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S lo PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS Fri 0.
VOL  Nun to No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. , 5 001“. NO' 277‘

DENVER DOLL, THE DETECTIVE QUEEN;   

BY EDWARD L. WHEELER,

AUTHOR or “ DEADWOOD DICK" NOVELS, “ROSEBUD ROB ” NOVELS, “GILT-EDGED Dxcx," “BONANZA BILL,” 1210., me.

 

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“ CL'AR DE TRACK DAR, caxL’EEN!” HE CEIED; “ mum wn’sx A-comN’, 'ro DE GOLDING WEDDm’. BEING OUT DI: ’rnnanmrs AN’
DI stsm’ BOTTLE, ma DAB’B A NEW CITIZENG ADDED TEW DE POPULATING on smmn’ BAR, m’ SUAH!”

 

 

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.AUTIOB 0F

 

 

Denver Doll,
The Deteétive Queen;

on.
Yankee Eisler’s Big Surround.

BY E. L. WHEELER,
“DEADWOOD nicx ” NOVELS,
“ maneup ROB " , soans, arc.

CHAPTER I.
ONE Nionr‘s MYSTERY.

“ HI yari kii yii didn’t I done gone tell yer?
Thar it cos ag’in, honey. Et’s dc cry oh 8.
chile, su sartini”

And Fitz Walter August Christie, more com-
monly known as Walt, rolled his comical eyes
toward his three companions, his ebony coun-
tenance glowing with triumph.

But his three companions hovered closer to
the lonely campfire that crackled briskly upon
the gulch bottom, as if they were in no Wise
ea or to venture forth to ascertain from whence
M5 whom had emanated lhe piteous wailing
cry that had twice faintly peeled forth on the
chill Novomber night. r

it was rather a picturesque scene.

The camp fire burned in the mouth of a deep
narrow gu ch of forbidding aspect, and at a

oint where it opened out upon a bar or.pro—
Jection, three sides of which were washed by
the waters of a dark, swift, silent river whose
appearance was no more inviting than the wild
mountainous country that gave it birth.

Four men were gathered about the cam p—flre,
with rifles, picks and shovels lying by their
sides, showing them to be prospectors; and over
all fell the first gentle flakes of the earliest nu-
tumnal snow-storm.

The air was keen and chill, and the fieecy
harbingers of approaching winter which the
night brought on told that few comfortable
days could be experienced out of doors in that
wild region for some months to come.

The darky was the s okesman of the crowd,
and appeared to consi er himself virtually the
leader. He was a trim, spruce-appearing fel-
low. and had more than ordinary sagaeity and
intelligence expressed in his face.

One of his companions was a ponderous
Dutchman of enormous girth, who granted at
every breath like an ovebfattened hog and re-
joiced in the happy cognomen of Jacob Strauss
or Yakie, for shor . '

He was, despite his size, rather cod-leokiug
in gunwnancc, and seemed to talks pride in
we ng out the heavy mustache which he were.

loth be and Walt. were attired in miners‘
habiliments and were well armed.

Next toYakie was huddled up an almond-
eyed Chinaman, about whom there wasnothin
particularly noticeable more than that he stil
wore his native queue, and had rather a craft
expression of countenance, not uncommon wit
%0 Celestials found in the mountains of the

est.

The fourth person was a prisoner, bound to a
the near the fire-ii man of some two-and-
twcnty cars, in whose face was reflected little
that w villainous or had.
wax he was held in confinement will present-
ly be eveloped. ,

The words of the darky, as stated. had no
startling eflect upon his auditors. Ch , the
Chinaman, ave a disinterested yawn, as 0 re-
lit his ipe ul of opium, and akie grimtcd
louder t an ever.

“Dot vas a vildcat!” he growled. “ You

don’d vas know noddings, you pluck shackass.”.

“. Goll ! I knows more in one minute dan dat
whole rmany,” Walt asseveratod. “I say

dat was de scream ' oh 8. chile, clone gone suah,’

an’ de ' on instincts ob our natures should
cause as : fru blud an' water to save dat
yar kid, nah -

“M on Vents togo vy, dot ish all righd;
I don’d Yakie declared. “ My skit vas vorth
$20 mopch to sell it to der vildcats und lions so
5 ea .

“ ei he! lions in America!” sneered Walt.
“Yen’s done can tole a lion from acoon, fo’
sushi Yar’s Chug; he even knows dat dar’s
nufiln like lions in America—hi, piggy?"

Chug looked sagacious, but shook his head.

“ Velly muchee liar in ’Melical" he declared.
“ Ohinamnn nebber lie allec samee likee ’Meli—
can man.”

Just then came another cry floating into the
lolciy camp on the keen breeD-n moaning,

Denver Doll, the D

g.

 

 

 

 

 

, .5 -.. .._._.. ...-.._._l.._.._._. _

piteous sort of wail peculiar to a child in dis-
tress.

Walt could stand this no longer; he leaped to
his feet, his e as rolling ludicrously and peering
about in the arkness.

“ I Jes’ wish to goodness Denver Doll was
hyar!’ he cried. “Dat arcry done gone chill
all der marrer in dis chi e’s bones, ’(leed it does.
Yar’s some lost baby in de mountings, an’ I
’clar’ to de Lor’ it’s our duty to go to de rescue.
Will on go ’long, Chug?”

“ lnaman belly big coward i" the Celestial -

said, hugging the fire closer. “No ood at
fifihtee~git lickee like debbil. No go wid black
’ elican man.”

The man at the stake, who, while listening
and watching, bad evinced considerable inter-
est, now 3 kc u . '

‘ The back terrier is right!" he said, in a
voice of command. “That is no animal cry.
There is undoubtedly a child in distress, some—
where in this vicinity, and it is your duty, as
men, to go to its rescue. If you are too cow-
ardly, pray grant me the privilege to go in
search of it. If I fail to return, you can for«
ever know Tom Jarvis is a liar and an ingrate.”

Yukie Strauss took his pipe from his mouth,
long enough to put his 1: umb sarcastically to
his nose. .

“ Not if der Consditution of der United States
vas acquainted mit herself, und she rather
dink she‘ vast" he chuckled, knowingly. “ You
vas a purty shmurdt rooster, maype somedimes
all der w’ile, Misder Jarvis, but you don’d vas
can come some foon y pizness venYakie Strauss
vas around. You pcloizg to der robbcrgang
oii' McFarland and (30., und ve yoost hold you
till (ler boss comes."

" You will find your mistake when Denver
Doll comes,” Jarvns replied, seeming to be a
little worried at the Dutchman’s flat refusal.
“ I am in no way acquainted with McFarland,
nor do I serve him in any res ect.”

A grunt from Yakie was a l the answer this
assertion elicited.

Christie had crept out of sight up the gulch.

Satisfied that e could get no assxstance
among his own comrades, the lucky fellow
had made up his mind to go it a one, in a vcn-
ture to solve the mystery of the wailing cry.

He had more than once proven himself a
brave darky, and was known to have no lack
of coura e in an emergency.

He h left his rifle at the camp, but had a
trusty revolver drawn ready for use, and thus
equipped, crept on in {he direction of the place
whence came the sound.

It was some ten or fifteen minutes ere he
heard another cry—but he was all attention at
the time, and consequently gained a more ac-
curate hearing.

In half an hour he had gained a. sort of trans—
vu'se ravine, several hundred feet above the
leVel of their camp, and at some distance from it.

Here his search ended. in the face of a specta-
cle that caused him to dart back, hast.

Lying upon the rocky earth, or tattered
garments partly whitened by the fallinisnow-
flakes, was a young woman—one who ad re-
cently possessed great beaut ,.but whose face
was new white and pinched? the probable ef-
fects of rivation.

Upon he ground, from a wound in her side,
Was a clotted l of blood—and she was so
and still, t at Walt was satisfied she was

Near her, upon the bundled in a
shawl, sat a little
age, sobbing as if er heart would break, her
Mufti-308 fixed {upon the lifdess body of the
murd woman.

The white . in Walt’s eyes enlarged very con-
siderably, as he took in the scene, but where
terror would have taken hold of many of his
race, pity seized u ' d heart, and he
ate forward to do whatever he could.

‘ r, hone , jes’ done gone cry no more,”
he said, kneel ng beside the child, and noting
that it was a remarkably pretty one. “I’se
jes’ gwine to. take do best ob care ob you, I is,
an’ hope to de Lor’ if I don’t ki-yarve any one

as ’tempts to speak a cress word to you. Is ye
cold honey?”

“life so told—me so hun i” moaned the
little one. “ Manama gone sleep, an’ I tant

wake her up!”

Tears entered the negro’s . eyes, and be seized
the child in his arms. ,

“ Come! we’ll jes‘ done gone an’ t warm an’
somethin’ to eat, honey, and den is yar chile
will come back after yer mammv.” .

The prospect of warmth and food caused the
little one to look up gratefully into Walt’s ebony

"face, and her tears immediately subsided.

etective Queen.

... 4.”- .... -"“;-'_...._ ...

 

 

 

 

Before leaving the scene of the ghastly crime,
Walt perceived that one hand of the woman
clutched a tiny silver box, while the other con-
tained a crumpled paper—the latter mayhap a
messa e from he dead.

Rea hing the necessity of obtaining all posi-
ble clew to the crime, the darky secured both
box and paper, mid thrust them into his pocket;
and, with the cMYd in his arms, he set out for
the camp. ~

 

Denver Doll had arrived in camp, during
Wtalt’: absence, coming from over the river, in
a on .

To state that she was a splendid specimen of
young womanhood, wOuld he draying it mild.
Few were they who had met her, who could
not candidly say she was queen among young
Women. ‘ .

0f just a trifle above the medium hight of
women, and cast in nature’s happiest mold,
her figure in its neat fitting suit of male attire
would attract admiration in any crowd, for its
symmetry and grace ‘

Her face was fair and expressive, with a.
power to change from pleasantr to sternness
in an instant and though usua ly wearing a
happy look, there lurked an expression about
the brilliant black eyes, and the marble fore-
head, that told of- some past ,trouhle,' which
would not be forgotten. , . ,

Her rich brown hair fell in rippling waves
half-wayito her waist. A plumed slouch hat
of snowy white: an elegant suit of gray, and
patent leather top boots, with a diamcm -stud-
(led “ b’iled ” shirt, collar, and a sash about her
waist beneath the coat, made up her costume,
and 'gave her an appearance at once dashing,
and characteristic of the wild roving existence
she led.

For she was a “character,” a strange one,
too. Where she belonged, no one knew, for
she was here, there, and everywhere; what was
her early history, no one could say, though
there were some who would insinuate that it
might not be pleasant for her to have her past
ex osed. .

f these hints ever reached her ears, she newr
noticed them, and there were none read to say
they had ever been aware of her do ng any
wrong of greater enormity than popping over
an occasional border rufiian, or skinning some
self-supposed card-sharpat his own game.

It was no secret that she was a detective; it
was no secret that she was a terror to, and
hated by, the rufiian and outlaw element of the
mountains and mines; it was no secret that she
knew her own business was a keen, nervy, dis-
cerning, but respectable woman of the world.

Hardly a woman, either, for she looked not a
day older than eighteen, and at times had the
vivacity and immature romp of a child of.
fourteen, nevertheless, being never 08 her

uard.

g Nor was it a secret that she had sworn to
break up, the notorious road nt gang of John
McFarland, who, in their own mountain
fastneSS, had fOr-months hidden defiance to law.
and order, to as nothing of the scores of bold
robberies and r desperate deeds they had
committed.

McFarland and his men had also sworn dire
vengeance u the brave girl from Denver,
and it seeme only a matter of time when the
bitter enemies .must triumph, one over the
ot or.

'80 that it was little wonder that the Detec-
tive Queen’s'c es litnp with a victoriousglitter,
when she wal ed into her camp. and saw One
of McParland’s right-hand men imprisoned to a
stake. ' ~

“Jarvis!” she exclaimed, pausing near him.
and leaningu n her fie. “ I would sooner
have a visit fromMcParland, himself.
Where’ ye blow him in, Yakie?”

The Teuton glanced around him before he
answered. ,

“ Vol, I dells you how id vas!" he said, rising.
and swelling with bravado.

“ I found dat veller sneakin’ mit duv outside

off der camp around, nnd dens .him'lie hem-r

surrender right avay quick or I plow his prai: s
in—und dat vas all dervas of it. He obey in.)
yoost life a leedle shackass mule.”

“Muchee big lie!” Chug commented. " ‘Meli-sn
Dutch no ketchee man.”

“ Of course he didn’t!” Jarvis chimed in. “ i
was led into camp by the ear, by that cursed
nigger of yours. . He caught me napping. and
waltzed me in, wi’ a six-time—slugger under-my
left norstril!” ' 'v .

“ You vas a pig Vief—you vas liars!" X nle
cried, enraged that he could not for once steal
the thunder of the occasion. “I sue you for

  

 

 

 

der breach ofl bromine—I scalp you—1‘ placks
your eyes mit pining quicker ash ‘dunder.

He undoubtedly would have wreaked some
sort of vengance upon the oung outlaw, had
not Denver 011 pushed him ack, sternly.

“Hold!” she cried. ,“‘Let him alone. Who
commands here?"

“I paralyze him i” Yakie growled, shaking
his head like a bellied hull. ‘

“ Will you?” Doll inquired, significantly
shoving a six—shoOter in under his ruddy nose.
“ Do you know what you’ll get if you don‘t obey
orders." Phiz! Bang I” . '

Yakie leaped back with a yell oi fright,'ul

the h the “ bang ” was only a verbal one.
“ op! sdop! l dakes it all pack!" he
howled. “I Vaso ly fooling all der w’ile. I

van yoost showing ow prave I vas.”

At this juncture, there was a clutter of
horse's boots on the rocky bottom of the gulclr,
the sound coming from t e depths hi the gulch,
as it ran back into the mountains. ,

DenVer Doll and her two companions seized
their rifles, and stood on the defensive. expect-
in, an' attack; but to their surprise, they be-
he (1 only Walt Christie emerge from the
gloom; carrying a child in his arms.

“ Cl 111' de track dar. chil’renl‘f he cried;
“byar we‘se a-comin’, to de gelding weddin‘.
.Bring‘ out do ’freshments an’ de nussm’ bottle,
for der’s a new citizeng added tew de populat-
ing 0b Shibin’ Bar, fo‘ sushi” '

 

Later, a search was made for the body of the
murdered woman, but, although the pool of
blood was discovered, the body was not to be
found! -_ ‘ ‘ - '

It was one night’s mystery!

- ‘ ' CHAPTER 11.
sum-mo BAR UNDER A NEW LIGHT.

A malater we will look down on Shining
Bar—not now the same lonely camp wherein
we o and our story.~ but the zatne location
tran ormed into a preoperous mining camp,
Flags indeed, as compared with its former popu-
a on. '

The bar of neck of land that projected into
the river, was thickly‘built up‘ with shanties
and tents, but they were irregular as far as
streets were concerned, there being but' one
street having any pretensions thereto, and on

 

, this was located the few business places of

which Shining Bar boasted. »

There were of course more saloons and gam- .
bling houses than other places of traffic, or it
could not have been’classed as a mining t wn.

One‘ general store‘supplied the wants the.
081:5, so far as edibles and cloth were concerned,
in dition to being the post-0mm, and having
the pleasure of furnishing fire-arms and ammu-
nition to such ran 3 as desired to take a hand
in 'the great shufll‘ing’ act,’ as death-dealing
was sometimes termed. . ‘

And it is needless to say, that this branch of
Sullinder’s Supply Store was well patronied
by the rough and ready citizens of the still in-
fantile but flourishing, city of Shining Bar.

Then, there were the saloons where a pilgrim
could fill his being with ‘cbfiln nail,’ get robbed
either by pi etc or gamblers, or even
could be rovided with a tuneral, on short nov
tice. ‘ several dance-houses; a theater
plliy‘ing the acknowledged reigning successes o
the season; a smithy, and a mammoth ore mill
which did the crushing and smelting for several
mining districts beside Bhining Bar—so that the‘
Bar bowed gracefully to the fact that she was
a loose! considerable importanceu _

gar lation, both floating apd permanent,
was a heterogeneous mixture, in which the
rough and lawless element prevailed to a large
exte ' '

nt. -
A‘Vlgilanci Committee had been organized
however, and under Ha Burke’s eflicient
.had in‘ a measure established order,

I , although the laws were all home-made.

In such a state we find Shining Bar, on look-
ing dm pon it a year from the opening
night of on story—7a far pleasanter night, how-

‘ ever, with less chill, and no snow;

A crowd had collected outside the post-office,
to await the coming of the evening eta e from
Glander’s Gulch, which was unaccountagly late,

ove us by three hours at the least. ‘ '

In the st, such a fact would scarcel havo
elicited an inqnir ; but the fact that Jo 11 Mc-
Farland-still 'ma , things lively for mountain
stages and travelers, gave cause’ for uneasiness

in‘Shining Bar. ' - . .
rado had been morethan

For the daringd
hold of late, since ' ver Doll was no more

 seen in the mountain towns, and the report had-
‘ gone forth that she had met her death. ‘

If. r ' \

 

 

 

 

391.1??? 9°112the Dawes. 91.19611»

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"'l‘ell ye ther thing looks Signally fer ther
stage, boys!” observed kwar , one the Bar’s
rising oun citizens. “ ’d hardly take chances
bettin that cParland'hasn’t stopped the hearse
to-night.” ‘ ' ,

“‘Injins an’ alligators, no—nuther would 1!”
chimed in Old Pap Mount, stroking his long
white beard. “ By ther eye-tooth uv old J upl-
ter, b’yees, et seems miter cur’ous as how we
can’t hev some one among us as ain’t aiea’rd tcr
sail in an’ clean out thet ou‘>law gangroot un’
branch. El? I war as young a ho so as I aster
he—grcat horned. ace uv Taos— ’d undertake
the hull job myself!”

“What’s this! what’s this!” a dapper indi-
vidual demanded, pushing forwar , with a
note-hook and pencil inhand; “is there an
acciden’tl—hos anything he pened?—was an
one hurt, and how many! Bo tell me! I’m .a
reporter, gentlemen—yes, sirs, 'a newspaper
correspondent. 1 re resent the C'avortin’
Cyclone, published in eyenne, and ’pon ’onor,
it' I do say it, I’m counted one o’ the finest!
Jones is myname—Chawles P. Jones. Psrands
for Pygmalion, instead of Fat or Peter, as some
vullznrly suppose. Ahem!”

The adVent of Mr. I} gmalion Jones, while it
did not create any‘dec ded sensation, served to
momentarily check the convorsation of the
crowd. . _ '

He was a new arrival at the Bar, and new
arrivals were invariably regarded with sns
picion, until they had fully provcn themselves
unworthy of confidence. . '

As this was fhe'flrst time Jones had made
known his business, a laugh followed his intro-
ductory, Old Pap, being the only sober visaged
individual in the crowd.

“ Pilgrim!” he said, with solemnity becoming
a full=flcdgcd monk, “d’ye l'evl averse tew
chowin’ dewn n lcctlc piece uv advice, tendered
by an old nugget from Pike’s Peak. w‘at’s dug
in ther sands 0’ every camp in ther golden
West?”

“Advice? Aha! ’tis a great blessing to re-
ceive it from the erred, and to profit by it. Pro-
ceed, venerable father: I listen with eagerness 2”
Jones responded, dramaticallly » ‘

“ lnjlns an’ alligators! ,hort ye’d not go
back 05) an‘  landmarkklikfiyer1301s!” fie};
crunte . e see no up er guc
thar and thatyslab fi'upl” ‘

“ i see it, sir—the memento of some past and
gone enterprise, I take it." ‘

-“ Jes’ so, pilgrim :— I

“ A teller came a r to start
At ther shantfixhether knoll. ,.
.He claimed he was most ortul smart; .
Most wond’rous news he lole;
But he hadn't fairly got a start,
’Fore we chucked 'lm in a hole.

. “ A thunder-in” lie one do he told,
About old Slaughter gave
Who w’nrs his pistols in is boots,
An‘s Jiad ye me believe;—
He said as 'how 01 Slaughter hid
Five aces up his sleeve.

“ Six bullets .dia ther job for him ;
His Hera” failed to bloom;
We burnt thermanty over ther.
Ant it's served him fer a tomb;
So of you don’t git up an‘ dust,
For you thar’s graveyard room l"

A grim silence reigned as Pap concluded; a
host of ominous visages wereturned toward the
reporter of the Oavnrtin’ Cyclone. with looks
that were not calculated to inspire him with
feelings of animation over his respects as a
tournalistin Shining Bar; so wnt a deep, sigh,

0 and walked mechanically ‘awayfivi th
the mien of a melanchol Dane.

While Old Pap wink ,, knowl- ly. ,!

‘fHere’s tons oung tellers!” e said, as he.
took a nip‘ from hit private flask. “ Thet teller
should know that tbar’s no hereafter fer re-~
porters in Shinin’ Bari—great horned alligator
0) Tans, no!” ‘ .

“ We were talkin’ about someone who could
sail in and capture McFarland the road-agent,”
said Markward, g ly.‘ “You bet thar’s not
therman livin’ as can cagture a feather out of
that galoot’s ca .’ Even urkey is afeared t_er
leave camp. ‘Mpaybe a reward would turn up

I

some chap as has got more luck than sense”

“ That might easy be!” a voice exclaimed,
and a stranger-was for theflrst, seen standing
near. “ Supposing. you nommate some first
cl ss sortot,a reward, and see howquick I’ll
go ble onto'itl” ‘ a . '

,“ Who' are you?” demanded Mr. Verner, due
of the sandman oi the town—a ,' tor,
rich and influential.’ But even ‘ gh he
asked the question; a close oheenver mi ht have

. surmised he only asked it to conceal t e agita-

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_ w-..

4188 discretion in regar Ito Whom thay‘pay re

303“ with“ I

 

 

 

 

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lion that seized upon him, at sight of the
stranger—an a itation which brought pallor to
his ruddy choc . -_ ,

A strange smile came upon thehface of; the
new»comer,‘a5 he gazed for a. moment at Verv
ner. . ‘

“I fancy you have no need to ask that ques-
tion?” he replied, in 9. ~ toue that expressed verv
little admiration for the man he addressed.
" But, for the information of all concerned, I
am usually called Yankee, which answers all»
the purposes of a name 2" .

Yankee! . ”- .

There were men in Shining Bar, who had
heard of the name before. name it was.

culiarto 'lhe mining re ions of California;
it belonged to an individua who newer worked,
more than to indulge in an occasional fight or to .
win a fortune by the turning of a Cari-1nd ’
then very EmlisHy—as the worldly men 0! the
mines viewed it,——turn‘ around and donate it to
some charity; one who was reputed to ave
cleaned out his ten men in a single handsd‘
fight, and within an hour afterward had mu
ten thousand dollars from a banker . at
cards, and uszd the amount towarthndeh'ay-
ing the funeral expenses of his vict 9,,aud
profiling for their wives, and children,'wlhcn
any were to 9 found; a ‘nervy,"practlced,
well-cduCated, thoroughly experienced manor
{he-“grid, though be ad npt long left his teens
lulllll . . ‘ . ' . .

Straight as an arrow, of a little over medium
llight, and well proportioned; postessed of re-
markable muscu ar development, hardflash,
and great agility of motion, little wonder that
be h d the notoriety of being a formidable tub
tagonist as well as a friend to “ tie.bo.” ,‘ .

In face he was handsome. with clearly cut,
regular features, a firm but pleasant ,moutb,
and dark liquid‘ eyes that had a power or mus—
netic intensnty m their gaze; hair 01' a dark
brown hue, and worn in tight shert curls'over _
his shapely head, and a handsome mustache .
upon his lip. , ¥ ‘ '

His garments were of coarse but serviceable
material, the pants being thrust futon it of
top-boots, and the jacket 0 n'atlthe, hroat,
exposing to view a marble-1i e neck. A slouch
prairie at rested upon his head, weapons 0!.
fine finish were in,his belt, anda re ting .. rifle
in his.haud, completed an mongol: at once
‘striking and dashing. ' .

The announcement of his name sad the
crond to stare. but had 'no more via: 19 eflect‘
upon Verne-r, than build“ first sight of him.

"Yes, l’m Yankee, and I’d like no better
l13b than to adjust the noose about. the nacho:

cParland, the reactag'ent 'I assure youkgents.
Pro cse a fat reward and I‘m your maul " . V ,

“ he people of Shinin Bar will undoubtedly

wards,”'sneered Verner, ashe turn aw . g

“ if you mean that as an insinuat  , 
tine Verner, permit me to remark .tlui  not-
deem it of t eslightest lniportanoe ,whatyou.
think,” Yankee retorted. as  an: raptors - 1
glance after the s culator. ‘ did noteeme _.

ere to have troube with you, hutit I . i” ,
for. I can undoubtedly accommodate. , gout” ‘

Verner walked away in silence, an 
came booming down into the town just 1:,

loaded with assengeraJufle and out”. a" ,
with Mickey gryor, the {Elm of flash-31d, - .
cracking his long-lashed w over his, ‘ .

hand. ' . , ' ' '
No better “ ribbon handler”_wiis the‘xj in all ‘
(timings-1:23;: Mickey, wgignetmr linden 
en excep was cause y Making“
of McFarland; therefore Micke Was. a 
favorite, and never lacked. or. tram; hug;
juice ” while in Shining Bar. , ‘ _ . ‘ 
Althou h hissta e had been mam -
innumera ,le,-he he nearl «Sites pitted.
the bold knight. McPdrlan an , one.
declared ih "‘Muc ” would no" no!
hair of Mickey’s head “make you ml  his
own right hand, for the bolthflfil an
admirer of, bravery.” . . ~ ' ' . _,
But it was a sorry-looking crowd thestage
brought'in that night for the looks at. thepds- 
, word. 2
“FM 

    

sengers told the 01 old story, as we 4|
could have done—the stage had met. .
and his merry non. ' , ';
Even Prioi’m sullen. and § _ '
back upon hunches, before 1 8-.

with a yin, and allowedthe- 
, , 

one to thumler!" was hissim‘le
merit, when Wells-Ergo’s aient; p , ”
“‘fi‘warn‘tnoulleto "mulls {the .q' ,
oneng’in’uaan’hit‘: banewp ,1... a, 
' A. howl of”? mm p trom the-mogd,  ~‘
many mm In! some ulster: beam -

.'~’

 

 

_ 4

Denver Doll, the Detective

 

 

or valuable ro rty coming to them on that
stage, as wel as etters and papers.

So that for the remainder of that evening
Shining Bar was in a turmoil of commotion
over the robber ,and the streets were never
for once desei'te of an excited crowd.

Amen the passengers who alighted from the
sta e, ankee noticed the figure of a woman
cla in deepest mourniqgl, with her face so well
concealed as to be invisi e to outward gaze.

Shining Bar boasted of a commodious board-
ing-house, which was conductet in a uiet,
or erly manner, to the exclusion of a] the
rough element, and thither the veiled woman
wended her way, as if familiar with the town.
Y 3 watched her until she had disap-

U ,with an interested sac, and even then
able sa ' tered about the ar as to keep the
boardin -h use under surveillance.

“ St es me I have seen that woman before,
under other circumstances,” he murmured,
“ but I cannot place her now. It is the grace-
fu agile motion of her figure that recalls her."

if an hour later Denver Doll left the board-
ing-house—for Denvor Doll the vailed woman
was—and advanced toward the Post-ofilce.
Then a light of understanding entered the
Sport’s eyes.

“Ah,I have it nowl I thought I was not
mistaken. The Queen of Detectives, eh? I
know her, but she does not know me. I wonder
what brings her' here? Probably after the
devil, McFarland. Hal ha! ha!”

He watched her go into the Post-office, and
come out again, when she betook her way to
the long frame shanty called the “ Monaco. '

Here, night and day, various games were
hotly contested, and money exchanged hands
nearl as fast as in the European resort from
whic the den took its name.

“ I’ll get a cigar,” Yankee decided, “ and then
I‘ll see what success the pretty spotter has at
gambling—if so be that is why she goes there.”

Down the street he spied a cigar-sign above
the door of a Cll'SOy little shanty, and sauntered
that way. The. sign read:

“CRYSTAL CARROL,
“DEALER. 1N crease AND TOBACCO.”

Entering the pigeon-hole store, theSport saw
no one, so he pushed open the slat door and en-
tered the adjoinin room, which proved to be a
cosin fitted-up litt e bar-room.

A young woman stood behind the counter. .

And Yankee uttered a cry of astonishment as
his gaze rested upon herl

CHAPTER III.
run DUEL.

Tin girl behind the bar seemed less surprised
than the man, and judgéng by her expression,
she had never met the port before, while he
appeared to believe that in her he had met some
former acquaintance; and the more he gazed
the stronger wemed to be his conviction that he
knew her.

“ Dora!” he said at length.

There was deep feeling in his tone—there was
love in his glance—his i'ace expressed the emo-
tion of one greatly moved.

I‘iDoml!” h d b h lad

e spore t e secon time, ut t e oun y
stared at him in blank surprise. ' y g

“ You are evidently mistaken, sir,” she spoke,
$uietly; “l have never home the name of

ore .

 

“ You are—l”

“ Crystal Carrol.” '

“ I am Yankee—otherwise Charlie Eisler.
I was greatly inipreSsed, at first sight, that I
had met you before under diflerent surround-
in s, and am not entirely convinced yet but
w at 1 am right. Dora?"

He called the name again. His every expres—
sion of voice told of a deep, und ing love for
Dora, whoever she might be. e had spoken
truly, evidently, in regard to his conviction

Miss Carrol did not seem highly leased at
his yearning stare and pleading w .

“ I am carry to say that you are eatl

 

mis- 1

taken.” she said, witha sobernese t at did not i

belie her words.
may chance to look over so much Ike her.“

“ You. do look like her; and if I am mistaken
I trust you will excuse my—my—well, my im-
pudence," he said. “A choice cigar, please.”

She evident! Was not offended, for
of setting ,fo the “custom ” box, she drew
from beneath the shelf a box of real Havanas.

“ I trust you will smoke at the expense of the | for some time,
I Doll engaged at a game of ,

resemblance,” she said gushin his money back.
with alittle laugh. ‘ uch t ings do not hap-
penever day, ouknow.” ‘

u “I Wi mo e; and looking through the

“I am not Dora, although 1 ‘

clouds that arise from my cigar, I will not, rest l
assured, forget the giver—nor the past.”

There was a trifie of bitterness expressed in
the word “past,” but Miss Carrol apparently
took no notice of the fact.

She watched her eccentric customer light his
cigar and de t, and sent a lingering glance
after him, as f sorry to art withfiim.

“ Yankee, otherWise arlie Eisler,” she said,
thoughtfully. “ It strikes me I have heard the
name before, although I cannot tell where,
justnow.”

She gaaed out of the door, even after he was
one, a thoughtful expression upon her face and
n her eyes. She was trying to recall to

memor something of the past, and yet that
something refused to be reca led.

A fair maiden of less than nineteen summers,
was Crystal Carrol, with features of exquisite
symmetry, eyes blue and soulful, and hair that
few of her sex could rival, while in figure she
was petite and Sprightly.

But even though so seemingly delicate and
inoffensive, she was master of a firm expression
of mouth and eye. that told better than words
that she had a spirit of' her own, which could
not be trampled on.

For some time after Yankee’s departure, she
was buried in reverie, until a footstep sounded
in the doorway and she Icoked up to behold the
man of reportorial proclivities, who had intro—
duced himself to the men of Shining Bar as
Charles P. Jones, of the C(irorti’n’ Cyclone, of
Cheyenne. ,

The very appearance of the fellow was suffi-
cient to provoke a smile from Crystal.

He was dapper and dandified. All that was
efleminutely masculine, was embodied in his
make-up and in his motions, and placed in dif-
ferent surroundings, he would have been the
ideal of a lady’s man and a perennial “masher.”

With a pug nose, a fierce brigandish mus-
tache, jetty, curling hair and a mouth and ac—
companyin features of demure expression,
and the ma e-up of a Broadway swell, genera1~
ly, he was, in the slang of the day, “ too utterly
too too for anything.”

But from the moment Cr stal’s eyes first
rested upon the man, she ormed a private
opinion of him, and resolved to be on her guard
ever, when he was around.

" Ah! cod-evening, in pretty miss, if it
is not too te, nor too ear y,’ was the initial of
the Cyclone man. “ Have you any very, very
choice cigars, say two for a dollar?’

“Cert!” Crystal replied, without offering to
reduce them. “I have some, two for ten dol-
ars. I dare to presume they would fit you.”

“Well, aw—you see—that is, my resources
are not so Very inexhaustible, just at present,”
he stammcred.

“ Well, perhaps cigars d: a dollar each would
suit on!” Crystal said.

“ h! in the cod old ti es "—and Charles
Py malion dive refiectivel, down into his
pen ets—“in the good old times when a man
could sit in his easy-chair and write a half-
column paragraph at fifty cents a line—then
was when the representatives of the press Could
smoke the best of cigars. But on the ’umble
pittance of ten a week, a man must nowadiziys
curtail his ex .nses. Tell you what I’ll b,
pretty miss. ‘m reportin’ for th Cat'ortm
Cyclone, of Cheyenne. If you Will trust me
for ten of the one-era, I’ll take ’em, au’ ye can
charge it to the firm !”

Crystal shook her head.

“Cash talks. here,” she said, briefly, and she
looked it as well. .

“ And smoke too!” J ones added, with a laugh,
and be seized the box from her hand, which she
was about to restore to the shelf, and slid very
quickly out of the door.

Crystal made no attempt to follow him, but
there was a confident little twinkle in her starry
eyes. .

“ I‘ll remember that customer afew days,”
she remarked, with a nod of her pretty head.

 

Leaving the store of Crystal Carrol, Yankee
made his way to the gaming saloon, where he
had shortly before seen Denver Doll enter.

It was one of the typical dens of the Western
mining town, with its heterogeneous collection
of habitues—therefore why describe it?

Every table had its attraction in the- way of

instead I a game, and every table had its watchers and

players. , ,
After wanderin about the large a‘partme’gt
ankee finally e ie Den r
s with ‘Mr.
Vernier. , '
Sauntcring around, the S ort finally succ -

"ed in gaininga position immediately in e

Queen.

 

W

rear of the speculator, in order that that per—
sonage (night not be aware of his resence.

The game was poker, and Do won by set~
era! p0 nts, and as the pot was for a hundred
dollars a side, Verner naturally felt not a little

chagined.

“ on are very lucky, young woman,” be de-
clared, sourly. "If you have sumcient assur-
ance we will make it five hundred for one game
-—just one game you know —no calling for re

was?!”

“ hat is satisfactogy to me,” Doll re lied

calmly, and with the eclaration, she pro need
a roll of bills, and counted out the sum named.

Verner did the same, although he had the
mailer roll of bills of the two.

The game was then plays and the winner
was the Detective Queen, w o pocketed the
stakes with a sang jroid that was inimitable.
Veriier took this lose more quietly than he had
the first, but there was an n l‘y glitter in his
eyes that became as wicked as hat of a corraled
rattlesnake when he beheld the quiet smile of
the ‘Sport, who stood just behind his chair.

“ cry good,- you have won, and won honest-
1y i” he said. ‘Your success, however, was
abetted by the finals of the individual behind
me. Charles E' ‘ er, you are a sneak and a spy,
and I challenge you, here, before all, to meet
me in mortal combat—a battle of life or death
between us!"

Yankee was somewhat surprised, for he had
fancied that his presence in the rear of the
speculator was not known to him.

“ If you really challei‘iige I accept!” the Sport
answered, calmly. “ hat weapons do you
nominate Lord unity?” ,

“The c oice I believe, according to the code
of honor. should be left to you i” Verner replied,
with intense bitterness of tone.

“Then I will take advanta e of that right.”
Yankee said, grimly. “Eac man shall stri
to the waist and the-Weapons shall be salt an
pepper, at t was yards, propelled from suitable
shotguns. One gun shal be loaded with w-
der, in addition to the salt and pepper be the
other shall not be. We will draw sticks to see
who has the shot with the salted gun. No mat'
ter who wins, he must stand u and level his
weapon in duelistic fashion, an accept of the
general results. Is this agreeable to you?”

Verner could not very well say no. .

He had proposed the duel himself, and that
by the code gave Yankee the choice of arms;
so he stifily inclined his .head in acquiescence.

“ Will some kindly dis osed person lend us a
couple of shot guns?” ankee asked, looking,
over the crowd. .

A handsome air of muzzle-loading fowliiggm
pieces Were ten cred, aid after being examin ,
were acce ted by the Sport.

“Now t e next thing we want is an honest
and reliable man to load one of these weapons,
as directed. We will then draw lots for the
first choice of the us, and proceed to business.”

“I! I! here! ray allow me the honor of
acting for this duel!" cried Jones, rushing 1] .
“ I have fought and won more than fift due
myself. and ing the favorite reporter or the
chorti‘n’ Cyclone, I can do honor to the occa-
sion. Jones is my name—Chawles Pygpnalion
Jones, of the C'uvortin’ Cyclone." -. .

“ Guess not, J onesy. 1 recan I’ll act in this
matter, if ther old court is aware of herself,"
Denver Doll cried, arising from the table. “ I’ll.
see that the mill is conducted in square shape 1'
Load it with salt_and pepper, did you say,
pard i".and she took the guns. ,. ,

“,Yes; give the one Weapon 9. good dose, and.
now while you‘re at it, we will retire to the
outside and arrange things.” , -

“I’ll fix the weapon all ri ht, never fear.”
Denver Doll said, as Yankee ed the way, nd
the crowd followed him out of the room: “ I’ll
dose some one with spice if I never do another
thing,” she smilingly remarked.

Procuring the necessaries from the bartender
she retired to one corner of the room, where she

roceeded to load one of the shot-gunsas she
lied been directed, leaving the ot er losing
against the wall until she should ready
take them both from the saloon. ’

As soon as she had it loaded she left the sa-

loon. -
Out in the main street of the town the m ey
crowd was congregated beneath the r s o the

moon, which lit up the scene with moi ow radi-

ance. . .
The distance had already been measured 06,
and the ante onists were ready and in position.
Denver Dol paused midway between them,
and looked from one to the other, at the sum
time holdin up a coin between the thumb and .
forefinger 0 her right hand.

 

I

 

o.._. . -mw..._... M.

 

Denver Doll, the Detective Queen.

“ Mr.-vVerner‘,”-she said. “ you have the choice i

of choosing lots in this affair.
'bc—sheadt or tails?"
“ Heads up!” Verner cried. .
The girl tossed the coin into the air, and it
fell upon the hard—pan bottom of the street
with a sharp ri
Verner and
down at «

mg.

ankee advanced and peered
it.

“Tails up!” Doll cried. “Yankee, the salt

5 and pepper gun is yours. r Take your position:

l

all ready. you spectators on the sides, for this
hyar’s got to be a squnr’ thing!”

. Verner received his weapon with an oath~—
the oath, more particularly, when he gazed

‘VlIICll shall it ‘

‘ again I" the girl replied, seating herself.

around him and perceived that there was no _

110 )e for him to avoid the ordeal.
rim miners, with drawn revolvers, formed a
barrier at every hand.

Yankee received his weapon, an expression of
triumph upon his face that was significant of
.his purpose.

" Get to your places!” Doll cried.
her, your gun is loaded with a blank dose of

? lny our traps for him, but you have got to lav
“ Mr. Ver« 1

wder, so that can do your antagonist no harm. '

ou must fire, nevertheless, at the given signal,
or the cutsiders will salivate you! Are you
read y, gents?"

“ Av!” spoke u Yankee, raising his gun.

“ All ready!” erner growled, evidently not
relishing the dose in store for him.

“ Correct!" the DeteciVe Queen declared.
 Fire at the word three. One!"

The weapons came to bea r.

” Two I”

There was no apparent fear expressed on the
part of either of the men.

" Three! Fire I” cried Denver Doll.

They did tire, each volley being discharged
almost simultaneously.

The result caused a murmur of astonishment
among the line of spectators.

Verner was dancing about frantically, rub~
hing his chest and ace; and howling with

.a ony—i'or if none of you readers have ever

“ en thar,” let us remark that a volley of salt ‘

and pepper is not the most delightful thing in
the world to encounter.

And Yankee! '

Instead of standing triumphantly to witness
the antics of his adVersary he had thrown up

his hands with a cry and fallen to the ground.

Leaving Verner to himself. the crowd, headed
by Denver Doll, rushed forward to ascertain
the cause.

Blood was trickling from a tiny hole in his
left side, which had been made by a bullet, and
although he yet retained his senses, he was evi-
dently ard hit. ‘

“ Great Heaven! you are shot!” Denver Doll,
cried. kneeling besh 9 him.

" You should know. You had charge of the
wea pone!” Yankee cried, sternly. ’

Denvor Doll looked pained and anxious.

“ True. but as God is my judge I did not at
a shot in either weapon nor was I awaret at

either was thus loaded 1‘

“'Hie gal is right!” Old Pap Mount cried.

“ Cavortin’crockydilesl how could ye hev 'ot a ,
ni ‘

«single rifle-bullet wound out o’ a shot-
Some one else has fired at ye. Yankee Dood _.
great war-hose of fl‘aos, yes 1”

“Perhaps!” the Sport said. dryly, as he in
vain attempted to arisen “Will some one as-
sist me to somewlace where I can have my
wound dressed'l’“"'

“ Oh! bring the gentleman to my store—I
have a couch he can lie upon until he can find
betterlaccommodations !” cried a feminine voice,
and Miss Crystal Carrol stepped forward.

Few of the miners cared about having a sick
man in their house, and therefore the kind offer
was acce ted; the Sport was borne to the little
store, an aid upon a. couch in the saloon apart-
ment. A octor was then sent for.

e .'.'CHAP'I‘ER IV.
onuvna DonL’s mseovnav—mn ROAD AGENTS
AT HOME.

Damn Daim- may or may not have ap-
proved of takiflg the Sport to Crystal Carrol’s;
at an rate, she did not join the little prooes-
sion t at bore him there. _

Instead, she gave the two weapons 9. close ex-

 

amination, after which she took her way once'

more to the saloon, where she procured a drink
of lemonade, and set out for the boarding‘
house, where she had previously put up.

30in up' one flight of stairs, she followed a
long h l to the rear of the buildin , and finally
entered an apartment of consi erable size,
where three men were seated around a table

engaged in a social game of enchre.

They paused and lOoked up, as the Detective

o

 

5,

 

D r
Queen entered, however, and by the reflection i edges of the box, industriously. There wasevi-
ol' the candle-light upon their faces we recogo 1 dently more silver than alloy in the composition,
nize three former acquaintances in the persdns i for the metal scaled oil' quite readily, until sud— .
of Walt Christie, Chug, the Chinaman, and . denly there was a. sharp click, and the lid of the
Ynkie Strauss. , box flew 0 en.

There was a look of expectancy upon their 8 The plating had been done around the edges
faces, as the behold the young woman, in 3 after the box was closed, thereby making it up-
whose faithfu service they had been for sev- ! pear solid. ' . ..
eral years. “ Well done!” exclaimed Doll. “ You’re more

“ Vol, vot der news is!" Yakie asked, pushing ‘ cute than 1‘. gen: you credit for being, Chng.
forward a vacant. chair. with his foot. Let me see the box.”

“I think we have not lost, by coming here ‘ She received it, and took therefrom a closely

“ Mc- folded document. covered with writing in u
Pnrland attacked the stage I came in on to— slirrhtly cramped band.
night, not far from this camp. He had twenty l preading it out on the’tnhle, she read the cou-
or more men.” tents aloud, but in a low tone, just audible to

“ Shimminy slunnpcrs! yon don’d vns say so! her companions.

Did he make much off it haul!” ‘ It was as follows: ,

“ Yes; cleaned out the crowd and the treasure— “ Smugnmu'ro (to. Jul 10th 1878.
box, and took off the mail—bags.’ ,I reckon it all “ To Whom)! Hwy (10,“ , ,,, _~  ' y '
counted up pretty rich. \Vc must once more “I, (lubricl l'or‘h-r. beingoi‘ declining health but
sound in mind, and realizing that I am nearing the end
of my earthly career do hereh makr my last will and
testament, for the disposal 0 all my propert . both
real and personal, wit 1 and subject to the foHowing
explanations:

"My earthlv kin at the following date, so far as
concerns the awn of inheritance, are as follows: I
have one daughter livin , who is married to a young
man by the. name of (' iarlcs Eisler, my daughter‘s
maiden name having been Dora Porter. From their
lllllioll has sprung a child, whose name is Ethel Eis-

81'.
“ in addition to the above I have living a brother-
in-luw, named Valentine crner, and a niece his
child 1) union with my sister, sincedeceased. w rose
name sIsabel.

“Not having favored the childish union of my
child with Eisler, i. can not conscientiously makeher
m heir direct.

‘But, agreeable to the stlmiations hereinafter
mentioned. I do make my dang ter‘s daughter Ethel
Eisler, my sole and only heir to all my wealth, real
and crsonal without eXception~the stipulation be
ing t lililS£lll(l rlthel lflslcrlshall be ‘ilvinglcmid enjoy;
7.. 7 . - , in 1:00( ieu t 1, ant in i no cnstm y am c or 'c o
“,,"t’ you ITO“: Don't Smen?‘ ’ p18? , . , or: or more of her parents, on the 20th day «1"»

Niggee- magev- bljli'l‘w “Hi?” brain“? 1‘1"" ; vember,A. n. 1880, at which period the exemtors
acee spadee!” retorted ( hug, putting his thumb ‘ and administrators hereinafter appointed by, me,
to his nose." shall have all my property converted into money—-

“ Here! here! hush this wrangling." Doll and put out on interest, secured by bond and mort-
cried, authoritatiVer. “ Lei; me have we gage, the. interest payable to the natural guard on of

_ , - w the child for her support, and after her major ty to
locket, stove polish! , . t

. be placed at her command.

Walt Spowled disdalnfully, and took 11'0"! “But, pmvidli said Ethel Elsler be not living, on
around his “00k aSlt‘ndi‘l‘ 801d 0'19“! Wm) ‘1 "193' l the do. and ‘ubovc mentioned, or shall die upon
niflcent locket attached to it, which was almost that ate by any cause. all m bequest as above
literally incrusted with diamonds. mentioned, shall revert to babe Veruer. without ex-

This chain had been found around

6” “wk of  CPAMliignwrrl' Nirth wan-anon I hereunto do ct hand
the child whom Walt had rescued on the [noun-q ‘ , ‘ 5 ,my
mm Side, a year I fore and Since mob time and seal, on the do.) and date first above written.
little Grace, as they had named hcr, had been

" UAM‘EL PORTER."
mysteriousl abducted from their keeping. l The" “mow”! the names Qffl‘” “marge”
Opening t 0 locket in two sections, three pm i named as executor and administrator, which
tures were rewaled.

need not be« mentioned here.
The middle one u as a correct likeness of little ' Denver D0“ folded the document and returned;
Grace, the left side contained a lifelike picture ;

it toqtlhe box. 1 I
6. " 0‘

of the murdered 'woman Walt had seen in the l m." 59“ es “0" She said We “9 °'
mountains, as she had appeared in life;_ while  “infill 8‘ 1”" and a 9“” Qt “"3 mystery i.
the right hand likeness was of a dashing young] 591")“, m m" begimimg' f B“ the” ’"u b‘
mnn_singuhfly like the wounded Sport, who i more o_be encounter-id be ore We get through.
bad iven‘ his name as Yankee. ' I“ 1:“ ph'" "my “b Yankee and Vera" "‘9 en'

“ es! yes! there can be no disputing that .1 enm’“ And ‘3 is n 3" (lune interest”?! '0 “WW
fact." Dem“,r Don murmured. “Yankee and i where thechlld is and who. murdered her mo-
this man am one and the same. and he shoum . ther. 'Dhis man Euler may be a consummate

. . I rascal too. Then w o wash shot'himi Bumphl
know of the child, and the crime on that wild . “nuns” number 0 points left in the cow ms!

i"3c:ile”i§’ii‘i32°oyr°?{'$53; 3021?: mm 1 yet. cards: 60 Pt wirbgrinkm together. m
the cigar store is theliving image of this woman youi waltv ' ‘9 t 5 1 and P5P". and see
' that you do not lose it, under penalty of your

in the picture; although “he appears "’“Ch life for the will ma
. ‘ . . y never have been robated,
youn ex. Humphl there’s 8 mYFN’I'Y “bow th’e as the law mm in» p

case t at needs solving, and the more you tackle
it the deeper it grows. Yet. I’ve faith I can un-

shady, in disguise. It don’t matter so much
about me, as I can look out for number one,
vou bet! There’s another lay-out, too, that I
hardly expected to find.”

“ Vot——der shild ?”

“ No! but the murderer of the child‘s mother.
Walt, let me see that locket one. more I”

“Lorl yes, honey, but don’t you gone for to
lose it, for I wouldn’t take de Worl’ fo’ dnt
locket, w’at I foun’ roun’ dat infunt‘s neck.
An’il'dis yar chile kin only fas'en dese, 'nr
bread-coaxers on de wind gauge ob de in< er—
widnal w‘at gone stole dat chile from us, dur‘s
gwine to be a. massacre.”

“ Muchee nebber flndec ’Melican girlee !” Chug
grunted, with a smirk that rendered his coun—
tenance ludicrous. ’

“Shut up, yo’ flat-facrd rat-eater!” cried
V‘Valt. “ 1 clar’ too goodness you‘s nufl‘ to pro-
voke de spire oflf‘m a Mefl'odist church, is yousl

 

 

rave] it. Walt, let me ingpect that; box once When the wee sma’ hours of that night were
moral, . passing, and there were but few lights loun-
solid, yet its light mg from the windows of the shanties of ining

The box was a parent]
weight proclaimed)that it ind a cavity within—
but the uestion was now to reach it without
spoiling t e box, for there was no lid, or visible
way of opening it. ‘ tapped upon the back door. .

“I still believe that this box contains some After a short pause he imitated the chirp of
im )rtant secret in regard to this matter of the i 8 OriCth, then the door was opened and he en-
chi d,” Doll said, thoughtfully, “and it looks to { tered, closing it after him.
me as if it was our duty to open it, and find out i At first all was as dark as the shades of
what we can.” I within the room, but gradually the light. of a

“Yaw, dot vas how was der matter. Smash , bull’s eye lantern was turned on at one side of
der box-but mnype der veg dynamite in it.” i the room, and revealed all objects with sh”

' |
l
3

Bar, a man, enveloped in a dark cloak, with a
slouch-hat pulled down over his eyes, up.
preached Bullinder’s grocery from the rear and

Yakie suggested. distinctness.

“ Let her go, den, fo’ suah'—hut at de box The apartment was used for postal purpom.
under dat yar rat-wrestler!” said We t, to whom and was really a part of the rocery-siore, I.
Chn was an eye—sore. pigeon-holed partition across? )6 room only rui-

“ elican no muchee smartee!" Cling said, ] ning half-wavuptothe ceiling. ,
with a contemptuous shru . “ Let Chineeman Between the postal-bones and the rear Idl
hab box—mebhe open ‘im.’ ' “as a large space. however, furnished with

“ I dare ea ,” Doll remarked, sarcastically, as stools, and a long table used for distributing.
she handed t ebox. V pur ses. \

Chug turn it over and cum and examined pon the stools around this table v ere seated ',
fl clmely, to several minutes—then, taking- a | half a don-n men, exclusive of the one who had
knife from his belt, he scraped away at the l lit-d on the “glam.”

 

 

6 1 Denver D011, the Detective Queen.

 

1

They all were cloaks similar to that of the
ww corner, and also black vaile over their faces.

There were bottles and gla-ss on the table,
and also a number of letters, as yet no ned.

The new-oo-er was a man of fine Ego,
dressed in gray beneath his cloak, with top- ts
upon his feet, a well-equipped wea on-belt
round his waist, and when s slouch at was
raised, a full, attractive face, with sweeping
mustache, black eyes, and hair to match, was
revealed.

“ The on tain!” broke in low tones from sev~
era]; and t is was introductory of the famous
road-rider, McFarland.

“’Sh'! Is all well?” he demanded, in a cool,
business-like tone, glancing toward the front of

lhe store. ‘

“ Ali’s well i" one of the men replied. “ The
shutters is up, and curtains down, hours ago.
But I’m risking all by allowing the meetings
here!”

McFarland laughed. .

“ One can afford to {ink much, when he gets a
finger in fortune h uls, every few nights.
Where’s the secretary?”

“ He hasn’t turned up. Heard he was sick.”

“ Bah! I don’t believe it. Still we can get
along without him. How has the inspection
and reconnoiuance turned out, that I ordered l”

“ Exoellent, captain. Wells-Fa'rgo’s office
has upward of three thousand on the next stage
tri . ' '

‘PGood. But it must be secured from the
omce here. There’s a military company reported
movin through the hilis, in this direction—so
it will e advisable to let the trail cool off for
awhile. Kelly, I appoint on and Sullinder
Jarvis and Morris to make t e ta at Fargo’s.
You have all things ready I he love. I will
get back to the hills, and there will be ano! her
meetin here tomorrow night, after the Post-
office ckises.” ,

 

CHAPTER V.
THE BLACKBEARDED MAN.

THE next morning Shining Bar's agent for
Wells-Fargo Company awoke to the most un-
welcome fact that the ofiice had been entered
durin the night, the safe unlocked, and all of
its vu uable contents taken.

When the news got abroad, the camp was
once more thrown into a great state of com-
motion, and citizen Markward, (who by the wa
was a heavy loser by the robbery) together wit
Burke, the chief of the Vigilantes, and several
other influential men of Shining Bar, b agree-
mant called upon Denver Doll, at t e Occi-
dental hoarding-house.

They were shown into the parlor, where they
were shortly joined by the young Detective
Queen, who was looking remarkably fresh and
pretty after a night's rest. ,

She had met Burke before. and by him was
introduced to the other members of the party,
after which she was informed of the safe-rob-

»r . v ,

“yAnd now we have come," said Markward,
" to see if we cannot enlist you to ut an end to
this series of depredations, an bring this
McFarland and his band to justice. We have
heard that you are by profession a detective.”

“How can you e ct a weak woman to
accomplish so much, i he defies the owers of
you and all your town?” she asked, so rly.

“Because we have faith in the saying that
‘one can often .accomplish more than many.’
Then, again, we understand that you are liter-
allyasleuth-hound on the track of the road-
agent chief.”

“Perhaps I am, but I may have rivate
reasons for this. One is not apt to span much
valuable time, unrewarded, in hunting down a
despeme, unless he or she has some rivate
object in view. I am sorry to hear 0 these
depredationa, as it places this section of the
country in a feverish state of excitement, and
keeps many good people away. Perhaps a re-
ward wou d tempt some daring spirit to hunt
this road-agent to his lair.”

“ There are several rewards offered by pri-
vate parties, already.” '

“ Yes, and still, without meaning cfi'ense,
these same parties, or at least some of them,
may be greatly assured in offering the re-
wards.”

The significance in her tone conveyed the
metaning pretty plainly, even if the words did
no . '

“ You mean to sa that if the
these oflered rewar a, they woul
all‘yvlesla’a out 1.of ’ ckgt?" d h h

‘ e yer—t at ve reams t at one
things might easily be Wurked, in cases like

bad to pay
not eventu-

. ing, when, on o

“ I m If have sometimes cherished an idea
that He arland has associates in this town.”

“ I have no doubt of it, and possibly might,
after a study suspicion some one, were a quiet
thousand dollars to back the vent of my cap-
ture of one of the ringleader !”

“ That can be arran ed rial“ here among us,”
Markward announce . “ e are all men of
responsibility, and will pledge you the amount
for the capture of one o the ringleadeis. After
that we will bargain with you further.”

“ Very well; it’s a barg? n. i will go to work
quietlyl and you must a do the same, so far
as furnishing me any needed assistance. If I
cannot accomplish anything by the 20th of No-
vember, I wil give it up as a bad job.”

“ Ah! what peculiarity has that day l”

“ It may have several, you know—it may
have none! But, so-along! ’ and bowin , she
walked away, leav'ng the gentlemen to gepart
with a feeling the. women are not always the
“ weaker sex."

 

Yankee, after being removed to Crystal Car-
rol’s after the duel, had his wound dressed, and
felt .a little better though by no means what
could be called fris y.

The bullet had passed not far from a vital
spot, and on being extracted proved to be one
of such as are used in 32-caliber sporting rifles.

Crystal hustled about and waited on him
with alacrit , pre a‘red him some stimulant,
and then a piece 0 toast, all the time chatting
in her own artless manner, until he finally

nearly forgot his wound, and dropped asleep.

He did not awaken until late the next morn-
ning his eyes, he beheld his
hostess behind t )8 counter eng‘afied in waiting
11 on a customer—a burly, blac — aired and be-
w iskered chap, of decrdedly brigandish ap«

arance. ,

“ Ah! you have had quite a sleeg for a sick
man,” Crystal said, smiling over at im. “ How
are you feeling?"

“ Pretty well, thanks to the efforts of my ad-
mirable nurse!” Yankee replied. “ I reckon I
can navigate once more.”

“ Don’t try to exert yourself, please. I will
get you some breakfast in a moment. I really
wouldn’t stir about for some time yet.”

“You seem mighty anxious to retain our
atient,” the man at the bar growled, in a ow,
Ioarse tone, but as low as were the words,
Yankee overheard them.

“ What’s this?” flashed through his mind.
“ The gent of black aspect speaks rather famil-
iarly, it seems to me, for a customer.”

Crystal did not, look toward the SpOrt, but
giving the black-beard a scowling look, went
behind the counter into the C! ar room in front,
the customer following her example 'via the
slut door. _ .

Then for several minutes, Yankee heard a
low and at times sullen murmur of voices, but
coug not distinguish what was said, though he
con uded the interview was not exactly har-
monious.

“I wonder if that is the lover of my fair
hostess?” he mused. “If so, she has a very
poor choice, barring that he is not in disguise,
which I should not be surprised if he was.
Humph! strange things in this life. Althou h
now satisfied that I am wrong, I cannot sha e
of! the likeness of this woman to my lost Dora.
I Could almost love her for the resemblance.
But, no; I’ve no time to love now, except for

y lost ones, and to pursue the bitter trail of
vengeance!”

Bis reverie was brought to a close for a. time
by the entrance of Crystal, the black-bearded
gent having taken his departure.

“Oh! have I keptyou waiting long?” she
apologized: “these rough customers are such
bores, sometimes, you know. I will have you
something to eat soon.”

“ 1 am so aware. from encounters with several
of the species!” Yankee replied.

_He then arose, and with an effort found that
he could walk slowly about the room.

“Oh! I’ll be all right, soon!” he declared.
“ There’s a good bit of iron in the constitution

offrour family, and it’s pretty hard to kill ’em
0 .

" Have you no idea who could have shot you,
sir?” Crystal asked.

“ Not in the least, as I had noticed every ace
present within bullet range of the due g-
ground. before the circus began. I wonder how

Verner the Valiant is feeling? Rather spicy,
I dare say.”

The breakfast of venison, and codes was
soon read ‘and Yankee pa 1: of it heartil

 

after wh h he sligped a twent -dollar go
. piece into Crystal’s and, and too "his hat.

 

J

“There’s a partial recom use for your set.
vices to me!” he said, “ toga her withny heart»
felt thanks, and if I can ever be of any service
to you, pra do not hesitate to command me.”

“ Qh, sir I could not think of accepting pay
for so slight a favor. Please take your money
back!”

“ By no means. Keep it. Sometime I might
be your enem , but never as long as you keep
that !” he sai , with stran intensity.

“ How do you mean?" 8 e asked, ooking up
at him, with a faint blush upon her cheeks.

“ Oh! it’s a story of a lost love and a wrecked
life, which I would not like to relate, as noth-
ing but pain and regret can accompany the
narration. Some day, should our acquaintance
continue, I ma tell on.”

“I should li e to ear it,” she said, calmly,
not one ex ression on her face to show that
what he he said had been of more than passing
interest to her. “I will keep the coin, an
shall be pleased to know you further, since I
'udge by your words on our first meeting that

closely resemble some former acquaintance of

“ You are the living image of one who is lost
to me, I, suppose, forever. But, good—day! I
Willi stir about, and hunt me up a boarding-
p ace.

He then took his de arture, but by the time
he had reached the “ ouaco ” he was obliged
to o in, and sit down awhile.

ust as he was about to leave, Denver boll
entered, and saw and approached him.

“ I am glad to see iyou around so quick, but
am afraid you are a ittle too hasty,’ she said.
“ I trust you believe I was not instrumental in
causing your wound, Mr. Eisler?”

“ I must believe you are not, as I doubt if a
thirty-two caliber bullet imbedded in a shot-
gun wad, could hardly have hit so correctly, as

erner’s weapon was leveled at my heart.
Nevertheless, it looked mightily like asif you
had had ahand in it, at first.”

“ But I didn’t! I am of the opinion that some
enemy took the chance to get in his work on
you, when there was so good an o portunity.”

“ Enemies, eh? I shall first ave to look
ar'dund and see if I have any i”

“ I can assure you that you have one at least
——-and cannot one hire others?”

“ You refer to Verner?”

It  I”

“ How—that is what do you .know of his en-
mi‘ty;a towarid1 me ’ If h g

‘ smuc as ourse r a .

“ ut haw—what?” ’ pe pg

“ hi well, if it will satisfy you, I might re»
mark that it is getting clase enough to the 90th
of November to cause Mr. Verner some bright
anticipations—or rather his daughter."

Yankee started, violently.

“ Where did you get hold of this thing?”

“ Oh! accidental] , of course. Detectives are
an osed to know a 1 things.” '

ankee did not re l \but sat staring at.
the floor, an unnatur l ght gleaming from his

eyes.
‘ Denver Doll noticed it, and remarked: '
“ Perhaps I should not tell you, under the-
resent circumstances,but I will. She was found
but sold November night about one year ago!”

CHAPTER VI.
A nmoasn’s woomo—rwo Bananas ox A.
BUM—YANKEE on 'rn ram.

YANKEE started more vio than before
at this. -

“ Shel she i—whom do you mean? For God's:
sake speak!”

" Your wife, where you left her cold and st'fl‘
in death—murdered mind you—with her lint.-
child freezing beside er.”

“ What! You tell me this withihe insinuaiicn
that Idid the job!” he cried, fiercely. “ Have
a care how you accuse me 1”

“Well, the crime has to be shouldered by
some one, and we do not at present know any
one else to sue ct!” . . .

“ But the child! the child 1”

“ Was brought to m camp ‘I adopted it.
It was afterward ki nap ed 1 in me. since
when, I have never been a Is to find any trace

“ Oh! God! This news is worse than the sus-
pense I have been bearin , for I havo been try—v-
ing to believe them bot dead. God knows I
could never have done them an harm whom I.
loved so! Did you bury my wi of”

“ No. She was discovered b one of in men.
The child and what clews con d be fonn , were

first brought to this ve cam ; then, our camp.
When we returned for he y, no trace of it

could be found. ”
' \

e

 

 

Denver Doll, the Detective Queen.

7

 

 

Yankee’s face was buried in his hands, and a
tremor shook his figure.

Deepest grief seemed his, which, for the time
being forbade speech. '

Finally, however, he said:

“ It is a blow I have undergone, which would
kill an ordinary man. Still, I must brace up
and ta e comfort in the thought of reven e.
For revenge I will have on the one who bro e
up m home, if it is the last act of my life. Do

on ow who that man was? Here! I will
{all you "—and he spoke the name in a low
tone.

Denver Doll looked her surprise.

“Will you tell me the circumstances of the
case!” she asked.

“ No! not now. I am not sufficiently nerved
to bear up under the rehearsal at present.
Some other time will do. I must recover my
child before the 20th of the month, or the
Verners will triumph. Have you Gabriel Por-
ter’s will i”

“ At my command."

“It is well, for there is no verbatim co y of
it, and it is not recorded—that is, I do not hink
it is. However, the Verners know the purport
of the will. Now, you are in possession of so
many facts of the case, I want you to help me
through with it, and you can command your

use

Denver Doll gazed at him a moment, reflec-
tively, as if reading his nature, his secrets, his
var being, before giving her answer.

“ take but precious little stock in men !” she
mid, finally, and her tone was proof that she
meant what she said. “Put ’em in a bag and
shake ’em up, and I’ll be hanged if they won’t
all come up on to like cork-float. Still, for the
sake of the clear little child, to whom I became
greatly attached—for her sake, I will endeavor
to do all in my power for you. You must look
out sharp for yourself. If you don’t. the first
you knew on won’t know nothing. You have
seen Miss rystal Carrol?”

“ Yes. She bears a most striking resemblance
to in lost wife.”

“ ight she not be Dora?”

“ No, 1 fear not. She is more vivacious and
lively and all I said to her in re ard to my
trou le did not seem to affect er in the
least.”

“Oh! well, resemblances are often encoun-
tered. You keep quiet now and get Well, and I
will see what I can do for you. It probably
will require adeal of maneuvering to work up
anything from the case.”

 

Valentine Verner had not escaped the volley
of salt and pepper. His breast, neck and face
were full of it, and for hours he was in most
acute agony.

The evening following Denver Doll’s inter-
view with Yankee, the Verners sat in their
comfortable parlOr, Mr. Verner being engaged
in writing at the desk in one corner. Miss
Isabel, a stately brunette of four-nnd-twenty,
sat in a luxurious rocker, in front of the fire-

lace, her slippered feet upon the fender, and

fire-light shining upon her face. It was not
meal; a handsome face, but what might be
term a coldly pretty face. The eyes and hair
was Jetty black, the first essed of a ower
go warm up wondronsly w en anything pleased
er.

She was evidently a woman who could love
intensely, or hate rancorously.

She was engaged in knitting some piece of
fancy work, and ever and anon glanced toward
her wounded parent. ' I .

At last he laid aside his pen, With a peculiar

runt.
g “ All the papers are made out,” he said,
speaking more to himself than to her. “To-
morrow I will sell and receive the cash for all
my real estate here, ready to go back to Sacra—
mento. The twentieth is growing nearer and
nearer.”

“ And no tidings of Dora nor the child?”
Isabel said, inquirm ly.

” None, since she eft Eisler, and fled to parts
unknown. Eisler is here, and for a urpose.
A certain enemy of his is also in the vicinity. I
fancy he suspects that this enemy has the child
in his possession.” '

“ You mean McFarland!”

“ Exact] .”

” Pshaw I do not belieVe it!"

“ What cause have you to form any opinion
on the subject whatever, pig: 1”

' “0h! none, perhaps!” Isa lreplied, languid-

ly.

“But, on the contrary, perhaps you have!”
Verner retorted, sharply. “See here, Isabel,
you know better than to try to deceive me.

 

For some time past you have had a caller. I

.have never before interested myself enough to

ask who, trusting on were capable of looking
out for yourself. ut, a few nights since I saw
a su icious character in a mask and cloak
leave he house, as I was ap roachin it. Could
you accommodate me with is name ’

Fire leaped into the daughter’s black eyes.

“ I dare say I could if I chose,” she answered.
“ I don’t, however, consider it necessary for a
parent to be too in uisitive, Where his bosom
friends are concerned!”

Verner, with an effort, smothered an oath.

“ What in heaven’s name ‘do you mean?” he
demanded, leaping to his feet.

“ I mean,” Isabel said, “ that I have a lover,
or, rather, have been quietly receiving the at-
tentions of a man, who rofesses to adore me.
This man is an intima pal of yours. Is it
necessary that I should mention any names?”

“No! no! not at all! not at all! the parent
protested hastily. “But this thing must be

stopfied.”

‘ a! ha!” Isabel laughed. “I am not par-
ticular. Since Yankee has come here, I am
easil ap ased.”

“ ention not that ruflian to me, in connec-
tion with yourself. I’ll disown you if you no-
tice him!”

“Oh! well, if the subject is too spicy for
you, drop it!” was the stinging retort.

J ust then there came a rep at the door.

“ A caller on business; you may retire,” Ver-
ner said, motioning her to a rear room.

“It is hardly necessary 1” she replied, signi-
ficantly; “still I will obey.”

And she vanished.

Verner then opened the door, and admitted
the visitor, who was the same black-haired and
bewhiskered individual who had earlier in the
day been at Crystal Carrol’s store.

He nodded familiarly and took a seat.

Verner also became seated.

“ Well ’1" he said, interrogatively}.

“ Well!” the other replied, “w y were you
not around to see me?"

“I was sick,” the speculator growled. “ Look
at me!” p

The man grinned: “ You are a pet for beauty
now ” he said. “Why didn’t you finish the
job or your antagonist!”

“It was not I that fired the shot—that is
why. What is your errand here to-night, may
I ask !”

“ I come on two errands, or more properly
one, as both are connected. Are you prepared
to be surprised?” '

“ Oh! likely I can stand the shock.”

The speculator spoke with sarcasm.

“ You ought to,” the other returned. “To
my own knowledge you are hardened enough to
withstand a cannon-ball. Well, to be out with
it—I am in love !”

Verner yawned, but did not reply.

“Yes, am in lova!” the caller went on,
“ tho’ it may appear strange. The object of my
adoration—”

“Is locked in the next room, of her own
choice, to save enduring the agony of a meetin
with you,” the speculator interrupted, ma! -
ciouly. .

The man of the black beard wmced, then
seemed to ow sudden] furious.

“ Valentine Verner!” e cried, sternly.

“John McFarland!“ the other returned,
coolly.

The road-agent fairly trembled when his
name was uttered.

“ ’Sh! curse you,” he gritted. “D0 011 not
know that walls sometimes have ears? nough
of this nonsense. Let it be no secret that
I love your daughter, and have decided to
make her my wife. You, as a matter of
course. will consent. and that will settle the
whole business, without any parley.”

“ As a matter of course you are a confirmed
idiot to think of such a thing- My daushter
marrv you—you, an outlaw. a road-agent and
rasCal. Ha! ha! ha!”

“Ha! ha! if you like. True, I am an outlaw
in the eyes of the public—a man given to the
delectable practice of stopping sta es and re-
lieving plethoric purses: but, John cParland.
no matter what else he may be in the eyes of
the world, is a man, every inch of him, and
never goes back on a friend in need. You are
no better than I, for you are one of the Chisels
of which I am the mullet. Your daughter I
adore, and have sworn to have her.”

“ And I swear you shall not. She is already
en a ed to the man of her choice—the'same
in i dual who salivated me with salt and

n .
“Twitcheming speculator watched closely

 

for some visible efl‘ect of this speech, but saw
none.

McFarland was not nibbling at such bait,
sage speak. He calmly lit a cigar, and then
sai :

“ You speak hastily, without considering the
man you are addressin , nor your own interests.
My reputation ought o assure on that I am
the wron kind of a customer 0 trifle with.
Bési’des, t e 20th of November is but a few days
0

Verner leaped to his feet with a cry. l

“As I suspected. You have the child !” he
vociferated.

McFarland tipped back in his chair with a

im smile. '

“ Welll Ishould cough u a out if I haven’t l”
he res nded. “ It’s a col frosty morn when I
get 1e t, as a general thing.”

“And you purpose to use this child as a
megiis of forcing a marriage with my daugh--
ter

“Perhaps!”

“ What, if I refuse?”

“ That matters not. She is her own master."

“ But she will refuse.”

“ Let her. The child is salable.”

“ Curse on! What do you want?”

“ I’ll tel you: First of all. I want all your
wealth, and your daughter as my wife. The
child will then never come to l ght. When
your daughter comes into her fortune, she will
take care of you, and all will go as merry as a
marriage bell.”

“Wouldn't that be nice. though? But I am
not in the game. Parents poor, who depend on
rich dau liters, never cultivate the gout.”

McPar and arose, and carefully readjusted
his disguise.

“ Well, I’ll give you a aiance to consider ” he
remarked. “ lt’s plain to me whom I shall sell
the kid to, if I can’t earn a wife out of the bar-

rain.

And with these words he abruptly left the
house.

He had planted a seed that he was satisfied
would grow. -

As soon as he had gone, Verner arose, and
suddenly opened the door of the adjoining
room, to find, as he had expected, Isabel ust
rising from a crouching position, where she ad
been istening.

His eyes airly blazed with re e, and he
raised his foot as if tempted to kick er.

“ So you have been playing eavesdropper, eh i”
he hissed, savagely.

“ I am sure 1 might listen to the voice of my
lover l” sho retorted.

“ Curse your] ver!” he roared. “You think
by coming to his terms you can win. We shall
see. I am your parent—your friend. If you
leave me, I’ll put you in a way for a coma, be-
fore you see a cent of the Porter inheritance!”

And foaming with ra 6, he turned and quit-
ted the house, slamming he door after him.

Isabel stood in the center of the ream her
figure drawn to its fullest hight, her face white,
her eyes warmed up with an unnatural

“I am to be the chooser eh?” came from be-
tween her teeth, in a sibilant whisper—“it’s
father or husband, eh! Well! I will consider
butI rather think the coffin is not made that
will hold me. If 1 have to play for the game,
why should I play to lose?”

“ ' 'I'her crockydile he swailered a ham,
He swallered a am;
He swnllered a ham;
Then got sucked in by a Natchez clam.
One cold stormy morning.‘

“Owl omclcts an’ fricasseed fro . thet’sno
sarcumstance, pilgrim! Reporter  ye say!
Lor’ bless ye—I kin 8 net down on ther bulge
eend uv a bullwhip. an tell ye email in a min-
in't. ter confuse ye fer a year! Pap is my name
—Old Mount, thet war ther identercal galoot
who threr ther salt on ther tail 0’ ther
’Merican Eagle, an’ roped her in, when it war
soarin’ OVer Pike’s Peak. Geographical Erase-
hoppers of Gandur’s Gulch, Jonesy—I’m a
snorter, I am—a reg’lm' amalgamated double-
action, steel-hardened, fine-toothed terror from
Taos. Why. man alive) I’ve a pedigree longer
than ther tail uv ther longest comet that ever
sowed thru ther firniament 2”

"But, my dear sir, allo me to get in a
single word. Tani J ones—L .a‘wles Pygmalion
Jones of the Cavortin’ Cyclone. o’ Cheyenne. I
come in quest of items—items, sin—not vernac-
ular hrases. Do you know of any sensational
tid-bits, as it war—has any man’l wife broke
his nose or vice versa? have any th is, ed
calves been born in the neighborhoo , or V?
eyed galings had spasms? has any one talked

   

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Inbout his nlzilghbor, or committed suicide by
swailerin" , t-handed shotguns, three-legged
dictionaries, or the like? Sir,iu the name of
the Cavorth’ Cyclone, I command you to im-
part to me the news, or Ishall mutilate you. I
am a bad man when my mercury is around.

curry daming needles in my socks, and
electric fluid in my mind. lam at all times

' Rated with a tooth- ick, a popgun .and an

almanac, and the argest musketo in the
country I had the honor of Slaughtering.
Jones -—C. Pygmalion Jones! East never
heard iti— tie a famous name 2"

Pretty well lubricated with whisky, better
knewn in Shining Bar as “life-preserver,” and

' “sweet by-and-by,” those two characteristic

emblem of indigenous humanity, Jones and
Mount, had entered the Monaco, arm in arm,
and waltzod toward the bar, behind which the
roéeate poison-compounder, Emily, presided
with austere grace. his infantile apology of a
mustache waxed out to a point.

“Ahem! gud mornin’!” Pap said, stroking his

' heard, and glancing at the array of bottles on
the if '

e .
“ hem! that is—Mr.’ Barkeeper, I’ll make
e ’qu-aint’ wi’ ther reporter o’ ther Cavortin’
Eyclone, 0’ Shiun and we are werry dry—that
is, cussed dry. iieer’s to us- young tellers! so
set forth ther bottle 0’ ‘ by-an’-by,’ and we will
indulge inyalittle expression 0’ good'humor—
ooclgeyed crockodiles an’ orphan perarie dorgs,
, es .

 The darling dispenser gazed at his two wouhl.
be customers with stupendous hauteur, and m p-
ped upon the counter with his knuckles, as much
as to an , “ Come down!”

Pap elt in his pockets, looked at Jones and

sigrhed. a
V 0 es felt in his pocket, looked atPap and
sigh : then both sighed in chorus, and arm-int

’arm walked away out of ear-shot.

. f‘Ring-tailed raccoons and hydraulib hedge-

 hogs! no trust!” Pap softly breathed.

" What shall we doi’,’ breathed back Charles
Pygmalion, in iteous accents. “Doth I not

- have one little rink I shall wilt and fade.”

. room. '

Pap looked wearily over the audience in the
. So many tunes had he worked upon
their feelings that he knew it would be simply
rash to try it again. ,

'At last, unable tolonger stand the misery,

I "J ones once more approached the bar.

I through an

“ Kind sir, remembering that I represent that
great and glorious sheet know as the Cavortin‘
O ,ne of Cheyenne, canI not induce you to
a‘ ow me to lick the outside of an empty bottle
with my parched tongue?”

“Git sent. or I’ll shoot!” the Apollo of the
bar declared.

Jones turned and went away. I

f‘ Wait,” he Whispered to Pap: “ I will be
Wk after I swallow a couple of rivers.”

. 9‘1"?! no! great horned ace of Taos, I’ve an

i' 

IJ Both leffl'the saloon.
Outside Pap took an empty flask from his

pocket and ill ed it with water.

-- “ Now I’m jest goin’ ter play magic, like when

[my er double j’inted incantation I transformed

u

that mouth,uv a Chinaman inter an eight-day

canal: When I git ther galoot ter, chase mm

/ 'yeou‘slip behind ther bar an’ grab all ye kin

'Carry an’ run. .We’ll divvy outside."

Into the Monaco went the festive pair, and
up to the bar. ' ..

.Pap held up his em ty hands and made sev-
eral queer motions, w en'like a flash 0. bottle,
apparently filled with liquor, appeared in his

' ggrlaigieving it one of his own flasks, and seeing

aPap turn and run, 'the bar-kee r uttered a
bowl of rage,-leaped Over the r and gave

chase. .
' As he leaped over in one direction, Charles

-.P..y£malion Jones leaped over in the opposite,

instead .of landing upon the floor went

n tra door rub-a-dub-dubdub

' 5 down repair 0 stairs into the cellar.

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g to go above again, he looked about
form pine: ofhooncealmgntu -. be
v aning w at e suppose was an amp r-
rel, .leaped into it and-«went downfgown,
down into utter darkness—down into the dis-

.need shaft of a mine, far into the-depths of the
' earth! ~

 

' Feeii worn out and week by the time night
ngfankee '

 hadretiredearlyto-his room
have", lapartmemsttherear
of fur-

anar'row bed, a and} chair.
‘ “Onevwiudow, without a‘c , , shuttersor

  

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45011, the Detective Que

f pings, looked out into the rear yard from
‘w ich any- one could easily ascend to a raise
the'sash. . - .
“Not a very savory berth for amen who
don’t know when he. is liable to get flipped
over,” he muttered, lookin outof the w' ow.
“ if I am not greatly taken, I shall have

, visitors to-night—at least I have a kind of fore-
.boding to that effect. So 1 will take care not to

.be caught napping.”

Together with his coat and some other clothes ~

he manufactured a dummy and covered it ovar
in bed so as to represent a man sleeping there;
then he (‘l'cpt under the bed, where he codld not
be seen, and, armed with his revolvers, waited.

, It was a long wait, but his. patience was not
easily tired. A clock in another part of the
house struck one, and all seemed quiet in the
vicinity“ . -

"it won’t be long now, I fancy,” he muh
tered. “i am confident of an attack. but it
may not come from the direction I anticipate.
We will wait and see what'ls what.” .

Still another hour passed, and then he heard
footsteps in the hall outside, followed by a can-
tious tap on the, door.

At first he was tempted to open it, but the
vision of a pair of revolvers staring him in the
fat-e caused him to desist, and to lie perfectly
quiet. . '

After a moment the same cautious tap, tap
was repeated; then folbwed a silence of nearly
half an hour. r

“ That was only a ruse to see if I was awake.”
he concluded. “ I can reasonably look out for
a visit from the window now.” «

From where he lay under the bed he had an
unobstructed view of the window, without
being in danger of being seen himself. -

He was right about the attack in that direc-
tion. It was not long ere he heard a noiso on
the outside of the house, as if a ladder were
being placed against it. ,

hen came another silence. ,

The nocturnal visitor was evidently going it
cautiously. . ' ‘ V

At last the head and shoulders of a person’
was discernible outside the window. It was a

man, whose face was masked and whose head -

wore a broad-brim hat. 7

Cautiously he raised the window, and then
silent! crept into the room. '

Yan as perceived that he clutched a murder-
ouslookin knife in his hand.

“ Hump bit he murders the dummy without
discovering the joke, I’ll follow him, see where
he oes to, and who he is,” he muttered. v

ith bated breath the would-be murderer
approached the bedside—then came three quick,
heavy blows, and the assassin retreated toward
the window. -

“Ha! ha! he’ll never interfere with any of
my plans again, I’ll warrant!” the Sport heard
him say as he clambered out and down the
ladder. , .

From under the bed then came the Sport, and
he was out and down the ladder but a few
minutes after the assassin, who was making
lfisurellyhoff for the outskirts of the camp, up

e c .‘ . . . .

Li e a sleuth-hound Yankee followed him,_

taking care to kee as much out of sigflht as pos- .

sible. Then, too, e was in his stoc
and his footsteps were scarcely audible.

For perhaps ten minutes this flight and pur-
suit continued, when the Sport saw the assassin
enter a clump of Chaparral. ,..

Cautiously approaching it. be h ard human
voices, and soon saw two flguress auding in a
little 0 niug into which the moonlight
stream .' , .

One was the maske man—the other was none
other than the cig store beauty, Crystal
Carrol! '

“ Well, are you here at last?” the masked man
demanded, in a tone that was anything but
my Kn“ ” c I lied and]

‘ s you see, rysta rep ‘ , spi y.
“ Pray where have you been!”

“ Looking after 110th”- .

“W ll, you will know where to find me after
this. here shall be no more clandestine meet-
i s. I have about come to the conclusion,
Ralph, that you had better pay your attentions
to some one else, as I do not think I care par-
ticularly for you.” v _ .

“ You don’t, ,ehi” Hie tone. was .eavage.
“You’ve changed your national chores to a

ug feet,

YW’iiiifle gig t least tie ”

.‘ ose v. a A ,
“Undoubtedly II heal-lbw” 
heoncehadawif whowasthe. .m
whiplash“). whence .7 . 
by him, until, to save the life of herself when

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, her body. but the child was

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child she fled. This is the row you would
m'e for. is-it—me, a titled noblem ’

“I ardly believe youare what you 0 im,
Ralph: Besides. I have. great faith that Mr.
Yankee is all a woman could desire." 1

"'Well, then know, Miss Cr stal _Carrol, that
Yankee, as you call him, has eon murdered .'
his bed. I just heard so as i came from
town!”

“Youliel” . .

It was Yankee who said this, as he sprung
from covert, revolvers in hand!

. :CHAPTER VII. »
Tmr. CONSPIRACY—DENVER DOLL 0N TRAIL—l
THE REPORTER IN A BAD BOX. ~

HAD a thunderbolt fallen at the feet of Crys-
tal andher lover neither could, have been more
surprised than at the sudden ap arenas of ,
Yankee, the Sport, who made his introductory
bow upon that dramatic scene, coatless, hatless
and bootless. ‘ ‘ I

‘f You lie 1” Yankee cried again, leveling his
revolvers upon 'the masked man. “ Yorufdid not
murder me. my fine fellow, as you-supposed;
but, instead, you stabbed a dummy I had pre-
pared for you in bed 1"

Crystal screamed. - '

“Did this man try to murder you?” she de-
manded, shrinkin toward Yankee. '

“As you have eard. He entered my room,
but got his work in on my coat and some bed-
clothes, while I was under the bed. Who are
you, my noble desperadoi What is your name,

say!l . . .

The man stood in grim silence. He would
not answer, but was evidently looking for a
chance to escape. 1 x ‘ .

Yankee comprehended his motive, and nodded
Ii: head with a grim smile.

“Just you try it!" he said. “I’ll fix you
over into a perforated plaster if you do. Miss ‘
Carrol, who i.this man?”

3‘ Oh, please do not harm him i”

“ I'lfat is not answerin my question.”

" o—but—but please onot hurt him. His
name is Sir Ralph Raphael, a gentleman from
Europe.” ‘

“Bah! Sir Ral h fiddle-sticks! Hashe been
stumng your hea up with this? I can tell you
who he 1s, without seeing his face. He is ohn

 

McFarland, the road-agent!” K'. ‘

stal gasped. _
lover gave'vent to a fearful oath.

“ ’Tis false!” he gritted, trying to sneak his
hand to ward his belt.

“' ’Tis true!” Yankee cried. “ Remember my
caution! I have met you at last, a d before we
part We shall have a settlement. here is my
wife and child, John McFarland? Speak before
I murder you!” ' r ‘ '

Fiercer spoke the handsome Sport. and it
was evident that he-meant,'with intense earn-u
estness, every word he said, for his eyes blazed
with a fierce fire, his face was pale and set, his
form erect and threatening in attitude.

pMcParland evidently saw that there was no
use for him to resist—just at present, anyhow—
for he removed his .mask with a growl, and-his
darkly-handsome face was exposed to view in
the moonlight. . r

“ How should I know about your wife?” he
growled, twisting his mustache. “I- am not a
stock-jobber in other men’s wives.”

“You know where you murdered her, you;
accursed hound! Tell me, then, where she is
buried!” ' ' '

“ I know not where gou will find her, if subs
it that she is dead. 1 id not kill her.” . .

Click!

One of Yankee's weapons came to full cock in
an instant. . ' _

“Chew back that lie! One—two—J’ . _

“ Let up!” McFarland interrupted. “ Rather
than get a lit on a bullet I’ll ac 'nqwledge an -‘
thing. I id not kill your wife, but know t a
man. that struck the low. She was wander-
ing, half demented, through the mountains. I
knew this rson Was on her trail, and I set out
to baffle his purpose. I failed. I came.
one. I her the
body to a cavern, and then 1a d' it away, where
no wild beasts could get at it. Some timeafter-
ward I recovered the, child, and have it still in
my on. I am a bad man. Yankee Eis-
ler, at I nevor killed the woman you won 
me for your wife—nor any other woman. I am

not a woman-slay .” a . . ,
with unvaryiag mt

Cr
H

The Sport mafia

' sion of countenance. , -- , ..
~ til: you did not kill her who-did?” laid»  "

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alert-page. chuckle.

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VernerV’McPafl   I  5 " 

 
   

 

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Denver Doll, the Detective Queen. 9

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“ W did you ca ture the child from Verner?”

“ Certain] ; an. he has since offered togive
me his dang ter in exchange for the child."

“You are a chronic liar!” Yankee retorted,
savagely.

“ hoever secured the child, secured it from
the camp of Denver Doll and her detectives.
That shows conclusively that Verner did not
have her, which he likely would, if he had mur-
dered my wife. So further denial of the crime
is utterly useless. You sWore to break up my
ihappy home, and you succeeded. You swore
‘you would be revenged upon me through those

held dearest, and you did so. John McPar-
land, I have made up my mind to kill you. So
say your prayers, if you desire, as you shall
have but five minutes’ respite!"

McFarland lau hed recklessly.

“Any harm t at comes to me effectual]
settles the fate of Ethel Eislerl" he chuckler,
'villainousiy. “ then I die, these who hold the
child in their power have pledged themselves
to kill the child I”

“Say what on like. I have sworn to have
revenge, and will not be balked. You have
two more minutes. On your knees and pray,
you dog. One!”

Mc.l’urlunrl.stood immovable, defiance ex-

pressed up'm hisoface, and in his gleaming e es.
Near to Yankee stood Crystal Carroll, w ite
with terror, and trembling at what seemed im-

pending—death to the mountain road-rider.

“ Two !” Yankee said, sternly. There was no
pity in hir cone—he was as relentless as ever
fate coulo be.

Still with bulldog defiance stood the road-
agent, not a. tremor of fear seeming to affect
him, althou h death stared him in the face.

Yankee’s een eye noticed this, and a feeling
of admiration stru gled into his heart. More
than one man had the Californian Seen face
death, but none with so much assurance as pos-
sessed by this McFarland.

An angel in the shape of thought said: “ Why
kill this man? When you see one so brave and
defiant, he might be worked to some good.”

But quick the answering thought came:

“ You have been bitterly wronged by this
man, and he would kill you now, if he could.
Let him not esca e!"

The S rt’s phi ol-hand raised a trifle higher,
and his ips were about to move to speak the
fatal “three.”

With a cry Crystal Carrol sprung forward
and threw her arms about Yankee, thus kn00k~
ing aside his aim:

“ Oh! don’t hurt him, Yankee Eisler—for my
sake don’t fire—for the sake of me, who loves

oul Obi pray don’t shootl" she screamed,
ntically, and she clung to him so persistentfl'y
that he could not use his pistol-arm.

McFarland was not the man to stand on cere~
mouy, when he saw an advantage to improve,
and seeing that Yankee was momentarily pow-
erless to act, he turned and ran like a deer. ~

Before Baler could disengage herself, the
Kin of the Road was at a safe distance from
si h or hearing.

ankee haliéesut Miss Carroll off, and
stood with a be expression gazing in the
direction the outlaw had gone.

Then he turned his gleaming eyes upon Crys-
ta .

“You have succeeded well in freeing the man
whose life it is my 'aim to take. Perha your
lover can thank you for it—I can not i” has said,

‘ bitterly.

“I am not so fortunate as to have a lover,
and what I did was simpl to save you from
doing murder!" she rephe , calmly. “Come!
go back to Shining Bar, and thank me that
your hand is not stained with human blood.”

He uttered a sort of hollow, unearthly laugh
at her earnestness. '

“Maybe you are right," he said. “We will
.20 back before we are discovered. I feel some-
what exhausted l” _

She took his arm, and as they walked leisurely
back toward the town she found that he had
spoken the truth. He was really weaker than
he would admit, and it was only his nerve-

wer that kept him up until he reached the
boarding-house, where, after biddin Crystal
good-by, he slowly ascended the lad or to his
room. And he had no sooner gained his bed
than his senses took leave of him.

 

‘ "I‘were necessary that a couple of days of
comparative quiet should ensue, in Shining
Bar, in order to give the excitable inhabitants
thereof time to wear 0! the eflects of the sev-
eral stirring events that had occurred.

The miners settled down to work, the gam-
brs plied their vocation with less profit and

 

the main street presented a scene of less bustle
than before.

Denver Doll was occasionally seen about
town, but her actions were not such as to arouse
suspicion that she was in any way trying her
hand at her business.

Yankee had got out again, and Valentine
Verner was seen on the street and about the
mines. which he now only controlled as man-
ager, having sold out his interests.

But even when in lack of a stirring sensation,
Shining Bar was destined to have something to
attract attention and comment.

This something was embodied in the person of
a Mile. Zoe, who had arrived on the stage, bag-
gage and all, and had hired a marquee (put up
on a vacant space near the Monaco, an then
hung out a banner, bearing the following:

MLLE. ZOE,
FORTUNE TELLER AND sncoxn SIGHT SEER.

The Past, Prelim! (Int/v Future Revealed, or Money
R'fmidnd.

Here was a novelty that Shining Bar had
never had cause to wonder at before, and
naturally a ripple of curiosity was aroused,
thou h many were suspicious of a person who
had t ie power to do what the mademoiselle pro-
fessed to do.

What the mademoiselle looked like no one
knew, because she dressed in dee )est black, and
her face was ever hidden back 0 a heavy vail.
She was seldom seen on the street, except 0-
ing to and from her boarding-home to he
marquee.

A couple of miners had ventured their half:
eagle for an interview, and came out telling of
the wonderful things Mlle. Zoe had done, in
the way of imparting information of the past,
present and future.

Yankee stood upon the ste s of the Monaco,
the third evening after 1 cParland’s escape,
going at the marquee, when Denver Doll,
whom he had not spoken with for two days,
came sauntering up.

“Well, are you going to get
told?" she laughed, anticipatin 's thoughts.

“ I am not certain but what may,” he re-
plied. “ Have you made any good moves?"

“No. Have not seen much of a chance.
Have discovered now and then a int. You-r
friend Verner is a great rogue. T 91}, too, I’ve
a little epistle from McP. which advises me to
get up and dust, or he will make it interesting
for me.”

“ You will take his advice, I presume?”

“ Hardly. I’ve anotion, however, that he is
going to make trouble in Shining Bar, befor he
is captured. In just what shape it will co e I
do not know. There’s goin to be a little meet-
ing to-niglht, however, whic i I must attend, so
you will ave to excuse me.”

She walked aWay, leaving Yankee gazing
after her, admiringli.

4 “I fancy I could ii 0 her, were I not more in-
terested in findin my child,” he muttered.
“ Yet the face of t at cigar irl recalls my loét
bride too vividly for me to t ink of loving an-
other. . I’ve a mind—” »

He walked slowly over toward the marquee,
and pulling aside the curtain, entered, half
an ry at himself for doing so.

ithin was but little that was attractive.

A sort of raised platform or dais had been ar-
ranged, and covered by a carpet. Its only fur-
niture was a chair, upon which sat the lack-
clad figure of a woman, whose face was deeply
vailed, and hands gloved.

She bowed as Yankee entered and approached

our fortune

er.

“What will ze gentleman have—his fortune
told, or 29 st, present and ze future revealed
to him?" eggmked, in a clear, winning tone.

“ If ou’ll drop 03 the French and talk U. S.

IHave you attempt to explain my af-
f ankee,_replied, in a bluff but good-na-
tured way. '

“ I can talk pure American,” Mlle. Zoe said,
sweetly. “I think I can tell you much that
will sprprise you. You wish to know of the

net
p “ Yes—you might as well grind out the whole
grislt, since it costs the same i” the Sport 'replied

‘Well, you are a Californian?” ‘

“You could have easily learned that,”

“I do not depend except on myself for infor-
mation. You have for some years led a wild
life, amblin being oneof your passions. You
lov one 1—were beloved b two, but
wedded the one of {our choice, w 0 also had
another lover to w om she was not entirely
indifferent Well, after marriage, you failed

 

to break from your old habit of gamblin , and
in cons uence you and your wife .fui ed to
agree, an you grew jealous because she chatted
now and then with her old lover, your rival.
Things went alon . until, in a fit of jealousy,
on left home. hen you returned, repentant,
t was too late. Your wife had also gone,
taking her child with her!" ’

“ By heaven, you are right!” Yankee cried,
excitedly. “ It was I who was to blame for al.
But, woman, who are you who know so muc
of my history? Speak, for I will know !"

And he took a step forward, authoritatively.

But a revolver gleaming in her hand, caused
him to pause.

“ I am Zoe, the fortune-teller; you came
here to pay me for information, and I trust
act like a gentleman,” she said, quietly. “ Shall
I proceed?‘ .

“ Go ahead," Yankee responded, winciug. “ I
will listen.”

"Well. to resume, this wife and child wan~

dered into the mountains and were ursued,
and the wife was murdered by McPa and, the
rival lover. The child was rescued, b after-
ward retaken, and is now in Me ariand's
campf.” .
“ on are an expert at your business ”
Yankee said, with sarcasm. ‘You are Wei
versed in the case, but I already have learned
all that your revelation discloses. Can’t you
give me something new? ’

“ I have not done, yet,” Zoe replied, unrumed
at his taunt. “Your present is one of great
importance—more than was the past. A fortune
is nding on your child. You want hen—so do
ot ers, and each is ready to pay for her, and
your enemy has the advantage by bein on in-
timate terms with the child’s oaptor. 0 that,
although you inav employ detectives, it is
likely the 20th of November will pass without
your seeing anything of your chi d—then, nor
thereafter—unless you go at the matter in a dif-
ferent way. There is but one person who can
get possession of Ethel Eisler, on short notice,
and that person is myself i”

Yankee whistied.

"I thought you were working around to
something of the kind l” he said. “ You mounte-
banks are all wise frauds—no one will doubt
that.”

“Nevertheless, I will wager all my money
that I can produce the child within a certain
number of hours. My price is your hand in
marriage. You are handsome, and I am by no
means a fright. We would make an excellent
worldly team, I fancy.”

“Undoubtedly! But, child or no child, for-
tune or no fortune, I am not in the matrimonial
market.”

“Oh! Well. you have not had time to con-
sider, et. After-thought may bring a change.
Possib y I shall possess the child, and if I can
do nothing better, can sell it to Vern'er. He is,
I understand, very anxious to possess her, so
that he can put it out of the way. Mypro
fessicnal charges are five dollars.”

“Dirt cheap!” Yankee said, as he tossed her
a old piece, and strode from the tent.

‘ Another schemer who has spotted the case,
and is trying to make a stake!” he muttered.
going toward the Post-office. “ I’d give a deal
to know who she is.” - ,

In passing Crystal Carrol’s he dropped in,
but a mulatto boy was tending to business, and
the pretty proprietress was nowhere to be seen.

 

When the stage came rolling down into the

town, it carried for a wonder but one passen-
er—a weazene , pinched-up little specimen of
umamty. some fifty years of age, whose nose
was of a ripe cherry color, and whose head was
as bald as a full moon. The hooked cherr nose
graced his visage, just above a large to con-
stained mouth; his heard was of a week’s
growth. and the most striking sign of intelli-
gence about him was a pair of little peering
black eyes, sunken under a pair of shaggy ovar-
hanging eyebrows. In them was a
:ley cunning, that belonged to one of his na- _
ure.

This individual, who 'on the ourney had
voluntarily introduced himself to 'ckey Pr or
as Monroe Miller, was greeted as soon as he eft
the stage, by Verner, with a hearty hand-shake,
and the two walked away together toward the
Monaco.

The eyes of Denver Bell, who was at the Pesto
office at the time, took in the matter, and a
faint smile curved her pretty month.

“There is to hen meeting to-night and that
man with a tinted nose will participate "she
mused. “ If I don’t learn what this meeting is
about, I hope I may never see daylight.”

 

 
 

1 0

She watched Verner and his chum enter the
Monaco; then she stepped briskly across the
gulch to the boarding-house, and made her way
to her room.

In fifteen minutes she emer ed from the room
transformed into a rough-sh miner—and one
of the hardest looking specimens of'the miner’s
fraternity that one would be likely to meet in a
lon time.

{firtain itwas that her most intimate friend
would not have recognized her in her disguise,
for she was the ideal of a forsaken pilgrim,
whose claim had failed to pan out a penny-
weight.

Leavinga note under the door of the room
occugied by her three comrades, she left the
boar ing-house, and made for the Monaco,
where she presented herself at the bar, and or-
dered whisky.

“ Where’s yer rhino?” the astute Emily de-
manded. eying her with a vinegar look that
bad acidity enough to rust the hoops off from a
barrel.

“ Put her on ther slate!” was the reply. “ I’m
Glycerine George, frum Poverty Claim, dead
bu sted, by thunder!”

“Then 0 make a raise!” was the advice.
“ Plenty o suckers layin’ ’round loose.”

Glycerine George turned away with a sigh

Near b stood Old Pap, looking nearly as for-
lorn as t e delegate from Poverty Claim.

“See hyar, pilgrim, don’t despair," he said,
mournfully. “ Don’t despair, fer thar’s a silver
linin’ ter every cloud they say. I haven‘t
smiled fer a month—think 0’ that. M pard he
tried to make a raise, hut ther last see’d 0’
him war his heel’s vanishiu’ over that air dis-
permin’ counter.

“ ‘ Et‘s hard ter be broke. an o wi'out ilc,
But et'lswh‘opeful 0‘ change, w ien we rope in our

theIher this logic affected the party from ,

Denver Doll, the Detectiv

 

Poverty Claim. or not, is hard to say, but 'he §

zigzaggel his way into a corner. immediately
in the rear of where Verner and Miller were
seated. and fell in a heap. as if “all seas over!"
“ \Vho is the galoot!” Miller cried, in an un—
dertone.
“ Bah!

Some drunken tough. dead drunk ;

and dead broke, i reckon,” Verner said, eure- a

lessly. “ You say we can depend on half of the
men at the «.mmp. certain!"

“Yes. I have given the matter a careful
canvas, and there’s fully that many ready for
mutiny. Two months have passed without a
divy being declared, an“ the boys are kind 0’
skeered.”

“What of ‘3”

“ Well, there’s a heap of Uncle Sim‘s men in
the vicinity, which makes the situation look
unpromisin , in itself. Then, Mac has held off
about the d vy so long that some have an idea
he intends turnin’ traitor for sake o’ savin’ his
own skin.”

“ I wouldn’t be sur rised. I’ve no confidence

in him, or I probably 3 ouldn’t have proposed the :

forthcoming movement. But, let us adjourn
until the midnight meeting. I have notified all
the safe men to be present.”

“ Ve well. Describe the place of meeting.
and I w be there on time, without fail,” Mil-
ler said.

“ The rear room of the Postvofiice. Tap three
, times on the back door and give the chirp of a
cricket."
” All right. Are you 01!?"
“ Yes, to supper.”
They then separated, Verner leaving the sa-
loon and Miller moving away to another part

"of it.

As soon .as she deemed it safe, Denver Doll, in
her disguise, arose and staggered out of the
grace, and was soon in her room at the board-

-house, where she exchanged disguises, and
w th ints, clothing and wi sooa transformed
horse f into a black-haired nish looking per-
son, with a sweeping mustac e and dusky com-
plexion.

(hoe she had been a passenger in a stage that ‘

had been attacked by MoParland’s men, and
among them she had seen a man whom her
present make-up almost exactly resembled.

Throwing herself on the bed, she took a short i

nap and awoke a few minutes before twelve.

, looking to the condition of her revolvers.
the left the building and took a circuitous route
to the rear of the Postdoc, in which vicinity
she seceted herself and waited.

It was not long ere Valentine Verner put in
In of I“amigo. singi was gaidmittefii to therear
loom e ost-o coon vin t reeta u n
.0 door and the chirp of a criEket. pa p0

He was unmasked.

Soon another man came and was admitted,

 

 

and so, one after another, until over a dozen had
been admitted.

Last of all came the red-nosed delegate whom
Verner had met at the stage, and was admitted
after giving the signal.

“Now for it!” Doll muttered, leaving her
place of concealment. “I’m
room if I hu’st a sus nder.
know a few p’ints, any ow.”

Seeing that her weapons were in readiness,
she advanced to the door and gave the signal.

Without delay the door was opened and she
stepped into the room, closing the door behind
her.

All eyes were turned upon her, and Valentine
Verner lea hastily from his chair—for all
were seats about the table.

“ Hello! who the devil are you?” he cried.

“Stop!” Miller inter-weed, arising; “it’s
Steward, one of McParland’s men. What
brin you here, Steward?”

“ was sent by the boys, to tell you to go
cautious, as they‘re rather suspicions that the
captain smells a rat!” Doll replied, without
hesitation.

“Let him suspect! I ordered the boys to spot
him if he showed bad signs during my absence.
and ’twas not necessary to send you. However
now that you are here, be seated, and we will
go on with the meeting.”

“ is this man reliable?” Verner demanded,
anxiously.

“ I’d stake my life on him!” Miller declared.
“Steward Was one of the first to advocate a
mutiny. Go ahead, Mr. Verner. You have
the floor for the evening.”

Denver Doll could scarcely repress a sigh of
relief at the favorable turn matters had taken.
She had half expected a row, but thanks to
llilliillsir, she had at present no danger to appre-

en . .

“Well, if I am to address this meeting,”
Verner said, “ I request the undivided attention
of all present—especially that of Messrs. Sul-
lindor, Markward, Kelly, Arty. Mount Hayes
and Jarvis. Gentlemen, an important project
i< before us for consideration, which, if adopted,
will undeniably put money equally in all of our
pockets. You all well know that Shining Bar’s
mineral resources are not fully developed, and
that there are bright promises for the future.
Moreover, a hundred vigilant, well-trained men
could defend this place against the attack of a
small army. The wa matters stand now a
few of you are in goo ly circumstances, while
others are barely making a living. Under a
change, every man would share equally in the
profits of the mines. Now, in order to work
this satisfactorily, it is necessary to rid the
to,wn of most of the resent inhabitants, and
then we have things a our own way, and ad-
mit no more residents ekeept by popular vote-
on the subject.”

“But how do you propose to do this? I’m not
interested in murder!” said Tom Markward.

“No murder is necessary. There is half of
McParland’s band—all good reliable men—who
wish to join the movement, and more to be
heard from. If the present party joins, that
will swell our numbers well toward a hundred,
which shall be the limit. We will meet, organ-
ize, form our rules and regulations, and then I
can arrange the evacuation of Shining Bar, at
short notice.”

“ How i”

“Simple as A B C. Send a man in here with
posters, stating that a monstrous lead has been
struck at some distant place, and thousands of
men are wanted, and rich claims are to be sold!

fIgetfired,I

, What will be the result? There will be a stam-
‘ pede that will'nearly clear the town in twenty-

four hours. Then we will sail in, and take pos-
session. Those who take no part in the stampede
will be forced to leave, exce t where we find a
reliable party, whom we ink best to keep
with us. HOW like you the scheme, gentlemen?
It is a gigantic one, but there’s money in it!”

There was a grim silence, for some minutes;
then Verner spoke again:

“ Come! speak out! All in favor of the mo-
tion make manifest by sayin I!”

Every voice responded in t e affirmative.

“It is well. Mr. Miller and 1 will an rin-
tend the details of this affair, and we wil have
a meeting here again. tomorrow night, to per-
fect arrangements. For this evening, the meet-
ing is dismissed. Go singly, as you came.”

“ Now for it!” thou ht Denver Doll. “ I
must get rid of the -nosed individual, as I

do not care to visit McParIand’s ranch to-night,
in this disguise.” ~

Being nearest the door, she arose, and started
to take the first leave; but the vows of Miller
checked him.

3 Queen.

oing into that .

“ Hold up, Steward! Wait till I go. I want
to see on a moment.”

To isobey would have been to give the whole
business away, besides risking a shot in the back;
so Doll had nothing else to do but await the trai~
tor’s motion.

One by one the men left the room, Miller
finally Joining in the movement, and motion—
ing Doll to follow, which she did, her every sense
on the alert.

When they were some distance from the Post—
ofiice, Miller turned upon her.

“ I am going back to the rendezvous,” he said,
“ and I want you to lay shady, in this vicinity
until I return. I may need you, you see, when
I come back.”

“ Very well. I will be in the neighborhood,”
Doll replied, and she was not sorry to get out
of the scrap? so easily, for she had half—ex»
pected that e would accuse her of being some
one else than Steward.

So Miller turned away toward the route to
the mountain rendezvous, and after awaitin
till she was convinced that he was gone, Do
took her way back to the boarding—house. well
satisfied as to the results of her evening’s ad-
venture. ’

 

Let us devote a few minutes to looking after
the man of reportorial proclivitics, Charles
Pygmalion Jones, whom Weleft tumbling down
the shaft-way of an unworked mine.

So rapid was his descent that he had no time
to think of anything, the suction of air nearly
taking his breath away.

After a fall of some fifty feet he landed, but
luckily in a pool of water some three feet deep,
which broke the force of his’fall.

He splattered for some“ seconds, ere he could
get his breath.

Groping about, he 300n came in-contact with
the rocky wall. Having a metal box of matches.
he speedily succeeded in striking one of the
incifers, and, aided by the light, peered around

1m.

From the bottom of the shaft a passage
branched off. The bottom was rough and 00v»
ered with water.

Looking above him, poor Jones saw a black,
uninviting hole, through which he had fallen.
He could not' get out of his dilemma in that di-
rection, so nothing remained for him but to ex:-
plore the passe . Possibly there might be an
opening somew ere else, by which he could es-

ca e.

fie started off. keeping one of the passage
walls for guidance.

At the end of an hour he found himself out
of the water, and lit another matchto ascertain
what was the cause. He discovered that the
passage now had the shape of a tunnel, and as-
cended gradually in its course. This satisfied
him that he was in what is kn0wn in mining

rlance as a “ drift,” and that by following it

e would eventually come into the outside
world.

So he hurried on with renewed courage, and
(iit 'was not long ere he gained the mouth of the

rift.

Here his surprise increased.

He had expected to find himself still in Shin
ing Bar, and was not. The mouth of the drift
was in a tangled thicket, half a mile, nearly, up
the gulch, from the outskirts of the town. The
drift had been thus made to follow a vein of
ore, which had given out direct] in under the
Monaco, from whence a shaft ha been sunk.

Jones was a stranger to the surroundings of
Shining Bar, and he was so turned around that
for the life of him he could not tell which course
he should take to reach the town.

“ Oh! what an item this will make for the
Cavortin’ Cyclone,” he groaned. “ If I don’t
get fifty cents for this, I’ll forever abandon
journalism.”

After much deliberation, he settled u n his
route and started oi! in an opposite d rectiou
from Shining Bar, and for a good honrtramped
on, and would undoubtedly still have he t go-
ing had not two masked men step ed su denly
from the Chaparral into his pat , a pair of
cocked revolvers in hand. '

“Halt!” one of them said, sternly. “Who
are vou, and here are you goin’i” ‘

“I am Char es P gmalion Jones, reporter for
the Cavortin’ Cyc one of Cheyenne, so don’t
rob me, for Heaven’s sake, as I havon’t a copper.
I’m going right away to Shining Bar to start. a
ne per, and if you will tell me your names
Iwil- give you an immense puff—charge you
‘ nothing at all.”

“ Waall my name is Pilgarlic Pete, an’ this is
Amazon Alf, but ye better come along ter head-
quarters, an’ see ther capt’in furst. Comet

 

 

 

 

 

walk a chalk line now, or I’ll put a buzzer in
your pate i”
“For Heaven‘s sake. where are you going to
hire me! I am Charles Pygmalion Jones.”
“ Don’t make no difference. You’se goin’ ter
see McFarland, the road-agent, now 2”

CHAPTER VIII.
.1 QUEER woome—nnnvaa DOLL‘s

 

LITTLE

GAME.

Tan morning following Denver Doll’s visit to
the council-room of the conspirators, Yankee
felt decided] more like himself. than he had
since be h been wounded, and was up and
out for a stroll by the time the sun began to
gild the tree- ups of the mountain.

He wander out upon the Bar to the point
Where the river swopt around it, and there en-

~untered, much to his surprise, Miss Isabel

erner.

She was seated upon a rock, gazing out upon
the water, and a large bowlder being behind
her, Yankee did not see her until he was almost
beside her»

Not seemin surprised, it was evident that
she had seen h m comin .

” Good-morning, Mr. Eisleri” she said, with a
pleasant smile. “ I am delighted to see you.”

“Good-morning,” Yankee answered coolly.
“ l was not aware that any one was here.”

“ I presume not. The bowlder hid me. How
art you feeling?"

“ Very much improved.
shot came near doing for me!”
" It was such a shocking thin for any one to
do. i can’t ima‘ ine who oouldghave been mean
enough to fire t 6 shot. Papa feels badly over
it, too, I assure you.”

“Over the pa per and salt bath, more likely,”
Yankee respon ed, dryly.

“ Ha! ha! I was really amused at his plight.
particularly as we haven’t been on very good
terms, lately. You see, he wants me to marry
a man I despise, and I will never marry any
one, unless it is the man of my choice. i hear
that p )or Dora is really dead, Charley T’

“Did you? Iwas not aware that there is
conclusive proof of it yet!"

“But I understand from papa that she and
your child really perished in the mountains.
You did so wrong in leaving your home——
Dora was such an admirable little wife. I
should think you would get lonely without a
wife, Charley.”

“ Without my own wife I am. I Would give
an arm if it would bring her back to me.”

“ But on will marry a ain?”

“Poss bly, if I can fin some one just' like
Dora.”

“ But it would not be a. hard matter to find a
town; heart, maybe. to fill her lace.”

“ on are speaking one word Or ourself and
two for me, or vice rersa—whic ‘1” Yankee
demanded. “Isabel, I have no desire to hurt
your feelin s, so let’s change the subject—ctr
better still, will bid you a pleasant good mom-
in r!

“ Stop!" she cried, arising haughtily. “ You
are entirely too hasty. Thanking you, I have

to make love to you. I

The treacherous

not the least des'
used to be {our friend, but after your cruel
treatmento your wife, my cousin, my respect
for you ceased. I was just trying you to see
how much man your wild career had left; in
your nature. I am satisfied. Go!”

“I will, thank you. Will you impersonate
Mlle. Zoe, to-day?’

He watched her like a hawk, as he spoke.

She turned white—then her face flushed
crimson with ion.

She could not speak. but stamping her foot,
pointed toward the town.

With a smile of triumph, Yankee obeyed her
silent command and sauntered away.

"By a hep-hazard shot I fired direct into
the right camp!" he mused. “She is Mlle. Zoe
instead of Crystal Carrol, whom I first suspect-
ed. Welll well! Here’s fun! The fair Isabel
wants to marry me, and proposed to do it by

‘ craft, if she couldn’t by fair means. Then
there’s Crystal Carrol would not mind, I sur-
mise, if she got a chance. She also has some
reason for desiring the safety of McPar-
land. Isabel. according to her own assertion, is
out with her daddy, and it wouldn’t be sur-
prising if she was in With the road-agent, since,
as Mlle. Zoe, she claimed she could produce the
child, which she could not do, exce tshe was in
with McFarland. Altogether, i I am any
judge. things are considerably mixed.”

Denver Doll knew that it was important for
her to attend the second meeting qf the con-
spirators, to learn what new schemes were to
be formed in regard to the plot to seize the Bar.

 

mmDVe‘nYer Doll, the Detective Queen. 1

 

H...._.._  _. ._ .-. 

... W.“-

 

 

 

But, to go in the disguise of Steward, would
be to thrust her foot in the fire, literal] , be-
cause Miller, the renegade, must have ound
out tl't Steward had not been out of McFar-
land’s camp the previous night.

“The only way I can see, is to have Miller
intercepted and held for awhile, so that I can
represent .him at the meeting, on the plea that
he dare not leave camp for fear of creatin an
open breach between himself and McPar and
too soon. 1 think -I can trust the boys to the
work of capturing him.

Accordingly, she gave her eccentric trio in-
structions, and sent them forth to capture Mil-
ler, when he should approach the town, after
which she arranged herself for the character of
the Spaniard Steward.

First of all, let us follow the steps of Walt,
Yukie and Chug, and note their sucaess.

Proceeding to the upper edge of the town for
consultation, they soon got into an altercation.

“ Dis vas yoost apoud der science off der mat-
ter. Ve go up der gulch und vaylay him, like
der real road-agents do, nnd capture him mit
der tnoozlo ofl? der revoli’er, eh!”

“ Kirect. Dis ynr chile will lead de attack.”

“ No! no! dot vas foolishness. Germany vas
der )iggest military coundry—Germany vil
lead r or attack!”

“ Ki! yi! l jcs’ bet you de soles ob dese hynr
boots dat America nebner takes a back seat fo’
sour-krout an‘ Iimburgcr cheese. Dis yar chile
aire related to all dem yar great generals,
Sherman, Grant, Napoleon an‘ Garibaldi! Why,
chile. I were de berry first Garibaldi waist dat
old Garibaldi ebber made?”

“ Dot vas noddinks,” Ynkio declared, disdain-
fuily. “Germany huff der pi rgest fighters und
generals in der vorld. Yoosi ook at der great
Schwartz, Leopold, Padd y Ryan und vellers
like doti I say I lead dis attack or else you can
agcept my restgnation i”

" Fo’ de Lor’, ef Missy Doll was here, she’d
done gone gib you a black eye,” “'alt declared.
“ To settle do matter, I propose We elect de rat-
c-ater to take de lead ob de procession.”

But Chug quickly shook his bend.

“ Chug, no leadee!" he grunted. “ ’Mclican
man velly brave, China‘: an murhee hlg coward
allee sameei"

" Dree cheers for der vite, red und pluei
Slmrnieny leads der vay!” Yakie roared, ges-
ticulating wildly.

“ E pluribus onions! Alneriky forever ter (16
fore!" bellowvd Walt. “ Jes‘ you lockee byar
now. Dutohy! I jest done gone tell you dat if I
don’t lead dis campaign, dar’s gWine to be ore
spilt yar in less ’11 a minute. I‘sc a butter, is,
an’ I clur to goodness, I’ll but you'se way froo
de mountings!”

And Walt’s African eyes bulged with undis-
pntnble earnestness.

“ Hello! What‘s the matter here? What you
rascals quarreling aboutt” a voice cried, and
who should walk in upon the see..- but Monroe
Miller, who had been attracted to the spot by
the sound of excited voiccs.

“'alt recognized him by Denver Doll’s de-
scription. and quickly drawing and cocking his
revolver, he shoved it in front of the outlaw
conspirator’s face.

“ Hands up. Marse Miller!” he cried. emphati~
cally. “ You’se jes’ de berry huckleberry we’se
urter, ’deed you is. Hi1 Germany, whose got
de lead now, hey?”

“ Dot vas mine hrisoneri l vas seen him
store you did, so helb me!” Yakie blustered.

“Never mind dat, chile. Jes’ you an’ rat-
eater bind him, while I cubber him wid de per-
suader, fo’ suah! Yah! yah!”

“ See here! what in the devil does this mean .1”
Miller blustcred, in a rage. “ I’ll have you in-
fernal idiots strung up for this. Lower Your
pistol. you black nigger.” ,

" ’Deed I won’t,’ Walt declared, a Wicked
glitter in his black eyes. “ You‘se my risoner,
sah. an’ I’se gwine to hold ye right yar, till
you’se bound fas’ an’ sure. Han’s u , you
rascallion, or I sw’ar to goodness of don’t
:gkende scalp ci'ar omn youh head, such cer-

in

Miller could not doubt but what he was done
for, so far as the present was conCerned, and
was wise enou b not to resist when they at-
tempted to bing him.

“What am I thus insulted for?” he gritted.
“Whom must I thank for this?”

“ Veil, you can yoost bet your red nose dot I

' vas der bersonage,” Yakie answered, strutting

around to et‘a view of the prisoner. “M
name vas awcob Dinkelspiel Strauss, and
vas der captain 011' dish regiment”

“_ Muchee biggee lie i” chuckled Chug.

“’Beed it is! Christie chimed in. “Denver

~ was at the rear door of the Pos

 

Doll ordered us to capture you, hoes, n n’ I
had de ’stin uished honor of makin’ de arrest."

“ Denver ll?” Miller exclaimed.

“Yas, ssh, de Ace Queen an’ Trump of all
do detectives, sah! She’s jes’ gwine fo’ 'oah
road-agents like a grasshopper after a ay-
seed, sahi She’s jes’ gwine to abscorchulate
an’ exterminate de hull consarn, for suah i"

“Humphl I think I understand,” the con—
s irator muttered. “It was she who played
t e part of Steward so cleverly. If I don’t ct
out of this dilemma, the whole scheme bids air
to be frustrated.”

Denver Doll had named to her pards an out-
of-the-wa place, in a. transverse ravine, where
they shou (1 take the prisoner; so, according};'
he was marched 03, and the spot was reach ,
in due time. and the outlaw bound to a tree.

A camp-fire was then built, and the three
guards s uatted around it for a smoke.

After t eir pi were out, a vote was taken,
to see which 0 the three should remain on.
guard, while two of them took a nap.

The lot fell to Chug, and Walt and Yakie
stretched themselves out, and were soon fast
aslee .

Miller’s eyes gleamed with trium h, as soon
as he heard the stentorian snore of t e Teuton,
and the accompaniment of the dark .

“If I don’t make a break new, t ere will be
poor chances of my getting free,” he muttered.
“ I’ve a sweet-scentet idea that I can th'k the
Chinaman for all he is worth.” .

Waiting a while longer, so as to be on the safe
side, be attracted the attention of Chug, with a
dismal groan.

“Oh! oh! I have terrible pains in my stom~
ach,” he said. “Have you got a drop of whisky
to rive me, pig-tail?”

Chung shook his head.

“Got no whiskee!” he declared.

“ But I have,” Miller said. “ If you’ll release
one of my hands a minute, I’ll get it, and you
shall have a swi of it.”

Now, if Chug ad one predominating weak-
ness, it was for fire-water, free of ex nse. He
never was known to spend a cent for iquor, nor
was he evrr known to refuse a treat, where it
was “on the square."

He now knew that Miller had been dc rived
of his weapons, and also that Wait and akie
were sound asleep.

What harm could there be in gettin a drink
when it was free, and there was no anger of
losing the prisoner?

Thus he argued, and in a in meat more he
was undoing the cords about Mi cr’s wrists.

“ Mindee, no funnee business, or China»
man killee, debbil quick, with ’volvee,” he cau—
tioned. .

“ Oh, I’m square as a dollar,” Miller replied.

Chug soon led the ontlaw’s hands free, and
stood in waiting, a pistol drawn in his grasp.

“Now, for the whisky.” and Miller drew two
half-pint flasks from his inside pocket, which
were filled with liquor. “ Heres one for you
and one for me. Drink hearty.”

Chug took the proffered flask, and eyed it a
moment. suspiciously. ,

Miller’s keen eyes noticed it, and he quickly
examined his own bottle.

“ See here!” he exclaimed, excitedly, “ I hava
given you the wrong bottle! One bottle con-
tains brandy and the other contains whisky.
You have got the brandy. Trade, will you?
Whisky is good enough for you.”

“ Not muchee, allee sameei Me like blandy,
allee samee like ’Melican man,” and @hug put
his finger to his nose as he skurried away to a
seat on a 10 by the camp—fire, quite forgetting

to rebind e captive. “Chug velly muchee
likee blantéy.” '
“ Well, rink away. you rascal. I’ll have to

put up with the whisky,” Miller rowled.

Chug gave a grunt and a )liedghis lips to the
muzzle of the bottle; nor d be “let up” until
the last drop of the liquor was in his stomach.

“ Humph! it’s but a matter of afew minutes
till that fellow’s dead drunk,” Miller mused.
And he was right; the potent liquor soon had
the effect of making Chug extremely drowsy,
and in ten minutes he was 01! in astupor. Then
with cat-like footsteps, the prisoner glided
away from the camp.

“Now for Shining Bar, and an exposure of
the trick this Denver Doll has so neat y played
on us!” he gritted. “The Cinnamon wil never

‘ drink a ain,-I fancy, this side of Jordan. It
I

ain’t a d idea to ave a bottle of poisoned
whisk with a fellow at all times.” ,
In ess than an hour, by rapid walkin he
mce hull 3..
Here he used and peered through the key-
hole, but 1 was dark within.

1'

 

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12.

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nests; can, a... sedans ' Queen?

 

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he i

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The meeting had no assembled yet, as n we

00m tivel earl in the evenin . .
- “I will kezp shzdy,” 'he muses “until the

crowd is fully ther, then I will step in and
see what can be one with this detective fairy,
Deliver Doll.” ‘
: He retired to nearly the same spot where
‘ 2:111 hadtegoncealed herself‘the previous night,

   
   
   
 

' , .It was he. long before Verner made his ap~
 Mace, and at the understood signal was ad-

. , . mittod. ,

, , . I Thereafter one by one, the men put in an ap-
_ nee and entered after the three taps and

- ,' hechirp of acricket. ‘ - ‘
Steward, alias Denver Doll, came last. She
was arrayed the same as the revious night.
She-aflmached the door, can iously looking
‘ aroun er,,and was admitted. ,
'“Oh, my 813 girl! our me Will not work
I n ht,".Mi er mu te , glidin forward to
the car. “You may be a good etectivc, but
. you have mistaken your calling in this in-
stance ” ‘

e

cued.
. . “ i you are on hand, eh!” he was saying.
“‘ ere is Miller?” _
"It will not be safe for him to leave the
. camp to-night and so Iwill serve in’ bis‘place
and act for 'm,” was the response. 'The
, matter has got to be worked carefully until we
are fully organized.”
“Yes. Let me see. You are Steward!”
Miller burst into the room then.

'“Not. by any means!" he cried, sternly.
“That is not Steward, but is Denver Doll, the
detective. She must never be allowed to leave
this room alive! If she docs our plans are
ruined.” '

emer was speaking.

 

CHAPTER IX.
_ ; 'rwo PLANS THAT DIDN'T wonx.

, Mme 1mm. Vnnnna had spoken the truth,
2? . ’ when she told Yankee that she and her father
.~  were not on friendly terms. They had not
» I, - spoken since McParland‘s last visit to the house
’ ' has related in another chapter, and Miss Isabel
1, '- had'promptly left her parental abode, and re-
' moved her eifects to the boarding-house, where
' shelled conceived the idea of impersonating a
fortune-teller, in hopes that shemight influence

; , Yankee as a victim of her wiles.-
’ - Shevhed accordingly left town on one sta e as
“ gigs erner, and returned on another as .

What had partially been the results of her

. " ,, , masquerade. is well known to the reader.

* v Anticipatin events a couple of hours, from
.r 'the’ time Mil er, the conspirator, had exposed

Denvar Doll in the rear room of the Post-oflice,

we willfollow the movements of Isabel.
f/ Leaving the. boarding-house, without bein
g r? .. . \ disguised, she walked over to the ci ar store an
‘ saloon of Crystal Carrol, and foun the pretty
mistress behind the cigar counter.

She looked up, surprise expressed upon her
countenance, when she saw, the speculator’s

da r. ,
,. “Goodveyenin l” Miss Verner said. conde-
scendingly. “I ve seen on several times at
, a distance, but I did not now until recently
that it was really you‘, Dora li’

“Didn’t you?’ Crystal responded, dryly. “ It
must have checked you'to have made the dis-
 t{lisbthls sIome joist; than; igout. or is it
.v a o ecann re tenameupon
the sign overgliepdoori” ' -

. . ‘ “A good feint, but you know blood will tell.
, K .Ialways

. ’I .

and you would makes good act-
msw n‘,”.Miss Verner went on, coolly.
, . “ oil, I must be growing crazy, or else there
, .‘ are more escaped lunatics in the conntg than I
‘ . cu , I, r ooum‘ ma’am? by you
m be, out 0 your mind. ’
“ ot a bit of it, Dora,” Isabel persisted. “I
. ' ‘ never was more sane. You lucky girl. to be
. , Yankee Eider's wife, on should have neverleft
J  ' him. Now, I have go him.” " i
v ‘ ‘-‘ Yankee Eisler? . Oh! you have reference to
i . ' the handsome gentleman who got shot. Well,
 ; '.I can‘t say as i would object to havinga hus-
,: ‘ , ' band as noble and manly as he seems to be.
V But on say yon haVe him, eh?"
; ' “float assuredly. ,I can get little Ethel for
‘ him, and, when I can do that, why, as a matter
- 'of mm he is ready to marry me. really
 ref ' mebefore, you know, but your baby
,  “ovum.” . g I I t .
" W18th outright.

. ‘lieler'slittle rlcaiiherec .
_.  your wedding‘ibei" r ,

' I

.1.) _.

He  his ear to the key-hole and list-'

“That'is not definite settled yet—but it
will bein a few days," Verner answered,
flouncing out of the store, secretly in a great

ra e. -

g I’ll take chances on that l" C stal decided.
“If you are Mr. Elslcr’s choice, shall be sur-
prised, for I do not believe he fancies such ec-
centric ople as you.”

Miss erner had called at the cigar store for
the express purpose of testing the matter of
who Crystal was, and had got so little” satisfac~
tion that she was almost ready to cry, when she
got from under the light of Crystal’s calm, bril-
liant eyes. '

Leaving the vicinity of the cigar store, she
dodged across the gulch, and finally paused be
fore the mouth of one of the mines that was
drifted into the side of the mountain.

All was dark and silent, and no one appeared
in the vicinity of the place except Miss V erner,
but this fact did not seem'to discourage her, for
she took a seat upon a rock, and waited
patiently.

“He will not be long, I guess,” she mused.
“He promised he would come, and 1 do not
fancy he will forsake me.”

She was right. It was not half an hour ere
McFarland, undisguised, except by a half mask,
made his appearance. ,

“ Ah! you are here, eh?” ti )ing his bat.
“ How do I find the fair Isabel t IS evening?”

“ Happy, now that you have come,”, she
replied, making room for him on the rock
beside her. I“ I have been waiting eVer so long,
ready to answer the question you asked at our
last meeting."

“ Ah'! yes—let me see—oh! what was it?” and
tiledfootpad king scratched his head as if puz-
z e .

“ Oh! ,you sly rogue!" and-I Miss Verner
pinched his at m, playfully. “ Did you not ask
me to become your wife?’

“ Well—I—l don’t know but I did, Isa—but,
then, you see, I hardly fancy you would be com
tent to be an outlaw’s wife.’

“ What caae I, as long as I love you? Accord-
ing to our own pro sition, deliver up to me
the ob d, and I wil marry you, and when
the fortune between us.” ‘

“ Yes, that would be very nice, but you see—
well, in fact, I haVe made up my mind not to
incumber myself with a Wife at present. There
may be some deVelopments soon which will
ma e it necessary for me to look out for myself.
And then, too I am getting tired of this wild
life, and long lor something better. The child
is on in hands, and I Hropose to get rid of her,
at all azards, by so ing her to the highest
bidder. You have a chance with the rest.’

“John McFarland. you are a wretch, an
in rate, and a deceiver!” ’

‘ Pshaw! You don‘t intend to let me on that
easy, do you? ' Why not express yourself in
stronger/terms, while you are at it?”

Isabel fairly trembled with passion.

“ You know that there are no words adequate
to describe you? she hissed. “You have tri-
ded with my affections. and as good as asked
me to marry you. Now, then, if you don‘t
stick to your word like a. man, I’ll be revenged
upon you.”

“ Revenge be it then, fair Isabel, for I can-
not marry you. If you wish to put in a bid for
the child, between now and the 20th, a letter
sent through the Post-oflice, and addressed to
Mr. Jinks, will fix it all right. Adieu, dearest!
I am sorry to have to tear myself away, but
such is the case. Hope you may get a. husband
soon.‘ . ‘

And then he walked away, with a wicked
laugh, leavin her to make out of the situation
what she cou d. '

Yankee Eisler had seen Crystal several times
since McParland’s escape fromhim, and each
time she had spoken pleasantly—so pleasantly,
that a strange thrill would 0 to his heart.

“ By heavens I cannot believe tbatsheis not
Dora, despite all her assertions to the contra l”
he would mutter. “ It does not seem possi In
to me that there could be two person in one
world so recisel alike. But; I may be mis-
taken. hen it is proven to me that I am, I
will believe it.” I

The thought would not leave him that Crystal
Carrol and his lost wife were one and the some
persons. It haunted him by night and by day,
and finally, so 3 did the matter hear 0
him, that be deter!!! nod to test thatruth y,
to  own . 4 I ' y r}

r

 

an extreme! fun pee-eon ”. '
remarked. ‘ “But’it wilful!) nasal; X’r.
i ‘ 4

I _ u. ; ,  v ,7
.. ,x r r - -, .

 

I I’ll deal! I can to help brea

There he waited some moments,  a one
came. - ‘ -

A The sound of footsteps overhead, ton him

that Crystal was upstairs. '

A few cards lay upon the show—case. Taking
one of them, the Sport wrote upon it, wit
pencilz— .

“ Dora, my wife: [still love you, and my life will
never be complete, without you. Why live this
transparent lie as Crystal Carrol, when you know it
is wrong, and Iknow you were once mine?"

He mixed the card among the others then,
r and rap d smartly upon the counter.

Short y, after, Crystal made her appearance,
and he purchased some cigle . A perceptible
redness about her eyes to] im that she ha
been crying, and his heart ave an exultan
bound, at the discovery z—per aps she had been
crying about him! ‘ ,

.I-le said nothingto indicate that he had taken
notice of her weakness, however, and after a
few words on ordinary topics, he took leave—
but not leave of the vicinity. .

Making a detour, be was soon in the rear of,
the store he had just left.

Although the shanty was one and a half
stories high, a back linter or summer kitchen
had been added to it, the roof sloping back to
within about six feet of the ground. '

This was 'ust as Yankee had expected.

B ' climb g on the roof of the addition, one
con d easily enter the rear second story window
of the main building.

Yankee stood for some minutes, in deep
thought. e was ‘tem ed to make an entrance,
stealthily, into M-iss ‘arrol’s upper rooms, in
hopes of being able to discover something
among)her eflects that would identify her as
being ore, his lost wife.

It was a risky thing to attempt, hewell knew,
but he was willing to risk a great deal to satisfy
himself on this one point. *

He took oil? his boots, and left them on the
ground, and then succeeded in climbing onto
the roof. ‘

From there he had no dimculty in gaining en-
tgance to the single unplastered room over the
s ore. l - -

A lamp was dimly burning upon a stand, and
by its light the burglarrfor- ove’s-sake was able
to command a view of his surroundings. ,

The furniture consisted of a bed a stand»
chair, and a trunk, which was locked.

Some clothing hung upon ‘the wall, but none
of it was such as Yankee remembered having
belonged to Dora. Nor could he recall to
memory any of the trinkets upon the stand.

The trunk was locked and having no Way of
opening it, ‘nor any disposition to 'do so, his
search was virtually at an end.

“I’ve had the trouble for the. sins I’ve taken

out of here before I am discovered."

In this he was quite successful, and his ven-
turescme visit was accomplished without trou~
ble, as he later congratulated himself.

 

The words of Monroe Miller caused an elec-
trical effect 11 n the consg‘i‘atorsfln'the rear
room of the ost-oiflce.
leaped to their feet, and revolvers were drawn.
on every hand. I

“ What! what is this?” Valentine Verne:-
cried in alarm. ‘

“It’s just what I said!” Miller exclaimed.
“This 'el'son who is personatin Steward. is
none ot er than Deliver Doll the et_ective. She
has got mto our secret, and fearing exposure
when I returned tonight, she had her; accom-
plices waylay and capture me. But I escaped,
and here Iam to cxgose her.” 1

Denver Doll sion at bay, a defiant expres-
sion upon her face. and gleaming from her eyes,
while her hand rested upon the butt of a re-
volver in her belt. ' . ' -

“Is this true—mm you Denver Doll come
here to s y upon us?" Verner demanded, turn-
ing fierce y upon” be r. , * '

“Reokon that’s about the size 'of it," was the
cool response. “Right well I knew there was
some deviltry going on. in which you had a
hand; swim I thought I might as well iind out,
and hinder you all I could.” ‘ ‘ ,

“ Curse zen! Y shellflnd that won’t work.
You’ve eit or got
where you’ll never blab our secrets.” .

“Reckon 'I won’t join!" Doll retorted, de~
flaptly. ,“I ain’t partial to anociatin' with
thieves and cutthroats. If. on et me go free,
yo‘ncan onthat!” ' ‘

Then!

 

 

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y _ l' 1' saw-3...

22,;  n x  .. A ~ «‘cw‘.‘

i and nothing more 3” he mutter , '“ I must get

one accord they '

.Fl“.

join us, or we’ll pntyen

up ,your'crowdr V

, cursed if on getl'a'cha'nc’e tolls-i 
terfere, until our pings are completed "3 the] '
' M830? stifled. “1’ve’agood noti1onKto have ’

 

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as.»va

if“);

 

 

 

u putnout of the way, in good earnest and

er.

‘ so your own judgment about that!” Doll
mfigeated, apparently not in the least worried.
“ I am not found by my pards, by to-morrow
sunrise, they will know that I have been foully
dealt with, and report to our backers!”

Verner s .

The others looked anything but pleased.

“ What do you mean .7” Verner demanded.

“ I mean hat I am a regularly appointed de-
tecflve, an that when i or my aides call for
assistance, Uncle Sam is bound to furnish it.
There chances to he a company of cavalry in
this vicinity now, and they are my backers,
when I chow to call upon them. As I said, if
a hair of my head is harmed, my comrades will
notify the uilitary forces, and they will make

Shining Bar  too livel for you. Every
member of yo r sneaking eague is known to
m men!”

‘A clearly manufactured lie—ohut it won’t
work i” Verner declared. “Surrender and per-'
mit yourself to be bound. or you will be shot
where you stand. It is not necessary to resort
to desperate measures, unless you provoke
them.”

Doll knew not what they intended to do with
her, but she was' well satisfied that no g
could come to her by attempting resistance, or
every mania the room had a weapon drawn,
ready for emergency.

“ i suppose I shall have to accept, as u are
too many for me. But you can bet t at I’ll
turn a trump yet, before the ame’s up.”

At Verners su gestion cor s were procured
and the brave g rl’s hands were bound behin
her, and her weapons taken from her.

“ I propose we jest do up the '0!) right here,
and have it of! our hands. ark me, if we
don’t kill the cussed girl outright, she’ll be the
means of breaking us up. I prepose that we
draw lots to see who 'cuts her throat!” a big
in ute advised.

“ i protest a ainst such brutality!” cried Tom
erkward, w ile Kelly nodded his approval.
"She can be taken care of without coming
dawn to downright murder.”

“1 have a place in view where I can take
tar and secrete her!” announced Verner.

A consultation was then held, in an under-
tone after which Denver Doll was gagged and
blindfolded, and then seized by either arm, she
was led from the cabin.

In ten minutes they had reached the river,
where she was forced to enter a boat, and Ver-
ner entered after her, and pulled out across the
dark, forbidding stream toward the opposite
more, which ms lined with gloomy pines.

The boat was not long in reaching its destina-
.iun, when the s eculator ordered Denver Doll
iodisembark. ethen took her by the arm,
and led her along, for perhaps a mile, when she
suddenly felt a rope thrown around her and she
was drawn tightly against a tree.

Ropes were then wound about her and the
tree, at different places, so that it was impos-
sible for her to stir.

“There!” Verner exclaimed, with triumph.
“ You are in Wol-f Gorge now, and safe from
troubling our tribunal. When the wolves get

hungry they'll give you a call. Good—by !”
Doll did not answer, but listening. heard him
walk awa .
PerhapI her feelings could betterbe imagined
“181] 
She felt that her doom was sealed.
CHAPTER X.
'rnic sranPEnE, AND A BOUNCE FOR THE BRIG
AND CHIEF.

'1‘th next day was the nineteenth day of
November. .

To several persons considerable interest was
attached to the fact. _

Early in the morning there rode furiously
down into the town, aborsenian—an old, White-
whiskered, shabbin dressed pilgrim, who, judg-
ing by appearances, he rode long and fast.

As 0 dashed alongt rough the main street,
he blew loud blasts upon a cavalry trumpet,
vi. the evident intention of arousing the
town.

1nd to say he succeeded, wouldbe drawing it
mild:

In a very few minutes literally the whole

laden of the camp was gathered in front
of the Post-office, where the eccentric stranger
was engaged in tacking up a huge poster, which
had been written out in pen print or rather
with a lettering brush by some one. who was
evidently familiar with the art.

With intense eagerness did the folk of Shining
h devour the contents of the poster, after it

 

Denver Doll, the Detective Queeng

. ,___,._...,_ .V. _ .

was nailed up, and the reading thereon, cre-
ated a more instantaneous Commotion than had
anythingin the way of a snaation that had
struck the town for a long while. ’

Eagerly, over and oyer, was the bill perused,
and this 18 the information it contained:
“EXTRAORDINARY NOTICE TO EVERYBODY!

“ Greatest Discovery Ever Known!

“ Richest mines just opened at Wildcat City, that
the world has ever seen! The earth strewn with
nuggets—the quartz assays two thousand dollars to
the ton. Claims for sale. Mechanics wanted. Five
thousand men women and children wanted instant-
ly, to work. The bearer of this notice will act as
guide. Ten dollars, and umard, a day guaranteed
every one. ans & 00., Owners."

If the reader has ever had a chance to be
come aquainted with the nature of the average
class of inhabitants of western mining towns, it
will not seem strange that such a notice should
set the ball of excitement a-rolling.

Western histor records more than one in-
stance where m crate-paying camps have been
depopulated in a day, in favor of some new and
promising strike.

And the eflect on Shining Bar, of the above
notice, was but a repetition of what other camps
had experienced.

First one man declared farewell to Shining
Bar, and made OR 'to ack up his few worldly
effects; then another to lowed suit, and another,
and another, until the movement became a
stampede.

Conspicuously prominent in urging on the
sanguine aspirants for fortune, was Verner,
and often he slipped a ten-dollar gold piece into
the hand of some rather doubtful pilgrim, say-

in :
'g‘ Go ahead, pard, and don’t shirk when a
chance is open for you to make a stake. If you
ever at able to pay this hack, remember who
urge you on; if you don’t it will neither make
nor break.” '
Invariably this would break all resolutions to

'stay in Shining Bar, and the pilgrims would

be added to the general hegira.

By noon the train was ready to start, and
when it moved away up the ulch, not over a
score of people were left in hining Bar, and
those were such as Verner had personally or-
dered to stay with him.

Spfar his unparalleled plotting had worked
we . - .

As soon as the stampeders were safely away
from the camp, Verner and MonrOe Miller
started for the camp of McFarland the outlaw,
where by prearranged ordgrs all was to be
ready for the ca ture of Me ariand and such of
his men as woul not join in the movement.

The journey was accomplished without in-
cldent.

The rendezvous of the road brigand was
located in a small mountain - locked valley,
many hundred feet above the level of Shining
Bar, where a searcher would hardly have ex-
pected to find a camp.

There was one large strong cabin, and several
smaller ones, formed in a circle about the re-
treat, the center being used as a sort of plaza
and corral for the horses.

When Verner and Miller reached this valley,
none of the band were visible about it—so they
made their way to the largest cabin and en-
tered. '

It was a large, one-roamed affair, with a sort
ofhar at one rnd and a number of tables and
stools scattered about the floor, which was noth-
infl' more than the earth itself. .

There were fifty or more men in the apart-
ment, all gathered about the tables, but there
was scarcely any notice taken of the entrance
of the two conspirators. who hadfmasked them-
selves like the rest of the band.

McFarland himself was seated in one corner,
enga ed in laying cards with one of his men.

Mil or am Verner advanced to where Steward
the S niard was seated alone at a table.

. “ ell! is everything all right?” Miller asked
in a low tone. , “Have you ’made any pro-

reSs!” .

“You bet! Every man in the room, ekcept
McFarland, has 'oined the moVement.”

“ Good! I’ll cllose the matter 2” .

He walked (War to where the captain was
seated, and leveled a revolver at him.

“ Mac, the jig is up!” he said, grimly. “ The
boys have got tired of you, as a commander,
and also of this cam . So we’Ve gobbled u
Shinin, Bar. as .a 15a e of rendezvous, a
have e ected Val Verner captain, in your place.
You are our prisoner.” ‘ ,

That McFarland was somewhat s rised

was evidenw but he controlled himself w th re-'

markable coolnus. -

 

 

1 3.

“Isthat so?" he said. “We’ll I’Ve had an
idea for some time that there was mutiny. brew-
ing, andam more pre red than you imagine.
[ tender m resignation, with all willingness,
having ma eup my mind to retire from the

feesion for once and all time.”

“ You bet you’ll retire l" Verner added, with
a chuckle. “ We are going tn make on a ris-
oner and leave you here, under guar , unt we
can communicate with Uncle Sam’s bluecoats
who are said to he in the mountains, when, 
we can et any reasonable reward out of them,
we will gt ’em have you for hemp-stretching
pur . ’

“Curse you! Is this the sort of gratitude
you have, after all I have done for you, you
wretch 1”

“ Just about. You’d have given us up to the
military if we hadn’t got too smart for you, so
you’ve no cause to grow]. Throw up your
hands and allow yourself to be bound, for re-
sistagce is useless with all the odds against
you!

No commander ever knew his own men better-
than did McFarland.

Death would be the only way of escaping
capture; so he held up his hands, a proud smile
upon his face.

“Proceed!” he ordered. “ I think too much
of my fine flock to attempt to clean them out.
I am your prisoner, through your s' rategy, and
I surrender with the best of grace.”

At a motion from Verner several of the out-
laws bound their deposed captain securely
both hand and wet, and then with the aid of
hook and staples driven into the wall they fas-
ten him thereto so that he was a prisoner in
the fullest sense 0 the word.

“ There you are!” Verner cried, triumphant-
ly. “You make a fine appearance, too, as a
prisoner of war. By the way, where is the
glad”? I will take that back wit me to Shining

ar- , . ,

“ Will you, though i” McFarland sneered.
“ I rather fancy not. The child is in safe
hands, where I deemed it advisable to place
her, in anticipation of some 'such an event as
this. When you set your blizzard talons on her
it will be when I forget myself.”

“Curse you! if you do not give me-that child
I will murder you! To-morrow is the 20th day'
of November!" '

“I am fully well aware of that. The child
will never come in for a claim upon the inheri-
tance! I have sent it away where the search of
a lifetime cnuld not discowr it. As for mar--
dering me. you human wolf, I suppose that is
your privilege."

“ And I will improve it, too!” he hissed.
snatching a pistol from his belt and cockin
it; but Miller hastily knocked it from h
hand. .

“ Fool!" he cried, “ the man is not for you to
kill. We want a reward for him. Have a care-
how you rush things, or I’ll put you in irOns be-
fore you know it. Come! I impose that all
hands strike out for Shining ar. Zinga, you
will stay here and guard the prisoner.”

The proposition was received with ,a grunt of
agprovul by the hand, and so Verner had no
c oice but to accompany them without secur—
ing Ethel Eisler or even accomplishmg his ven-
geance. ..

Zinga, who had been left to guard McFar-
land, was a brawny half-breed with a treach-
erous e e, but he made no oéer to harm the
master e had aerved"so long.

On the contrary, be amused himself by sam-
pling the stock of ii uors behind the bar, and

is samples were so li ral that he soon became
as ha py as a Iark,

“Zln git debbil drunk 2” he said, approach-
ing Me arland, with a couple of bottles of the
choicest whisky in hand. “Like fire-water,

ugh?
“S’Eosing you let me loose. to t a swig,
too!” he outlaw suggested. “ We have a 06

lorious time, you bet.
k ButZiiiga, crafty of instinct, winked his eye

now y. ,

“No ,t Mac free!” he replied. “Get Mac
whisky, dough !”

he went back to the bar, and procured a bot-
tie of the worst “p’isen ” the ranch aflorded,
and then approached McParland. ,

“ n mouth. Zines pour down throat!"
he chuckled, villainously.

I won’t drink!” the

“You go to thunder.
ex-chief wled, perceiving that he had 0t
himself nto an unenviable dilemma, forghe-
knew strangulatidn would stand Zinga’s atr
tem to treat him. ,’

“ n mouth—drink—or Biaga scalpl’ the
half-breed threatened, and he attempted to

 

 

 

I
;-

f

14

fmtho nose of the bottle between McParland’s
e

That he would eventually have succeeded, is
probable, had not an unforeseen accident oc-
curred to him.

The sharp “ pingl” of a rifle was heard; Zinga
dropped the bottle, and staggered back to the
floor—dead!

The next instant the door opened, and a per-
son entered.

McFarland started !

Of all ersons in the world, this was the one
be least esired to see. if he had had l‘lOprS for
his life, before. they all faded away, now.

The person who entered, was none other than
Miss [sabel Verner, and there was a decidedly
triumphant expression upon her thee.

“So i have you, have 1?” she. hised, cxnlt-
antly. “ You thought you would never be
troubled by me, again, didn’t you? but you find
out otherwise. lsahel Verner is not the girl to
be trifled with, and scorned. I swore I would
have revenge on you, and [am here to fulfill
my n-omisel”

“ i o I perceive!” McFarland replied, calmly.
“ You have things all your own way, now. (10
ahead!”

“ Not too fast. I am here to be revenged, but
i want to look out for my own interests before
I look dut for yours. First of all, where is the
child?”

“ Whose child?”

“ Do not provoke me with unnecessary ques-
.tions, or I will kill you, at once. You know
perfectly Well what child I mean—Ethel Elsler,
of course!”

“ Ohl Is that sol Well, my beautiful Isabel,
I would respectfully inform you that pretty
little Ethel is alive and well and will come

romptly to time as Gabriel I’orter’s heiress.
. y this time, the executor knows that she lives,
and consequently, you and your villainons
father are bailied!’ '

“Oh! no! never!” Isabel cried, in aifrenzy of
rage. “ I will yet have the child and the for-
tune. I will find out what Miss Crystal Carrol
knOWs about the young one 1”

She stood a moment as if in doubt what to do
——then her hand was upraised and with a keen-
edged knife, she struck McFarland fiercely in
the breast. _

Turning, with a wild laugh, she fled from the
cabin, leaving her victim a one in his misery.

CHAPTER XI.
omits Inn rum»: s’ramn mans.

er us return to Denver Doll, whom we last saw a
grlsonor in Wolf Ravine. beyond the river, where

alentine Verner had left her to the not very tender
merc of the ferocious inhabitants of that wild
local ty.

But, thanks to the fact, it was not yet late eno h
in the season for wolves and bears to be very b0 (1
and ravenous, and this gave the girl detective a
little hope that she mi ht not be troubled by them.

But even though is e was not molested by wild
beasts, she well knew that starvation stared ier in
the faceunless she was rescued by some one, and
the probabilities were not very favorable that she
mic; hence, the outlook was anything but

P

The night dragged slowly awa . She heard
wolves howl, but none approached er, and at last
the welcome rays of early dawn crept into her dark,
forbidding place of capt vity.

This was cheerful, and somehow she felt imbued
with a stro hope of escape.

gilt the ha of the silver cilouii was false.

e mo panod away 5 ow y.

Not ion lTil-algfiare noon she heard a heavy, shuffling
tread, an soonaftcr a huge cinnamon bear made
its appearance.

It paused, with a sort of whine at sight of Dell,
as if surprised to see a human being there—then it
'raised up on its hind legs, and lumbered forward
with the evident intention of making a square me
out of the fair prisoner. .

Doll’s face turned deathly white, for the prospect
of being torn to eces was horrible.

Nearer! near he brute came, with jaws dis-
tended and tongue lollin , when——

Suddenly there was t e sharp report of a rifle,
and brain flinched and turned in the direction

‘ whence came the'shot.
A moment later there was another shot, and the
.red and fell to the ground.

Then, out fmm the undergrowth, across the ra-
vine, mode no less a personage than Yankee, rifle
in. hand.

Denver Doll gave a glad cry at sight of him.

Here was rescue at last, when a moment before
death seemed most imminent.

“Thank Heaven it is you, Mr. Eislarl“ she said
as he approached her and cut her bonds. “I had
Shout g ven up the about for good.“

“I have been searching for on ever since I saw
Verner return to Shining Bar night, when I sus-
Ected the truth," Yankee replied. “ Since leaving

W Biar {’have also made a great discovery."

e‘   II

 

Denver Doll, the Detective Queen.

 

“There has been a stem do of the minors to
some other tow% and Mc arland‘s road-a eats
under Valentine erner, have taken possess on of
the cum I as a stronghold. McFarland was left a
prisoner ill their former road-ngents' den, and Ver-
ner proposes to turn him over to the. Government.
providing a suitable reward is offered."

“How did you learn this?"

“I on tured a road-agent, a few minutes ago,
whom emer had sent over here to see if on were
yet alive. I frightened the information on of him,
and he will, providing we let him go free, show us
3(1)) the old rendezvous, where McPai-land is con—

ed ' ‘

“Then let‘s go at once. You have but limilezl 1
lime now to secure your child, and I have u lmnl' to i _
. expression upon his face.

pick with the flat myself."

The; accord
been confined an a short walk brought them lo
when- the outlaw was tied to a tree.

“ We have concluded to make terms with you!“
Yankee said. “Conduct us at once to the spot
where McFarland is to be seen, and we will allow
you to leave the mountains.”

“It‘s a bargain!“ the prisoner said. “Release
me, and I will take you there. by u surer and safer
route than by the way of Shining Bar."

“See that you do; and remember that if you
make any attempt to lead us into a trap your pun-
islnncat shall be death. On the other hand, show us
to McParland‘s ranch and you shall have your lib-

ert '. ‘

Ila cut the fellow's bonds then and the ' started
down the bank of the river, crossing it ha f a mile
below Shinin ' Bar and climbing into the mountains.

By the out mv’s] guidance they matched the little
valley in due time and halted at some distance from
the cabins.

“ You remain here," said Roberts, the g1 ide,
“ while I make a reconnoissance, to learn if it wi l be
safe for you to advance."

He strode away, and returned shortly, with a nod.

“ You will find Ici’ariand tied up in the large
cabin,“ he said. ‘ I suppose you are done with
ine?‘

“Yes, you can go. But hold‘. we may need you
to show us the way back toShining Bar: so on iad
better wait till we go, and I will pay you we ."

But Roberts was too fearful of being given up,

and no words could keep him from taking a hasty.

departure.

After he was gone the Sport and Denver Doll
crossed the valley to the large cabin and entered.

The si ht that met their eyes caused them to ut-
ter simu taneous cries of astonishment.

McFarland was tied as the road-agents had left
him, and his clothing below the wound was dyed red
with blood, while a pool of the same was gathered
at his feet on the floor.

He was not dead, but had lost consciousness from
the weakening effects of his great loss of blood.

V By heaven! there's been devilish work here,"
Yankee cried, ointing from McFarland to the dead
half-breed. “ f the gan did this work there is no
hell one can imagine t at would be too good for
them. This is no time to think of revenge, Dolly.
We must revive this man, or the secret of the
whereabouts of my child are forever concealed by the
barrier of death.”

“ You are right,“ the girl replied. “ Althou rh this
man and I are sworn enemies, I will do all n my
power to revive him."

They cut the outlaw's bonds and gently laid him on
the floor.

From the bar Yankee procured ll uor and admin
istered it to him, and then dressed h s wound.

Afteran hour of steady gplication of such res-
toratives as were to be had e stricken man finally
opened his e es and was conscious.

He seem surprised at the sight of Doll and Yan-
kee, for hisgaze roved from the face of one to the

other.

“ Why did you touch me?” he gasped, faintly.
“ Why did you not let me die?"

“ For the simple reason that on are too valuable
a man to let die just yet,“ Yan 'ee replied. “I have
a little account to square up with you, and so has
Denver Doll, here."

“ Neither of you will anylon
curse lne, for I can make on for what wrong
I have done,“ McFarland an d. “All I want of you
is your assistance to get meta some placelwhere I
can die in peace, and I will surprise you i“

“How do on mean?"

“I will to you, as econ as I get a little stronger.
If on will et me a drink—l"

enver oll procured some water, which the
wounded man eagerly fled. He then rested a
few minutes. when he once more spoke, addressing
his words principally to Yankee:

“This girl," he said, indicating Doll “has been
my enemy for years, and she has he] to drive me
to do many bad things. by her (persistent dogging
which otherwise I probably won! not have done. I
am her half brother. There was a bitter feud in
our family. some yearsvago, and my step-mother
used every effort to keep me out of prope that
came to me by my father‘s death. And fin y she
succeeded by bribing the jury to whom the case
was left for decision. I had no way of redress,
and was bounced out upon the world.

Kno my tom r, and fearing that if I remain-
ed aroun my native town I would seek revenge
she fastened a crime u on me which necessitated
my flight. But she rec oned wit out her host, I
had In reve . Of her two daughters, I

lack the f , and abducte her. A bloody

ife was found, and the charge murderin and
making way with her, was laid upon my hon ders,
and Doll, my half-sister set out upon my trail, like

haVe reason to

glyleft the place where Doll hall '

 

 

 

m _._.._,_3

a relentless sleuth-hound. All this happ-cd, I-
kee, before I turned up in our \ icinity, and We be-
came enemies because we oved one girl. To on.
Denver Doll, 1 have no apology to make, as I ave
never harmed you nor your sister Gerty’!"

“What! Do you mean to tell me t at my sister
still lives?" Denver Doll cried, excitrdly, the light
of joyous anticipation gleainim,r from her eyes.

"i mean to say exactly that. She has been with
me and been one of my warmest friends, since I
tool: to outlawry. She can vouch for herself that I

’ have been}: most tender captor.‘

“ But where is she?"

“ In a. safe place; I will perhaps tell you later."

1113 then asked for more water which was given
’.:im, after which he turned to nnkee, a strange

" You‘re sworn to kill me, I bellevo?" he said, in-
terrogatlvely. '

“ You couldn't well count me as sinning, if I did
kill y out" Yankee replied, coolly. “ You have done
me irreparable injury !"

“ So you think. But you reck‘ without your host.
I lied to on tln: other ni ht—but stopl I will make
a clean reset of it. on and I both loved Dora
Porter, and she married you. It hurt me to lose
her, but I resolvod to bear the loss, if she was
happy. But when I saw she was unha py, through
your recklessness and inattention to er, the devil
prom )ted me to once more pay attention to her,

“ ell, you know how you ran away and left her.
It partly crazed her, and when I tried to prevail
upbn her to come to my protection, she repuls. «l
me and short] ' after fled away into the mountain
districts with er child. A spirit of revenge 9"
upon me, and I followed. For weeks I failed in
find her, and in the mean time I organized my hr ml
of road-agents. Finally, one wild November night,
1 came across her and the child, both about hail’
sta ed and frozen. I told her then that if she did
not ecome mine, Iwould kill her. She scornfully
refused, and I struck her down in my hot anger and
tied in horror at m ' crime. But I did not go far.
My accusing consc ence turned my footsteps back;
the Almighty commanded me to return and try to
save her whose life I had attem ted. I went back.
I found her,body and remov it to a mountain
cave. In going hr her body, I had discovered the
child in Denver Doll’s camp, and concluded to leave
it there, tem )orarily. In the cave I donned the dis‘
guise of Sir ltha hael and set about the task
of bringing the (lea to life. I do not think man
ever worked harder, or prayed harder, than I. And
at last I was rewarded. She came back to life, but
it was a lon while ere she was well enough to walk.
By my assic uous attention I won her res ect and

ratitude if not her admiration: so that s e finally
old me her story, little suspecting that I was ac-
quainfid with it. She s oke kindly of her truant
husband, but declared t eir aths in life, forever
hence, la ' apart. Finally, I o ered to start her in
the little usiness in Shining Bar, to which she con-
sented, on the conditions that she pay me back dolv
lar for dollar, and that she has done. The child I
rec0vered and placed in the hands of Denver Doll‘s
sister, who too the best of care. of it. For Dora
In love revivrd, and I quietly pushed my suit. But
it is destined that she never shall be an thing more
to me. Yankee Eisler, your wife an child still
live in good health. You are now at liberty to ful-
fill your oath of vengeancel“

And the road-agent folded his arms, an expression
of satisfaction upon his face.

Yankee gazed at him a moment, in meditation.

“If what you say be true "he said, "I certainly
have not so much cause to be revenged u )on you.
But to-morrow is the 20th of November, an I want
my child."

“ It matters not whether you possess the child to-
morrow, or not, so far as the Porter inheritance is
concerned, forI have informed the executors, some
days since, that the child is alive and well, and in
your possession. Now that you see I am res not

he wretoh you picture me, I will propose :
Since the desertion of m 1y men, I have resolved that
if m{ life is spared, I wi l abandon this wild career.
and y a reputable life atone in some degree for. my
past. If you give me my freedom, I will tell you
whereto find those who are dear to you; then we
will shake hands and part friends, if you care to al.
low me to enter into a better 'life, whg by good
acts I may be able to paltially redeem mysel .'

There was a momentary silence, and then Yankee

answered. v -.

“For my part, I have nothing to say. You are
free to go, and it shall be my rayer that you lead
the life, in the future " of an onest man 1‘ .

“ As my duty as a detective, I should arrest you!"
Denver Do said, thoughtfully; “But if you swear
that Gerty s safe, and will truthfully tell me here
I can find her, I shall not claim you as a pi'isc'xllalr."

“It isa ain, and I shall expect you to fulfill
your art ofi , for all my friends having forsaken
me ain literally homeless and friendlme. The
child, E hel, and be two women, Dora and Gcrty
are, so far as I know at Crystal Carrol's. At least,
I sent Gerty there th the child, late last night, be'
fore I knew definitely of the mutiny. I w0nld adv
vise you to go there secretly, at once, and get them
out of the camp, as the Devil alone knows what
Verner would not do, should they fall into his
clutches."

“ You are right," Yankee assented. “ Do you feel
ablelltllllrlilfiel?" ld bear long enough

‘ cou up to t me i;
a safe distance from this accursed ." ge a

“ Very well. There is one horse remaining in the
gulch. We will help you off." .-

The horse was procured, and the wounded h‘hix'f
assisted to moun_t. A stock of edihlcs and liquor

 

1.39

 

 

was put in his saddle bags, and bidding Yank and
Denver Doll 3 sorrowful farewell, he rode s owly
away out of the gul to be forever more lost to the
world as the terror 0 the trail under the famous
name of McFarland, the road-a cut.

“I reckon we have acted int 1c. wisest way, after
all." Yankee observed, as they “altelled lutn ride
awn. . “There’s the making of a num in him yet,
and guess we were rightlu givinghimat-hanco.
And now, let‘s et back to Shining liar. There may
be lots of war ' for us to do yet, before we get at
those we seek."

“Ayl and mark you, we will find the route into
the town guarded, so we shall have to no eurei‘t‘l."

They were about leaving the gulch when groans
attracted their attention to one of tim smaller
cabins, not far from where they  err) passing.

“Let‘s investigate,“ Yank ,e sorry-st ~d. " Some
one is in trouble, that‘s patent."

They crossed the valley and entered the. cabin.

The s' ht that met their gaze was one. that
caused t em each a smile' of wonderment and
attiusetnent.

The. author of the roans was the (.(I/wlnnc reporter,
("harles Pygmalion ones.

He was tied to the wall, in an immovable osltion,
and was attired in woman‘s clothing, hav ng been
de rived of his own.

most laughable-looking r1 he made. to say the
least, and it was evident the McFarland had appre-
ciated the fact when he had substituted the mas-
querade.

“ Hello! vg'ryclone," Yankee saluted. with a hearty
laugh. “ tut are you doing here?"

“Oh! he‘s takin‘ items for the Calm-tin Cyclone,"
remarked Doll. “What a beautiful-lookin‘ gal he
is, anyhow.” ‘

” I ain’t,“ Jones rowled. “I was captured by the
road-agents, and ave them to thank for this fix.
Oh! the experiences I have passed through would
fill a large volume of prose. have already enough
matter on'hand in mind. to keep the Cyclone a-going
for ears.‘

 presume you‘ll take the breath own from the
wind with your effusions. But we mus be going
now. Yankee."

“What! what! are you not oing to take me
along? Free me, oh! free me, or shall die!"

“Well we will; but you’ve got to go back to
Shining liar in the. same togs ou ve got on,” Yankee
announced. “There's no ot ers in this camp; and
besides, I wouldn't have you spoil yom' present
beauty, so come along, as we‘ve no time to lose."

J ones‘s bonds were cut, and havin no choice but
to go in the dress he wore, he follow his deliverers
from the gulch, looking and feeling decidedly
sheepish.

The journey back toward Shining Bar was not
attended by an incident worthy of mention, until
they Were wit n about a mile of the camp, when
they suddenly came across a party of six soldiers,
llll( er the command of a lieutenant, whom Denver
Doll remembered of having met before.

'illjhe recognition‘was mutual, and the lieutenant
sa :

" You are just the person I most wished to meet.
I want to know what sort of a mining camp that is
down the gulch. I went down there with a squad of
men this morning, and after losing three was forced
to beat a retreat. ’

“You were lucky to get off so cheaply," Doll re-
plied. “McParland’s road-agent gang is in posses-
sion of the town, and it will take a good troop to
root them out, as they are well fortified.

She went on and related what was known of the
mutiny and the ruse by which the gang had gained
possess on of the camp.

“ Things don't look uite. so bright as they might,
that's true,“ Lieutenan Larrowe said, “ but I‘ll con-
trive to break 11 this sort of business. I reckon
we’ll more a the vicinity, while I send one of
my men k for the rest of my company.
you two oin us?"

“No; will go on and reconnoiter and perhaps
may be able to get into their camp and rescue those
who are dear to me,“ Yankee re lied. “When

your men come remain here fora. hue; and I will -

try to report what is the condition of affairs in the

(mm '9'

“lg you'go I‘m with you,“ Denver Doll said.
“Jones , you better stay here and write up your
article or the 0 clone, and maybe you can‘make a
raise of a suit 0 clothes among the crowd.

And Charles P. was of the same opituon. Since
learning of the condition of affairs at Shimnngar
he was not so particularly anxious to venture t ere,
as y in the raiment of a woman.

enver Doll and Yankee took their departure to-
ward Shinin Bar bent upon the rescue of Dora,
Gerty and lit le Ethe if they were in the camp.

The walk to the v eexit} of the outskirts of the
town was accomplish w'Khout incident, when they
halted. and after a short consultation Doll crept
cautiously on in advance to reoonnolter,

In a few minutes she returned.

“There are six men doing guard duty below here,
and the prospects of getting at them are not en-
cour ,“shc said, tublo y. “The. only way I
can suggest to get set them is to overpower one of
then: and put on D s logs, including the mask. and
then allow the other one of us to slide by. They
are positioned across the gulch, at intervals of about
fifty feet, and by uncing onto one the nearest to
one side or the 0 er of the gulch I think it is pos-

sible we ht make a o of it."
“We can at try it,"

And with dablike movements they lided forward,
bent upon ca. turing one of the gu and making
entree [lite Shining Bar in of the barriers

had been placed to oppose om.

ankee assented.

nver Doll, the Detective Queen.

CHAPTER XII.
'rns mo SURROUND.

(favsmx. Cannon had taken no part in the stam-
cde. She had half sus ccted sotnedeviltry back of
t all, but having full re 'ance on herself had made
up her mind to stay and see the whole business
through.

‘Bosidos, Gerty. the sister of Denver Doll, had
come to her, during the night preceding the stam-
ede, bringin 1* with her little Ethel, and a note from

cl’arland, w iich said: '

“ Deiuz—I send you, herewith, your child. anti the
woman who has taken care of it since it has been
in my possession; the. Woman is my half—sister and
a sister of Denver Doll. Realizing that there is no
longer any Use. of aspiring to the rightful ,tessessiou
of 'ourself, I am going to forever leave the West,
ant try to begin life over again, in some other place.
Forgive me for the wrongs I have done you. and go
back to him who loves you, and is repenlant for the
past. J. ilit'l’.“

Anti knowing it would not then be .sal’e to expose
little Ethel in Shining Bar, was another reason why
Crystal, or Dora, as we shall' hereafter call her, did
not join in the stampede.

She secreted Gerty and little Ethel in the up
stairs room and patiently awaited the reappear-
ance of the handsome S ort, Yankee.

When Verner returnet to the Bar accompanied
by timed-agents, she. comprehended the situation,
and became fearful that she had done wrong in not
joining in the exodus.

But it was now too late to escape so all she had to
do was to be brave and hope for the best.

It was the middle of the afternoon before she re-
ceived a call from any one, and then it was from
Valentine Verner. -

“ Weill well! so you are here yet, are you?" he
growled, as he entered the store.

“Certainly! Who has a better right?" the plucky
woman demanded. “ I‘ve got an eye that's not in
the habit of closing at evory thin dodge—hence, I
didn’t enthuse at all when the stampede took

lace." -
p “ Humph! perhaps you‘ll be sorry ou didn't. I
{ion‘t believe the gang will allow a pot icoater in the
own."

“ It. won‘t try their nerves, I fancy. if I mind my
own business. And besides, I don‘t intend to be.
either wronged or insulted. The first person who
offers to put me out of the town, against my ‘will I
will shoot through the heart, and the same sort 0 a
dose is waiting for his comrades. I‘ve taken my
stand here. and I‘ll fight it out on this line if it takes
all winter!“ '

Verner looked surprised, for he knew but little
about the spirit and pluck of the young woman. He
had supposed that he would have a soft thing in
subduing her, and either molding her to his will,
or else forcln her to leave Shining Bar.

“ Oh! talk a chea ," he sneer-ed. “ I fancy three
score of men ought be able to conquer one weak
woman, so there‘s no use for you to be saucy to me,
as your fate rests extlrely in my hands. Do you
know that I have made up my mind who you are,
girl? You are Dora Eisler."

“ If you think so, you are welcome to your belief.
Several other persons have cherished such a fancy,
but have at left. Understand, Mr. Valentine Yer-
net that am not abit afraid of you, and if you
ma 9 any more of your threats in my place, I‘ll
just salivate you right where you stand. ‘

And she suddenly shoved a pair of formidable six-
shooters over the counter at h tn.

He leaped back with a snarl.

“Take care! don‘t shoot!“ he cried; for at the
muzzle of a pistol, a more arrant cow never
lived than Valentine Verncr. “You are too hasty,
my dear young woman." ‘

‘ Well, he that as it may if you are not hasty in
getting out of myhouse, there will he need for an
undertaker here, you bet? One, two, three—get!"

The fire in her eye warned him that it was death

to lisobe .
t y wl of rage, he shook his fist at her, and

With a
took his ( eparture.

“ no win be back again,1’ll wager. He's a bad
man, and I'm afraid that I‘ve undertaken more than
I can handle," Dora muttered. “But I will stand
game to the last 1“

She went u stairs, and told of what had
happened, an cautioned her to cop little Ethel
very quiet, lest their presence in the house should
attract attention. Then she returned to the store,
and waited.

The afternoon crept away. and shadows began to
hover over the town, but they did not lessen her
anxiety. .

She readed the darkness, for with it would come
peril to her-and the ones she hoped to conceal.

In turning over some cards u on the show-case.

she came to one Yankee had w tten and left there.
With feelings better imagined than described. She
perused the message, and tears gathered in her eyes.

“ I have done wrong to deceive him about my
identity,“ she murmured. “ But, God has sent me
back at child, and erhaps he will send me my
,husbant. Then I will hope for a new life. Poor
John! villain though he. has been, he has earned my
gratitude, for he brought me back to life after at;
tempting to kill me, and then gave me up after all."

Deeper and deeper the gloom increased in the

lch, and with its oncoming increased Dora‘s fore-

)ding, for she was well satisfied that Valentine Ver-

ner would not long allow matters to remain as they
were.

At last, when dashes: had settled down in e -
est, Domaawcnmnhrd themd-qzentspa in

 

 

..15

front of her store. as I waiting for somdbody, or
something.

The somebody proved to be Vet-nor, for as soon as
he made his-up unce, the whole crowd flocked
into the store 0 s eculator in the lead.

Dora stood liohin the counter, with a pair of re-
volvers drawn and cocked, ready for use.

Th re was a defiant cxgrcssion upon her face, too,
whit.- told that she won] stand for her rights, to the
bitter end.

“Well, you see I‘m backl" Verner said with a
sneer, “and [dare say you understand the signifi-
calico of my coming.“

“ i see that you Were afraid of me, and had to run
for reinforcmuentsl" Dora re lied, scornfull .

“ And I got them, too. ‘onsequently, t are is
nothing for you to do but to come tomyterms.
Either you have. gottopack your duds and leave
this town, or marry me. I‘ve been loo‘kinfr for a
wife for some tim and don‘t know as I cou d make
a better selection n yourself. These are emphati-
callyV my terms!"

“ hat is a matter of very slight importance to
me !" Dora answered, calmly, but with intense meo-
ltttion. “ I am not afraid to die, and I may as well
die defending gigs as to submit to insul at your
hands. Rome r t I have ot the drop. and
I'll make some one sick before get throng with
you!“ -

Verner hesitated whetherto give an orderto his
followers to chat 0 on her, or not, for he felt sure
{1111M she would re at him first, and likely kill

Ill.

80 that he was literally at b? again.

“Well, if you won‘t surren er one we . I can
make you in another!" he cried, turning on heel,
and leaving the store followed by his men.

Dora quickly locks the door after them. and ran
lip-stairs to peer out of the window.

(ierty and little Ethel were huddled m one corner.
their faces showing that they were 3 ed.

“Cheer u l“ Dora encouraged. “If I mistake
not there is a good chance for us iyet. I hate
sen Valentine Verueroff, and it to be ho he
will stay this time!“

From neither the front nor the back window wuld
she see anything of the enemy and shefihereforo,
concluded that they had retired to the onaoo, to
consult on the best plan of securi their point.

So, bidding Gerty to be hopefu , she once more
went down-stairs, remembering that she had left the
back door unlocked.

On reaching the lower room, to her surprise. she
beheld Yankee and Denver Doll entering through
the neglected door.

With a glad cry, the Sport 3 rung forward and
clasped her to his breast. and t s time she did not
tefuse him, but clung to him affectionately.

“Thank God! we are at last reunited. ‘ Yankee
said. “ ls ‘thel safe?"

“ Yes. he is with (lerty up-stnirs.“

“ Then we must make our escape from here at

nce.‘ ,

" It is too late new!“ Denver Doll cried, “for the
building is being surrounded l"

Examhiution proved this to be correct. The out.
laws had assembled, m mane. at both ends of the
shanty, and it was but a few minutes ere the crackle
of flames was heard! ,

“ By heaven! they have fired the house!" Yankee
cried. “ It is now surrender or perish fire!“

“Then let us all die together, rather than have
little Ethel fall into Val Verncr‘s hands to be mur-
dere -was Dora‘s resolve.

“80 y It“ Denver Doll cried. “ But let us not
yet des air. There may be a chance. after all!"

And r words were prophetic. for suddenly
shouts and rifle-shots were heard from a distance.
to which the outlaws res nded. '

“ The soldiers! the so diersl" exclaimed Yankee.
“ They have come in the nick of time."

It w true. I
Wit a determination for victo Uncle 'a,
boys advanced, and the rain of b etc a away

the lives of the des radoes like chaff be on the
wind. Some, by ski ful dodging, escaped with that
lives but they were few. ‘

W on the battle was over—(or It was of short
duration—our friends in the shanty had 338‘ time to
soon from what before had promised he I flew
tom , and there was great re oicing in Shining Bar
among those who gathered to air protection.

 

There is little to add. .

The soldiers had swooped down on the Bar. guided
by Reporter Jones. '

Among the dead were found Valentino Vcrncr,
his daughter Isabel, Monroe Miller, and Burke, the
faithless Vi ante chief.

0f the ot ier characters we have dealt with, Yan-
kee Eisler with his wife and child is now living h
plly in Philadelphi where also in lo: Pygm —
on Jones, who is s aspiring to be a newspaper
man. .

Gertv, Denver Doll‘s sister, has married Lieuten-
ant Roberts of the army. ‘

Denver Doll, with her pard Yakie, is still doing
valuable detective duty,_ in the west and perchanco
we shall meet her again lll other exciting scenes.

Walt (‘hristie has gone out or the detective busi-
ness, and now handles the razor fora livelihood.

McFarland, has embarked in a paying business, in
an eastern city, and With a good wife to aid him in
his elfOrts is rapidly acquiring- a competency.

Shininng is stil a prosperous town, but. were in
little there, of the excitement that there was prior
to that all-important 20th day of November.

mm.

‘ O

 

 

 

 

IBEADLE’S , HALF-DIME | LIBRARY. l————— ;

l Deadwood Dirk, 'rnr, PRINCE or THE ROAD f 110 The Bluek Steed oi the Prairies. A l 223 Ozark All”, KING or THE MOUNTAIN. By

 

   

 

By Edward L. \Vlmeler. l Thrilling.r Stor of Texan AdVl-iltllre. By Bowen. I Edward Willett. I
9 Ieliotvntone Jaek. ll) .lm. E. Badger. Jr. . ll l The Sea- evil. By Col. 1’. liigrahllln. l 224 Dashing Bil-k. By 011 Coomes. '
3 Kansas King. 11) BulTnln Bill. ‘ ii The Iliad Hunter. By Burton Sauce. 22.} Salli (ihareoal. By Charles Morris.
4 The \Vild-llorse Hunters. By Captain Jill-k Hoyle. By Edward L. Wheeler. 226 Snoozer 'rlil: Boy SHiRP. By E. L.Wheeler.

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The [Mark Nehooner. Roger Still-buck. 227 1)"le y l arrell. TRAI’PEB. By E. Emenson.
The "ad .Vliner. By G. Waldo Browne. l 2'18 Little “'ildiire. By 011 Coomes.
The Hlisuar i‘aptain. Col. 1’. ltigrahani. 229 Crimson Kate. By Col. P. Ingrahmn.

Mayne Reid and (‘llptllill l- l-e-lel'il-k Whittaker.
' Vagabond .lot'.'i"ilii Yul-m. \\'i.\nicninoJEw.
By 01] (.‘oolnes. [Mr/Wu _‘.'n'm.’»ll. 300m.

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B'ill Biddon, Trapper . By E. S. Ellis. Gilt-Edged Diek. By E. L. Will elel'. 231) The. Yankee, Rajah. By C, D, Clark,
The Flying \‘ankee. By ( ‘01.,1‘. ingmlllim. it'll] Sinners. THE BOY DE'rrll ‘TIVE. Morris. ' 231 Plueky Phil. By’l‘. C. Harbaugh.
Seth Jone-i . By Edwnrd S. E llS. Mustang Saul. By Jon. E. Badger, Jr. 1 232 “unbuuht Dirk By E L Wheeler

'I‘lie Branded "and. By Frank Dunlont. ‘
(‘innanion ('liip. By 1"dward 1.. Wheeler.
Phil Hardy, rm: Boss Buy. By C. Morris.
Kiou‘a Charley. By T. C. Harllaugh.

Adventures of Baron .‘Ilunehaln-seu.
Nat Todd. By E. S. Ellis.

The Two Deteetivevs. By.-\.W. Aiken.
Gulliver’s 'l‘rat‘ell. By Dean Slnft.

The Dumb Spy. By (ill (homes.
Aladdin; or. 'l‘m: ‘VONUHRFI'L LAMP. :
The Sea-Fat. 11y (‘ziptliin in d. \‘Vhiimker. '
Robinuon ('runoe. (:27 Illlmtrutioiiul
Bill )1] Roy. By (‘01. Prentiw lngriihzim.
Sin bad the Sailor. llis Seven Voyages.
The Phantoln Spy. By Buffalo Bill.
The Don ble. Daggers. By E. L. \Vheeler.
Tile Frontier .\ ng‘cI. By Edward S. Ellis.
The Sea. Serpent. By Juan Lewis.

233 Joe Buck, ol'A ngels. By. A W. Aiken.

23-! Old Rocky-‘1: ‘ Boyeen.’ Buckskin Sam.
. , , r l 235 Shadow Sam By Charles Morris.

’l ipp} 'i‘ilE Tll)..iN. By George (Henson. , ' 1

Billlillllil Bill, Minna. By Ed. L. \Vheeler. 23" "1’0"" “"10 By Edward L. Wheel“:

Pica ‘une. l’ete. By Charles Morris. 237 Lone Star. the ('0\vboy Captain or,

}‘I:ili‘-Fi re, BUSQUF'I‘HI-Z Row. 83' Dummlt. Tm: Mvsrizili'ovs RANCHERO. Bv P. Ingru am.

' le 'olin:_r Privateer. ByIi. ‘zm-ndish. . n v . .. ,. . Coo

Deadwood nil-lies Double. By Wheeler. 51'” P" 17“”‘"“ De“ ‘ 'I‘ ‘ ' By 0” m”
Di-tel'tive lliek. By Cilill‘li‘Q Morris. ‘ £39 1 1"" "Old's‘mkor. (nude: OF' THE W

The Golden "and. By Geo. W. Browne. MOUNTAIN BY ca‘l’m‘” M‘Wne Re‘d'

Tile ll lilited ll unter. By Ed. S. Ellis. 240 Cyclone Kit. By Edward L. Wheeler.

Binds Bob, THE KING or Tim BOUTHLACKSZ 241 Bi" Bra“, and “in BM". Paras.

Niek 0’ the Night. By T. (‘. Hiii'hliugh. or. Tm: PAwmllluchn‘s PLOT. Ed. L. Wheeler. B T C Harm“ ,1]
Diamond Dirk. L‘y (,‘oloncll’. Iligrzihum. Sn ro Shot Seth. By 011 Coonies. y ' , ' ‘ I” ' .
The Boy (la main. By Roger Starbllck. Captain Pilul. By C. Dunning Clark. 242 The rwo "'0"d“’- BY Charles mom!"

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Night-Hawk Kit. By Joe. E. Badger. Jr. 243 The Disguised Guide. By 011 Coomes.

The Ilelpleun "and. Capt. Mayne Reid. ~ ‘ . . .
Blonde m". By Edward L Wheeler. 244 Sierra ham. By Edward L. Wheeler.

(‘ioven loo ‘. By Edward L. \Vheeler.
Antelope Abe, rm: Boy GUIDE. 011 Coomes.
Buil‘alo Ben. By Edward L. Wheeler.

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‘ 9 The Dumb Page. B Capt. F. Whittaker. Judge Lyneh, Jr. B T. C. Harbaugh. 245 Merl“: “10 MiddY- By (‘01.P-Ingraham.
30 Roafi'lnfl Ragplfi Rogt t(vood , THE RECK- 81123 2111105.}; 13121an Dué‘nloggj 246 GiantGeorge. By Buckskin Sam.
uses ANGER. _ y lirry ‘. leorge. So Conn. 37 ‘ wax-d1. 1. er. .. u l min
Keon-Knite, Pruner: or THE PRAiRlES. By Handsome Harr . B Charles Morris. 217 QL‘fm-‘ijffiggnd “‘3 Pen“ By cap

011 Coomes.

Bob Woolf. By Edward L. Wheeler.

The Ocean Bloodhound. S. W. Pierce.
Oregon Sol. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams.

Sear-Face Saul. O Coomes. . . .
Duh“ . Lance, Tm: gov SPORT. By Badger. 248 Sierra sani’s Seeret. By E. L. Wheeler.

(V‘nptu n Ferret. Bv Edward L. Wheeler. 249 Milo Rorner. By Capt. Fred. Whittaker.
silver Star, 'rnn BOYKMGHT. By 000111633. 250 Illidl-lhipinan Nlutiueer. By lngraham-

Wild Ivan. By Edward L. Wheeler. will “yuan...” B Charle “is. y
The Bo (‘lown . By Frank :5. Finn, Sharp Snub By lakxnndmfiauen 25] Light-house Lige. By J. F. 0. Adams.
The Hi den Lodge . By T. C. Harbauzh. A Game of Gold. By Ed. L. Wheeler, 252 nick Daduuvny. By Chas Moms.

Ned Wylde, THE Boy SCOUT. By Texas Jack.
Death-Farm, rm: Dirrnlm'n. By Wheeler.
Roving Ben. By J. J. Marshall.

Lasso Jack. By 011 Coonies.

The Phantom .‘Vliner. By E. L. Wheeler.
Diek Dnrlin . By Ca. t. Fred. \Vhittaker.
Battling Ru e. By arry St. George.
Old Avnlunehe. By Edward L. Wheeler.
Glium Eye, THE GREAT Sno'r or THE Wns'r.

Lanee and Lasso. By (Hit. EWhittnker. 253 sierra Sun‘s” purd. By E. LWheeleh

Panther Paul. B J08. Badrer, Jr. . .
Black Be“, WILL mnFmEaS mm“ on 25-1 The Half Blood. By Edward 8.1171113.

WINNING AGMNq'r ODDS. By Charles Morris. 255 Captain Apollo. By T. C. Harbaugh.

Eagle Kit THE BOY DEMON. B (911 Coomes. ' - ' . . .
The s‘mngd Hunter“. BY .Whitmker. 2.36 loung Knitluk By Capt. Mark Wilton
Gold Trigwer, THE SPORT. 'l‘. C. Harbaugh. 2"7 The 1‘0.“ Hunmr'“ By Capt“ Adams'

DeadWood Diek or Deadwood; or, 258 Sierra Sam’s Seven. By E. L. Wheeler.
THE PWKE” PAW"- BV Edward L‘ Wheeler- 259 The Golden Harpoon. By R. Siarbuck.

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B Capt. J. F. C. Adonis. gyuk , ‘ r. B i 1._ M - _
illuminatin- Nat. By T. 0. Harbaulzh. Flinfiygl‘erlii'lik ..ly«50i‘}fr'fia.?f"§11rraio Bill. 260 Dare-"W" Dw- By 0“ Comes-
!“ka J0"n9 THE ROADAGENT- BY Ba‘lgt-‘T- The Lost Captain. By Whittaker. 261 Fergus Fearnaught. By Geo. L. Aiken.

 

Omaha Oil. By Edward L. Wheeler.
Burt Blinker, rm; TRAI’PER. C. E. Lasalle.
The Bo ' Kitten. By Archie C. irons.

'"Ie Blm‘k Gialll- By J- 13- Badge", Jr. 262 The Young Sleuths. By Charles Morris.

{“S‘i‘l‘; £9,153?“ fiffdtflf’fifilermomsh 263 Deadwood Diek’fl Divide. By Wheeler.

 

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Tine w'h :0 Buflalti; léy C. 113. I‘lzasalle- Little Texan. By on Coomes. 264 The Floating Feather. By lngraham
i=0? i? Filmfigfl',“ , iv gwasl L' .‘heeler' Dandy “m'k’fi Plt‘dgt‘a By G.W- Bmwne- 265 The Tiger Tamer. By Capt. Whittaker.
‘ ‘3'“ '. -‘. :‘l‘.'.'.'. ' " f .‘ “.mf“ Billy “MKRW- BY Charles Mom”- 266 Killb9- r the (‘ulde B r i eh 1
Deadly - Eye: no. 1. “gown Bl air. or, Tm: Hickory “an.” By Harry St Gmma D d1__ 3, 9 VP at up  ,Y .n‘s ‘n are
Emmi” Bm‘mfl'wg’“; B,‘ Hum”? 8311- ‘ A flit Seott, THE STEAMUOAT Boy. By Willett. “ ‘3 a" "" ( L ‘ngmeerb mps')
Nil-k \Vlliiiieh l,t'..il(vlll)t.  l‘.  . Adams. . Deadly 9mm. By Jog E. Badger‘Jr. 267 The Buckskin Deteetire. By T. C.
fifidg2":  2, "fifvlg’l‘l'UB-l! Wheeler' g Tornado Tom. By T. C. Harbaugh. Harbaugli.

"la'fliiio‘; ' Bg-h-urrvl gt “#30 “:3- : A. Trump Card. By Charles Morris. 268 noad‘vuoa nu)“. ma". Tran. By
The White liidiun. Capt 'J r 'Adtuns “’0'” D“"' BY Frank D“"‘°“”' Edward L WWW"?-

ThllnderboltTom. B Harry St. George. . . . . . , ,
Dandy Roi-It’s Rival.y By G.W. Browne. 169 1'"? ("Eliqcslhlh'i, Org. ,MfRLEvbTRE 0°"
Bob Roekett, THE Boy DODGER. By Morris. DEMBF‘D' 3 0 0m re" '58 "gm am'

Buck-horn Bill. By Edy-dud L. Wheeler.
62 The Shadow Ship . By Col. 1’. lngrtiham.

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2“} $2:an?!“aro‘évg'émfitrbmiffi Hamilton (Ila ptaiu Alliizona. By Ighilip S.tWiIi)me. 2 70 Blizzard Ben. By Captain Mark Wilton.
. ' ' .' ~ 7’ ' ' 11“ B0Y "llaWIUV- Y ieu« *‘I'I'Y- 2 l The [In re Hunter. Bv. Edward S. Ellis.
g2 5:35:13; liilllifnldulByla' Jifiiiliinililigger' Jr  griiitik or Bfiia.m%qh Whefler' 2:2 Minkukiil Mike By 011 Coomefi
‘ '- ‘ "' ,.. ' in ry. ‘oo  ' ' "
g; figfi‘étthfigma‘lfizmgy 1}?“ usdgragnu‘i' Bob Roekett, THE BANK_RUNNER. Morris. 273 .l limbo Joe. By Edward L. Wheeler.
69 Gold Rifle. By Edward I: V lt‘i‘ler o . l The Sea Tn'uer' By I‘leut- H- D- Pen-V- 274 Jolly Jim. By Charles Morris.
70 Old Zip’n Cabin. By Capt. J. F. C; Adams. ‘  “31:93.."lifemgyffif‘cxffiifr' 275 grizolfianJaek. By Buckskin Sam. (Mayn-
71 Delaware Dirk. By 011 Conlnes. plih‘e “kid”. liaud'. BV (max Morris. ‘lun b‘. a .) '
z: ggadd:gga xi'g‘lrnhnffllr'  }{&.’,"“tf’)’;' The Boy Trailers. By Badger. Jr. 276 lllerlo Monte’s Cruise. By In; will 1e,
-4 n wk " ' B , (m ’U y lee " ' Evil Eye, him; or CATTLE Tmnvns; or, THE 277 Denver nan. By Edward L. “11.1.1”.
45 T; B—eyen igni- B )C l P Trill-{8.1 Vuurnnns or rm: Rio Giuxnn. Bv F. Dumont. 278 The Thrpe Tra er“, or THF M, UVqu
76 e(‘ (l)! :8 - hgnfloh‘.flll§bakqfli. COO] Dennond' By COI‘Dene 8am" Mlné'rnn B Via'oprgi W'Carson‘ I ‘ I.
77 a. ’d’0 91716] “one B '15 W1 ‘1 1 en‘ Fred Halyard. By Charles Morris. ’ ‘ ' y ‘ J ‘ ' ' r ‘
78 furiously]: ‘Barc 1 i, yM 2n;  er‘ Ned Temple, THE BonnimBoy. Harbaugh. 279 Old \Vinch, ran RIFLE KING. By 1‘. (..
79 Soil Ging‘erOGxAyr’l'raRfPiiiinMB § A W'Aiken. 3"" “Mken’ m“ CR‘WMN' By Moms' Harbaugh'
so ‘Rouebud “’0', By Edwar‘d 13wineéler gaggiyonfim? Egyvggngd‘gil'gtfrI-J S A 2.80 Merle Monte’s Fate. By Col. Ingmham.
‘ , . J. ‘ ‘. . u a 7. I I ._ _ V . . . . n '
 kifilllilllilll-E'gofi. léy ('éaiigallillaih‘hdcfi Adams. (.“lnnhl K“. By Lieut' H. D_ Pverry‘usfi. 281 Denver Doll’s Vii tory. By Wheeler.
83 Rollo u“; no '. “znée'r By 0% (Roomy, (‘ilptuin )Iank. By Philip S. “lime. 282 The Typo Deteetit e. By Edward Willett.
84 [d l he ("irlylliner B E I Wheeler 94 B“ "i110 3'1"“ B“- By Captain Taylor. 283 Indian Joe Ol‘.THE Warm Spriu'r or m.-
8 5 Buycf‘ Buciran‘. B (in ‘yJ  Ad’éms' 95 Dead\vood Dick’s Drealn. By Wheeler. HILLS. By Mao'- L. w_ Carson.
8'6 “and Rock '13 ' 'ngaO'Brbw'ne ‘ 96 Shadou'ed. By Charles Morris. 284 The “a Marauder. or Mxmxmownh
87 The and Pl'rntgs- 'By (.‘afit- Mayné Reid- 3; 13:35:13“; T"}‘§3V.}”{1R‘§f§;a§g’lfnmham' PLEIiGE. By Colonel Preniiss 'Ingmhamf "
88 Photograflh Phil. B E. .Wheeler. 99 finanwrwdghh By Edward Wine“. 285 Denver nousg Decoy, By E, L, When,-

89 Island J II; By Bruce ridge Hemyng.

90 The Dread Rider. By G. Waldo Browne.

9] The? (‘aptain ot'the Club; or, Tm: YOUNG
RIVAL Amms. By Bracebridize Hemyng.

92 Canada (Ihet. By Edward L. W'heeler.

93 The Boy Miners. Bv Edward S. Ellis.

94 Midnight Jaek. By T. C. Harhaugh.

95 Tile RivalRovern. Liellt. Col. Hazelfine.

96 Wateh-Eye. THE SHADOW. By E. 1.. Wheeler. l

97 The Outlinv Brothern. By J. J. Marshall. 1

98 Robin Hood. By Prof. Gildemleew.

99 The Tiger ol' Taos. By G. \Vuldo Browne.

100 The Boy Bedouinn. By Whittaker.
201 The Blaek Ililln Jezebel. By Wheeler.
Pronpeet Pete;i By §11§1001E8E§8d J
203 The Bo" Par s. _v on. . ger, r.
204 Gold Pillme, 'rnlr. Bur anrr. Inerahmn. 288 The Scalp King. By Capt. J. F. 0. Adams.
3"“fi‘ff’m: nirkT’" “Ofi’m' BBY 8219819” 289 Jolly J iin’s Job. By Charles Morris.
ar on THE IGER. mo. y . orns , . .
Navajo Nulk. By T_ C. Harbaugh. ‘ 290 Turk, the Ferret. By E. L. Wheeler.
The Boy llerenleu. By 011 Coomes. 291 Little Foxfire, THE BOYSPY;01‘,OLDCA.LEB
Fritz, 'rni: BOUND-BOY DETECTIVE. Wlmeler. énnvexnn, Mour’rAm DETECTIVE. By 011
‘oomes. '

210 Faro Frank of High P‘ine. By Eyster.
211 Crooked ('nle. ByJoR. E. Bullger,Jl-. 292 Sancho Pedro, THE BOY BANDIT. By

286 Josh the Boy Tendert'oot; or. Tl..-
Wan lvinn or BUZZARD BAR. By Mark Wilton.

287 Billy Blue-Eyes. By Col. P. Ingranam.

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101 Jaek narkdway in New York. By  {azi'fiinkg'.P'twifrfigamleJEEWR‘EEEE } 293 Red (Tiavv, TILE ONE-EYED Tnmnn. By
Brmcebridge Hemyng. ‘ Bv . - . -.‘ :_ -‘ ._ ‘ Captain .‘omstoc .
.. i . I y La )tain 1* rederii k Whitmlu r.
:83 fifghfimf, mom? L§1:(13;‘f’fi1;3‘12‘§m.a i 215 Caption Bullet. By T. c. Harballzh. 294 Dynamite Dan; or, Tm.- Bowni min:
.04 Deadwood nuki,‘ fievizw’ B'VWhekeler' I 216 lift-10:1 I)Biitl, '{ch Eamon or THE REINS. 0F COCBETOPA. By T. C. Hnl‘baugh.
,- ' ' ' ' ' ' l y Co. ren  112111 11111. . _ ‘ I
  Biga Cligalggdglgfif' l 217 I‘ll ptai'ii (lraek-hr‘lhot. '11‘33’ E. L- ‘gheelm‘ ‘ A "’7" "‘3’" “WV ""61.
. ' ' " ' ‘ tr TEE EXAN ERROR. oomes.
"’7 ""“Eyed 3"“. By JameSL' Bowen l  Rigird‘zuille Duelist. B P. S. Warne. The Half-Dian Library is for sale b A“
108 During DflVL BY Harri" Sth‘Ol‘Ke- ‘ 220 Tom Tanner. By Charles is orris. l  New'sdtcaltérs. fiVe retilts pe‘r (:(lljllff‘lll:)§t‘th£yAIBAMOsl
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