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3250 a year.

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Entered at the Post Office at New York. N. Y.. at Second Class Mall Rates.

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Copyright. 1896. by BEADLE AND ADAMS.

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January ‘20. 18:5.

PUBLISHED \VEEK LY BY ll CA ULE AND ADAMS,
N0. 98 WILLIAM STREET. NEW YORK.

(
Price,
5 Cents.

No. 391.

 

CHAPTER 1.
“BY nus rum sum 1 SWEAR."

“ WILL. who’l thgre!"

“Ob, open up! ‘ye want ter
hm all night indthe mm” keep “8 °"

“Not even a 03. much less a bu ‘
should be refused shelter on such a Sign: :31}:
—come in.”

The rude door of the ruder but was flung
wide Open. the.win_d catching it as m swung
agar, and clanglng It with a tremendous bhl 1;
against the log wall, when, as if in echo u, the
crash, a pistol-shot rung out on the bowl”;
gale of the night, and the occupant of the cabir,
staggering back with a tremendous cry of pain,
fell to the floor and lav motionless.

He had been shot fair between the eyes. and
was dead before he struck the plank: that cov-
eVered the ground inside the hut.

Stepping inside, and hecriming in an instant
plainly visible by the light of the SITIOkinZ kerr.
sene lamp that stood on a shelf opposite the
door, the man who had fired the fatal shot
strode across the roorp to a door that Opened
through a partition into an adjoining apart-
ment, tried the latch and with an oath that

 

 

Kid-Glove Kit.

 

 

 

made the rafters ring, turned to his three com-
panions who had entered after him, and
growled

“The girl‘s in there, boys, but has fastened
thui‘mr, H-TI‘CUIE‘S, bu’st it open 1”

The man who was thus addressed, and who
Owed his cognomen to his immense stature and
tremendous strength, placed the rifle he carried
in One Corner, and, stalking acrosa the narrow
r lOlll. placed his brawny shoulder against the
closely—ceiled planks, threw his weight against
them, and the door splintered into a thousand
fragments.

" Hercules,” the giant and bully of the mines,
deserves more than a passing notice, as he is to
figure somewhat extensively in this drama of
the mountains. and a pen portrait of him will
not be out of place.

Standing six feet two in his bare feet—for he
disdained socks—he was broad in proportion,
and possessed a magnificent physical develop-
ment.

His strength was such that to fell a bullock

at a blow was but child’s play for him, and in
all the length and breadth of the Rockies there
could not be found aminer who dared cross
him when angered or thwart him when in
ii uor.
' is coarse and unkempt hair and beard add-
ed to the savageness of his appearance, while
the blank hollow where his left eye should have
been hightened the flerceness of his decidedly
forbidding countenance.

It had been gouged out in one of his numerous
rough-and- tumble bar~room encounters.

As the door crashed in, the leader, who had
in the mean time taken the lamp from the shelf
on which it stood, dashed into the room thus
rudely carried by assault and glanced hastily
about him.

A dainty chamber it was, and seemed decided-
ly out of place among these rude surroundings,
and presented a strong contrast to the rough,
uncouth trio that clustered about the door and
vented their disappointment in growls and mut-
tered expletives; for the room was untenanted
and the snowy couch, that stood in one corner,
bore no impress that would bear witness to a
late occupant.

“A thousand curses on the luckl" hurtled the
leader, as be scanned and scrutinized every
crack and crevice of the room, even to those
that could scarce shelter a mouse, “ the girl is
not here, and our expedition is partially unsuc-

cessfull

“ Baffled by her absence our task is but half
completed; for while she lives we are in con-
stant danger.”

“But, Cap,” interposed Hercules, “s‘ce must
come back soon—s’posin’ I wait h ar an’ catch
her when she comes. I'll bet ef ever git her
throat in them fingers l’ll shet of! her wind
quick enough.”

“Hercules, it isn‘t often you talk, but when
you do speak your words are diamonds.

“ You wait here and ‘flx’ Miss Dainty and
we’ll go on about our work.

“ You know where to find us.”

“ Sart’in, Cap. She can‘t be long a—comin’ fur
I reckin’ she’s only gone down to ther gulch ter
git some med’cine fur the ole man.

“ Small need of a doctor he has now!”

And at the brutal 'est the others laughed
loudly as they return . to the other room, more
than one of them spurning with his foot the
dead body lying there so still and quiet. with a
slowlv flewing stream of dark fluid gliding over
the floor from the Wound in the forehead and
rapidly becoming thick and clotted.

A noble form it was that was thus stretched
out in death, with the damp dews shining on
the forehead, while the white hair that cluster-
ed so thickly about the massive brow, and the
snowy heard that swept the broad chest were
clotted and matted with the life-fluid that be-
smeared them all.

Paying not as much attention to the corpse as
they would to the dead body of a favorite dog,
the man whOm the others addressed as captain,
and two of his foll0wers left the cabin, with a
parting word to Hercules, and mounting their
horses that were fastened to a rack in front of
the door, gnlloped off into the darkness, the
hoofs of their mustangs splashing through the
mud and sending it flying in eVery direction.

Hercules, thus left to himself, began his pre-
parations in anticipation of the arrival of the
girl who seemed destined to become the second
prey of the night to this ravening band of as-
sassins.

Taking roughly hold of the heels of the dead
man, he dragged the body egress the room and

flung it heavily into the adJoming apartment,

the course being marked by a sinuous trail of

 

 

blood, for the dark stream still welled from the
yawning wound in the forehead, and then
spread a buffalo-robe, which ,he took from a
pile of skins in the corner, over the red pool in
the middle of the floor.

Then closing the outer door, and fastening it,
he turned the light low, and throwing himself
upon the fur couch in the corner, waited.

Th'e minutes sped on and be had just begun
to nod into a slight done when the clatter of a
horse’s hoofs outside roused him in an instant,
and in a second’s time he was standing by the
door and on the alert.

A moment more and there came a gentle
tap on the door, and a fresh young voice called
out:

“Open, father, it is I, Dainty.”

And stepping forward, Hercules drew the
bolt and gave admission to the applicant.

A slight, girlish flgure emerged from the
outer gloom, stepped into the room and cried:

" Why, father, all in the dark! why don’t—”

A rude grasp on the delicate throat, a fierce
clutch about the slender neck, and the succeed~
ing words were lost in a gasp and a gurgle that
shOWed how deadly was the encircling band
that thus strangled her.

But it was not the intention of the giant to
choke her into instant insensibility, for he pre—
ferred to toy with her for a time as does the cat
with the mouse, so be relaxed his cruel grip and
suffered the girl to escape for an instant, plant-
ing himself in the doorway, and thrusting her
from him with such force that, her foot catch-
ing in the robe he had spread, it was dragged
away and she fell beavil to the floor.

A wild shriek sprung rom her lips, and leaf)-
ing to her feet, she turned the lamp to its fu l-
est blaze, and turning, confronted her assail-
ant.

For a moment they stood thus, her eye catch-
ing the crimson pool in the middle of the floor
and dilating with horror, when suddenly, as
aha cried out again, the giant sprung toward

er.

But on the instant, a lithe body flashed
through the open door and a small gloved hand
shooting out on the instant, a stunning blow
caught Hercules behind the left ear, and he
went to earth as if shot.

As composedly as if in a ball-room the savior
of the young girl walked to the light, and
with an expression of decided dis ust on his
almost fem nine features, examine his right
hand, on which the lavender glove he wore
was split from wrist to fingers with the force of
the blow.

“ Another pair of gloves ruined. Kit, my boy,
you should remove your kids before you give
way to your impetuosityl”

And tearing the glove from his hand be
tossed it from him, when it fell in the pool that
piarked the spot where the dead man had fal-
en.

The girl, who had stood a silent witness of
the encounter, n0w turned and caught sight of
the dead body of her father through the open
doorway, and rushing to it, threw herself prone
on the corpse, with a thousand inarticulllte
moans and kisses. .

But suddenly she started to her feet as if
stung by an electric shock, re-entered the main
room, and, falling on her knees by the crim-
son spot, picked up the lavender glove that lay
therein, stained and red, and lifting it high in
the air cried:

“By this red stain I swear to avenge my
father’s death and track his murderers to their
graves!”

While the young rescuer, ifting his hat rev.
erently from his head, added a solemn: ,

“ Amen!”

 

CHAPTER II.
a CHALLENGE.

REVERENTLY with bared head, the young man
stood thus for a moment, and then, as the pros-
trate giant in the corner began to give some
signs of life, he walked over to where he was
lying, and, stooping, removed the pistol and
murderous-looking knife from Hercules’s belt.

Returning to the girl, who yet remained
kneeling where she had thr0wn herself, he took
her by the hand and gently lifted her to her
feet and spoke a few words of kindness and
comfort. .

And the girl, turning her lovelv blue eyes
full upon him, seemed for the first time to fully
realize how near she had been to- death, and
placing her' hand on her throat, which was
scratched and sacred and torn by the cruel
clutch of her would-be assassin Opened her

.i
.E‘Fr

 

lips as if to speak, but before she could utter a
word, burst out in a wild torrent of tears and
cried like a child. _
it was a blessed relief, and her compai ion
realiZed that it was better that nature should
take her course, so did not endeavor to quiet
her but stood silently awaiting the lulling or tne
storm. - _

And the very violence of the fit of weeping
soon brought quiet, and gradually the sobs that
shook the slender frame ceased, and the fair gill
became quiet by degrees and was able to turn
to and thank her rescuer.

And a lovely picture they presented as they
stood there together—she with her masses of
golden hair, loosened in the sirug le and stream-
ing far below her waist, her de icate com lex-
ion, her clear-cut features and her magni ic- nt
blue eyes; he, the living embodiment of his
companion.

So much alike were they in feature, hair and
eyes, so startling was the resemblance, that an
observer would have taken oath that they were
not only brother and sister, but. twins.

“Dress them both‘in like costumes,” would
have said the onolooker, “and it would be im-
possible to distinguish them apart.” _

But now they were dressed anything but
alike.

She wore a close-fitting habit of dark—green
cloth, which showed her slender form to the
best advantage, while a broad-brimmed hat._ in
which drooped a magnificent white ostrich
feather, was planted firmly on the back of her
shapely head.

Small boots incased her shapely feet, to the
heels of which were attached silver spurs wnh
tiny jingling bells, which tinkled musically as
she walked, and snugly-fitting gauntlet gloves
covered her hands.

The young fellow who had so opportunely ar-
rived in her dire distress was, as he stood there,
a icture for a Rembrandt.

wenty-two years had with them brought no
sign of beard, and his complexion was as smooth
and fair as a woman’s.

His hair, virgin to the scissors’ touch, hung
far below his shoulders, and was of the hue of
burnished gold, with streaks of light sparkling
in it here and there, as the rays of the lamp
glinted among the flowing strands.

.lt was identical in color and shade with that
of the girl, while his eyes Were as like hers as
one pea to another.

But with his face and head the resemblance
ceased. for he was clad in a costume which was
so striking that it would have attracted atten-
tion anywhere.

His coat—a loose—fitting sack, with silver but-
tons as large as trade dollars—was made o‘.’
the finest Lyons velvet, of a deep claret color,
the vest. which was cut low, being of the same
material.

Tightly-fitting trOwsers, also of velvet but
Prussian blue in color, clothed his lower limbs,
and boots of the shiniest of patent leather, but
now flecked here and there with patches of
mud, came to his knees, while gold spurs, small
and1 neat, with balls attached, ornamented his
hee s. ‘

His hat a as broad, and black as night, the
material being also velvet, it being encircled
with a gold band an inch and a half in breadth,
fastened on the left side with an enormous gold
en buckle, in which sparkled a diamond of un'
usual size and purity.

A crimson scarf, knotted negligentlyhhung
from beneath his turn-down collar, and in the
bosom of his shirt shone a stud that capped the
diamond in his hat.

His left hand was gloved with a kid covering
of the most delicate lavender hue, be having
split the glove on his right hand when he stru k
the bully, who yet lay half-unconscious in the
corner. .

A small case ,of Russian leather hung at his
left side, being suspended from his right shoul'
derby a massive gold chain, while about his
waist was buckled a broad belt that carried in
it two handsome and deadly Six-shooters and a
keen, ivory-handled knife.

He was slight, although tall, not weighing
more than a hundred and thirty-five pounds,
yet beneath the velvety covering of his coat and
skin lurked muscles and smews of steel, while
the lightning’s flash is not quicker than were his
motions when in action.

But while these two stood thus, Hercules had
almost fully reCOVered his senses, and softly
stealing one hand along the floor be grasped a.
small billet of wood. and unperceived, drawing
back his arm, he flung it at the lamp on the
shelf, striking it fair, overturning it, and leav-
ing the room in total darkness. ‘

i

 

‘-

 

  

  
    

At the crash the youth sprung to the door, to

For an instant all was still, each one of
the actors in the drama holding their breath

Then the voice of the stranger broke the

"Young lady, if you will strike a match, I
will attend to our friend.

“ Do not fear to move boldly.

“Should he move, I will shoot him as I
would a mad cur.”

Clear and firm came the answering voice:

“ There is not a match in the house.

“ One of my errands to the gulch was to pro-
cure some, but I must have dropped them on

“Then come this way and stand near me;
when there are wolves about we must have a
care lest we get bitten.”
to his side and nestled
her hand con dineg in his, the gruff voice of
the bully broke out on the stillness of the room,
for the storm had subsided and no sound
broke the silence of the night from outside:

“ Ye’r’ a brave youngster, you be.

“ Ye’ve taken away my weepins, an’ now ye
think ye’ve got me.

“ Give me half a show an’—-”

“Shut up and listen:

“I now unloose my belt and fling it to the

And suiting the action to the word, he un-
clasped the belt and allowed it to fall to his

’0w, we are equal, and will see if you will

“ bhl pray be careful!” pleaded the voice of
the young girl, as she clung to the young man‘s

“ You do not know this man.

“ You do not know the reputation he bears in
the neighborhood.

" He will surely kill you if he once gets you

the door is open, and in the dark-
ness we can esca e."

“ My dear child,” mildly, but firmly, inter-
posed the young fellow, “do not worry. I am
well able to take care of myself and of you.

“ I will teach this gentleman something that I
believe will be of service to him.

“ Stand to one side, and fear nothing. '

“ Now, sir, I am ready to argue th's question

“All right, my yo
measure for a coffin!

CHAPTER III.
AN ESCAPE AND A CAPTURE.

THESE words were sufficient for the delicate-
ung fellow, who, thus guided by the
ed lightly forward, straightening his
did so, his small clinched, gloved
fist coming in crashing contact with the lips of
the giant, and driving him back, with crushing
force, the back of his head striking the log wall
of the room and causing a thousand stars to
dance before his eyes.

For an instant he stood, leaning against the
wall in a semi dazed condition, and then, with a
roar like a wounded lion, be rushed blindly for-
ward, with outstretched arms, and encountering
clasped him as in a vise, and
the breath out of his inn 5 as be
squeezed the slim young fellow against his
brawny chest.

For a few moments his position was a desper-
ate one, and it seemed as if he were doomed to
ticularly as the giant began to rain blows
head with his free hand, until the lad’s
brain was one whirl of dazed confusion.

But he was quick as a flash, supple as a snake
as an eel, and suddenly crooking
les’s knee, he glided from
and, with an unexpected strength,
h a push that he was tripped up
ell with a tremendous thud to the floor.
And then there was a sudden crackling, a fizz,
in the corner of the room, where
und a match and lighted
ed his feet the

ting sprig, I’ll take your

 

his adversary

 

his leg behind Hercu

 

and a sputter,
the young girl had to
it, and before the bully regain
lamp was burning clear and bright. and the two
combatants were plainly visible to each other.

Springing hastily to his feet, Hercules. W110
esented a terrible appearance, his lip havin
en split from the last blew he had receive
blood, shook himself and again
rushed on his young adversary, his sledge-ham-
mer fist raised high in the air to crush the life
out of the youth With one blow.

Cool and calm and smiling the other awaited
him, and as the giant Swung his fist in a swing-
ing, round-arm blow, he dodged down almost to

   
  
 
 
 
  

Kid-Glove Kit.

the floor, the stroke passing harmlessly over his

head, and then, rising, planted that dainty little

fist just under the giant’s jaw, with such force

and precision that Hercules was lifted clear off

his feet, his jaw-bone was cracked and disloca-

ted and he tell all in a heap, howling with pain

and rage.

Paying not the slightest attention to him, the

youn fellow walked over to where the girl was

standing with clasped hands, trembling with

fear, courteously doifed his hat and addressed

ed her.

“ It is not fitting that you should be the wit-

ness obsuch scenes.

“The rain has ceased, the skies are clear and

it would be better if you sought shelter with

friends; for such you surely have in the neigh-

borhood?’

At the interro ation the girl sighed sadly

while a mournfu smile stole about the corners
of her mouth.

“ You are evidently a stranger here,” she
said, “and not familiar With the dwellers in
this vicinitv.

“There is no one to whom I could apply
for shelter within miles and miles, for none but
miners occupy the cabins hereabouts.”

“ But you can not remain here."

“Here I remain until the last sad rites are
rformed and my father—” here her voice fal-
tered for a moment, but was instantly steadied—
“ and my father is laid to rest.

“ Can 1 count on you to aid me in performing
this ofiicel"

“ You can rely upon me to undertake wh‘at-
eVPI‘ you may ask."

With a graceful bend of her proud head in
acknowledgment, the girl left him and walked
into the other room, where she stood by the
body of her dead father, looking d0wn into the
cold still face, but uttering never a word—shed-
ding never a tear.

Her friend and ally followed her, and, re-
moving his hat, stood silently awaiting what-
ever she might wish to suggest.

And so they remained until the pent-up
emotions of the girl again broke forth in a
storm of sobs, and he, respecting her sort-cw,
quietly retired, going into the other room, and
mechanically glancing at the spot where Hercu-
les had fallen.

But the room was vacant—Hercules had dis-
appeared.

Evidently having profited by their abstrac-
tion the iant had crawled to the door unper-
ceived an escaped into the outer darkness.

As the young fellow sprung to the open door-
way, aclatter and splashing of hoofs sounded
outside, and under the dim light of the stars a
horseman was indistinctly visible, dashing down
the road at a break—neck pace.

Without hesitating an instant the youth leap-
ed outside, uttered a shrill whistle, and as his
horse c me centering up, neighing with delight
at the sight of his master, be bounded into the
saddle and calling our:

“ Wait until I return !” dashed off in pursuit
of the fleeing Hercules, who already had a con—
siderable start.

Down the rocky road he sped, touching his
horse gently with his spur and encouraging him
to his greatest efforts with hand and voice,
while the noble brute, as if realizing how im—
portant the errand was, spurned the road be-
neath his hoofs, and devoured the miles as if by
magic.

But Hercules was also well mounted, and al-
though he did not gain an inch, neither did his
pursuer, the latter being guided in his chase
only by the sound made by the foremost horse,
as he galloped wildly on, for the intricate turns
and twists of the mountain road hid him always
from sight.

At one moment the pursuer caught a fleeting
glimpse of the fleeing horsemen, and his hand
sought his belt to draw revolver and halt the
fugitive, but with a sudden shock he realized
that his weapons were lying on the floor of the
cabin, where he had cast them prior to his late
encounter.

For a second he hesitated and almost drew
rein; but the innate recklessness and courage of
the man prevailed, and loosening his grasp he
again urged his steed forward.

And so he galloped madl on .
an hour more, listening al the time intently to
the sound of the flying horse’s feet
him; but as the ride began togrow
in its monotony,

 

E

lately left.

 

3

lowing no longer sounded on the rocky road in
front of him.

He drew rein quickly, but too late, for the
forelegs of his horse encountered a lariat tight-
ly drawn across the road and stretched at a dis—
tance of a foot or so above the ground the steed
stumbled and fell on his knees, and flung his
rider far into the air, whence he fell with an
awful thud on his right shoulder and lay in the
middle of the road, insensible.

At the same moment three brawny forms
leaped from the shadow of the rock at the road-
side, and six muscular hands seized and bound
him fast, as Hercules, standing by, surveyed
The proceedings with a grin of malignant de-

ight.

 

CHAPTER IV.
A SECOND VICTIM.

LEFT alone in the cabin ssith the body of her

beloved father, the hours rolled on unheeded by
Dainty, who was lost in an agony of grief and
despair.
The sudden and brutal murder of her father,
now that the excitement of the past hour or so
had subsided, overwhelmed her and rendered
her oblivious to all surroundings.

Buried as she was in her sorrowful thoughts,
she was unaware of the escape of Hercules, of
the departure of his adversary, and had scarce-
ly heard the words lshouted back by the latter
as he galloped away.

But finally the earliest streaks of dawn glim-
mered through the open door, and roused her
from her thoughts, and rising, she walked into
the other room, the perfect ghost of the bloom-
ing, cheery girl who had ridden up to the door
the evening previous.

Expecting to find the room tenanted, she
glanced around, and could at first scarcely com-
prehend that she was alone, and then, thinking
that the stranger might have stepped outside,
she went to the door and looked about.

All was deserted and silent, no living thing
being in sight but her horse, which sti l stood
fastened to the rack where she had left him the
night before.

She soon had him stabled and fed and then,
returning to the house, for the first time fully
realized that she was alone.

The belt, with pistols and knife, lying on the
floor where it had been flung, recalled vividly
the encounters of a few hours before and like
the memory of a dream came to her the recol-
lection of the clatter of hoofs she had heard as ,
pursued and pursuer dashed away, and the
memory of the words, called out in that clear
young voice:

" Wait until 1 return!”

And then she comprehended that Hercules
must have escaped an that her young champion
had started ofl in pursuit of him.

So returning to the side of her father, whose
head she had tenderly raised and placed on a
folded blanket, she recizmmenced her lonely
vigil, and sat there quietly, until exhausted
nature asserting herself, she gradually drooped,
until finally she fell into a deep slumber and
became oblivious to all surroundings.

The day grew clearer and brighter, the sun
rising high in the heavens shone through the
o n doorway, and still she slept on, until
finally a stealth]: footstep a preached the open
door and a dar shadow ta 1 across the thresh-
old.

Ahead was thrust into the room followed by
a body. when the intruder might have been
recognized as the leader of the band which had
attacked the cabin the night before.

Quietly and cautiously entering, he stole
across the room to where a small cupboard
was built into the corner, and finding the key
in the lock, he quietly opened the door, took a
small, oblong tin box from one of the shelves,
and thrusting it in the bosom of his shirt, turn-
ed his attention to the adjoining room.

\Vitli a smile of fiendish delight he reeliZGd
how completely the girl was at his mercy, and
tiptOeing to the door he leaped upon and seized
her before she was aware of his Vicinity.

She was powerless in his grasp, and seemed

 

for a quarter of

in front of
Wearisome
he allowed his thoughts to
stray back to the fair girl whom he had so

Lost in a bright reverie he galloped mechani-
cally on when suddenly he aroused himself as _
he realized that the hoof-beats he had been fol- driven firmly into the wall, he disappeared in

instantly to realize that to cry for help would
i be useless, so submitted silently while he fasten-
i ed her arms behind her with the raw-hide lariat
.he carried, and only fixed her eyes steadii
l upon him, as if to burn the photograph of his
l features into her memory.
i Oblivious or careless of the fact that the
leathern cord was cutting deeply into her deli-
\cate flesh, the bandit drew the bonds tight
about her slender wrists and fastened them se-
curely.
Then attaching the end of the lasso to a hook

  
 

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,  J, . ,,. ,. . .  4.”. . g

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‘h

,1

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f
1

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
   

 

4

the direction of the stable, soon returning with
her horse, completely saddled and bridled.

Returning to where she still sat, pale but un-
daunted. he addressed her: ‘

“ Your dandy, kid-gloved friend is in my

ower, more completely than even you are.

oes not this information make your heart leap
with very joy?”

To his taunts he received no answer.

“ You doubtless think him a royal champion,
but in my hands he is as a wheat—straw—to be
broken whenever I will it.”

And still no answer came from those delicate
lips, white through physical and mental suf-
fering.

“A pleasing pair you will make as you swing
together from the branch of some convenient
tree; for you both die to-day.”

The girl’s patrician face blanched a trifle, yet
she looked calmly and scornfully at her tor-
mentor, and answered never a. word.

“Curses on you!” fairly hissed the mocking
demon, who scowled fiercely on her from under
his bent br0ws.

" I’ll rouse you yet.”

And casting his glances moodily about, his
eye caught the belt and pistols forgotten by
her champion in his hurried exit in pursuit of
Hercules.

“ Ha!" he cried, “ this accounts for the young
dandy’s being unarmed.

“ Does it strike you, Miss Dainty Danford,
that it is to you he will awe his death?

“ That it was in your behalf that he rode
awa after my friend Hercules?

“ hat, as he gasps and strangles and strug-
gles at the end of the tightening cord, his last
thought will be that you are his murderess?”

“For God’s sake!” sobbed the girl, “torture
my body as you will, but spare me this mental
agony!

“ Murderer of my father as Inow know you to
be, Craig Colton, murderer to be of that brave
youth and myself, I defy on, and believe that
God’s justice will not not ong'a’llow you to con-
tinue in your career of blood and crime.

“ (gain I say—I defy you 1”

An magnificent in her disdain the young
girl arose and drew her slight form, quivering
with passion, to its full hight.

He had roused her, at last, but the storm of
her-indignation was such that he cowered be-
neath it like a whipped coward, and without a
word in reply. unfastened the rope and, drag—
ging, rather than leading her outSIde, lifted her
and fastened her securely in her saddle.

Then going to the door, he removed the key
from the inside, closed the door and locked it,
throwing the key into a clump of bushes by the
roadside, and then mounting, and leading her
horse by the bridle, he rode of! slowly down the
road.

He anticipated meeting no one, for it was a
wild and desolate country and but few miners
inhabited the neighborhood, they being at this
hour all engaged with their labors, besides which
fact, the road they were followin was an old.
abandoned one, lately supplante by the new
stage-route some miles distant.

After riding for some time along the road
over which the followed and the follower had
galloped so impetuously the night before, they
came in sight of a little group that was evident-
ly awaiting their arrival and expecting them.

The young fellow who had proven himself
such a hero in the girl’s defense was fastened by
a rope tied about his ankles, to a tree, his hands
being unbound, while he looked as jaunty and
unconcerned as if in a drawingroom.

Hercules, with his head bound up in a Cotton
handkerchief, and his two companions, lolled
about in listless attitudes, keeping however a
sharp watch on their prisoner, whose prowess
they evidently feared.

As the captor and the‘ girl rode up. the men
came forward, one of them lifting her to the

round, she shuddering at his touch and releas-

ng herself as quickly as possible from his grasp,

hurried to the oung fell0w who stood there so
quiesly, and With hands still bound behind her,
one :

“And it is I who have brought you to this!
Can you ever forgive me?”

“ Anything done in your service, even to the
Eacin’g of death, would be to me a willing sacri-

cel

And stretching out his arms as she wavered,
he caught her as she fell, fainting, and laid her
gently on the turf.

CHAPTER V.
THE RIDE TO DEATH.
THE wretches who stood about only looked
on and laughed, while the prisoner, walking as

 

 

Kid-Glove Kit.

far as the rope would permit, scooped up some
water in the hollow of his hand and allowed‘a
few drops to trickle therefrom on the forehead
of the insensible girl.

Gently chafing her hands, she was soon re-
stored to consciousness, and, sitting up, gazed
about her in amazement, but soon came toa
realization of her situation, and with a deep
sigh turned her eyes on the man to whom she
owed so much, with a pleading look for forgive-
ness in her magnificent blue eyes.

An answering look of devotion gave her cour-
age, while he bending forward to raise her,
whispered, unheard by the outlaws, who were
attending to their horses:

“ Do not despair; while there is life, there is
always hope l”

“I cannot despair;” she whispered, while a
deep blush mantled her cheek, “ so long as you
are near me!”

What he might have answered remained un-
spoken, for at that moment they were inter—
rupted by the leader of the gang who came
toward them and roughly ordered them to
mount and f0110w, stooping as he spoke and
untying the rope from his prisoner s ankles,
andkfastening a noose he formed in it about his
nec .

Then all having mounted, they rode on down
the road for some distance, finally reaching a
narrow pa'h which branched off to the left.
and up which, owing to the narrowness of
the route, they were compelled to proceed in
double file.

The man whom Dainty had addressed as Craig
Colton and Hercules took the lead, the two
prisoners coming next, they being followed
in turn by the other two members of the band.

“ What is to be our fate?” whispered the girl
to her companion, as they rode slowly along.

“Hanging, I imagine, from what gathered
from their conversation. At least that is to
be my fate, and—forgive me for the apparent
selfishness of the remark—I hope it will be

ours ”

“ What can you mean?”

“ I mean that it is better you should die than
become the wife of that hound.”

And the young fellow nodded toward the
leader who preceded them.

“ A thousand times better," answered the
girl, almost speaking aloud in her righteous in-
dignation.

“ Does he imagine for an instant that I would
place my hand in one stained with my father’s
blood?

“lam sure he killed him, or if he did not,
one of his satellites did, and he was a party to
the crime.”

“ Well, you are to have your choice,'and if
you are the brave girl I take you for, he will
never call you his wife, even if the grave con-
fronts you as the only alternative.”

“And your faith in me shall be justified by
my acts.”

“ Here! this confab has lasted long enough be-
tween you two. ,

“Young fellow, you fall back and ride with
my p,artner; I’ll keep ther young lady com-
' in _’

And with an evil leer one of the men who had
been riding behind pushed forward and inter-
ru ted the conversation.

n the mean time Colton and Hercules, who
had ridden some distance ahead of the rest of
the party, were also talking regarding the fate
of the prisoners.

“ He shall hang, of course,” answered Colton,
in response to some query of his companion.

“ An’ I’ll yank ther rope,” chuckled the
other, every feature of his forbidding counte-
nance distorted into an expression of exultant
0y.

“ And you can pull the rope, if you wish,” as-
Sented his leader.

“ An’ ther gal i”

” Tne girl promises and Swears to marry me,
or she dangles from the same tree.”

“ Better string ’em both up to oncet, Cap; ’t’ll
save a heap o’ trubhle.

“ An’ then ther mine—”

“Shut up, you fool,” interrupted Colton, sav-
agelv, as he gazed fearfully around.

“ Do you want to give the whole snap away?”

“ Beg pardon, Cap: I clean forgot ther other
two blokes didn’t stand in.”

“ Well, try, and remember something more
than ten minutes at a time hereafter.

“It would make things safer if she should be-
come my wife: there’s no telling in these mat-
ters what may turn up ”

“You've ot all ther papers?”

“ Safe ang sound."

“ VVal, what’s ter be feared!"

     

  

 

“ Everything.”
” Everything?”
“Yes.’
“ I don’t tumble.”

“You wouldn’t tumble if Pike’s Peak were
to fall on you.”

“Now see hyar, Cap, hain’t you a—ridin’ a
leetle rusty 3”

“Not half as rusty as you deserve.

“But enough of this; we’ve got to hurry up if
we want to escape a ducking.”

For the sky was new as black as midnight,
and as Colton spoke, the low growl of distant
and muttering thunder betokened a. coming
storm, while a vivid flash of forked lightning
split the somber vail from top to bottom.

  

Turning in his saddle, he called to the others

in the rear to hasten, as the storm would soon
break, and in obedience to the order the caval-
cade broke into a quick trot, ore of the men
leaning forward, and severing the bonds which
still chafed the wrists of the girl, that she
milght be able to sit in the saddle without diffi—
cu ty.

And soon they came to a level stretch of
ground, in the center of which stood a huge
tree, under the spreading branches of which
was a stone but, of a sin 16 story.

This was the home of t e outlaws.

CHAPTER VI.
A MIRACLE.

IT was a wild and desolate‘place, this plateau
into which they rode, and the gloom of the sur-
roundings was hightened by the weird, yellow
light that the storm-cloud shed down on all the
landscape.

Towering cliffs of rugged rock sprung abrupt-
ly from the valley on all sides, their beetling
fronts so abrupt and precipitous as to be entire-
ly unscalable, while high up on the face of
the loftiest of them was perched an eagle’s
eyrie, about which the birds were circling and
screaming, as if aflrighted by the approaching
tempest.

The entire party were soon dismounted, and
the horses being led away, were quickly stabled
in a small building near the main edifice.

The young man was again bound, while the
girl was allowed to seat herself on a small rock
underneath the tree.

Then Hercules went into the house, and pres-
ently returned bearing a long and stout rope,
both ends of which he quickly and skillfully
knotted into running-nooses that would have
exnited the envy of a professional hangman.

This rope be coiled and then, standing under
the tree, selected his branch.

Not more than a dozen feet from the ground
a huge limb sprung from the main trunk, which.
a couple of yards from its junction with the
tree. split into two branches, forming a horiZon-
tal Y, and over these two branches he flung
his rope, so that the two nooses dangled
close to the ground, and a half a dozen feet

apart.

He held the middle of the cord in his hand, so
that bycpulling on either the right or left side
be con] raise or lower either of the noosos at
will, and his preparations being complete d,
seated himself on the ground and waited.

“Miss Dainty,” began Craig Colton, court-
eously, “you hold two lives in your hand. Ac-
cede to my wishes, and your friend goes free
and your life is safe. Refuse, and—”

“ I say, Cap!” growled Hercules, wroth at the
prospect of being cheated of the revenge for
which he so ardently lon ed; “yer ain’t a-gcin’
ter let ther young snip o , be yer?”

“ Silence I” shouted Colton, livid with rag»
and fury at this insubordination. “ Open those
swollen lips of yours again before I give you
permission, and, by the black demon I‘worship,
I’ll blow you to the lower regions to sxnge eter-
nall l” i

Ahd drawing his revolver, he pointed it
straight at the giant’s head.

The latter, knowing with whom he had to
deal, immediately subsided, and contented bin:—
self with incoherent growlings and mutter-
in s.
gAgain the thunder crashed in near proximity
to the spot, following close upon a vivid flush bf
yellow lightning. .

“ Your answer must be given in fifteen min~
utes from the time of asking the question.

“That you may not think me harsh and
cruel ”—laughing sardonical!y—“ we will retire
and aflord you opportunity to consult with this
young gentleman.

“ But this only on the condition that you
promise me not to endeavor to free him or to
escape vourself, although the latter would be a
vain effort.

 

 

  
     

 

   
  

Kid-Glove Kit.

 

 

. 0 you promise this?"
i promise.”

"You will not endeavor to untie those cords
or to escape?”

"i will not.”

" We“. and good.

" I know I can depend on your word, for your
truthfulness is but one o. your mi oy virtues.

‘ N w, as to m iuestion.

“ Will you, Within twenty-four hours, lay
your hand in mine and marry me?

" Stop 1” lifting his hand as the girl was about
to speak.

“ Take your time and consider well before you
answer.

“ And remember. besides, that your reply
doles not affect you alone; this young fellow is
equally interested by it with you.

“ If your an3wer is ‘ Yes,’ he shall be released
and no harm shall ever come to him from any
of us.

“Should your answer be ‘a o,’ then he dan<
gles from one of yonder nooses, you from the
other.

“Save his life or murder him!

“ Choose!"

And rising, and f0110wed by Hercules, who
secured his rope by placing a stone on it, and by
the other two members of the gang, he walked
to the house, wherein they all disappeared.

Scarce had the door 010sed behind thom than
the girl, with streaming eyes and clasped hands,
turned to the young fellow who stood them,
with a look of intense disdain playin over his
handsome features, and, sobbing, crie :

“Oh! counsel, advise me!

“Was ever weak womanhood put to such a
test as this; in one balance of these terrible
scales hangs your life; in the other a lifetime of
self-loathing and misery for me.

“ But what is my despair compared to your
life? My mind is made up; I choose marriage,
and your safety; death can always relieve my
sufferings!”

And turning, she walked proudly toward the
bonse.

it Stop!”

And as she arrested her firm step, be con-
tinned:

“ My life is not for sale on the terms pro—
posed.

" As Heaven is my judge, if I am set free, the
first shot 0.. any weapon that I can procure will
be for that cur, the second for myself.

“ If life is to end, as you say yours will in the
event of your marriage, let us die together and
dying, thwart this villain who would make

 

r' whatever of life that was lcr’t tc you a torture!”

“71y brother—for more you car: never be—
you are even now more noble than I thought
although I knew what your answer would be.

“ And now, good-by!”

And bending over him she kissed him solemn-
ly on the forehead, just as Colton came from
the house. ' '

3 Your anSWPI‘, Miss aint ?”

"Deazu, "'ther than life with you!”

“ Then so be it!" he shrieked.

" Hercules, do your work 1"

A minute sufficed to place the noost about
the necks of .;he5e twain, doomed to die so
young. A spike, to w ich to fasten the rope
being driven into the tree-trunk, Hercules and
.iwo of the others caught the rope, tho girl’s
hands were fastened behind her and at a signal
from Colton they pulled, and Dainty and the
brave young fellow who died for her. swun
chokingin. the airas the fatal rope tightened
about their necks.

The ro was fastened to the spiko, and
Colton, ercules and the two others, stood,
leaning against the tree, gloating over their
victims.

But at that moment one black psll overhead
was rent asunder as Tiy magic, a deafening .lap
of thunder split the air, while a vivid flash .f
lightning descending straight d0wn from the
cloud overhead, :truck the tree, shivering ’t m
atoms and wrenching he limb, on ..hi:, h :ng
the two victims, from the trunk, and dashing
them to the ground.

The bandits, standing about the tree, were
hurled in evory direction, while at the same in-
stant the rain descended in torrents.

CHAPTER VII.
A CLOSE CALL.

FbB a short time it seemed as if the bolt from
Beavoh had descended with equal fatality on
exacutioners and victims, for not one of them
stirred and they were, to appearance, dead.

But in a short time the cooling rain and the
brisk breeze that swept over the valley, re-
vivrflod the daring young fellow who had but a

 

 

moment before been choking to death, and the
fall havin loosened the noose, he was able to
breathe Without difficulty.

So, sitting up, be looked about him, and in an
instant realiZed that ho had been saved by a
miracle, but as his eye caught the prostrate
form of the young girL, lying there so still and
white, his heart ;‘;ave a mighty bound and stag—
gering to his feet, he tugged and pulled at the
cords which encircled his wrists.

To his great joy he found that they were
so soaked with the rain that they stretched
considerably and were easily slipped over his
hands, when he hurried to Dainliy’s side and,
loosening the cruel rope from her white throat,
used all of his efforts to resuscitate her.

His efforts were soon rewarded, for she
heaved a deep sigh, opened her eyes, and in a
low moments was able to sit up, weak from the
shock, but thoroughly conscious of her surround—
lugs.

Colton and his three comrades, still lay mo-
tionless, and, standing as they had been, close
to the trunk of the tree, had evidently been in-
stantly killed by the thunderbolt.

In fact, one of them, who lay nearer to the
youth and Dainty than the others, bore on his
temple a small, black spot, showing where the
flash had struck him.

The storm-cloud passed as quickly as it had
come up, and in a few moments the girl was
able to mount the horse which her companion
had procured and saddled for her, and ride off
with him from this terrible scene of desolation
and death.

Before leaving the fatal spot, however, the
youth had secured his belt, which lay on the
ground near where Colton had fallen, and,
buckling it about hi; waist, felt able to cope
with scores of enemies in defense of the fair
girl to whom fate had so clOSely linked him.

After they had left the valley and a bend in
the path hid it from their gaze as they turned
and looked, they gradually fell into conversa-
tion, Dainty being somewhat embarrassed at
the recollection of the cares she had best0wed
on her companion when she thought that they
were about to die together.

But this feeling soon were off and the recol-
lection of her father’s awful fate came surging
back to her memory with renewed force.

“ Now that we are once more free, I want to
ask you a question which I should have put to
you before, if it had not been for this succession
of stirring incidents that drove everything from
my mind.”

“Ask anythin , and if I can answer it, be
assured that I wi I, Miss Dainty.”

“ You know my name?” with open—eyed sur-
prise.

“ You see that I do.”

“And how did you learn it, pray?”

“Did not the man who lies dead back yonder,
speak to you by name just before our—our—
accident?”

“ True, I had forgotten it.

“‘ iut now that you know m
not think it only fair that

ours?”

“Tlost “suredly.”

“Then—pray tell me it.”

“I can only give you the name bv which I
am known out here; I am called KID-GLOVE
KIT.”

“ Lint your last name?"

“ It is the saddest thing I can say to you, but
—I do not knew i--‘.”

“ Do not know your own name!”

“1 do not know my Own name!” I

H "Jut_”

“Pardon me, Miss Dainty, but it is a very,
very sad story, and mo long to tell you now.

“ At some future time. perhaps—”

“ Oh! prny forgive me! I hope I haVe not
hurt you by my persistence; that I have not
Wounded your feelings.” ,

‘N ‘t the :ast in the world." returned Kit,

hee-§2.y “ Jesse call 2 'e just Kit ’ in the

future,  'if I'have no name now, I will try
and tire one for myself before I die"‘ _

“ Jn one condition I will call you ‘ Kit.”

“ And that condition is?” _

“That hereafter vou will drop the ‘miss,’
and .;all i ‘e by my first name-—“ Dainty !"

“ 'greedl"

“ Then there is my hand on it.”

‘“ And there is mine."

And the two hands met in a lingering Clasp
from which they seemed loth to withdraw.

“ And 00w, one thing 'more—Dainty.” hi!
tongue hesitating an instant over the unaccus-
tomed syllables.

“ Yes?” she replied, encouragingly and blush-
ing delightfully.

name. do you
should learn

   

“ We are no longer ‘ brother and sister?"

“ Oh yes we are,” gayly, and then solemnlvz

“ For you must remember my father yet lies
unburied, and my first duty is to him.

"But my hat! In the hurry of departure
from that awful spot I left it lying on the
ground.

“ We must return for it.”

“Spare yourself that visit; let me go alone.
I will gallop there and return and you can
await me here.

“Are you familiar with fire-arms?”

“ Perfectly.”

“Then take this revolver. use it if necessary,
but trust rather to your horse’s speed should
any one approach you.

“Should you not be here I will join you at
your cabin.

“ FareWell, and good luck 1”

“Hurry back,” she cried, as he galloped off
at full speed, kissing her hand to him as he
reacth a bend in the road.

Lifting his hat in acknowledgment of the
salutation, he Spurred up the path, swept
around the bond and disappeared.

Riding on rapidly he soon came to the valley,
and rode up :0 the tree, from the spike in
which yet dangled the fatal rope, saw the hat
lying there, leaped from his horse and picked it
up and then glancing about, saw that not one
of the stricken men wasin sight!

At the same moment a shot rung from the
stone house, and a bullet, whizzing by his ear,
scored his cheek and brought blood.

 

CHAPTER VIII.
A BLAZING HOME.

KIT had too much common horse~sense to at.
tack a concealed enemy, barricaded behind the
stone-walls of a house, so, leaping into his sad-
dle, he bent low, stuck his spurs deep into his
horse’s flanks, and scampered down the valley
as fast as his thoroughbred could carry him.

One or two more bullets sped after him, but
without inflic‘ing any injury, for either the
marksmanship was very poor, or the nerves of
the shooter were unstrung by the late shock
from the lightning.

Thanks to the fleetness of his steed, he was
'soon out of all danger, and, turning the bend in
the path, drew rein, not wishing to run the risk
of injuring his horse by galloping him down the
rock-strewn steepnem of the road.

Proceeding leisurely along, carefully holding
the ostrich—feather decked but, be soon drew
near the spot where he had left Dainty, and
quickening his horse’s pace someWhat, he hur-
ried on at a quick trot, rapidly nearing the
bend in the path, which, once turned, would
bring him in sight of the fair girl.

But at that moment a pistol-shot rung out on
the still air, and with a snort of pain his horse
bounded forward, as the needle-like, golden
rowels were sunk deep in his sides.

And as he swerved around the comer of the
bluff. a riderlcss horse, with the empty stirrup‘s
of his empty saddle battering his sides and
frightening him to still greater speed, came
dashing .:p the path, and barely avoided collid-
ing with him.

And as he came in view of Dainty, he saw
that young girl bending over a human body
which lay stretched on the ground, using her
handkerchief to stanch the blood which fl0we-'L
freely from a wound in the shoulder of the
prostrate man. _

Riding hastily up. he drew his h0rse on to .‘ i
haunches with a vigorous pull on the bit, and
with a voice trembling with emotion, cried;

“ \Vhat does this mean 6"

“Only another of Colman’s band, who tried
to abduct me,” replied Dainty more coolly
than would have been exp' cred. “ But, thanks
to your revolver, l was able to defend myse’f ”

“And be «fined you i' jury?” r

The tones of his voiCe fairly bubbled with
wrath, as he asked the question.

“ I will tell you,” answered Dainty, as. hav-
ifig finished her surgical lobors, she turned to

it:

“Just before you returned this man came
riding up the path, evidently on ' re way to the
house we saw up under the tree .n the valley
and which is the rendezvous for NI of craig
Colton’s new i,

“When he saw me he approached, and very
politely asked me if I had seen a party of four

orsemen riding up the path. I replied h the
negative, when he approached still closer, and
before I could Malina what he intended, he had
grasped me by me am, exclalming:

" ‘If I mistake not, you are A...” Dainty Dan-

 

ford, and a young lady whom Mr. Craig Colton

 

 

 
  
   
   
   
    
  
 
 
    
  
   
   
 
   
   
     
  
  
    
  
    
  
 
 
 
 
    
  
   
   
  
   
  
  
  
   
   
   
  
   
   
  
 
 
    
  
 
    
  
        
      
      
     
        
   

 

.- rs83.0'..fim‘:'rfmniMM')77h"5-. , e « p04 .... J, -.

6

Kid-Glove Kit.

 

 

 

will be very glad to see at his home; so come
along,’

“ My right hand, which hold your pistol, was
concealed in the folds of my skirt, and before
he could defend himself, I had aimed and fired,
the ball passing through his shoulder and the
shock throwing him from his horse.

“I do not think he is as much hurt as be ap-
pears; but for fear of serious results, I bound
up his wounds, first taking the precaution to
remove his weapons,” and she pointed to a belt
lying near, in which were two magnificent,
ivory-handled revolvers.

Jumping down beside the wounded man, Kit
examined him carefully, and then, with ade-
cided sneer on his handsome face, exclaimed,
with a kick:

“Here, quit your shamming, and scatter for
home. I’ll give you just three minutes to get
out of sight,” and he emphasized his remark
with a click of his revolver.

The prostrate man did not wait for a second
bidding, but sprung to his feet, and with an
agility which proved how slight his wound was,
started off up the hill. being halted, however,
before he had gone many steps, by Kit, who
called out to him:

“Take that handkerchief from your shoulder
and hand it to me. No man of your stripe can
wear Miss Danford’s property 03 in that man-
ner and boast of the trophy afterward.”

Sullenl the man obeyed, and then in obedi-
ence to it’s repeated order, he hurried of! and
was soon 10st to view.

“Oh, thank you!” cried Miss Danford, as Kit
handed her hat to her, she quickly and deftly

lacing it on and fastening it to her sunny

ocks.

“ But those men who were killed by the light-
ning: who will give them the burial that every
man deserves?”

“They are not quite ready for burial yet and
are the liveliest corpses I ever encountered, as
witness this scratch on my cheek.”

“ Why, what do you mean?”

“ That they were only stunned by the flash, as
we were. One of them, the man who had the
spot on his temple, was probably instantly kill-
ed, although they had probably carried his body
into the house.”

And Kit related to her his adventures in the
valley, and his sur rise at finding that the sup-
pose cor a bad isappeared.

‘ Then, ’ said the girl, solemnly, “Heaven has
left my vengeance to myself. I thought that
the thunderbolt had destroyed my father’s mur-
derers, but my v0w must be ful lled. I swore
by my father’s blood to track them to their

raves, and as soon as my father is in his grave I
begin my work of vengeance l”

‘ And whatever I can do that will aid you,
Dainty, will be only too willingly done; you be-
lieve me do you not?”

“ As I believe in Heaven!”

And again the hands met and their eyes dwelt
in the liquid depths of each other until Dainty
read something in Kit's eyes which caused her
to color and turn her head.

But as they at length centered along the road
and came in sight of the house where the dead
man lay, they saw that it was in flames, and
withdoa cry of horror they dashed wildly for-
war

 

CHAPTER lX.
IN run JAWS OF DEATH.

TH! horror—stricken ex ression of the young
girl was enough for Kit. or he saw that she was
thinking that in those flames her father’s body
was being consumed, and that only a few
charred bones, if anything, would be left to
bur .

SK, dashing up to the front of the blazing
house and leaping from his horse, he sprung
toward the door and endeavored to open it.

But Colton had looked it, and as the door
opened outward he was unable to break it
down, so looked about for other means of en-
trance.

But the windows were all closed with heavy
wooden shutters, which were also flrmly bolted
inside, and he saw no way by which he could
force his way inside. '

The flames were now leaping high above the
roof, which threatened at any moment to fall
in, and Dainty, seeing that if he did succeed in
enterin it would be at theimminent peril of his
life. cal ed out to him and begged him to give
up the attempt and not risk the danger.

But Kit, when he had once undertaken any-
thing, almost invariably carried _it through, so,
runnin around to the back of the house, he dis-
cove that by climbin up on the lean- 0
which constituted the stab 0, he could gain t e

 

   

roof of the cabin and then probably drop down
the chimney, which was huge and wide.

Quickly scrambling up, before the girl could
fully comprehend his intention, he climbed to
the edge of the chimney, lowered himself into
it by his hands and dropped out of si ht.

Minutes that seemed hours p by, and
Dainty sat there, waiting and watching, until
finally one of the closed shutters was flung vio-
lently open and at the window Kit appeared.

He was bearing something which made him
stagger beneath its weight. and which, on being
lifted up, proved to be a buffalo-robe, in which
something was carefully wrapped, and it was
not difficult for Dainty to divine what that
“ somethin ” was.

She cr-ul but admire the consideration of the
young man who, to spare her feelings as much
as possible, had taken time in the midst of this
whirlwind of smoke and flame to carefully en-
fold her father‘s body in the buffalo-robe which
had been his bed during his life.

Tenderly raising his burden and lifting it out-
side the window, he gently lowered it and de-

sited it on the round where no sparks could

all on the robe, or the wind was blowing from
the front and swept the smoke and flame and
burning particles of wood, that rose in the air,
t0ward the back of the house.

Having thus cared for his burden, Kit turned
to cast a last look around to see if there were
anything in sight worth saving, when, without
a moment’s warning. the roof fell in, while a
cloud of smoke and flame and sparks shot high
in the air.

The piercing scream uttered by the girl, and
which echoed far away among the hills, was al-
most instantly drotyned by the crash of the fall-
ing timbers, and then all was still.

Choked for an instant by the falling mass the
fire smoldered for a moment, and then the
flames burst out with renewed fury, and the
heat became so intense that the buffalo-robe, in
which the corpse was wrapped, began to scorch
and burn.

Regardless of the heat and smoke, Dainty,
who had dismounted some time before, rushed
up to the burning building, seized the robe, and
exerting all of her frail strength, succeeded in
dragging it some distance from the spot and
beyond all danger of burning.

And then her next thought was for Kit.

Looking at the roof, she saw that the fire was
still confined to the end of the house opposite to
that on which stood the chimney, and knowing
that the flue was built of rough stones and plas-
tered mud, realized that she could easily climb
down and up again without any danger.

For no smoke came from the chimney, and

she was convinced that the draught was in the'

other direction.

Hesitating’ not an instant, and praying that
she might e able to render some assistance to
Kit. she ran around the house, and with some
little difficulty clambered upon the lean-to and
thence to the roof, where she stopped a moment
to rest, so wildly did her henrt beat.

But as she stood there a pistolshot rung out
from the room be10w, so startling her that she
nearly lost her balance and came within an inch
of falling to the round below.

Was it a. signa , or had the fire reached Kit’s
body, and did the report mean that the flames
had so heated the pistol as to cause its dis—
cha e?

W th hand pressed hard on her throbbing
breast, and every sense on the alert, she waited,
listening to a second report.

If it came instantly, then indeed must it be
the result of a heated cylinder; but if it was
delayed a few moments—no matter h0w few—
then she would know that Kit still lived and
was signaling to her.

Imperative as it was that she should hasten,
she could no more have moved than with a tear
she could have extinguished those roaring
flames. every muscle seeming paralyzed as she
listened.

After what seemed an age a second shot was
fired, and as if it had been a signal to free her
from the chains which held her, her muscles re-
gained their strength, her brain its clearness,
her heart resumed its quiet beatings, as with

firm step she walked over the roof to the,

chimney.
To her, strong and active as she was, the de-
acending of the fine was a simple matter, so
tying her riding-skirt tightly about her with
the cord she were for that purpose for conve-
nience in walking, she stepped on the chimney-
ledge, ands. with all the grace and ease of a
skilled athlete, lowered herself into the grimy,
sooty fine.
In a moment she reached the bottom, and the

 

sight that met her eyes was one well calcua *-
to unnerve a stronger person than she.

,The end of the room opposite to where she
stood was one seething mass of glowing embers
and leaping flame, the fiery tongues springing
high in the air through the opening above
where the roof had fallen in.

This was her Salvation, for Owing to the fire
being at the other end and the heat pouring out
through the roof, the draft was down the chim-
ney, in the fireplace of which she stood, and she
found no difficulty in breathing.

The heat was, however, intense, and already
her dress began to smoke and scorch, while the
ostrich feather in her hat was instantly shriv- ;
eled into nothingness. , ‘

And just in front of her, face downward on
the floor, and pinned there by a huge beam thht
had fallen across his back, lay Kit, unable to
move, while the flames were slowly creeping
nearer and nearer.

And with a murmured prayer. Dainty sunk
to the floor and crawled toward him.

 

CHAPTER X.
RESCUED!

CROUCHI‘NG low to the floor, to a void as much
as possible the heat and smoke, Dainty crept. on
until at length she reached the spot where Kit
was lying helpless, just as he fired another shot,
for he had succeeded in worming his hand down
to his belt, drawing one of his pistols and firing
it as a signal

He had begun to despair. for'what cculd a
frail girl do with this mighty weight that
crushed him to the floor and rendered hlm help-
ItSS, even if she should hear his signal above
the crackling and the roaring of the flames? ,5

So he had about given up all hope. and was
rel-ving himself to undergo the fearful torture l
that threatened him, when a voice that sounded 5
like an angel’s tones fell on his ears, as Dainty
bent over him and whispered: ,

“As you saved me, so will I save you l” '

Ard rising nearly to her full hight, she grasp- :
ed the beam. which was wedged in a mass of I
rubbish at either end, and pulled on it with all
the nervous strength of her frail hands.

But the effort was as the power of a pigmy
exerted agair st a Samson. for not the thou-
sandth part of an inch did the beam move.

Try and push and pull and drag as she would
she could not succeed in affording Kit, who was
cruelly bruised by the weight across his loins, ,‘
an instant’s.relief. nor could she raise the beam
in the slightest degree.

So it seemed as if Kit were doomed to die a
terrible and a lingering death, and calling to
her as loudly as he could, his voice caught her
ear and she bent to listen to what he had to

run .

say:

“ It is useless; you had best save yourself be-
fore ou are injured by the heat and smoke."

“ hat care I for pain, so long as there is the
slightest chance of saving you?”

“But. Daint , I am doomed.

“Your frai strength can never move this
weight that crushes me and renders the power-
less to aid you in your efforts to release me.

“ Go and live long and happily, and think of
me sometimes.”

“I will always think of you, Kit, as the
truest, noblest friend I ever had and—"

“Do not talk that way. Dainty! You only
make death harder to bear.

“ Oh I” he cried, hitlerly. “ It is hard that to
die. caught like a wolf in a trap!”

At the word a wild shriek burst from the . ‘
parted lips of the girl, as she cried; ,r 

“ Saved! Saved! You are saved 1” '

And hysterically laughing and crying, she
again sunk to the fluor, crawled a little nearer _, V.
the flame, and forcing her hand under the beam, 5* .f ,
Which lay across Kit’s body, drew a bolt, after  
some little difliculty. and t e floor giving way, , '1; 
Kit, with a loud cry of startled surprise, fell '1,
headlon through the Opening. strlking on the .

round low with a tremendous thud, but be-
in unin ured.

u an instant Dainty was beside him, having
descended by means of the steps which led into ~ ,
the cellar, she havmg. opened the trap-door . uh
which gave access to it, and on which, most
providentiall , Klt happened to be lying.

Dainty be closed the door, and they found
themselves in utter darkness, and in a close and
stifling atmosphere. but which was still an im-
provement on the furnace above. ’

“This is but a temporary respite, after all,”
said Kit, “and you, foolish child that you are,
instead of escaping, have sought your tomb
with me.

“ The fire will soon sat through the floor and

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Kid-Glove Kit.

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- will be roasted in here like a fox in his bur-

w.
“ Dainty, Dainty, why did you make me re-
sponsible for your death I”

“ I am not dead at, nor are you.

“ Do you feel ab e to walk!”

"A little sore across the back, but able to
walk for miles.

“ But why do you ask? We can not enjoy a
very extensive promenade in this cellar!"

“ Don’t laugh at my cellar. If it were not for
it you would now be in a sad plight.

“ 1 had forgotten all about it until you men-
tioned the word “trap,” when it flashed upon
(sine all at once that you were lying just over the

001'.

“ But give me your hand, and follow.

“ It is getting warm here and hotter every
minute.

“A breath of air will be very acceptable."

“ I only hope you may find it!” muttered Kit,
as he took the small hand extended to him and
followed willingly.

Much to his surprise the cellar, which he sup-

osed would at east be no longer than the
ength of the house, seemed to extend indefi-
nitely and they walked on for some minutes
without stopping.

At length they apparently arrived at a door,
judging from the sound of a. key grating in a
lock, and be having followed Dainty through
it, was warned to look out for the steps, which
he ascended to the number of a dozen or so,
the door clanging to behind 1 him as he released

It.

Not stopping as suddenly as he was told to do
by Dainty, alongside of whom he had ascended
the steps, his head came in sharp contact with
some solid substance above, and which on the
girl’s opening it, proved to be a second trap-door,
through which they passed into daylight.

And as he gazed about him, Kit could not
suppress a cry of astonishment. for he found
himself inside the hollow trunk of a. huge tree,
the place in which he stood being some six feet
square.

High up in the side was a hole through which
the light poured, rendering all about him as
plainly visible as if outside under the clear sky,
and by it he could examine the surroundings
perfectly.

But short time was given him for rrfiection,
as Dainty, turning to him, asked him if he felt
able to climb up to the hole ab0ve and see
if there were any one in sight, and he reply-
ing in the affirmative, rapidly clambered up to
the lookout-place by means of slats nailed to the
interior of the trunk.

At first he looked out cautiously, but seeing
no one about—for that portion of the country
was generally deserted, be projected his head
and looked about him.

He could scarce suppress a word of wonder,
for the tree grew just on the edge of a precipice
some six hundred feet high, and it was into
these depths he was gazin .

Dainty had instructed iim to push a small
case, he would find inside, out of the hole and
to remove the cover, doing which he found that
the box c0ntained a mirror, and that by mov-
ing it about in various directions on its hinged
iron rods, the whole extent of country on the
other side of the treeiwas plainly visible to
him.

He could see in all directions without any
risk of bein seen.

He was a miring the ingenuity of the device,
and was carefully examining the country, when
he was recalled to a sense of his surroundings
by the reproachful tones of the youn girl
who seemed to think that she was entire y for-

otten.
80 folding back the case inside the tree, be
rapidly descended and joined Dainty below.

 

CHAPTER XI.
AN EVENING BUBIAL.

. “PARDON my remaining so long away," he
explained, “butbeing entirely unfamiliar with

' the workings of that ingenious arrangement up

there, I could not, at first, adjust it exactly.”
“I thought that you had entirely forgotten
that I was here.”
“Not at all. nor have I forgotten that you
have a duty to perform, in which I must aid

you.

“Your father must be buried to—day. and
already the sun is sinking low in the West.” '

“Then come,” cried the girl, and going to the
side of the tree that overhung the precipice, she
unloosened a catch, and a door, skillfully cut
through the bark, swung easily outward.

“ Take care i” she warned him.

 

“ The lodge is very narrow and you will fall
if you are not extremely careful.”

“ And voui”

“ Oh! ram accustomed to it.

“ Swing the door after you are outside and it
will catch with the spring-lock.”

“ And can it be opened from the outside?”

“ By any one who has the secret, yes."

As she spoke she swung herself around the
massive trunk with the quickness of a squirrel,
while Kit, following more deliberately and
supporting himself by the tough vine which
covered the tree, swung the door to.

It closed with a snap, and he saw that owing
to the thickly—matted vine, the closest scrutiny
would fail to reveal any artificial opening in the
trunk.

Joining Dainty, he walked rapidly away, but
turning to look, he found that he could not dis-
tinguish the hollow tree from a dozen or twenty
others which, like monarchs of the forest in
size, grew along the edge of the precipice.

It was some distance to the burning house,
and they walked along in silence, for Kit re-
spected the sorrOw of the young girl, which
grew more and more profound as the hour ap-
proached when she must bid a final farewell
to her father. .

Arrived at the house, which was et burning
fiercely, Kit, without a word, left ainty, and
going to an out-house near by, took from there
a pick and soovel, and plunging into the wood,
selected a grassy plot, shaded by a gigantic
pine tree, and here he began to dig a grave, first
cutting the turf carefully away.

Owing to the nature of the soil, which was
rocky and difficult to dig, the'task occupied him
some time, and it was not until the sun had set
that the receptacle was ready for the body.

Returning to Dainty whom he found watch-
ing by her father’s body which was still envel-
Oped in the buffalo-r0 e, although she had
thrown the edge of it back that she might look
for the last time on the beloved features, he
removed his hat and stood patiently by.

The girl, who had washed away the gOry
stains from the wound. and brushed the long,
white looks over the bullet-hole, for a time
seemed unconscious of his presence, but at
length roused herself and cast a look of inquiry
upon him.

. He bent his head silently in'respOnse, and she,

rising with a deep sigh, walked in the direction
whence he had come.
. [Kit, who, though so slight, was possessed of
immense stren th, lifted the dead man from the
ground and fol owed her, walking slowly until
they had arrived at the grave, when he laid the
body gently on the turf.

He realized that words of condolence would
be a hollow mockery at such a time and under
such circumstances, but be deemed it impera—
tive that Dainty should secure whatever papers
or letters or valuables the pockets of her mur-
gered father might contain, and so suggested to

er.

“Please look, then, if you think it best: any
memento of my father would be of the highest
value to me."

And obeying her request he reVerentlv began
his search, finding nothing, however, but a small
locket, suspended about the dead man's neck by
a laited leathern cord.

his, without a word, he handed to Dainty.

Mechanically she took it, mechanically she
opened it, when a small Eece of folded paper
fell to the ground which it picked up and re-
turned to her. .

Unfolding it she glanced at the few written
words it contained, and then handed it to Kit,
who read as follows:

“Should an thin unex cctcd happen to me,
Dainty. you will fimf my will find a schedule of my
property in the tin box in the corner cupboard.”

This was all.

“The message from the dead comes too late
to the living,” she murmured.

“The box and papers are long since destroyed
by the fire which has destroyed my home!

“ It is a doubly unfortunate accident at this
time.”

. “It was no accident, I’ll dare swear,” broke
in Kit. 9

i“All the circumstances point to incendia-
r sm.

“ There was no fire in the house, and I noticed
that the lamp, which was doubtless lighted

"be" You were dragged away, stood on the'

floor beside your father’s body. where you had
placed it, empty, having burned itself out.

“ The house was set on fire, after having been
robbed, for there were footprints in the ashes of
the fireplace when I dropped down into them,
which plainly saw.

 

“No doubt the man you shot, and who be-
longs to Colton’s band, was acting under orders
from his leader, stole the box and then fired the
house to hide his crime.

“ Fool that I was to let him go!”

“We must talk of that later; my father de-
mands our attention now.”

And carrying out her wishes, Kit laid the
body quietly in the grave, the fur robe its coffin
and its winding-sheet, its requiem the sobs of
the girl, who cried as if her heart would
break.

And then, the grave being filled and the turf
carefully spread over it, Dainty became sudden-
ly quiet, and kneeling beside the grave, took
from her bosom the kid glove which Kit had
torn from his hand after striking Hercules,
raised it high toward Heaven and cried:

“Again, in father, who art watching over
me tonight, swear to avenge your death and
to follow our murderers to their graves 1”

And rising, she uttered the single word,
“ Come!” and led the way to where their horses
were grazing.

Mounting, in a few moments they had
reached the mysterious tree, when the horses
were unsaddled and unbridled and turned loose,
and, still following the girl.Kit swung around
and entered the tree, when Dainty disappeared
down the steps, and almost immediately re-
turned with a goodly supply of cold meat and
bread, and some cold ccfiee, of which Kit par~
took ravenously.

Then again descending, she, saying:

“I have a room below,”
shot the bolt in the lower side of the trap
and sought her couch, while Kit, too tired to
think, threw himself on a pile of skins at one
side of the hollow trunk and in a moment was
fast asleep, __
CHAPTER XII.

A STARTLING PROPOSITION.

A LONG rest completely restored Kit, and
when he awakened the next morning, and, hav‘
ing taken an observation from the lookout
hole and satisfied himself- that no one was in

; sight, had stepped out to look after the horses

l

 

and taken a good wash in a little brook which
ran near by, he felt like a new man.

The two horses he found grazing quietly near,
and after a short walk along the edge of the pre-
cipice, which overhung an inaccessst'le canyon,
into which the stream plunged with a magnifi-
cent leap, he returned to the tree, where he
found Dainty awaiting him.

She looked charming her beauty hightened
by a look of sadness which had settled over her
features. ' '

But there was an ex ression of stern resolve
about her chin and cear—cut mouthythat de~
noted that she had stepped from girlhood to
womanhood in a short thirty—six hours, and
that her one aim and object in life was ven-
geance on her father’s assassins.

Requesting Kit to follow her, she descended
the steps which led into the underground pas-
sage and after going a short distance, turned to
the right and opened a door which led intoa
lateral passage, at the end of which was a small
room. cut out of the solid earth and fitted up as
a kitchen.

An oil stove occu ied one corner and a table
and three or four c airs completed the furni-
ture of the apartment.

Light was obtained from a small hole cut
through the bank and ovsrlooking the canyon
before mentioned.

Here Dainty had repored an appetizing
breakfast, to which Kit did full justice, while
the girl forced herself to eat, doubtless realising
that it was of the utmost importance that she
should preserve her strength.

During the mealshe explained to hercompan-
ion that her father had gained the ill~will of
the miners by declining to associate with them
or join in their carousals and that invariably
when he came in contact with them, harsh
words fOIIOWed.

He was much more refined and intelligent
than the rest of the dwellers in the region, and
was dubbed “ Aristocrat” on account of his gen-
tler birth.

Fearing that he might have trouble with
them at any time, he had constructed this [as-
sage to the tree, having'discovered by accident
that the latter was hollow, and dug out the
rooms alone and unaided.

Now that the house was destroyed and the
ruins had fallen into the cellar, no one would
ever discover that end of the passage, while
thanks to the ingenious arrangement of the mire
ror, they could always scan the country before
going out, and thus amid detection.

Wfl-...} _

 

 

  

 

 

 

I.

“But new," continued Dainty, as Kit pushed
his chair slightly away from the table, having
finished his breakfast. “ advise me what plan
I had better pursue; for you know I will never
rest until I have avenged my father.”

“ I thought about that, this morning, while I
was walking around.

“But first of all you must understand one
thing, positiVely:

“In all your actions I am with you, heart,
soul and strength.”

“Thank you, my friend, I know that.”

“Now would it not be better for you to re-
main quiet either here or at any other place you
may choose, eVen to go to Denver, and let
me remain here and be the instrument of your
ven eance!”

“ 0 that I never will consent!

“ I have sworn over my father’s blood, over
his grave, to wreak m vengeance myself, and
to fulfilling this oath henceforth devote my
every energy, my every moment!”

“Then so be it; now listen to my plan.”

And he drew his chair up to the table again,
while the girl listened intently.

“As well as I can judge,” continued the young
man, “ we are each the living image of the
other. a fact that is more remarkable as it is
certain that we are in no manner related.

" Cut your hair a little shorter, so that it will
be the same length as mine, clothe us alike and
I defy any one, even a person intimately ac—
quainted with us both to tell us "part."

A slight suspicion of what hit intended to
convey caused a faint blush to mantle Dainty‘s
cheek, but she nodded to him to continue.

“ A woman," pursued the lad, "is invariably
hampered by her sex, when she undertakes a
man‘s work, so my advice to you is to become a
man, in appearance, if not in reality.

“ Dressed alike as We would be, each the liv-
ing counterpart of the other, and your enemies,
who are now mine, would be continually non-
plused and bnfi’led, and with you here, me there,
they would not be able to comprehend the sud-
den appearance and disappearance of the per-
son whom they would think miles and miles
away.

“Superstitions as all criminals are, they
would be brought to the belief that there was
something supernatural about me, for they
would never suspect that you were disguised to
resemble Kid-Glove Kit, and would believe that
you had left this section of the country.

“ Your vengeance must be something terrible,
unheard of, besides which you owe it to your
dead father to regain possession of the property
that he uarded for you, and for which he un-
doubted y lost his life.

“Separated as we will be very often, it will
be necessary for you to have some means of
communicating with me if you are in danger or
trouble.

" You can always purchase a messenger, and
if you desire my presence, send me the glove
that you have which I threw away, write your
message inside, and I will come as fast as horse-
flesh can bring me.”

“ But there is one obstacle to your plan, feasi-
ble as it otherwise seems to me.

“It is humiliating to confess it, maybe, but—
I have no money.”

“Do not let that worry you, I have an ample
supply; if you object to taking it, consider it a
loan; you can repay me when we obtain your
father’s papers; for I am certain that he would
not have preserved that scrap of paper so care-
fully had there not been something of value
connected with it."

And slinging the Russian leather bag he car-
ried on the table, he unlocked it with a small
key he carried fastened about his neck by a gold
chain, and placed the contents on the cloth in
front of him.

A small package, wrapped in tissue paper, be
tossed carelessly aside, and than, picking up a
roll of bank-notes, he opened it and counted the
bills one by one.

“Ten thousand and a few hundred dollars,”
he said as he finished. . I

“ That is our fortune; let us begin today, and
sec:1 ifwit will not be sufficient to accomplish our
an s!

 

CHAPTER XIII.
A BAD CROWD.

DIVIDING the sum he possessed into two equal
portions, he handed one of them to Dainty,
who hesitated a moment, and then, extendin
her hand, took it, smiling on him divinely, an

saying: ‘
"I accept this as a loan, in the same spirit in
which it is oflered.

 

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Kid-Glove Kit.

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“ But how can I ever thank you i”

“ I may tell you at some future time, not
now. -

“But I must be of! to my den, and procure
you clothin suitable to your new role.

“ You wifi remain here until I return?”

“ Most certainly.

“ls your“ den,’ as you call it, far from
here?"

“ Ten miles as the crow flies, nearer fifteen by
the road. . .

“ I have there a suit identically Similar to this
one,” designating his own attire, “which has
never been worn.

“ 1 think it will fit you to a T.”

“ You are kindness itself, and overwhelm me
with favors.”

“ it is not worth mentioning.

“ But. before 1 go, try on a pair of these.”

And Kit untied the tissuepaper parcel he had
drawn trom the leather, bag, took from it a
dozen pair of exquisitely tinted lavender kid
gloves, one pair of which he handed to Dainty.

“ if you want to be my double,” he laughed,
“ you must never appear in public without
wearing a pair of these.

“ ‘KidGlove Kit’ would soon lose his title
if you neglected this precaution.”

Dainty took the glows and slipped them on
her slim fingers, where they fitted as if made for
her. so small and delicate was Kit's hand.

“ Excellent!” he cried, “the only problem
that worried me is solved; for if my gloves did
not fit you, I should be at a loss where to pro-
cure any in this region.

“ i have plenty more stored away, so do not
hesitate to abuse them.

“Would you mind letting me have one of
your shoes for a moment?” .

Dainty without hesitation handed him a high-
laced goiter from a number in an ‘adjoining
Closet, and he, removing his boot. easily slipped
it on his slim foot over his silk sock, where it
fitted like wax.

“Nothing could be better;
pair of boots that I have and
from sole to crown.

“ In about two hours expect me.

“ You can reach the observatory i"

“I have climbed up therea hundred times,
when I was looking for father.”

“Then you can see me coming and open the
door for me.

“ For a short time, farewell l”

“Good-by, and take good care of yourself,
Kit.”

It was the first time she had called him by his
name, and he thought that the monosyllable had
never sounded musical before, and would have
had her repeat it, but rousing himself with an
effort, be put on his boot, Stuffed his gloves and
money into the bag he carried, and without
another word, left the room.

That the irl’s thoughts were pleasant ones,
was evincetf by the quiet smile that played
about her lips. as she sat there for some time
after Kit had left the room.

But finally, heaving a deep sigh as she rose,
she murmured:

“How generous, how noble, how brave he is!”

And then, as if awakening from a pleasant
reverie, she again sighed and then began to
busy her-elf deftly with her household duties,
moving lightly and quickly about the room, un-
til everything was iu perfect order.

Kit, meanwhile, had saddled and bridled his
horse, and mounting, had ridden rapidly away,
having first assured himself that there was no
one in sight.

Striking the main road, he galloped along it
for a distance of five miles or so. in the direc-
tion opposite to that which Dainty had followed
the day before, when the prisoner of Colton,
until he came to a small mining village known
as The Gulch. and which consisted of a long,
straggling street of twenty or thirty houses,
eVery other one of which was a gambling and
a drinking saloon combined.

it was the dull hour of the day, for the min~
ers were all at work, and it was only in the
evening that these resorts did any business, so
that in the majority of cases the proprietors or
barkee ers of the gin-mills were sunning them-
selves at the front doors of their saloons.

On Kit came, galloping up the street, his
long hair streaming behind him, while his ex-
quisitely gloved hand held the reins carelessly,
be having put on a new pair of kids before start.-
ing on his ride—many rude and sarcastic re-
marks were shouted :fter him from the occu-
pants of the doorway .

“ Get onter his nibs, Billie.” said one. “ Won-
der When ther circus is a-comin’ ter town.”

“"I‘ain't no ‘him,’ ” shouted another, from

on can wear a
can fit you out

 

......~...7.-v"~$‘.. ..,..-...- -.

K
4)

across the street; “it’s a gurl dressed up
maskerade.” \

“Stag his kids; ain’t them purty dukes fer a‘ \

priie-flght?’

“ He‘s a pony-express rider," chimed in an-
other. “ Don’t yer see his mail-bag slung ter his
bloomin‘ side!" .

“’E’s a Queen’s messenger, ’e is,” cried a
brawny Cockney, "a-carryin’ news hof the
war in Hegypt to the guv’ner.”

“Hyar, my young bantam. git d0wn off’n
that horse, an’ come in an’ set ’em up ier ther

'boys; their throats is dead dry from conversiu’

wid you."

And a six-foot barkeeper, whose face was
scarred with the wounds from ahundred rough-
and-tumble fights, grasped his horse by the
nostrils, and brought him to a dead stop.

Kit smiled sarcastiCnlly, although a nervous
twitching of his nostrils and a deep-red spot
that suddenly glowed on each cheek would have
warned any one familiar with him to look out
for trouble.

But dropping the reins on his horse’s neck, he
began quietly to draw (if his left glove, while
he replied:

“ And suppose I decline?”

“Then We’ll make yer!” growled the bar-
keeper—“ won’t we, boys?”

And he turned to the crowd of roughs that
had by this time gathered about them, while
he still restrained the horse, having shifted his
gras to the bit.

“ ou bet!"

“ We don’t want no frills—pony up!”

“Git down and walk up to the bar likea man
and set ’em npi”

“ Cockey there’ll give you some goat’s milk,
of lemon-an‘-sugai"s too strong for yer.”

This sallv produced a laugh, and when it had
subsided, Kit iiDSwered:

"I’ll see the whole b’ilin’ of you to the North
Pole and back. before l’ll spend a nickel on such
a gang of cut-throats as you!"

A yell of rage arose at these words, and the
crow. was about to rush on and pull him from
his horse, when the powerful voice of the bar
keeper was heard, high above tie tumult:

“ Leave him to me, bo s. 1’” fix him!”

And sliding his hand a ong the rein. he walked
back toward Kit, who sat coolly awaiting what-
ever was to follow.

CHAPTER X1V.
Ktr‘s “ DEN."

QUIETLY turning in his saddle so as to face
the rufiian, as he came up to his left side, Kit
threw himself back the slightest possible dis-
tance and, looking straight down into the
others shifty eyes, accosted him: -

“ Now, look here, I’m not seeking any trouble,
and,if any follows, it will be of your own mak-
in .
“ All right, my chicken, we’ll risk ther con~
sequences. But n0w ther question is, will yer
treat, or must. we make yer?”

“I won't treat, and you won’t make me

“ Sec hyar. youngster ye‘r‘ a-bitin’ off a heap
more ntr ye can chew. Better pony up, an’
save th« m nice clothes ye‘r’ a-wearin'!”

And the six-footer laid his brawny, grimy paw
on Kit's knee.

Kit extended his hand and brushed the huge
fist away as if it had been a fly, and then in
the most insulting manner in the world, coolly
dusted his trowsers with the glove he held in
{In-s right hand, as if the touch had contaminated

im.

The gesture and the not added immediate fuel
to the already aroused anger of the rumseller,
so, releasing the bridle, he stepped forward,
with both hands extended, to seize Kit, aid
drag him from his horse.

But as he came within reaching distance,
Kit’s small clinched left hand shot straight from
his shoulder with the. rapidity of an electric
flush, and as it came in contact with the right
eye of the bull , the blood sputtered in a red
rain, right an left. and “ Cockey,” falling
straight back, lay like a dead man on the
ground.

At the instant the blow was delivered, Kit
called to his horse, npd the intelli ent brute
sprung forward, knocking the crowd n front in
every direction. While, Kit. twisting around in
his seat with all the skill of a professional horse-
man, faced the moh behind him, a cocked re-
volver in each hand, and cried:

“ The first man who puts hand to belt, dies 1"

And, the gang of cut-throats being complete-
ly everawed, he galloped of! down the street,
unharmed, and soon left the town far behind

m
.

him.
Relaxing his pace as he reached the open

 

 

 

 

A;

    
 

 

 

* Kid-Glove Kit.

 

 

ntry and resuming his normal position in
he saddle, Kit replaced his revolvers in his
belt, again put on his glove, and, as his horse

. walked along, thus soliloquized:

“Fifteen minutes, at least, lost in that little
squabble, and Dainty waiting.

"No more of that, my boy, at least for the
present.

“But as it was not my fault and I could not
avoid it, I suppose there is no use worrying
about the matter.

“ Come, Dick, we must make up for lost
time!"

And lifting his horse into a canter, he loped
rapidly along until he arrived at a point where
the road ran between two high banks, both of
which were abrupt as the sides of a house.

But, Scanning the face of one of the banks,
and evidently washed out by the spring’s floolis
when the snmvs above melted, was a gully, in
which grew a luxuriant mass of bushes, seem-
ingly impenetrable.

0 one, it would seem, would care to endeavor
to climb up this ravine, as there was apparent<
ly nothing to be gained by so doing, but Kit
evidently was not of that opinion.

Dismounting and remOVing saddle and bridle,
he gave the horse a gentle slap on the flank, and
with a farewell whinny, the bay trotted up the
road, evidently seeking a pasture with which he
was familiar.

' Casting a hasty glance up and down the road,

so as to he sure he was unobserved, Kit then
plunged into the undergrowth, carrying his
bridle and saddle with him, and scrambled up
the decidedly steep incline of the gully.

Some rods up he came to a place where lay
the trunks of two trees, side by side, they hav-
ing evidently ’ en washed down from the sum-
mit of the b if by some unusually powerful
freshet.

Masses of tangled brush were piled and
heaped on them and the ends of the logs Were
completely hidden by the heaps of dead branch-
es that lay, scattered about, and there was no
trace of human being visible anywhere.

But Kit, depositing his burden on the ground,
caught hold of a huge branch that projected
from the pile, pushed it to one side and the en-
tire heap of brush movad away, disclosing the
ends of the logs.

Between them was a space of three or four
feet, and hiding his horse furniture in a thicket
near by, Kit, lying d0wn, wormed his way feet
foremost, into the openin , pulled the stick
which acted as a lever an the pile of brush,
moving back into place, resumed its normal
condition.

Moving carefully backward, and lyin on his
back, Kit continued his progress unti he en-
countered a smooth surface, which seemed to
be made of planks, when, feeling on the right,
he grasped a rope that hung taut, and, holding
it firmly, immediately sat upright.

He was in total darkness, but was evidently
thoroughly familiar With his surroundings, for,
allowing the rope to slip slowly through his
hands, he descended to the distance of a bun-
drfd feet, when the'trap on which he was seated
st oped and he stepped ofl’.

Feeling abo it for a moment, his hand en-
countered a shelf, from which he took a box of
matches, and quickly struck one, then lighted
a lantern which 3wung from the ceiling a. foot
or two above his head.

Then, having seen that the catch which held
the trap was secure, he walked along the corri-
dor for a short distance until he came to a
large, vaulted-room. which, when a second lamp
was lighted, was dazzling in its beauty.

The room was some twent feet square, and
the same number of feet in hlght, the sides and
tOp glowing with a dull yeHOW, which betokened
the presence of immense quantities of gold-
bearing quartz, rich beyond the Wildest dreams
of the most avaricious miner.

The chamber was perfectly dry and the air
perfectly pure, the room doubtless being venti-
lated by some unseen air-shaft; while the floor
was six inches deep in fine Sand, in which spar-
kled thousands of olden nuggets, ranging in
size from a pin-headg to a pea, some of them be-
ing even larger than that.

In one corner stood a huge chest, evidently
constructed in the room, for it would hava been
impossible to bring it there by means 01 the
shaft down which Kit had descended from the
outer werld.

Such was Kit’s “ don.”

CHAPTER XV.
mt Umrncun ALLY.
Tins “den” was a veritable store-house of
wealth, and it could easily be seen how Kit

 

 

could afford to dress in the expensive garb he
always wore, and manage to carry ten thousand
dollars about with him so carelessly.

Millions were in sight, and millions more were
doubtless hidden behind the rocky walls of the
cavern, whence a few strokes of the pick would
dislodge them.

But without evm casting a glance at this
immense wealth, Kit hastened to the chest,
opened it, lifted out the tray, which was jam-
med full of bundles of bank-notes, and placed it
on the floor.

In the bottom of the chest were at least twen-
ty suits of clothes such as Kit always wore—
boots, hats, each one of the former with a gold
spur attached to the heel, each one of the latter
with an immense diamond sparkling in the
buckle; while at one side Were packed a dozen
belts, identical with the one worn by Kit, all
containing a pair of revolvers and a knife.

ElCll of the belts also contained a store of
cartridges, and was ready for instant wear.

Taking out two complete suits, with two hats
and a couple of pairs of boots, Kit replaced
the tray and closed the lid of the chest with a
bang.

A pair of saddle-bags hung on one of a num—
ber of wooden pegs driven into the wall at one
side of the vaulted room, and in these Kit care-
fully pncked the articles he had selected, and
then, extinguishing the lamp, left the cayern by
the same corridor through which he had en-
tered it

Again seating himself on the trap and placing
his saddle-bags beside him, he caught .the rope,
and pulling on it steadily, hand over hand, he
hoisted himself to the top, his labor being less-
ened by a weight attached to the other end of
the cord which pulled him up.

Fastening the platform in place, he crawled
out of the space between the two logs, carrying
his parcel with him, moved the ile of brush,
Stepped out into the open air, an looked about.

No one was in sight, and collecting together
his traps, he climbed down the gully, drew his
right-hand revolver and fired a shot in the air,
the report echoing afar.

Scarcely had the reverberations died away,
whenin answer to the signal, for such it was,
his horse came galloping down the road, stop-
ping alongside Kit and rubbing his nose afl‘ec-
tionately against his shoulder.

Dick was soon saddled and bridled and Kit,
flinging the saddle-bags on the horse’s back and
securing them ’0 the cantle, mounted and rode
back toward The Gulch.

He had not been more than an hour away, and
he could see that little groups of men were
gathered in front of the “ Gold Dust ” saloon,
over the destinies of which “Cockey ” pre-
sided.

They were evidently discussing the late oc-
currences, and as it Was necessary that Kit
should pass down that street, be anticipated,
and nerved himself for, trouble.

The men were gesticulating and evidently
talking loudly, apparently being much excite ,
and as there were a couple of dozen of them
standing about, Kit realized that he had
considerable of an undertaking before him.

But he cantered on, until suddenly it became
evident that he had been seen, judging from the
general movement and pointing that followed
It

Loosening his revolvers, he was about to spur
up and dash as rapidly as he could through the
threatening crowd, when he saw a man, whom
he recognized as a. gambler, known as “Faro
Frank," leave the group in front of the “Gold
Dust” and walk rapidly toward him.

Frank was faultlessly attired in the finest
broadcloth, and wore a shiny silk hat, his ap-
pearance betokcning financial ease and perfect
content with himself and all mankind.

He belonged in Denver. WheretKit had seen
him before coming to The Gulch, for the lad
had only been in the country forty-eight hours,
and had never before that day,seen the town,
or rather village, by daylight.

As soon as the gambler arrived within hailing
distance he stopped, and called out to Kit, hold-
ing meantime, his switch cane across his shoul-
ders to show that he carried no weapon in his
hands. .

“ Put up your guns. oung fe110w”—for Kit
had drawn and cocked is revolv'ers.

“You won’t need them here today. _

Kit. seeing that but one man confronted him,
slid his istols back into their resting-places
and uiet y awaited what the other had to ca .

“ be boys just told me about our knocking
Cockey cold,’ continued Faro rank, “ and I
swear it’- the pluckiest thing I evor heard of in
my wild and varied career. .

’1

 

“ The idea of a slender young fellow like you
possessing such strength; they say that vs hen lyou
struck out the blow sounded like the Inc of
a mule.

“l’m with you, and no harm comes to you
this day, I’ll see to that.

“ Come and have a drink.”

“ Much obliged,” returned Kit, laconically, “ I
never drink.”

“ A cigar then.”

“Never smoke.”

“ Well. hang it, take a lemonade.”

“Since you insist, I will.

“i feel a litlle thirsty and a sour lemonade
won’t 0 bad.

“ This isn’t a steer your Giving me?"

“On the word of Frank Francis, I'm giving
it to you dead strai ht.”

“ All right then, ’11 join you."

And Kit knew that. he was perfectly safe in
so doing, for although Faro Frank was a con—
firmed ganibler and tie in ro of a score of des-
perate knife and pistol fights, he had nevvr
gone back on his word.

in Denver, his honesty when he had pledged
himself, was proVerbial, and so well—known that
every one reliul on it.

So Kit rode quietly alorg, the gambler, who
was a magnificently built man, eying the
young fellow quizzicallv. and shaking his head
and muttering to himself as if he found it im-
possible to comprehend how such a slight figure
could possess such tremendous strength.

As they drew near the saloon, the crowd
about the porch scowled and glared at Kit and
several of them, evidently wishing to toady to
Cockey, made threatening remarks.

But Frank stepped quickly forward and ad-
dressing them said:

“Look here, you fellOws, this young gentle-
man is a friend of mine, and any one who in-
sults him, insults me.

“ So just keep civil tongues in yo 2' heads, or
by the great born spoon you’l’ “egret it.

"' You know me! ’

“ And I’m with you, Frank,” remarked a.
quiet, determined-looking fellow, Frank’s part-
ner, as he stepped out from the saloon.

“ You see, on are all right, so come on.”

And Kit dismounting, entered the saloon,
while the crowd about them slunk away from
the angry glances Frank and his partner flung
right and left. _ ,
CHAPTER XVI.

A BAR-ROOM ROW.

THERE Were many persons in the saloon, and
most of those who were standing outside, fol-
lowed the trio through the swing doors, so that,
once all were inside, so great was the crowd that
it was almost impossible to move.

Elbowing his way up to the counter, Frank
shoved every one in his way right and left,
being closely followed by Diamond Dan, his
partner, and Kit.

As the latter leaned on the bar, Cockey who
was engaged at the other end spied him and
came rapidly toward where he was standing.

Cockey was a total wreck, and looked as
though he had been interviewed by a pile-
driver. ‘

His eye was beginning to color and promised
in a short time to become a magnificent blend-
ing of blue, yellow, black and brown.

He had tied a handkerchief over it. but so
ragged and full of holes was the bandage. that
it did not conceal his injured optic in the least.

Before he could address a word to Kit, Frank,
who cared for and feared no one on earth,
called out to him:

“ What’s the matter with the eye, Cockey?

“Looks like a rainbow in a fog.”

An inarticulate growl was the only answer to
this sarcastic speech, and Cockey, bringing
down his massive flat with a. tremendous thud
on the counter, cried:

“ ’F you’ve come in hyar ter look fer a row,
young feller, you’ll get it sooner nor yer
think.

“Git out o’ my saloon l” '

“ Gently. Cockey, gently l” interposed Faro
Frank, while Diamond Dan drew a little clos+~r,
and turning, faced the crowd behind his
friend.

“ This young gentleman is a friend of mine.
so you just shut up and hustle ’round and get us
our drinks.” .

“ Now, look hyar, Frank Francis, you’ve been
a-runnin’ this yer town long enough, an’ I’m
hanged ’f I’m pgoin’ tor stan’ it any ongcr.

“ An’ as fur this yar young snip, ’f he don‘t
vamose pretty considerable quick, ’ll fling him
through thcr dmr, an’ you, too !”

“ Cockey, you’re drunk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Kid-Glove Kit. '

 

“ Give us those drinks, and pretty consider-
able uick, or we’ll help ourselves.”

“ er will, will yeri

“Now you jest scatter!”

And as he spoke he drew from beneath the coun-
ter a huge revolver, already cocked, which he
thrust squarely ,into Faro Frank’s face, the muz-
zle touching his, forehead.

But with a movement like the spring of a

nther, Kit caught the brawny wrist of the

ully, and gave it a quick twist upward, while

at the same instant Francis dropped to the floor
behind the shelter of the counter.

The pistol was discharged, the bullet burying
itself harmlesst in the ceiling overhead, and
hi] to the counter, and thence to the floor, while
the barkee r, seizing his right hand, fairly
danced an howled with mingled pain and

ra e.

fills wrist was dislocated.

But at the same time Cockey’s partner, who
was standing just behind Kit, and who was
even stouter and taller and more powerful than
Cockey, rushed on our hero with hand uplifted
to administer a crushing downward blow.

t! And as Diamond Dan’s right arm shot
out, Blinkey, as he was affectionately termed,
staggered back and would have inevitably
fallen, had he not been caught by some of his
friends.

Frank had arisen and turned to face the
crowd, drawing a pair of wicked-looking der-
rin ore from his coat ockets as he did so, and
000 ing them, while it kept his attention di.
rected toward Cockey, not knowing what might
be the next move of that worthy.

But Cockey was just at that moment interest-
ed in nothing so much as his wrist, and was
standing by the faucet, alIOwing the cold water
to run over the injured member, which he had
pulled back into place.

At si ht of the wicked-looking Weapons which
Faro ank held, the crowd, which a moment
before had seemed inclined to side with the bar-
keepers, fell back as far as it could while some
of the men began to sneak out of the door and
hunt their homes. '

Imitating Faro Frank‘s movement, Kit and
Dan drew their weapons, and the trio, realizing
that ittwould be foolish to remain any longer
where the were, backed out of the saloon, con-
fronting t e crowd, and retreated to the street.
Frank hurling back this parting threat:

“ Remember! If any harm ever comes to my
friend here, through you, Dan and I will see
that he is terribly avenged I”

When they were once more in the street Faro
Frank turned to Kit, and slipping his derrin ers
back into his pocket, extended his hand to it,
and said:

“ Well, you are a daisy.

“ Cockey had me dead, and, as there is no
love lost betwaen us, would probably have
wiped out old scores with a bul et through my

hes
“You saved my life, undoubtedly, and we

’ are stanch pards for life.

“ Put her there!”

And rasping Kit’s hand he shook it warmly,
in whic action he was seconded by Dan.

“ Now I must leave you,” remarked Kit, when
they were through congratulating him.

“I am not at liberty to say what calls me
away, but I am sure that when I tell you that
it is mostlimportant that I should go, you will
excuse me.”

“ Sure, pard, sure. If you have anything of
importance to attend to, s ip out.

‘ But, remember, should you ever need a
friend, call on me, and if I’m not to be found,
Dan here will see you through.” . ,

“You can plank down your chips on that, my
boy, every time,” assented Dan, while Kit
thanked them warmly.

“But before you 0, tell us what we shall
call on," added Fran .

“ y friends know me as Kid-Glove Kit, but
simple Kit will do.”

“ Well, good-by, Kit, and good luck!"

“ Good-by 1"

And swinging himself' into the saddle Kit
centered of! down the street, while the two
gamblers walked away to their rooms, where
they soon forgot the last occurrence in the ex-
citement of a little game.

It did not take long for Kit to reach the
burned house, when branching of! to the north,
he galloped over t e plain toward the hollow
tree, fastening his one in a thicket near by
and kthen returning and entering the hollow
trun .

Btoo ing, he rapped at re ular intervals,

and then tw oe n, and, in

. twig: hree tim
a ute or two, he bolt was shot low, and,

 

lifting the trap, the fair face of Dainty appeared
at the foot of he steps.

“ You have been away much longer than you
said,” she called out, pouting pretti y.

“ And have had numerous adventures, which,
when you have heard them, you' will acknowl-
edge excuse my rotracted stay.”

“ Possibly,” st ll pouting.

“ But come down here and tell me about it.”

And Kit, descending, closed the trap and fol-
lowed her.

 

CHAPTER XVII.
; wns'rnas FARO-BANK.

DAINTY listened with glowing cheeks and
sparkling eyes to Kit’s narration, and when he
had finished, extended her hand to him, and
said:

“ Forgive me, my friend, for my childish pet-
tishness of a while ago.

“ I should have known that something unu-
sual had detained you, but with nothin but my
sad thoughts for company, the day as been
very long.”

“ And it is now too late to leave here, and it
is best that you should have another good
night’s rest before we start out on the trail
against Colton and his band.

“I have a plan which I think may prove a
successful one, and to prepare it thorougly I
must return to The Gulch to-night.

“ Your horse seemed a little lame yesterday.”

“Yes, poor fellow: he step d on a loose
stone, night before last, as Was hurrying
home, and evidently sprained his shoulder.’

“ Well, I will see that you have a better one
to-morrow.

“In there,” designating the saddle-bags,
“you will find a complete outfit, and by the
time I return in the morning I hope to find
you all ready and prepared for an ear y start.

“It is a pity, and almost seems a sncrilege
but you must sacrifice some of your beautiful
hair, so that it will be the same length as
mine.”

“ Then you must act as barber.”

“ Very unwillingly, but it is absolutely neces-
sary, and I will console myself with the thought
that it will soon grow again.”

A pair of shears was soon found, and Dainty
having carefully measured the length of his
hair, Kit gave a few scientific snips, and the
masses of golden tresses were shortened by
nearly a ard.

Carefu ly collecting the glittering strands,
Kit wrapped them up and placed them in his
leather sachel that hung at his side. remarking:

“ These leave me only with my life 2”

And then telling her that he had forgotten
one or two necessary adjuncts to her costume,
he advised her not to dress before he returned.

And then, after a hasty lunch, Kit rose, and
telling Dainty not to worry if he were detained,
but to wait patiently until he returned, was
about to leave the room, when she called him
back.

“ You are going to venture into that awful
place again?”

“It is absolutely necessary.”

“ Then pray—pm be very careful!

“What would I 0, should an’ything happen
to you that would end seriously ’

“ Do not fear. Life has become too precious
to me within the past day or two for me to risk
it foolish] .

“Good_ y.”

And Kit left the room, while Dainty, bury-
ing her face in her hands, whispered to herself:

' What could he have meant by that last re~
mark be made?”

But her wildly beating heart answered her
quickly, and her face settled into a tender
smile which yet played about her mouth when
she s ept.

For her dreams were of Kit!

The long street of The Gulch was one blaze
of light as Kit rode into the village, kerosene
torches flaring in front of the saloons from posts
set at the edge of the road, while from the in-
terior of the shanties came sounds of laughter,
loud voices, the click of ivor checks and the
rattle oi the ivory ball spinning around the re-
vol ving roulette-wheel.

Riding up to a building which was somewhat
more pretentious than its fellows, and which
gas ornamented with a sign bearing the inscrip-

on:

“ Tan GULca HOTEL,”

Kit dismounted and gave his horse in charge
of one of the stablemen, who was lonngin near
by, and requested him to take care 0 him
for a time, emphasising his directions by slip-

 

pinga five-dollar note into the fellow’s res
and.

“He’ll,be looked after as if he was a babby,
sir,” replied the hostler, domng his hat and
looking admiringly at Kit’s ma niflcent mount.
“A fine horse that, sir, and wel suited to carry
a fine gentleman like you.”

And, as he led the horse of! in the direction of
the stables, Kit turned and walked up the street
in search of Frank‘s place.

He opened the swing-doors of half a dozen
resorts, but was disappointed, until at length he
came to a low, single-story frame building that
stood a little back mm the street.

It was constructed of rough, unplaned boards,
and did not boast of the slightest sign of paint;
but on opening the dam an stepping inside, he
saw Frank seated back of a fare—table, about
which was grouped a crewd of men three deep.
each one intent on the bets that lay scattered
about in every direction.

In the “lookout” chair was Diamond Den,
carefully watching that no mistakes were made
in thebets.

Raising his eyes mechanically Frank recog-
nized Kit, and instantly called out:

“ Pete, a chair for Mr. Christopher. Here,
some of you sitters, move out and let this gen-
tleman have a place!”

And, as Kit walked forward, the negro atten-
dant brought a chair, the cr0wd about the table
who Were seated squeezed together a little
closer, Kit took a place directly opposite the
dealer, and, diving into his pocket, produced a
roll of bills. . ,,

“ Give me a thousand dollars’ worth, please.”
be said quietly, as be counted the money ‘out on
the table.

“ Certainly; what price!”

“Oh, five hundred a stack.”

“ Ther kid’s a-goin’ ter play twenty~five dol-
lar checks, by gum!” muttered a grizzled old
miner who sat near “ keeping cases,” and who
had evidently found luck against him, as he
did not have a single check in front of him.

Receiving his two stacks, Kit, as it was near
the end of the deal, waited and looked about
him.

Judging from the exterior, the interior was a
complete surprise, for it was fitted up with an
elegance that would have been no discredit to a
Broadway bar-room.

Magnificent plate-glass mirrors stretched from
the ceiling to the floor, many of them bar ring
on their polished surfaces the marks of numer-
ous and sundry bullets. which had evidently
more than once flown thick and fast here.

The bar-counter was constructed of exquisite-
ly carved mahogany with a top rail of bird's-eye
maple, while the foot—rest was heavily nickel-
plated and shone like silver.

Dozens of cut-glass decanters, bottles and tum-
blers sparkled in their cr stal purity on the
shelf behind, while a half ozen white-jacketed
barkeepers were kept continually busy attending
to the demands of their always thirsty patrons.

A roulette table occupied one side of the hall,
while in a corner at the back. part of the room.
a round, greenocovered table was surrounded
b a numberof men who were intent on a game
0 oker, “ table stakes.”

. he place was crowded, and the air heavy
wrth tobacco smoke, while nearly every one in
the room was intant on one object—gain.

CHAPTER XVIII.
: BUTTED OUT OF TIME.

As Kit finished his observations, the gruffl
voxce of the case-keeper growled out:

“ One turn and a call 1”

And hostilities were suspended for a few mo~
ments to enable the players to make their final
bets on the deal before the last cards were drawn
from the box.

And then, as they were slipped out, various-
ejaculations arose from the crowd of betters, as
they had won or lost.

“ Called her that time!”

“ Struck the turn at last!”

‘ ‘ Hang the deuce, she lost four times."

“ Pay this bet, Mr. Dealer."

“ Give me five hundred.”

“I’ll take another stack, 0’ blues,”

And the bets being collected and aid, the ,
cards shuflledand again placed in the 1, Kit
turned his attentiop to the game, and scattered
his cheeks about with a reckless rofusion that
caused even the usually impertur ble Frank to

raise his eyebrows in slight amazement.

For two hours Kit sat there, laying with
varying fortune, seeming entirely indifferent as
to whether he won or lost.

At One time he had won forty-two thousa‘ud
dollars, but not long afterward his ivory capital»

 

 
 

 

Kid-Glove Kit.

11

 

 

  
 
 

was reduced to the hundreds; but at the end of
the time mentioned, at the Close of an unusually
successful deal, on counting up his Checks he
found that he was exactly even, not having Won
or lost a dollar. . .

Being somewhat fatigued from sitting so long
in the same position, he arOse, his Chair being in-
stantly appropriated by one of the players who
was standing behind him, and, slipping his
checks in his pocket, walked away, calling back
to the dealer:

“ See you later, Frank.”

He strolled about the room, from group to
group, remarking as he did so, that there was
not one of the men in the room that he had seen
during his adventures at the Gold Dust, that
crowd having been made up of bar and saloon-
kee rs, who were now evidently busy with
their duties.

Again approaching the faro-tahle, he stood
there a moment, when he was accosted by a
tall, fair~haired young fellow of his own age,
who was looking on, but who was not doing
any betting.

“ As we are not playing, suppose you join me
in a drink.”

Kit was about to decline, courteously, when
he caught Frank’s eye, and the latter nodded.
almost imperceptibly, evidently having over-
heard the remark.

Kit instantly took the one and replied, pleas-
antly:

“Certainly, if you’ll excuse my not taking
anything stronger than a lemonade.”

“ Anything you wish,” replied the other,
can rteousl y.

“ That’s exactly what I'm going to take.”

And laying his hand on Kit’s shoulder in a
friendly way, they threaded their way through
the crowd to the counter.

It was momentarily deserted, and no one was
standing there but a tall, rough-looking cus-
tomer, who had evidently been drinking more
than was good for him.

To add to his evil temper, he had been losing
heavily in the poker game, and was evidently
in a decidedly ugly mood.

Paying no more attention to him, the two
youngl fellows gave their orders to one of the
atten ants, in response to his pleasant:

“ What will it be, gentlemen?” |

And while he was engaged in mixing the two
lsmonades, Kit’s new acquaintance turned to
him, and said: -

“ That you may understand how it happened
that I invited you to drink, I must introduce
in self.

‘ I am Frank’s brother.

“ I only reached here this evening, and while
at supper he told me of what you had done this
morning, and so described your appearance to

‘ me that I recognized you the moment you en-

tered.

“Let me thank you. on my own behalf, for
what you did for him.’

“Your gratitude is grateful to me; but both
you and be are making a mountain out of a
very small mole-hill.”

“That may be your view of it, but I assure
you we look at it in a very different light.

“ Well, here‘s to our life-long friendship,” he
added as the barkeeper placed their glasses be-
fore them, and placing the straw to his lips, he
was about to drink, when he was interrupted by
the man who stood near.

“ Say! young fellers, what do yer drink such
wash as thet, fur,” hiccoughed the bully, as he
staggered toward them.

“ Drink good old straight whisk’, that ’11 make
hair grow on yer faces.”

“ 1t evidently don’t make a civil tongue grow
in your head, at all events,” quietly retorted
Kit, as he began to suck on the cooling mix-

‘ ture.

“Nor does it seem to be of much benefit to
you when you’re laying poker,” added his com-
panion, who had Been sitting in the game and
who had been the chief winner.

“Not when I’m a-playin’ with a lot 0’ card-
sharps and black-legs,” growled the man, stag~
gering yet nearer Frank’s brother.

“ What do you mean 3” returned the other,
setting his glass on the counter, and looking his
late a versary straight in the face.

“That I was cheated, an’ swindled, an’ that
you rung a cold deck in on me'”

“ You’re mistaken, my friend, and too drunk
to know what you are talking about. Better go
home—if you how one to go to.”

Thrusting his hand deep into the pocket of
his coat, the minor growled:

f‘ ’F you say I’m drunk, yer lie, yer gamblin’
thief l”

And raising his coat, he fired through the

   

 

pocket, straight at Kit’s friend, who .still leaned
against the counter.

But he missed his aim, for Pete, the negro at-
tendant, who was hovering about the trio, saw
the action, and at the moment the miner moved
his arm to raise his pistol, the darky lowered
his head, and rushing from behind, butted the
would-be assassin just below the short ribs with
his woolly crown, sending him flying as if
hurled from a catapult, knocking the wind
from his entire body, and causing the bullet
to bury itself harmlesst in the mahogany coun-

er.

At the report the crowd scattered to the sides
of the room, leaving a clear lane between the
bar and the fare-table, and Frank and Dan,
half rising. seemed ready to take part in any dis-
turbance that might ha pen.

But as they saw the ludicrous termination of
what might have been a fatal tragedy, they set-
tled hack in their seats, and the game went on
as if nothing had happened.

Pete, shouldering the form of the inanimate
miner, took it to the door, and incontinently
dumped it in the street, where he reiieVed him
of his weapons and left him to sleep off the
effects of his dehauch.

And the two young men, finishing their
lemonades, walked into a back room and began
to talk about a dozen diflerrnt things, never
once referring to the late occurrenCe, which
seemed to them as it entirely unw0rthy of com-
ment.

 

CHAPTER XIX.
a METAMORPHOSIS.

THEY had not sat long thus. when the were
interrupted by a knock on the door, an in reL
spouse to the answer, the black and smiling
face of Pete was thrust inside.

He was grinnin from ear to ear, and his
white teeth shonefiike ivory behind his scarlet—
red lips.

“ ’Scuse me. gen’l’men, ’scuse me, Massa
Charley, but Massa Frank, he wan’ ter know
of you’ll be good enufl ter spell him a bit.”

“ All right, Pete: but here i” as the negro was
about to withdraw.

“ Take this.”

And pulling a bundle of bills from his pocket.
he drew from it a hundred-dollar note, and
handed it to the delighted darky.

“ And this, Pete, added Kit, Capping the gift
with a bill of like denomination.

“ Maybe you can do the same for me at some
future time.”

“ T’ank you gen’l’mcn; t’ank you bof.

“I always tries ter act with judicion, when
any of the gen‘l‘men gits inter trouble.”

And he smiled so vigorously that it really
seemed to Kit as if the back of his head must
inevitably fall ofl.

Excusing himself, Frank’s brother left the
room bidding Kit remain where he was as it
was more than likely that Frank wanted to see
and talk to him.

And in a moment the other came in and
greeted Kit warmly. ,

“ Delighted to see you, my boy, delighted.

“ What’s the best word 1”

“ There’s nothing new: but I want you to do
me.a favor.”

” Anything in the world, Kit.

“ If you want any money, you can have
ever cent there is in the house.

“ f you are in any other sort of trouble,
we‘ll close the shebang and go with you where-
ever you wish.”

“Thanks, old man, but it’s nothing of that
sort at all.

“ When I saw you in Denver, you were rid-
ing a magnificent horse; have you him here!”

“ Stabled and stalled not a hundred yards
away from where we are sitting.”

“ He is fast?"

“ I’ll give fifty yards start in a quarter of a
mile to any horse in Colorado, and bet a thou-
sand to a hundred I’ll beat him home.”

“ I thought as much When I saw him.

“ I particularin need a speedy animal, and
want to borrOw him for a short time, say a
Week or two.” .

“Since I have owned Dandy, no leg but mine
has ever been thrown across his back.

“I have never loaned him to a soul on earth
and have vowed that I never will.” .

[t was curiousto see the look of disappomt-
ment that stole over Kit’s face at this announce-
ment, and he evidently could not comprehend
how Frank could return such an answer after
all his protestations.

But he was not allowed to remain long in sus~

use, for Frank, leaning back in his chair,

roke out laughing and cried:

 

“There, there, Kit, don’t look so glam.

“All the vows l have ever made about not-
loaning Dandy do not preVent my giving him
awa .

“ e’s yours, my boy, to do what you please
with. but you must accept him as a gift.

" By the way, if I’m not mistaken, he is an
exact match for your horse."

“ So nearly alike that one not thoroughly
familiar with them could not tell them apart.

“ It is for this reason that I am so anxious to
borrow him for e. time—why, I am not at liber-
ty to tell you.

“ But I‘ll never accept him as a gift l"

“ Oh. yes, you willl

“Take him as freely as he is offered, and if I
had a hundred horses you should have them all,
willingly.

“ As for your reasons for wanting him, keep
them to yourself.”

“ At least let me buy him from you.”

“ Never 1”

“ Well, then. if you insist, I’ll accept him,
and cannot tell you how grateful I am to you
for the gift.”

“ Bosh! What’s a transaction of that sort be-
tween friends.

“ When do you want him?"

“ In an hour or two, when I return.”

“ All right; I’ll tell Pete to saddle him, now.”

“Never mind, 1’“ bring a saddle and bridle
with me when 1 come back.”

“Just as you wish.

“0i! already? Well, drop in when you get.
back and say good-night to a fellow.”

And shaking hands heartily the two friends

,separateti, Frank returning to the faro table and

Kit going to the hotel, procuring his horse and
riding away toward his “den.”

It was nearly eleven o’clock, the next morn—
ing, and the sun was shining high from the
clear, blue vault show, when two oung fel—
lows rode side by side along the roa which led
toward the path which led to Coltou’s home.

Dressed exactly alike, their horses resembling
each other perfectly, with twin saddles am
bridles, the hair, eyes features of the two riders
perfect images, one of the other, any one meet-
ing them would have removed his hat, scratched
his head and been pussled to know how their
mothers could tell them apart.

They Were chatting quietly, and one of them.
was saying:

“ Upon my word, Dainty, if I thought that I
was half as good looking a fellow as on ma e,
I’d be the vainest man in the moan Isl”

“ You know we look exactly like each other.

“ When we looked in the glass, this mornin ,
you remarked how startling the likeness was.’

“That is true, yet whenever I look at you,
the more I am convinced that you are the bet—
ter looking of the two.

“ But now to business.

“ When they see you, gallop straight down
the hill—that horse is as sure footed as a goat—
ride straight to Faro Frank’s, the lace is called
‘ The Broadway,’ and stable your orse.

“ Go inside and tell anybody you see that you
want to go into the private room and lie down
on the lounge, being tired.

“ Wait for me there.”

“I’ll do exactly as you so. ; but here is my
path, hide yourself carefully!’

“ I will; good luck and good-by.”

And Kit rode (.ff into athicket where he could.
not be seen from the road, and dismounting.
seated himself on the grass to wait as patiently
as he could.

Dainty rode rapidlv up the path until she
came near the end of her journey, when she

roceeded slowly, until she could peer around
the bank at the side and look ahead.

Seated under the tree which had so nearly
been her gallows, she saw three men, eating
their dinner, while their horses stood near. and.
riding out boldly, she showed herself openly.

She was instantly perceiVed, and supposed to
be Kit, so with a about, the men sprung to their
horses, mounted and galloped toward her, while
she coolly waited.

CHAPTER XX.
F A C i: 'r o r a c I .

IT was evident that Dalton and his men Were
completely deseived, and that they thought it.
was Kit who thus defied them, as they galloped
down the valley toward Dainty.

It was dour tlecs the case, also, that they
wished to capture her alive, for although their
pistols glistened in the sunlight, not a weapon
was drawn, not a shot fired.

As they began to draw uncomfortably near,
Dainty turned . Dandy’s head, for she was
mounted on Faro Frank’s gift toKit, and be-

v

i- .4, .Jv 

u, .1: ,~.«."~{ . -‘ -:..

 

 
 
 
 

12

1;; 's ‘wngt‘w- a La. .. _._.. ...r.-.\...,; g: ..s.-.

,4-7 -"‘ n.. i .
.- ~v-.~—.---- sq...

Kid-Glove Kit.

 

 

 

gun to center slowly down the path, increasing
the speed of her horse as her pursuers drew
nearer and nearer.

Kit had told her of Dandy’s wonderful speed
and endurance and she felt no anxiety about
being able to ride away as she wished, when-
ever she desired, but as the men who ware fol-
lowing her possessed good horSes, she was by
degrees compelled to quicken her pace, until
finally, her horse fairly flew down the steep
and rocky path, never stumbling once, and,
picking his way over the loose stones that lay
scalttered about, never checked his speed a par-
tic e.
b_He proved magnificently what Kit had said of

im:

“He is as sure-footed as a goat,” while the
light burden he carried seemed but a. feather‘s
Weight on his broad back.

Reaching the road Dainty swept off to the
right at full speed, again allowed the bowling
trio behind her to gain a few rods until a. mile
away from the path, and then, gently touching
Dandy with her golden spur, she dashed off at a
pace that defied pursuit.

Still Colton (lid not abandon the chase, but
pressed on until he arrived at a spot where the
road forked, one branch leading to the main
stage-road, the other passing through The
Gulcn, and as the fleeing rider he was in pursuit
of, was by this time out of sight, he drew rain
and ordered his companions to stop.

He was completely nonplused, and knew not
which direction to take.

“ Curses on the young whelpl” he growled.

“ Insulting us by riding nearly to our camp
and then escaping in this manner!

“The next time he comes within range, boys,
I give you permission to shoot him down as you
would a dog.

“Let’s go back; I don’t feel quite right yet,
and suppose you are not entirely recovered from
the shock.”

And, in truth, such had been the efl'ect of the
lightning-stroke, that had killed one of their
number and stunned the rest, that this was the
first day since the event, that they had ven-
tured outside of the house. I

“ We’ll take a good rest to—night, and will be
all right in the morning.

“ There’s no need of our keeping watch, no
one will harm us, and that young cub will not
dare venture near us, thinking as he doubtless
does, that we are on the alert.”

And so. turning their homes, they rode slowly
back toward their camp, as they called ‘it, mean-
ing the stone house in which they lived, osten-
sibly carrying on the work of honest miners in
the vicinity.

As they had swept by Kit’s hiding‘place, he
looked with admiration upon the magnificent
horsemanship displayed by Dainty, and the
wonderful, easy, stretching stride of the animal
she rode.

And as they disappeared in the distance, he
mounted and galloped up the path they had just
descended, and reaching the valley rode straight
up to the house.

Having seen that there were three men in the
party which pursued the irl, he was convinced
that there was no one in t e vicinity, believing,
as he did, that one of their number had been
killed by the lightning. I
, The black mark that had shown so plainly on
his temple was almost proof sufficient of this,
but had Kit needed any confirmation he Would
have found it in a green mound that rose above
the turf, under the branches of the spreading
tree.

Fresh earth scattered about showed that a
grave had recently been dug there, and in it
doubtless lay the body of the poor wretch who
had been so suddenly stricken.

Leaving his horse standing there, Kit opened
the door, which was unfastened, and entered
the single room that composed the interior of
the dwelling.

He had no specific purpose in coming there,
but hoped that he might come across some clew
that would lead to an explanation of the murder
of Dainty’s father, so he began rummaging
around in every direction.

But look as he would, being hurried in his
search by the thought that the bandits might re-
turn at any moment, he could find nothing, and
was about to abandon the search, when he
stumbled over a pair of high boots that stood in
one corner.

This would not have attracted his atten-
tion had it not been for the fact that one of
them gave out a metallic sound, which he at
first thought proceeded from a spur; but to sat-
isfy himself, e kicked it again, when the clink
sounded louder than ever.

 

His curiosity thoroughly aroused, he picked
up the boot. turned it upside down, when there
fell to the floor with a clang, an oblong tin box,
at the sight of which he started, and then eager-
ly picked it up.

The box was japanned, and on the top was
written, evidently with some sharp-pointed in-
strument, the name of Drake Danford.

“ Now here’s luck!” soliloquized Kit.

. “ If I’m not entirely mistaken, this is the iden-
tical box that Dainty’s father mentioned in his
writing in the locket.

"I only hope the papers are still inside and
have not yet been disturbed.”

. And he examined the box, which to his great
Joy, he found bound about with a piece of tape,
which was sealed with wax, the seal bearing
the stamp of a signet ring he had noticed on the
dead man’s finger.

_The box could not have been opened without
either cutting the tape or breaking the seal, so
that Kit felt convinced that the contents had
not been tampered with.

Hasrily placing it in a cnpacious inner pocket
of his coat, he left the house and again took his
seat in the saddle, hoping that he might be able
to regain his hiding-place by the road before
Colton returned.

He felt convinced that they would abandon
the chase when they reached the forks in the
road, for he had impressed on Dainty the neces-
s1ty of being so far ahead, when she al‘l'lVl-‘d
there, as to be out of sight, and thus bafiie her
pursuers.

Hurrying d0wn the valley, he began the de-
scent of the path, and was just congratulating
himself upon being in time, when, as he rode
out from behind the hill, he found himself al-
most face to face with Colton and his two com-
panionsl

 

CHAPTER xxi.
DAINTY’S PERIL.

DAIN’I‘Y gal30ped swiftly along, nerving her-
self for the first experience that she was to have
in her present Costume, when brought face to
face with those who knew Kit personally, and
were familiar with his appearance.

Her voice was somewhat l0w-toned for a wo-
man, though sweet and well-modulated, while
Kit’s voice was rather high—pitched, so that,
should they converse in the hearing of a third
party who could not see them, it would have
been difficult for the listener to decide which
one was speaking.

With his usual foresight Kit had given her
the chips he had purchased the evening before
at The Broadwa , and which he had neglected
to “cash in,” th nking that some inquiry might
be made for them.

He had related to her, even to the minutest
particular, ever thing that had happened to
him during his a sence, so that she felt perfect-
ly able to hold her own, should any reference
be made to past events.

So .she rode bravely up to the saloon after
reaching the town, and was about to lead Dandy
to the stable, having dismounted, when Pete,
the woolly-headed, came bursting out of the
door, removin his cap as he did so.

“ Mawnin’, assa Kit; you’se back early.

“ Didn’ ’spect you so soon. 1’“ take your
horse, sah,” and consigning Dandy to the ne—
gro’s care, Dainty strode into the saloon, much
relieved that the first ordeal was safely passed.

But would she be as successful with sharp,
shrewd Faro Frank, with keen-eyed Diamond
Dan, with shrewd Charley?

That remained to be seen, and consoling her-
self with the thought that she was among Kit’s
friends, in any event, she walked straight up
to the faro-table where Frank was busy with
his checks, seeming much perplexed about
something.

“Hello! Kit, my boy,” cried Frank, extend-
ing his hand and grasping Dainty’s delicate lav-
ender glove.

“ You‘re just the person I want to see.

“Did you carry off any of my chips last night
when you left?

“If you didn’t, I’m hanged if I know where
they have gone.”

_“I’ve got a few in my pockets,” replied the
girl, her voice trembling somewhat, despite her
efforts to steady it.

“I’m awful sorry, Frank, but I clean forgot
all about them.”

“Well, I did, too, so we’re even. It don’t

make a particle of difference, only I do like to
keep track of them.
“ How many have you gotl” '
“All I bought when I started in—five hun-
dred or a thousand, I ferges which.”

 

 

Frank looked at Dainty a moment, as if h
could not comprehend how a young fellow could
forget a matter of five hundred dollars in a
dozen hours, but said nothing, taking the checks
that the.girl threw on the table and stacking
them up in regular piles.

“ A thousand, even. Wait till I open the safe
and I’ll hand you the ducats.”

“ Oh, no hurry, keep ’em until some other
time.

“But say, Frank, I‘m dead tired: any objec-
tion to my going in yonder and taking a nap on
the lounge!”

“ Of course not; sleep there all day if you
like, and if any body comes in here making a
noise I’ll fire ’em into the street.

“ I’ll go in with you and See that everything
is all right.”

Everything seemed in good order, so Faro
Frank. telling the supposed Kit to lock the door
if he wished, withdrew, while Dainty, trenr
bling like a leaf, shot the bolt, and threw her-
self on the lounge, crying bitterly.

“ Oh, my father,” she sobbed in a whisper,
“ i fear that my woman‘s strength will not be
equal to the work I have vowed to perform.

"Would you, I wonder, be very angry if I
broke that vow l”

But she soon became calmer, and, overcome
by nervous exhaustion, was soon in a dee}r sleep,
which promised to do her more good than all the
drugs physician ever prescribed.

She slept on for some time unconscious of her
surroundings, when she was suddenly awakened
by high words in the. saloon, for the partitions
were none of the thickest, and only a thinplank
wall separated the room in which she was from
the bar-room.

Wide awake on the instant and with every
sense alert, she sat up and listened intently.

“ Mr. Francis gave strict orders when he went
out that no one was to be allowed to go into that
room,” said a voice which Dainty suppOSed to
be that of the barkeeper, who was alone in the
saloon, Faro Frank having gone to his lodgings
and taken 1’ to with him.

The rest of the barkeepers had not yet put in
an appearance, : 5 very little business was done
at The Broadway, or. indeed. at any of the sa-
loons, before the lamps Vl ere, lighted.

“ 1 don’t give a cent w'ot Faro Frank er enny
other bloke says, I'm a-goin’ inter that room an’
find thet young snip w’ot broke mywrist and lick
the stufiin’ outen him.”

“Yes, you bet, an’ I’m a-goin’ loo!” gr0wled
a second voice.

Dainty immediately realized that these could
be none others than Cockey and Blinkey, who
had evidently heard of her being there and sup-
posed that it was Kit.

These two worthies evidently were familiar
with The Broadway, and knew that as Kit was
not visible in the main room he must be con.
cealed in the small room, which was reserved
for private poker- arties, when the different
gamblers of The ulch got to bucking against
each other.

The two men evidently began to walk toward
the room where Dainty sat, and she, drawing a
revolver, was about to prepare herself to resist
to the last extremity, when the voice of the bar—
keeper was again heard:

" 1 tell you. once for all, you can‘t go in
there; and if you persist—”

There was a sickening thud, and something
came crashing against the partition and then
fell to the floor.

“Well struck, Blinkey,” remarked the cruel
voiCc of Cockey.

"Thet fool’ll not bother us any more; 00W»
let’s go an’ skin the youngster.”

In a moment there came a thundering rap on
the door, and in response Dainty called out
boldly:

“ W'hat do you want?”

“ Open this door or we’ll bu’st her down i”

Trembling with fear Dainty turned to the
Open window, and was about to climb cut when
it was darkened, and an agile form sprung into
the room.

“ Here I am, Dainty.” he whispered, “safe
and~ But what is that?” he asked, as the door
cracked and creaked.

“ Cockey and Blinkey are trying to get is to
kill me, thinking it is you.”

“ Oh-hol Is that the way the land lies? Stand
to one side, out of harm’s way, and see what we
do with murderers where I come from i”

The door crashed down as Kit drew his revol-
vers, while as Blinkey and Cockey came stum-
bling in, two pistols spoke as one. and the men
who were ravening for his blood fell to the floor
without a groan or a cry.

Each had been shot through the heartl

 

 

 

 

   
  

  
 
 

 

 
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
   

   

 

 

 

  
  
    
   
   
  
   

Kid-Glove Kit.

 

13

 

 

CHAPTER XXII.
AT THE NICK OF TIME.

Wit must now go back in our story to the mo—
ment when Kit encountered Colton, Hercules
and Bi Jim, as the third of this delectable trio
was ca led.

It is almost needless to say that Kit was much
vexed at this unfortunate meeting, for he knew
that Dainty Would be nervous under the ordeal
through which she was about to pass; and now
that his ruse had been successful, and he had
obtained more than he had hoped for or ex-
pected at the stone house, he wished to consult
with her regarding their future movements.

But there he was, face to face with the gang,
and putting on the best face he could, he saluted
them blandiy:

“ Good-morning, Mr. Colton' good-morning,
Mr. Hercules; good morning, r. What’s—your-
name, I never have had the pleasure of an in—
troduction, so cannot address you as I would
wish.”

The trio gazed at Kit as if they thought him
some supernatural visitor, not being able to
conceive how he came to be there when they
were certain that they had lately pursued him
for a distance of miles, and being positive that
there was no other means of reaching the point
where they had encountered him save the road
by which they had returned.

Hercules was b far the most troubled of the
three, and tremb ed visibly, whispering to Col—
ton:

“ Where in thunder could he hev sprung
from?

“‘ ain’t nateral, an’ I swear I believe he’s a
ghost!

“ He couldn’t ’a’ got back hyar onless his crit-
ter kin fly, an’ I don’t see no wings.”

“ W e’il soon see whether his be mortal or im-
mortal i” cried Colton, and leveling his revolver
he tired Straight at Kit, who sat quietly smiling
at him.

Either his aim was exceptionally bad or his
her-7w were decidedly unstrung for the bullet
u uizz d liarmlessly by Kit’s head and he laugh-
ed .mrilonically, adding to the terror of the
giant and Big Jim.

Hercules did not remain any lon er to see
What would be the result ofa secon shot, but
put spurs to his horse, and with ayell of fear
s arted of! up the road on a dead run, being fol-
lowed by Colton, whose horse becoming un-
manageable, followed the flying hoofs of his
5 mile mate.

Recovering somewhat from his fright and be-
ing really a brave man, although a natural
bully and thief, Big Jim drew one of his re-
volvers and was about to cock and fire it at
Kit.

But he never finished the movement.

More rapid than thought was Kit’s motion,
and as his pistol was raised to a level with
his eye, he fired apparently without taking
sun.
And true to its mark the leaden messenger
sped, and entering Big Jim’s forehead, passed
through his brain and sent him with a crash to
the ground, stone dead. .

Kit had well preserved his reputation for bein
the “ quickest man on the trigger in the State 0
Colorado!” .

And then be centered on, realizing that two
of the band upon which rested the suspicion
of Dainty’s father’s death, had been wiped out
of existence. _

One had fallen by the hand of Prov1dence, the
second by his own hand.

But the two most desperate of the quartette
yet remained alive, one of whom had possibl
fired the fatal shot which killed Mr. Danfor ,
and made Daint an orphan. _ -

Reaching the )forks of the road, Kit saw by
the hoof-prints in the mod, that the two horse-
men had taken the left-hand road, or theone
which led to the stage route, so riding on a little
further, be fastened his horse, and, retracing his
steps, hid himself and waited at the paint where
the roads branched. _

He sat for some time, waiting until at length
he heard the sound of voices and soon erceived
Colton and Hercules riding slowly bac . the lat-
ter casting fearful glances ahead and seeming to
need considerable urging to persuade him to con—
tinue the route. ,

Colton was arguing with him and urging the
necessity of returning to their home to secure
sundry documents. which were there, and which
would be of immense value to them.

At which remark Kit chuckled iiietly and
tapped the tin box in his pocket gent y.

As the two men disappeared down the road.
Kit, having located them, which was all he cared
to do for the present, returned to where his

 

 

horse was standing, mounted and rode away to
The Guleh.

As we have seen he arrived just in time, and
had he been delayed a minute longer, would
have been too late.

Cockey and Blinkey having been so summa-
rily disposed of, Kit turned his attention to
Dainty, whom he found quivering like an as n
leaf, but he soon soothed and quieted her, a ter
which he, in as few words as possible, related his
adventures, telling her also of his success in
finding the tin box.

“And now,” said he, “slip out of the window
and return home, and there wait for me.

“ I must see Frank and tell him what happen-
ed while he was absent.

“ Do not take the main street, but ride out
back of town, so as to escape observation, if
it be possible!”

“On, Kit!” sobbed the frail young girl, “do
not remain long away from me!

“I am not so stron as I thought and a few
more days of this wil kill me.”

“I will be there almost as soon as you are, my
child. and whether near or far, will always
watch over you.”

With a long hand-clasp they separated, Dainty
stepping out of the window and Kit going into
the bar-room.

There he found the barkeeper, lying on the
floor, stone (lead, his skull having been crushed
like an egg-shell by a tremendous blow from the
butt of a pistol.

The sight was a sickening one, and Kit gladly
turned away from it and walked to the door,
where he encountered Frank, who entered at
that moment.

In a few words Francis was placed in full
possession of the facts, and thanked Kit for so
quickly avenging the death of his assistant, to
whose side he walked and looked d0wn at him
sadly.

“Poor Jack,” he said, he wasa nice fellow and
as honest as he was clever.

“But as he is gone, we will see that he has a
funeral that will do him justice.

“ Asfor that carrion back there,” and he udd-
ded in the direction where Cockey and Blinkey
lay, “ I’ll have Pete dum it in a. wheel-barrOW
and take it over to the Goi)d Dust, with my com-
pliments.”

And Kit, promising to see him soon, went to
the stable and rode ofl toward Dainty’s under-
ground home, as fast as his horse would carry
him.

 

CHAPTER XXIII.
a FEARFUL DEATH.
As Kit rode past the still smoking and smol-

dering ruins of Dainty’s former residence,‘

which yet burned slightly at the bottom of the
mass of timber which had fallen into the cellar,
he became aware of the fact that he was fol-
lowed by some one, as he could hear hoof-beats
sounding on the road behind him.

Anxious as he was to once more rejoin Dain-
ty, who might, he feared, be still sufl‘ering from
the late shock to her nerves, he hurried on,
turned to the left, and after a short gallo , ar-
rived at the hollow tree, and sending his orse
trotting off up the bank, he swung around by
the vine, and rapped on the trunk.

The door was fastened on the inside, and he
was compelled to rap louder and louder, finally
hammering with the butt of his revolver, before
he heard the sliding of the bolt, and the door
geing opened, he saw Dainty standing before

im.

“ Excuse my keeping you waiting, but I had
gone d0wn the un erground (passage for a mo-
ment, to see if there was any
entering through the cellar. But the passage l
full of smoke, and the other end is choked u;
with rubbish from the fire. so that it is impos-
Sible that any one should notice the openin .”

Kit stepped in and closed the door after im,
when. drawing the tin box from his pocket, he
handed it to Dainty, saying:

“ No hands but yours shall break this seal or
untie this knot. ”

“Then come below,” she answered, “ and to
gather we will examine its contents.”

.Seated in the dining-room, Daintv struggled
with the intricately twisted tape for a few mo-
ments, and then seizing a knife, uickly solwd
the Problem 'by cutting the knot, p seed the box
on the table and opened it.

Lying one on top of the other were two sheets
of folded foolscap, which she unfolded and read,
afterward handing them to Kit. '

The first, evidently written some years be-
fore, as was provm by the faded color of the
ink and the yellowness of the paper, bore date
1866, and was thus worded:

anger of any one

9

 

“ I give and bequeath everything I now possess or
,may hereafter come in possession of, to my beloved
daughter Dainty.

“ Signed)

“Witness. Janus ARTWELL.

“ New York, December 11, 1866."

The other was dated 1884, and was in the
form of a letter to Dainty, and, condensed, in~
formed her that by great good fortune, he was
able to leave to her property which would make
her an immensely rich woman.

He had discovered a mine, which, properly
worked, would prove of inestimable value, it
being situated in a canyon which was supposed
to be inaccessible, and which—-

Here the letter terminated abruptly with the
words:

“ I am interrupted, but will finish this lab-r.”

The date of the month att e Lop was that on
which Mr. Danford had been murdered.

He had evidently been writing when inter-
rupted by the assassins’ knock, and never had

Hana? Duncan,

'been able to finish it.

“Had your father never spoken to you of
this matter!" asked Kit.

“ Never. He was a peculiar man, and always
put on paper any matter of interest he wished
to convey to a person. .

“ He often told me that, if he should sudden-
ly die, I must search the house for his will, but
never referred in any manner to any of his pro-
perty or wealth. I

“In fact I always thought we were very
poor. for our larder was empty half the time.”

“ But how did Colton become familiar with
the existence of these papers?”

“ I can not imagine.”

“Well, we must endeavor to solve the mys-
tery, and 1 will devote myself to that end.

“But I must go out and see if those who
were following me are in the neighborhood.”

And leaving the room, Kit returned to the
hollow tree and climbed up the ladder to the
lookout hole.

With a rashness that was unpardonable, he
immediately stuck his head out, and looked
around when suddenly a shout echoed from be-
low, so startling him that he nearly lost his
balance and came within an ace of falling from
his loft rch to the round below.

Just ow, one on t e right, the other on the
left of the tree, stood, looking up at him, Colton
and Hercules, and as he jerked his head inside,
a bullet whizzed past the hole, clipping the
leaves of the vine which clambered round it,
and burying itself in the tree-trunk.

“ We’ve treed him, Cap!” cried Hercules, ex-
ultingly, “ an’ now we’ll purceed ter smoke him
out in the most scierntific manner.”

“What are you going to do, you fool!” re-
turned Colton, as he began to move about, col-
lecting dead branches and twigs, and piling
them about the trunk of the tree.

“ Goin’ ter light a bonfire fer his benefit.”

“And you expect to smoke him out in that
manner?”

“ Sure.”

“Why, you double-dyed idiot, can’t you See
that the whole tree is so wrapped about with
that green vine that it would never take fire l"

“Right you are, Cap.

“Thet sarcumstance didn’t strike me store.”

And scratching his bushy head he continued:

“ But what’ll we do about it!”

“ Camp here and starve him out, standing
watch and watch.

“ He’ll have to come out at last, and as there
is evidently no way of getting out of the tree
except by that hole, which only looks small on
account of its immense distance from the
ground, he will have to climb down the vine to
reach the earth.

" That is evidently the way he got in the tree
and that is the way he’ll have to get out.

“ When he climbs down we can easily cap-
ture him, for he will be able to offer no resist.
ance.”

“ An’ then we’ll chuck him inter the canyon.

“W”ot a be-a-u-tiful smash ther’ll be when
he gits to ther bottom l"

And Hercules grinned in high glee as he gloat-P

{id over the anticipated death of the y0ung fele
0w.
‘ Colton had succeeded in talking him out of his
superstitious fear, inventing some plausible ex»
cuse to account for Kit’s mysterious disappear—
lIlCO.

It had been by accident that they had seen
Kit and tracked him to his hiding—place, believ-
ing it to be only a temporary resort, and not
dreaming of the perfect living arrangements
that existed in the ground bel0w their feet, or
of the lower entrance to the hollow tree.

The day passed, and the night, and the two

 

 

 

 

 
 
 

J ‘WWN.._--zs'w=..t.-.yq"~s -.  ._ _~

14

men watched by turns, having luncheon with
them and procurin water from the stream
near by: and still Kit gave no sign of life, and
when the third day had passed Hercules grew
impatient.

“ I’m a-goin’ter climb u ther tree by ther
vine, an’ take a sqnint insi e, Cap,” he said, to-
ward evening.

“ Go ahead.”

And Hercules grasped the stout vine, which
thS'ed and turned in every direction, and
easily climbed to the hole. into which he thrust
his head.

But just then something terrible happened,
for the vine, growing weaker as it grew higher
from the ground, was here not strong enough to
bear his immense weight, and first broke away
under his feet, leaving him hanging by the
hands. ,

And then the sup rts he grasped also tore
away, and he was le t hanging by his neck to
the jagged bark at the lower edge of the hole,
which tore and cut his throat like the fangs of a
wo f.

And finally, the rotten wood of the trunk
splintered and gave way and his huge body
went turning and tumbling and twisting
through the void, until it crashed on the cruel,
pointed rocks below, where it was crushed out
of all semblance of humanity.

Colton, covering his eyes with his hands to
shut out the awful sight, uttered a fearful yell,
and fled wildly.

CHAPTER XXIV.
CONCLUSION.

Kn, who was standing at the bottom of the
tree-trunk, when Hercules had looked in, al-
though invisible from above on account of the
darkness, had been a partial witness of Hercu-
lea’s struggles, and immediately realized what
had happened when he heard Colton’s cry.

So climbing up the ladder. he looked cau-
tiously down, and saw, lying far below him, all
that remained of Hercules, and then placing
the mirror in position, surveyed the plain behind
him.

Almost immediately his eye caught the re-
flection of a human figure lying motionless, a
short distance away, which, from its general
appearance, he instantly recognized as that of
Colton.

Hurrying down the ladder, he opened the
door and soon reached Colton, who was grovel-
ing on the ground in an agony of fear and re-
morse, and immediately secured him, tyinglhis
hands and feet firmly, and then Searching him
inhopes of finding some further clew to the lost
name.

There was nothing in his pockets but a half—
flnished letter, which Kit, having called Dainty,
read to the girl:

“ MY DEAR Cum.” it began.

“ I got your letter all 0. K.. and through it learned
of Danford‘s communication to you. in which he
tells you of the mine he had discovered. Thinking
that your proposition that we should obtain pos-
session of it was a good one. I watched his house.
and spied his every movement, night after night.
through a convement crevice, until finally my
patience was rewarded. one evening. by seeing him
come from in inner soon, where he oubtless had
some secret hiding-place, carrying a tin box.

" He began to write a letter. but I, believing that
the box held the inemoranda we wanted, and fear-
ing the return of the girl—Dainty, you know—
knoeked, and asked for admission.

"it was raining like thunder. and the old man.
liastilv putting the letter into the box, where there
was I saw, another document, tied the receptable
with a tap \ and. having sealed it, put it in a small
cupboard, .- nd then. after a few words opened the
door

~ _‘. nil -hen I shot him and secured the box—what
‘m you think of your'huinble servant, Craig Colton,
any nay? .

" t was pretty tough to kill 1 man whose former
friv'nrl l was and whose hospitality I had so often
eujoved, but it was the only way.

" He was a perfect lion in strength. you know. and
if I had not ado ted strong measures. we would
neveti; have succee ed in getting what. we wanted so
miic .

“I am afraid the girl may give us trouble. par-
ticularly as a yonng champion he: late! espoused
hr-r cause, comin from nobody knows w ere, and I
shall remain unti I have settled them both.

" I have had no time yet to examine the papers,
but will do so soon, when I will finish this."

Here the letter, containing full proof of
Colton’ii guilt, ended, and Kit, turning to
Dainty, said sternly:

“There lies our father’s murderer, whom
you have vow to track to his grave.

 

““rwvrrk «.~»~‘A~ee-._..,-1um-

Kid-Glove Kit.

“ What shall be his fate?”

Stern as destiny itself, Dainty, with not the
slightest tremor in her voice, answered:

"Death!"

“ And by what means?”

“ Send him to join his comrade !”'

And with a gesture like a queen, Dainty
pointed toward the canyon.

Kit, going to his and Colton’s horses, took
from their heads the raw-hide ropes with which
they were fastened, and then, saddlirg Colton’s
horse, he returned to the spot where the ex-~
ca tain lay. _

ntying his feet, and lifting him into the
saddle, be fastened him firmly in the seat, tying
him to the born with one lariat and to the rings
in tho cantle with the other.

Then, taking a large silk handkerchief from
his pocket, he blindfolded the horse so carefully
that not a ray of light could enter his eyes, the
poor brute quivering all over, as if he antiCipat-
ed his terrible end. _

Then, leading the horse by the bridleh he
walked close to the edge of the precxpice,
stopped, and turning, with whip in hand, he
waited until Dainty should give the signal to
him to lash the horse on the flanks and cause
him to bound madly forward over into the fear-
ful gulf below.

But the irl was standing, with closed eyes
and claspe hands, her face turned toward
heaven, praying, and was unaware of what Kit
had been doing.

But a moment later she looked toward him
and realizing what an awful fate he had in store
for Colton, she leaped forward with all the des—
perate energy of her nature, seized the horse by
the bridle and dragged him away from the
brink, crving:

“ Oh, Kit! I can not, can not do it!

“See! I break my v0w and let this man go
free, my father’s murderer though he is.”

And tearing the bandage from the horse’s
head. she cut the ropes that bound Colton and
with a sweep of her hand pointed to the east.

And without a word he turned, without a
Word rode away and, without looking back, dis-
appeared in the distance.

“Thank you. Dainty; it is only what I ex-
pected from you,” said Kit.

“And now your task is done, your father’s
murder avenged, for the pardon you extended
to him is more bitter than death.

“ But n0w, before we separate, let me ask you
a question.

“ Short as our acquaintance has been. it has
been so fraught with danger as to bind us more
closely than years of friendship.

“ Can on red rocate the love I have borne
for you s ace the instant I saw you?

“Can you. honestly and with no thought of
gratitude paying a supposed debt, lay your
hand in mine and say: ‘Kit, I love you, and
will be your wife?”

“ I can and do. Kit, for, as this is no time for
false pretenses, I can say to you, frankly that
no man but you could ever be my husband.”

Two weeks after that day. Kit and Dainty
were married in Denver, and that evening Faro
Frank, Diamond Dan and Charley Francis.
Frank’s brother, kept open house, and cham-
pagne flowed like water.

The whole town was invited to drink as much
as they wanted and Old Pete, in particular, he-
came so very hilarious that he passed most of
the latter part of the evening in going from
door to door, and butting them into splinters
with his woolly head.

Kit and Dainty went East, and were not seen
in The Gulch again for some weeks.

THE EN D.

 

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Handbook of Winter Sports—Skating, etc.

Book of Games.

 

Manuals for Housewives.

1. Cook Book. 4. Family Physician.
2. Recipe Book. 5. Dressmaking and ml-
3. Housekeeper‘s Guide. liner}.

 

 

Lives of Great Americans.

I.—George Washington. VI.——Daniel Boone.

ll.-—John Paul Jones. VIII—Israel Putnam.
TII.—MadAnthonyWayne gi.—~Tecumseh_
IV.-—Ethan Allen. IxI.——Abraham Lincoln.

V.—Ma uis de Lafay- JUL—Pontiac.
6171:23- XIII-“‘Ll)’sses S. Grant.
Song Books.

BEADLms Dim: SONG Booss. Nos. 1 to 34, containing
the only 1VPopular collection of copyright songs,
Sceliggishtielodist, iM'mc and Words.

J oke Books.

Pocket Joke Book. Jim Crow Joke Book.
Paddy Whack Joke Book.

The above ublicatimis for sale by all newsdealers
or will he \ t. Igoat-Baid, on recei t of rice, tell
cents each. by B AD E AND ADAgtLS, Wmun
Sraxs'r, N. .

 
  

 

 
  
  
   
 

   
    
  
  
  
    

 
   

 

 

 

BEADLE’SrHALF-D[MEtLIBRARY

  9mg. mm: 1m Compka and Sold at the. Uniform m of Fina Cents. No Double NW

 

.335“ .m. .-.__...4...._—

.Y VHIIJI’ S W ARA” Ii}.

“ [‘mgplfignr Joe; 1, Old Rattlemaka, an Cum-
t'ffi Captain Arizona. or, Pmnbhgntner 108'; Bi. Bonn.
gm; Captain Mauk‘ or. Pawnt—Leatner iue'n DoiuL.
211i lie-yard. the Duelintr or, The Mountain 'Jvmplrn.
3‘3 A '1 0., [I Buy; or, The Dwari”: Revenge.

863 Little ‘ornudol or, The Outcasls of the Gut.

A178 Lira-e dingo; or. the Queer Fwd.

'38! Little Din-my, 0r, can”! in "in 0'"! Tn».

401 Little Shoo-1‘ ly or, A Race for a Ranch. .
1108 Little Louthcr-l reechea; or. Hid 111mm Oun-
181 Little All filo; or, Thu Current Blood.

4.51 Colorado Rate. A Tale of the dim

4’0 'l‘hroo Jolly l’nrdn.

5 2 Jim Gladden’n Deputy.

632 Tim Jolly Parda to the Rose-ca.

BY CAPTAIN FRED. WUI'I'TAKEL.

Ill 'gb flea-Cat; m, The Witch 0! Damn
29 Dumb Pa 0 or, The 00221 Danni...
48 I. Darling. t no any Expreu Rider.

150 Lam and Lana; nr. Thu (fhiidmn )f the! Chum

‘54 The Sw-rrd Hunters: or, The Land )i'tha Elia m

259 The Lot-t Captain) or, Skipper labe- ('ofliu’r w tn.

wn Poer Sea.

.00 T e Boy Bedonlmu or. The Brother: or m. Fina-aim

214 Wolf.“ ng, the Robber ni‘ the Rhino

e45- ill ilo I omer, the Animal King; at Thu Baum H» Warn
Wanderer.

‘65 The Tiger Tamer; or, Thu Leagm dthe Jam.

‘8] Him-k Nick. the Damon Rider

$95 California Joe‘s War Trail.

I
BY BUCKSKIN 8AM (Major Sam. 5‘ "and
(3| IlldkRoeky’n “Boyce-u” or. Benito. the long “mam

Hrea er.
‘46 Giant George; or, The Anz’l of the Rana.
275 Arizona Jack: or. Giant Georgo’l Yard.
H9? The Tarantula of Tam-L or. Giant Georg." Ravemj
80‘? The Stranxe Ford: or, llllo Ben’s Death Hunt.
618 Ker-whoua. Ker-whoa: or, The 'I amntuia of’l‘uo‘,
82’? Creepng ‘at. the Gaddo; «r. The Red and White Punk.
339 Frlo li‘rcil: or, The Tonlmu a)": Trust.
844 The Fighting Trio: or, Rattlesnake. the Tonia-a1.
B49 “'lld Wolf: or. Biz-Foot Wallace to the Fr nt
35? The I! nnch Raiders km, Tim Siege 0' Fort Purgatory-
i‘lfll Snap-Shot, the Roy anger.
875 Chlotn, the Creek; at, Thu Tim» Thunderbolt.
8?" Random Bill: or 'rio Frank tn the Front
392 Romeo and the Roda; ur,'l‘he Bolanziui’od M.
404 Little Lurintt or, Pecan Paw’l Big Rampage.
4| 1 The Dain from Denver.
52? The Three Trailer” or. Old Rocky on tho Mm
£42 llluil' “Ill; 0! The Lynx of the Lanna.
155 Little Lone étar) at. The Belle oftho mu...

BY EDWARD WILLIS".

I“? Ann Scott. the Steambnal Dog.

“)9 Featherweight, the Boy C ampion oftho HM
2223 llznrk 4\|i‘ ur, Frullwrwelgh' Among tha (nu-n.

2'32 The Typo loteotive; or, Weasel, the Boy Trim.
2935 r‘earleun Phil 3 or. The King of Quarirvllla.

3i i The Ilovlmi‘flnortl or, The Pride of Churth Gang,
8‘32 Nemo, the etertlve) or, Ki: Kenyan! Vouth
“0 Clip. the Contortioniatg or, The Manta. Vigil-aha.

BY J. 0. COWDRICK.

.60 Silver-Mask. the Mun of Mystery.
869 Shanta. the Gold king; or, For Seven You. 3...;
(80 {he Detective’a Apprentices or. A Boy WM .

In".

(-84 Cibuta John! M. Rod-Hot Tuna at‘ u 
“9 sandy mun, the Sire»: Scout.
46? Disco Dun. thr- Daisy Dude
490 llrondwny Billy. the Booiblack My,“
503 lledllizlit Rniph, th - Prime of the Boat.
514 Broadway Bill ‘a Boodle.
524 The Engine‘or l etccilw-q

0 Broadway Billy’s ‘Diiiikllty.’

BY J 0 PIERCE.

89? Bob 0’ the Bowery: or, The Nanci-1.5!"? has
415 The Vagabond Detectlvu or. Bounty M M.

aw er’a Shadow; 0!. Luke'! my.

7‘ Jaunty .13}, the Young Hone-King.
494 fi‘urly film. the Young Ferrymnn Detection.
.504 l‘ ive Pointl- Phil.
509 Jack Jagger». the Butcher Boy Detecfiu.
5]“ Tartar 1 lm; or, Five Point! Phil’s Men“.
520 horth River Not. "N’ Pier Drunks.
538 Wrentiin Ru, the Prld» niilw Sixth Wald.
MI Jefl Flieger, the Stable Boy Dcmtira

1 ‘52 Hots ur Bob the Street-Buy Detrctlvo.
no The l. '

BY CAPT. MARK Wle.

.50 Young Keltnck; or The Rm Lao"-
 Blizzard llon‘ or, 'i‘h'e mm at Keno Ca.»
«lo-h. the Boy Tondori’oot.

BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID.

f“ Blue “ink or The Yellow Chic": Von
. . moon.
1%; g‘fie Land l’irhtea or, The League of Devil’l hid-i.
239 The “cl lean lion g or. Backwoods Retribution
e 901 weaker Guide; or, The Lou Mountain.

RY MAJOR HENRY B. STODDARD. [Ex-M

806 Nook-Tie Ned
; m, The Dug—Out Pardo.
 {grrlgr Raphael; or. The Swordsnn-n of um.
39'; chl-aiove nit. ihe Dandy oi'lhe Ram...
‘06 Th! - 1how: kit and Part]: or, The Gold King.
0 n Man-Hunter; or, The Myra-7 0‘ .0“

u c .
.05 Powell’s Para t a. That One-Armed Giant.

BY BRACEBRIDGE HEMY‘HC.

3: Island ’1‘; or “a ‘Fei 'v, P '
T‘e 0““.In .,f I , .n no amiay.
1.: Jack slarnan'iiggwb V3.2” ‘

 

BY ALBERT W. AIKEN.

l The Two Detective»; or.’l‘ho Fortune: oi. Dov-on Girl.
6 Abe Colt. thr Crnw Killer.
79 sni “inner, llw G‘unt 'l'rupppr.

283 Joe lint-I. oi Angela und His Boy Pard.

447 New York Nat. A Tale of’l‘ricka and Trap“: 00h...

458 New England Nick: or. 'l'in- Furtnnu .‘li a M.

464 Nimble Nit-k, lilr‘ Cil‘l‘lll Prince.

493 Tam-A Ted, tnv Ariwml Sport.

510 Cool Colorado, the Hall-Brood Dearth;

515 Cool Colorado in how \ ori...

RY GECRGE “'ALlNl BRCWKI'.

86 "and! Rook. vhe Man from Texas.
’0 The I rend Hider: or. The Texan Duelist.
99 The. Tiger of'l‘noa: or, Dandy lioclz’s Angd.
IIB The Mad Miner: or. Dandy Rock’s Doom,
Nil The Golden “and: nr. Dandv Rnrk to the m
164 Dandy Roka i‘ledgeg or, Hunted in Death.
173 Dandy Rock’s Rivall or. The Haunted Malcolm.

RY (‘AP'L J. F. C. ADAMS.

54 Oregon sill: 0!. vak VVhifllea’a Boy Spy.

46 Gian-Eye. th. Gum Sim oi‘the West,

5 \od .llzel, the Buy Trapper.

56 Nick “'hliiies’a l’etr or. in The Vail of Dent.

60 The \Vhlio Indian: or. The Scout oft a Yellow“

70 Did Zl ’1: Cabin: or, Tim Grernhorn in the Wooda.

I‘ll Light" 2 Jo. the 'l'rrrnr or ill? Prniri».

fill lllwh Hook-ram: or, “was. the Frmalr- Tradpnor.
:4? Did tlrlzzly mud “in Pot-x or. Tm Wll Hum
251 Light-homo: Lice: or. Owe-nix, the Firebrand
$57 The llo-It lluntora: Or The, Undprzrnund Clfl’.
$88 The Scalp King; ur, Tho Human Thundam

BY ROGER STARBUCK

25 The Roy (‘nptnins m,The Pirate-5 Daurnwr.
114 The lllnok thooner: 0r. Jib Junk. the Old 1'.-
25!’ The Golden Harpoon t or. [mt Among the Fin-
843 Fire-Heck: or, 0M Sklnfliut, tho- Death-Shadow,
854 Hi: Horn lke. the Hill Tramp. or,'l'ho NO
861 The Phantom Light-hound
870 Breaker lien, the Reef-Runner.

BY “’lLLlAM R. EYSTEB»
[90 hand! narke ' m, The "1an of High Pin.
210 Faro Frank . or, Dandy Darke'l Go Down M
BY COLON EL BELLE SARA.
108 The Lion ofthe Real 0'. The "fillfid WP-
188 Cool Desmond: or. The Glmblcr'l Big Gun
BY HARRY RT. GEDIH‘IE.
80 Roaring Ralph Rock-Wood, inc Rumor.
44 Ruttlln Rube; or. Thu Nighthawks “um.
59 Old Hlo 'oryz or. Pnnliv Ellia’g Scalo.
108 D-irlmr Davy: or, The Trmi oltho Border Won.
18“ Hickory Hnrr : or, The Tra manners"
I?! Thunderbolt omg or, the nit-Herder
RY JAMES L BOWEN
IO? One-F. ed film: or. The Abandoned Fan-t float.
110 The B uck Steed ofthe Prairies. A 9000! I.
BY 0. DUNNING CLARK.
185 (fintain Paul: or, The Bny Sm «no. Mount-ha.
280 e Yankee liajnin or, Thohte oi tho Black “on.

BY GEIlRGE C. JENKI.

Q85 Git Thor Owney, ihr l'nknnwn.
492 Git. Thar "Whey"- Pledge.
‘18 The Demon Doctor.

RT CAPT. ALFRED B. TAYLOR. U I. D.
ID! #:3an Billy. tho Boy Duluth-ac; a. I“. In.“
VIAGR-
194 Bulalo Bill's Bet! «mm Gan-In (in...

BY CHARLES E. lMAlJat.

Burt “tinker, me Trapper,
The W hlte lluil’ulo. A Tai- of u.- Noam-u.

3V Jilll‘.‘ J. MARSHALL-

” Roving “on. A story oia Young Am”.
'1' Th outlaw llrothera: or, The Capt!" diam

BY “'31. G. PATTEN.

m The Diamond Snort’ m, The Doubh nu d” Ind.
ma (‘aflain Mymr main" n. (m
“I Du y bare. am part i‘rom Danna.

BY MAJOR E. la. 81'. 

m lnnnho Pedro the Bov Bandit.
am ln-ndville Nix-l: t a Boy épm.
 ll‘eiltol'i Rub]? the 'iullnnte Prince.

. r r m- one o and Hi: Lightning Hon. M-
392 Tomb-tone Ton’I. the Arizona Bov 0! “Safe. "
 ’l‘ziu'tl‘ru‘u "|l\ o.  I Hun '1 . n " null."-

III 0.1. ('hrla, thr Young H Ii-Rh ll 5 .
Bao Avalanche Alf. ihr Foothills"guide.e m
890 Jaguar Joe. with. Mountdn Mail-Linn.

 

BY EDH'ARD S. ELLIS.

6 girl "lid ion, Trap or.
. 3- I . one" or. T v Cnntivumtnp Fran

‘0 \nt Todd: nr. Ti... Fnie oi the Sioux Carma.

l he Frontlor Anrol.

93 The Roy Milton; 4h,"nn Enchanted inland.
182 The lluntod Hunter; m, Thu Strange Hm
Q54 The Half-Blood : or, Thu Pantlm oi the Plath.
971 '1 he Huge "unto-r; or. The Sham Prairie 3h

RY "All"! LEW"! W. CAI-0'.

m The anoe ’l‘ra » en; or '1 he Mount i Mun—
nar nu.- »e. or, r . Whltohlrinnho’lll‘fla '

 

ad .
RY W. J. HAMILTDN.

C8 The lied Brotherhde or. Th. Twain am
to Single "and; :r, A Lne for u (are.
7. Mad Tom Western, thn Texan Run".

.8? Bea Bird. the Can King; or, Big Pou'om

av J ACK rmuaom. .

us find. the Cabin Boy.
0“ Tu Sea. MW. 00.150 has!“

BY FRANK DUIIID'I‘.

I" The Branded Hand. an,“ mange...

I"? Wild-Fire. the Boss oi tho Road.

140 Blue Blaze“ or. hit Bank 0' Day Dan «M a:
I?! Ebony Danl or, The Rival [dam

‘85 Evil Eva: or. Tho Vulture. oi the Rio 8r“.

BY LIEUT. ll. 0. PERRY. U. l. I.

lffl The Boy Runaway] or. Thu Bueraaur 01m in
180 The Sea Trailer. m. A Vow Woli Kept.
19! Captain Kit; or. The Mystery of Montana was

BY II ARR Y HAZARD.

m Arkansaw Jack i m, The Scourge olthe Mina.
.89 Red-Skin Tom l or, The Delnnn’l Trail.
:42 The Mountain Det ll; or, Yellow lack. one.“

BY COL. A. F. HOLT.

399 Black Bucknkin] or. The Masked Moll cl Dual M
‘19 Kenneth, the Knife-King.
“3 [Alt-la LighthOL. tin Pilot 0! tin Woods.

BY J. W. 0880!.

m The Bi val Giant- ofNowhar'.
«a Cactua Barr. tho Man from Hard!“
M O“ Bankovo, Chm Shadow.

3" FREDERICK DEW“.

I“ Cimarroa Jack, the King-Pin ol Rina-nus
C“ Tangemuud, the Desert Detectivo.
A“ The Canyon Parda.

MISCELLANEOUS ACTH.“
O “'lld-Hhrae Hunters. By Got. In ‘ ‘.
derick Vi'hiuaknr.
? Adventures of llurol Munch-Incl.
I. Gulliver’s Travels By Dear. Swift.
M Aladdin: or, 'l‘hn Wonderful Lamp.
11‘ Robin-on Crusoe. (9' Illmtrationhi
Iii Siadbad the Sailor. Hi4 Seven Vow-5‘.
I. are. Sea Serpenu m'I'lu Boy Robin-ca Oran-i. 8 m
w a

I! The Ocean Rhodium-u a. Tn. an Bin-u In a.
Carrlbvrn. By S. W. Pin“

“ 'ghfi Boy Clown: a. Th- “ Imam. n -m'tl
. "ll.

.8 Ned Wylde. the Bay aunt. Dy Tun net. i
51 'ghleoléoy Riiioag or, no Union-anal Camp. .7 Audit.
0 P .

.5 The Rival Rover" on“). hm oi ha ‘88.";
By Lit-nu-Coi. llaultino.
.8 Robin Hood, the Ouch-rod Earl; «(PM lorry mole";
good. By Prof. Gildarlioovo. ,
‘05 Old Rube. the Hunter; 0511;. cm cwu” 5‘ .M‘iz
Hamilton Holman.
III The Mad Hunter; or, The". 0! but. 3! Eula Run.
184 Entry. the’ Texan; «.11» Young Can-union. Dy doom
83.011.
no The Young Privateer; mm rnw. Wu. J-
llarry Cavendilh.
148 Sharp Rama or, The Advonhnl at u Motili- In. an L
Alexander Patten.
”? Duaky Darrell. ’l'
lowatone. By Edward

201 {firml- Fearnaught, iiu No- tori Boy. Dy 9m- I.
i an.

'86 Rillh’ar. the Guide; bub." WK M M
By Ensign C. l). Warrvn.

.9. Red Claw. the One-Eyed Tram 01.1,. I“ C b C“.
By Captain C‘HIIMA’lI'k.

ll? Peacock Pete. the Lively Lad hull wins... I! 1'.
tenant Almpd Thoma.

3.8 The Sky liven-(dive; or.A Born!“ II “but”.
By Mainr Micka Free.

660 Red Ralph. the River Rover; «I'M Ive-M h-
umus. By Ned Bumlina.

.u,‘l$o9n~a Weill-3d.
non.

'65 Baltimore Ben, the Booth” Mm "' ‘- 0 Mb:

‘74 (Gold-Hunt Tom; at, Ben'l [balm Haml. 12'} 00am h.
. um.

[76 (‘alli‘ornin Joe's Fim TrllL ’1' COIN M1-

oyur \lumlery.
{18 Billy Romlnlheil, tho Gimmic— I? 3‘ I. ‘M,
I40 Little Foxf'ootit llid Gold Bowie KM By 1mm in- m
‘75 The Him-l; Ship. in John 5, Warner
0'14 (‘omnm-lm "10k and Ilia Three I‘M)“ ‘9’

Hunn .l. Tlmmrna.

K538 “'iznrd-.\rm. thr- Danny Span. 8, Arthur I‘ flail. ‘
588 The Cowboy Duke. Br KAI-in Brooke FM '-
A New lune Every Tacoday»

The [lair-Dime. Library in no ml. by 5.3.. M,
a. "wt. or Inn! by mm or. receipt old! can rah.
amu “(banana Man.
on mm... and. r... x

v  - ~=rv A~--....-.-.qv -,  ..

.

... .r‘
. . ' ., :. ~~t -~ ‘. “hog-o .nwtmvua... “15". ~.

to...” .

BEADLE’SrHALF-DIMEateLIBRARY.

Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents. No Double Numbers.

BY ED‘VABD L. “WHEELER.
Deadwood Dick Noveln.

1 Deadwood Dick, the l‘rince, til the Rtmd,
20 Double Daggcrn; or, l)rilll\\'4mtl liitlt'g Dofiwcg.
28 Bllll'alo Ben ‘ or. I)!‘IIII\\‘UDII Dick in [linguietn
’15 “1111 Ivan. the tiny (‘lntnie Dut'ui.
42 i'hantom ,tllncr; or, Demimml liii-k‘a Bonanza.
4D Dulaiia 011: HT, limitiwuo-i hit-l. in Danger.
5 Dcadwoud Dich'l Eagle-t; 0". 'l he “this 01 F1001! BM-
73 Deadwood Dick on Ilct- ': or. t'ulmnitv June, the Heroine.
77 Corduroy Charlie: nr. lvemium-d Ditlt‘n Lani. Act.
100 Deadwood Dink In Lcudt 1111-.
101» Deadwood Dick‘n Det ice: hr. li‘e Dillll‘lc Cums Sign.
109 Deadwood Dlt-k in: Dctct‘th c.
129 Deudweod Dick‘s Double; or. The Ghost 0i Gorgon‘s
(Lilr l.
138 Ill -II(IQ I'll]: or, i‘t‘.'tl\\'0(itl Dirl '. i2: mu Ratio.
141) .\ (i'tlue 01' Hold; ur. DouIIWI-mi invit‘u iii; strike.
1.36 Deadwood Biol. '11' Deadwood; hr. The I'it‘ln'd i’urtv.
19.”) Dead“ ood Dick‘n Dream; “1’. The Kiwis ot the Read.
201 The Black “1115 Jezebel; or, liv-uiwood llit-lt‘s Wnrd.
205 Deadwood Dick‘s Doom; er, Culinnizy June‘s Last Ad-
venture.
717 (‘nptaln Crack-P hot, the Girl iirigand.
221 Sugar-Coated Mun: ur. '1 II.‘ liim'li Unwrt.
$52 Gold-Dani Dick. A ilunntin-e mt Rough and Tmtghl.
963 Dead“ oml DIci.’ \ Divide; n-r. The Siiir t ul‘Mvtunp Lake.
26" Deadwood Dick I Death Trail.
1209 Ileadnood Diel '1‘ Big Deal; or, The Gold Brit-k of
lleguu.
821 Deadwood Dick' I Dozen : or. The l-‘al-1irul'i’huntaniata.
I47 Deadwood Dial. a Ducuta; Ur, itiiil)’ hay-l iu the big-

Lungs.
B51 Deadwood Dick Sentenced; nr.‘!he Terrihle Vendetta.
1562 Deadwood DIeI-‘n Claim; tr, The l-‘uiry lace oi Faro

h inta.
405 Deadwood Diet in Dead City.
410 Deadwood Dicl. a Diamond»; hr, The Mystery of Joan
UI'IQHI'.
421 Deadwood Dick In New York; nr, A "Cute Cree.”
460 Deadwood Dicl’n Din-ti “"il’he Chained “and.
443 Deadwood DIch Jr.
4194 N'ltvl‘el.|’|ntc ,V “l; or, Deadwood Dirk .lr'a Defiance.
453 Sunflower Sam. at Shasta; or, I)r‘N1IW(‘\lll inch Jr’n Full

Hand.
459 [4‘1th Fun, the Ferret; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Big Round-

U l.

465 I’lllllo Fly, of Phenix; or, Deadwood DlLk Jr‘s Racket It
(' nim l“.

471 Bozeman Bill 1 or, Deadwood Dirk Jr's Corral.

476 Humboldt “D'Wy, the Hurricane; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’-
Dog Detective.

431 Moll Mynteryt nr. Deadwood Dirk Jr. in l'lendwood,

491 Prince l’lutol. the King at” the West; or, Deadwood Dick
.lr‘a Compact. ,

496 Monte (lriato, Jr.: or. Deadwood Dick Jr‘s inheritance.

500 Deadwood "lck'n Dig ingn; or, Dr. Death-Grip‘l Swoop.

508 Deadwood Dlek‘n Defivcrnnee.

515 Deadwood Dick'n l’rotegee.

522 DeadWood Dick’s Three.

529 Deadwood Dick’s Danger Duck»

58-1 Deadwood Dick'n Death Hunt.

589 Deadwood Dick Jr.. In Texan.

5-1-1 Deadwood Dick, Jr., the Wild \Veet Vidocq.

Other Novels by E. L. “’heeler.

26 Clover: lloof, the. Buffalo Demon.
82 Bob Woolf; or, The 1an Dead-Shut.
89 llcutll-i‘uce. Detective; or, Lite in New York.
45 Old Avalanche: or, Wild Edna the Girl in-igand.
58 Jim llluduoe. Jr.. the Boy Phenix.
61 Buckhorn Bill; or. The Rad Itille Team.
69 Gold Rillc the Shar mhouter; or. 'I he Boy Detectiv._
80 lion-bud 1 013' or. A uggrt Ned, th r Knight.
84 [(131, the (“Pl Miner; 0r. lltiaelnld Roh on Hand,
88 Photo raph l’llll: hr, Ravaelitttl llnli's Benrpenrnneo.
92 Canada 1‘, not; or, Old Anaconda in Sitting: Hull‘s Cunp.
9O “latch-1'1 e: or. Ami-e unti Angels ot'u Great City.
118 Jack "05‘ e the Yuan; Speculittnr.
117 gilt-Edged Dick. the Spin Deiet‘LiYO
121 Cinnamon Chip, the Girl Sport.
35 Bonanza Bill Miner.
89 “all liob the 'iug of Hoothlnekn.
41 Solid Sam the Boy RmulAgent.
145 gapgagu .Il‘erret, the New York Detective; or, Bou Bob’-
03! " . .
16! New York Nell the Bovairl Detective.
177 Nohhy Nick of hunting or. The Sierra-Scum".
181 \l'lltl Frank, the But-ksltiu Bravo.
309 Fritz, the Buund~l$oy Detective.
218 Fritz to the Front: or, The Ventrilnqulst Hunter.
.26 Snoozer the Buy Sharp: or. The Arab Detective.
I36 Apollo Bill, the Trail Tornado.
940 C alone Klt, the Young Gladiator.
844 Sierra Sam, the Frontier Ferret.
34H S--erra Sam's Secret; or, The Bloody Footprints.
I53 Serra Sam‘s Part1; or, The Anng oi Big Vista.
058 Serra Saun’n Seven; or, The Stolen Bride.
£73 Jumbo Joe the iiuy l’utrol: or, The Rival “em.
27: Denver nail. the Detective Queen.
#81 Denver Doll's Victory.
“*5 Denver Doll’a Deco)- ; or. Little Bill’s Bouunu.
i091 Turk, the Boy Ferret.
296 Denver Doll’n Drifl : or. The Road Queen.
299 A No. 1. the Dashing Toll-Taker.
808 ‘l.lza Jane, the ‘iirl Miner; or. the lmn-Nervnd Snort.
“25 “unfit lliekev ‘1' 00.. the lletw‘tit‘ea of Philadelphia.
830 Lune oul1.k.§]]o‘,; or, The Dead Face 01' Daggernvillg.
63-1 Kangaroo Kit; or. The Mysterious Miner.
389 Ran aroo Klt’u Racket.
$46 “an rattan Mike, the Bowery Blood.
858 First-(llam- Fred, the Gent trnm Gopher.
86$ \Zreka Jim. the Gold-Gatherer; or, The Lottery of

Life
37% Yrelta Jim’s Prize.
8?! Nahnh Ned; or. The Secret ofSlnh City.
8942 (‘ool “It. the, King of Kids; or. A Villaiu’s Vengeanco,
835 1’ rcka Jim's Joker; or, The Rivals ot Red None.
85%!) Bicycle Ben; m. The Lion t-l’ Lightning Lode.
894 Yreka Jim of Ynlm Dom.
400 “'rinkle-A, the. Night-Watch Detective.
416 High llat Harry. the ltaa» null llclecii‘v'fl.
496 Sam Slab—idol. the lirtzflflt‘-I'm_\' l)ctet‘li\'e.
484 Jim Beak and I’al. Private Detectiws.
‘88 Santa Fe Sal, the Slasher.
‘86 Sealrkin Sam. tho Spurktt-r.

 

BY BUFFALO BlLL (llon. Wm. 1". Cody).

8 Kanna- Klng: or. The Red Right. Hund.
19 The Phantom S y: or. lhe Pilot. ufthe Prairie.
55 Deadly-Eye. the Jnknnwn Set ut.
68 Border Robin flood: or, The Prairie, Rover.
158 1" alley Frank of Colorado; or, The Trapper'l Trust.

 

BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAIIAM.

The Fl 'lng Yankee: (‘7. The Ocean Outcast.
1 Ralph {o ', the Ho)” Bttt‘cnrn er; or. The Fugitive Yacht.
2 Diamond Ilrk ' or, The .\l)'~t.-r_\r of the Yellowstone.
6 The Shadow Slllp; or. The Rival Lieuteuante. .
7 a The Boy Dnellnt; or. The Cruise, 0f the Send/V0”.
0 Dick Dead-lit e, the Buy Swimmer.-
1 The Sea—Dev I ; or, The )Iidxiiipinun'e Legacy.
1 The Ila-mar Captain; or, 'I he lleiniit of Hell Gate.
9 Little Grit ; or, liexhie, the Stock-Tenders Daughter.
0 Gold I’Iumc: or. The Kill-(Hurt,- Sport.
216 Bin-on Bill. the Prints at the Reins.
222 Grit, the Bravo Sport : ur, The Womnn Trailer.
229 (‘rinlaon Kate; or, The L‘uwlmy's 'l‘riutnph.
287 1.0!": Star. the Cowboy Cur-lain.
215 Merle the M ‘ddy ; r, 'l he Freelnnm lleir.
250 'l he liltinltipznnn hi utlacer; or. llrninit, the Bueraneor.
26-1 The Floating Feather; cr, Merle .\lt-nte’s Treasure

In and.
269 The Gold Ship: or, Merle, the C: mlemnvd.
276  Monte it (Take; or, The Cinise (-i “The Gold
. up.
2S0 Merle Monte-'1: Fate: or. l‘enrl. the Pirate's Bride.
284 The Sea Marauder; ur. \irrl.- .\lnnte‘s i‘lmize.
2S7 Illlly Blue-I". 'ed, the liny Rover t t’ xlm ltin (.‘mnde.
304 The Dead Shot Dandy ; or. llenitu. the Buy Btlgier.
“DH keno K11; “r. ilcnd Shot llnilli)"~l [)uttliie.
814 The] Myrtcrioun Marauder; or, The Boy Bugler’s Long
rat .
877 Bonodel, the Boy l{0\'cr: or. The Fl‘lglefil Schooner.
3K? The lndlnn l’llot; . r. The Smut h for I'irate Island.
\l'arpath \‘illl, the iiuy I'hnntwttl.
Seawnlt’, the Hay Lieutenant.
landor, (he 1' onng Conuplrator: or. The Fatal League.
The Bov Insurgent ; wr, 'I he (‘uhan Vendetta.
The “'i d Yachtnmuuz hr. The thr-l;lou..’n Cruise.
Duncan I’lll'l‘, 'he “03' Rel-twee.
.\ Cabin Bov‘n Luck; or. The Corsair.
The Sea Raider.
44 The Ocean Firefly; or. A \iitltly's Vergennre.
446 Ilnphazard Ilarry; hr. The Scupetrrm-e Hi [he Sea.
450 \VIzurd \\'|||: nr. The tiny Fer-e. ol'New York.
451 Vl'izard “'lll’n Street, Scoutu.
462 The Born Guide; or. The Milnr Boy Wanderer“
46H Neptune .\ed. the my Clint-[eh
474 Flora; or, \\’iz:trd “'ill‘r‘. Vugulmnd Pttrd.
4’43 Ferret:- Alioat: wr. Wizard “'ili‘s Lust Case.
4S7 Nevada Ned. the lit‘lllthFf Hunger.
495 Arizona, Joe the Buy Part! 01 Texas Jack.
497 Buck Taylor, King at th-~ Cowboys.
508 The Bo) nl Middy: or. The Shark and the Sea Cat.
507 The "I l d Mid—hi man.
511 The Outinn'ed .“Id y.
520 Buckskin Bill. the t'iillttillcile Shadow.
5125 Brother- in Buck-kin.
580 The Bucknkl l Boweru.
535 The Buc akin Rover-t. .
510 Captain Kll-KIIIX, the Marauder ot the Rio.
5-15 Lieutenant. Leo, the Son of Lafitte.

BY (‘11 .\ BLES MORRIS.

118 Will Some", the, Bur Dvlettive.

l'llll "IIHIQ, ihr Burn: Buy.
12 Picayune Pete; or, Nicodemus, the Dog Demctivg,
180 Detective Dick; or. Tin- lleru In Rags.
142 IIaIqu-nme Harry, the, Boutiilnt'k Detective.
147 “.111 w ldlirc, the Thoroug red.
152 Black Bean. Vi’ill Wildfire}. ‘It'rl’.
157 Mlkc Merry, llw ilnrti-nr l‘u .- Boy.
16 Will “'Ildtlre In the “'ooda.
165 Billy Baggage. the Railroad Hwy.
170 A Trump Card: or. “"H Wil'lfifl‘ Win! and Low.
I74 "oh I kettg or, \lyt-teries of New York.
179 "(III Rocket]? the Bank Runner.
183 The Hidden land; or, Will Wildfire's Revenge.
187 Fred llalyard. the Life Dual. Hm; nr. The Sinuuglen.
189 Bola Bockett; nr. Driven to the Wall.
196 Shadowed: or, Hot» Rot-kett‘p Fight for Life.
206 Dark Paul. the Tiger King.
213‘ Dav-hing Dave. the Dandy Detective.
220 Tom Tanner: or, The Black Sheep 0! the Flock.
225 Soul Charcoal the Premium Darky.
235 Shadow Sam. the Memenger Buy.
242 The Two “ Blood-I"; or, Shenandoah Bill and ill: Gang.
252 Dick Dani-away: or, A Dakota Buy in (‘hit-ngn,
262 The Young Shun-pa: or, Rollicking Mike’e llot Trail.
274 Jolly Jlnl. the lletectivo A]. rentice.
239 Jolly J “1" Job; or, The (lung Detective.
993 The “'nter-llound; or. The Young Thoroughbred.
805 :‘lIIIIIIWIy, of Dakota; or, A Western Lad in the Quaker

.il\.
’24 lhllpll Ready. the Hotel Boy Deterlive.
641 Tony Tllol'lle, the Vagabond Detective.
8515 The Reporter-Detective: or, Fred Flyer'l Blizurd.
867 Wide-Aura 'e Joe: or, A Boynt’the Times.
879 Larr '. the .eveler; or. The Blood: of the Boulevard.
406 Flrelly Jack, the River-Rat Detective.
428 The Loot, Finger; or. The Entrnpped Cashier.
428 Fred Flu-r. the Reporter Detective.
482 lnvlnelh e 1.0 an. the Pinkerton Ferret.
456 Billy Brick, tie Jolly Vagabond.
460 “'ide-Awake Jerry, Detective; or, Entombed Alive.
479 Detective Dodge; or, The Mystery of Frank Hearty.
488 “'Ild Dick Racket.
501 Booth, the Boy Fireman 3 or, Too Sharp for the Sharper.

BY JOSEPH I-Z. BADGER, JR.

2 Yellow-tone Jack: or. The Trapper.

46 Black John, the Build-Agent: or, The Outlaw’e Retreat

65 Hurricane Bill; or. )iuutnng Sam and His Pard.
119 Mun-tang Sam ; or, The King of the Pluim.
186 Night-Hawk Kit: hr, The Daughter of the Ranch.
144 Dainty Lance the Boy Sport.
151 l'anlhcr Paul: or, Dainty Lance to the Renate.
160 Tile Black Giant: or, Duintv Lunre in Jeopardy.
166 Deadly “null; or, Fighting Fire With Fire.
181 The Boy Trallcra; or, Dainty Lam-e till the War-Path.
203 The Boy l’ardn; or. Dainty Lance Unlnaslte.
211 Crooked Cale, the, (‘niihnn of (‘elestiul City.
810 The Barranca “'oll': or, The Beautiful Decoy.
819 The Black Rider; or, The Horne—Thieves” League.
585 old Double Fit-t; or, The Strange Guide. \
'55 The King ol'thc Woodn: r-r ll-tniel Boono’l Lut Trill.
M9 Klt Fox. the Border Boy Detective.

 

BY OLL COOMES.

5 Vngnhond Joe. the Young Vi'audering Jew.
18 The Dumb Spy.
27 Antelope Abe, the. Boy Guide.
31 Keen-knife, the Prime oi the Prairies.
41 Lunno Jack, the Young Mustang".
58 The Border King; or. The Secret Foe.
71 Delaware Dlek. the l'uung Rainer Spy.
74Jluwk-e 'c llarrv the Young Trapper R rigor.
88 Rollo, t. .- Boy Banger.
184 Sure Shot Seth, th- liuy liltieinnn.
148 Scar-Face Saul. tl :- Silent Ilutilcl‘.
146 Silver Star, the lint Knight.
153 [3le Kit. the I’m)‘ llelnon.
163 Little Texan, the Young Mustang".
17" “Id Kolltury. the Hermit Trapper.
11%! Little Hurricane. th» Ilo ' Captain.
202 Pro. eet Pele; nr. The *(Hlllfl Outlaw Hunten.
208 The. oy "prune-g or, ’I Ilt‘ Prairie '1 rnmpl.
21" Tiger Tom. tins 'i‘exnu 'l‘eirur.
224 Din-thing Dick: or, ‘I Tripper 'i‘nni’l (’nntle.
228 lllt‘lc \VIldiirc, the Y: lillL' I’lairie Nuniml.
23" The Par-on Dc tcctIVc; or. The Littlr Ranger.
43 The DI-gulned (iuldc: or. \\ ii.l lint-en, the Range).
260 Dare-Devil Dan, the Young l’rairit- Ranger.
.“lnknklu “Ike, the Boy Sharinhocter.
290 Little Foxfire, the Buy Spv.
300 The Sky Demon: or. Ruinhnlt, the Ranger.
854 \" DID-kill“ .1001 lite BIH' Rllllllllttl’o.
409 Ilerculeu: or, int-k, the Boy Hunger.
417 “'ehl‘oot “one. the 'l‘rutnp helm-tire.
422 Bally S lite Ilh)‘ tilunt til the Tcilwwail‘ne.
444 Little Buck-skin. the Young I‘rnirie Centaur.
457 “ Ingcdl'oot Fred; or. Hill l‘hlm Saul.
468 Tamarac 'I om. tIn- iii: 'i'tu filter Buy.
473 0111 Tom Rattler, the Red itiver Epidetnir.
462 Stonewall Bob, the [icy 'l'roinn.

BY T. C. HARD/111311..

23 Vick 0' the Night; 01’. Th" liny Spy of '76.
87 TI“- Illddon Lodge; or The Lilli Hunter.
47 NIgIIlin nlc Nut: wt. Tue. Fun-at (‘nritnine
64 Dume . nck; "r. The Outlaws «if the Oregon Trail.
“2 K11 Ilaret'ont, the “'(wd-Hawk.
94 .‘Tldlllfl‘llt. .lncl.‘ ur, The Boy Trnpper.
106 "Ill Fruity, the. Guide: or, The “'hitp Queen,
128 Kiowa Charley the “'blte Mllslnnger.
189 Judge L ‘llell, Jr.x or. The Bw Vigilante.
155 Gold Tr? er, the too": or. T In (iirl At'engex
169 Tornado ‘om: t-r, lni‘un .Ilu‘k From Red Core.
193* Ned Temple. the llurrier Boy.
19" Arkannaw : or. The Que- n oi Fate's Revenge.
207 Navajo Nick. the Boy Gold Hunter. '
215 Captain Bullet ; - r. Littlr Tut-knnt‘u Crusade.
231 l’ltlcky I'hllg or. Rosa. the Re, .Iem-hel.
241 Bill Bravo: ur. T‘ e lit-ogila oi the “miles.
25"! Captain .\poll , tho King Pin i-i‘ Bowie.
7 Tile Buck-hill Detective.
279 Old “'lnch: ur. 'i'l-e lilit'hnkili Demmratinea.
294 Dvut mite Dan: or. The linwie “In”: nl‘ (‘nrhetnpm
302 The . onntaln lletecthe: or. The Trigger Bar Bully.
816 01-1 l':('ll|ll0. 'l'rutnn Curd ui Arlznnn.
826 The Ten l’nrd-z ~r. The Terror n! Take-Notice.
836 Big lit-anon: or. The Queen hi the La so.
845 l’ltllelll Matt; 0', Red Thundrrhol 'il Secret.
85” "-ml ‘ um in run x o The Terrihle Six.
366 Velvet Foot. the Indian Detective.
6S6 Captain (‘ntlnug or, he B ccnneer’s Girl Fog.
3911 Rough Roll: Hr. The ‘win Champions oi Blue P111260.
411 The Silken Lat-no: or. The Rose of Ranch ltobiu.
41S Felix Fox. the May Spotter. -
4‘25 Texan Trump. the iinrder Rattler.
436 Phil Flllllll. the New York Fox.
445 The (‘ity Vamplrctl; or, Red Rolfe’a Pigeon.
461 One Again-n1. It‘lfly; or. The Last Mun nt' Keno Bar.
476 The Roy Shadow; or. Felix an‘u Hunt.
477 The l-‘ixct-l-Ior-Sport: M. The Washington Spotter.
499 Single Sight, the fine—Eyed Spnrt.
502 Branded Ben, the Niki” Ferret.
512 Dodsrer Dick. the Wharf-Sr y Detective.
521 Dodger Dick’s Bel-i Dodge.
52S Fox and Falcon. the Bowery Shadows.
583 Dodger Dick. the Dork Ferret.
548 Dodger Elck’a Double; or, The Rival Boy Detectives

LATEST AND NEW ISSUES.

546 Caninln f‘flctun, the Chaparral ('m-k. Evident. A. K. Sim;
547 Sandy Andy or. A Good Man Down. By P. S. Warne.
54S Mart, the Nlulit Expreaa Detective. By J. C. Cowdriclt.
549 Deadwood Dick on Illn- Mcttlc. By E. L. Wheeler.
550 Lafitte’n Legacy; or. The Avenging Son. By Col. Freud.
Ingraham.
551 Nick Nettle, the Boy Shadow. By Jo Pierce.
552 Ariel, the Athlete. By David Druid.
558 Dodccr Dick’s Dov-perate (‘a-e. By T. C. Harhaugh,
554 Deadwood Dick. Jr., In Gotham. By E. L. “healer.
555 The Creole Cori-air. llv (‘01. Prentia! lngrahurn.
556 Lariat. L“; or. The flat (or a Life. By Philip S. 11 amp.
557 Broadway Billy'u Death Racket. Rv_ J. C Cownrick.
553 The Sure-Shot l’ardn. Ii} Arthur (‘.Gnaaom..
559 “urlem Jack. the Office Bur Deter-live. By Jo Pierce.
560 Pawnee “Ill. the Prairie, Shadower. ltv (M. P. ingrahttm.
561 Deadwood Dick In Bolton. By Edward 1.. Wheeler.
562 Blllnderl “nail. the Hermit Pay Trap er. By 0“ Coomen.
568 Dodger D k. the Boy Vitinrq. By T. P. lnr auch.
564 Powder l’llil, the Boy Miner. By John W. Ofbnn.
565 Kent Kingdom the (‘urd King. Hy Col. l’rcntltu lugmhgm.
561% The Secret. Service Boy Detective. Hy Charle- “Orrin.
567 Deadwood Dick, In, In Philadelphia. Bv Edward L.
' eelvr.
563 The Dandy of Dodge. Ry Lit-lit. A. K. Sim?
569 Brooklyn Ben, the On-lltl-Own-Hook Detective.
l’icrr-e.
the Card twen.
  Lulu», t in Young Engineer. liv .l. C. (‘l‘\\'(lrl(~k.
572 Deadwood Dick, Jr.. In Chicago. iiv E. L. '“Witelel’.
578 The Two Shadow“. li_\' T. t . ilnrbnuuh. Real-v July 17,
574 Old “'cancl-top, the Man with the Dogs. By P. 5. Wu“,
Ri-ndv Julv ‘24.
575 The Sni-gcon-S‘ctlult1Detective. By Colonel Prentiu
lngruimul. lit-adv . ll y 1’ .
576 The Silver Sport. By Lieut. A. K. Sims.
Ready August '7. .
577 Pavement 11’ctc, the Setht Sifter. By .10 pierce.
Rentlv Aucttat 5.
578 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Afloat. By Edward 1.. Wheeler.
Ready August 2‘).
A New lune Every Tum-day.

The Half-Dime. Library in fur ule by all newsdeu‘o 3'”
an. per copy or lent by mail on receipt ot'alx cents each.

BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publiniel'lt
98 William Street, New Willi.

By .10

By Col. Prentira lnmliam.