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THE KID GLOVE MINER; or,The Magic Doctor at Golden Gulch.

A. ROMANCE OF THE GOLD MINES-

BY COL. PRENTISS INGRAHAM,

Amor- or “ms, nu: uunnm," “nnxszIA. run IWSS," “ mums]; m: BUCCAmn," “m BILL. 113 mam M nor.”
“ wu.» 811.123 001.0 TRAIL." 1210., me.

 

 

 

“ now START rm: mvsrc wuxnvm you ARE READY," CALLED om POWELL

 

2

The Kid Glove Miner;

The Magic Doctor of Golden Gulch.*

A Romance of tho Gold Mines.

BY COL. PRENTISS INGRAHAM,

Aim-non or “MERLE, ran IUTIN'EER,” “MON-
muu, ms: “mass,” 210., no.
CHAPTER I.

GUILTY on NO! GUILTY. v

A BOBSEMAN was slowly wonding his way
along a border trail, that led through wild
ydcturssqss mountain my in the f est.

Ho'fi was won-mounted, wells , and was
M in the suit of ono who he lifod in the
cityfsfnthor than in that wild the fron-
tier whore a buckskin costume, the uniform of
tho soldior, or the rough attire of tho miner
were only soon.

Coming to whore the trail branched OR in two
dKoront diroctions, tho horseman drew‘rein,
and dismounting, throw himself down upon a
messy bank to rost simply remarking:

“ I’ll rest hero or a while, for, without my
guidc’l, I am at a loss whioh trail is the right
ono’

. Tho speakor was a young man with a long,
flowing beard, that completely hid his handsome
face; his hair was blaok and fell in clustering
curls about his neck, an< ho had the air of one
reared in relnemont.

UpOn hinfsco was a look that was unfathom-
‘blo,  h“ h. appeared worfiéd, and
mm he wo ld' smile as though
some thought that flashed through is mind.

At last he sprung to his feet, as he heard hoof-
falls, and n momont after a second person ap-
peared in sight, toiling slowly hp at? trail. ' '

This second porson was dressed as a miner,
rode a mountain pony, was armed, and was also
a oung man.

at now his face was as white as that'of s
corpse, and ho clun to the horn of his sa'ddleto

"prevent falling to o ground,ras hareeledfxrom
side to side.
“Good God! aide, what is the matter with

you?” cried the rst comer.

As he spoke ho caught the falling form, and
laid it gently down upon the ground.

“ Whilo I sto ped back there, pard, to try and
ot a shot at hot door, some coward put his
ullet into me. .

t‘ See 1"

He spoke with dimculty, and placed his hand
upon his breast, from which the blood was flow-
ing in a steady stream.

“Hy poor o110w, that wound looks serious.
But who could your cowardly assailant have
been!”

“I saw the smoke of the shot, pard, and it
came from up the trail, just the wa, you went,
when you rode on. I tried to catch him, and
managed to get into my saddle and come on.
But he was too fast for me, until have got my
death-wound.”

“No, no—not as bad as that, I hope.”

The wounded man looked the other fixedly in
the eye 'and then said slowly:

“Ba ,1 saw the man who shot me, as he ran
oi! and, f I wrong you, God forgivs me, but
he lookedjust like you 1"

“ In Heaven’snsmei an you suspect me of a
crime so foul!” and the young man turned
deadly P85, .

"Itwns ‘astrsnge cohxeidsuhe pard: but he
did look like. on. I don’t believe it now,
though, and , prove it by handin ou these
papers, and la wallet of money. my dig-
ging! are in there, pord, for Faro Fred changed
my gold-dust into these bank-notes, for I was
a at starting homo, when you asked for a

_ up into tho hills, and it being on my trail,

um. with you, and here's the end of it." .

“From my soul, I hope not!”

‘51 have seen too many men shot out in this
will load para, not to know that this wound here
has called anichips. Yufit’s fatal, and just as
I wu starting one, after three ion years in
the to; make money for those love.

T “ god, whoever it was shot me, I know
not- but give to you my papers and my
In ,, and there is twenty thousand there,
and I ask on to take all to my mother. You
will find her address tbero: and, as you act;
square toward a dying man’s request, and to-
ward “not old woman, may God reward or
punish you i"

The man spoke in low eagle“ tones, evi-
dentli with flat pub and di culty however,
and t 0 one he so solemnly ad said for-

" ' b?“ l 6:. ” -"‘

“Now‘ go on to he bin of Elegant Ed-
Take the Md trail, and it’s a Couple of
miles fitter the mountain.

“Ei's a ho] -way‘doctor. you know, and he
might fetch me through. But I doubt it.”

‘Dr. Frank Powell. known an“me Beaver"
and “31' Ly lilodi<.'lim," and late surgeon U. 8.

Armer In: Amman

and‘

iossedwith ~

 

£339.9l9fliner-

“I will go at once, and return with him.
“ISeep up a stout heart, and hope for the
st

The speaker threw himself upon his horse,
took the right—hand trail, and disappeared.

But hardly had he been gone five minutes,
when there appeared others upon the scene.

They were a band of miners evidently from
their dress and general appearance. and they
wore the inseparable belt of arms, neVer to be
left of! in that wild region.

Mounted upon mountain ponies, they were
coming along at a slow trot, when their e on
fell upon the form of the wounded man lyhig
by the side of the trail. ‘

“It’s Luokz Pete!” cried one, as he threw
himself from is horse, and knelt b the side of
the one whom he had reco ised, w ilehis hahf-
dosen comrnions follows his example.

“Wael, ucky Pete, this hsin’t no luck you
is in now,“ said one of theminers. ‘

“No boys I’m no loner . i. :Pete for
I've got my death-wound; '  amw’ered
in a ow tone.

“ Waal, it do so look; but how did it come
about?” asked one of the  ‘

“I was with the gentleman who wanted to
to Elegant Ed’s, and as it was on my ways.
the stage station, I offered to guide him. '

“I halted to get a shot at a deer while he rode
on, and soon after I got it here as you see,
pards!” ‘ v '

“But who shot yer, Pete?” . .

The man was Silent, and again the question
was aflki'd:

“Who drew on yer, Lucky Pete?”

I“ I could not swear, pards, who“ mil-3)....

, “goegyor  ion knowei’hg- V3, 

‘4 em ‘   :_._; ‘52

“Jest shout his name, 1'  it’ll be on a
tombstone as soon as we kin ay our grip upon
him.”

,“ Yes, you has been ther friend 0’ every man in
our camp; Pete, and we hain’t goin’ ter let no
man call in yer checks, ’ithout bein’ in ther
place or goes ter, ready ter cash ’em.

“ l e was goin' u tor Elegant Ed’s, ter see
him about a-leetle c aim he hes said he wanted
ter bu from us, an’ we hoped ter git thar afore

on leit ter wish yer another good-b and best
ck, and hour we finds yer about in’ called

n

“Well, Bender it cannot be helped,” said the
wounded man sadly, but with an air of resigna-
tion.

“ Thet don’t tell us who drew on or?”

“ I saw a man that looked like t 0 one I was
guiding: but he said it was not him, and I bo-

ieve it.”

“Aha! whar is he!" asked Bender. -

“ Gone up to Ed’s for help, to take me there.”

“ We kin carry yer, pard.

“Come, lads!

“No, I am too far one.

“Let me die here, ’ said Lucky Pete, as the
others were about to raise him in their arms.

The saw that he would soon die, so desisted,
while ender asked:

“ Who was this dandy from the East, Pete?”

“ He told me his name, but I do not recall it.

u
in

“He was Elegant. Ed’s baother-in-law, he I c .

said, and he also told me that “sister had run
oil! and got married, and the hmin had never
forgiven her. ‘ ' .

“Ed was wild, he told me, andhiosister would
have him, and so they run away; “and for a long
time no one knew whore they were.

“ But at last a letter. We home from his
sister and he put out here tolook them up.

“ That is all I_ know about him.”

“ Waal, we 1 make his more intimate
’quaintanos. Pete, and of he are guilt o’ sendin’
thet bullet inter your heart, then— i Pards,
he’s gone i”

The last words were uttered at seeing the
strong form ulver from head to foot, 3. torrent
of blood to urst from his wound and the
handsome head to fall back from t 0 arm 01
Bender, who held it. . - '

“Yes, pards, _ 1‘ Pete bygone on his long
trail," said Ben er, sadly, arf

i

.._.___.._.,.,. .__.... ___.-_.__.._..a_ no“ __

other, and the dwellers in the lone] house cosL
thinly had done all that was possib o to render
themselves comfortable.

Firewood was piled up in quantity near the
cabin, a shanty in the rear as s shelter
for homes, and two reallyflne animals WEN
then staked out on a. small grass-plot not far
distant, while their saddles, one for a man, the
other for a lady, hun upon a tree near by.

Some clothing, ev1 ently not long out of the
wash-tub hu u on aline betweentwo trees.
and besides this indication, toge ,wm, the
side-saddle, there was another 9 ‘ of a we.
man’s res use in the cabin in a large, half-
flnish beéquilt, lying upon a rustle chain in
front of the door. '

A column of smoke curled lazily upward V
the chimney, and the horseman, as he rode
beheldxa scene of home life that was moat a

«tractivo, rude as it Was.

Disrnountin ,he hitched his horse and ap-
proached on too.

Bisteni at the open window a minute, he
then went 0 the door and laid his hand upon the
latch, still keeping up the air of a man who
Wish“, remain unseen by theinmates. ,

, H be rifled-the latch and mpped
'witmu,"'ss e dournutohniyopsaoumagf’cx

For some minutes he remained within, and
then a strange cry was heard and he came tot—
tering out of the cabin, a knife in his hand, and
upol? it stains which only’ humandilopd can
ma 0. E - o i I I‘

Like one dazed he stood, gazing down at the
ground, his form quivering and his lips set

rmly, while his hand grasped the blood-stained

$15..

. knife. a, .

Thu is " n‘h ' m. was» di .
 fiupon is oats, and he , ot
to hear than.  . l - t3, 5 . 

But at last he started, when in hoarse tones
came the words:

“ Bard, half a__dozen, dead shots covers you, so
don’t you-cotnmit suicide by moving.”

He started, looked up quickly and behold con»
fronting him Bender and his miner comrades.

“Slug each one held a revolver cowring him,
a ey meant to use them, too, if he gave
them a reason for so doing.

“ Who are you?” he asked, seeming to shake
of! the almost stupor that had been upon him,
and facing them.

“We is miners from Golden Gulch City, and
we want on for murder.

“ Ho, egwnt Ed! come out 0’ your cabin l”
and the latter words were called out in a loud
tone by Brick Bender who acted as spokesman.

“If you call to Edgar Elgin be will never
hear you for he lies dead in yonder cabin, and

by h s side, also slain, is his wife,” said the
' ""180.
His words seemed to fill eVen those rude men
with horror, and they dashed into the cabin,
to return an instant after, hearing in their arms
W0 ‘ ‘

“Yes, they is dead, and your hands holds the
knife that tech thar life.

“ You is wanted, ard, for three murders ycr
hes committed this ay.”

 

i

i
i

i
i

in silence the ‘

8’0“ stood gazing down upon him, for re h ;

asal of them were, and had as most of the at
were said to be, Lucky. Pete the minor had
always been a favorite with them.

——

CHAPTER II.
A “SERIOUS FA“.

UPON leavin the t where he left Lucky
Pete dying, the!“ Dan y from the East," a an.
of the miners had called the handsome young
man, pressed ra idly on up the trail.

It was a roug road buthe urged his horse on
as fast it was [life for him to travol and at

; 1“; u the distance, and of! the‘traif, a small
Cabin w two rooms.

"~It setback under the shelter of the mountain-
side, and was half-hidden among pines and
Cedars; but it had a cosoy look, in spite of its
surroundings.

it was stoutly built of logs, and had a roof in
front that rojected far over, thus forming a
kind of pie a. ' ‘

A door was at one end and a window at the

 

l
l

f‘JIai ds‘re you accuse me of murder so foul?"
' {the stranger, shaking on the spell upon
and glaring u nhia accusers.
k.“ e’s s owing h s cm pards.
- “Seine himd’ cried ,_ or.

Four men sprpng'upon the stranger, and. in
spin of 8 W nos, ho was Securely
W; but 00‘ In“! I“ "0 more had con»

to of the othcs. .
“W he thfi  I evor see,” isji‘;
“'2' o ironfrom hoof tor head.”

u” hain’t one 0’ us that hasn’t got a keep-
ssho from him "responded a third, with a bleed-
 and he eyed the others, all of whom

.d sod otten a blow or two from the
min, e fracas, and who had handled

in nmanner that showed wonderful so-
 , skill and giant str
‘“ nd band and foot he lay u a the Ground
uroreghis cagtors, ts. , ' f-dsaed _ 100k
having‘oome ok tows“ seemingly
unconscious of his   ‘

His eyes were bent W20 (“0 Q' the dead
WOW, who lay near. . .. While the man,
known as Elogant Ed, not! M Wed upon the
ot%ehr side offhi; w‘i'fe. , " lovely 1 the

e o t e arm ‘1 ex~
treme,r’s:mped with robin-lent, 11nd youth
i‘ul, for she could I!“ 1"" be“ more than
twenty.

Her form, though 01“ 1" hm “ WIS slen-
der, graceful in awry cm "i "‘d 01' ands and
feet were small and “3.1" I
mism- hambu'nsn'ahn'l-me

t on n ele ant
for he mg: the M Wk bm‘kloth pagts, d

  

"blue flannel shirt. with 00‘1" and cu. om-

broidered in ask. I rod “1"”?! about his neck,

and top boots. -

It was his MP”) 4"” “‘3‘ had gained for
him the name of Elegant Ed; though It
dandy in attire. it had been fmind out in the
mines that he had a“ the Pluck necessar to
carry him though “feo W95 '3 lieuerous fel ow,
and his heart W” in “’9 “31“ P ace.

He had boldly 00m to the mines with his

t

 

The Kid Glove Miner.

3

 

 

~—--

beautiful oung wife, and he had bought a
claim, wit a few hundreds that he had and set
to work.

The boys had helped him to build his cabin,
and there was no man in the mines treated
with more respect, than was Elegant Ed, or
more envied, for his pretty wife, with a kind

word for all, was looked u on as a Superior be- 1

ing, and was spoken of as
known by no other name.

Now, as she lay there before the band of
miners, a knife wound in her side, which hadlet

’3 Angel, and was

-‘

out her life, and her husband, with a bullet in ‘

his brain, lay near her, pity and a thirst for re-
vcmze wrls uppermost in ever heart.

“ Pard you have did it this time, sure,” said
Bender, mrsely,

“Yer didn’t like that young teller thet mar-
riml or sister, an"yer come here ter git even.

“ or did git 'even, I’ll sw’ar': an’ more, yer

‘ committi
’ other

thought you’d like ter'git a' leetle ohhnge tor run' ‘

on, so yer shooted poor Lucky Pete, an’ hes got'
his pile, fer here is ther papers and his bank-
1 yet tuk from him.  

 har is two shots gone out o’ yer pistol.-
One kilt Luck .Pete, and t‘other are in Ed’s
1M ther whl e yer knife 'arered with yer sis-
urssmd-v‘  -. -‘ ' ‘

“ Waal, yer does' look like ther ledd , the:1
are oart’in,ran’ I does 'wonder. when or ookéd
inter ther sweet faee'o’ Ed’s Ange, how-yer
c'u’d bar can yer knife ter her heart.” "

“Liar-1' aocnned‘ fiend! to; no charge me:
with crime so vile! Were 1_ rec I won d MW

and His eyggglnrfng. ~. in n: no I »r
“ Pard, it are a wonder how‘ye could kill ’em,r
but sareumstances are stink-yer,” replied Ben-
.‘ Ui' ' '. l;  ' - r

“ Ladmio that a arahces are against me, in
their worst form, Eli: 2 am innocent." ' _ .?
"No, tguesses you is guilty; and it remains
for: me telr‘ ax ther boys what they thinks, for I"

are: {and they is that jury.

_ “$33333: yer‘aihlpardsl ‘- If

Miwam pria‘ner'guilty orienocint" ‘

“Guilty!” 2 i”.  il'w' Hif',‘ .1. ' - r

Theword was spoken by ever 
tered in *1 tone that was-in dead yjearnest. _!

“ Waal, para,- yer hears thu} verdict, and h
now‘lies tar pemonnce yer sentence ' " g

‘ “'I were (met round gmtylmyeelfund sea;

tenced tor be hung, when I were innocint in ther
firstdegreew'.  "

“Afore hanglsl‘dayoome Mad ther thI'

l burnt up, eat I were enableuxserl drip. .

“ Knowin’ “I: does thetfl‘were not guilt ,‘I
does feel that mistakenln' be male, so I can
not7sentence yal‘ Mangr ‘ '1 '- ‘ ' '- '-

“But, para, I does come down on yer with a
sentence thet will'be a terror, and don’t yer for-

t it."  =

“Oome, rds, bury poor Elegant Ed an’ his
A , andpgmnight we'll camp r ht heur an’
vi ' cremation on. this pris’ner; a it are my
Bilileppinion he won’t be heerd o’ in these parts
ag‘ n. g

“ What are or goln’ ter do ‘with him, pard
Bender!" ask several. ' ~'

“ Weal,"——and he called his comrades out of
ear-mot of the prisoner: ' ' -

"1"," see, he hev robbed Lucky Pete 0’ his
‘dust.

“ Yasl” sald'several, eagerly.

“It are a han’some ile an’ "I moves that we
knows hotbin’ ’bout ndln’ Lucky Pete or that
stran er, but that we finds Elegant Ed and his
An e murdered?”

in,»

i “R we as 'notth’ about findin' Pete dead,
m'énethin" 'nt ther stranger, in'eourse we
don’t know nothin’ ’bout Lucky Pete’s money
Neutron-aha" strange Mylfl' what he may
beehrhiepocnsu, 3s.  I ~
' “’06! ydr maeiterrmyymm for yu-
‘!'- ": {95";!,.e‘. '1’.) .1

4‘ . ;..I It t'yfi'
“Now Lucky Pete kin be planted over ther
hills what “ramblings-ave, and...”
“Thsrpil is! tmuxumx ‘ ,~ ~
“Waal, w on I hes execooted my Mm)
him he'll giveisno'troslileih : v ‘ a. '
“ w we'll tend terlntryin’L fete first;
then ther stran er pard km be tt ear of,~anf
you, Shorty, n light out for ther amps and
fill ther 'habltauts that E10 :1th ms’ his Ana
“they boen majored, an that M balance
otth hear waitin' tar see what is tor-be did. ’
'.‘~‘ Then, one month from tin-His“. '5"!
things is kinder quieted down, you kin jlst all of
yer come ter my sharing, an’ we’ll hev a squar-
devide 0' Incl Pete’s ust an’ of what thet pil-
grim her get a at him too.”
' “ What shell we do with Lucky Pete’s an’
ther stranger pani‘e horses!” asked one. 
l‘ That are a nice question, Short , an’ as yer
emit, yer bed better mount one, t’other,
and Ii ht out tel‘ the? stage station an’ sell ’61:);
ortrae'em.”   a 
Thus the band of finiteness-ranged their
in

pina9,~‘and LuckyPeto was buried far aw
bled bimbo-us um

,-~
4».'6 -

a m it of the mate _
came. on, t e tatoeofi the amide? Van‘dec

UM; :lllf‘s'i'fll " ’ ' "- “' 1"l~ .4., 1} _‘
sis-hmnsuwm that-an awe swar-

to secrecypnlifl “mi‘whl‘u'dh‘ ,

 

v
I

l

l

' l

i found wr ing his claim to one,
, stone. who livedin Leavenworth
1

v facts

 

poled of the property which had belonged to
cky Pete, and the man whose doom must
remain for the present a mystery.

 

CHAPTER III.
Blunln’s PABDS.

THE murder of Elegant Ed and his wife, cre-
ated the wildest excitement in and about Golden
Gulch, and ever miner who had a claim within
half a score 0 miles of the spot. visited the
lonely cabin, the scene of the tragedy.

There were a few who I tedBender and
his ards, for they bore not t e best reputation
in those parts: but then none of Elegant Ed‘s
papers and gold seemed to have been touched,
and there being no apparent motiva for their
the deed, inquiry was pushed in
nor a to find the murderers.

Ben r and his panda told how they had come
up-the trail, to see Elegant Ed about a,claim
down thevalley, which he wanted to purchase,

' and had happened upon a spot where there

seevlrfied to'h'ave been a death-struggle. ,
en they had ridden on to the cabin to find
E at Ed andbis Angel dead.

_, on they could not tell, or would. not, and
kept a discreet silence regarding the fate of
Lucky Pete, what they had done with the stran—
gfi, and about the ride Shorty had taken with
t twohorses. " ,f 

But, though the most skillful trailers. set to
work- to solvethe mysterious murder, ,no trace

youl” said morprisonorgsavsgelnisism livid 1 could be Wind» 01 “11° Md “00931” e“

the. pars of Ele'g t , one was
:9“ ' @Wllliam Black—
‘ I, “53.8.
This documegt w» also sig  'by the miner’s
wife, and manymds endedf : I
“Now, in case of my th and thadpath of my
we, Milking arrow: to whose. bananas paper
falls, wri to lliam Blacksto e, Ikevenrmrth,
Kansas. to,com~e here acid take fu control of all ef-
and property loft ythe‘undersigned." ' ‘ ,
'Thehtfollo'wed minimum ’of the husband
‘19- ' .~. ,- . h  ,.
who Dr. Frank Powell,* an egarmy'wrgeon,
Earned miner, the pars a 0 acts were given

common %,witl§l£e decision glint he
1 ,

Amen

' f

s d write 1 lam l l; ' make
knogan the ‘full htitan! r380 tlat idihapa
to“: w I ma i, girl e r., ‘
“in. docfihsvmxiwgnlngg. so:
ill-luck, “.0 11b ml; amen, ‘ , become
I miner at G01 11' ul. "hath found; ,belns'
than, msno _ , annual ry in thus.
R: t pl‘ac cini pr 11 paid him
tier than gold-digg n‘ , so he took up his quar-‘
ters at the “Gold Brick liotel,” and hung out
his shin le as a giver of pll sand setter of bones.

The octor wrote the letter, read it to those
most interested, and it was sent to its destina-
tion,.while the terrible affair which rendered
the mailing of it necessary, became more than
a nine days’ Wonder at Golden Gulch.

In the mean time Bender and his pards con-
tinu :03; in the even tenor of their way:

The worked their claims when they wanted
to, la aslit suited them, and were wont to‘
spend t el‘r nights. or the greater part of them
at FaroFred’svTem e, as theprjncipal gam-
blinnglac'o of Golden ulch was called. , I

The band knowuyas der’sgPards, num-
bered just seven. menz at the time of which I
write, and they were inseparable. ‘

They had come together to the Gulch from
another mining-camp, which they said did not
E31: out to suit them and there they had been

_ own as the Ten l’l'ns, thers‘bein just that
number of them, i circumstance wh ch caused
them to at once come in for border nomencla-T

t 9' ' s r'\ K . , ,.
“impairs three had departed "this lite,
one dyinga ‘ldeafilli‘and t e tw othels;
being cuto t th  w gum}? ' ' ,be
me 'gixilyesnrso ove . ‘3 _ ":
‘ Th2: remainfn ,' had by‘ fiber-who incu-
tinned to work t 0 claims of their digdeuhed
and thelrgow-n too. and wants!) ' d to
‘  11133 1_'_ 11ng gil’en hm in
Go Gu , of the yen'StarsLQfB‘riczk Ben:
der, by general conse ,.yvas theruling 
udfihe not only had t e bdst ,claim,‘ but al his
aha ty was'far super or to any tlie‘mflucigk
W ' ,b was situated a mile out 0156, I id n g .
. ‘ 'babiniwasvlocated atthe V 'd a small
rafintflun‘d was inn lonely garb , the mining-
“ a nd. upon nights w e ‘the weather Was
in , t his comrades were wont to come to
V1811? bun. and there drink andgsmble away
the‘hOura ' ' ’
. There is no need of ,makin known that the
six pa‘rde of Bender all locke f _ t0" mak-
ingone visit, to the Wigf‘vdm; of their chief,
w iich they hoped would pan out Wll for'them,
and whichwguld be u n the occasion of the
night appointed fon' division of thefs 'ls
taken from the strsn er, whom, ey ha ac»
cus‘ed of the three ‘mur ers ind‘wh h éncluded
the wealth Munfortuuate. ucko' ,Pe‘te. _ ‘
Their Secret of the death of the under andthe
mater “awn kept. we newshound
1' unfit ‘ 71mm: Powell is now-one dl’tlfl'uoso
premium medical men inltlwfar WM 161
m w : - I .. v r l ‘ ~

3PM"! 1.. id

 

A

knowing that Lucky Pete had accumulated a
snug little fortune, the Seven Stars anticipated
a few thousand for each one of them more

ially as a well filled wallet had been
ta on from the ket of the man whose hue
they had so y sworn should roman a mys»
tery.

The night before the one appointed for the di-
vision of the spoils, Bender had leaded a slight
illness, and declined to goup to iden Gulch to
trfi his luck at Faro Fred’s.

ut his comrades had gone, and, thinking of
the marrow, had all played with a recklessness
of co uencee never exhibited by any of their
number fore.

But then they reasoned: “What mattered
the loss of a few hundreds in a venture to “in

 

thousands, when they would receive a large
Mon the tollowingmight?” ' I ~
CHAPTER IV.

‘mvmrno ran BPOILS.

THAT Bod Bender, as he was morefreqnently
called b his immediate comrades, hedjalsely
Signed none as an acme for his not visiting

den Gulch, was very evident, for he bore not
the slightest trace of indisposition, as he cooked
his su par that night, and a most substantial
meal than for asick man. g

After partaking of it with .evidcnt.relish, be
securely boltedaadbarrad Msdoor and w'mdow,
shut out, with bluikats. hung hareand there,
every ray of light that might \ to through
a crack or crevice, and king from a w
m receptacle a wooden box, placed it 990:“ the

. ‘ a, y l

. -, I.) I

BossBender “uneconomic-l magi, and sel-
dom burned me than one tallew candle; but
upon this occasion. he extrangantly lighted
four, placing them in a kind of semicircle upon
the table, and seating himself on the side be
tween the two ends, where the light fell full
upon what he should place before him, he opened
the small We!) box and laid its contents in

from“ him. w .1  1.x

. There was gold, then some be of dist, afew
old ands. roll of hilh these wereiaid
one: a, while a largs‘inorooco pocketbook,»

.. .1
wallet. sometpam; .hasdsome watch and
chain, with a'ring andl’pair of shewbuttons
seemed to 3onng hisattention. ~ ,

“Them thin a being mine, I doesn’t 12%
tchazmistd' n thwhat wogotlrom Lucky

an’ther. or.»   m! ,.
I. has ten select out either

,-,..

v “New tor bit. for
Wallets jbt ther mm {intends to: keep far my-
self, an’ when ther settlement is bad tomorrow
night, of course Isis-my .shara out‘o’ ther bal-
ance. an’ ther _ won’tba none 0’ thu- wiser,"

He ned the ther case of Lucky etc as
he  and his eyes glittered with antimon-
joy as he saw the large .1 it ' ed,

“We know’d he’d struekitricb, lat ’twunft
suspected he’d get itaobigasthis,’ hemuttered
wh is he selected just one-half of the sum and
placed it among the personal elects he had put
to onefldo. ' 9v . z , .

“Now thar’s enough ter be divided among us, I
gnomes. u’v ther boys within delighted, I knows,

or they doesn’t suspect ball so much

J‘ISOW tar ther
pan out.” . r i

The watch, chain andjowelrybe laid are side,
wall~ knowmg that his comrades were swam
that he had those ; but the pocket-ka he
and strain~ smiled delightodly as he saw that i
contained uinte d snug sums, - . 4 A

Half of ill! be also  aside for himself,
and there sat gazing upon hi riches, whibha

. r.

. ‘i‘NVaal. of Ican’t make the yarth 
rich, I sartinly‘is doin.’:wel1, an’ I’ll M Abbter
skip back atom-Jone tor ther old homgmuddet
’sm. see what Isolde-with ther "96%|!!!

stunger’arpihian’   it’ll

bmW. .." ' .l- - '. . “.53 ‘ HO}. ‘ 'f "H.
‘l They set term Lflu’Wdomsm 1b“
I were my darned. rapidpan’ weenl OM'
mon poplar-about I We; but an .
“tit: W: “st “,atrrrhm‘tm
w over 00 an ey wan ma
adenoonintber urch. : l 
"f- eel, washbutl areinluck.”
,‘.‘Idonottht’abso I” .v.

A cry of terror 0 from the lips 0.? Boss
Bender as the words tell open his ears, and
shnnkm away, he turned upon thespeaker.

A tall orm stood before him. attired in buck-

skin, wearing a h A ,a‘mssk,
which effectually , bi face,as,did.s
r of largegloves'bidelsis'bsnds, so that r'fis

miner knew not ,whmitgyas that had so.
teriously entered film), What he bod
lieved himself wh . , .

The stmiger, whoever he was, was well
armed, and arevolver in his right handoovered
th‘e will“; i” pad the ' ' 

‘ o 1151’ Kai miner jab rec
voice, while his face was livid, fir ta am.-
hung upon a peg near thedoer, and lie. was: at
Minmyouhhe h x' '  L

‘ amonew o aeoome, arm . in the
 ":uwldfiigén “that: upped g"
I, :1 i: n. 9.,0 W “U to
firs-immanenengommo 10k. on

3 '1JHV‘11'2-l ’.l;l.'-' l? “a 4/31" 34 w 1'
, or, ,f s.

4:

The Kilifilczszieee;

 

*.

“ You’ll find that I am playing no joke on
you Bess Bender, for I am in deadly earnest.

“ did slip into your shanty today when you
were absent for a moment, and I was hiding be-
neath onder curtain, so I have heard your plot
to degraud your fellow-thieves of the plunder
which you stole together. ”

“ I ag‘in axes who is yer!" whined the man so
r-Iuv r-y caught, hardly knowing what to say
am so wholly in the power of the intruder that
to did not dare move, for fear his life would go
wil h his ill-gotten booty.

“ I am one who has come for my share of
this plunder!” and the speaker pointed to the
ta 9.

“ Your share?

“ Yea.”

“ Yer hain’t got no mare.”

“ i shall take all that I wish, at an
if you move from where you stan
you,” was the stern reply.

“ Durn yer, if 1 bed a weepin yer 'd be cold
meat mighty quick!”

“ Idon t mind your threats, Boss Bender; but
you had better heed my warning, if you love
life,” and the intruder stopped to the table
glanced over the things that lay upon it, an
making a calm selection of what he desired to
lake, very calmly thrust it into his hot.

Then, with a yell like an enraged ion, Bender
swung upon him, seemingly determined to risk

.ath to defend his Hen treanre.

But he was met by a blow that felled him his
length upon the floor, where he lay completely
stunned.

Taking a rope from a peg in the wall, the
st ranger quickly bound him securely and leav-
i-sg the remain or of the acetate of the wooden
box upon the table, and bbwing out the tallow
candles, he left the eabin and its occupant in
dorm

rate, and
I will kill

CRAFT!!! V.
as mmumn ancurlou.

Tn usual fr uelters of the gamblin hell
known as “ The em ,” and he thy onell'aro
Fred, were conddera { surp at the heavy
stakes which were ris ed bydx of the Seven
Stars who were pla ing here the night upon
which the absent “ inr" was letting tode-
frauduthem, and had been so overly caught

h .

The fact is none of the Seven Stars as! have
said before Bender’s gs was ed, were
heavy players, and to see on sud only risk a
hundred or two upon the turn of a card created
general surprise.

In truth, they each one had a small “nest
e g ” laid away, and expecting that the division
0 the spoils upon the following night would
move than treble any sum which the; might have
put aside, they were willing to rl that much
upon trying to win more.

But luck, a most fickle companion at all times,
went a inst every one of the six, and when
midnig t came there was just money enough
left in the crowd to get a “ night-cap” all
round.

“ Put u your m , boys, for you have all
bad bad ortnne, wide of course means good
fortune to me so I pay for the drink and cigars.

“ What wil you have!"

The speaker was Fred Fairbanks, the owner
of the emple, and more frequently known as
l‘ase Fred.

He was a man of striking apfisarance, with a
marble-lire compldeu whic the sun and
wmds had failed to M, and an eye like an

face was beam hi teeth em and
psi-lb, hh smle v winnmg, and his fea-
tmm w-e east in a pe mold.

Casters of brown curie fell upon his shoul-
d-e. and his attire wm most strik n ,wmli?
fm‘tht rudegfiy‘n , for be  ads hf to -
el nm, e a vow 0 pair 0 p-
hsm,’: hmum velvm sack-coat, eras-cited
, d an a minia-
ture brick, and a snowy s the and
sale of which were embroidered.

Diamond shirt—studs, rub sleeve-buttons, and
an immense solitaire upon h little fin r, with
a watch ' .nd chain of rare workmane ip, com-
pleted hi. makoup.

He had come to Golden Gulch a year before
and opened his Templeof Chance, and he had
thrived frmtae lElli-s;i though moo had evil"
guspoctod‘ a ng an un game, or
they had, had wisely refrained from telling him
so 'for he had shown himself a man to stand no
trifling and the worst desperado in the Gulch
knew that he had to'behaVe himself in Fem
Fred’s uarterl, or have to deal with one in
everva y capdble of looking after his own in-
terests;'for be  amply proven that fact on
numerous occasions.

A big heart in him too had Faro Fred, for he
was ever ready to give a poor man a lift, took
the part of the defenseless, and on one occasiOn,
when a {21mg man, a frequenter of his Temple,
lost his dollar one night, and frenuied by it
rushedu'pon him tokill him, the gnmbler had
coolly shot him thth the heath-“and learnin
that he was the any so rtof‘a wide
mother, hewrotetoherte ngherthathersca

 

l

had been killed, and sent her every cent that
the unfortunate fellow had gambled away in
the Temple.

Then, too, Faro Fred had gotten up a grand
funeral for the young man at his own ex use,
and went himself as chief mourner, an win-
ning the hi her regard of the miners by the
very elegan manner in which be caused the
affair to ass off.

“The emple” belonging to Faro Fred was
anything bllt an imposing affair, for it was but
one story, built of logs and mu h boards, and,
without, looked likea barn; bug within it was
different, for the saloon was certainly most in-
viting to those who frequented the lace, and
there were few citizens of Golden ulch who
did not.

A bar, the “finest on the border,” the
Golden Gulchians boasted, was filled With de-
canters and glasses, backed by long mirrors, and
was constantly thronged by thirsty crowds,
while about the room were placed tables for
card-players, a faro—bank, roulette game, and
in one end a shootin -gallery, where, marked in
large letters, Faro ed‘s score with the revol-
ver stood un ualed.

A room at t e other end of the saloon was
Faro Fred’s sanctum by da , and at night the
two bar-kee rs, christened y the trans as
the “Gin-s ngers,” and “Benzine-m xers," oc-
cupied it as their sl ing quarters, for the
gambler boarded at t e Gold Brick Hotel,
where he had the best room in the house.

Having now introduced to the reader Faro
Fred the Gambler of Golden Gulch, I need
bard y say that his invitation to the six men of
the Bender Band was most promptly accegtled.

“Where is the hem to-night ’ asked to
Fred of Short , as they dashed 0! their drinks,
and the gamb er said to the bar-keeper:

“Fill em niagain Dug.”

" Re are sic ter-n ht so cuda’t some up to
therGulch,'answe o y.

“Tell himI want tosee him, for I beu ht a
horse te-day I am sure was the animal cky
Pete rode away from the Gulch and as he
boufht him from under-J. would know him
wel and I’d like to know.”

“ ’Yee, bo- w’u’d know," mid Shorty, with a
slight choking in his throat, when he remem-
bered that e had sold the very horse re-

ferred to.

“ I almost fear, knowin Lac Pete’s af-
fection for the hone, and t at he to me he in-
tended ridin him all the way home, that some
harm has be ion the young miner, as he car-
ried with him somethin over twenty thousand
dollars in bank notes, w ich I gave him for his
gold-dust.”

The six men all started at this, but not so
much from the fear that Luck Pete had been
foully dealt with, as the fact t at they got an
idea as to the amount in the wallet which their
leader had in his possession, and the contents of
which were to be divided upon the following

n ht.

1% You don‘t think nobody hes got away with
him, does yer, pardl" asked Pegleg, one of the
gang, whom a sli ht limp in one is had

ained him his nic -name, which alone a was

nown by.

“ I hope not; butif the horse I bought roves
to be the one that belonged to Pete, I aim trace
the affair up, as I liked the miner, and would
show no mercy to anybody who had murdered
and robbed him.”

“ sr’d do right, pard, and I’d help yer," said
Shorty.

“ Yes, yer c’u’d count on all 0’ us,” and Shorty
led 0! in swallowing the contents of the glass
before him as the conversation was taking a
turn he did not like.

A moment after, lighting their ci , they
started for their cam , and it was ecided to
go b ,the cabin of nder and tell him what

are End had said about the horse.

Ibey reached the cabin and knocked, when a
voice within cried:

“ Come in!"

1 “Th; door watsl homolted, ti: strange;- hails

e t , an n ente n t oun
dark, w e Bender mild out: ‘ y

“ Is that you, yards!"

“Yes, ther hull gang; but whar h yer!”

amused Shorty.

mate“ '3: roll" as 

s e a t, an e me, or es

been had work grrpay hour-Pp

BA‘dmxidlge was not? lighted, andwtheg mw
el or n a floor, and co n most

securelyxyonndrwhileu n the table was the

treasure hehad taken tom the wooden

and which counted up his accumulations

riches for the past few years.

P“Lordyl pard what hev tuk place?” asked
( ls .

n gfew as soon as he was released
Bender told his story of the visit of the masked
But he saw that be wasnot believed
of them. > , . ,

“Bum, that be near a few leetie nicknacks
o’ yer own, thet yer hes laid wiolent has; on
at some time, and a few hundreds, ma hep
a thousand. in money; but ther walleto’ lucky
Pete crotahlin’ over twenty thousand dollars.
as we knows, h gone, along with ther pockets

 

 

1

book an’ jewelry 0’ ther stranger we got away"
with, an’ they was worth considerable.

“Now yer tells usthet them things was stole,
while your things was left, and this talk don’t
go down.”

Shorty’s opinion seemed to be unanimous,
and Bender asked:

“ Wasn’t I tied when yer found me!”

“ Yes, but not so allfired tight, but thet yer
might hev tied yersclf!

“ Then yer accuses me o’ stealin’ ther money i"

“We does."

“ Yer is dumed liars, fer I is as innercint as a
child.” I

“ It depends upon ther child’s age, its raisin'
an’ et ceterars, you is placin' yerself ag’in’ in
innercence, as to how innercint yer is, Bose.

“ But we believes yer hev got away with the
money, an’ then played this leetle game outer

us.

“ But it don’t 0.”

“ Waal, I kin o nothin’ more but tell yer thet
I was robbed as I hev said," said Bender in a
disoonsolate tone.

“ It hain’t squar’, Bom, an’ of ther boys says
hang yer up an’ make yer shout whar yer hev
hid ther dust, Isa I agreed.”

The men look at each other a moment in
sil‘enscg, Isad then-i013, 0mm ricmaIrked:

‘ o are g s, or guesses we
kin make him sqpeal as to what he hev done
with ther money.

“ Up with him then ontil he confesses," cried
another, and in an instant the gang threw
themselvas upon the man, and a noose havin
been made with the rope with which he
been bound it was thrown about his neck, and
hastood bel’ore them tremblineg awaiting his
fate and wholly at their mercy.

“ ow shout out ther truth, or up yer goes!"
cried Shorty, the lead in the matter.

The rope end was threwn over a beam in the
«big, elm." “oft the gag-m hold of it. I

‘ or a e. pa . hang hr
sw’ars I are innercint," cried the man. u.

" Yer liesl

“Yer hes stole our money, an’ at yer don’t
give it full yer hangs,” shouted Shorty.

“Pa s,I hain t it, for I wererobbed.
Fer be(iod’s subs dell hang moi" pleaded the

wre . -

“ Up with him, pards, says I!” elled Short
andupintotheairthe miseraleheiu wze’
dragged until his head nearly touched the
over which the rope was thrown.

“ And down with him, pards, say I!”

At the words a tall form ste into the
half-open cabin oer, and in each d was a
revolver, One covering the who held the
rage-end, and the other in full at Short ,
w o threw up his ha in short order, w
his comrades involuntarily let go their hold,
and Bender fell with a heavy t as! upon the
dirt floor. __

CHAPTER VI.
a uasnn STRANGE}! unmnnns A non.

Winn Shorty saw that Bose Bender was et-
ting into trouble, the idea soiled u a hill at
he could step into the shoes of his eader should
that personage have to step down and out.

Consrquen y be had taken an important part
in ushing Bender to the wall, ti ough naturally
be lieved, with the others, that he had stolen
the money and made up‘ the story of the masked
stranger.

it had not been the intention of the “six
Stars ” to hang‘ the “ mveuth,” as long as there
:vastha pcmihi ty of forcing from him the

ru .

But did he pm'dstently refuse to tell where
was the manor-rhea each time let down for
that purpose, t they might, in the intslmity
of their ouhefed feelings, let him hang just a
moment too oug, and thus rid the country of
his rescues.

sudden entrance of the tall stranger cre-
ated a turn in Bender’s favor that was thrilling-
ly dramatic.

In the first place he held the ascendancy
through having given the party a consistent-

prlse. -

Then he covered Shorty with one revolver
and bk eye eeelned upon him, while asecond
revolver. coded as was other one, was
pointed directly at the Ive rascals who. had so

uiekl let go the rope-end, and gives thereh
$0“ Brandt-r a duo to earth. y

As Pegleg said a ward:

“I seen his eyes thro' ther mask-holes, an‘ he
were lookin’ squar’ at me, an’ ther revolver were
coverin’ me too, tho’ Shorty an’ ther rest 6 yer
grim“. do so he looked an’ p’inted at you.

gal, hn eyes e seem out on ther bias."

tat: any rate, the stranger held the entire gang
. y! .
Theng a tall, broad-shouldered man, clad
in bile kin leg 'ngsand hunting-shirt. and with
a belt about his waist containili a knife and
two holsters, from which the rave ers thateov-
ered them had just been tubes.

A broad-bummed sombrero sheltered his head,
and a m cometely hid hiefaea,wkilinI
hamhwsreineased ingauatletglevea. -r -— ~

. seawater-a

 

 

.

“ What (ices yer want hear?" groaned Shorty,
with an attempt to put ca a courageons air.

“ Justice.”

"‘ Wflyycr’ll git justice of yer don’t dig out
durn quick,” responded Shorty.

“Ycu’ll get a bullet through our brain if‘

on do no keep your tongue tween our I
as“), my man, was the stern rggly o the
masked stranger, who then continu :

“ I say I came here for justice, and I will ex-
plain by saying that I came to do an act of jus-
tice, for you were hanging a man who told you
the truth when he said he was robbed by a
stranger."

“ Does yer mean it, pardl" asked chieg.

“ I do mean it for I found him here counting
his treasure, and preparing it to divide among
you as he thought best.”

“That are so, pard, and I blesses yer fer
them words,” whined Bender, who had risen to
a sitting posture, and, with his hands tied be-
hind him, and the rope about his neck, was
looking on with pellid. face.

Unheeding the words 0 the man he had be-
friehded, the stranger continued:

'; “me the treasure before him I selected
5m what suited me, and I have it with me new,
‘ronld any of you, or all of you, seek to take it
from me.

The stranger paused. but these was something
no recklesal defiant in his challenge to them,
that they ared not Venture to carry cut his
suggestion, and vented their feelings only by
ion muttered oaths.

“Knowing that man to be innocent. you
have no right to harm him, and should {non do~
no. you may expect to hear from me aga in a
way which you will not like.

“in fact, you red-handed devils, each and
every one of your band, known as The Seven
Stars, from your captain there down to that ‘
wherein, Shorty, shal hear of me again and
woe be unto you when you cross my trail.

The dee voice and stem words of threaten-
in can those whom he addressed to shiver,
an they glanced at each other in dread, while
Shorty whined:

“ How hes we harmed you, rd!" ‘

“That each one of you aha know before I

on that is barmin’

strike.”
“Inrdyl I thinks it are
us, for yer soon in our ust, more us with
yer wee us, an says yer intends ter call in out
chips w on yer strikes our trail ag’iu so the
we hes tar live in awful suspense,” said chlcfi.
“ if you prefer to end the suspense, I am wi -
ing to meet each of you, one at a time, this

ni ht.

5‘1 will first disarm you all, and then meet
one of you at a time, with revolver or knife,
just as you please, and right here in this cabin.

" What do you say!”

“Thet it hain't squar’ fer seven men ter fight
one,” said Boss Bender, and this remark at -cc
gained for him the ascendenci once more as lead-
er, as he others knew not w at to say and were
romp etely oowed by the daring er, who
had so boldly risked his life tc an
avowed foe in a time of sorc need.

“ Yas, that are'so. ,

“ We hain’t no cowards ter- take advantage 0’
yer, pard," said Peleg.

“As you please; another time will suit me
even better than now.

“Good-night, but don’t forget that wc will
meet again. I

He backed to the door as he uttered thalast
words, and sprung backward out into the dark-
ness, just as half-a-dosen revolvers flushed
together, and as many bullets were buried in
the silent door-posts. ‘ ‘

But no fell, no or proved that the stranger
had 11 and é: a mass, now no longer
under the spel of ispresence the seven men
rushed out of the dear. for Boss Bender led
them, his hands still tied behind his back, and
the rope trailing after him.

Away in the darkness a horseman was seen
riding swiftly away, and the Seven Stars knew
that the had been cleverly worsted by- one
man an with no hope of revenge that they
could then see. ‘ _

 

CHAPTER VII.
run rum. LITTER.

In a small cabin on the outskirts of the then
scattering village of Leavsnworth, a man lay
upon a rude cot. ,

He was a man of fine presence, though now
his face was pale and emaciated, and he wore a
look of suffering.

The cabin was but scantily furnished, and it
was evident that its occupant was not blessed
with too much of this world’sgoodsso that he
could be comfortable in his suffering.

His appearance indicated that he was one who
had seen belter days. for an air of refinement
was upon his face ,whlch hardships had not
obliterated. :

Presently the door opened end a man enter-ed
the room, who, in face and form was strangely
like the one upon the cot. excepting that be
e red in perfect health.

»* A" e’ «was dressed in frontier garb, or hunting~
gum, dark pants stuck in top-boots, a gray

 

The Kid Glove 
sombrero, and about hb waist was a belt of

arms. -

That the two ware ccnnccted by kindrcd ties
was ver cvidart, or their resemblance was a
remark lc heck of nature.

“ Well, Henr , I am glad that you are back
for I get very {inc when left to myself,” sai
the wounded man, fer he was sulerrng from a
bullet wound in his body.

“ You must not get blue, for I had a talk
with the surgeon, and he says that you are in a
fair way to recovcr," answered the other.

“ Yes, I feel that I am improving, but the call
was a close one.

“ What have you there, Henry 7”

" A letter for you.”

" Ah! a letter?

“ Then it must be from dear Helen.

" Oh! Hour , if you knew her it would be to
love her, an just to think that when we
became engaged, I should lose my all, and have
to come here to seek a fortune.

“She told me she would marry me if I was
mgr, and come here with me to str

; but I said no, I should first win
then she should become mywvife.” .

" You are talking too much, William,’ said
the other, quiet] .

“ I know it, enry; but when I think of Helen
I cannot refrain from talking.

“ Were she here now she would be a most
kind and gentle nurse to me—nay, do not thin

es,and

that I feel that you are not, for ycu have devot- ‘ '

ed yourself to me wholly, and—”

“ And I should do so, William, for you re-
ceived the wound intended for in heart, and,
though you did not know then t we were
cousins, boldly came to my aid when that gang
of rcughs sought to kill me.”

“ it was a lucky meeting, Henry, if I did get
so severe a wound, for I had often longed to see
you again.

“Only think, we had not met since we were
boys together, and uncle—”

The wounded man passed, while the- other
said bittcrl :

' “ b0 not (edicts, William, to say what was

upon aivfiour toque. You meant that we had not
met cewcwese awhes-nnclclen ,for
whom I wu named, novc me from his c
and guardianship, far a wild, boyish freak of
mine, and made you his heir.

“ Life went to
item and went w lwitb you.

" But I got money after a while, and on lost

our inheritance from being fool cnou to in-
dorse for supposed friends, and now we are on
equal footing, for I gambled away all I had
saved up.

” But come, shall I read you the letter, for it
is not addressed in a lady’s hand i"

“ Then it cannot be from Helen," said the
wounded man in a tone of disappointment.

“ No, it comes from the Wcst, somewhere, for
it has the Over-land‘stngc stamp upon in.”

“ Read it, please,” wcarily said the Meter.

Break he seal, Henry \ a read
aloud, as ollows:

" ‘ Gowns Gown, Hay, 10th, 18—.
“ ' 7b l'r. William W-'* ‘

" ‘Sra:—'l‘he cause of a stranger addressing van
is on account of a mperty recently left to you by a
miner living near t (lamp. and who recently lost
his life m a most mysterious way.‘ "

“Wh Henry can that letter be for me!”
asked \ illiam iackstone, with surprise.

"It certainly is addressed to you, and by
reading on you will soon know,” and Henry
Blackstone resumed:

- “ ‘I referth man who is known here in Golden
Gulch as Elegant Ed, but whose real name I ilnd, in
looking over papers, was Elgar Elgin—J "

“ Great God! poor Ed Elgin gone!” cried

William Blackstone.

" So it seems, Will, but you must keepcalm,
or I will not read the letter to you.”

“ I am calm, Henry, soplease read it."
Again Iicnry Blackstone resumed the read-
ing: ‘

“‘All that is known here of Mr. Elgin is that he
came here some two years ago as a miner, and was
accompanicd by his wife, a lovely woman, who at

once won the name of Ed's An el. .

“ ht a lead up ‘ the mountains and
built a cabin t ere, and then set in work.

“ ‘ He worked hard and the mine panned out well, 1

it seems, for he 1m dust and ban k-nom worth none
“NY thmrssnd dollars, all of which was put in the
safe of the Gold Brick Hotel, subject 1’0 your order.
for to you be left his effects.‘ " f

“ To me .7" gasped William Blackstone.

“Yes: soltseems.” a . ~

“ Poor fellow—to remember me for the like
kindness done him in the past!”

“You were kind to him. then, Willr’ssked “

Henry Blackstone, as though curious to know
the at

log- chums. .

“ He was a trifle wild, but fell in lave with a
beautiful girl, an heiress, and she returned that
love.

“ Ed reformed, but her kindred and friends
opposed him, and they ran off together—for I
loaned him a few thousand to start him on the

road to fortune. -

is with 1

with me for a while,,Wil- '

cry. .
“ Yes: for Ed Elgin and myself were col- ‘

:10!

"He went Wcst and bought that mine,
"curator Idldnct write himafter I lost-’3
formnc; and yct hc kept track of me, and has
left me his wealth in return fora pad hint

ncsc.
“ Peer, dear Edi

of his sad fate.”
1° tOnce more Henry Blackstone resumed the
ter.

“‘It apps-u, air that same assassin went to I
gin’s home, and killed both him and his wife, for he
{as} foufifl dhgd in hi’sfcalbinbwigl‘ls a. bullet inbhis

n, w e poor w e aldc, slain a
knife-thrust in her heart. y y y

“ ‘ Those who found them were a hand of men
known by various namcs, such as: Bender’s laughs,
The Sevcn Stars, etc., and are bani dtisans'
but, as not a thing was stolen mm the cabin, and
Ed was always liked by the crowd, no swicion could
be placed upon them.

‘ ‘Every effort was made to find the murderer «-
murderers, but without result: and the mind!
ahead in my hands the Elgin shots, with a wrest

write to you—for a fiaperwas fouud,sign by
hothlldgarlkinand iswifelca toy in
caseofthedeathofbothofthem. mafia,

owned.

“‘A photogra h of you was also found a
hhpapugmdflwitballhelefhlha'n 
keeping, subject to delivery to you personally. .

“ lneedhanilysa thatpoorEd andhh '
received decent bu al at thehandsofthose by
whomthey were held in such high esteem.
“‘Ihavc, sir, thehonor to be your: obedient .3
ant, his: warm, hi. D.‘ ”
“ ' An early reeponseyvill oblige.‘ " ,_

“ Well, Henry. this is sad news," was the
sorrowful remark cf William Blackstone in
hearing the letter capleted. - .

“ Rather, yea mca

 

his beautiful wife?’ .

“ It places you above wanti"

“Bah! what we ht b that in the
against his fearful eathl - ~

“I am surprised, Hens-y, first you i”
'speakso, forI anncsc-etcwbhtosbctoxa We
I of comfort by the snlcringanddsath cf mam
I “ it’s a clean flft thousand in your

“It maybe,“ vcnrncinrctumfcra
1 may fcw thounn I let him run lathe
i

“His own kindred are very distant, and lb
cared not for them, and his w e's relativcaa'e
rich—cohe‘lcfttomchicall. ' . -

:z?:hbaenn d n incanyin 

v spear some n t -
ies back to civilization, and giving thgm m
tlan burial and a d monument. . '

“Then, Henry, I will t you have 'a law
thousand to start &ou in life, and-J g' '

“ No, William achtonc, I will hose all”

The words broke sava
Henry Blackstone, and w th a spring he was at
the bedside. -: ‘

Then his strong arms ped the weakfam
of his cousin, who gene
no atom of fear, while he said: ‘ '

“Good God! have you gone gold mad, Henry
Blackstonei” . - «I

“Yes, for less in my rasp a fortune.“
you, a wounded, almost
obstacle between 1" hissed the mac. . ..

“ You would kill me, then for old!” ula

“Ay, would I—and will i: non—weds
st le, would you! You, worn by fever and
rude g would cope with my man “Wild-Ill
Ha, ha ha! that is what I ex cud—what I
hoped ori Now, William Bis

 

stru le to rise and cast on the grip n cabin
cause a torrent of blood to burst from ink“

utterly powerless, sunk back upon his m...

 

of Guid Gulch City. . ,-

Ex ting to make a fortune with his pick and,
shove , he had found his box of surgical instru-
ments paid him better, for it was a mantra-
qucnt occurrence for him to have to elk had
cut of a It nnd than gold outof a mine, Ind-tho
lasermetal paid the est, he found, in them
run, for it brought the gold'dust to his po'c

A man of allraciive address, reflnemen 
cation, and har-dsorne as an Apollo, not
but win the esteem of
he had the nerve and dcrir
from the rougher clement lea

Shortly after his arrival

 

lden City.

of a r fellow a ainst several deepen
s whichwzi‘ded in hing
‘ to flight, and so severely wounding
that his life was (1 ired of. ~ .
But the doctor ered the wounded n to
be taken to a room in the hotel, telling the ad-
lord that he would pay the costs. and
out his surgical instruments, went to~
upon him.

twirl? d high I " "
a me an inch cr up and had I N
. a; there, my friend, you wch g
,‘ xed up by this time; but as it is I still HM:
l you round all right.” ‘ ' ‘

 

\ .

“But read on, lsary, that I may know man ‘

a,gccdncws.” v. '
“What! tchcarthcmd endofEdElzinnld

ly from the litrch

up into his face I“! > '

719‘ m.)  '

one, you arc-
dylng,” and the murderer started back, us-tbc /

the lips of the wounded man, who, Winks“ ‘ I

as
CBAP'lEB VIII. . , »
TE: IAGIC DQGIO‘“. '2. 1:35;,-
Doc-roa FRANK Powm was the “ but”

e
the better classes, cane“ ,
to force NM

but. when he I 
known only as aminer, be had taken the ,"_‘
’ K ,
illing one tti another "
‘ pa 11its third“

to been, '

 

He soon extracted the bullet, with thaqm {I 

7:3"

,_ I

 

l'.‘

 ‘ ‘ :3;me
v ‘l ' S V. I s

 

«.

6

V.

t

Them 

 

 

' And bring him sound all rightthe doctor did,

ing all.expeuses until the man’s recovery,
genius gays him a'harilsaote‘and with'it a
fiece of advice, the latter being: . .

“New, seek new fields to be useful in, my
friend, for if you remain here I shall lune to

on.”  2.

The desperado took the gratuitous advice and
dhcampad, while. the fame of Frank Powell
spread flirough the camps, until all afflicted
with ailmentsand wounds sought- his skillful
care.

v Now and then he would have to pick half a
dozen bullets out of a man, and again have
so stitchpp a knife-thrust, or give medicine for
30191531111 always with such succcss that he won
aw awe, according the style of the far
Q3 - '

That "OI-6 was the Ma ic Doctor, and once -

this was fixed upon him aw in Gelden Gulch
, ' w him'as Frank Powell.
‘ fThus it was, when Elegant Ed and his An e1
were slain, the Magic Doctor was selected y
the self-appointed managers of the funeral and
effects, as the an; opt-into rsonage to com—
municate with liam Blue stone of Leaven-
worth Kansas, and the heir of the Elgins.
That‘he did so, writing a full statement of
hate. the reader is aware. .

tor was sent, an no reply comin , Doctor Pow-
dt began to fear that the heir ha not received
his letter. and was about to write a second time,

 

when one da . as he‘sat in his rooms, burnishing 3
up his revo vars and knife, which he always ,

 in as perfect condition as he did his surgi-
im laments, the Chimesbell- of the Gold
Brick otelueemsr softly through 9 door with-
ofikuocking.  w H- ~ ‘
Instantly dropping the unloaded molver
which he warden-log, Doctor Powell seized a
‘Ieldsdione that lay upon the table beneath his
hand and the Chinee was covered in the twink-
fl if aneye. ’2 ~ r " ‘
‘.‘ Don’sshootselden’tshooteei life once Plu
Chew," hhousdflwlieathen Chinee in start]

.. “Boisee‘now any festive Plug Chew; but I
em yet ham to kill you, if you insist upon com—
ing into m room without knocking for, in this
rhsnighted nd, siman must never taken by
swish,” «lurked the doctor, throwing
bac his long blackhain, which fell in waving
masses below his broad shoulders.

' “mullahs, Rages. Inctes; but Plug Chew

‘ es, andI'll for that it is on, sometime,
, heathen  ’ y ‘
‘ Plug Chew notes do no moses.”
“he that you are notlying by your'practice.
2)“ owwhatdoyouwanti'? ‘
am i! heelettes do: Magoo Lootee."

W00 have!
«‘4. . r it is'hdt'oftsn that I get a letter nowa-
;. so let me have it.”
‘ m girlee,” grinned the Chinee.
‘i v9"Ho‘w do you know thati" x
"Babes heap sensee. Plug Chew no dam

..‘
y,

1 Math! insight! on told me,wa should

vealwa that you were: but you
are way ' the rail this time, Chinee, for this
Just is-ddredsed in a large, bold hand.”
3 ‘S‘Gigiee liahee lei-gee ud, makes writes

, i i (let mt!” ‘
- i‘iDinuee reedee soon." ’
#93“  be there on time, Plug Chew.” and the
lingerie hegppe‘d‘h’i  t“ Chat“ ml!
, s upon revo -
lummgPlug Chew bolted out of the door with
an sh'erity which would have caused a bullet to
.0300 to overtake him.
“ It is from Mienworth. yes, and from Wil~
liam Blaekuons," ‘said Frank Powell, as he
'flnced at the signature of the letter.
Then, half aloud he read;
I'  - “anwom, June 7th 18—.
"Ml W, 1!. D.:——
~ W'BIAIStnz—Your letter has been received, con-

? some-these!!th ofthodeathofm
 muffle his beautiful wifey,

"*- , ‘ Words unnot Isl you how I glove for them
(“If bemoan slid “rend should havebeen so fillet
withhorror. ~
, “Ian inureafl from a wound, received in
raucuity hen some menths fig but shall be able
 mildly idle! my use: to lden Gulch, when
was“? ’%°i‘u i m
, ‘,‘ no .0 ar 11 remember me as
'ilis hair, but I an ‘hat he had not f0 ot-
 w& in tter luck than now, I a ed
.hlm tothefull creator my urse.
1 ~ ‘ you fer your induces in the matter,
mu to see you. I remain with re-

re yours

0; . H , , ., . “WW fluent-ass.”
.;.,.“«we11. I am glad to hear from him, and will
 be relieved from the care of poor Elgin’s

tune. I , »
“ Hal you here again?” and the doctor bound—
Him” the door, as Plug Chew darted into

e

the room once more, and again without knock-

ith a an ‘or terror the Chinee flew out,
«22%: t top of his voice: .
gettee coldee, doctsel”

 

Laughing at the wild Chinee, Frank Powell
descended to the dining-room of the Gold Brig:i
where he knew mine host alwayshad a g
dinner awaiting his guests. . 9

CHAPTER IX. ,
TWO or A KIND. .. V

“ You hain’t hed no letter yit, from use: er-
loot ,yer writ ter about Elegant Ed’s dust, ev
yeri ,

Thequestiou was put by Boss Bender to Doc-
tor Frank Powell, some days after the recep-
tion of the letter from William Blackstone.

The doctor sat upon the piazza of the Gold
Brick, smoking an after-dinner cigar, and chat-
ting with Faro Fred, who, to make use of a
paradox, made a breakfast of his dinner, for he
always slept until noon.

The doctor never gambled, and yet he was
always on good terms with Faro Fred, who also
liked the man ,of medicine immensely, and the
two were often together.

Boss Bender had approached the hotel, ac-
companied by Shorty and Pegleg, and, having
been found not to be the thief the gang had be—
lieved him to be, and suffered innocently, they
all sought tomake amends by reinstating him
as their leader, a circumstance which he took

 

2 advantage of to become something of a marti-
has the days. lided into weeks, after the let-

net in retaliation. .

“ Yes, I have had an answer,” returned Frank

owell, quickly. . . ,

“ Waa , what does ther writin’ say ?”

“You can read the letter if you wish,” said
Powell, well knowing that Boss Bender could
not write his cwn name. »

“ No, I doesn’t keer ter do so! but I wants ter
know what ther erloot says i”

“ He says that e will be here in a few days
and, that the myster regarding, the death 0
Elegant Ed and his ugel he intends to clear
up, for he seems to feel that those who found
thedbgdies, must know something of how they
die . _ .

“Does the sus t that we w’u’d do sich a
thin i” ask Boss ender, bristling. up.

“ 0t knowing you, he may not suspect you;
but when I give him a uare 1 into the face
of the men who found t e Elgids dead in their
cabin, he .will doubtless feel that you are
guilty,” was the cool reply of the doctor.

“It are a durned lie, fer not 3 ounce o’ Ed’s
dud. were touched.” , _,. . . ,. .

“ No one knows just, how \ much, he left, Ben,-
der. as the  does natal ate, and was dated
sometime orehis dee . .

“He then had about fifty thousand dollars,
and he must have dug out more dust after his
wife and himself signed that will, or paper
which the meant as such." v ‘

“And oesyer dare tar hint that I and my
men w’u’d touch a pound e' dust as didn’t he-
lon tar us?” .

“ don’t hint, Bender, butI do say frankly,
if you and your ang tare honest, ,then nature
has belied you in be p of your faces."

The response came coolly, and Faro Fred
laughed, which but added fuel to the fire
already kindled, for Bender shouted out:

fl‘“ E’s yer says thet, pard, doctor, yer. hes ter
h .

“ Who shall I fight, Bender!”

With the words the doctor covered the des-
perado with his revolver, by such a rapid
movement, that the rufilau had not had time to
draw, before he saw he was caught.

“ Dou’ftyou boys get uneasy or you’ll not suc-
oeed in l e.” ~

This remark was addressed to Shorty and
Pegleg bi Faro Fred, who covered each one of
them ‘wit a weapon, as he saw that they in-
tended to “chi in ” to an

"Say, Faro red, we
with you,” said Shorty.

“But you will have if you don’t take your
hands of those weapons." -

“ What in thunder are all this about, any-
how?” asked Bender, smiling to get outof an
awkward situation.

“Oh! I thought you knew; but if you do not,
itl is as well to tell you that it is only a little
p easantry upon my part.

“Come, Bender I know you.to be a grand
scamp, and I think your pards are birds of a
feather, so I warn you to keep out of my way...

“If some fellow puts a bullet into you, or
knifes you, and you still live, send for me and
I’ll ul you through if you can besavcd; but
don t crowd me, for I won’t stand it.

“Now go into the bar and tell Jacques to
mnrke you drinks at an expense.” - '

Frank Pewell spoke n his easy pleasant way,
at the same time returning his tol to the belt
under his corduroy jacket, and willing enough to
escape from havin to face two such men as the
Magic Doctor an Faro Fred were known to
be. Bender and his pards withdrew, the for-
mer remarking:

“ Waal, Doc, you is a queer one, for I’m
darned of I understand yer.

“ I feel flattered thusly,” said the doctor with
a winning smile, and into the bar went the trio
and reported to Jacques what Frank Powell
hfiéfildj'estukhi' first. 1 I a in m

. , rat or on 001'
put up ther quant ty 0’ juice 'twill take tar

ort their leader.
in’t got no quarrel

 

make you erloots drunk, ’ithout neme
orders, said ewary bar-keeper, and approach;
in; the windOw, he called out: '

“ Doetor, did yer say these gerloois were for
tighten u on your expense”, g.

“ Yes, acques', give them an' thing they wish
to call for, and maybe ibey’l get themselves.
killed bef01e night,” was the any er of Frank
Powell, while, with a light laugh, Faro Fred re—

manked .

“ I’d treat the balance of Bender’s gang on the
same fond hope, Powell; but here comes the
s e, and that looks like a dandy on the hex
wit Monk Harris."

“ Yes, andehe has the ribbons, too, and handles.
them well. that is certain. ,

“I wonder if he can be my expected friend,
Blackstone?” ans“ cred the doctor, as the stage,
with its six horses, drew. nearer, coming on
at a rattling pace.

CHAPTER x.” '
m mms’ mam. -"

Tun stage rolled up to the door of the Gold
Brick as though ithad no intention of coming to
a halt, and those who came forward at a run to
greet its arrival, for its coming was an im rt-
ant break in life at Golden Gulch, saw ouk
Harris swinger; his box..hls arms folded acres
his broa breast and a cigar between his lips,
while another personage held the reins.

That other was a man of large sine. with
great broad shoulders, and a head thatisat well

n them. .

e was dressed in a suit of cdrduroy, wore a
soft slouch hat, topboots, and the inseparable
belt of arms was visible beneath his sack coat.

His hair was worn lopig, was. black as night,
and a full beard reache almost to his belt, giv~
in him a striking and distingue air.~

is eyes were intensely black, large and rest-
less, and altogether he was a man to attract ob-
servation in any assembly. ,

At the pro r moment be t his foot on the
brake, drew a the team, an , came t a. halt in
a style that showed he had calcula well, and
knew his own skill and strength. - _

.“Opme, driver let us ha 8 something,” he
said quietly, addressing onk Harris, and
gfingmgfrom the box to the hotel piazza with

e grace and ease of a rcus reaper.

. “ ’11 do it, pard, for admires yer st la in
handlin’ ther ribbons,l an' I'like‘h'yeragut' at
yer’l excoose me I shinny down by. ther
whee an not take ther spring, for fear it might
end in a flipflap for yours truly, Monk Harris,"
and the driver scrambled down from the box,
while {thestable boys led the horses away, there
being no other passengers than the sjfian er.

' Seeing Monkspeak to Frank‘Powe an Faro
Fred, the stranger said: . i

d ‘i‘Bring your . friends and introduce 1 me,

r yer. »

“M name is William Blackstone, called Bill
Black y my pards.” . .

“Indeed, sir. I am glad to meet you, Mr.
Blackstone.” .

“I am Frank Powell with whom you have
been in correspondence, said the tor. sie
pi fox-werganlher prepossessed w th the he r
of legant and his Angel. I

“ And I to meet you, Dr. Powell, for I came
bereJto seek you. in l
- “ oin me, pleas a g ass of somethin to
wash the dust ofethe read out of my thrfiat,
and ask our fri , too.”

Thus vited, , an]; Powell introduced Faro
Fred, and the four men, including Monk Hero
ris, ranged themselves infront of e bar of the
Gold Brick to “ take suthin’,” in the language of
the border. . 1 .,_ .

.Bavmg dashed .03 a‘ less to “better ao-
quaintauce,” William Blac stone lanoed over
the room, and seeing that it was early fall of
loungers, who alwa s assembled to see the
stage come in, made imself “solid” with alll,‘

is l :.
Wisdom», will you not all join me in a

d .I

Victim they! .A .

T emovement toward the bar in solid pla~
toous answered the question, and Jarques and
his assistants were at once busy dispensing
drinks to the always-thirsty, after which the
stranger went in to get some dinner. accom—

uied by the doctor, while those he left behind

im. voted him a.“ white man, clean through.
an’ squar’ as shootin’.”

Monk Harris then told how he had enlivened
the tri by hisstories and songs, and added:

“ I oesn't give in, pards, for but few men in
handlin’ thannbbons, but I does crawilsh ter
him, ferhe dnws as tho’ he were born with ther
gift. as yer seen when he fetched thet iron—-
mouthed team up suddint afore ther1door."

In the mean time, while his praises were being
sung in the bar~room. William Blackstone was
eating his dinner with the relish of a bun
man, and at the same time chattin to ,3
Powell and joking Plug Chew, the Ch as, who
waited upon him.

Nota mention was made of the fortune left
him, and onlyas the two set smoking on the
p half an hour-afterward, did the stranger

 

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sh Id Brie
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1 , 3 x.“ ‘ I a V, V, 4,.  , a

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. r‘How far isthe cabin of poor Ed Elgin from
here, doctor?” _

“About six miles.” v ,

“ I would have time to go there and back be-
fore darkl”; . , , ; . _
“Oh, yes, and I Will accompany you With
pleasure, for you will need a guide.

' “Plug Chew!”

“Yes, doctee,” and the Chinee appeared at
the doctor’s call for him. ,

, ‘_‘Tell my man to saddle both the black and
bay, and bring them round at once.” . 1

Plug Chew looked as though he would like to
tarry to ar e the matter as to whether the
stranger ha not better ride another horse than
the one the doctor intended for him, but seeing
Frank Powell was in no humor for fooling, he
scampered awa , and soon after tw0 superb
animals were led around to the door.

“Take your choice, Mr. Blackstone, for both
are fine riders,” said the doctor. . I
. The stranger threw $131,159]! Info-,tbe saddle
of the bay, which was nearest to him, and the
 mounting the black, they rode away to-

r.

, .‘A" is is aead inhefitancetome, Doctor Pow-
ell, coming as it. does through the terrible end-
ing of those I lo'ved as I did poor Elgin and his
wife,” remarked William Blackstone, as the two
Cilllti‘l‘ed alon on the mountain trail.

" is certain .y is a sad aflair, sir, and one at-
galnded with mystery, for I knew not that
‘ gin bad a foe, noble fellow that he was. _

‘ If robbery Was the cause of the act, it
seems strange that solittle should _ ve been
taken from what was stolen; it cool [not have
been but a thousand or two.”

.. “Perhaps some one ma have been in love
with Mrs. Elgin, andso t to get rid of her
husband, and she has taken her own life,” sug-
gested Blackstone.

, “Ab! such might be a theory fo: the act,
though she could never have given herself the
wound which she received.

. , “I did half suspect agang ,cf wretches who
pretended to be miners, but whom I believe ar
secretly cutthroata, but there being nothingo
value missing, which we could discover, leans
toward their innocence in this case, though they
discovered the bodies.” - .
,“WelltI shall do what I (an to solve the
mysterny, as I intend to make Golden Gulchmy
home. '

“Indeed! it is not a place where a man with
flortu’ne enough tosupport him. would care to
ve

.»“I have no ties elsewhere, I like a wild life,
and one lace is as good as another to me,‘while
I know can becomfortahle in a hotel kept as
the Gold Brick seems to be.”

“ Yes, for a border tavern it is well kept; but
when I can save up sumcient to seek a home in
a more congenial unrter I shall do so.

;, “ Thereis the,ca 'n, sir.” ‘ ,

The two now rode up to the cabin, and the
doctor having the key, the door was unioc
and the two entered. I '

With a respect that raised him in the opinion
of Frank Powell, William Blackstone took off
his hat, as he crossed the hreshold and stood

with bo head, as thong in the presence of
the dead- cm he had loved. .
The fu 'ture of the cabin remained as it

was, when the y had occurred, anda per—
fect quiet rested u n the desolate spo

“ Is the mine 0 any, valuei" asked William
Bl kstone ietl .

“(It anngd1 outY well fer Elgin; but [believe

r he sat he had gotten out about all the metal,”

an‘awered doctor. _ -
‘Well, “Grill be time to work that when I
i ’ .ld Blackstone, and then. the two
went to the little vale in the mountain, where
in and his wife were buried. =
crass. painted white was at the ad of the
double grave and into it wuskill y carved:

“m MEMORYOF f
A NOBLE MAN AND A TRUE WOMAN,
I KNOWN IN THE rum as
ELEGANT ED AND HIS ANGEL,
whose names were Edgar“ Elgin and Lola m.

'm in the far East, misfortune dr0ve them to the
lande the setting sun where they now rest forever."

“ A prett tribute to them, and a just one.
“What riend did this?” said William Black-

ato-h de, standing by the grave With uncovered
ea

‘. l d“.

. “They seemed so far above those who dwell
in this wild land, that-they won my sympathy
and friendship and Iwiaha'i not their grave to
remain unmarked,” said Frank Powell.

“ I thank on,” than}: returned thevbelr, and
the two wai ed back to their horses, and set out
for Golden Gulch. . . '

CHAPTER x1.
m PBICI or an.
m blanche order ven'to Ja es the
m w  to all Bog-agenda

turn, or whiteva liquor

 

their tastes mi ht crave, was in a fair way of
being successfu when the arrival of the stage
with William l‘ackstone on the box, created
an .emitement which caused the. thoughts of the
trio to run in another channel. '

“I say, pards, I wants to speak with yer,”
said Bender, drawing Shorty and Pegleg aside.

“Wasli” Vt as the question of each, when they
got out of earshot. J '

“ Waal it haiu’t waal, for that Magic Doctor
were hintin’ agi’n’ us ter-day ’bout thet El in
trouble in ther hills, an’. now ther heir es
come he may be sot ter trail up ther mystery.”

“We don t know nothin’ ’bout ther murder,
only that ther brother 0’ ther gal did ther kill-
in’ growled  leg.
“Thet are so, u‘ we found out the murder,
an' as we can’t produce the murderer, they may
lay it ter us." . 4

‘ Isees,” said Shorty. , ' ‘ .~ ,, 

“YasL a} it ‘n’dni't take much for them ter
hunt'ué c 658 e the thought so.”

“ They didn’t fln nothin’ stole,” said Shorty.

“They doesn’t know what Elegant Ed had
laid u an’ tuk what were thar fer all.”

“ aal, I don’t see as we kin do nothin’ ontil
they makesa break ag’iu’ us, an’ then we hes
ter prove our innerccnce by our good charac-
ters ” remarked Pegleg.

“ as, but I fears our good characters won’t
wade in these hour parts, pards,” said Bender.

“ Has yer anything ter perpose?” asked
Shorty.

“I uesscs we had better call ther ang ter
 on in tor-night, au’ then see what a ter be

1 .

“ Now come, and let us git back ter drink up
a leetle more on ther doctor’s credit.”

This pro sition of Bender was a eed in
with alacr ty, and the two went bac to the
bar-room, where Jacques called out:

“ Whatl have you gone out and sobered up,
and come back ter liquor up ag’in?”

“We hes not sobered up, pard, an’ we hes
come back ter face ther bar ag’in.

“I takes a leetle gin,” said Bender, and his
comrades followed suit. .

As they dashed off the liquor, Doctor Powell
and William Blackstone came out of the dining-
room and took scars u, ,on the piazza, and Shorty
overheard the plan 0 the two, to ride up to the
cabin of Elegant Ed, and at once whispered the
fact to Bender. ’

A wink .of the latter to Pegleg and the re-
cious trio of rascals left the bar-room toget er.
, “ Pards I hes a idea,” said Bender.

“ Waal
“ They goes up to ther cabing 0’ Elegant
Eqier.” I

“ Waal, it won’t do for us seven terbe know’d
in ther matter; but thar is tellers as kin do us a
favor.”

“ What does or mean, boss?" . V

“1 means, 8 ort , that you and Pegleg had
bettergoarter t’ot era of ther gang, an’ we’ll
all 0 up ter the hotel an’ drink on invitation
of t erflggitii octor; fer ef lie-,invitel one 0'
us, lt‘mea“ sa . - ' .

“Waal, we bein’ that can’t hemispected o’
doin’ no killln’, ef killin’ is did.” ‘

“ But who are ter be kilt?" asked Shorty.

“Why, them two, ther Ma 10 Doc and ther
strange pil .m, rides up to t er c’abing an ef
somebod ills em on ther way back, why yer
see ther' 1 be no more trouble fer us.”

“ Yer is right, boss."

“In course I is Pegleg, fer I alias is nigh

ht. when I hain t wrong.”

‘, But who are ter do ther killin’, Boss!”

“Now You leave that ter me and git ther
boys an’ be at ther hotel, whar I'll jlne er.

‘Mind, 581', no glttln’ drunk, no that r how
much‘yer rinks, an’ of ther Doc an’ the ilgrlm
turns up the’r toes, in course you bet: ter elp me
pay fer ther work.”

"That are but 3 uar’, b085,” answered Pegleg,
and Shorty nodde assent.

Then the three separated, Bender hastening
away toward a miningocamp where dwelt more
loafers than workers.

In a dilapidated cabin he found a very hard
specimen of the genus homo, e aged upon
scratching an air out of aflddle w ich needed
la ing up for repairs.

he man had a dark, villainous face, one to
dread at all times.

He was attired in a ragged suit of clothes
but his revolvers were handsome Weapons: an
his knife gold-hilted. ,

" W381. boss, yer don’t mean tor say yer hes
come ter pay me a visit?" cried the man tossing
the violin and bow into his bunk, and kicking a
viciouelooking dog on a. chair, which he od’ered
to his visitor.

“ Yes. Bowie Knife Jack I jist dropped in
ter see yer,” answered Boss Beside-r.

“ Some work yer wants done that or is
skeert ter do yerself, Boss, I’ll bet yer hig .”

“I wants yer ter do a leetle , o'b. Jack but it
ham’t because I is afeerd. but cause Iwants
Iv)er ter make a leetle dust, fer lines hev gone

ad with er of late.” .

“Yas, gets treakl c’ ill-fortun’ now and
then, pard and has one now: butwhat don]
,yu' want did?" , . ,

 

“an _

— —- -—-——-» ---o-—.

“Kin ergit help?” - , ., 

1‘ pm t are more than I can tackle, are it ,

‘ t are nits some eronermanter git, ' a
with.Jack$’ ‘ ' " "‘  ‘Wy

“ Won’t you go ’long!" _ I. ,., ,
“ No, for I wants you ter make  thg‘
dust.‘  " '

“ Yas, I see. '_

“ Waal, Boss, as yer hes twice saved mylife'.
an‘ I hesn‘t returned ther service, I'll do what I
kin fer yer. _ " ._

“ Now, who are it?” . ’ '

“Thar is two persons goin’ up tar Elegant
Ed’s cabin this arternoon—say—see thar _ ’ d
Bender inted to g the wood some did do
awa , w ere the horsemen were riding along;

“ sees ’em. _‘ ,

“One is ther Magic Doctor, an’ I d ’t
know t’other,” said the man addressed ao‘Bo
Knife Jack. ' ‘ k. 
“Yasrwgal, them is ther two I wanta‘kilt.”

“veal

“When. _ , “M
‘ “This arternoon.” ‘ , ,, .'
“Ef I picks a uarrel with ther no:
ter be awful live y on ther draw, fer eare
lightnin’, an’—”  ’ , , f " .P‘ " ‘e'
“ Yer don’t want no quarrel, fer yer math:
is oin’ u ther mountain,_,an’ they, is 9'0min’
bac tor-"night." ', ~
H

.5,

fer ’em at Cedar Canyon, 1111’ knock 'e ‘
so quick. they won‘t know what hit ’em.”
“That are so. - 5 ' ' ' ’
“Kin yer git a para!"
“Yes.” , ,

“Who?” , . ,
“Idle Jim.”  ‘ 1 f‘ '*
“He are wusa’n a old woman for crackin‘
what he knows.” , . r'  ,
“ I knows it.” ‘. ”' v  ‘
“He’ll give yer away.” ‘ _ _ . i
“No, for he are a end-shot. an’ $06!: as we
hev shooted, then I’ll dmp.1dle.‘Jim,  tbbt
will settle ther thing.” ' ' ,,
“Tint are a good idea, Jack; butwha; is

Jim. . . . .,_
“ At his cabin, fer I. as him go thiu‘ ojloeglo
whilea o.”  . " '
“Goodltbetsettlesi”. , ,5, ,M:
“No qua, that jis arranges, it; an’ new
t .  .

s. v g ,
" Now, ver kin git somebody to; hefpy'el‘, lay
m over

n ,'g%;41:,:.-."

we‘ll set e " was the suggestive re ' ‘ ‘ 
“ Yes, whal, whaFiOoa yer value  her service
yer is ter render at , ,‘ , '   'fiz
“Tharistwomen!” " “KAN”,
“Yul! I -' —" ' 
“ Tiler doctor ax." its: Lilgr’im with"th . 1
u Yup.” L ‘ h ‘ I. ‘
“ Who gets ther pericisitesr” ‘ "

“ Ther what!" , ,. I.

“ What loose-dust, dimints, an’sich bet they
hes about the’r clothin’?" .. >

“You does.” , , I p ,7 .

.. vgaal, I 11 do ther job fer you,durnedcheap,‘

“Whoc’doesy'ér anompr“ ‘51,"; if,‘
“ Call it a hundred ” ' '

“ It’s a barg’in, an’ I’ll add motherhw

when that work is done. ,
“ Come to my cabin ter~night.” r  f ,'
“ Yas, fer t’other hundred, but I’ll .take ther
fast now.” ..  7 . '
Bender took out his buckskin pum’aanpslg
the money, and then hastily tulned town
the hotel, while the hired “an throw _‘ his
ride across his shoulder, strolled down “a
cabin not far away, and entered it. ' “j .
Soon after he emerged, accompaan .
another individual, whose appearance "W
dead away as a hard citiaen'even in t th _
community and the two walked away toward
this mountains, bent upon the ccmmissionof a
or me. ‘ ' '

CHAPTER III. ' . ' ..
ran ninusn. f :

Tn]: t'wo horsemen, Dr. Frank Phwell and  

William Blackstone. started upon their return

to Golden Gulch, with no idea that a foul plot 

had been arranged a stunt them.
As for the doctor '

many miles through the mountai via!
mining care where his pmfesiio'gzl’re‘rvfi‘

to gets rich stake, and invariably the rob
had come off :9wa best, and twice had the

doctor ridden on to Golden Gulch, after-such a \
id some idler to go  ,

meeting, and

scene to bury is dead assailant.

William Blackstone too, to 100k squ "Jitter.

his face, seemed to be a man devoid

an if he had dread of meetingan there "'  .\

the about him which chewed how";
an emergency of a desperate nature. “

Conversing u matters in en " .-
lsil about Eldon Gulch. glam

lac as said he intended 'resldin u. ~ m- 
on with no thou t. of danger. 8' e, ' -
“"3017!!! melcaninm

shes-sis

e was wont to ride; alone 3""

'were need , and he knew no such word.”  

fear. . . ,
Now and then he had been waylaid upon the
trail, by some impecunious scamp who scum ‘

i

w?

VM"""=
,. « g V

a.
a.

fl “groundwhere

 
 

8

 

The Kid Glove Miner.

 

P..._. A .-,

gag“ money about Golden Gulch i" asked Black- 1

e.
‘ “No investment that will pan out well, that
I an see.
“ Of course on can buy out some claims; but
will they iel pa ing dust!”
“Then t Gulc will never be anything of a 3
to make real estate here of any value.
“’ ow would a gambling dive pan out?” ,
Frank Powell was surprised, but did not ,
show it.
Hehad not suspected William Blackstone as ‘
beings man to run a gambling-hell.
'T'True. Faro Fred was a most courtly gentle- ;
man is manner, and a noble fellow at heart, '
and may a professional card-player the doctor
had met who was evary inch is man, and a cod z
man, too; but then his companion did not ook :’
like one of the kind who lived by the turn of a .

illiam Biacktone had told him he had once ]
heal rich, and had come 'Weet to seek a fortune, .
ho had met with indifferent success.
e of him he did not know, and in answer 1
to his question as to how a gambling saloon

would thrive, answered: I t

“There are several there now, and one kept 1
by the gentleman to whom I introduced you.’ i
" Ah, yes, Mr. Fairbanks!” I
“YemgotFfi-ed theyielaxll‘ll alum, and h: is a ‘
are. e ow. an con is t e re- *
m e one of the Gulch.”

“Then I shall not run opposition to him, but i,
look u some other way to invest my money~— i
What it, doctor?” . 

“ Show no sign that you dread danger, but I
distinctly saw a man’s head lowered over the ,
tog of yonder rock. i

‘ Be ready to draw your revolver and charge ‘
with me into the canyon beyond the rock, when l
we come within eas range," coolly said Frank ‘
Pow and in an a most indifferent tone Wil-
ileum B ackstone answered:

All right; but what have we to fear,

r?”

goinf to the cabin of Elegant Ed was
known, and t may be that some impecunious
deeperado may suspect that you have your for-
tune with you.”
g,“ ’11 get lead instead of gold,” was the in—

response.
I “ ,e’il deserve it.
, " "‘ t we must not be taken unawares, for the
OzECmyon ahead has been the scene of many
a l ambush.”
ti 
I,

i ks like a good place for an assas-
s a. v
h‘gt is, if he iirea at close range and is a good
s o
' ,” gout do you see the cedars beyond that large

. l

64 Yet"
“ W we reach the rock we will wheel short
ed'to ' right, and dash into the cedars, and

that will brin
narrow pass,
wi at the entrance for us to go by. and I
’ ' y tell whether they are there for
mischief, as I know every man for leagues

' “iii 'liejbverhed cu doctor.” was the
y and a moment 3t; William Blackstone

"m, see a face over the bowlder, but it
has ppeared now."

“Then mischief is meant, so be ready.”

, A moment after the two horsemen passed a ,
large ,bowlder, some sixty paces from the en-
trance/to a canyon netrating the hills. and
l ' atly, at a signal in the doctor, the horses
s mg away to the right and dashed into a
t i‘k'elinnp oloedars.

“Follow mel" cried Frank Powell, and he
or ed hishorse along a deer path through the

rs, and then between two walls of rock, to
uddenly dash out into the canyon.
1, A second after, William Blackstone dashed to ‘
' bk side just as two shots were fired in uick
succession from the side of the canyon, an the
horseridden by the doctor went dowu with a
b in his brain.
other shots followed, and Blackstone
"and fell from his saddle just as two men
bounded out of cover their revolvers in hand.

They were Bowie ' 0 Jack and Idle Jim,
and are the took a second etc they were
dropped in t eir tracks by Frank owell's un-
srrin aim.

“ on have killed them. doctor, but I fear
- " they have done for mel"cried William Black.
3 stone, rising u n his elbow, as he lay upon the
e had fallen.

Qpringiag to his side, Frank Powell tore open
his flirt and examined the wound, which was
"is the right side.

“I hope and believe not.

,. “00inch! must carry you with all haste to

;' »* «ghoul. .
.,. ; ’, “well-trained horse, obedient to his mas-
v , ‘t‘ss‘s i, came trotting n to his side, and as .
' as he could the octor niou ted, and
. e Wounded man up in front of .
_ n he or ed the noble animal forward at a
l’ii id Canter, nowing that he would keep his
Mb .2

us into the canyon, throu h a
irectly behind any one w o is

  

 

 _. minim” ofthe roughylsilandhis ,

. covered horse.

5 out their programme of getting drunk at the
3 expense of the doctor, J acques telling them that

l upshot would be,

\

CHAPTER XIII.
GOLDEN GULCB EXCITED.
Tm! Gold Brick was “booming” with a
crewd of trons when Frank Powell dashed
up to the cor and reined in his panting, foam-

The entire Seven Stars were there, carrying

he would “ set ’em up,” as long as they would
” pat em ’down,” for it was according to in-
structions, and he added, to a bosom pard:

“I‘m fillin’ ’em with the worst tanglefoot out
0’ New Jersey. as Doc hopes they’ll git inter a.
row an’ do suthin’ ter git w d out or strung
up, for they is a noosince. hain’t they l"

The friend did not guinsay this, and having
whispered around the confidential communica»
tion of Jacques, man remained to see what the
arc Fred’s Templei losing
atrOns in consequence of the expec fun at

he Gold Brick.

The Seven Stars were under gcol headway
when the doctor rode up, and those who were

 

watching them were taking a sociable drink or
we also, so that Jacques and his assistants had
their hands full in dispensing the intoxicating

cu . i

Presently into the hallway strode Doctor!
Powell bearin in his arms the insensible form ‘
of William B ackstcne, for the wounded man
had been unconscious the last two miles of the ;
trail. ‘

It was after dark, and the lamps were li hted 
in the hotel, and cast a glare upon the octor 1,
and the form he bore, causing a sensation at i
once. 5
Spi‘inging to his side, Major Simon Suggs, ‘
it

the roprietor of the Gold Brick, cried out: A
or God's sake! doctor, what is the mat- ;
tori”

“We were ambushed upon the mountains:
and he was shot, while my horse was killed," 5
was the reply.

“ Dead 14” I

“No; but badly wounded and the chances ;
a ainst him. Quick, major, come to his room ;
w th all that is necessary to care for him,” and |
Frank Powell was moving on toward the stairs,
when a voice said in toaes loud enough to be
heard by all: i

“ I guesses that if ther ilgrim dies, ther Magic
Doctor gits his dust, an it do look suspicious.” 1

Frank POWell wheeled upon the speaker and ,
fixin his flashing eyes upon him, asked sternly: ‘

“ hat locks suspicious, Danger Dani” '

Caught as he was, the man had no chance to
back out, and in fact was noted as one who ,
never backed down and he answered bluntly: ;

“I says thet you holds ther pilgrim’s dust in
llee in’. rides out with him, an’ fetches him
bac dyin‘ or dead, an‘ it. do look as though you
bed shooted him for keeps.”

A deatlilike silence fel u n all at this, and
then, to the surprise of all, rank Powell made
no reply but turning on his heel strode on, still

bearing isload.
At t e third step of the stairs he turned and
said quietly: ,

“ Danger Dan, when I dress this man’s wound
I will come down and settle with on.”

A cheer broke from the crow at this, for
some seemed to fear that their dearly-loved doc-
tor, was going to let the desperado bull him.

When Powell had disgppvared, fol owed by
Major Simon Suggs and In Chew, the Chinee,
the latter bearing materia s for dressing the
stranger’s wound, drinks were called for by all,
and to man present Danger Dan will a hero.

He was a erculeaii farmed fellow, poseeislnir
great brute strength, and with a face that did
not belie his character, which was that of a mis-
chief-maker and hull of the worst stripe.

He was armed w th three revolvers and a
bowls, and had been in more desperate fray
than any man in the mines, it was said.

Once through an attack of illness Frank Pow- :
ell had tenderly cared for him, and he wns ‘
thought to be the doctor’s friend, and many
were surprised at his words.

But they were explained by the desperado
himself, who said: .

“ Pards. I hadn’t oughter said what I did, but
I were put up to it to t by Boss Bender here,
and it jist slipped out.

“But you all know me, an’ kin undersian’
that, hevin’ breathed them words I bain’t ther
man ter swallow ’em, an’ when the Doc comes
back yer’ll ist see sich a cirkis as or never seen
afore, fer ie are unebained lig tnin’ on ther
ram age, an’ I ain’t backward in comin’ for-
war , an’ I’ll supply the thunder.

“Life is short. gents. death is suddint in Gol- ‘
den Gulch, an’ I hes a loetle dust, so we’ll hev a. 1
drink at mv expense.”

Boss Bender bad shrunk back at the allusion ‘;
to him, for he had put the desperado upto the g
insult offered the doctor. hoping to start the g
Vigilantes at work instantly against him. but at 1
the invitation to drink hestepped instantly for- '
33rd, whispering to Shorty, who was by his

e- ‘

 

“tEesayj.t§borty,' wh?t tin thundqegh gum; l
. e r, 9 two 903 awe till
the Dog'an‘tgl‘le?nlgrimf”’ " “u”

“Dunno; guess they got scooped,” was the ‘

lcw reply of Shorty, while in a loud tone he
called out: V

“ I are drinkln’ gin this time. Jacques."

Nearly all present accepted Danger Dan’s in-
vitation to drink, Jacques having remarked tca
few who hung back:

“ Come, ents, ’tain’t right ter refuse a dy in!
man notliin , fer arter Doc comes back Dan will
hev ter die.”

This argument was unanswerable, and the
flanks went round, Danger Dan giving the

st.

“ Here ter my lead pill doin’ ther Doc more
hggjnbpards, than his medicine pills ever did me

As he was raising the glass to his lips there
came a sharp report and it was shivered to
atoms in his hand, and all eyes fell upon Frank
Powell, who had the desperado covered, and
said sternly:

“Danger Dan, I do not wish to kill you; and
my revo ver covers your heart, so do not make
me fire.”

“ Yer stole in on me like a coyote, an’ yer hes
bored a hole through in hand,” growled Dan-
ger Dan, still hoidmgh band u as when the
glass was in it, and from which rope of blood

ell u on the floor.

“ ou lie, sir, for I came openly into this
room, as many who saw me will vouch, and
never drew until you turned. But I do not care
for your life upon my hands, and I tell you
frankly, I will spare on, and give you just one
hour to get out of Go den Guic .”

“ Does yer mean ter say or kin drive me out
3’ Golden Gulch 3” almost s risked the despera-

o.
The doctor smiled and softly said. while in
the silence that rested upon all a whisper could
have been heard:
“ Yes, Daniel Duncan of the Fifth Cavalry I
laid {chqu give you one hour to leave Gol en

(‘

The bully started his face became livid, and
he trembled violentl , for he seemed to feel that
he stood in the presence of one who knew him.

“ Will you go, or shall I pull trigger, Danger
Dan 7”

“ I’ll go,” was the low reply.

“ Then gol”

The strong man’s head drooped upon his
breast, and, with the air of one utterly crushed,
he staggered, rather than walked, out of timber-
room. ‘ v"

At the door he turned and silently raised his
clinched fist and shook it at the doctor, while
his lips moved, though no words issued from

them. ,

Then he wheeled and bounded away in the
darkness, while the crowd seemed utterly daaed
by what had happened.

But Frank POWell broke the spell with:

“ What will you drink, gentlemen, for I con-
fess I need a stimulant after the ‘last hour’s
work.” '

“ Is be dead, Doc?” asked Jacques. 

“ You mean Mr. Blackstone!” ,

(t Yes.”

“No, I extracted the bullet far more easily
than I thought I could, and the chances are
in his favor. ' ' ,

“And who were it that ambushed yer, :doc-
tori" asked BOSS Bender. 

“ nggien in the camp known as the Devil‘s
Half A . .

“ They answered to the names of Bowie Knife
Jack and Idle Jim."

“ And whar is they nowl”

“If you feel a desire to bury them, you will‘

find them lying in Cedar Canyon where I left
them," was the cool re 1 .

With a muttered on l’Bender left the saloon.
follovnd by- his satellites in no enviable mood at
the failure of their hirelings to accomplish the
work set for them. for they feared that the in s-
tery of the Elgins’ death might be sotvdd, an if
so. the part they played in the affair, against
the brother of the murdered woman, and the
robbery of Lucky Pete, would surely come out.

To prevent this. the doctor and William
Blackstone must die, was the unanimous deci-
sion of the gang.

CHAPTER XIV.
A scans er CEDAR canon.

FOR some minutes, after the clutter of the
hoof-falls, of the horse ridden by Frank Powell,
died away, all was quiet in Cedar Canyon. '

The sun was .. and ti 9 mountain, and deep
shadows were fal ing in the canyon.

The birds were hunting their nests in the
thickets, and a cayote. scouting blood, was yelp-
ing not far away, as though, fearing to venture
alone, he was calling his kind to the feast in the
canyon.-

Thereiay the two human beings and the horse,
where they had fallen, and the scene was cer-
tainly one of desolation . A

Presently one of the human forms moved.

The head was softly raisedend the eyes peered
around.

Then the man sprun to his feet, shewin no
sign of, a death-woun ., though upon his 6 ask

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wie Knife Jack, an' of er hints to ther cor.-
Bo belies,” he said, a dreminglhimself.

“ het Doc are a whoo r on t or shoot, an’
I doesn’t blame him thet e didn’t kill me; but
he left his mark upon my cheek, but seeing as
I hes a leetle too much 0’ that ornamint, I kin
stand it of he kin.

"It were a good thought 0’ mine ter tumble,
whenIfOit ther sting o ther bullet: but I is
resurrected that are sartin, and it is more than
kin he did by Idle Jim.

“ N o, be is did fer,” and the desperado stepped
to the body of his less fortunate companion and
turned him over on his back. _ i

“No, thet am death thet hes got its grip on
him. that are sartln.

“Say. J ini, wake up, old fellerl

“ Hev a game 0' kerrdsi”

The body remained motionless, for life had
hen: it as the bullet struck him.

“ Wul, I’ll try er onst more, an’ ef thet
don’t rouse yer, t en yer is gone across ther
river.

“ Say, Jim, hev a drink?"

There remained a dead silence, and then the
desperst continued:

“ Wual, he’s gone, an’ I’ll ,jist take back thet
fifty dollars I give him, beiu as he won’t need it
whar he is goin’.”

Bending over be searched the pockets of the
dead man, transferring all that he found there
to his own, and bucklin on his belt of arms,
turned to depart, when e started back at see-
ing a person attentively regarding him, and at
the same time covering him. . .

The stranger was a man of athletic form, was
clad in black pants; stuck in top-boots of_ a.
handsome pattern, and wore a blue flannel shirt
with wide, turnover collar, beneath which was
a black silk scarf tied in a sailor knot.

About his slender waist was a belt with a
. ld buckle, and his revolvers were pearl-
findied and gold~mounted, while a large bowie-
knife which he carried had a hilt that was a
minature statue of an Indian worrior in bronze,
with a bow and arrow of the same metal form-
in’ the ard.

hin the stranger, and some twenty feet
distant, stood a large, splendidly limbed and
bodied horse, upon which were saddle and bridle
of handsome workmanship.

The stranger‘s appearance was that of a. man
who had perfect confidence in himself, and his
face was stern and resolute.

His age it was hard to tell, for, though he a -

fresh and youthful in the face, his hair
was iron-gray.

The eyes were dark, and seemed full of sad-
ness, but the mouth was scornful, and firm to
sternness. '

it was a handsome face, and one to win con-
fidence, and command respect.

“ Waal I is Bowie Knife Jack 0’ Golden
Gulch, that are m pard. Idle Jim—or what is
left 0’ him; ma w .o is you?” said the despera-
do, in a bullying kind of tone.

“ I am a miner, air. and I am on my way to
Golden Gulch. Where I Wish to bu a claim.
My name is Hale,” was the calm rep y.

"I see, I see, pard; but yer’il soon git an-
other name in Golden Gulch, ef yer sticks ter
yer fine airs.” rudely said the desperado.

“ And what will that be?”

“Kid Gloves.”

“ Ahl you refer to the fact that I wear
glows?" and the stranger’s eyes flashed slightly.

“I does, an’ yer cant be much 0’ a man tor
wear‘em.”

“My friend, I am enough of a man to take
you into Golden Gulch and deliver you up as an

ntended assassin,” was the cool reply.

“ Yer don’t mean it!” and the face of the des-
perado changed color.

“I do mean it, for I heard the shots fired.
saw a horseman ride rapidly away bearing a
wounded comrade with him, and heard your
words as you arose to your feet,

“ Come! up with your handsl”

“Now, look here. pard. I haln’t done you
no he rm,” whined the bully.

“Nor do i intend that you shall. Up with
your hands, sir!” _

There was no doubting the tone of the stun.

r, and with an oath, Bowie Knife Jack raised

is hands above his head.

Stepping up to him, the stranger unbuckled
the belt from about his waist, called his horse
to his side and as the obedient animal trotted
up. hun it over the horn of his saddle.

Then 3 took a lariat from about the horn,
and in a very few seconds had securely bound
his prisoner.

“ Say. pard. I has some dust with me. and of
yer lets Ina sit way. I’ll give it to yer.”

“No' 1‘11 carry you on to the camp, for I
think. rom your 8939111 appearance and the
mischief you have have just been caught in,
that on are wanted there.

“ ow. sir, move 03, and strike the trail for
Golden Gulch.” _

The desperado squirmed, and said:

" Pird, does yer know what will follcr my
80hr mgr?"

_ :‘  yer know the Hagic Doctor?”
3‘1 depot.” -

 

“ Waal, he are a terror: an’ when he sees
me a’n’ shouts, the: boys will jist rise me to a

“ it will be no more than you deserve, doubt-

“ But, move on 1”

The desperado dared not disobey, and slowly
moved on down the trail, the horseman follow-
ing and watching his prisoner closely, that he
did not bound into the thicket or among the
rocks upon either side.

At last the lights of Golden Gulch came in
si ht, and reachm a spot where several trails
18 off to the di erent camps, Bowie‘ Knife
Jack determined to take the one that would take
him by his own camp, in the locality known as
the Devil’s Half Acre, and where the worst
men of the mines dwelt.

Once within that, to him, sacred precinct,
and he did not doubt but that he could summon
enough of the rough element to his side to rescue
him from his captors, and thus give him a
chancetoemigraie from Golden ulcii before
the truth of his action in the affair at Cedar
Can on came out.

“ hat is not the way, sir, to the Gold Brick
House," said his captor, sternly, as Bowie Knife
Jack turned into the trail leading to the camp,
which it had the reputation of being claimed by
his Satanic Majesty as his special half-acre of
wickedness.

“ It are ther nearest cut.”

“ It is not.”

“ Perhaps ou kn0w better than I does?”

“ I know t at this trail leads to the hotel, and
thither I am going.”

“ Was], 1 is tired, and I kin save hoof-travel
by this way.”

“No argument, sir, but go the way I com-
mand you,” and hearing the click of the cocking
of a revolver. the desperado marched on as di-
rected, muttering curses not loud but deep at
his disappointment.

CHAPTER XV.
A MAN 'rna'r mm are woan.

ALTHOUGH he was thwarted in taking the
trail through his own camp, Bowie Knife Jack
was not w oily hopeless, and warin began to
look about him for some other means of escape.

He knew that he had been recognized by
Frank Powell. and that the doctor had believled
that he had killed him, or he would never have
left Cedar Canyon without another look at him.

Should he be taken by his captor to the hotel,
then the story would at once come out that he
had ambushed the doctor and the stranger,
William Blackstone, u n their way from the
Elgln cabin, and tri to kill them, and this
would, without doubt, bring the suspicion of
the Golden Gulchite upon him as the murderer
of Elegant Ed and his Angel.

“It‘ll take jist six minutes by ther clock in
ther Gold Brick office to try me, find me ilty,
sentence me an’ hang me up fer a tree w 'ch 1
knows as hes been made useful afore fer jist
sich characters as I be,” he muttered to himself,
as he lodded along. '

“ O , it‘s a clear case ” he continued. " I were
thar, Idle Jim were kiit, an’ I got picked up on
ther spot arterwards.

“ Ther Doc. when he do git mad, jist sails to
ther front as ther maddest man I ever seen. an’
it hain’t likely he’ll be pleased at hevin’ missed,
fer he goes fer dead shootin’ every time.

“ Was], he didn’t miss meso durned nice an -
how, fer my cheek feelsasef I’d had a too h
ca nter foolin’ at my chawers—hello! Ef thar
don t come a. gang, I are a liar."

He half-halted, but again moved forward ata
stern order from his caplor, and examining the
crowd closely which had attracted his attention
coming through the darkness, he muttered:

“It are ther Seven Stars.

“ Now is yer chance, Jock, fer it are ther duty
0’ Boss Bender fer rescoo yer.”

The horseman also saw the forms of men com-
ing through the darkness, but seemed to y no
heed to them, and soon they met face to ace.

Instantly the desperado shouted out:

“ Ho, pards! Boss, itare me, your dear pard,
Jack, that are beiu’ led like a lamb to ther
slaughter.”

He swa ed one do, as he uttered the first
word, as t ongh to mingle with those whose pro-
tection he claimed, but instantly the horseman
sPurred to his side, and the muzzle of a revolver
was l«ipi‘essed hard against his head, while he
hen . the stern words: i

“ Silence, air, and move on, or I will kill
you

“ What is it, rd, thet yer hes got Jack tied
up like a dog er!” asked Boss Bender, recog—
nizing his hireling, and realizing the fact that
he was not dead, as he had believed, and he .d,
when he saw that Doctor Powell and Wil iam
Biackstom had not been killed. '

“ That is none of your business, my man, and
I order you out of my path," was the prompt
r use of the horseman.

Bender motioned to his comrades to
back him up, and peered eagerly into the face
of the horseman, in a vain eflort to recognize

him.
 Bowie Knife Jack dead was far hetterthan

, the shoulder of the wretch, w

 

   
 
  
   
 
  
   
     
  
    
    
 
    
  
   
   
   
  
 
   
   
  
     
  
   
  
  
    
    
    
   
  
  
  
   
  
    
  
   
  
 
  
   
   
    
    
 
   
  
 
  
  
      
   
     
 
  
   
     
   
   
   
  
    
      

alive, for his tongue could then tell no ugly
ta

es.

But if he made no snort to free him fromcapn.
tivity he knew that the desperado would doubt-
less give him away in revenge.

So be determined that the stranger must give
up his prisoner, so he said:

“ Pard, yer hes a friend 0’ thar. an' I hain’t
ther man ter see him suffer ’ithout tryin’tu'
help him.

‘ What he hev did tn you, I does not know;
but I does know thet you had better give him
up an’ save trouble."

“ What trouble?” coolly asked the horseman.

“ Fer yerself.”

“ I do not fear on, or your gang, and I warn
you not to inter era, for this man I intend to
carry up to the hotel and turn him over to an'
officer of the law, for I know that he attempted
toncommit murder, if he did not accomplish
it.

“ Waal, I sa 3 yer sha’n‘t hev our pard,"
boldly said Ben er, and taming to his comrades
he‘ continued: ,

“ Egan he, pards?‘

“ It hain’t in him ter take him.” , — _,-

“Not any.” , ’ ,:

“ You bet he sha‘n’t.” ' "

“ You is shoutin’,‘Boss.”

“No, Jack, he hes got ter relinkish yer.”

Such were the bold responses to t.:e questions .
of their leader; and seeing the tide set so stmng- “ ,
ly in his favor Bowie Knife Jack said: '

“ Pard, yer lies ’em ag‘in’ yer, an’ 1’" tell yer
for luck, thet it are Boss Bender an’ his gang.”

“ ’I care not who they are, I carry you with r

e.
“Thegake ther Seven Stars, an’ it hain‘t in
’em to k down, as yer w’u’d know. of yer
wasn’t a stran er in these henr d' gin’s.”
“Come, I’ll ave no more of his nonsense
for I intend to take my prisoner with me, 
or alive.”  
‘,"Yer can’t do it, pard, so ye’d better give 4 N, 

The horseman made no reply to Bender, but .v‘ )9.
to his prisoner he said: ‘ ‘ i
“ Move on, sir, and if these men crowd me I
will kill you. . '
“Knowing your fate you will order them all, \- 
or your death follows.” "‘ 't
‘ Does yer mean it, pard?” asked the  . .
perado in a voice that trembled. 23* , v;
“ Try me,” was the laconic response. ‘
“ Pards, er heers him about, so don’t crowd.
I begs er, ’geaded the wretch.
toBlnt s nder had made up his mind what
r o. 
He cared nothing for the desperado, but he ~‘*
cared much for himself. ‘ -
If Bowie Knife Jack was taken on to the Gold
Brick there he would meet Doctor Powell, and
then Bender feared that his part as the man
who hired the desperado, for the work would
come out. I
If Bowie Knife was shot down why than
death silenced his tongue and he, Bender, «is; ' ‘

safe. ,
Instantly be determined to accomle this J ' ‘
end, and with no pity for the wretch, and yet , ..
seemingly desirous of rescuing him, he cried: i 7
“ Don’t you fear, J ack. he won’tdare hurt yeti”.
“ Yes he will, or his face lies ag’in’ him, let I . .
has seen him by day ht, an’ he’s got it in him. .
“Don’t crowd him, nder, boy ’ , "
“ I says he won’t dare harm yer.” .
“ Come, pards, an’ let us rescoo our poor  ’
fortinit friend i” . -_ 1
As he spoke. Boas Bender sprung forward and .,
gras d the shoulder of Bowie Knife Jack “with ’
one and, while in the other he held a nvotvsr.
At the same instant his companions moved
across the trail. ' ,vr "
But hardly had the hand of Bender ton 
hen there follow'_ .

in

a flash and report, and, without even agroan,
Bowie Knife Jack sunk to the ground. '
Instantly whipping out another revolve! fie.
daring horseman leveled them at hisfoa,  "

asked quickly:
“Do you bar in way, fellows!" . ,
“No, pard, we es no uarrsl with you; Hi

I guesses the Vigilantes w i make yer s
killin’ thet poclirtigifin,” answered Bender,who 
given a Signs is comrades not to attempt [ 3’
fight with the stran er.  
“ Then .stand asicfe from my path, and if ' “
set the V1 ilantes u n my trail you will 
me :2 ti: ld Bric Rota).be ‘ V i  '*
‘ s at man appears your friend give‘
him burial.” and so saying, the horseman, rode
on, the Seven Stars standing aside to allow  “
to ss. " "

id he disappeared in the distance,  ,

83 . . .
“Puds.he hev done us a sarvieeinw.

J ack. fer we’d hev.been poached on satin. ." , ,v‘ .
“ But we mufi git thet bold peacock done fl, f

so pick up ther body an’ fetch it ter ther  

it

an‘ we'll start ther bell rollin’ ter git

muff: win: «.3
o the dead radian was at

raised in the arms of several ofthemgfi

the startedtortheGoldBriektnfis‘.

chie against the man whahad soda“ 

    
 
 

  

  

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an daringly kept his word, and who had mut-
. as he rode aws from the spot:

- -. . I ’ “Well, thus ends t e first scene in the drama
 I - Ihavetoplay.”
  ' ' " CHAPTER XVI.

1," ' ' A BOLD MAN AT BAY.

 . I " Yrs. the first act of the drama has begun.

 “ How will the last act end?”

33" 80 murmured the horseman again as he rode

 

 

 
 
  
  
 
   
  
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
   
 
  
   
   
  
 
 
 
 
   
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
   
      
     

. which Bender and his band had forced upon
’ , I Riding up to the stables of the hotel, he gave
, his horse in charge of an attendant, with the ad-

Oired 300d recompense.

\walking up to the register, took up a pen and
wrote his name simply:
. “ HORACE HALE, Miner.”
{._ Major Simon Suggs was there to beam upon
him his genial smile of welcome, and say:

“Glad to see you, Mr. Hale.”

A quick glance at the hold handwriting had
shown the name to the major.

“ Stop any time, sir!”

“ I have come to stay, sir. if I can stake or

. buy a claim here,” was the quiet answer.
of board if you honor us with your presence.”
“I shall remain at least until I am settled
upon my own claim, sir.” '
“ Then you wish as pleasant quarters as I can
Vs you?
' “Yes, thank you.”

" “Plug Chew, take the gentleman’s traps to
’ room number 10.”

I“ “ Number ten, sir?" asked the stranger.

“ es, it is one of three rooms in a wing, and
the wo others are occupied by the doctor of our
town and a. rich gentleman who has just arrived,

- ' and is laid u from an accident.” .
- . “ I will ta 9 number ten, sir, for I rather like

4nd number,” answered Horace Hale, with a
i strange look upon his bold, handsome face.

‘ f ~ “Now, sir, l’ll order you some supper, and
then come in with me to get an appetiZer.”

" “Thank you, sir; I happen to be one of those

g: inconsistencies—a miner who docs not

 “ That is startling, indeed; but you’ll have a
dqar to smoke after supper, sir!”

‘ , ‘ ‘Nor do I smoke sir.

‘  A ,‘fIAh! one would think you were goin to

. . M a temperance revival in our midst, di not

  your looks prove you to be made of diflerent

: , ‘.‘ But the Heathen announces supper, and, as

.  .  late, ltrust you will pardon its not being
- r.

 1 1" I o excuses are necessary, my dear landlord;

' '  may I ask if you know of two persons hav-

' ‘ffibe’en fired upon tonight u in the‘mountain,

 one either killed or woun edf'

‘ ,‘ {;,Th_o major started, and glanced more earnest-

,s?" 1y at his guest.

"  “I will accompany you in to supper, sir, and

w , will talk it over," he said.

'1 "' spite of the major‘s excuses and the lateness

'- *0! the hour, the newly-arrived guest found a

m tempting supper set out for him, and he

1 k of it with the relish of a hungry man.
., Yes, sir,” said Meier Simon Suggs, after he
had seen his guest wel helped.

“Yes, sir, there were two persons fired upon
fits this afternoon in the mountains, and one
VII ssrionsl wounded.”

. ., “801 be] ved."

 kpto: of the :flglr thenl”
' , V saw appen, s r.
“Indeed! ‘ ‘

""Ofle of the gentlemen was Doctor Frank
Hell, whom the boys call the Magic Doctor,
., ‘Jnccou'nt of his marvelous cures, for he is
‘ Qr'lphysician and sur eon in Golden Gulch.”

' “find the other sir ”
" .‘3 Was a Mr. William Blackstone of Kansas,
‘ V ’0 has lately inherited a valuable property

     
  
  
 
 
 
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
 
   
     
 

 .“It was in going to see the mine which
'  fallen to him, that he was shot.

- AM you saw it—the shooting, you say?"
“Yes, from a distance, sir, and captured one
7 _ , intended assassins, but as an attempt was
‘ ‘ “to rescue him from me upon my passing

through the camps, I killed him.”

i‘tim major started visibly, and then, in his
cues way, the stran er went on to tell of his
exfizrlence with the van Stars.

‘15. had just concluded, when Major Simon
 ‘ was called away 11 n some duty con-
] ‘ with the hotel, an having finhihed his
 Horace Hale walked out into the omce,
, henan a loud commotion in the bar-room,
n

      
    

  
   
       
  
  

 there.
5 .. pun his entrance every eye was turned upon

Wis Boss Bender elled out:
. “ heis now, gr s!”
to

a, find stranger saw re him a large and ex-

; w Wd, and in their midst lay the dead
‘ of Emma Knife Jack, the hastl wound
, the temple where the bnl at h cut its

‘ V  louder and his gan had heentell-
‘ version of the story, 0 the desperado’s

 
  
   
  
   
  
  

 
  
  
 

 

monition to take the best care of him, if he de- 1‘

We can give you a pleasant room and best .

on wward the Gold Brick after the tragedy , the cool reply.
im. a

l
l
l

l

‘ Then he strode boldly into the hotel, and, ;

 

“[1   '  3   31:,  ‘ ‘  r - , _ If." V’ ,   
r. The:K1d~‘GloV9‘ Miner. ’  g ' * 

death there was no doubt, for when the leader
of the Seven Stars pointed to him, all started
toward him a ste or two.

“ Well, may ask why I am thus gazed
upon?” uietly queried Horace Hale, stepping
back to tie wall near the office door.

“ We has told how you shot down poor Jack
here, and robbed him,” said Boss Bender.

“Liarl do on dare accuse me of robbery?”
sternly said orace Hale, gmwing very pale.

“ I does, and my pards backs me in it.” was
orace Hale’s e es glanced
over the crowd, and he saw that t e words of
the man had effect upon those before him, and
he said:

“ Men, that I killed that wretch lying there,
I do not deny- but he who says I robbed him
lies in his teeth.”

The words were calmly uttered, and his ap—
pearance carried conviction to some.

But there Were others who thirsted for a
tragic scene, and here was a chance to have
one.

The man was a stranger, and that was
against him.

The one slain was a Golden Gulch miner, and
that was sufilcient to feel that he must be
avenged.

(zine of the crowd now stepped forward and
sex :

“ As an omcer of the Vigilante Patrol, sir, I
must arrest you, for the charge against you is a
severe one, and if those men swear to it, you
must han , for we are determined to make
Golden Gu ch an orderly place.”

“ What! would you hang a man upon the testi
mOny of such curs as are those fellows?” scorn-
fullv asked Horace Hale.

"We would,” was the cool reply.

1. ‘,‘”You will give me time to prove that they
no

“ They are seven against one, sir, and you ad-
niit the killing, so you must suffer the pen-
a t .

“ And that is?”

“ You will have to hang for it.”

“ Then if you want me, take me .' " and the
miner threw his gloved hands forward, and each
of them held a cocked revolver, as he stood at

’ bay, fearless and defiant, in the midst of his

foes.

 

CHAPTER XVII.
rm: noc‘ron AND rm: GAMan 031? IN.
WHEN seated at the supper-table with his
guest, Major Simon Suggs ad noticed one pe-
culiarity about him which he could not account

or.

That was the fact that his hands were incased
in close-fitting kid gloves, with gauntlets that
came up above his wristbands.

The hands were small and delicately shaped,
yet seemed to have a grip not tobedesp sod,
and the gloves fitted to perfection, and were a
dark brown.

But, throughout the meal he did not remove
them, and when signing his name upon the reg-
ister had held the pen in his gloved hand, writ-
in with apparent ease.

ipon his entering the bar-room this uliar—
ity ad struck the e es of the crowd a most as
quick] as had the act that he possessed a su-
rb orm, and handsome, fearless face, while
figs dress was far above the average of that
worn by miners.

That h‘ was a swell miner, no one doubted
that gazed upon him: but why was it that he
carried his elegance to the extreme of fighting
in his kid gloves, for such was certainly his in-
tention, as his hands holding the revolvers were
incased in them.

When the bold man took the stand he did, at
bay against a mob, urged on by the story told
against him b the Seven Stars, he not only
surprised his oes, but checked their advance
upon him.

They saw that there was that in his face
which meant all he said, and those in his imme-
diate front shrunk back-from before his throat-
ening revolvers.

But Boss Bender began to nag them on with:

" Pards, he shows his claws, but what is
claws ag’in’ us?”

“If these gentlemen wish a little sport, and I
think they look as though they did, I will ask
them to step one side and allow you and your
cutthroat gang to clip my claws," and Horace
Hale looked squarely into the face of Boss Ben-

der.

That Bender had not bargained for this re-
sult was evident. for he slunk back as the crowd
cheered the bold proposition of the stranger,
one miner shouting out:

“Thet are ther squarest leetle proposish that
hes ever tickled my car, an’ it proves be are
game, tooth, toenai an’ ha’r.

“ Sail ter one side, pards, an’ jist let Boss Ben-
der an’ his sixes take ther stranger in out o’
ther wet.”

“Yhs, Boss, be are your meat, so chew him
up,” said another.

“ Seven ag’in’ one hain’t squar’, pards,” yelled
another, who had a love for fair .

as
I’ll take the chances if you'll fags your dogs‘

loose ” said the stran r, with a grim smile.
“ Wad,  who has yer tor say now ag’in’

 

doin’yer doot l” and a huge min'er turned to I

the leader of t e Seven Stars.

Thus urged to the front mlens v lens, Boss
Bender dared not back down from the position
in which he had placed himself, so he said, in a
blustering tone:

“ Dog 3 ther pilgrim think thet I is afecrd to
tackle him?"

“ I refer to you and your gang, Sir Cut-
throat.

“ You have made a charge against me, and I
say that you lie. You have already decided to
hang me, so I tell you that it’s catching before
hanging, and I dare you to come on and take
me.
“ Music for ther million!”

“Them derwine sentiments!”

“ Ther Kid Gloves means biz.”

“ He are a terrerl”

“I’ll w'ar kid loves arter this, fer it do look
wholesome ferlp uck!”

“ Ef yer ki ls ’em, Kid Gloves, we won’t
weep!”

Such were the remarks that went up from the
crowd upon every side, and, of Course, there
could be no other result than to urge on the
Seven Stars to the attack.

“Pards, we hes for do ther biz, an’clip his
claws. Don‘t kill him, fer I wants ter see him
hang,” said Bow Bender to his comrades.

As if feeling fully what they were called upon
to do, the gang of desperadoes ranged them-
selves in a line, three on either side of their
leader, while the crowd hastily swerved to the
right and left, to be out of range, and Jacques,
in his allahsorbing interest of the affair. sprung
upon the bar with a revolver instead of a glam
in his hand, and he knew how to handle the for—
mer as well as the latter.

The stran er did not move, but stood calm,
smiling and efiant, although he knew he looked
death squarely in the face.

His eyes were fixed with hawk-like eagernen
upon his foes, and his revolvers were cocked and
madly.

“ ards, when I sa 8 jump, then you hes ter-
hump it,” called out oss Bender.

Another instant and the rush would have
been made, but just then two persons stepped
into the bar through the 0 en door leadingto
the office, and by which orace Hale stood,
and placed themselves upon either side of the
man at bay.

A silence like death fell upon the.crowd, and
in his pleasant way Dr. Powell said:

“ Bender, Golden Gulch shall not be disgraced
by allowing seven bullies to attack a stranger,
so Faro Fred and myself will chip in on his side.
Now start the music whenever you are ready,"
called out Powell.

“Yes, Boss, and I’ll sin ‘out the figures for
the dance,” said Faro Fre , smiling blandly.

“ Doc, that man kilt a miner down in ther
cam s and robbed him i” yelled Boss Bender.

“ ou lie, Boss Bender, and you know it, for
Major Suggs has told me the story of this man’s
killing that wretch Bowie Knife Jack.

“ Gentlemen, Bowie Knife Jack was the one
who bushed us in Cedar Canyon to-night,
and s t down Mr. Blackstone and killed my

orse. - '

“He was accompanied by Idle Jim, another
fellow of the same stripe, and I believed that I
had killed them both.

“ This stranger saw the affair from a distance,
and arriving u n the scene after my depar-
ture, found the Bewie Knife Jack had resur-
rected himself, and after robbin his dead
comrade, was setting of! in flight, w en he cap-
tured him.

“In bringin him through the camps below.
they met Ben er and his gang who sought to
rescue the prisoner, and this gentleman warned
them of! or he would kill Jac .

“ They pressed on and he kept his word.

“Now you have it square, and I warn any
man to press the charge made against. this
stranger y those seven devils, who should be
cast out of Golden Gulch, for they are always
fomentin mischief.”

“ And indorse the warning of Doc Powell,”
said Faro Fred, and turning to Horace Hale, he
continued:

“ I am glad to welcome you, sir, to Golden
Gulch.

“My name is Fred Fairbanks, the boys call
me Faro Fred, I am a gambler by profession,
and I defy any man to lay a mean charge
against me.

“This is m pard, Doctor Frank Powdl a
white man c ean through, and square to his
finger-tips, while he is the best medicine man in
this country, Injun or le-face.”

The stranger s the hand of Faro Fred,
and then shoo hands warmly with Frank
Powell, who said:

“ You must meet some of our citizens, sir, for
we are not all bad fellows, rough as we look.”

“ I do not suspect them of being so, sir.

“ I was a stranger and appearances were
against me, I admit.

"I am not a drinking man, entlemen, but
not that I am against ‘it from pr nci is, Only I
grater not to drink; but if you will a low me to

ke what I please, I will be glad to have you
all join rue—all ‘

excepting that man \and .W, V

 

i
I
i

    
 

who did the foul deed con

 

gang, and I saw tell them that they must keep
out of my path."

He turned boldly toward the Seven Stars as
he s kc, and Bender answered:

“ ist as you please, Kid Glove Pard: but you
mind not ter crowd us too.”

The invitati'ou of the stranger was accepted
with the alacrity of always thirsty souls, and
ashe left the bar, accompanied by Faro Fred
and Doctor Powall, he was voted a “square

00d fellow from head to heel, if he was a kid

love Miner.”

—-

CHAPTER XVIII.

m an) owvs: xmaa.

THE morning following after the scenes related
in the fore oi chapter, Frank POWell came
down to rea fast, and reported that his
wounded friend was doing well, and he had
ovary hope of his pulling through.

Major Suggs, to whom he made the state—
ment. then informed him that a party of miners
had gone at da ligatito Cedar Canyon, and had
bought back t e y of Idle Jim, which, with
that of Bowie Knife Jack, had been prepared
for burial b the denizens in the quaer known
as the Dev! ’3 Half Acre, of which locality the
two dead men ware hard citizens.

“But what do you think of the stranger,
doctor?” asked Major Suggs.

“ You refer to Blackstone, I suppose.”

“No, to the Kid Glove Miner, as the boys
call him.”

“He belies his leoks if he is not an out-and-
out good fellow, and that he has nerve is very
evident.”

“ You are right, Doc, he has pluck to sell, and
he’ll make his mark in Golden Gulch yet, or I
am no reader in human nature, .

“It was a trifle hard on BOWle Knife Jack, to
kill him as he did; but then be but fulfilled his
threat. and shovmd that he was a. man of his
word."

“Yes, and saved the fellow from being
har ‘, for bad he otten him to the hotel here,
the igilantes won (1 have at once strung him

“ Ah! there he comes now !"

“ Yes, he went off for a ride an hour ago, and
looks as fresh as a daisy.

“You will breakfast together, for he ate
nothing before leaving, and I have put him at
the table with you, Faro Fred and Mr. Black-
stone.”

Just then, Horace Hale havin dismounted
came upon the iazza and greeted ank Powell
and the major in his calm, courtl way.

“Got up an appetite for your reakfast, Mr.
Hale!" asked the landlord.

“ Yes, sir, your mountain air makes me
hun ry. '

“ ave you breakfasted. Doctor Powell?”

“No, so we will go in together.”

The two men entered the dining-room
together, and Ping Chew set before them one of
the Gold Brick’s most tempting repasts.

After awhile the stranger as ed:

-“ Do you know of an mine that I can buy
about here, Doctor Powe I?”

“The mines are all paying something, I
behave. and none in the market, if you mean
individual leads.

“ But there are some large mines, owned by
men who are organizing stock companies of
them. I believe." '

“Oh, I merely wanted a small claim, some-
thing I could work in myself, and which might
pay me a little. _

‘I am informed that there is a claim in the
hills that may be bought.

“ It :7” owned by a miner whose name was

Ah! Elegant Ed as we called him here,
poor fellow.” ‘

“ He met with a sad and, I believe 0”

“Yes. most sad; and worse still, his lovely
wife—known as Ed‘s Angel by the boys—was
killed with him."

“ Will you relate the circumstances to me,
doctor?” quietly asked Horace Hale.

“There is little to tell. sir. _

“ Elgin came here with his beautiful wife, and
they both won hearts, even those of our rough-
est men. , ,

“They got that claim up in the mountains,
the boys helped Ed put up his cabin, and he
atnlilck a good lead, as his work panned out
we . '

“That he had an enemy, he or his wife, _no
one believed; and yet, one day a party of mm-
ers, the same with whom ou had your trouble
last night. wentto the ca in and found Elgin
and his wife dead.

“ He had a bullet in his brain, she had a knife
thrust In her heart.”

“ And the murderer!" asked the stranger.

“ Ah! that remains a mystery, for no trace 0f

d be found.”
“ Did no one suspect the men who made the

var
' “Yenyl did so, and some others had their
m; but then the were known to rd

ll mm

llgin h hl were see in his cabin toss
some yha had offered to buy of them. and

i ‘I not a-paper, hank-note, pound of dust, or

'~3 I "J.
I,» ,. shun:

I

4‘2“), ‘
\

 

iece of jewelry seemed to have been taken, it i
iJooked as though they were innocent.” I
“True, one would think so, evil men though '
they seem to be; but did he leave much of a I
fortune?” 1
“Yes, half a hundred-thousand.”
“Indeed!” and Halo arched his welldefined I!
brows with surprise.

“ Yes. there was a paper found among his ef— l
facts, signed by Ed Elgin and his wife, bequeath-
ing to the person now lying wounded up stairs, ,
and whose name is William Blackstone, all of i
his property.

“ The boys put the matter in my hands, and I I
wrote Blackstone and had him come here, and
it was upon his first visit to the cabin and mine
that he had inherited, that he was wounded last
evening.”

“ But he will recover?”

“ I feel no doubt of it; and his splendid phy‘
sique will soon bring him out all right.”

“ One question more!"

“ A dozen, if so you like.”

“Will he sell?”

“ His mine?”

“ Yes, doctor.”

“ I do not know but that he would.”

“ “'hen could you ask him?”

“ Are you anxious to purchase at once?”
6‘ W

“ “'ell. I will ask him during the day.” 5

“ Thank you, doctor; and kindly find out his '
figure for it.” {

An hour after, as Horace Hale was seated 2
upon the piazza of the Gold Brick,gazing list- !
lessly down the. one street of Golden ulch, Plug l
Chew up roacth him with:

“ You dee Glove Mineei”

“So I believe they call me here,” answered
Hale, with a slight smile.

“ Loctce wantee.”

“ The doctor wants me!"

It Yes.”

“Where is he?”

“ Comee, Chinaman showee.”

The minor arose and followed the Chinee up
to the room next his own, and at a. rap upon the
door he was bid enter. '

He did so, and found two occupants in the
room. ‘

One was a man with black hair and long
heard, a pale face. and he lay upon his bed.

The other was Doctor Powell.

“ Come in, Mr. Hale.

“This is Mr. Blackstone, the owner of the
Elgin mine, and at resent my patient, from the
wound he receive ,and of which I told you,”
said the doctor.

“Be seated, Mr. Hale,” said William Black-
stone, quietl , gazing into the face of the man
of whose p uck, exhibited the night before,
Plu Chew had told him.

“ am glad to know that your wound is not
dangerous, Mr. Blackstone, and that you are in
such skillful hands,” said the miner, taking a
seat, while the eyes of the Wounded man rested
upon his kid gloves.

“Thank on, sir.

“The bul et dodged a vital corner, and as the
doctor has extracted it I will be myself in a
con la of weeks or so.

“ at you are desirous of purchasing a mine,
the doctor tells me f"

“I am, sir; but I beg you not to worry our-
self, "unless the doctor says it will not arm

 

“It will not; for I am a hard one to kill, and
do not get nervous.

“ What do you consider my mine worth?”

“ I am no judge, sir, not knowing what it has
panned out.’

“It has panned out something over fifty
thousand for me, through the work of a dear
dead friend; but I am told that it has almost
touched bed-rock.”

“I am willing to give a couple of thousand
or so, on a venture.”

“ Call it twenty-five hundred cash."

“Very well, sir, I will pay you that for it.”

“No, I never sell anything, Mr. Hale, for I
am a natural-born gambler, and get and dis-
pose of evorything by chance.

“You can go to work in the mine, and as
soon as I am able to get around to Faro Fred’s
Tom is here we will play for the mine.”

“ do not quite understand you, Mr. Black-
m"“.” said the miner, in surprise.

” I’ll explain.

“ I inherited the mine, and with it enough to
set me going.

“I am opposed to work, and therefore will
never put a pick in the dirt myself, and if I hire
a man to dig for me he will steal my share and
pay me his wages.

“ You say you will give twenty-five hundred
cash for ,the mine?”

“Well, I will stake the mine against that sum
and lay you for it.
“ f you win the mine is yours.
“If win you lose your money, and must
look elsewhere for a mine.
“ What do you say i” ’
Frank Powell gazed fixedly at the miner.
He knew that e did not drink nor smoke.
Did he gamble?

 

 'iKid-‘JG-love  Miner, 

9 move out, and

ur

Quietly the answer came: ‘

"l accept your terms, Mr. Blackstone."

“ Enough, sir.

“ Go to work in the mine to-day if you wish,
for, if you lose it will not be much trouble to
on are welcome to what' on
get out of it in t e mean time."

“ Upon one condition, sir.”

i I ell?”

" If I lose the money, that you will playmea
second game on the same terms.”

“ Done."

“ And a third game, if I lose the second.”

“As many as you like, sir, and the more the

v merrier. ”

“ Thank you.”

“ Now I will not tire on more," and promis- ‘
ing to drop in again an see the wounded man,
Horace Hale arms and took his leave.

Goin to the Oflice he asked the major tohave
him a unch prepared to take with him and
soon after be mounted his horse, and set iorth
for the Elgin mine. __ ‘

CHAPTER XIX.
THE VISIT TO THE MINE.

AT an easy cantor the Kid Glove Miner, as I
will now call him, 1“ de along the trail leading
to the mountains.

As though familiar nith the locality, when
he came to half a dozen trails that branched ofl

' to the different camps, he turned nithout heai-. \"* 

tation into the one leading to the Elgin mine,
and kept on at the some rapid pace, for his
horse, without seeming effort, got over the
ground at a telling rate.

Ascending the mountain side, he came to Co-
dar Canyon, and halting there a moment,gaaed
around him as though recalling the tragedy
enacted there the day before. i

With a sigh he rode on, and soon after ar~ ‘ '

rived at the cabin of the Elgins.

The key had been givsn to him b Doctor
Powell, at the request of William B ackstone, ‘
and staking his horse out, after unsaddling him,
he entered the lonely cabin. .

As he stepped across the threshold he took'ofl
his sombrero, and stood gazin abcuthim ,with
the air of one who apprecia that he wesvnow
where he had been saved b

the death of the
noble man and his wife w 0 had been slain
there.

For a long time he stood thus, and then, in a  

kiréd of awed way, looked through the little
ca in.

“ Yes, I will come here to live. This shallbo
my home, until my mission has ended,” he said,
in a low tone.

Then he continued:

“It cannot be that he will win every time, and , 
I Will stake his price against the mine until I ~*’-

have swamped ten times twent -five hundred.”

So saying he left the cabin, ocking the door 

behind him carefully, and Wended way'
through the cedars and pines that rewu
the mountain side, until he came to afi
sheltered and solitar

where, the day fore, Doctor Powell and
liam Blackstone had stood.

The cross loomed up before him, and his  I

fell upon the mound, already covered It
flowers brought from shady mountain
planted there by sympathetic hands. . =

mild

But there was one other obje ct upon,de his ' 1
eyes fell, and which caused him to start, am 1?.

grave, his arms resting upon the top . tho v

man that he was.
It was the form of a man who stood

wooden cross, and his head resting upon hi;
arms. - x

“Good God! who can he ber’camefrontha; I

tween the teeth of Horace Bale, ashe hell.“

the man, and saw that his attitude was and of. 

ab 'sct sorrow.

ho could it be that in that far-awayland .;
could mourn so deeply the dead miner and his -‘

wife?
The stranger possessed a slender form. of mo.

dium hi ht. was dressed as a niner, and had. "

long gol brown hair which fell 11 n his oni-
ders, and a board of lighter hue i133 reached to
his waist. .

About his small waist was a belt of arms, and
his hat, a gray slouch with a broad brim, had
fallen, or been thrown down at his feet.

" HO. my friend, we meet upon. mm u 
said Horace Hale in his deep calm vdfl ‘3
. 1 

which there was a strange athoa. ,
As the sound of a voice ell upon the earl

the man bending above the grave,a era  ..

from his lips, as though wrung from
friglit, and be straightened up and faced.“
spea er.  ,,

, But, as his eyes fell upon him he 
other cry, and motioning with his handscrlsd ‘,
iteoustones: , "-_-'
“No! no! Keep on! k 08!” , '

“ The man is mad,”aaei3d) Horace Hale, and
hardly had the words left his lips, when ha:
held him reel and fall heavily across the
wsdpringing to his side he knelt over him, and

“ Wh be h“ fly away. But wherephsi
Heaven; name, have seen this face Meier

tile'nook, l ' 

It was the spot where the bodies of Megan ’
Ed and his An 6! had been laid to 

We.“ 

 

 

.22.

 

 
     

y"

" Them Glove Mine».

 

' .  i,‘ l
I Vl
fiomewhere, certainly, and under strange cir-
cumstances, but, for the life of me I cannot
_ recall where or when.”

Then he rubbed his hands, in an effort to re-
turn him to consciousness, and this failing, he
remembered that Plug Chew had said, when he
gave him his lunch:

“ Fixee up good drinkee for nice Melican man
with kidee gloves.”

This “ good drinkee ” he had discovered to be

r a flask of liquor, and instantly be hastened back
to where he had left his horse, to get it from his

I saddle pocket.

' Five minutes perhaps he was gone, and then

1 ., he returned rapidly to the grave.

i _' I But the man was gone.

~ ' Astonished, for he had seemingly left him in

 

l
;

adead faint. Horace Hale look everywhere
in the vicinity for him.
But without avail, for the strange being bad
‘1',’ , mysteriously disappeared.

’ » After a short time spent at the double grave,
in which he had gazed long and earnestly down
upon the mound that hid Elegant Ed and his
$91 from human eyes, the miner went on

ng the well-worn trail to a cleft in the mouu-

“ ; taint, where was the mine he had been seemingly
. v anxious to obtain.

"7 ° . V It was in a wild spot, and there was evidence
,1 a of much hard work done there.
5.} , Carefully the miner looked over the locality,

 . and, after several hours spent there, returned to
{_  the cabin.

 . ’ His horse was where he had left him, and,

 mountin , he rode slowl ‘hcmeward.

,4": r r " Justa ter passing the edar Canyon he beheld

, ’ a man standing b the side of the trail, leaning

‘ ‘1 upon his rifle an apparently awaiting his ap-

~_ ‘ , preach.
_ ’n As he drew near he was upon his guard, for he
 . knew not what to expect of a person in that
‘ ~ wild region, and among a class of men, man of
whom were almost as wild as the prow ing
beasts of the mountains.
' But the man made no hostile demonstration,
i; l~ and, as he came within speaking distance, said
‘ Jimmy:
~ “One moment, gard.”
‘ “We sir?” an Horace Hale drew rein.
" “ You as been up to ther Elegant Ed mine?”
“ I have."
. . “ Does .yer intend ter work it?”
 :Bougl do' ht it!"
"  “ I ex t to purchase it.”
'1 “Was yer hed better not.”
It  h)

“ Yer kir?i"never work it."

 

‘ t n
2. 'what do you base your opinion?

i: fiche: “Kite ’Iililsi’gan’ t Ed ' hisA i1
, . ,I t s o e an ng
‘5 gnard‘flaher midis.”
‘ y“ I do not fear spirits.” I
I ' ‘ . ‘A"g'In, yer’ll be kilt ef yer put pick inter ther

‘ j “ I'll risk it.”
n,‘ »' ' “ Bettor not.”
‘ ' ’ . “I am not to be frightened 06, my friend.”
'“ I'hes warned yer. ’
.   “And I refuse to heed your warning.”
., “Better not.”
- '“ But I shall."
“,Yuer'll tam up yer toes, boots on, durned

" ‘ “ What interest hold you in the mine?"
“Nose.”
“Then why do you warn me?”
“ I «isn't want ter see yer kilt.”
. " Wlnt am I to you?”
‘ L “A Mann.”
;,.  1’ “You are gifted with a noble nature if you
" htereet yourself thus in all persons.”
" v )‘I interests myself in yer, pard, tor tell yer
ter‘lit thet alone. ' i , dirt
, I egant ug out o t peyin .
4‘ “But he has gone, an’no one else ought ter
. ' work it, an’ of yer does, er'll regret it.’
' Horace Hale lau bed 1 ghtly, and then said:
“ Where do on ve, my friend?"

 

.. “ In Golden uloh I did hang out.”
3' ' “Halo on left there?”
x 4‘ “Yes; skipped out last night."
‘ .1 , ‘“ Not to return!”
1.; .' “Not of I knows myself, and I calkilates I is

i usinted.”
 " ‘* “All! you must have had some trouble

then?
v “ I hed a bit ’9’ advice given me, an’, onlike
ye‘iziileIl‘fi I till} it.

 “fer I heeds what are tole me in good
'rt

, .P‘ -
ti ‘ “ I am awry I cannot oblige you by following
. your example; but. on the , I shall
k,” ' ‘meve up to the cabin tomorrow, the day
I '* Renewing shall begin work in the mine."
, “ W , yer hes narve ter do it, ester what I
9‘ " told you."
r ' ’ , “ I thank you, my friend, and would be glad
if you would vive me your name?"
.. ‘Wbat fer?” ' v
A ~ “That I may remember it as one who gave
"‘ 0. ethics Which I refused to follow."

 

 

 

“ Waal, as I are still movin' on, I’ll give yer
my handle.

“ It are Danger Dan.”

“ Ah! you are a man to be feared, from your
name?”

“ I hain’t no sick child of it comes ter music.”

“You doubtless are what you look; but tell
me, please, if you have seen a strange—looking
inan ,in these mountains, during your wander-

ngs?‘

“ I are a strange-lookin’ crittur myself.”

“I’ll not contradict you on that point, my
friend; but the man I refer to is of a slender,
athletic build, not so tall as you or I, b several
inches, and is dressed in a dark suit 0 miner’s
clothes.

“ He has long blonde hair, and a board that
reaches to his waist while his eyes—”

“ Are blue as a bit 0’ sky between cl’udsi”

it Yes."

“I knows him.”

“ Who is he!”

“ Whar did, ou see him!”

“ Standing y the grave of Edgar Blgin and
his wife.”

(I No.”

“ Yes, I saw him there.”

“ Did he drew on you?”

(t No.”

“You was in luck, fer he are a deadly hand
when he draws.”

“ Who is he?”

“ A miner.”

“ From Golden Gulch?”

“ No, he works a lead away over in the upper
valla somewhere.”

“ hat was he doing there at the gravel”

“ Perambulatin’ I esses."

“Did he know Elgm?”

“ Likel ."

“ And is wife?"

“ Jist as likely.”

“ What did you say was his name!”

“I didn‘t sa .”

“But you Will tell me?”

“It are hard to tell a man’s name in these

rts, rd, fer yer see thar are so many pil-
Pu. . .
grims t et is dodgin’ the’r desarts under names
they never t at baptism.

“ Now, li ely as not, you is sailin’ under a
name er mother never give yer, an‘, as fer me,
I hee a man call me last night by my handle,
when I thought I wasn’t know’d, an’ it were
thet fact, an’ also thet he advised me to light
out thet I lit, and am this far on my journe .”

“ Then you do not know the man’s name?‘

“I knows what he are called in ther camps.”

“And what is that?”

“ Blonde Bill."

“ Thank ou.

“New, ’11 say good by, but we will meet
a sin.

“ Good-by, pard; but when yer gits inter
trouble up at ther Elgin Mine, from bein’ so
durned foolhardy, don‘t say thet Danger Dan
didn’t warn you.”

“ No, you shall suffer no blame from that
score,” and Horace Hale rode on toward Golden
Gulch, leaving Danger Dan standing on the side
of the trail and gazing after him with a trange
look upon his evxl face.

 

CHAPTER XX.
A MAN wrm A HISTORY.

Arum his return to the Gold Brick, Horace
Hale sought Doctor Pow-ll, to whom he had
taken a great fancy, and told him of his day’s
adventures.

“ You say the man was standing by the grave
of the Elgins'i” asked the doctor.

“ Yes, and leaning upon the cross, his attitude
that of a man in deep grief."

“ And also that when you spoke to him he
uttered a cry i”

H Ya."

“ I do not understand it.”

“And more, when I moved toward him he
seemed to be horrified. waving me of! and again
uttering a cri, as of alarm."

“ Describe im, please.”

Horace Hale did so, and the doctor said slow-

rts that I

yi‘ There is but one man in these
at descrip-

know of who would answer to
tion.”

“ And his name is—-—”

“Here, as you know, there is a system of
nomenclature that no man can camps, as, for
instance, I am called Doc, and the Magic Doctor.
while vou are already christened as the Kid
Glove iner.”

“ I know that, and this means that you know
the man by his mining-camp appellation only?”

H as n

“ And what may that be, please!"

“ Blonde Bill."

“ Ah! the same name which Danger Dan gave
me as that of the mysterious personage.”

“ Danger Den?”

U Yes.

“Where did you see that man?”

“You recall that I told you I met a miner
standing by the trail side, as I came back to-
ward Golden Gulchf”

H Y.” ‘

 

“Well that strange personage gave me his
name as Danger Dan. ’

“ I know his: and only l-t night drove him
out of the Gulch.”
took?”

“ Hal you were then the person he referred
to as having given him some advice which he

“ Doubtless: but did the fellow make I. at-
temgt to rob you?"

“ at be, for he seemed as peaceable as a
lamb.”

“ He is none too good to bare shot you and
robbed on, for I know him, and left my mark
on him ast night!”

“ He had one hand tied up, I noticed.”

“ Yes, I shot a glass out 0 his hand last night,
and aimed so as to wound him slightly. '

“ Then be it was who gave you the advice not
to go to Elgin Mine!"

‘ Yes.”

“And our answer!’

“ That would go up tomorrow.”

“That fellow has some motive in that, and,.

if I mistake not, he and Blonde Bill are pards
or have been, in some deviltry, so it will be well
to be constantly upon our gnud, and, for tb
first week on are at t e mine 1 will put eaves-d
scouts on t 0 watch, who are men who will m
rig? fthose rascals to earth if they mean mis-
c e .

“ Then, doctor, this Blonde Bill is a soup?”

“ l willnot assert as much, for I do not know
of an act of outlawry he has committed.

“ e has a claim up the valley half a dosen
16a has from here, and seldom comes to the

c .

“In fact, I believe he shuns all of the camps.”

“ You know nothing of his antecedents!”

“ Nothing. ”

“It seemed to me that I had seen his face
Estor’e, but it was impossible for me to place

up.

“ He is a man who has seen better days, that
I am certain of, for, though he often speaks in
the border dialect, I have heard him on several
occasions use good language, which showed he
had received an education, while his manners
are entle and his face not wholly bad.”

“ t was a handsome face i”

“ Strangely so; but he is a tiger when
aroused, and is sometimes called Tiger Bill, as
on one occasion he shot six men in their tracks,
when aroused to anger by them, and he planted
his bullet in the forehead of each, empt‘yi
his weapon in less than nine seconds, and w k3
off two leagues to his camp, though he had been
wounded four times.

“ At night he rew worse, and his perch sent
for me, and I e up to his desolate camp, and
managed to pull him through; but, while de-
lirious with fever, he kept his teeth shut hard
and excepting one word, uttered nothing to tell
who or what he had been.”

“ And that word?”

“ Revenge."

“ The man evidently has a history l”

“ Without doubt; but what time do you start
in the morning?"

“ After breakfast, and, by the we , where
can 1 purchase a good horse here, or I shall
need two?"

“ The major has several good animals in his
stable, which you can see in the morning. and,
if you have no objection, I will be glad to go up
with you to the mine, net for the ride.”

“I shall be deligh ' , doctrr.

“ Now, how is your patient?"

“Improving rapidly.”

“That is good news; but how strange that he
should, wish to gamble for the ownership of his
mine.

“ He is a very strange man, Mr. Hale, and the
more I see of him, the less I understand him,"
said Frank Powell in a thoughtful tone. i

“Well, I shall play him for the mine until I
risk a large sum, and the chancas are in my
favor to win at least one game."

“He is a born smbler, Mr. Hale. and oflered
to bet me while was robing for the bullet,
fifty to one that be wou d recover. ”

‘ I shall play him, never'heless.”

“ Is the mine worth the risk l”

“ I have at my heart upon
believe my nature is both pers
born.”

After a short while longer spent in conver-
sation. Horace Hale arose and departed for his
cwn room, While Frank Powell muttered:

“ Yes, and he is a man .with a history, too,
and, if I mistake not, carries a skeleton in his

cart.

etting it, and I
nt and stub-

“Ah mel how many of us in tln's world are
there who do not have a hidden griefl
“ But I like the man, and we will be friends.”

CHAPTER XXI.
runs-r Ton. 'rnn HUNTER.

TRUI to his resolve, Horace Hale left the
Gold Brick the following morning for the mine
in the mountain.

He had found a horse to suit him. and the
major sold him at a good profit, for Simon
Buggs w- no man to worstedmabusineu
‘Wni Mine pddthe rice u

0 0" r P Pro I
and thee, eooompaniedbythedootoe,w:i¥out

 

 

 

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  Kid Glove Miner. :'

 

 

V. I _ i,
to make the necessary purchases of provisions

hr his use there.

Then, with the rifles, arms and ammunition,
which had belon to Elegant Ed, and been
brought by Fran
packed upo .
their way, for the doctor accompanied the
miner.

Before leaviag, Horace Hale had sought an in-
serview with il
him for the use of Elgin’s weapons, had ho
that he would soon be on his feet once more. _

“0h, I’ll be able to pay you for the mine

within the month, youcan bet on," was the re- 5

iv

mg the hotel to accompan the Kid Glove
Miner, and that was to send or several hunters
whom be well knew at Golden Gulch, and set
them to work to watch the trails leading to the
mine, and the mountains near.

“ There may be some funny business goin on

liam Blackstone, and thankligs 

f, Ohe thing Frank Powell had done before leav- ‘

Powell to the hotel, were I for
n"the horse, and the two started on 3 friend.”

up there, and if you discover any persons p ay- _

ing tricks on the Kid Glove Miner just pounce
down u n them and carry them tohim, and
my wor for it, that he will look after them ac-
cording to their deserts, and not forget you
either.

So he said to the hunters, who were men who
preferred hunting to mining, had been old In-

inn—fighters, and spent their days in the moun-
tains hunting game, for which the found n
ready sale for it in Gold Gulch and t e mining»

camps.

; They all liked Frank Powell, and there was
not one in the hunter’s camp that he had not bo«
friended or Served in some way and the thre:>
be selected for the work prom sed that they
would watch the mine most thoroughly.

U to the lonely cabin the two friends went.
for riends they had now become, and no sign of
a human being did they see on the way.

The cabin was as it had been left by Horace

Hale, and the doors and windows were soon ‘

thrown open, allowing the bright sunshine to
enter.
Then the provisions were stored away: a fire

was built to drive off the dampness, and the ‘

two men then went together to the grave.

Frank Powell narrowly examined the sur-
roundings of the grave, looking at every leaf
and track with the skill of an Indian, for he is
an expert trailer, and then said:

“There has been some one here today.”

“ Indeed? How do you tell?”

“ These tracks were made when the dew was
on the ground, and they lead toward the mine."

And on to the mine they went, and the secret
hiding-place of the icks and shovels of Elegant
Ed were shown to t e miner by the doctor, who
took up the former and gave one stroke into
the gelding earth.

“ ai that wasa luck find, for see what you
have turned up!” cri the miner and he
pointed to the bri ht yellow particles which

he pick had uneart ed.

Frank Powell took up piece after piece, and,
after examining them closely, said:

“Yes: this is a rich mine, and my idea is
that Elegant Ed gave out that his lead was run-
ning to bed-rock just to protect himself in his
lonel situation.” ‘

“ ut this need not be told to William Black-
stone, as my idea is that what he has inherited
from poor Elgin he will soon swamp in gam-
bling.

“ He must be a lucky gambler, certainly."

“At times be may ; but he has had a run
of ill- fortune of late, he told me, and will
aim ly gamma an his good luck now, as he calls
his ortune mm Elgin.

“No; he need not believe the mine more valuo
able than it is supposed to be, nor need any one
9'30 be “19 filer: While as soon as Blackstone
isable to play you for it, I will inform you—
findw‘may you win, is what I wish for you,

a .

“Thank ou doctor, and believe me, I deeply
appreciate aving found in you a friend i" said
the miner earnestly.

The two then retraced their way to the
cabin, and, monntin his horse, Frank Powell
set out upon his re rn, promising to ride up
again in a few days to see the miner.

Ashe drew near Cedar Cat} on, a man and-
donl stepped out into the trai before him.

“ Ea. Tempest Tom, is that youl”

“ It are, Doc.”

“ I came pretty near letting fly at you.”

“ No. Doc; your eyes, I now'd, were too
quick not tor take my photograph at fast sight,"
said the man addressed as Tempest Tom, and
who was a hardy son of the mountains, wea-
ther—beaten by long oxygen“ to the elements,
and scarred by many a ttle well fought.

He was dressed in buckskin, wore moccasins,
and upon his head a squirrel-skin cap, while be
m um with a breech-loading rifle, a knife,
and a air of revolvers.

u \7 on, Tom, what news!"

"M two pardsisoif on a mu. Doc. fer we

 

hes d skivered that thar be movin’ 0' human
about. these mountains, an’ M ther Elgin mine
are ther only one o’ consequence hereabout, it
must be ther p‘int of attraction to whoevc is
m' sound.

x

“Tine, Tom; and I trust in you zufinu‘ not

who the are and what they want."
“ We’ i do t, of it can be Doe."
“I know that, Tom, and I’ not forget you

it; as I do not wish harm to fail upon my

“ The Kid Gloves!"

H  7’

“ He looks squar’.”

“ He is—I’ll vouch for it.”

“ What in thunder do he w’ar them kid
gloves fer, Doc?"

“ I never asked him, Tom."

“ Do he eat in ’em?"

"Yes."

“Pick bones in ’emi"

“ No, Tom, he uses a knife and fork.”

“ Durn a'knife an’ Qllt spoon anyway, fer

they is no good.
ct! a bone with my

“ What meat I can chip
h'rWl'e, I kin chaw e8 wit my teeth, for they
Kim, Doc?”

holds solid ef I hes tamed fift

“ But do he sleep in them

“ I have never seen him w thout than.”

“ Waal, waal, I hain’t eur’us, but I w’u’d like
ter ax him jist for luck, why in thunder he do
w ear 'em.”

“ Never mind the gloves, Tom, but look after
the man, for you’ll find him a nOble fellow, my
word for it."

“Your word are as as preachin’, Doc,
an' I kin lick ther gerloo as says it hain’t.

“But I’ll tell my pards what gee; says 0' kid
gloves, an’ we’ll do our level ter un’arth
any deviltry that are oin’ on in these parts.”

“ I know that you ll, Tom; but now let me
tell you who have been seen in the mountains.”

“ Pernounce ’em, Doc.”

“ You know Danger Dan I"

“ Does I know Satan?"

“Well, he has been seen here on this trail.”

“ I heerd you hed give him a invite out o’
ther Gulch.”

“ I did.”

“ Wan], he knows yer, Doc, an’ he’ll accept
ther invite."

“But this is not the Gulch, and he may be up
to some mischief here.”

“True, Doc; now tell me who are t’othe

‘ rooster yer hed yer mind on.” '

“ You know of Blonds Bill?"

“ Ef he hain’t Satan‘s sax-pint, then set me
d0wn fer a Injun."

"Do you know any wronfiof him, Tomi"

“Can‘t as as I does, an’ doesn’t know any
howlin’ of him nuther.

“ But 0 do live so quiet, he do look so gentle,
an’ be do talk so sweet, thet I sets him down
fer a suckin’ dove with teeth.

"You h- a sweet smile, toe, Doc, an’ yer
voice are like organ music. an’ yer manner are
as gentle as a ’s, but yer don‘t run ter weeds,
but tor good, t o’ yer is hell-tm-split-thre’-ther-
camp-ground when yer is riled.”

Frank Powell laughed at the hunter’s strange
flattery of him, and then said:

“ Well, Tom, I leave the mine, the mountain
and the Kid Glove her in your hands, and in
those of our pends.”

"We‘l take keer 0’ him, Doc kid gloves an’
all, an’ don’t yer go tor sleep an' fergit ther fact.

“ Ef ther is any his in these bills of a uncom-
mon natur’, we’l be ther ter chip in.

“Good-by, Doc, an’ next time I sees yer, I
wants ter consult yer about a leetle mis’ry I has
in at head at times."

“ t is after a visit to the Gold Brick, isn’t it,
Tom?”

“Onvaribly, Doc.”

“ Next time don’t go near Jacques.”

“Yer don’t think he’d come a p‘iaen game on
we‘d)?” f J :- bu

“ , no, or aoquea a good fellow; t if
you don’t pay him a visit, I (ILH’t think cu
will have an misery in your head to comp air:

of the daly a ter.”
“ Was. ,Tyou doubtless knows. Doc?"
"1 do, cm, and I didn‘t stud it out of a

medical book either, but learned i from experi-
ence.

. “ Good-by, old fellow," and Frank Powell rode
on, while Tempest Tom muttered:

“ Was], be are a ood doctor, an’ [’11 jist let
Jacques slide next me an’ see of ther mis’ry '-
in my head proper, or in ther bottle; but I
gnmsee Doc knows how ’tis hisself."

 

CHAPTER XXII.
m oaoaua or run ml.

Tum Horace Hale, the Kid Glove liner, as
he was now universally known in and around
Golden Gulch, had no dread of the of
cIl)antger Dan about the mine, was very evi-

sn .

Yet he was not so reckless as to disregard
wholly what had been said, for he made hhmelf
cantortable in the cabin, and at the same time

safe.

He carried a rib metty to the mine and
concealed it there, with a con is of revolvers,
while at his cabin he kept ot er was as be-
sid-tbosebeneuerwentamomont w bout

to

Where behadhmn minispp before
Golda: Gulch be new: d, but he
hwwnllwhtbwasamutgand bad teap-

 

 

;'-« a' um: u. ullri: wLu‘ had been _.\.ccustomed to
“°fi‘°la“‘°a in be u .paasad in c-
is rst ay t ca n was

ting things to right, and by night he hard.“
arranged for his comfort.

soon as twilight came on be tabled ht
hone and retired to thecabin,andbuiltaflro
to cook his supper.

The logs cast forth a ruddy glow, and the little
house looked very coee , in spite of the tragic
scene that had taken ace there.

After a substan ' supper, the Kid Glove
Minder took a book from a shelf and tried to
res .

But somehow upon his face noted a deep
shadow, hh e as merely scanned the words, and

throwing his aside he settled down into a
deg) reverie.
e was seated in an ass -chair, which Elegant

Ed had made for himse f, and near it was a

smaller one that the poor wife had been wont to a

sit in.

Upon this one the eyes of the miner fell and
rested, and thus he remained for a long time.

Suddenly he started for there came to him a
10w moan ng sound without.

He did not spring to his feet, but sat in silence
waiting, watching and listening. It seemed
like some one moaning outside, as though in
distress.

He dared not yet open the door, for he knew
that a shot might greet him; so he waited.

At last the moaning sound ceased, and then
came the low music of a guitar.

What could it meant. ,

The fingers seemed to run listleuiy over the
strings, to judge from the sounds, and the minu'
shook himself to see if he was awake or dream-

in .
go, he was wide awake, et it seemed like a
dream to hear a guitar in t at wild region.

Then, at first, softly, plaintively arose a bar , I

man voice in song.

It was a woman's voice, full, rich, filled with

pathetic melody, and it brought the miner to
is feet, pale, trembling, and standing as one
who had received some great shock.

Within, all was bright and cheery, and the
fire was blazing and its glow fillin the cabin
and falling upon the man who a there like
one dazed.

Without, all was darkness, and the wind was
sighing through the pines and making a low ac-
companiment to the voice that was welling in
song.

“ Shadows around me are falling,
Longer my feet cannot roam-—
Say]! are you waiting, my darling-
ait to welcome me home?
Waiting 1 lpirit's last bidding
To ti from this earth and be
Over t river my darling,
I am over, just over the tide,
Y i am waiting, my darling,
siting your footsteps to guide."

I So ran the words of the song. and as t
en ied there broke from the lips of the miner:
“Good ! can such this ‘

song, that voice are real! Yes, am awake!

Iam not dreaming, and I know not what,  ~ i

safior do."

e sunk down hat: the chair again and buried ’-

his face in his han

For a moment there was silence, no sound. ‘
coming from without, other than the wailing}! r 
the wind among the pines, and the longdrawn ‘_ _

bowl of a prowling wolf.
Then again the voice was heard in song.

" When sunset gilds the western skies,
A shadows deepen on the lea,
In dreams I 'h for those dark eyes.
Which ah d have sunk to rest withmo.
But they are veiled, my light ’5 gone, \ I
And somber night shades gather fad;
As through the vale l‘m borne along,
An Autumn leaf upon the blast. ,
Yes. the have shone on me the lam,
Life's rouhlod wave to gild no more,
Which now in darkness rushes not,
To break upon an unknown re."

“Grebat God! Icanntpt sltandbzhisi" With the
worth nrsting from is i sprun to his
feet and rushed to the door." g

be! 

“.3 V

 

The heavy bar was cast aside, the bolt drawn >

back, and utterly reckless of (-
withnotevenhistruat
heruohedoutmtothe rknem.

Paramomanthewaautterly Hindu-1:3
frosntbeblaai h'ghteutintotbeglocm,
bestoodsqne yintheglareoft‘hed
unmindful thatalurking

foe could have
him down.

Then, as his eyes became accustomed to 

dark , he guard armmd him.
wind that whistled down the mountain 
and-ighed asdhmaliyaathoughtheywsre
man .
Leaves heroand there okurried acres-the
before the cabin, and the bowl of
wolf in the glen still continued.

Closing the door behind bill. the XI GB” ‘1'
kslowly toward the Inna inwo_

)iiner w-it
sheltered noo . _

It was Imhghkandheconld names.
an it?” he

revolver 
ms:

The?“ pt)" hosted gracefully 

s. Mforbewaah maul:

 

, V-y ' any.» -.-, w. r > .-:.   .-, ‘
- ‘ 57/4.   “L. _,r,,.-, ‘1,
. , _ ~ g .

 

 
  
   
  
 
      
  
   
 
  
     
   
 
 
 
   
    
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
    
   
   
   
  
 
  
  
 
  
    
   
 
   
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
   
 
  
    
  
   
     
 
 
  
   
 
  
    
  
  
   
 
  
 
 
    
  

a... ..—.M HM... ._.. ...-.».. .. - .. -

 

/'

white cross that marked the resting-place c.
Elegant Edand his Angel. .

And more he saw than the white cross.
,, , , Two forms, clad in ’vwhite, the one tall, with
' ~’ ' great broad shoulders, the other slender, stood

' y the grave.

He knew that it was no fancy, for his eyes did
not deceiVe him.

Still he would make more sure, and he rubbed
his eyes to brighten up.

Then he again looked, and the two white forms

 

gone.

Dashing forward, he soon stood at the grave.
All was deathlike silence about him.

In among the cedars he walked, and

thoroughly 9 searched every rock and shrub,

I yet nowhere were visible the strange appari-

one.
. :With a sigh he turned away, and retraced
' his way to the cabin.
 ‘ All seemed as he had left it' but placed just
4 over the mantle was a piece 0t paper which he
j knew was not there when he went out.
giddy he tore it down, and read:
 “ warned! Usurp not the house and the mine
_ of the deadl Seek wealth elsewhere! The one who
 ' sung without this cabin to-night wrote these lines.“
. "‘Ob. God! What does this mean?” he said,
;‘ ,hoarsely, as he threw himself into the chair
once more and buried his face in his hands.

\,

 

 

CHAPTER XXIII.
vmracrnn vrsrroas.

 , Faun POWELL was just turning over in bed
*  his “daylight nap,” the sweetest d all
' sleep. it is said, when he was aroused by a loud
T}, kpocking at his door.
‘3 " He had been up until after midnight with
William Blackstone, and had left him quietly
 sleeping, so he did not think the summons could
. come from him.
_ as was aman of medicine, however, and it
is said that doctors and the wicked know no
(set.
.“ Wall, who is it?” be called out.
' _ “Itlars , ,” was the answer.
 “Tern 211:3], a: I live” {:13 the doctor
sprung onto opens t e oor.
 ,Be admitted To t Tom, already known
ito the reader, and t 0 two hunter pards who
‘ had accompanied him to the mountains the day
before.
,.  ~.r They were men of the same stripe as Tempest

’ ‘Tom, on] one was tall and slim, and the other
shorten thickest.

The former answered to the not unappropriate
.oognomen‘of Lanky, and the latter was known
 the eobriquet of Duck Leg Dick, which was

y no means a misplaced appellation either.

2‘) All of the three were pa e, and seemed ex-
aited,'whicb was rather a coincidence for that
plucky trio of hunters.

"8‘ Well, rds, what is the matter!” and Doc-
er Powel saw that the gray dawn was just
an? uplon Golden Gulch.

,r“ or ain't got no benzine convenient ter
steady our nerves, hes yer, Doc, fer ther bars
ain't open for pleadin’ this yarly in ther morn-

 

- .

‘tpdf lasinuated Tempest Tom.
, “'Oh, you do?”
-" Yas‘ Doc, an’ you is our ph sish.”

“We! , Tom, if you keep on rinking as you
do, I’ll have to have you rectified.
‘~"‘ won’t a few pills do as well as the
., one I
:f‘Pillsbe darned! we hain’t no apothecary

‘7' "g as need stimulants now. and prett sud-

’m for we hes thet ter tell lyer the wil make

. a» tackle four fingers yerse f.”

;‘ “‘Well, Tom, I have a drop I keep on hand

It medicinal purposes, and I will give you a

swallow."

_ “ I has got a all-tired swaller, Doc,

the: bottle haln’t been tapped afore.’

71. bottle of brandy was produced, and the

A , ‘of the trio brightened when they saw that

 not been uncorked.

A; glue was procured and filled two-thirds

l‘ by each one of the three, Duck Leg Dick,

' grim of his sawed-off figure, taking as much
id Lanky and Tempest Tom.

, ~“New boys, what has happenedi” said the

luster, throwing himself down on his bed once

while his visitors camped about upon the

chain as th h not liking such seats.

' 1" Doc, thar has been hell ter pay up in the

. 'mntings,” said Tom.

“ “Fact, of not wuss.” t in Lanky.

. “It are wuss, Doc, remarked Duck Leg

kl out with it, and tell me if harm has
that gallant minor?” and Doctor Powell
to a sitting posture.
. we didn’t stay to see.”
“Tom did 'you run on and desert aman in

The, arsIa man ter ship when thar is any-
tsr fight nrowliu’ round?”
did not think that ou were, Tom, but I

My do not and d what you have
_ “mums-shaman

so I hopes

 
 

 
  

 

911’. and we does need perscribin’ fer almighty

 

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t

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 a. win . t. f.  I I a- 1  .
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l'l ’_ ‘“" I ‘5' My "1‘ A ' ‘ I? ‘V‘
’ 9 ,‘Id Gove   O

“ Doc, does ycr believe in speeritsf"

“You believe in spirits certainly, for I belieVe
you are all drunk now.”

“Wish ter God we was; but I doesn’t mean
thet kind 0’ speerits, Doc.”

“What kind do you mean?”

“ oks, ghosts an’ sich’!”

“ 1&0; I don’t believe in any such nonsense.”

“Does yer call it nonsense?"

“ I do. for there is no such thing as a ghost."

“ Bean’t they?

“ Was], thar be.”

“ Look here Tom,” and stepping to a small
closet, Doctor I’owell threw the door wide open,
an act which brought an exclamation from the
three hunters.

Within a strange sight was revealed, for
hanging in a row were three skeletons of differ-
ent sizes, and complete from head to foot.

They hung beneath a shelf, upon which was
also a row of skulls, the whole lot grinning dis‘
mally into the faces of the three men who sat in
silent horror gazing at them.

“ Tom, do you see this large skeleton ?”

“ I does, Doc, fer I halu’t blind,” answered the
hunter, in an awed tOne.

“ Do you rememb‘r the mad miner that ran
through the camps shooting the boys right and
left, some time after I came here i”

“ I does, an’I knows he went. fer you, an’ yer
shot him clean through ther head, when others
was a-skootin out 0’ his way.”

“ Yes, here is the bullet-hole in his forehead,

you see.

“ Well this one is Fighting Phil, whom I took
care of after he was wounded, and this third one
is an Indian warrior that, you may remember,
I shot 11) in the mountains when he was after
my son p.

" These skulls belong to different men, and I
have lots of other bones lying about; but theseI
show you just to convince you that I have no
fear of spirits, and, if there were such things,
they would likely be hanging around where
their skeletons are.

“ Now don‘t tell me any ghost stories and ex-
pect me to believe them. ’

“Doc, you hain’t no fool, and we hain’t no
idyits; but we hes ter tell yer what we seen, an’
elfI this, wasn’t ghosts, then what in thunder was
t ey ‘

“ Go on with your sto , Tom.”

“ Waal, Doc, yer see, nky here planted his-
self at ther mine, Duck Leg Dick roosted at ther
grave, an' I ist hung on at ther cabing, as soon
as it got dar .

“Ef we bed ter retreat we bed eed ter
meet at ther old valley mine thet are eserted.

“Things looked awful serene fer half a hour
or soarter night sot in, an’ then ter make it
dismal, ther wind begin ter howl among ther
pines, and a all—fired wolf got ter tunin’ up his
vows.

“ I seen from a distance ther Kid Glove Miner
look arter things, an’ then go inter ther cabing,
an’ 1 creeped up near.

“Waal, soon arter I heered a moan comin’
from round in front, for I were back in ther
rear ag’in’ ther mount’in.

“ en I heard music.”

“Music Tom?”

a Yes, 00!”

” The miner was singing, or perha pla ing
upon a guitar, which was in the cab an be-
longed to Ed’s r Angel l”

“ Nary, ther 'd Gloves were doin’ nothin’ o’
ther kind, Doc.”

“Then from whence came the music!”

I: It were a itter.”

“ $a§§m

“I told you so.”

“But ther Gloves wasn’t playin’ it."

“ Who was then i”

“ Ther ghost I”

“Curse your ghost, Tom.”

“ I don’t say so, Doc, but it were a ghost, an’
sure she begun to sing. ’

“ Oh! it was a f. male ghost?”

“ Yes, she wore a shemale ghost, an’ she were
drest in white.”

“ You saw her then i" ,

“ Now I did, Doc, an’ I are sorry that I did.”

“ Go on. Tom with the story.”

“ Waal, she be 'ned to sing, Doc, an’ oh,
Lordyl but she di sing sweet.

“ l hes heerd o’ angil’s voices, an’ she hes got
one. ‘

“ it jist made my heart beat an’ I hain’t ever
beerd a bird thet c’u’d sin with her, tho’ I hes
listened to ther sweeties’ ch rpin’ in ther woods.

“ §he sungsd one song, an’ then give us a
rest. r
“ I wish you’d give us a rest, Tom, with your
ghast story, and come to facts. ’

“ Them is facts, Doc, good as sworn to, an’ no
mistake.

“Arter she hed singed one song she let up
a while, an’ then soon arter beginnod ag’in on
another tune.”

“ You are confident it was another tune,

Tomi”

“ I c’u’d sw’ar to it.”

‘“ What were the words!”

“I disrsmembsrs adsactly but til-O? was on
about .sbaddsrs fallin' round, an’ I: a

tin’ fer

' darlin’, an’ spirits flyin" from yarth, an’ hein’

 

“ I - V .

n

. l ‘a 

over ther tide.” l

“ Ohl it was a serenade.”

“ I guesses so, Doc.”

“A ghostly one: but was that all the ghost
sung?”

“ No, Doc, fer she singed a second time about
e es bein’ vailcd, li hts gone out. leafs being
b own along ther va e, an breakin’ upon an un—
known shore.

“Oh! it were ghostly music, Doc."

“I don’t doubt it, cm, and rather hard on
the lady ghost that she should go broke on an
unknown shore.”

“ Yer is Joking, Doc, but I finds it a subject
fer weepin’. ’

“Try that bottle again, Tom, to keep your
tears from drowning you.”

“ Thankee, Doc, these is ther spirits I loves.”

“ Doubtless,” and that his pards Were of the
same mind was evident, for the six drinks emp-
tied the brandy bottl -.

“What was the Kid Glove Miner doingall
this time, Tom?”

“ He were list’ning inside, while I were creep.
1 qu ter see who it were a-sin ing.”

“ got near, an’ I seen two g osts, speerits or
spooks, ther Lord knows which, an’ they was
standin’ near the cabing corner nighest the

rave.
“ didn’t say nothin’, fer I c’u’dn’t, and
presently the jest floated away, an’ I artcr
them, j ist as t or door opened an’ out come ther
miner.

“But I was a-trailin’ ther spooks an’ I didn’t
stop, ontil I seen them come ni h ther grave.

“ Then I seen Duck Leg Dic here suddlntly
light out down ther mountain side, as tho’ ther
Devil hed sent for him, an’ I follered, while ther
ghosts went on ter go back ter the’r roost in ther
grave as I suspected.

“Waal, I are some on a run, an’ Duck Leg
Dick hain’t considered ra id; but darned of he
didn’t beat me ter ther alley mine.

“ But, Doc, we hedn’t more then looked at
one another, when we heerd suthin’ a-comin’.

" We kno'w’d it wasn‘t no ghosts, for it sound-
ed like six grizzlys tearin’ through ther brush.

“But suddint, 'ist as we was ready ter fight,
thar «omed Lan y, steppin’ twanty feet at a
jump, an' of he hedn’t ’a’seen us, he'd hev been a
runnin’ yit. ~

“ ‘ What are it, pardi'

“ So I shouted at him, an’ be tried ter stop,
but it wasn’t so durned eas ,he were a-goio’ so,
an’ be got past ther mine a ore he brung up.

“ Then says he, he says:

“ ‘ Pards, is that youi’

“ We said as how it were us, an’ he says, my:

be:

“ ‘ Pards I has seen t‘wo‘ghosts.’

“We di n't argue with him,.fer we bed seen
likewise; but we talked ovor ther matter, an’
arter a while we come ter ther conclusion we’d
better light out fer Golden Gulch.

“We were thet weak in ther legs, however,
frf‘om our skeer, that we had ter go slow an’ rest
0 ten.

“ But here we is, Doc, an’ yer hes ther Bible
facts 0’ ther case.”

“ Thisis indeed a strange story you tell, pards ;.
but to-ni ht we will go back and—”

“ Who 1 0 back i” asked the trio in chorus.

“ We wil .”

“ Who is we, Doe?”

“I will go with you.”

“Doc, you kin go, fer yer likes dead folks’
bones even; but we won’t go.

i “ Ef yer wants us ter tackle grizzlys, here we

I

s.

“ Ef yer says fight Injuns, we is thar.

“Ef yer says fill up with tanglefoot 811,11)!-
rade through ther camps on a rampage. ws’l do
it; but Doc, much as we loves yer, we’ll see yer
etar’nally durned afore we goes back ther.”

“ Nonsense.”

“ No it hain’t nonsense, Doc.”

“ We hes chinned this his all over a—comin‘
down, an’ we is decided thet We hain’t no ghost-
hunters.” '

“ Very well, I will go myself; but say nothing
of this to no one.

“ We hain’t a-goin’ ter, fer we wants tor fergit

it, . .

“ Only you is a cusseder fool then I tuk yer
far of yer goes prowlin’ up thar.” _

‘ I shall go at any rate, and I Will start after
breakfast, to see what has become of the Kid
Glove Miner.

“Now go down and get- an appetizer from
Jac use, and tell the major to give you your
brea fast.”

“We’ll do it, fer we is as empty as a ghost."
said Tempest Tom, as he led the way down
stairs.

 

CHAPTER XXIV.
A sraanon s’roar.
Tans to his word, as soon as Frank Powell
ot his breakfast, he rode on alone toward the
gin Mine.
It was a lovely day. and the bright sunshine
dis lied even the shadows in the moan
‘1 b “d ’h" mm b.‘ '°"i’°'?§t fishing.» w“
a ong, ow men con so 00
stltious as to believe in the supernatural.

    

a?“

 

 

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‘ e :Wj .aa.‘ up“. .egéevaA

"that over the face of the Kid Glove Miner

 

 
 
 

r .

 

 

He knew the trio, Tempest Tom, Lanky, and i

Duck Isa Dick well. 3
He h seen them in the direst danger, cool i
and fearless. V I
But he could not understand why they had ,
run of from the mine, and said that they had '
seen gheets.

The were always reliable in all their reports,
and w en he had seen Tom on the mountain 3
side he had been sober, and the three were cer- f
tainly, to use their own expression d facts, {
“ painfully sober,” when they had first come to ‘1
his room that morning. _ _ l

It was not night-time, but daylight, and in ,
its glare, Tempest Tom had told his stor and :
Lanky and Duck Leg Dick had vouched or it. ‘

Apart, not toguther, they had seen the
alleged ghosts, and. there certainly was some
strange mystery in it.

' The Kid Glove Miner, Tempest Tom had said,
had come out of his cabin to face whatever
was outside.

That was just as Powell had expected he
w ld do.

ut what had been the result!

He feared some harm had befallen his new-
found friend, and he urged his horse on so a
arift gallop, wheneVer the trail would admit
0 speed.

Passing Cedar Canyon he paused a moment i
and lanoed about hlm. ‘

Al was qluiet then, excepting the singing of
the birds. ushing on, he soon came in sight of
the cabin, and saw that the door was locked.

Dismounting, he discovered that it had been
locked from without, for the key was out of the

door, and the dlock and chain in its .iace.
This showed)ll that the Kid Glove nor was
not Within.

Going to the stable he found that his horses
were not there, but the saddle and pack-saddle,
with the bridles, hung on their pegs.

A short search discovered, the horses staked
out in a little grass-covered vale near by.

Then calling to his horse to follow him, Frank
Powell walked slowly along toward the
grave.

He came to it and halted. Nothing but per-
fect rest was there, but the wild flowers upon
the mound seemed bruised, as though from a
heavy weight falling or resting upon them.

Then the doctor recalled what the Kid Glove
Miner had told him of the blonde-haired and
t, _ t ed man who had fallen there in a seeming

ain . :

Passin on, Frank Powell soon came in sight
of the no.

The trail showed fresh tracks, and these the
doctor kept his eyes upon.

Drawing near the mine he halted, and bade
his horse await him.

The obedient animal stood perfect! still, and,
not, knowin what awaited him. r. Powell

drew a revo ver and stepped quickly up to tho
entranco_to the mine, which was a cavernous
i in the side of a cliff.

“ Ha t or dial”

The vaioe rung deep and stern out of the
mine, but the moment after, in fact, the second
foilowin , came the words:

“Hal owell, it is you.

“ I saw your shadow and knew not who to ex-
pect as a visitor.”

MThen out of the mine stepped the Kid Glove
iner.

Frank Powell saw at a glance that his face
was pale. ,

But he was in working costume, yet still had

,hls kid gloves on. , ,

He grasped the miner’s hand and said, lightly:

“It was such a pleasant day, I thought I
would run up to see you.”

“ I am glad you came for I wish to show you
that 8I am stlriiking it ric .

_“ ee, as i ate onder barik the dirt 5
well, for it is flfled w th little particles of mpgtyal
which I can easily sift out.”

“ Am glad that you are pleased with your
mine.”

“ I am greatly so, and would give Blackstone
ten thousand for it to-daY-”

“ Do not do it, for all that he gets he will gum-
ble away. .

“Play him for the mine until you win it, as

you propose, and then, if it pans out rich, it is
easy enough to give him a bonus at some future
time; but, do you know, I think you oughtto
have help here with you?”

I «Why'n

“ It will become noised abroad about the rich
find you have, and there are plenty of wild fel-
lows who will club together and make a raid on

ou.
’ “ In fact. Bender and his gang are none too
for it.” .
“ I do not fear them, for I shall be ever on my
ard.
“ How did you find your cabin last night!
“Comfortable, I hope?”
“ Oh yes, there is no more comfortable cabin
in these part4, I guess.”
“ on were not disturbed, were voui"
' “What was there todisturb me, Powell!” and
the doctor noticed the look of intense sadnem

‘ 0-.
I

 

the question.

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we 

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A 2-. a ,.  M ,

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‘fl 1 1w.“  ~i i we I _
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1‘...

 

 

“Oh! I didn’t know but that you might have
had some visitors prowling around.”

“ Wh , who could they be?”

The octor laughed lightly, and set_ down
Tempest Tom and his pards in his mind as
gigantic liars, while he answered:

“ I have been told that the mine was haunted.”

Instantly the face of the miner changed, and
laying his hand heavily u n the shoulder of
the doctor, he said in a as y vaice:

“ gen have bash told this"

it 7’

“ That the mine is haunted i”

u Ya!

” Iy whom?”

“A main and female ghost, supposed to be
poor fiia and his wife.’

“ Wh- were you told this!”

“ Tish morning, early.”

“ By whim"

“ i will confess to you, Hale.”

“ The fact is, I felt a hale anxious about you
comia here alone after you told me of having
seen anger Dan and Blonde Bill in the moun-
tains, and so 1 pt three old tiends of mine,
scouts, trailers and hunt”, and sent them here
to keep watch.”

“ Go on, please.”

“They came, one of them taking up his post
near your cabin, another at the grave, and the
third here at the mine.”

“ Where are they now!”

“ In Golden Gulch.”

“ Were they here last night?”

it Yes.”

” When did they leave?"

“ Early in the night, I judge.”

“ Pray roceed, Powell."

“Old empest Tom, the one stationed near
the cabin, with his two pards came to my room
at daybreak, and aroused me with a strange
stor .”

“ And that story. please!”

“ Was to the eflect that Tempest Tom had
heard music—4’ I

“ Hal he heard it then?” quickly said the Kid
Glove Miner.

“ Yes, he heard the music of a guitar, accom-
panying a voice in singing—”

‘: A woman’s voice?’

“ Well?”

“ He heard her sing two songs, and creeping
nearer he saw two forms, one arge, the other
small. standing near your cabin."

“ Hal were they clad in white!”

“ So he says, and as they glided away he fol-
lowed them in the darkness.

“ He had not gotten far off before you opened
the door and sprung out of the cabin.”

“ That is true.”

“Then he beheld the two alleged hosts stand-
ing by the rave of Elegant Ed an his Angel,
and saw ck Dick, his pard on watch
there bound away own the mountain side.

" e fled too, and they met at a. rendezvous,
an old deserted mine in the valley, and soon
after there dashed up Lanky—”

“ Who is Lankyi”

“The third of the trio, and the one that was
stationed at this mine.”

“ Well?’

“ They all had seen the ghosts, as they called
them, and Lanky asserts that their coming ran
him away from the mine for he recognized
fliem a: being the spirits of Elegant Ed and his

n e1.

“$0well, this is remarkable. and now I know
that it was not a dream, a hallucination of my
fevered brain, as I had coaxed myself to be-
nevi.”

“ nd you saw these all ed hosts tool”

“ i did.” as g

“ Where?”

“ The music startled me, and listening, I
heard the voice of one I had met before.

“ lt sung a song familiar to me ears ago.

“Then came a silence, and aga n a son , also
familiar, and sung in the same full, ric , pa-
thetic voice.

“I dashed out of the door, half wild at the
strange circumstance, but I found all darkness
and silence.

“Straight to the grave I went, as soon as I
could col ect myself, and there I beheld the two
ghostly forms.

“ I moved forward and they disappeared, and
search for them proved unavailing.

“.I came to the mine and then returned to my
cabin, and there I found, above the mantle, this
pa r of warning.”

_ e took the paper from his pocket and handed
it to Doctor Powell as he spoke.

aha doctor read it with surprise, and then
sai :

“ It is a woman’s hand, and boldly and bean-
tifully written.”

1 0 Yes.” '

“Who can have written it!”

:1 I recognized the writing at a glance.”

It $3.”

“ Then you know the writer"

“ I knew her.”

 

“ Where is she now!”
“Dead.”
In spite of his iron nerve Frank Powell start-

ed.
What to‘say he knew not, and the two stood . A
in silence for full a moment. ‘ .
Then the doctor asked:
“ What do you make out of all this, Hale!”
“ I made it a dream, a hallucination, for, un- . .
til your nothing, I had forgotten this paper.  » lI
“low, with what you say these three men ‘
saw, and aith this paper in my hand, I know
not what to make of it. -
“I am so mperstitious idiot, and yet I am a;
considerably taken u . \ i ‘-
“You are cool-hen ed Powell, and in your _ '
professional duties have had to out the human ‘ ,
form to fragments, and know well that the .. . a,
soul mnnot roam the earth. 5 r 
“ But tell me, does this shake your faith!” 
“Not in the least.”  lf'
“ You do not believe that I saw those forms!” - 
f‘Oh yes, but I do not believe they were
ghostly.
“A , you think it was some one masque.»
radin i" '

a,

3,

“ But the voice!” ' . " 

“ The voice you are sure was a woman’s!” ‘5

it Yes. 9, » 7

“ And on recognized it as one you have
heard behyiref" , 7 f-

" I did.” ~‘:j

“Where is the one whose voice you recog- ‘.
nixed last night?" . 4"

“In her grave.” 7 ’ ' ‘

“And was the voice that of. the same person ’ "
whose writing is there!” r

“ It was.”

"T"‘““a?§3“ efifth adi

“ tisin , or e weremasquer n,*
what purpose could they ave!" ‘ .

“ whfrighten you away from this mine.”

H yr \

“Beuiuse they know its value.” " .

“That would be plausible if it was not for . '1
the voice and handwriting.” ,' ' I i 

“Your ears might have imagined a simi-  '
laritv in the voice.   "

“Can my eyes be deceived too as regards the a
writing.” , ‘

“ They might be.” , , ‘4

“See here, my practical friend, and tell,“
if this writing was not done by the same hand
that wrote that warning?”

He took from his pocket as he spoke a trim ' v
worn letter, and thrust it before the eyes of, :_ ‘
Doctor Powell. , -‘

Attentively he gaaed upon it an instant, and-
then at the warning, and said slowly: ’

“ Yes, I would swear that the two “rewrit-
ten b one and the same rson." V , i

" d so would I, whi e that same person, ‘
always played the guitar, in preferencetoany I
other instrument and it was such an ludru- .1
ment that I heard last night. , _ .

” I tell on, Powell, there is some deep, use; 
fathomab e mystery in all this.” ’  9‘ a

“Deep I admit, but not unfathomable, 8310’"?

“ What mean out" ‘ ,-

“I mean that will come up here tonight
and watch With you, and I’ll test my sins ell-1.9"“
the ghasts. ,‘

“ If they get away after I fire, then I'll believe
in ghosts until Doomsda .” .

“Not for the world, owell, would I have}; _T
you do that. M,

“ If it is a supernatural being, then it Is 
ghost, shadow, spirit, or whatever you will, 9 _
the one I recall as the writer of these lines,‘
never would I allow a shot fired. . ; "

“No, I will remain here alone,  
thanll; you most warmlly‘téin l h m <

“ nmypower sovete your," -
but believe me, I am not one to be drl ‘ ‘ .
a trail whenever I set out to follow it toth‘d

  

 
  
  
      
  
  
 
  
 
  
    
   
    
 
   
     
  

‘ .

 

i
3.

9’

“I am glad to hear you say so, Bale. , _ .
“But you had better let me send you-onto
bold fellow as a companion.” ‘  i
“ No, indeed, I prefer to remain alone.” ,. v
“ As you please; but, for God’s sake,  
tious, for I cannot get rid of the idea that ‘
ghosts are flesh and bone, and, if come 7
could prove very dangerous. - "
“ If ghosts, and assuredof that fact, I w ' ' ,
not fear an army of them; but if 
tread lightly and go slow.”
“ I will be cautious.
“ Now tell me haw Blackstone is!”
“ Rallying wonderfully. » u
“ He will be out within two weeks.” , a, .
“ Good, and the séoner the better, for liq
toknow whether I am_ to own this mine
“1’11 wager you wm it; but nowlmust“ ‘
01!.” and soon after Frank Powell mono
am new -s‘°"‘Y..:“°“.rri“.i We “‘
c , no n im res b o ' '«
in spite of his sieptijcism. y  V ""
CHAPTER XXV.‘
wnmn Rm anon. , --. “7"
Wm Frank Powell returned to the , -'
Bricknafter his round of profeuioual . ‘
the mmngmgtoseethe lame,th‘e

   
 

blind. and the wounded, of which latter there
. was always a goodly share in Golden Gulch, he

found Tempest Tom and his two pards wholly
overcome by the spirits.

The spirits in the mountains had ted them,
. and the irits in Jacques’s bar had ept them
" i going, untl they had told the story of their
' nights adventure a hundred times, and been
treated for every time.

Seein that some excitement was abroad
Frank owell entered the spiritual precinct oi
the hotel, to discover his trio of worthies sur-
rounded by an eager crowd, listening to the oft

..-.‘

, ..__ ‘, At sight of the doctor their consciences smote
., -. wmflzithkthe (xi-era‘embrange tlggt they were
w" to eep ar upontesu ect.

,, But, seein that they had told the story,
; . hulk Powel walked up to them, and said:

’ ' “Tom, I havo just come from the Elgin

. ~ shine.
.  "‘ Lordy, did yer see ther ghosts, pardi”
u  n

, “ Didn't see ther speritsi”

“No; but you have, that is certain.”

“They didn‘t prowl by da , maybe?”

, “ They prowl pretty live y here by da , I
file notice," answered the doctor, wit a
mile.

“ Wan], we seen ’em.”

“ Yes, and if you keep on'drinkin as you do
you‘ll see snakes, monke s, hobgob us, and all
other terrible things to—n sht.”

“ I hain’t goin’ ter bed.

“ You’ll get into a snug little bed, a woollen
evas'ooat, i you don’t stop drinking. ’

' " You knows, Doc, fer yer is durnation on
1- ;« Influx: ;” but, did yer go ter ther mount'ins?"
“ Did yer see Kid Gloves?”

“ I did.”

“fiber ghosts didn’t run 0! with him, then,
on

as No.”
“ Yer axed him?"
’ “What?”
“Ef be seen ’eml"
. Ila Ya."
“ An’ what did he say!" eagerly asked a num-
, 'berof voices.
q. “He saw the ghosts.”

It No P,

“So he told me."

“ Wasl, waal.

“ An’ you believes him?”

“Yes, Tom.”

. “ See what it be ter be eddicated.

‘ “ Now, of a ignorant galoot sich as I be sw’ars
'ter seein ghosts, then be are sot down as a ex-

oruciatin’ liar; but of a teller hes been ter

school an’ got his  on books, then when he

, ' ~sees a ghost, it are ieved."

 ' “ Tom, the Kid Glove Miner gave me proof
. thathe had seen the ghosts."

’I“ Didn't we give yer roof, Doc?"

‘. “ No, for you skip oif, while he remained,

and with the result that he saw the ghosts dis-

r perhags in chase of you, while, upon

, :11 ng to is cabin, he found a ghostly

' warnin to quit the mine, as the spirits will not

-' allow h m to work.”

“ An’ he hit?”

“ No, be ill remains there."

“ Wasl, he hev more nerve than one man

liter hev, that are sartin,

' [doesn’t fear mortal humans, but I does
flke a back seat,,a’n’ ad 151mg waty'lback, when
speerits prow n, sax empes om.

-- “ An’ I don’t crowd ther mourners on sich

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
   
 
  
  
 
  
     
  
  
   
  
  
  
 
   
        
   
   
    
   
   
   
   
  
    
   
   
  
    
  
 
  
  
       
 
   
   
  
   
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
   
    
    
    
     
       
     
    

1‘ I,”

 “I hain’t likely ter stay, of I kin git“ when
grave-yard folks git ter carousin’ round.

These seemed to be the views of the masses,
and Frank Powell for reasons of his own, now
jihatthe ghost-frightened trio had given out the
r'mreazeemed to wish to encourage the idea
'2? spirits seen were real phantoms from
.7, Dhadew Land.

1 p “I know thet it are Elegant Ed an' his Angel,
.4 who don’t want nobody workin’ ther mine arter

a, Wkllt as they was,” said one.
1 , '. I y was a man-ghost, an’ a woman- host
M war sartin, for I both seen ’em, an' d n’t I
M ther shemale a-sin n’ that sweet thet a old
wolf t howlin‘l" sai Tempest Tom.

Ea added what fuel he could to the
-My flame, Frank Powell left the bar and
1'0!!th to see his patient.

.- He ound William Blackstone greatly im-

prov , yet the wounded 'man asked:

, “ hat is all this nonsense, Powell, about
(heats seen u at my mine!"

,“1Where d d you hear anything about it?"

asked Frank Powell.

‘ “Oh! from that Chinese circulating medium,

A “ him!” muttered Powell between his

," “He heard some old hunters saying down-
a“?! that they wm u in the mountains last
from the mine’s vicini-
bfseeing two ghosts.”

,. . es; these is a rumor to that enact.”
= “h b all nonsense, of course." .
'Dat—n"

. l

 
 

"‘ Imam," added Lank ,while Duck Dick'
mama- y 1“

 

“ Bah! you don’t mean to say that you be-
lieve in such trash?” '

“ What I behave isone thin , Mr. Blackstone,
and what the believe is anot er.

“They to] me that they had seen hosts
there, and I rode up to see the Kid Glove ner
this morning.

“ Well?"

“ He corroborates them, though he knew not ‘

of the hunters’ presence in the mountains.

Frank Powell was watching his patient close-
ly,dand he saw him turn a shade paler; but he
sar :

" Does such a man as Hale say he saw
ghosts?”

“He saw two forms clad in white, one ap-
pearing to be a man, the other a woman, and

e heard the voice of the latter in song, accom-
panied by a guitar.

“He saw them go to the grave of poor Ed
Elgin and his wife, and there disap r.

“ Returning to his cabin he foun a w ,
written, he says, in the handwriting of a wo-
misn now dead, and bidding him leave the
m ne.
“ The voice in song also he says, was the
isame as that of the one who wrote the warn-

ug.
“ Of course he does not wish the mine now!”
“He as. s be will remain, for the ghostly visi-
tents. he oes not fear.”
“ Egadl he may have the mine now cheap‘
for I guess it will be unvaluable property, an
I’d never work it.”
“ No; he still wishes toplay you for it, as soon
as ou are able.”
‘ All right; as he pleases.
“The interest of ambling for it will not let
me allow it to go w thout a struggle.
“ But I don't like this story."
“It will be detrimental to the mine."
“ It is not that, doctor."
“ What then?"
“ Why, I don’t like to feel that the dead come
back to earth,” and William Blackstone shud-
dered as he spoke.
“There are many who believe that they do.
But I believe Hale will solve the myste ,”
uietly answered Frank Powell as he ii ed
ressing the wound of his patient, whom he

flaw Xas considerably exercised by what he had
ear

 

CHAPTER XXVI.
was: urnaa’s oar'r.

THAT the Kid Glove Miner was disturbed by
what had transpired the previous night, there
was no doubt.

A feeling of loneliness came over him as he
saw Frank Powell ride away; but shaking it off
he set to work with his pick, and no man could
have been insensible to the good luck which
every stroke was showering upon him.

The bank through which the vein ran, seemed

‘as though in ages past it might have been the bed

of a stream, for small ieces, nuggets and little
globes of gold were he ng constantly unearthed

y the miner, and be forgot all else in his rapidly
increasing good fortune.

At last the shadows creeping into the mine
warned him that night was coming on, and hid-
ing his tools, and gathering up his little bag of
go (1, be wandered bomeward.

At the grave of Ed Elgin and his Angel, he
paused a moment in respectful silence, and then
went on to his cabin.

His horses were brought in, watered and
locked up in the stable, our: than he built a
bri ht tire, to shed a cheerful thnv through the
cab n.

For supper he seemed to have no appetite, .

and was content with a cup of coffee.

Then he settled himself down in his easy-chair
to wait.

But no sound came to him, as before, of the
thrumming guitar and voice in song.

At last he drop off to sleep and when he
awoke the fire be burned low. ,

Then he retired to rest, dressed ashe was, and
with his belt of arms at hand.

But the sun arose and he awoke, having nei-
ther seen or heard ought of his spectral visitors
of the night before.

Opening his door he started, for there, upon

the sivie of his cabin was stuck a piece of paper. ‘

Upon it, written in the same handwriting as
was the other he read aloud:

“ Heed my warning! Leave this mine forever!

“ Let no human being mme near the dread spot!"

He could not understand it, and yet he would
not heed it, and set to work preparing his
breakfast.

All day long he worked in his mine. and with
increasing good luck, and again night found him
alone in his cabin.

But again no visitants from the shadow-land
Were seen or heard, and, with the coming day
he once more stepped out of the door to tin ,
as he hwhzaléoosuspeetad. the placard of warn-

u r.

“ForGed'snbeheedthiswasningl'

mgswuwiththeothen.and once more
went hhwcl.

" {in}! '- .. ’" , ; PM
I. r x -

 Glow  er; 

\l ,’ 3V  .“4"

There several hours after Frank Powell
found him. ’

"Iamgladtosee you, Mhemid.

“ I wanted to come up yesterday, Hale, but
could notasI wasteo busy, and I couldmtbd
a man who would come for me.”

“ They know then of my ghostly visitors!" said
the miner with a sad smile.

“ Yes; thore three worthies got drunk and
gave it all away, and for love or money no man
m Golden Gulch“ unless it is Faro Fred, would
come here alone.

“it is better so, for I do not care to have
them, for. as you see, I am in luck."

“ You indeed!" and Frank Powell
lageed at the little pile of precious metal athh
ee .

“It improves each day.”

“ And now about the ghosts!"

” Come up to the cab n, and we will talk it

~ over ” and the two left the mine.

W on there, the miner showed the two warn-
ings and Frank Powell asked:

" Where did you find these!”

“ One upon the side of the mbin, and the
other a n the door.”

“An how were they fastened!”

“ I neglected to notice—yes, this one was
just over the fire-place, by a peg as you see, and
now we will look outside.

“That one was hung upon that nail, and-
By Heaven! this one was stuck on the door by
sealing-wax, for see there, Powell!”

He pointed to a red spot on the door, which
was a lump of sealing-wax.

“ It has a stamp upon it, Hale,” said Frank
Powell.

The miner grasped it, and, as his eyes fell
upon it, he turned very pale.

“ What alarms on, my friend!” asked Frank
Powell in his kind y way.

“Doctor Powell, this seal is the crest of the
family to which the writer of those warnings
belonged. See, there is the Latin motto of her
name.

“Nil do randum!" said the doctor, read-
ing it alou .

“ ly, and I’ll never despair of solvig this
Ernst y secret i" almost fiercely said orace

a e.

 

“I must say that I admire your nerve anu
your staging ualitiea,” remarked Frank Powell,
fiiiarm wi the grit of the Kid Glove

ner.

“ Oh, I shall stay, doctor; and some day when
you come up here I may have a solution to the
mystery."

‘ I must confess that this last act of the ghosts
seems wonderful—the seal, 1 mean.”
“ It does, indeed l"

But though the two men talked over the af-
fair for several hours they could arrive at no
estimate of the truth of the affair, and Frank
Powell a ain took his leave. That night, as
Horace ale sat before his flre listening to the
dismal patter of the rain upon the roof and the
bowling wind without, for a storm was rushing
through the mountains, he sprung to his feet as
misgidinly there was heard a wild and piercing
s e .

Hastin he sprnn to the door, and as he
threw it open and g anced outside, there came
floatin to his ears, borne upon the angry wind,
t'wo‘vo ces in song.

 

E The sound came from the direction of the
I lonely grave, and the voices were those of a

‘ man and a woman, and the air was a quaint
old melody, long known to the miner.

As it died away he returned to bk cabin, a
' sad, yet grim look upon his stern, handsome

face, and once again sorrght rest. ~

The following morning there wasno placed
upon the cabin the shriek and the singin
having seemingly been warningmenough, an
once more the miner went to work, and
toiled through it the livelong day.

Worn out be sought rest at an early hour,
and never awakened until he heard a voice
hailing without

It was broad daylight, and the voice he knew
as that of the doctor.

“ A , a , Powell,” he answered, and he flung
open our. ‘

i There stood the doctor by the side of his
; horse, and he said: .

“I was called to the Wild Cat Camp last
night, and as it was but a league from here, I
rode on to see you."

" Glad to see you. doctor, so come in and we
will soon have breakfast.”

“ First take this placard, which I took from
your door.

“You see itbastheaame sealen thewam as
' the other?" and he handed over a paper he held

in his hand.

I “ Yes.” and the Kid Glove Miner's face
‘ whitened as he read it.

“ What! some mystery i"
i» “ Yes, for this warning callsme by my name."

i “That every one knew- heneabouts, if they

! have not forgotten I a: calling you the Kid
mm)? mw'” I ill tell in mama,
“ o, in name. w on
b Brings  Hammond.” y
‘0 !
“Yeaaadthefulnsnslswdmnhen'

 

 

 

1‘

<1... . wanna-m . 9...,

 

 

 

«awumwaJ-n ,, M"

i

 

a

s 4." ‘ 

.4»  :,-  : ,4» 
. f ‘. ".'- ’ a"

" m Glows... 

" 17

 

 

" That is stran indeed.” ~

“ Yet I shall so the mystery, doctor."

“ And I glory in your spunk: but what was
on the the night before?”

The as her, told of the shriek and the dust,
and Frank Powell shook his head, and asked:

" Well, does {flour gold luck continual"

“ Better,and tter.”

‘t i

“ And Blackstone?”

“Is improving rapidly.

"‘ Has he heard of the troubles here!"

“Oh, yes, for that internal Chinee told him;
but I think he is the more anxious to sell, as he
is not, in my 'nion, a man who likes ghosts.”

“Powell, 1 0 not believe that you like Mr.
Blackstone.”

“ To be honest, I do not, for he does not seem
to be a square man to me, and I hate a fraud.”

“ Don’t tread on my toes, for I hold back

part of my name,” said the miner, with a’

smile. :

“Nor do I. for no matter what reason you
may have for so doing, I will frankly tell you
that I believe you honest to the core.”

“Thank you Powell; but now to get break-
fast,” and hal an hour after thetwe men ate
the meal with a relish that was enjoyable, and
while the doctor returned to his professional
duties among the camps, the Kid Glove Miner
went back to his work in the mine.

Thus the days , and many warnings of
various kinds were nightly given,
unheeded, while the demsens of lden Gulch
began to dread the very mountains in which the

E ‘ l mine was situated, and Frank Powell, all ‘
in is power, added to their holy horror by set- v

ting stories afloat which went the rounds of the
camps like wild
Plug Chew any thing he had foundout about the
ghost to have it sp‘rnead through the domestic
circle of the hotel minutes after, with all
the additions that ,a repeated story will have
added to it.

From the kitchen to the office, from the oflce
to the bar and thus out upon the streets, it
want, until the citisens of Golden Gulch re-
mained much more indoors at night than had
been their wont. -

CHAPTER XXVII.
m narraauor.

As time wore on, so callous did th Kid Glove
Miner become regarding the hoe y visitants
and their warnings that he fail to notice them
and got so that he could retire to his bedand
sleiep soundly after his hard day’s work in his
111 he. '
Having arrived at this desirable state of at-
fairs, he s
the in story.

To 0 so, be arranged for the attempt by day.

bottom

log of his cabin, in the near, was

awning: tgtvobin two places, wid: egaligh agrt
'n passm thro ope a
when the piece was takgn swan.8 = x
As some bushesgrew aggin the rearof the
house  at this point; e ing would not
be vhi “to any one wing, moulds-y one do
so. ' ' - '
Then, when darkness came on, the miner
built his fire, locked up his horses, and want‘into
his cabin. / ' ,
Heefre‘pared his supper, but, full of“ his in-
tend a venture, ate sparingly, and allowed
the fire to die out. '
Then, when all was dark, he crept to the log,
drew it inside, and noiselemly crept through the

opening. .
The night was starli ht, yet dark, especially
there i the shadow o the mountains, and he
«at; Ithacorngrff the cabin and waited!“
, 08 n ’t It “experiencede emi
detect him, .%n in the gloom, he wen back to
the shelter of the’btlshes in the "rear of the
cabin, and made hi wa by a circuit, to the
mountain side in front of is ittie house.

The cabin stood upon a terrace of the menu-
tain,.as it were. for a rid arose high behind
it, while in the front the hi leloped precipitater
to the valley far below. .‘

But there was an acre of fairly level space
about the little abode, and the .mmer, by said.
ing a point in front of the cabin, and creepin
up to the edge of the hill, knew that he can
command a view of what might take place
within a hundred feet of him.

Fora long time 'he waited and yet no form
was visible moving near him.

Then he heard the boot of an owl not far
away, and it was answered from down toward
the grave in the nook. _

Instead of the owl near him again booting,
the one in the distance did so, and again and
again repeated the dismal wand.

This seemed to put the miner on the qui vice,
and he cautiome made his way in the direction
of the grave.

Keeping under the ridge of the hill, and along
its side he had to necossanly travel slowly, so
th .t it took him quite a long time to reach the
spot he desired, and which he knew would com.
u. .m a viswof the little glen and the white
cm_. that marked the grave of Ed Elgia andrhis
Angel.

Before hereachell the desind spot, he hoard

, for he had but to hint to l

termined to make some effort to solve ‘

 

et remained 3

 

the boot of the owl, coming as though from the
very grave.

But, when he arrived where he could see the
cross, grim and white through the darkness, the
owl was silent.

But for awhile only, and then came the boot,
as though from the mine.

And, on to the mine the
his way, until he at last st under the cliff.

But all was silent there. Entering the dis~
mal-looking hole he felt around it, and finding
nothing, as he seemed to have half expected to
do. he came out once more into the air.

Then he walked slowl along the trail, and
halted when he came to t e grave.

The boot of the owl had ceased, and all was
silent about the desolate and sacred spot.

Going from the grave to the hillside, he made
his way cautiously once more back to the cabin,
or rather to his position in front of it.

He had not been there a moment, before he
saw a dark form glide up the trail.

Halting, the intruder looked about him, and
then moved forward once more.

His steps were bent for the cabin, but he ap-
proached with great caution. - '

It was very evident to the Kid Glove Miner
that there was nothing ghostly about that tall,
large form.

Arriving at the cabin door the man halted,
and, bending over, seemed to listen.

Then he again rose to an upright position, and
was moving slowly away in the direction of the
grave, when the Kid Glove Miner sprung over
the ridge of the hill and cried, sternly:

“ Stand, or you are a dead man i”

The intruder started, turned, and quick as a
flash came the report of a pistol, as he threw
forward his weapon.

At the same instant the miner pulled trigger,
for he had not expected a shot from his foe, and
the man fell to the ground with a heavy thud.

Quickly he sprung to the side of the fallen
man and laid his h nd upon his head.

“ Yes, it was a deathehot, for I feel my bullet-
hole in his forehead.

“ But I am Wounded, too, rind I will seek
Powell‘s services as quickly as possible, and ur-
ry my game with me."

Five minutes after the Kid Glove Miner was
ridingqu the mountain rrail, and upon the
horse he was leading behind him hung the limp
body of the mau'whom his dastlrshot had slain.

CHAPTER XXVI“.

'rns: men‘s mo sum
Tun sun was just rising when the Kid Glove
Miner struck the first camps of Golden Gulch,
and the sleepy denizens, g ancing at the horse-
man, looked on with amazement as they saw
who it was, and that he had bagged some human

game.
“Thar‘ll be music u at ther Gold Brick,

ponds, and 1 goes,” cri a burl miner and this

seemed to be the general sent out, for when

host-hunter made

; Horace Hale arrived at the hotel he had a fol-
' lowiis 1 of

half a hundred men.
He ad been recognized as the Kid Glove
Mina:I and the 'Ghnst Huntermnd, seeing that
he ha comeintchlden Gulch theoitisenawere
bound to know all that‘he con d tell about the
mysteries up in the mountains.

his desire waggy no means lessened by the
fact that he car ‘ “hi ame” in his pack-
sadrge, as some one call t corpse upon the

arse.

Arriving at the Gold Brick. the Kid Glove
Miner raised the heavy body in his arms and
bore it into the hallway with an ease that dis.
played marvelous stren h.

‘ Give me a room qn ck l” he asked the clerk,
and one was hastily assigned him.

Thither be here the body, and then, locking
the door, sought the room of Dr. Powell, the
crowd gasin after him‘ in muttering wonder,
and, in ther disa ntment, betsking them-
selves to the delightful haunt of Jacques, whose
assistants were at once set to work with a will
quenching the thirst of the early risers.

Again was the doctor aroused from his “ wak-
ing up nap " by a knock at his door. and upon
Openin it he cried out in glad surprise:

“ el by the Rockiesi but I am glad to 890
you!

“ But you look pale.” .

“ i am bleeding from a slight wound in my
Inn Which I came to ask you to dress for me.”

‘u'li'3 “1 mt?“ d 1 t h

‘ l‘OWO ourtbin an e me ave a
look at if.” y gs

Without asking how it was meiwd, the doc.-
tor set to work. and soon discovered a bullet-
wound just below the shoulder.

“ I hope it has not hurt. the W6.” ha Mid.

“ it was checked by the bone. I think, for I
felt the shock, though the charge seemed very
light, or it would have gone through.”

“ We will soou see,” and Doctor Powell ran
his probe into the wound, the miner not flinch-
ing. -

“ Now we have it,” and a moment after the
bullet was taken out.

“The charge was light, as you say, Hale. for
2: will see that the bullet was not flattened by
hulld’pg the bone; and the wound will rapidly

 

Dressing it quickly, the arm was then hung in
a slim , and the miner said:

" ow, Powell, I suppose you would like to
know how I got shot!"

“ I confess to some little curiosity on that
score,” answered Frank l’owell, with one at his
genial smiles.

“ Well, finish dressing and Igo down with me
toroom nlIimber tvlvo, whorl-fed tl’iiave what some
miner, as came a ong, ca g game.

“ Ahi you killed him, then?”

“ The ’man who shot me?”

“Oh .yes, and I think you will recognise
 hilt while you are dressing I will tell you
a

The Kid Glove Miner then related the Lacie
known to the reader, and, as they were about
to leave the room. Frank Powell said: - ~

“ Pardon me, Hale, but I notice that {our
gloves are all sailed with blood, and if you 0 feet
to going bare-handed I will let you have a pair
of mine. ” '

The miner’s face flushed, but he said quietly:

“ Thank you, Powell, but I have others, and
these are in bad shape, I admit.” -

He walked to the window as he spoke, drew
from an inner pocket of his minin v-shirt a. new
pair of gloves, and begun to
soiled one from the left hand. '

In this arm he had been wounded; but beacon
drew on the clean love, and then the right
hand followed, Fran Pewell the while cleaning
up his surgical instruments, and taking no notice
0 him a parently. »

“ Par on my detaining you, but I am ready
now,” said the Kid Glove Miner, and the two
descended to the lower floor, where they came in
for most critiml oleervation.

it was observed at once that the miner
wore his arm in a sling, and also that he had
on a pair of new kid gloves. ,

But the crowd had little time for observy
tion, as the miner led the way to the room In
which he had left the corpse. ,

Openin the door, he called to Major august!
enter wit them, and the three walked into the

ocm.
“ Danger Dan l” if
he namecams from the lips of both the
doctor and the major simultaneously.

“ Yes, he is the same one I met in the mm
Mine, and who gave me the warning about the
mine,” said the miner. _  ,1 .;
“He has met a just fate, andI willtellyou
whoheis. _ H 

“ See here l” . g .r

The doctor threw open the heavy shirt as be
spare, and there was revealed upouthe broad
c t, pricked in with Indian ink, a pair-of
crossed sabers, and the name: a ,

“DANIEL Duncan, ~
501 Cavalry, U. S. Army!

“ This man,” continued the doctor, ‘f whenI
was on- postrduty, killed an oflcer and when
in the guard—house, awaiting uni, muslin
guard and fled.

“He was sentenced to he shot wherever and ,

whenever found, but he managed to

"I do not remember to have seen i. m
when at the post, but, when I was takingna'rh
of him here once, I saw his name, as you see
it now. . v .. “

‘3 It was some time after his crime, andIdid
not care to have the man’s life on my muscles:
by betrayingl him, so I kept his secret,,uu
t at nig t e turned upon me here In the
hotel, and knowing that I recognized him, he
was but too glad to get out as I ordered. .1 ..

“ You have killed ig game indeed, Hale: but
did you find nothing about him, or did you
search himf’ ‘ V, , 2' .,

“ I searched him, and, besides his arm-J
this buckskin bag of gold, which is"mfliciedl;’_
bury hid}, it the major will be good enough.
see to i . ,

“ Certainly and with pleasure, and Ill” .lant
all such devils that you will kill, mun-ca, a

may;i own expense," said the major, and then he
a

rd: ..

“ I’ll send Digger Dave. as our undertaker is
called, to rig him up and plant him at once. and
thereéll be cash enough over to treat the boyssll
roun . . ..

“ But come, gentlemen, let us have a glass to
invigorate after this solemn occasion, and then
go Ti: breakfast}; ” d 7, ..' 

e “g assto nvig'orate was is need wi
by both the doctor and the minepf, tut)“:
breakfast was done ample justice to, ard drip ‘
the while spent at the table. the crowd a,

the Gold Brick increased vastly, all anxious , ‘

see the Kid Glove Ghost Hunter, who
brought in such " big game.” ,

CHAPTER XXIX.
Guanine ron rm: inns. . I ,,,.~
Tu excitement in Golden Gulch wasth
when it became known that Danger Dan was
the game which the Kid Glove Miner had
brought down. , '
He had not been liked in the mines,an in

‘., .
r

 

fact was ere-ti t ed tow regret hit
having been ex le§%'%dmm- . 5  343,: c
The citiasns ‘ um the death 

raw 01 the

 

ind
.. mud, when night came on, all eager to wit-
Th

 

‘1 8 ._,__,____. 

.—

perado would clear up the glmat. izij.-w‘..~x';.-, and '
were sorely disappointed that it did mot.
Frank Powell had told just who Danger Dan
had been, and about his crime, and had made
known the facts of'his having been killed by the
miner, but that was all he could tell. - ‘

“ Hain’t or seen ther hosts!” asked acurious

fellaw‘of t e Kid Glove iner.
' “Oh, yesl Ni htly I hear or see them, but
I do not trouble i. am, and they seem to let me
alone, except the warnings they give me to leave
the mine," was the quiet answer.

“Waal, you has ther narve ter ketch Satan
by his horns and jerk his forked tail out by ther
roots,” said the admiring miner, and this user-
tion of what Horace Hale had the nerve to do
was-received with a cheer.

After breakfast the Kid Glove Miner went
out to make a purchase of some stores to carry
back with him, and Frank P0well and Faro

accompanied him.

This bein ~attended to, Horace Hale asked:

“ How is lackstone, doctor?”
' "‘All' right, I may say, as he was at Faro
Fmd‘s last night.”

“ ndeed!” ‘

“ es: and he played heavily too,” said the

gum bier.
‘ "‘ 'Ilhen he gambled!”

“Oh, yes; and won.”

“He is now asleep], I believe, but before you

' back we will see im, if you say so,”said the

‘ actor. ~
' - “I-am more than willing, Powell.

“ In fact, if he will play me tonight for the
mine I will remain over.”

“ He will do it, I’ll we r: and he had luck
with him last night,” said- aro Fred.

“ Well, we’ll see who wins to night,” was the
Quiet response.
" Upon returning to the Gold Brick Plug Chew
told the doctor that William Blackstone was up
and dressed, and word was sent to ask if he
would receive visitors. ‘

“He see Melican man allee samee,” was Plug

‘ w’s answer. ‘
' "The three then went up to the room, and were
greeted by William Blackstone in his courtly
wav.
5 He looked pale and thinner. butsaid he felt
all right, and that his wound gave him no
trouble. ‘
" ‘i‘ I am ' to see that'you are wounded, Mr.
Hale ” he sai , in a kindly'tone.
: e 1’: a slight. I am glad to say, and the doctor
says will be all ri ht soon.”

‘I have heard rom Plug Chew, my medium
of news 3'1.“ you killed a man up at the.mina

ni ‘ -

I "Yes, a fellow whom the dector knew as a
murdering soldier, and whom he had exiled.

“He was at the cabin thou b, and not the
mine, and when I sought to m 0 him stand he
gave me, this wound.”
‘, 7‘“ 'en '01! shot himi”
‘ " I a second after his shot.”
" " You are fortunate it was no worre; but when
pro we to havs our game, Mr. Hale!"
’ “ I told the doctor and Mr. Fairbanks that I
would remain over tonight, if you felt able to

‘JOh yes, do so and we will settle the matter,
 if you win 1’] throw the ghoata in.
,, .“ Have they disturbed you of latel”
‘ {‘Inwsome way I know of the" .- presence every

' ' And'youj have found no solution to the
m "7‘ ,

0
, “This is remarkable, for I cannot understand
what it all means.”

“ “Noreen 1, air.
. “Ionly wish to God that I could," and the
,Kilelovo Miner who with an earnestness that
was? no means signed.
" "‘ r. Hale, I am no coward, I believe: but
candidly, I’d not stay a night in that cabin
niche for an equal sum to that left me by poor
and his wife," said William Blackstone
impressively. '

‘ Nor would I,” added Faro Fred.

Frank Powell laughed, and William Black
atone said:

“Oh you can laugh, Powell, for you are ac-
customed to being with the dead and coverin
them up after death; but I tell you frankly,
hate anything that I can’t understand.”

“ I am not naturally su rstltlous, either, but
when Doc told me all the took place up there,
I weakened. and I on ghosts any time,
yew,” said Faro .

:Eorace Hale made no re ly, and soon after

“a r adjourned to d nner, where they

ions the room crowded, and that during the

:{leal the Kid Glove Miner was the cynosure of
eyes.

As he wanted a “ full house,” Faro Fred made
known to Jacques that the mine was to be
“and lust a large sum. and plsved for by
the Kid lovo Miner and William Blackstone,

consequently the Temple was densely

th interesting game.
e nenters of the “Tem le” had been

i tertained the n ht he ore, when the
 in,l'aconmpanied'hy Wil-

 

meandaaleveflietli

“r.” Wm. lesione, who had atouce begun to play

. lien 

.4 - . ‘

He had also won heavily, and the news had
circulated that the inherilor of Ed Elgin’s dust
was a game player, and would doubtless be on
hand t e next night. '

Faro Fred was on hand, calm and smiling, for
whether his money was going out or coming
in, it made no difference with his mien or
humor. -

- He was always the same, winning or losing,
and a favorite at all times.

A few of the better class of miners dropped
in- early and began playing, then others strag—
gled along, and games were going merrily.

Yet all kept their eyes on the door for the
coming men who were such attractions in
Golden Gulch.

At last in came Major Simon .Suggs, and with
him was William Blackstone. ;

Faro Fred welcomed them, and invited them
tohis private table, at the same time ordering
me.

“Is not the Kid Glove Miner coming to-
night?” asked a mine: of the major.

‘ Ah, yes; but he went off with the doctor to
see a patient, and will come from there direct-
ly here,” was the answer.

All eyes scanned the face of William Black-
stone, and he stood the ordeal with some nervous-
ness, Faro Fred thought.

But soon the door 0 ned and Frank POWell
entered, and with him was the Kid Glove
Miner.

Faro Fred advanced toward them and led
them to his table, while every eye was upon
the man who had dared dwell in the haunt of
ghosts. ,

Faro Fred saw that he met the ordeal with
an air of utter indiflvrence, as he smiling]
bowed to the major and his intended opponen .

Taking his seat he glanced over the sea of
faces, nodding here and there, as he was spoken
to by some one, and his appearance so won upon
the crowd that a voice cried:

“Three cheers for ther Kid Glove Miner,
pardsl" ‘

With a vim they were given, and rising
Horace Hale bowed his thanks, and turning to
the bar-tender said pleasantly:

“ The gentlemen seem thirsty, so please place
before them what they desire to order.”

Another cheer greeted these words, and Wil-
liam Blackstone paused and hit his lip [for it
told him that his oppomnt carriadsthe wishes of
the crowd with him. 

After a short while the doctor said:

l“Fred, hilt] Blackstone mad Mr. ibis! int‘eind
ayin a tt e me toget er, so in ve
ghem a‘pack of cgards.” . »y

“Certainly, Doe.” and .a fresh deck was
placed upon the table while the two players
took seats opposite to each other.

Instantl the crowd athered around, and
William lackstone cal ed for pan, ink and

r. .
page articles were promptly furnished, and he
said pleasantly:

per, Mr. Hale, trans~

“ I will draw you up a
ferringto you all m ri t and title to my in-
heritance of the El inc, and you can cover
the document with your money.”

“That will do, air,” said the Kid Glove
Miner, and William Blackstone hastily drew u
the transfer per, signed it. and then Fran
Powell, Faro red, and Major Simon Suggs at-
tached their signatures as witnesses.

As it was placed upon the table the Kid
Glove Miner promptly took out a roll of bank-
nores and covered t, while he said:

“ There are twenty-ave hundred dollars there,
Mr. Blackstone, which I believe was the sum
a e upon. .

WCorrect. sir."

The draw was made for the deal, and the Kid
Glove Miner won, amid a murmur of ap lanes,
and he shuffled in a skillful way and don t.

“Om- game, air, or best two in three?” asked
the minor.

“ As you please, sir.”

“ Suit yourself.”

“ Then settle it by one game."

Horace Hale bowed, and the game was be
gun.

Both men played well, that was evident, and
a deathlike silence rested upon all during iis
continuance, which broke out in cxclamatlona
2f tdisnppointm nt as the Kid Glove Miner

8 .

“ Replace the Ipaper. if you please, Mr. Black-
stone, and I wi cover it again,” was the cool
reply. and a yell broke forth at the words, for
the oolrers-on were terribly excited.

“Certainly, sir.”

Again the paper was cOVered by the sum be-
fore put upon it, and again the game was be-
gun. , ,

But once more the Kid Glove Miner lost.

“Luck is against you, Mr. Bale,"rsald Wil-
liam Blackstone with a light laugh.

“ So far it seems so; but will you try again?"
was the exceedingly calm reply. '

“ With pleasure.’ --

Once again the deed to the mine was covered
h the amount demanded, and a third time did
t a Kid Glove Miner lose. .

 

 

But he remained ' , fectlycool, far more so
than was William kstone. .

In fact he was the only calm man. in the room,
as Faro Fred, never before seen excited, even
at his own slosses, was now really anxious. and
whis red: . . .l

“ owell, I like that follow, and if youphave
any influence with him, don’t let him throw
away his money on that infernal old mine, fcr
:his ,Blackstone has a run of luck that is cer-
am.

Before the doctor could reply, the Kid Glove
Miner asked: -:

“Will you try a fourth ame, sir?"

“ I will, for in gambling enjoy life,” was the

replvv. , . V
hen the miner had a fourth time covered the
deed, Blackstone said:

“ You carry a large sum with you sir.”

“Not more, it seems, than I need tonight,”
was the smiling response.

Then the fourth game was played and ended
as before. _ o - y -

But the miner‘s face did not chan e as ha
picked up the cards and shuffled them 5 lfully
with the hand that rested in the sling.

As he remained quiet, William Blackstone
said in a joyous tone: .

“I have a run of fortune, sir, I do not fear to
risk so will t again if you wish 3”

“Not to-nig t. for confers to having struck
bed rock,” was orace Hale’s nfly.

“Permit me to stake you, r. Hale,” said
Frank Powell quicklv. -

“ Thank ou, doctor; but as I am a stranger
to you I wi not ask such a favor."

“Nonsense, I will gladly lend you tho
money.” , 4

“ As frankly as you offer if, sir. I accept it,"
was the reply. v . . .,
a “ You are right! ‘ "

“Herc, Fred, let me have twenty-five 'hun-
dred.” said Frank Powell. . v

"Certainly and if Mr. Hale needs another
stake, he can have it from me,” was Faro Fred’s

response. 1 .
“And I’ll be generous too ” and there was
something like a sneer in William Blackstone’s
tone as he spoke: ; ,
“And place the ten thousand I have won
upon the deed.” : ,- ~~ .- ~1-
“ Don’t be a domed fool, pard,” said a miner

bluntly. ._ I

“No, luck is more flckler than a gal,” said
another., ; _ . . .. A,  -

“I risk the money on the deed- six, for, if I
lose, I simplfieam out the mine an what I won
from you. sides, Mr. Hale. I shall not lose,”
was the smiling reply of William Blackstone,
as he placed the deed and the ten thousand in

bank— ills upon the table. .

“ Do I understand. air.- that on place all this
against my. twenty-five bundled" asked the
minor. - / , ’ -.

“I do “I.”

“ I refuse to play. at each odds. sir.”

“Thea cover h bet with fan thousand, for
I’ll stake you,” excitedly said Faro Fred. .

“Thank you. MI. Fairbanks,, Laoccptiyour
kind offer, sir, for, if I lose, I nature you can.
payback your money.” .

“ I do not doubt it.

“ Herc, Mert, hand me over ten thousand,”
and Faro Fred called out to his cashier. who got
it from the safe, as he had the sun which Frank
Powell had drawn for the miner.

“:Make this the best two in three games,
lease,” id William Blackstone, with some
ittle exc temth of manner. '
. “Certainly,” was the quiet response, and the
first game was begun. '

Slowly each man played, and it ended in the
miner losing again.

Not a word was said, other than a call for
drinks, and the second game was commenced.

It seemed to be tedious played, but at he
ended, and wiih a about 0 applause that made
the lessee on the bar and tables ring. ,

Kid Glove Minor had won.

William Blackstone turned deathly pale, and
dashed off a glass of brandy in a nervous way'
but no sign of eXcitement rested on the face 0
the miner.

It was William Blackstone’s turn to shame
and deal, and he did so, with seeming great

care.

Each man took up his cards. the miner’s hand
as firm as iron, and once,.more the silence of
death rei ned in the crowded room.

As the sat card was thrown down by the Kid
Glove Miner the building shook under the storm
of applause, for he had won the mine. . -

And more, he had won back his money risked ‘
to sin the mine.

at he was rfectl cool, and called for
drinks, while W lliam lackstone was evidently
hit hard

But he checked back his emotion and said:

“Will on play again, Mr. Halal”

“ No. a r. for the games I had tonight with
you, are the first I ever played for a wager, and
the shall be the last,” was the response.

illiam Blackstone hit his lips, and turning
to Frank Powell asked:

“ Do you play, dootori”
l~ fills).th do not gamble." . y ,

,1
a up

_.._.._.-.-.s. , .....

 

 

u... -.-... _ _

v? est-Ll ybmsirf" and he turned to’ Faro Fred,
who answered indifferently: . ,. 9»

“As you please, sir: but as your luck has
changed, you had‘better await another night.”

“1am the bass judge of that, sir,” was the
haughty answer. 7 - a   ‘

“Certain! ,” was the cool reply; and Faro
Fred took is seat at the table while Frank
Powell and the Kid Glove Miner leit the Temple,
Major Sungs remaining to return home with
his rich guest.

CHAPTER XXX.
, THE RETURK 'ro ELGIN MINE.

AT an early hour the foilowin morning the
Kid Glove Miner arose, and , rank Powell
dressed his wound for him, after which the two
went down to breakfast,for the decror had prom-
ised Horace Hale that he would accompany him
to the cabin, , 5

As they descended to the office they were
confronted by Major Suggs, his eyes bloodshot,
and hazard- '

6‘s

 

f

y, major, you are up early!” said the

slogan . . ,
as—been ugail night, Doc, or it wouldn t

haze occurred. at you missed it—you missed

“Missed what, major?”

“The trim” and it was very evident that the
major‘had been imbibing freely. ‘

“ What fun?"

“ Ohl you haven’t heard it, eh i" .

“No; and it don't seem as if we were likely
to, from you. ' '

“ Come, what did we miss?”

“ You know that fool?"

tire: to] ~

a ne. .

“ , yes; but I didn’t knew him by his other
name.” . , , '

“ What name, Doc?" _

u EIan ~

“Doc, you are poking fun at me.”

“ No, major; but what of Blackstone!”

“ Be ‘ is a fool. "

d" 
i,“  ,b I. V

. e at there last night and lost forty
thousang‘donirsl” 1

0|  >
"Fact." ' ' 7
“ Lost forty thou d dollars, major!”
“Fact; for I sawuhii’n lose'it.” , ’_
"Howl" . . .
“Gambled it away; for Faro Fred won it,

alth h e t tellin the fool not 'to' la .
nefiimfliugn he got“ ton thdisimd imi’n
F .

“But helnst that, and thirty thousand more.”

“ Then, if he..has nothin else than what 1

'd over to him, which was eft him by Elegant
EBMNSA! 9,1. he’ll soon be r’: or one-half
of his fortune as gone,” said ank owell.

“Fact—for he has only twenty-one thousand
ski-tee hundred dollars in my ads now.”

N Whei'eis he!” asked the miner.

“In bed.” ,
u 3 ' ' *

H Oh, no forhe quit drinking when he began
to learn; at have an eye-opener with me,
"3&6, thank you, major; .our eyes are wide
0 , and another opener Willabout close you"
up," and the doctOr arid the minor continued on
to st their breakfast. . .

:1 after they were mounted and riding to-
ward the mountains, leading the pack-horse,
loaded down with provisions.

As‘they rode along there were many who re-

nised theKidGlove Miner, and Wished him
luc which canned the doctor to say: .

“ You have won the hearts of all in Golden
Gulch, ale.”

The miner smiled, and answered:

“ Not all I guess, for Blackstone does not re-

me avorably, I fear nor does the band

own as the Seven Stars.’

“ Curse those fellowa, I have been watching
them closely of late, for I only_ wish to get a
chance to catch them in some deviltry,_and then
they'll have to bang or travel, for I believe they
are secret] at the bottom of half the mischief
in Golden ulch."

“tor a brisk ride of an hour and a half the
two friends drew rein before the door of the
Ellis! cabin, and at the same time the eyes of
the octor “and miner fell 11 n another placard
that had been stuck up, evi ently as a warning.

“ Read your missive, Hale, and 1 will look
after the homes.” said the doctor, and the miner
Stepped forward and took down the piece of

aper from the door, and which had been fas—
Emed “9 by m‘ing'mx, stamped with the
same seal used before.

With a clouded brow the mine, read:

" The end is coming. (01‘. in spite of all warnings.
you refuso to heed-

“ Once more this warning is given!

“ Leave this spot forever ere it is too hm

" Remain here, and it will be fatal to you,

“Go. I outmt 701% 801 . u n

For some time he stood in silence, a strange
look a n his face, and when the doctor cam.
3 anfioinad hill, ho Infill“! handed him the

 

...‘

C ' jnhaimdamnfiMinarr

I .

 

 

Frank Powell read it carefully through twice,
andthensaid: -  ‘: = 
“ Lois was the name of Ed’s wife!” I a ,

«A Yes. 7’ . . I
“ Well, what will you do?"

dum.”
 Bravo for you, Hale!
“ Now let us get your stores in the cabin, and

l
l .
l

l
“Follow the inotto’s advice of nil desperan- , the doctor urgoditba man.“ comeuppto-liis
. . , r

l

--_. _ M...

so. do not'y'oilnespsin’! and FiukrBtnysll spoke
ina'kindlyetone. W7 ' 113-, l~ 3'; .. “nitii xi)
“Burl dodespiirr-snd tonight Eaton spa:
the downward road.”  . 

They had now reached “afield Bli‘h'ind

00m. ‘ ; {*7
But he refused, and demanded his money--
“ Here,'msjor, I have five hundred dollars of

then we‘ll have a look around to see if the  Mr. Blackstone‘s money, and it is all he Lari”

ghosts have been digging any gold during your
absence.”

All was soon in order in the cabin, and than
the two man went down toward the mine,
Powell sa iirg sadiy as he D88$0d the grave:

“Poor and his Angel!

“ These infernal ghosls would cause us to be-
lieve that they do not rest in peace.”

The Kid Glove Miner made no reply, and they
soon reached the mine.

But there all was found as it had been left,
and returning to the cabin, after an hour’s talk
t, ther, the doctor mounted his horse and set

a n his return to Golden Gulch, leaving
the 'id Glove Miner once more alone in his
newly-acquired but desolate heme.

 

CHAPTER XXXI.
THE RUINED GAKBLER.

FOR several days Golden Gulch was kept in a
fever of excitement, for nightly did William
Blackstone go to the Temple and play heavily
against Faro Fred, and, with a loss of luca,
which slowly decreased his fortune.

At last he want one night. phle, haggard, and
determined, and he carried with him two thou-
sand dollars, every dollar he had in the world,
he told Frank Powell.

“ You are a fool to risk it then on a game of
chance.” was the blunt reply.

" Bat luck may turn in my favor.”

“ Bah! What if it does, and you win back all
you have lost, you will still keep gambling, and
again be .i’

“No, one day I Will be ric .”

“ You may and the next be a upor.”

“ Come and see mo play tonig t.”

“ Upon one condition.’

“ Name it, doctor.”

“ That you deposit with mo five hundred dol-
lars of your money, in case you lose the bal-

“ Agrssd,”- and the money, to the amount of
five hundred, was counted out and handed over
to the doctor.

Than the two walked around to Faro Fred‘s.

A large crowd had assembled, expecting the
coming of William Blackstone, and smaller
games were in full blast when he entered.

Faro Fred met them, and said shortly:

“ Have you come to play, Mr. Blackstone!”

“I have air.”

“wen, i desire to say a word to you.”

“ I am all attention.”

“ It is not my desire to rain on
Embllng - hell, and I. wish to to

ow not what your

man in in
you that
ncomo or your wealth

may be, but, as I have card it reported that I .

am winning all you are'worth, I have on! to
say that this night, whether you win or ose,
must end your playing here."

“This is rather severe, sir, for if I lose it is
my own lookout,” was the haughty repl .’

“It shall be my lookout, sir, whet or you
win back what you have lost, or ose what you
riski tonight, to see that you shall not play here
aga n.

“ I am a gambler, and I make nay-money by
the turn of a card; but I 'will°not take the last
mone a man has, nor will I ’have it said that I
know ugly do so,

“You may be worth manya thousand, but
whatever you have, to-night ends your playing
here. though I shall always'be glad to see you
and entertain you.”

“Thank you. sir.

“Now let us to our game, and there is my
Stake.”

He threw down five hundred dollars as he
spoke and he won the money.

_lnstantly be staked what he had won. and
his own fifteen hundred upon the next game,
and again he won.

The entire amount then went on the turn of
the next game, and he lost,

He turned of an aslien hue, and said, hoarse-

y:

“Powell, give me that money of mine i”

“1 will no doso now. To-morrow you can
have it.”

“ 1 wish it now.”

“ I will not give it up to you now."

“ Then come.”

He arose from the table and left the saloon,
accompanied by the doctor.

“ Powell, I am a mined man i” he groaned, as
he stepped out into the street.

“ You have five hundred dollars, health,
and, can get a claim here that may pay you
we .

“ Give up gambling and go to work, and you
may make our fortune. A

“ I mull]: ere zit?) buthmy iiigrse, arm and
sixt do rs,an ,t oug min g pan- out
nah for me, I am doing well at my profession,

I

 

the world, for he has lost all else to night;

"I'Whh him to invost this in a mine and. go '

to work: but if he demands it. of course I give
it up, and in your presence,” and the doctor
turpcd to Major Suggs, who nodded approv';
In y; - , -  - .- ..

I‘ Give me the money, doctor. and let megs
myway;' . . l -- , "-7.1!

“You have been kind to me, and I thank
you, though I haveseon that yon neVer liked
me ' ' l -

"Major, I believe I owe you a museum-
thine.” ' 
“Twenty-nine dollars and fifty, cents, sin,
was the prompt reply. ; - - v .; no}
The money was paid, and the ruined gambler
turned away and went—to his room, leasing thy
doctor and the major in the office. . 
In a few minutes he returned, bringing viii
him his traps. ‘ a « = . .’_ ‘-
“ Yon are not going doughy Ms. Black-
stone?” said the doctor in a kin y tone. 4.33,;
H v .n

“ 0, remain here, and in a few days-Film
you up a lead." _ , r ..;':3

“ No, thank you, I must go.” v o.

.“But where.’ . ,~  -

“ I do not know," was the low mph, andthen
came the words in a bitter tone: ; -

“ Nor do 1 care. .

" Luck came to me, and all seemed well It
has left me, and all is wrong. ' Goodman. gen-
tlemen.” ~ In:  V . 

Again he moved towardjhe door, who-mks
met the Kid Glove Miner face to face. ' xx

“ Ah, Mr. Blackstone, I came down to the
Gulchto-nizht to makeadmm
with Faro Fred. and I just _of.w-' .
fortune,” said the minor, in a feeling was  '.

“ Yes, I am ruined,” was the him: reply. — ,,

“ Not so bad as that, I hope.”

“ Even worse, for I have my all in the world
with me here, and am just starting away.”

“ No, you must remain, for I can afford todo

right by . , . . .
" Come, the mine has nned out null, for
better than I had , and I. ahall at ilEISt

insist upon paying you the “and” hundred
you-askedmsfnrit.” . .«xz .,. . is.“ "

“ No, I will not accept a ' srfrain “any «has:
but I will stake five hundr dollars, fail-th
left, against a fifth interest in the mine; and
play you for it.” ‘ -  ‘

‘ I am no gambler, sir, and, as I told you,
played my first wager game, and my lastgewith
you. ., . if '-

“But I will pay you the sum named "With
pleasure.” -_ ~ . ' '  ‘ ~

“ Good—night, Mr. Kid Glove Mbss,”-was the
rude response, and the ruined mom:
of the hotel into the darkness. - - E - ‘

“ Let him go, and mourn him not,” said the
major, sententiously. ' . in

But the doctor and the miner seemed not made
of the same cold~blooded material that the ma-
jor was composed of, and talked together to use
if something could not be done for the man, who
certainly held their pity. , .;

“He ma feel better about it in the morning
so we will ook him u and buy him a claim.“
set him to work,” sai the Kid Glove Miner. '

But with the morrow William Bi
seemed even more loamy when foetal; and
havin herded with fing in the Devil’s _
Acre, e seemed content to acce t the lot be had
chosen, and rudely repulsed the ind 069116! the
doctor and the miner, and they left him in ‘dis-
gust to his fate, which fate was to, within a few
weeks’ time. sink so low that he became known
as Black Bill the Bravo. I

Snob was the fall of William Blackstone to
Bind: Bill, a name, the latter one, which wt
soon found to fit him well. ‘ ' ' '

CHAPTER XXX".
BLONDI am. m m unseen. '

FROM some strange reason, after the hot
warning of the ghosts, stuck upon the door of
the Kid Glove Miner’s cabin, he was not tron-
bled by any more misaives of the kind, nor was
his slumber disturbed at night by songs and
guitar a usic.

Frank Powell, who madeseverai visits a week
to the cabi asserted that the killing of Dan-
ger Dan h
or shook his head at this, evddestly‘not sharing
in the docior’sopinion. ‘ "

At any rate he could
letrup in warnings, and i as the matter flied,
his slumber-s undisturbed by night, and ’his
work by day nning out richly.’ 'lt‘

In Golden lch he had become a hero, and
as polpular with the Gait-bibs as was M
Paws himself, whom all looked n n as M
Elgar idol, and insisted upon himl‘the

-.IA.

 

frightened the ghosts, but the mid- ‘

've no reason ’otrtho‘

 

 

 

' , Eta. redsbirts, an

'20

OnodaywheahorodaintotheGulch,theKid

of news as

Glove Miler heard a dartlin piece
and met Frank

he rode up to the Gold B
Powell.

“ Well. doctor what news!” asked the minor.

“Our friend nfieriy gone to the had,”
was the answer.

“ William Blackstonel”

“ Yes, known now as Black Bill, and certainly

I deserving the appellation.”

“ What has he done now?”

“ Knocked the major in the head last night.”
‘ “Killed him?”

“ Oh, no. Major Simon Buggs is 'a little
ton , and dies hard.

“ t Black Bill borrowed his urse, which
contained several hundreds, an being dis-
eoured "in the act, made a good fight and
.08 .

“ ow to dly he went downward in his
muse," nd y said the Kid Glove Miner.

"He did, indeed— Well Tempest Tom, what
lows have youl" and the doctor turned to that
worthy who just then came up, followed by
an shadOws, Lanky and Duck Le Dick.

' “I has terreport, Doc— yl Kid Glove
Era, how is yer, an’ hes yer seen ther ghosts 0’
tot" and Tom turned to the miner, and held
forth his ban .
“No, Tom, not latel .”
"‘iWaal, weal, an' I opee yer won't see ’em
11.
“But, Doc, we followed thet cantankerous
varmint, Black Bill, clean into Echo Gap, an’
ther we bed ier lose him.”

“ Could you not follow his trail?”

“ Lordy, es, only we didn’t want tar, as thar
was that I’ our doin‘ so which we didn’t wish
terntackle, seein’ as how they was too many for
us.

“ Who do you meant”

“Yr see, we’d hev overtook Black Bill, for
when bk horse were shot by lanky here he got
hurted a boiler, as we ,e’u’d see, for a run

“ But, jist as we druv him into Echo Gap,
wharhewere about torture atbay, astho‘ he
marred tor fight it out to! run on, thar came

n’ down ther canyon a band 0’ galoots thet
11st took his part.”

“ Not miners?"

“ Nar . Doc; but them road-agents.”

“ The ax-gatherersl”

u “m.”

“ The are a bad lot, and you did right not
to a them.”

“The was Jist a leetle too numerous, we

’ an’ they oonntia’ nine.

" at w does yer think I see actin’ as ther
leader, an’ who were ther fust man ter ther side
'0' Black Bill!”

“. ldo not know.”

“Goon, Doc, fer it are worth ther torture.”

“ Como, Tom, out with it.”

“Waal, it were Blonde Bill.”

“ hat"

I‘ “a”

" Has be taken to highway robbing?”

“ 80 it seems.”

“Pu-hqisthe men saw were not the hand
of road-agents we caiIPI‘IIax-gatherers.”
“ I hows ’em,

Doe for they all wears black
d white limos hats, don’t

y!"
.“Yes, so Monk Harris and those who have
timm report."
“ Waal th'x’ was (ire-ed that way.”
“ And Bio Bill, tool”
“ng he were in his mining-rig; but I knows

“Yes, h: is a man not easily forgotten if

once seen. ,

“ He was the man that I saw at the
mm and his wife, I believe!” said
Gl‘ove Miper.

“And he has taken to road robbiugi”

“ it seems.

“ I have long suspected he was up tomiscbief,
but could not at proof of it.

' “But, now. f be has taken to the road and
has Black Bill as an ally, they will make it
hot for the stages.” -

“ You bet they will, Doc,” said Tempest Tom,
while Lanky added:

“An’ they’ll

g0es well oaded new.”

‘ ‘ as. an’ some 0’ ’em will git lead in ’em,”
put in Duck Leg Dick.

v The three hunters then went on into the hotel,
to interview Jacques and in a short while the
news spread through Golden Gulch that Black
Bill had turned road-agent and had joined a
band which had for its on tain none other than
Blonde Bill, a miner wel known to many of
the chites as a silent man, working a lead
some distanco away, and about whom there
seemed to hang a mystery.

Andthis man it was, a stranger to Black Bill,
.who had saved him from capture and death, for

, his capture by the hunters on his trail meant

in death when they took him back to
Golden Gulch and gave him up to the Vigi-

btai, under the circum-

ve of
he Kid

V.  cone.“ ides
. > since. "taewnck Bill would unite an we

 

The  Glove Miner.

 

tunes with Blonde Bill, and become one of the
dreaded Tax-gatherers of the mountain trail
over which the sta to and from Golden Gulch
had to pass three tlmes a week each way.

 

CHAPTER XXXIII.
TAKING TOLL.

“Tm hes been trouble ahead, an’ I are
ther man ter find it out.”

The speaker was Monk Harris, a personage
already know to the reader, and the driver of
the stage in and out of Golden Gulch.

He was driving along the coach trail, oin at
a slow pace, for he was ascending a bi , w en
he suddenl discovered two persons in the road
ahead of t em.

One of these was a man of fifty, with
gray hair and mustache, a military air, and who
was suffering from a severe out upon the head,
which a maiden, the second person, was en-
deavoring to bind up.

The maiden’s face was pale, yet very beau-
tiful, and she possessed a form of exquisite
grace.

At one side of the road was an ambulance,
to which no horses were attached, and the
vehicle had the appearance of having been
rifled of its contents.

As they drew near, Monk Harris explained
to a pamnger, who set upon the box with
him, w )0 those ahead were.

He said, in his uaint way:

“It are Colone Roland, the superintendent
o’ ther comp’ny started fer ther new mine at
_GoldensGulch, which they calls ther Bonanaer,
whatever that may mean.

“ He, ther colonel, were a army officer onst,
I beur tell, but resi ed on account 0’ losin’ a
arm which yer sees e hain’t got but one.

“The gal are his darter, Ruby Roland, ther
colonel calls her, an’ of she hain’t ther swoetest
plum o’ ther puddin’ the Lord take me fer a liar.

“Yer see the was a-comin’ by stage, but
ther colonel b so much truck ter briu , that
he bou ht an ambulance an' ho an’ int hes
kept a ng with ther coaches all t er way, so
Driver Bent told me at ther last station.

“I know’d ther colonel were goin’ on ahead,
havin' heerd him 'say so, an’ I told him ter hev
a keer ’bout ther Tu-gatherers, an’ now er sees
they hev been ordered ter halt, an’ it 0 look
as though they’d been treated shabby; but of
them devils hes said a cruel word ter thet pretty

1, I’ll jist tell Dec Powell, or the Kid Glove

iner, an’ of they don’t make it hot fer them
Road Collectors, you kin shoot me fer a born
fool.
“ Hello, colonel, hes yer been robbed?” and
drawin his team to a halt Monk Harris rung
from t e box and approached the gent man
and his daughter.

“ Yes, driver, we were set upon by two men I
did not we t as villains, and I was struck here
on the h , as you see, and stunned.

“ Then they robbed us of our money, and my
daughter's jeWelry, went through our tra ,
took our horses and decamped, not live minu
before you came in sight."

“Two men, yer say, colonel?”

“Yes, a large, suSerb-looking man with long
black hair and bear .”

“ Black Bill, as I lives,” cried Monk Harris.

“ The other was a smaller man, of slender
form, "and with light-brown hair and a full

“Blonde Bill, his pard; tut, colonel, jist it
inter ther hearse, you an’ yer darter, an’ ’ll
hev yer inter Golden Gulch in half a hour, an'
then yer’ll see how quick my pards will start on
the trail 0’ them two cusses.

“Don’t mind yer ambulance, fer we’ll send
back for it, and ther are no fear 0’ it bein’ dis-
tarbed.”

The advice of Monk Harris was quickly fol-
lowed by Colonel Roland and his daughter, and
sprin ing upon his box once more the driver
gut his team flying along the road to Golden

ulch.

Those who saw the coach coming. at full speed
of the horses thou ht that some kind passenger
had gotten Monk arris drunk.

But be ruined up in splendid style, Just at the
door, and sung out to rank Powell, who was

: seated on the pane of the Gold Brick, talking

t considerable dust, fer ther :

1
l
l

l

to the Kid Glove Miner:

“ Ba , Doc, gitl inter yer saddle, you an’
Kid G ovee, fer tha'r has been ther devil ter pa
back down ther road, an’ Black Bill and Blon e
Bill hev been ther sarpints that did it.”

As Doctor Powell and the miner sprung to
the side of the coach, Colonel Roland dis-
mounted, and in a few words told his story.

“Quick. Hale, get our horses read , and ask
Faro Fred to join us—yes, and t ere come
Tempest Tom and his pards, so mount them on

good horses, tee, and we’ll need no others.”
“’00 tin’ genre truly, fer I goes too, Doc,”
cried onk arris.

“ All right; Monk, we could wish for no better
man, so get ready as quickly as you can, while
I look after this gentleman, whom I see is
wounded.”

Frank Powell led the colonel into the hotel,
while the major escorted the beautiful Ruiz:z
sndiaa veqahort time‘hehad dressed

  

 

r

'i
wound, and promising to bring be<k their
stolen property, he left the father and daugh
ter.

Five minutes after they saw him ride awayp'
accompanied by six ot er horsemen, all 0;";
them armed to the teeth.

CHAPTER XXXIV.
'rnn PURSUIT.

“ BILL. they are ining upon us.”

“That is so, Blon y.”

The first s aker was the man that had been
known as illiam Blackstone, but who had
gone downward ill his course until he bed
turned to highway robbery and leagued himsg
with his companion, Blonde Bill, the leaders}
the Tax-gatherers. n'vl

They had intended robbing the stage, but had
come upon the ambulance of Colonel Roland,
and the result we already know. in.

With their plunder packed u n the bore»
taken from the ambulance, an rejoicin in a
rich haul of money and jewelry, they ha left
the scene of the robbery and gone leisurely
upon their way, not dreadin pursuit, for not
once had their depredations een punished by
the people of Golden Gulch.

Haitiu for rest, they ate their lunch, and
then, as e day was warm, indulged in a short

na .
gut, as they mounted their horses, they sud-
denl discovered a party of horsemen coming
rapi ly upon their trail.
‘ Pursued, by Heaven i” cried Blonde Bill.

“Yes, and I know those men,” answered
Black Bill.

Instantly they urged their own, and the am-
bulnnce horses forward at full speed in flight.

Looking back, Black Bill said:

“ They have pressed their, horses hard, and
ours have the advantage of a rest.

“But we must not let them come up, for they
are no men to trifle with.” .

“ I see the Kid Glove Miner there,”_ said
Blonde Bill.

“ Yes and Doctor Powell, and Faro Fred,
Monk Barrie the stage-driver, ay and those
three hunters.

“I tell you, Blondy, we are in far it "

“ We must fight."

“Bah! fight those men!”

“Why not!” ‘ "

“Do you know Powell!”

“B reputation.” .

“ ell, he ha terrible fellow, and he hangs
on like a bloodhound.

“ Then there is the Kid Glove Minot”

“Yes lknow him.” '

"Ami he will never say die."

“ That is his nature.”

“Thea Monk Harris is shed man to fights”

“ The driver?"

“ Yes.”

“ True, he is as fearless as a lion, as I have had
reason to know.”

“Fare Fred, too, is Satan’s own cub, as I
have had reason to know.”

“we the three others you also knOw,”
coolly d Blonde Bill.

I “I do, for they are the men you saved me
mm.

“\A queer lot, but game to the bone, and they
are seven to two of us.”

“ If we only had our boys out of the Gap.”

“ But we have not, and if we had, with you-
der arty they would do no cod.”

“ on talk as if you woul Just lay down and
let them come on and kill us.

“ No; I would surrender though.”

“ That means hanging."

" I don‘t know about that.”

“What do on mean?”

“I mean t at Powell is not aVigilante, nor
are the others, and he is o posed to hanging.

“ He will keep us for trial, and in that time
we can escape.’

“ You think so?”

“ Yes.”

“Well, we’ll do all we can to escape, and if
we find that we cannot, why we‘ll surrenderand
take the charms, for if we are put in prison
there is one who will free I18.”

“Yes, that one will free us,” said Black Bill,
and the two pressed on the harder.

Flnding that the led horses were retarding
them, they decided to let them go.

“Better give up theplunder, Blondy.”

“ So say ,” was the answer, and the led horses
were let 0.

Then t ey rode on the faster, but looked back
to see what effect their giving up their booty
had upon their pursuers. ‘

One man, Duck Leg Dick, they saw drOp
back to catch the horses and the others came '01:.

“ His horse was failing and so they used‘him,”
growled Black Bill.

“ Yes. and they are gaining,” hoarser said
Blonde Bill.

This fact was soon evident at least, that three
of the pursuers were gaining rapidly, their
horses having seemed to get their second wind
for they were caning on at a pace that would
not k them. long behind thepurs .

Deep to the flanks of their animals “the

1,}. ‘
3 .

mu;

 

l

 

,.
l

.3, tab"
4-? ‘— ’

JL

@3119  Glove Miner,

 

 

gifives drove their spurs, and urged them on
w is!) their voices.

But, though good beasts, those that followed
t‘ em were better.

..“Shall we fight, Bill, for we have but one
"me to die!”

“No, Bloody, for if we kill or wound one
they'll make quick work of us.”

“ Then what do you as ?”

“Draw rein and u with our hands.”

“ All right; when;

“Now.

Back upon their haunches the two outlaws
then reined their horses, and up above their
heads went their hands.

Thus they remained, awaiting the coming of
th zir foes.

l moment after and Frank Powell and the

lGlove Miner darted up, followed by Faro

5d.

“ Mr. Blackstone. we meet again, and I hope
you realise the necessity of my disarming you,”
- 'd Doctor Powell.

‘ I ” was the reply.

“ A we too meet again, sir," said the Kid
Glove liner placing his pistol against the head
of Blonde ll.

But the latter uttered no word, and d
his head, as though he cared not to look his foe
in the face.

In an instant they were disarmed, bound to
their saddl and the horsee’ heads were
back town: Golden Gulch, Monk Harris re-

marking:
“I thetIkin drive this trailinpoaoe
arter h, unle- thor oats 0' on two murder-

in' Bilh haunts me on ark nig ts."

 

CHAPTER XXIV.
a wonsn’s sasrnxcn.

Comm Roma and his daughter at in
their’moiith ht» the Gold Brick liuening to the
gossi of their facetious landlord, the ma or.

“ ‘t you fear, miss,” he said, for o iif~
tieth time:

“"“Wufm "ll ittakvss Jig:
t are. a w

ml know well every individual that has

gone on their trail."

Then the major gave a h of each one of
the pursneu, eommencin wi Frank Powell
and ending with Tempest om.

“ You have some remarkable men in this coun-

lajcr Buggs,” said Ruby Roland, greatly

in rested.
.“ Indeed, we are remarkable Ion, Mi- Bo-
la out here in Golden Gulch.

“ half feared to bring my dau ter here
with me, fir, knowing to what a wi d coma--
nity I was cousin : but I am glad to find, from
your accounts, at there is so much good

among the had,” said theoolonel.

“ N "dim “Taboo Po ‘
“ ow ere; s well a man amo a
million, and the Kid om. nines—2' n‘

“ What a remarkable name.”

u What a remarkable man, miss, for he is a
wonder.

4‘ His name is Horace Hale, but he alwa
we”. loves, and the boys call him the KS
Gk," nor, as I told you— By Heaven! ah, I
beg pardon, miss, and you must excuse my
French, but here are the dear boys back a in,
and mom, that cheer tells me that they ave
their prisoners.”

The major dashed out of the room, but soon
"tuned to ask if Colonel Roland would see the
 5

. “ Yes, ask the mtlemen to bring their cap-
tivesin here.” he Mid, thing from the lounge
upon which he had been lying“

The next moment in came , ‘Powell and
the prisoners, 130110“!5d byln-Of'fllo captors.

Both ca tives hung their heads as they on-
tered, wh e the doctor said:

“These are the men, Colonel Roland, who
robbed you, are they not?”

u Y ‘1- n

“ this r money, sirr'

"‘ IAt infant! t colonel took the wallet 1...;
ed in him b the doctor.

“ And she’oe things belong to you, do they not,
Miss Roland

i"
“Think on, ” and Ruby Bdaud grasped
her Jewelryy, whlgl? she had never expected to

mlw b l. a horses also
‘ 0 captured our an n n .
andcueofmymezput our in back in the
vehicle and will soon be wit it.”
“life not know sir, how I can thank you,
and our friends. {or your kindness. ,
“ expectto n in your town as a res:-
dfllt. 1“va “"30 to take charge of the BO-
mmaa mine and I trust we will often met as
friends,” said the colonel warmly,
"Andltoooweyoumonthmuhaa I can
express, and shall 'lay chin: to your friend-
shi ,” said Ruby in her earnest lmay,
wh ch at once won loan; eepainl as
Manama! his: hand to films  andkthezn to
each one ‘t . 0min! on: e
had rubbed hp pin:
sleeve, while he'saflinlhisg

 

" It hain’t fer sick as you be, miss, tor shake;
but of yer wants it, yer kin hev it. _

A burst of laughter followed this innoccnt
offer that Tempest Tom had made, and blush-
ing, Ruby answered: . _

‘ I certainly shall claim it in frlOldShlP, sir

“ Thor heart shell go with it, miss.” sa (1 Tom,
floundering deeper into the mire without realiz-
ing that he was making a blunder.

“ Now, MiSs Roland, it remains for you to de-
cide the fate of these prisoners," said Frank
Powell solemnly, coming to Ruby’s rescue.

“ For no?” she cried.

“ Yes, Miss Roland. for in this wild land jus-
tice often fellows quickly upon the heck of
crime, and as we know those men to be guilty,
they must be punished at once.”

“And that punishment will ber’sho falter-
inglv asked.

“ it h for on to decide, Miss Roland.”

She look pained, and turned to her father,
who said:

“Hy child, as their sentence rests with you,
you must decide as to their fate."

She looked earnestly at the prisoners, and
seemed to study every feature, as though striv-
in to read their inmost souls.

on she turned to Doctor Powell and asked:
“ Irf. I did not decide, what would be their

fate

“ They would be hanged within the hour.”

She shuddered at the answer, and again
turned to the prisoners, and caught their ay
peeling look.

Then to Doctor Powell she said:

“ And you wfll abide I decision!"

u Cm'inik.  _n .

“Youw accept mysentonco, be it what it
may!"

‘  the risoaors she said

to p :

flea you seem to have known what it was
tohavoled fardiflerent lives, from theone of
crime you now lead.

“Todio, with your fine nnropentod of k too
fearnt to think of, and I wish you to live that
you ma change your lives.

“If you will on pledge ourselves
to, from Weight, bongo changedqu and
never wooptooonlmit crime!”

“I edge you.” ‘I‘ Black Bill in a low,
qaiv voice.

“ I mean it," answered Blends Bill solemnly.
‘gierjared liars, both of ’em. muttered Honk

8.

“'I‘honge ferIsetyoe free,aadmay our
puns-m hereafter be according to thelivoo
you lead from this night on.”

“God hie: you,” mid Black Bill while, ud-
denl grasping her hand, Blonde Bill pro-ed
his l ps to it.

Then the two men turned to their captors
and stood in silence.

Freak Powell looked annoyed, but etc ng
for quickly severed their bonds, wh ho

sa .
“ Tom, ivo these back their arms and horses,
and than out of Golden Gulch.”
“Thank on, air,” said Ruby Re and, as
th‘od two left the room, Celene Roland
so - '

“I he , Doctor Powell, that my daughter
has not one wrong in following the dictates of
her heart?”

“Those men are depraved utterly, air. and
though I hope for the best I fear that ‘10 has
made a misinke in setting them free.”

“Yes, they will prove their bloodhound na-
ture before a week goes by,” was the stern re-
mark of Faro Fred as he strode from the room.

CHAPTER xxxvr.

BROKEN PLEDGEB.
mwmfll'mm‘ “"5 “’1. 'ffig°%~“i“‘..‘l’3.';i"
on prisoners no ic .
came to his side m’d said something in a log

whisper.

“ All ri ht, pard, seein' as then" is two tor be
escorted, t are but fair to send two escorts,“
said the old hunter aloud.

Mounted upon their own horses. and with
Tom ing their weapons, the released pris-
oners 11 their way through the stunts
of Golden Gulch?"

find those whom they on route known
who they were, there little doubt but that

1 justice would have been sound out to
and there. -
Without 'aocldent they passed through

 

t em
But,

the dlifol'ent amps and came at last in t of
the twinkli Mt. that marked the no of
Bender and is men. ’

“ You need th I: man,”
a” Black am“ no further wi I“: I

ictly.
“1 hrs my or? to’ an’
I," do it,” w” “are ter see yer ou camp.

“You ll". passed the town W “A W
release us here."

“No. yonder an a...“ d I
I’ll art you by ’em,”aadT-pos:.hm
to. 3"». ,.   
Black .Bill did not. 1; spat, and-tile m
Ibnee a. . group 3 men
reunion

0

on  . s "
wring bythetrsu l. t ;
EM M‘B’irMs-udhi‘snw’qawyeaid

 

“Hello, pards, yer rides late towards ther
mount’ins. ,

“ Bean’t yer afeerd o’ Elgin’s ghosts?" called
out Bender.

“ Yes, Boss Bender. and we would like to have
fiour company to keep them 03,” answered

lack Bill.

“ Not any fer us; but I knows yer new, for I
recognises ther pair 0’ Bills, an’ I is sorry tor
see yer in rich bad Company. for I notices Ill-w
that it are Tempest Tom and Duck Leg Dick
that or is 'sociatin’ with.”

“ or go ter thunder, Boss Bender, or, yer‘ll
git inter trouble, an’ 1 doesn‘t want tes- hev tes-
dis‘g’int ther hangman,” growled the old hunter,
as t e party passed on.

That the Bender party knew that something
was wrong was very evident. .

The bad, stran e to ca been working over
in the mines all lay, an; had not heard of the
robbery on the ire , nor the capture of Black
Bill and his companion.

They were just starting out for the Gold
Brick, when they saw the four horsemen can-
ing; but Tempest Tom was no man to get into
trouble with, and so they said nothing more

and the y on.
” Wm” Dick an'me kin leew-

yer hour, an' we ves yer back yer arms an?
with it a small Knee 0 advice, for which we
no extra c . ‘

“'l'het advice be et yer reforms, au'triea
tor keep from bein’hanged,fer tharhe ea;
sanierwayso’ ’inyercbecksihena the
send o’a rope.

“Yuheaboenged when yer . hcv
been swung, but ' is did, an’ can't and

“Good-by. pards. an’ luck with yer. fer
believes yerisgoin’terdohe arterwhatyer
told thet leetle ”

Tern Tom then handed over “to weapons
toeac mend toldthamcluietl togo.

“ Good-by, nude," said Black 3‘1, and as he
spoke there came two Mesa-armour»
mingling, and to two hunters Instr

3m...“ mama... .

w

Monti. and 
u the trail, leaving'their lying
wiesetheyhadfallenfindcarryingflidrhoneo
V min.

hoofa, gum within andl cu. 0‘
oom—

rode. leading two ridorless horses.
“Ho,Boss,wo have ssttledthem,anditoas

to save you. w l
“Quick,menl for the socretisont you
have been the Tax wi newt
and aidin, us, an you are alking right into a
trap set or you. '
‘ To your cabins, and got your traps, and go

with us!"
This was said in rapid but distinct tones. and
s read consternation among the Boron Star;
nder saying: '
“ Yer don'tmean it tbet the knows at the:
Gulch thot we is yer secret p si" "
“ I do mean it. -
“ We struck the ambulance of the old colonel.
whomyoutolduswascom ,snd round bile
and his daughter: but Doc we Faro Fred.
that accureed Kid Glove Miner an otbesn‘gavo
“"5 mi” 1  a r 'r
“ at t e gir us, an em on
and Duck Leg were escorting us oat ofpcammp 1h
wt  i the v
“ t, w ng our d we shot In
andcamebacktozarn ch' '
“ And er kilt than"
it “Ya, hle lie backs:l the trsil. But
you won saveyour ves,an withycg, a
our own men. we can make it warm (maths
citiaens of Golden Gulch."

“We is yer rds. you bet, aa’itetrikes ‘

Eve hesn‘t much me tor swap sway,” hid ’
est. ,

“No, ft: the Vigilames are lying inwait’lu-
you now.” . 1':

This settled it, and the gang hastened To
their co by Black Bi and
Blondo

Allotthem hadhonaanearby,anditt:'o§
suehmeubutafewminuteste“paokup,l’ ‘
the party soon dashed cc toward hm

talus.

“I did wantter make a raid with ther to»
outer thetKid Glove chap in ther mountains,
and hism ferlknowshehasheaps o‘duat
hided away ther,” said Bose Bender, sin-row-

full .

ҤYe can do that better from my "
thanfrosnGolde‘hflsaid‘ndeDilLa
resided: “Ibovehadmyeyeonmmfcfip
ime.‘ .

“W wehiafaithtansnrenn’w'w

textboordqty." ‘ ‘
Yea (mindset was only can wants our

r

“W’Mhue mtmhhhbond,
you micron. and cousins we. sor-
; and I-dofanany partywof ,Vlsllal'tes to
folltgvg'us up the . ‘ . ‘
‘ , “a "I a . ‘ II a n ,
. ’ . ‘ . 9* . “‘

r_v-.

‘ F»

If},

. ,1. V
".;.r‘. ’

a

J-

J,

22

The “Kid GlovesMiner.

 

 

_~_..

, for but one form

The all drew rein suddenl
viii , where they had

was ble lying in the
that two men down.

Throwi himself from his saddle Bender
said as he nt War the rostrate form:
“ ’I‘his are Duck Leg D , an’ he are dead.”

“ Yes, but where is Tempest Tom 1"

“I gives it up."

“ Gone back to the Gulch to set the bounds
upon our trail!

" Come. men, we must ride for it i” cried
Blonds Bill, and the party dashed oi! at a rapid
gallop. _

 

CHAPTER XXXVII.
ran KID 910V. MIN“ TAHB THE TRAIL.
Am the' occurrence of the exciting scene
in the rpoqiof  lone! Roland all were leaving,
when Doc cwell and the kid Glofe Miner

were begge toremain. , .
“1 am anxious to know on entlemen' bet-

ter,”ssid th colonel ‘,‘a as am a perfect

stranger‘h oeld be if you would

give me, what‘lnforination u can, while you,
, Imust‘asi to look arm this wound for‘ me
once'morefl'as it fives me ‘a little pain.”
.Frauk Powell troduced Horace Hale to the
ooobeLér'id' hit "daughter, and then left the
, 6r toeiiterthiflf Rub , whilt’he set'to work
to‘ redress the victim: r"in his: haste lasted
:3: app jbolntiine to ilx'anriue it conifch
o . .. , , , i , , . , _ , .

““ tls I. warsh‘wcund than»! “first mipposed;
“1° " “lllbfieitmhmi‘” it 3‘1? “33'
a on}? rom. , ‘ eVsa ,‘

' his  dwfl,  ‘the colonel

margins  .  ~- 
a Then econ non became generali’and
aftei' an hbur’paited‘ pleasanth 36h lawsui- and
miner we ; n to taketheida; ,whe'n'the
e ' , gun-and Tempest Tom stag;

parlor.' .  ,
-  hfiiwts bleeding
11! check"’ ' " " " “

   

 

        
  
  

roam boon-mm minus
happened!” Frank ow ringing} his
ide 3 - : for e ded n,

a peat
*kwm‘fdfif‘lfidm I
'W

. m h I 8
infirm outraged?
-'-  th

Die me.;‘ I 7 . ~ I
... tug?ng M, Yyini’ni‘n the: geyser-e are“:;
‘3‘“, ' 9. ' . In I"- I 1’
piq;‘°"m_ "fer’thes‘lmoh. um. .- ""3 -
"' draw»

. , . “got here by hard! mimic”;
in’d nowwei‘vkno all."'  A ~ . , . ,
\ .‘hlfiy  forgive me’for wt,“ I (naphtha

u .
t“You noted from the beetof,motives,‘ Miss
not condemn yourself, and

‘ ’1)
Edited Hale  ,
‘ In .the mgn t Frank Powéll Madtorn
awaydthe‘hu lug-sh , and was'examiaing’the
woun . * . - A '
“ Come, Tom; I’ll t you to bed, and then
«we‘willsed what can done for you " he said
Inakindl m; no be aided the old'hunter
to a room earhy ' and went up after his‘box of
“to? "—ss he'nalled his surgical instruments.
V ‘f hat h me, dark- faced man was ri ht,
father, in at herald of those t o mur er-
ers,”‘ds‘ld‘poorRuhy, referring to aro Fred’s
first,

before a week oesb

that:
” would prove ’their 1bloodhound nature
pt itivbs ht on to'a;wild

“ Alasl es;
again-y, idly child," said t e ‘ lonel. ’ ,
' ’ will a Mean well, father, Th’opeg”

“‘1' rust so, child: But now I’mifs‘t‘ gonad see
that. gear old hunter,”'and Celene “TRns

‘ I ‘ r rhomwhere Teu’ipdst'l‘o had
“r ‘I ‘ €le . ‘L‘ .i‘ ._il q):

£nk was there, with F k Powell and the
‘ t’e maneuver 'colonll'entered,
thedoctor said cheerily: j

‘ “' in as” ' ’3 ‘ ‘

. ..—.mgt.s;aana isnotdsn'gmr" ' ‘
..“It is several-it; but I W" “WW!”

, afld enemas to  ‘
"““ 0',‘ 'hpxfifirwifll, au’ tbfl h'ain t my first
W iii n'shooted.” ' '> ' ‘

' “Iguassu Tom' but on must kee that
 stilicg'ti‘l-lhew upyliu'rinouth." pi
 *9 a“ theme

rifi m, mirwuu' 33-. Methodist

' cw: Tom», I will see what can he done
ghout foltitogvi those resort: foam] run-them
_ ‘yt esamont es the actor.
fill-‘1‘ , veal-sens my her-o, misfits will
mwmight as far as I caa,‘ani ea'mpon

their, trail until on come p in the me ing;
‘86t‘fmd‘hahbdt rings , levee," dthe
. Kid Glove Sport. ""  3"”  "“‘
7”“‘1'Hfibrihg-piched‘men, Edie? but 9!»: had

r k L k 1! th " "
   
om}; . any'inipdttanti I

’ m  mk' * "u; 1' -2, ~  '
 d 04m. p

which he left the ' l '

Tom in silence,

 

Rub was pacing up and down the hall, and
seein gains, asked anxiomly: ,

“ ,sir, is he, too, dead through my mis-
take?"

“ No, Miss Roland, on the contrary be is doing
well and, though dangerous his wound is by no
means n ' y fatal, an good nursing will
brin him'through.”

“ bank you, sir, but are yeu leaving!”

“Yes; my home is upin the mountains, but
now I am starting on the trail of those wretches.
and next time ” he added with a smile, “we
will not leave them to your tender mercies.”

He pend on, bowing-low at her words:

“Do not be rash, on, I beg you," and soon
after she saw him ride away, accompanied by
Lankv.

"“ That man is one I could love if I dared to,”
she muttered, half aloud.

“What. Ruby; stilt up!" said the colonel,
entering the room. '

“ Yes, father, for I am anxious about you.”

“Oh! I am all right, and Tempest Tom is
doin better than we expected.”

“ hitis lad news.” ~

“ Yes,a that Ming doctor leads a :party
at dayli ht on thetrail Of ‘those murderers, and
may!» for it, the whele~ band will be wiped
“I”; I. I ’ ‘ » . : .

“,We are among a strange peo le, my child,-
hut‘l mower that»! hever 'mdt so more re-
markable men than these I'saw’ tonight.- ‘

"'“ Itrhct, I: may say five, for those two out-
throats were born gentlemen, and would attract
notice as grand-looking men a where. ‘

“ Thea hat gambler, FIJ. ‘red the ‘ call
Rim, as a distingue air, is‘coufily and liked

im lie Powellhasue superior ihhu's profes-
sion, and with the Kid Glove Miner, is a splen-
did specimen ,of manhood.” ' i ' -.

“I e' "tithi- ‘, fathax 2 We have 'met

rfle’ttrange» ~ ' here; But it is late, digso
out had better reth'e,"-'suid‘the.maiden;eand

soon after she heal retired to her little room.

“ u! not heel "for. throu the long hours

M‘thfhight sheiré‘awm'and were her eyes

constantly arose t entail, hdnns faced the

Kid M Miller ' ‘ = 7‘ . '

1 w ' c .
;i 1. . : ~~ u...l. ? ’ ,j”‘\i V .1, s ‘ "
CHAPTER- mvm.

” it : A vow rush Will: an. r
WHEN Ho cs, Hale and Lanky left the Gold
W,they' M f ninth twoeaen'who
we‘ntwith'theui toihringbadk e hadnof poor

Dick. , I
“The feted I’m Ibranhh and. fallen, and
then] Kld‘fliove Minervand'Lhnky Wind
0 none. , r ‘- ' w m .
Pm , [the trail that themutlam...must
take, ~La' "led the way untflzthe mmeto
where two trails branched off, one. “mg-t0
the MolGapuu‘ndt the other (to the, mountains
where was theIElgin Mine.  .  .~ ,,
79 "I thinks we‘d missxit,’ pard, ter push on ter-
niflsii-ee we‘d better camp here untilmornin’,"
ea

n .

"Airtight, you remaiudiers, while I go on to
my cabin. ~ - '-r ' ‘ i I

“‘Iwillrbe back in time to join you in th
mixing *when the doctor comes up,”- said
Engines ,Hale, and he rode away toward his
h I. ' -  :

He‘hadxno idea of findingan one there, and
muggw rein suddenly, as he isCerued a light
I . -

“ By- Heaven! some one is there, for that light

comes from the door,” he cried. r

“ Dislmouhtin , he “hitches hhis horse,tilsl:d chug
ous creptgyrw unt ‘ egained poiu

in-theyhinside 'where he had watched Danger

Dan from. , ‘_ *

vi'l‘hen he saw who it wu that had made him a

sit. . ‘

v"  door ww wide open, and a fire was burn-

ing“ lily, so that the interior of the mhin

'Walfl‘nlyvistflaz‘ ~ 2' I

W t forms, and his deep-
toned " '

hin were moving
’ who they were: .'

wolaisshowed

‘VU‘Bender andhis isngl .-
“Now myvow s all ba‘lsept, fer Iate‘has
firmgbtthflhetei-‘M v - . 

Instantly he drew a revolver in each hand
and advahoed'fsariedy tossard the cabin.

The, gan within little dreamed of danger,
and-were sy drouad the table, dividing his
bag ot-gokh) which had been found and spread
on: before em. 4 f I - r
“ Ho! surrender, all ofvoss I” ' ‘
Thawords’ruug out in thunder tones, and th
outflows!de criu of aim-m, and drew their
royally)”, while two at the- sprung toward the
MO I'. z ‘

"Inmatlytbey' dropped ‘deed in their tracks
for two shots flashed orth, and bullet. pie

mianw  v

 

 

on to deal with, and

“There were ten of
an and Bowie Knife

two of those—Danger
Dick—I have slain.

‘2 i‘Iow comes your turn."

‘ guesses not.

“Come, pards. He are but one, so we’ll
run on him, ’ shouted Bender.

Several of them sprung from their covert in
the cabin, and at once two more shots rung out,
SgiddShorty and Pegleg bit the dust, falling in

e oorway.

Boss Bender and his remniningXards at once
retreated, and then came the nor 3:

“ Begder, do you and your two comrades
surren er? . -

A silence followed, and then camethe an-
swer: .

:“ first is yer goin’ ter do with us?”
newer mei .

2‘ 130 you surrender!”

o m. I .,

“Then one of you come out at a tim but
stand there” in the flrelight, and throw own
your arms. ,. . .. ' ,

Ops of the wretches stepped forward and
obeyed, and as he came guythe id, Glove
Miner threw him d0wn, an witha lariat taken
from a peg on the‘cabin side, be bound him.

Then a second followed and was secured, and

, last came Bender to meet the same fate, .v
t ..3I)regg.in&hés liso ersand thew intothe
. l - H

cabin t e ave. ' Vasaid;  .5
l‘ on asked me who: am. 
“lsevzill tell you. ..  .
“3‘  H - ' 4.. .‘r-Ii . “‘41:”

He drew od—his'glons gsfihe  and held

up his hands.-.‘ .4 “11,1; . . l i v,
“ Do you know’ine now i” ‘
“ It are all u with us,” groaned Boss Bender,

and his two co ales  ltU )groan.

There, in the, ri ht handlwals' a gear, burned

p

into the pennies 'itreafl:

5‘“. ~U4 _ I ; .1  , ,‘ ,'11,;{~.
uln- the le  was another ,scagphnddt
r ‘ .

086: ._;m x 4?  a n": 11:15: ‘ln
“Mfr-f I  at ' "m'w' 4 3 no!  ,
:‘gh ywu knowggnow. h 1  

. ' on eneIes- In” 011‘? O0
cased of murdering my poor £131,113 her
husband, Ii‘dgarElcln. u.’ ‘w .-.i i 1.

“ You punished me to m “away, by
me: n this .Ww fer-1i w Jasmhbed
me-ofit mend! Mr Pete , ,to my
care. ,:.;- ’l r .-‘1‘ .--‘ .r. - .. in~

NI mod avenge. “(limiters it. v-

. “ I-haveienglived upon the then prairies,
and this life, wild as it is, was not new tome,
so'I went toxwork to keepmxvmw. -,  -

“I shaved off my long heard, entail my hair,
audios: did not know me. ' f. "z ‘. i. u 1 -

a“ came here to see them Hoved,,and inyest
wghrthem In thiamine...» bring out. its full
V “9..” 1“ Mir]. . . ’
“You know the result. i . _  W.

“ And more, a paper among. , ef-
tects, written; to}: men that was.” ,- our
agent, caused theirproperty to be sent,“ was
supposed to him. - I, A ..

“ But {have traced it all outlangl hogthat
the cousin of William Blackstone, enry lack-
stouo name, killed him tolget the money and
played is part. . ; ' .

; .“That mantis the one they now call Black
Bull, and his ds s arenumbered. . . .

“And mm, how hour. for I hasegsolved
the mystery, that Blonde Bill hired an err Dan
and his Bowie Knife pard, to kill . gin and
hiswifs. . v  :-;

“ 1 know that Blonds Bill'killed poor Lucky
Pete, but fled ere he could rob him, upon seeing

m: , i. ’ y. I' - .'
,“I know th ‘» nude Bill is uncanny”

r .r

l."

my boyhood . I; . . i ,1 gr]?! 9
’ “.Ee lauds sister Lois, ,w . ave is
down the 1M3on his sister gved'Edgar

ins v ,' 15'1""?!  'l'! ' 3’. .n 1:

Ibis refused him and married Weiss“ she
loved, and sad-‘was her fats. - ' .
“ But he. Will Weldon. named”, the Wed a
hunted man, and here his sister joined him.

“figeyd'had'hothxm to “JIMMhere
the, v   ~ .2... 2.:

‘ Here they met Elgia aud-hisriie dud lot-
tedtésetruin.  v  was;  A m p

“ nowing t son ‘our W and
with a voice u%.m inrfieter’s they
sittings: to drive me his mine by playing
g 08 v but”:

“ They targets” deter’s hand andws'eto me
wsrni , on them withs sealtinowhich
I had %! Weldon] ego. . -« ~‘

' “haw you! know who I am Benden, and
whatIhaveacoom lished. 2 v:  ,~ .,

“Them 0! cky Patel, sent tow to
whom the me delinr it, and} base dune
méworh—wall excepting seen? you ”

ora en 11 a

en the other-saw that they were fairl
'esu *terthd blade dre’could notheputou . ce Halo had s low" distinct
ad they only 1 ted candles. ‘then the: .tsse’tiroushnwand er seidauxi :
Md'haveuti H “thousand-been insist - . E‘Yer don’t intend'ter haugus, dds-3015 ’
m‘ yon/:1» use“; =,. ,, '_. Vt,“ l.  y.; “g ,1 I .,  3,.

‘ beers on etcallsustsrupw Ml“ Ins.- iaest within. im ..
MWMIe-Bsuder. xv - ' ‘-' "mi-'3 ‘30 iedthe~.thnse.ti‘i‘gsth¢,ilochdé.his.cabin,
lg" Mug. 3...... "gumfoggwa band and martini: his hem-Moths: before him

“5 "H‘ v  an; “11' 04.? ‘JH ... .n-r : m. WWW“ ., Ei-m. pawl. .,
“ML” his: ouV "magnum. , ....’Iti'fldayl wheeufieinaes’hup, y t

y .i‘.‘l «is all” where he  Honky, Old 

waiting and watching.

 

 

 -

E
E,

  

 nus}. 4.. . ,‘___”-_ w, -_

‘1"IH-.mwm  ; ‘v

. .._.,..

 

 

..

..,{¢' . ' ‘ I). "'2' ‘1,.,,._a-" ' n'  

23

 

W

dashed Frank Powell and nearly two-score
gar-semen, among them Faro Fred and Colonel
land.

In a few words Horace Hammond, as was his
real name, told his story, and then, with file
prisoners, the dashed on to the Echo Gap. .

Knowin at the outlaws were ting
Bender an bAs men, whom they had eit to
,uard the for the de , the era tied the
Boss and istwo comra to erase. tthem ‘
in advance, and Doctor Powell, the id Glove
Miner. Faro Fred, and one other of the rt ,
rigged upto represent the dead four 1 a;

9 ca.

Thfiey dashed into the Gap, and on to the
outlaw camp. ' .

But all was desolate, and not a human being
was in ht.

In vaiingwaa the search for Black Bill, Blonds
Bill and the outlaws, for they were nowhere to E
befound. '  “  _ ,

Knowing that Blonds Bill had 31118 Sister with 3
him in the camp, Horace Hammond has most ;
anxiouA'Ao find her, for evil though she had been i
in the at he wished. protect her from the;
euro V miners, sho he discovar her to be
 é outlaw but)h r. d r I p I

,e amps were are, an every a goof
of a hasty dep'Arture hafing'lielm ill-om;
them: but not a sign of one of?» the'mgitives
could be seen, and thethunt forthem wativun‘:
u. w: .151: swim-"11V! 1.;

9Then all eyes fell upon Boss Bender and is .
11.10.2011 W. 00. Ind the  Ghveinm'souti
co m y: I _ ‘

“allow must-st in thegrava o: ignorant the: :
last of the Seven Stars. n1 ~ ‘. "

“Bender, {ouhndqomoouradee are myl

 

 

game, and Benton” 3%.” 
crimes”. . .. . ,.. .. _ ,
“ iihav'ibut to ' , endgame en‘d'mh v
the 11%;    1113'th ' have mercgr’n
upon 9 ed‘soulsl'" -" " '2 " “‘

“ Amer-ails Frank fode Colonel Roland,
rams-meanm’”  d the i." '

’ 9 were .n.vain;~an an ,
wretches were seized and ’svvung «I? to. illici‘
nearest tree. thus ending, the drama 0 , the,Kld
qu owner’s Rove-Pg, ‘ ’ 1f, _' 'I. 3

see. easel—“Redgmzitnhg. a» 1m .91

Chance.

I—Wi‘Yifirley 

m-mxuwen.

 

1 Tu Mann Barns; -- .

2 Wu Ir 1.0%" ByBWan..waso'ir1 Téirnerw

arnaam in... ~ e _. y.

4 A BaAva Hum. A'i'ahe ' Samoan.

b Bassn, RArNoa. By Vin. Mason Turner, M. D.

s Tue Seam hummus. ByBara Clarion.

7 ,Dsuom 0: Eva: .By Mrs. Crowell.

8 use ro Hug. ByArabellaSouthwox-th.

9 H.124 was cane.  author of ‘fCliltonP

{111% m on Our  t yT kKennedy.
masque. e , eray. ,.

12 Inn'ma w ‘ tfirtlmphens. ‘

18 MW. By Chi-lune human. ' 7 .. . s

14 War I MAmuan Hui.‘ By. Sara Claxton.

15 A Fun. FAD! By Barney T. Cam bell.

16 Tam Harrier. By Margaret eeeter.
17 a Lora. van.“ B Arabella. southworth,
18 is loot. Mrs. Reed‘Crowell. ' ~

19 Tu: Baoxss-Bt‘raomn. By Mary G. Halpine.
m ogwfllu... Ry lb Penna. ' ‘
21 Now firm Forum A H. Thlagcketiaoy. ho
Tan, urns or AN mos. ant r of
a “ Alone iii the World," etc, etc?
as Lnr Yun. B Sara Claxton. ‘
“'HIB‘FACI Was an Foams. B E. Blaine.
m Oxu A Scaoouns'rasss. By A. uthworth.
W A Hun. By 001. P. l'mzraham.

“ .
37 WAS Sun A um? By B. Thackeray. '
fl 8m Own. . Mrs. Mm“ hens.

 

a ran. Bra Dun . By a,

80 TB! Bows-r Gm. ‘IAgile Penna.

31 A MAn sauce. 3 my A. Den n.

8 mm. m Pnuu one n 8111111.- thworth
as Tan Tnau Sienna. By Alice eming.

Ammo-.0! Cong-Fm“. .B SaraCleto .3
gALLAaAntarHaa. yClaraA'y 1'

so 813 Aacnan‘s Brunt. Ar _ worth.
37 Tat 060nm! Commit Rose en ,
38 His Own AGAIN. B Ara lla Southwem’h.

‘Ll’lTAfloN. 'By- pli Bo a1.
3 have um MARBY. By. rs Claxion.
nvorimé. By .AliceBFleI-‘misng.th m
42 Bunion. m 3.1mm. y . u wo .
48 Tu BARONIT'B Srcnrr. By Sara Claxton.

44
45
a 1mm Hanna. BY M- A‘ Denlgm”
47 Blower: Sn: Lovan Hm. By Alice Fleming.
48 Srm‘or Hanan). S. B. Sherwood.
49 s Barr's Manage. yAmbella Sonth'onh'
so onus Hanna's. Mrs. MAry A. Denison.
51 we Yam Grins. By: lice Fleming-
u anm: Mas-amass. By Mary M CNN
53 017.3 Horn. By W. M. Turner, 11. D.
g 0": 3V°'§""1§”E" 3 mm

11 m or vn ll. Arabel . uthworth.
? LOVE-MAD. Wm. M. Tzrner, 
58

59
fl
6!
62
68
04
05
66
I7

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in
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Pal-13E“:

pm

BRAVI GIRL. By Alice Flemi . 1
a Man. Mary ‘ » , 1, 1
Winow‘s Wins. yRachel Bernhardt. 
son‘s Doom. By Jennie Davis Burton.
Wrox- Hum. Sara Claxton. 1
a Mano Barns. Margaret Mount. 1
Canon: Sinus. y Anna  Porter. ’
AT J uuusr Din. By Alice Fleming.
Wfl‘l'l Smart. 001. Juan Lewis. 1
Baomxa's Sm. By Bernhardt. l
oambnn' Base. by Arabella Bouthwerth.

Q>E§§55PQP§

. ]
lfllm

‘ 1153 D11) Sn: Sm? By M

, 176 ADRIA. '1'!!! Atom.

11!) Wu Sn: A wins. 3,

  V Glove Miner.

as Wanna Aim War-r. By Mrs. M. E. Breddon.

to 0mm. By Alexander Dumas.

70 Tm: Two Carma. By D'Enner .

71 Mr Youxa Win. BfiMX Yo ife‘s Husband.

72 Tux Two Winows. unie omas.

78 Ross MICHEL. By aude Hilton.

74 CECIL CAs'ruuiAma'e Gon. By Ouida.

7h Tm; Buox LADY or DUNA. By J. S. Le Fanu.

76 CHARLOTTE Tumor. By Mrs. Roweon.

77 (.‘IRIS'I'IAN GAIL-1‘s strAxa. B Miss Mulock.

78 in Your“: Husamn. By .

7! A QUEEN Alumna-r Wom. By the author of
“ Dora Thorn."

80 Has. Donn AND Mann. By Florence Mari-yet.

81 anr TEMPLE. "

82 A Loan Tin Aoo. .By Meta Orred.

83 Puma F011 men Scum. By Annie Thomas

84 Tux LAniun. Busn. By Miss Mulock.

85 LED As'rur. By Octave Feulllet.

86 J Ann‘s RIPENTANCI. By George Eliot.

87 Bonuses or A Poon YOUNG MAN. By 0. Foulllet.

88 A Trauma Dun. By Emma G. Jones.

89 A Giwsn Sm.

90 Tu: Amon‘s DAUGHTER. By Mary Hewitt.

91 Tu: JILT. By Charles Reade.

92 Exam: ALANNA. By Dennis O'Sullivan.

93 Lova‘s anmar. By B. L. For eon. ,

94 Tu 01m Bun. B Mrs. lighant.

96 Les-nos ARNOLD. rs. .

96 HAUNTED Hua'rs. B Rachel Bernhardt.

Wilma lumen. By marine  - . r .

98 A1101: Lmnox'r. By Miss Muloc . ‘ . a x

90 Moan: Bacon's Levon. Bv MP“.

100 'I‘nnonan FIRE AND WAru. By Fred. Talbot.

101 Karma By Miss Muloch . - '

102 Pm Wormo‘ron.. By: Charles Reade.

103 A Dusniurx Dania By Erskine  w-

104 gnmws on farm -By 8141111“ I - '

105‘ [Wyn Honour" Drawn. y W. M.
. el'lvy-‘ .1 writ-’1 xi ;‘-1"i'

106 Fnol Dawns 'ro WAmo..-By!li. Lynnfln‘on.

107 P0011 Zspn. By I". :W. Robinson.  - .

108 Tax SAD Forum or. ran Ray. Aloe Bums.
By Geerge Eliot. A:

109 lineman-Carnal .Axn blindly B. Ll‘arjeon

110 Tm: Wlnnsame Hm. BROWQ. ; . .

111 Tun Bwrnn‘s Bar F. Gem  ,r

112 A Kano. yMlsaMuioc .. v  .. ' .
118 PAUL Ann autumn. From. the French'ol Ber.
nardin dost. Pierre.  .. .. I 
114 'Tw .18 Turmm‘afia‘n myfialter Beaant

an James Rice.

1}: gm: Man};s 01Hwa By William 
117 Tax kAYslydlwfss. Ky llapt.  milieu.
rer Goldsmith.

118 Tn'aVrcAaor.W.axm , .-By
11911115011911“. By. , m." w -.
1!) Memo! W 1]., lab, el‘efier.
%:  1110-, 1111...,“ 939915

133  Pun... iv, It i
121.011,, 5., , 
125 lm; ror 81m: Samoa. .3er
ythdaord Lytton.  ,  ,._ . . .
y “m £311- Oops Hod. syyow
-BesantandJ «Rice. ”  "" --’
12'! On or ran Funny. aanames Payn.
18mmnmmm.rBy .LGom-d' -
w Mornsannsa; or, The Farmer's-Sweetheart. By.
Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. ,
130 normals; or, 'l‘lie~'l‘wb'0rph‘ah Girls: in New
» York. By AlbertW. Aiken. r ‘
181 gist-n AGAINST st'rn : or The. Rivalry oi
carts rowe .

B Mrs.
182 SOLD ma bout. 'By Mrs. M.‘

Me.
in; or, Kim...
V. Victor. .5 .v z. .
188 Loan Roma's SDI: or Betrothed at the Cradle.
By Mrs. Georgiana Dickens. . ' ' '
134 Dru Ha Lava final By Hartley '1‘. Campbell.
135 Sirius Amuse-r; or,-Almoainnle'Power. By
Lillian Love oy. . . , y
1119 Was Sna- Hxs in? By Ms Reed Crowell.
131 T3: Vinuoa on ran-Curr. y Miss Thacker'a .
or, The Broken Troth. - »

 

138 P001: VAinuA;
Margaret Blount.

139 MAsaAm Giurun. By G. P. R. James.
140 Wrrnovr Mnnor. By Bertiey '1'. Campbell-
141 Horton Boom). By Lillian Lovejoy. *
142 F‘unnm raon Lou. Mrs. Harriet Irving.
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150 Low. loan on Ant. 3 Alice May
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155 Wimo WAvs. By u-gathBlount. -
156 WnAr Sax Cos-r Bin. By A Southwoflh.
157 A Gum’s Hum. By Rett Wlfiwood. ' , .
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161 PEARL or PEARLS. 1' Ag. M01113. '-
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107 m a 8m By Rett Winwood

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Sunnyside ‘Libréif‘f

lLAru Boou. By'l'homuloore.... mu...
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‘ ‘95 Ashort, thoAxmsn. .
ath. By Capt. Fred. Whittaker. '

.____._- a. .._.

J! B  If; A‘Jfi'}   i ’8 :Dfi: it i  .1 1;

A Hard (‘rot'i'tL
The Dare-Devil.
Kit Carson, Jr. By Buckskin Sum.
'l‘hc Kidnappcr. Bf; .‘liiii ) 5. Warm.
'l‘hc l’lrc-Ficnds. y A. . Morris.
liy Edward L. Wheeler.
B 011 Coomes.
orscman. A strange
story of Texas. By Captain Mame Reid.
9 Handy And . B Samuel ver.
10 \(idoltéq, the renc Police Spy. Written by
1

mac .
l 1 1| idshlpman Easy. By Captain Marryat.
12 The Death-Shot. By Ca tam Mayne Reid.
)3 Pathaway. By Dr. J. 11. binson.

14 Thayendanegea. B‘BNed Buntline.

16 The Ti¥er-.\'la er. y Gustave Aimard.
16 The W' the W lard. By Ned Buntline.
l7 Nightshade. By Dr. J. H. Robinson.
18 The Sea Bandit. By Ned Buntiine.
33 ited Cedar. B Gustave Aimard.
2

2

2

By Philip S. Warne.
By (.‘oi. P. lnuruhain.

m-ldfitnhiflfl‘

The llandit a Day. By Gustave Aimsrd.
I The Trapper-0s Daughter. By G. Almard.
2 ultelaw. By Dr. J.
3 The lied Warrior. By Ned Uurtline.
4 the Prairi» lou'nr. By G. Aimsrd.
6 The Gold Gu de. .y FrancisJohnson.
-at h-Trach. By Francis Johnson.
By A. W. Aiken.
Three-Finger“! Jack. B J. E. Badger.
Tiger Dick, the li'sro Ki . y P. 8. Warns.
Gospel George. By Joe. . Badger Jr.
we New York 814a?» By A. W. Aiken.
o s of tale. By . 1). Vase.
er and Kit. Albert W. n.
ochy Mountain itob. Re .W. Aiken.
I “their, the hport. rtW. Aiken.
nu Dielt. B Albert . Aiken. ,
r1, the Kane back. By Dr. J. B. Bob-

elvet Hand. By Albert W. Aiken.
e Russian Spy. By Fred. Whittaker.
Haired ‘ Pards.’

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By Joseph

B Albert W. Aiken.
Dem m Aiken.
By Oil Coon)

khaeh. By 0 Coomee.
d Bull’s Eye. By Joe. E. Badger. Jr.
civic-Knife Ben. B 011 Ooomes.
eidc Pete. pg E. Badger, Jr.
Tons. ,ooues.
he I; Demon. B Albert W. Aiken.
b

121%.
Bi Buffalo Bill.
Strs.

lvesg'ssns. By LDe

lsVays On .  Phili S. Warns.

he sca‘l Hunters. yCap‘LMa neiEeid.
e 1 an Mason’s; . A on.

he gloat Hunter. Bylgrc B. St. John.
ver Knife. By Dr. J R0

.. ls Man Front Texas.

ide Awake. .

Cap in Seawai . By Ned Buntline.

62 Loya Heart. Gustave Aimard.

03 The V1 ed W ale. ByA. W. Aiken.

64 with ht. y Jos. E. Badger, Jr.

66 e nod ah. By Ca t. F. Whittaker.

66 The . cter rque. yMa ne Reid.

67 The oylocha“. By .103. E. Badger. Jr.

68 TléeA‘ ghtinz rapper. By Captain J.

s.

F. .
69.Tina Irish Cagtain. B Ca .F.Whittaker.
70 Hydrated. Dr. J  R0 inson.
71: Captain (2001- ladc. By Joe. E. Badger.
2 The Phantom flsmi. By A. W. Aiken.
The Knight of the [led Cross. By Dr.
J. H. Robinson ,
laptain of the Rifles. By Mayne Reid.
By A. W. Aiken.

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resin 01‘ Frisco. By A. W. Aiken.
he Mysterious Sp . By A. M. Gruinger.
oe Phenlx, Police . My. By A. W. Aiken.
oi‘ Nerve. By Philip S Warne.
e uman Tiger. lily Albert W. Aiken.
riut. B Col. '1‘. . Monste .
‘ hold Bul ct Sport. Ba] Bulgalo Bill.
ted Down. By Albert . Aiken.
Cretan Rover. B Col. P. Imrrsham.
gall}! saunter. By t to author of " Silent
he Scarlet Captain. By Col. Bella Sara.
:5 giormeB s.  JIr.
e r e r nce. ‘o. . raham.
in... will. By BuckskigSam. u“ ‘
a; “on «Winning gait] BybA. W. Aiken.
u a o r or an eriieid'Burr.
98 Captr‘in  T’nlhot. BygA. W. Aiken.
94 Freelance, the Buccaneer. By P. lngraham.
By A '1’. Morris.

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98 The Rock Rider. By C'ipt. . Whittaker.
Giant Ride-Ian. By on (homes.
80 The French Spy. By A. P. Morris.
7 1 ghzui‘lan From New York. By Albert

. en.
102 The Masked Band. By Geo. L. Aiken.
103 Merle, the Mount-0r. B 001.11 rrshsm.

104" Mates-ma, the More less. y 001.
' as Ingraham.
106 an Brown 01' Denver. By Joseph E.

. Badger.Jr.‘
is: erectile:- rim"; 8“.
c tar a o o 3 .
Albert, W. Aiken. u ‘ u y

{0.8 Tit ~ Duke i' Dian d .
‘.. when... °" ' BMW"

utatlelnan George.
e glueen’s M uskctccrs. By G. Albony.

 

('nptain Kyd.
’l‘hc silrnt it lllcnmn. By H. W. Herbert.
The Sinug‘glcr i in main. By N. Bunllinc.
Joe flu-nix, the rivdtc Detective. By
Albert W. Aiken.
The Sen 8 ippcr. By J. [1. Ingraham.

. The tit-ntlcniun From Pike. By P.
S. Warne.

Thi- Severed Ilvad. B Capt. Whittaker.
' Black Pl umc. By (‘01. entiss lngrahnm.
Dashing Dandy. By Dangerfield Burr.

The Burglar Luptain. By Prof. J. H.

In raham.
A ubama Joe. By Joe. E. Badger, Jr.
By N. M Curtis.

The Texan Spy.
The Sea Cadet. Byi Col. P.1ngraham.
Snul Sabin-rosy. y Nod Buutline.
Alapaha, the Squaw. By 1". Johnson.
Assowaunt, iiir AVcnger; or, The
Doom oi the Destroyer. By Francis Johnson.
The Blacksmi‘h Outlaw ; or, Merry
England. By Harrison Ainsworth.
The Demon Duelist. By Col. Monstery.
sol Scott. B Joe. E. Badger, Jr.
The (theval cr Corsair. By the author
of “ Merle, the Mutineer."
Mississip l Muse. By Edward Willett.
Captain olcano. B A. W. Aiken.
Buckskin 8am. By ‘0]. P. lngrshsm.
Memo, Ki ol' the Tramps. By Capt.
Frederick Wit (taker.

By W. Csrleton.

gody the Dover.
arhie Dan. ByCol. Inrrshtun.
By F. Johnson.

The Bush Danger.
The Outlaw-limiter. By 1‘. Johnson.
on: Beard. By 011 Coomes.
The Border Dan-tits. B F. Johnson.
Fire-Eye. By Col. Prentiss nzrshsm.
The Three Npaniards. By Geo. Walker.
uinox Tom. By Jae. E. Bad er, Jr.
'aptain Crimson. By Dan t id Burr.
zine C r’s s y. By (.01. '1‘. .Moustery.
he unch ack oi' None-Dame.
gy Victor Hugo;
istoi Par . By Wm. R. Eyster.
'l‘hle got-tor Detectivo. G. Lemuel.
(to d pur. By Col. Prentiss ham.
One-A med All". By on Coomes.
The Border ltiiles. B Gustave Aimsrd.
El Rubio Bravo. By l. Monstery.
The Freehooters. B

_ Gustave Aimsrd.
Captain ironnerve. Mannsduke Dey.

* 'i‘he birlhlttehscszl'sgrm By Géistfvl; Aimsrd.

oa u n e . . .Badger.
6 The“ttorl’lalr uncommily  In ham.
68 Velvet Face. By I jorDangerlie Burr.

167 Mourad, the Mameiuke. By Colonel
Thomas Boyer Monstery.
By Dr. F. Powell.

168 The Doomed Dozen.

1 69 [led Rudiger. By Capt. Fred. Whittaker.

160 80“ Hand, Sharp. By Wm. B. Eyster.

161 The Wolves of New York. By Aiken.

162 The Mad Mariner. By COL ingrahsm.

103 Ben Brion. By Dr. J. H. Robinson.

164 The King’s Fool. By C. Dunning Clark.

1 65 Joaquin, the Terrible. By J. E. Badger, Jr.

166 Owlet, the Robber Prince. By S. R. Urban.

167 The Man or Steel. By A. P. Morris.

168 Wild Bill. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.

169 Corporal Cannon. By Col. Monetary.

1 70 Sweet William. By Joe. E. Badger, Jr.

1 7 l Timer Dick, the Man of the Iron Heart, By
Ph 1) S. Warne.

172 The Black Pirate. By Col. P. Ingraham.
1 73 California John. By Albert W. Aiken.
17.1 Phantom Knights. By Capt.Whittakor.

176 Wild Bill’s Trump Card. By Major
Dangerfield Burr.

179 Lady Jaguar.
177 Don Diablo.
1 78 Dark DashWood.

179 Conrad. thc Convict.
Gildersleeve. LL. D.

180 Old ’49. By Jon. E. Badger, Jr.

1 8 1 The Scarlet Schooner. By P. Ingrsham.
182 Halide Up! By Wm. B. Eyster.

1 83 Gilbert, the Guide. By C. D. Clark.
184 The Ocean Vampire. By Col. Ingroham.
186 The Man Spider. By A. P. Morris.

186 The Black Bravo. By Buckskin Sam.

187 The Death’s llcnd Culrassiers. By
' Captain Frederick Whittaker.

188 The Phantom Mazeppa.
Dangerfield Burr.

189 Wild Bill’s Gold Trail. By Ingrahsm.

190 The Throc Guardsmen. ByAlex. Dumas

191 'Srahc Terrible Tonkaway. By Buckskin
m

192 The Lightning Sport. By W.R. Eyster.

193 The Man in Ilcd. By Capt. Whittaker.

194 Don Sombrero. By Capt. Mark Wilton.

196 'sl‘ahe Lone Star Gambler. By Buckskin
Ill.

By (‘01. Prentiss lmzrnhmn.

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By Captain Mark Wilton.
By 001 Prentiss Ingraham.
By MajorSam S. Hall.
By Prof. Stewart

By Major

196 La Marmosct, the Detective Queen. By
Albert W. Aiken.

197 Revolver lob. ByJoe. E. Badger, Jr.



 

,_,__—.

_ A- 

198 The Skclcton Schooner. By Colonel
Prentiss lngraham.
] 99 Diamond Dick. By Buckskin Sam.
200 Elle ltlilc Rangers. By Captain Mayne
eid.

201 The Pirate otthe Placcrs.
E. Badger, Jr.
202 Cactus Jack. By Capt. Mark Wilton.
203 The Double Dctcctlvo. By A. W. Aiken.
204 Big Foot Wallace. By Buckskin Sam.
206 The Gambler Pirate. By Col. Ingraham..
206 One Eye, the Cannoneer. By F. Whittaker.
207 Old Hard “end. By Philip S. Warne.
208 The “finite Chief. By Capt. Mayne Reid.
209 Buck Farley. By Edward Willett.
210 Buccaneer Bess. By Col. P. lngrshsm.
211 The Unknown Sport. By F.Whittsker.
212 The Brazos Tigers. By Buckskin 8am.
213 The War Trail. By Capt. Mayne Reid.
214 The Two Cool Sports. By W. R. Eyster.
216 Parson Jim. By Captain F. Whittaker.
216 The Corsair Planter. By P. inst-sham,
217 abs Serpent of El Paso. By Buckskin
m.

218  Wild Huntress. By Capt. Mayne
219 The Scorpion Brothers. Bstptsin

Mark Wilton.

220 The Specter Yacht. By Col. Ingrehsm.
221 Desperate Duhe. By Buckskin Ssm.
222 Bill, the Blizzard. By Edward Wfliett.
223 Canyon Dave. By Captain Mark Wilton.
224—Diach Beard. ByCol.Prentiss imrshsm.
226 Rocky Mountain Al. By Buckskin 8am.
226 The Mad flussars. Bycspt. Whittaker.
227 Buckshot Ben. By Capt. Mark Wilton.
228 The Maroon. By Capt. Mayne Reid.

229 Captain Cntsleeve. By Wm. B. Enter.
230 The Flying Dutchman of 1880. By

C t. Fredean Whittaker.
or" The Magic
1. B. Ingrshsm.

By J oseph.

231 T e Kid Glove Miner
Doctor of Golden Gulch. By

232 Orson Oxx the Man 0! Iron. By Issac
Barks, Bx-Deiective. , _

233 T e Old Boy of Tombstone; or,

agering a Life on a Card. By J . ger.

234  Hunters’ Feast. By Captain Mayne

235 Red Li htnin the Man of Chance.
Colonel Pr‘entiss 1.9mm. . By

236 Champion 8am. By Col. '1'. H. Momtery.

237 Long-Haired Max or, The Black League
of the Coast. By Cspts n Mark Wilton.

238 Hank Round, the New Orleans Detective-
By A. P. Morris.

239 The Terrible Trio. By Buckskin Sam.

240 A Cool Head; or. Olson Onln Peril. By
Isaac Hawks, Biz-Detective.

2-11 Spitfire Saul King of the Bustiers. By
Joe. E. ger, r.

242 The Fog Devil: or, The Ski r of the
Flash. By Capt. Fred. \\'liitttiker.ppe

243 'Sl‘hc

Pll rim Shin-gum, The Soldier’s

weeth BY Buffalo .

244 Merciless Mart, the Man-Tiger of Mis-
souri. By Buckskin Sam.

246 Barranca Bill the Revolver Champion.
'By Captain Mark \ 'ilton.

246 Queen Helen, the Amazon of the Over-
land. By Col. Prentiss Ingrsham.

247 Alligator line; or, The Secret of the
Everg sdes. By Captain Fred; Whittaker.

248 Montana Nat. By Edward Willett.

2-19 Eie hant Tons of Durango' 0r. Your
Goldghzst or Your L’ife. By J. E'Bsdger, Jr.

260 The Rough Riders or Eh E e,the~
Seminole Scourge. By lingckskin  y

261 Tiger Dich vs. Iron Des rd on.
Every Man Has His Match. By 1%le Wales.

262 The Wall Street Blood or Tick 'l‘lck.‘
the Telegraph Detective. By Albert W. Aiken.

263 A Yankee Cossack or The een of
the Nihilists. By Capt. rederlck Wh tinker.

254 Giant Jake the Patrol 0! the n mun' -
By Newton M.  om

256 The Pirate Priest. By Col. P. Imam

266 glouble Dan, the Destsrd. By Buckskim
am.

267 Death-Tn Di in s ,AH rdM .
from ‘Way Balc’k. Jongf Bidgerfflr. an

268 Bullet Head
Captain Mark W ton.

269 Fighting Tom. By Capt. F. Whittaker.
A new issue every week.

Beadle’s Dime Library is iorssle by all
Newsdeaiers, ten cents per copy, or sent by mail on
receipt of twelve cents each. BEADLE B'ADAMS»
Publishers. % William Street. New York:

the Colomdo Bravo. By
9.