietor of the hotel came to a sudden me ‘* What in Hades do you mean?” he cried. “I mean shoot, if you budge an inch,” was the retort, ‘I overhesrd your little scheme, and it is nipped in the bud. I’m a weakling, I know, but there’s no consumption about this revolver in my fist.” The young lady had stopped in amazement. ** What does it mean?” she asked. “It was a plot to carry you off,” the Cada- ver answered, ** Mose!” the baffled villain called, A pair of heavy boots began to rush up from oer at the call, and the rough was soon at and, “Secure that girl!” the proprietor ordered. “Take ber out and mount a horse with her. I'll be with you in a second,” The fellow sprung to obey, but Miss Wal- singham’s revolver covered him and he recoiled in fear, At the same moment another personage ap- peared to take part in the affair. It was none other than Kodak Kate, Deadwood Dick’s bet- ter half, “Keep them covered a moment,” she cried, **and Pil fix them!” But, at that moment, the Cadaver was seized with a fit of coughing, and was by it rendered helpless to hold Wishby covered. With an oath, Wishby leaped forward and dealt the poor fellow a telling blow that car- ried him to the further end of the hall, and sprung for the stairs. He met anvther glittering tube in his path, however, and it was in the hand of the daunt- less Kodak Kate, ‘* Halt!” she cried, ‘‘ or I'll kill you!” ** Never!” was the hateful hiss, as the fellow reached for a weapon, Kate’s weapon spoke, and a bullet stung the man in the fleshy part of his arm, as a warning. “Curse you!” he hissed. ‘* You'll pay for this!” Before he was able to realize what she was about, however, Kate had snapped a pair of handcuffs on his wrists, The same was done for the villainous Mose, and by that time burried feet were on the stairs, drawn by the report of the revolver and a noise in general. At the bead of the line was Deadwood Dick, He was springing up the steps three at a time, bis weapons ready. “Tes all right, Dick!” assured Kate. ‘I’ve got them safe. Have you got the other one?” ‘* Nobly done!” exclaimed Dick, in bonest ad- miration, ‘‘ Yes; I bave got the other knave, vou bet! Their little game is up, all around, Hello! who is down here?” ‘Oh! it’s that poor consumptive,” said Kate. ‘¢ We must see to him,” There was plenty of willing hands now, and Consumptive Chet was taken tenderly up and carried into a room. He was bleeding at the longs, and Dick saw at a glance that he was ing. ** Poor fellow!” sighed Dick. thing I can do for you?” In broken words and weak voice thé Cadaver said that he wanted to see Miss Walsingham, The girl was told, and came in at once, “You don’t know me?” the dying man asked, feebly and brokenly. ‘*No; Ido not know you,” was the kindly re- sponse, ** 1—T am—Charlie Wynne.” “Good Heavens!” “‘T—T am dying, Vee. Do not think ill of me. IT loved you trely— i— I— Mr. Bristol will tell you—tell you—all.” He could say no more, The Blood burst forth afresh, and turning away from the terrible sight and covering her face with her hands, Verenia ran sobbing from the room. 5 a a few minutes Consumptivs Chet was ead. ; ; Dead wood Dick drew the sheet over him, and all went sorrowfully out and down to the bar- room, with the prisoners. There in the bar-room was Bud Roeble, hand- cuffed and helpless, Dick bad taken him pris- oner the moment he had appeared in the room, the fellow not recognizing him until too late. About that time Mr. Walsingham returned from the mine office, in search of Roeble, and his amazement at what he saw may be imagined, He looked from one to another in greatest sur- prise, as if unable to comprehend it, “Mr. Walsingham,” spoke Deadwood Dick, ** let me introduce myself to you, and I will ex- plain everything. Iam he who was known as His Buttons only a little whileago. My name is Bristol, and I am a detective. These rascals are my prisoners, and I have recovered all they have stolen from the mine.” ‘* Detective—prisoners—stolen— What do you mean, sir?” “T will tell you all. Did you ever know a young man named Charlie Wynne?” “Charlie Wynne! Yes, confound him, he once had the impudence to fallin love with my daughter.” “*Ts there any- iy ‘¢ And you drove him away, unkindly enough, even though your daughter loved him well. She may make a worse match than that would have been, Bus, none of my business, Charlie Wynne is dead.” “Dead?” ** Yes; in this house,” Mr. Walsingham paled and looked ill-at-ease. ‘*T—I did not know he was here,” he declar- ed. ‘‘ When did he die?” “Only a moment ago, after this coward had struck him. He died in the defense of your daugbter.” ‘*In defense of my daughter! What are you talking about, sir? I had no idea that Charlie Wynne was here, and I cannot understand this,” ** He was the poor fellow you knew as Con- sumptive Chet,” Dick explained. **Can it be possible!” ‘Not only so, sir, but-the fact. But, for my story: A little time ago I was engaged by some of the stockholders of the Ripe Pear Mine to come bere and learn what was the truth of the mine's condition, I came alone at first, in disguise, and made up my mind that this man Roeble was crooked, I went away and reported, and was instructed to lay a trap and catch bim, I planned accordingly, and with the help of my noble wife have accomplished that end. ‘On the occasion of my first coming here I fell in with Consumptive Chet, who had heard of me, and he wanted to engage me. I could not at first take his case, but when I learned that it was right in the line 1 was working on, I did so. He bad ascertained that you and your daughter were coming here, and be wanted me to see to it that you were not victimized, and that your daugh- ter came to no harm, I undertook that, but by your own dealings, Mr. Walsingham, you have proven yourself a tricky fellow and | am not sorry that you dropped the bundred shares you did, You are not half the man that poor con- sumptive was,” ‘* That’s pretty plain talk, sir!” ‘Yes; and lama pretty plain talker, too,” assured Dick, ‘‘ Well, we learned that Roeble and Wishby were working together to rob the mine, and were taking the lion’s sbare of the bul- lion at every clean-up, while they reported that the mine wasfailing, The mine was never better than it is to-day. Ihave recovered what they stole, as I said, and it shall be restored where it belongs. And as for them, the law will have to do with their case. That is about all there is of it, sir. Just then a man rushed into the room with a whocp and a bound. It was Split-nose Budge. . “What ar’ this hyar that I hear?” he demand- ed. ‘*DoI Varn that ther gveat an’ only Dead- wood ar’ in this hayrcamp? I wané ter see him,” ‘* Look at him, then,” Dick invited, The bullwhacker feasted bis eyes for a mo- ment, and then sprung forward and grasped Dick’s hand. “By ther great je-whipperty whips!” he cried, “ef this hyar ain’t good fer sore eyes, An’ you is ther cuss what was done up in all them ’ar buttons, eh? Waal, waal, et do beat all! An’ ter think thet I tackled ye— Haw! baw! haw! But, anyhow, I bave had ther honor of bein’ licked at your hands, pardner, an’ that’s happiness enough fer one mortal,” ) Consumptive Chet was buried. Deadwood Dick and his wife, and Mr. Walsingham and Verenia, were the mourners who followed him to the grave, After the funeral, the clean-up at the mine was made, and with the result that gave the stock of the mine a boom at once, It bad been a rank swindle in the bands of Roeble. Rveble and Wisbby were taken to the count seat, where they were incarceratel te await their trial in the regular ere and it is safe to say that they finally got all they deserved. The proof against them was not to be sha Finally, Dick and his wife left tho camp as they had come, on their tricycle, but not in their fanciful attire, and as they passed along on the upper trail above the camp they were wildly cheered, Split-nose Budge almost split his lungs in cheering, and kept it up till they were out of sight. ; Aynew manager was put over the mine, of course, The camp still exists, with the mine and the diggings doing well, and is by this time a solid little town under a new name, Some of its old citizens, however, sometimes speak of it as ‘‘ Teddy’s Tailings,” and delight in telling of the ** tandem team ” that once made it interest- ~ 3 ing for the evil-doers there, THE END. a pt ti tl a we : ~~) a « Pr ke ) D LJ ’ 4
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TWO REMARKABLE HEROES. The Deadwood Dicks, Senior «« Junior, are the Gentlemen, There Have Already Been Eighty Volumes Published Relating to Their Astounding Courage, Coolness and Skill. Ix only onesense of the word can it be regarded as a novel state.weot when the fact is here recorded that literature has given many heroes to the world, and perhaps more than one reader wil! have to think a moment over this remark before the subtle delicacy of its genial wit strikes home, But it is most essentially a half dime novel statee m 2nt that wili be news to many when it is addad that literature, if traced from the dimly distant days when Adam was a mere child down to the present day, would show but few heroes that in the eyes of boy- hood would b2 even judged worthy of comparison with the two greatest heroes known to American literature, or, to promptly reveal them, Deadwood Dick and Daadwood Dick, Jr. Perhaps if everyt»xing were known of his career in bookland, Robinson Crusoe would rank above any hero ever offer-d to the boys of the world, for ‘Robinson made his appearance a long time ago and his adventures have been translated into pretty nearly all the languages that are priatable; but whils Robinson is and ever will b:a worthy person- age, he is, it is to be feared, most decidedly a back number in the eyes of several millions of the boys and young men of to-day. And then, too, Robinson's reputation was made and saf:ly anchored to lee vard at a tine When com- petition in the manafacture of heroes of juvenile iterature was so slack that it is scarcely worth men- tioning. Had he postponed his debut until to-day Robinson would have had to hire a press agent, of the very ohereee able type known asa hustler, and even with that assistance toe odds are that he would have experienc-d a Severe frost, Robinson, like many other bygone characters calculated to thrill tie juvenile mind, labored under the disadvantage of having only a comparatively few adventures, and he was further very heavily handicapped by having to confine his adventures within the narrow circles of probability and com- mon sense, The modern heroes of fic ion for young America, who are now as countless as the sands o the sea, and of whom the Deadw sod Dicks are much the most important, are not tr mmeled b; any such co fined conditions, and with the bars let down ad- mitting them to the boundless expanse of the utter- ly impossible, it is but natural that their unnatural- ness should bear away the palm of Pap olarity, and such as Robinson be left far behind in the race, Therefore the statement of the surpassing promi- nence of the two Deadwood Dicks having been so emphatically made, it will be as well to justify the emphasis with some facts about their history from a bookseller’s point of view, before plunging into the seething vor ex of their recorded lives, Deadwood Dick made his first appearance before the public in 1877, under the auspices of Beadle & Adams, the William street publishers of popular literature for the masses, and for fourteen years he or his son has been reappearing at intervals, which were at first irregular, but they have now. settled down to a basis of once in six weeks. It was in 1885 that Deadwood Dick the elder made his final appearance afier tairty-three volumes of adventure, and his son, Deadwood Dick, Jr., who had been growing up in them for many years, t»ok up tse running, and has kept it up to the tune of very nearly fifty volumes more in the six years a Biss passed since his remarkable father was uried, ribo the fourteen years they have been on the market these stories have been sold at five cents a volume, and the circulation they have attained throughout the length and breadth of the land, has been in the aggregate something truly vas’, for the entire series 1s kept constantly ia print, and many of the early issues are now enjoying a sale of their twen'y-seventh or thirtieth edition, It can b> caany believed, therefore, that the two Dicks are so firmly engrafted on the tree of popular literature for boys and young men, that their posi- tion is assured so long as theirauthorcan keep it up, and that they stand to-day head and shoulders above all rivals in the eyes of the public for which pint have lived, and for which one of them has di American boyhood, and that is a tremendous fac- tor in the land, now knows Deadwood Dick, Jr., a good «eal better than it knows its catechism, and mnillions of young minds absorb the thrilling inci- dents of his career in his everlasting warfare against crime and his never-ending solving of impenetrable are known as Deadwood Dick clubs, which are or- ganizations consisting of from three to a dozen boys, who take turns in buying the Deadwood Dick novels as they appear, and reading them in rotation, so that in the case, for instance, of a club of six mem.- bers, each member would be kept thoroughly in- formed of his pet hero’s latest doings, at a cost of only five cents once in thirty-six weeks, while when nine of these economical young enthusiasts pool their issues in the same direction a nickel will serve the purpose for a whole year, Mr, Victor, in his curious and interesting task of editing this phase of the literature of the day for ons of the most extensive publishing houses in the business, has weighed the question carefully, and finds that a volume once in six weeks is just about the amount of Deadwood Dick, Jr., that his count- Jess admirers can comfortably absorb and digest, In England, too, this extraordinary series of eighty volumes telling of the doings of father and son has been republished for years, to the infinits delight of the boys and youths of Great Britain and the solid satisfaction of the London publishers that had the pleasure of thus getting square with America on the piracy question. * When I received the first Deadwood Dick story,” said Mr, Victor, ‘I was struck with the freshness of the author’s s'yle, and after toning it down a littie sent it to the printers, The story made a hit and I accepted another and another until we found that the ciaracter was becoming unusually popular among our patrons. **] kept urging the author to make the stories less terrifically forcible in the language of his rougher characters, and gradually the sulphurous nature of their dialorues became moderate enough to need but little editing, and at the same time the torrents of liquor thatJlowed like rivers through bis earlier manuscripts, dwindled to rivulets under the influ- ence of my appeals for less rum. “The author urged the absolute truth of both the language and the amount of whisk Pecan that he attributed to his characters, but I begged in the interests of morality that the flow of both one and the other be curbed, and of curse the stories were none the worse for his doing so, **Deadwood Dick, himself, was also gradually re- formed and changed from tha outlawed terror of the law-abiding to the deadly foe of the law break- ers, and when once that transformation was achieved his subsequent course in the path of vir.ue was an assured success. “True, the path was a somewhat moeky bloody and dangerous one; but no one who follows him along its various ups and downs can doubt its virtue, an1 from that virt ie he never deviated.” ; The full and official list of the titles of tLis re- markable series would fill at least a column of 7he Even'ng Sin. It contains some real gems in the way of:names calculated t» attract the youth in search of a thrill. For instance there is Deadwood Dick’s Device; or, The Sign of the Double Cross, A Wild, Strange Tale of the Leadville Mines —of Men of Stecl—of Toughs and Tigers—of Road-agents, Regulators, Avengers, Adventurers, and of the Thrilling Life in the New Eldorado. Can any one deny the comprehensiveness of that or his probable power of seducing nickels from the pockets of novol-reading boys? Then there are a number of delightfully alliterative titles, such as Deadwood Dick’s Defiance, or, the Double Daggers, and Deadwood Dick’s Double, or, the Ghost of Gor- gon’s Gulch, Peculiarly fetching, too, in their forceful effect on the small boy’s pocket money must be Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity Jane, the Heroine of Whoop Up; Deadwood Dick's Dead Dea); or, Captain Crackshot, the Girl Brigand; Deadwood’ Dick's Death Trail; Deadwood Dici's Death Plant, and Deadwood Dick’s Diamonds. In the selection of localities fur his adventures Dead- wood Dick, Jr., shows far more desire for variety than the old man ever did, for he has volumes that relate his remarkable doings in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, Cincinnati, Roches- ter, Buffalo, San Francisco, Denver, Galveston Leaiville, and«ven at Coney Island, ‘The tiiles of the younger hero’s volumes show that he met with and got the better of swindlers, bunco men, coun- terfeiters, bank robbers, horse thieves, smugglers, pirates, stage robbers, and, indeed, pretty nearl, every sort of criminal known to the pol ca, while his fatoer confined hims¢«]f almost exclusively to root- ing out the Weste n type of badmvn. Progress has, therefore, a worthy representative in Deadwood Dick the younger. It is surely not necessary to add that in the mod- erate compass of a newspaper article, only the merest shadow of justice can be done to the careers of any heroes that have had such an extraordinary collection of stories as that written about them. If a month or so were given toa careful reader fr the task, he might, with the assistance of a double-entry bookkeeper, tabulate the number of blood-curdling episodes that occur in the eighty volumes, together with the exact number of persons who are shot, stabbed, hanged and removed in sundry less con- ventional borderland ways, such as being tossed into qguicksands, burned inthe tops of forest giants, fed to bears or made to try and walk on tight ropes across bottomless chasms, The finalsummary would be something appallin in its gory magnitude, and would form a record o slaughter that would shame tae battle of Gettys- burg, but it might prove a source of eatertainment to some idle person of a sinzuinary turn of mind, ani so the ideais suggested here. The varicty of duels in these stories is another soures of wonder to the reader, and it must be ack- nowledged that Mr, Wheeler has as prolific an imag- ination. as it is possible to conceive. Every volume of the series fairly bristles with episodes of a nature that maxes those related in the more ordinary 10- cent or 5-cent stories seem as mild as hotel milk, and hotel milk has been pronounced by scientists to be th » mildest object in nature, In coming face to face with the notes of a variety of episodes and adventures in the books which th« writer made as he, hurriedly went through the eighty volumes, and which he hoped to utilize in this article, an overpowering sense of havin bucked up against the impossible rears its drea front and mocks the man who dared to face the task of doing justice to the subject. Once or twice a flowing beaker of moxie ot nerve food, has been tossed off, and with grim determina- tion the struggie made to sift the material on hand condense it into something like a reasonable shape. With a heartfelt sigh the colossal task has, however, been reluctantly abandoned. Ther are the eighty volumes each so crowded with thrills and he rt-tugs that it were madness to hope to do justice to them collectively and rank injustice to discriminate be- tween them. The three larger pictures illustrating this article have been selected at random from eighty just as interesting, and the smaller ones are por raits of Deadwood Dick, his wife, Calamity Jane, and.Deadwood Dick, Jr, To abandon tae idea of giving a few extracts from their lives causes infinite pain, but if onee a start were made in that direction, it would be cruel to The Hrening Sun's reac ers to stop, and it is there- fore better not to relate one single adventure. Suffice it to say that the stories are clean and well written, and until the glut of gore and supernatural courage and success of the heroes becomes indi- gestible to the ordinary mind, there is much amuse- ment to be found in adventures of the Deadwood dicks, The small boy and his larger brother have minds attuned by nature to absorb the music of the con- stant flow of villains’ blood and the never-ceasing cracking of rifles and revolvers that keep the silence ina tual state of unrest throughout the Dead- wood Dick series, but it is not so with a more mature mind, and unless you are a small boy or a youth prone to admire the terrifically heroic in li erature, you are advised not to purchase the entire eighty volumes, but to try a sample here and there from the list. If you area small boy, or the other fellow you doubtless know more about it than the writer, and so don’t want any advice on the subject. Asa parting tribute to Mr, Wheeler, the owner of _ the brain that has evolved and continues to evolve the most Dad el boys’ stories of the , itis but fair to add, and an interesting fact as well, that he has also found time to dash off some novels about Cloven Hoof, the Buffalo Demon; Bob Woolf, the Girl Dead-Shot; Death-Face, Detective; Old Ava- lanche; Wild Edna, the Giri Brigand; Jim B Jr., the Boy Phoenix; Buckhorn Bill; Golu Rifle, the Sharpshooter; Rosebud Rob; Nugget N+d; Idyl, the Girl Miner; Photograph Phil; Canada Chet; atch- Eye; Jack Hoyle, the Young Speculstor; Gilt- Edged Dick, the Sport Detective; Cinnamon Chip. the Girl Sport; Bonanza Bill; Boss Bob, the King o' Bootblacks; Solid Sam, the Boy Rad A ent; Cap- tain Ferret, the New York Detective; New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective; Nobby Nick of Neva- da; Wild Frank, the Buckskin Bravo; Fritz, th Bound Boy Detective; Spoozer, the Boy Sh 6 Apollo Bill, the Trail Tornado; Cyclone Kit, the Y Gladiator; Sierra Sam, the Frortier Ferret; J ibe Joe, the Boy Patrol; Denver Doll the Detec: tive Queen; Turk, the Boy_ Ferret; A No. oF om ner} Dashing Toll-taker; "Liza Jane, the Girl Keliry, ik & hea aad meee 5 e iy erro ittle Quic 1ot; roo e ri Mina anhattan Mike, the Bowery Blood; First- %, class Fred; Yreka Jim, the Go'd Gatherer; Nabob Nea; Cool Kit. the King of Kids; Bicycle Ben; Wrinkles, the Night Watch Detective: High Harry, the Baseball Detective; Sam_ Slabsides, the Beggar Boy Detective; Jim Beak and Pal, Private Detect ves; and Santa Fe Sal, the Slasher, He may therefore be pronounced the St - ler from Storytell-rsvilie, and the Deadwood stories will be his towering monument,
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Deadwood Dick 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road, 20 Deadwood Dick’s Defiance; or, Toe Double aggers, 28 Deadwood Dick in Disguise; or, Buffalo Ben, the Prince of the Pistol, 35 Deadwooi Dick in his Castle; or, Wild Ivan, the Boy Claude Duval, 42 oo Dick’s Bonanza; or, The Phantom iner. 49 Deadwood Dick in Danger; or, Omaha Ol, the Masked Terror, 57 Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar. %3 Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity Jane, the Heroine of Whoop-up. 77 Deadwood Dick’s Last Act; or, Corduroy Caarlie, the Boy Rover. 100 Deadwood Dick in Leadville; or, A Strange Stroke for Liberty. 104 Deadwood Dick’s Device; or, The Sign of the Double Cross. 109 Deadwood Dick as Detective, 129 Deadwood Dick’s Double; or, The Ghost of Gorgon’s Gulch. 188 Deadwood Dick’s Home Base; or, Blonde Bill. 149 Deadwood Dick’s Big Strike; or, A Game of Gold. 156 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood; or, The Picked Party. 195 Deadwood Dick’s Dream; or, The Rivals of the Road, 201 pewxaeed Dick’s Ward; or, The Black Hills ezebel. 205 Deadwood Dick’s Doom; or, Calamity Jane’s « Last Adventure, 217 Deadwood Dick’s Dead Deal; or, Captain Crack-Shot, the Girl Brigand. 221 Deadwood Dick’s Death Plant; or, Sugar- Coated Sam, 282 Gold-Dust Dick; or, The Three Wild Men of Eagle Bar, 263 Deadwood Dick’s Divide; or, The Spirit of Swamp Lake. 268 Deadwood Dick’s Death Trail: or, From Ovean to Ocean, 309 Deadwood Dick’s Big Deal: or, The Gold Brick of Gregon. 821 Deadwood Dick’s Dozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats. 347 Deadwood Dick’s Ducats; or, Rainy Days in the Diggings. Novels in Beadle's Hali-Dime Liprar | 801 Deadwood Dick Sentenced; or, The Terrible Vendetta, 362 Deadwood Dick’s Claim; or, The Fairy Face of Faro Flats, 405 Deadwood Dick in Dead City. 410 Deadwood Dick’s Diamonds; or, The Mystery of Joan Porter. 421 Deadwood Dick in New York; or, A Cute ( ‘ase, 480 Deadwood Dick’s Dust; or, The Chained Hand, 445 Deadwood Dick, Jr.; or, The Sign of the Crimson Crescent, 448 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Defiance; or, Nickle- Plate Ned. 453 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Full Hand; or, Sun- flower Sam of Sbasta. 459 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Big Round-up; or Flush Fan, the Ferrer. 465 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Racket at Claim 10; or: Poilo Fly, of Phenix, 471 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Corral; or, Bozeman Bill of Big Brace. 476 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dog Detective; or, Humboldt Harry, the Hurricane, 481 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Deadwood; or, Moll Mystery, 491 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Compact; or, Prince Pistol, the King of the West. 496 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Inheritance; or, Monte Cristo, Jr, 500 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Diggings; or, Doctor Death rip’s Swoop. 508 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Deliverance; or, Fatal Footsteps. 515 Deadwood Dick, Jr,’s, Protege; or, Baby Bess, the Girl Gold Miner. 522 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Three; or The “ Bel- lerin’ Bull” of Bismark, 529 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Danger Ducks; or, The Owls of Oregon. 534 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Death Hunt; or, The Way of the Transgressor. 5389 Daadwood Dick, Jr., in Texas; or, The Ghouls of Galveston. 544 Deadwood Dick, Jr., the Wild West Vidocq; or, Leonora, the Locator. 549 Deadwood Dick, Jr., on His Mettle; or, Cap- tain Crimson-Cow], the Road Raider. 554 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Gotham; or, Un- raveling a Twisted Skein, 561 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Boston; or, The Cool Case, 567 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Philadelphia; or, The Wild West Detective among the Crooks, 572 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Chicago; or, The Anarchist’s Daughter. 578 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Afloat; or, The Prisoner of the Weird Isles. 584 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Denver. or, Cool Kate, the Queen of Crooks, 590 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Decree; The Prince of Purgatory Pass, 595 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Beelzebub’s Basin; or, The Old Man of Mount Mab. 600 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Coney Island; or, The * Piping” of Polly Pilgrim. 606 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Leadville Lay; or, Bristol and Bucket’s B’ om. 612 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Detroit; or, Turning the Tables on Sotan. 618 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Cincinnati; or, The Clincher Campaign. or, 624 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Nevada; or, The Preacher of Pokerville, 630 Deadwood Dick, Jr., iv No Man’s Land; or, Golconda, the Gladiator, 636 Deadwood Dick, Jr., After the Queer; or, Sawdust Sam’s List Green Game, 642 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Buffalo; or, 4-11-44. 648 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Chese across the Con- tinent; or, A Race for a Ruthless Rogue, 654 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Among the Smugglers. or, Cleaning Out the Gulf Gang. 660 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Insurance Case; or, Corraling a Cunning Trio, 666 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Back in the Mines; or, The Mountain Amazon’s Double Game, 672 Deadwood Dick, Jr., ** Gathered In,” 678 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Discovery ; or, Found a Fortune, in Durango; or, 684 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dazzle; or, The Nemesis of Nutmeg Bonanza. 690 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dollars; or, The Hummingbird of Honeysuckle. 695 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Danger Divide; or, Developing the Dead Secret. 700 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Drop: or, The So- journ at Satan’s Spring. 704 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Jack-pot; or, Mak- ing Crooked Things Straight. 710 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in San Francisco; or, Kodak Kate, the Snap-Shot. 716 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Still Hunt; or, The Second Round in San Francisco, 222 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dominoes; or, The Rival Camps of the Northern Border. 728 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Disguise; or, Ivan, the Man of Lron, "34 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Double Deal; or, The All-Around Surprise. 740 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deathwatch; or, The Moving Mystery at Mexican Mustang. 747 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Doublet; or, The Tandem Team of Teddy’s Tailings, For sale by all newsdealers at five cents per copy, or sent by mail, post-paid, on receipt of six. cents each, BEADLE AND ADAMS, PUBLISHERS, 98 William Street, New York.