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OOPYMIHHT. 1881, BY Bum: & Aunts.

 

,, W. __-_.____...__._.
Avons’r, 1902.

. Ni. .i.1}iiiliéviziiiilrfiiiiii-Era, 10 Cent, 5 Copy, -'
  Pubh'h°d Ev"? (JAMES SULLIVAN. Pnommom, $1.00 8 Your.   4.
' ' ' month‘ 879 Pearl Street. New York. '. °

 

DARKIE BAN, THE COLORED DETECTIVE; or, The Mississippi Mystery.

BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM,

- Amen or “m, m momma," “uomzvuA, m uncxuss,” “ numxcx. m nucontnn,” “m om m.
“m cums nevus,” “m maul PRINCE,” 310., no.

 

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Militant/MOODY!!!nomaor.mmcxormowmon.mmummmmm

 

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Dark . i an.

 

 

Darkie Dan,

- rm: oonoasn DETECTIVE;

0R,
The Mississippi Mystery.

A ROMANCE OF THE SUNNY SOUTH.

 

BY COL PRENTISS INGRAHAM,
aurnoa or “means, THE nurmm,” “nox-
muna, rm: nacrnnss,” “0mm
m,” “sza SLIPPEB,” are.

 

PROLOGUE.
scans rras'r.

A HORSE was dashing through a forest at full
speed, and with outstretched neck, rolling eyes
and reckless bounds frantically running he
cared not where, for behind him with untir-
ing speed were a pack of gaunt wolves, half-
e-ecore in number.

With glaring eyes, red, hanging tongues
and glittering teeth they ran silently on in
pursuit of their victims, for a rider was upon
the horse, a. fair young girl of twelve, whose
face was beautiful in spite of its pallor,
and whose wealth of golden curls floated far
behind her.

Seated firmly in the saddle, her left hand
grasping the rein, her right rising and falling
as she dealt severe blows with her gold-mount-
ed riding whip upon the straining animal, she
had not lost her presence of mind, even with
that red pack so close upon her, and a fearful
death staring her in the face.

Along the woodland path the horse sped
with a swiftness to which his mad terror gave
wings, and eagerly the young girl glanced
ahead, and then fearfully behind, to see if suc-
cor came in view, or if the end must soon
come.

A turn of the road, and when the gaunt
wolves were not twenty paces away, brought
her in sight of a lane, with a pasture upon
either side, and far in the distance on the bill
was visible 9. grand old mansion embowered in
foliage. .

It was her home, and yet well she knew that
ere one-third of the distance there was gone
over the wolves would have dragged her noble
horse down, and a horrible death would be
hers.

But justas she reeled in her saddle at the
dread thought of a doom so fearful, there came
from her lips a wild cry:

“Dan! Dan! save me! oh! save me 1”

Over the pasture went the piercing shriek
for help, and back came the answer:

“ I will, Missy Gertrudel”

Up' from the grass where he was idly lying
watching a herd of cattle sprung a negro boy
of fifteen, and grasping up something that lay
by his side, he threw himself upon the back of
a shaggy Indian pony feeding near, and away
darted the uttle animal straight for the fence
that barred the pasture from the lane.

Heading right obliquely, and with a. speed
one! would not have believed the pony capable
of, the negro boy reached the fence just as the
young girl swept by like the wind, and with a
wild cry to the animal sent him over with the
leap of a deer, right before the leading wolf.

“Oh, Dan, they will kill you I” cried the
young girl, and she tugged hard upon her reins.
to check her flying horse; but in vain, as the

‘fear-maddened animal felt not the pressure on

his bit, and flew on as before.

Though momentarily startled by the sudden
coming into their midst of a horse and rider,
the wolves, half tarnished and maddened, set
upon the pony with savage yelps, and instantly
a fierce struggle began.

Out of the writhing mass and the dust came
two shots, and savage growls, a shriek of the
terrified pony, in whose flesh the cruelvfangs
had sunk, and the loud, stern cries of the brave
boy, mingled with growls and yelps of the
pack, and then out of the melee skulked half a
dozen wolves in full flight back down the lane,
and upon the ground lay the little horse they had
dragged down, and upon his body stood the
negro boy, the stock of his gun broken OR, and
the barrels grasped in his hand, the proud vic-I
tor of the scene.

What cared that brave boy for his wounds,
:ihade by the snarp. teeth of the pack, and what

 

flied be fit the dead "pony beneath his feet!

N

l

.1 .9533erMummers '

Nothing! for he had saved his young mistress
from a fearful fate, and he was a hero of he-
roes, though his face was black, and the braid
of slavery was upon his brow.

As he stood there, gazing with pride upon
the the dead wolves his prowess had slain, the
rapid clatter of boots caused him to turn his
head, and up dashed two persons, while some
distance behind them a crowd of negroes were
coming on foot.

One of the two who arrived mounted was
the young girl, her face flushed now, and her
horse covered with foam.

The other was a tall, dark-faced man of

striking appearance and dignified mien; but he
threw himself from the thoroughbred steed he
rode, and grasping the boy in his strong arms,
said in tremulous tones:
. “Dan, my noble boy, you have saved my
child from a fearful death; aye, risked your
own life to save her, and from this moment I
set you free, and the day that I forget you may
God forget me.”

“Master, I don’t want ter be free, sir; I
wants ter always lib with you and Missy Ger-
trude,” replied the boy, as tears of joy rolled
down his dark cheeks.

“Then you shall live with us, Dan; but
you are no longer a slave; remember that.”

“Iwill remember, sir; but I is so glad I
save Missy Gertrude.” ‘ -

“God bless you, Dan; it was a lucky day I
made you cowboy and gave you that gun; but
from today I wish you to live up at the man-
sion, and I will make you my especial valet.

“ But you are bleeding and badly hurt;
here, boys, take Dan up to the mansion, and
one of you spring upon my horse and go for
Doctor Brandon at full speed,” and Fenton
Delamere, the wealthy and aristocratic Missis-
sippi planter, turned to the slaves who just
then approached, while he caught the boy in
his arms, for Dan had fainted from loss of
blood. ’

 

scam: SECOND.

A rum was standing in a small graveyard,
across which fell the shadow of a Gothic church.

It was a humble village of the dead, for
only rude head-stones marked the graves, ex-
cepting here and there where a marble slab
reared itself above the others, and further on,
environed by an iron fence where slept what
seemed the “select few ” of those who slum-
bered in their last earthly habitation.

The church was the property of one man,
built on his own plantation, and the little
graveyard was where slept his dead slaves
and those of his own blood, and he who stood
silently gazing down upon the new-made mound
at his feet, was Fenton Delamere, the Planter,
and the proprietor ohldlerest, the name of his
lordly home half a mile' distant.

A short half-hour before a group had gath-
ered in the church-yard, and a body had been
lowered into the grave, a victim of a steamer
that had been burned a few miles above on the
river.

He had been recognized as one bearing the
name of Delamere, and had been taken to the
Idlerest burying-ground for interment, and,
after those who had attended the service had
gone, Fenton Delainere still remained, gazing
moodin down upon the mound of earth, and
unmindful that the shadows of night would
soon gather around him.

“ Ah, Oscar, little did you think that your
plans against me would be stopped by the hand
of death, for, when last we met you swore
that neither Heaven or Hell should thwart you
in your fell purpose. V

“How idle your threat, this fresh earth
above you now tells; t I forgive you, now
that you lie here: y ” ‘rforgive you all the
past, and, as proof of a forgiveness you lie
here in my own bur V ce, for, when I
die, there will Irest! ~ "' A

As he spoke, Fentoni amere pointed to a.
spot a few feet distant hem where he stood,
and upon which a ray of sunlight atrusslms
through the foliage had fallen. ,
“I ask not your forgiveness, mm Dela-

’)

    
   
  
 

‘mere.

../
With a start, and half uttered cry the
Planter turned, to start ‘with horror, and
stand like one struck ‘ ith terror, for
his eyes glared, his face [it *dolorless, and his
lips quivered while his “do. were clinched
tight together, until the , a cht into the flesh.
“ You seem not to like pyyining, Fenton.”
The speaker was a ingot. a strangely dark

.;-1 ‘ '

I

 

face, black piercing eyes, jetty hair, and strik-
ingly like the Planter in feature and form.

He was elegantly attired, as far as the cut
and texture of his clothing went, though there
was a flashy air about him, in the quantity
of jewelry he wore, that betokened the gam-
bler, or river sport, so often seen on the Mis-
sissippi twenty-five years ago.

He seemed about forty years of age, and
upon his dark, reckless face, rested a cruel
smile, while in his eyes was a look of triumph,
as be fixed them upon the Planter.

“ Good Godi Oscar Delamere, I believed that
I stood above your grave,” at last broke quiver-
ingly from the lips of the Planter.

“ Hal hal hal you did not think that I would
die before I kept my oath, did you, Fenton
Delamerei” atked the stranger, in a mocking
tone.

For an instant the Planter made no reply;
then, gazing into the face that locked into his
own, he spoke, and as though thinking aloud:

“He was so strangely like him in form, and
the face, scarred by the flames, I thought was
his, while the clothes, the papers found on his
body and addressed to him, all made up what I,
with others, believed conclusive proof.”

“Yet here I stand before you in the flesh,
Fenton Delamere,” was the sneering response.

“ Ay, and would to God! for your sake and
mine, that you lay in the grave at our feet)
but, for Heaven’s sake! tell me, Oscar Dela-
mere who it is that lies beneath this mound!”
and the Planter put his foot upon the new-
madegrave.

“You say that he had papers with him hear-
ing my name?”

‘4 Ya."

“Havo you them?”

it Yes. 1’ .

“Give them to me i”

The Planter took from the breast pocket of
his coat a bundle of papers and handed them
silently to the man whom he had called Oscar
Delamere, who asked in the same sneering
way, and which seemed his habitual way of
speaking:

“ You ask who lies there?”

“Yes.”

“My sycophant, my tool, whose accidental
likeness to me I turn to account when it suits
me. ’

“ I was arrested for robbery, but was not
guilty; as it was a mistaken afl'air, the do? be‘
neath our feet being the culprit, I had a desire
to see my counterpart, and aided his escape
from justice thereby making him my 31‘"-

‘f We were on the steamer together, coming

to see you; it took flre, he lost his nerve, and--

there he lies; I kept my presence and here I
am.”

“ Why were you coming to seek me?”

“Oh, on a. matter of business."

“ We have nothing in common that you.
should come to me.”

" You are mistaken, sir; I need money, and
you are rich.” '

“I have already largely aided you.”

“ And will do it again.”

“ Never 1”

“ That is a bad word to me, for ‘tis too often
broken: I have a proposition to make to you.»

“ Well?”

“ You have a daughter, now in her four.
teenth year!”

“Well!”

“ l have a son who is now twenty and I de-
sire that-she become his wife.”

That Osmr Delamere was an evil man the.

reader may surmise, and that it might be like
father like son, can also be believed: but that
the proposition. made to Fenton Delamem
could turn him into a madman was strange in.
deed.

Yet, like a tiger springing upon his prey,

like a man gone and, attacking a victim, did.

Fenton Delamere leap upon the one whom a
few moments before he had hoped, and be-

, lieved lay in the gravo at his feet, and will!!!
him by the throat endeavor to crush him in his

strong grasp.

But the man he assailed was Med. 0‘
great power and activity,.and wrenching him.
self loose from the Planter’s grasp, he drew a
pistol and springing backward cried:

“ You have sealed your doom, Fenton Dela—
mere, for your accursed' fingers have been upon
my throat, and I shall‘ kill you; any. kill you

and yet revel in your wealth, and your fair

daughter shall be degraded to the lowset lenl
my hate can bring her to. Diet” I
Theflashand report followed as he that

 

to”.
v

l
.3 1.,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      

-_.~

___

. his hand forward; but the bullet whizzed
. above the Planter’s head, for the arm had been

struck upward, as the finger touched the trig-

' ger, and a grasp of iron was upon the throat
, of Oscar Delamere, while a hoarse voice said:

“Bay the word, master, and I will kill him,

1 and bury him in the grave where he rightly

belongs.”
The planter trembled violently, and the

‘ wordto pronounce the doom of Oscar Dela-

mere trembled upon his lips; but, with an

j effort, be said sternly:

“No, Dan, let him live, for I want not his
blood upon my conscience.”

Instantly the grasp of iron was released from
the throat, and staggering back the man gasped
for breath, while the dark eyes of the young
negro eyed him fixedly, as he said:

“ Go, sir, and know that you owe your life
to my master.” ,

“Ay, thou accursed black hell-hound, I will
go; but you forget not, that Oscar Delamere
will one day remember but too well Fenton
Delamere and his slave, Darkie Dan," hissed
the maddened man, as he turned and strode
quickly away from the little burying-ground,
and was soon lost in the gathering gloom of
the forest, for night was casting its mantle
over the earth.

 

scan ramp.

Anowrs the murky Missimippi a magnificent
steamer was gliding along, her escape-pipes
sending forth many an echo from the dark
shores upon either side, and her watery path-
way lighted up only by the glimmering stars
in the flrmameut.

Forward a gm of “hands” were singing
the old cottoncflel songs of the South, and
making rare melody, although they were slaves
and their voices wild and untutored.

Within the cabin the notes of a piano were
heard, and the passengers were whiling away
the time as suited their humor, while in the
social hall cardtables had been .brought into
requisition and planters and sports were en-

gaged in gambling for high stakes.

A locker-on at one of these tables was Fen-
ton Delamere, and his gaze was riveted with
that fixed interest, that proved that card-play-
ing for gold held a fascination for him hard to
resist; but, at last with a determined effort at
self-control, he turned away, and leaving the
saloon went on deck.

A chilly air was blowing, and it had driven
all promenaders below, and only the dark form
of the pilot at his wheel was visible to the
Planter, as he strode aft, looking at the white
wake left by the steamer.

Thus standing and gazing down into the
dark depths, Fenton Delamere became lost in
thought, and heard not, nor saw a man
cautiously approaching him.

Nearer and nearer the form crept, the noise
of the escape pipes and paddle—wheels gzowning
'any sound he might have made upon t cinder-
strewn deck, and at last he paused within a
few feet of the unsuspecting victim.

Then a cane swung quickly in the air, and
fell heavily upon the head of Fenton Delamere,
who sunk to the deck without a moan.

.“ New, Fenton Delamere, your life has
ended,” hissed the one who had dealt the cruel
blow, and steeping over he raised him in his
arms to hurl him into the river, when suddenly
a form darted forward and a stunning blow
caused the intended assassin to drop the
Planter and reel backward, and, before ‘he
could rec0ver himself he was in turn seized in
a powerful grasp, and thr0wn from the deck
down, down into the foaming wake.

Quickly turning, the man who had just
thrown a human being into the waters to die,
raised the Planter in his arms, and swiftly
descended to the saloon, where he cried:

“ Quick! my master has fa'llen on deck and
hurt his head; is there a doctor on board?”

“I am a physician,” said agentleman hastily

‘ rising from a card-table, and be bent over the

prostrate form, and, after a short examination,
said slowly:

“‘He has fallen and struck the back of his
head, cutting it, and stunning him, but the
wound is by no means fatal.

“Thank God 1”

The ejaculation came from the lips of
Darkie Dan,‘ and raising his master again in
his arms he bore him to his stateroom, the
physician following. '

Thus end thethree introductory scenes to my
It] at Darkis Dan, the Black Nemesis.

 

Darkie Dan.

. \ _ 3

 

CHAPTER I.
THE PLOTTERS.

IN one of the characteristic cabarets, or wine-
shops, of New Orleans, situated in the French
municipality, sat two men in conversation,
which was of an evidently interesting nature,
as their manner was earnest and their voices
low.

One of these men was tall, heavily formed,
and wore a full beard, and long curling hair
fell upon his shoulders, while his appearance
was that of a man miscd in refinement, and he
was one to attract a second glance in any as-
Semblage, owing to the darkly-bronzed skin,
the piercing black eyes, and the golden hue of
his whiskers and curls.

He was well dressed, though he wore a,

quantity of jewelry, and his feet and hands
were small and shapely, while his age seemed
unfathomable, and he might be but twenty-
eight, and perhaps a score of years older.

His companion was a young man of twenty-
one or two, slightly and elegantly formed,
dressed like an exquisite, and with a face that
was handsome, yet~ sinister, and which bore a
resemblance to his companion’s. .

The room in which they sat was well furnish-
ed, and between them was a table upon which
stood a decanter of brandy and glasses, and a
portfolio of papers lay open before them.

“ You are satisfied _that you will always
win?” said the younger of the two. 4'

“I will give ocular demonstration if you
please, and being an expert yourself it will be
proof; here, shuflle these rds and deal them,”
and the man threw a upqn the table
which the other took up indolently, and quietly
shuffled and dealt out, and a gem was begun.

“ You certainly won that ” said the
younger man.

“And will every time, Carlyon; deal again,”
was the calm reply, and another game was
won as before.

“Try again!” said the one called Carlyon.

“Certainly; we will play three straight
games; you will win the first, I the second
and you the third." .

“You certainly have mastered cards: tell
me your secret.”

“No, Carlyon, it is one that shall benefit
you, but I shall keep it, for it has cost me near-
ly two years of study by day and night; now
will you give me the money, for mine, as you
know, I have run through with.”

“Yes; here is the amount; countit and see
that them are five thousand dollars there, and
remember that I am to have half your win-
nings.” ,

“ Yes, here is the paper I have drawn up,
and tomorrow I take the steamer Eclipse for
Vicksburg, and shall begin my work.” '

“And will soon win a name as the champion
sport; but how soon do you intend to begin to
work our plot against Fenton Delamere?”

“O I shall lay my plans carefully, for as
I now am, he will never recognize me, and
I pledge ou thatI shall ruin him within the
year, an that his wealth shall be mine,” and
a triumphant glitter came into the man’s eyes.

“And his daughter?”

" Shall be your wife if you wish it, though I

refer to degrade her.” ‘

“ Let her be my e; in her eyes, when she
knows all, that will degradation suficient.”

“As you please, Carlyon; my revenge will
be complete when I make Fenton Delame're a
beggar, and I possess his wealth, and see him
groveling in disgrace and shame.”

“You will have to be careful not to reuse
him, as you know he is a dangerous man if he
consider himself wronged,” said Carlyon.

“ I fear that accursed shadow of his far
more.”

“ You mean the negro?” ‘

“ Yes, Darkie Dan; be it was who saved
Fenton Delamere at the grave that day, and
who hurled me into the river, for I saw his
black face as be grasped me in his arms; but
one day that fellow shall be my slave, and
then my time shall come for persecuting him;
but come, I must go the steamer, for she starts
at five, and I would like you to see me off.”

“With pleasure, and I await your return
with intense anxiety.” '

Rising, the two men left the room and the
cabaret, and the plot against Fenton Delamere
had begun. _ ’

CHAPTER II.
run KING or DIAMONDS.
Anew: the mighty Mississippi, some months
after the scene in theli’ew Orleans cabaret,

 

 

steamed one of those magnificent Floating
Palaces, so long the pride of the rolling torrent
to which the Indians gave the name Father of
Waters.

The moon rode in a cloudless sky, dimming
with her luster her starry attendants, and light
ing up the murky waters until they gleamed
like melted silver, and relieving the gloom of
the darkly-wooded shores, here and there dot-
ted with the white villas of the rich planters,
or a small village nestling upon the river’s
bank.

Within the brilliantly-lighted cabins of the
steamer were gathered the passengers, some 0.1]-
versing, others singing, a few reading, here
and there one writing a letter to the loved ones
at home, and far forward a card-table group,
engaged in gambling, with a number of others
standing around watching with deepest interest
a game that was being played for higher stakes
than usual, even among the princely sports of
the Mimissi'ppi thirty years ago.

When the game commenced in the early
evening, four men sat at the table: but the
stakes soon ran so high that two were forced to
withdraw, and the couple who remained were
seemingly reckless of what was lost or won.

One of these was a man of forty-five, possess»
ing a military air, dressed in a malice, but
costly style, and with the courtly address of
the wealthy and cultivated Southern planter.

Upon his head was a soft gray felt hat, the
rim drawn down over his eyes, as though to
shield them from the light, and he played with
a nerve that was remarkable, considering that
he had lost heavily, and was still reckleme
risking large sums on each game.

Glancing suddenly up at his companion, the
face of Fenton Delamere was revealed.

His opponent was a man who had lately flashed
like a meteor before the sporting fraternity, and
whose constant success with cards had gained
for him the name of the King of Diamonds, for,
besides being more lucky with the diamonds,
than the clubs, hearts and spades of a pack, he
wore a profusion of these precious gems upon
his person.

Answering to the name of Don Del Morte,
and claiming to be a Brazilian, though his
English was perfect, he had suddenly appeared
as a Mississippi river sport, and was a sure
winner whenever large sums Were at stake.

Of his past life nothing was known, and he
claimed to be a gambler by profexiou; but the
reader will recognize him as the dark~faced,
blonds-haired and boarded man who was plot.
ting with one Carlyon, in the New Orleans
cabaret. if

He was dressed in a blue-black velvet coat,
a white satin vest and black broadcloth pants,
and wore a soft dove-colored hat of the finest
felt, while in his embroidered shirt front was a
diamond of rare size and great value, and
the match to it was on the little finger of his
left hand.

A heavy'gold watch-chain encircled his neck,
and conspicuously crossed his breast, and in his
shirt-cuffs were solitaires of great beauty.

“ Well, Mr. Delamere, I am still the winner,”
he said, in a. low tone, as he drew toward him
a large pile of gold and bank-notes.

“I need not to be informed of that fact,
Don Del Morte,” was the abrupt response of
the planter, for the first time annoyed.

“ Shall we continue?” pleasantly asked the
King of Diamonds. ‘

“Yes, if you will accept my note at sixty
days for what sums I may bet.” ‘

“ Certainly, for the note of Mr. Fenton Del-
amere is good for just half-a-million dollars in
real estate and slaves, and I never heard of it
being on the market before.”

“Nor has it been, sir; and if luck does not
desert me, it will not be now; but you seem to
have taken pains to interest yourself in my
affairs.”

“Only a friendly intermt, sir; but what
shall the stake be?”

“Suit yourself, Don Del Morte.”

“Say fifty thousand, which is just the sum I
have won from you to-night.”

“So be it; well, Dan, what is it!” and Fun—
ton Delamere turned to a tall. flue-looking
negro, with clean cut features, full of deter-
mination and spirit, and the form of an
Apollo. '

It w Darkie Dan; no longer the little cow-
boy who had saved Gertrude Delamere from
the wolves five years before, but grown in“:
a splendid specimen of manhood, polite, re-
spectfultoall, but flrmasaroakindntyk H!
master and those he loved.

 
   

4

Darkie Dan.

 

_:f=

 

At the question of Mr. Delamere. Darkie
Dan approached, and with a courtesy he
had copied from his master, looked at Don
Del, Morte and those around, and bowing, said
politely:

“ Pardon me, please, gentlemen.”

Then he leant over and whispered in Fenton
Delamere’s ear, and what he said caused the
Planter’s face to flush; but he answered, half-
angrily:

“ All right, Dan, let me alone.”

The negro bowed and retired back to the
outer edge of the crowd, a pained look upon
his face, and Fenton Delamere turned to his
opponent and said abruptly:

“ The stake is fifty thousand, and I give my
note for that amount if I lose.”

“That is as I understand it, sir, ” was the re-
ply, and the game was begun.

 

CHAPTER III.
Losr AND WON.

WHEN the game commenced between the
gambler and the Planter, the bystanders
gathered around the table with far greater
interest than was usually felt in a game of
cards; but then the stakes seldom ran as high,
although many a man had gambled away his
all in one night, and then, too, the players
were no ordinary men.

Fenton Delamere was well known on the
river, and none doubted his nerve and courage,
and though popular with his associates, he had
no intimates, and those who knew him best
felt that he was a man that would be dangerous
if aroused.

Don Del Morte had also become an object of
special interest on the river, for he was an ac-
knowledged sport, traveled the river merely to
ply his profession, and in several encounters
that. had been forced upon him, for he seemed
never to seek a quarrel, he had more than held
his own, and the earth was said to be dotted
with several graves which his ready hand and
deadly aim had filled.

If there were those present who did not be-
lieve that luck alone settled upon the gamblers,
and that he was a trickster with cards, they
did not care to say so; but they felt that should
his good fortune continue, and Fenton Dela-
mere suspect him of trickery with the cards
there would be an outbreak that would end
fatally.

With a reckless smile upon his lips Don Del
Morte dealt the cards and the two men took
th up and the game was begun.

arefully, calmly and in perfect silence the
men played through, and the game was won
by the gambler. ,

“Captain, give me pen, ink and paper,
please,” said Fenton Delamere with perfect
composure, taming to the steamer’s captain
who was standing near.

“Here, boy, bring pen, ink and paper here,”
called out the captain, addressing Darkie Dan,
who stood apart, but with eye and our on the
qus' rise to know the termination of the game.

“No, master, I cannot do it, sir,” firmly
answered Dan, yet speaking with the utmost
politeness;

“Did you hear my order, sir?” yelled the
captain, not accustomed to being disputed or
disobeyed on his own craft.

“ I did, master, but I cannot obey, sir."

“Cannot obey? But by Heaven you shall,
you black dog, or I shall know why?" and the
captain was furious.

“ I will not do one act to aid in the robbery
of my master by a gambler, sir,” said Darkie
Dan with the same polite firmness of tone and
manner.

“I gave you an order and you shall obey
it!" and the captain sprung toward the negro,
who never fiinched.

“He shall not! hold! Captain Guerney, lay
not your hand on that man or you answer to
‘ me," and Fenton Delamere now sprung to his
feet, and confronted the irate commander of the
steamer. v

“ What! do you uphold your slave in impu-
dence to me, Mr. Delamerei"

“ He was not impudent, and be was right in
refusing to see me ruin myself: besides he is as
free as you are to—day, I having given him his
freedom years ago. .

“I asked for pen, ink and paper. and yo
have servants on your boat to do your bidding,
but Dan shall not, if he declines.”

Captain Guerney knew Fenton Delemere
well, and he was a man he cared not to anger,
or whose patronage he wished to lose, so he
calm:

 

“ As you please, Mr. Delamere; but I wish I
had some one to look after my interest as that
negro does after yours; here, steward, bring
writing materials for Mr. Delamere,” and the
captain called out to one of his own men, who
hastily obeyed, and the Planter resented him-
self at the table and wrote out his note at
sixty days for the amount he had lost.

“I hope this has not frightened you, sir,”
smiled Don Del Morte in his sinister way.

Nettled by the manner of the gambler, Fen-
ton Delamere retorted:

“If you knew me better. Don Del Morte,
you would know that I have torn the word fear
from my vocabulary.”

“ All! few men have that nerve, either in
facing bodily danger, or in meeting pecuniary
reverses; of course then you wish me to give
you a chance to win back your note?”

“Yes, and we will call it for one hundred
thousand this time, the note to be covered
by real estate or slaves as security, as you
please.”

A murmur of surprise went the round or the
group of lockers-0n, as this large sum was so
composedly named by the Planter, and once
more the game of chance was begun, cautiously
played to the end, and—lost by Fenton Dela-
mere.

All eyes turned upon the Planter, and Darkie
Dan moved uneasily before him, as though
striving to catch his eye; but this his master
studiously avoided, and taking up the pen, with
a firm hand wrote another note for the amount
of the stake just lost.

“ Perhaps MnDelamere would like to leave
off now?” came in the insinuating voice of the
gambler, and behind whose quiet tones lay so
much of hidden meaning. 3

“ When you or I, sir, are beggars, then will
I quit the game,” was the stern response, and a
third note was written and thrown upon the
table as collateral. ‘

With an indifferent air Don Del Morte took
it up, and arching his strongly-marked brows
with surprise, said coolly:

“This about covers what you are worth,
after deducting the amounts I have won from
you.”

“It does; in real estate, slaves and stock,
that note covers everything,” was the low, but
firm reply.

“ And you wish to stake this large note, sir?"

H I do. 7’

“Then deal the cards, sir, and we shall see
who will sink or swim.”

The gambler took up the cards, when Darkie
Dan again came near and whispered to his
master.

“Ah! you are right, Dan; Don Del Morte,
permit me to request that you place your stake
on the table, sir.”

The gambler’s face flushed, and he glanced
quickly at Dan, while he said in an annoyed
tone:

“May I ask, sir, if that negro was your
mentor in this suggestion?"

“ He was. ”

“I have a mind to mark him in a way that
he will remember me.”

“ I shouldn’t advise yo to make the at.
tempt, for I am respon is for him, and I
thank him for the suggestion, and beg that
you place a sum on the table to cover my
notes. "

“ I will put the two notes you gave me, the
money I won from you, and an equal sum of
my own, and give you my note for the bal-
ance.” "

“ Your note, sir, I would not take; but you
have diamonds, and—”

“True, and I have one here to back me;
will you not, Captain Guerney’i”

“ With my boat, air, for I know you are
worth it,” replied the captain.

“ All right, sir,” said Fenton Delamere, stern~
ly, and once more the players bent every energy
to the work before them, and with a silence
and slowness that was painful to the lockers-on
the game was played to the bitter end—ay, to
the bitter end for Fenton Delamere, as he was
a beggar. .

 

CHAPTER IV.
DARKII DAN’S GRIPE or mos.

“ OH, God! you have won, and I have lost!”

The low cry came from the lips of Fenton
Delamere, and lmowing that'he had be
himself be buried his livid face in his hands;
but only for an instant, as a touch on his
shoulder mused him.

It was the face of the gambler, calm and
smiling that looked into his own, and the words
he uttered were pleasant music to the ears of
the unfortunate man, for he said:

“ Mr. Delamere, there is a chance for you to
win back your riches.”

“ What!” and the Planter stared at him as
though he could not believe his words.

“I mean it; I will play you five games. the
best three in the five winning, if you will put
up against all I have here before me, of what I
have won from you, and my own, a stake I
shall name.”

“Name it, sir,” was the stern command.

“ Do you pledge yourself to put up the
stake?” .

“I tell you you have beggared me, for I
have nothing,” was the bitter reply.

“I say you have a stake I will risk this for-
tune against.”

“ And I say name it,” was the almost pettish
retort.

“ You pledge yourself then?”

The Planter hesitated for an instant, and
then, as though utterly reckless of consequences,
said firmly:

a Yes.”

“Upon your honor?”

“Thou accursed card trickster, do you doubt
my word?” said Fenton Delamere, savagely,
and his words brought an evil glitter to the
gambler’s eyes, but he responded calmly:

“I ask for your pledge; do you give it?"

“ My word is as good as my oath, my pledge
or my note.” .

“ Enough! now let us play.”

“ But the stake?” '

“Enough that I risk my fortune against
your pledge to produce it; our game is the
best three in five.”

“ Yes, and the chances are in my favor an.
less you are aided by Satan, or—" ,

“Or what, Mr. Delamerel” asked Don Del
Morte, as the Planter paused. .

“Or are the aocursed chest that some me:
call you,” came the bold reply.

“Insults I always treasure up, Mr. Dela-
mere, to be paid for at a more convenient sea-
son,” was the smiling answer of the Brazilian.

“Any season you may seek to resent an ins
sult from me, Don Del Morte, will he accepts-
ble; but let me here say that, if I caught you
at any trickery in a game with me, I would
kill you, and have Dan throw you overboard.”

“0h! Darkie Dan and myself will become
more intimate yet, if luck does not desert me
this time; but it has, for see, the game is
yours.”

; “ One in five,” muttered the Planter, and
once more the cards were shufled and dealt,
Fenton Delamere, with his change of luck,

as he then stood he had
slaves, his home, where lay
his forefathers, and all be
what that mysterious stake was that the gam-
bier was risking so much against greatly dis-
turbed his mind. '

“Again you have won, Mr. Delamere,” said
Don Del Morte, as the second time victory
perched upon the Planter’s banner.

“Two out of five," was the low reply, and
with an eflort at self-command that was successp
ful, Fenton Delamere commenced the third
game white-faced, but perfectly calm.

“Your luck has changed, Mr. Delamere,”
said the gambler, quietly.

“ We are even now, and the next is the de-
ciding game, Mr. Delamere," remarked Don
Del Morte when the fourth had ended in his
favor.

Not a sound; other than the loud cannon-
like pufling of the steamers escape-pipes, broke
the silence, and two score of eager faces bent
over the table before which the men sat play-
ing a game of such intense import.

“I have won, 111‘. Dclamm.”

The Planter heard'the low, ominous words,
and did not move, but sat like one dased by
some dread shock.

“Mr. Delamere,
stake!”

“ Yes,” was the mechanical reply.

-“ Lean forward, that I may whisper it in
your ear.” »

The words of the gambler caused the crowd
to instinctively fall back, all 'but one person,
and he drew nearer.

And that one was Darkie Dan.

“Let me whisper it to you,” repeated the

mbled away his
tied the bones of

would you know my

 

gambler, and Fenton Delamere leaned for
ward, and like hot iron piercing.“ heart the

showing considerable nervousness, for he knew .

while -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Darkie. Dan.

5 .

 

L
‘

 

words fell upon him; as, in a low, distinct
ton Don Del Morte said:

“ have a friend, a noble youth, for he is
not a gambler such as I, and he loves your
daughter, and the stake I have won from you
is your pledged word that sixty da from date
she shall become his wife, and the day I shall
return to you the notes I hold of yours.” I

Fenton Delamere heard every word, and
they seared.his brain; but he sat like a statue,
his face livid, his eyes fixed upon the gambler,
who had made this strange proposition to him.

Then all of a sudden he seemed to realize
that he had been tricked by the gambler,
who had played for this one end, from some
deep, mysterious cause, and like a madman he
sprung to his feet and started toward the man
who had mined him, shouting:

“Accursed devil, I will tear your tongue
from your throat.”

Instantly the hand of Don Del Morte was
thrust into his bosom and withdrawn with a
quick movement, and a pistol gleamed in it.

But, with the flash and report came a ring-
ing of glass as the bullet shattered the chau-
delier above, the arm of the gambler having
been clutched in a gripe of iron, and bent up-
ward irresistibly, just as his finger touched
the trigger.

“ Curse you, you black hound of Hades!
you shall die for that act! Release me, slave!”
cried Don Del Morte.

“ No, master, not as long as your hand holds
a weapon to turn against my master,” was
Darkie Dan‘s firm response. ’

“Release him, Dan, for I was mad to seek
here a revenge that can be better consummated
elsewhere at another time,” said Fenton Dela-
mere, nowperfectly calm, and standing with
his arms folded upon his breast, the pistol-shot
having seemingly recalled him to reason.

Instantly Darkie Dan let go his hold and
stepped backward fearlessly, although the
gambler seemed as though about to turn upon
him.

But the crowd of planters, who mostly com-
prised the passengers moved forward threaten-
ingly, and Don Del Morte saw that he would
be severely dealt with, did he harm the negro
who had so bravely saved his master's life, and
he answered sneeringly:

“As you say, Fenton Delamere, it is better
that we settle this quarrel at another time and
another place.”

“Yes, having disgraced myself to play cards
with you, I will again waive your not being a
gentleman and meet you at any time and place
you may select, and with what weapons you
please.”

“ 80 be it, I am content, and will send you
a line, when and where I will meet you, to
the St. Charles to-morrow, for there I suppose
you will stop,” coolly responded the gambler.

“Yes; and if I fail to hehr from you I shall
shoot you at sight.”

“I shall not fail you, Mr. Delamere,” and
the gambler turned away, lighted a cigar, and
went on deck for a promenade, while, followed
by Darkie Dan, Fentou Delamere sought' his
state-room to brood over his misfortunes.

CHAPTER V.
In. cannon NORMAN runs A CALL.

“ MASTER, you are not going to meet that
man, air!”

It was Darkie Dan who spoke, and he leaned
against the window, in a pleasant room in the
St. Charles Hotel, while Fenton Delamere,
with pale face and clouded brow, paced to and
fro with monotonous tread, his hands clasped
behind his back.

“Yes, Dan, Imustmeethimifhesends me
word as he promised.”

“ But he is only a gambler, sir, with nobody
to respect or care for him, while you hab

 

_everything to lib for,” answered Darkie Dan,

whose association with refinement in his
master’s home, had gotten him out of thebroken
style of speaking so common among the “field-
hands” of the South.

“Ah, Dan, I have nothing but my two
children now left, for I am a beggar, as it
war and I dare not even meet them,” said
Mr. sadly.

“0h, sir, Master Frank is strong and brave,
andMiesy Gertrude wilinotsayoneword, air,
when she sees how sorry you are."

“You are a noble fellow, Dan, with a heart
that most white men might be proud of; but
these is some one at the door.” .

Thencpowenttothedoorandaservant
handsd in a card.

“ Mr. Carlyon Norman,” read Fenton‘Dela-
mere aloud, and turning to the bell-boy he
added:

“Ask the gentleman to come up.”

A few moments more passed and Carlyon
Norman entered.

It was the same young man that had been
plotting with the bler in the cabaret, and
he was dressed in t e hight of fashion, though
with a flashy air that displayed lack of good
taste

“ Mr. Delamere, I believe?” he said politely.

“That is my name, sir, but you have the
advantage of me,” replied the Planter stifily.

“My name is Carlyon Norman, sir.”

“So I saw by the card; but may I ask your
business with me?"

“ When we are alone, yes sir,” and the young
man glanced at the negro.

“Never mind my servant, sir; pray pro-
ceedz”

“ Ah, your shadow as it were; hearing what
you hear, deaf if you wish it, and blind when
required; a faithful person to have near you,
Mr. Delamere.”

“Mr. Norman, I asked your business with
me, and, as I care not to be rude in my own
room, I beg that you make it known.”

There was that in the words and manner of
the Planter that was conclusive proof to Mr.
Carlyon Norman that he would not stand
trifling, and he said quickly:

“Well, Mr. Delamere, I come from my
friend Don Del Morte, better known to river
men as the Diamond King.”

“ Ah yes; you are the representative of that
person are you; well, sir, has he decided upon
a place of meeting between us, the time, and
what weapons he desires to use, as I have
kindly honored him by waiving the right to
claim that he should be a gentleman, and am
will' to fight him as though he were.”

“gig. Delamere, you seem to forget that
Don Del Morte is my friend.”

“Looking at you, sir, I cannot forget that
you represent a blackguard,” was the hot re—
pl .
3The face of Carlyon Norman turned very
pale, and Seeing that he had allowed his bitter
feelings to find words when he should not, the
Planter quickly added:

“Pardon me, Mr. Norman, for I had for-
gotten myself so far as to fail in the duty of a
host; be seated, sir, please, and let me know

Morte and myself.”
The young man seemed appeased by this
change of base on the part of the Planter,

and, though still remaining standing, said
politely:

“Del Morte begs that you meet him to-
night_n

“To-night, sir?”

“Yes, Mr. Delamere, for it is moonlight and
as bright almost as day.”

“ Go on, sir.” 4

“The meeting is to take place at the dueling-
ground, which you doubtless know well, and
at midnight, as that hour will enable us to at
_ tend the opera and then be in time.” '

“ As you please, sir, I shall be there; but
what weapons are to be used?”

“Pistols are too noisy toys to use, so suppose
we say short swords?"

“ Either will suit me, Mr. Norman,” and the
Planter bowed stiflly, and Carlyon Norman
taking the hint departed, and Fenton Delamere
was again alone with Darkie Dan, who had
been a most attentive listener to every word
said.

 

CHAPTER VI.
namrm nub runes.

IT was verging upon midnight when ‘two
men descended from a buggy, at the edge of a
grove of live-oaks in the vicinity of New Or-
leans, and one of them walked slowly away,
while the other, after hitching the horse secure-
ly, took a bundle from the seat and followed.

“We are first here, Dan,” andas the speaker
turned to his companion who had joined him,
the faces of Fenton Delamere and his servant
were revealed.

“ Yes, master, and I hope we willbethe only
ones hare, sir.” ..

“0h! never fear, Dan, they will come, for I
am convinced that somewhere I have met that
Del Morte before, and that he has some deep
reason for wishing me out of the way.”

"Then I would not meet him, sir.”

“Imust; Ihavebeggared mychildren,“

 

the terms of this meeting between Don Dal

 

death were preferable to life,” said the Planter
bitterly.

“ Oh, master! don’t talk so, sir.”

“I talk as I feel, my good friend, for you
are indeed my friend, and I know that in leav-
ing you to have a watchful eye over my poor
Gertrude and Frank, no harm will befall them
that you can shield them from.”

“ Master, as I have been to you, sir, so will I
be to Master Frank and Missy Gertrude." .

“ I know it, Dan; if I fall, tell them how the
old failing came over me, and like a drunkard
who had again tasted the intoxicating cup,I
yielded when I played one game, and that honor
waslost in the fascination of gaming, and I lost
all and have left them beggars, for Gertrude will
have only her Quadroon maid Una, and her
jewels, and Frank will not possess a thousand
dollars in the world I fear.

“ Tell them, .Dan, that death was a
knowing what I had done; and, Dan, tell Ger-
trude that I knew not the priccless stake I was
playing for, when I pledged her marriage to
one she had never knewn; but in my grave, I
cannot keep that pledge, and she must not
marry that fellow, be he who he may, and you
must tell Frank to protect her from the snare
into which my sin has drawn her.”

“Master, I pledge myself to save her, sir; I
am but a poor negro, but I take oath, sir, be-
fore Heaven, that while I live, no harm shall
befall Missy Gertrude.”

The Planter warmly grasped the hand of
Darkie Dan and, overcome by his emotions,
turned away, fust as two horsemen rode up,
and, in the moonlight were recognized as
the King of Diamonds and Carlyon Norman,
his friend.

“ Dan, one word more; you knew the one
fee of my life; the one who sought to kill me,
and whom you hurled to his death in the river,
that night on the steamer?”

“ Yes, master.”

“Well, his name was Oscar Delamere, though
he went under assumed names, and in his veins
flowed the same blood that is in mine, and,
Dan, he has a son.”

“ Yes, master." .

“ What the son is, or where, or what like, I
know not; but he may be like his father, and
may know the mysterious secret that gave his
father power over me, and knowing it, he may
attempt to wrong my children, and I beg you
to protect them, and, if need be only, dig from
the grave the fatal secret and give it to Frank.”

“ Dig from the grave, master!” asked Darkie
Dan, in surprise.

“ Yes. You know my father’s grave in the
family burying-groundi”

“Yes, master.”

“Well, in the earth beneath his comm, is
buried a tin box of papers; I placed it there
myself after the grave was dug, and I alone
know the secret up to this minute.

“In that box you will find papers that will
tell of a strange mystery, Dan; but, pledge me,
that you will not remove it, unless the son of
Oscar Delamere turns up to wrong the fair
name of my children.”

“I swear it, master.”

“Enough! now I can die content.”

“ But, master, you must not die, sir; you are
a splendid swordsman, and if you have led
your fortune, you have much to live for.”

“Ah! Dan, the shadow is upon the dial, and
the sands of my life have run to the end; but
come, they have dismounted and await us
there in that open space of moonlight,” and
the Planter led the way to where Don Del
Mort and Carlyon Norman stood in grim
silence awaiting their coming.

Both glanced up in surprise when they aw
that Mr. Delamere was accompanied by only
one person, and that one a negro, and Carlyon
Norman said quickly:

“We hardly expected your shadow would
follow you by night, Mr. Delamere; but where
is your second?”

“ Dan here, sir, will act as my friend,” was
the quiet reply.

“Never, air! this is an insult,” cried Carlon
Norman.

“As you please, sir; but Dan acts as my
second, or the meeting shall nottake place,"
was the firm resp0ns‘e of Fenton De
and in stem silence he awaited the result.

CHAPTER VII.
m nun. at 100mm.
“1 cancer put up with this insult, Mr. De-
lamare,tobepittedagain¢aslaveuw
equal,” said Carlyon Norman, angrily. ,

 

 

6

Darkie Dan.

1".

 

‘H

 

“ I certainly never intended that .you should
look upon Dan as your equal, sir, as he is so
infinitely your superior; but this aflair is ir-
regular all around, and as I am waiving who
and what you and the man you represent are,
why you must concede to me the second whom
I have chosen,” said Mr. Delamere, sternly.

Carlyon Norman was about to give vent to
some angry reply, when the King of Dia-
monds’s quiet voice was heard.

“Permit me, gentlemen, to be also a little
irregular, and settle this seemingly unarrange-
able difiiculty, by saying that I have no objec-
tion whatever to Darkie Dan acting for Mr.
Delamere, if such is the desire of my oppo-
neat.”

“It is, sir.”

“Then, Mister Darkie Dan, my second will
confer with you,” and returning his cigarette
to his lips, Don Del Morte turned away.

For a moment Carlyon Norman seemed to
have a hard struggle with himself to accept
Darkie Dan as his equal under the circum-
stances; but a look from the Diamond King
decided’him, and he said’ pettishly:

“Well, I suppose there are really no arrange-
ments necessary, other than to put the swords
into the hands of the gentlemen.” '

“Excepting, master, that I am to see that
no advantage is taken,” was Darkie Dan’s firm
but polite reply.

The young second winced, but made no re-
ply, and set about the preliminaries, and soon
held a naked sword in his hands, which he was
about to hand to his principal, having casually
glanced at the blade which Darkie Dan held,
when the latter quickly remarked:

“ Your sword, sir, seems longer than the one
my master is to use.”

"No, they are about the same length,” was
the quick reply.

“ Measuring will decide, master,” persisted
Darkie Dan, and, with a muttered oath Carl-
yon Norman stepped forward and the measure-
ment proved that the blade to be used by the
King of Diamonds was three inches the loa-
gest.

“ Too bad, for I did not bring a second wea-

n.”

“ But my master did, sir, and he prizes his
swords as of a mpst superior kind,” replied
Dan, and he placed the weapons in the hands
of Norman, who examined both critically, and
then stepped apart to confer with the King of
Diamonds. .

It took along time for so simple a confer-
ence asto decide upon the weapons, which a
glance would show were of the best workman-
ship, and exactly alike, and Fenton Delamere
called out somewhat impatiently:

“If the gentlemen have pistols and prefer
them, I am content, Dan.”

“ No, the swords will do," said Carlyon Nor-
man himself, and approaching Darkie Dan
once more he selected a position for the duel-
late, and they were called to the spot.

“ Master, that man is a devil, sir, so be
cautious of him,” whispered Dan, as he took his
master’s coat on his arm, and placed the sword
in his hand.

“ Good-by, Dan, and remember your pledges
to me,” said the Planter, sadly.

“ Don’t say good-by, master," and Darkie
Dan’s voice trembled.

“Life is uncertain, Dan; tell Gertrude and
Frank, if I have made beggars of them, I
thought of them with my last breath good-
by."

The Planter grasped the honest black hand
extended to him, wrung it hard for an instant,
and then turned calm and determined to meet
his foe.

The face of the King of Diamonds was in the
full moonlight, and a. smile of fiendish delight
seemed to rest upon it, as he held his sword on
guard.

A moment after the blades crossed with a
vicious ring, and hot and fierce the combat
waged, sending back sharp echoes from the
live-oak grove, and awakening the birds in their
leafy coverts, causing them to utter cries of
alarm, while some watchful guard-dog from a
no hboring homestead. sent up long and. dis-

howls, as though scouting death upon the
breeze.

Calmly, and with folded arms Carlyon Nor-
man stood by, while Darkie Dan moved as
his master moved, and kept near, as though
“axiom to catch any, blow that might seek his

Both men were certainly skilled swordsmn,
udeaehoueeeemedtodevotelnseveryenorgy

VI; ‘. ‘ "a A I .
“4%.13s33s‘ei‘it'3. :«Cl 7h": r 5'5. "

  

 

to the task before him of slaying the other; but
suddenly, as though unmanned by some dire
thought that crowded upon him, Fenton Dela-
mere began to give ground, his thrusts were
not as firm, his parries weakened, and pressing
him harder and harder, the King of Diamonds
at length got under his guard and drove his
sword deep into his bosom.

A groan broke from the lips of the wounded
man, and he sunk into the arms of Darkie
Dan, who laid him gently upon the ground.

“Dan, I told you that my sands of life were
fast running out; and the end has come,” he
said faintly.

Darkie Dan made no reply, for he had seen
the blade go deep into the broad breast, and the
cruel hand of the gambler turn it there, ere he
drew it back, and he knew that there was no
hope.

“Dan, my faithful friend, remember your
pledge.” ‘

“I have sworn it, master.”

“God bless you; good-by, and—”

“One word, please, slave, in your master’s
ear.”

It was the King of Diamonds who spoke,
and pushing Darkie Dan aside, he knelt and
bent low over the dying man.

The eyes, glazing in death, met his, but Fen-
ton Delamere heard some cruel words whispered
hoarsely into his ear, and a cry of anguish
broke from his lips, and he thenstrove hard to
speak, and turned piteously to ’Darkie Dan,
who sprung to his side.

“ Master! master! what is it?"

“ Dan—he-is—”

The red current of life welled up in his
throat and choked him, and Fenton Delamere
was dead.

“He is dead !" broke in piteous tones from
the negro’s lips, as be bent over the prostrate
form of his master.

“Yes, he is dead, and I came here to kill
him; and Darkie Dan, you are my slave now.”

With a cry at the harsh words, Darkie Dan
sprung to his feet; but strong hands clutched
him upon either side, and a pistol was pressed
hard against his temple.

 

CHAPTER VIII.
Tm: PLANTATION noun.
UPON the banks of the Mississippi and back
upOn a bill that commanded amagniflcent view

,of the surrounding scenery, with the broad

river rolling its swift way to the Gulf, stood a
grand old mansion, embOWered in evergreens,
and surrounded with flower-gardens and orna-
mental grounds that shoWed the hand of refine-
ment and education in the one who was the
possessor of the broad acres. -

An avenue of Lombardy poplars led down
to the river bank, a quarter of a mile away,
and to the left, at the foot of the hill upon
which stood the mansion, were two score of
white cottages, forming the slave village, and-
romantically situated upon a broad street,
bordered with trees, and through the center of
which ran a crystal stream flowing from the

high hills inland to mingle its clear waters with-

the murky tide of the Father of Waters.

Around the mansion, which was a large,
rambling, two-storied structure, built for com-
fort, ran a broad piazza, around the columns of
which clung the yellow-jessamine in full bloom,
mingling its delicate perfume with the scent of
the numberless flowers in the garden.

Within the mansion was a broad hall extend-
ing to the rear, and branching oil! into the
wings of the building upon either side, while
the large and comfortable rooms were furnished
with luxurious taste that made it a home that
one would be content to dream away life in.

And such was the home of Fenton Delamere,
which he had inherited from his father, wifli
three hundred faithful slaves to till its rich
acres.

A man of stem presence, yet ever a most
hospitable host and and kind and loving father,
Fenton Delamere, to those who watched him
closely, seemed like a man who here some hid-
den sorrow, which he jealously guarded, even
from the eyes of his children.

A gentleman of the highest culture, one who
had traveled much and read a great deal, he
was most entertaining to his friends, and a kind
master, be was belovedby his eldves.

In early life he ind met, when North at col-
legs, a young girl who won his heart, and
marrying her, he had brought her to his South-
ern home, and a year after an heir was born
to his name and estate, a_ bright-eyed boy,
strangely like his father. I,

 

._.,,

Several years after a fair baby girl cause
into the household; but with her came a cloud
of sorrow, for Mrs. Delamere lost her life in
giving birth to her child, and was laid to rest
in the family burying-ground in the magnolia
forest, where slept two generations of Dela-
meres, and the slaves of the plantation, upon
whom death had laid his icy touch.

To her memory Fenton Delamere had reared
the pretty Gothic chapel, and often was it his
wont to spend hours there, playing upon the
organ, for he was an accomplished musician,

or reading some favorite book in the easy-

chair of the vestry-room.

And this was the home into which grim
Death was to stalk in all its ghastliness, and
which the sin of gambling had wrested from its
rightful heirs.

Upon the broad piazza, engaged in a piece of
fancy embroidery, sat Gertrude Delamere,
several days after the fatal duel among the
liveoaks.

Clad in sunny white, with her wealth of red.
gold hair looped up in a negligent but artistic
manner, and her beautiful face serene and con-
tented, it could be seen that the dread tidings
had not reached her of that bitter and deadly
scene in the moonlight.

Presently out upon the piazza strode a young
man, booted and spurred, and dressed in a rid-
ing suit of white corduroys. and velvet coat,
while a soft Panama hat was upon his head.

A glance into his dark, handsome face, yet
unmarred by contact with the world, was

sufficient to show that the Delamere blood

flowed in his veins.

Young, for he was but twenty-one, well-
formed, and with a face stamped with intellect
and strong character, it was no wonder that
Fenton Delamere loved his noble boy, just re-
turned from Yale, as dearly as he did his beau~
tiful daughter, and looked forward to their
happiness in the future with the fondest
hope.

But, a few days before, when he had gone
to the city on business, he had been tempted to
yield to the one great vice of his life, and had
fallen, and bitter had been his fall, and heart-
rending his anguish, as he felt that he must
die, and leave ruin and sorrow upon those he
had so idolized.

Little dreaming of that scene, Frank Dela-
mere said gayly, as he came out upon the
piazza:

“I am of! for a gallop, sis; going over to
Everton’s fora visit, but will be back to tea.
I sent Una to ask you to accompany me, and
am sorry you cannot go.”

“Thank you, brother, but I am anxious to
finish this embroidery and have Dobson make
up father’s slippers before his return, and if he
returns on Saturday it will be hard work,"
announced Gertrude, in her soft, musical tones:

“By Jupiter! sis, that reminds me of father’s
birthday anniversary coming upon Sunday;
he will be just forty~five, and I must give him
a present of some kind; so tell me what it
shall be.”

“Fred Parker has a pair of splendid deer

' hounds which father has had covetous eyes

upon for some time, and Una said he is forced
to sell them, as his fast life has run him deeply
into debt. ”

“Then I shall ride by and purchase them
for him; good-by, Get,” and kiming her
affectionately, Frank Delamere descended the
broad steps, and mounted a thoroughbred
mare, which a negro had just led round from
the stables for him.

Away he dashed down the avenue toward
the river road, and he was just disappearing
from sight, in the forest above, when a young
girl came out on the piazza, and said quickly:

“Missy Gertrude, the Natchez is running in
to our landing.” .

The speaker was perhaps seventeen, and her
darkly-bronzed face and jet-black, waving
hair proclaimed her Quadroon blood. '

Her form was slender and elegant, her face
pomeseed a Spanish style of beauty, with large,
dreamy eyes, that in anger would turn-fiercely,
and her dress was a neat and simple calico.

Looking quickly up, as her Quadroon maid
spoke, Gertrude saw that a large steamer was
coming in toward the Idlereet landing, as
though to put 08 a passenger or freight.

“ It cannot be my father, Una, for he was
to remain aweek in the_ city; but I suppd'n
your anxiety to see Dan is so you  be
more disappointed than I am,‘if it  not
be.” said Gertrude pleasantly,-aad them
blushed at her words.

.1,’‘

 

. 727‘s... .

new

 

 

 

‘c—rvr‘.

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Darkie Dan.

lin]

 

=1;

 

“Get the glam, Una, and see who lands,”
added Gertrude, still gazing at the boat.

The maid obeyed, and her mistress arranged
the focus and turning it upon the steamer,
mid slowly:

“Yes, it is the Natchez, and she is backing
off, after landing some one; yes, I see him now,
and he is an old negro man, walking with a
stick; now he turns into the avenue gate.” '

And Gertrude Delamere closed the glass,
little dreaming what tidings were soon to
strike like an arrow in her heart.

 

CHAPTER IX.
m swan Gamma.

I WILL now return to the dueling field,
where I left the deed form of Fenton Delamere
lying with upturned {ace in the moonlight, and
Darkie Dan in the power of the two men who
certainly meant him no good.

“ Resist and you die, even if your dead
master there said you were worth five thousand
dollars,” mid Don Del Morte sternly, as the
negro made a sudden movement, evidently to
try the strength of his foes. _

“I care not to be shot like adog, gentlemen,
so I will make no resistance,” said Darkie Dan
calmly.

“ See that you do not; now, Carlyon, get
one of the reins from my bridle and bind
him,” and, seeing a sudden flash of the eyes of
his prisoner, as though he meant to try con-
clusions with him, when the other released his
hold, the gambler added quickly:

“ And to keep you from being too trouble-
some, take that i”

Like a flash the heavy pistol barrel, held in
the strong band of the King of Diamonds, fell
upon the head of the negro, and like a log he
dropped in his tracks.

“Now we will find him less troublesome, for
.he is as strong as a lion, and could have
mastered us both, had he known his power:
quick! Carlyon, let us bind him.”

The young man hastened for the bridle-rein,

and soon returning, the negro was securely

bound, and then lifted into the buggy, in
which he and his master had come to the fatal
field. _

“ I will drive back and you hold my horse,
Carlyon, for the fellow is showing signs of re-

covering consciousness. ”

“Better gag him then, or he will call out to

.some one as we pass,” suggested Carlyon.

“True, for though within sixty days he will
be my slave, I care to have no trouble with
him,” and the King of Diamonds set to work,
and with handkerchief securely gagged Dar-
kie Dan, who had rec0vered consciousness,
and glared upon his enemies with intensest
hatred. ‘ ~

“ And the body?” asked Carlyon, less inured
to crime than his older comrade.

“Ah! I had forgotten it; let me see what is
best to be done; ah! you remain here, and I
will send an officer out for it, and then you
come directly to my rooms.”

“ Yes, it is best, for otherwise some one
might rob him, and it would look bad for us,
while, as he has been slain in a fair duel noth-
ing can be done."

“True; now I will be 03, and send aid to
you as soon as possible,” and Don Del Morte,
without a second glance at the man he had
slain, drove, away from the spot, leaving Carl-
yon Norman pacing to and fro, and alternately
glancing with a shudder at the upturned, pal-
lid face so near him.

Driving into the more thickly settled part of
the city the King of Diamonds drew up before
a large house of ancient' date, in the Place (1’
Arman, in the very heart of the French popu-
lation of the town.

The cafe, or hotel, as it was called, stood on
the corner with an entrance on each street,
and an mhed WWW through which a
vehicle could pass into the puma, or court in
the rear.

Through this tunnel-like way the King of
Diamonds drove, and halting‘his horse, mo-
tioned to Darkie Dan to alight, and silently
:the negro obeyed.

“Where did your master get this rig!” be
.asked. loosening the gag in the negro's mouth.

“From the, St. Charles Hotel stables,‘ sir,”
was the quiet response.

“Come, andifyoucryoutIehallkiil you,"
was the stern order, and entering a dimly-
lighted hallway the King of Diamonds led the
way in!" pair of» stone stairs to a floor above.
‘Aheylsthimiuto a room,on the right of
“hell, andturniagupalamp that stood on

A

 

a center table, the light revealed a most lux-
uriously furnished sitting-room, with a door
leading into a chamber beyond.

“Come!” and the gambler led the negro
into the adjoining room, which was a bed-
chambor, and furnished with the same luxu-
rious taste and motioned him to sit down in a
large and massive arm-chair.

Without a word Darkie Dan obeyed, and
taking a long, strong rope, the King of Dia-
monds at once set about binding his captive to
the chair, and in a short while had him so
securely bound that it was impossible for him
to move hand 0r foot, and the cruel gag was
again put in use.

“I guess you will await my return,” he
said mockingly, and leaving the room he de-
scended the stone stairs and entered a door on
the right.

It was nearly two o’clock, but in a large
wineer a few keepers of late hours were
still lingering over their drinks, while a
Spanish-looking man with evil face stood 'be-
hind the bar half asleep.

Approaching this person, who looked up and
bowed politely, the gambler said:

“Jacot, I have just returned from an un-
pleasant aflair, a duel, and I killed my man,
and have driven into t0wn in his buggy, which
is in the Plaza.

“Take it to the St.x’Charles Hotel stables,
and say to the proprietor that Mr. Fenton
Delamere, the Mississippi Planter, has been
killed in a due], and now lies out at the field,
and he will send for his body.

“Also let them know it at the St. Charles
Hotel, where he stopped.”

“ Yes, Monsieur Del Morte; but allow me to
congratulate you upon your safety,” said the
cabaret-keeper.

“Thank you, Jacot: but do not tarry, for
these idlers here are not buying now.”

“ No, monsieur, they have not spent ten sons
the past hour;” and raising his voice he called
out:

“Come, messieurs, it is late, and I must
close my doors.”

The idlers took the hint and departed, and
the King of Diamonds said:

“ Give me a bottle of your best wine, J acot,
and I will take it to my room to drive the cob-
webs of thoughts unpleasant away.”

“Yes, monsieur, here it is; now I am off,
and if you need anything, ring the bell for
Teresa, and she will hear you.”

The cabaret-keeper then departed from his

wine-room and Don Del Morte ascended the ;

stone stairway once more and entered his own
room, and began to pace to and fro, his face
working with strong passions that crowded
through his brain.

Turning suddenly, he took up the bottle of
wine, and impatient of delay, knocked off the
neck, and poured out a silver goblet full, and

'quafled it without withdrawing it from his

lips.

Then he threw himself into an easy-chair,
and began mechanically to glance around the
room, and upon its handsome furnishings, for
the windows, as well as the doors, were hung
with crimson velvet curtains, relieved by mus-
lin drapery; a French divan was against the
wall, inviting repose, and a bufiet, glittering
with glass and silver were, stood between
the windows, while articles of luxury were
placed about as ornaments, bric-a-brac of all
kinds stood on brackets, books were in pro-
fusion in carved hanging shelves, and over
the marble mantle was a shrine of the Ma-
donna, and the lamp, on the center—table,
which was hidden beneath a richly-embroi-
dered cover, was of burnished silver and in the
shape of a cross. ,

Restlesst the eyes of the Gambler King fell
upon these indications of a cultivated taste and
a generous purse that were around him, and
then were .turned through the open door, where
the heavily-curtained bed and drawing—room
beyond were visible.

With a start, as though suddenly recalled to
himself, he went into the bed-chamber, and
crossing it, with but a cursory glance at the
bound negro, he took from a chest of drawers
a large key, and pulling aside a curtain, a win-
dow, seemingly, was revealed.

With a procure of his hand he caused the
window-sill to move, and a key-hole was visi-
ble, into which he placed the key in his hand.

Turning it, the sash moved slowly upward,
and two mutter-like panels went back into the
wall on either side, and dime visible was a
room beyond.

I

 

Lighting a wax candle, held in a silver dlck,
the Gambler King entered the room, which
was here of furniture, excepting a cot and a

'chair, and the walls were unbroken by win-

dow or door, other than that by which he had
entered.

The roof was arched, and in the center was
a light, protected by iron bars running acres,
and the dismal chamber seemed like a prison
pen in which one might live and die without
hope of succor from the outer world.”

“Thanks to my investigating propensity,
which caused me to ferret out this secret
chamber, which even Jacot does not know the
existence of, I have a safe place for Fentou
Delamere’s shadow,” muttered the King of
Diamonds, as he set the candle down and re-
turned to his sleeping-room. “Well. Darkie
Dan, we are to be neighbors, until I decide
what I shall do with you, for our rooms ad-’
join, and if yours is not as comfortable as
mine, it is safer," and he began to unbind the
negro.

“Come, this is the way; ahi you do not
seem struck with the furniture; now, that
is what interests me, for I am confident it has
been here for half a century, if not more, for
see, the covering on this cot is but dust, when
you touch it, and the wood is shrunken with
age.

“ But you shall have a blanket and a pillow,

and I know can make yourself comfortable,
though I must still keep your hands bound, as
you are a dangerous man, Darkie Dan, and I
am afraid of you.”
' Darkie Dan-made no reply, but his look
Spoke volumes, and having thrown a blanket
and pillow on the cot, the King of Diamonds
returned to his own comfortable quarters, leav-
ing the negro standing like a statue in the cen-
ter of his prison.

Closing the secret doorway securely behind
him, Don Del Morte entered his sitting room,
just as there came a knock at the door, and
opening it, Carlyon Norman stepped in and ,
confronted him.

CHAPTER X.
SATAN AND ms ALLY. .

“ WELL, Carlyon, what has been done!” and
the King of Diamonds turned to the young
man who had been his second in the fatal
duel. -

“ Oh, it is’ all right; I simply reported to the
oillcials that Mr. Delamere had fallen in a duel
with the famous King of Diamonds, you know,
and had come with only a slave as a compan-
ion, and I had acted as second for both gentle-
men.”

“ That was right, Carly on; but was the no-
gro’s absence commented upon?"

“The officer mid the darky had doubtle-
gotten frightened, and I remarked that he had
run of to the woods as soon as the sword com-
bat began between my friends, for of course I
pretended to be more intimate with Delamera
than with you, and consequently more friend-
ly toward him; but you must keep that negro
in the background until you get possesdonot
the estate, at the expiration of the time the
notes were given for.”

“Oh, he is safe: besides, a slave’s testimony
is not taken in court you know; but it’s bestto
have him tell no ugly story about the affair,
and HI cannot win him over by giving him
his freedom and money, to Serve me, why I
shall simply and his life in some way.” '

“ Bah! you talk as though taking human life
was of no account,” said the less hardened vil-
lain of the two.

“ It does not trouble me; and I will protect
myself, even if I had to remove you from my
path.” .

The young man turned quickly toward him,
and his face poled, seeing which the King of
Diamonds added hastily:

“ Do not misunderstand me, Carlyon; you
know what we are to each other, and I merely
named you, to show what extent I would go
to, if driven to it; now let us decide upon some
plan for the future.

“ I suppose you are satisfied with the invest-
ment of your five thousand dollars?"

“ More than I could have dreamed that I
would be, for I have already realised incash
which you have given me, five times the
amount I advanced, not to speak of the Dela- '
mere estate in which I hold half an interest."

“More than half an interest, my boy, is‘I
did, for my revenge is satiatsd against Fenian
Deiamere, and‘thatIholdasworth more tbn

  

    

8

‘ the gold, while you are to have the fair Ger-
trude for your wife.”

‘ “True, and she is exquisitely lovely, and I
adored her the night I saw her at the grand
masque ball the last night of the carnival.”

“Well, you must win her if you can; if not,
then you shall have control of the notes to

_ force her to it, and, not knowing your connec-
tion with my affairs, she will not look upon
you as a vile man, and sacrifice herself to save

‘ her brother from destitution, and herself from
beggars"

“Do you know if she is already interested
in any one?”

“I have heard that 31!. Leon Martelle, a
wealthy young Creole here, is deeply interested
in her, and he is a dangerous rival.”

“Oh! I shall get rid of him in some way;
now about the brother!”

“Frank Delamerei”

u Yes.”

“Well, he is a dashing, handsome young
fellow, for he came down on the same steamer
with me some weeks ago, on his return from
the North, where he has just graduated at
Yale, and it may be necessary to get rid of
him altogether.”

“As how i”

“Why, Carlyon, don’t be stupid: what hap-
pens a man whom you wish to rid yourself
of!”

“You mean kill himi"

“Certainly, my boy; a little powder and
ball, a knife in a strong hand, or poison, and
he is fruit for the grave.”

“ And you think he will oppose me?"

“ Not knowing you I suppose he will; my
plan is to give you a letter of introduction to
Frank Delamere, pretending to be from his
father, for I can imitate his handwriting per»
fectly.

“ You are to go to the plantation and make
avisit, and remember, you are a young Ken-
tuckian, an orphan, in fact kindredless, and
having been left rich, you travel for amuse-
ment.

“Accident of course throws the notes of
Fenton Dclamere in your way, and you buy
them, out of your friendship for Frank and
Gertrude, and then the way is clear; once your
wife, and she shall know whom she has mar-
tied, and so shall Frank Delamere know who
is his brother-in-law, and then there is but one
thing to do with both of them, if they attempt
to betray the secret.”

“You certainly are an adept at plotting
deviltry,” said Carlyon Norman.

“Oh, yes! I have had practice; now, to-
morrow evening the Natchez leaves for up the
river, and will land you at Idlerest landing,
md__"

“But I cannot go so soon, for it is nearly
dawn now, and therefore it is this evening the
steamer leaves.”

“ Then take the Shotwell the following day,
and you had better, now I think of it, be the
one to carry the body of Fenton Delamere
home; it will help you there.

“Go to the hotel in the morning, pay his
bill there, and also the undertaker’s bill; play
interested friend, for no one knows you here,
and carry the body up with you on the Shot-
well, and you can be one of the chief mourners
at the funeral.

“Write Frank Delamere by the Natchez of
his father’s sad death, and say that you will
follow with the loved remains, and my word
for it all will go well.”

“So be it, I will do as you say; now I will
my good-night, or rather good-morning, for I
need rest."

“Au "coir, my boy, and I too will seek
rest,” and Carlyon Norman departing, Don Del
Harte disrobed himself and throwing himself
upon his luxurious bed, was soon sleeping as
sweetly as though no poor negro was suffering
near him,-no crime lay upon his conscience,
and his hand had not taken the life of one who
was to him—what! '

CHAPTER II.
mu m xvmrmnss.

I! was late when the King of Diamonds
awoke from his sleep, and he stretched himself
haily, looked over at bk gilded clock on the
mantle, arose, and leisurely dressed himself.

Then he went to his secret chamber and
found Darkie Dan stretched out upon the cot,
but wide awake, and evidently suflering from
Us bonds, for his hands were swollen.

“Darkie Dan. I have no desire to punish
nor injure you just now, and not at all, if

 

 

Darkie Dan.

r

you will serve me faithfully,” he said pleasant-
ly approaching the negro.

Darkie Dan arose to a sitting posture, and
asked quickly:

“ Do you mean that I am to serve you, sir,
who killed my dear master?”

“Yes; I will give you your freedom—”

“I am no slave, sir: my master made me
free when I saved Miss Gertrude from the
wolves five years ago.”

“Have you your freedom papers?” -

H sir?”

“ Did he give you papers setting you free?”

‘ ‘N o, sir.”

“Then you are still a slave, for he is dead
and his word given you then, is worthless now,”
and a glitter of triumph came into the eyes of
the gambler, while an ashen hue crept over the
face of the negro, whose intelligence told him
that Don Del Morte had spoken the truth.

“ Oh, sir, my poor dead master never meant
to wrong me so,” he groaned.

“ Well, he has wronged you, if he gave you
no papers, and I now promise to not only put
your freedom papers in your hand, but also to
give you your value in gold, if you will swear
to serve me as faithfully as you did him.”

“ I cannot, master.”

“ Cannot?”

“No, sir, I will not, for it would be a crime
to him who is dead.”

“ Curse you! do you love him dead better
than you do your freedom and gold 7”

“If I get it by wrong—doing, yes, sir,” was
the frank response.

“ And you refuse to serve me?”

“Yes, sir.”

“ I will, in sixty days, be your owner.”

“I will be sorry, sir.”

“ I shall force you to serve me then.”

“ No, sir, for I have pledged my dead master
to be true to my promise to him, and I cannot
serve two masters, so the Good Book says.”

“ Curse you! no preaching to me: but I tell
you, Darkie Dan, that you shall either serve
me well. or I shall kill you.”

The negro never flinched, and disappointed
in not making him show fear, the gambler
continued:

“ I am going out now, Darkie Dan, but I
shall return in a. few hours with irons for your
hands and feet, and if I do not bring you to
terms by starvation, this room shall be your
tomb.”

Darkie Dan simply bowed, and the King of
Diamonds wheeled on his heel and went out to
a fashionable restaurant where he took his
meals, and was soon enjoying an epicurean
breakfast, unmindful of the fact that there
was a very curious specimen of femininity in
his elegant rooms.

This person with her bump of curiosity en-
larged was Teresa, a mulattress, with fine dark
eyes, glossy hair, and a voluptuous form,
which was costumed with all the love for gay
colors of her race. '

Her mother had died when in the employ of
Jacot, the cabaret—keeper, and Teresa, then
but sixteen, had assumed her duties as house-
keeper, and, a marvel of cleanliness, her rooms
were kept in perfect order.

Hardly had the King of Diamonds left his
rooms, when Teresa opened the door with her
pass key, and entered to put them in order, for
she loved to spend her spare time in the hand-
some rooms, looking at the objects of interest,
and reading, for she was by no means a bad
scholar, and, as the occupant was absent three-

fourths of the time, she was seldom intermpted

in her siesta on the divan, or in her poring
over the fascinating books in Don Del Morte’s
library.

To set the sitting room in order was but the
work of an instant, and then she went into the
chamber, and her eyes fell upon a large key
lying upon the table.

It was ill-shapes: and rusty, and seemed out
of place on that elegantly-embroidered cover,
and the curious mulattress busied her brain to
discover why mch an outre thing was in the
rooms of the fastidious gambler.

Presently her eyes fell upon the curtain
drawn aside from the mock window, and ap-
proaching it, she observed that the sill was
pushed back into the wall about three inches,
and the space thus exposed had a large key-
hole in it.

“ Aha! there is a mystery here, which I will
fathom, Monsieur Del Morte,” she cried, de-
lighted at having struck a trail that might
prove of interest to her. '

Tothequickwitof'l'enmittockbutan

 

A
W—I

instant to comprehend the use of the large by
on the table, and seizing it she thrust it into
the lock, concealed by the bar beneath the
window-sill, and turning it, the result startled
her, for back into the wall upon either side
moved the two supposed shutters.

With a half cry of alarm the girl started
back, for the secret chamber was revealed to
her astonished gaze, and upon the cot sat
Darkie Dan. \

' Glancing at the door when he heard it open-
ing, he now beheld, instead of the hated face
of the King of Diamonds, that of a very
pretty mulattress, and hope of escape sent the
hot blood surging to his heart.

 

CHAPTER XII.
DARKIE DAN AND rmsa.

FOR full amoment neither the man or the
girl spoke, and each eyed the other fixedly.

Then the mulattress asked, for she felt it do-
volved upon her to satisfy her curiosity to the
full:

“ Who are you?”

“ An unfortunate slave,” was the bitter re-
sponse.

“ that is your name?”

v New Teresa was not certain whether it mat-
tered to her what was the name of the man,
she found in the secret, but she knew not
what else to ask.

“Darkie Dan, I am called: but my master
gave me the name of Dan Dorms, after my
father and my mother," was the simple re-
ply.

“Why are you here?” asked Teresa, return-
ing to her catechism.

“Because I cannot help myself," was the
sad response.

“ Who brought you here?”

“A gentleman they call Don Del Morte,’
answered Darkie Dan, not forgetting his
politeness even toward his bitter fee.

“A gentleman! Bah! he is no gentleman,
if he does dress like one and wear diamonds fit
for a prince: he is a gambler of the worst
kind, and a bad man: though he gives me
gold for caring for his room, I cannot help but
say that,” and Teresa gave a contemptuous
toss of her head. ‘ '

“I am glad that you do not like him, for
you will the more readily help rm, especially
as we are of the same blood.”

“ You are a full blood negro.”

“Yes, and you a mulattress.”

“ I am not a slave.”

if I ‘m. 7’

“Ah me! I wish there were no slaves; but
you are handsome, in spite of your black face,
you talk well, and are like a gentleman, and I
like you.”

“I was raised by a gentleman, and with ,

those of our blood it is like master like man.”

“Why you talk like they do in the books I
read in the King of Diamonds’s room: oh,
Stwn'tt'l If he should only come and catch me
now, I behave he would kill me,” and Teresa
grew pale with alarm, and turned as if about
to fly.

But a word from Darkie Dan recalled her,
for he said pleadingly:

“ And Will you leave me here to die, for do
you notsee I am bound so tightly that the
cords cut into my flesh?”

“ Poor man; but did he do this?”

“ If you mean Don Del Morte, yes.”

“What had you done!"

“ Nothing to him.”

“Oh? you are a runaway slave and be
caught you?”

“No.”

“ Then what did you do" asked Teresa
pettishly, for she had all the spoilt airs and
mannerism of speaking of the French Creoles
among whom she had been reared.

“I did him no harm; I saw him commit a
crime, and he wishes to silence my tongue by
death.”

“But your word will not be taken, you be-
ing a slave.”

“ Alas! I know well how little a slave’s
testimony 3 worth in the courts; but those

to whom I tell my sad story will believe

me.” .

“ Who are they!”

“My young master and mists-aw, who are
asgoed and noble as was their dead father;
will younotaidmetogotothan,fcrtheyare
in danger!"

“Of what!”

“0! worse than death."
__“Whateanbsmthaum Vfilm

 

 

 

    
     
   
  
 
 
  

“fir,
_W

 

 

 

 

lDarkie Dan.

9

 

:—

mums shiver to speak of it, for I am terri-

> my afraid to die.” -

“Then your heart should not let me die

~_ when you- can help me.”

“ I dare not.”

“ Who do you fear?”

“ The King of Diamonds.”

“ He need not know that you released me.”
“ But he will find it out.”

"‘ Not if I were doomed to die, and betraying

‘- you would save my life, would I tell."

“Ah! you are so nice.”

“And you will save me?”

“ How can I?” and Teresa looked cautiously
back into the chamber.

“ Get a knife and sever these cords.”

“ Oh! if he should catch me.”

“Release my arms, and he shall never harm
you,” and a dangerous light flashed into the
eyes of Darkie Dan. .

“I believe I will,” said Teresa, slowly.

“ Please do. ”

She gased into the dark, earnest eyes, and
springing into the room next the secret cham-
ber, soon returned with a pen-knife in her
hand.

Having decided upon her course her waver-
ing was wholly gone, and quickly 'she cut the
bonds, and Darkie Dan was free.

Gladly he stretchod his freed limbs, rubbed
them, and swrmg his arms to and fro, to get
back the lost circulation, and in a few moments
felt that he was a match for the King of Die.-
monds, should he come upon him unarmed.

“ Now you are free,” said the mulattress, in
a low tone. '

“ Yes, and I owe you my life,"and his voice
trembled.

“I am so glad; but now you must go, and
let me close up this secret door, for I don’t
want to be around when the Don comes back,
and I’ll have to say pater-nosters for a month
to make up for the lies I will tell, if asked
about" your escape.”

“Good God!”

The cry broke from the lips of Darkie Dan.

dnd it was no wonder, for standing in the
door of the bed—chamber was the King of Diw
mas.

 

CHAPTER XIII.
m STRUGGLE ma Lin.

Elmo the exclamation of Darkie Dan,
and seeing his staring eya, Teresa the Mulat-
trees also looked quickly toward the door and
beheld the pallid King of Diamonds.

With 'aery of horror she tried to fly; but
whither! for the way was barred by the man
of whom she stood in such awe.

Seeing her not he sprung toward her, when
turning, ‘she darted past Darkie Dan into the
secret chamber, while Don Del Morte ran in
the drection of the bureau, upon which lay a
large, silver-mounted revolver.

; But Darkie Dan saw his intention, and like a
tiger sprung upon him, and the two men
each other with savage, iron—like

grips, and the struggle for mastery was begun.

Had Darkie Dan engaged in a struggle with
the King of Diamonds the day before, it would
have been of hardly an instant's duration, for
the negro possessed remarkable strength and
endurance, while he was as agile as a panther
and as 'quick in all his movements. '

But the worry for his master, the sorrow for
his death, the severe blow on his head from the
pistol of Don Del Morte, and the night of
sleepless sufl’ering, with his limbs cramped and
bound, had done much marinerve him and to
lessen his strength. '

These things being considered, he was upon
almost'equal terms with the King of Diamonds,
than whom there were few more powerful
men. '

Realizing that his threats had been sufficient
to‘ cause the negro to kill him, and the danger
of his escape to all his plans, the King of Dia-
monds put forth all his energies to cenquor
him, while he cursed his ill-fortune in not hav-
ing gone armed when he went out to his break»
fast.

But Darkie Dan also knew the devil in the
nature of the man he had to deal with, had
heard his throat to kill him, and if not to ban
him for his slavo, and. that some plot was in-
1tended against Gertrude Delamere, while, if he
allowed the Don to subdue him, poor Teresa
would suffer by it, and 11.; was determined to
later him or die. .

Bk heed pained him Search“, his heart held
a heavy load of sorrow, his» limbs were torn
with pain, and the struggle was agony to him;

'I

 

but he heeded not his ailnients, and by a
mighty effort forced the King of Diamonds in-
to the secret chamber, where the flooring was I
of heavy stones, and would give back no sound '
as did the wooden floor of the bed-chamber. .

Once in this prison pen, and hot and fierce ;
raged the combat, loud panted the contestants, "
and heavily their feet trod the floor.

In silence, except their hard drawn breath-
ing and tramping of feet, they fought on,
clutched tightly together, while poor Teresa
lay in a swoon upon the floor, unconscious of
the death—struggle.

At last the sinewy form of the negro began
to tax the muscles of the white man beyond
endurance, and Darkie Dan got his gripe upon
the throat of the gambler.

Tighter and tighter he clutched it, until the
bone and flesh seemed crushed in his strong
band, and only a gurgling, strangling sound-
came from the mouth and nostrils of his
enemy.

At last the clasp of the King of Diamonds
gave way, his face became blue-black and
blotched, his tongue protruded and his eyes
seemed bursting from their sockets, and Darkie
Dan, now able to look upon the visage so near
his own, threw the limp form from him with a
half cry of horror.

Staggering across the room he raised Teresa
the mulattrem in his arms, carried her into
the bed—chamber and laid her upon a sofa.

Then he returned to the portal of the secret
room, and the rusty key still in the window
sill, told the story of how the girl had gained in-
grass?

Glancing across the room, he saw that the
King of Diamonds. still lay upon the stone floor
where he had flung him, and seemed as though
life had forever left his body, and, with a shud-
der he turned the key, and back into place
came the sliding shutters, or doors.

Then he removed the key, drew the sill back
into place, and turning toward the sofa, beheld
Teresa just awaking to consciousnem.

“Oh! ‘ what has happened? Have I been
dead, or am I alive?” cried the [Mned girl,
springing to her feet. I

“You are safe, but you must leave here.”

“Oh! I remember; you are the handsome
negro I rescued, and the King of Diamonds
came in and caught as,” she said in a frightened

way.
it Ya.” p

“ And where is he?"

“ He left the room.” '

“Sanctissima! then I must go too.”

“ Yes, go with me, for it is best.”

“ Marry you? Oh! how forward you are,”
and the dark eyes opened wide.

“ You misunderstand me; I asked you to go
with me, for here you will not be safel”

“ Where!” ,

“ I will find you a hiding place in a Quadroon
family I know in town, until I ask my young
missy to give you a home, and I know she
Wm” '

“ I would like it, for this life is not a pleas-
ant one. "

“Then you "will leave here!"

a “Yes, if you tell me where to go."

“ I will acoOmpany you.”

“ Wait until I get some trinkets I have; and
can I carry a pretty yellow silk I have, and
which I bought with my earnings?"

“No: I have money for you to buy one in
the place of' it; but hurry, or harm may yet
befall us; I will wait here.”

Teresa, yet greatly alarmed, and anxious to
retreat before the return of the King of Dia-
monds, hurried from the room, and in five
minutes returned with a little bundle.

Closing the door of Don Del Morte’s room,
they descended the stone stairs, and the next
moment stepped out of the hall door upon the
banque, and walked quickly down the street.

With the cabaret of Jacot shut out by the
next corner, both Darkie Dan and the mulattress
breathed more freely, and a cab, which had
just deposited a load at the cite carcel, passing,
Darkie Dan hailed it, and aiding Teresa into it,
ordered the cache to drive to a certain street
in an obscure part of the town, and where
dwelt his Quadroon friends.

 

CHAPTER XIV.
run meanness raon THE Harem
“Do you recognise who it is, Una?” asked
Gertrude Delamere, addressing the Quadroon,
as the old negro, who had landed from the
steamer Notched, came slowly up. the avenue

 

leading to‘ Idlersst.

“ I don’t know him, missy,” answa'ed 'Una,
watching the approaching stranger with all a
woman’s curiosity, whether she be African,
Caucasian or Indian.

Coming up to the stone steps of the mandon,
be halted, leaning on his stick, and Gertrude
saw what appeared to be an old man, for his
hair was white, his face furrowed and his form
bent, and he seemed to hang heavily upon his
stick.

“ How-do, missy? would like to see missy if‘
she will talk to poor ole nigger,” he said with
deference.

“Certainly, Uncle,* what have you to say!
but sit down, for you look tired.”

“Ah! missy, I am tired here,” and he put
his hand on his heart, while, suddenly coming
up the steps at a pace that surprised both
Gertrude and Una, he continued:

“ Mimy Gertrude, forgive me for coming
before you this way; but oh! mimy! missyi I
have bad, bad news to tell you.”

In an instant Gertrude Delamere was upon-
her feet, and from her lips broke the name:

“ Darlcic Dan!”

“Yes, missy, I am Dan,” was the sad re-

nee.

“ And my father!” and Gertrude spoke in a
Voice that was hardly above a whisper, while
her face turned deadly pale.

“Missy, let me tell you to be strong to hear
what I have to tell, for—”

“ Speakl Dan, what of my father!” and
Gertrude’s voice was unnaturally calm.

“ Missy Gertrude, your poor father is dead.”

A low mean, like the plaintive note of a
dove, broke from Gertrude’s lips, and though
bot-h Dan and Una sprung toward her, Illa
sunk on the piazza in a swoon.

Instantly all was excitement in the mansirm:
servants were dispatched on fleet horses for the
family physician and for Frank Delamere, and
wailing resounded through the halls and in the
cabins, for the master was dearly loved.

And in the midst of their grief for the dead
master, and anxiety at Gerirude’s remaining
unconscious, in spite of all that Una ad old
Mammy Deborah could do to restore her, no
one noticed that one of the up river boats had
put in to the bank and landed two men. Up
to the mansion they came, and suddenly, as
Darkie Dan came out upon the piazm, his dis-
guise all awry, he started back as two re'voivers
covered him, and a stern voice said:

“ This is'the man, Deluth?’

“Yes; you see he is disguised.”

“Well, my man, you are wanted in New
Orleans,” said the first speaker.’ '

“ I am‘ needed here, sir, just now, for my
master is dead, and my young mimy'very ill,
while her brother is away from home,” said
Darkie Dan quietly. -

“Others must look after her and afl'end to
the dead, for you go with us.”

“ Will you not wait, gentlemen, until Master
Frank comes!"

“ No, for -we saw the smoke of a descending
steamer as we landed, and will catch it back to
the city.”

“But Master Frank will soon be here,”
pleaded Darkie Dan.

“ We cannot wait; cornel”

“Of what do you accuse this man?” suddenly
said a stern voice. and Frank Delsmere, who
had ridden up the back way, and whom Um
had told of what had occurred to Dan, stepped
out upon the pima.

“Are you Mr. Delamere sir?” asked one of
the men politely. /

“I am.”

“We are officers of the law.”

“Well, what do you want here!”

“Is hot this man known as Darkie Dani"

H  is.”

“Then we arrest him for murder."

“ Murder! no, no, he cannot be guilty a
murder,” cried Frank Delamere.

“ He has committed murder in the city, and
he must return with us."

“ Speak! Dan, what means this charge!”
said Frank Delamere, earnestly.

“ 0h, Master Frank, I do net know what to
say.”

“ Is it true, Dani”

‘ ‘ You see he has been disguised, sir.”

“Yes, and I cannot understand it.”

“The truth will all come out, Master Frank;
it will all come out some day,” and Darkie
Dan spoke dejectedly, and before more could

 

a All old negroes in the Southern called "Una."
.-—TnNrm

and “Auntie. ’ according totheirsex

 
 

 

Darkie Dan.

 

1.0

he said one of the officers took him by the arm,
and ordered sternly:

“ Come! we will miss that steamer if we
tarry longer; the boy will have fair trial, Mr.
Delamere, and if you wish to see him, you will
find him in the cite carcel."

“Good-by, Master Frank. ”

“ Good-by, Dan,” and Frank Delamere
grasped the outstretched hand and turned
quickly away, while poor Una, the Quadroon,
waibd plteousl y as she saw Darkie Dan ironed
and led down toward the river, where the boat
coming dcwn-stream was hailed, and putting
in to the landing, carried the emcers and their
prisoner to New Orleans.

 

CHAPTER XV.
'rrrn DEAD AND THE LIVING.

WHEN Frank Delamere turned away with a
full heart, at Dan’s arrest for a crime so foul,
it was his half-formed intention to immediately
get ready and accompany him to New Orleans,
for he could not believe that the negro was
guilty of murder.

But he had just arrived, and coming by a
path through the forest, his horse having gone
lame in leaping a ditch, which caused him to
return home, he had not met the messengers
dispatched in search of him, and knew not the
awful tidings that awaited him.

The wailing of the negroes he attributed to
the unfortunate situation, which Darkie Dan
had gotten himself into, for he knew that the
young man was dearly loved by all on the
plantation.

“Cheer up, Una, for I think there must be
some sad mistake, and Dan shall have full jus-
tics; but did he run away and leave my father
in the city?” said Frank Delamere, to his sis-
ter‘s Quadroon maid, who had left Gertrude to
the care of old Auntie Deborah, while she
came to see what would be Darkie Dan’s fate.

“Oh, Master Frank, your poor father is'
dead i”

H  I"

The news struck Frank Delamere as a blow
from a club, and he staggered back and leaned
against the door.

“ Father dead, and Dan arrested as a mur-
derer! What does this mean, Una?" he gasped
rather than said. .

“ I dunno, Master Frank; I dunno, sir. ”

“ Where is my sister?”

“She has fainted, sir, and Auntie Deborah is
with her.” A

Frank heard no more, but bounded toward
his sister’s room.

Gertrude had just recovered consciousness,
and threw herself into her brother’s arms,
while she cried pitifully:

“ 0h, Frank! Brother! what does it all
mean?" .. _

“Gertrude, I know nothing excepting what
I havs heard from Una, that our father is dead,
and Dan has been arrested as his murderer.”

“No, no, that cannot be; father is dead, I
fear—I know it now, for something here tells
me so—but Dan never killed him. "

“It may have been an accident, Gertrude,
and the trial will show, I feel confident, that
Dan never intentionally killed father.”

“ Oh, brother! there is some sad mistake;
but what are we to do?"

“ I shall go to the city by the first boat down,
alt-)3

“ Don't leave me here, brother, or I should
die; take me with you, I implore."

“Certainly you shall go; here, Una, get Min;
Gertrude's things ready, and I will put some
one on watch to hdil the next boat,” and Frank
Delaware left the room.

And all that afternoon and night a watch
was kept, but only one heat went down, and
that One a “stern-wheeler ” from the Ohio
and it refused to answer the hail from the
shore, although a score of slaves were waving
pine torches for her to come in to the bank,
and Frank Delamere and his sister stood at the
landing, awaiting to go on board.

It was a weary night of watching, and just
at sunrise, as no smoke was visible over the
point, where a boat could be seen twenty-five
miles above, Frank Delamere called to Ger-
trude to accom pan y him to the house for break-
fast, and the party, for half a dozen neighbor-
ing planters had ridden over to ofler their
sympathy, were returning to the mansion,
when a negro boy called out:

“ Boat comin’ up, Masser Frank.”

. All 6 es were at once turned down the river,
and le sling his spy-glass, which he had with
him, Frank Delamere said:

i

 

“ It is the Shotwell, and she is ahead of her
usual time; now we will get news, I hope.”

Rapidly the splendid steamer came on up
the river, a wall of foam running back from
each bow, and suddenly her deep-toned hell he-
gan to toll, and a planter said:

“Her flags are at half-mast, Frank.”

“Yes, the Shotwell doubtless carries the
body of my father; see, she is putting in to-
ward the landing.”

A breathless silence now fell upon the little
group, while the steamer slackened speed, and
came on slowly, her bell tolling, her flags at
half—mast, and a group of passengers gathered
forward on the lower deck.

Nearer and nearer, until the heavy line was
thrown out and made fast, the gang-plank
shoved off to the bank, and slowly and with
measured tread, a party of passengers, who
knowing the dead planter, had volunteered as
pall bearers, moved shoreward.

Before the coffin walked a young man with
saddened face, and ascending the bank he was
met by Frank Delamere.

“Mr. Delamere, I believe?” said the young
man politely.

“Yes, sir.”

“My name is Carlyon Norman, and,‘ as a
friend of your father I have brought his body
home, for I see that you know of his sad end.”

“Only that he is dead, sir; but you are wel-
come to Idlerest, though from my heart I wish
that you had come under happier auspices.

“Gertrude, this is Mr. Norman, our father’s
friend; my sister, Mr. Norman.”

Gertrude extended her hand, but uttered no
word, for her heart was too full, and the
planters present having relieved the steamer’s
passengers of their lead, the cortege moved
slowly toward the mansion.

It was a sad procession there in the early

morning, with the dew still on the grass, the.

birds chirping in the trees, eight planters, bare-
headed, carrying the massive casket with its
dead, the son, daughter, and friend (i) of Fen-
ton Delamere following close behind with bare
heads, the rear brought up by the negroes who
had been on watch during the night .on the
river bank, the slaves from the “quarters ”
forming a lane, for they stood on either side of
the avenue, silent, uncovered, and with full
hearts, and the majestic steamer, slowly stem-
ming the current, and sending back the sympa-
thy of her passengers and crew, through the
deep-toned notes of her tolling bell.

And yet, Carlyon Norman walked amid those
who loved the dead, gazed upon the impressive
scene, and was plotting ruin and sorrow for the
name of Delamere in the future.

CHAPTER XVI.
a amen or VILLAINS.

WHEN the two officers who arrested Darkie
Dan, took the steamer at Idlerest landing, one
of them want to the captain and told him that
it was n for him to return up the
river, and to keep a bright watch for the Shot-
well, and bring her to with signals, so that he
might heard her.

As the man offered to pay the captain for
his trouble, and was an officer of the law, of
course there could be no refusal of his request,
and consequently that night the Shotwell was
signaled, and coming alongside a passenger
from the steamer going down boarded her.

Going to the office he paid his fare up to
Vicksburg, was assigned a state-room, and then
leisurely sauntercd about the cabin and guards,
until suddenly he came face to face with a
person who seemed to recognize him, and who
said in a low tone:

“My state-room is No. 10, the door is un-
locked that opens on the guard; come in
there!”

The two separated then, and five minutes
after sat together in No. 10.

“Well, what did you do?” asked the occu-
pant of No. 10.

“ When you told me that a murder had been
committed, and that the man would start for
the plantation where he lived, I at once went
to watching the boats that were leaving for up
the river, and my pard came to me and said
that a negro had left on the Natchez, who had
a queer look he thought, for he was apparently
an old man; but a child falling overboard he
had sprung into the river and saved him with
a strength a person of his seeming age could
not have possessed; soon after the Natchez
left, and after some talk together, we con-
cluded to go to the plantation and wait there
to nab him, and Lo informed you, as you know.

 

 

1

“Well, we took a steamer up and trrlved at
Idlerest a short time behind the Natchg and
caught our man, who was really the pretmded
old negro, and before he could do any damage,
though he had told of his master’s death.

“The young master was away, it seems, and
the young lady fainted at the news, so we got
him before any harm was done, and caught
the next boat down, and while my pard has
him in irons on his way to the city, here I an
to report to you.”

“You are certain that the people at Idle-
rest do not suspect anything against me!"

“Sure.”

“ You are convinced that the negro made no
charges against me?” ,

“Not one; he had merely told of his mes-
ter’s death, when the lady fainted, and we ar-
rested him while she was yet in a swoon, and
his disguise helped our charge against him.”

“Good! and your comrade has gone on to
New Orleans?”

“Yes, he will carry the fellow to the cabao
ref, as you ordered, and give him into the
hands of Jacot.”

“Well, here is some money for you, and
upon my return, if the negro is there safe, I
will pay you the sum agreed upon for doing
your work so well.

“ Oh! I can play constable well, as Don Del
Morte knews, for I have worked for him be-
fore, and my pard is as precious a rascal as I
am,” said the pretended officer, for suehlthe
reader now knows him to be, and with evident
pride in his criminal skill.

“I don’t doubt it; but I will not condemn
you for that which has done me good service,
and you shall be well paid; now go to your
state-room, ‘and remember, if we do not
arrive at Idlerest until late in the morning,
do not recognize me.”

‘th no, I never saw you before of course;

-night, sir, and I am obliged for this
little forerunner of more to come," and the
villain slipped out of the state-room leaving
Carlyon Norman to his own meditations.

After a moment of silent thought, he mut-
tered half aloud:

“By Heaven! but Don Del Morte badacleee
call of it that time, and, had he not known
the secret spring, which opened that queer
chamber from the inside, he would have died,
as he was nearly gone when I found himon
the floor of his sitting‘room.

“Well, Darkie Dan will fare badly when
he gets in his power. and if hedoes not pray
for death, before it comes to him, then I know
nothing of the cruel torture that man can
devise.

“Ahme! I am in thecurrent‘and musth
with it, not strive to swim against it; so
heart be still with thy conscientious prickings,
and faceput onthemaakofsorrowand
virtue.

“ In a few hours now the boat will be at
ldlerest landing, and then I mud play we!
my part, for a single mistake may ruin all,
and I have sworn that sweet Gertrude Dela-
mereshallbe my bride, andDonDelMos-tehas
taken solemn oath to make me the owner of
the Delamere estates, and bring ruin upon
them, and shame upon their name.

“Great God! how that man hates then-of
the Delamere blood, and visits upon the shil-
dren the sins of the fathers.

“I wishIcouldgotosleep; butlmnstnot,
for I must look a little haggard in them
ing, to show how 1 too have suffered for my
dear friend, the master of Idlereet," and light-
ing a cigar; Carlyon Norman left his state-
room, and went forward, where on the
covered with a dark pall, was the m that
contained the body of Fenton Del-mere.

And, through the following hours he paced
to and fro, until the tollingof the hellannoune-
ed that Idlerest was in sight, and the sympa-
thising passengers began to gather amend the
cofln that was soon to rest in the grave.

CHAPTER XVII.
run FALSE mm.

111' the burying-ground of his family, on the
spot \he had selected, Fenton Delamere was
laid in his grave, and the vast concourse of sor-
rowing friends wended their way homew
for now they knew how sad had been the e
of the wealthy Planter.

Carlyon Norman, the supposed friend, had
told his sad story of the Planter’s quarrel with
the King of Diamonds, whom many know to
their sorrow,and that a duel had folio“

I

 

 

 

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L

and hates Delamere had fallen by the hand
of Don Del Harte.

Book to Idlerest Manor went Frank Dela-
mere, pole, and with a look of determination
upon his face, and his sister, sad, but resigned,
leaned on his arm, while their honored guest,
Carlyon Norman, accompanied them.

And the night following the funeral, sitting
in the handsome library, Frank and Gertrude
Delamere heard, in the honeyed tones of their
guest, the full story of the gambling scene on
the steamer, the duel that followed, and knew
that the King of Diamonds held their father‘s
notes against all they were worth in the
world.

“Is there no way that these notes can be
redeemed, brother, before they come to matu-
rity i" asked Gertrude.

“I see no way, Gertrude; they cover the en-
tire inheritance our father has left us, as I
understand it, and I have no means to meet
them, and know not whom to call on.”

“ Cannot the notes be broken by law, being
gambling debts!" suggested Carlyon Norman,
cunningly feeling his way.

“ No, air!” was the stern response; “for if my
father gave his notes for a debt, his name shall
not be dishonored, but they shall be paid, if
they take every dollar from my sister and my-
self; hat that does not prevent me from paying
a debt I oonsider that I owe.”

“What do you mean, Frank?” asked Ger-
trude, stuck by his strange and earnest man-
not

“I mean, Get, that a blackleg has swindled
my father of his riches, and then taken his
life, and that he has me to settle with. ”

“ 0h, brother! would you meet that man as
you threaten?” cried Gertrude, in alarm.

“I know not what I shall do yet, sis; but
rest assured I shall act for the best, for your
good and mine; but I must go to New Orleans,
soon, and see what can be done.”

“Though I have only met you and your sis-
ter, Ir. Delamere, I knew your father quite
well, and I ask, as his friend, and yours, to
permit me'to act in this matter,” said Carlyon

‘Normas.

“ ht what would you do, my dear friend?”

“m, I will return to New Orleans and
buy up he notes for you.”

‘D‘, as I have just said, I have nothing
with which to buy them."

“But I have.”

“ Youl" ,

“Yea, I possess a most generous bank ac-
coung my dear sir, and shall be more than
hppy to use it in your behalf.”

“ Ky dear Norman, I could never accept
such a kindness at your hands, for already are
we under obligations to you for your kindness
to father, which I can nevsr repay,” and Frank
stretched forth his arm, little dreaming that it
was grasping in friendship the hand of a man
who was as the adder in the bosom.

“ I insist upon taking up these notes, my
dear friends.” .

“Why, they cover half a million, you say,
and it would be twelve years before they could
he paid 01 by the receipts of the plantation."

“Never mind; I have my money so as to
meit, and I can buy the notes for much less
than their face calls for, I am confident; at
any rate I can but try, and I will take the
steamer down in the morning, and soon return,
I hope, with good news.”

To say that Frank Delamere and Gertrude
were deeply touched by the disinterested kind-
ness of their new-found friend, would be to
put it lightly; they were overcome with grati-
tude, and the pretended Kentuckian went to
his sumptuous room that night, gloating over
the enccem of his plans to become the master
of Idlerest, and bring ruin and shame upon
those who treated him as an honored guest.

After an early breakfast the following morn-
ing Oarlyon Norman took the steamer for New
Orleans, refusing to allow Frank Delaware to
accompany him, saying it was his duty to re-
main and comfort his sister, and promising to
do all in his power for poor Darkie Dan,
against whom lay the charge of murder.

———-_.

CHAPTER XVIII.
scrum mvs.

Tu- elegant rooms of the King of Diamonds
were darkened, and there rested upon them
the silence and air of a sick-chamber, for in
the ourta'ined bed lay the form of the occu-
pant, and in an easy-chair, timing away, as
H's-always do, eat an attendant.

 

Darkie Dan.

“What time is it?" suddenly asked a hoarse
voice, from the curtained bed.

Starting up to wakefulness the nurse glanced
at the clock, and replied: I

“It is seven o’clock, sir.”

“Then I should have some news this even-
ing,” and Don Del Morte settled himself back
to rest, while the nurse returned to his dozing.

Presently a knock came at the door and the
nurse was once more disturbed.

It Was Monsieur Jacot, the keeper of the
cabaret, and he wished to speak with Don Del
Morte.

“ Well, J acot, what news?”

“A close carriage is in the court, air, and he
is reported to be in it."

“ Satan be praised: send the nurse off on
some errand, and you bring up the prisoner,
and I will direct you how to open the secret
chamber—curses on his gripe! it pains me fear-
fully to speak.”

Jacot obeyed, by dispatching the nurse to a
distant part of the city, to fetch a certain .doc—
tor, and leaving the room, he soon returned,
leading a man whose ankles were chained to-
gether, whose hands were ironed, and in whose
mouth was a leather gag.

Quietly he led him to the bedside of the in-
valid, and Don Del Morte arose on his elbow
and glanced at the ironed man.

It was Darkie Dan, and he started back, rais-
ing his manacled hands, as if to ward off a
phantom, for he could utter no word.

“Ah! you believed you had killed me, did
you? Well, you see I die hard; but I will see
what you can stand. J acot l" .

“ Yes, monsieur.”

“ On that table lies a heavy key.”

“ Yes, here it is.”

" Do you see yonder curtain?”

“ Yes, monsieur.”

“ Draw it back.”

‘° It is done.” .

“Press hard on the left end of that mock
window-sill.”

“ Ahi it slides back,” cried Jacot.

“ You see a key-hole?”

“ Yes, and the key turns in the lock—obi—
mon Debit! the shutters slide back—Holy Mo-
ther! there is a room—why, monsieur, I am
renting you three rooms, and only getting pay
for two.” .

“ Oh! you shall have your pay as you know.
Now, Darkie Dan, you go back to your old
quarters once more, and remember, in that
room you die I”

Darkie Dan shuddered slightly, but his face
remained calm.

“Curse you] I say you die in that room, for
this man will not save yon, as he is my tool,
my slave, as you are, to do my bidding.”

Darkie Dan yet remained unmoved, and Don
Del Morte continued:

“Not one morsel of food, not one drop of
water shall pass your lips, and inch by inch
you shall die, and your groans, if I could hear
them, would be music to my ears.

“But you cannot cry out, for that gag re-
mains in your mouth, and for your crime
against me you shall die, die, die I”

The cruel man fell back upon his pillow ut-
terly prostrated; but after a while he regained
his strength and said:

“See, your finger—marks yet remain upon
my throat, and yet I have this joy, that ere
they are gone you will be carrion in yonder
room. Jacotl”

“Oui, monsieur.”

“ Lead this man into yonder room—his
tomb!”

“ Yes, Don Del Morte,” and the willing tool
obeyed.

Down upon the cot, where he had before
passed such hours of utter wretchedness, sunk
the brave man, and to his ears came the grat-
ing sound of the shutters sliding hack into place.

Then came silence like that that haunts the
grave, for no sound came from the adjoining
room, and only now and then he heard the
faintest rumbling, as some vehicle drove
rapidly along the stone pave.

“ Yes, that man meant what he said; he has
left me here to die of starvation,” were the
thoughts that flashed through the busy brain
of Darkie Dan.

“ But must I die? No! I made a solemn
pledge to master to save his children, and if I
do not keep it, it will be because I die here in
this room.

“ My tomb, he called it; well, we shall see,”
andastrangelightshoneintheeyesofDarkis
Don. ' '

 

11

a HARD STRUGGLE son flamers.

WHEN Darkie Dan had pondered forsome
time, and then uttered the words:

“My tomb, he called it! well we shall see,”
he seemed to have come to some sudden de-
termination, for he arose from his sitting posic
tion, and lay down upon his face, his full
length upon the cot.

Bending his head over, he worked away un-
til he got one of tne projecting ends of the set
under the leather strap that held the gag in
his mouth.

It is true the effort scraped the skin ed his
face, where it came in contact with the wood;
but what did he care, for he felt not the pain.

Then, bracing himself firmly upon hisrrmnar
cled arms, he raised - upward with all his
strength.

It was a tremendous strain; the veins stood
out like whip-cords, his eyes fairly started
from their sockets, yet still he kept up the
tremendous pressure, until at last, with a snap,
the leather parted, and the gag fell from his
bleeding mouth.

“Thank God!”

It was all he could say, and he sunk ex-
hausted upon the cot, and for a long while hy
motionless.

Then, he arose to work once more, and,
after numerous ineffectual attempts got out (1
his sleeve, where it was concealed, a small pk—
age which he opened, and took out three files.

It was quite dark in his prison, for only a
few rays of moonlight penetrated through the
skylight overhead; but lying on his but, he
took one of the flies firmly in his strong teeth,
and began to move his hands slowly bad and
forward, pressing the iron manacle of his right
wrist against it. '

For hours he worked steadily; but at length,
utterly worn out, he sunk to sleep, and awohe
to discover the daylight filling his prison.

He had no toilet to make, no breakfast to
dispose of, and so at once set to works-so in
while he was delighted to see that he had filed
half-way through the iron.

Several hours again pasSed away, and, in
spite of his aching teeth and jaws, he kept so,
and at last was enabled to free his right arm.

A gleam of triumph shot into his eyes, as he
held his freed arm on high; but wifiout 10“
any time he began on the iron that held H
left hand in durance vile.

With the right hand he could work more
rapidly than with his teeth, and as the shadows
darkened in his room, hearose from his cot, both
arms free.

Taking up the manacles, he shook them to-
ward the secret door, and said savagely:

“If you were to come here now, DonDel
Morte, no power on earth could prevent my
killing you.”

Resuming his seat on his cot once more he
leaned OVer and began the slow work of Ihg
the irons from his feet.

The position caused the blood to rush to his
head and he had frequently to stop, while he
was weakened from hunger, and his mouth
was parched; but still he persevered, and
when the sun again rose and cast its briht
rays into the room, he had freed one ankis.

Cheered by his success be bent every orgy
to his work now, and by noon ha sprung to his
feetwithacryofjoy, forhewasa free man,
as far as his irons went.

But how was he to escape from those four
walls? for, did he attempt to tear away the se-
cret doors, and to do so seemed impossible, he
would rouse Don Del Morte, ands bullet would
then and there end his career.

Carefully he looked around the room, and
then raised his eyes to the skylight, for hero
seemed his only way of egress.

But stout iron bars there met his guns, form-
ing a grating that seemed imbedded in the roof
on either side.

After a long meditation. Darkie Dan tanned
to have decided upon a plan, for he arose, took
up the blanket which Don Del Morte had
thrown to him when he was flrstapdsoner
there,~and taking out his pen-knife, cut lung
strips about a quarter of an inch in width.

These be tied together, and then one end was
fastened around the flies, andhebegantoto-
them up at the iron grating.

A few throws, and at length it went through
oneofthe iron squares, which was about six
inches in diameter, and falling on the edit
side of a bar, hung there.

Idghteningup on the Mug he is lit
hand, thewei‘htofthefllse thew it"m U.

x

 

12

Darkie Dan.

 

 

til be grasped the files, and then the blanket
was cut in four strips to serve in the place of a

rope.

With the aid of the string he drew the four
strips, which he tied firmly together, over a
bar of the grating, and he had a rope by which
he could ascend.

Going up, hand over hand, he clung to the
grating with one hand, while with the other
be fastened the other end of his blanket-rope
in such a way that it served as a swinging
seat.

Into this he quickly ensconced himself and
began work with the files upon the stout bars
of iron.

It was a long and tedious work, but be per-
severed untiringly, and shortly after dark the
first bar was filed through.

Without a moment’s rest he began on the
other next to it, and though his files were
wearing away did not despond.

By midnight a second bar was severed,
and the third and last gave way just before
dawn.

Pressing his massive shoulders against one
side of the grating, be bent it up far enough
for his head to pass through; but in forcing it
wider open his great pressure upon his blanket
swing caused it to give way, and ere he could
catch himself, he fell heavily to the stone floor-
ing sixteen feet below him, and lay there
motionless.

 

I A CHAPTER XX.
ran DEATH-DOCTOR.

Gram!) by his fall, Darkie Dan lay for
a long time unconscious; but at length life’s
pendulum came swinging slowly back, and the
eyes opened to see the glare of day, for rays
of sunlight fell upon the glass skylight.

With an effort the negro staggered to his
feet, racked with pain in head and body,
his mouth parched, and a gnawing of hunger
that was intense, yet not despondent. ’

His was no nature to despair while a germ of
ho remained.

et what could he do?

The end of the blanket was far above his
reach, and he looked around in vain for some-
thing else that would be strong enough to up-
hold his weight.

sitting down upon the cot, he began to med-
itate, as was his went, and suddenly a gleam
of triumph shot through his eyes, and quickly
he arose to his feet, though every movement
was torture. '

Off then came his coat, and his shirt fol-
lowed, and the latter was the object to work
on.

Into long strips he cut it, and these he care-
fully braided together, until at last he had an-
other long, stout line.

The files then came into requisition once
more, and a score of efforts succeeded in
throwing them over the iron grating again,
and the two ends were drawn down even.
Then he drew on his coat, took a long, grim
glance around his room, and once more began
the ascent, just as darkness came on to cast
his prison chamber in gloom.

Slowly he went upward, for it took every
a of strength he had left, and reaching the
gr be wrapped his rope around him, and
once more repaired the broken blanket bands.

Into this he then clambered, and, after an~
other efl'ort raised the grating so that he could
pass through it.

Once on the upper side, and he drew up the
means of escape, pushed the grating back into
place, and said grimly:

“He'll think the devil has stolen me, when
he comes in to see me if I am dead.”

He'was now under the skylight, a glass pro-
jection over the grating, and to his delight he
found that the slats, which were an inch apart,
to give air to the the occupant of the room be-
low, could be shoved from their place by
slight pressure

This he quickly did, and crawling out,
found himself upon a rounding roof covered
with tiles.

Carefully replacing the slats he took up his
blanket and shirt ropes and went to the edge
and looked over.

It was fifty feet to the alley below, for the
rear of the mysterious chamber was upon a
narrow passageway leading to the inner court
of the ancient and rambling old building in
w Jacot  his home.

flaming around him, for some other means
I, _ , Des-kie Dan saw wings, roofs and
flmmmmahwehimmntneothar

 

way was open to him, so he, without loss of
time sat down to make another rope, and
again the pieces of blanket came into use, and
were cut into long strips and braided.

It was midnight before his task was com~
pleted; but at last, with a chuckle of triumph,
he arose, took out two of the slats and slipped
the rope around the grating, and then let the
ends fall over into the alleyway.

Raising them, and letting them fall quickly,
he heard the files, which he had attached to
the end, strike the ground, and he knew that
he had well calculated the distance.

Then he cautiously let himself over the edge
of the roof and began to descend slowly.

Hand under hand he went, until at last his
feet touched term. flrma and he could hardly
resist a wild cry of delight.

But pulling on one end of his rope, which
had stood him in such need, he soon drew it
from around the grating, and coiling it care-
fully, said half-aloud:

“ I’ll give this to Una as a keepsake.”

Then he moved cautiously out of the alley,
and was soon after hastening along the Rue
Royale, as if he had some defined object in
View.

Seemingly well acquainted with the city, he
hastened on, now almost forgetting his long
fast and sufferings, and, after a walk of half
an hour halted in front of an old-fashioned one-
story and attic stuccoed house in the Quadroon
quartier of the town.

The shutters were closed, and no answer
coming to his rap upon the door, he passed
through the little gate at the side, for it was
the home of Una’s mother, whom Fenton Dela-
more had set free years before for faithful
services, and he knew the place well.

A shutter, overlooking the garden was open,
and a dim light was visible within one of the
back rooms, and Darkie Dan put aside the rose-
bushes and peered cautiously in.

That it was a sick»room was evident, for a
man was bending over a bed on which was a
prostrate form, and near by stood an elderly
mulattress, who was Elsie, the owner of the lit-
tle home, and Una’s mother. '

Darkie Dan saw the man, whom he took for
the doctor, pour a powder in a glass, and place

- it to the lips of the invalid, whose face he could

not see. ,

Then the man turned, and Darkie Dan
started, for he recognized the man who had
arrested him at ldlerest and brought him in
irons back to New Orleans to place in the
power of Don Del Morte.

He was dressed in black, wore spectacles,
and had a professional look thus disguised,
but it was the same man he knew.

“ I will know why he comes here,” he mut.
tered, and he started around to the front door
to watch his departure, and dog his steps to
his home. ' -

The man soon passed out, and glancing cau-
tiously up and down the street, walked rapidly
away to the next corner, where a cab awaited
him.

Springing into this he was driven back to-
ward the heart of the city, at a pace which
Darkie Dan, in his weakened condition could
not follow, so he gave up the pursuit, and once
more returned to Elsie’s home. -

A rap at the door was now answered by the
Quadroon, and she started back at sight of her
visitor, crying:

“Lordy! Lordy! boy, I thought they had
killed you.”

“No, Auntie Elsie, they haven’t killed me,
though they tried to; but I am nearly starved,
sick and miserable, so please give me some
food, and let me have rest.”

“ You looks like a black ghost, boy, and your
eyes is so deep sunken, they is ruliin’ against
the back of yer skull; sit down, boy, and I’ll
soon have you all right; but tell me, what did
they do with you, for I read a piece in the
papers about poor_ master’s funeral, and that
his faithful body-servant, Darkie Dan, meaning
yerself, honey, had been arrested for murder.”

“It is a long story, which I cannot tell you
now, auntie; but have you kept Teresa safe, as
I asked you!"

“Poor honey, she has kept herself safe, for
since you left she has been very sick; the fright
was too much for her.” .

“ You called in a doctor, Auntie Elsie, didn’t
you?"

"One called himself in,Dan; be is a nice
gentleman too."

“ Called himself in?” askedDan in surprise.

“Yes, honey; hestoppodonedayandhada

 

talk with me; said he wasaorrylsuflored wifi
rheumatism, for I told him, you know, and
he would bring something to help it, and he
did.

“ He said he wasa doctor, and Iasked him in
to see the girl, but he hasn’t done her any good,
for she is still sick.”

“And he has just left here, hasn’t he, Auntie
Elsie?"

“Yes, boy.”

“ That man is a fraud; he is (me of the two
who arrested me, and he is just spying round;

come, I must see Teresa,” and Darkie Dan

sprung to his feet, crossed the room, and en
tered the chamber where he had seen the inva
lid lying in bed.

One glance, one touch of her hand, and he
sprung back in horror, crying:

“0h! Auntie Elsie, she is dead, and that
man has poisoned her!” ,

—_

CHAPTER XXL
buxom) cur buxom).

Don Du. Moan: was a man of nerve, as
well as of great physical endurance, and be
improved rapidly from the effects of the severe
handling and choking which Darkie Dan had
given him.

The fact that the one who had so nearly
taken his life, was within twenty feet of him,
dying of starvation, and entering untold
agonies, was also a panacea for his illa

“ It is time that Carlyon is back, for he has
been long enough away to bury decently the
whole Delamere race,” he muttered, as he at
in his easy-chair, sipping his chocolate, several
mornings after the return of Darkie Dan to his
secret prison.

“Speak of the devil and his impa will ap
pear,” he suddenly cried, as he looked up.as
the door opened, to see Carlyon Norman en-
ter.

“ Well, the imp has come to Hades to report
to his Satanic Majesty,” returned Norman,
with sarcasm.

“Don’t get mad, boy, because I tell you the
truth; but sit down, or pull that bell and all
for some chocolate.”

“ No, I breakfasted on the steamer an hour-
ago; I have but returned from Idlers-t.”

“ So I know. VVelli”

Throwing himself intoan easy-chair fronting
Don Del Morte, and lighting a cigar, Carlyon
Norman remained quiet, and .again Don Dal
Morte asked inquiringly:

“ Well?”

“Well, the King of Diamonds is missed from
his accustomed haunts, and the river men won-
der what has become of him.” ,

“ Oh! they need not fret, for {will be back
at the samaold game soon.”

“You are better then!”

“ Damn. it, yes! but how provoking you are,
when you know how anxious I am to know if
my dear departed friend was laid safely in his
grave with fitting honors.”

“ You refer to Mr. Delamere, whom you
killed?”

“ In the devil’s name, who else do I refer to!
I certainly have not killed any one else thepast
week, though I have one dying now by inches
close by-ahl I had forgotten, I did have a
tool of mine take a life only last night."

“You need a burying-ground of your own
if you keep on at this rate; but who was it
last night?"

“ I am the listener for the present, and I ask
you, what have you done at ldlenest, or inve
you fallen so deeply in love with Gertrude De-
lamereas to have become chicken-hearted and
cowardly?”

“I confess to a warm admiration for her;
but to speak out, I went to Idlereet with the
lamented remains, and played my part with a
nerve that surprised me.

“ Once I had good intentions, and loved good
rather than evil, but, under your training, I
think I am becoming as vile as you are.”

“ Don’t moraline, boy; it is not good tor the
nerves; it upsets a man to exhumethe pa‘,
and bewail his wickedness; but tell Io, m
you received with kindness!"

“The greatest in the world; I was top dog
in the fight-J mean one of the chief mourners,
for fair Gertrude leaned her tiny hand on any
armand wept, whileshe gamed down Home
open grave—- By the way, do you knew Ids-’t
like Ignvesi” .

“ never sawalivemanthat "Mid
Don Dal Motto. d“, ~.

“Mancunian it 

 

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13

 

nusshntting a human being out of sight that
way' it is a barbarous custom.”

“th you would like to pickle the dead and
and keep them for parlor ornaments,” sneered
the Don. t

“ No, I would rather have them burned, as

' do the Hindoos with their dead, and the ashes

collected and put into marble urns and set
about our yards for ornaments; what a pretty
sight now would it be, for one to have his ro-
latirme’ ashes in the ornamental vases in his
grounds”.

‘.‘Don’tbe a fool; but tell me of your trip.”

‘-‘ _b'yes; well, after the funeral, we, that
3,?  nk, Gertrude and myself, had a talk

T shatters and things, and I gave them the
full particulars of the gambling between Fen-
ton Delamere and yourself, as much news as
was necessary regarding the duel, and then
told them that I thought the notes held by you,
might be bought up at a discount.”

“ Well, what said they?”

“ I wish I was as honorable a man as Frank
Delamere, and half as pure as his sisterf’

“ In the devil’s name! do you intend to turn

r?”

“Ne, I was just thinking.”

“ Well, I don’t like such thoughts: what did

say about the notes?”

‘ I omered to see what could be done about
them, and buy them up, giving Frank Dela-
mere a certain time to redeem them, and for
that purpose, you know, I came back to the
d7; and, by the way, he asked me to see that
b will slave, Darkie Dan, did not suffer
for friends."

“Ah no, I have him safe; he is in yonder,
and I have doomed him to death by starva-

D

“Sure he has not escaped, for he is 8. dan-
gerous man to be at large, and his stories
would find credence enough to give us both
trouble, and I would not care to have Frank
Delamere on my track.”

“Ohl he’s safe.”

“And the girl, Teresa, that aided him to
escape?”

“She is safer; you see I put my detectives
at work, as soon as I could speak after the
choking he gave me, and found that he had
taken her to an old Quadroon’s by the name of
Elsie, and who was once a slave, but was set
free.

“The girl’s fright here that day made her
ill, and one of my tools, disguisedas a doctor,
played it on the old woman, got her confidence,
prescribed for her rheumatism, and last night
settled Teresa’s case with a dose of poison.”

“ You certainly are the devil?”

“Thank you; I am honored by the com-
parison, but ‘ '. h Teresa dead and Darkie Dan
dying of st tion we have nothing to fear."

“ Somehow I am in dread, as, long as Darkie
Dan lives, for he is certainly a remarkable
man, with intelligence, nerve and daring
enough for a Hannibal; I would like to feel cer-
tain that he is beyond esmpe."

“It is easy enough: do you see yonder
sword!”

(‘ You.”

“Take it down!”

Carlyon Norman silently obeyed.

“ Its point is keen?"

U Ya."

“ Its edges bright?"

U Yea-7’

“It should be a good weapon, for it is one I
bought for dueling. ”

U 

“ Open that draw!”

Carlyon Norman obeyed.

“Take out that key, go to yonder false win-
dow and I will show you how to open it.”

i‘ What then?"

“ I will stand guard with my revolver,
while you go in and drive that sword through
the heart of Darkie Dan."

“Thank you; do your own dirty work,"
aid the young man with a. shudder.

“ You wanted to besure that he was dead,”
moored Don Del Morte. ,

“Not enough to kill a dying mm in that
way, lo I “Y ‘10 your own red work."

“Iwiu,”and Don Del Harte put the key in
In hidden lock, 90 Open the door to the secret
dumber.

 

CHAPTER xxn.
AN 'KPTén‘fIAGI.
“In: M PW“ lyonl” ordered Don
“lam-berate’dhishandontbekey.
«waiv- .‘ ,

 

“The fellow is doubtless weakened by his
long fast and suffering, but if he once gets
you in his grip you’ll find him a lion in
strength yet, so shoot him down if he attempts
to break over us.”

“Yes, under those circumstances I can use
a pistol.”

H  !”

As he spoke Don Del Morte turned the key,
the door slid slowly back into the wall on
either side, and both men stood aghast, for the
secret room was empty.

“ Great God I"

“We are lost!”

Such were the cries that came from the lips
of the two pallid men, and Don Dal Morte
sprung into the room, and looked under the
cot.

"No, he has gonel”

“ Yes, he is not here 1‘”

They stood looking at each other in abject
dismay and in silence.

The King of Diamonds was the first to gain
his nerve again, and he said hoarsely:

“Satan has spirited him away.”

“ He has found out the secret of opening the
door.”

“ No, for I have not been out of that room
since I put him in here.”

“He has passed out while you slept.”

“ Impossible, Carlyon, for a move would
awaken me: a man who has the cause for
watchfulness that I have, can never be caught
napping.”

“ Then in Heaven‘s name, how has he es-
caped?"

“I do not know: his blanket is gone too,
and see, the grating is the same.”

“ Ah! he could not get up there without
aid.”

“True; then he has— Holy Devils! I know
not how he has escaped, but I do know that he
is not here, and we must at once set to work.”

“What is to be done?”

“I’ll put my detectives upon the track,
while you return at once to Idlerest with the
notes.”

“ Suppose he gets there first?”

“Give him the lie, and prove it; the notes
will aid you, and show that you are acting
squarely; go to the calaboza—”

“ Why should I go to the site camel?” and
Carlyon Norman turned a shade paler as
though it held terrors forhim he cared not
to face.

“You promised to befriend this poor Dar-
kie Dan, go there and ask about him, and
get a statement from the jailer that no such
a‘person has been brought there, and that he
knows of no such murder as was reported,
having been committed.

“‘ This, with the notes, which you have pur-
chased, wili set you all right with the Dela-
meres, and throw suspicion upon the mysteri-
ous arrest of Darkie Dan, his returning home,
as he did, disguised as an old man, and he will
be the sufferer, not you."

' “ I believe you are right.”

. “I know I am; if he comes to Idlerest,
arrest him, and we will together accuse Fenton
Delamere of having committed suicide and
state that I took the stigma of having killed
him in a duel, at the request of the dying man,
who did not wish the world to know that he
had been so silly.

“ Darkie Dan we will accuse of being crazy,
and I tell you, if we put a bold face on it,
we’ll come out with flying colors; now go and
send Deluth my chief detective to me, and then
go to the cite cared, as I told you, and we will
take tonight’s steamer up the river, for the
Eclipse leaves at five.”

“ You intend to go, too?” -

“Oh, yes; for the King of Diamonds must
be at work again.”

“ Take care that your luck does not fail you
now.”

“ Bah! my boy, it is not wholly luck, though
I am a cool, cautious and yet daring player.

“ I have a system of winning and losing to
suit myself, and I can keep it up, as long as
our steamboat men and gamblers get their
cards from one firm."

“ I do not understand you."

“Nor do I intend that you shall, my dear
Carlyon. Now, am Mr, until we meet on
the Eclipse, at five.”

Carlyon Norman made no reply, and im-
mediately left the room and the cabaret, while
the King of Diamonds rung the hell for Hon-
sieur hoot, and had a long conversation with
that worthy. ' ’

 

CHAPTER XXIII.-
WIAVING m was.

Pooa Teresa the mulattress, the victim of
Don Del Marie, was laid in her grave, and the
toast of her death was kept hidden by Quad—
roon Elsie, as she feared trouble to herself,
should it become known that the girl was
poisoned, for she could not bring forward the
one who had given her the fatal drug.

A few of Quadroou Elsie’s friends followed
the body to the grave, the woman mying that
Teresa was her niece, from the North, who had
come South for her health, and there met her
death.

What had become of Darkie Dan she kept to
herself, if she knew, for she was well aware
that her home was “shadowed” byspies in
the employ of the King of Diamonds, and two
men professing to be oflcers of the law, had
caled at midnight, and closely searched her
ancient home from garret to closet, and she
knew well that the object of their search was
the faithful negro; but their questions elicited
nothing from her concerning him.

The King of Diamonds had resumed histrips
on the river, and many a planter and steam-‘
boat man was the sufferer thereby, for the luck
of the f..mous gambler still clung to him.

It is true he often lost a game. but still more
often he won, and those who watched his play-
ing closely, observed that his winnings were
large stakes, his losses small ones.

The news of the duel had gone abroad about
him, and of course his having killedeFenton
Delamere, the rich Mississippi Planter, added,
in certain fast eyes, a certain greater halo of
heroism to him, and made him a man more
generally dreaded.

It is true that many wondered at the seem.
ing mystery of that midnight duel, and who
were the seconds; but as the immediate rela-
tives of the dead man did not seek toinquire
into the full facts of the case, no one else
seemed to feel called upon to do so, especially
when it would make the gambler their foe,
and perhaps bring them in contact with him.

Up at Idlerest, the beautiful plantation home
of the Delameres, a shadow rested, for the
loved father and master, though in his grave,
was not forgotten, and his memory was kept
green in the household. "

As to Frank Delamere, he seemed a changed
man.

His usual friendly visits to the neighboring
planters ceased altogether, and when not in his
room, apparently reading, he was off on horse-
back, riding through the forests - and wild
lands, and seemed to have taken a violent
fancy to pistol shooting, for, not a bird, or
even a honey-bee in search of a flower, could
fly near him, that he did not fire at it, and
this constant practice soon made him a dead
shot.

Then too he had taken a fancy to swords,
and had pun-based a number of diflerent
kinds, and rumor said that two hours of his
ride each day, were passed at the cosey little
cabin of an old soldier hermit, who dwelt on
the river a few miles below Idlerest, and of
whom nothing was known, other than that he
had bought the little spot some years before,
and, with a couple of aged slaves had removed
there. '

All efforts to may him out of his shell, so
to speak, made  neighboring gentlemen
had been fruition, orthey knew him as a man
of education and refinement, and courted his
society; but he seemed contented in his soli-
tude, and devoted his time to his books, guns,
horses and dogs. ' '

Why Frank Delamere was received there as
an honored guest was a mystery, until a negro
reported, that in working near in a field one
day, he had discovered the Hermit soldier as
he was called, and the young Planter engaged
in sword exercise behind the cabin, and Dela-
mere’s fondness for fencing and metal-practice
seemed excuse enough.

And Gertrude!

A change had come over her life, for acres
her path had paBed one to whom she felt
bound by the strongest ties of gratitude.

And that one was the man who said he had
beenherfather‘s hiend;tbeonewhohad
broughthisbodyholna, andremainedtoseeit
consigned to the grave; the man who had
cheered herbs-char and herself in their deep
sorrow, andrsised them out of the Slough of

He was the one who had bought up the
notes of her father, which were held by“
m, King of Blane-Is, and-told her-III-

  

  

 

‘ use. pa"

 

1

'14:

thes- that he would renew them when they
were due, by accepting his notes in return.

Handsome as an Apollo, gifted, gentle, and
yet manly, he seemed one to win the heart of a
young girl who held no claim upon him, and
Gertrude learned to regard him with feelings of
affection, though she did not love him.

No, her first, her only love, had been given
to another; to a young Creole whom she had
met in New Orleans, a man of striking appear-
ance, vast wealth, and a name as old and aris-
tocratic as her own

That man was Leon Martelle, and from his
first meeting with Gertrude be bad loved her,
and hoped one day to call her his wife.

~ In her sorrow he had written her kind words
of consolation, and to Frank Delamere be bad
olared, in a delicate way, aid, if it should be
needed, hinting that he had heard the story of
the notes given to the King of Diamonds.

But‘Carlyon Norman had saved them, and
to him all the gratitude of Gertrude Dchnnere
was due, she thought.

And who was this Carlyon Delamere?

A Kmtuckian, he said: left an orphan at an
.rly age,'snd a vast fortune.

He had no near kindred he told her, and
coming in possession of his property, had spent
his time traveling, until he was like a stranger
in his own land. . ‘

And his vast wealth, his love, his hand, be
cast at the pretty feet of Gertrude Dclamere,
«fly a few weeks after her father’s death.

‘10 begged her to pardon his precipitancy,
yet out of his mouth his heart must weak, and
he eoald not longer delay in breathing his love.

I she would return 'that love, the earth
would he Heaven to him and life be one long
dream of bliss; if she refused it, if she set him
Mt h the world, his heart would break, and
his life would soon go down in gloom to the
grave.

Such an impassioned avowal from a. hand-
some lover, to whom she owed so much, had
its effect upon Gertrude Delamere, and she
promised to become his wife.

But when?

Of course Frank Delamere was consulted
about this, and as the lover said he must soon
return to Europe to look after some estate he
had there, and hinted that the notes of Fenton
Delamere, which he held, would be given over
as a. bridal present, it was decided that the
marriage should take place within five weeks,
about the day the paper held by Carlyon Nor-
man became due.

And then Gertrude sat down toperform the
saddest act of her life : to sever her engage-
ment with Leon Martelle, the only man she
could ever love, even though she was the wife
of another.

The letter was written, and in it she told the
whole truth, and bade the young Creole to for-
give her and forget her.

Whether he did or not the sequel will show.

CHAPTER XXIV.
m smear.
, Tu twilight shadow were coming on, the

 

was bowing through the streets (1 New _

Orleans, and a pattering rain was falling,
making a dreary scene withal to the way-

A decrepit old negro, beat with age, and
walking on crutches, or rather hobbling along,
had been plying his vocation all day on the
streets, that of begging, and having met with
more than usual good fortune from the hands
of the generous-minded, was slowiy movhg
homeward to gloat over the spoils of the (by.

“Manse, one leetle dime fer po’ ole nkger,
ssh.”

The decrepit negro halted, and his address
was to agentleman who was passing at a rapid

t.

The rich cloak was folded closely around the
tall, manly form, the face were a look of
worry; but the heart within was in the right
place, and the gentleman paused, and taking
out hisparse handed a piece of money to the

beg’r.
“ Lerdyi Mason, dis am golel” cried the old

legs-a
A smile at the old man’s delight and surprise
ore-ed the face of the gentleman, and he said,

. r-

“I know it, uncle; it will save you a few
days’ begging in this bad weather.”

“ ’l‘ankee massel fore de loud, I say t’ankee,
interbabmekedeheartobdeoleniggy
 hm” . -;x’

 the genesousgivc bed-folded his cloak;

 

 

 

around him again and passed on, and once
more the old negro hobbled along toward his
home.

His home! and such a home! . '

A dilapidated, deserted house, built in the old
French style, and standing back several paces
in a yard, where long neglected shrubbery had
grown into a wilderness.

Looking closely up and down the street, to
see that no eye was upon him, the old man
went through the tumble-down gateway, and
passing around to the back of the house took a
key out of his pocket and opened the door.

It led into a hallway, and through the
gathering gloom he went to a front room, in
which was a pallet of straw, a. wooden stool,
and a frying-pan on the hearth, with a pile of
wood on one side, and a. box of provisions on
the other.

This “was the old beggar’s den, where be bid
away, When not p’ying his calling on the street.

Crossing the room, he passed over to where
a broken shutter in the front still let in a little
light, and took from his pocket a canvas bag.

Into this he dropped the gold-piece, and a
handful of other coins, muttering as he did so:

“ Twelve to-day; one hundred and sixty-two
in all.”~.

The bag he returned to his pocket—no, not
his pocket, but some inner sanctuary of the
mysterious clothing he wore, for his old pants
had served duty at some time in the past, of
two pair, one hell behig black, the other gray,
and skillfully made to do duty together, while
his time-worn blue-blanket overcoat, patched
with variouehued cloths, looked much as Jo-
seph‘s historical coat of many colors must have
appeared.

As if disdaining partiality to any one kind of
apparel, one foot was incnsed in a boot, or
what once had been a boot, and the other in a
shoe, and a relic of a. hat covered the white
woolly head.

A “ home-made ” crutch, a stout stick, ' a
dilapidated umbrella, a huge pair of iron-
rimmed spectacles, and a standing collar of im-
mense size, made up his “rig” and accoutcr-
merits, which were certainly pitiable enough
looking to touch a heart of stone, taken into
consideration with his snowy hair and bent
form.

Having placed his treasure-bag, which the
reader must admit contained a goodly sum for
a beggar, the old man leaned against the win-
dow, and looked out through the broken shut-
ter.

Instantly his manner became all attentive,
for through the foliage, and gathering gloom,
he saw two burly-looking men come into the
yard and crouch down behind a hedge, as if
meditating some evil deed.

Silently, wonderineg he watched them, and
then suddenly they sprungto their feet, bound-
ed over the hedge, and seized upon a passer-by,
who, taken utterly by surprise, and at a dis-
advantage, was wholly in their power. '

One look showed the old man that the victim
was the gentleman in the cloak, who had gen;
erously given him the gold-piece, and instant-
ly his age and sufferings seemed to fly, as if by
magic, and he darted out_of the house with the
speed of a deer.

CHAPTER XXV.
WILL m.

“ Your. money, or your life, Monsieur Mar-
tellel”

Such was the threatening remark that
M. Leon Martelle, the gentleman in the cloak,
heard addressed to him, as he passed the dilap-
idated old house, after having made a call a
square further on, and finding the parties out,
started on his return home.

What was more, the demand for money or
life was enforced by having a pistol pressed
close to his face, as though he latter would be
certainly taken if the former was not given at
once.

M. Leon Martelle was a brave man, and not
easily taken by surprise; he had also a power-
ful form, and was noted at his club as an ath-
lete; he happened also to have with him his
watch and chain, heirlooms in his family, and
a large sum of money which his commission
morehant had that day paid him, but too late
to bank. .

But his assailants were both large, powerful-
ly-built men, and be remembered haVng seen
them in the oflioe wheni he had received his
money, and noticed them several times after,
though it did not strike him that they intended
harm to is

Now he knew that they had persistently
dogged him during the afternoon, and meant
just what they said, “his money or his life.”

Had there been a show of a chance the
young Creole would have tried strength with
them; but he knew there was none, as one pis-
tol covered his heart, another was touching his
face, and his hands on either side were in a
strong grasp.

“As I do not care to throw my life away,
I prefer to give you what money,I have," he
said, sternly. -

“Jist step inter this old yard, Monsieur
Martolle; it are more safer for do our leetle
work in," said one of the rufllans, and silently
the young Creole obeyed.

But ere they had gained the shelter of the
nearest foliage a. form suddenly darted for—
ward, and a blow fell upon the skull of one of
the footpads, that sent him to earth like a log,
while a gripe of iron clutched the throat of the
other, and a few rapid strokes in the face
knocked him insensible.

“ Well, my friend, you have done mea great
service— Why, as I live, you are the old beg-
gar; but where are your crutches?” said the
Creole, iu surprise. ‘

“On, Master Leon, I know you now; I am—
but I dare not tell, sir, only say where I can
see you!” said the beggar. '

“ Accompany me home, after we have given
these fellows over to an officer.”

“Master, I dare not be seen by an officer,
sir, for they will find out that I hide here in
this old house.”

“ Have you no home?”

“ None thut'l dare go to, sir.”

“ Are you acriminal, my man!”

“Master Leon, I know not what to say,
sir.”

“ There is some mystery here; you are not

, the old cripple I deemed you, and you seem

hiding from justice; but you have done me
good service, and I am willing to do all I can
for you, so tell me who, and what you are,
my man.”

The old negro glanced at the two prostrate
footpads, both of whom had been severely
stunned by the blow, and whispered something
in the ear of the young Creole.

“Ha! say you sol Then come with me,
and we will let those fellows lie there until
they return to consciousness, for if they escape
now, they will get their deserts at another
time; come, my man.”

“Wait till I get my crutch, Master Leon,”
and returning to the house, the old man soon
came hobbling out, and leaving the two ruf-
‘ flans where they had fallen, and both of whom
showed signs of recovering from the stunning
effects of the blow, the Creole the beggar
started down the street through drizsling
rain and darkness.

A walk of half a dozen blocks brought them
to a grand old city mansion, the grounds of
which occupied a square, and were beautifully
ornamented with evergreens, flowers, fountains
and statuary.

Passing through the iron gate, which was
opened from within by a spring when M. Leon
Martelle rung a. bell, they went up the marble-
paved walk, bordered by a boxwood hedge, to
the mansion, a well-built structure of Spanish
design, as roomy as a hotel and as comfortable
as a palace.

A negro butler opened the massive carved
door, and glanced with surprise at the dilapi-
dated specimen of humanity accompanying his
.master, and with utter amazement when M.
lMaztelle took his ragged companion into his
own luxuriously furnished rooms.

Once in the handsome apartment, and M.
Leon Martelle turned to the beggar and mid:

“ You say you were the body-servant of the
late Mr. Fentou Delamere?”

“ Yes, Master Leon, Ia- Darkie Dan.”

 

' CHAPTER XXVI.
DARKIE DAN'S may.

01! one occasion, M. Leon Martelle had heal
a guest for several days at Idlerest, and then
it was that Dai'kie Dan had met him, while af-
terward be had seen him when he called on his
master at the St. Charles, on the various visits
of Mr. Fenton Delamere to the city.

When he had sought safety by leaving
Quadroon Elsie’s house, Darkie Dan had deter-
mined te lay some plan by which he could aid
his young master and mistress, and what th'u
was his conversation wifi the young Creole
will make known. '

“Du-hie Dan, I am sorryto see yoti,"who

 

 

 

 

t}

 

 

 

 

 

 

Darkie Dan.

15

 

Ur

 

was the trusted servant, really faithful friend
of Mr. Dehmere, forced to disguise yourself, as
though you had committed some crime,” said
M. Leon, reproachfully, when he turned to the
negro, after the two were alone in the apart-
ments of the Creole.

“Master Leon, it is'a longand sad story, sir.
Did you see in the papers that I was arrested
for murder!”

“ Yes, and could not ascertain who it was
you killed, nor have I seen more of it since.”

“For a good reason, sir; I never killed any-

body—no, no, sir; I won’t say that, for there

is one life my hand did take; but, Master Leon,
I am glad that I met you, for there is a long
and dark story, air, that I wish to tell you, as
I know you are the friend of Master Frank and
Mia Gertrude.”

A cloud swept over the face of the young
Creole, and he said sadly:

“Yes, Dan, I am their friend, though Miss
Gertrude has cast me o .”

“ Ah, sir, she was forced to do it; it is about
that I would tell you, Master Leon; but you

' must help me, air, and all will come well.”

“I will do all that I can for you, Dan, for
you rendered me valuable service to-night, as
I have with me twenty thousand dollars which
those footpads saw paid to me. ”

“No, sir, I don’t mean to ask you to serve
me, but my young master and missy, and they
need help, God knows.”

“ I wrote offering my services, Dan, but
they refused.”

~“Lor’ air, they didn’t understand all, sir;
but you will help me, Master Leon, and pro-
mise not to betray what I tell you until the
proper time?”

Impressed by the earnest manner of the
negro, and convinced that there was some deep
mystery back of his disguise and words, Leon
Martelle gave the desired promise, and im-
mediately Darkie Dan thrust his hand into the
inner recesses of his clothing and drew out his
treasure bag.

Then he laid his huge spectacles aside, and
said slowly:

“ Master Leon, I asked you for aims to-day,
and in this bag I have a hundred and sixty—
two dollars.” '

Leon Martelle elevated his brows in sur-
prise, but made no reply, and Darkie Dan
went on:

“I said, sir, I had taken one life, and I’ll
tell you who that was.

“ My master had one bitter enemy, sir, and
he attenspted the life of master on several oc-
casions, two that I know of, for I saved him
each time; the last time was on a steamer
coming do :‘to the city, when he tried to
throw from the deck, after knocking
him down with a club, but got the tables
turned on him, for I threw him overboard.

“Nobody saw it, Master Leon, and I said
that masterhad fallen and hurt himself, and
he kept up the story to shield me.

“Now, Master Leon, my idea is, air, that
mt man had accomplices, and that they are
the ones who have done the wrong since, for
the King of Diamonds seemed bent on taking
master's life from some hidden purpose that I
cannot yet understand, and his second in the
duel was also one who hated him, though I do
not think they had met before."

“And your master had no second, I have

Dani"

“Retold me to act as such, sir, and I would
not let the Ktag of Diamonds’s second, Mr.
Carlyon, he called him-—”

“ Carlyonf”

(A Y“ six.- 7’

“Thatisthename, oratleasta part of it:
Carlyon Norman,” and Leon Martelle spoke
rather to himself, as though thinking aloud,
than to the negro, then he asked:

“And this man, Carlyon, you say was the
second of Don Del Mortal”

“ Yes, Master Leon, and he tried to give the
King of Diamonds a sword several inches
longer than the one master had, and I would
not allow it, and—”

" 'ou did right, my brave boy, and I can
86.; est Mr. Delamore had good cause for
trusting his shadow, as his friends jokingly
called you: but go on about this duel.”

“I believe, sir, that master could have held
his own, if he could not have killed the gam-
bler, air; but he had been very moody after he
had lost his money to the Don, and seemed not
to care if he lived or died, telling me he dared
not face his children after robbing them of his
hheritaace

 

“Up to acertaintime hepre-edthe gam-
bler hard, and then, sir, he lost his nerve or
ceased to care, and the King of Diamonds run
him through.”

“ And he died there?”

“Yes, Master Leon, in my arms; but before
he breathed his last the King of Diamonds
whispered something in his ear that seemed to
startle him, and be half rung up to my
something, but fell back .”

“ You did not hear what was said, Dan?"

“Only two words, air.”

“And those were!"

“ My revenge. ”

“Ah! but go on.” -

“Then, sir, I was knocked in the head with
a pistol barrel, bound, and brought to the
city to—‘"

“What?”

“It is true, sir; I was taken to the rooms of
the gambler and there thrown into a secret
chamber in the old house he lives in; but I
escaped the next day, Master Leon, through
the curiosity of the chambermaid, a mulattress,
who has since been put to death for having
discovered the secret.”

M. Leon Martens drew a long breath, and
drew closer to the negro, while he said in a
low tone:

“ My good Dan, your story isbecoming most
interesting indeed; continue, please!”

 

CHAPTER XXVII.
ALLIES.

IN the same low, earnest tone, that carried
truth with it, Darkie Dan told of his escape
from the secret chamber, through the curiosity
of Teresa, and of the return of Don Del Morte,
the flight of the mulattress, and his fierce strug-
gle with the gambler.

Then followed the narrative of the flight to
Quadroon Elsie’s home, where he left Teresa,
while he, in disguise, started home to tell
Frank Delamere all. _

But the shock had been so great, on hearing
of her father’s death, that Gertrude had fallen
in a deep swoon, and ere he could make know
to any one what he knew, the pretended officers
of the law had arrested him, on the charge of
murder, and carried him back to New Orleans,
where, instead of being thrown in prison as he
had expected for trial, he found himself once
more in the power of the very man he behaved
he was accused of killi .

The fate that the King 'of Diamonds doomed
him to, was graphically described, with his de-
termination of escape, by the flies with which
he had thoughtfully provided himself, and the
blanket which had been given him.

Then followed the story of his escape, and
what he had witnessed in the house of Quad-
roon Elsie, when poor Teresa was poisoned,
and how he had spent his money to disguise
himself, determined to beg until he had a suf-
ficient sum to enable him to pay men to aid
him in kidnapping the King of Diamonds and
Carlyon Norman.

“ My noble Dan, rest assured that I will
back you with word, act and money in. your
good work, and we will at once devise some
plan to foil these villains; but there is one
thing that I cannot understand.”

“ What is that, Master Leon?" asked Darkie
Dan, thoroughly delightedto have such a pow-
erful ally to aid him as the wealthy and brave
young Creole.

“ It is that Miss Gertrude has become en-
gaged to this man Norman, a second against
her father in the duel in which he fell.”

“ There is some mystery at the bottom of it,
sir.”

“So I am convinced; but certain it is that
the man Norman bought up the notes of your
master, paying in cash two hundred and forty
thousand dollars for them, so I have heard it
rumored on the street.”

“ There was some motive for it, Master
Leon.”

“ But what motive, Dani”

“ Mia Gertrude, sir."

“True; but thatis a large sum to pay out
on a venture."

“ He may have had another motive, sir,”

“What other?"

“ Ravenge.”

“ Ah! that is a motive I had not thought of,
and yet I cannot see how it could be worth
that sum to him.”

“ He may not have paid it, air.”

“ What mean you, Dani"

“ I mean that he got the notes, perhaps,
without paying for them, in"

 

“No;heaameintcthe exchange, it b said,
andseutamessengertoDonDelMorte,aaking
what he would take for the notes in ash.

“The Don replied bymesaenger he whhed
three hundred thomnd, and this man Nor-
man then oflered sixty thousand is. than that
sum, and it was accepted, for he sent a check
for it and the messenger returned with the
notes and gave them to him.

“This I know from gentlemen who witnes-
ed the transaction, and who did not know who
Norman was.”

Darkie Dan listened attentively to M. Leon’s
story of the note transaction, and then said,
thoughtfully:

“Master Leon, as this Mr. Norman was the
friend of the King of Diamonds, his second in
the duel, and his comrade in knocking me down
and putting me in that secret chamber, was it
not strange that he went to the exchange, air,
to arrange publicly a matter he could have
gone to the gambler’s room and settled!"

“Dan, you are a trump, and would make a
lawyer of lawyers; you reason well, and I
now see that the whole transaction was a
blind; by Heaven! there is some deep mystery
and plot beneath all this, and we must sift it
out.”

“Yes, sir, and save Master Frankand Missy
Gertrude; but we haven’t got much time be-
fore the notes come due.”

“No, what we do, we must do at once, and
I mean to fathom the mystery and thwart their
damnable plot, whatever it is.”

“Master Leon, I have sworn, air, before
Almighty God, on my bended knees, to yet see
that man, the King of Diamonds, die, and I
don’t intend to break my oath, air, so help me
God!”

Darkie Dan, as he spoke, had suddenly
sprung to his feet, and with hands raised
heavenward, and his noble, fearless and earn-
est face expressive of stern determination, he
looked really grand, as he stood there, in spite
of his disguise and tattered habiliments.

“ Amen!”

Impressiver did Leon Martelle speakthe one
solemn word, and then extending his hand the
negro grasped it, and the compact was sealed
between them; they were sworn allies in the
counterplot to save Frank and Gertrude Dela-
merefrom the trapset for them bytthing
of Diamonds and his pals.

 

CHAPTER XXVIII.
m non m m nmcxr aw.

“Pineal, will yer give po‘ ole nigger, glass
w;ter, for I are footso’ an’ weary, ’fore God I
is

The simple request came from an old negro
mamdresedinasuitofcoarse jeans,ng
a straw hat and heavy boots, and with a bun-
dleslungtoastick across his shoulder, tramp-
ing along a country road through the hill-land
of Kentucky.

The request was made to a yctmg, beautiful,
yet md-faced girl, apparently, who sat on the
porch of a pretty cottage, around which spread
a few acres in cultivation.

She was dressed in deep mourning, and was
engagedinmakingafrock foralittlsyearold
baby that was playing at her feet.

“ Certainly, uncle, come in and help your-
self; there is the well, andyouwiliflndatin-
euponthenail bythe bucket,”she mid, plea
santl .

“ ’tgotnobaddogsterbitedcoleuigo
ger, has yer, mimy!" cautiously .ked the old
man, rolling his eyes to first onesideof the
house and then the other.

“We have dogs, but theyare in the field
'with father, and I would not let them bite you
anyhow."

“ T’ankee, missy; you is a awful good lady,"
and having drawn up a bucket ofcool, fresh
water from the well, and first politely oflered
atin cup full to the lady, theoldmanrefreshed
himself by a generous draught, and then said:

“ Can do ole nigger sit down an’ rest his ole
bones, missyf”

“Certainly, and if you are not in ahurry
wewill have dinnersoon and Iwillgiveyou
some.”

“ T’ankee, missy, I isn’t in a hurry when
dar is any eatin’ goin’ on, for I is a
feeder; but is dat your leetle brother!"

“Oh, no, it is my little daughter,”answered
the young mother with a smile, glancing at
her pretty, dark-haired darling.

“Go ’long, missy, you hain’t ole enough tr
have a daile like dot.”

 

 

18

Darkie Dari.

 

I

 

“Oh, I am older thannI .look; I am
twenty,” answered the young mother, with
that refreshing air of innocence, which all
women assume when they tell their age, pro-
vided they are not beyond what they consider
one of their sex has a right to fight shy of
making known about the number of years they
have lived upon.the earth.

“ Waal, I declar’ yer doesn’t look it ter me,”
said the gallant old man, and he told no lie;
then he added:

“But yer doesn’t look jist happy like.”

The large blue eyes turned upon the old
negro quickly, and tears welled up in them, as
she ansWered:

"‘ You are right, Uncle, I am not happy, for
the one I loved most in the world is dead.”

“What a pity, missy; but death don’t spare
nobody, whether we loves or hates ’em, when
he girs his grip on ’em; has he been long dead,
missy?”

“I heard the news three months ago only;
he was my husband, the father of my little
child, and, though I live for this little one, I
can never be happy again.”

“Po’ missy; I feels so sorry for yer; but
don’t cry, or yer-make ther ole nigger go ’long
on his way; dat’s right, dry dem pretty eyes,
an’ tell de ole man what are de name 0’ yer
little boy?” i

“ I named him after his father, Norman.”

“Norman! it am apretty name, an’ I know’d
a gemman by dat name one time.”

“You knew a gentleman by the name of
Norman"

“ Yes, missy; he were a han’some man, an’
lived in Orleans, whar I is jist from; yer sees,
I has kinfolks in ole Kaintuck an’ I have come

‘ up here ter see ’em ’fore Gabriel’s horn blow

tor (all de ole nigger home, for yer see I looks
like a wery ole man, missy?” and he took of!
his straw hat to show his snowy head.

“ Yes, you are no longer young; but you
haven’t walked here from New Orleans, have
you?”

“Lor’ bless you, no, missy; just from ther
railroad station some ten mile back.”

“ And you live at New Orleans?"

“1 lives on plantation ’bove de city, missy,
for I is a slave; but I has a pass, missy—good
papers tar-show de ole nigger all right, and
hub lebe tar wisit _he kinfolks in old Kaintuck;
want ter see paper, missy!"

“No, thank you, for I believe you; but was
it on your plantation thatyou met the Nor-
man that you knew?”

“ No, missy, I know’d him in de city, an’ he
were a gay young teller, I kin tell you, an’ did
look a little like your baby, fer he were awful
han’some, missy; he name were Carlyon, I
b’lisves.”

“ Carlyn» I What! Why, my husband’s
name was, Norman Oarr Lyon. Was it my
husband that you knew?” eagerly asked the
young wife. . ' ... ,

“Yes, niimy, dat were he name, but he call
hisse’f Ourlyon Norman.” -

“No, no, it could not be that 'Norman had
changed his name, for surely he would not be
guilty of such a thing; but then he was in New
Orleans, and it was there that he died, and—
and—ohl I know not what to think.”

The young wife had spoken aloud, but seem-
ingly to herself, and now turning to the old
negro, she continued:

“When did you last see this gentleman of
whom you speak?”

' “ ’Bout two weeks ago, missy.”

“Then it ° was not my husband, for poor
Norman died monthsago.” -

“He were very han’some young man, missy,
an" ava say he looks like dat baby boy.”

“HOW. strange; but what was hislbusiness?”

“I b’levss he gamble fer a livin’, missy.”

“Then it was not Norman; my husband in-
herited some money, half a year ago, and he
went to New Orleans to invest it in‘ some kind
of business, and I have never seen him since,
but got word that he died there suddenly, and
his money was sent back to me by the. kind
gentleman who nursed him in his illness, and
was his friend. and who had him buried.”

“ Does yer know do name 0' his friend,
missy i”

“ Yes, Del Marts.”

' “ l knows him too, missy, and hearede man.

I has often see’d yer husband—I means Mr.
Carlyn" Norman—wid.”
" Uh, God! can there be some strange mys-

.  on all this?”

"dunno, missy; doin’ works 
strange new» adays; (lat little boy am‘ de image

wry/:14." _:_.;.-..:: [.3,‘ ' f .. . ,  .‘k‘figé?}‘i," : ‘Ii;-‘ #4.?" - I

 

.L.‘

0’ de Carlyon Norman I knows, an’ I will sw’ar
dat he hain’t no mo’ dead den I is.”

“ What strange doubts you put in my mind,
old man,” said the young wife, sternly.

“Missy, I don’t want to put no doubts in yer
mind; I tells yer de truf: do men I knows,
Carlyon Norman, are Norman Carr Lyon, I
will sw’ar, an’ of yer wants me to prove it for
yer, jist go ter Orleans wid de ole nigger.”

“ I will go,” was the firm response, and the
old negro knew that she meant it.

“You is right, missy; den dere will be no
doubt.”

“ No, and to remain here doubting him, not
knowing whether he was dead or alive, would
kill me, for I have loved him since he was a
student at college, and I a school-girl. and he
seemed contented to remain here in a little
home after our marriage, until he received
from his guardians the fortune left him.

“It was only a petty ten thousand dollars,
but it took him from me, and if your words are
true, old man, I would rather that he wore
dead, than be what you say he is; but I shall
know soon, for I start to New Orleans to-mor-
row.”

“And I goes wid yer, missy, for I wants ter
sho’ yer de ole nigger don’t lie.”

CHAPTER XXlX.
'rwo PACKS or CARDS.

“GEN'annnN, I am at the service of any
one who cares to indulge in a game of cards.”

' The speaker was the well known gambler
the King of Diamonds, and he stood at the bar
of the steamer Natchez, and glanced, as he
spoke, over the crowd of passengers who had
come forward to the Social Hall for a smoke
alter supper. ,

There were on board wealthy planters from
Natchez, Vicksburg, and elsewhere on the
river, merchants from the towns going to New
Orleans to purchase a stock of goods, Western
horse-traders with a drove of fine cattle to
offer in the city markets, and sports, willing
to pluck an innocent player of his spare
change. '

All had learned to know the King of Dia-

monds, at least by hearsay and sight, if not
by experience, and it was becoming rather
difficult for him to find one who would risk a
game with him.
- With a remembrance of his recent winnings,
and the fate or Planter Delamere in their minds,
all seemed to hang back from acceptingthe in-
vitation of Don Del Morte, though they were
glad to play, if a game could be arranged
among themselves.

Seeing that no one stepped forward a rather
dinident youth, with a boyish, handsome face,
said modestly:

“ I am not much of a card-player, but I will
join you.”

The King of Diamonds glanced superciliously
atthe speaker, and said: . ‘

“ For what sum, young sir?”

“ I cannot make it very large,.sir.”

“Say a thousand as a starter?”

 

“ Oh no, sir,” and the youth colored deeply. ‘

“ Then I will leave you to some of the lesser
hawks to pick, as they call us of the sporting
fraternity,” said the King of Diamonds inso-
lently. .

The youth stepped back into the crowd
abashed, when suddenly another person stepped
forward, and said quietly:

“ I will play with you, sir.”

“ For no stake less than a thousand.”

“For five if you wish it, only I must get.a
new pack of cards from the office.”

“As you please, sir,” was the indifferent re-
ply, and the young gentleman crossed to the
office, asked for a fresh pack of cards, paid for
them, and returned to the table, at which the
gambler had seated himself.

“ Cut for deal, sir,” he said quietly, and the
King of Diamonds put his hand on the cards,
but started suddenly and cried angrily:

“ Where did you get those cards, sir!"

“From the ofiice, sir.” .

“Say, Leavitt, did this gentleman get this
pack of cards from you?”

“Sir!” and as the, gambler turned tothe
clerk to await a reply, he saw a white, angry
face glare in his own, and knew that he had
one to deal with that he could not insult with
impunity. ,

“Oh, yes, Don, I sold them to him, why?”
called out the clerk quickly, as if anxious to

. avoid a difficulty that he saw brewing.

t Instantly the gambler turned to his oppo-
nent, and said pleasantly: - .

,_ l

“Ibeg your pardon, sir; it was nottbat I
doubted your word in the least, only that I
could not but think there was some mistake.”

“Why should there be?” was the cool ques-
tion.

“Because these cards are marked."

“ Impossible!”

“ It is true, sir, for I see the marks upon
them.”

“ Then take another pack,” was the indifler-
ent reply.

“Here, Leavitt, kindly bring what cards
you have there,” called the King of Diamonda
and the clerk obeyed, placing a box containing
about a dozen packs on the table.

“ They are all alike; I recognise the mark on

them by which cheats at cards can defraud
their opponents; why did you not get them
from the same book-store, Leavitt, where you
have always gotten them before, for that firm
can be depended upon?”
I “ These were sent on board as a sample, and
‘; the captain took them; I am very sorry, gen-
tlemen, that such a mistake should occur, and I
shall see the firm of whom they were pur-
chased, and have an understanding of the mat-
ter,” said the clerk apologetimlly.

“ You say that you know the mark, upon
these cards, sirl” asked the young man who had
bought the pack, addressing the King of Dia-
monds.

“Perfectly well, sir; I can read it acres fie
table. and could cireat you with them.”

“ I will risk it.”

“ But, sir, I have a pack here; it is true, I
used them on the way up the river, but'they
are not worn, and they are reliable; we will
use them,” and the King of Diamonds threw a
pack upon the table.

The young man took them up, eyed them
closely for a moment, and said calmly:

“ I will keep these as a souvenir of the fam-
ous Don Del Morte, better known as the King of
Diamonds.” ' .1

“But, my dear sir, they are nothing, and it
you wish a souvenir of me, I will give you--”

they are, as you say, valueless in an intrinsic
way, but valuable as being the cards with
which the King of Diamonds has played."
There was a shadow of semen: in the tone
of the young man as he spoke, and the by-
standers, as well as Don Del Morte, saw it, and
the former were dreading an outburst from
the gambler; but he said pleasantly: V
“Youare welcome to them,.sir,- after our
game is finished; but I warn you that I have a
wonderful run of luck, and you may not he I.

have played together." , -  . , _

“But I will take them now, and quietly
placing them in his pocket, he continued:
cards which you say are marked.” "

“Why, sir, I could cheat you out at every
dollar you have.”

“ I will risk it.”

The cool reply, and the fearless manner (1
the young man caused everybody to admire
him, and they gathered more closew around
the two, to see how the alfalr would end.

“But I will not permit it, sir, as I think too
much of my good name to play with cards I
know to be mark‘dd,” persisted the King of
Diamonds, and for the first time, those who
knew him well, thought that he was a trifle
nervous; but the reply of the young man
startled them, as it did, the gambler, for 000],
distinct, and fearless came the words:

“ Your good name? why I was not, aware
that you had any.”

The King of Diamonds turned very pale,
and a deathlike silence fell upon the scene, as
he asked in a voice that slightly quivered:

“ Do you intend to insult me, sir?”

“ Oh no, 1 merely said I was not aware that
the King of Diamonds had a good name to
guard from dishonor.” .

“ I ask again, sir, if you wish to insult me!”
said the gambler with fearlul calmness.

“Oh no, I wish to play you a game of
cards.”

“ With marked cards?”

U  2’

“ Do you understand the marks on them?"

“ I do not believe that they are marked.”

“But I say they are, sir.”

“You certainly should know, sir, gambling
being your profession.” 2

Again the Kin of Diamonds how not how
to take the rungs-k, and he said with m
show of anger: .

 

“No, I will take nothing but these cards; .

anxious to have them for a souvenir after we 2

“And now we will play with apaek at these '

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

n

, ft and»: M iv ‘

‘ fizaé‘jfi11‘2‘
. 3,: 'V‘H‘f ..

 

i v,'

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

, fa (grub: M iv ‘

i .J'

 

as.

 

,‘

  

Darkie Dan.

17

 

b

 

“Ieee, air, that for some reason, you wish
to‘eeek a quarrel with me.”

“And I say that I only wish to play cards
with you, accepting the invitation you gave
for an opponent, and it looks very much to me
as though you feared to to play with me.”

“I fear no man, sir,” was the haughty re-
sponse.

“ You certainly fear these cards.”

The gambler arose quickly to his feet, and
said sneeringly:

“I see, sir, that there is no chance of our
having a game of cards together.”

“ If there is any other game that I can oblige
you in, I am at your service,” was the provok-
ineg cool reply.

But, to the surprise of every one the King
of Diamonds made no reply, but walked over
to the office, and asked in a low tone:

“ Leavitt, who is that young man!”

“ Let me see, I gave him stateroom 20,” and
dinning his finger down the steamer’s register,
he stopped at a name opposite No. 20, and said
quickly:

“ Why, Don, that is young Delamere.”

“Great God! do you mean it?” cried the
gambler, taken wholly ofl his guard.

“Yes; I have not seen him for years, not
since he was a boy, as he has been North at
college; but see here, he is registered.

“ Frank Delamere—Idlerest Plantation, Mis-
sissippi.”

“Holy Satan!” and with this impious re-
mark the King of Diamonds lighted a cigar
and went on deck to commune with his own
thoughts.

 

CHAPTER XXX.
rm: ASSAHSIN’S PLOT.
SnomY after-the King of Diamonds left the

‘ brilliantlydighted cabin of the steamer, for a

smoke and a promenade on deck, a large man,
evidently one of the sporting fraternity, of the
lower order, judging from his loud style of
dressing, and general appearance, followed
him, though with no apparent intention of do-
ingso.

The King of Diamonds was pacing on the
after part of the deck, and there the .man re-
ferred to joined him, remarking bluntly:

“ You gave me the tip.”

“Yes, I wish to see you on an important
matter.”

“ You took water when the young fellow
crowded you, what was it?” insolently asked
the man.

“That concerns me, not you, Scotty.”

“I am glad of it; but I didn’t think any man
could make you back.”

“ Circumstances alter cases; but I have a job
for you, Scotty.”

“ I'm wanting one, for these planters are
gettin’ so sharp we can’t play ’em as we once
did, and my pile is getting low.”

“ I’ll raise it for you; what do you want, to
do a job?” ”

“Depends upon the nature of it,” was the
cautious reply. ,

“ It’s not a very easy task." ’

“ Ah! it’s killing!"

4‘ Yet" v

“Why don’t you do it and save your
money!”

“Because I would at once be suspected; I

, want that man removed from the way.”

“ Ah! you mean the one who just saddled
you?”

H Ye‘”

“ He didn’t do much to be killed for.”

“ Hi name his Delamere.”

“ What difference does that make!”

“ Have you forgotten that I killed a man by
that name a few weeks since?"

“Aha! I see. I see, as the blind man said
when he tumbled off the dock.”

“What do you see?”

“ You are afraid of him!”

“I fear no man, not even on, you red-
handed bully and swindlerl” savagely said the
King of Diamonds.

“ Pat calling the kittle black," was the
laconic reply. .

“ I wish him out of the way, and Iwant you
to do the job.” ‘

“You could save the money I would charge

on."

“Yes; and get nabbed; no, Iwish to be in
the cabinwhen it occurgandnoonewillsus-

you.” '

:How 5 it to he done!" mm. M

Get him on deck some way, knife
how kiln overboard." ’

2a.... . ._.

 

“ What’s the figure!”

“ Two thousand dollars.”

“For what?”

“ For killing him.”

u Bah z!)

“ What is the matter?”

“I’ll charge two thousand just to get him
out on deck for a promenade.”

“ Well, what do you want?”

“I want two thousand for the promenade;
two thousand for doing the work, and one
thousand for throwing him overboard. ”

“You shall have it.”

“ Guess I spoke too quick.”

“ You’ll get no more; in New Orleans I could
get it done for a thousand.”

“ Life’s cheaper'there than on a steamboat;
but I’ll do it, so give me the money.”

“ After you have done it."

“ After Christmas! I want the money now,
and if the job isn’t done well, then you can
brand me among our gang as a thief. ”

“All right; here is the money,” and he
counted out, by the reflection of the light
through the stained windows of the ladies’
cabin, the sum agreed on.

“Now do your Work well.”

“Oh! I ain’t no half-way worker, as you
know, king.”

The King of Diamonds then left the deck
and returned to the cabin, and was soon after
followed by his confederate in crime, who
glanced carelessly around and discovered Frank
Delamere seated at a table writing.

Going to his state-room Scotty, as the King
of Diamonds called him, wrote on a. slip of
paper these words:

“Do not betray me, but after a while come on
deck, aft, just over the stern and I will ive you
some points on the man who killed your fat er."

Concealing the paper in his hand he began
to pace to and fro in the gentleman’s cabin,
each time passing the table where Frank Dela-
mere sat, still engaged in writing.

By a dextrous movement when no one was
looking, he laid the piece of paper upon the
table, saw the young Planter take it up and
read it, and then give a glance and a nod at
him, and continue on With his writing.

“That settles that: now to do the other
work, for he’ll come,” muttered Scotty as he
left the cabin'and went on deck.

Five minutes after Frank Delamere arose
and also left the cabin, little dreaming what
would be the result.

 

CHAPTER XXXI.
sco'rrv’s Liran can.

WHEN the scene occurred between the King
of Diamonds and Frank Delamere, the latter
had not been on the boat an hour, having got-
ten on board at the last landing, which was
the Idlereet Plantation.

Among those who had seen him come acrbss
the gangplank just at twilight, were a youth
and an old negro, who were standing on the
hurricane deck, conversing earnestly together,
the latter seemingly pointing out to his young
companion the objects of interest ashore, for
the lights were beginning to glimmer in the
mansion, and a small army of slaves were
going along the river bank toward their
quarters, having completed their day’s task in
the fields.

When the youth adjourned to the cabinto
supper, and afterward, from some motive
known only to himself, accepted the-gambler’s
invitation to play with him in a game of
chance, the old negro had stood out on the
guard, eagerly watching the scenes within.

And still watching, as he crouched back in
the shadow of the baggage piled up on the
forward guard, he had gazed into the illumin-
ated cabin, and seen the King of Diamonds
come out and ascend to the deck. ‘

Cautiously he followed him, and was about
to walk up, apparently to speak to him, when
he heard a step, and sprung quickly, remarkao
bly so for a man of his age, into the hallway of
the “Texas,” as the upper part of the Missimip-
pi steamers is called.

Here he stood unseen by the plotters, and
heard their low talking together though he
only now and then caught a word of what was
being said.

After first one and then the other badde-
parted, the old negro followed, for he feared
some trouble to come. in the cabin, and was
curious enough to wish to witness it, so sta-
tioned himself once more in the shadow of the
trunks.

From this point of observation be My

 

T.

saw Frank Delamere, engaged in writing at a
table amidships, and the gambler, Scotty,
walking near him, and then lay something
down before him.

When Scotty came out the old negro again
followed him, and once more sought the refuge
of the “Texas” hallway, or companionway.

A few moments passed with the gambler
under the espionage of the old negro, and then
was heard a quick step, and Frank Delamere
walked aft and joined Scotty.

It was evident that the aged black had ex-
pected some deviltry to follow, but certainly
did not anticipate Scotty would be so quick in
his work, for, hardly had Frank Delamere ap-
proached him, where he stood on the extreme
edge of the deck at the stern, when the lights
from the ladies’ cabin flashed on bright steel,
and a keen blade descended quickly intothe
young planter’s breast.

Having delivered his blow, the assamin
seized his victim in his arms to throw him
overboard; but Fr'ank Delamere was not dead
by any means, and clutching his enemy be en-
deavored to throw him to the deck, and both
men went over the low railing into the steam-
er’s wake.

“ Man overboard! man overboard!”

The cry came in stentorian tones from the
old negro, and ringing over the steamer was
heard by the pilot and many others, and in~
stanth the headway was checked.

But, after giving his thrilling cry the aged
black had sprung into the river,and as the steam-
er’s speed was slackened, all heard from the
dark waters:

“ Quick! lower a boat! here we are!”

While the boat was being rapidly lowered
by the “hands” of the steamer, the negro,
with a few powerful strokes, that seemed to
give the lie to his age, had reached the two
struggling men, for Scotty had met his matds,
wounded as was Frank Delamere, and it seemed
as if they both must drown together.

But- a black face suddenly appeared between
them, and Scotty was seized by the throat
with a gripe he could not shake off, while once,
twice, thrice a knife was thrust into his side.

Instantly his hold relaxed, and he sunk from
si ht.

8He then seized Frank Delamere, who was
supporting himself with dimculty, and uphold
ing him on‘his arm, turned to await the com
ing boat.

It was not far away, but are it reached them,
Frank Delamere had become a dead weight in
the arms of the negro.

“Here away!” he shouted to those in the
boat, and the next instant the limp form of
the young planter was drawn over the gun-
wale.

“Now t’other one i” ordered the mate in
charge of the boat, and the crew leaned over to
seize the negro, but could discover no one.

. “There certainly was another,” said the
mate.

“ Yes, massa; I seen him, too, an’ he were a
nigger,” replied one of the crew, and an
African himself.

“He jist handed de gemman up for Is to!
take him in,” responded another of the (new.

“Then skin your eyes and look for him"
was the order.

Bu “skinning eyes” did no good, and lie
boat was compelled to return to the steamer
without the brave negro who had sprung ever-
boand to save Frank Delamere.

CHAPTER XXXII.
a rumors sans a mu In an no“
nrrru: GAB.

Wm Frank Delamere was carried back to ,
the steamer, and was found to be wounded
severely, if not fatally, and the mate told his.
story, there was much indignation among the
passengers, and while the young Planter was
takentohisstate—room,andleftintbe care of
a physician, who fortunately happened to be
onboard, asearch wasbegunforthemanwho
had dealt the blow.

Then a person who had been in the pilot-
house, chatting with the pilot, reported that.
hehadeeenalargeman walk aft,and shortly
after another join him, and instantly there was

a struggle between them. and he had
hardly called the attention of the wheelman to
the circumstance, when over thestcntbey
went together, and a second after, a third per-
son ranaft, and, cryingout that there was a
man overboard, sprang attu- them.

To and out who these other two pul-
were, as Frank Dinners was the wounded

 

i

 

 I, ,  4 _. 4 C
  iirku’l’U-m a. it. ‘9 My.

:18

man, was the question, and the boat’s crew re-
porting that the one whom they could not find
being a negro, the youth before referred to
started with surprise, and soon after, having
carefully searched the steamer, stated that his
old negro companion was missing. '

Another search among the passengers, every

state-room having been visited, resulted in the
discovery that a river sport known as
“ Scotty” by his friends, and registering as
Wash. Nap. Scott, which being interpreted
reads Washington Napoleon Scott, was miss-
:mg.
The man was a known bad character, had
been seen to leave the cabin before Frank Del-
amere did, and he was set down as the intend-
ed assassin, and many thought it a cause of
congratulation to Mr. Scott that he had either
been killed by the Planter or the negro, or
swum ashore, as there is little doubt but that
the sport would have been swung up between
the huge smoke-stacks as an ornament.

“I fear Scotty was the man, for I remember
to have heard him make a threat against Mr.
Delamere,” said Don Del Morte, insinuatingly,
as be pressed ferward to the state-room of the
wounded and unconscious man, and addressing
the physician in charge, continued:

“ Doctor, I hope you will do all that you can
for the boy, for, though, as you know, his fa-
ther and myself had trouble, and we had a
few words to-night, I wish him well, and you
can call upon me for any amount to aid him.”

“Skill, not money, will alone save him, sir,”
said the physician, sternly; but, unabashed, the
King of Diamonds continued:

“I am an excellent nurse, sir, and will ofler
my services with the greatest pleasure.”

“I should think it would kill himto open his
eyes and see his father’s murderer hanging
over him.”

All eyes turned upon the speaker, and with
surprise they discovered it to be the youth who
had offered to play cards with the gambler.

He was a well-dressed, handsome yet sad-
faced young fellow, with a slender, graceful
form, and a modest, retiring manner; but he
met the fiery gaze of the gambler unflinchineg
as he wheeled upon him and asked in a sup-
pressed tone:

“ Do you seek a quarrel with me, boy i”

“No, for I should shoot you as I would a
mad~dog‘ did you attack me,” was the calm re-
ply. -

“ Well, sir, I shall give you the opportunity
to by,” and the King of Diamonds started to-
ward the youth.

The steamer was just backing out from a
small riverside village, where it had landed,
and several passengers who had gotten on were
just going back to their state-rooms, conducted
by a steward, when the King of Diamonds
sprung toward the youth and added, menacing-

“I will clip your ears, boy, to give you
cause to remember mel”

The youth had thrust his hand into his breast
pockeg and stood his ground; but before he
could withdraw it, one of the passengers going
aft, dropped his sachol and blanket-roll, and
seiaed the gambler by the shoulder, while he
said, memly:

“ Coward! you shall not touch that boy.”

Livid with rage, Don Del Morte turned upon
the man who dared oppose him, and beheld a
tall, dark-faced man he knew well by sight,
and, strong as he was himself, he knew he dare
not attack him, while already the other held
the advantage, as his hand held a small Der—
ringer, for he had expected the gambler to
draw a weapon at once. .

“ You shall answer for this, M. Leon Mar-
tells," he filed.

“ Like my lamented friend Delamere, whom
you murdered, I have no objection to waive
the fact of your being a blackguard, and still
meet you,” was the cool rejoinder.

‘ “Then my friend shall call on you when we
arrive in the city.”

“Sobeit; see that he does, for if he does
notIshallcall on you,” andthehandsome
young Creole took his sschel and traveling-
blanket, which the youth had picked up and
handed to him, while he said earnestly:

“I have to thank you, sir, for interfering
in my behalf, for that man meant mischief.”

“And he still means mischief, so you had
better beware of him; but what is the matter
unheard!" ~ '

“Aisha-Delano" has been hotly-wounded
by an muslin," answered the youth.

Butlmllartemwsitsdto hear no more,

‘ l
4

 

- in». .. Cowman... , ,

Darkie”

as he moved quickly toward the state-room, in
which Frank Delamere lay, the doctor still
bending over him, and doing all that skill
could do to save him from death, for his life
hung by a most slender thread which a feather-
weight might break.

CHAPTER XXXIII.
A swnt FOR LIFE.

WEIR the old negro upholding Frank Dela-
mere in his arms, saw the boat coming toward
him, he suddenly thought that he had done
something which the law of the land might
not view with a very generous eye—id est,
taken the life of the gambler Scotty.

The sport had attacked the young Planter,
not him, and he had followed them into the
water and driven his knife into the one to save
the other; but wherehad been his right in so
doing? might be asked if he was brought to
trial for it.

Now to be tried for the killing of the sport,
or for anything else, was what the aged black
wished most to avoid, and consequently, he
decided upon ’a course of action to escape all
personal trouble in the matter.

As soon as the boat’s stern backed up to him,
he handed up the unconscious Planter, and
then, while they were drawing him over the
gunwale he sunk from sight beneath the tur-
bid and murky waters.

An expert swimmer, he remained under the
surface for nearly a minute before he came
up, when he saw the boat looking around for
him, and immediately, getting a gasp of air,
he again sunk down, swimming away from the
spot as fast as he could.

Another rise, and another swim, and he saw
that the boat was returning to the steamer,
believing him lost.

“Now for the Mississippi shore,” he mut-
tered, and boldly he struck out for the near-
est bank, which was distant a quarter of a
mile.

With his clothes and boots on, and his exer-
tions in the water, he soon became greatly
fatigued, and looked around for a floating log
to cling to.

Not far below him he discovered a dark ob-
ject, which he reached, after an effort, and
was glad to find that it was the trunk of a tree,
with several small branches attached, and capa-
ble of bearing his weight.

To this he clung, and when well rested, be-
gan to urge it shoreward.

It was hard work, and yet he dare not leave
it, for fear fatigue would overcome him, and
he struggled oa manfully.

At length he managed to ground it on the
Mississippi shore, and, barely able to move he
tattered out of the water, and sunk down upon
a grassy knoll to rest.

Overcome by sleep and fatigue he sunk to
sleep, and never awoke until the morning sun
shone in his face; then he awoke with a start,
glanced around him, as if striving to recall his
scattered senses, and then uttered a cry of
horror, as his eyes suddenly became fixed upon
an object not ten feet from him.

It was the form of a human being, lying
half in the water, and with one arm clinging
around the log which he had shoved ashore.

One look into that face, and the negro re-
cognized the man he had killed, and who, in
his dying agonies had clutched the log.

Witha look of awe he moved toward the
form, and bent over it, half-drawing it from
the water.

As he did so the unbuttoned coat displayed
in the inner pocket a number of new bank-
notes, and these he drew out, muttering:

“I heard him say five thousand was his
price; here is just that sum, and I get his re-
ward.” £

He thrust the package of bills in his pocket
as he spoke, and then, though not without a
hesitating movement, and a shudder, took the
watch and jewelry that the sport had worn in
profusion.

“ I am no robber of the dead, and if he has
kin they shall have these, but not the blood
money; that’s mine,” he murmured. .

After awhile he shoved the free OR into the
current, with its ghastly freight still clinging
to it, and with the remark:

“It better be going down-stream than be
found near me, should anybody see me here.
New to and out where I am, and to continue
on to the city, or that poor child will not know

 

J!” to do." - ‘

Rising, and stretching 1m mama sinus

after another glance at the nesting log and its ,

 

r 1
ghastly load, he walked along the bank, until
at last he came to a wood-yard, attended only
by an aged negro, seemingly as old as him-
self.

The wood-yard tender eyed him suspiciously
as he came up, until he asked pleasantly:

“ Hasn’t yer got a word ob good-mornin’,
brudder, fer a Christian friend?”

“ Whar yer from last!" was the cautious
reply.

“ Out ob de ribber last.”

“Yer looks wet all ober.”

“I is wet outside an’ dry inside, fer I
tumbled ofl.’ de steamer last night, an’ dey
didn’t pick me up; yer see, brudder, I was
travelin’ wid young master down de ribber,
an’ yer see whar I am now, while he am on
de boat, an’ I wants ter cotch do next boat ter
de city.”

This explanation seemed to satisfy the old
wood-yard overseer, and he answered:

“Weal, what I has yer is welcome to in de
shape 0’ wittals. an’ massa lets me have a
leetle dram ter keep away de chill an’ fever,
an’ I’ll gi’n yer some, brudder, fer I is a hard-
sheller 0’ de Baptist persuasion, an’ does unto
my teller-man as I’d have him do to me; is you
a Baptist, brudder?”

“No, my massa’s folks is all Episcopalys,
an’ I ’tends dat wurship.”

“‘Is you a ’zhorter, brudder?”

“ No, brudder, I isn’t a ’zhorter.”

“ You is ole enough!”

“ Yas, but I isn’t good ’nough.”

“Ohl waal, come inter my cabin an’ git
somethin’ ter eat, fer yer hasn’t got much time
as de Shotwell is a comin’ ’long soon.”

The visitor accepted the invitation, and, by
the judicious use of a little money, made an
exchange of his wet clothing, for the “Sunday
suit " of the pious wood-yard overseer, and
with a brotherly shake of the hand, the two
parted when the Shotwell came to the bank, in
obedience to a signal displayed that she could
get a passenger, and, who gave his name to
the clerk as Daniel Dorcas.

 

CHAPTER XXXIV.
WHAT THE YOUTH REVEALED.

Tn physician, who had kindly volunteered
his services to take charge of Frank Delamere,
was acquainted with the young Creole Martelle,
and readily admitted him to the state-room as
a nurse.

But close on his heels followed the youth,
and when they would have barred his way he
looked up so pleadingly and asked so softly to
be admitted as an assistant that neither the
doctor or M. Leon could refuse him.

Immediately he set to work, and with a
touch as soft as a woman’s, bathed the heated
head and performed numerous little tasks, that
showed he was an adept at nursing, and the
doctor remarked:

d‘If he has you to nurse him, my young
friend, my word for it that he will soon get
well.” '

“Then he shall have me, sir, for I will re-

: main with him.”

“Did you know Frank!” asked M. Leon,
as the doctor left the state-room for a shq't
time.

“ No, sir; I never knew him before to-uight."

“You take a strange interest in him for a
stranger.”

“ It is the same feeling prompts me that
caused you to kindly come to my aid when the
King of Diamonds would have sprung upon
me,” was the quiet reply. ,

" And did you ever meet that man before!”

“No, sir; I saw him first when he came (I:
the steamer at Vicksburg.”

“ May I ask if you are a Mississippiani"

“ No, sir; I am a. Kentuckian.” '

“ Ah! from what part?”

“ I live not far from Paris, sir."

X “Pardon me if I seem inquisitive; but do
you know a family there of Lyons!”

The youth started, and his face flushed; but
after a slight hesitation, he said:

“ My name, sir, is Lyon.”

“ Indeed! I wished to ascertain regarding a
man whose name was Norman Carr Lyon.”

Again the youth started, and the Creole
could not but notice it; but, before more was
said, the doctor returned and said:

“Mr. Martelle, the clerk would like to see
you, sir, regarding some cattle to he landed at
your plantation, which we are nearing.” «

The young Creole arose and left the stats-
room, and the youth eagerly asked:

“ What is that gentleman’s name, drt"

 

 

 

ad‘s—Ian.“ I.» has“
V

1.3.4..

 

 

 

i
j

 

Niven.

V

 

 

 

 

fl  t.

' Darkie Dan.

 

19

 

#—

 

“M. ImMartene; he is a very wealthy
Imisiana planter.”

“Excuse me a moment, please," said the
youth, and he quickly left the state-room.

Going forward, he saw M. Leon conversing
with the clerk, and as he finished and started
back to the state-room of his wounded friend,
he joined him and said:

“ Mr. Martelle, can I see you for a moment
in private?"

“Certainly, my young friend; come into my
mate-room," and the young Creole led the way.

“ Mr. Martelle, do you know a person by
the name of Dan Dorcas?” asked the youth.

It was the Creole’s time to start now, and
he said, quickly:

“ es, indeed; he is better known as Darkie
Dan.”

“It is the same, sir; well, he was my com-
:panion on this boat to-night, and the one that
you heard had sprung overboard to try and
«save Mr. Delamere.”

“Great‘Godl Darkie Dan was on this boat a
while since?”

“Yes, sir, and he has perished, I fear," and
the youth’s voice quivered.

LeonMartellearose and pacedtoandfro a
moment, and then said:

" I can now understand why an aged negro,
as they called him, sprung overboard to the
aid of Frank Delamere; it was Darkie Dan;
but I cannot believe he has perished, and think
I can understand his not wishing to return to
the steamer, so my opinion is that we will see
him again.”

“ I hope so, sir, for he is a noble man, and it
was what he told me that brought me here."

“What! are you anything to the Lyon I
spoke of!” and the Creole gazed fixedly at the
youth, who answered frankly:

“Mr. Martelle. I know that you and Dan

 a plot together, for he told me as much,

and that he traced where had lived one who
calls himself Carlyon Norman, and came there
to glean proof of his evil doings.

“Dan told me all, and I will frankly say
that we, my parents, my friends and myself,
believed Norman dead, for news to that effect
had been-sent us; to prove that he was false,
that he is the base creature that Dan has told
me he is, I came with him, and we were onour
way together to New Orleans.”

“And you know then that Dan’s aged ap-
pearance is a disguise?”

“ I do, sir.”

“And is this Carlyon Norman kindred of
yours?".

The youth’s face flushed, and he seemed
greatw embarrassed; but, after an instant,
said frankly:

“Mr. Martelle, I will hide nothing; I too

am in disguise, for Norman Carlyon is my hus-
band.”
Had a bombshell crashed 'through the boat
it could not have surprised the young Creole
more, and he gazed into the face of the pre-
tended youth with a strange look.

Taflng her soft hat off, and looking at him,
the deserted wife conthued:

" I determined to see for myself all that my
husband was, and I assumed this male attire,
cut 0! my leng hair, and came with Darkie
Dan.

“To-night, when I saw the King of Dia-
monds, I wished to play. cards with him, for
tho purpose of getting acquainted with him,
and asking him to take me as a young sporting

tags, that I might the better dog his steps,
for Dan had told me of his intimacy with my
husband.

“Suspecting, I know not why, that he was
at the bottom of the attempted assassina-
tion to-night, I was drawn into a controversy
with him, which you prevented from going fur-
ther; but I am a dead shot, and I would have
killed him, had he come nearer.

“ Now, sir, you know my secret.”

“And I shall hold it sacred, while I will
soon give you proof, painful as it will be to
you, that your husband is as vile a man as
is the King of Diamonds.

“Dan has worked hard, and in a dozen
Miles, has ferreted the lives of those two
men out, and I tell you frankly, there is a
web drawing around them that must soon
mngle their lives out.”

“ I care not, for I have a revengeful nature,
Mr. Martelle, and Norman Lyon shall find
that I can hats evon harder than I can love,”
and the eyes of the deserted wife flashed
till the intensity of her feelings againstthe
- whe had so bitterly wronged her.

 

CHAPTER XXXV.
m mum or EVIL Rmxmm.

Don Du. Moan was again in his sumptuous
rooms, and from the anxious look on his face
it was evident that something was going
wrong with him.

“Come in!” he cried as a knock came at
the door, and, as he did so he dropped one
hand to his side, as though he wished not to
be taken by surprise, while a slight click,
click, told that he was fingering apistol, should
the visitor be a toe.

“Ah, Carlyon, it is you, is it?" he said,
evidently relieved.

“ Yes,” said that worthy, entering and
throwing himself upon' the lounge.

“ Well, what news?”

“I start to morrow for Idlerest, and the
agony must soon be over; if it is not, I shall
drop it, for the strain upon meis fearful.”

“Bahl look at me; I have had a strain on
me ever since I was old enough to under-
stand just whut I was.

“In three days those notes are due; on the
day you are, you marry Gertrude Delamere,
and then, after the three days, grace is up,
come down on Frank Delamere for payment;
of course he cannot pay and you take his
plantation and negroes, let him know who you
are—D

“ But who am I?” asked the young man im-
petuously.

“Don‘t be in a hurry; you will know too
soon for your own good.”

“ I feared so.”

“ Well, as I was saying, you marry the girl,
come down on her brother for the property,
get possession, tell them who you are, and they
will hang their heads in shame, and be turned
into the street as beggars, and my revenge
will be complete.”

“ And I." '

“ Oh, you will be the possessor of a splendid
plantation and slaves, that will yield you fifty
thousand a year easily, and you can trump up
charges against Gertrude that will give you a
divorce from her, and, after the affair has
blown over, you can marry some lovely heiress
in the city.” '

“ But the shock-will kill Frank Delamere,
and I expect Gertrude will be driven to take
her own life.”

“ What care you! let it kill him; curse him!
He should be dead now, instead of getting well
from that wound that Scotty gave him.”

“Have you ever thought of who that old
negro was that jumped over to his rescue!”

“I know: it was that black fiend, Darkie
Dan; but he jumped to his death that time,
though he has escaped so often before; but
what in the devil’s name he was doing on the
steamer, in company with that youth, I cannot
understand, yet I am certain I was not mis-
taken in the negro; what do you think of M.
Leon Martelle refusing my challenge after
telling me he' would fight me?" I

“I do not know what to think; did he re—
fuse altogether to meet you?”

“Yes, and Ihave amindto post him as a
coward.” .

“Better not, for you are not very popular
of late.”

“80 I see and know; I must fight a duel
with some prominent person to raise the King
of Diamond stock again in the market; but I
am sorry you will not be here to attend the
grand bal masque two nights hence.”

“Yes, I would like to, but I am anxious
about this business yet to be done.”

“ You can attend that and then catch the
steamer up in time, for the Eclipse has adver-
tised to delay starting until an hour after mid-
night.”

“ No, I am too nervous to attend balls.”

“ Don’t be nervous, for it will wear out the
tissues of your life; will I see you again before
you go?"

“ No, I do not wish to attract attention by
coming here, for I tell you, you are not a
savory mortal on the tongues of the people
now, and I fear you are watched; but tell me,
whatis the secret of my life, that is to gain
you such revenge upon the Delameres, and for
which you have struggled so hard!”

“ You are not nervous now?"

“ No, not exactly.” ‘

“Take a stifl glhss of brandy and it will
steady you.”- '

“I will,”and the brandy was drank at a

draught.
l “I’lltake a glass too, for it willputan edge
on my words; m‘ycu ready!” ‘

 

u Ya.”

“ Sit there, where I can see you; there!
new listen; for I wish to make known to you
what has blackened my whole life, and which,
I am not painting the lily in saying, will make
you worse than I am, for you have it in you by
inheritance,” and with a mocking laugh the
King of Diamonds threw himself back in hi
easy-chair and began his story.

CHAPTER XXXVI.
A sronv or snaul.

“Norman Cm LYON, allow me to tell you
that you are mistaken in.believing that to be
your name," began the King of Diamonds, in
his sneering way.

“ But what’s in a name? I called you, when
we began business together, Carlyon Norman,
and it has an aristocratic sound.

“ You were born, some twenty-three years
ago, one. farm on the banks of the Tenneuee
river, and your mother was a Miss Ruth Lyon,
the daughter of a well-tedo farmer.”

“ And my father?” somewhat anxiously
asked the young man.

“Don’t be impatient, boy; your mother
was sent to Nashville to boarding-school, and
fell in love with a young medical student there,
as he did with her.

“He was a fast youth, was studying medi-
cine with the remnant of a small fortune that
had been left him, that he might not starve
when he had spent the last dollar of it, and the
maiden’s father writing to the faculty for the
character of the youth who had won his daugh-
ter’s young heart, that august body simply
wrote back that he had no character.

“ The irate farmer came to Nashville at once
for his daughter, and found that she had fled
with her adorer.

“ He pursued so closely that the youth had
not time to stop en route, and get the matri-
monial knot tied, and putting it of! from day
to day it became an old story, other lovely
faces flitted before him, and the result was that
the poor girl, your mother, went back to ht
father’s home on the Tennessee to die, but be-
fore dying to give birth to an infant, yourself,
my boy.”

“Go on!” said the young man, in hoarse
tones, as the King of Diamonds paused.

“ Oh! I have no idea of breaking off in my
pleasant story; well, the old farmer was broken-
hearted at his daughter’s death and wrmg-do-
ing, and neglected his business until he was
sold out, and when he died the boy, you, went
to an orphan asylum, where you remained un-
til your grandfather left you a small sum of
money to educate you, and more to be given
you ’when you reached your twenty-second
year.

“ My grandfather?”

“Yes; on your father’s side; but now comes
the other part of the story; that grandfather
was a Mississippi planter, a man of wealth,
good old name and refinement.

“ He traveled extensively throughout his
own and foreign lands with a tutor, untl he
was of age, when he struck off on his own
hook to enjoy his fortune.

“ In his wanderings, he met a lovely young
creature who won his heart; she was a governess
in a wealthy family, and, after a very short so-
quaintance he married her, and they went to
Europe together.

“ Shortly after their return, and while at a
New York hotel, they were confronted by a
gentleman who claimed the lady as his wt

“ Of course a scene followed; but it was of
no use, the woman was a mere ad
some ten years older than she professed b be,
had deceivad her first husband, as had also
those who professed to be her parents, for its
was a Cuban Octoroon, palmed off on them by
her wily mother, in place of their child, who
died when but a few days old.

“By this woman your grandfather had one
child, a boy, and he, the boy, was your father.

“ His father, though separating from the
woman forever, had a good heart, and cared
for his little son, giving him every advantage;
butmarryingayearoreoaftsrward,a
Bentham buuty and heiress, he left the bay to
thecareofothers, andhe grewuppmttymuch
as he pleased.

' “ When his father died he left him a mall
inheritance, and also to the grandson he left a
little fortune, and hoped that the secret of his
former connection with the Octoroon would
ever remain a secret from the world; but be-
foredyinghecenfe-edalltohisson, who was
none other than Futon Delamere."

 

  

I ‘ . - ..
, > W I. _v . . ,.,..,yn.,

 

‘Zfiu I
.‘c;v..
.,_.

2O

Darkie Dan.

 

 

“I can guess the rest, and know now the
came of your hatred for the name; you are the
son of the Cuban Octoroon,” said the young
man in a hoarse tone.

“Your perspicuity is great, my boy,” was
the sneering reply. I

“Yes, and I am your son.”

“True; I am Oscar Delamere, the half-
brother‘ of the man I killed,yand whom I hated
because he was well born, and when we met,
knowing my life from his father’s lips, he
pz‘tied; and you are my son, and your name is
Norman Delaware, and you are to drag your
sweet cousin, Gertrude, down by wedding you,
and are to get possession of Idlerest, and if
there is a taint in your blood, and you cannot
find the marriage certificate of your parents
and grandparents, you can at least keep the
secret and hold your head up nobly.”

“Well, I cannot but say that as a villain I
am proud of my father; as a man I have no
respect for him,” sneered the son.

“How mutual are our feelings for each
other; it is like father like son, for you are in-
deed a chip of the old block; but if I dragged
you from your Kentuckyrhome, and used a
part of your inheritance as a ‘stepping-stone,
having squandered my own, in return I give
you a lovely bride, make you rich, and raise
you to a position of honor among men; but
you have my story now, my son, and I don’t
wish to detain you, but come to see me as soon
I! you return on your wedding tour, and I will
Ice you through to the mastership of Idlerest.”

Norman Delamere, as I will now call him,
made no reply, but with a bitter smile, and a.
mock-polite bow, he left the room,.bearing a
sorrier heart than he had ever before knowr.

 

CHAPTER XXXVII.
A TOMBSTONE THAT LIED.

ALONG the shell road leading to the lake, a
daylish carriage was rolling, having on the box
a negro coachman and footman in livery.

The "horses were full-blooded, and fast
stoppers, and the whole equipage indicated

I ‘ that it belonged to some family of ancient lin-

“game vast wealth.

“ 1h spite of a high hat and its gold band en-
circling it, the velvet collar worn nearly up to
the ears, and a beard, a close observer would
have seen in the coachman a familiar face seek-
ing disguise under a false beard and driver’s
livery.

But he held the reins with a master hand,
and sent the fine bays along at a slapping pace,
until they came to a grand gateway, leading to
one of the pretty cemeteries in the environs of
New Orleans.

Entering this, he brought his horses down to
a walk, out of respect to the dead that slept
around him, and, apparently with some destin-
ation in view, held on through the shell drives
to a distant part of the burying-ground.

Arriving at a mound, or rather elevated
circle, upon which were}: number of graves—
for the dead are not buried in New Orleans
underground, unless in raised land, on account
of the shallow depth at which water is found—
he came to a halt, and the footman springing

,. ; dOanfrom the box opened the door.

" Two gentlemen then got out—no, but one
gentleman, for the first one to spring to the
ground was the supposed youth whom the read-
er met on the steamer. but in reality the de-
serted wife of him whom the reader now knows
as Norman Delamere; the other was M. Leon

Martelle.

“This is the spot, is it, Dan!” asked the
young Creole, turning to the coachman.

“ Yes, Master Leon; yonder is the grave;
the one with the marble urn.”

M. Martelle and the disguised woman walked
slowly to the spot indicated by Darkie Dan,
and lnltcd before a grave, at the head of which
was a marble urn; they read on the base of the
monument as follows: \

“ IN Mnxoaux
, NORMAN CARR LYON,

Born! In Tunes“, Manon let, 18—:
01- in NW Camus, Srrr. lst., 18—:
Ann, 22 Yum m 6 Mourns.

May he rest in peace.”

“cm the lies that inscriptions tell i” ex-

fihued the poor wife, andshe bent her head in
Demingahameundlorrow,whileM.Leon

“t
’14.“ go to the m5 home you“, and

 

tell him to come here with his assistant, pre-
pared to open a grave, for I have a permit.”

The footman darted away, and in about ten
minutes returned, accompanied by the old
sexton and his son, carrying their spades on
their shoulders.

“My man, I have a permit here to have
this grave opened; take it and see that there is
nothing irregular about it.”

“ Your word would be sufficient to me, Mr.
Leon Martelle; return the paper to your
pocket, please,” replied the sexton.

“Thank you, and accopt this for your trou-
ble,” and he handed to the sexton and his son
a gold eagle.

The money not only brightened their eyes,
but seemed to act upon their muscles, as does
oil on machinery, for they set to work with
such right good will, that before very long
there came back the hollow echo from the
coffin, as the shovel struck it.

A short while more and the box was opened,
and the sexton leaned ovor, at M. Leon’s re-
quest, and unscrewed the coffin-lid.

Instead of a dead, upturned face to look
upon, those who gazed down into the coffin,
saw that it was only full of sand.

The sexton looked at M. Leon in utter
amazement, and his son looked at him, while
the supposed youth turned away; but the
Creole said calmly:

“ It is as I expected; throw in the dirt
again, my man,” and he also turned away,
while the old grave-digger leaned on his shovel,
and said aloud:

“Well, in thirty-five year at this business,
I have never seen a. tombstone tell a bigger lie
than this one do.”

M. Leon gave a light laugh, waved adieu to
the sexton and his son, and said simply:

‘ ‘ Drive home, Dan!”

And away rolled the elegant turn-out from
the pretended grave of Norman Carr Lyon,
and back on the cushioned seat sat the deserted,
deceived wife, her face covered with her hands.

 

CHAPTER XXXVIII.
IN BORROWED PLUMAGE.

Tm: grand bod wwquue, which the King of
Diamonds had regretted the inability of his son
to attend, was an affair at which only the
creme de la creme of the society of the Crescent
City was expected to be present.

It was to be given in the Hotel St. Louis, in
the grande salon, and a. guard at the lower en-
trance was expected to scrutinim every corner,

sothat no uninvited guest could gain admit-~

tance.

And yet Don Del Morte quietly made his
toilet for the ball, with no misgivings of being
refused, and why, his half aloud self-commun
ings will tell.

He was to go in the full dress uniform of an
American naval officer, and as be dressed he
talked.

“I was lucky in meeting that naval officer
at a time when he was short of money, for be
readily sold me his ticket at the handsome
price I offered him, and the guards will not
know that I am not Captain Delorme, as, now
that I have shaved my long beard off, and
gotten this blonde dye of! of my hair and eye-
brows, I hardly know myself when I look in
the mirror. '

“It has cost me a good round sum to find
out the costumes that my friends were to
wear; but I shall be repaid by throwing a seed
of unhappiness into every ear I can catch for a
moment’s chat.

“There’s old Cleaves, who manufactured
those marked cards for me, which gave me
such luck, as men, called it; he dresses as a
Quaker, and I will stop his pleasure by whis-
pering that the steamers’ captains who bought
their stationery of him have suspected some
thing wrong with the cards, and that detec-
tives are working up the case against him; old
Foster, who has just indorsed Dowd’s note for
a hundred thousand, I will tell that Dowd was
a bankrupt, and scare him badly, while I’ll
whisper to Jennings that his son has committed
forgery; then that handsome Mrs. Vincent
must be told that her husband is not on his
plantation, but traveling with a fair compan-

. ion, while Judge Dore shall receive informa-

tion that his eighteen-year-old wife is false.
Oh! I shall have lots of fun, making people
miserable by lies, and I shall not forget. M.

Leon Martelle, who has spent thousands for the V

jet-black armor he is to wear to-night; let me
see, I’ll tell him what I intended to charge
Funk Daemon and his,simrvrith.for he

 

loves Gertrude; yes, I’ll tell him that their mo-
ther was an Octoroon, and if he resents it, then
we will have the duel which he refused to meet
me in, and I shall kill the Black Knight, for
such is the name he takes to-night.

“By the way, I must hasten, for the time
wears on apnea,” and drawing on his gloves,
and fitting his mask to his face, the King of
Diamonds threw his cloak around him and de-
scended to the court of the cabaret, where a
carriage awaited him.

Ever cautious, he did not drive to the Hotel
St. Louis in this vehicle, but reaching a hack-
stand, he bailed anotha', paid his other cache
and told the one hehad just hired whereto
drive. ~

The driver soon drew up at the Rue St.
Louis entrance to the hotel, and alighting, Don
Del Morte dismissed his vehicle, and passing
across the handsome portico, entered the vesti-

bule and ascended to the suite of ball—rooms and

their dependencies on the second floor.

Here stood the guards who examined the
tickets of invitation, and referred them to two
of the reception committee who were near to
settle any dispute.

With the coolest air imaginable the King
of Diamonds presented his ticket, and said plean
santly:

“ Shall I unmask, monsieuri”

“Oh, no, Captain Delorme, your card is
regular and your uniform carries it out,” was
the polite response. ~

The Rubicon was passed, d’nd with a look of
devilish triumph in his eyes, and which for-
tunately his mask concealed, the gambler en-
tered the ante-chamber, gave his cloak to a
servant, and the next moment strolled leisurely
into the magnificent salon, on the floor of
which were flfty cotillions, while hundreds of
others were promenadiug around the hall, rest—

ing in the gilded alcoves, or conversing, laugh-

ing and flirting with their neighbors.

It was a. scene of splendor, and with the
strains of music, the moving throng, the gay
maskers, the murmur of voices, the myriad!
of lights from blazing chandeliers, it presented

a scene which almost .dazzled the King of Dia-

monds with its grandeur and beauty.

One long glance around the room, and the
devil in the man rose uppermost, and he set to
work to sow seeds of sorrow in every heart
that he felt was happy.

 

CHAPTER XXXIX.

THE BLACK KNIGHT AND THE NAVAL omen.

Sour half hour after the King of Diamonds
had entered the grande salon of the Hotel St.
Louis, a carriage drove up to the Rue St. Louis
entrance, and a tall form, clad in black, Irin-
ing armor alighted.

“ That is M. Leon Martelle’s coupe," said one
of the numerous throng, who were watching

the animals with envy in their hearts, that,

their lives had not led them in more pleasant
places; but, unheeding the remark the armed

knight ascended the broad marble stairs, and

halting before the guard, extended his card
and ticket of invitation, while deep in his visor,
which effectually concealed his face, he said,
politely:

“Good-evening, messieurs; shall I unmask?

“ Assuredly not, M. Martelle; pass in,
please,” was the quick response, and, having no
outer garment to deposit in the ante-chamber,
the Black Knight was ushered into the grands
salon.

His tall form, commanding appearance, and
superb armor, with the helmet shaded by an
immense black plume, attracted univerml at»
tention, and are he had half circled the room,
he was the cynosure of all eyes.

“Ab, my dear M. Leon, I have been anx‘
ious to speak with you,” said a mask coming
toward him, and slipping his arm in his.

“Are you not mistaken, sir?" asked the
Black Knight in an indiflereut tone. -

“ Oh dear no, my dear sir, you are M. Leon
Marielle."

“ May I ask how you made that discovery?“
inquired the Black Knight.

“ A spy at the door, you know, gave me the
knowledge.”

“And may lack whom I addreu, for you
have the advantage of me."

“Oh, call me Captain Busybody, or any
thing you please, for I am a busybody, a real
gossip, and have got the news of the town
down on my fingers.” '

“That is just where your conversation W
no charm for me, lair."

“Oh! butloan buyoutbatwflchwil

 

 

 

 

‘

g .‘I>

.7:

 

 

 

.‘ ‘t‘A‘w __. _

 

 

 

 

“I say no I"
"Then I shall reclaim publicly that you
are not Captain orme, whose ticket you

 

 

 

i,i

Darkie Dan.

21

 

 

interest you; a real tid-bit of news, you
know.”

“It is strange that such a one as you pro—
fess to he, should sock to disgrace the uniform
of our navy by appearing in an oflicer’s dress.”

“Now you are. severe, my dear M. Leon:
don’t be cross, but listen to me, for I am a
regular ferret, and have discovered a piece of
news about your most intimate friends, I may
say regarding one, whom you once hoped to
make dearer than a friend.”

“ Sir?”

“I refer to Mr. Frank Delamere and his
lovely sister.”

“Well, sir, what do you know of them?”
was the stern question.

“Much; I know that you have escaped a
mesalliance which you can be thankful for.”

“ I do not understand, sir.”

“ Oh, I can make it plain, my dear M. Leon.”

“ Do so, please.”

“In a word, sir; Mr. Delamere, the father
of Frank and Gertrude, had in his family an
octoroon nurse, and, his wife being childless,
the woman’s children were taken and reared
as his own.”

“ You are an accursed liar!” came the
words, stern and determined.

It Sir l”

“I mean it, and will add a coward."

“ You shall answer for this, M. Leon, for I
shall force you to fight me,” hissed the King
of Diamonds, for be it was, savagely.

“Force me! whyI will make you retract
those words within half an hour. ”

“Never!”

“Then come with me, sir.”

“Not to-night; tomorrow, at another time,
I will meet you, but not now.”

“ You shall now!”

bought, but Don Del Morte the—”

“Bold! breathe not who I am here, or you
know these excitable Creoles would tear me to
pieces, and give me no chance for my life."

“Then take the chance I offer, and come
with me.”

“ Lead on, and I will follow,” was the calm
.n ly. ' v  .

The Black Knight obeyed, and passing out of
the saloon the two men turned into the corridor
leading to the hotel. ' ~

“ Waiter, we wish a room for awhile; it
must be secluded, and We wish no inter-
ruptions,” said the Black Knight.

“ Shall I bring a pack of cards, Monsieur
Nartellei" asked the garcon, calling him by
name, as it had become rumored around that
the black armor concealed M. Leon Martelle.

“Yea,” was the short reply, and soon after
the two men were led to a small room, heavily
curtailed, in a distant part of the hotel.

“Come and call us at two o’clock,” ordered
the Black Knight, and, as the waiter’s retreat-
ing footsteps died away down the corridor, he
continued, addressing the King of Diamonds:

“New, air, the difficulty between you and I
shall be settled here, and it must be your life,
or mine.”

“I am content,” was the reckless reply, and
it was evident that the gambler, relying on his
sail and nerve, felt no fear of the result.

“You have a sword, sir, and having seen
the weapon you were to wear to-night, I got
on. just its length, for I came here to meet
ye Den Del Morte, the King of Diamonds.”

“ as"! be sorry you ever crossed swords
with me, Lecn Martelle; but come on, for I see
the weapons do put us on equal terms,” and
the gambler drew his weapon, while the Black
Knight unfastened his body armor and re-
moved it.

“ Now, we are on equal terms, Don Del
Mom, and I am ready.” ‘

With a clash the swords came together; but
from the first pass the King of Diamonds felt
that be had underrated the swordsmanship of
M. Leon, and tearing of! his silk mask, he bent
to his work like a man who had undertaken a
task which he was doubtful of accomplishing
successfully. .

From the very first, too, the Black Knight
seemed bent on destroying his ‘09. 9’9 the
clash at the swords might ml” some one

share and thus interrupt the duel, and be
M hi3 antagonist ID “10 W8“,  Vim ‘
strength that was irresistible, and qmckw 0‘
movement that was amazing, he beat down the

 

lsr's guard, and drew hisswordintohis
tsthehilt.

Catching him in his arms before he fell, he
cried excitedly, while he threw aside his
helmet.

“ Hold on, Mr. Oscar Delamerel you shall
not die until you see who has slain you.”

“ Great God! You are Darkie Dan I"

And the gambler shrunk away in an agony
of dread even in his dying moments.

“ Yes; I am Darkie Dan, and I have avenged
my poor master’s death, and all that you made
me suffer."

Darkie Dan said no more, for the ears be ad-
dressed heard him not, for the guilty soul of
the King of Diamonds had fled from the pol-
luted casket that here it.

Rising, Darkie Dan stepped to the table and
picked up the cards given him by the garcon,
who, believed the room had been engaged for a
quiet little game, and he sprinkled them over
the body, all except the King of Diamonds,
and across this he wrote hastily:

“Killed in a duel.
A fitting end for the King of Diamonds.”

This card he placed on the forehead of the

gambler, and resuming his helmet and breast-
armcr, he left the room and the hotel.

CHAPTER XL.
01" THE BRINK.

THE day, set for the wedding of the
treacherous Norman Delamere, as the reader
now knows him, to Gertrude Delamere, dawn-
ed bright and beautiful, and the household
were astir at an early hour.

There was to be no display, for the bride
was in deep mourning for her father, and her
brother was yet an invalid, and suffering from
the wound he had received, and which was
fortunately not as severe as was at first sup-

 

posed.

Only the overseer was to be called in as a
witness, and the clergyman who performed
the ceremony, was to be accompanied by his
wife, and then, after a wedding breakfast, the
young married pair were to take the first

' steamer down to the city.

The groom, smiling and handsome, had come
up two days before, and his happy face was
in strange contrast to the sad countenance of
Gertrude, who each day felt more and more
that she was giving her hand where her heart
could never go.

At last the overseer’s bell tolled the hour of
ten, and the negroes began to wend their way
to the mansion, and Gertrude, dressed in a
traveling suit, and accompanied only by the
minister’s wife, entered the parlors, where her
brother reclined on a lounge, pale and sad-
looking, and was conversing with the clergy-
man.

Presently the groom entered, and then fol-
lowed Una, weeping bitterly, and the negroes
crowded the halls and windows silent and
mournfuL

“It seems more like master’s funeral than
Miss. Gettie’s wedding,” sighed Una, as the
clergyman took his stand and the groom led
the bride forward.

But before a word was spoken by the minis-
ter, the negroes were seen surging away from
the door, and in strode a tall form, and a bun-
dred voices cried out:

“ Darkie Dan I”

“Yes, I am Darkie Dan, and master, I for-
bid this marriage, for it is a mockery, as that
man already has a wife.”

The stern, ringing tones, addressed to Frank
Delamere, were heard by all, and like a fright-
ened bird Gertrude bounded away from the
side of the man she had expected‘to call hus-
band, and her brother arose slowly to his feet.

“ It is a liel" shouted Norman Delamere,
turning livid. '

“Darkie Dan never told a lie, sir, and I
must have proof that his statement is false be-
fore the ceremony g6es on,” was the stern re-
ply of Frank Delamere.

“Master, I have proof," and turning Dan
made a sign, and a woman, young, sad-faced,
yet beautiful, glided into the room.

“ Great God I you here?”

It was all that the guilty man could say as
he staggered back; but in scathing tones the
wronged and deserted woman, said:

“Yes, I, your wife, am here, Norman Dela-
mere, and he whom you call Darkie Dan has
laid here your treachery and guilt."

“ Are you this man’s wife?” asked Frank
Delamere, in a voice of suppressed
while his sister clung close to his side.

“ I am.”

 

, numbers twenty-four cent-

“ You speak of him as Norman Delamere,“

“Master, that is something that I will ex-
plain, sir, for I have a little box of papers to
give you,” cried Darkie Dan, quickly, not
wishing to have the secret betrayed there be
fore all. _ '

“Well, sir, be you who you may, I shall
hold you responsible for this insult, and, as you
own this place now, my sister and myself shall
at once depart from it.”

“ Hold on, master, those notes can be re
deemed right here,” cried Darkie Dan, and, at
another sign, in walked M. Leon Martelle, who
bowed pleasantly, and said:

“Yes, Frank, I will pay to this lady the
sum of fifty thousand dollars, agreed upon
with her, and return the notes to you, for this
fellow paid nothing for them, and will not need
funds where he is going.”

Like a wild beast at bay Norman Delamere
glared upon his accusers, and then, as if grown
desperate at the fearful situation he found him-
self in, he thrust his hand into his breastpooket,
and, without withdrawing it, there was heard
a smothered report and he fell dead in his
tracks, slain by his own hand. -

 

CONCLUSION.

To picture the excitement in New Orleam,
on the finding of the body of‘ the famous King
of Diamonds in the room of the hotel, when
the waiter, at two o’clock went to call the
occupants, as directed, would be impossible.

Of course the secret of how he gained ad-
mim'on to the bat masque came out, and it
was at once said that M. Leon Martelle hm‘l
killed him, and many rejoiced at the circum-
stance; but some days after that was con-
tradicted by the young Creole, who came cit
in a card and stated that be had not attended
the ball, but had been entertaining some friends
at his own home, all of whom verified the
statement, and thereby cast a mystery over
the gambler’s death, that none could solve
other than two persons, and those two pre-
ferred to keep secret how well their little plot
asallieshadturned outintheend. '1

For the sake of Gertrude, the tragicend d
the man she had believed so honorable was
kept secret as much as possible; but it leaked
out by degrees, and to mve her annoyance, N.
Leon Martelle begged berto go toEuropeas
his wife, and always loving him, she gladly
consented, and they were accompanied in their
tour by Frank Delamere, to whom Daria Day-
had told the mystery he had discovered by
digging up the box in old Mr. Delamere’s
grave, and suflering as he was with his yet
unhealed wound, it so impressed hm that his
physician ordered him away from home for a
year or more.

Before their departure, however, there we
a second marriage in Idlerem mansion, for
Una, the Quadroon, became the bride of Darkie
Dan, whom his master left in full char. aflhe
plantah‘on, well knowing how thoroughly he
could be trusted.

Back to her Kentucky home went the desertp
edwife,and in rearing her boyand keeping
from him the story of his father’s crimc, sh
spends her days and is content, though happi-
nemwillneverbe her lot on earth agah,hr
ever green in her memory is the grave in the
banks of the Missknippi, where sleeps, disch-
ored, the manwhomshesofondhloved.

As to Darkie Dan, he followed his master’s
fortunes through the long years of battling for
to Lost Cause, in which Frank Delamerersae D
therankofageneralandwongreatfamgand
refusing to meddle in politics, he devotes him-
self to cotton planting, and to-day is one a the
“shining lights ” of his race, who little (seam
what a story calm-faced, dignified Daniel Dor-
casoould tell of the  Mystery and
the days when he was the Black Nemais.

 

TE] m.

TEE
Sunnyside Library
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amass  a

4 Tu: Lam or 'rnn Lan.
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NDIII'I' or m A ' .
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For sale b all newsdeale or sent, postage paid
on receipto twelvecents for?” ammu-

 

   

i A . all MEJ:  I‘D.

 

 

 

   
  
  
 
 

    
     
  
  

 

  
  
 

 

 

. a iWishod Every Wednesday Each I "
¥ . ssue Com late and Sold a ‘ arm price '
'— . . p D We Umf of Ten Gem. No Double Numbora -- l
BY JOSEPH E. BADGER .n: I ~
£80m Sobersides theD t t ‘ ’ ' BY WH‘I‘L‘M 3' EYSTER- BY ‘
u Whiwnom Wheel; eelévemnfvu 916 Two Deadsquare Sports 00].. PRENTISS INGRAHAM. ‘ .
m, The Daub1h Edged Detective I ve. 902 SO“ Velvetb we Man “01;” 83 d k  ’911 The Blue Blockader' or The Coast G and W
m Maverick Mark. the Mini iroxh Vowhe 891 (“Mel-“113 Sport-aer e n we ' -  906 The Cuba" Cruiser- ’ ' myh ' ‘3
98 Silky Steele, the Stay-in Sport ‘ [9' 831 The Clubma'n-Crook‘s Calgs: ‘- W 854 TM 00““ GiPSV- !
84 Tne S “ens arts Neck_TiP-Part 867 The Frisco Sport PM" Vi 834 The Wild Steer Ridom'or TexasJ k’ em) I
 gig!» atel- ark; or, Silver-Jr“) 3%. ‘85? The Sig-anger S O'rtvs Slmke_u . , g2):  Rival Monte Cliét'os.’ Dc 3T 12:.
1/,» b5 Thizmcl'iggbtlieciliai; e Chain ion. I ,. 3?: glernlilkmg. the on from Kit-Ky. .z an Tm: I‘lélgeofxglifi moses; or. Docm Driven.
»-/i 848 The Rival god-Hit sssgggb 0t.  . 783 The laglrig’igogfagle Dead Game Sport .i ' Grave Ghouls O veg emcme; or' Tmpumg the J
he ,8? Curlv Kid. the Chg-93m, s'pon ‘ ' ' 767 The Spo7~t of bilverpéend I ‘ '91 Th" Coast-Raiders Deathcmse
_ I 34   gang Daective. '  ggclfiiBe(1;$kis mg Bou'nce [A m its]??? (filial-nob”: Cracks-iot'petective. .
an ’s utch, ' e val , ' ' . S n 8 van. t e V' ‘ -
Dan Dunn. ihe Soft-Hand Sport. .087 Double unchvgifn the s ort W'th - “5 The Red‘s“ 5““ 30%?! Dawn“. 
% ghe Frisco Detecuve.s Thug-Tm”. “r 677 My. chksnn' me dent “gm Jailhirgpharm. :33 %&:V(i¥0, the, Ernie Cmiéer; or. The RivnIRova-a ('
{I‘m riggisyhergivsr 5 art. I J n 96% Eiiltfdfiflohp‘ni; or! Roldan and His Row; .im‘w “1:  Eagle? (if, The Sm. Rover’s Bride. fl ,
.m Prince JothODetict$9 lqe. i I I . 634  “(13:31; Bong Hand. _ 640 The MW rs {inpnThe Beautiful Convict. . I.
. 4'33 D3“? D0n,'tlxe Denvéif :geactlve. 622 The A“ Around Sigma?” r ' :3? E13 %¥’B“c°°"‘?"'? "it: The Stima of Sin.
4 .t  teem" mom? Tam:  Mme “it Besiicrm me i an m the Cougar. ‘ .1   this; 09?” 9°“ Seekmfmmm
 ' 744 Swee takes Sag! th Sil 57‘8 Sistine 830:. Sale High R911" from Humbug: ’ 610 The-Redka Mfrs. - -
 720 The maxi 0;. 63d £52333.“ / 568 The Bud: D833; V216 sport witha Smile. # 605 The Shadow Rilvg'gh’i‘pvmte wmgs “them 
‘5‘ WW The Man of Sil ' 4-658 Hui? l H1 y ‘ 000 The Silver ShL' ~ ~ - ' i i
/’ '  a ‘ arr). the H b Horse from H 1 , - ‘. }P~ “‘i The Sea scouts of '10, ,
/, ,/,--‘:g 112338;; 81221:], $11112???“ from Butte. d/  gelshanr B'rlck, the, gum or Blue B1133.“  $33218 fifebeg.  Rsed {lovers of the Revolution
J’, M/ 685 Bob Breeze tthe Rouiilaferei‘) Stgorit. D ' 503 Tigrggtdeh? Sporige“ ithaScar. . . 681 The Outlawgdas‘gr P)" i 01'. True Hemts of ‘76.  3
’  0’75 Sibel Surry.‘ the Sport fromPSugti-i‘g’ J" 478 Pinnacle p32"? oruzflrl - ’ «no The Man from $5260“ The Gun“ Rum '
 _ .38 Solemn 83111.3 Luck Streak a 459 M or S uh» ~ l" F001 from Way Rank? 55.3 No.1: Monte :heiiut' ' -
 661 The GetThei-e Sharp 429 Hal‘r T ‘uner Tie’ ‘hi’RMMP‘ “"89 Lives.” 546 T.»- Doomeii what-1:333??? T??th"de
__» 651 Silvutip Stove. the Sky Sm r f 81' 402 Snapthég ampm 0Tl ed lend; 530 The Savages of the 89.5 9 e e Wreck. r
,w 645 Gopher Gabe the Unseen Deg? t' mm “3"” 396 The Di 1‘ D i‘ °f‘ 3° “‘8'” mamac’wt- ‘24 The Sea Chaser or Th' Pi ‘
‘ Dandy Darlin'g Detectfv c “0' 375 3,0 180 e Bet ve’ 0‘" The Gm Edge Gang. / 510 El Moro ih') CD yi ‘0 mtg Nome. 
g Mosska Mose, the Moug'mineer 356 “1‘; lg)!" 36th: gbm {" 0M- "’ 493 The Sconts or mg; commodore' 4
Q7 The Gd Sack Sharp's Even u . 333 Derringer Dickmtlh orts, 'or, The Combiniffion. 457 The Sea. Insurgenr or: The Co .
59; Big Ba y‘ the Brigadier of Biff-118w” B n 268 Magic Mike .1“; M311 1}an;iltlli the Drop. «46 Ocean Ogre. the Ontci'ist Con-3:5? r 80"
8% aeggggémmébg Sharp f rpm Snap City,“ 8' :99 Contain Culsmeve; 0: The lime Sport  :3“: FEfieiAnfi-‘d Buccanpér. . '1‘
gm“ “Minnie; Selig; opoign hingrggggsscmep. 1,133, all: 3:8 1903: Sgggtfig 1orfl t(‘ierfiite1 ofcthe ouiehi"”lim99 The NevSMxo‘iitg thiisftf)’ mm“ in Love and Wu. ' -'
Grip-Sack Sid the in ie s m' 160 Soft Ha d' ’ . g 3 0 ‘3 "Wm M93 The Convict Ca iian'
m T i _ p port. _ . n . Sharp. or. The Man with the 8a p. '
in Mtoit%%‘hz‘iii:iih$.gsm muons. us warms:  Thesnemsponrmm mow“ ité’toi’é‘ééél‘siifr :3:- $5353?“ mm" r
M,/" 585 Dandy Dutch. the Decorator {Tom Dead- BY NED BUNTLINB I» "a: TbeSea Fugitivefor The Queer? 0; {he sea" 1 
.-”"’ '97 Dandy Andy, the Diamond Detective Li“ '057 Long Tom the Privateer .  “on The Sw- DesperadO. ' 0 he oom- .' "
1 51‘ Gabe Gun". the Grim from Ginseng. “ $438 The S. v ‘. (v 3% The Magic Siiip' or. Sandy Hook Freob 
504 Solemn Saul. the Bad on from is s}.  /' Mill The Red 1% - V” The Gentleman 1Pix-ate - or Tn 0:300 30%“. - '1 '
495 Rattlepate Rob' or The R d “i h‘ ' ' 584 F‘ F t "we" °" The Midshipman v . .018 The mam imccnn 3 ‘ e 39”“ f"
~ 1&5 The Thorou ane<i ‘Sport. oun head 3 :61? Eggalgilllfiz‘ébrgtl'slyrfilmwr King' ,- ‘VJM The 1’ humor“ fiffltggrélfl'i‘l'fethwrgvggvnek ' 
f" Braid ugh fnfieggngemt of Dew Dr #32 Tombstone Dick, the Trnin Pilot.  T32? Priest; or. The Gambler‘s Dau hter. V "
Dutch Dim the mag;  S‘g'" 0‘ 8 {n gfilflsssbberdayi the idiots - " 4" 4235 Dragnei‘n)’gutjg final“ 9m” 07"“
:1 «3 A Cool Han'a- o,- plsml Jobs; .piEi'eDbV/ 18 Th: Saulggler qaptall); or. eSkipper’a mack Beam gheeBua}! of Ghana" ' .
Oklmoma Nibk v y B cnic. I, 16 Th Wm and“. 0r. The Qu ten of the Isle. a.’rh¢ Specter‘liacht- “ween . '
him 1‘0: 61‘. Sam’s Dandy Pard e to WM; 0” Th6 801mm” 210 Buméel‘ 3989 tho Egofiemhg '82th ""
08 The host Detective: or. The secret génice 5 BY JACKSON KNox—“ Old 11. I” The G‘mbler Pii‘ate' or Lady of lens 1"“, "‘ «6' ‘
‘. 3’3 golf'fiofim- the 3‘50“ Sheep 0! Bismanck. Dy. 838 Old G” q ' $3,, “I” The Skeleton Schoonerz'or. The Skimmer. M .
- 1, do 36:13:23 The Imps 0: Pan Handle. 82, Detect“? wfffllggngveh .. .1 I i m Eggmwung; fizofixgrcilg The Sea item " 
I . V r . . .1
I Dark :imtmsDukhm 38(1):) Dali-fin figs, ‘ yg $2: ggglstmgtfiggieviivgr, Old Gi'ipvs Oriya-.4 ,u ram Merle, the Mutinecr; or. The BedAnchoeM 
g o. tain ’sp. the Man with :Reooi'd, 762 01d Grip. the Detective.. "Ln 1" PHIL'P 3- WARNE. l i—
mtumm’“?“'“‘m . iggfiz‘a‘irfi‘fxt‘i"? Mum " Dirkimnsomom'em- 
a“ 8 any, we Gamecock from s own. “3 0”“ u 9 e0 ivu. / Ca tain don". the CattleKin . . .
tom, J vs. a". Mad Athlete. am no, the Silent Bitter. 567 Cuptnm Midnight. the Man 0 Craft. ' y “
on! Nor est Nick. the Border Detective. 616 Magnum the Weird Detective. 544 The Back to Back Pards.  
.i "’ 86 Muted Mark. the Mounted Detective. 608 The Drop Demuve‘ m The Chum "ion Thm . J
/,-' g bmad Eula Sam. the Hercules Hide alun 596 weubm‘ the Upper Cm“ Detecu'“ 502 Bambadr “Ck the Gem“ f th P!
.w” r Chlspa Charley. the Gold N get Snort. W. 582 Jon“ the Dawn” 3119611- ‘72 53" F0“ 3‘ ' 0" ‘Tbe Mun tuna?“ To " ‘..
w v 317 Frank mghtfo'ot‘ the Miner teen“. 574 Old Falcon’s Double. 431 California I‘iit 'tbo Alwa a on Hind?
9’ MOkO norm!" the Boss Roustabout ' 561 The Tm“! ng' 01'. The Falcon Detectlvo‘n F ‘0‘ Bike" sm' 0".A “ Dmy" . "1"
g Pisto] Jonnny; on One M“ m a Th‘md. $553: Falconhrldge. t e Sphinx Detective. oe‘ at!) Tiger Dicll’s f’led ; or. Tne Golden Serpent. V "T
“7  tnBiDevil at the Mines. , 4 515 g‘é‘i‘gfgn SMFQG: (gr. The Detective‘s Swell Job. 38’: Yen‘m Jack. the estizo. -. 
:49 Elephant“ 0 g '1')” °" A M“ W“ k 609 Old Falc'on 819' ET? mam“ meld net‘w'e' 2.99 Jack mambo B035 0”“ T°"“- ‘
341 Spitfire Chm Tao [11311120. 501 S Hunted ssteve tlundRirch Detective. as Tpree ot_ nyKind; or, Dick.Dcsnai-d and them
233 The om‘iiov‘oi i§£m£i§“m"' ‘94 T e‘D'Blwtive’s Se’y he fired “new” 20; 311301333333?“ UM??? ‘ '5
’0‘ “We 0f “1'0 Pincers: 01‘.Joaquin's Death 11 48" Rowlock. the Ear 'i- Detective. 171 Tiger Dick the'uciiri’i of tfiewfl‘lgn 55d ms mm‘ ' -
«#180 Old ‘49: or. The Amazon of Arizona. um m De‘d'a‘m 3mm“- “4 Th" Gem’émm from Pike. an. "1 
3m"°“.i$‘%‘£“¥“:‘ti“mmmm fih‘éfifi‘" whim» “mnmwmmw “ '
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r. ,2 1:4 fimin’ a]: Sfifidwfigng. m Grlolock, theeRockzet. Detective. Kg; #:ix‘tll‘ysggtfi‘agg '18:; 5:11;? §2§gflgtfib¥gm W " l
iii - with Tm» m- We «hometown a ,2-
)g ganfiwn ogrpggzefi oral-3,3 Diétecmef“ 886 Hawk Heron. the g‘ai‘con Detective. . BY CAPTAIN MARK WILTON. ’
' . ve ‘ V _ . -
2 mtggnléaik Blade: (g. Mi sgigpi'figlifghark BY J. C. COWBRICK 3??  6r°Th1ehfi£fi§li°gg 0mm '
y 0c 0 : or, . . ' - ‘ ' ’ - ‘ J - ,
50 Jack Rabbit. t e Bmirigggtfi." crmkednm' a? 3‘39 Sufi I t S H- 01 Daisy Drift 3&6 gtmklggewfiffl’ (£1: %%:‘:?%Bo£e2h J
ucnts ion, t 3' ' . ' . v ll! u ,, N“
.y WM. G. PATTEN. 612 Shem! Slmwoog'rggyfi’ezg‘l’gogggecflaw 285 Illzbtnir'iir Bait. the Canyon Ten-or.  ,1
810 Fire- 6. the Thuz‘s Terror. 598 The Daminie Detective. p ,I .4510 162m CMCkL the souchwem Dawn". 1 t}
’95 old ghbflawk, me Crook Shadows, 691 Duke Daniels. the Society Detective ‘ Stoneflm’ or Big NW: Beud’ “
'68 The Pm) .e of New York Crooks . 580 Shadowing a Shadow. ' -   Leopard Luke. the n of Home-Wm .4 
756 Old Burke. the Madison square betwuvb 565 mac“ Paul‘ the Postman Detmuw . $3; lroIn-Armecl Abe, the unchback Destroy. {y :1
747 Double-voice Dan‘s Double Disguise ' 557 The Mountain GrnvbeardS' or. Ridtll s’fid rap 8mm}, He'ad" the 0010mm Bravo‘ 1
n5 Douhwvmce Dan on Deck. . . 519 Old Riddles. the Rock Edger e g IDong-Hanoi Max: or, Tho Black Le 4
m2 Double-Voice l)a.n,tlie Alwa, 5.0mm)! Detective 499 TWilight Charlie. the 05d Sport 2%} ' uc‘mmt en’ “‘9 M‘m'Humor 0' mu '0'
m Double-Voice Dan, the Go-i Alone Detective 473 Gilbert of Gotham. the Steel-arm Detect e 219 'Cauy‘on I“ ve' the man Of the nounmin'
[‘89 The spam" Sharp. . 452 Rainbow Rub. the Tulip from Texan . [:bo bcorpion Brothers: or. Mad Tom‘s m I
3, “meme Hal‘ the Cowbo Kanpur 435 Kentucky Jmm the S on: from «Yenéw Pl 202 (u’lctqs Jack. the Giant Guide. :
/ . 669 Old True Blue, the Trust“ y . 422 Blue Grass Bum the an“ St” Detectivete.   bgmbmro. the California Roadflent. g
/ #583 Si? (11:3? Iggy  {,0 S‘l‘tan. 390 The Giant Cupid: or Clbuta John’s Jubilee. V "man the ROM)" queen 4 w“
. J I I 1 .. f
l 2-- ld Glove did me Milfiollgnc. y' I“ EDWARD “IDLE-Tn ' m K' K I“ ou‘ coomns' ' é
 “:11 we Jack. the Desert Nomad. 483 Flush Fred the River Shn ' “g e 1‘ “My 53 00 i the Border Deth '
,e " 661 Colonel Cool. the Santa Fe Sharp 868 The (‘anvon Kin - 0 PT. My “O'ATmed {UL the Giant Hunter.
/ 002 Cu. min Nameless. the Mountain'Mystery 318 Dan Dillon Kin mt  a l 09 on his and /l’ J “m Giant Rmemam on Wm] camp mfo'
Mag; 31 Dismal, the Ran <3 Detective. ' 887 Old Gabe the lfogntafiaa‘crgn * 43 Damn“ D“ we Reckless Range“
flew-2N.) listler Barry, the owboy Sport.   thg Wildwood i etective. ’ BY (70L. THOMAS H. MONRTEBf.
and By GEORGE C. JENKS. we Hemlock Hankmggégrégiggqgattem‘ League, "236 Chem ion Sam: or. The Monarchsof the $00
The Arizona Detel'tlve. 8% L "gizer Lem: mt. Lit - in the Pine. Woods. 1/1”“) El Ru 0 Bravo‘ King of the Swordsmen' '
glgver Sam, me ,Shagca Sport; 89 Flush Fred’s Full Hamil. ' ‘ BY DR. NOEL DUNBAB
, e Silver Spa“ 5 Double. 974 Flush Fred tho Misslqei i Sport 5/ ‘ i ' '
$3: Ema-03111330 thectlve. 248 Montana. Not, the Lion 3331.5“ Chance Caqnp @382  %§w"3r33t She Patriot Pin
a . . _ fl _ , ‘8'“ .
mun 3533Ll*‘§§?~iif?“£h“éasnfisflfifihizom°' mistintiebttcammm
~  ' ' ‘ . C ", e,ve.
ta Fearless?“ (%%{n2age:mve. 12’ 1113818811091 086. 0r. a btrong Man i! SacflWfl 'llgylabyespanl._ tho Gambler Duelist. I a
he  Boston Bob. the s rtDetectlve. BY CAPTAIN MAINE lama/mo m: it???" '3‘ 11am?“ °" The a“ 8m
; Jmntv Joe. the ockey Detecum‘ Tb WM 1 me can aids.
I!“ Mad Sharp, the Rustler ,0 m 89"?" A 1 new issue new Wd ad V
V I88 Rube Rocket. the Tent Detective. 1! $1113 Hume’snmm' Bead'o’ m ' I e v M '-
7 c % gang-grip, the ,Tenderfoot Detecti‘ :00 Th: ng‘mmmfiesii 32.1.”? squlttfi" ne'édmier: “'1 ggunggmg grizztugh g ‘ V
: . ven ure ’ v ' i "‘
a tumor Detective. 4 The Captain 0 the Rifles: or, Tb: flakeexiucgén, mu" ‘11 twain cent! enf’ ’ ‘ ‘ I. I 
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or, ' " ‘ .482 9 Giant Horseman '
1 ~ . The Spncter Ba 0. A Tnl f the
, O Eonku an. the My Detective. ’4: at The Scalp Huntloqr: A Royggoce of Slici’lalnfl. ’
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' Micheal, Elm, Wednesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Umfm 15mg of Ten Cents. No Double Numbers.

 

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BUFFALO BILL NOVELS.
By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham.

#994 Buffalo Bill’s Lone Hand.

H99 Buffalo Bill’s Marked Bullet.

g3 Buffalo Bill’s Life Rafile.

llulIaJo Bill’s Relentless Trail.

964 BuiIalo Bill's Invincibles.

Buffalo Bill’s Blue Belt Brigade.
Buffalo Bill‘s Volunteer Vigilantes.
Buflalo Bill at Bay.

Buflalo Bill’s Block Game.

Buflalo Bill 8 Black Pard.

. 987 Buffalo Bill’s Bluff; or, Dusky Dick the Snort.

,991 Buffalo Bill's uandary: or. Velvet Bill‘s Vow.

' 5 Buffalo 81119. the Surgeon—Scout.

Buflalo Eli’s League; or, Red Butterfly.
Buiralo Blll's Tangled Trail.

’ Buffalo Bill’s Rough Riders.

'- , Buffalo Bill‘s Secret Ally.

 ' 890 Buffalo Bill’s Lifo~Stake.
.882 The Three Bills: Buffalo Bill.Wild Bill and Band-
1 box Bill; or, The Bravo in Broadcloth.

874 Buffalo Hill’s Buckskin Braves.
Buflalo Bill’s Road-Agent Bound-up.
.. 053 Buffalo Bill’s Death Charm.
RB? Buffalo Bill’s Royal Flush.
861 Buffalo Bill‘s Double Dilemma.

“.845 Buflalo Bill’s Redskin Ruse
G30 Buflaio Bill‘s Bovsin Blue.
$6 Buffalo Bill’s Sha Shooters.

, 922 Buffalo Bill’s Best wer.

816 Buflalo Bill‘s Bed Trail.

812 Buffalo Bill’s Death-line".
794 Buffalo Bill's Winning Hand
'87 Buffalo Bill’s Dead Shot.
Ni Buffalo Bill‘s Brand.

I77 Buflalo Bill's S y Shadower.

I I _ “)9 Buffalo Bill’s weepstake.

- .185 Buffalo Bi ll’s Dozen: or, Silk Ribbon Sam.

_ _ 181 Bunalo Bill's Mascot.

.m , . .«757 Buffalo Bill’s Double.

" v {750 Buffalo Bill’s Blg Four;or, Custer‘s Shadow.

. i W43 Buffalo Bill's Flush Hand.

3 ,  ~79!) Buffalo Bill‘s Blind: or, The Masked Driver.
v ' .335 Buffalo Bill and His Merry Men.

I781 Buffalo Bill’s Beagles: or, Silk Lasso Sam.
1'27 Bulfan Bill's Body Guard.

78 Buffalo Bill on the War ath.

‘716 Buffalo Bill’s Scout Sha owers.

.- J -l7'10 Buffalo Bill Baflied: or. The Deserter Desperado.

V Buflalo Bill’s Buckskin Brotherhood.

1 lluiralo Bill's Blind Trail' or, Mustang Madge.

_ Buflalo Bill‘s Swoop;or. The King of the Mines.

The Cowboy Clan; or. The Tigress of Texas.
no King’s League; or, Buck Taylor in Texas.

Suaalo BI is Chief 01' Cowboys; or. Buck Taylor

Buffalo Bill’s Bonanza; or. S ver Circle Knights.

Buffalo Bill's Gri ; or. Oath Bound to Custer.

, Buffalo Bill’s Pl ge: or. The League of Three.

 gags '(li‘rold Trgllor, ThehDesperate Dozen.

.% s ‘mm ‘a :or,TelndianHeiress.

gm Wild Bill. the Hegel Dead Shot.

By Buffalo Bill.

. .The Dread Shot Four,
" Texas Jack, the Lasso King
- h 9 The Ranch Kink Dead-Shot.
" White Beaver ’8 Still Hunt.
Wild Bill, the Wild West Duelist.
Wild Bill. the Dead-Center Shot.
Bnflalo Bill’s Gold lung.
The Dead Sh ot Nine: or. My Pards of the Plains.
14 Red Renard. the lndian Detective.
.g' 1 One-Armed Para; or. Borderland Retribution
.1897 The Wizard Brothers: or, White Beaver’s Trail.
 White Beaver, thP Exile of the Platte.

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U d  Elie (jenteebiShalrpeDrgglCombine
. w - ,m Whirlwind of the West. my on‘8 “We -. i
' p .v ,. 9 figfififickfme Prairie Rattler. ,4v838 The Sport Detective's Grip:  J
Ifi . ‘ ..-'f‘"" The Pilgrim Sharp; (mime Soldier's Sweethew. .923 The Athlete Sport Aboul own. us"
\ y‘  - ‘ , the Die 0 ants. f uh er e e, e co me e ya.
0' 1.3.» M Tran" J, -' $7842 gov SROCk,t§heDR0ill;)d-&p Detective.
on; cw“ Ned nunuln ‘ e . . teve tarr, e no ' e or ve.
.r By Leon '1: . l q/ n H .764 The New York Sh ’s Shadower.
Buffalo 13'" 5 Ban or. Codv to the Rescue. ~ ' '
I  Burs Whit Serviée Tm“ I Detectlve Clnxton. t e Record Breaker.
so ,9 .4382 Bum" , . ' 714 Gabe Gall, the Gamboll'er from Great Hump
I r m Buffalo Bills Daring Role, or, Daredeath -. . '
.r . ‘ . , . T .1. Th 70‘! Spokane Saul. the Samaritan Sus eat
.» r”  ,A‘i? Buflalo Blll s First ral , or. 6 Exp er- 092 Dead-Shot Paul the Deep-Ran cglx lorer
r  ‘ Buffalo Bill, Chief of 500"“ ‘ .555 st vbe' s‘ z’n {he Man w'tii th 'rtrm'l
i "3"”  Bulralo Bills Strange Pard' or, Dashinz Dandy» m "y a ‘ ’” l e ' “k'
I f ‘ . in  m] Bm the Buckskin King 646 Dark John, the Grim Guard.
4 “.211” fill"? B 0 l ' ‘ ~~‘ fig; iglurdock, tlie Dread1 Dletectivlg. D
. f, .- I a, angerous )ave. t e 'evvr- eaten etective.
4 If BY “5301‘.” VPAYNE° 611 Alkali Abe the Game Chicken from Texas,
'4 i833 The Man from Mexico in New York. 596 Rustler Ru : the Round-Up Detective.
.32 The King-Pin Shark; 01'. Thad Burr s Ten Strike. 585 Dan Dixon’s Do ubie. '
$1 The Tenderlorn Big Four 57:) Steady Hand. the Napoleon of Detectives
.3 ;53 The Quaker City brook. 563 Wyoman Zeke, the Hotspllr of Honeysuckle.
if ’ Tracked to Chicago. 45.551 Garry Kean, the Man with Backbone.
_ ya" g: The Policy Brokers Blind. /' 5‘39 Old Doublelark. the Wily Detective.
. / m ¥he Frisco Sharper 3 God Hand. I.” “Atoll Saddle-Chief Kit, the Frame Cl-ntaur.
m be Tramp Shwovvel‘ s Backer.  521 Paradise Sam. the Nor‘-West Pilot.
818 The Sham S otter s hhr‘ewd Scheme.  513 Texas Tartar, the Man With Nine Lives. ‘
an The Grand treat Gold-linst Sharpen. . 506 Uncle Honest. the Peace aker of Homets’Nfi"
. Detective Burr s ‘Luna ic Witness 498 Central Pacific Paul. the Mail Train 8 «t
’ The Wall Street Shari-er s Snap. 0.492 Border Bullet. the Prairie Sharpshoot
 Thad Barr’s Death Drop. ,..«" 488 Kansas Kitten. the Northwest Detective.
~ a m Detective Burr Among the New York Thuss/ 479 Gladiator Gabe, tlw Samson of Sassajaok.
I” "m Detective Burr’s FOll'v or, A \\ oman s Strattgy. 470 The Duke of Dakotn.
,,.« 728 Detective Burr, the _endquu‘ters Special. 463 Gold Gauntlet. theGulch-Gladiator.
(a: "a Detective Burr'g Splrlt (muse. $455 Yank Yellowbird. the Tall Hustler of the Hills.
708 Detective Bu rr's Seven Clues. " ,.’ 449 Bluff Burke. King of the Rockies. ;
{m Thad lam-r, the Invincible; or, The “L  442 Wild West Walt. the Mountain Veteran.
The Matchless Detective. ’ 1 487 Deep Duke: or. The Man of Two Livea
m XX. the Fatal Clew; or, Burr s Master Case. 497 The Rivals of Montana Mill
.   aloft, tlhsgetm-hivo Sfpivg. . I“,
_ y t 9. firm oro uck Basin. 2,;
'Y COL. THOMAS H. MONSTBBY. 297 Colorado Rube. th» Strong Arm of Hotsplr' »
.95 The 05m, Buy, an The Gold Dragoon, or, California Bloodbth
 Iron Wrist. the Swordmaster. ‘ a
Way Chm,1 ion Sam; or. The Monsrchsof the Show. BY NED BUNTLINB. I,
«1.4"; E] Ru 0 Bravo. King of the Swordsman. .057 Loug Tom. the Privateer. «'
o" w” 521i Em seReda Sly" t Th Mi stud-"A
or" . osBoN, , -' ' re l'iva.eer; or, e dshi man .v
BY J w r’ L, 584 Fire Feather, the Buccaneer King.p 

we Snadrsch, the Sport Dctecdvm
’ Gilbert Golds ur. the Dandy Sport.
Q5 Shasta Sam, he Sparkler.

I

The t lrom St, Louis.

903 The Train Detective.

871 The Crook Cashier.
840 Major Bullion, Boss

803
788

678 The Dude Desperado

ard and Yellow

59:: Ca tain srd
579 01

512 Captain Velvet’s Big

480 Hawkspear. the Man

441 The California Sharp

421
413 Captain Coldgri

374 Major Blister. the S

852 The Des
347 Denver

rate Dozm
uke. the Ma

294 Broadcloth Burt. the
941 The Shadow Sport fr

893 Yellow Gid. of Dark
$5 The Expert Detectivo

864 The

i517

 

E Cool Creede, the DeadShot.

1
Roy Richard, the Thorouhbnd-

it The White yin...

571 Jason Clew the Silk-
664 Monk Morel, the Man-Hunter.

654 Sol Sghinx, the Ferret Detective. -
649 Red

Cormorant. the Bowery
569 Captain Cobra, the Hooded
559 Danton. the Shadow Sharp.
550 Silk Hand, the Mohave Ferret.
643 The Magnate Detective.

532 Jack Javert. the Independent Detective.

523 Reynard of Red Jack: or, The Lost Detective

505 Phil Fox. the Genteei Spotter.
496 Richard Redfire. the Two Wor
487 sunshine Sam, a Chip of the Old Block.

468 Coldgrip in Deadwood
460 Captain Colda'rip. the Detective.
453 Captain Colugrip’s long Trail.
447 Volcano. the Frisco Spy.

20

Buffalo Bill’s First Trail.
_ ’ .861 Tornhstone Dick. the
"- 122 Saul Sabherday, the Mix i Sp
111 The Smllzg‘or Captain: or. T

18 The Sea Bandit; or, The Queen of the Isle.
W W

an

896 Kent Keen, the Crook-Crusher.
888 Ni htshade in New York.
879 Fa con Flynn, the Flash Detective.

859 Clew-Hawk Kecne's Right Bower.
847 Hiram Hawk, the Harlem Detectivo.

of the Tigers.

83! Shadowing the London Detective.
817 Plush Velvet. the Prince of Spotters
The Bogus Broker’s Right Bower.
The Night-Hawk Detective.

779 Silk Ribbon’s Crush-out.

766 Detective Zach. the Broadway Spotter.
751 The Dark Lantern Dete ctive.
736 The Never-Fail Detective. ‘
724 Captain Hercules. the Strong Arm Del
711 Dan Damon, the Gilt-Educ Detective.
701 Silver Steve, the Branded Sport.

994 Gideon Grip, the Secret Shadower.
684 Velvet Van, the Mystery Shadower.

Handed Ferret.

008 Silent Sam the Shadow Sphinx.
, the Shasta Ferret.

Shadow.
M

Stake.

with a Secret.

434 ucli'er Lynx, the ‘n onder Detective.
ather Ferret. the Frisco Shadow.

in New York.

407 Captain Coldgrl ’s Nerve; or. In un Nick.
400 Captain Coldgrip: or.
392 The Lost I lonahza; or. The Boot of Silo
382 The Bonanza Band: or, Dread Don of

rt of Two Cities.
365 Keen Kennard. the Shasta Shadow.

The New

n with “ Sand."

340 Cool Conrad. the Dakota Detective.
335 Flash Dan. the Nabob. or. Blades of Bowie Bar.
821 California Claude. the Lone Bandit.

Denver Dandy.
om Frls‘ co.

BY WILLIAM H. MANN!!!“
948 The Red-GIOVed Detective.
931 Frisco Frank at Glory Gulch.
9-30 The Montana Miner in New York.
906 The Doomsday-Den Detective.
899 The Double-Quick Detective.

Divide.
‘s Shake-up.

875 Trap ing the Race-Track Judge.
oiice Special's Dilemma.

Train Pilot.

(m6

BY CAPTAIN HOWARD HOLMES.

999 Gentleman George, the Showman rt.
912 Genteel Joe’s Lone H d. spa

ids' Detective.

ork Spotter.
nt Hound.

.
, d”
d.

f.

a.
,)

Xe Skipper-’3 Grime.

«so»

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.344 J e Pbeuix‘s Ri
865

' ALBERT W. AIKEN'S NOVELS.

Dick T'albol Series.

991 Dick Talbot at the Mines: or, KentucL the Sport.
088 Rocky Mountain Rob

976 Overland Kit: or, The ldyl of White Pine.

'41 Dick laihot‘s Close Call.

'3’] Dick Talbot in Apache Land.

" 788 Dick Talbot. the Ranch King.

729 Dick Talbot’s Clean~0ut.

725 Dick Talbot in No Man's Cam .

854 Dick Talbot; or, The Brand 0 Crimson Ormr
as Dick Talbot; or. The Death-Shot of Shasta.

Aiken’s Fresh or Frisco an...

895 Fresh, the Raceka Sport.
650 The Fresh in Montana; or, Blake‘s Full Hand. i
652 Tne fiesh’s Rustic at Painted City. .
047 The Fresh at Santa Fe; or, The Stranger Shag-p,
556 Fresh. the Sport: or. The Blg Racket at Slide 0st.
537 Fresh Against the Field: or, Blake. the Lion.
497 The Fresh in Texas; or. The Escobedo Millions.
461 The Fresh of Frisco on the Rio Grande.

97 The Fresh in Biz Walnut Camp; on Bronze Jae},

Alison’s Joe Phenix Series.

965 Joe Phenix‘s Mascot.
959 Joe Phenix‘s Double Deal.
954 Joe Phenlx in Chicago.
949 The Doctor from 'l‘vxas; or, Joe Phenix's Clue
c Bower.
0 Female Bar r Detective; or, Joe Phenix in

Silver City. 0
799 Joe Phenix’s Great Blue Diamond Case; or, The;

New York Sport at Long Branch.
793 Joe Phem‘x's Decoy: or The Man or Three.
760 Joe Phehix’s Lone Band.
749 Joe Phcnix‘s Big Bulge.
745 Joe Phenix's Mad Case.
708 Joe. Phenix’s Siren; or, The Woman Hawkshaw.
7‘00 Joe Phenix’s Unknown; or. Crushing the .
681 Joe Phenix's S 1818' or. The Actress Detectin
837 Joe Pnenix in ‘razy amp.
632 Joe Phenix's Master Search. .
628 Joe Phenix’s Comhin ;or,the Dandy Consprratos.
620 Joe Phenix’s Silent Six.
601 Joe Phenix‘s Shadow ; or.the Detective‘s Monitor
419 Joe Phenix., the King of Detectives. »
161 Joe Phenix’s Great Man Hunt: *
112 Joe Phenix, Private Detective; or. The League.

79 Joe Phenix. the Police Spy.

Aiken’l Misc ellaneons Novels.

sea The All-Around Athlete.
940 Captain Jack, the Scalper
935 The hawks and \\ olves of New York

 939 Detective Gordon's Grip.

y

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i

.100": Foot-Hills Frank.
'4 1006 The Sea Cadet. By

M Tnjun Dick. the Shasta Dead Shot.
fi 997 Hotsnur Hal, the Sport from Hard

9&5 Old Sunflower, the Silent Smiter.

923 Old Sunflower. the Hayseed Detecfiw.

901 The Hotel Swell-Sharp; (r, The Siren Shadow

892 The Country man Detective.

876 Gold Button S rt; or The Miner-Sharps.

81.2 Teton Tom. t e Half-illood.

$5 The King-Pin Detective.

£14 The New Yorker Amons Texas Sports.

775 King Dandy, the Silver Sport.

758 Gideon’s Gri at Babylon l ar.

717 Captain Pat icGowen, tl e Greencoat Dated";

674 Uncle Sun Up, the Born Detective.

870 The Lightw eight Detective.
The Frisco Detective; or, 'lhe Golden Gm 11nd,,

007 Old Benzine the “ Hard Case" Detective.
594 Fire Face, the Silver King‘s Foe.
588 The Silver Sh arp Detective.
577 Tom, of Calif ornla: or, Detective‘s Shadow A33
.670 The Actress Detective; or. The Invisible Ea
562 Lone Hand. the Shadow.
520 The Lone Hand on the Caddo.
490 The Lone Band in Texas.
475 Chin Chin, the Chinese Detective.
465 The Actor Detective.
440 The High Hor e of the Pacific.
42‘: The Lone Hand; or. The Red River Remnants.
4m Doc Grip, the Vendetta of Death.
381 The Gy y Gen tlehlan: (r. hick Fox. Detective
876 Black rds: or. The Rio Grande- Hish Horse
870 The Dusky Detective: or. I’m-sued to the End.
868 Crown ngshleld. the Detective
mo The nteel Sno tier: or The N. Y. NightHawk.
252 The Wall Street l lood: (r. The Telegra h Girl
203 The Double Detective: or.The Midnight ysterv.
196 La Mal-mallet, the Lerrcllve Queen.
101 The Man from New York.
91 The Winning Oar: or. The Innkeeper’s Daughter.
84 Hunted Down: or, The League of Three.
81 The Human Tiger: or. A Heart of Fire. ‘
75 Gentleman George: or. Parlor. Prison and Street...
72 The Phantom Hand: or. The 5th Avenue Heiress.
56 The Indian Mazeppa; or, llladmr-n of the P181113.
49 The Wolf Demon: or. The Kanawha Queen
The California Detective: or, The “ riches of N3.
1 The New York Sharp: or. The Flash otLilrhtnint’
97 The Spotter Detective: or. Girls of New York.

NEW ISSUES. L
1000 Buffalo Bill's Grim Guard. By Col. Ingraham,l
1’31 TgebBrand-Burners of Cirnarron. By John W.
s on.

x“ 1,313 Keen Billy, the Sport

, 1002 Silver City Sam. By Joe E. Bad r.

1003 Gold Dan; or, Dick Talbot in Uta . By Albert

W. Aiken
1004 Buffalo Bill’s Death Deal. Bv Col. ingraham. I

By Jos. .
Col. P. lumbar

JUST ISSUED.
lament. ,.
ck. By

Jos. E. Bad: r, Jr

pm Captai V Seawaif. Privateer. By Ned Buntline.

999 The Velvet Hand; or, The Iron Grip of lnjun
Dick. By Albert W. Aiken I

A new issue every Wednesday.

THE DIME LIBRARY is for sale by m.
Newsdealers. a” «arm or any or sent by mail at
receipt of price. 1.....- ' ~ "'"“"“‘-\:;'\..
'9'” ‘Q *‘A D" “*1.

   
  
     
    
    
     
  
  
    
  
  
  
    
 
 
  
  
   
 
   
     
   
    
   
 
   
  
  
   
   
 
  
   
   
    
   
 
  
  
   
  
    
    
  
  
   
 
  
   
      
       
     
         
      
       

 

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979 Buffalo Bill's Relentless Trail. By Colonel
Prentiss Inmham.

973 The Dread Shot Four: or, My Pards of the
. Cody.

Plains. By Col. W. F
964 Bulalo Bill's Invincibiee; or, The Sable Shad-
?wer's Sublime Sacrifice. By Col. 1’. Ingra-
960 Buffalo Bill's Blue Belt Brigade; or, Sun-
flower Sam of Shasta. By Col. 1”. Ingraham.
968 Buflaio Bill's Volunteer Vi ilantes; or, The
Mysterious Man in Blue. Col. 1”. Ingra-

950 sun'an Bill at Bay: or, The ‘Goid Seeker's
.Doom. By Col. P. Ingraham. .
0‘3 Buaaio Bill's Block Game: or. The Mounted
Miners of the Overland. By Col. P. Ingra-
ham.

980 Buffalo Bill's Black Pard; or, The Gold
hBoomers of the Big Horn. By Col. P. Ingra-
flu.

MBuffalo Bill's Bluff: or. Dusky Dick, the
rt. By Col. P. Ingraham.
' 921 Buffalo Bill's Quandary: or, Velvet Bill's

Vow. By Col. Prentiss lngraham.

915 Buffalo Bill and the Surgeon Scout: or, Go-
wan-zo, the Redskin Rider. By Col. P. In-
graham. r

900 Buffalo Bill's League; or, Red Butterfly. By
Col. Prentiss lnmham.
90s Bulle Bill's led Trail; or, Gentleman
. Jack. the Man of any Masks. By 001. P.
ingraham.
900 Buffalo Bill's Rough Riders: or. Texas Jack’s
Bum-Shooters. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.
$6 Buflalo Bill’s Secret Ally: or. The Texan's
Double. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.
“0 Buffalo Bill's Life-take; or. The Pledzed
Three. By Col. P. Ingraham.
Q2 The Three Bills; Buffalo Bill, Wild Bill and
Band-Box Bill; or, The Bravo in Broadcloth.
By Col. P. Ingraham.
Bukalo Bill's Buckskin Braves: or, The Card
Queen's Last Ga-ne. By Col. P. Ingrahum.
Buffalo Bill's Road Agent Round-Up; or, The
Mysterious Masked Man in Black. By Col.
P. Ingraham. ‘
Buffalo Bill's Death-Charm; or. The Man
With the Scar. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.
Buffalo Bill's Royal Flush; or, The Pony Ri-
der's Death-Run. By Col. Prentiss Ingra-
ham.
Buffalo Bill's Double Dilemma: or. The Great
Scout‘s Big Three. By Col. P. Ingraham.
Buffalo Bill's Redskin Ruse: or. Texas Jack's
Death Shot. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.
The Ranch Kim: Dead-Shot; or. Texas Jack's
Proxy. By Buffalo Bill. .
Buffalo Bill's Boys in Blue: or. The Brimstone
Band’s Blot-Out. By Col. P. Ingmham.
Buffalo Bill's Sharp-Shooters; or. The Surgeon
Scout to the Rescue. By Col. 1’. Inflamm-
Bumlo Buy, Best Bower; or. Montebelio the
Gold King. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.

874
see

883
857

85

y-a

845
830
830
828

 

    

820 White Beaver's Still Hunt; or, The Miner
Marauder’s Death-Track. By Buffalo Bill.
Rumi'n T‘Jll's Red Trail; or, The Road-Rider
Renegade's Run Down. By Col. P. ingraham.
Buffalo Bill's Death-Knell; Or. The lied Hand
Riders of the Rockies. By Col. 1’. lnzraham. .
Wild Bill. the Wild “'est Duelist: 1r, The Girl
Mascot of Moonlight Mme. By Buffalo B111.
Wild Bill. the Wild West Duelist; or, The Girl
Grande Ralph. the Cowboy Chief. By Buf-
falo Bill.
Buffalo Bill's Winning Hand: or, The Masked
Woman of the Colorado Canyon. By Col. P.
Ingraham. .
Buffalo Bill's Dead Shot: or.TheSkelcton Scout
of the Colorado. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.
Buffalo Bill's Brand: or. The Brimstone
Brotherhood. By Col. Prentiss ingraham.
Buffalo Bill's Spy-Shadow“: or, The Masked
Men at Grand Canyon. By Col. P. lngraham.
Buffalo Bill’s Ban; or, Cody to the Rescue.
By Leon Lewis. ‘
Buffalo Bill's Sweepstake: or. The Wipe-out
at Last Chance. By Col. Prentiss Inst-sham.
Buffalo Bill's Dozen; or. Silk Ribbon Sam.
13y Col. Prentiss Ingraham.
Buffalo Bill’s Mascot; or. The Death Valley
Victim No. 13. By Col. Prentiss Inmham.
Buffalo Bill's Double; or. The Desperado De-
tective. By Col. Prentiss Ingrahnm.
Buffalo Bill's Big Four: or. Custar's Shadow.
By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.
Buffalo Bill’s Flush Hand: or, Texas Jack’s
Bravos. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.
139 Buffalo Bill's Blind; or. The Masked Driver
‘of Death’s Canyon. By Col. Prentiss Ingra-

ham.
and His Merry Men; or, The
Rivals. BY

Buffalo Bill
Robin Hood Col. Prentiss Ingra-
ham.

816
812
07
807

743

735

Buffalo Bill's Beagles; or. Silk Lasso Sam.
By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.

Buffalo Bill's Body Guard: or. The Still Hunt
of the Hills. By Col. Prentiss lngmham.

731
727

722 Buffalo Bill on the War Path; or. Silk Lasso
Sam, the Will-o'-the-Wisp. By Col. P. In-
graham.

718 Buffalo Bill’s Scout Shadow-ere: or. Emer-

ald Ed of Devil's Acre. By Col. P. Ingraham.

Buffalo Bill Baffled: or, The Deserter Des-
perado's Defiance. By Col. P. Ingraharn.
Buffalo Bill's Buckskin Brotherhood: or,
Opening Up a Lott Trail. By Col. P. In-
graham.

Buffalo Bill’s Blind Trail: or, The Daughter
of the Regiment. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.
Buffalo Bill's Secret Service Trail. By Major
Dangerfield Burr.

Buffalo Bill's Swoop; or, the King of the
Mines. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.

858 he Cowboy Clan; or, The Tigress of Texas.
y Colonel Prentiss Insraham. ‘r’

j.

710

607

69

M

682

667

 

« llllalu.

653 The Lasso King's League: or, The Tigers of
Texas. By Colonel Prentiss Ingrahsm...

649 Buck Taylor, the Saddle King. Buffalo Bill's
Chief of Scouts. By Col. P. Insraham. , ‘

6“ Buffalo Bill's Bonanza: or, The Knights of
the Silver Circle. By Col. P. marshals.

639 The Gold Kinxfi'or. Montebello, the Mania-
cent. "By Buflslo Bill.

029Buffalo Bill's Daring- Role; or, Daredeath
Dick. King of the Cowboys. By Loon Davis.

599 The Dead [Shot Nine; or, My Pards of the
Plains. B) Buffalo Bill.

517 Buffalo Bill's First Trail; or. Will Cody, the
Pony, Express Rider. By Ned Buntline.

414 Red ’Renard, the Indian Detective: or. The
Gold Buzzards of Colorado. BY Buffalo Bill.

401 The One-Armed Pard; or, Red Retribution 1n
Borderland. By Buffalo Bill. 1

397 The Wizard Brothers; or, White Beavers
Trail. By Buffalo Bill. ‘

White Beaver. the Exile of the Platte: or,

1ngronged. Man's Red Trail. By Buffalo

394

382 Buffalo Bill‘s Orig: or. Oath~bound to Custer.
agraham. ‘.

By Col. Prentiss
329 Buffalo Bill's Pledge: or. The We of
hree. By Col. P. Intmh
310 Wild Bill, the Whirlwind of the West. By
Buffalo Bill.
304 Texas Jack.
Queen of the Wild Riders.

243 The Pilgrim Sharp; or, The Soldier's Sweet.

the Prairie Rattler: 01'. The
By Buffalo BilL

heart. By Buffalo Bill, Government Scout
and Guide.
189 VVlld Bill's Gold Trail; or. The Desperate
Dozen. By Col. P. Ingrsham.
175 Wild Bill's Trump Card: or. The Indian
Heiress. BY Col. Prentiss Intraham.
188 Wild Bill. the Pistol Dead Shot: or, Dust!“
Don's Double. , By Col. Prentiss Intraluin.
158 Buffalo Bill. Chief of Scouts: or; The Doomed
Dozen. By Dr. Frank Powell.
117 Buffalo Bill’s Strange Pard: or,
Dandy. the Hotspur of. the Hills.
D. Burr.
02 Buffalo Bill, the Buckskin Kins- or, m
BY Major Dangerfield
or, The.
By A. P.
0
Sport. BY J. C. Cow-
.5: ,.

Dashing
By Major
e

Amazon of the West.
Burr.

' 83 Gold Bullet- Sport; or, The Knights of the

Overland. By Buflalo Bill.
52 Death Trailer, the Chief of Scouts: Cr. Life
in a Frontier Fort. BY Buffalo

and Love

Bill.

NEW ISSUES 'ro comm. ‘

981 The Gold Lace Sport; or, The Texan Sam—

son's Wido Swath. By Joe. E. Badger. Jr.
982 Chris Crowley’s Winning Hand:

Rascain Vaiet's Double Game.

Morris.
983 Kid Glove Kris, the

drick. Ready August

.984 Buffalo Bill's Life Raffle: 0r. The Doomed

Three. BY Col. P. lng-raharn. Ready Sept. 1.

 

 

 

 

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o o // ° ° THE DIME LIBRARY is for sale by all Newsdealers, :  2 z
i i & (bx‘ : : ten cents per copy, or sent by mail, pre-paid, on re: 9 Q ° °
g ° ‘ .  o o ceipt of price. 2 : 2 : _
o Q {Q ° °

° ° 0 2 2 l : i :s i
z : ‘23 n . . . . . .
a Q / Q Q Q  \ § e

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