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LIZA JANE, T  GIRLMI." ; or,THE IRON-NERVED SPORT.

Y EDWD L. WHEELER,

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AUTHOR ov “nnnwoon m" nova r A OSEBUD ROB” NOVELS, " nnzwmz DOLL " NOVELS, mu, mo.

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“Liza. Jane, the Girl Miner.

 

‘ ..-—-,——_—‘

 

 

’Liza Jane,
THE GIRL MINER;

!

The Iron-Nerved Sport.

BY E. L. WHEELER,
AUTHOR OF “ DEADWOOD DICK " NOVELS. “ ROSE-
BUD ROB” sovscs, “ DENVER DOLL”
NOVELS, are, ETC.

 

CHAPTER I.
run PERI as THE GULCH PARADISE.

“ PLANO. Mehetibie, you lazy beast, or we’ll
not get t9 our journey’s end, to-day. Consnrn
you, behave yer switchin’. There ain’t a fly
near ye. Heigh hol

“ ‘ 0n the other side 0’ Jordan,
In the sweet fields of—’

“ Jerusalem! Can it be possible?”

The lone. traveler reined in his burro, with
very little effort, for it was by no means a fiery,
untamed beast, and sat staring ahead of him.

The course of his journey lay through a nar-
row gulch, walled in at the right and left by
preci itous hights, upon which clung only an
occaswnal shrub or tuft of vegetation.

A gurgling little stream ran down ‘the gulch,
frequently crossing the seldomtraveled mule-
trai.

For miles the traveler had toiled on through
this gulch. without encountering a sign of
human habitation—nor, did game of any kind
seem to infest the district. which a disastrous
fire had evidently swept through some time in
the past, for the towering hights and hills pre-
sented a black, smoked appearance, which de-
tracted much from their grandeur.

It was just after rounding an abrupt bend in
the gulch, that the man and his steed came to a
halt, and the cause of the wayt‘arer’s surprise
was readily apparent.

After rounding the bend, the gulch continued
on its sinuous course, while to the right of the
trail, a dark, narr0w glen branched abruptly off,
and penetrated a short distance into the moun-
tains.

Facing the mule-trail, at the mouth of this
glen, stood a small but strong cabin, with 8. ve-
randa in front. A chair was placed upon this
veranda; a hammock was swung in under the
shade of a large tree, whose limbs reached out
to the cabin roof; 8. bed of flowers bloomed just
beside the path leading from the trail to the
steps.

It was a pretty and picturesque spot, and
there was something so refreshing about the
fact, to travel-stained Parson Priggins, that he
was excusable for drawing rein in surprise.

He saw more than we have described, too—a
system of sluice-boxes, that had their beginning
somewhere u in the glen, and running down
past the cabin, emptied their muddy waters

nto the little gulch streamlet: he saw a young
and pretty girl near the shanty engaged in
shoveling a small hea of dirt nto one of the
sluice-we s, and wor ing the “cradle” in a
very busmess-like manner, as if she were no less
than a time-tried veteran at the profession of
gold-mining.

Parson Priggins was only thirty. Rood-look-
ing, after a meek fashion, unmarried, fairly
educated, and had a snug little “ nest egg” in
the wallet which he invariably carried in his
inside vest pocket.

Therefore, no wonder his heart beat a little
faster, as his ze wandered from the cosey cabin
to the cosier 'ttle piece of femininity working
atstll‘ie cradle. m m 1f

e was,poss y. e nyearso age,
though her fresh face 139d even younger: she
was a trifle below the medium stature of women,
but perfectly molded in figure. ‘

Her face was markedly pretty, and wore the
confident expression of a brave soul. as also did
her brown eyes, and small but resolute mouth;
her hair was between a brown and an auburn
shade, and fell in delightful confusion to her
waist.

She was dressed in a homespun waist and
fit, the latter not reaching quite to the shape-
"Iy ankles; her feet were incased in a daint

of loather~top boots; 1: broad-rim slouc

' t was set back upon her head,and abelt about
hot waist contained a pair of gold-mounted re-
wolves-I.

This much saw Parson, marina, without be-
.fi sun by tho  Ila-r; than,

 

curi0sity getting the better of him, he urged
the hurro toward this paradise of the gulch.

“ G’lang, Mehetible, } ou beast! At last, it
appears, we have reached the boundaries of
civilization.”

The footfalls of the animal soon reach the
girl’s hearing, and she hastily seized a rifle,
which was leaning against a bowlder, but laid
it down again, when she noted the ministerial
aspect of the new-comer.

“ No tough, tliar!" she "immended. “Looks
asyiaf.’ he might hev jest ftn out of a camp-meet-
Ill .

And a moment later, Pri~gins drew rein, and
doffed his beaver. in true Cliesterfieluian style.

“ Good—afternoon, sis!” he saluted.

“Howdy do, sonny!" the (ill‘l Miner retorted.
“ Does yer mother know you’re out, pray f"

“Quite well, miss.” the par-son replied, sce-
ing that “ sis ” did not. strike the girl favorably,
“or at least the old folks ought to know, since
I’m two months gone from Montpelier.”

“ Oh! you’re from the East?”

“I am, and am proud to say it. I hope I do
not look like the rough Western characters I’ve
met, so far!”

“ Oh! no. You’re just too sweet for anything.
“’here you going?”

“To uncle’s, an’ no further. Dunno how fur
that is, I suppose? Nor I, nuther. Reckon it’s
a good piece on yet. What’s yer name? Mine’s
Jim Priggins.”

“And mine is ’Liza Jane?”

“’Lisa Jane! Jerusalem! I us’ter court old
Gilroy’s gal, who was called ’Liza Jane. What’s
yer other name?”

“ Give it u )l”

“Ye did! That’s queer! Whar’sthe old folks
——don’t see any of ’em about?”

“ Good reason. Thar ain’t none.”

“Phew! Ye don’t mean to say ye live all
alone, hyer, by yerself, in this lonesome coun-

“ That’s the case.”

“ Sho! You must be nervy, of I do say it.”

“ P’rhaps I am!”

The girl spoke in a dry, good-natured way,
that seemed abitual with her.

“ Guess you’re a preacher, ain’t ye ?” she added,
a twinkle in her eye.

“ Why?” and Priggins stared.

“ Oh! I suspected so. You don’t sw’ar!”

“Great guns! Is that how ye tell? Why, up
at Snodgrass Corners, nobody swears.”

“ All preachers, eh ?”

“ No, but they all knows the commandments.
Ye see my father aire deacon o’ the church, an’
be got me to study up ministry.”

‘ Well, h0w did ou make out?”

“Purty Well. e see I got along well, till I
tackled preachin’, for I us’ter do the marryin’
up brown. But one day suthin’ happened, an’
dad said I better take a vacation fer awhile.”

“Indeed.”

“ Yes; you see old man Byles wanted his son
Jack to do the preachin’, ’cause the collection
wasn’t no small penny of a. Sunday. But it
made Byles awful mad when I stopped in. So
he us’ter try to annoy me, an’ one day he set up
some 0’ the members to go to sleep an’ snore,
while I was preachin’. I stood in awhile, an’
then I told Byles if he didn’t uit, I’d come down
an’ punch his warty nose. 9 wiggled his ear at
me an’ lafled; then I mounted him. an’ throwed
him out the winder, inter Garrick’s sheep-pas-
ture, where the ugly ram went for him, an’
when Byles got hum, he couldn’t set down fer
a week. So, as tar-an’-feathers were plenty at
the Corners, I tho’t Pd come out and visit
uncle.”

“ Think of preachin’ out here?”

“ Not till I git acquainted. Know wh :.r uncle
lives?”

“ What’s bis handle?”

“His handle?”

“ Yes; his name.”

“ Oh! Why, he us’ter he Hank Wetherill.
but I’ve hearn tell as how he’s got cunnel fixed
to his name now.” .

“ Ha! ha! I know where Colonel Wetherill
lives,” and ’Liza Jane’s eyes flashed and her
cheeks flushed. “ He’s a stuck-up aristocrat, as
lives on a ranch, jest out o’ Pokerville."

“ You don’t tell? Know him, than!”

“ I know all I want to of him. He’s a regular
cuss for meanness, an’ nobody likes him, they

as .”

X Where is Pokervillei”

“ Down below, where the gulch comes out on
the bogtoms. The colonol’s place h hvond the
cam .

“ fiice place?”

“ Scrumptious l"

“ And Poker-ville!”

, y'l'i.’ ' hum-ef‘“ 

 

“ The hardest hole of its size, along the range.
you bet. If you’ve got lots of wealth to part
with. go there.”

“Not much! I want yer to guide me to

uncle’s. I’ll pay ye wages for it.”
“ You’ll have to excuse me. I do not care to
go th re.”

“Cut out! Ef ye go with Jim Priggins, it
will be all right.”

The girl eyed him steadily.

“You’re all right,” she said, “but if I was
you. I wouldn’t go there!”

“ Thun— I mean Jerusalem. Why nol 1”

“You don‘t know ’eni. They’re a'siifl" lot.
Like as not you’d get snubbed!”

The young purson’s eyes snapped.

“Kinder look meek an’ preacher-fled is why
ye think I’ll take snuhbin‘s, eh ’!” he said.
“Well, all right. Ye don’t know me.”

“ Maybe not. But, if I were you, I’d wait
till to-niorrow.”

U  '3”

“Because, there’s goin’ to be a wedding at
the Elms to—night—a hang up, high-toned af-
fair, too. which will be attended y folks from
the army, from \Vashington, an’ blazes knees
where—regular freeze—ye-u istifi' nobs, ye see,
in silks an’ broadcloth. hut’s why 1 allow
maybe a country cousin wouldn’t be welcome.”

Priggins was silent a moment.

His eyes were riveted upon the ground. and
the peculiar expression on his face was not easy
to interpret.

“ I understand what you mean?” he said,
“ but I don’t keer a durned ef I’m welcome or
not. I walks right in, ye see, an’ ’twixt you
an’ I, Henry Wetherill dassen’t turn me out.”

“ Indeed? He is a man who seldom attempts:
a thing without doing it.”

“ That’s all right. Who’s to git spliced T’

“ Theo!”

“ Is she a nice ’un?”

“She is pretty—in a stony way—self con—
ceited, haughty and disagreeany arrogant.”

“You two don’t hitch. ’

“No. As the tiger hates the lion, so the
Wetherills hate me. ’

“Why g7!

“ I do not feel disposed to tell.”

“Secret, eh? Who’s the gal going to marry !”

"A Californian, Clinton Carmen, by name.”

“ Who is going to marry theml”

“ ’Squire Hines, of Pokerville.”

“ Humph! Well, I guess you and I will take
in that splicin’ - bee, Miss ’Liza J ane. so get
ready 1”

He spoke as though it were a settled affair,
and slid out of the saddle to let Mehetibel drink
from one of the sluice-boxes, the water now
running clear.

“ Sir,” the Girl Miner said, “ I told you I could
not go.”

“ Why not. pray?”

“ For different reasons. I would not be wel-

me.

“ I’ll fix that. I want you to go, to show me
the way.”

She was silent a few moments, her eyes wan—
dering t0ward the sun, which was nearing the
horizon, but finally spoke:

“ Mr. Priggins, we are stran ers. but I believe
you tobea gentleman, and will consent to
accompany you, on conditions.”

“ Name them,” he said quietly.

“ Very well. Firstly, I have a morbid curi-
osity to explore the Wetherill mansion, and
go with you, I propose to do it while the cere-
mony is taking place. In this action I shall ex-

t you will not give me away.”

“It is settled. Go on.”

“The second condition is that you perform
the marriage ceremony l” ’Iiiza Jane said, em-
phatically.

He looked at her in surprise that he made no
attain t to disguise.

“ y do you wish that?” he demanded.

“ I decline to answer, sir.”

“ Well, it’s all the same, anfihow. It is settled
that if Theo Wetherill ts sp 'ced. I’m oin’ to
do the job. So everyt ng being settled, et’s be
off as soon as possib e.” .

“No hurry. Th re not to be married till
eight or later, andi is but a aha-t ride. from
here. I do not care to be seen in the Vicunty
until after dark. Let your horse grass, and
we’ll havo tea!”

She gathered u a pouch which contained the
gold she had was ad out that day, and led the
ma to the cabin. »

ithin everything was in the rude style of
the mi _ but neatness prevailed evoryWhefl-

Jimmg

home, there was no more cheery ovidonoo of a
homo than within the Girl liner’l abode.

gins could but admit that oven w.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

’Liza Jane hustled about, and soon had a
tempting repast set forth, consistin of dried
venison, bread, coffee and huckleberries, not to
mention a dish of wild honey to take place of
butter.

“ Thun— Jerusalem, I mean,” Priggins said,
delightcdly; “this is ninety shades better’n any-
thing l’ve struck for a fortnight, hanged if it
ain’t. Wouldn’t mind puttin’ up heer, if ye don’t
charge tew much for board.”

“ I don’t run a hotel,” ’Liza Jane replied, smil-
ingly, “and, accordingly, could not accommo-
date you.”

“You’re a queer ’un.
bother ye?"

“Not often. If they do I generally plants
’eni. See that knoll across the gulch? That’s
my cemetery. Got two liijuns an’ one tough
planted there. Folks tight kinder shy 0’ hyer,
cause Dragon Gulch is haunted, you know.”

“ '1 hun—— Jerusalem! What ?”

“ I remarked that this gulch aire haunted!”
’Lizu Jane answered, soberiy.

“ Haunted? By ghosts?”

“ Yes. Did you ever see the picture of a
dragon, such as Us’ter promenade in former ages
-——the winged crocodile, with barbed tongue,
eyes of fire and so forth?”

u Yas.”

“Well, such a monster haunts this gulch by
night, at frequent periods. I suppose were
diamonds strewn by bushels, hereabouts, no one
would venture here. who knows of the dragon!”

Priggins’s surprise had vanished; he seemed
deeply interested.

“ The dragon,” went on ’Liza. Jane, “is a. ter-
ror to the surrounding country. It is as near the
size of a burro as anything else, but has the ap-
pearance of a crocodile with wings. Its legs
are longer, however, and thicker, and covered
with scales. Its eyes seem to be balls of
flame, and with fire leaping from its open
mouth, it rushes by with terrific sneed, bearing
on its back, a human figure, clad in ghostly
white. The rider’s face is deathly white, as is
its beard and streaming hair, and this thing, for
it is nothing else, is known as Don Dragon.”

P ' gins laughed.

“liltgou’w seen it?” he asked. .

“Yes.” Then she unslung a field glass fro
her belt, and gave it to him.

“ Watch the painted board across the' gulch,”
she commanded.

She then drew a revolver, and fired the six
shots it held.

“Thun— Jerusalem l” Priggins gasped.

“ Those bullets didn’t go a quarter of an inch
apart. You’re a dead-shot.”

“Then, Don Dragon is not mortal, for if I
have fired at him and his steed once, I have
fired a hundred times.”

“ And—T’

“ Wasted my ammunition. So has ever
man in Pokerville, I reckon. But. come; I wi 1
call my horse, and we’ll be off. You may have
an opportunity to see the dragon, to—night.”

CHAPTER II.
rmnnasom ‘nxns A HAND.’

’LIZA JANE flung an oilskin cloak about her
shoulders—for the heavens offered evidence of
a storm’s approach—and, then, seizing her rifle,
she and Pri ins left the cabin.

“ Don’t ye ock up?” he asked, seeing that she
left the door wide open.

“ Ha! ha! no. Little fear any one will enter
mg palace, during my absence! ’

be then took a silver whistle from he“ pocket,
and blew a peculiar blast upon it which was
directly answered, for an unbridled and un-
sgddl horse came dashing down out of the
g en. -

It was a handsome snow -white, clean-limbed
and iritod creature, an Priggms could but
look ruefully at his own serene burro, which
Was browsing near by.

’Liza Jane sprung nimbly to her steed’s back
as it paused near by her, taking no head of
Prig s’s proflerod assistance.

“ 153k out for onrself pat-son. I can anus
look out for ’Lina ane,” s e advised.

“ But, Jerusalem! ain’t ye goin’ tor put on no
bridle an’ saddle, dyoung lady!”

“Nu-y] Thun erbolt wouldn’t hear one. We
knows our P’s an’ Q’s, don’t we, beauty? Come,

parlonl
And she was dashing away down the gulch,
nearly out of sight, are the panon could get his
sorry bout under way.
‘ The Girl Miner, however, finally waited for
him to come up, her eye dancing with mischief.
“You’d do well to chose a road—agent—that
In,» tar as tho agent was interested,” sh.

Don‘t no one never

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’4
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'1 ' ‘W‘ m; ...'. . , 

’Liza. J ane, the Girl Miner.

“ Thun— I mean. thar ain’t no road-agents in
these parts?” he pufl’ed, the ungainly canter of
the harm having bounced him up a good deal.

“Oh! you bet!” ’Liza assured. “They’re
thicker’n fleas on a Denver dorg. Never was to
Denver, eh? More dorgs thar than people. An’
road-agents! Why, we’ve got lots of ’em,
around here! Some allus, bang-up tellers, too!
Niel: every man in okerville has had experi-
enci- at the business.”

“ Jw‘ilsalvllil Ye ain’t goin’ that way 3”

“You hit! “ant to stop at the post-office,
for a cigar.”

Pi'iggins looked horrified.

“ You don’t smoke it” he faintly articulated.

“Bet 1 do! Have to, now an’ then, ’cause
I’ve got to do siithin’ to keep my tongue still.
Needn‘t he ai'eared o’ Pokervnle, tho’, when I’m
around.”

“ Why not?”

“ Oh! l‘ni the belle 0’ that town, an’ what I
grin at the gang smiles at, or dra is! That’s
where I got the dead—wood on old Vetlierill’s
gal. She likes me enough to dig my eyes out.
She was soft soapin’ around old bald-headed
Bixby, who runs the Deniijohn—wuth a mint,
he is;—so I stepped in, cut her out, and then
sacked old Bixi”

“ ls it really a bad town, miss?”

“Well, some, I reckon, tho’ thar hasn’t been
a plantin’ fer over a week. Can ye shute?”

“l kin take the head ofl”n a squirrel every
time wi’ a shot-gun,” he answered confidently.

“You’re the stuff, then! If a feller cums
struttin’ along, wi’ revolvers stickin’ out o’his
bootlegs, an’ luks cross~eyed at ye, as if he’d
delight to make a meal 0’ you, don’t ye scare,
hut pull yer op an’ salivate him in the eye.
Arier you pant yer furst man, all will be
straight!”

“But, that would be murder!”

“ Pshaw—no! That’s only counted a di n-
sation 0’ Providence, up in these parts. f a
man screws his mouth at you, it means he’s on
the rampage, an’ ef ye don’t plug him he’ll lay
ye on yer back!”

During the remainder of the journey, Prig—
gins was grimly silent, evidently ruminating
over the prospectus that ’Liza Jane, dare-devil
that she was, had so coolly laid out for him to
to subscribe to.

About dusk the centered down into Poker-
ville, which was coated in the mouth of the
gulch, and looked out over a vast expanse of
rolling prairie or bottom-lands, which stretched
to the westward.

Pokerville was practically a mining—camp of
three-score of inhabitants, though it was, at the
same time, a supply-station, and a herder’s or
cowboy’s rendezvous, so that its population
was made up of man grades of human beings
—a heterogeneous mo of the rougher element of
various races and nationalities, in which the
roystering rough of the mines was most promi-
nent.

Few well-disposed people lived there, al-
though the surrounding count was fairly well
populated with a more estima 19 class of citi-
zens.

There was but one street, and all the shanties,
cabins and tents faced uggn this, the business
part of the town being a at the Demijohn, a
combination of drinkin -saloon and hotel, ke t
by old Blood Bixby, t e richest man in t e
camp.

Across from the Demijohn was thegrocery-
store and post-emce. adjoining which was Hem-
lock Harry’s gambling “palace,” known as the
“Four Aces.’ Then there were several other
stores and saloons, and the dwellings, which
made up the map.

’Liza Jane h intimated to Priggins that
Pokerville had been rather quiet, of late; never-
theless there were plenty of ill-looking rufians
in front of the saloons, as the Girl Miner and the
person cantered down into the place.

As they neared the post-once, ’Lina Jane

said.

“Now, then, look your bravest, Priigsy, old
gal, and mind you don’t let anyone loo squint-
eyed or ucker~mouthed at you. Have you got
a shutin iron?”

“ No—nor do I want one!” w the uiet re-
ply, which ’Liza took as a hint that r. Pri -
gins considered himself solid, without d y
weapons.

At the dice they drew rain, and ’Lina
Jane left t 6 person to mind the horses, while
she ran in for the mail.

She had hardly disappeared within the
cery, when a burly-looking rou h came Itri ing
down the street, with a con dent s g ,
and pausodtostaroattho parson,uho w

I”?

 

A

“I

He possessed a huge body, with limbs t5
match, and his red, bloated face was ternbl ‘
scarred and wore a week’s growth of beard.
His whole appearance was brutal and disgmte
ing, and the revolvers he sported in his belt
detracted nothing from his ferocious aspect.

“ Hillo, thar, me piouslukin’ tenderfoot,
whar did ye cum from?’ he demanded, grufily,
evidently calculating to awe the parson, from
the start. “ Come! comel chirp out, liv»ly!”

“ None of your business. where I came from!”
Priggins replied, with coolness scarcely in keep‘
ing with his pious aspect.

And Scorpion Sam, the “ bad man ” of Poker- I

ville. was surprised.

“Did I understand ye right?” he demanded,
his face getting more fiery as he stepped close to
the side of the parson’s burro. “Did ye ven-
ture to remark anything jist then?”

And he leered insinuatiiigly, while a crowd
gathered in anticipation of a “ funeral," which
Scorpion Sam had the reputation of being able
to arrange on short notice.

“ I did remark, I believe!” the parson said,
quietly, “that it was none of your business,
and I further venture to emphasize that re-
mark l"

Then there was a detonating spat, which was
too quickly given to be readily com rehendod
by the bystanders, and Mr. Scorpion m dro
ped serenely upon the ground, rolled part y
over, and was quiet.

Parson Priggins could not claim all the glory,-
however, if so disposed, for, seeming to notice a
long-looked-for opportunity, ’Liza Jane’s fiery
steed gave a snort and wheeling upon its hind
feet, dropped its head forward, seized Scor ion
Sam by the seat of his trowsers, and raising in:
by the grip of its strong teeth. started of! u the
gulch at a dead run, amid excited shouts om
the assembled spectators.

 

Half a. mile— rhaps a little further—from
Pokerville was t e residence of Colonel Henry
Wetherill, within the boundaries of his valuable
ranch of a thousand acres.

This ranch had been located, and this resi-
dence built, some three years before, when
Pokerville was not in existence, consequently it
was not known just how Colonel Wetherill came
by the magnificent estate.

Rumor said that the ranch had been owned
first by an Arizona miner, who was partly crazy,
and had been bought of him for a mere song, so
to speak by the colonel.

Inde , viewing the residence and its immedi-
ate surroundings. one could scarcely doubt that
the former owner was decidedly “ of,” mental-
ly, for fitting up such a residence in a wild,
virtually unsettled country, at that time far
from the nearest haunts of civilization.

The residence itself was of block graystonc, a
valuable quarry of which was upon the estate.
The house covered a large area of ground, and
was like unto some of the old Spanish castles,
half arsenal and half monastery, with towers
battlements, strange gables, and great central
court, with dark cellared apartments under the
whole structure.

There were numberless roams, so numerous,
said those who ought to know that many were
never used or entered by the Wetherills. Then,
too, a rumor had somehow got out that there
were apartments no one knew of, and that spirit.
were wont to haunt these, sometimes appearing
at the top of the turrets at the dead of n ght.

These rumors, however, were generally valued
for about what idle rumors usuall are.

At any rate, ’twas not to be den ed that with-
in doors the Elms was as near to a ace, in tho
way of luxurious furniture and a ornmenh, u
a millionaire’s purse well could make it.

Then there were fine outbuildings, a well-
kept lawn, flower-gardens, a natural pond,
with the more dignified name 0 Lake Theo: a.
graveled carriage-drive to Pokervillo, mg in
act, seemingly everything that could uco
to the ha piness of a home.

The co one] was a man of means, ’twns said; '

an ‘how, he lived in the best style, had distin-
gu hed visitors, in whose honor he gave grand
receptions; was lavish with his money at the
camp; had his grand borouth and retinas 0t
servants; owned a thousand head of cattle and
many sheep and horses, and had the help to look
after them; yet there were but the two—lather
and do hter.

A hal -tipsy minor, at Pokorvillo, one night,
had said that there were more Wethcrills an
two, when the ranch hands: but, as ho
had “ died with his boots on,” the some hour,
no one felt d to believe him. .

hat-sloan

was not over-well liked  -.
mu

     

 
  
  
   
   
   
  

 

 

:4

 

 

’Liza Jane, the Girl Miner.

 

hired help numbered a small regiment of the
hardest fighting characters in that section, no
one dared to try a rumpus with the “ Nabob,”
as he was called.

He was a man of forty-odd years, rather pre-
possessmg in appearance, with a rtly form
a. full, mustache—shaded face, s' ver-streaked
hair, and dark intelligent eyes.

He dressed well, used good language, and was
Ipparently well calculated for the position he
occupied.

_His daughter had been fairly described by
'Liza Jane, the Girl Miner.

She was eighteen, tall and of stately figure,
but though pretty of feature, it was of that cold,
stony type of beauty which repulses rather than

attracts. As was her face, so was her temper-
ament, cold. arrogant and hau hty—and Blood
Bixby, of Pokerville, who, a ter bur ing the
second Mrs. B., considered that he ou ht to be
' a judge, stated that he would much rat or make
love to an icicle, if it was financially as well
whacked as Miss Wetherill.
‘ She dressed grandly, was said to be accom-
piished—

And yet the Wetherills did not seem happy,

to the luxury they lived in.

hen out for their morning ride—which
wasthe only time they were seen together—-
they never were known to smile, nor to ex-
change a leasant remark, as a sign of affection.

Henry etherill now and then dropped in,
of an evening, at Hemlock Harry’s, but no one
could so that they ever saw him smile and say
it truth ully. It always appeared as if some
great sorrow or secret were worrying him like
a relentless phantom. .

Another peculiarity of the Wetherills was the
fact that they were never without a number of
guests, all of whom were apparently well-to—do,
and occupied a high social posxtion. Army offi-
cers and their families, legislators and distin-
guished people were constantly coming and

ingto and from the Elms; and Eight—Toed
Ebb, the stage-driver, boasted of havmg earned
more “ big guns” on his coach than any other
man in the mountains.

The servants of the Wetherill place were
numerous, but one time-tried servitor, of the
colored persuasion, named Suse, f‘ bossod "
everything from the pantry to the Wine cellar.

And Suse was so near white that she consid-
ered herself as good as “ white fo’ks.”

In the Pokerville bank, it was known ';hat
Suse had the snu little sum of six thousand
dollars laid by. emlock Harry did the bank-
ing business for any one who had savings to lay
by: the “Four Aces ” was, consequently, the
bank.

Hence the marriageably disposed element
was “struck” after Suse, and all she had to
do, when she wanted a husband, was to “ nom-
inate her choice.”

Base would imbibe, occasionally, however,
and drop up into camp to fill her bottle, at such
times as she didn’t care to go to the Wetherill
wine-vault. On such occasions she would be a
little newsy, and then, only, the Pokervillians
could learn much of the oings—on at the castle.

Henry Wetherill ke t is ready cash at the
Elms, evidently for he had no banker in the
cam , and had been known to win as high as
ten housand dollars of an evening at the “ Four
Aces.”

We have stated that few cared to declare
enmity against him; yet there was one man
who was not careful in making known his
hatred of the Nabob—a pal, he was, of the
rufian Scor ion Sam, who rejmced under the
characterist 0 name of Liver Legs; though, how
he came by the appellation, no one seemed to
knew. .

He was a typical rough, and a boon companion
of Scorpion m, the camp bully.

Liver Le s had once been in the employ of Hen-
ry Wetheri lbut for some reason unknown to the
public, had reappeared one night, minus both
eyes, and covered with blood. _

No coaxing could induce him to ve any ex—
lauation of the mystery, more t an to state
but he had met With an accident, and would

yet be revonged on the colonel. ~ v .

Another matter which served to bring the
Wetherills into more prominence to the gOSSlp:
mongers, was the fact that the Devil Don and
his terrible dragon steed, seemed to haunt the
vicinity of the Elms at night, and was said to
have been seen on several occasions on the-top

of the great tower on one corner of the building,
and could on be reached by ng through
. the house; a the occasions w on it was thus

seen were in thedesd of night, at which time it
' surrounded by a weird spectral light.

_ colonel hadderedalargerewardfora

i

 

 

solution of the mystery, but no one stepped for-
ward to attempt to “lay ” the thing, until~

About the hour that ’Liza Jane and Parson .

Priggins arrived in Pokerville, a stranger on
horseback approached the Elms by way of the
sinuous drive.

 

CHAPTER III.
'4 IRON NERVE, Tm: SPORT.

THE man who cantered leisurely up the shad-
ed drive leading to the Elms, was one who
would attract attention anywhere.

Though young in years—for not over twenty-
flve summers had passed over his head—his
whole physique was that of a man constantly
inured to the hardships and perils natural to the
existence of a free ranger.

In stature he was of medium hight, and
was attired in a costume of elaborately tanned
and fringed buckskin, wit} spurred top-boots,
and a sombrero. L

His hair was cut short, however; his hands
somer chiseled but sun-tanned face was destitute
of beard, exce ing a slight, well-trimmed mos-
tache, giving im a more boyish appearance;
his eagle eyes were piercing, yet With a wo—
manly softness of expsession.

He was armed with an elegant Springfield
rifle, which, judging by the costly trimmings
and chasings u n it, had been the present of a
friend or friend):

His belt was also well supplied with small-
arms; and the deep black horse he bestrode was
an animal of more than ordina mettle.

As if a rt of the spirits horse, did the
iii-anger ri 9, showing that he was a fine eques-

an.

.He rode up to the carriage-ste , and securin
his horse, mounted the man a, and sounde
the knocker.

The summons was answered by Suse, who
started at the handsome sport, inquiring! .

“ Does Colonel Henry Wetherill live here?”
the stranger asked, tipping his sombrero politely,
a mark of respect that at once won the gentle
negress.

“ Yes, sahl de cunnel libs right heah !" she to-
sponded.

“Thank you. I haven’t a card, but kindly
tell him a gentleman desires to speak with him.”

“What’s de name, ssh?”

“ Iron-Nerve.”

“ De good Lor’ bress us, what a name! ’Spects
de boss isn’t at liberty, ssh! House done chuck
full vis’tors, sah—bi bugs, sah!”

“ Never you min about them, my good wo-
man. You say to the colonel, that Iron-Nerve
Nat wants to see him on important business.”

And the s rt slip‘ped a quarter-eagle into her
ebony ban 5, whic had the effect to cause
Siises instant disappearance down the grand
but gloomy hall.

As she left the door ajar, Iron-Nerve entered
the hall, and as he spied another door to his
right partly open, an presumed it led into a
parlor, he ste ped within.

It was in eed a parlor—one of the grand-
est the sport had ever seen, for the room in
itself was large, and the furnishings were the
choicest that a lavish expenditure of money
con-id procure—quite astonishing, indeed, for
that remote region.

Upon a sofa, in one corner, sat a young lady
and gentleman engaged in low conversation; the
lady was clad in a robe of pink satin with cost-
1 lace trimmings; the gentleman in black broad-
0 0th, white vest and tle.

This lady was Miss Theo Wetherill; the well-
formed gentleman. with tawn mustache, was
Clinton Carmen, Miss Wetheril ’s betrothed.

He arose with a haughty stare. as Iron-Nerve
Nat stepped into the apartment.

“ Sir! you have made a mistake, I presume,”
he said, in a freezing tone.

“ I presume not!” Nat replied, coolly, as he
became seated. “ Mr. Wetherill will Join me,
directly—I will await him here.”

“You will find the reception-parlor on the
opposite side of the hall. sir. Be kind enough
to step that way i" Miss Wetherill demanded.

“ T ank you I am uite comfortable here,”
was the provoking coca dissent. “ Do not let me
interrupt our l-a-tete, in the least.”

Carmen s naturally red face assumed an apo—
plectic hue, and he took a couple of steps for-
ward in great anger.

" ill you leave this room?” he demanded in
high anger. ‘

‘ Directly—after the colonel comes I” with
imperturbable nonchalauce.

‘ But, I say now!” Carmen roared. his rage
now at a boiling-point. “If you don’t leave
this room at once, I’ll throw you out, you ill-
bred rufilanl”

 

 

.W..._..___..._,._. m , I _._.__._-_~__...‘__————:

"You haven’t got the muscle todo it,” Im
NorVe smiled. “ Be seated, sir, or you are liable
to be taken sick, and won’t be able to play bride-
groom, tonight!”

The words seemed to imply a'threat, and the
sport’s hand dropped significantly to the butt of
a revolver.

Miss Wetherill screamed.

Carmen caught hold of a bell-cord, and gave
it a 'erk.

“ e’ll seei" he gritted.

The following instant, a narrow door which a
large pier mirror had hidden from view, swung
inward, and two treacherous Mexican peons
glided into the room.

Their vary appearance was a certificate of
their evil natures, and what their duties were
at the Elms.

Iron—Nerve started a little, at their sudden
appearance, but his face expressed no surprise
or fear.

“ At him. Gila, Pipo!” Carmen hissed, savage-
ly. “ Pitch him out of the house i"

Instantly the two peons started for the sport,
their black eyes gleaming, like time of a sero

nt.
peThey stopped suddenly, however, for there
were two rapid shots, and the tools of Clinton.
Carmen were whirled half around in their tracks
-—an ear out oil'of each!

“Now off with you, you fools, or the next
shot will be to kill l” the young and now terribly
defiant stranger cried, with still leveled revo ~
ver.

It was enough. With howls of fear and anger
the two servitors vanished as they had come,

. just as Colonel Wetherill burst into the room.

“Who is shot? What does this mean!” the-

colonel gasped, emtedly.
“ It means that yon er puppy attempted to

have me thrown out, byIvour hii‘elings, and I
shot an ear oil.’ at each,’ ron-Nerve answered,
“ to learn them manners i”

“In God’s name, who are youf—why are
you here?” the Nabob asked, his face white, and
eyes wildlv glaring.

“ I am at Blossom—usually nicknamed Iron.
Nerve. I entered this parlir, and was ordered
out. I didn’t feel disposed to leave, and the
dude, vonder, set the two Greasers on me.
Henry Wetherill, I came to see you, on business.
—not the dude! Let’s retire to the open air—
the atmosphere, here, is decidedly toosweet for
me. Come!”

He stepped from the parlor, and out upon the
veranda, where were several chairs.

The Nabob followed him, and both became
seated.

The pallor had not left the farmer’s face and
he seemed to be laboring under a hard attack of
nervous agitation.

“Sorry to have harmed the Greasers, but I
could not get around it.” Iron-Nerve remarked,
as be lit a cigar.

“ No conse1uence. State your business!” Col-
onel Wetheri l rejoined coldly.

“Correct. I Just dropped down into this
country lately, and while at a camp up here I
came across a reward-notice with your name at
the bottom of it."

“Well?” .

“Well, being without much to occupy my
time at present, I thought I’d run down and see
what terms we could come to in the matter.”

“None, sir. The mystery of the dragon can-
not be solved, or else it would have been long
before this.”

“Pshawl you’ve never had the right galoot
at they-sins. ’

“ Have you seen it?”

“ I have. It paid a visit to the vicinity of my
camp, 11 —prairie, last night."

“Wel i’

“ lgpu’d sleep easier if the thing was laid, I

ear

“ Who told you so?”

“Heard so up at the camp.”

The Nabob was silent for a moment.

“ Yes, I’ll admit that the accursed thin is the
horror of my life,” he finally said, hoarse y. “I
can never know any peace of mind as long as it
haunts the Elms and the surrounding country,
as you may well suppose.”

“ Has any one ever been harmed by it?”

“ Not to my knowledge, though dead men
have been frequently found with no mark
upon them to tell how they met their death.”

“ Humph! merely a coincidence, likely. The
so styled Don Dragon, who rides upon the devil»
ish-looking beast, you think is a dead maul"

“It has that appearance, I believe." . '

“Correct. I am of the same belief."

“ Well, be
my p) I

 

brief with what you have,“ 1

 

...; -_.——.~._.\.._.._ __. _

i

{aw-wee"- «

~ .

i
l

.
i
i
.
‘ v

 

 

’Liza. Jane, the Girl Miner.

 

7' “I will. How much money is there in the job,
from you, if I effectually lay this ghost, ghoul,
demon, or whatever it may be?”

“ I oifered five hundred dollars.”

“ That was more for the name of offering it
than because you expected that any one would
exert themselves to earn so paltry a sum. Do
you knew what I’ll lay the dragon for?”

"You have a mouth.”

“ Well, 1’11 wager ten thousand dollars I can
solve that mystery and corral Mr. Dragon with-
in ten days.”

It was something extraordinary for the colo-
nel to do, but he laughed.

“ There’s not a man in this section but what’s
failed to ca ture the Devil Don and his dragon.
Ask up in okerville, and be convinced.”

“ From a rough estimate, I should judge there
isn’t stamina enough in the whole crowd to
scotch a rattler.”

“ Get them down on you and you’ll likely
think otherwise,” with a slight sneer. “ But
I’ll tell you what I will do. You seem to have
a great amount of self-assurance, which is all
well enou h, providing you can back it. You
mentione wagering ten thousand that you can
capture the Devil Don and his dragon within ten
days;, I’ll bet you two to one you can not do
it!

“ That is—twenty thousand against ten i"

“ Exactly.”

s “ It’s a bargain. Are you ready?”

“ As soon as necessary. Tonight the mar-
ria e of my daughter will take place. If you
wil present yourself, after the ceremony, I will
have a contract drawn up, and you can deposit
your money in the hands of any one of my dis-
tinguished guests, and go to work.”

“ You will do the same?”

“If”you require, although my reputation is

00d

“ I am not dealing with reputations, sir. But
we can doubtless fix it all right. There is another
thing important to know.”

“ Well?”

“Am 1 to have the freedom of the Elms in
pursuing my invostizations?”

“Certain y not. There is no connection be-
tween the case and in residence.”

“ On the contrary. learn the dragon has been
seen upon the turret-top at nights."

“ Nonsense—positive nonsense. The stairway
to the tower can only be reached by passing
through my bed-chamber, and the door has
been scaled ever since I have lived here!”

“ Indeed! Who did you buy1 the Elms of?”

“ A Mr. Thornton—but that as no bearing on
the case. If you undertake the job, I cannot
have you prying about my residence, for I am
oonstantl entertaining distinguished guests,
who won (1 not care to be brought in contact
with a man of your station in life!"

The handsome face or Iron-Nerve flushed a
aide,th he otherwise showed no oflense at the

rus .

“ I presume I might have the liberty of your
grounds?” he said, sarcasm in his tone.

“ certain] . providing you remember your

ition. an keep yourself strictly to yourself.

at, let me tell you, that you willeventually be

more money in pocket by abandoning the ven-
ture, at the outset.”

Iron-Nerve smiled.

“ We shall see!” he said. “ I do not pro ose
to speculate with you alone, as there are at ers
who would like to have the mystery ventilated.
I will be on hand to-night at-—”

“ Ten o’clock.”

“ Ve well. You’ll have your servants ap~

rised o my freedom about the exterior of the
ms, or there’ll be more ears shot oflf.”

“ I’ll see to it.”

“ Oh, yes, something I forgot. That was your
do liter, inside?”

H as

“ Shels going to mar the dude?”
“ If you refer to 'nton Carmen, sir—yes.
But, pardon me, what is a dude?"

“ A half-jackaSS and a half-kangaroo, sir!”

“ Mr. Carmen is a gentleman!”

“Is he? Oh! well, times change, and I sup-
52% people do. I’m off, now. Good-evening,

And leaping into the saddle, the sport galloped
away down the dnvo, upon the back of his hand—
some black steed.

The Nabob watched him ride away with a
peculiar expression of countenance.

“ He’s a strange fellow,” he muttered. “ I
was startled at first sight of him. He must have
money, to risk such a wager as he has. Capture
file Devil Don, indeed! e is a wonderful man
. if he an do that. Pshawl he’s mad. The fail.
to «tether- ought to be enough to satisfy him.

 

 

But, let him go. I’ll be ten thousand dollars
richer by the business.”

“ Has he gone?”

Carmen Ventured out upon the veranda, with
furious bluster, just then, well knowing that
the Sport had gone.

“ Of course he has gone!” the colonel re-
marked. “ Why, were you afraid of him!”

“ Not at all, my dear colonel. I am surprised
that you do not know me better. Who is the
fellow, anyway?” he demanded.

“ A hard customer. Calls himself Iron-
Nerve.”

“ He should change his name to Brazen Face.
Why, do you know, colonel, the impudent
scoundrel acually called me a puppy, sir—just
think of it, a puppy l”

“ He did?”

“ He did; and more, he called me a dude.
Do you know what a dude is, colonel ’f”

“ believe it’s a new-tangled definition for a
combination of ninny and ass, Carmen.”

The deuce you say! Worse and worse. I am
insulted. By my soul, he shall pay for this
with his life. Colonel, I appoint you to carry a
challenge to him.”

Wetherill looked disgusted.

“ Don’t be a fool, Carmen.

on while you were winking.
house and prepare for tonight.
the insult.”

“ No! no! don’t you dare!
of my ancestors burns in my veins.
have him on his knees, or take his life.
night, maybe, but at another time!”

And he bobbed into the house again, in high
dudgeon, while the colonel sauntered away to-
ward the stables.

“ Iron-Nerve will come at ten toni ht,” he
mused, “and he—he will not go ck to
Pokerville with ten thousand dollars. I’ll fix
the «contract; then, after it is signed, something
else will have to be done. I hope Carmen, the
idiot, will not throw himself in the fellow’s
way. The example in the parlor is ample evi-
dence of the fact that the name, Iron-Nerve,
fits him Well. He certainly means business.”

The fellow’d kill
You go in the
I’ll attend to

The blue blood
I will
Not to-

 

CHAPTER IV.
THE smear DUEL—~“ IT is A DEVIL.”

To say that there was excitement in Poker-
ville, just about the time of the startling acci-
dent to Scorpion Sam, would be “ drawing it
mild. ’

The bystanders shouted and swore, and some
even ran swiftly in pursuit of the white steed,
which was making off up the gulch at a swift
gallop, still holding Sam in his powerful jaws.

’Liza Jane, hearing the commotion. dashed out
of the post-office. and one glance sufiiced for her
to comprehend the situation.

“ Stop yer boss! sto yer boss, Jane. or Sam
will be killed.” severe of the Scorpion’s cronies

yelled.

“ Do him good, the brute!” was the Girl
Miner’s retort. “ He’ll know better’n to go
uieddlin’ wi’ my boss next time, eb. person!”

Priggins’s face was pale and anxious, he evi-
dently fearing that he was the direct cause of
the bully’s death.

“Sto the horse, Miss ’Liza?” he entreated;
“ it’s alrmy fault. I knocked the fellow down,
and then the horse pitched at him.”

“Little Sunday-school trick, that. what I
learned Thunderbolt myself!” and ’Liza Jane
actually laughed heartily.

She then put two fingers to her lips and ve
a shrill call, which echoed and re-echoed a Ong
the walls of the gulch.

The effect was magical; for the horse spun

raround upon his hind feet, as if worked by

mechanism. but still held Scorpion Sam, sway-
ing to and fro. ‘

Then the sagacious animal came trotting
back, now and then shakin its head, spitefully,
with the evident purpose 0% giving the Scorpion
an extra stirring-up.

He finally paused, and at a motion from ’Liza
Jane, dropped the terrified rufiian near where
he had fallen.

Sam gradually gathered himself up into a
standing position. and glared from one to the
other in n. dazed way. as if at loss how to begin
to exnress his injured feelings.

“ Well, what’s the matter, Sammy?” the Girl
Miner asked. “ Been foolin’ around my Ara-
bian, ag’in, have ye? How often haVe I told
ye that he wouldn’t hev no one fussin’ around
him 3“

“ Cuss yer picter, I wasn’t doin’ nothin’ to the
boss—leave it to the bovs of l was,” Sam bel-
lowed. “ I war jest wnltzin’ up ter shake hands
wi’ the stranger, thar, an’ welcum him ter our

 

‘

camp, when be up an’ hit me a Waterloo right

lum in the eye, an’ I stubbed my toe an’ fell.
‘flii‘ep yer cussed beast gobbled me up, an’ made
0 .

“Certainly. Served you right. Next time
a stranger comes to town, you’ll know enough
to let him alone, eh?”

“ Wull I? Guess ye don’t know who I am, do
yer, a1?"

“ es, I do, right ’cute, Sam Sligo, an’ more’n
that, I reckon you an’ every other galoot in
Pokerville knOWS who and what I am!” the girl
retorted, fiercely. “I’m just the argument as
says I ain’t afeard o’ forty Wildcats!”

The declaration seemed to carry weight, for
a murmur of assent was heard on either hand,
which by no means lessened the Scorpion’s fero-
cious scowl.

’Liza Jane had been located in the gulch only
a season; but she was a daily visitor to the
camp, and had demonstrated on more than one
occasion that she was not only able to take care
of herself, but was equally able to take care of
anV enemy who offended her.

y the majority of the Pokervillians she was
regarded with a sort of awe, because of her
reckleSs nerve, as they expressed it, in dwelling
in the dragon-i aunted gulch, and no other man
than brutal Scorpion Sam would have thought
of angering her, without first cor “dering the
consequences. .

The Scorpion, however, while secretly fear-
ing her, bad boasted contemptuoust that any
man as would weaken to a young woman was
beneath his notice, and that he would in time
illustrate that ’Liza Jane was more bark than

he.

“ So ye ain’t afeard 0’ me, hey?" he roared,
“me, whose oss-power is more’n forty-’leven
wild-cats?”

“ No; I am not afraid of you 1” was the reply.
“You’re a big, overgrown, good-for-nothing
loafer, and can’t scare me, if you can others.
You’re more, Sam Sligo-you’re a hang-dog
villain. Ever since 1 located up the gulch,
you’ve tried to injure me by hinting various un-
savory things of me. You’ve tried to turn the
people against me. You’va done. all you could
to create an uniavorable and suspicious impres-
sion of me. i hurl it in your teeth, you dog—-
you dare not deny it!”

The Scorpion’s face reddened, and a mali-
cious gleam entered his vicious eyes.

“ Reckon every one’s a right to his own opin-
ion.” he growled, with a wink at his pals.
“’Tain’t ’cordin’ tor reason thet ye’r’ a saint,
nohow. Guess every one allows ye ain’t gmin’
rich out o’ thet claim; an’ no one w‘u’d live in
Dragon Gulch what hadn’t some secret reason
hid thar. Fact is, gal, ye’r’ ruther a ’spicious
character, an’ ther tellers aire ’bout ’greed that
it’s fair that ye ’splain severial things!"

“ What?"

The Girl Miner’s eyes littered like diamonds
as she looked him in the ace.

“Oh! it don’t matter 'est now; we’ll settle
that some other time. ragons an’ sich like
kin be tolerated, but thar’s them as ’spects as
how a ’sploration might a tale unfold. A gal
stayiu’ all alone in sech a. place ain’t accordin’
ter the laws 0’ natteral history, an’ we law-
abidin’ citizens don’t keer about livin’ in that
neighborhood 0’ kemcters whose exact bisho-
standin’ ain’t known. Mr.—"

“ Stop!” ’Liza Jane interrupted, in a ringi
voice; “ you need not mention Henry Wetheigfi
as being largely interested in turning popular
opinion a ainst me. It is an Open fact that he
is my bit rest enemy, and is unscrupulousl
using every effort in his war to rid this
vicinity of my presence. is secret, for all
this, he is too cunning to give even to you who
are his tools. Ha! ha! serve him if you like.
I defy you al ."

She shook her clinched little flst under the
bully’s blooming nasal a pends e, and turned
toward her horse, but t e ru 11 pushed her

back.

“ Stand aside, ; don’t be in a hurry.
Allowin’ ye’re rig t. and all squerect, thar’s
somethin’ else that ain’t settled l”

“ What?” and her hand dropped mechanically
to the revolver in her belt. “ Just please ex.
plain what isn’t settled l"

“ Waal ye see,” Scorpion Sam went on, “ I’m
calcula to be ther mayor 0’ this hyer city,
an’ am tharfore a to whom much re-
spect is natterally due. I don’t mind ttin’
carved up a leetle onc’t m a while, but w a
teller slugs me betune the eyes, like as if he war
20in’ to sp’ile my entire landscape, ye bin jest
bet er boots that aim very stool-pigeon has not
ter gologile or fight."

And the bully glared at Parson Jim fr

 

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5:: ‘.r

’Ll-a Jane also turned toward him, to note
that hii‘ face expressed not the least concern.

“You hear, person?" she said. “ The delecta-
ble, sweet-scented Sam’l demands an apology.
Can you accommodate him?”

For reply the young man slid from the back
of his burro t0 the ground.

“ I presume so,” he said.
it be, mayor?”

“ What--wh——-l” Sam blustered.

“How will you have it?" Priggins demanded,
" the satisfaction you desn'e. Shall I adminis—
ter it straight from the shoulder, or will you

have it by slicing, or in the lcaden style?”

“ Ye won’t apologize, then .6”

“ Most assured! not. I have nothing to
apologize for, as acted in self-defense. You
must either fight or crawfish, you great, whisky-
sho ) loafer!”

’Iiiz l Jane was surprised.

Likewise was the crowd.

The meek expression had vanished from the
arson’s face, and it looked decidedly as if he
ntended to push the matter to a climax.

“ You bet I’ll fight!” Scorpion Sam growled,
understanding at once that he could not bluff
the stranger. “Cl’ar away to the sides 0’ the
street, boys, an’ make a pistol—range. Ker—scat!
but won’t I do it up beauchiful fer this saint—
manvfacterer!”

“Pistols, eh?” Priggins said. “ Waal, I once
lhota hen-hawk over at the Corners: guess I

“ What way shall

mought hit sech a mark as you be. Pardner,
lend me one 0’ ver little guns.”
“ You bet!” ’Liza Jane assented. “Just ou

plug the tough right whar he lives, an’ I’ll uy
ye a gold medal as big as a bar’l-head.”

“Mebbe you’d better try it!” Scorpion Sam
gritted, preparing for the duel. “ If you don’t
Iwaller a heap if yer slack, curse me ef I don’t
make a job fer the coroner.”

“I’ll take yer word for it, Sammy. Every
one’s dead loads afeard 0’ you!” and she laughed
scornfully.

The crowd had been cleared to one side, and
twenty paces marked off in the middle of the
dusty street.

The two men then took their places without
further ceremon .

The pan-ion was a trifle flushed in the face, but
otherwise perfectly cool.

Scorpion Sam, with his usual appearance of
braggadocio, did net seem much alarmed.

“Get ready, gents, I will act for the parson
in this funeral!” ’Liza Jane announced, as she
took a commanding position.

“ And if no one has any objections, I will act
for the other man,” a voice cried, and Iron-
figrge Nat rode up, mounted upon his ebon

e .

All eyes turned u on him in curious inquiry
for an instant; then ’ iza Jane said:

“ Very well, sir. Fair play’s the word. Are
you ready, person?”

I“ All ready for the christening!” was the re-

y.

“ And you, Scorpion?”

“ Ready for the funeral l” he bawled.

" Very good. Now let us understand the con-
ditions. Are either of you desirous of turning
up your toes?”

A rim silence answered.

“ ery Well again,” the Girl Miner. added.
“You will therefore fire but one shot apiece.
The one who pegs out will not be taxed extra
for an obituary. Ready! At the word three
ht ’er flicker!”

The duelists raised their Weapons to a level.
and took what appeared to be deliberate aim.

“One!”

N TWO!”

“ Three!” shouted ’Liza Jane. ,

Crack!

Both weapons spoke simultaneously.

Neither man dropped.

The person stood wiping a tiny head of blood
from the side of his face, caused by the wind of
the bullet.

Scorpion Sam, howawr, with his right hand
clasped to his left elbow, was dancing about
frantically and howling at the top of his voice.

“Oh, jumpin’ Jehosephat! Oh! oh! oh! my
crazy-hone! my crazy-bone!” he yelled. for the
bullet from the parson’s weapon had struck that
sensitive place upon the elbow commonly desig~
hated as the crazy-bone.

The crowd roared with laughter, which so in-
turhtedthe rufflan that, forgetting his pain in
hisrage, he raised his revolver and proceeded
to ur a volley into their midst, thereby scat-
te ng them promiscuously.

Parson Ji , howaver, and the two seconds
kept their laces, and when the bully ceased
Itmg ’Lila one called out:

 

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“ Time! Hev you got enough, Scorpion .1"

“Fer to-dayf” was the grim answer. “ I’ll
see yc all later.” And with that he shuffled ofl’
toward the “Four Aces.”

“Put up your pop, parson,” ’Liza Jane or-
dered: "the blizzard aire over for the present.
I guess we’d better go take a drap o’ suthin’ and
then light out."

“ What! You don‘t drink?” Priggins gasped.

“Sartin! Lemonade wi’ a stick in it, occa~
sionally. EVery one has to take a drap now an’
then ter keep off the chills. Don’t you drink .4”

“ Thun—— Jerusalem, no! Novergot tight but
once; then ’twas on hard cider, at a loggin’
bee.”

" Oh, well. you can take a little mountain dew
fer y,oul's. That’s not hurtful. Join us, stran-
rer?

And she spoke to Iron—Nerve, who had dis-
mounted.

“Thank you,” he politely assented, and the
trio walked toward the Four Aces, the Girl
Miner motioning for the crewd to follow. "I
Seldom imbibe, lady, but will wash down our
acquaintance this time.”

“ This is Parson Prigeins, a tenderfoot from
Monte-peel yer,” ’Liza Jane explained, as they
approached the gaming palace. “As fer my-
self, I’m a pepper-pod, by name ’Liza Jane.”

“ And I am known as Iron-Nerve Nat some-
times lronANerve for short.”

They then entered the place, and ’Liza Jane
ordered Hemlock Harry to set up the drinks for
the crowd.

Scorpion Sam had just “downed "a “bum-
mer,” and was grimly leaning against the bar.

“ Haveapull, Sammy?” the Girl Miner asked.
“ This is prime old stuff Harry kec )S.”

“ You go to thunder!" the bul y growled,
turning away. “I don’t drink wi’ enemies, by
anv means.”

No notice was taken of this bluff, and he di-
rectly left the room.

’Liza Jane and Iron-Nerve stood chatting for
a few minutes, seeming to have taken a liking
to each other.

Finally Iron-Nerve remarked:

“ If you‘ve nothing more pressing, let’s have
a game of cards.”

’Liza Jane glanced at her elegant gold watch
and shook her head.

“You will excuse me,” she said, “but we
anust "be off for the Elms. It is already getting

art.

Iron Nerve started.

“Excuse me.” he said, “ but might I inquire
the nature of your errand there i”

“Certainly. This gentleman, Mr. Priggins,
is a relative of the Wetherills, and he being a
stranger hereabouts I ventured to act as his
guide. Come, parson, we will be off.”
iAnd without givinr Iron-Nerve further op
portunity for questioning, the Girl Miner bowed
herself out of his prescnce, and she and the par-
son quitted the gambling palace, followed by
more than one curious glance.

Iron—Nerve noted this fact, as be seated him-
self at a table.

“ Here’s a likely girl, occupying rather a
questionable position,” he mused, listening to
the clinking of glasses, and other sounds in the
room. “ A miner, I judge, yet something about
her indicates that she’s too shrewd to adopt
such a life without some other motive than
money. Queer, what ideas will get intoa fel—
low’s mind. Well, anyhow, the Girl Miner is a
beauty, and I’ll try to keep her acquaintance,
if nothing more, to drive away the blues.
Heigh ho! I wonder what will be the result of
my dragon venture? It will be a devil, indeed,
if I fail to fetch it to time!”

“It is a devil!”

The words came to his ear, in a shrill whisper.

“Vith an exclamation, he leaped to his feet,
and glared about him.

No one was looking at him—no one was stand-
ing within a dozen feet of him.

\Vhat infernal mystery was this?

That was what he wonderineg asked him-
self, over and over.

CHAP'I‘ER V.
A NIGHT OF SURPnIsEs.

THE Elms was literally a blaze of light.

Almost every window in the grim structure.
was lit with wax candles, and wreathed and
festooned with evergreens.

The great arched doorway and the veranda
were similarly served, while from the branches
of manya tree in the stately park, were sus-
pended myriads of Chinese lanterns.

No expense had been spared by Colonel
Wetherill to make the event of his daughter’s
marriage one long to be remembered.

A“.

 

 

As many of the citizens, miners, and ranch-
men had been invited, numerous tables were
out on the lawn, and Chinese waiters glided
about to furnish the guests with fruit and
drinks.

A military band had also been secured, from
the fort, and the delightful strains of musicup-
on the summer’s night air, were intoxicating
and enlivening.

Within the mansion the more cultured ele-
ment. was assembled, the majority being com-
posed of the ('olonel‘s gmsts, only a limited few
of prominent Pokervillians and their wives, hav-
ing been asked to the ceremony.

The three grand communicating parlors, with
their dazzling lights and handsome furnishings
were thrown into one vast apartment, and with
the “ell—dressed "nestspronienading to and fro,
looked not unlike the reception hall of a verita-
ble palace.

The colonel’s guests were people of distinc—
tion, whp evidently occupied high social and
official positions, there being officers of the
army and a sprinkling of statesmen present——
all of whom seemed to enjoy the fullest benefit
of Henry Wetherill‘s hospitality.

The colonel, himself, nervously paced up and
down the parlors, his face flushed and his man-
ner excited; yet, he assumed an unusually
pleasant mood.

It was already time for the ceremony and the
guests became seated.

Outside, the band was playing a wedding
march, and the hilarity of the outer guests
awoke the birds in the branches of the elms.

Colonel W etherill stepped from the parlor, 8
few minutes later: then returned, followed b
“ t )6 ’Squire ” ruddy-faced, and benignly sm' -

in .

Ila was a meeklookin little man, with start-
ling red hair and whis ers, and a game eye.
The book he held in his hand, looked as if it had
Served in Noah’s time.

The bride-elect soon thereafter entered, upon
her father‘s arm, while Clinton Carmen fol-
lowed, accompanied b his best man; after
whom came a number 0 groomsmen and maids.

The rear parlors had been elaborately deco-
rated and arranged for the ceremony, and here
the bridal couple took their places.

An open window, of large size, looked out at
the left, upon a stretch of lawn that intervened
between the dwelling and‘the lekelet, and this
was open, admitting a fresh, flower—scented
breeze from the plains beyond.

The bride was attired in a magnificent white
wedding costume, which had been imported at
a great cos ., and wore some rare jeWels. The
groom was also elegantly dressed, and looked I
if he had quite exhausted the tailor’s art.

A faint flutter was observable among the
spectators, as the insignificant-looking little
’Slbuire took his position, book in hand.

at the ceremony was destined not to pro-
ceed, yet, for into the parlor strode no less a.
personage than Parson Jim Priggins, who ap-
proached Colonel “'etherill.

“ Waal, by gum l" he ejaculated, putting forth
his hand; “how do ycow do, Uncle Hank?
Gosh hang it, shake! Hain’t seen ye since ye
used ter run the grist-mill in Snake HollOW. up
in New Hampshire. ’Scuse me fer interruptin’
the ceremony, but I'm gosh all-fired glad to see

, ,7

“Sir!” VVethcrill cried, drawing back. '“ Are
you mad, man?”

“ Dog-gone it, no .' I’m yer nephey, Jim ,
Priggins, an’ ye know it. ‘So don’t go to lettin’
on that ye don’t know it. I don’t keer a darned
ef ye aire rich an’ stuck-up; ye can’t go back on
yer blood relations. Say, ’Squire, you git !
I‘m a rcg'lar ordained preacher, au’ I’m goin’ to
do this splicin’ bizness fer my own cousin, thar,
sure‘s you‘re born !”

“This is a.disgrace and an outrage,” the colo-
nel cried. “Ladies and gentlemen, if you will
kindly have patience, we will summarily dis-
pose of this lout.”

“ You will, will ye!” Priggins retorted, his
face flushing and his eyes gleaming, while he
whipped a pair of revolvers from his pocket.
“ Now see here, folks, I don’t want to turn this
blessed weddin’ inter a funeral, but that‘s what
I‘ll do. ef '8 try to come it too pormisc’us over
me. Unc e Hank, ye might as well give in. I
kim out here a-visitin’, and since I got here in
time fer the weddin’, why I’m goin’ ter hev the
job, hey? I know ye don’t wanter—”

“Enough!” the Nabob interrupted, his face
white and red by turns. “ I recognize you, sir.
Ladies and gentlemen, this a nephew of mine.
James, you are at liberty to perform the mar-
ria 0 service. ’Squire, you are exousedl”

he Colonel’s words were icily spoken.

 

 

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No one could doubt but what he was in a
great rage, which he was forcibly smothering.

“ Beg pardon, colonel,” the ’Squire interposed,
“but Would it not be well, to be positive that
your relative is properly qualified to marry the
couple!"

‘ Leave the room, sir!” Wetherill thundered.
“ His word is sufficient!”

The red-headed little individual, thoroughly
horrified, scooted away with so much alacrity,
as to cause a titter of laughter.

The colonel, his manner so wonderfully
changed, then turned blandly to the man froui
Ni w Hampshire, upon whose face was a placid
sinne.

He. then introduced the parson to Carmen and
Theo. and the. parson took ut his book.

A hush prevailed, when Priggins cleared his
throat, and began to read th' marriage service.

His countrified manner had for the moment
vanished, and in a deep, impresswe voice he
proceeded with his task.

He had got as far as asking:

" Has any man or woman aught to say why
these two people before me, shall not be joined
in the banns of holy wedlock—Ll"

When suddenly there was an ear-piercing,
blood-curdling shriek!

It was more the shriek of some demoniac
monster, than that of a human being—it fairly
stilled the blood of those who heard it!

All eyes, instinctively, turned toward the
open window, and there beheld a sight that ren—
dered them powerless, speechless—dumb with
awful terror!

U n the lawn. near the window, was the
Dev1l Don and the Dragon!

Yes, the devilish-lookin , fiery-eyed, flaming
mouthed, winged crocodi e, and upon its back
the white-robed, Whitehall-ed corpse l.ke figure
of a man, whose eyes were closed and whose
hands, Which were crossed upon the breast, were
those of a skeleton!

It was a horrible spectacle, which mast have
caused the bravest heart to quail, and around
the fearful thing, apparition, or whatever it was,
there was shed by some unseen power. a green-
ish halo of light, which, with bolts of flame that
leaped from the dragon’s eyes and distended
Jaws, made the spectacle even more weirdly in-
fernal.

Theo Wetherill saw it amon the first, and
fainted dead away, and so para yz=d with ter-
ror was Clinton Carmen, that he allowed her to
fall, heavily to the flobr.

The others remained equal] like statues, for
several moments, and only w on they were con-
scious that the spectacle was gone, did they re-
cover from the shock, Wethel'ill and the par-
son recovering first.

“ Curses seize the infernal thing!” the Nabob
gasped, advancing to the window, and pulling
down the curtains. “Ring yonder bell, Prig-
gins, and order water.”

The parson obeyed.

Several of the ladies had fainted, and for half
an hour the excitement was terrible.

Soliciting Priggins’s assistance. h0weVer, the
colonel finally got matters somewhat quieted
down. among his guests.

As none of those on the lawn, in front of the
house had seen the ragon, no report of the af-
fair was allowed to disturb their hilarity.

VVethei-ill explained all that was known about
the monster, and then, urging his guests to have
no further fear of it, he proposed that the wed-
ding should be consummated, so Theo having re-
covered. the bridal ceiiple again took their

laces, Priggins proceeded once more, and final-

y pronounced them man and wife.

/ he words had scarcely been spoken and the
congratulations made, when a door opened, and
Iron-Nerve Nat stalked into the room!

The sight of him caused the colonel to utter
an exclamation, while Clinton Carmen smoth-
ered an oath.

“ Colonel Wetherill, I am here!” the Sport
said, in his clear tone, which penetrated every
part of the_room. “Are you ready?”

“I am, Sir! Ladies and gentlemen, you will
excuse me, but I have a little business matter to
arrango."

“ It can be done here. before witnesses,”'1ron-
Nerve announced, coolly, as he saw it was the
Nubob’s purpose to leave the room. “ In fact, I
choose to have it done here!"

“ Very well, sir.” Wetherill assented, biting
his lip with vexation. “ But, pray, sir. how
came you by these scratches upon your face?”—
for the Sport’s handsome face was somewhat
bloody, from a couple of trifling cuts upon it.

“ Perhaps if you traverse the distance ’twixt
here and Pokerville. you will not need to in-
quire?” Iron-Nerve said, dryly.

/ l \

.u .1»

 

’Liza Jane, the Girl Miner.

 

 

 

“However, I will explain, that while on my
way here, I was pounced upon by a brace of
fellows, who wanted my money or my life. As
I couldn’t conveniently spare either, just at pre-
sent, I shot the one and knifed the other. I got
the scratches in the struggle.”

“ Served the rascals right, sir,” the Nabob
said, briefly. “ Now, how about the contract?”

“None is necessary. Put up your money—I
will do the same.”

“ But the stakeholder?”

“Your relative, thar, Parson Priggins.
will fill the hill!”

“ 1 am afraid not. Thirty thousand dollars is
a large sum to intrust in any man’s hands!”
Weiherill sneered.

“ I presume some of your honorable guests
will teel elated at your bewildering trust in man-
kind !” Iron-Nerve suggested, dryly.

" Oh! 110—110: I made no reference to my
guests!” the Nahob Stammered.

“ See heer, uncle Hank, ain’t I a minister, an’
every inch as good as my one 0’ yer guests?”
Priggins demanded, advancing toward the colo-
nel threatenineg. “Iwant ye to know I don’t
knock under to no one. I’ll hold them stakes,
jest as t’other feller said. I‘m honest as the
pendulum ov a clock I”

“ You’ll hold the stakes?" \‘Vetherill gritted,
his face flaming with baffled malice.

“ l’ll hold the stakes, an’ do it squar’!” was the
emphatic reply, given in a way which pretty
plainly signified that the parson proposed to have
his wa y in the matter.

“Very well!" assented the Nabob, but in a
manner that betrayed his wish to throttle his
nephew then and there.

He, turned to the guests, then, with a face
w0nderfully calm.

“Excuse me, pray,” he remarked, “ but I will
explain what may seem strange to you all. It
concerns you somewhat, too.

" To begin with, this character, calling him—
self lron-Nerve—a way of creating a big im-
pression, these odd titles—came to me a few
hours ago. He is a perfect stranger to me, but
evidently having heard of the sex eral failures to
capture the dragon, he proposed to bet me ten
thousand dollars against an equal amount—”

“ Beg pardon Z” iron-Nerve interrupted. “ You
olf- red to bet me twenty against ten!”

“ Well, I was getting to that!” the colonel
scowled. “The man bets me ten thousand dol~
lars he can capture the dragon within ten days.
Since he s- cm! so flush, and as it is worth a great
deal to my peace of mind to have the capture
made, 1 have agreed to put twenty thousand dol-
lars against his ten. If he succeeds, Priggins is
to give him the thirty thousand. Otherwise,
it is mine. The ten days begin at midnight to-
night. Is this correct, sir?”

“I believe so. Have you your money, sir?”

“ I will write you a check in a moment.”

“That will not do. It is the cash 1 want to
see out up.”

VVetherill frowned. How often, that evening,
had his will been baffled!

He was wondering what opinion his guests
were beginning to form of him.

“ You are devilish particular!” he growled.
“My check is as good as the U. S. mint.”

“Not tome. l have here ten one-thousand-
dollar notes ready to put up,” the Sport said,
grimly, as he took a neat roll from, his vest~
pocket. " If you lament the amount, perhaps
some of your friends can lend you the balance.”

And Iron—Nerve sneered in the blandest man-
ner, which thoroughly infuriated the colonel.

“ Curse your iuipudencel” he roared, “ I have
money enough to buy you, heart and soul, and
I’ll bet you fifty thousand to ten you cannot cap-
ture the. Devil Don and his dragon l”

He rushed from the parlor, but soon returned,
and placed a large roll of bills in Priggins‘s
hands.

“ Count ’em!" he cammanded, sententiously.

“Fifty thousand dollars!” cried the parson a
moment later.

“ Correct! Cover them, Mister Iron-Nerve,
and thin rid us of your presence.”

The Sport bowed and handed his money to the
parson.

“ Now begone l” Wetherill ordered.

“Not jest yit, me mutton!” a voice cried, and
Scorpion Sam, together with a number of
Wetherill’s rancheros. marched into the room.
“ We Want that sardine, Iron-Nerve, fer mur-
der in the furst degree l”

He

 

CHAPTER VI.
WHAT was run sncairr?

TEE sensation caused by the sudden appear-
ance of the rancheros and Scorpion Sam, an

 

the demand of the latter, caused a profound
sensation in the bridal parlor.

Even IronNerve was for the instant as-
tonished: but, quick to think, he in the same
instant drew the conclusion that the bodies of
his two assailants had been found, and he threw
himself on the defensive by drawing and cook-
ing his two revolvers.

“Do you want me very bad!” he called out,
placing his back against the window-sill. know—
ing the sash was raised although the curtains
were down—a fact that none of the others ap-
peared to remember.

“Well we jist about do that!” Scorpion Sam
averred. “ Yer a mighty good-lukin feller, as
all will allow, an’ mebbe kin skeer sum folks,
but when ye cum in these parts to shute folks
jest as ye please, we take it you‘re wrong!”

“ You found the two ruflians twixt here and
l’okerville’!”

“ They weren’t no roughs. They war respect-
able ranchmen. as tuk their toddy straight every
time, you bet !”

“Oh! were they? “’ell, they got it straight
when they tried to rob me. I ain’t accommo—
dating the whims of strolling footpads as much
as I used to be!”

And the Sport showed his pearly teeth in a
defiant smile.

“They didn’t try ter rob ye. They war goin’
back to camp, an’ ye shot ’em down like dogs !”

“You he like a thief!” Iron-Nerve retorted.
“Mr. Wetherill, I believe, can make an ex-
planation to you in regard to the matter!”

“ How am I to know but what you have lied
to me?” the colonel replied, coldly. “ It is not
in my line of business to defend criminals.”

“ Does any one know what your line of busi-
ness is, anyhow?” the Sport asked, significantly;
then he added: “I didn’t mention emplo ing
you to defend me. Indeed, you’d be wor ing
against yourself in doing so, both pecuniarily
and otherwise.” v

“The cunnel hain’t got no say in this, no-
howl” Scorpion Sam spoke up. “ We’re the
lads. These fellers aire pards 0’ Stokes an'
Steel, w’ot ye killed, an they pe ter
inwite e ter a little neck-tie party. bar’s no
use 0’ ickin’; killin’ is murder, an’ murder is
punishable accordin’ tew the laws 0’ hemp. So
surrender, wi’out parley!”

lron NerVe looked the crowd over, with a,
defiant smile. .

“ Twelve of you, eh?” he said. “ Mr. Wetherill,
have you boards enough about the premises to
make stretchers out of, on which to carry these
fools back to their homes?”

“ No, sir. I wash my hands of the matter. If
they choose to hang you, it’s none 0’ my busi-
ness. You had better surrender!”

“ When I do, it will be when these beautiful
carpets are dyed red with human blood, sir. I
am not the man to be taken without resistance!”
was the defiant assurance.

“ No, don’t sp’ile the carpets, uncle,” put in
Parson Priggins. “ It’s not right to hang a.
mortal, so order those fellows awa !”

“What! you dictate to me?” Wetherill yelled,
growing livid with rage. “ You have done too
much of this—”

" Calmly, calmly, uncle! Don’t never ex~
asperate a preacher, for he wlio teacheth that
which is go d, hath a power—”

“ Hell and furies seize you!” the colonel

roared. “Men, leave this house, and leave the
Sport, alone. He will be glad to die soon
enou h!”

“The colonel knows best!” one of the ranch-
men said. “We’ll abide by what he says. If
Scor ion Sam wants vengeance, let him git it
hisse f l”

The speech seemed to change the minds of
the party, and they filed from the room, the
baffled bully following, growling.

When they were gone, Iron-Nerve crOSSed
over to the Slde of Parson Priggins, and seized
him by the hand.

“My friend, I thank gnu for saving me the
trouble of spilling bloo on these carpets,” he
said, with a grim laugh. “ I am glad to see you
havo power here; but, look out. These
walls contain hidden assassins. I clipped he
ears of a pair of ’em during a previous visit
dag}. Remember~wide-awake.” -

e then turned to the colonel.

“I’ll now bid you goodevening. Sorry if
ifinyltliing has proved unpleasant, through my
an t.

Then, tipping his sombrero, to the assembled
guests, he backed from the room.

He did not choose to make his exit otherwise,
for his gaze had caught a snaky gloom in the -‘
eyesof the Nabob, which was the quintem .r
of rancorous evil. ,

 

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~ 8

’Liza. Jane, the Girl Miner.

 

 

Once in the hall, the Sport made his way
boldly from the house, and joined the crowd of
half-tipsy revelers upon the lawn.

Itis unnecessary to state that his eyes roved
searchineg about, and that he expected an
attack.

But none was made.

Scorpion Sam was nowhere to be seen, and
among the revelers, the Sport saw none whom
her ized as having been in the would-be
lynching-party.

Concluding that there was no further use for
him about the Elms that night, he returned to
Pokerville, and turned in at the Demijohn for
the night, as he was pretty well fatigued.

And now let us return to the Elms.

The festivities on the lawn were continued
until a late hour; but within, the guests finally
wearied, and retired to their apartments, or
homes, as the case might be.

If Colonel Wetherill had surmised, privately,
that the events of the evening had excited a
deal of curiosity among his friends and visitors,
he was not wrong; for both the Pokervi'llians
and his own guests, new had good cause to sus-
pect that Colonel Henry Wetherill was not what

6 usually appeared to the world.

In the first place, he was by nature a strong-
willed man, who would never give up a point
unless for a most werful reason.

In the second ace, the marriage of Theo to
Carmen evident y was not a union of hearts—
it was a bargain between stately, stony beauty
and mammon, in which Carmen and the colonel
seemed most interested.

In the third place, the colonel, with his iron
will, had some secret—else why did he yield so
many times to the benign-faced man from
Montpelier—the redoubtable Jim Priggins, and
why id be shield the stranger Sport?

As soon as the guests began to depart, Colonel
Wetherill suddenly began to look around for
the parson, for it was by no means his intention
to let that worthy leave the Elms, with the
wager money; but Parson Jim was gone, and a
search failed to find him.

At last the guests had all retired, and the
house was shorn of its gayety, though the fes-
tivities still continued on the lawn: for as the
colonel had made no stint in furnishing liquors,
the‘ outside revelers were evidently disposed to
“ make a night of it.” '

In the grand parlor, however, three persons
still lingered.

The colonel sat at the table in a reverie.

Carmen was loungin upon a sofa, smoking a.
cigar and looking satis ed.

heo sat in a great easy-chair, apart from the
rest, staring into vacancy, while she tapped h~r
tiny foot upon the plush carpet, as if she were
im tient.

be was evidently undergoing several changes
of mood; for now her face would wear that
cold stony expression; then, it would soften,
and her e es would warm up gloriously, trans-
gming or completely into another type of

uty.

The voice of Carmen brought the cold, hard
expression back to her face.

‘ By the way, colonel, it has been adevilish
odd wedding night.
ings would create a lasting sensation.
thunder is Priggins?”

“ I believe you heard him introduced,” he re-
plied dryl .

“ Humphl then he is really your nephew?”

“ Yes. I wish he were not!

“ He has a secret of yours?”

“ How do you know!”

“A key don’t turn in a rusty lock, generally,
without a good deal of Cpower!” was the answer.

“ Right you are. I idn’t know him at first.
He had his own way, and I couldn’t help my—
self. Do you think others noticed it?”

“ I didn’t observe any blind people in the as-
semblage!” Carmen answered significantly.

Wetherill gritted his teeth.

Theo had been watching—listening.

“ What is this secret, papa 3” she asked.

“ Nothin for you to know!” was the tart re-

ly, at w ich Theo flushed, while Carmen
u‘ghed quietly.

‘ Your father is right, peerless. The wife
should never meddle with the business affairs
of the head of the house!” ‘

“Indeed!” was the cold answer.

“There’s another thing,” Carmen went on,
nddreesin the colonel. “that you deserve cen-
sure for-+- etting that Sport esca . Why didn’t
you rmit the follows to lync him, and you
we not only have ridded me of an enemy,
but you would also have been ahead a clear ten
“ad.” ‘

In ’Frisco, such roceed-
he in

 

 

l

“My father is not in the habit of making his
money by giving up other people’s lives, sir!”
Theo interrupted s iritedl y.

“ Oh! no—no! f course not!” Carmen apol-
ogized, seeing he had stirred up a slumbering
hornet. “ By the way, to change the subject—
if you have those papers ready, we might as
we 1 sign them. I am anxious for the privilege
of saying I am a partner in this beautiful home,
and we will begin life under the happiest au-
spices. Ehl colonel, old boy?”

. Wetherill did not notice the other’s familiar-

1 y.

“The deeds are ready, but cannot well be
signed to-night?” was his answer.

“ Why not, pray ?”

“ Because you are not legally married!”

Clinton Carmen sprung to his feet, while Theo
gave such a sigh of relief that both men gazed
at her in a startled way, and noted that her
cheeks were rose-tinted, and her whole expres~
sion was that of exultation!

“ You seem overjoyed 1” Carmen sneered.

“ Did I address you?" she answered haughtily;
and the next instant she swept from the room,
with the bearing of an offended queen.

Carmen, furious with passion, would have
followed, only that the colonel waved him
back.

“ Stop, you jealous fool!” he ordered.

“ Go on! explain yourself,” the other gritted,
pacing up and down the carpet, his fury held in
check, but not abated.

“ Well, I don’t see what ails you. Supposing
she did manifest a little joy at a reprieve. It’s
but maidenly. Then, too, you ought to know
she isn’t dead in love with you, when she told
you so yesterday.”

“ Bah! go on—about the marriage?”

“Simple enough. Priggins had no right to
perform a ceremony?”

“Who is be? What is he?”

“ A bad person to deal with. He is a detect-
ive with more aliases than a. sneak-thief. He’s
been after me for years. I last heard of him in
Oregon, as being dead. Fancy my surprise,
then. tonight.”

“ What part of Oregon .6” Carmen queried
anxious] .

“ Port and and vicinity.”

“ Humph! Well, let’s send for the ’Squire at
once. and make the thing sure I” ,

"Not to-night. To—morrow will do as well.
Carmen, for safety, two persons have got to be
killed l”

“ Priggins and the Sport?”

“Exactly; both without fail.”

“ The sooner, the better, to suit me!”

“Leava it to me. It shall be attended to at
once—or as soon as possible l”

“And the wedding?”

“ Afterward.”

“ Curse it, no. She will get all out of the no-
tion.

“ Bahl I am the master. Off to bed with
you, now, and we’ll have everything right.

ou will occupy your old apartment, but no
one will be the wiser until all is settled.”

“ Why don’t you settle that Girl Miner in the
bargain, too—make a clean sweep of all the
coyotes on the trail?”

“Not yet. Why do you fear her, Carmen?
HaVe you a secret, too?”

“Bahl no. I hate the girl because she’s too
glib of tongue, and pokes fun at me.”

“ I have a stronger plea than that—but
enough. If we tarry longer, day-dawn will be
upon Us. We’ll knock the neck off a bottle of
champagne, and then turn in.”

The champagne was opened, and after empty-
ing the bottle, they sought their respective
apartments.

 

Parson Jim Priggins had quitted the Weth-
erill mansion about ten minutes before the
colonel’s discovery of his absence.

Skulking around to the rear of the premises,
he found ’Liza‘ Jane waiting at a place which
they had previously agreed upon.

“ Well?” she interrogated. “ How’s every-
thin going off?”

“ ery serenely, when I left,” he answered.
“ What luck did on have .7”

“ Ver little. went retty well through the
establis merit, but faile to satisfy myself upon
what I wanted to. Did you do as I bade you?”

“ Yes. It will make the difference of only a
few days, I reckon.”

“ Why, wasn’t it satisfactOryt”

“ I know it wasn’t to Henry Wetherill. Time
will tell, however. Are ou ready?”

“Yes. I must be gett ng back to my home.”

“Are you not afraid?”

I

 

 

“Ha! ha! no. As we go, let’s hear all that

ha pened inside.”

hey sh ped their route in a roundabout
way, and ’Liza Jane took the person’s arm, as
they walked along, while he proceeded to relate
what had occurred.

“You have dropped your unpolished talk. I
notice,” the girl observed. keen y. “You also
have control over Colonel Wetherill to some ex-
tent. You’re avaueer preacher!”

" Think so? ell, preachers are a queer set
often. Now, I suppose I cannot be considered
one of your boarders, and shall ham: to stop in
Pokerville.”

"Certainly. It would be more prtiper.”

“Well, then, here is a package. want you
to take it and ,keep it for ten days—let no one
know you have it. Keep it carefully secreted.
If I should peg out before the expiration of ten
days, you are to deliver it to Iron Nerve. It is
the we er money, between Iron-Nerve and
Wetherill—not thirty, but sixty thousand do]-
lars: so look sharp 2”

“Very well. 1 ll take good care of it. I’ll see
you again tomorrow, probably.”

They arted as soon as they reached their
horses, riggins riding toward the heart of the
camp, and ’Liza Jane toward her lone gulch
cabin.

It was a dark and gloomy ride, but the Girl
Miner paid no attention to this fact, her mind
seeming occupied with other thoughts.

As she neared her cabin home, they found exa-
pre-ion in words:

“ I went there to-ni ht but return with no
more knowledge than w en I Went, exmpt that
one man has been baffled. He knows not that '.'
am to be his destroyer. I fancy, howewr, that
he has suspicions. It is not time to strike yccl
I must strike like a Nemesis, when I do " ‘ '9!”

CHAPTER VII.
THE NOCTURNAL VISITOR.

TEE Demijohn at Pokerville, a. we have be—
fore stated, was the principal hotel of the camp;
in fact, it was the only one, barring a little one-
story restaurant kept by a Jew.

Moreover, as the Demijohn was well-patron
ized it was well—kept, and its rubicund proprie-
tor, the major. had made money there, to add
to the hoard he was reputed to have stored
away.

As the stages had no regular time for arrival
at Pokerville, and were as liable to turn up in.-
the dead of ni ht as any other time, the Demi—
john was an al might house, the major generally
staying up himself, but usually dozing off the
better part of his time in his huge arm chair,
which had been made especially to accommo--
date his unusual avoirdupois.

The major was up when Iron-Nerve reached
the hotel, and the two took a “night—cap ” to-
gether, after which the young Sport sought his
room.

For a couple of hours more, an occasional
straggler dropped in, until by the rapid multi—

lication of “ night-caps,” the maior began to
eel rather sleepy when the cloc rattled off
three A. M.

Concluding there was no liability of his being-
disturbed until daybreak, he settled down in his
chair, and was soon in a doze—as virtually out
of his cares as a living man could be.

The major was counted a square man, and was
said to have a clear conscience, when it was not.
too much aflected by drink.

Major Blood Bixby didn’t consider himself a
real drinking man by any means, but he “ al-
lowed” he could drink more bug-juice, with-
out becoming fazed, than any other man in the.
cam .

Th2 major had lately got smitten with a rich-
widow in Howlin’ Bar, and he was complacent»
ly dreaming of her, when he felt some one ull—
ins:h at his ruby~tinted nose, and starte up
wit :

“ Yasl yasl hot-Scotch—certainly! Strong
one for four hits!”

But he stared, when he got the sleep partly
rubbed out of his eyes.

“ Why, bless my eyes—a woman !"he gasped.
“Why, (hic) ma’am, what ye doin’ out this late
hour?”

For it was indeed a woman, clad in black
froin head to foot, and wearing a heavy black
val .

Whether young or old, it was hard to de-
termine.

But she came down to business beautifully.
She presented a revolver at the major, android
in a delicious! musical voice:

“You are . Bixby, sir?”

“ Yee’m—Major Blood Bixby!”

“ You keep this hotel!" I

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.s

 

 

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l 
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l

a» . --..

    

 

 

’Liza. Jane, the Girl Miner.

9:

 

AA

 

“Yes m’am, I do! An’ I keep her in bang-

st e!”

“ S2; I should judge, if you are a sample,” the
lady replied. “Have you a person stopping
here named Nathan Norcross?” . .

“ No, ma’am; but jest keep that pistol in yer
pocket!" _

“If you do as I bid, you’ll not be harmed,”
was the answer. “You say no such party as
Nathan Norcross is registered here?”

“Yes, I do!”

“How ’bout Iron-Nerve? Any such a party
as that?”

“ Ah! yes, I see—I see! Iron~Nerve. Ah! yes;
he’s in bed, long ago.”

The lady took a wallet from her pocket, ex—
tracted a card from it, and gave it to the
major, who read tho name with manifest sur-

I'ISB.

“’Shl not a. word! Never breathe that I was
ever here!” the Woman warned, layin her hand
upon the major’s arm. " Listen! want to
visit Iron-Nerve’s room for about two minutes,
providing I can do so without disturbing him
from his slumbers. s'ou shall accompany me,
to see that I do him no evil. Remember, you
must swear to always keep this matter a
secret. Now, what is your price, for the
trouble?" . .

The major was staring at her in open-mouthed
astonishment.

“ Why, bless your eyes, I’ve no right to enter
the man’s room!” he grunted. “Like to ’com-
modate ye, ma’am, but ye see it’s out o’ the
question I”

The vailed lady stamped her foot.

“ I say ’tis not! I merely wish to gaze once
more upon the man’s face. Here is a hundred
dollars! Will that be any tem tation .3”

"No, ma’am. Come along, ikca mice. Luv
affair, I s’pose? ,Wanter. See hisrface once more
afore ye commit suicide, hey! Ohi I can read
these tender sex likea book.“ Got a mash on a
widder, myself, over in Howlin’ Bur. She lots
on she don’t keer fer me, but she does—she’s
dead gone on my shape an’ my genial thousands.
Come r ght along!" I .

And the rubicund host of the Demijohn led

“ the'way through shall and lupa pair of stairs

to the second floor. Here another hall ran trans-

to his left and listened.

“my I ‘;' a I 1. distance down this Bixby
 r“ 

"f: 4.1".“H’e’ssl ' ’ ,d’likea burro, Ireckon," he whis-
‘ "=M._.“vlg ud, now, disturb or harm him at

"‘ 1{ever fear.”.was the quiet answer.

your
‘ «This major than quietly opened the door, and

' : two tip;th into the room, which was light-

ed'by a bar of moonshine that poured in through

- theiwindow.

, Thebed was so arranged that the moonlight

"if-“‘n‘streamed in u n the face and figure of the
71", 5. rt—for he ad. by force of habit, thrown
' ’ ‘ Japan the bed and dropped asleep, hav-
.- ' ng .o'uly dofled his coat and vest, one of his

handsresting upon the butt of a revolver in his

Hal  breathing regularly, and as sound
asleep as a person we]! could be, a peaceful ex-
pression resting u n h's countenance.

The woman gli ed forward and knelt by the
bedside, at the same time raising her veil and
revealing a beautiful face that wore an expres-
sion of loving tenderness, as her gaze was bent
upon the sleeper.

Old Blood Bixby gazed at the face of the wo-
man curiously, marking her every expression,
even though his night—capped eyes were hardly
fully opened for business.

For a couple of moments the woman gazed
steadfastly nto the face of the Sport, as if she
was trying to impress evsry feature indelibly
upon her memory.

Then she motioned to the major.

“Can you roll up his shirt-s save on his left
arm without disturbing him?" she whispered.

“Lordy, no! The leasu stir would arouse a
man like him i” the major gasped, trembling in
fear of having himself discovered as a partici-
pant in this mysterious nocturnal proceeding.

“Never min lT—I can fix it,” the woman re-
plied, and drawing a  of scissors from her
pocket, she deliberate y proceeded to cut a piece
out of, the Sport’s white flannel shirt, near the
elbOW.

Prepared to make a dart out throu h the open

r should the sport awaken, old B ood Bixby

doo
stood looking on.
The deft fingers of the woman were not long

 in'accom lishing the work, and when the patch
. -- of cloth 3” remand, a portion of Iron-News’s

. b m was view.
.- ; g whiz where the cloth had been cut out was
I. .- 1“. m of a former wound. which, from its

 

ragged outlines, must have been made by an
arrow.

A stifled cry escaped the woman as she saw
it, and she bent forward and kissed the scar
soft! . ‘

Shye then arose, restored the scissors to her
pocket, pulled down her vail, and signified her
readiness to depart.

They left the bed—chamber and descended to
the hotel office.

“ I am very thankful for your kindness, sir,”
the woman said, “and I feel sure I can depend
on your reticence.”

“You bet; 1’m the mummest man in the
world l” the major reassured. “ Going, eh? Well,
soalong! But, hold! Won’t ye hev an eye-
opener before ye go?”

“ No, thank you. Good-by.”

And she was gone ere the major could follow
her to the door.

“ Blast these pesky women l” he muttered, tak-
ing his eye-o her alone. “The ’r’ a bigger
bother than a ootful 0’ snakes. I onder what
Iron-Nerve will say when he sees his shirt?
Wish I’d taken the gal’s money. Worth every
cent of it, to lie out of this matter.”

 

CHAPTER VIII.
DUMB DICK.

As soon as ’Liza Jane reached her shanty she
turned Thunderbolt loose, knowing he would
not go far, and bathing her flushed face at one
of the sluice-boxes entered the cabin, which
bore the same appearance as when she de-
parted.

Lighting a lantern. she arranged the scanty
furniture about in order, cleared away the dish—
es left from the evening meal, and swept the
mom out.

Next advancing to the southern wall of the
cabin, where a profusion of dresses, blankets
and skins were hung, sl-e carefully put them
aside.

As we stated previously, the cabin was built
in the mouth of the ravine, which branched off
from the main gulch. The southern end of the
building. however, was against the precipitous
cliff where the mighty walls of gulch and ravine
met.

On pulling aside the -lothing a low door was
revealed.

Lantern in hand, the Girl Miner entered what
proved to be'acave or subterranean chamber,
with high ceiling and a floor area of at least
fifty square yards. ‘

It was by no means barren of comfort, al-
though the walls were of rock, for a cheery fire
burned near the center of the adamantine floor,
the smoke of which found escape through a
crevice in the ceiling far above.

A rude table and a couple of stools were near
the fire, as was also a rough cot-bed, covered
with bear and buffalo skins.

Partly bolstered up on this bed was a oung
man, who looked up with an expression 0 glad-
ness as ’Liza Jane approached and seated her-
self at the table.

He was evidently not over twent five years
of age, and was attired in a coarsel’iut service-
able suit.

His face and eyes were strikingly handsome,
and his hair worn in a long wavy profusion
down over his shoulders.

A graceful mustache adorned his lip, and a
close observer would have noticed a little con-
traction of the left side of his face, from the
mouth to the throat, that indicated para! sis.

His arms too were painfully drawn hind
his back, as though bound there.

There was an intelligent expression about his
face: there was a sorrowful look there too,
but it partly vanished when ’Liza Jane entered.

“ Poor Dick!” the girl said, placing the lantern
upon the table and drawing her stool to his bed-
side, while her hand stroked his hair. “ Have
you been lonesome while I was away?”

He nodded, with a atieut Sort of smile.

It then became evi out that he was powerless
to speak.

“ I have been to Pokerville and to the Elms,”
’Liza. Jane continued, watching him. “I didn’t
find out much, Dick, but I found out so nething.
There’s a man in Pokerville who is the perfect
counterpart of you.”

He looked surprised, excited, on r.

’Liza Jane was also eager, as e noticed his
interest.

She went on, passionately:

“ Oh, Dick! I belieVe ever thing will all come
right yet. Ipra to God t at it will! Just a
year ago to mg t—do you remember itl-I
found" you, a starving maniac. in the moun-

 

He nodded, and tears of gratitude entered his
eyes, which gazed up into her face lovingly.

“ Yes, just a year ago to-night,” the girl rev

ated. “ I was a wanderer—desperate, wild.

had made up my mind to kill myself, but
when I found you, a creature of God’s creation,
as miserable as myself, the Divine Spirit told
me to live—live for you; that a terrible wrogg
had been done, and I could right it. I pray
for strength to help me, and it was granted. I
took you in charge and labored over on. The
result has been great. You are no onger dc-
merited, Dick—you haven’t shown a symptom
for a month ”

He nodded. His piteously-grateful gaze never
left her face.

Oh! could his lips have spoken the feelings of‘
his heart, what gratitude and love for his faith-
ful benefactor he would have poured forth!

“ God has been good, and I know he will aid
me in restoring you to perfect health and.
strength, and perhaps restoring your power of
speech. Then, Dick, you can unravel all this
mystery.”

Once more he nodded eagerly.

“ This counterpart of yours,” ’Liza ..cnt on,
“ has come here and wagered ten thousand dol-
lars he can capture the Devil Don and his
dragon. I hope he can do it, but fear he can-
not. Dick, do you know who this man is? He
calls himself Iron Nerve?”

The dumb invalid shook his head.

“ Did you ever have a brother, Dick?”

He nodded in the affirmative.

“ Is be living?”

A negative shake of the head.

“ Are you positive?” ’Liza Jane asked. V 5'

He nodded in assent.

“ Then, perhaps after all this man is in no
way connected with our case. The resemblance
may be merely a chance one. Have you thought
over the name of Wetherill? Are you sure
that that is not the name of your enemy 9”

Once more he nodded in assent.

“ Strange! strange!" the irl mused.

“ I am inclined to think enry Wetherill is
the man, but that you knew him by a different
name. Did you read the long list of names I
wrote for you ?”

He assented; then shook his head, to indi-
cate his failure to find the name he wanted.

’Liza Jane had written upon the paper up-
ward of two hundred different names, in hopes
that he could find that of his enemy and indi-
cate it to her.

From the time that ’Liza Jane had first taken
the mute into her care, he had seemed restless,
and when asked. had implied that he had an
enemy, and it had been through his instrumen-
tality that he had been stricken paralyzed and

dum .

Little by little the faithful girl had eked out
such information by questioning him as led her
to believe that some terrible crime was back of
all the mystery.

After locating in the gulch, it was, she had
heard therumcr that it was not kn0wn how
Henry Wetherill came into possession of the
Elms estate. This so aroused her suspicions
that she at once eat her heart upon the matter,
and believed that Dick was connected with the
case.

One day she had taken him ov¢=r the moun-
tain and pointed out to him the Elms, and his
eyes lighted up with recognition.

To all her questioning, however, regarding
what he knew about the estate or his past his-
tory, he remained literall ‘ mum,’ shaking his
head as if to deprecate a! inquiry; yet a fierce
gleam in his eyes on such occasions, satisfied
7Liza Jane that he did know much, but would-
not give it away—not at least until he could
spea , and make everything clear.

The Girl Miner was silent, in deep meditation,
for some time after her last query. Then she
seated herself at the table and picked up the
latest Eastern paper.

“ It is the tenth of September,” she said,
aloud. “ I sent off for the batterv over a
month ago. Strange it don’t come. ce I get
that, Dick. if a series of shocks won’t bring you
to rights. I am afraid you are doomed never to
speak. I have confidence, however, that the
battery, properly used, will help you.”

Dick shook his head and smiled faint! .

He evidently did not have much aith in
electricity.

“ There was a wedding at the Elms to-night,"
’Liza Jane said, a few minutes later, turning to
the mute.

Then she uttered a low cry of surprise.

Dick was apparently fast asleep!

“ That’s funny. I never knew him to drop

asleep so quick,” she mused,

 
 

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10.

heavy breathing.
too.”
She ré-entered the cabin, leaving the hidden
door partly ajar, as was her usual custom.

Having no fear of being disturbed, and the
night being unusually warm, she put up her
hammock beneath the porch that covered the
veranda and swung herself into it, for she felt
the need of repose.

The musical dash of the water through the
sluice-boxes, and the sighing 0f the breeze
through pines in the glen. made a sort of rest-
ful symphony that soon lulled her to sleep.

She had been asleep perhaps half an hour,
when a rabbit, which had been hopping about
the cabin in search of crumbs suddenly took
alarm and bounded away.

A footfull within the cabin had startled it.

An instant later a hatless figure stole out upon
the veranda with the stealth of a cat.

It was Dumb Dick!

His eyes were closed; but he paused, as if lis-
tening.

A moment later he glided down the path into
the gulch, and strode away toward Pokerville.

’Liza Jane had awakened the moment he came
out on the veranda, and lying perfectly still,
had noted that he was asleep.

“ He is a somnambulist !” she mused.

“ Ah! he goes toward Pokerville. Am I at last
to learn something?”

T She waited until he was fifty yards away;
then, slip ing from her hammock and seizing

“I guess I’ll take a nap,

her rifle, he set out in pursuit.

 

CHAPTER IX.
THE ISLAND GRAVES AND A RESCUE.

THE sun was up, and the town had been astir
a. long time, when Iron-Nerve awoke the follow-
ing morning.

Ashamed of his laziness, as he termed it—for
he was usually an early riser—he sprung up and
began to make his ablutious, preparatory to go-
ing down to breakfast.

“ Nine o’clock,” he mused, glancing at his
watch. “ I on ht to have had a morning ride
by this time. ello! what’s this?"

He was brushing his heil‘ at the glass when he
discovered the hole in his shirt-sleeve.

At first he was too much astonished to give
further utterance, for it needed no critical ex-
amination to prove that the piece had been
scissored out. '

“ Well, I’ll be blamed l” he ejaculated, his face
flushing. “ That’s about the cheekiest thing I’ve
seen yet. I’ll swear there was no piece cutout of
this sleeve when I entered this hotel last night.
It’s taken out right where the scar is, which I
got a couple of years ago. Humph! that re-
calls the event vividly to mind,’ and a grim,
rather disappointed expression came over his
face. “ I had come down to Omaha with a
loac‘. of pelts. When nearing the city I saw an
Indian and a white man struggling with a girl,
Whom the had evidently surprised and were
trying to a not. I killed the devils and got the
girl, but also received this wound. She was a
schoolgirl—pretty Laura Leigh. I never found
out much about her parents, as they did notlive
in Omaha, where she was attendingschool, but
I found, after our third or fourth meeting, that
I, a great, burly plainsman, was head over heels
in love with the prettiest and most intelligent
little lass in Omaha. Heigh ho! ’twas but a
day’s dream, though. When I considered my-
self the happiest cuss on the prairies, and, see-
ing her affectionate bearing t0ward me, was
about to pop the momentous question, she sud»
denly disappeared, leaving behind this letter ”—
and he too a crumpled letter from his pocket—
“ which seared my heart as a red-hot iron could
not do. ‘She thanked me for helping her to

- While away an occasional hour and gratifying

her penchant for coquetry, but I must never
think of her again; her station in life was im-
mensely superior to mine, and she hoped I had
not been foolish enough to make serious of our
acquaintance; when she got home she’d implore
the guv‘nor to send me some mOney as a re-
ward for rescuin her!’ Gods! h0w I could
have crushed her air face had I had her then!
I bid Omaha a very abrupt good-by then.”

Passionately the Sport paced to and fro as be
uttered the confession, seeming unaware that
his thoughts were uttered in words. '

, His face was pale; his eyes gleamed strangely.

“ Ah! about the shirt!” he said, directly. ‘ I
had nearly forgotten about it. Some one en-
tered here, while I slept. and cut out the piece
of cloth—more, they cut it out to see if that scar
was on my arm!

“ Who did it? That’s the question. Who for-
merly knew me, knew of the scar, and is here
now, and enough interested in me to adopt the

l

 

’Liza. Jane, the Girl Miner.

stealthy method, in order to prove my identity?
No friend, I’ll swear! I’ll wager old Bixby
can throw some light on this matter, the infer-
nal old rum-sucker. I’ll see.”

- He finished his toilet, and was about to leave
the room, when an object caught his attention
which he had not seen before.

It was a lady’s white handkerchief, of rare
texture.

As the Sport hastily picked it up, the most de-
liciously peculiar perfume he had ever inhaled
arose from it.

Examination failed to discover any name
upon it, or other trace of ownership.

“I’ll keep this.” Iron-Nerve gasped. “Great

God! can it be that I am to be again thrown in 1

the way of false, heartless Laura Leigh?"

He rushed down-stairs, into the bar, to find
the major behind it, waiting on a couple of
miners.

“Ahl good-morning, Mr. Iron-Nerve.
to see you looking so fresh and rested,” and the

majors ruddy face glowed like an April sun-
beam. “Step up, sir, and let’s have an eye-

opener.”

“ Thanks,” Iron-Nerve replied. “ My eyes
are sufficiently opened already. By the way,
major. is one of your attractions, at this hotel,
ghosts?”

“Ghosts!” the major repeated, in evident as-
tonishment, well knowing what was coming.
*‘ Why, bless your heart, no.”

“ Who has charge of the keys at night?"

“ I do, sir, aside from those furnished each
occupant of the rooms.”

“ Then, perhaps, you can explain the mystery
of that?” Iron-Nerve said, thrusting forward
his arm. “ Some one entered my room, while
I was asleep, and cut that piece out of my
shirt!”

“The devil!” gasped the major.

“ I can’t say if ’twas he or not.” Iron-Nerve
returned, grimly, “ but it was a devilish mean
trick. Major, you know who did it!"

“ I hope to drop dead if I do,” the major de-
clared, stoutly. " I’ve no idea, sir.”

“But who could have entered my room with-
out our assistance!"

“ have no idea! I have no idea!”

Iron-Nerve drew his revolver, and leveled it at
the host’s heart.

“ Major,” he said, sternly, “ I believe you are
lying to me. Do you tell me whom you admitted
to my room, .or I’ll clip a piece Off from the
lower lobe of your left lung!’

“Mr. Iron-Nerve,” cried the major, folding
his arms, “I am a man, and not afraid to die.
Shoot me if you like, but I know nothing of the
affair.”

For a moment Iron-Nerve was fairly stunned,
for he felt positive the major did know.

He then put up his weapon.

“ If you are telling the truth I ask your par-
don,” he said. “ If you are lying, you’ve nerve
enough to warrant you in getting safely through
purgatory, on your own book. We’ll have the
eye-opener now.”

The major made haste in setting out the best
the house afforded, while he secretly flat-
tered himself that he had saved losing a good
boarder.

Iron-Nerve said no more, but hastened in to
breakfast.

After satisfying his appetite, he put on his
hat and ordered his horse for a ride.

While waiting on the veranda for the horse to
be brought, he struck up a conversation with a
miner, who, he soon found out, knew every
one, and pretty nearly every one’s business in
Pokervilie.

“Not many women in the camp, I take it?”
Iron-Nerve re arked.

“ Durned few, an’ most all married, as it is.
’Liza Jane’s ’bout the peartest ’round hyer-
ways.”

“A likely girl.
here. not?”

“ Leigh? Waal, tbar ain’t much 0’ a family.
Hyer comes the head 0’ it," and the man indi-
cated agiant, rough-looking miner, who, mount-
ed upon a mule and accompanied by a sneakish-
looking dog, had just ridden up.

“ Heavens! that can’t be her father!” was
Iron-NerVe’s though t. .

“ Hello, Leigh.” sung out the Sport’s in-
formant. “Hyer’s a feller as hes bin inquirin’
about the Leigh family. Guess you’re ’bout the
full deck, hey ?"’

The giant spat out a huge quid, and looked at
Iron-NerVe, s ieculatively.

“Yas, the ull family’s prisent—Bill Leigh,
Jerusha Leigh, and Carine Leigh.”

“ You’re not possessed of a daughter, or niece,
then?” Iron-Nervo queried.

Family named Leigh lives

Glad ’

'- 2;N.mmmmaxm , 'w‘ . - . i _ ._ -

. I

“ Nary, pardner! Married a squaw, but ar-
terward planted her, ’cause she tried to raise
my ha’r!”

“Guess you’re not the party I refer to then.”

His horse having been brought around, he
leaped into the saddle, and dashed out of the
camp, reward the open country.

“ There’s something qnecr about this,” he
mused, as he gnllopeii along. “There seems no
way of my solving the mystery. But, solve it
I will, if it takes an age.”

Avoiding the Elms, he rode along, so preoc-
cupied in meditation that he scarcely noticed
where he was going, until he found himself up-
(Ln the shore of Lake Theo, Opposite from the
<‘lms.
| This sheet of water was about a mile and a

half long, from the Elms to its end, where Iron—
Nerve halted, and was not over half a mile
!, wide. The water was very clear, as the lake
was remarkably deep, and nearest its center
was adensely-wooded island, of not over a half-
ncre’s extent, which gave the lakelet a pic—
turesque appearance.

Henry V etherill had caused a tiny sail-boat
to be placed upon the waters, and there were
also several row-boats. .

One of these, a light two-cared skiff, was
anchored about fifty feet out, from where Iron-
Nerve had halted.

“ I’ve a mind to ca ture it, and row over to
the island,” he muse . “I hardly think the
haughty colonel can object.”

He led his horse into a slight arroyo, near at
hand, and then, equipped with a lasso, ap-
proached the water’s edge.

A skilled throw of the lasso settled the noose
over the bow of the boat, and he soon had it
ashore.

Springing in, he pulled for the island.

It took but a short time to reach it, and beach-
ing the skiff, he plunged into the hardly penetra-
ble thicket of chaparral, which grew upon the
isle, to the water's edge.

After considerable labor, he reached the mid-
dle of the isle, where there was a slight clear-

 

m .

fiere, to his unbounded surprise, he. found two
mounds, which he rightly concluded were
graVes. One was overgrown with grass: the
other was frr sher.

Who was buried here?

Some of the Wetherills?

Iron-Nerve judged not.

Henry VVetherill was a rich man, and would
not likely bury his family here, without erect-
ing something to mark the spot.

“ There’s more than one secret about the
Elms, and I fancy I am on the right trail!” the
Sport muttered. “The girl ’Liza Jane, is con-
cerned in trying to ferret out something, too, if
I mistake not. I'll try to join her to my inter-
ests, the very next time we meet. As for these
graves. I mean to see who is in them, ere long.
Hello!”

The wind had increased, and it was growing
suddenly dark.

“It’s a storm. They spring up, quickly, in
these parts. I presume my best plan will be to
remain here, until it’s over, as I’m booked for a
ducking, anyhow!

The sound of excited voices caught his ears.

He hastily crept toward the side of theisland
nearest the Elms.

Here, a swift, sweeping glance, discovered
several things. I

It was getting very dark, the wind was in-
creasing in velocity, and a deluge of rain was
but a few minutes off, at the furthest.

That was not all.

Driving down the lakelet, under full sail, and
swaying to and fro, likea drunken thing, came
the VVetherill sailboat—a mere toy in the grasp
of the tornado.
a wreck.

Theo and Carmen were the terrified occu-
pants;—’wav down at the further end of the
lake, on excited crowd were shouting and ges-
ticnlufing, like so many lunatics let loose.

Carmen was doing his best to keep the boat
from going ashore, for it was aiming for the
island. but it was a hard 'ob.

.Hits hat was gone—he looked like a frenzied
pira e.

Theo, uttering appeals for help, was clinging
to the side of the boat, white as death.

“The boat’s a goner!” Iron-Nerve muttered,
“ but he can save the girl, if he will.”

Carmen had now got the boat headed too far
away from the island, and just as the rain be-
gan to descend, in torrents, a sudden gust cap-
sized the craft, when she was a good hundred
yards from the island.

“ Swim! swim 2” Carmen shrieked, himself

 

Certainly it was doomed to be '

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striking out for the mainland, leaving Theo
struggling in the water.

“ The cursed brute!” escaped from Iron-
Nerve’s lips, and the new ' instant his jacket was
off, and he was in the water, swimming toward
her.

" Cheer up; keep afloat!” he cried.
you!”

He saw her go down, and his heart sunk
within him, but with superhuman strokes, he
Sped through the water, and caught her, as she
arose for the last time to the surface.

“ Thank God !” he gasped: then, placing her
on his back, he struck out for the island.

At last, in a nearly exhausted condition. he
reached it, and laid her fainting, upon the
ground.

The storm was now nearing the hight of its
fury, and he could see nothing of the mainland,
and was satisfied that none of those, thereon,
were certain of ’I‘heo‘s fate.

The rain upon her face quickly revived her,
and he assisted her to arise.

“ May Heaven 1' «and you, sir, for your brav-
ery!"7 she said, gazing at the tempest-tossed
waters with a shudder. “Did he get ashore,
sir?"

“ Your husband you mean?” he said.

“ Yes—mo! I mean the contemptible coward
who was with mel”

She spoke with terrible bitterness.

“ I’ll save

“I guess he got out, all right, although the

storm hid him from view, so that I am not cer-
tuin.’7

“Oh! why! oh! why did he not perish?”she
moaned, clasping her hands, in agony, and
teeming not to realize the Sport’s resence.

" if you will step furth r into t e Chaparral,
you will not be so much exposed to the storm!"

c said, to change the subject.

She turned toward him, with a startled ex—
pression.

" Excuse me—I forgot you when I was speak-
ing. But, it matters not. I care not who
knOWs my hatred for him, whom I am forced to
wed. But we’re not married yet—ohl no! no!
no 1” she almost screamed. .

Iron‘Nerve wondered if she was going mad.

“Be calm!” he enjoined earnestly.

“Calm. Ha! ha! no! I’ll be stormy—who
wouldn’t?”

Then she turned and gazed at him, with her
searching eyes, now black as jet, in her excite-
ment.

“ Who are you?” she asked, abruptly.

“I am called Iron-Nerve. I was at the Elms.
last night.”

“ Were you? Excuse me. I didn’t see you.
I was stupetied with drugs, given me to make
me marry Clinton Carmen. Oh! I comprehend.
YouIvdisilte-d the house, earlier in the evening?”

u if .7

“Then, forgive me for my part in what oc-
curred there. lt would hava cost me my life to
have done different. You do not know the
Elms, nor the inner life at the Elms, and con-
sider yourself fortunate that you don’t!”

“Thank you for your confidence, Mrs. Car-
men: but there is nothing for you to forgive.”

“ rs. Carmen 7”

She laughed contemptuously. “ When I am
wedded to Mr. Carmen by proper authority,
then I will be Mrs. Carmen. Until then, I am,
Theo Wetherill. Priggins is a detective, not a
minister. Do you remember the tower— But
stop. I forget sometimes. I’d get twenty lashes
were it known I am so thoughtless. I seldom
get free from restraint, and when 1 do—”

And her teeth shut together with a click.

She was silent a few moments, shuddering oc-
casionally at the fury of the storm.

Finally she turned to him.

“We are strangers, sir—that is, you never
saw me before last night?”

“ Not that I remember.”

“ Well, it matters not. It will probablybe so
arranged by the colonel that we will be stran-
gers hereafter. But I think I can trust you.”

“ If you desire, I will vouch for it!”

“ Enough said. I have somethin here I want
you to take and keep for me until call for it,”
and She tmk from her pocket a richly-carved
silver snuff-box, the lid of which was se led shut
with wax. “ This is it. This box contains
something Carmen would give much to destroy.
It also contains that of Which, did I possess the
missing link, I would be the happiest woman
alive. Take it, Sealed as it is, and keep it.
Should I die, if you are near, bury it with

f,

“. I will do so, Miss Wetherill, and you can
relyon me. It is something of a novelty for
me totake charge of a lady’s trust, but I am

square in all my dealings.”

or»  " ‘ if

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“ Ah! if that could only be said of all men.
You are a. single man, sir t”

6| 1 am.”

“ You propose to hunt the dragon

“ do.

“ Be careful, sir, for my sake. You have
saved my life; 1 must earn you to keep watch
for your own safety. Perhaps it will be saying
enough that you are not popular at the Elms.”

“ No need to tell me that. I see the storm is
somewhat abating. As soon as it is over I will
row you home. My horse is at the lower end of
the lake, but I can trust him to remain there un-
til you are safely home.”

“ Thank you. 1 shall never forget your kind-
ness.”

The sky began to lighten rapidly, and the rain
to cease; so Iron-Nerve pushed. through the
thicket to the further end of the island, and
IiOWEd the skiff around to where he had left
"heo.

Assisting her to a seat facing him, he then
pulled toward the mansion.

Half the distance was accomplished, when
they suddenly saw Carmen and a ranchman on
the right-hand bank, near which they were pro-
ceeding.

“Hello, there!
dandy cried, hoarSer.

Pull ashore here!” the ducked
“ I’ll take charge of that
lady myself!"

“lVill you!" Iron-Nerve shouted back. “ I
reckon you won’t—not till we reach the Elms!”

“ Curse you! pull ashore, I say 1” Carmen
yelled, furiously.

“ Hear the jealous fool!” Miss Wetherill said,
with a smile. “ You will not mind him, sir.”

"Certainly not!” Iron-Nerve replied, bending

to the cars and causing the skiff to fairly leap
over the water.
. Carmen followed along the shore at a run,
howling anathemas at each bound. so that he
reached the Elms landing only a moment after
the boat, and just as Iron-Nerve was assisting
Theo to alight.

Up to the Sport the infuriated man rushed,
fairly frothing at the mouth in his rage.

“ Curses size you 1” he yelled, seizing the Sport
by the shoulder; “ why didn’t you pull ashore
when I ordered you to?”

“Take your hand from my shoulder, sir!”
Iron-Nerve ordered, threateningly.

“ Answer me!” shrieked Carmen.

He got his answer with a suddenness that was
wonderful, tor the Sport’s hardened right fist
shot out in a well-aimed blow and struck Car-
men full in the mouth with such force as to
knock him a considerable distance out into the
water, where he would have drowned but for
assistance of two rancheros, who got him ashore
in a senseless condition.

“ See here, sir!” Henry Wetherill cried, stri—
ding up. “I’ll have none of this work. Why
did you hit that gentleman?”

“ Because I chose, sir. A man who will leave
a lady to drown, deserves killing! I have re-
turned your daughter, sir, in safety, and will
bid 'ou good‘dayl"

“ r top!” Theo cried. “ You shall not go, until
my father thanks you. More, your horse is at
the other end of the lake. One of the men shall
go for it.”

“Excuse me, Miss Wetherill, for that would
be useless. No man on your ranch could touch
that animal, without my being resent.”

“The entleman knowsbest,” enry Wether-
ill said, alf scowling at Theo. “and has my
sincere thanks. Come, Theo—you must change
your attire.”

Theo turned, and seized the Sport‘s hand.

“I, too, thank you, sir, and you shall not
lose by to-day’s ducking!”

She then turned, and followed the Nabob into
the mansion, whither Carmen had already been
carried.

 

CHAPTER X.
’IJZA‘S BOLD VENTURE, AND IRON-NERVE’S JAM-
BOREE.

’LIZA J ANE, as she stealthin pursued the trail
of Dumb Dick, could not conceive where he was
going, for her discovery that he was a somnam-
bulist rather upset all her calculations.

Eagerly she followed, however, believing that
through this manner of procedure, she would
gain some further knowledge of the mystery
that concerned his life.

For half an hour they moved on; then, Dick
paused and looked back, as if, in his somnam-

ulistic state, he heard his pursucr.

’Liza Jane stood perfectly still, in the shadow
of the gulch wall, and finally the sleep-walker
hurried on. again; nor did he ause, until he
had passed Pokerville, and stoo within a bun-
dred yards of the residence at the Elms.

wow.

 

’IA'II. Jane was not a hundred feet behind
him, her face flushed with eager anticipation.

Oh! if she could only soIVe the mystery that
enveloped the life of him, whose welfare she
held so dearly at heart—for she loved the speech-
less man, whom she had so faithfully watched
over, and she was not m.stal.en in her belief
that he low-d her in return, with all the power
of his manly nature.

As he paused under the shadow of one of the
trees upon the lawn, 'Lsza Jane saw him raise
his gaze toward the tower of the mansion, al-
though his eyes wcre closed.

This tower was high, and at the top had been
so built, that a numlzer of persons with a small
cannon or gatling gun, could command a large
SWeep of the surrounding country.

A man could stand on its top within its forked
irregular stone railing, and see everything that
was going on below, without exposing much of
his person to bullet range.

Below this surmounting battlement, there
were singular little grated windows in the sides
of the structure, which looked as if they might
furnish light for dungeons within.

Toward this tower the mute’s face was turned,
and ’Liza Jane’s gaze was turned that way, too,
but she saw nothing but the gray stone, and the
grated windows.

The lawn was deserted. for the roysterers of
the wedding festival, had gone, and there were
no lights visible in the Elms, to indicate that
any one was awake.

Daybreak was not far off.

’Liza Jane wondered if Dumb Dick would
stand there forever, for she grew impatient, at
his inactivity.

The answer soon came, for, with a peculiar
cry he turned mechanically, and strode back
tOWard Dragon Gulch.

“ I’ll let him return!” ’Liza Jane mused.
“ He’ll go all right, 1’“ guarantee.”

Accordingly, she did not return with him,
but crept closer to the Elms.

Her eyes burned with a stern, resolute are.

“There are secrets about that place, and it
is for me to find them out,” she said, to herself.
“Poor Dick has a claim here, I shall always be—
lieve, and if I am right, no power except Al»
mighty power, shall keep him from having his
own. I am here, once more, to-night, and I
shall not leave without at least gaining some
knewledge. My exploration of the house, a few
hours ago, did not satisfy me. I was in nearly
every apartment, from cellar up, but not in the
tower. I found but One door leading to that,
and that opens off of lVetherill’s bed-room. It
was nailed shut, and is not to be easily opened.
There seem to be no secrets about the house,
unless they are locked up in that tower. If
there, I will soon know.”

Beginning from the ground, a net-work of
vines crept up the cold gray sides of the tower,
to the battlements. To a person of practical
judgment, these vines would hardly have ap-
peared strong enough, to bear 11 under the
weight of a squirrel; and certain y the most
venturesome climber would have shuddered, at
the thought of risking life in a rash attempt to
reach the turret-top, by way of the net-work
of vines.

Yet the piercing gaze of the Girl Miner rested
upon the fearful ladder of chance, speculative
ly, noting almost the turn of each twig and
stem, as it had reached upward.

“ I wonder if I am crazy,” she murmured.

She crept forward to the foot of the struc.
ture.

Examination proved that the vine growth was
of two s ecies—that of the true Virginia creeper,
and of t e real Irish ivy.

“I believe I can go up to the top, without
their giving away,” she mused. “I can try it
a ways, anyhow!”

She secured her revolvers and knife. carefully
—slung her rifle to her back; then withaprnyer
fer safety, she began the perilous ascent.

During the first ten feet of her movement
she tried and tested the green ladder with 5
her strength only to find that the tough strands
clun tenacioust to the cold wall.

Al fear leaving her, now, she climbed rapid-
ly, and in a few minutes stood in the top of the
tower!

She felt like yelling, then, to give vent to her

feelings of triumph, but not knowing what

perils she might yet encounter, concluded that
er wisest course was to keep decidedly quiet.

Looking down into the park, she calculated
that she was fully a hundred feet above tom

firma

Turning her attention then, to her present
position, she found that the space in the to of
the tower was barely large enough for his! 5

  
   
 
   
 
    
  
   
   
   
 
   
   
   
  
   
   
    
 
  
   
  
  
  
   
    
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
   
  
 
  
    
     
      
       
       
    
    
    
  
  
    
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
   
    
   
  
  
  
 
 
 

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~12

dossn persons to stand in, comfortably. The
flooring was of planks, and a small trap-door
was included therein.

A shudder passed through the girl’s frame,
when she noted that there were numerous
blood-stains upon both the walls and floor.

“ Some foul crime has been per retated here,
I'll wager l” she mused. “ I won er if it will be
healthy for me to go any further, in my explo~
rations? I can’t more than get killed, any-
how 1”

With a revolver, ready for use, in one hand,
she cautiously raised the trap-door, and peered
down.

Darkness reeted her vision, at first, but after
a steady loo , she saw an occasional bar of p :16
light, which she concluded came in through the
windows.

Means of descent were furnished by an iron
hdder, which was fastened to the wall by bolts.

Who had built the place, had built it'well.

“ Whole hog or none!” ’Liza Jane muttered
resolutely. “ I don’t see any death’s-heads lurk—
ing‘ around, anyhow.”

be next minute she was going carefully down
the ladder.

Before expecting it, she was forced to halt,
for she stood upon a tiny landing by a narrow
window.

Peering out, she perceived that she was
standing on a level with the roof of the man-
sion.

From the platform, a spiral stairway ran on
downward, dark andgloomv.

0n the window ledge was a lantern covered
with cobwebs, but ’Liza Jane found to her joy
that it contained a piece of candle, and there
was a slide to shut off the light.

Producin a match, she lit the lantern and
closed the side; then cautiously continued her
descent.

She soon came to where a door branched oil’,
and she judged that it was the same one
that opened into Colonel Wetherill’s bed-
chamber.

The stairs continued on, however, and she fol-
lowed them.

In the course of five minutes, and when she
calculated she was some distance below the sur-
face of the earth, she came to the end of the
staircase, and found herself in what was evi—
dently an underground passage or cellar.

Wondering if she was doing right, she
finrned the lantern—gate, letting forth a bar of

ht.

gAt the same instant the lantern was dashed
from her grasp, and a heavy cloak thrown over
her head, after which she was seized bodily and
home swiftly off. .

She struggled fiercely, but all to no use. She
was powerless in a giant’s grasp.

Realizing this fact, and that she had nothing
to do but succumb, she ceased struggling, and
allowed her captor to hurry her away—but
where!

Alas! she knew not.

 

Iron-Nerve turned awa from the landing,
as the Wetherills proce ed toward the man-

non.

He looked back but once, and then he saw
Theo wave her hand to him just as she was
about entering the door.

A strange expression was upon his face; his
eyes burned with an unusual fire.

“That woman, by Heaven! I almost— But

haw! it’s madness to think of such a thing.
Tilers is nothing about her that reminds me of
Laura Leigh, or I’d swear ’twas she!” be mut-
tered, as he strode along down the bank of the
lake toward where he had left his horse.

He took from his ,ket the crumpled envel-
ope, and extracted rom it a photograph which
had never been mounted. His eyes gazed at the
picture, his face wearing an expression of touch-
ing sadness.

t was a round, rosy, plump, girlish face he
saw—a laughing, sweetl -mischievous face, too
retty to seem real, with its pouting little mouth.
Brilliant, expressive eyes, and the well-shaped
head, with its wealth of hair arranged with
careless abandon. .

There was nothing stately or dignified in
that face—nothing cold or worldly, yet those
eyes-—

Iron-Nerve fairly trembled as he recalled the
expression of Theo s e es while she was excited-
ly talking upon the is and.

" My God! I believe it is the girl!” he gasped.
“Everything seems to int that way—the cut
sleeve. the costly ban kerchief, the trust she
put in me. Curse it, this matter is unnerving
me! Am I again under the influence of the
heartless chit of a siren who once wounded me?

',- . ,,.V

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’Liza Jane, the Girl Miner.

Does she think to play with me again, as a child
would with a puppet? No! a thousand times no!
Be she who she may, she shall not trifle with me.
I'm done with women. I’ll have nothing to
say to her. Let her go to the dog she says she
hates. He cannotbreak her heart, for she has
none!”

Grimly he spoke, and it was a relief to his
tortured mind when he found himself once more
inuthe saddle and dashing back toward Poker-
v1 e.

He looked so stormy when he strode into the
Demijohn that Major Bixby began to feel chills
creeping down his spine, in anticipation of
trouble in store for him.

But the Sport simply ordered a drink, after
which he went in to dinner.

He next took a smoke, on the veranda, where
he was joined by the major, who desired to
make himself as “solid ” with Iron-Nerve, as
possible.

The latter seemed moody, and sullen, how-
ever, and little inclined to be sociable. It oc-
curring to him, however, that he had not seen
the person around, he inquired of the major
concorning him.

“ The p arson, eh ?—-—the meek—faced chap W’Ot
fit the duel, wi’ Scorpion Sam?"

“The same!” Iron-Nerve answered.

“Du no as I hev seen him since he otu
this mornin’. Though now, come to think,
did hear him ask a miner, a while arter, if ’Liza
Jane were around.”

“ Who is that girl, major?”

“Dunno no more ’hout it than you do, sir.
She squatted in the gulch, several months ago,
put up her cabin, an’ hes bin thar since. All
that I know is~she an’ the Wetherills don’t
Bitch, an’ she knows how tolook out for Number

ne.

“ I should infer as much,” the Sport assented,
languidly tipping back against a pillar of the
veranda. “i think I’ll take a na .”

Considering himself dismissed, the major went
inside to take a “ tonic.”

For a couple of hours, Iron-Nerve dozed
pleasantly; then he was awakened by the
major, who held a magnificently mounted and
etfective—lookin bull-whi in his hand.

“Here, Iron. ei-ver—um’t it a beauty!” the
host cried, triumphantly. “'Thar ain’t another
SlCh in the mountain's.”

Iron—Nerve looked it over approvingly.

“ It isa good One!” he admitted, handing it
back—but the major refused to take it.

“ No, no—keep it,” he said. “Keep it.”

“ What use have I for it, pray?”

“ Plenty. sir, ’twixt you and me! Iron-Nerve,
there’s music in the air. I just got an inkling
that Clinton Carmen is coming up here to horse-
whi you.”

“ ndeed?”

“ You bet! Ye see, Suse—the nigger servant
at the Elms-Suse. she war up beer, an’ told
me to put the flea in yer ear.”

“ Humph! Is it possible I have one friend at
the Elms!” And the Sport smiled grimly.

“ it’s the whisky, sir—it’s the whisky. When
Suse’s jaws ain’t relaxed wi’ corn juice, she’s
mum as a mice.”

H  V,

“ Exactly. An’ I ain’t told ye all, pard. The
feller’s comin' heeled.”

(t so?”

“ You bet—with a score or so of rancheros.
After he has licked ye, they’re goin’ to tar an’
feather ye, tie ye to a boss wi’ a cactus under
his tail. an’ set ye a-goin’ fer furrin parts!”

_Iron-Nerve uttered a dry sort of laugh, and
his eyes glittered dangerously.

” 0,. that’s their programme, eh? Well,

on’ll see how well they’ll succeed in carrying
it out. I’ll keep the whip. Just send a waiter
up to my room for the extra pair of revolvers
that I left on the stand.”

The major gleefully dispatched a Chinese
servant for the weapons.

A shrewd business man, was the ma'or. He
foresaw money in his pocket. If a ght oc-
curred at the Demijohn, he was likely after-
ward to do a brisk trade at the bar.

About an hour afterward. while still sitting
upon the veranda, Iron-Nerve saw a posse of
rancheros. headed by Clinton Carmen, coming
up the street.

Buttoning his jacket over the bull-whip, he

uietl awaited their approach, taking note as
t ey rew near, that there were fifteen of the
party, including Carmen and Colonel Wetherill.

The party soon came to a halt, in front of
the Demijohn, and the Sport then saw that none
of the men were an weapons visible about
their persons—which, however, did not deceive
him, for he knew they carried them in conceal-

    
 
 

 

ment; but Carmen carried a formidable bull-
whip in his grasp.

He looked asi he had been badly “left.”

His face was so swollen that one eye was
nearly closed, and two of his upper front teeth
had been knocked out by the Sport’s blow.

Iron-Nerve could scarcely repress a smile at
sight of him, and sat eying the party in quiet
inquiry.

“Mr. Iron Gall, I would have a Word with
you!” Carmen cried, importantly.

“ You would?” was the response. “Then spiel
out! I can hear you without disturbing my
siesta.”

“ You coward, dare you step into the street?”
Carmen yelled.

“You bet!” was the cool reply, and jerking
his whip out from in under his jacket, he leaped
from the veranda, out into the street.

 

CHAPTER XI.
VAMOSING THE RANCH.

’LIZA JANE, the Girl Miner, had no doubt. as“
she was borne along, that she had stumbled
into an unenviable trap, and that an unknown
terrible fate was in store for her.

Her captor ran swiftly for a short distance—
then suddenly debouched into a large, subter-
ranean vault, or chamber, which was lighted by
numerous bonfires. .

The chamber bottom covered ah extent of
fully an acre, and its walls were composed of
stone masonry. The ceiling was plunked to
keep dirt from falling, and supported here and.
there by ponderous stone pillars. The ground
floor or surface was of sandy formation. and
r- ugh and irregular, large seams and holes
proving that gold had been mined for here.

The bottom was also muddy in the lower por-
tions, but at the further side was a level eleva-
tion, containing a number of wigwams of Skins,
and here, too, was a fire.

From this main chamber, in every direction,
branched ofl' narrow hall-like ges, which
prob}?ny penetrated into the bowels of the
cart .

As ’Liza Jane’s captor approached the wig-
wams, he gave vent to a peculiar cry, and three
masked, bearded men, in miner’s garb, darted
from a neighborir. assage.

They took the Gir Miner from the grasp of
her captor, who was also masked, and disarmin
her, bound her hands behind her back, ang
bade her be seated on a camp-stool.

The whole four, then, retired to one of the
passages. consulting in low tones as they went.

’Liza Jane was surprised at this, for her feet
were not bound, and there was nothing to hin~
der her flyin away.

She wai several minutes, and as no one re-
turned, she set her teeth together, fully deter-
mined to make an attempt to escape.

She was aware that she could run like a deer,
and she knew that nothing short of a bullet
could stop her. once she had an opening, unless
some one headed her off.

Rising, she darted forward toward the en-
trance to the passage by which she believed
the had made ingress to the main chamber.

Tyd her great joy she gained the entrance and
rushed into the passage.

The next instant her elation turned to terror,
as the bowl of a bloodhound broke upon her
hearing.

“Great God! I shall be torn to pieces!” she
gasped, running as she had never run before.

On—on—on! and the yelp of the savage pur-
suer grew nearer. ,

Suddenly, in her blind rush, she banged
against a door which barricaded the way.

The tremendous force with which she struck
the door, burst it o n and she fell headlong
upon the threshold, or senses leaving her.

When she recovered consciousness, she found
herself in what appeared to a wine-cellar,
for numerous barrels and cases of bottles were
strewn about.

She was lying upon her side, and squatting
beside her, holding a lighted candle, was a fat
negress—no less a personage than Suse, the.
Wetherill family servant.

“De Lor’ bress ye, chile. ye done hab a nar—
rer ’scape.” she said, as ’Liza Jane opened her
eyes. “ How d’ye come in de secret mine?”

"I climbed the tower,” our heroins ‘asped.
“ The dogs—where are they?”

“ Whar dey nebber trubble no one .nissy. I
done cotch em, out deir throats, in’ fro’ d0
miners off de trail!”

“ Then. am I safe—are you my friend?"

“Bet your life I is, honey. Base is ebery
body’s friend but Hank Wetherill’s; he hab to
pay fo’ my friendship.” ' v ‘

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’Liza Jane, the Girl Miner.

18

 

“ Where is he?” . .

“ Done gone up to PokerVille, Wicl de gossoon
Carmen, fo’h to clean out do huckleberry S ort,
miss. 0!)! dar’s fearful goin’s-on at _de lms,
to—dav, missy—feaii'ul goin’s—on, suah!"

“ How do you mean, Susc?”

“ On! de Lor’, missy, I can’t ’splain eberyting
missy, all at once; but, bress ye. ole Suse
knoWs de hull t‘ing fruni beginning to end!”

"You do, Suse. ‘Liza cried exmtcdly. “Do
you know of the Elms’s past hist’ry, Suse?”

“ Eberyt’ing, missy—eberyt’nig. I wouldn’t
tell you dis, gal, but I hope fo’ God, dis am
.Suse‘s las’ day at de Elms!”

“Are you going to leave, Suse?”

“"Deed I is, miss, ’deed l is! Dar’s bin bad
‘doin‘s today; do guests am packin’ up to leab,
an’ Suse is gwine, too. Dunno where, missy,
but unyw’ar‘s to git out Oh de reach ob de hell-
hound. Hank Wetherill!”

“ Sosa. come to my home. I will hide you,
and you will be safe. Ere long I intend to
leave this vicinity, and you shall go with me.”

“ Bress youh, chile—I’ll do it—I’ll do it; but
de Lor’ knows, I can't go an’ leab de missus.”

“ The mistress!”

“De gal, chile—da Missy Theo. Dar she be
layin’ up in de library, a-moanin’ till ye’d done
blubber right out, w1d her back all cut up in
stripes. Obi it’s awful!”

’Liza Jane arose, white and stern.

“ For God’s sake, explain, Suse!” she said.

“ 1 will, missy, do best I can. You knows
she was married. Well, do marriage wassn’t
legal, or suffin’ like dat, an’—wall, de cunnel
has allus whipped her, but today was da wust—
Lor’, ’deed it was!

“Youh see Carmen took (is young leddy a-
aailin’. an’ de storm come up, dis forenoon. an’
capsize de boat. Carmen swum ashore an’ Theo
done was rescued by do Iron-Nerve chap. Dat
make Carmen awful jealous, an’ be git knocked
down an’ his front teeth done knocked out.
Well, when he come to, he demanded of de col-
onel a marriage at once. De missy ’clare up an’
down (let she uebber would marry him—dat she
lub de Iron-Nerve, an’ nebher marry any one
else. Dan de cunnel knock her down an’ Car-
men kick her. Den dey strip her to de waist,
an’ while Caring-n hold her do cunnel whip her
till she. faint. Den do go ofl up to camp to lick
de Sport. I skins up ’ ead of ’em an’ gibs warn-
in’, 811’ b er I’se back ag’in.”

“God less you, Suse! Though this may bea
dark day for some, you shall never regret it.
I’ll guarantee a better master for the Elms
soon. Now let me see. IromNerve can take
care of himself. Miss Wetherill must be at-
tended to first. What time is it, Susef”

“ Nigh sundown, missy.”

“So much the better.
gone, Suse?”

“ I go see, honey.”

“ Do so, and return quickly.”

Suse w as not gone long.

When she returned her eyes were literally as
big as saucers.

“ Sich folks!” she said. “Dey hab done jest
Zef’ de Elms. bag an’ baggage, an’ em trampin’
up to de camp to catch de stage. Dey done jes’
go off an’ leaf de missy alone, an’ so hab da
servants. Guess eberybody scart out ’cept
Susc.”

“ The day is a dark one for Henry Wetherill!”
the Girl Miner said, grimly. “ Take me to
Theo.”

The left the vault.

In ve minutes they were in the rand li-
brary. where Theo lay upon the sofa, er face
buried in a pillow. She was moaning piteously.

Suse and Liza Jane knelt by her aide.

“ Sister,” the Girl Miner said, “ are you badly
hurt?”

Theo’s tearful face looked up in piteous sur-
prise.

“You here?” she gasped. “Oh, Heaven! do
true friends come when enemies leave me?
Why are you here?”

“ To be your friend and help you, dear.”

“lBiit I have always treated you so badly!

“Don’t think of that, Theo. I have heard of
your trouble, and I pity you," and she bent for~
allid brow, “This is no
11;] very one has gone. It is

kelv Carmen and the colonel will soon return.
My home is open to you, Theo. Will you come
With us? Base is gomg too.”

A mad look came OVer her face:

“Yes. I will go with you. May God bless
you for taking me away from here 1"

She arose with an effort, and Base helped her

Have the guests all

309 for you, dear.

(“.9 make paratlomtolaave.
.-§“‘While$y were that busied'Lisa Jauotook

u,
1“

a stroll through the house, which was now de-
serted.

When all was in readiness Suse procured three
saddle-horses from the stable, which they mount—
ed and then set out on their journey to the
Girl Miner’s cabin.

’Liza Jane knew she was undertaking a re-
sponsibility that was liable to bring her trouble,
but she was none the less resolute and brave.

they were not seen, and by passing through the

without attracting attention and reached the
cabin in safety.

Here they found Parson Priggins seated in
the doorway.

“ I’ve been waiting for you all day,” he said.
“ The stage man at the camp had a package for
you, and so I offered to fetch it up.”

“ It’s the battery!” ’Liza Jane cried. “Now
I’ll know if Dick can ever speak or not.”

They all entered the cabin, and thence went
into the cavern.

Dumb Dick lay upon his couch, fast asleep.

“ The fellow near startled the wits out of me,
a bit ago,” Priggins said. “I didn’t know of
this secret apartment until I saw him suddenly
emerge from it and go out for a drink of water.
He looked at me suspiciously, then returned to
the cave.”

“ He is paralysed—he cannot speak,” ’Liza
Jane said. “I hope no one else has seen him
during my absence.”

“ But there has. While he was after the water,
I saw a man, a piece down the gulch, watching
him. When your mute came in, the man went
toward Pokerville.”

“ A spy l” ’Liza Jane said, . grimly. “ I’ll not
be surprised if Henry Wetherill’s gang attack
the cabin to-ni ht.”

She then exp ained to Priggins concerning her
recent adventures.

“ Wetherill has about run to the end of his
rope. I have sent for detectives to help me ar-
rest him. He is wanted in the South for mur-
der and abduction, of fifteen years’ standing.”

This was said low, but reached Theo’s ears
nevertheless.

“ Murder and abduch'im I” she cried, excited—
ly. “Am I .lui‘, his child?"

“No, nia’am. You are of a fine Southern
family, from whom \Vetherill stole you out of
revengé. I have been hunting you for years,
and etherill knows it-—kn0ws that only a
desperate course of action can now save him.
Theo, you are my own sister!"

Great excitement then followed for the mo-
ment, and warm was the reunion of the brother
and sister.

In the mean time, ’Liza Jane was engaged in
preparing the battery, and the others became
deepl interested.

At ast she had it in readiness.

“ I am going to experiment with my last hope
for poor Dick,” she explained. “ If electricity
won t relieVe him, nothin it will.”

He was lying upon his side, still sleeping.
His hands were partly unclinched, as they had
so long been, in their pesition behind his back.

She sli pad the two electric handles into h‘i
grasp an placed the battery on the chair.

Thre next instant she turned on the full cur.
rent

lVith a wild yell, he rolled from the bed and
gained his feet.

He had lost his grip on the handles, and his
arms and hands Were back in their natural posi-
tion

He gazed at ’Liza J ane with an expression of
rofound gratitude; then, suddenly seizing her
lll'dhls arms, he turned to the spectators and
am :

“God is good. Glory be to His name!”

 

CHAPTER XII.

AWFUL DOIN’S.
LET us return to Pokerville.
“ Dar’s been awful goin’s-on to-day.” the negress,
Suse. said to ’Liza Jane, and yet she could hardly
realize in full the truth of her words.
There were awful goingS-on, but they had only
fairl commenced.
W en Iron-Nerve leaped into the street with the
whip in his handhit is on] fair to say that Clinton
Carmen was surprised, for e did not anticipate that
two could. on so short notice, engage in a game of
cowhiding.
He therefore shrunk back, but the hissin
Henry Wetherill in his ear caused him to
courageously.
“Don’t you show the coward!” the colonel com-
mended.
Iron-Nerve advanced until within possible striking

voice of
race up

 

 

gistanceégghe dandy, when he used and eyed
men a stern unan ‘ that made
W q . who 8 .

It was dusk when they left the Elms, so that ‘

outskirts of Pokerville 3th got into the gulch ,

"5 am here, Sir Dude!" he said.
ran .”

“You need hardly ask that.” Carmen cheered.
“ I have come here to thrash you within an inch (1
your life."

“After which, you having satisfied your sing
you’ll turn what’s left of me over to your intend
daddy-iii-law to tar and feather, and then send me
I off on a horse with a cactus stalk under its tail, eh?"
1 the Sport cried, with butter emphasis.

, “ Exactly, sir. But how (lid on learn so much?"
i and both Carmen and \\ etheril stared. '

"I am not a circulating library of information,
so Il cannot inform you. Are you ready to pro-
ceet ?"

“ That’s just what I am,” Carmen declared.
“ You‘re gomg to stand up and take it like a man.
My men are to force you to do it. They are all
armed!"

"Yes. an‘ thar‘s a few 0’ us in the same predica-
ment l“ Major Bixby yelled, leaping down the steps.
“ See hyer. ye skunks. thar ain’t goin’ to be no mon-
key business ’round beer. Eh, Pokers? See fair
play, won’t we?"

And the. crowd yelled assent.

As a majority, they rather liked the Sport, and
did not like Wetherill or his rancheros.

" Yas, everything’s goin’ to be uar‘ ’round h er,
if the court knows herself I" cri a plucky m or
well named Battle. “ You two tellers aire so fond 0'
one another, e‘ve jest got ter strip an' hev it out.
lickety—cutl e’ll see fair play an no favors."

This proposition was greeted by another cheer
from the Pokervillians.

Henry Wetherill uttered an oath.

“This shall not be. The Sport is too much for
my friend. I’ll give five hundred dollars to the
man that will capture the Sport."

Iron-Nerve felt that he was in jeopardy, and the
offer maddened him. Quickly raising the whip. he
struck the dandy a cut across the face that laid the
flesh open. At the same instant a dozen of the
roughs, from both sides, sprung upon the Sport.

But he was not taken.

His knife was in his hand, and he used it with ter~
rible effect, for with awful quickness, he had made
a cleadring, and a dozen dead men lay upon the
groun !

Then a pistol-shot struck him near the heart, and
he fell like a log.

A great yell of victory went up. and he was seized
and bound.

“ He is not dead!" Henry Wetherill cried. “Re-
store him to consciousness. He shall pay dearly for
this work!"

IroaNervo had not been severely hurt.

But for the fact that he had aha)de the little box
he had receiVed from Theo into is left vest-pocket,
his heart would have been pierced by the treacher—
ous shot.

He was revived without trouble, and surrounded
by the rancheroa, each of whom held apistol leveled
ready for emergency, in case the resolute man
should attempt escape.

“ New. then l” l olonel Wetherill cried, “ I presume
you’ll admit that you‘ll take a cowhiding, you in-
fernal rough I”

" Ion have the temporary advantage!” Iron-Nerve
gritted, “ but if it is your turn now, it will be mine
next!"

“ “ill it? You’ll find your next turn in eternity.
Boys, be his hands in front of him and cut the
clothing from his back. To-day will demonstrate
that I run this cam .”

“Yes. that‘s ri t, cunnel—you an’ I runs the
town ourselves!" roke in Scorpion Sam, who had
fired the shot at the Sport. “ It s a blizzard' ous day
when I an’ the cunnel don‘t have our say."

Iron-Nerves wrists were bound in front of him. as
had been directed, and the keen-edged knives of
the ranchmen soon had all the clothing cut awa
£20m he upper portions of his body down to b5

lt.

He submitted to all this, his face set hard, and his
eyes gleaming.

Notning was to be gained by a bold attempt to
esca ie. He well knew he would be shot down be-
fore ie could get a dozen yards awav.

Of those who had offered to back him. there were
now but half a dozen, including the major the best
share of the crowd having sided in with Witherill’s
gang in hopes of getting a slice out of the offered
flve undred doliars, or of having a good time at
' nepolonel’s expense.

Bixby and these few who were in the minority, as
compared with the Nahob‘s crowd. stood ginin to
one Side, looking on, and iealizing that t ey were
powerless to render assistance.

As soon as Iron-Nerve's back was bated, Colonel
Wetherill turned to Carmen, who had been tying up
his cut face.

“ Carmen now is your chance. Hurry up and t
through with this matter. for I expect to have at er
work to do before this day is over. ’

Carmen seized the Sport’s whip, which lay on the

ground.
he cried, with devilish exultance.

“ State your er-

“ Ha! ha!“
“ You bet I’ll attend to the fellow in proper le. I
say. in man. we’ll see whether you are 1%
calls! ron-Nerve. With the whip you would v0
tickled me, I‘ll tickle you, and don t you forget it!
Will you hegf'} ‘
Iron-Nerve smiled defiantly, but made no answer.
“ No beg about him 1” sung Major Bixby.

“ You shut u . or ou’ll a taste of it!" Colo-o.
Wetherill call out 

Carmen rolled up his sleeveaspatonhishands.

 

 

nudges may.
.“ ouwon’t ,eh!"heleered. “W I’D”
ywtenlnhpgleohowyou'flhbitlém’ 

 

    
  
   
    
  
    
 
   
 
  
  
   
  
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
    
  
 
  
  
 
  
    
   
  
   
   
   
 
 
   
 
   
   
   
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
   
  
 
  
   
   
  
    
     
       
      

 

blAnd with all his strength, he struck the initial
ow

A  welt across the Sport’s white back was the
resu .

Wetherill averted his face. Wretch though he
was, he could but shudder as his imagination asked
him what he would do were he the victim.

Iron—Nerve winced a. trifle and his teeth were set
as by a vise, but he uttered no sound. His face
was ale, but defiant, and terrible in its expression.

“ ‘ive him twenty lashes—that will be sufficient,"
the colonel ordered. “ Then We'll douse. him with
salt water, and start him off. Don't be careful how

on hit him. Carmen. Don't be at all tender-
eartedl”

“No fear of that!" was the save e answer, and
the villain continued to pile on the lows, with all
the force he knew how.

Not a sound from Iron-Nerve.

The flesh on his back was laid opt-n in great
gashes, and the blood dripped from him. in streams;
but he stood the. terrible torture, without a groan, or
a, murmur of pain.

The crowd of rancheros looked on loweringly.
Roughest of the rough. even though they Were,
their hearts went out for the Sport, and they could
but commend his wonderful grit.

At the twentieth blow, Carmen had just got his
hand in, and showed no disposition to sto ).

“ I’ll finish him, but what he shall cry,’ he yelled,
with the fury of a demon.

The rancheros exchanged glances; then, one of
them stepped forward.

“Let up thin-l We’re solid wi’ the colonel. but
thisdwhippin’ has gone fur enough—ch, boys?” he
crie .

The others assented.

“Of course—throw down your whip, Carmen!”
the Nabob cried, not caring to go against the will of
his backers.

Carmen obeyed. unwillingly.

“ I ought to kill him,” he cried.

Henry Wetherill then produced a. bucket of strong-
? skalted water, and dashed it upon the Sport‘s

ac .

Iron-Nerve groaned, at this.

His agony was excruciating.

“Ha! ha! that fetches the music out of him!”
Carmen yelled.

“ Your musical days are to come!" Iron-Nerve
repltied. “My curse rests on you, you cowardly

ru e ’

 

“ Your curse is of little account!” Henry Wetherill
said. “ You should feel grateful that we do not kill
you. Carter go get this devil‘s horse." A faint
cxgression of pain came over the Sport’s face.

6 knew his horse was in the stable, securely
tied; otherwise, no man in Pokerville could approach
1 .

Three men set out for the fiery animal, and soon
returned with it, having all they could do, to hold it.
Iron-Nerve was then seized, and tied upon his own
back across the horse‘s back, his head and heels
don ling downward
ow, then," Henry Wetherill said, “when the
cactus is sli ped in under your charger’s tail, fare-
well. You’ never see your loving friends, here,
'n, sad though it may be. We would honor you
With a. coat of tar and feathers, but have none
handy. Thus ends your lover’s hope of ever again
seeing Theo—once your Laura Leigh. Ha! ha!
The other time I forced her to turn you off—this
time, I try a different method. Your fair Laura has
gamed by the same punishment, as you. Ready,

8!?)

Il-on- Nerve heard, and he also comprehended all.

Laura had never been false to him!

All, now pointed to this fact.

He would have answered, but at this instant, his
horse gave a scream of (pain and bounded furiously
away, up the gulcb‘, ’mi yells from the crowd.

Onl on! out, it tore, like some mad creature, and
he expected every minute to have his brains dashed
out, against the rocks.

Out on! on! He wondered if the suffering brute
ever would sto .

It did stop, of a sudden.

They were over a mile up the lch, however.

The cactus had become detac ed from in under
the horse’s tail.

It paused, with a. snort, and gazed about, as if at a
loss what to do.

“ Billy!" the sport called. “ Billy! ”

The animal turned its neck around, in evident sur-
prise. Then, recognizing its master, it gave 2 res-
sion to its delight in a low whinny, and evident y re-
alizing its master‘s situation, be an biting at the
larlats, which bound his hands, as ereached out
arms to encour e the sagacious brute's work.

Carefully, fait ully it worked, growing moment-
arily more eager to release its owner’s cruel bonds.
The thongs rapidly softened under the hot moist
breath and sharp tact and in five minutes the
S ’3 arms were free Then, it took him but a

ort time, to gain his liberty.

He then dismounted, and with some remnants of
his out garments, bathed his back in the water of
the guic creek,

Among the rags dangling about his waist to his
astonishment was his vest, held fast by the [stol—
beit. Qdckly he examined its inside pocke and
there safe but not sound was the little silver box,
but the bullet shock had opened the lid, and there

lay before the 8 rt’s gaze, the ri —the tiny gold

circiet which be ad given Laura Ifefigh in Omahol

““Th’n’nk God!" he murmured. “ he in Itil true
Inc.

Placing the min a pockotof bistro
whiohwero etwbole be “mounted huh
wmytorl’ckei'villo. ’- m“

 

 

’Liza Jane, the Girl Miner.

He soon came to the ’Liza Jane shanty, but saw
no one, and was unaware of its ownership.

A sudden thought. striking him, he headed Billy
into the glen, and halted him among the pines.

“ l‘ll hangr around here until dark," he mused.
“ Then I can slip into l’okerville, and get some
clothing and weapons from the major."

From where he had halted he. could observe the
cabin. Seeing no stir, he. finally concluded it was
untenantcd, and so stoic toward it.

On reaching,r the door he saw, to his surprise, that
Priggins was inside, fast asleep in his chair.

Upon the wall iron-Nerve saw a miner‘s shirt. hang,-
Eig, and also several rifles, revolvers, and cartridge-

this.

Resolved not to disturb the parsmt. he took off his
boots, and stole into the cabin, with the stealth of a
cat as it nears its prey.

Without ditlienlty he procured the shirt. and an
old sombrero: then a rifle, a pair of revolvers, and
sueli ammunition as he needed.

Thus equipped, he returned to the glen. and in
due time. was fixed up in a more presentable style.

He was suffering much from his laceratcd back,
and throwing himself upon the ground thick with
the dead spines of the mountain pine, he passed off
into a deep and refreshing sleep.

It was after dark when he awakened, and his
horse was lying down near at hand.

He rose, feeling stiff and sore, and was in the act
of preparing to start for Pokerville, when he heard
v01ces.

He crouched down by Billy, and listened.

Presently two men came stealthin up the glen,
from the direction of the cabin, and plunged deeper
into the forest.

They passed but a short distance from him. and he
refiognized them as roughs he ‘ .ad seen in Poker-
V) e.

“The colonel says this is the last night,” one of
them said as they passed.

“ Yas. I reckon he’s after the sixty thousand
dollars.”

“ Well, we can’t growl. We’ve made our pile, an’
we’ve bin luck to git off so neat.”

“ You bet. ’m glad it‘s to be thrown u . I’m
tired out. It’s my turn, eh? “'ell, I hope. it is the
last. D‘ve knOW, I‘ve wondered some one didn‘t
pop a bpllet right in under the fetlock, an’ lame the
burro !’

Iron-Nerve did not catch the answer.

He had arisen to his feet.

His face was flushed with triumph.

“ Sooner than I expected !" he muttered.
it, now. I’ll work the clew!"

Motioning his sagacious animal to remain where it
was, he set out on the trail of the two roughs.

He tracked them to a cavern a mile from ’Lizn
Jancgs abode, and there, on entering, they lit a
torc .

Iron~Nerve watched their movements eagerly.

First of all, a small but wiry burro was led forth,
and one of the men mounted it, lying face down-
ward and lengthwise u on the animal’s back.

In this position, an holding the reins, he was
strapped by his companion.

Then, from overhead, an in enious contrivance
was lowered, which, when fltte strapped and tied
down, completely hid the burro and rider from sight,
isnd Irepresented the winged crocodile and the Devil

on

It was a remarkably clever piece of mechanism, as
Iron-Nerve could see. The crocodile body and all
that coVered the burro, except its legs, ft;.(ppeared to
be made of sheet-iron worked and paint artistical-
ly to represent what it did. The leggings were of
steel chain-net. The ghostly figure was of india-
rubber. painted white; consequently, both dragon
and rider were bullet-proof.

When so much had been done. Bones, the assist
ant, mounted a stool, and with a. can, poured it quan-
tity of liquid of some kind into a tiny hole between
the crocodile’s eyes; next he applied the lighted
torch to the eyes and mouth, and gets of flame leaped
therefrom.

Then seizing a can of prepared phosphorus, he
wash the dragon with it, and said:

“Thar! I guess you‘ll do fer ter~night, Jimmy. It’s
our last night, anyhow. I’ll slip down to Poker an'
collect w’at’s comin’ from the colonel, then, arter
tar-night, we’ll light out fer other parts wi’ our m-
vention, an’ ckilate on it.”

“Not yeti" ton-Nerve cried, leaping into the cave,
and seizing the burro by the uncovered bits, at the
same time covering Bones with a revolver. “ Throw
down your wea us, or you’re a. dead man!"

Bones utter an oath, and hesitated.

“ Obey!" Iron-Nerve cried, “ for the game‘s up! If
you would live, you have but one choice."

“The jig's up, Bones,” piped Jimm ’3 voice from
under the covering. “ Don be a too !”

Bones threw his wea ns own.

“Take that rape,” on-Nerve ordered, “and tie
this burro’s legs together."

Doggedly the man obeyed, covered with that
threatening revolver.

“130w, more rope," was Iron-Nerve‘s next oom-

an .

“ What ye goin’ to do?” Bones growled.

“Tie you, of course. You are my prisoners for

the resent. Obey, or flat you go on your face—a

dead Wetherill tough 1"

“But, sir, ye‘re not goin‘ to let us get lynched,
e 99

a v
“Oh, no! Obey me and I’ll see that no one
harms on. I may take you into my own employ."
“unit: ain’t yo goin’ to lat me out o‘ byer t’l

no eon-fauna 
“ on are for be pro-
nent," m the significant no: er.

“ I have

m

 

 

1 flinging Bones securely. Iron-Nerve then picked up
ns r1 e.

“ H] be back ere long. likely. No one will disturb
you till I return, I dare say.”

.IVIVith feelings of victory he then set out for Poker-
V1 8.

“ It‘s ten thousand dollars I haven’t lost. but fifty
thousand I‘vegwon," he muttered. “A fellow can
stand a sore back or so for that.”

CHAPTER XIII.
DICK DALLAS SPEAKS.

As he reached ‘Liza Jane‘s cabin, Iron-Nerve con-
cluded to enter it, and see if l’riggins Were. still
there; but when he stalked into the room, the par-
son was not to be seen.

An instant later, however, ’Liza Jane came from
the cavern apartment.

“Iron-Nerve,” she ejaculated, “you are a we]-
come v1sitor, indeed. (‘ome in here.” and she led
the way into the. cavern. where but a few moments
prior to the Sport‘s arrival she had accomplished
such magical results with the flattery in restoring
Dumb Dick from his semi-paralysis of limbs, and
entire paralysis of tongue.

Iron-Nerve uttered an exclamation of astonish—
ment. as by the iirelight he saw the group collected
within the cavern. '

" Well. he said, turning to ‘Liza Jane, “you have
quite a houseful of visitors. Perhapsl am intrud-

ing."
“No! no! no!” ’Liza cried. “You are more than
welcome. But your garments are stained With,

blood, sir; are you wounded badly?"

“ A little out in the back is all. I got a horse-
whipping at the camp this afternoon. I’m but little
the worse for it, though.”

The eyes of the Sport then became riveted upon
the face of Dick.

'Liza J one saw the two men regarding each other,
and askth almost unconsciously:

“ Iron Nerve, do you know this gentleman who
looks so much like you i'”

Both men had rown a trifle ler.

“ Great God! ick, Dick Dallas—my brother—can
this indeed be you?” Iron~Nerve gasped, extending
his hand.

Which the other seized, heartly.

“Yes, I am indeed Dick Dallas, though it has been
many months since I have been able to speak the
name, until tonight. I owe all to her,” and he
pointed to ‘Liza Jane. “ liut, it cannot be possible——”
I “ThatI am your brother, Nathan Norcross Dal-
as?

“Exactly.”

zThen, know that it is possible. for I am non.
0t erl’

And the brothers then indulged in a. good old-
fashioned hug. .

“ I never expected to see you again, though I came
down into tlns count , in hopes of finding some
trace of you. and of fat er and mother.”

“ Their faces on will never see again," Dick Dal-
lis said, sadly. hen, he turned to ’Ltza Jane:

“ My faithful friend, I suppose you are anxious to
hear my story, and since you have bestowed u :1
me the precious gift of speech, you shall, know a

“This is the first time I have met my brother. in
ten years, for, that many years ago it was, that he
ran away from our home, in Nebraska, and became
a. ranger, in the far western wilds. I, however, re-
mained with my father, and a. year after Nat’s deo
parture, we heard of his death, in an Indian massa-
cre.

“ About this time, my father came to this section,
and being well-do—to, bought up all the tract of land,
comlprised in the estate known as the Elms!"

A looked surprised exce t ’Lim Jane.

“ My father, a little ater, y a. fortunate specula-
tion, made nearly a million dollars and at once set
to work working the Elms into a beautiful home,

using money without stint, and employin the best
workmen to red. When the s was
built, we made a. very that p. vast mine of gold

was underlying cluttesidence, and so determined to
kee it a secret, until we had worked out all we
n ed of it.

“For years we mined, and no one was "he wiser
for it, for our home was in the heart of the wilder-
ness then; and when I tell you that a. large share of.
our profit was laid out about the Elms, you may not
wonder that such a stately home exists, as it doe
to—da . At last, however, father took an old frien
into t e secret—a. boyhood chum of his, Donald Car-
men by name.

“ Things Went on well, for awhile, but finally Car»
men turned up missing. Father would never believe
anything was wrong, until, one ht Carmen took
us by an rise. He came back w th a pal named
Leigh—t at’s the name, ’Liza—and a. dozen rumanl
to back him i”

“Leigh! Thntis my name i” ejaculated the pan.
son.

“ Henry Wetherill frequently aesumed the name,

years ago,” Theo ut in.
“Ah! be then, the man who accompaan old

Cannon!" k averred. “ Well, we were all taken
captive, and Carmen had no im ned in the mine.
Here we were kept, for mont a. my mow

that died, of the damp and exposure, on not long
after Wetherill shot my father down dead. A qua:s
rel then ensued, between Carmen and Leigh, or
Wetherill, and I never saw Carmen again. - The rif-
flan miners, who never left the mine, said Carmen
had left the Elms, with his death-wound.

“ Well, about three years , as nearest remem—
ber, I heard the miners any h had In ved into-
the Elms, and was liv in great style. A 111:
time, I modeantttem tom-Hodbyour

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servant yonder Suse—I-Ieaven bless her! It was a
failure though, and I was terribly beaten. Soon
after. however. 1 made another attempt, and suc-
ceeded. 1 leaped from the [01/ oft/1e toner oft/Le Elms,
to the crown r J"

A cry of horror escade the listeners, at which
Dick Dallas laughed.

“ A desperate man may do man things," he said.

“Of myself, however, and o my wanderings,
from that day, until about a year ago, I know not.
1 was uementedfiulterly out of my wits. I have a.
faint recollection of that. and thatl was hunted. A
year ago, 1 was found by ‘Liza Jane, and she has
mail» ui what. Iain!”

Anl he put. his arm around her waist, and drew
her to him.

"Nat." he went on. “the. Elms is ours, and we
have eat-h a son‘s vengeance to wreak on Henry
“'etherill?"

“True, “Wk; Iowo him no good-will, you can bet!
Priggins. I captured the dragon, tonight, and have
it, with the two men whom \Vetherill hired to work
the invention, safely caged l"

“The money is in Miss 'Liza Jane's hands. sir.
My name, however, is not l’riggius. but Gerald
Leigh. of the Crescent City detective force. This
young lady is my sister. and I hope. no one will
think ill of her for being a member of Henry Weill-
erill‘s household, as he abducted her, when but. a
child, and she declares her innocence of any co.n-
plicity in his villainy. Indeed, she has sui‘t‘erel ter-
ribly at his hands."

“ Miss Leigh is cleared of everything," Iron—Nerve.
said, bowing, but not raising his gaze to 'l‘heo‘s pale
face. “ Miss ’Liza. you will still continue as banker
of the wager money. Dick and I have work to do,

“ What, Iron Nerve?"

“Henry Wetherill is a murderer!
me and iightl"

“ I have a warrant for his arrest, sir, for murder,
of long standing.” Gerald Leigh spoke up. "But
since your claim is stronger than mine I will with-
draw from the case. To-morrow. howeVer. I will
arrest Clinton Carmen. and with my sister, bid you
all good-by."

“ What would you arrest Clinton Carmen for?"
’Liza. Jane cried. excitedly.

“ Ah. excuse me! Perhaps I am treading on some
one‘s toes. eh ?” and the detective laughed. "You
see. miss, while I was up in Oregon recently a war-
rant was given me for the arrest of one Clinton Cur-
gen wherever found, for the murder of one Mabel

are.”

"Then your case is identical with mine. I am
Mabel Dare’s sister Jennie—’Liza Jane being merely
a whim to hide my identity—and I am here to settle
with Clinton Carmen myself!“ the. Girl liliuer cried.

“Not while I’m your rd!” Dick Dallas inter-
posed. . “ I’ll just attend to any little accounts that
rest With you to settle, In true friend! This Car-
men must be a. relative o Wetherill‘s chum, and I
owe him a grudge on that account.”

“Then let’s get ready for a visit to the Elms!”
Iron-Nerve suggested. “There is no time like the
present for matters of this kind.”

“If ‘Liza Jane will look out for my sister and

Suse I will accompany you," Geral Leigh an-
nounced.
“ ou bet I’ll look out for ’em I" was ’Liza‘s assnr~
ance. “ I only wish I had a hand in the circus too.
My pard will fill the bill, though. Come along into
the cabin and I'll rig you all out with weapons suf-
flcient to start a cemetery‘ at least.”

The all followed the c eery elf except Theo, and
Iron- erve, seeing that she intended to remain be-
hind, lingered also.

“I wanted to tell you that to your little silver box
I owe my life,” he said, stepping closer to her. “ I
carried it in my vest-pocket, and but for its res-
fincet there today a bullet would have entere my

ea. ."

“ Indeed! Then I am so glad I gave it to you," she
murmured. her gaze averted.

“ The lid got open by the shock of the bullet. and
I could not resist the temptation to take a peep at

treasure,” he said. “Laura, may I place my
little ring back upon your finger?”
She ave him a startled glance and buried her face
her ends as he drew her toward him.
“On, Natl you know not what you are saying!"
she sobbed. “You do not mean it—you are mock.
lug me in my miseryl"

‘Far from it, Laura I am not the man todo
that. I know what you would say—that I can never
forgive that cruel blow dealt me, at Omaha? Did I
not know that you were forced to write, as you did,
by “Henry Wetherill, I should not forgive you,
can .“ -

“ Then you know—f"

“Enoughtosatisf me. Wetherlll, this afternoon,
made his brags that e forced you to write the letter.
You visited me at the hotel?"

“Yes! I could not rest until I was satisfied that
it was you. Oh Nat, do you fuhy forgive me!
Then I can go with my brother, tomorrow, with a.

if? hemp if th i ythi

- or ve on, ere sun 11 tofo ve—
but, my w , you shall never leave ngo ain‘:8i Tell
me one thing, dear—did old Blood le let you
into my room?"

“ eta—{out Oh! don’t scold him. I made him
l

was infernal old sump! Well, there’s one thi
‘1] lie like blues before he'll break a promise”?!

He must face

person. uwe shall stillcall him mm
the cavern just then, and started atpo the
, ' t'l'hoo. inon lover-like on.
.‘t , l" ._ who“ this!"

"j Imanyonr‘lm.dr,ju‘oonouo
, i
. _. J“ .

 

15

 

 

’Liza Jane, the Girl Miner.

focus," Iron-Nerve replied. “ Parson, this is my in-
tended wife!“

“ Waal. dog my cats ef things ain’t getting rather
warm 1” the parson ejaculated. wiping his forehead.
" I esca )ed from the other room so as not to inter-
fere wit a sort ofhilliiig-and-cooingmatch. leckon
I‘m left out in the cold, unless I tackle old Suse.”

Half an hour later the three men, well-armed and
mounted, rode rapidly toward Pokerville.

It was moonlight and llcasant, and they chatted
soci‘lhly until they reached the Demijohn, where
they dismounted.

The major was standing on the veranda, looking
downl the street where a crowd of men wure congre—
gatei .

“ Hillo, iron-Verve, you old hunk !” the major
cried, si-izmg the Sports hand. “ Still alive, yet, I
see. Did all I could fer ye, Loy. ’Twa‘n't no use,
tho‘. Queer how things will take a turn, eh? Yes-
terday llenry \\ etherill was t. 9. biggest. gun, hyer-
ways, an‘ now I wouldn‘t give ten cents fer his
Scalp. "

“ Vs'hat‘s wrong?"

“\Vliy, ye, see. arter you war sent oil". he and the
rant-hieros had some words, un‘ he discharged the hull
passe .

“ An unwise. move, I should say.”

“Jest bet. The fellcrs didn‘t say much, at first.
but begun fillin’ up on whisky, un’ they’ve got “bout
a tankfnl, now. 'I hat’s them down yonder. They‘re
goin’ to pay the colonel a wisit at midnight, an‘ ye
kin iedge what” happen.“

” Then we must get in ahead of them.” Iron-Nerve
declared. “ Major. this is my brother, Richard Dal-
las—the rightful owner of the Elms. Henry Wetherill
(lOes not own an acre of the place, as can be easily
proved.”

“ Well. well! of all things!" and the major shook
Dick‘s hand. warmly. “ Bet yer life Pokerville will
back ye, young man, every day in a week! Come in,
boys. On the head of this we must have an eye-
opener."

1Tb? eye-opener was had, and then Iron-Nerve
as 'e( :

“ Where is the whel , Clinton Carmen?"

lf‘lgl'e went along wi the cunnel," the major re-
p 16‘! .

“Somneh the better. We‘ll gobble the both of
them; By the way. major, I have a request to ask of
you.’

“ State it, sir—it‘s already granted.”

“ It is this: Write up to the fort and have a chap-
lain come down. I and Theo Wetherill propose to
get married.”

“Great Jupiter! Then I‘m goin’ to get spliced to
the widder at the same time!"

“And. major, as we shall stop at the Demijohn a
few days, I want a special lock put on the door of
m room."

9 major eyed the Sport a moment.

“See here riend," he asked, “ aire ye screwin‘
around at a hint?"

“ Not exactly: I think I gave it straight from the
shoulder.”

“ Well, by gosh! Did that gal o uawk on me?"

“Precisely what she did. you 0 d Sinner. But. on
account of the huge size of your gall, I’ll have to for-
give you, this time.”

They had another eye—opener then, and, mountin
their horses, rode down to the. Elms, which look
like some grim castle in the spectral moonlight.

Leaving their horses at the edge of the park, they
crept toward the mansion.

As soon as they had a. 31 re iched near enough, they
perceived that the hall oor was wide 0 n, and upon
the. threshold, weltering in blood, luy C ' ton Carmen
—deadi

“ One life less to dispose of," Iron-Nerve muttered.
“ The ti er has evidently killed his own mate. I dare
sagi Wet erill has taken flight.”

uch however, was not the case.

In his own bed-chamber, lying upon the snowy
bed, the colonel lay, his face white and blood stream-
inglfrom his side and dyeing the counterpane.

e looked up with a glare of defiance, as he saw
the trio enter—his surprise did not seem to increase
at sight of Dick Dallas.

“I thought you were not dead,” he said, mist
himself on his elbow; “in fact I was uite sure of .
Igislpfgted that ’Liza. Jane had you (I away. Was

g .

“ Quite," Dick Dallas answered.

“ It is my fault,” he went on. as coolly as though
speaking of some trivial matter. “ I ought to how
bad the girl killed. It can matter but little now,
however. The ame‘s about up. Ican’t hold om
more than hal an hour, then the Elms will he

ours. You'll find the papers and everything in my

any.”

“ Indeedl Then you‘ve concluded to give up?"

“ There seems little else for me to do. I‘ve played
my cards for all they‘re worth, and lost a. r all.
"Rena7 were too many haves in the hand. W ere is

80 9!

“ Safe in my protectionl" Iron-Nerve cried. “ Hw-
g p’ethprfll, are you able to stand and meet me face

ace ’

“I am not. If i{lou choose, you can shoot me where
I lay, or wait 1: death comes—which will be one
maxiy minutes."

“ strike no helpless man, even though he were
the murderer of m father and mother. Are than
their graves upon t e island!"

It aim-7
“ You did somethln wonderful in burying than
a an“;  m m...

‘ . 0 me, to
horqnndwohnditout. Imgdldumuchht
no no I for him.”

M a hard Wu listed over his I...

   

J ' 4 . m
‘1 I ’0 V” s01  ’"i
. ,. ‘3

 

 

“You haven‘t captured the dragon Yet, I one
say?” he at length remarked.

“ On the contrary, l have. I have both Bones and
Jimmy secured in the cave. That‘s a clever inven-
lion—,the dragon—but ill give it away to-mor«
row.‘

“Well. i suppose so. It’s been a bad day. I‘ve.
had my time, though, and can‘t growl. l sup-
pose l‘ll have to make the best of it. Do you see
this?”

He touched one of two knobs that were affixed to
the wall at his bedside.

" i see!" lron-Ncrve responded.

"‘ Then watch l”

He gave the knob a violent jerk.

“That. signifies that the gold mine beneath this
castle is flooded. and henceforth of no value. The
jerk of that knob opened a secret flood-gale connect-
ing from the lake. Five minutes will suffice to till
the mine!"

“ But there are your miners in the mine!" iron-
Nerve cried. horrified.

“ Let them die as I do!" was the answer.

The. next instant he had placed a pistol to his head
and fired!

It. was thelast act in the drama for him. and the
two brothers and the detective left the Elms, their
vengeance most fully appeased.

Henry Wetherill and Clinton Carmen were buried
next day upon the ranch. and a wooden slab placed
upon each grave, to tell who lay beneath the sod.

After undergoing some changes, the Elms was
taken possession of by Suse and a retinue of serv-
ants.

About a month later there was a wedding at the
Elms, to which all Pokerville had an invitation: that
is, there was one wedding, and two others as accom~

puniments.

Iron-Nerve, the S rt invincible, took as a partner
for life, the one of '5 choice, Laura Leigh.

The second couple was our heroine, ‘Liza Jane,
alias Jennie Dare, and Dick, and in taking Dick
Dallas for a life partner she not only made an excel-
lent choice, but became mistress of the Elms,
lron-Nerva and Laura, later removing to Oregon.

Major Blood Bixby married the “Widder,” Mrs. G.
Washington \\ illiams, and as she had some wealth,
a claim in Howlin’ Bar, and an easy temper, the
major declared he had struck a veritable bonanza.

After the. wedding, a little sensation was created
by a shot being fired through the o n window at
Iron-Nerve. A search was made, an Scorpion Sam
ca tured.

he Pokervillians wanted no eater provocation
than this, and as Sam was a ba character, one of
the elins of the park was utilized, and he was dis-
posed of in short order.

Before leaving Poker-ville, Iron-Nerve permitted
Bones and Jimmy to escape, and he exhibited the
dragon-invention to many curious ones, after which
he presented it to Dick as a guard-of-safety to the

Elms.

Wetherlil had indeed Mod the mines; but the
ranch was a fortune. and Dick and Lin Jane have
as nice. 9. home as heart could wish.

While with the wager money, Iron-Nerve and
Laura are well content, the parson living near
them.

'rmn END.

Beadle’s Half-Dime library.

BY BRACEB RIDGE HEMYNG.

89 Island Jhn: or. The Pet of the Family.
91 The Captain of the Club: 01. The Rival Albina.
101 Jack llnrknwny In New York.

BY \V. J. HAMILTON.

68 The Red Brotherhood; or. The Twolvo Antigen.
66 5] lo “and; or, A Life for n Lilo.
’28 Ma Ton- Weatern, thi- Texan Ranger.

88? Ben Bird. the Clve King; or, Big Pete‘u Scoop.

BY JACK FARRAGUT.
815 Ned, the Cnbln Boy.
820 The Ben Sorceress or, Tho Boy Shippdr.
BY “'ILLIA“ P. EY STE“.

190 Dandy Burke; or. The Tigers of High Ping.
810 Faro Frank; or, Dandy Duke's Go-Down

 

 

BY COLONEL BELLE SARA. .

108 The Lion ofthe Sen; 0'. The Vailod Lady.
186 Cool Den-0nd; or, Tho Gunblar’u Big Gun.

BY JAMES L. BOW'EN
107 Ole-E ed Sling or, The Abandoned For”! "0...
110 The 11 nick steel of the Prnlrleo. A Story of 1'...

BY CAPT. ALFRED B. TAYLOR. U. S. A.
191 Bills]. Billy, the Boy Bullwhncku; or, Tho Bound

£1) Man.
194 Info]. 3111’. Beta or. The Gunqu Guido.

Bl JOHN J. MARQIIALL.

40 Roving Ben. A Story of: Young Amorlenn.
.1 The Outlaw Brother-x or, Tho Captive of tho Hun.

BY CAPTAIN HAYNES Km.

78 Blue Dick or, The Yellow Chief’s Von o.

87 ‘50 Land hrutu‘ or, Tho Innqu 0 Dovll’l Inland.

The llel Ion “In 3 or, Eastwood: Roh'lbudcn.

The 601 Mar Guide: or, Tho but Mon-toll.
A New lune Ivory Tied-y.

The Half-Dino Library in for ad. by all MI”
uhpcwpy,wnntbymnilonncolptoldxmuoneb.

187
“9

   

 

».

4,

.5!
.3
"l
:3 .
6'
.3; .
5

 

BEADLE’SakHALF-DIME*LIBRARY.

Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Um'fin-m, .I’I-z've of Fire Cents. b7] all Newsdealera"

 

BY ED‘VA [ID 1‘. VVIII‘IELER.
Deadwood Dick Novels.
1 Deadwood Dick, we Prmre oi the Road.
:2 Beagwoohi  Dcilnnoc: "r, “MIMI—luv"-
ca won 0' n DI I - l .1; ill 15..
85 Deadwood Dick In IIII-Kltli;:I‘l1:.r u u ’ u
4’ Deadwood Dick‘a iionnnzu; Hr, Thu I’Imniom Mina.
49 Dean wood Dick. Ill ‘Dnngcr: or, Hnnnn UH.
5?.Deudwood Dick a Lotion: or. Ihe Pnnluol Flood Her.
78 Dendwoml I’Il'h‘lfll Deck: or. i'nluhlliv .‘ umilw iioruino
.155 32:13:21: lilt'l. l..“i"§..“iii   
- e v e.
 ugagwoohi {ncfi'u Dr; it“; Ior, The Double Crone Sign.
a woo c on 0 (-ct \c.
139 Dead“:me Dickin- Double; 0r.The Gnrznu'a Gulch (Sth
188 Dcndwood Dick'a liomn Ila-c; or, Isluuda llill.
:49 Deadwood Dick H III: Sirlkc' or, A Gnnmnl'iu‘oid.
1:56 “(-ndwood chk‘oi IM-atlwoo i m 'Ihu I‘irkrd Party.
cadwoud Dick:- Dronm: or, 'I he ivnleol‘iho Road.
:0! Deadwood DIka “ an]; or, The liim'k Iliii'! Join-be],
2;”?  linoli‘l 11:00:!" xl’nnfuiunlzyJauo'l Advonhuro.
. c I on .
821 Deadwood Dlvk'n lieth-Iiltimi.
 goldL-Dull‘ii ” - ’; A lionmnce of Rough! and Tooghl.
.68 "5:43:34 "iii-I 32.3.1.“ 'I‘M'orh' 5"“ “8"” m"
.09 I’QOdWOOd Dick'u llenii art-Th; Gold Brifk of Dragon,
 :zeagwoodi "10k:l 11019!" or,Tho Fukir oil’hnniom FIIH
51 I.eadwoo‘l Rick I Duoatn: or, Day- in the lligz‘inxl.
ass 11:14:33.1 uplfii’fiillfi'lfw‘ o" In. Tmm. “mm
‘06 Deadwood chk In Dead. City.
4") Deadwood Dick’n Diamonds.
“1 Deadwood Dick In New York; or, A “Cute Cue "
430 Deadwood Dlok'l Dun-II nr.Tha Chninod Iinnd. .
:gmnnhmmsmwmmm”me~
458 Deadwood Dick: Jri'n' .~.‘iu"ll‘.f.‘.a.
459 Deadwood lick, Jr.’-. III: Round-Up
4a: Deadwood Ilc - Jr.‘n Racket. at (‘laIIn lo
471 Deadwood Dick. Jr.’- (‘orralx or BOIomll Bill
476 Deadwood Din-k. Jr.'u, no. IIetei-tive. '
451 Doodwood Dick. Jr.. in Deadwood.
 Ili’eadlwoofl Ill’I'uh, Jr.'-. (‘ompu-I.
‘ en woo 4- Jr.’ h
500 Deadwood Dick, I. In “flamm-
608 Deadwood Die
-515 De wood Dick-
529 Deadwood ch
529 Deadwood ch '
 mm P”.-
e wooo Mc Jr In T a
544 Deadwood Dick; hi: the Wild iv'mvrm
549 Deadwood Duck, Jr.. on III: nettle.
‘54 Dcadwoml ch ' .Ir., In Gotham.
561 Deadwood DIc ' Jr.. In Dov-ton.
567 Deadwood Dic , Jr., In l’llladciphia.
512 Deadwood Dick, Jr., In (‘hicum
578 Dcadwood Dick. Jr.. float.
“mu lu-udwoon Dick. on. In Denver.
 Bond'wood1 I‘I'Irk‘. .l r.'II. Decree.
. om wom Ir- ' J . ll ’
i100 Dcndwood chii J:.. LII. (‘zhleze'I'IIltIIhd'f‘fll-
mm "Nulvroml Dick. Jrfiu. Lenilv Ie Lay.
612 Dead'a'ood Dick. Jr.. In Detroit.
GIN Deadwood Dick. Jr. In Cincinnati.
él'li Deadwood Dick. Jr., In Nevada.
 Rbadwoo‘: :::(-t. in, XIRNO Man‘l LII-d.
em wow 0 ' r r ih uee .
12 Don wood Dick. Jr: In fiufl'ui’o.“ r
3%: llzzzlzzz‘l iiif'i’ '53,“:th limfi'mflinmm
. ~' . I . -
660 Deudwood Dick: Jr}! lhgligundc (1:25.: “a.
«3m: Deadwood chk, Jr.. had. In the Mines.
‘37'8 Deadwood Dick. Jr., In Dnrunzoz 0r.“Gnihnred In.”
 szztlzoog in:- lll’iu-olvery;or.FouId-Fonuut.
» l 1 '00 . e “a
809 Dendwood J:.‘:. D11I‘nrl.
6 5  sin: nthngc-r Divide.
r. n r .
~: mm! Jr., 'ut fish-Pot.
"2'! Deadwoo ' Jr., In San From-loco.
TIG Deadwood Dick, Jr.‘- Rtlll Iluni.
"I22 Iii-“Wood Dick. Jr.‘n Dominooe.
728 Deadwood Dick, .Ir.’n DI-gnlle.
781 Deadwood Dh-k. .Ir.’-. Donhlo Deal,
740 Deadwood I-‘Iok Jr.‘n. Deathwatch.
‘74? Dcndwood Dick .lr.’-I. lmuhloh
“752 Dcndwood Dick Jr.'n. Denihblow.
75H Deadwood Dick, .Ir.’n Iricnpernto Kira“.
d4 Deadwood Dick. .Ir.’a-, Lone “and.
8 Mudwood DIcL, .Ir.’- Dei'cut.
ondwood Dick. Jr.’-, lie-urret-Ilon.
‘7“! Demlwoon Dick. .lr.‘n Dark Dayn.
7‘47 Deadwood Dick Jr” Drilod.
TIDE IM-ndwood I‘lck. .Ir.'l. Double Device.
79‘? Deadwood Dick, Jr’.-. De-pcraie "(e-taro. '
H09 Deadwood Dick, .Ir.‘n. Dlnmond Dice.
9‘07 Deadwood Dick .Ir.’-, Roan ‘luuh.
"H2 Deadwood Dick. .lr.’n Ilend-oil'.
816 Deadwood

Dick. Jr.‘-. Rival.
3293 Dcadwood Div-k. Jr.'~, Doom.
"3'3?! Dondw’ood Divk, Jr.‘n. fiction.
#34 Dual wood

Dick. .Ir.‘u, I‘rox .
8.10 "ea woo

d Dick. .In'n. (‘lntc .
$45 Deadwood Dick. Jr.‘-, High "one.
8?: Deadwood Dick .ir.. ni Devil’s Gulch.
8 Deadwood Dick, Jr.‘-, Death-"ole Iluntlo.
9‘63 Ichquood Dick, .Ir.‘u liomh-holl.
#70 Deadwood chk, .l r.. In Mexico.
fl?“ Deadwood Dick. Jr'l Donny Duck.
H‘HB Deadwood DIcL, .ir. In Nllvor Pocket.
hi9] Dcndwood Dick. .lr.’-, IM-ud-i-‘nre Game.
9‘0“ Dcndwood Dix-k, .Ir.’-. Double Drive.
901 Dondwood Dick. Jr.‘-. Trade-“ark.
910 I'v‘ndw‘oo‘l Dick, .lr.. ni Tin-Too.
9H1 Deadwood Dick. Jr.‘- Double-Decker.
92H Dcmiwood Dick, Jr. at Dollnrvlllo.
981 Dcndwood Dick, .Ir.. m Flu-h Flats
In" Deadwood Dick. .Ir.‘~. thko-Iln.
9i“ Dondwood Dick. .I r.'u. Donth Drop.
95l Deadwood Dch. Jr.‘n. Right Bower.
057 Deadwood Dick. .Ir.‘-. Ton-“I rike.
965 Deadwood Dick. .Ir.‘u, Gold-Dust.
911 Deadwood DIcI.‘ Jr.'l. 0m h.
0?? Deadwood Dick. .lr.'u, Dcnih-Doon.
Inlii Deadwood Dick. Jr.'fl. “out For".
992 Deadwood Dick. .Ir.. In Gold Duet.
DEN Deadwood Dink. Jr.'-, Iii: Play.
1005 Deadwood chk, Jrq "roll-led.
1011 D‘ad'ond D'i-k. J~.’I. Dutch I’nrd.
1.018 Deadwood Dion J l.'-. Big Four.

BY RIIIII‘IR'I‘ ll. INMAN.
108C Dandy “Iok’l Dunhlc‘.
1034 Dandy Dick, Detective.

BY MARCUS II. WARING.
1026 The Three flpoiteru
104.8 The Hireet Fpoiirrn'WeIr-d Hunt.
1058 The Thee Bpottern’ Dead Intel-y.

bone.
J r.'a. Three.
Jr.'e. Danger Dot-kn.
Jr.’-, Death llunt.

 

Other Novels by E. L. “'hoeler. 

80 Rom-bud Huh; or, Nuggut Ned, 1h.» Knight, i
94 lionehml Roi) on "mud: or, hul. thMGirl Mm" 

8“ lion-hull lioh‘n lit-u lu-n rnncc; w. i’hrvuu'm' w '
1'4I "ORCDIHI "IDID'I I'Ilu It‘llgv: Mr, (‘mnyuwm 'i‘lll’li. ph”.
27? Denver "0“. [he ilv-h-rlln- Win-uh. Hr. 'I‘hr Ynhkr'v's iurr Hind
2.“ Denver Doll‘n \ Ictory: or. “.111 "ml i'rusnin nn.
hr. Dcnver Doll‘n Decoy; or. 1.2m» Bill's W'lllnln—
306 Denver Doll'n DrII'l: nr. ’1 he Road Qurell.
“LIN Y rokn .Ilm. iln- (-olci-I-‘ul hon-r: or, 'l‘hu L...o Lottery,
 kiret.1illll‘fl.’l,fi‘iz('; m, 'i in- \I'oiu-n ‘ i \Vliiivvi'lc.
. 5: .r9 II - In‘a 0 or; or,Th.- Rivals 0! lied Nun).
h94 \ roka Jim oi' Yuim Dam.
209 Fritz, the Hound-Boy Ih-tw-ilvou 1".I'Hi Lowlutlumo.
313 Fritz to the Front: or. I'm Vnnuiinquis: Hum.”
24 I chrrn Mun. Ln. i‘rrvrnn-r I‘wr'vl up, A Elmer‘s location.
24% fill-rra Runw- flq-crci; or, The lllomlv h'ontorluu.
853 Hierru Ronda l'nrd: hr. Ihe Angel ut Biz You.
35% Sierra Ham‘s NW cu; or. The Stolen Bride.
58! kangaroo lili; or. The Myaterioua Miner.
'39 kangaroo Kii‘n Ilnckei: “r,'l'hn- I":ti~- iv Played-On;
3:! I‘l‘oililzl‘ku-o, ilei-‘riivv; or, lnl'v in New York.
: nic - Iyo (ht- i‘eh-mv»; w. Arabs and An ale.

“7 Gilt-Edged 11il'k,tim Spur! Dun-vii" ‘
145 Cnntnin Ferret. the New York [)«ieruvo.
Iii! New York Nell, um Buy-GI“ Deterlivn.
226 The Arnh Deli-Hive: or, Snmuvr, the ll») Slurp.
:3: m“  

I 0 0y. 0 ev ' Co" the lh-uwiivee of Philndel hl
B48 Manhattan III ke, the Bowen- Dwain. p .-
400 WrIrIkIBA. the Night-\Vaich waciivo.

410 High "at Hurry. lhr Hm Bull Detective.
Ii Sam Siahuidon. sh— IioEKRPHOV Dow-the.

“4 Jim Beak and I’ll. Privuw Dunc-tine.

iii Clover: Iloof, thu llui‘fulu nnnu-n; or, The Border Vultures.

83 Bob Woolf; or. The Girl Dnd-Shoi.

45 "Id Avalanche: or, \‘v'lld Edna, the Girl Briglnd.

53 JIIII “Ind-00. Jr.. ihu Boy Piwnix.

81 Huckhorn Iiill; or. The Red Rifle Tum

99 Canada I‘hei : or. 0H Anarnnda in Sitting Buil'e Cornb-
 uhlck Iloyilthlilhe‘ginmg Sneeulninr.

.v onnnza . . aer; v-r. Mminln M um , the F0 0 .
183 "oh. "oh the Kin; of Booihiu'kn. v y r! r
141 Solid Hum, 1h» Iiov Rom] Agent; or. The Branded Brown.
177 Nobb Nick oi’ Nevada; or. The Sierrnl 8mm .

181 ‘Yild rank [In Ilurkakln Bravo; or. Lady Lily's Love.
’36 Apollo “III, the Trail annmln; or, Rode Kate.

.40 Cyclone Kit. the Young Gladiator: nr. Tho Locked Valley.
278 Jumbo Joe, the Iioy Puiroi: or. Tho- Rivul Hem.

880 Little nick-Shot; or. The Dead Fnce of Downrillo.
I153 Fint-C an Fred. Ihu Hem lrum Gopher.

378 Nahob Ned; or. Tl' Sucre: 0i Slnh City.

882 Cool Kit. the Kinz . 9' Iiith; or, A I'lliain's Vengeance.

0 Santa Fe Hal, the Slasher; or. A Son" Vrnmnw.

fl flenllkin Ham. the Snarkior: or The Tribunal of Ten.
913 Kit KI-Ith.l .- Rrvr' m- Spoiler.

028 No] Sharpe. the New York leht-Ilnwk.
948 Old llayueed Among Ilunco Mcn.
1001 Bunny. the Denver Ilootbinck.

BY J. C. C0\VDRICK.

‘90 Broadway Billy. In: Booiblnck Brnvo. ‘
614 Broadway lilily‘r Doodle: at, (filo-viva :.Sir'- 1p Can.
588 Ilrondnay lilll:"-| ‘II’MIIIJJ'
Broadway Il'Iiy‘v. Heath Racket.
Ilroudwny liliiy A Sun-prin- Party.
Ilrondwuy Illilgl or. 'I on "N' D-skrtln'lmg Inning,
lirondwuy Bill,» '0 "on _(-I: or. The Immu- oi bmven
"roadway "lily Abroad: or,'l‘ha [bowl-«L. in Frisro.
' Iirond wny “iii; 'a Ilcni: unmet.an San Franrlu-u'nb‘inut.
Ilrondwoy Billy in ("low-r.
Ilroudwny Billy In Tcuu; or,The Iliva Runluu.
Iiroudnny Dilly": Iirund.
Iiroodu'uy Illlly ui hnnm l'e: or, Th0 Cluvar Deal.
Ilrondwny IIiIiy‘a I'nll "and: on'l'he GmJn Detective.
Ilrondwuy INN)":- Bil-Innis.
' Ilrondwuy Illlly‘a (‘urlona (Tale.
lirondwny Iiiliy In Dcnvcr.
Ilromlwny Iiilly'n Iinrgnim or. The Three Deleon".
I-Iromi wny IiIIIy, Ilw Rriviv-v.r “91(1qu-
Ilrondu‘ny VIII)": Rhudow Chm-e.
“roadway Hill)": Dough-n: or, The Trin'u Quni.
Ilroud \\ ny Illlly': Tenn]: or, ’l'hu (‘onlhixm'n Hm Pull.
Broadway lilily’p. BrIgaIIc; or, Thu Dead Aliv‘
Ilrondwny Nil)"- Quocr Iii-quest.
lirendwuy “lily Ilnmed.
"roadway IIIII)‘: Signal 8000,.
IIrquIu ny iIIlIy‘u \I‘Ipe 0m.
Broadway Illily‘n linnk Rocket-
ilron'lwny Iilllg'a IlluII'.
Broudwny Iinly Alnon JerM-y Thugs.
Iirnmiwoy "High llnhf
“roadway IIIIIy'a llig Iloom.
"roadway Billy’s Iilgz Ilulac.
roadway Iillly'n IIIHNMNW
Iromlwoy Ililly'n Illiml: nv.
lirondwny Dilly in London.
Ilromlu‘ny "lily fihndow- London Flu-n.
Ilroalwny Iiiilv‘u Fri-nch lilunr.
Ilroadwny Illlly uml ihc Iiolnh-Throweru.
Pillver-Mgak, um .\|'\n 1)i.\l_\'l‘l0‘l'\’;i-l'. Thu (‘ml‘irn Raye.
“ha-ill. lilo Gold I.In533 or. For Seven Your: Ila-.0,
The liriet-ilvc'u .\ nprvn’Jm-I or, A Boy Withouu Num.
(‘Ihuin Jon": «r. leriioz Tune- ll Ania Bar.
flamiy Ham. tha Him-t Sroni.
46. Div-co Dun. 1h» Hun} I‘II'Ii'.
500 Iledllxht Ihilpll ihu I’ril’n- with» Road.
594 The Engineer Don't-live: Hr. liedhghi Rulph’l Renolu
54$ Marl, lhe Night Err-run I’t‘e’IiIVI‘.
571 Air-Linc I.III.|‘ ‘hw Young Engineer", or, 'Ih-~ Double Cue
592 I'he Iloy I'lnimrion: m, ‘i'lliliillL’ ilw lefuil Hui.
“15 Fighilnc Ilnrrv Ih-- (‘ivI-l .l (‘hninad (Tu-ion».
I140 linrohm-k Ill‘III. Ihr- (colour of ihr Circle.
047 'Iym-wrlh-r 'I'Iliy ihr Mvrv‘mnl‘l “'nrd.
050 \Ioonllzhi \Iorgnn Iiva " Plum-Ii "Mun oIAnm Bu.
NH? Buttery "oh. Iiw Dock Detective.
“04 Arlzonn Dick'n “I o-0ni.
900 .Iumpln': Jul-L‘I . uhin-o.
000 Nun-LY ~~um, rm- (‘yr‘e Sport.
III? Trnln lloy 'l‘rI-i‘n Iloi Ilunilo.
IN“ The 'I‘rnmo Dock-Dov.
924 Illa Ilooin Iloh, ihc I‘Ire-Imddie.
980 linuilt-r Ilnlnh. Ihl- Roy Spoiler.
IN”. The I-Ix-Now-hoy Ik-iccilvc'n (‘hum.
9-" Tim IIowIim: i-‘rH-n Doiooihe'l Drop.
04i i‘owhoy ('IIIII'III"'~41NIIIDIP.
I”? Tim Bower) “' vouilor: 'r. The I'ixirher-RO}"I Hacker.
958 I’uddv‘n Trump I‘m-d; «r, Silver Snillv, Un- Girl sum.
960 'I'Iu- “roadway Fporl: <-r. Fiw'v Frcd'a (‘Ivnr (mu.
9“? Moon Iicwurci : «r. 'H.- otivnl Rri‘lfl'iflfl' Sleek Scoop.
978 linninm "III; ihc (‘orkcr-Forret.
9’23 I'Iut-kv Put. the l-‘irl-oi-Iloy Detective.
989 Bicycle 11011.1 IIoI Scum-h.
907 Ncorcrwr Hum, iho‘ huwtlvn- on \i'heeln.
1004 Hcorchcr Hun-‘- “warp-fluke-
1009 ‘I at Girl (boll-Rn \\ IIIIIIII‘ Ila-KL

Snap.
'I'he Booihiuk Stowaway.

— -___, _,. - , ,hadh - fl ,.,,___- _.__..._.—_-

BUFFALO HILL NOVELS.
“Y (‘1)L. I’RI'INTISS INGRAXAM.

10.32 Illlirnlii "III in ill-AzuI-e.
IO-Iii i-‘md I'Ilillll‘. i-iu' Hwy l’nuuiiL. 0‘. Builds Bill,iln P001

Itxyrwu iii-ier.
‘04? h III II: Grit, iiw l’unv Exxu'r" RM".
.010 liuil'nlo Ellil‘n l’on) I‘utro'.
Iiill‘l linil’ulo IIIIIN '1‘. xx" Inn".
100? linii’ulo Illll‘n Euro-Shots.
I000 Iiuil'nlo Iiill‘u Decoy Ilovu.
99.3 Ilui'i'nlo IIIII'I Drop: ‘ r. [Null-S
iii! liuifulu IlIiI‘~ LII-um Throwch
9H1 Iiuil’nlo IIIIIN FIL'IIIIn I’lvc.
9??) Ilnil’ulo IIIII'n Iliiioh on.
96" lIuII'nlo Bill's liunh Ride: or. ‘ure-ShoiJhe Filth-Vi?“
III-:4 lh‘fl'nlo IIIII‘: Decoy: or, The Arizona (firm-k Sle
9.“ Iluifnlo Ilill'n Mazep a-(‘hm-e.
SUN lhlil'nlo Illll’n Snap-3 oi: M. Wild Kid" TH“! 1"“,
942 Iluil'nlo Hill’s 'l‘ou h Tun-Io.
036 IluiYnIo IKIII’A Boy Ila-coil or. Joe, Jarvm' Hold-up.
929 liuifnlo BIII‘I (‘ruck-uhot I’urd.
6! Iluifalo RIII‘: Boy I’nrd: or, l5uiLorfly 15m)“
910 III-on “III. the I'rinre oi the Iii-Jun.
222 Bhon IIIII'I (‘luvz «mi-'1”. UN BMW SPO'L

BY BI'FFALO BILL. -

55 DudIy-Eye. the Unknown Scout. m. The Banded how
':3 {lorderFllobIn Ilood : or, The I‘n'uii‘ne ¥IIVQIX
'anoy rank or color-mo: or. he npyer’u my.
1029 The I’hnninm flpy.
1033 Rum-nu king: HY, The lied Right “and.

BY CAPT. ALFRED B. TAYLOR, u. 8. A.

191 nil“qu “III . the Boy Bullwhnrker.
194 llulalo III“ I; Bet: ml. The Gambler Gilde-

BY COL. PREN'I‘IsS INGRAHAM.

108? The Arilnt "elective.

I054 The Gold “'Iioh‘n Nhadowor.

[081 The Tl‘Xun lluntlern In ( uha.

“)2? The I‘owhoy Holders in Cuhn

[02.3 The Flying \ nukce or. Th.- (keno Quin-A.
1028 The (‘owhoy ('lnn In (‘uf a.

1016 The Iio Dozier In Cuba.
983 New Yor' Nnt‘l Dro : m. Ex-FerreiSykel’
926 New York Nut and i m 'l rultor born!-
9920 Sew York hut Trapped.
914 how York an‘: 'I hree of a Kind.
New York Nai‘n Double.
York Nui‘n in Colorado.
York Not In Gold Nugget Cl-p.
York Nui’n Deadly Deal.
York Nut'u Crook-Chow.
York Nut’n Trump Curd.
York Nut and the Grin t: Clo-ll.
York Nut'n M ankod Mascot.
York Kai. the iu'mnin Driel'iive.
Doom’l kidnapper Knock-(III.
Dick Doom’u 'I‘on hiriko.
Dick Dnom'n 1‘1th "and. -,
Dick Doom’n Death-Grip; or.'l'he Drioriive by Death-y.
Dick Doom'n Dcniiny; «Kiln Kin-r Blncillm’b Terra, '1
Dick Doom; (1L Ir» sharp .inu sharks w New York.
Dick Doom In [lo-ion; or, A Mun oi Many Huh.
Dick Doom In (Mango.
Dick Doom in the “'Ild “'e-i. \
Dick Dooln‘n flour! in: cop; (r, Five Links in o Cine-g
Dick Duom'n livnih flue. ’
DIt-k Doom'a Diamond Doll.
Dir-k Doom‘u (Ilrl Marmot.
Dick Doom‘n rhodow Iluut.
Dick Doom’n Ill: Ilaul.
Dun-hing (‘iuIrIit-z nh'i'ha Kvnmcky’l'endcrfiwi'l FIrui'I'rul‘l.
Dunhlng (‘hnrllc’n 1N'IIIII)’; or, The Romania's Comiv’,
Du-hhuz I'hanh-‘I I'nwnce I’ard.
Dov-hing I'hnriio. the Rescuer.
Iluok lelor, King oi the (man

~ Bllt'k Taylor. ilw ionmm'hc'ni'v dive.

Duck Taylor-H I'm A: I I.’|‘hv lur Rider-oi the Rio Gm...

And ‘Ifly Otheru. ‘
“Y LIIEI'T. A. 1‘. SIMS.

Torn-Cut and l'nrd: or.Thv~ “mm Sui ui Mire: City.
022 'I'om-(‘ut'u 'I‘rlad; - r. ‘I he Afinir ni 'lonulmume.
“Ill 'I'oru ('ni'u Ti‘rrlhlo Tor-L: nr. 'ilw-(hwhoy Dearth»
88 ’I‘omJ‘ui‘I Triumph or, Hivk llnn‘u Gm t Combine.
540 (‘uptnln (lgctuu ilw hupgrrul ( on; nr,Jm.h’l Ten Strike.
50" The Dnndy oI‘ lodge: nr. Rmtlil I: lnr Millinm.
576 The Hllvcr fipori: ur..ioeh I’evr-uvniint'IJubllea.
5N3 ‘lnIfron Fol. tho Mun Vi'lth a Shndow
601 Ila )p llnna, hhw [Mich Vldncq: or, Iioi'l'imenaiM'Jd-Up
6” “IIan Burma-Io, the Detecin Ilevculrn.
(‘owhov “III, iirv' i'ntllwllnnzr Drtvrilvr.
“'nrbling “'Illium Ihv- Mouniain Mounubenk.
.IoIIy Jcreminh, lhn Plain! Den-cure.
flignnl i'lnm, the Lookout Scout. ‘
"I", n". q; 3- “I 3 5...“ or, ’l h.- Bin-ow oi Two Line.
Simple Him. H .. Pm rho “mm: or. luff“: Shim.

e 1‘}... “mum”... spurt: .r. Thr Mynmed Dubai"...
Toliec Tom. Ii'n- M-m l'rnn] H‘ilV. . ‘
Kan-Inn Jim rm 4 n ~a-i uI I’virt'ilv".

Marmaduke, ll..- Riv-tuna" I‘rivlili'o.

The Iln-iIA-r oi' Ilolllng Fiono.

I.on(- "nod .10? i"? ("'l' villi“ '10?”- ,

Kelli Ix'lrhy. lh- li'vl .Klrkn 1mm Killbnm.‘

'I‘hc Docior Dcio NH 1- In 'I'A-xnl.

Two i‘houIIa-n -' r H-vihr-t In ('olorndo.
93? The 'I'cxnn Firvlws-qu: 1w, I’rnzow Billy's burn“)
961 The Trnlnp'l Trump-'1 rick.

NEW ISSUES.

1001 Dandy Dick Decoy-rd, ilv Ruler R. Imam.

I065 Hure fihoi. Heth, lilo imy {mu-nu n. lh- Ull room".
10416 “0 buy (‘hrlv4. lhu I'iN rL (‘rnimm R}- \\'. W. WIIM
106? You 111". Itoh'n Jungle.  Am mu“).

1063 TIII‘ (‘rnlae oi' the Son “ o I’. lly 1 ol. Inn-ham.
I069 "n I and and ien l‘q‘ Brut-«1h. dcn Ilvmynz ‘

1070 Nut Todd: or. The Fain «hi im- 95 ex Corrine. By Ellie.
I071 Dandy Dick‘u I’m-0y, liv i!‘ haiLInm-m.
107’ Keen knife, Prince M II)! I’rmru-n. By UII Coomea.

JUST ISSUED.

1055 Red Ilnvon‘! Rod-Mn Rune. l‘sy (‘ol P. Innahell
I056 (‘owhoy Chris in ('Innubar. Ily Wm. _\‘V. Wilder.
1053~ Gold Iiiflo, Ihu Shan Jami". Hy I‘Zd. 1..“hoeler.
10-5“ Roderick, I‘le Lou-r. liy'l‘. J Flunuxnn
I050 Vod “’yldc, llwlinv S‘uui. liy Tvx l Jock.
1060 “nu-lo, tho Rent-rude. Th "<17. l‘n-niiM lngvallal.
106] snyer Scar, 0h“ In \' ilnl‘ hi. ily 021i mum-
1002 Th ~ lmn-‘lnnd Nilllv c. L‘y lirncrhrklze llmynf.
1068 “'Ild Ilill‘n “‘eird I‘oe. liy \Vm.G Panel.

A Now lune Every Tuesday.

The “air-Dine Library in for ulo by .1! Min

Olin par .xopy, or not by man on receipt 01 six out:

«I .the Kama Kid.

New
New
New
New
New
New
‘ New
New
DIl-k

iliil
06-

 

BY ARIZONA CY.

1048 To!- "et not. from l‘roe- (‘rielo
1088 You llei lJob‘I Cireuo.

BEADLE AND ADAMS, Pubiilhel'o.
92 William Street. New York. V