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Chpvmoa'r. 1887. BY BEAM»: .3: ADAMS.
N 1  Published Every
0. . Month.

 

 

 

 

9%

‘ IHGHT mm: FLASH“ IN THE SUNIJGHT. “VIKING ROPE mm; BOP].

 

M. J. IVI'IIIS' A; (‘0... I’Ilhlishers.
(JAMES SULLIVAN, l’uornnc'rom.
3'79 Pearl Street. New York.

 

NOV, 1904.

Vol. LXXXVI.

10 Cents a Copy.

 

on
The Bounding Buck From
Bufi‘alfl allow.

BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, Jn.,
AUTHOR OF “ LAUGHING LE0," “om “9..
“NOW WEST NICK,” “DAN BROWN op
DENVER," ETC.. ETC.

CHAPTER I.
“ THE DAY wn cnmnmm.‘

“ FRIEan and neighbors: ladies and gentle-
menz—thz: pause to ask you what day in
this on which—"

“Chewsday, cunnPl, at my notch-stick ain‘t
all wrong "

“ The 215% of A )ril.”

Colonel Hugh alconer bowedhis thanks, with
just a little mo’e than customary ' in his
neck. Friendly thou h the interru tion wu. it
threw him a little of his mental lance. for
greatly as he might-wish to shine in that direc-
tion, he was hardly an accomplished or a fluent
orator.

m: be had given the matter some shady. VII

v

 

i

 

2.

at once evident from his statuesque attitude;
literally so, since it had been carefully rehearsed
while standing before a print of “ 'l‘he Godlike
Daniel.” With one hand thrust between the
buttons of his closefitting coat; with the other
clasping a roll of aper, gracefully gesticulating
Colonel Hugh Fa coner oundered in the mental
quicksands, vainly seeking for the clew which
that unfortunate if honest response had driven
from brain and tongue‘s end alike.

“ The anniversary of San Jacintol”

Soft, sweet, inspiring came the words, barely
loud enough 'to reach the ears of the disconcert-
ed orator. ne swift glance in that direction—
to meet a bright, encouraging smile from the
owner of that musical voice; to see her almost
regal head bend slightly, bidding him plainer
than words to start afresh with the cue she had
given him.

“ Ay, the 2lst of A ril, ladies and gentlemen!
The day of all days w ich we, as good and true
daughters and sons of Texas, should celebrate!
The day which should be marked Independence
Day in our calendar, instead of the one which
our more-or-less worthy law-makers has feen fit
to give us. The anniversary of the day when
Glorious Sam teetotally chaWed up the (ireasers
and kept old Game-leg to top off with !”

Colonel Hugh Falconer managed to make
himself heard even to the end of his exordium,
but then paused for breath, smiling blandly at
the noisy enthusiasm which his words had
aroused in the audience.

Why not? There were a few men within hear-
ing of his voice who had played a sturdy part on
that far—away da when proud Santa Ann was
humbled in the ( ust. There were others who
had drawn their first breath of life within the
confines of the Lone Star State. And many
more who had elected that same State as a
foster-mother.

There Were a few whose sallow skins, whose
snaky locks, whose picturesque garb, all pro-
claimed the people w 0 had foughton the losing
side, that memorable (la , but no one with clos-
ed eyes could have tok as much: for if the
voices of the true Texans rese louder, those of
the Mexicans rung out shrillcr, more persist-
ently.

Possibly time had wiped out all rancor, so
far as they were concerned. Possibly they
hardly understoml what they were cheering, be—
yond the one luin fact that it was “ the boss”
who spoke. ’ossibly they were casting an an-
chor to windward, and guarding against a still
more offensive outburst of race pre’udices.

Be this as it may, Colonel Hugh alconer was
fairly himself again, and with this propitious
“send-off,” his “few remarks” were extended
to cover o. full hour of time. And, like all men
who find their success far beyond their utmost
hopes, he bade fair to work his own discomfiture
through that very intoxication.

But there was a watchful eye upon the orator,
and when its owner detected signs of grownig
uneasiness among the congregation, that musi-
cal voice came to the colonel‘s ears in a warning

 

whisper.
“It is lon enough, my father,” in liquid
Spanish. “ t is glorious—it is like strong in ine

to the blood—but these beasts: they have lips
for mescal, for pulquel It is not the who can
on reason feast—nol A little while t ey cheer.
A little while more, and they will say—what
you call cheese it!

Only Colonel Hugh caught the wry grimace
which a daintily gloved hand partially disguised,
as N ine Falconer glanced over the crowd of
cow ys and borders, of ranch-owners and cattle
barons.

She was not mistaken. Jolly, good-natured,
indulgent though the majority were bound to be
on an occasion like 11 is, the were beginning to
show signs of failing attention, eloquent though
the s aker was. It would be Well enough as a
political meeting. or anything of that sort: but
on an occasion like this——

“ Ain’t the gent rubbing it in just a shade too
deep, mate?" yawned a huge, bearded stockman
to his nearest neighbor.

“ For one who married a (ireaserT’ with just
the shadow of a sneer.

“ Well, that may make adifl’erence. Needs a
heap of talk to bury such a slip out of sight.
But Queen Nadine-J

“ Is choking him off, or I’ve forgotten how to
read the eyes of a fair woman."

I, ;‘ A’nd such eyes! Why, mate, (lreaser or not,

( .—

The big ranchman stopped short with some—
thin like an oath as he was rudely jostled, and
one and mechanically moved toward his hi )
where hung an ivory-hilted revolver. But it
went no further.

The man who had jostled him turned sharply
around, staring him full in the face. And a
cold hard voice uttered:

“ bid you speak to me, Mr. Browning? If so,
please repeat.” . -

“ It’s you, Nash Whildon?”

“ At your service, sir!" more coldly than ever.

“ As far as the grove. then,” smiled the smaller
of the ir, with a cordial smile, pushin be-
tWeen t e two men. “ It would hardly o to
moisten the dust out in the o n, eh i”

 

“Thanks, but I never drink," and Whildon

n6

 

 

The-Rustler Detective.

turned his back upon them without even the
ghost of a smile or bow.

Again that strong band moved silently toward
a weapon, but Parker Mandrake gripped the
wrist, and forced his big comrade aside.

“None of that, mate!” with a frown as he
muttered the warning. “ We can’t afford to
get into a row with the fellow to—day.”

“But you saw hiin—”

“ And he heard us! You know what the com-
mon talk has it: Whildon’s dead-gone on the
queen, and so—”

The whisper died away as the two friends
paSSed out of the crowd.

Not even those standing nearest the trio so
much as suspected how narrowly they escaped
witnessing a tragedy, for one and all were feel-
ing freshened interest in the speaker.

olonel Hugh was wise enough to feel that
Nadine Falconer would hardl whisper such a
warnin without being sure 0 her ground, and
thou h e secretly chafed against the necessity
of 0 hence, just as he “ was doing himself
proud,” he promptly acce ted the hint.

“ But, my good friends, did not invite ou
here to—day to listen to a twice-told tale. on
are here to enjoy yourselves each after his own
particular fashion. And why not? All work
and no play makes Jack a mighty dull boy!

“ One man can‘t work miracles, but I’ve done
the best I knew how, and for what is lacking,
you must accept the good intention instead.”

There was a heart cheer as the colonel bowed
low, thcn stepped ( own from the improvised
r0strum, very well satisfied with himself.

Modestly as he had spoken of his own efforts,
he was secretly proud of them, and counted on
reapiii a generous reward therefrom. For
Hugh Falconer was hardly a man to put himself
out Slllipg that his neighbors might enjoy them—
selves. e was of the earth, earthy, and ver
seldom made a move that was not meant to di-
rectly profit himself.

The surprise was quite as complete as he could
have wished. Until the evening before, not one
of his neighbors had the slightest suspicion of
his intentions. Not until couriers bore tliein-
vitations far and wide, was tliei'cuny thou ht
of celebrating San Jacinto Day, dear as t at
anniversary is to the hearts of all true Texans.

Ami now, as the older members of the assem-
bly flocked around the Colonel, congratulating
him on his speech, on the happy thought, and on
the grand arrangements which he had made for
their comfort and pleasure, the younger con-
tingent scattered to interchange greetings and
to “ take stock,” as it were, of the sports to
come, while Nash Whildon, with curiously con-
flicting emotions written on his handsome face,
hastened to the side of Nadine Falconer.

CHAPTER II.

“WERE r’o'rmm DEAR CHARMER AW'AY.”

A FAIR enou h magnet, too, this Nadine Fal~
coner, half-slig tineg thou h David Brown and
his )articular crony, Par er Mandrake, had
alluded to her.

A S anish woman, Americanized. Tall, when
lac in com risen with others of her own sex,
ut so perfect proportioned that the. most crit-

ical could har ly have wished her different. In
the case of a less beautiful woman, her skin would
have been called sallow; with her, it combined
admirably with her full, red lips, her glorious
eyes, lar e and lustrous, full of slumbcring fire
that n ed but a breath to fun into scorching
blaze.

Her lithe, graceful figure was well displa ed
by the close-fitting riding—habit, the long skirt
cau ht up by loops, now that she was afoot, af-
fori ing a glimpse of small feet in boots of russet
leather, s urred at the, heel. On her queenly
head a lig t turban, from which floated feathers,
dyeda bright scarlet. Beneath this her hair,
luxuriant in growth, in color almost black, but
in the sunshine showing a faint tinge of bronze
i1 plieasing modification of her father‘s brick—r
cc 3.

About her trim, supple waist was buckled a

morocco belt, su )porting a brace of pearl-handled

revolvers, small in size, but carryin. a ball
heavy enough to be of service's. ainst ei her man
or beast in case of need. And rom between the
gold buttons of her snug-fltt waist. Peeped
the jeweled hilt of a keen-poin ,doublewsed
da ger.

fill this Nash Whildon saw as he hastened to.
ward Queen Nadine. Not that it was anything
new to him. As she was now so might she have
been seen almOSt any _day in the year. But
when a man‘ is as deeply in levees was this hand-
some fellow, the old is evpr new.

“ I dreamed all night of having the pleasure
of riding over from Falcon Ranch with you, this
morning, Queen Nadine,” “'hildon whis )erpd,
as he bowed his blonde head over the dummy—
gloved hand.

“And in a dream, lost the reality,” with a
laugh that was music itself.

Nadine spoke Spanish only to her father, as a
rule. J ust now there was not even the faintest
accent to betray her nativity on her mother’s
side. And her usual fire. the animation which
formed one of her greatest charms, was lacking
as her reat eyes roved from the rancher's face
to a Ii 10 group some distance away.

 

Nash “'hildon saw this, and a frown flitted‘.
names his face. He was keen-witted enough,
even thou h in love, to read that glance ari ht.
And into is face came a shadow that seem tc
age him half a score years; almost the same look
that had caused big David Browuin to turn
pale and shrink back only a brief space fore.

“ One would almost swear the so: vant was the
master," with a nod that pointed his speech.

“ Are you alluding to Mr. Archer?" coldl}
asked Nadine.

“ To the foreman of the Falcon Ranch. Per-
haps I should have called him an officer, instead
of a rivate, from the frills he is utting on.”

“ hat you call him matters little, so long as
you are beyond his hearing. What I call him is
—-my good friend.”

“And suitor, why not add?" with a forced
smile.

"I might have a worse one—Nash Whildon,
foi'instunce!“ ‘

The words came with a smile and a bow, but
there was a gleam in those dark eyes that warn—
ed the rancher to swallow the words that rose so
hotly in his throat. Nor did he venture to de-
tain the lady as she turned and swept away
without further speech.

“Have your head for a little, my dashing,
filly!“ he grated between his strong teeth as he
scowled at the young man who had so uncoxr
sciously won him this rebuff. “ It will not be
for long, though! Before the sun goes down I’ll
put the curb on and tame you down—or break
both our necks in the effort l"

Not elegant; almost brutal; but Nash Whildon
was a gentleman only in outward seeming.
What his past life had been before he settled
down as a ranch-owner and stock-raiser in Texas,
no man save himself seemed to know; but. few
doubted the existence of “a bad drop” in his
veins.

During the earlier days of his new life, some
people had rather broad hinted at his “putting
on too much agony,” am more than one attempt
had been made to put him in his propir lace,
What that place was, Nash “'hildon ha alto»
gcther different ideas from the one entertained
by his critics, and in provmg their errors, he.
made for himself a record far more satisfactory
to himself than to tlnii‘ friends. He showed
himself master of bullet and steel, and never
took the trouble to count the odds against him
He went into a fight, as he came out of Mic.
with a cold. sin-wring sniilc upon his thin lips
but there was ii fire in his blue eyes that fairly
scorchedus it fell upon fl.c face of an adversary.

Nash Whildon made no secret of his passion
for Queen Nadine, and of late days then who
might otherwise have scorched their wings
while fluttering about the bright light. rather
fought shy of temptation, the more readily that
the lady of Falcon Ranch gave none of them
even the ghost of encouragement. With the
eyes of a thorough coquette. Nadine SH med to
care nothing about exercising them. Unless-

It Seemed ridiculous on the face of it, 'ct there
were not wanting those who half-smi ed, half-
frowned whenever they thought of Pink Archer,
the stalwart ounnr foreman of the Falcon Bunch.
And Parker andrake, who was noted for his
“ sure thing” propensities, even went so far as to
invest, a snug sum “at evens” on Pink Aich. r
as against Nash “'hildon in “the Falcon stulzc!"

lf Pink Archer had serious thoughts in lbat
direction, his actions on this occasion “ere
peculiar enough. '

A grave, quiet. straight forward young men
was this foreman. Not nearly so hyandshme as
was his reputed rival. but with a better lace in
every I‘ffiix‘Ct; 9- fflce which won upon one the
longer it was known; the face of a true Il‘ll nd
a frank enemy. . ’

'And just “now it was a handsome face, too,
lighted u With asnnle that betrayed the honest
deli ht e fe.t in the companionship of the
fun en—haircd, blue-eyed little Nellie Angel], Vi ho
)lushed so charmingly as she avoided his c_)'( s-—
the (Yes '1” which she had just read the manly
love us lips had hardly dared utter as 3'"-

No one in their sober senses Would Lave
thought of drawing a comparison between
Queen Nadine. and this little Nellie—“Angil
1‘10“ " as those nearest and dearest the little
girl W re wont to call her. Thf‘ (1112‘811 SO proud
and haughty so regally beautifu. in face and
figure, to ric in her sole heirship to the great,
Falcon Ranch, with its thousands of tool's and
horns, its almost boundless rang“. And the
other: only the daughter of “ Angel Sam,“
E’hose title was the only thing Celestial about

im. .

And yet, as Queen Nadine saw how gently,
how tenderly yet dofcrentmlly 3’0"“! Archer
bent over that (lainth KOI’H'T‘m‘m‘d head.
mmething close, akin to cnvy sprung up in I,”
proud, passionate heart.

It was this that niade her turn $081,",va
away (mm Nash Whildon, lest his (-0141,. he},
eyes should read. the Ji‘alolISY 1“ licr “fishing
cheeks and fin-‘11") "Vb-“F “ J“al*'u~y that nude
her wish a thunder )lt might dew-pm] m m (,6
clear sky and make New“ 3" “"291 in fact as
she was in gum? th t l ‘

It was t is erce pan 3 (1(1),.
toward the spot Where t e trio «0.311333%?
Angel] rarely permitted Nellie to pass beg,“

 

     



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his protecting shadow,such was his fear of ill be-
falling her. Not even to her own heart would
the queen admit that she was jealous, least of
all of a pink—and-white doll like this!

And yet, she drew a quick breath of relief as
she caught the voice of Hugh Falconer calling

' aloud her name, and her step was lighter as she

turned to obe the summons.

The colone was unusually affable for him,
that morning. The celebration was wholly his
own idea, and already he was convinced that it
was to prove a complete success, so far as his
hidden motives were concerned. .

He had spared neither pains nor money in
carrying out- the preliminaries, and unless some-
thing unforeseen should a: ise, he knew that the
time and dollars had not been spent in vain.

The natural advantages were great, and a
more convenient scene for the prearranged fes-
tivities could hardly have been made to order'
a mesa-like elevation in the otherwise levc

lain, comprising several acres of fertile ground.

n the center was a miniature lake. clear and
cool, fed by an unfailin spring whose waters
bubbled up from a bed 0 white sand. A thick
carpet of short grass reached to the very edge of
the waters, stretching back beneath the trees
with which the mesa was crowned.

Beneath these trees a numbn' of new tents
were erected, for the use of the ladies. Here
and there were swung hammocks, and at the
foot of almost every tree were 5 read skins and
robes of tame beast and wild, rom the shaggy
mat of the grizzly bear to the parti-colored hide
of “ paint mustang.”

To the rear, rtially screened from sight by a
frin e of sma ler trees, Were men and wow 1!
busi y en aged in culinary operations on a
grand sca e.

In another secluded nook stood several kegs,
behind an ieroviscd bar which glittered with
glassware. smiling, white-aproncd negro pre<
sided over this bar, and early as the day was,
his osition proved to be no sinecure.

“ )ey ain’t no chalk, an’ de slate is done bu‘st-
ed sah!”

< bony Tom bobbed and grinned as he shook
his woolly head at the offer of gold.

“ Settle wid de boss when he han’ in he bill,
Hope you done draw de brefi‘ ob

ife untwel you git dat ’count, sah! Yes, in-
deedy!” ‘

And what was the secret of all this prepara-
tion? Hu h Falconer, knowing that he was not
liked by his neighbors, had especml reasons for
wishin to stan higher in the good graces of
severa . If the IaVlSh expenditure of gold could
bring this about, he felt that neither time nor

. money would be wasted.

Possibly he would not have Worried so much
over the matter had he not been able to contrast
his own reception with that which had ever
awaited his brother, Pierce Falconer, before that

' relative’s death.

Cold, reserved, almost austere though the for-
mer owner of Falcon Ranch had been, he was
both respected and loved by his neighbors. His
lightest word seemed law to them, and a grasp
of his firm fingers was worth riding half a day
to gain. And when word came back of his
death, there was sincere mourning in almost
every home for lea es and leagues around.

Hu h Falconer ell heir to the property, but
he h not as at been able to “ fill the shoes ” of
his brother. t would have been a difficult task
forlthe best and wisest of men, and the colonel
was neither one nor the other. A shadow fell
upon Falcon Ranch with the death of its found—
er as a ranch, which still hovered over it. per—
sistent] though both father and daughter sought
to lift i off.

Colonel Hu h was still uncomfortably con- -

 

scious of this act, even while smiling blandlv at ,

the many compliments his enterprise received,
and it was this feeling more than aught else,
that led to his summoning Nadine to his side.
With her support he felt better able to maintain
the stru gle. -

Pink rcher drew a soft breath of relief as his
keen eyes noted the change in course of

Qll'. en '

Nadine. Devoted as he seemed to Nell, he was 1
not quite blind to his surroundings, and a few .

words which had drdpped from the red lips of
the ranch mistreSS on the past evening kept
riii 'ng in his ears with painful distinctness.

'Ighley brought a flush to his bi-onzed checks as
he glanced down at the shy, half-averted face of
his com anion. What if she were to suspect
them?
her hearing? .

His honest br0wn eyes flashed brightly, yet,
with sudden sternness, and his square jaws sot
hardly for an instant. Just then he looked more
like an avenger than a lover.

He knew that he was foolish in thus actinrr,
after those'words from the lips of Queen Nadine,
but this was his first opportnpity of seeing and
listening to Nellie for more than a week—an
age he told himself. .

T e respite was brief. Nadine paused only
a few minutes with her parent. then, with a
defiant glance toward Nash Whildon, who was
kee lnga jealous watch upon her actions, she
gli ed across the grass to the spot where the
young foreman stood.

Sam Angell saw her coming, and an uneasy

hat if Nadine were to repeat them in i

The Rhfgeipfffii’five'

 

frown darkened his wrinkled face as he bastil y
gras )cd the arm of his daughter, mutterin r:

“ e’s take a walk, bird —they’s somet in’ I
want to show ye. An’ reckon the leddy
wants to see Pink on business. I reckon—”

Pink Archer made a motion as though he
would check Nellie, but the clear, musical voice
of Queen Nadine caused his hand to drop back
to his side as he turned to confront her.

N“Hurry, birdyl” muttered Sam, drawing
away, With a clumsy pretense of ignorance.
“ They’s heaps to see, an’ ef we don’t keep
movin’ we'll 1058 the biggest half 0’ the doin‘s,
so we will, now 2”

“ Sorry to interrupt you while so pleasantly
enga ed, Mr. Archer, but as father depends
main y on you for carrying out his plans, you
must postpone your flirting until a more favora-
ble opportunity.”

Clear, cold. cutting the tones. and Sam An-
gel] grated his yellow teeth as he saw Nellie
flush and then turn white, as he felt her arm
quiver painfully in his grasp.

“ Never yrii mind. birdy," huskily muttered
the old fellow, his tall, gaunt figure drawing
erect as he flashed an angry glance over his
shoulder at that proudly scornful face. “ It
ain‘t no lcddy that’s talkin’. high an’ mighty
as she thinks herself jes’ now]
at the two 0’ us like we was lower then the dirt
onderncith the feet 0’ herl
wanted. I could lay her pride lower then that

same (lirti I could whisper words that would ‘
turn hcr-stiddy, birdlv I” as Nellie tripped over ,
i

a slight obstruction w ich she could not see for
the mist that filled her blue eyes.

Angel Sam passed a sinewy arm about her
little waist, draiving her under cover of a friend-
ly bush, his little gray eyes flashing hatred
and defiance back at the re ral figure of Queen
Nadine. His lips parted as t iough to say more,
but before he could speak, a wild tumu t arose
on the air, coming from beyond the edge of the
mesa.

And after an instant’s pause of startled amaze

the crowd rushed in the direction whence the i

alarm arose, more than one hand mechanically
seeking the ready pistol-butt.

CHAPTER III.
A HART ROYAL.

As before mentioned, the mesa was surround-
ed by an almost perfectly level plain, covi-red
with grass that, even at that early day, looked
brown and sear.

For miles upon miles there was not a tree to
be seen, save upon the mesa itself Here and
there a stunted bush 0" clump of bricrs Were
visible, but that was all.
plicturesquc, but an admirable range for cat-
t e.

Nearer to the mesa, with one of its nearly per-

 

pendicular walls forming part of the barrier, ‘
strong pens and corruls had been formed, for .

this portion of the Falcon Range was a favorite
one for use during the semi-annual “ round—
ups.

Colonel Hugh Falconer had determined on
giving his guests something more than a feast,
for he felt that that alone would hardly prove
sufficient to attract all whom he most wished to
conciliatc.

He had made all necessary arrangements for
what might be calleda “Texas Tournament,”
and aside from the really liberal prizes which
were to reward the succemful contestants, there
was honor to be won by those deserving the
laurels.

For days past his cowboys had been scouring
the rangeS, cutting out and rounding—up the
fiercest, most active bulls they could find among
the man thousands of head that occupied the
Falcon ancli. One by one these savage crea—
tures—ns much like the civilized bull as a r0 8.!
tiger is like the tamed and trained inmate o a.
nienagei'ie cage—were driven to the mesa and
penned securely until wanted.

And while Colonel Falconer was addressing
his guests above, a lot of cowboys were leisurely
inspecting the captive animals, shrewdly specu-
lating on the sport which each animal might be
expected to afford.

“ They ain’t no goose-hair thar, I’m shoutin’,”
Sugclv OhServed one veteran, with a shrug of his
broad Shoulders. “ The boy that gits away
with the pick o’ the lot, bain t l’arned his busi-
ness sleepin’ with the boss, n0w you want to lis—
ten to my chantl”

Enigmatic-31 though his Speech may read, it
was familiar enough to those who listened. To
the uninitiated it may be added in passing that

“ n goose—hair bed,” “sleeping with the boss,” :

or “ riding ten horses,” is the cowboy paraphrase
for “ a so.t snap.”

Thorn was no denial. for the assertion was ‘

self—evident. The cowboys employed by the
colonel ha i done their level best a) carry out his
instructions, and the lot of bulls would have
made a altirious showing in the most bloody bull-
ringr of Old Spain. . ‘

“ Burn the tailin’ an’ sech like.” c'riintcd an-
other vetcran, with a side glance toward the
first speaker. “ That’s only boy’s play. all told,
when you git d0wn to hard-pan. What I’m

' bankin’ on is the wind—mi ’tween the pick o" the

two ranches. Thor’s goin’ to be the fun fer my

C \

She’s lookin’ i

Who keers? Ef I ‘

Nothing romantic or g

    
 

hard cash—wish’t thet I only bed more to squan~
der onto it!”

“Wish you did—an’ me too,“ with a half~de-
fiaiit "rin. “Turn out the bull muster an’
mebberli‘alcon Ranch kin lay over the Open and,
fer the same reason that a rijiment kin git away
with a single comp’ny. But—an’ that but is
bigger than all the rest 0’ the tree, you
want to mind, pardner! But—man to man,
leavin’ out the runts an‘ the scrubs an’ the tail~
in's; waal, ef the Open Hand don’t git thar,
then I go bu’st fer a year to come!"

Other voices chimed in, earnest enong h, but

without anything like malice, though each ar-
tisan stood up stouth for the ranch on whic he
was employed, but t eir speeches need not be re-
corded here, since the result must speak for it-
self in due time.
For years past there’had been a generous ri-
valry 'ietween the Falcon Ranch and the Open
Hand Ranch now owned by Nash VVhildon,
though it had been in difierrnt hands uptoa
short tune before the death of Pierce Falconer.
Each ranch claimed to possess the best men with
rope or rein, and though the dispute had
never been put to an actual test as yet,
each round-up was rendered more interest-
ing through this rivalry. And now, by
mutual conse it, the owners of the two ranches
were to send an equal number of their selected
champions into the field to do battle for the
cowted honor.

Naturally enough the cowboys were deeply

interested in this part of the projected sports,
and for some little time they were oblivious to
. all else—in their eager discussion. But then a
P air of restless eyes noted a tall, scantily-clad
; horseman near the end of the corral, quietly
,‘ gazing at the restless hulls within the pens.
I “Injun, by mighty!” he cried, with savage
, impatience such as only one born or brought up
ion the border could fully appreciate. “The
1 boss said this was to be a free—feral], but durned
I ef I reckoned on hevin’ to pard in with red mg
i

 

gersl”

Sharp and clear his angry voice rung out, and
, one brown band instinctively moved back until
i it rested on a reVolver-butt. Though the day
, for Indian raids was long since over, the preju-
I dice against color remained as strong as ever,
I and few Texans could see an Indian without a

longing for taking his scalp, or his life, at

east.

At the first ejaculation the red rider glanced
jswiftly in that direction, and as though he
deemed prudence to be the better part of valor,
be reincd back his horse, turning as though to
seek more congenial quarters.

But that was not to save him, though after

the first instinctive motion toward their guns,
i the cowboys had no further thought of slaying
! in cold blood. But the keen-eyed cowboy who
i made the discovery let out a shrill yell of warm
ing, then cried:
E “ Dollars to cents that I make the fu’st fast!”

That was enough for his excitementloving

fellows, and amid wild ells and Vi ildcr laughs,
3 each man [plunged for is horse, on er to have
i the cream of the fun—as they regar ed it.
l The Indian was watching them warily over
' his shoulder as he rode slowly away from the

corral, as yet seeming ignorant of their real in-
‘ tentions. That his presence was unwelcome he
1 must lrave divined, and the readiness with
I which he accepted the hint showeda laudable
. desire to avoid trouble.

As the cowboys rushed for their animals,
with the Wild 0115 that startled the ests on
the mesa top, t e red rider tightened is rein a
bit, settling himself more firmly on the doubled
blanket that Served him as saddle. He still
watched the cowboys, but though his horse steg:
_ out more lively, there was nothing like a
solute flight in his actions.

“Skin out, you red nigger!" yelled the hot- '
blooded cowboy as he spurred away from the
corral, taking the neatly coiled lasso from its
resting-place. “ Give us a show fer our money,
an’ lyllar goes fer the fn‘st rope!”

T e yellow horse on which the Indian sat
darted ahead for a few rods. as though fright—
ened by the wild yells and cries, then slackened
its pace under the strong grip on the reins, its
rider still looking back over his shoulder. Even
yet he seemed unable to realize his peril.

A snaky coil came hissing through the air
its wide-spread noose hovering over the head of
F the Indian, and already the Cowboy was laugh-
, ing recklessly at his triumph over his fellows,
; when the red-skin flung npa rifle, grasped by
, the middle with one muscular hand, and the
lasso was swept aside just in time to save his,
i neck from the loop.

l " ’Notlier day, Johnny!” laughed the broad-
l

 

shouldered cowbov who had first spoken in de-

“ The Open
| Hand boys is the boys fer money or sand! Fu’st
' rope fer—huh I”

l With lasso swinging at his side for an under.
hand cast by which to end the chase and win the
lunrels at one and the same time, without actu-

' ally endangering the life of the fugitive. the

I Open Hand cowboy shot past his discomfited

l rival. He, too. was sure of success, only to be
foiled quite as adroitly as his predecessor.

The aim was ti ue enough, but seemingly of its

fense of the Open Hand champions.

    

 

. whic

 

The Rustler Detective.

 

 

own volition, the clay-bank horse bounded
abru tly to one side, thus escaping the noose
E was intended for its legs.

“ Falcon Ranch !”

“ Open Hand ferever!"

With rival cries mingling, the now thorough-
ly excited cowboys spurred their steeds on in
pursuit of the swift clay-bank, the Indian crouch-

ng low along its back, with rifle grasped by the
middle in one hand, while the otlur held a glit-
tering knife ready for swift work in case of need.
Not in a stra ght—awa flight, for that would
make the work of tripping hnn'still more easy,
but in an erratic circle he sped around, now
warding off a whistiing coil with rifle, now der
1y slashing at another with his gleaming knife.

Ri ht well he played his part, and those stand—
ing a ong the brink of the mesa wall cheered cu-
thusnastieally at each change and shifting, for
the most part taking this to be the opening scene
in the promised exhibition.

But the fugitive now knew that it was in vi-
cious earnest, s rt though it had been at first for
the cowboys. roud of their skill with the ro o,
it was bitter as death to be repeatedly foiled by
a “ red nigger,” and those whose lassoe: had been
severed by that flashing blade, pressed closer,
more viciously upon the Indian, resolved to win
by foul play since fair means had failed them.

“ Mill the durned nigger, mates!” grated one
of the cowbo s, casting aside his useless Nata.
“ Ring ’rount an’ then close in an’ hammer him
clean dovvn to Chiny 1”

Here and there the yellow horse leaped and
dashed, snorting and showing its perfect training
even amidst its fright at the savage oiling of
its pursuers. Lower crouched the In. ian, now
1 ing along the side of his horse to escape a
( ouble cast, now whirling rifle or knife to strike
down the snake-like oils that hiSsed above his
head. He was making a gallant tight—was do-
ing what not one man out of a thousand could
have done for so long against such odds; but the
end was drawing nigh, as all could see.

Already the cowboys were surrounding him,
and were rapidly closing in, baffled for a time
by the erratic shifting of the clay-bank. There
was no longer a chance for him to escape by
actual flight. He could only postpone the end,
which all saw must soon come, by his really
marvelous horsemanship, not change the result.

And from the excited spectators on the mesa
top came a general cry of disapprobation as they
caught sight of another horseman speeding
‘strai ht for the thick of the mas-s, swinging a
long- ooped lasso above his bond, as though bent
on winning the prize so nearly in the grasp of
the others. '

But the cry abruptly altered its ti‘iiui‘ as the
group watched what followed.

The sweeping loops struck and knocked down
two lassoes even as they went coiling toward the
Indian, and then, with a ringing shout the new~
comer plunged into the mass, sending men to the
right and the left as though a cata ult had hurl-
ed a resistless missile into their ran '9.

“ Fair play’s a jewel, and this isn’t even a
counterfeit!" came clear and sharp above the
tumult, reaching even the eager ears on the mesa
top. “ You’re too mighty careless with your
shoestrings, lgcnts! Look out, or they’ll get hurt
.—rlidn’t i te i you so, pard?” ‘-

The long lozps were dropped clear, and d
bright blade flashed in the sunlight, severing
ro after rope, new on one side, now on the
ot er as the mighty black horse carried its reck-
less rlder through t e crowded mass to the small
clear space occu ied by the Indian.

A clear, taunting laugh greeted the surprised
and temporarily demoralized cowboys, and be-
fore they could fairly realize what had so rudely
intermpted their sport, the stranger was side b
side with the Indian, both sitting erect, both wit
armed hands, and each man looking as though
ready to burn powder in case of further crowd-

in .

ESteady—as you were!” sharply cried the
stranger, tossing back his long yel ow locks as
his hands swept around in half circles, the rim
muzzles of two revolvers stating the cow ys
full in the face. “ Bay as much as pleases you,
’but keep your distance! I’m a royal hart of
twelve points—and right here you see them! Six
in each hOof, and more where they came from!
Every point dipped in poison and warranted to
kill inahol second! Hair turned the wrong
way, and a at half-mast! That’s me—the
Bounding Buc from Buffalo Waliow!”

CHAPTER IV.

Tun BOUNDING BUCK. rnou BUFFALO wanmw.

CONFUSED, startled, taken wholly by surprise,
the cowboys hovered irresolute, starin open-
mouthed at the glib-ton ed stran r w 0 had
so deftly robbed them 0 their antic pated prey.

Very business-like he looked as he confronted
them just then, even though there was a smile
u n his face as he looked over the deftly ma-
nipulated revolvers with which he seemed ready
to emphasize the warning which so freely passed

his li
“ limb him, too, double-darn the critter!"
snarled one of the cowboys who seemed to feel
defeat the most sorely.
, “ Who’s he, to hold out for a rod nigger, any-
mi”

 

“Shoot, Luke, or 've up your gun!"

From one pair 0 lips to another leaped the
ejac iations, and the keen blue eyes of the stran-

er f llowed in tune still with that smile upon
is lips as his polis ed tools moved back and

forth, seeming to cover and hold each and every
one of the score cowboys by whom the twain
were surrounded.

And the red-skin on whose behalf he chad ven-
tured to interfere, sitting erect, lookin more
like a master than a slave des ite his co or and
scanty attire, silently secon' ed his champion.
Ills bronze face might have been a. metal mold
for all the emotion it expressed as his red hands
gently swayed the rewriting rifle, with thumb
on hammer and forefinger within the trigger
guard. But his eyes; black as jet and glittering
as vividly as ever those of an enraged serpent in
coill

“Now don’t jump in before you get a good
ready, lad =, for it isn’t a goose-hair bed you’ll
drop on, you want to remember,” lightly cried
the yellow—haired sport. “Hate to upset your
calculations, the worst sort, but I’m a mission-
ary in charge of our red brethren and this gent
is one of our pet converts. Lay the weight of a
finger on him, and I’m bound to kick worse than
a mule in earnest. Step on his—”

“ ’N’ who‘re you. anyhow?”

“ A royal hurt of twelve—but don’t make me
prove it, unless you’ve exhausted this pasture,
and long for another range beyond the Great
Divizlc!”

Still with that bland smile upon his face, but
with a change of voice that lent the wordsa
warning the hardly contained of themselves.

Only for t e weapons which covered tncm, the
cowboys. might have backed down, since there
had really been no malicious intent in their
primal actions. Now that they had taken time
to catch thcir breath, the majority were half-
ashamod of their united exploit. But they could
not take water in the face of those tools; they
could not back down from any two men, even
though the jest should be turned into grim
earnest!

Those keen blue eyes were not idle during this
brief interval of silence, and their owner was
far from being a fool. Bold and reckless though
he had proved himself, he was not so carried
away by a temporary success as to imagine that
he could win against such heavy odds, should
worst come to worst. Let a shot be fired, let a
blow be struck in bitter earnest. and by a single
rush the encircling cowboys could trample them
to nip beneath the hoofs of their horses; could,
and) most assured] would do so!

“1 don’t wan to do it, gonts,”he added,
quickly, with frank sincerity. “ I’m not yearn-
ing to turn this frolic into a funeral, for I came
here in search of fun and not a bloody winding-
sheet. I’d weep tears of rod-hot brine at being
forced to turn any one of you toes—up to the
daisies, but—”

“ Put up your guns, or else make use .of ’em l”
grated one of the cowboys, dropping his useless
lasso and glancing swiftly around at his fellow
riders.

The stranger touched his red pard with a too
as he spoke out:

“ Up they go, if you like that better, gentle
pilgrim. And—down you go, though you were
bigger’n a mountain 1”

As swiftly as they had flashed forth, the brace
of revolvers vanished from sight, leaving the
bronzed hands of. the yellow—haired sport free
for other action. And at the second sentence
he sent the big black horse forward, steeping
in the saddle as he shot between two of the
riders.

Stooped to raise again, with each hand rip-
ing the foot of a cowboy—and asa moclifing
augh broke from those lips, a vigorous heave

gist both horsemen end over end out of the sad-

8.

nd though not a word had ssed between
the , the Indian deftly second his champion,
with much the same result, though with varia-
tions.

As the clay-bank shot forward, each bronzed
hand clutched a throat and swept a man back-
ward over the croup of his steed, hurling them
headlon to the trampled ground with force
suiflcien to put them out of the struggle for at
least the time being, if no worse befel .

Clear and mellow rung out the laugh of the
strange sport as he sped away on the back of his
gallant steed, turning to note the effect of this
unexpected dash on the enemy. Then, as though
on a pivot, the two horses wheeled about and
faced the confused cowboys. Over their ears
showed the grim muzzles once more, but the
situation was a little changed.

Then, the pair had been surrounded. Now,
they had all their adversaries in front, with a
clear course for retreat should they be pressed
too hardly by odds.

“Empty hands you called for, and em ty
hand: we showed, adding a few empt sad lee
by way of make-weight. You can fill them
again, but if we have to vacate any others,
there'll be new faces above the seats! Steady,
gentlemen! I’m a seasoned stag, and pretty
well used to mixed company. but in horns are
still in the velvet and l’m might tic lish about

 

crowding! Fun is fun, but this Mm!"
' s

[Ln/w

" :'...5»,,lui,’.-., . .. L 

 

 

‘< c

“ You bet it is I” grated one of the riders
whom he had so deftly removed from the sad-
dle, springingto the back of his horse again.
dashing a hand across his eyes to clear them of
dust and dirt.

“ Hold hard, Boston!” thundered a stern voice
from the rear. as a sterner-mood horseman came
dashing toward the scene from.the mesa.

“ Any more want to chipin'?” cried the stran-
ger, swinging one armed and around to cover
the ncwocomer. “ Don’t be bashful, I beg of
you! The bigger the crowd the more credit
there’ll be in clearing you out!”

Pink Archer paid no attention to the weapon
that followed his movements so closely, one
hand motioning the angry cowboys back as they
fathered for a united rush upon the twain.

nil his vorce was full of stern menace as he
added:

“Back, you snarling curs! I took you for
white, but I see now that I’ve been color-blind
all along! TWenty against one—”

“ Two pard i” cried the stranger, with a reek-
less laugh, as he added: “ Two, when we ain’t in
motion: then we’re a thousand! If it’s on our
account you’re chippin in, don’t waste your
tissue. But if it’s throng fear for your precious
dough-boys, that’s a horse of another color, and
We‘l put up our patent spankers until we run
across a tougher crowd l”
“ You hear him beller, boss l” coaxingly mut-
tered one of the riders who had so unceremoni-
ously vacated the saddle a few moments before.
“ Ypu won’t stick out fer a back-down now, will
2‘
“ I’m ashamed of you men of Falcon Ranch!”
cried Pink Archer, without paying attention to
either speaker as he faced the sullen, crestfallen
horsemen. “I thought you were men, instead
of cowards~and worse! lt was bad enough for
a score to set upon a single rider, but to let him
play with you after this fashion! Where are
your ropes? What means that dirt between
vour shoulders? Bah! you are not my men!
on are a lot of smooth-faced impostors run
away from school to play cowboy l”

“ We ain‘t your men, any way critter l”
growled the broad-shouldered fellow who
championed the Open Hand Ranch. “ Ride over
him. of he don’t cut dirt. boys! Down them two
whelps, ef it's the last—”

A sharp whistle broke from the lips of Pink
Archer at this hot-headed outburst, and the
swift response on the part of his men showed
how perfectly he had disciplined them. In—

stantly there were two forces confronting each
other, seemingly ready to fly at each other‘s V

throats at a single word.

“ Open Hand ag’inst Falcon! An’ that comes
th? lfioss l”

‘ utton our 1i 3, La Lu ton l” sha i
cried Nash KVhildOgl, as g dashed up to he);
spot, passin r by Pink Archer and his men with-
out giving t cm even a. glance. “ Do you take
this for a bear-garden? Do I pay you for kick-
ing up a row at a peaceable gathering? Silence,
you dog!” anal as the epithet came hissineg
through his inched teeth. the Open Hand
owner flashed forth a revolver, thrusting its
muzzle almost into that sullen, scowling visage.
“ Another grow], and I’ll do you up for keeps!”

“Not on our account, pard.” cheerin called
out the yellow-haired sport. riding forward with
a bland smile playing over his handsome face.
“ Let,the fellow go, and call it square, for my

sake.’

Nash Whildon flashed a dark glance over his
shoulder at the interruption, then wheeled his
11:01-35; and confronted the speaker, pistol still in

an .

"Who asked you to chip in an how! Who
are you? Where did you come; 1min, and what
do you want?” ‘

“ You’re from the land of llow pumpkins
and applwass, or there’s no th in the old
saying, dcsmfled the stranger, lightly swinging
pne leg ross the neck of his black steed, sitting

‘ lady-fashion " as he added: “ I’m Royal Hart,
a,rustler and ahustler, by name and occupation.
I‘m from Buffalo Wallow, and my go—to-meeting
title is the Bounding Buck from Antlerdom. As
for what I .want—room according to my size
and aspirations. If you feel crowded, there’s a
county adjoining this, and maybe on can find
au‘nnoccupied corner by close searc !"

You’ve got a precious glib tongue of your
own anyway.”

“i Was born with it, my dear fellow," with
an affected yawn behind a curved palm that
was insolence itself.

Then came a sudden and complete chm . He
sat erect in his saddle and placed one hnfnpon
the armof the Indian who had silently moved
to his side. His handsome face grewgrave, and
there was thinly-veiled emotion in his tones as
he added: .

“Only an Indian, as you can see for your-

selves, gentlemen, but red though his skin may"

look to your eyes, it is white in mine—white as
the heart he bears in his honest hoooin! Only
an Indian—but he’s my pard, and when you
tread on his corns, it’s my voice that cries out!
“ A glib tongue-you said. stranger," with a
short nod toward ash Whildon. ‘ I acknowl-
edged the corn, all the more readil because I
amprovided with a fair excuse. ’vo got I»

m _,-—~.‘- W" .u ‘ ’-.

   

 

 

 

  
 

 

.nww -~ u-.._ _.

 

 

The Rustler Detective.

5

 

 

speak for two: for Red Clam. as well as my—
self.
“ And right there you’ve got the solution,
gentleman. My pard is dumb. or he’d be doing
part of the talking for himself.”

“ What brought him here?” frowned \Vhildon,
keenly eyine the red-skin as he sat his horse like
a statue of bronze. “ We’ve no use for his
sort.”

“ He followed my land. But perhaps you have
no use for me, either?” .

“The range is free for all who behave them-
selves,” said Archer.

“ That’s my best holt, stranger.” smiled Royal
Hart, with a bland bow toward the young fore—
man of the Falcon Ranch. “ I’m ‘mild as new
milk when I’m the only one assailed. if any
one among this crowd was cruel enough to smite
me on the jaw, I’d turn unto him the mate, with
tears of meek and lowly resignation in the two
eyes 0’ me. But." and his voice rung out clear
and stem as he added: “ But if you want to see
my hair turn the wrong way of the grain and
electric sparks flash out of each tine of my
crown, just try to impose on Red Clam.

“ My ard, gentlemen, with all that title im-
plies. ed outside. but whiter than undrifted
snow within! An Indian, but the truest friend
mortal man Was ever blessal with. I owe him
In ' life, thrice over. I’m ready to pay back the
delit whenever the time comes, though a thou-
rand instead of a score of rnfl‘ians tackled him.

“ I came here to join in the jollification, but if
vou don’t like my looks, kick me out forthwith;
iau my hide to twist into quirts: take my scalp
to brai-l into a head-stall; and I’ll never whim-
per. But—Jock crooked at Red Clam. and
you’ll see me transformed into a howling cyclone
with the businemnd right where the gang
crowds thickest!"

And if ever mortal man was in eaarnest, they
saw him then.

 

CHAPTER V.
THE PRICE or a STEEL TONGUE.

TOUGH and recklss though they may be, ow-
ing to their ‘surroundings and associations, no
class of men in all the world are truor and
firmer friends than the much-maligned cowboys.
Try to “put on frills” before them, and they
will never rest until they have taken you down
to eat “ humble pie.” Meet them on a common
footing, and they welcome you as an ual: the
highest and proudest in all the ion has no
license to claim more.

Thus it came that a speech which would have
intensified the worst passions of really evil men,
served to conciliate the cowboys on this occa-
sion, and when Royal Hart ceased, a cheer
broke from bearded lips as the men who had but
a few minutes before burned to “down him,”
now crowded around eager to grasp his hand as
a worthy comrade.

“ You too. Injunl" cried the hot-head who
had started the affair, slapping Red Qlam on
the shoulder with one hand while he spat into the
other and raised it to add emphasis to the of-
fered grip. “ Be durned of I ever thought I’d
say it, but you’re clean sixteen to the dozen, of
you hev got a copper hide onto you!”

This was the ru 9, though several of the Open
Hand gang rode silently away from the spot at
the heels of their chief who hardly paused to
hear the last of Rnan Hart’s response to his

in questions. Among them were the two fel-

ws who had been so deftly unhorsed by the

blonde stranger: Lazy Lupton and a slender,
wiry Mexican.

A grim smile came into the honest face of
Pink Archer as he noted this, and saw that
Royal Hart was glancing after the retreating

orms.

“ They belong to another crowd from ours,
you see. friend,” was his quiet explanation.
‘ There is a natural antagonism betwen the two
ranches, and though we’re friends for the day,
it hardly comes natural for them to ride in line
with my lads.”

“Bless on, I’m not worrying over it,”
laughed yal Hurt. wholly at his case among
those whom he had oppoaed but a short space
before. “ I was ohly wondering when and
where I’vo met that fine gentleman before!”

The same thought seemed to be troubling Nash
Whildon as he rode back tawarn the mesa. A
frown co ated his white brow. His blue eyes
seemed burning with alight that turned them
almost black. His strong teeth came together
with a click as he jerked up his horse
until Iazy upton gained his side, while a mo-
tion sent the other men on ahead.

“ Who is that fellow. Luptoh? Where did be

from, and when?”

“ I’ll never tell on, bass!” with a surly.
vicious glance over is shoulder. “Never see
him afore this day. But I’ll see him ag’in, of
it’s in the wood! See him—an’ he’ll feel me, you
bet!”

A short, mocking laugh broke from the lips of
his master, and there was an open sneer in his
voice as he uttered:

“ To even up, you think? You must have. felt
Km, when on took that tumble out yonder! I
could y believe my own eyes! You—the
champion of Hand! Bah! I begin to
think I was an diot for accepting the co onel’s

 

challenge, after all! If .you can’t make out

better than that, my good money is gone to th

dogs!” -
Ilazy Lupton showed his teeth in a vicious

in.

“ That was in fun; this’ll be in dead earnest.
IIEf the Open Hand don’t git thar in good style

911—”

“See that it does get there. my fine. fellow!”
grated \Vhildon, giving his horse free rein and a
vicious touch of the spur, dashing past his sullen-
browed men and leaping from the saddle as he ‘
gained the foot of the mesa, up which he nimbly
climbed.

“Nothing but a stray red-skin,” he coldly
uttered as a number of interested spectators
crowded around him with questions as to the
outcome. “Just a bit of frolic on the part of
the he s, for lack of better amusement.”

“ asn’t it your brag pair of riders that—”

“Stuffed clothes, of course,” with a bland
smile that was flatly contradicted by the fire
that flashed in his blue eyes. “Still, my betting
bmk has a few vacant pages, if any of you
gentlemen wish to speculate on the closing event
of the day. Don’t hurry. Think it over and i
put your good money where it bids fair to bring 1
you the best interest. Meantime—1 word with
you, colonel, please.”

Smooth and even enough his tones as he
uttered the request, but a peculiar shade cre t
into the face of the ranch-owner as he caug t
its meanin .

Nash Whildon turned away as soon as the
words  his lips, walking toward the other
side of the mesa, like one who took it for granted
his request would be complied with.

And so, after a barely roeptible hesitation
on the art of Hugh Fa coner. it was. The
owner 0 Falcon Ranch strode after the other, a
forced smile upon his harsh, rugged features
until after he had cleared the little group of
gentlemen with whom he had .been discussing
the exciting scene on the plain below.

“ Cut it short. will on?” he sna ped. with a
furtive glance into t ecold, set Face of Nash
Whildon as he came up with that worthy, near
the edge of .the mesa, where they were safe from
eavesdropping. “ Time the play was opening,

“The day is still young, and we can spend a
few minutes in coming to a better understanding,
my dear fellow.”

Calm, even courteous the tones, but Hugh
Falconer frowned darker than ever as he stole
another swift glance into that handsome face.
One who saw his face just then, would have
guessed he knew what was to come, and dreaded
havin his worst fears confirmed.

“ e understand each other fairly well. I
reckon. If not—curse it all, man!” with sudden
flerceness. “ Whoare you to at on such a sane-
timonious face before me! hat do I owe you,
anyway?”

“ A calm and courteous hearing, colonel
Falconer,” was the cold interruption. “ Time
enough to flare u when I have to um threats!
Which I trust wil he never, for your sake, even
more than my own.

“ I wish for peace, Falconer. Iilon’t want to
make use of the weapons which a lucky chance
has placed at my disposal. I don’t want to even
name those weapons more clearly if I can posi-
biy get along without it. But—mark this down
in your books, Will you?

“ I’ve got the power if I am compelled to
make use of it. know the weapons chance
flung in my way. and I know how to use them
to the best advantage—to my best advantage, of
course!” .

A low, short laugh parted his lips as he made
the correction.

Hugh Falconer for the first time looked him

uarely in the face, his own hard-set and grim,
his rod—vcined eyes glowing with an ugly light
as he harshly demanded:

“ What are you trying to get through you,
anyway? Do you care int that there’s any—
thing crooked in my past life?”

For a brief ce their eyes met squarely, a
hammocking. han-scornful li ht in the clear
blue orbs. Then, as the colone shifted his gaze ‘
uneasily, Nash Whildon spoke, smoothly, placid-

y“You choose mur words p00rly. my dear
colonel. I never hint. I say in lain words
that I hold you under mv thumb. say that I
can drive you out from alcon Ranch, an out;
cast, afugitive with a noose in hot chase. I
say this—and you dare not deny its truth l”

h t‘ I do deny it, curse you!" grated the colonel,

arshly.
Nash Whil ion laughed again, harder, more
mercilessly than before.

“ And in denying it thus, you give plainest
proof of the full truth of my statement. If I
ied—if I exaggerated one iota—you would
shoot me down without stopping to handy words
further!”

“ I don’t want to raise a row just now!”

“Nor do I: and for this reason I’ve drawn
you aside where we can come to a full under-
standing. Look here. colonel: I’ll turn over to
you every scrap of evidence I hold against you

 

and ours, for a consideration. v Promise me the
ban of your daughter in marriage, and I’ll

o

bury the past so deep that .even thecmck of.

doom can’t resurrect it!”

Hugh Falconer forced a laugh, but it came

only rom his lips

‘ You’re a might wise man, accordin to
our own saying, hildon, but if you rec on.

adine by that rule, you’re ’way ofl! If she
says no what would my saying yes amount to?”

“ If am willing to run the chances, you
hardly ought to kick.” with a fleeting smile.
“ Then I am to consider the promise made?”

Hu h Falconer kicked d godly at a prbhle-
imbegded in the dr groun , his brows corru-

ted, his lips tight compressed. Watching

iim keenly, Nash hildon waited for an an-
swer, with the air of a man who feels himself
master of the situation.

“ Look here, Whildon!” glancin up with
darkened face and stern voice. “ ou’ve made
it mighty hard for me to say what I’ve always
been more than willing to say since our acquaixr
tance first begun. If I say yes. you’ll think it
is because I’m afraid of your covert threats!”

“ Consider the words unspoken, dear colonel,”
smiled the other.

“ So far as I’m concerned on, are at liberty
to win Nadine, if you can. I have. been willing
from the very first. You are well fixed. and as
the two ranches adjoin. it would be. a grand
thing to bring them both under the same rule.
Yours, if you like. after I am gone.”

“ And you pass your word to this effect?”

“ I say you need feat no objection on my
part, if you can win Nadine,” a little doggedly.
“ Curse it, man! would you have me do your
wooing for you ?”

“ Not exactly,” with the ghost of a smile flit-
ting across his handsome face. “ But I’d have
you do your part: and the first move in that
direction is to get rid of that infernal foreman
of yours!”

“ Pink Archer, you mean?”

“ Have you so many foremen? Pink Archer
I mean—yes! good enough foreman, no
doubt. but unless I'm wide of! in my guess, the
impudent rascal looks hi her than that! He’s
playing a cold hand for.t§e Falcon Ranch. and
Queen Nadine is not too proud to give him
pointers either!”

Hugh Falconer flashed up sharply, his eyes
ablaze, his face darkening with passion, his
voice harsh and even menacing:

d “ Iiick and choose your words, Nash Whil-
on!

“ Do you think they taste so sweet between
my ll 1” with a fierce sneer. “ Do  think I
won] utter them without knewing I) ad ample
proof to back them up? Use your own eyes to-
day. and satisfy yourself if you doubt in truth!
Watch Nadine when she is near that coo scoun-
drel. Try to see her eyes, and tell me what you
see there!” -

“I’ll turn him off in the morning, if you my
so,” muttered the colonel. his red face turning a
shade paler than usual. “I like him as little as
you do, but I had no fair excum for kicking him
out. You know he has been on the lace so
long; and the boys think a heap of him. too!
He gets double the amount of Work out of them
that any common man could, with one half the
friction. Still—”

“ Why not, when he looks on the place as al—
most his own,” with a short, u ly lau h. “ Why
not, when he must see that adine is ready to
glrgpninto his arms at— Satan fly’ away with

' i ' \

As Nash Whildon lost his composure the
colonel seemed to regain his. and as thou re-
peating a hasty error, he shamed back:

“ could only hit on some lausible excuse
for dropging the fellow over card, I’d do it,
gladly! ut you see how it is, Whildon. I’ve
got a mi hty hard row to hoe, as the case stands.

he neig bors don’t cotton to mworth a cent.
and they might raise a howl over a discharge
without good cause to hack it up. Now,.if you
could only—eh?”
@3133 got to go—if he has to go feet fore- -

in

“ It‘s almost too much to ho for—to think
of anythiu happening to the- ellow. isn’t it!”
with a sic ly smile. ‘He’s one of the, surest
seats I know of, and lucky too! Never has met
with an accident since he took the siticn of
foreman. Too much to think of one appening
to day! And yet—it’ll be live! work, when the
two @angs get fairly at each 0 er! And—”

“ hat are you driving at, colonel?” softly
uttered Whildon.

Hugh Falconer cast a swift glance around
them, then muttered:

“I can‘t discharge the fellow, 31011 know,
without cause, but—if an accident ould hap-
pen to him in the melee—eh?” -

 

CHAPTER VI.
Tame rm: BULL.

Tin! cold, handsome face told no tales, but
something flashed into Nash “’hildon’s blue eyes
that caused the colonel to wheel about quick as
a flash, one hand mechanically moving towards

weapon. ,
He caught sight of Pink Archer. jast ining
the mesa top, but of course too far awn ghave

caught aught of the plot against his w .

 

 

    

The Rustler Detective.

 

quick glance around shOWed him his employer,

and advancing to the t he addressed him:

_ “ Everything is in readiness for the first event,
'whenever you please, colonel.”

“ And we’re ready for it right now,” with a
half laugh that could not entirely conceal his
nervousness. “Never do to let the griddle get
‘cold, you know! Keep up your end, Archer,
even—you’re going to try your hand at the tail-
ing, of course?”

‘ I hadn't thou ht of it, but—” ,

“ Saving himse f for the last act——and wisely,
tool” sneered Nash Whildon, in an affected aside.
” M boys are tough nuts to crack l”

“ he ground is rather hard, over yonder!”
murmured Archer, in the same tone, with a

lance toward the spot where Lazy Lupton and
Esorio the Roper had met with their downfall at
the hands of Royal Hart.

“ Got you there, pard,” chuckled the colonel,
with a dig at the ribs of the ranch-owner. “ It
Was good for sore e es to see those heels cut the
air, and ever since We had firmer faith in Fal-
con Ranch and its champions! But hike out,
Pink, and set the ball to rolling! Work up the
boys, and show ’em you’re not above lending a
hand, even if you are foreman. I’ve got money
on you—but that don’t count. Pull out!”

The foreman nodded, then turned on his heel
and strode rapidly away to the winding path
which led to the plain below. None the less
briskly from catching sight of Queen Nadine and
her burning black eyes.

A few moments later all was bustle on the
mesa top. The sports were about to open in good
earnest, and all were making their way down to
take saddle who preferred that point of observa-
tion to watching the tests of skill and strength
from the mesa top itself.

Nash Whildon strode toward Queen Nadine
but slackened his pace as he saw her gloved han
slip through the arm of a smiling rancher from
up the range. His white teeth closed over his
thin lip, but only for an instant. Then he smiled
blandl to himself.

He elt that the game was fairly within his
own hands, and he could afford to give a little
r0 at first.

nder the cool head of Pink Archer, the cow-

~ boys were gathered together and culled out, only

those of known skill and adroitness being set

aside for present idleness, leavmg the larger por-

tion ready and ea er to show what they could do
at “ taili the bu l.”

The ve ans were flattered at this distinction,
and the younger hands were led to believe their
OWn superior merits had led to their election.
Pink Archer knew how to handle his men.

Lots were drawn from a hat, to decide the
order of running, and the young master of cere-
monies briefly stated the conditions. .

A hull was to be turned out of the corral, and
the. first man on the. list was to follow after, his
object being to fling the animal on its side,
without use of rOpe or other aid, save its own
tail and a pair of strong hands.

“ You know all that, though, without my tell-
ing you, lads. You’ve tailed many a one for
pure fun. But. mind you, there are ladies
watching you now, and these bulls are the pick
of the entire range. Keep c001 and ou’ll get
there in good shape, but lose your end and
your seat will go with it—sure!"

“ Waal, I do reckon!” drawled one of the
“ reserves,” with more malice than thoughtful-
ness, as he noted the sober looks with which this
warning was received. “Heap difference from

ickin’ out a stunted yearlin’ or a stove-up steer
er a end over in fun! Keep difference when
you come to upset the biggest part of a ton 0’
clean muskle an.’ pure devilishness, jest by a
tail-bolt!”

“ An‘ that tail so chuck full 0’ ’lectricity that
the fu’st grip’ll drive the nails out 0’ both boot-
heels too!” grinned another veteran.

“They do say the boss hes writ’ out a notice
fer new han's to fill the places 0’ all he counts on
losin’ this ,day l”

“ That’s easy counted up, on how!” with a
grinning glance along the line 0 horsemen who
strove hard to show no signs of hearing these
gihes, and  that very effort showing how keen
they rick . .

Pin Archer. who had drawn his number with
the rest, quite as much tokeep the younger mem-
bers in countenance as through the half-express-
ed wish of his employer, passed ovarto the cor-
al and let down t 9 bars, entering With whip in

ad.

Uttering a low, save 8 bellow, the selected
bull, a gaunt, yet pow ul creature, with inas-
sive shoulders and cruel horns, lowered its

sly front and charged blind] at the footman.

I, collected, knowmg just w t he was about,

the foreman stood still until the horns were
within their own length of his person, then

sprung lightly aside, plying his whip with a
force that sent tiny puffs of severed hair flying

on the air with each stroke. And with a still

more savage bellow, the bull bounded over the
lowered bars. .

It stOp short as it seemed to feel its free-

, dom, toss ng its head high. lashing its sides with

its tufted tail, glaring around at the mounted

' 1 men for a moment before dashing away at speed

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In almost any bull-ring this creature would
have been greeted with enthusiasm as a kingly
victim, but Pink Archer knew its weak points,
and had decided accordingly. It was sport the
party were seeking, not a tragedy at the out-
set. And there is nothing so encouraging as an
early success.

“Go for him, David!” cried the foreman, as
the gaunt bull sped out in a direct line from the
mesa. where all could witness the performance.
“ Cool and steady does it! Show the old hands
what young blood can do in a pinch!”

That was one thing which made Pink Archer
such a favorite with his men.

Where others gave curses, he offered encour-
agement. And as long as a man was willing to
do his level best, no more was asked of him.

The jcers and mock consolations of the
“ reserve corps ” had just a little unnerved the
young fellow whom fate had elected for the first
course, but those criSp sentences brought all
that back with re-enforcements, and with hard-
1 a thought of failure, the young cowboy

ashed in chase of the bull, overtaking it, grasp-
in the tafiwith a turn, then—with a furious
be low, the ull was flung fairly on its back!

To rebound, cat-like, to its feet and charge
viciously at the shying mustang, thinking of
revenge rather than flight.

Pink Archer led the cheering which greeted
the adroit feat, and a smile came into his
face as he saw how coolly, yet swiftly the
cowboy eluded the charge, bearing in mind the
general instructions about keeping the sport
within easy range of the mesa. '

" Your turn, Perry,” with a nod to the second
man. “ Do as well, and We’ll have the old
hands hunting for gray hairs on that rirl‘s chin
of yours before the sun goes down! 0 hurry;
Dave is holding him."

And so the sport went on, with slight varia-
tions, until the bull had been flun four several
times. Then, at a sign from Pin Archer, the
half crazed creature was permitted to seek
safety in headlong flight, all the tight being
driven out of its carcass for the time being.

The young foreman had drawn the fifth num-
ber, and while a nod sent a couple of men to the
corrals to turn out a fresh animal, he quietly
leaped into his saddle, ready to take his turn as
humbly as any one of his men. It was part of
the day’s work, and as such he would perform
it. Yet—he would have been less than human
had not athrill of pleasure shot through his
heart as he saw how pale Nellie Angell had
turned at sight of that powerful, foam-flecked
creature now plunging out from the corral.

Even Pink Archer started as he recognized
the animal, for itsreputation was wide as the
range, and he had selected it for quite a differ-
ent purpose. How the boys had come to forget
his cautions puzzled him, until he saw 'the dark
face of Lazy Liilpton grinning at him from be-
yond the bars. hen he knew. And his square
jaws set firmly as he followed after the routing
bull touching it up with biting strokes of his
raw ide quirt, driving the raging brute further
away from the interested crowd.

He knew that the Open Hand men had little
love for him. Knew that they would take
particular delight in seeing him come to grief in
any shape or form. Knew that Lazy Lu ton
had usurped the duty assigned one of the al-
con Ranch men with that particular end in

View.

For himself he had as. fears. He knew that
he was competent to subdue even a mad beast
like this, but he knew that the ugly brute was
just as apt to charge the crowd as himself, and
111.15%]0 crush somebody might easily come to
grie .

For that reason he sought to half-drive half-
reuse the routing monster further away before
tailing it. And after a few minutes of really
admirable homemanship, he succeeded.

Then he dro ped his (Hillirt and bent over to
grip the muscu ar tail wit his right hand before
the bull could turn upon him— only to feel the
stirru leather art beneath his weight, so unex-
pectedéy that a was pitched headlong to the

un !
g1ugllith a frightened snort his horse sprung aside
to escape those cruel horns as the bull wheeled
with a furious bellow, and before Pink Archer
could spring to his feet, that ugly front was al-
most touching his breast.

Confused b the accident, partially stunned b
the shock of alling head flrs to the dry groun ,
the foreman was still alert enough to grasp‘thOse
polished horns, swinging his body aside with the
same movement, trying to rigain his footing.

Fiercer yet routed the sav ge creature, tossing
high its head, swinging the foreman clear of the
ground, even striking at him with a forefoot in
its vicious rage.

Blinded wi dirt and blood, Pink Archer felt
his grip slipping along the smooth horns as the
bull swung its mighty head from side to side. up
and down. He knew that death was certain
should he lose his hold, and life was full as dear
to him as to mest men. He tried ~to tighten his
grip: tried to clear his eyes; to feel the ground
firmly beneath his feet if only for an instant.

. Even above the savage bellowing of the mad-
dened bull, he could distinguish the excited cries
from the distant spectators, but he could see

1 . . 4 , , I

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" ‘ 'V Liv,‘ > \,,r z  ‘ . '

 

~o

nothing, could not even know that help was com.
mg on the win 8 of the wind. SWift thou b

that was, it won d be too late should his gri s 1p ‘

another inch or two—should those vicious p ung—
ings either cast him off or swing his body be-
neath those sharp hoofs.

Back by the mesa, mounted on her pet racer,
Queen Nadine watched the deft inaneuverin s of
the foreman as he worked the mad animal a

safe distance from the interested crowd. There ‘

was a warm flush on her cheeks, a bright glow
in her lustrous eyes as she gazed with parted lips
and heaving bosom. Then, if never before, Nash
Whildon knew that the love of the woman whom
he had sworn should _ become his wife, was all
lavished upon the hated servant of her father.

With a vicious rage boiling within him, he
was shifting his position to one nearer his love,
when a sharp cry told of an accident. And be
fore even his keen eyes could rightly comprehend
what had hap ned, Queen Nadine was clear of
the crowd andxrBacing swiftly to the rescue!

She forgot that she was a woman—forgot the
eyes upon her—forgot all save that the man
whom she loved so flerCcly, because almost hope-
leslev was in peril of his life.

“ ’ll save him, or share his fate!” came pant-
invly through her lips as she dashed closer, re
v0 ver in hand.

Only to diSCard the weapon and grasp the
jeweled haft of the dagger which rested in her
bosom. Then— '

Without touching rein she leaped from the
saddle. one small hand grasping a polished how,
the other uplifted, to descend with the flashing
blade, sending its keen point and double edge
through hide and bone just back of the horns,
severing the spinal cord. And as though stricken
by lightning, the monster dropped dead in its
tracks! v

 

CHAPTER VII.
THE GREEN-EYED monsrsa.

QUEEN NADINE was flung to the ground as the
death-stricken animal plunged forward on its
head, but with catli'ke activity she regained her
feet, grasping her revolver and sending bullet
after bullet into the curled front of the monster.
This was needless.
out all life as surely as though the keen blade
had dropped head from its trunk into the dust.

Nadine saw this, in another moment, and
dropping her smoking weapon she sprung across
to where Pink Archer had been flun as the mad
bull plunged headlong, dropping to Eer knees at
his side, catching his head in. her arms, rcssing
it against her panting bosom as it lifted rom the

dirt, pressing her blanched lips to his blood-

stained face.
“ I’m all right-you shouldn’t—”

With anything but flattering haste, Pink

Archer freed himself and staggered to his feet,
brushing ahand across his eyes to clear his
vision just in time to spring aside and escape
being nocked down by the horse of Nash Whil~
don as the owner of the Open Hand Ranch rcde
up to the Spot at the head of a score of others.

“ Out of theway, you clumsy brute!” grated
the rancher, With a VlClous sconl as I e lea to
the ground and stooped to raise Queen Na ine to
her feet. . . .

Had he faced his rival a single instant, a
sturdy blow would have avenged that insulting
address, but .then Pink Archer turned away,
glad to free himself from the gathering crowd,
some curious, others thinly vailing their triumi h
at his dewnfall. .

I “Where‘s my horse? Where’s—”
He saw the trembling, frightened creature in
ssion of the yellow~haired stranger who had
introduced himself as Re a! Bart, and with
steps still far from steady, l’i'e moved in that di-
rection.

“Not hurt, I trust, paid?” and there was a
touch of friendly solicitude in the voice of the
stranger as the words passed his lips.

. Shaken up a bit, but no worse,-I reckon,”
faintly smiled the foreman, as he took possession
of the horse and started to mount again.

A touch of the hand sent the spirited creature
half-way around, bringing its left side toward
the crowd now gathered afcut Quetn Nadine.
And then, with a hard, significant smile on his
face, Hart said:

“ A mighty smooth break, pard, don’t you
think I”

“Cut, by the eternal!” flashed Pink Archer.

“ From the inside, where it wouldn’t show, and
three-fourths throu h both leathers. Ten pounds
extra weight woul snap it like rotten pa r—
di'd snap it, I should say!” added Boys flirt,
keenly watching the changing countenance of the
foreman as he fingered the smooth— cut edges.
“ Looks like somebody wanted to get you out of

their way, pard! And it isn’t their fault if they '

failed, either!”

Pink Archer cast a swift glance around as
though to make sure no other cars were within
hearing, then muttered, earnestly:

“ You’re white, or your eyes lies, pard. ‘Will '

you keep a still tongue about this, until I give
you leave to talk?” ~
“ You know what the ’11 say of course ” with
admit—smile. “ That u’ve orgotten' how to
e . , .

  

‘ . " .1.

That one deft stroke had let 1

 

.- -..,-,-..-fi-...r. . . -

 

  
   

    

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I the sun goes down!”

~ Hug‘h Falconer, whose face was harsh and angry
.11 t

-:soowling blackly.

The Rustler Detective.

'7

 

A short, hard laugh came from those lips in
replyvil
‘ en they’ll have to eat their words before

“There’s one voice won’t be heard on the
wrou side, any way.”

Pin Archer glanced around, to catch sight of
Queen Nadine movine through the crowdto—
ward him, and though‘lie knew that he owed his
'life to her plucky action, he was not ready to
meet her e es then and there. With a light
:spring he filed the saddle and dashed back to
ward the mesa, where he caught sight of Nellie
Angeli, with grim Sam by her side.

Among others, Colonel Hugh saw this move—
ment on the part of his daughter, and quickly
interceptel her, a harsh frown on his florid face
.and a menacing glow in his bloodshot eyes.

“ Curb it, girl!” he grated. bale above his
breath, so her keen ears alone could catch the
words. “Think where we are—think who all
.are watchin you! Curb it—-—or I will!”

Queen Nagine saw Pink Archer spring into
the saddle and dash of! toward the mesa, and
plainly as though‘he had made full confession,
:she knew that it was urely‘to avoid her. A
spasm of rage disfigur her beautiful face for
an instant, and one hand shot up to her bosom
where she habitually carried her dagger.

Only for an instant. Then sher ained her
wonted composure, and a gay, care ess laugh
parted her lips.

“ Give me air, good people, unless you would
witness an exhibition of swooning! My poor,
poor nerves!”

“I wish I only had ’em!” enthusiastically
tcried on) of the ranchers. “ Got to do it. or
ubu’st I Three cheers and a tiger, gentlemen!”

 

The air was filled with hearty voices, and
Queen Nadine, blushing, Confused as a convent-
reared girl at her first compliment from mascu-
line lips, bowed her thanks, the very person-
fication of modesty—to all outward seemin . :
Then, laughing lightly, her coquettish eyes sen «
ing hot thrills through many a bold heart, she
:said:

“ You are heaping coals of fire upon my poor
head, gentlemen, and showing me what a terri-
bly unconventional act I have rformed. As
.a lady, I should have cover my eyes and
screamed in holy terror, at the very least, but— 5
I didn’t! I simply saw that Falcon Ranch was :
'in a fair way of osin a very convenient fore- |
man, and so—l humb y ask forgiveness of my
:sex. and for ctfulness from yours!"

With :1 ha f-mockiug courtesy, Queen Nadine :
turned away toward her steed, accompanied by

ey drew further away from the company.
“ Will you never get over acting the fool,
'rl?
“ Who was my teacher, father?” flashed !
Nadine, a dangerous light leaping into her dark
'e es.

‘5 The devil himself. I more than half believe!" .

“ One of his satellites, would sound more i
modestly, coming from your lips. father of '
.miue'" witha low mellow lau h that contrasted '
sharply with the fire which ill ed her jetty orbs. ‘
‘“ But what have I done out of common, to stir .f
you up so thoroughly? Was I to 51!: still and
:see a servant of yours butchered by a brute
like that?" ‘ l

“ It wouldn’t be more than his cursed clumsi- .
ness deserved if you had!” flashed the colonel,
“ And after all the bragging
I’ve done over his seat—that cuts deepest! Dev}! r
fly away with me this minute if I don’t send
him tramping tomorrow i"

“ No you will not, father,” with deliberate de-
cision. “ Pink Archer is far too good a man
and servant to discharge for the fault of another.

 

Why, you don't for an instant imagine that it 1.

was his fault that all this has happened? His :
stirrup-leather broke, and—”

" And you had to make an infernal idiot of

ourself before the eyes of the whole country!

here‘s dust and a speck of blood on your lips j
this minute—brush it off, but it's too late, girl!” ‘
with a hard and almost savage lau h. “ It
can ht other eyes than mine—worse luc i”

“ hat of it? Who will dare even think
'twice cf it to my face?"

Hard and fierce as his Own tones sounded her
voice just then, and Hugh Falconer instinctively
flinched a little as he stole a side glance into her
pale, set countenance. But he tried to hide his
:shakiness by still harsher {words

“ Who, you ask? Will hat Archer forget?”

“ I hope not—I pray not!”

Barely loud enou h to reach his ears. Strange-

ly soft and mush-a the tones. Full of love the
words, and the glance which turned toward the
mean was loving and tender as Angel Nellie her-
self could have given the lord of her pure
heart. .
Only for an instant did this softness last.
Only ong enough for Queen Nadine to distin-
guish two forms standing partially hidden by a
«clump of vine-wreathed bushes near the rock
wall, apart from the company: the fl recof
Pink Archer and a woman—Nellie Ange .

Hugh Falconer followed her eyes, and he saw
’the same thing. It was just what he wanted

 

most, for it gave him a favorable opening such
ashehadhardlydared hopeforsoaoon.

“ To laugh over it in company with that girl
of Apgel Sam! Ten to one he’s telling her right
now! ’

“If I thou ht it—”

“ Take it hack, with a short, ugly laugh, as
he covertly watched the changing countenance
of his daughter. “ I’d lose, sure! If the fellow
is talking of love at all, be sure you are not the
one whose praise his lips are sounding! But let
him go, for now. I brought you over here for a
little sober warning. Can you understand me?”

“Why not?” was the cold retort, as Queen
Nadine turned her dark eyes upon his flushed
face. “Am I an idiot? You mean about Whil-
don.”

Hugh Falconer gulped down a sigh of relief.
After all, his task mi ht not be such a difficult
one as he had feared. adine was not like other
girls. No nonsense about her!

“ He‘s dropped to our secret, some way, and
unless we can stop his jaw, he’ll make this sec-
tion too mighty hot for our good healths!”

“What! not that-—”

A broad palm hurriedly touched her red lips,
and Falconer added:

“ Just that! He spoke to me only a little
while ago, and plainly put the case before me.
Either we’ve got to pay his price or all’s up.”

“ And that price is—What?” coldly asked Na-
dine, her voice steady, but her face turning per-
ceptibly paler as she waited for a reply. .

‘It might be worse, you know ” heSItatod
Falconer, something like a flush of s ame creep-
in into his face as his eyes shifted nervously.
“ e‘s well fixed. The two ranches join. And
once—when on are his wife, it’ll be to his in-
terest as well as ours to keep dark.”

Once more Queen Nadine glanced toward the
mesa, where those two figures-now very near
together—were still visib e. A shade of bitter
pain crept over her face, but with a hissing
phrase in the tongue of her mother, she flung it
oil‘ and averted her eyes.

“There is no other way, then? I am to pay
the whole forfeit, then?”

“ It hadn’t ought to be so hard, girl. He‘s
handsome, rich, respected; and he loves the
very ground you trample on. While that
Archer—”

Sharp and stingineg a gloved hand crossed
his lips, father though he was. And there was
a dangerous glow in those great eyes as Queen
Nadine spoke swiftly:

“Don’t bring his name into a black mesa like
this, or I’ll forget that you are my father! I
warn you, once for all.”

The colonel mechanically wiped his lips, but
resented the stroke after no other fashion. He
knew what a fiery temper he had to deal with,
and what his chi d was capable of doing were
she driven fairly beyond control.

“ It’s that or worse than ruin, child,” he mut~
tered hoarsely. “ The insolent devil let me un-
derstand so much. If you throw him over, he’ll
blow all to the world, and that before we can
take a single step to foil him. He said that only
your hand as his wife would stop his jaw. That
given, he would side with us to—to remove all—
obstacles.”

Hugh Falconer had to force the words from
his lips as it were. But vague though they
sound. , Nadine evidently comprehended his
meaning.

“ Go tell him to keep to himself this day, at
least. Make him understand that I’ll have so
long a breathing spell. If not—then let him do
the worst! Good man as they call him, I know
u better! I’know an arm that would strike him
downnat the first hint of wrong-doing on my

Almost unconsciously Nadine gazed once more
toward the mesa, where Pink Archer was still
standing with Angel Nell. There was more of
sadnem than of an er.in her face just then, but
afierce rage lea into her eyes as the soft,
smooth voice of ash Whildon uttered:

“ A retty pair of turtle-doves, surely! Would
the isease were catching, and that you
mi ht—”

ith a sharp, fierce cry, Queen Nadine
whirled about. revolver in hand. And before
the startled ranch-owner could lift a hand, she
fired point-blank at the face of Nash Whildon.

 

CHAPTER VIII.
“ errnu EARTHQUAKE.”

NOTHING less swift than instinct could have
saved the owner ‘of Open Hand Ranch f m
death, that moment. for the turning and is-
charging were almost simultaneous on the part
of Nadine Falconer.

There was no time to catch her wrist or to
strike aside the weapon; no time even to com-

rehend her deadly impulse; and it was purely

hrough an instinctive fiinchin that Nash
Whildon‘eacaped. As it was, the ullet and ex-
plosion carried the hat from his head and ruined
he bionde locks along his temple.

For a single instant it seemed as thou h the
enraged woman would repeat the shot, th s time
with a tuner aim, but as sharp e aculations of
surprise and half-anger came to or cars from
the lips of those who still lingered near where
the t bull had met its death at her hand,
she owerod her pistol, a clear, ringing laugh is-

 

sued from her red lips, followed by the distinct,
half-mocking words:

“ Am I not Queen Nadine, recreant knight?
Dir-deayou address your sovereign with uncowred
he .

Loud enough to reach the ears of the ranchers
who were starting toward the spot with drawn
weapons eager to avenge any possible insult or
ivxy'ury which might have been oflered to her.

ell enough feigned to thoroughly impose upon
them, one and all. And then. in low, fierce
tones that could be distinguished only by the
startled, white-faced ranger, whose temple bore
ftihe black mark of burnt powder, Nadine ad-

ed:

“ Don‘t you t‘are crowd me too hard, Nash
Whildon, or I'll shoot straighter next time!
Keep your distance—and bridle your tongue!”

Until then Hugh Falconer had neither ken
nor moved, like one too completely dum ound-
ed for action. But as he saw the ranchers com-
ing toward the spot, he picked up the bullet.
pierced hat, forcing a laugh as he thrust a finger
through the hole, trying to crack a joke, but
onll! showin his own agitation.

ash VVhi don, now icy cool as ever, took the
but from his hand and With a low bow to Qheen
Nadine, drew it far enough over his face to
cover the reddenin marks of the explosion.

Nadine drew hac with a profound courtesy,
smiling and laughing like one whose heart and
brain never knew care 'or chagrin. Then she
turned away and met the still excited ranchers,
her tongue runnin glibly, yet her manner so
natural that the st lingering suspicion was
quickly banished from their minds.

“ You took her by su rise, you see. pardncr,”
muttered Falconer wit a little shiver of un—
easiness as he noted the vivid, almost savage
gleam which filled the blue eyes of the rancher
as he watched and listened. “ You didn’t give
me time to steady her, like. And—” ,

Nash Whildon turned upon the speaker with
that vicious light deepening in his eyes, with his
white teeth showin through the blood fringe
ovnrhanging those rightly red lips. Strong, ’
reckless, iron-nervel man though e had long
since won the reputation of being, Hugh Fal-

‘coner shrunk bat-k, alinost cowering for an in-
stant before that burning gaze.

With an effort be recovered. flushing hotly as
he growled:

“What’s got into you, anyway? What have
I done that—”

“ You didn’t tell Nadine to take that pot'shot,
then?”

Ll 

Nash

ou dare even hint as much?”
hildon laughed shortly, contemptuous-

y.

“ What I dare surpasses your limited compre-
hension. my good fel ow. he hint was in your
heart, if not upon your li . But let that pass
for now. You and I can t afford to come to an
open rupture, while there is so'much at stake.”

“ I don’t wantarow with you, of course,” with
a surly growl and a vicious side-glance. “ But
when you jump out at me with a hint of that
sort, I’ve got to kick! I was doing my level best
to fit your book, but as I told you, it might take
time and patience beforc—” ‘

“Let it be my time end tience then,” curt—
ly interposed the owner of t 9 Open Hand Ranch.
“ You say vou have broken the ice?”

“ I’ve told the girl what on wanted—yes.”

“Then consider yourself ischarged from duty.
I’ll look after the rest, and win or lose through
In own playing.” '

ith a a rug of his broad shoulders Colonel
Falconer watched the other as he turned and
strode toward his horse, now grazin at some
little distance. His face was schonl , but there
was anything but a love-light in his reddened
eyes as he growled in his throat:

“ Satan stood by ‘ou then you scoundreli
But will he always )9 so kin ? Will you win
the next trick? Not if I can stOCk the cards on
ytgufinot if you make even the slightest false

1). . .

Meanwhile Queen Nadine was playing her part
to perfection, slowly moving back to where lay
the slaughtered bull, with the jeweled haft of
the doubled-edged dagger still showing brightly
back of its horns. On y a passing reference to
the shot she had fired, but sufilcient to leave the
imgerression on all minds that it was but another
of wild pranks to which all of her friends
had long since grown accustomed. .

With mock immiiousness she badeone recover
her horse, another rcmova the dagger from its
bloody sheath and cleanse it thoroughly, and
still others dust her soiled habit with their ’ker—
chiefs. And entering merrily into her present I
mood, the ranchers served her right royally.

Thus surrounded, Nadine made her way back
to the mesa, giving no sign as she saw those two
figures still in partial concealment, still in close
converse, though the sight sent a. pang of fierce
pain to her heart-core.

For a brief space she fought against tempta<
tion, but only to yield, as she ever did when "z;
ing to resist her evil half. A sharp touch of t
giilt spur sent hens eed bounding across to where

nk Archer was s‘anding with Nellie Angeli,
and as they glanced around, half-startled the
beautiful amazon sprung lghtly from  ,
a smile upon her glowing pa. ‘

 

‘..n».. —r«‘. « “" .. , [if  Vla‘vlw‘M—r

 

‘8

The Rustler Detective.

 

“ Am I so hideous, Miss An ell, that you trem-
ble and look so frightened? she cried, with a
musical la b, but with a look so bright, so
- strange, so 0 ose akin to fierceness that it drove

the warm flush from the maiden’s cheeks. “ So
sorry! If I only had a mask, for your sweet
sake!”

“ Have you any orders for me, Miss Falconer?”
coldly interppsed Pink Archer, seeming reluctant
to permit ellie to move from his side, even
then. “ If 50—”

“ No orders, but a request, my good friend,”
was the quick response, as Nadine reached his
side, one gloved hand busy with her hair, the
other gently, almost caressingly touching his
broad breast.

“ Do you know what the rabble out yonder
are saying? Do you know how they are smiling
and sneering over your downfall, over the hu-
miliation of Falcon Ranch through its cham—
pion?”

“ I neither know nor care,” moving back a

co, with a side-glance toward Nellie, who was

urnin away to meet her father as Sam came
towar them. “ For myself, I mean, of course,”
with a. slight flush at the ungracious sound of his
own. speech. “ If they throw dirt at Falcon
Ranch, let them take a look at my stirrup-
leather.”

“They say our own knife did the cutting—
the idiots!” With a laugh that was almost vicious.
“ They say Falcom Ranch is weakenin and
seekin an excuse for defeat in the fine. test.
Bah! it sickened me to listen, and I came here
to warn you—to show the whole world how I
scorn the base insinuations!

“ Look!” and she deftly pinned a scarlet bow
upon his bosom, taken from her own jetty locks.
" With this I elect you my knight. B this I
adjure you to perform your devclrs rig t gal-
lantly. Under my colors you must redeem your
credit—in the eyes of the rabble: you have won,
rather than lost any, in my estimation!”

Clear and distinct her voice rung out; audible
not only to Nellie Angel], but to all those who
were curiously watching her movements.

Pink Archer flushed hotly and seemed ill at
case, but what could he do? Not run away,
thou h more than one who saw him then felt
thatie was strongly tempted to do so.

“ You are my chosen knight, remember, Sir
Arthur,” gayly added Queen Nadine, one dainty
gloved hand smoothing the bow upon his bosom,
the other slipping through his nrm as she slowly
led him awa , flashing a covert glance toward
Nellie Ange as she added: _“ Do your devoirs
gallantly, and your reward shall 10—”

Her voice grew softer, inaudible to all save the
foreman.

“ is her 0, durn the critter,” growled An-
gel Sam, as 0 led his dau hter away. “ An’
we’ll go, too! Durn the fro icl They ain't no
»fun into it fer the likes 0’ us, bird . I’m too
old, an’ you—you’re too young, an true, an’
tender~hearted fer the same air that sech as she
breathes! We'll go back home, an’ I’m fit to
cuss the notion that tuck this trail, so I be,
now!”

Nellie forced a laugh, the naturalncss of which

rised the old man, and as a burst of merri-
ment from near the corrals just then rew dis—
tinct she turned the veteran in that 'rection,
seeming as light-hearted as any joyous child.

“ Little Earthquake!”

That curious title broke from a score lips and
amid general laughter nearly all who had been
more or less 0_ only watching Queen Nadine
and the young foreman, turned toward the
corrals.

Not so much to see, after all: only a meek—
looking broncho, stand' in a clear . ce, with
hanging head and drooping ears,lw1 one eye
closed and the other sleepin winking.

Royal Hart, by this time on admirable terms
with the cowboys whom he had. only an hour
before faced with cocked reVOlvers. slowly
walked around the meek animal, seemingly
puzzled to account for the general Interest. And
even Red Clam grave, dignified, looked around
as though to ask an explanation.

“ Is it alive, or just a stuffed animal?” asked
Royal Hart, in a confidential whisper to the
cowboy nearest him., “If it’s an infernal ma-
chine, wher 's the fuse you touch off? Not that
I‘m too curi us to wait the limit, but my nerves
—1 want time to stop my ears if there's any ex-
plosion' on the pvrogramme !”

“ Loaded? aal, of you doubt it, rd, jest
hop into that saddle fer once!” grinn the cow-

boy.

“ Won’t need no tellin’ fer to hop back ag‘inl”

“ Don’t skeer the stranger fu’st—off, pards!"

“ A rag baby could ride him from now tell
sundown!"

“Jump on, and show us how the old thin
works, won’t you?” asked Hart, to the his
speaker. If it is aliVe, I mean, of course.”

The cowbo shook his head sadly.

“ Would e I was saddle~wise, pard. Do it in
a minnit jest to ’bleege ye, but my private
physician 8 shet down on my takin’ a‘ny extry
reeks. Heart’s willin’ enough, but he says m
constitution won’t stand it. Tell ye what I wi 1
do, bein’ it’s you: I’ll ’gree to pick ye up an’
dust ye of! when on come down ag’in ”

Royal Hart wh stled Ipftly, his brows arching

 

as he once more moved around the sleepy crea-
ture. He began to sue the nature of the
beast, but for the life of im he could hardly be-
lieve those suspicions. There was so little life
about the broncho. It was so small, so loosely
put to ether, The weight of a full grown man
seema enough to make the poor creature stag—
ger and brace its thin legs to keep from being
crushed to the ground.

“ Straight good, pard .1” half doubtingly, as be
cast a keen g ance around the rinning circle.
“ Sure it isn’t the ghost of a blu toturn a laugh
against doubting strangers?”

_“ Heap laugh wropped up in that hide, but I
ain’t singin’ jest what sort 0’ chune it"s sot to ,”
laughed the man addressed. “ Don’t take my
word fer it, pard, but give it a whirl anyway,
jest for luck! ’

“ No charge for riding, then?” and-the Bound-
illllg Buck drew nearer the sleepy-looking bron-
c o.

“ Not for gittin’ on, but fer gettin’ 08—”

“ Prepare to snicker, then i” cried Hart, risin
from the ground in a nimble spring that place
him in the saddle as b ma ic. -

But that was all. Little, arthquake woke up.
Just how it was done remained a puzzle to the
keenest eyes, but an instant later the “ Bound.
ing Buck from Buffalo Wallow,” was whirling
through the air, heels up!

CHAPTER IX.
QUEEN NADINE s CHAMPION.

JUST as a skillful acrobat whirls through the
air leaving the springboard, so Royal Hart
parted the atmosphere an instant after he struck
the saddle worn by Little Earthquake.

End for end and a double revolution went
the Boundin Ruck, finally alightin on his feet
with a cat- ike recovery, amid t e roars of
laughter from the throats of the convulsed
spectators.

“ Tetched the ring fu’st clatter, or I’m a
howlin’ liar right rom Storyvillc!"

“ Didn’t know ’twas loaded!”

“ Hold yer grips, fer the airthquake hes woke
up fer keepsl’ '

Hardly the last, if the choking cowboy allud-
ed to Little Earthquake. Just the effort neces-
sary for hurling the degrading burden from its
back, then the little broncho stood motionless,
with drooping head and blinking eyes, with a
sli ht quiver of its pendulous lips, as if sleepily
smiling at the ridiculous figure out by the auda-
cious stranger who dared to doubt its powers.

“Be blamed of he ain’t goin’ to try another
whack!” cried a cowboy in surprise as Royal
with slow, measured strides walked back to
where the broncho stood so listlessly.

“ TWenty-one feet, with an inch or two for
g00d measure,” calmly announced the sport,
glancing 'mildly around at the grinning faces.
“ Not quite up to expectations, but it will do
for a starter. Who comes next? Who wants
to be the first man to wipe out the ttern set
by the Bounding Buck from Buff o Wallowi
Don’t. hang back because the springboard is a
little awkward to start from; the clumsiest
among you will soon get used to it, if you only
try often enough.”

“ I reckon we’ve done tried a—plenty, stranger,”
chuckled a cowboy. “ They ain’t a boy on the
range as hain’t bin throwed jest as clean as you
was throwed jes’ now.”

“ Thrown?” echoed Hart, with arched brows.
thg, very picture of astonishment. “18 that
it

“ Wasn’t you throwed, pard?”

“ Ef they‘s any doubt in his mind. we’re will-
in’ fer him to try it ’nother whack!” grinned
another of the company. .

Royal Hart lanced soberly around the mirth-
ful circle, his b no eyes opening more andhiore
widely, like one whose brain is just beginning to
piercea mystery. And if he was not in sober
earnest when he spoke, then he proved himself
an admiral actor.

“ That’s the kind of a cat it is, eh? I heard
somebod speak of a spring, and I thought I’d
stumbl up against a new kind of patent. I
was hit in a tender spot, for if theres any one
thing I can do betterthan another, it’s leaping—
where crops out the Bounding Buck part of my
cognomcn, you see. And so—I set a pattern,
touching it 1 ghtly at first, not to discourage you
too soon. But if it’s ridina—”

“It is riding, and part of the regular pro-
gIramme for the day,” the voice of Colonel

ugh Falconer was heard, and accompanied by
Pink Archer bearing a truly magificeht sa' die,
heavy weighted with silver ornaments. the
ranchaowner stepped to the side of Little Earth—

uake. ,

q “ [don’t need to touch on the merits of this
bundle of springs and electricity,” laughing
softly as one hand patted the drooping head of
the broncho. “The majority of you have seen
him put through his paces, as far as any man
has been able to test 'him on this range. l’ve
tackled him. and bit dirt for my temerity. I’ve
seen a score better riders give Little Earthquake
a whirl, and though he never repeated his tricks,
be got there all the same!

‘ We are assembled here for sport and pleas-

'ure, and I’ve counted on Little Earthquake to

,l

‘ o

‘ a

 

entertain us all—save those who t to back
him! And as a salve to them, I’ve t ought of
this saddle. If any man can stick to Little
Earthquake through the performance, the saddle
is his reward. If all fail. those who make.the
venture can have the saddle to sell or win by
lot, 'ust as best suits them.

“ be game is open, gentlemen. Who will be
the first to enter?”

There was a brief silence, and many a rueful
grin as though of disagreeable memories. Then
one of the cowboys nudged Royal Hart.

“ Go fer it, pard; Strangers hev the fu’st pick
’mongst white men!”

“ Don’t you want to see other jackets get
dusted?” in the same guarded tones. “Time
enough, if the critter is half what you claim.
When the fun grows stale, I may chip in for the
saddle. It looks worth' winnin , from here.”

“Who gits it’ll airn it dou 19, you hear me
preach.”

“Falcon Ranch against the rest of the-
world !’ came the clear, musical voice of Queen
Nadine.

“I accept the challenge on behalf of the
O n Hand,” coldly responded Nash Whildon.
“ Ioping to meet defeat at such fair hands. of
course,” with an elaborate bow toward the fair
amazon. “ That would be sweeter than victory
over any other adversary.”

“A truce to compliments. Mr. Whildon. Pro-
duce your champion. Little Earthquake is go-
ing to sleep, and if your man is good as he
should be. to pose as a cham ion, perhaps he
can win before the broncho airly wakes up.
You See, I am so confident of winning that I
give you every advantage possible.”

There was just the suspicion of a sneer in the
musical tones, but Nash Whildon showod no
signs of annoyance as he bowed ain.

“ Your wish is my law, Queen Nadine.”

At a wave of his hand, a small, wiry Mexi-
can cowboy came shambling forward on 1:0wed
legs that had shaped themselves in the saddle
from infancy. The men of Open Hand sent up
a subdued cheer as they recognized the cham-
pion. for they knew that if an man on the
ranch could conquer Little Ear quake, it was
this mine, Mexican. And yet, more than one
face clouded as its owner recalled the important
not with which the tournament was to end: the
test of skill between the picked men of the rival
ranches. ‘

“ ’Tain’t fer me to say,” growled La Lupton,
surlily. “ The boss is the boss, but if? I was in
his boots I wouldn’t be resking the bones of a.
picked man like Pedro, jest fer a saddle, with
all that's to come i”

. His comrade gave a knowing shrug, mutter—-

ing:

“’Tain’t no saddle much as it in a wife,‘ I
reckon, pard 1n .

At a word from Colonel Falconer, the specta—
tors fell back, leavin ample'rcom fer the per-
formanoe. Only Nas Whildon and Pedro re-
mained near the broncho. The ranch-owner
whispered brief! in the ear of his champion,
then spru asi e as the wiry Mexican leaped
into the sad le.

With deft skill Pedro settled himself, feet in
stirrups, all in an instant, but Little Earthquake
never moved a muscle, its head drooping, its:
eggs sleepily blinking, its pendulous lips slightly
s king under the shock of the man’s weight.

“ Patience on a monument, smiling at grief l”
gayly laughed Queen Nadine, with more malice.
than mirth, however.

Biggdgained her end, for Nash Whildon sharply

‘a :

"‘gl‘an him, you ape! Fan him until he wakes

ip!

And startled out of his wonted coolness, Pedro
drove his long rowels viciously into those tucked-
up flanks.

On) the one stroke; then Little Earthquake
lea forward double its length, as swiftly
swaying to one side, to throw himself suddenly
0 er, half taming while in the air.

. ad Pedro not been “ rattled ” by that mock»
ing laugh and savage command, he might have
saved himself. even then. As it was, he lost his
nerve with his coolness, and in! tead of alightin
clear of the falling brute, he was caught hencatg
the broncho as it rolled over. Little Earthquake-
nimbly regained its feet, but the Mexican lay-
still.‘ covered with dirt and sand.

Nash Whildon was at his side in an instant
but turned away wit only a s‘ngle look. . If not.
dead, Pedro was sen less, and out of the race.

“Take him away, some of you fellows. If I
had caught his breath before. I wouldn’t have
picked out a drunken _lout fora champion.
OWe vou an apolo y, Miss Falconer, and admit
the Open Hand’s efc at.”

“ I never take what I have not earned, thanks.”

with a cold nod. “ My champion is ready; you,.
Mr. Archer!”

The young foreman bowed gravely. He had
antici ated as much, after what had passed, and‘
thong he b no means coveted the honor, he».
did not see ow he could decline it if cffcred-
He believed that Nadine was actuated mainly'
b a generous wish to give him a chance to:
s' nce all ungenerous slurs against his skill as a.
ri er, born of that treacherous] cut ‘ p-
leather. And then, he was y a I vent,

    

 

 

   

 

L
_...n _.-.-_.\_.‘.*_........ .

. .... “mm,” _. .n as ._ ..

 

 

subject to her orders fully as much as the lowest
employee on the ranch.

In silence he entered the ring as Pedro was
borne out of it by Lazy Lupton and another.
Not a muscle of his face altered as he caught the
tenor of the eager betting—or offers to bet,
rather. For long as Were the odds oflered on
Little Earthquake, no one seemed inclined to
back the rider. Not even Nadine Falconer, for
:she came ridin across the ring to where her
champion sto beside the broncho, her beauti-
ful face lighted up, her dark eyes glowmg vivid-
ly as she bent over in her saddle, her red lips
almost brushing his bronzed check as she mur-
mured:

“ Remember—you hear my colors—you are
my chosen champion! Conquer Little Earth-
quake, and you win more than the saddle—you
win his mistress for life!” _

A Sudden light came into the face of the
young foreman as he drew back his head, his
voice ringing out clear and distinct:

“ I will do my level best, Miss Falconer. If I
fail, I swear to resign both the offered reward
and my position to a better man 1”

He did not stop in note the hastly pallor that
came into the fac - of Queen . adine, to note the
fierce rage that filled her eyes at his clear tones
lending the words a double meaning, one 0
which she alone could rightly interpret.

With a graceful spring Pink Archer alighted
in the sa .ldlc, the reins firmly asped in his left
hand. And as Little Eart quake bounded
viciously forward and sideways, Queen Nadine
drew back to leave her cham ion a clear field.

Alighting still-legged, the roncho shook him-
.self violently for a moment as thou h hoping to
thus relieve his back of that disli ‘cd weight.
Filling in this, he darted straight ahead, away
from the mesa, Pink Archer iclding to his
every mo‘ ion, seemin 1y limp am boneless down
t) the saddle seat. traight on for a hundred
yards at too speed, to stop short with feet
planted firmly for an instant, then rearing up
and falling backward swift as thought.

An involuntary cry parted the i of Queen
Nadine, but was as instantly checke as she saw
the rider safely on his feet, read to leap into
the saddle the moment Little rthquako re-
gained its feet. ._

That was immediately, but none too rapidly
for the cool, steady-nerved foreman, who seemed
resolved to win if he could. W'heu the broncho
rose, it bore its rider. .

Queen Nadine smiled in triumph as she
glanced toward Nash Whildon, but he seemed
unconscious of her look. White and stern, look-
ing far older than usual, he was watching the
struggle as though his evory hope in life de-
pen'ied on the result.

Bucking like a bewildered deer, Little Earth-
quake bounced back and forth, now whirling
around in a dizzying circle, no it making cat—

' leap: to and fro, crouching down only to arch
its

sek and try to hurl its rider into the air.

Time and again he was rolling on the ground
in a cloud of dust, seekin to crush the man or
break free from his stean grip, only to meet
with repeated defeats. gain he darted for-
ward at full speed, as though about to repeat
his first rformancc, but instead of stopping
.sh irt an falling over backward, he struck his
nose against the ground and turned a clean
somerset forward!

And as the eager watchers saw Pink Archer
coolly regain his seat, a wild, enthusiastic cheer
fairly rent the heavens.

It was glorious! This was well worth coming
to see, even if—

The cheer suddenly died away, for Little
Earthquake was still unconqnered, still fight-
ing against defeat like a veritable demon. And
then, as he again flung himself backward, a
simultaneous breath that was almost a groan
burst from the crowd. And a shrill voice cried
out:

" Now he has got it, fer keep: f”

Pink Archer was pinned down by the body of
the broncho!

‘ CHAPTER X.
A POIN'rnD DEVIANCI.

A rimth ran through the breathless crowd: a
thrill of horror to some, of bitter anguish to at
least one, of vicious exultation to the master of
O n Hand Ranch if no others.

' he broucho had fallen L0 differently from
either time before, Simply rearing up and top.

ling over backward with its long neck bent

orward between its am, so that the massive
saddle would receive the first and greatest
.shock, provided the rider was adroit enough to
fall clear of the trap. On each occasion up to
this, Pink Archer had swun clear of the sad-
dle, drOpping deftly to his eet watchful and
ready to resume his position the instant the
broncho tried to regain his feet.

But even throu h the cloud of dry dust kicked
up by those boo s, all who gazed could see the
young foreman had met with seine mishap.
And after the first breathless instant, it looked
as though Pink Archer had been pinned to the
_ round by the saddle-bow, driven through his
god by t 0 weight of the broncho itself!

'1‘ at one startling cry—then Queen Nadine
hove her spur _-:)wels deep into the quivering

 

 

 

The Rustler Detective.

flank of her horse, dashing toward the fallen
champion with blazing eyes, with face so pale
as to be ghastly, gripping a revolver as she sped

alon .

Ligtle Earthquake, after a brief kicking and
tumbling on its back, rolled over to one side.
but made no attempt to arise. It seemed to
know that the victory was won, but as it had
been egiven the hardest battle of its life, so it
seem resolved to reap all possible revenge.

Hu h Falconer uttered a warning yell as he
saw adine, revolver in hand, but cut his cry
short as Nash Whildon gained his side, gripping
an arm with fingers that seemed to fairly meet
in the flesh, hissmg:

“ Shut! Let her shoot! What’s a broncho,
when—”

He did not end the sentence, for it was unne-
cessary, .Their evil eyes met, and Falconer di-
vined the rest: with her shattered nerves, Na-
dine was as apt to strike human as beast with
her shots.

But it was not to end after that fashion.
Swift as was the snorting steed ridden by the
queen of the tournament, there was one still
more fleet carrying a yellow-haired s , and
net as Nadine came near enough to ri a shot,

oyal Hart dashed in front of her, keeping in
line until the great black horse shot past the
broncho, leavin its master behind.

Without chec ing his horse in the slightest
the Bounding Buck leaped to the ground and
catching Little Earthquake by the tail and one
hind leg, jerked him asxde with one superhuman
effort. And 'ust as Nadine came dashm up,
second to reac the spot, Royal Hart was li ting
the young foreman to his feet, with a cheery
laugh: '

“ Only a tailor wourd, or I’m a sinner—and
that’s a powerful oath! Don‘t say I’ve played
the. idiot too big, ard! Chipping in when you
were only giving ittle Eart quake a breathing
spell in mercy! If that‘s m, I’ 1 go hunt a grass-
hopper to kick my brains out with l"

gloved hand almost struck him a blow on
the chest as Queen Nadine sprung from the sad-
dle, her face still rule as death, but with a glad,
hopeful light chasing that look of frozen horror
awayr.
“ on are not killed—you are not—thank kind
Heaven!"

Few young men could have done it, but Pink
Archer shrunk plainly from the beautiful crea-
ture who was so openly betraying the mad love
with which he had inspired her. He bowed
coldly, but declined the trembling hand that was
extended.

“ I am unworthy, Miss Falconer, since I have
failed to uphold your cause as it should ever be
sustained.”

“You are worthy!" impetuousl began Na-
dine, twin spots of vivid color fias ing into her
creamy checks, to break of! short as she saw
Pink Archer step back a pace, his hand remov-
ing the dusty knot of scarlet ribbon from his
breast.

For the first time Pink Archer lifted his eyes
to those of the woman who loved him so madly.
His own were cold and steady as the tone in
which he spoke:

‘ “I did what I knew how, asin duty bound,
Miss Falconer, under your commands, as a ser-
vant of the ranch. I failed to upholds its repu-
tation, and having failed, I keep the pledge I
gave in return for your unlucky choice; I resign
both your colors, and my situation as foreman.”

There was more in his manner than in the
words, to Queen Nadine, as he stepped forward,
bowing humbl as he placed the scarlet gage in
her trembling and—that same band whose mus-
cles had driven the bright steel throu h the
spine of the maddened bull to save his li only
a short time earlier in the day.

She knew then, what she would not before
acknowledge, that she had 10st where she h0ped
to win; that the love she craved so madly, al-
most insanely, would never be hers.

Instant] all tremor vanished, and her queen-
ly figure rew erect as those cold words met her
ear. She said nothing. She dared not trust her
voice just then, lest it too plainly betray her
fierce chagrin.

Luckily for her, there came an immons in-
terruption just at that moment. m the
colonel, who pressed through the interested cir-
cle, his voice hasty, his florid face redder than

ever.

“None of that, Archer! Resign—but I'll not
accept your resignation, man! Just now—when
Falcon Rance needs her picked men more than
ever? Are you crazy, man alive?"

The colonel was plainly in earnest, for the
moment forgetting how reCentl he had ex-
pressed a savage desire to get n of this very
man, even at the cost of criminal means.

The youn foreman flushed with brief pleasure
at this blu testimonial, and as the men of Fal-
con Ranch broke out in a wild, prolonged cheer,
ringin the changes on his name and is merits
until t eir breath failed them, he stood silent,
blushing like a very lad beneath unexpected
praise. And into his brown eyes came a dewy

.mist that shadowed the face and figures before

him.
“You hear, man?” laughed the colonel, clap-
ping him heartin on his shoulder, gripping a

 

9.

hand with vigor at the same time. “ Does that
sound like good-by? Do you think the lads are
howling after that fashion for joy at thought of
another foreman? Get out, you ! I'll have
nothing of the sort, I tell you! The man don't
live who can b
you gave him the toughest tussle of his life!

Pink Archer stood silent until the colonel 

cealsKed throqgh smlnttiziless of breath, then he
spo e grave y reso u y:

" on heard’what I said when Miss Falconer
so unfortunatel picked me out as the champion

r

teak in Little Earthquakehand "

of Falcon Ranc . colonel. I knew it was a bad '

choice, but as a servant I dared not try to get
out of it. Then and there I took a vow to reugn
if I failed. I have failed. I have run up against
a horse that I can’t ride, and a man who does
that has no budncss acting as foreman on a
ranch like yours. I resign, with or without your
leave, sir.”

“ But just as I need you mOStl"

“ If you wish, I’ll serve the day out, of course,"
with more cordiality in voice and manner.

“ Isn't this making heap row over mi ht lit-
tle cause, colonel?" called out Nash hi don
moving his horse nearer the inner circle. “ Let
the fellow slide. It’s time to quit ridin when he
loses his nerve. Let him slide. and '11 fill his
place with a ten times better man, until you can
do better.”

There was an instinctive division among those
who were closest to the speaker as he uttered
these cold, contemptuous sentences. A waving
back on either side, such as one will see in a
crow? when lead is expected to get in its deadly
wor .

Falconer turned his face with a frown, but as
he encountered that cold, yet burning glance, be
flushed hotly and drooped his eyes. Once more
he looked like a slave Wh ) had unexpectedly met
his master.

Pink Archer never even glanced toward the
speaker, though the gray shade that shot over
his bronzed face was evidence that he heard and
rightly interpreted that insolent interruption.
He added as evenly as though nothing had in-
terrupted iis speech:

“ All I wished to make clear was this, colonel:
It is my business to ride. As foreman over them,
the boys naturally look to me as an example for
their imitation. Since I have made a wretched
failure in public, can I still hold that position?
You say yes, but I say no ! I’ll serve you to the
best of my ability until this business is over,
then I must insist upon your accepting my resig-
nation.”

He bowed respectfully to his employer, thin
stepped swiftly fast the colonel, his brown eyes
glowing hotly as they gazed uarely into the
handsome face of the Open and on ner, his
voice clear and cutting;

“Now I’ll talk to you, Nash Whildon. Will
you kindly repeat the words you spoke a moment
ago?

Queen Nadine turned -with a partly out-
stretched hand as though to interfere. but then
paused short. She saw that Pink Archer made
no motion toward drawing a weapon: saw his
hands resting easily at his side, even while the
ranch-owner sat his horse with right hand
doubled up and supported akimbo, in convonie nt
proximity to h.s revolver. 1

She saw that the young foreman was cool and
steady as fate itself, and she knew that so long
as this lasted, even Nash Whildon would not
dare attempt to use a weapon. 1

The owner of the Open Hand stifled a yawn
as ho dlrawled: -

“Is your theme so short, my good fellow?”

Pink Archer cur ed a lip at the covert sneer,
and coldly added:

“Shall I save you the trouble? You hinted
that I had lost my nerve, because I failed to
stick on a broncho you we too eowa‘ dly to even
attempt to back. You offered to fill my place
with a better man.”

“ thich offer still holds good,” nodded
Whildon.

“ I am still in harness, still a servant on
Falcon Ranch while this day lasts. While not
claiming to be the best man among those thus
employed, I am ready to uphold its honor against
all comers from beyond its bounds. Narrowin
the circle down to Open Band, I can spea
with much more confidence, and without laying
myself open to the suspicion of boasting when
say that I’m ready and eager to meet and con-
qucr the best man it has on its list from lewest
herd’er down to its master, Nash Whildon him-
self!

Icy coldithough Nash Whildou prided himself
on being, this last sentence cut him to the quick.
He turned white as ashes, and his eyes shone
as though the sockets were filled With living
fire. His ri ht hand dropped to the butt of a
pistol. but fore it could do more, Queen
Nadine. sprung between the men, her right
hand clinched and uplifted in almost fierce
warning, her voice ringing out sharp and com-
manding: »

“ Is this the place and time for burn'
powder! Where is your hand, Nash Whildoiffi

“ Wholly at our service, Miss Falconer,”
bowed the ranc owner, remov‘ the ofi'end-
lng member bowing low in the dle.

‘See that you petittono worse me, than."

 

’4
t

- 'Wyx'

 
   

.10

 

with a short, hard laugh that imposed on very
few who heard its notes. “This is a day of
peace, or so intended. The man who breaks
that peace, is no entleman, to say the very
least. Not particu arly to you do I address my
words, but to one and all, singly and collective-
ly ” she added hastily.

‘ For which re accept my humble thanks,”
blandly smiled h ldon.

Queen Nadine turned abru tly toward the
young foreman, just in time arrest his steps
n retreat. With a deft, rapid motion she once
more finned the scarlet knot upon his breast,
above '3 heart.

The action was performed before Archer fair-
ly comprehended her purpose. One hand par-
tially rose to tear ofl the badge, but his hand
ewe t back as Queen Nadine spoke rapidly:

“ on are still a champion, until another sur-

sses your record, Pink Archer. You are still
the ick of Falcon Ranch, and as such,” with
anot er swift turn and inted bow toward
Nash Whildon, “ I stan readyto back you
against all comers! Ay! to the last horn and
hoof on Falcon Ranch—and give you the choice
of tests, noble sir!”

Once more cool and steady to all outward
seeming, the ranch-owner bowed his head a
bland smile playing about his lips as he looked
up to meet that burning gaze. And softly,
meekly came the words:

“That settles it, and I humbly confess my
mistake. You have spoken; and—the queen can
do no wrong i"

 

CHAPTER XI.
aaousn ran FESTIVE soann.

“ THANK the Lord!” bluntly ejaculated Col-
onel Falconer as, just at that moment, the notes
of a horn rung loudly across the plain. coming
from the ll of Ebony Tom, standing on the
rock wall 0 the mesa. “ Dinner-is ready, and
I reckon we’ve had breeze enough to give us all
a good appetite. The ladies are looking and
waiting for you, gentlemen!”

To more than the colonel this interruption
was a welcome one. On such an occasion few
relish a squabble, and with marvelous celerity
the gathering broke up, hastening back to the
mesa where the large majorityl of the fair
guests were stationed, through c oice or from
necessitar

Nash hildon politely oflered Queen Nadine
his escort, and she smilineg accepted it. Both
were ashamed of their recent heat, and were
glad of a chance to show that it was onlya pass-
in ebullition which really meant nothing.

yal Hart aused to whisper a few words to
Pink Archer, t en, with Red Clam following
like a shadow, he joined the main company
about the festive board.

Such it roved, in reality.

Colonel alconer had determined to make the
event one to be remembered for all time and
had spared nothing that could possibly lend suc-
cess to the occasion. For weeks he had. been
makin his arrangements for the day, spending
gold 1i 9 water, and the result bade fair to fully

ual his most sanguine expectations.

imble hands had set up tables and decorated
them, while the sport went on below. There
was room for all, even down to the humblest
em loyee on the grounds, though these were a
litt e removed from the seats occupied by the
ladies. Still, even the mosn jealous could not
even draw an insult from this, for the arrange-
ments otherwise were identical.

The tables were spread with snowy dra ry.
Here and there were scattered silverware: little
cases of gleam and glitter amid the glass and
chinaware—more than half of those present had
ever beheld on any other single occasion.

The cooks had done their duty, and everything
was neatl served.

Ebony cm, at the head of an emcient staff,
took care to keep all fully supplied not only
with food but generous vinta as wel . Spark-
ling cham no for the 1 es and others who
preferred t; whisky for the stronger heads and
more seasoned palates. And a guest had onl to
whisper his choice, for a light-footed, nim le—
handed waiter to supply his wants, extravagant
or sim 1e.

During the first few minutes Colonel Falconer
covertly, anxiously observed his guests, but this
did not last long. From the very first hum of
gratified surprise, it was plain to be seen that
none there had even the ghost of a fault to find.
And satisfied that, thus far, at least, his venture
was a complete success, the colonel gave himself
over to feasting and chatting gayly with his

sets.

“A clear-witted observer might have noted
many a contrastin phase in the scene, and
some of which bade air to produce disagreeable
fruit before the next setting of the sun.

Nadine Falconer, as the acknowledged queen
of the tournament, was seated at the head of the
main table, on the ri ht hand of her father. To
her left was Parker andrake, installed in the
glue Nash Whildon sought to claim, but which

adine laughin ly denied him with:

“Nay, my ga nt cavalier, we are still rivals,
you must remember, and none such can find a

"never more gay and

 

The Rustler Detective.

welcome near my throne. It is an armed truce
between you and I, until after the great passage
of arms. Then—7’

“Then I will present my humble petition to
your Majesty,” with a low bow, more to hide the
evil gleam that shot in and out of his eyes than
from a desire to carry out the merry pretense.

“Then—I will listen or stop my cars, 'ust as
sweet fancy dictates, gentle sir,” laughed udine,
turning to her chosen cavalier.

As the feast progressed, Queen Nadine was

rilliant. Her e as flashed
and glittered like diamonds. A soft ush tinged
the creamy urity of her cheeks. Her h were
red as sun~ issed cherries. And cool- eaded
steady-nerved veteran though Mandrake prided
himself on bein , her acious demeanor set his
brain in a whir , and e pledged her glass for

glass.

If Nadine glanced acres the mesa to where
Pink Archer was. seated in company with Sam
Angel! and his dau hter Nellie, her eyes were
% swift for even ash Whildon to intercept
t m.

Grave, cold, silent wholly unlike his usual self,
the owner of Open l-land Ranch paid far closer
attention to the neon of the feast than to either
food or drink. t times a half—smile lifted his
drooping mustache as he noted how rapidly Na-
dine emptied her glass. He saw that her ayety
was almost wholly artificial, though so mira-
bly disguised toall ordinar obserVers. He knew
that she was suffering ten- old his own torments
and he was just malicious enough to secretly re-
joice over the fact.

He looked often toward Pink Archer, his eyes
glowing with mingled emotions as he saw how
tenderly devoted the young foreman was to fair
Nellie Angeli.

It may have been chance that led Royal Hart
to take a seat close to the one occupied by the
Open Hand owner, and it may have been noth—
ing more than chance that caused the Bounding
Buck to mark those looks expended in the direc-
tion of the young foreman. :But it was hardly
chance that led the yellow-haired sport to open-
ly comment upon them, as he did after a, bit.

“Hope you don’t envy the young fellow,
pard?”

A hot flush came into the face of the rancher
as he turned to frown upon the speaker, but the
terrors of that scowl were lost, since just then
Royal Hart was busied with his plate.

‘ Were your words addressed to me, sir?”
coldl asked Whildon.

“ ust to keep my jaws going while I carved
another mouthful, you see ” smiled the s rt,
with a side glance and confidential nod. “ ever
could bear to waste a moment. Got to keep go-
in . Born that way I reckon! Full of elec-
tricilgy, soul, body an tongue!”

“ specially the last,” sneered Whildon.

“Glad you think so,” with a bland nod and
broader smile. “Everybody ain’t built that
way—worse luck for them! Wouldn’t be so
many clumsy s hes made, if the were. For
instance: I fair y shuddered when heard on
lay yourself open for the keen thrust Queen a-
dine gave you down yonder; I did, really.” . .

W ildon bowed stifily his blue eyes g eami
dangerously, smooth and even though his wor s
came in response:

“ Sorry to have shocked you so horribly, sir.
It is a way I have, when the wind is in the east.
Perhaps you would be safer were you to change
your looation for a few days?”

“ After coming so far to join in the sports?”
with widely openinfi eyes, a delicate morsel halt-
ing midway to his ps. .

‘ Our loss might prove to be your gainfyou
understand?” -

Royal Hart made sure of the tidbit before
making reply, and there was just the shadow of
scorn in his smooth tones as he finally spoke:

“That may be true, too, though you hardly
intend me to swallow it after that fashion.
Honestly speaking, I came here with heap big-
ger expectations than I now antici ate carrying
away a ain. I heard so much own-country
about t e horsemen of this favored section;
heard so often that no ordinary man could hold
a tallow di to their electric light; that, do you
know, I so ually expected to learn a few wrink—
les by taking this litttle trip-I did, for a hu-
miliating fact.” .

“ And now?” purred Whildon, smilin icily.

Royal Hart cast a half-apolo etic g ance to-
ward Pink Archer and lowered s veioe just a
trifle as he responded:

“ Mind you, I’m not saying a word inst
your men, as men. All 1 dose 18 this: f the
fellows I’ve seen put forwar as champion
riders are really among your best, then I’ve had
my trouble for my 8. I could have learned
more by staying at ome.”

“ Where you are classed among the champions,
of course?”

“ If Bed Clam wasn’t actually a clam, so far
as human speech is concerned, I’d bashfully
refer you to im for an answer to that query ”

laughed the Bounding Buck. “As he is right y
named, and as there isn’t another representative
-of my stamping grounds within easy reach, I’ll
choke down my natural modesty and reply—no,
sir! , There can be but one champion, and I’m
that modest individual.”

 

 

‘1'

More blandly than ever smiled Nash Whildon,
as he gently asked:

“ Athome, of course? But up here? We have.
a few champions, in a modest way; one of them
you have seen, in Little Earthquake.”

“ Just such as I train my little boys on,”

coolly cmpt in a lass.
Then Nash Vghilgon fleshed out in almost sav-
age earnest: .

“ Talk is cheap, but acting is another thing.
Dare you try to back Little Earthquake——
again f” _

“And time and skill is worth money, you
oughtto add. Could I coax you to back your
champion with any of your good money i”

“ Five hundred dollars that you can’t stick to-

Little Earthquake for ten minutes!” sharply
cried the ranch-owuer, in tones that startled the
entire company, as he slapped his wallet on the
table before him.

“ Money talks and in accents far sweeter
than even grub lilre this!”

CHAPTER XII.
RIDING AN EARTHQUAKE.

As the words ssed his lips, R0 al Hart
dropped a fairly p ump notebook by t e side of
the ranch—owner’s wal et on the table, adding:

“ It’s one of my merits to never miss a good
thing because a better oflers, provided 1 can
surround ’em boil just as easyas one. Will you
see if I‘ve got dingbats enou h to clinch your
bet, while I lay in a pound or wo more ballast?
Awful cheeky, isn‘t it?” with a little laugh, as
Whildon curled a lip. “ But you don’t seem to
be hungry, and I feel as though I hadn’t eaten a.
bite for Six weeks!”

As coolly, as business-like as thou h ignorant
of the fact that the eyes of all wit in earshot
were eagerly fixed upon him, the Boundin
Buck from Buffalo Wallow resumed his me ,
eating like one thoroughly op reciative of the
good thin which were set be ore him.

Cold an silent Nash Whildon waited the two
wallets lying untouched on the table be ore him.
His t'hin lip was slightly curled, but there was a
half-troub ed light in his blue eyes from time to
time: a faint wrinkling of his brows like one
trying to recall a forgotten past: as he stole oc-
casional side-glances at the bronzed face of the
yellow-haired s; rt from the lower country.

Of all who stoned, none showed keener in-
terest than Queen Nadine herself, and from that
time until the ending of the feast, Parker Man»
drake found himself at liberty to follow his own.
sweet will.

vRoyal Hart was still feedino' when Queen
hadiue arose from the head of? the table, but
the mute signal was not lost upon the stranger.

“ Good enough—and enough is good as ~ a.
feast, to all except an animal whose every-day
name shall never be mentioned by lips of mine
in such choice company as the present. And
now, gentle ilgrim, unless your mental back-
bone has Wea cued, we’ll proceed with our little
gambling operation: the joyous amusement of

eads I win, tails you lose!”

Hr picked n his wallet, ogening it and with a
deft motion 0? his nimble ngers, set the ends
of numerous banknotes fluttering tantalizingly
before the eyes of the rancher.

“You heard my offer to hack Little Earth-
quake, sir,” stifily retorted Whildon, rap2dly
Selecting a number of notes from his wallet rnd
dropping them on the table. “ Cover the
money.. Stick to the broncho for ten minutes,
and on take the pile.”

“ .‘hat is pie and I 'ust dots on pastry!”
laughed Royal hart as e covered the amount
with a like sum, holding the notes down with
the ti ) of a shapely fin er. “ so"? for you
pard, ut I’m a man of usiness, You see, and
one of my rules is to alwa 8 ma 8 ex ~nscs
when I can. And, as a busmess man, Id feel
just a little more at ease about the future of this
wealth if you would kindly select some respon-
sible person as a temporary safety yault, to~"

“ Do on think I can fill the bill, my dear
sir?” smi ed Queen Nadine, gliding forward, her
cheeks flushed, her eyes all agloW. “ Will I be
permitted to act as stakeholder?” I

Royal Hart looked and acted lgie one literally
stricken dumb by such unexpected condescen-
sion. With a profound how he placed the notes
in the queen‘s hand, and in very meek, subdued
tones ventured: ‘

“ Would it be presuming too for were I to beg
your Majesty to name the time and decide upon
all the little preliminaries form”

“There is no time like the prosent. and out
yonder stands Little Earthquake.” sharply in-
tor sod Whildon turning on his heel,

ucen Nadine flashed a glance after him, but
sai nothing until she cnce more gazed keenly
into the really handsome face of the cllow-
haired sport from the lower country. ~W at she
saw there gave her rcfitm‘vd confidence, but she
said. almost gently:

“ It you prefer a delay, for any reason, sir,
you have (mly to mention it. My power extends
that far, at any events!”

Re a1 Hart smiled blandly, his speech smooth.
and uent: _

“ As a man of busmess, it's a rule of mine to
make sure of a speculation just as soon or 
cumstances will permit. As a member 0!. tr.

 

   

!
/
)

“vanam. s...

 

 

 

. l
"" "l’ “‘7‘”

 

I whispersd Parker lizfan

' ' . The Rustler Detective.

11

 

 

humane society, whose motto is the prevention
of cruelty to animals, I’m in duty bound to put

the gentleman out of his misery as speedin as 1

possible. The sooner I get to work, the less
time he’ll have to waste in vain hopes thata
broken neck may save his filthy lucrel”

“ You wouldn’t mind investin a trifle more
on the same terms IL dear to ow?” blandly

dvrake, with a hand sug-
gestivel u n his ket.

QueenyNSine shgoriily interposed. -

“ l forbid any further betting on this match!”
she cried, with a frown that emphasized her
words. “ The man who offers to do so, may
consider himself an enemy of mine from that
instant?”

Her word was law to all within hearing of her
voice, on that point, at least. 'Only Royal Hart
would have put in money against Little Earth-
quake, aud as he umbly bowed his submission
to the queen, that branch of the subject was
closed once for all.

Cool, business-like, just us though he had not
even the shadow of a doubt as to the ultimate
result, Royal Hart left the mesa and passed out
over the level, where the bucking broncho was
standing at (ase, apparently none the worse for
the tough struggle he had so recently passed
through.

Royal Hart laughed softly as he noted the eye
nearest to him opening with a sly side-glance
that lasted only an instant.

“ Takin stock, are you, beauty?” he smiled as
one hand 5 ipped through 1110 bridle to lead the
sleepy—looking creature back nearer the mesa.
“ Not so much to look at, am I? But wait until
you feel me in the saddle, and if you don’t re—
call the fable of the singed cat, I’m mixin up a
mi hty mess of grief for my own dclectation!”

' his could hardly be termed boasting, since
there were no human ears near enough to catch
his words.

Dropping the rein when a. few yards away
from the great group of spectators, Royal Hart
quickly, deftly prepared or the Contest of man
against brute. There was little to do but the
manner in which he set about it, told those who
watched, this stranger was no novice in the
saddle. _

He gave Red Clam his belt of weapons. his
coat and hat. He knotted a silk ’kerchief
tightly about his head, protecting his eyes from
the long yellow curls. He changed his spurs
for another pair with longer, stronger rowels.
He looked to bridle and saddle, satisfying him-
self both fore and rear cinch were firmly fast-
encd.

“A good deal of fuss and feathers for a paSt
master in the art of riding, isn’t it?” sneeer
Nash W hildon, at length.

“ Sim ly to let you down easy, dear fellow,”
bowed Igoyal Hart, with a light laugh that cut
more deeply than an angry retort. “.Just a bit
of salve to your pride in your champion Earth-
quake. Your good money is gone, of course,
but; I’ll make believe I had to work hard to win
it!’

As the last words left his lips, the man leaped
lightly into the saddle, settling himself as by
magic, though Little Earthquake lost not a
second of time in beginning the struggle to un-
seat this bold rider.

D its the fact on which Colonel Falconer
had welt in his introductory speech, the
broncho pursued much the same tactics by
which he had already conquered two picked
horsemen, racing ahead only to stop short with
a backward fall or sudden fiin mg up of his
hind parts, supplemented by cat- caps from side.
to side, with an occasional bound high into the
air or still more artistic bucking.

Even at this early stage of the contest it was
plain to those experienced hands whose eyes so
eagerly watched and followed each change and
shifting, that this yellow-haired sport was no
ordinary horseman.

If he had a fault, it seemed to be that of over-
confldence in himself and his skill. If anything,
he seemed entirely too muchat ease!

“ That will throw him, if anything!" mut—
tered Parker Mandrake. .

“Now comes the tug of war!” cried Queen
Nadine, as Little Earthquake suddenly subsided
for a, brief space, his head drooping listlessiy_ as
though the creature was on the point of. falling
asleep. “ If the fellow is caught llflpplnF—J’
Royal Hart sat in the saddle, seeming y loose-
‘ointed and limp as a piece of buckskin. Both

orse and rider looked as though on the poxnt

- of falling asleep.

Then—~Little Earthquake uttered a most un-
earthly ueal, arching his back like a bow and
bringinguliis feet close together beneath his lndy

 as he “bucked” high into the air. seekiz‘g to

shake the seat of his rider. But limp as the
man seemed, he never rose an inch from the sad-
dle. and as the broncho came to the ground
with every joint stiff and unyielding, a savage
jerk forced its head up, the long rowels ralrcl
the hide along its ribs, and the heavy quirt
whistlcd swiftly from side to side across its
withers.

Little Earth uake was not used to such sharp
punishment. ince his evil reputation became
Eli-.me established, those who ventured to mount

their seat as long as .sible, feeling that they
had more than enou to do to remain on the
defensive. And this punishment seemed to
drive the vicious brute fairly wild with rage
and fury.

Its squeals were more unearthly than ever. It
kicked up behind until, des its the strong reins
’and stronger grasp upon t em. its bared teeth
could reach the ground.

It tore up the turf in mouthfuls, then reared
aloft, flinging the frothy mixture over itself and
rider. It rushed swiftly ahead, only to bound
backward the next inst‘int leaping to one side

. or the other the second its hoofs touched earth
again, shaking itself until the saddle rattled
loudly. It fell backward, only to find the man
in the saddle as uick as it tried to regain its
feet. It plungedl headlong, rolling over and
over, with the same result. It whirled round
and round in short circles, abruptly reversing,

shake.

 

The stipulated ten minutes had long since ex-
pired, bui no one thought of calling time. All
were too intensely absorbed in the thrilling ex-
hibition of skill and stubbornness for that.
Even Nash V-fhildon drew his breath rapidly, his
eyes uglow, all thoughts of loss fled from his
mind; cv en he forgot all chagrin in his admira—
tion for such matcrhlcss skill.

His body swaying to and fro to suit the swift,
erratic motions of Little Earth uake, but his
lowc‘t‘liznbs clinging as snugly top ace as though
they formed part of the animal he was bound to
subdue Royal Hart attended strictly to busi-
ness. is steci~like grip kept the head of the
broncho well up. His strong spurs at each leap
and bound raked first one side then the other,
until the red blood sprinkled the torn—up :,roun l.
The hide-bound handle of his quirt more than
once knocked Little Earthquake back as he at—
tempted to fall backward. And the cutting
lash, bya scarcely perceptible movement of that
flexible wrist kept hissing from side to side,
stinging the animal to still more furious plung—

in s.

filntil now the broncho had been given time at
spells for brain-working, for those who ventured
to back him were ordinaril y glad enough to ac-
cept even the briefcst truce, forgetting that by
so doing they were lessening their own chances
of ultimate success. But now the mad broncho
had no time for devising new tricks. Under
spur and lash he was driven to insane fury. and
being so Coolly met at each crook and turn,
every outburst was surely bringing the end
nigher.

As often as he attempted to pauSe, even for an
instant, his rider mercflessly forced him into re-
ne wed struggles.
was really merciful, and the spectators who
watched the contest were well aware of the
fact. They had seen enough to know that, bar-
ring on accident to saddle or bridle, the yellow-
haired stranger must surely con uer in the end.
And granting this, the quicker e could bring
Little Earthquake to realize as much, the less
the broncho would suffer.

Another desperate struggle; another break-
neck plunge headlong, rolling over and over,
lashin out with ever hoof as though hoping to
thus isable tho coo sport who fell upon his
feet who still maintained his grip on the bridle,
ready to resume his seat the instant his antago—
nist sought to arise; then Little Earthquake
gave one sharp squeal of savage rage—after
which he lay motionless, sava for his rapidly-
heaving flanks and quivering muscles.

And Royal Hart coolly seated himself on the
side of the conquered broncho, striking a match
and lighting a cigar with careless grace.

CHAPTER XlII.
nvrnn QUEEN'S NAME!

Wm] a united cheer, amidst which could be
distinctly heard the clear, musical notes of
Nadine Falconer, the enthusiastic tors
surged forward, only to draw rein abruptly as
Royal Hart leaped to his feet, imperiously
motioning them back as he cried:

“Keep your distance, good people, until the
circus is over, if you ilease!”

“ You have won- out torture the poor brute
and further!” came sharply from the red lips of
Queen Nadine as she drew rein.

“I’ll be merciful as Little Earth uake will
permit, but I never leave a job ha 1’ jobbed,
your Majesty,” with a. c001 bow that inted his
words. “ I‘ve. broken his spirit; I’ll reak him
so a lady can ride and guide him with a rein of
gossamer, if you only grant me time.” .

“You have won the right to command and
we obey.” laughed Queen Nadine, wavin hack
the more afidunt of her guests. “ After a. I. it is
no more than justice. Little Earthquake has
had :i. longr day, and the proudest must acknowl—
edge a master some time i”

“ I am glad to hear [on admit so much,
Nadine!” nllt‘if‘l‘t‘d Nash Vhildon, bending for-
ward until his blondc mustachcs brushcd her
car.
“ That master must prove himself a man, and

 

 

you—arc crowding my good horse! Rcom for
' the queen, my gentle cavalier!”
, Flushing hotly, the master of 0 on Hand

back had confined themselves to retaining Ranch reined his steed back a few cet, biting

or else shooting to one side with a slip and a ~

1

 

I

1 hand checked the broncho.
l leaped into the saddle, touchin neither rein nor

 

his lip sharply as be interpreted the real intent
of that broken sentence. For only too well he
knew that Nadine meant an entirely different
ending from the one she had given it, with a
pause just long enough to tip the shaft with

p0ison.

Royal Hart, taking it for granted that he was
tohave his own way, turned to Little Earth-
quake, who still lay at length on the torn-up
ground, its red nostrils widel dilated, its eyes
no longer sleepy or tricky, but filled with a
cowcd terror such as had never before shone
from them.

Stooping, the tamer patted the broncho gent]
on the Wet neck, passing upward toits head:
lingering a few moments about his eyes, then on
over the arched nose to the quivering nostrils.
Whether it was animal in etism, or simply
the result of gentle compassion, must be left to
the reader for decision, but certain it is that the
convulsive shivering grew less violent. The wild
look in the eyes of the broncho softened and its
lids relaxed. Its paniings grew less fast, and
when Royal Hart gently twitched the reins,
Little Earthquake slowly rose to its feet, stand-
ing meek and subdued, making no effort to
escape, even when its master dropptd the bridle
and stepped backward. And at a gentle com-
mand, the broncho followed the sport back to
where the spectators were murmuring their
wonder and applause.

then onlya few yards away, an n lifted
Royal Hart ightly

stirru )as he sat thus for a brief space. Then,
with eft agility he sprung erect, standin side—
ways in the saddle his arms lightly fold .

“ You see, my dear friends, some things can
be done just as easily as others, if you cnlv go
about it after the right fashion,” the yel ow-
haired sport said, with a bland smile and blunder
tones. “ Still, on mustn’t run awn with the
notion ti at Little Earth uake is t oroughly
converted, for he isn’t. I on’t advertise to ac—
com lish marvels and give a gurantee after a
sing e lesson. But I do say that until Little
Earthquake has had am )le time to forget his
lesson, he is safe for an in ant to ride.”

With a bow, the Bounding Buck leaped to the

oundfijnst as Queen Nadine pushed forward.
i nd before any one in the company could an-
ticipate her ui'pose, she sprung gracefully frrm

: her own and is into that just vacated by Royal

1

l

Cruel as this may seem, it :

 

 

Hart, touching Little Earth uake keenly “ith
her spurred boot.‘ One quic leap under the
goad—a leap that brought a sharp cry of warn-
ing from the crowd—then the broncho trotted
quieth off in a circle, Queen Nadine turning
and directing his movements simply by the
swaying of her lithe figure, without touching
rem.

From a trot into a gallop, from a gallop to a
run, swiftly veering around until headed direct
for the gathering. And at a single shar com-
mand from the lips of its mistress, Little «arth-
quake stopqu short without other restraint.

Queen adine sprung lightly to the ground,
her beautiful face flushed warmly. her great
eves glowing with excitement and praise as
t cy rested on the calm. smiling countenance
of the man whose skill had wrought such a
marvelous transformation.

“ You have Won the stakes, sir and I gladly
hand them to you,” she said, holding out the
folded bills, when Nash Whildon cut in eagerly:

“And in losing, I still count myself a win-
ner, Mr. Hart! ’ve seen more and better rid-
ing in an hour than I ever saw in my life
before!”

“You make me blush, my dear sir,” bowed
Royal, with affected humility, but not neglect-
ing to secure the money while so doin .

“And I’ll double the sum as a gigs, if you’ll
engage as head rider with me for a year to
come," quickly added Whildon, his eyes aglow.

“ Name your own figures, and consider them
accepted without a word of dispute,” inter-
posed Queen Nadine, one gloved hand closing
firmlo upon his arm, as her other hand mo—
tioned the master of Open Hand Ranch back.
“I claim the first say-so. Who dares dispute
my right?”

“ Not I, most assuredly, your Majesty,” smiled
Royal Hart, bowing.

“Then you acce 1? You are ours—you will
engage to Falcon nch, on your own terms!”
eagerly rsisted the fair amazon, flashing a

dance 0 almost fierce triumph over her shoul-

er at the darkening countenance of Nash
“'hildon.

“Yours—until death doth us part, your
Majesty!”

The smile faded, and a half suspicious glitter
filled the great black eyes. An "there wasa
half-menace in Nadinc’s voice as she cried:

“What am I to understand by that, Mr.
Hart?” A

A shrug of the shoulders, an expressive out-
turning of each palm.

“ Must I answer? Must I open a leaf that
looks much more comfortable turned down and
sealed at both ends? Be, merciful asycu ire
beautiful, gracious queen—and ant time

enough to procure a mask with w ich I may
hide my blushes as I confess—"
“ Drop it, man, if you don’t like tospeak on ”

 

 

 

12

__..._-u,s-.-v‘ «, was

The Rustler Detective.

 

 

laughed Colonel Falconer, as he ressed forward
and gripped the yellow hai sport by the
hand, shaking it vigorously. “I don‘t care if
a score of sheriffs are at your heels! l’ll agree
to stand ’em off until the sun sets, anyway; and
by that time, with you among my men, the Fal-
con Ranch will be on top of the Open Hand—
and that’s what I hunger for most! No hard
feelings toward ou, friend, of course,” with a
nod toward W ' don.

“ I’m not kicking, old friend," with a cold
smile.- “ I feel almost as deep an interest in the
suc cess of Falcon Ranch as you do, and only for
form’s sake, I’d own up defeated without run-
nin the thing ofl.”

“gl'hen it is settled, my fine fellow?” persisted
the colonel, turning a sin to Royal Hart.
“‘ You will enter my amp ny You will consider
the engagement to begin from this very min-
nte?"

The Bounding Buck cast a quick glance in the
direction of his own horse, held by the Indian;
then asked: ~

“ You arewilling to hire two, instead of one?
Red Clam can’t well get along without his
tongue, you know! And not even Falcon Ranch

. can win me away from my pard, red though his

skin is!”

“ What can he do?” hesitated the colonel.

“ 1What he has done, you have just had a sam-
ple. All I know about riding, Red Clam taught
me. And even to—day he can give me odds and
.a beating, without more than half-trying!”

Falconer laughingly shook his head.

“ You can hardly expect me t.) swallow all
that, but Ill tell you what I will do: l’ll pay
you your own price if you’ll agree to ride for
me 10-day. If you want to extend the engage-
ment, we’ll talk it over after the show, and un-
less you ask the entire earth, I reckon we can
come to an amicable arrangement. How does
that lnt you?”

“Right where I live.” with a low laugh as
their palms crossed. “ on can count on both
Re’l Clam an 1 your humble servant from this
time on, until we have a falling out!”

Colonel Falconer looked around in search of
Nadine, but she had vanished during the con-
versation, and eager to inform her of the bar-
; ain he had made, the master of Falcon Ranch
lgousrled away through the crow d, which rapidly
scattered now that the show was at an end.

‘Royal llart passed over to where his red pard
was waiting, and rapidly donned his coat, hat
and weapons. But he had scarcely done so
when the sound of a light footstep caused him to
turn around. .

Nash Whildron met him with a frank smile
and extended hand, saying:

“ I ask ardon for my hard words up yonder,
my dear ellow. Shake, in token that they are
forgiven, if not forgoth.”

"‘ If you are satisfied, I surely ought to be,”
was the laughing response as their palms cross-

ed. “I’ve made expenses, and secured a com-

fortable situation for the pair of us. Not so
bad for an hour’s work i”

“ It may turn out even better than you im-
tag’ine, if you play your cards ri ht. May I ask
you to take a little walk 'Wlt me? 'lhere is
something I would like to say, which—”

"‘ Why not?” bluntly interposed the yellow—
haired sport, with wide—open eyes. “ It’s only a
100’] who throws away a chance of learning the
zropes in a strange locality. And whatever else
I may turn out to be, the man who thinks tobuyr
{me for a fool, is going to get left—bad !”

Nash Whildon led the way to the right, pass-
ing part way around the mesa, like one who
wishes to make sure against being interrupted
‘befox e he has said his say out. Without a mur.
mur ".yal Hart foDOWed this lead, patiently
hiding his time, thou h there was just the ghost
of a smile playing a ut his mustacheshaded

h .

Fl.qu it born of his own expectations, or did it
come through catching a glimpse of two figures
partially concealed by the foliage on the mesa
top, seemingly engaged in earnest discourse?

‘ I wanted to engage your services myself, as
you must have seen, pard," began Whildon. com-
in to a pause, with a quick. glance around them.
“ Of course I could on y give way when Miss
Falconer chip in. After all, it amounts to

tty much t 6 same thing.”

“ Site the wind in that quarter?" murmured
the Bounding Buck from Buffalo Wallow, with
a furtive glance toward the couple on the mesa
top new plain enough to recognize as Nadine
ran Pink Archer.

“ It’s an open secret, as you might say,” laugh-
ed Whildon, without noting the direction of the
shy glance. “ I have as close an interest in Fal-
con Ranch as my own, to tell the truth. And
yet—you are n.) fool, you hinted. I likethati
A fool might do much harm without knowmg it,
where a wise man could turn much to good. _

“ About this new place of yours. You’ll find
the coldnel somethi of a fool, mixed pretty
thorou hly with the rute. But he don’t count
so muc as the lady. You hare seen something
of her temper today.”

“8 irited~quite spirited, I should say,” mur-L

mu Hart. .
“As for m self—don’t judge altogether by
whathaa Wealth“!!! day. Iwas out

,1

 

of sorts, and—but let that pass. You will learn
tg know me better in time. All I wish to say is
t is:

“ You will put money in your purse by serv-
ing my interests whenever or wherever you can
do so. You can insure yourself a paying situa-
tion for life by sticking to my side, even though
it may seem to lead you contrary to the wishes
of—you understand?”

He broke off impatiently as he saw the ellow-
halred sport was hard] giving him the c ose at-
tention he desired. oyal Hart was smiling
broadly as he gazed up at those two figures on
the mesa. And as Nash “'hildon followed the
direction of his eyes, a vicious curse ' ‘
through his grating teeth.

“ I reckon I’ll chip in on the side of the young
lady, pard, if it’s all the same to you," cool]
drawled the Bounding Buck from Buffalo “’21 -
low, smiling into his inflamed countenance.

“ Have it so if on like, curse you l" snarled
the master of Open and Ranch, turnin away.
“ I’ll just add this much for you to c ew on:
That, girl will be my wife before this month is
out!‘

He strode rapid] awayitoward the front of
the mesa, leaving Royal art smiling after him,
and Softly murmurin to himself:

“ Talk is cheap, am you sling it out mighty
thick; but I’m stacking my ducats on the other
side—you just bet I am, pardner!”

CHAP’I ER XIV.
ALL FOR LOVE.

QUEEN NADINE mi lit have lingered longer,
until the bargain with his marvelous horseman
was fully clinched, only for one thing.

Even as she cast that defiant glance back at
Na h VVhildon, her keen eyes caught sight of a
humon figure rapidly scaling the mesa by way
of the generally oscd pathway in front. Seen
but for an instant, and that at a considerable dis-
tance, but that was enough. She recognized
Pink Archer, and instantly decided that he had
stol=n away in hopes of securin another inter-
view with Nellie Angel]. An when Colonel
Falconer pressed forward so eagerly, Queen
Nadine yielded her lace, slipping away, almost
wholly unobserved y the hero worshipers.

She did not stop to count the cost. She was
more t an half beside herself just then, and it is
only just to state that she had drank far more
wine at the table than she had any idea of.

Her veins seemed filled with liquid fire. Her
brain buzzed and whirled as though a swarm of
bees had been let loose within. She had thought
for only one thing: to tear Pink Archer from
the side of that puny child, Angel Nell.

This was all she though of during those few
minutes before she gained the mesa top and
glanced around in search of the lovers. She
must separate them—must kee him from pledg-
ing‘ his vows to her until—unt' -

hat was as far as her whirling, unsettled
brain could carry the thought. just then. And,
curious as it may seem, as it did seem to her
even then, it was with a confused sensation of
disa pointm t that she caught sight of Pink
Arc er, stan ing alone, near the rear edge of
the mesa. Angel Nell was not with him, was
not to be detected by the swift, comprehensive
glance which she cast around.

The oung foreman of Falcon Ranch can ht
sight 0 her, at almost the same instant, an a
flush shot into his strong face. With an invol-
untary movement be partially shielded himself
b the trunk of a stunted tree, but even as he
did so, Queen Nadine rapidly advanced, speak—
ing his name.

She paused when but little more than arm's

length away from him the flush fading from
her cheeks a reproachful gleam softeninghe
too vivid in her great black eyes. 'nk
Archer involuntarily g need at his own breast,
where but a short time before Queen Nadine
had pinned her colors, but which were not there
now.
“ ere is it? Have ycu dared give it to
her 1’” sharply demanded the fair amazon,
scarce realizing what she said in that moment
of bitter pain. “ Or are you too proud to wear
my favors?"

Pink Archer silently drew the ribbon from
his boom, and held it forth in resignation as he
quietly uttered:

“ As a defeated cham ion, I have no right to
wear it longer, Miss alconer. It was a mis-
take your giving it to me in the first place.
am your father's servant, and as such too humble
for such a choice. Gin the knot to one nearer
your own station in life.”

A swift motion of her clinched hand struck the
bit of color from his fingers, and as it fluttered
to the earth, Queen Nadine itefully ground
it into the dirt with her spur bee .

“Do you think I am h ind? Do you think 1
was for a moment deceived by your clever act-
ing out yonder? Bah i” with a short, bitter
laugh that told how deep] she felt the truth.
“ I saw it all! You rode ust long enough to re-
trieve your reputation as a horseman, and then,
as an excuse for flouting me, you pretended de-
feat! For a little while I thought you killed or
crippled, and during those few mements I suf-
fered all the terments of the damned! To learn
-whati That by a single effort you could have

 

 

freed yourself from the saddle, free to renew the
struggle when Little Earthquake arose!”

She ceased, her voice choking with stron emo-
tions, strangely minglin . The foreman stoop-
ed his eyes, turning a s 0 er, but without
making any reply. He knew t at she was charg-
ing him with a truth, and knew that even were
he to lie, he could not alter her belief.

“ Why did you do this, Pink Archer! Was it
because of the last words I whispered in your
ear? Was it because I said—”

“ I have far otten—I pray you let the matter
rest, Miss Fa coner.” muttered the foreman.
“ Those words should never have been uttered,
even in a spirit of pique, because—”

A low, soft laugh out his hesitating speech
_short, and surprise forced his drooping are to
lift. For an instant he felt the hot bl turn-
ing his face scarlet, for that Ian I! sounded like
mockery to his ears. Only un ' his eyes en-
countered those at black orbs.

He saw that ueen Nadine had cast all re-
straint to the winds. He saw her insane passion
glowinglin her eyes, in her crimsoned cheeks, her
parted 'ps. And though he shrunk back a pace,
it was only to be followed as quickly.

“ If those words came from the very bottom
of my heart, Pink Archer? If when uttered
them I was praying with all m soul that you
might prove victor over Little iarthquake—and
over his mistress as well? If I repeat them now
what would be your answer?”

Even a half-wit could not have mistaken her
with that face before his eyes, with that light
beaming fairly upon him. And though the honest
young fellow drooped his eyes once more, be

new that further evasion would be worse than
useless.

“ I should say what I thought at the time, Miss
Falconer: that it would be far better for us both
had you spared your breath. I am only a ser-
vant on your father‘s ranch, and—”

“ How long need you remain a servant?”

“ Only until to-niorrow comes,” guickly catch-
ing at the opening, and hastily a ding in defi-
ance of herimpatient gesture: “Then the posi-
tion of foreman will be vacant, unless you can
induce that stranger, who calls himself Royal
Hart to accept the office. You have just seen a
sam e of his work, and from that you can
rea ily calculate how much Falcon Ranch will
be the gainer.”

“ I am talking of you, not Royal Hart,” was
the persistent response. “ How long ,need you
remain a servant, as you choose to term the
place you now fill? Are you blind f” with almost
fierce intenSity as her clinched hands tapped him
swiftly on the chest.

“ I could almost wish I was—and deaf—Miss
Falconer,” was the grave, almost sad reply.

Queen Nadine turned pale, casting a swift
glance around them. They were partially bid—
den behind the shrubbei‘y from view of the ser~
vants beyond, who Were far too deeply occupied

1

with the remnants of the feast to have eyes for '

nu lit also. And though the same glance show—

edgher the figures of Nash Whildon and Royal

Hart out upon the plain, she cared naught for

that. It was cars, not eyes she wished to guard
ainst.

The foreman saw something of this, and tried
to escape the ordeal, more on her account than
his own. But at his first step Nadine checked
him by barring the wa .

“Patience for a litt e, Mr. Archer," with a.
faint smile that suddenly altered to a look of
min led rage and grief as she hurriedly added:
“I ave said too much not to say more! You
shall listen, though I blow my brains out from
very shame the next moment]

“Another time—when you are calmer, Miss
Falconer.”

“ Am I drunk?” with a strained laugh that
sent a little shiver over his strong frame. “ If
so, it is with more than wmel It is with—I
must say it, or suflocatel I _am drunk— drunk
with low for you, my darling! Say that you
will not cast me off! Say that you will have
pity on me, even as you hope for mercy here-
after i”

In chokin gasps came the mad words, and
Queen Na me would have fiung her arms
about his neck regardless of all, forgetful of all
else, on] for t e uick, strong grasp that caught
and hel her han d0wn. .

In low but resolute tones the foreman replied
to the half-crazed woman, his honest eyes striv-
ing to calm hers:

“ I tried to stop you—tried to spare you all
this, Miss Falconer. When you grow calmer
and recover your usual good sense, you will be
fullv as sorry for your mistake as I am now.”

With a swift e ort, Queen Nadine freed her
hands, stepping back a pace, her . 1: eyes blaz-
ing steadily as they encountered is brown orbs.
And her voice was clear and cold as she uttered
the words:

“ You think I am mad? You think this is
only an insane freak on my part, born of an ex.
oess of champagne?” .

“ I will try not to think about it at all,”
graigly.

“ very word I have uttered is gospel truth,”
in the same cold. even tones. “ I love you more
than all heaven and earth. I ask you to ght
me pity in return for that love, and you-"

\

.1 ‘

 

 

 

  
  

3
if

film-‘39

The Rustler Detective.

13

 

 

“Have no right to accept, even if my heart
bade meclo so, since I already love another,”
calm] interposed the {trying foreman.

“ on mean Angel elll Have you told her
as much? And she?”

“ I have not spoken as yet, but I mean to do
so at the first fair chance. As for her reply—I
have dared cherish hopes that—”

A gloved hand rose and cut his slow 3 h
short. And almost viciously Queen udine
flashed forth:

“ If you love her, never dare tell her as much!
For, sure as fate, I will lzill the woman who
dares accept tho love you deny me!”

. CHAPTER XV.
IN ran: SADDLE, AND OUT or IT.

WITH those fierce words, Queen Nadine turned
and swept away without pausingJ for reply or
Comment. And, pale, uneasy, ink Archer
slowly followed, leavin the mesa for the plain
below, just as Colonel alconer was on the point
of climbing the steep path in hopes to find
him.

“ Hustle around, Archer, and get your boys
ready for the tilt with the Open Hand
gang!” he muttered, excitedly. “ We’ve
for, Run where the wool‘s mighty short, and
I’m hungry for the cheering time to come! I’ve
tugaged both Hart and the red iii ger who
taught him how to rile, and Whildon can’t
t pica] even if he wants to ever so bad 2”

The programme contained other s, wrts, but
1 3' general dcdre they were considerei oil’, such
runs the eagerness to witness the grant “ passage
of arms" between the long rival ranches.

Something concerning this has already been
iticntimed.

As will always be found to he the case, both
Falcon and Open Hand Ranch took ride in
toasting of their skilled riders. Each 'lievcd
(r at least boldly claimed, its supeeiority, and
though there had, at each round-up, been im-
lromptu tests of sde, up t'l the present time
the matter really hung in doubt. And to add a
d iuble attraction to his venture, Colonel Fal—
coner had rivately wagered a goodly snm with
Nash Whi lon that a picked lot of his men
< Juld defeat the best riders to be selected from
the O n Hand staff. _ .

An: while Pink Archer was reparing his
men for the tournament, Colonc Falconer, in
company with Nash \Vhildon, gatheml the
eager guests together, plainly stating the rules
which ,were to' overn the contest.

“ There will twelve men on each side, and
they will be entitled to make use of any ruse

‘ or trick that does not actually endanger life.

Thev will be turned out in a circle, three hun-
dred yards in diameter, inside of which the
struggle must be decided. If horse or rider
cm s that line, the one so doin must at once re-
tire as a defeated man. If a rd er is dismounted,
tven thou h he retain his feet. he is to be con-
sidered de sated, and must retire with his home
at once. In brief, the main int is toseewhich
side can keep their seats the ongest.

“A man is at liberty to use a knife to cuta
rcpc, when he is in jeopardy, but if he dares to
strike an adversary in anger with a weapon,
the contest must stop short, and the oflender
will be punished to the full extent of the law.”

Colonel Falconer turned inquiringly toward
Whildon, as though to ask if he had any amend-
ments to offer, but the master of the Open Hand
Ranch simply nodded, then wheeled his horse to
look after ischam ions.

Ever since the fa of Pedro, the Mexican, the
men of Open Hand had 100de sour and sullen,
but when their master declared his purpose of
joining them, they bri htened up wonderfully.

They knew that, a things considered this
addition would serve tostrengthen them. hil-
don was a fine horseman, and with so much at
stake all knew he would cast aside his assumed
listlessness, and “ go in to win !”

“ That hits me right Where I live, lads l’
chuckled the colonel, as he visited his icked
riders, rubbing his hands t ther in big glee.
“ Take the starch out of the ellow, anyway} pn

've a month’s wages to the man that tumbles
i'm in the dirt—I will. by— !"

“ Pit to soil his good clothw.” laughed Royal
Hart, ‘ but what the b0.“s says is law and gospel
to his men. Mr. Whildon is booked for a mouth-
ful of dry dirt, lads 1”

“You don’t want to throw away a chance,
though, mind you,” serimglg added the colonel.
“He’s no slouch in the die, and good as a
Mexican with the riata. He’s got a few prime
devils to back him up, tool’f

“ While we are all little tin angels on wheels!"
smiled Hart, turnin on his heel and drawing a
little aside with RedIClam, to whom he whisper-
ed earnest] . ,

Colonel Fyalconer eyed them curiously, but the
face of the Indian told aim nothing, and that of
the yellow-haired s rt was hi idea from his
view. Just the she ow of a frown came into his
face, and there was a light in his eyes such as no
man fully at ease ever carries.

And at, as he inward! muttered: what had
he to ‘ dl How c0u d these strangers in-
fluence his life for either good or l'Vll? Baht it

was but a mad fancy; he had never seen
either. of the pawn, red or white, before this day!

i The circle on the plain was being formed. A

stake was planted in the. ground. a rin slipped
over it, to which was tied a measu line, to
the other end of which was fastened a picket-
pin. One man slow] scored the ground with
this, while others to Owed after, spreading a
broad line of slacked lime, showing so clear and
bri ht that not even a hard- ressed horseman
con (I fail to note the warning imits.

Each champion took especial pains with his
riding get! r, testing every strap and line, secur-
ing the double cincbes with rticular care to

and against slip or turn. nd every stirrup-
eather was carefully overhauled and tested,
mindful of the treacherous trick through which
Pink Archer had so narrowly escaped a horrible
death.

All this took time, but Owing to the defer-
ring of other events, the day was still young
enough to insure ample time for the closing
scene, and there was far too much at stake
for either side to risk defeat by a single care-
less move. »

Finally all was in readiness and a chosen man
conducted each dozen into the charmed circle,
stationin them on opposite sides, Within aslight-
ly msrke out square, which the were to retain
until the signal was sounded tiat bade them
open the contest.

A few of the guests were stationed on the
mesa, from whence an admirable view of the
maneuvers could be had, but the large majority
preferred tho saddle on the plain below. Among
these was Queen Nadine, bright and almost
feverishly gay, showing no signs outwardly of
her recent defeat in her dearest hopes.

When the guides came back and the contest-
ants alone remained inside the magic circle,
Colonel Falconer waved his ‘kerchief, and keen-
eyed Ebony Tom, stationed on the mesa with
horn in hand, caught the signal and sounded
the onset With all the power of his strong lungs.

Simultaneously the two parties dashed for—
ward, seeming intent on comin at once to close

uartcrs. But there was a c nge after the
hrst few strides. While the champions of the
Falcon Ranch kept straight on, the party com-

nround in a widening semicircle, or “ Indian
fashion.” .

Each man held his lasso in readiness for use.
but for some little time not a single cast was
made by either side. And Falconer laughed
sharply as he saw his men slackening their pace
as they neared the center of the rin .

“ Not to be caught so easy, my hit !” hcycrierl,
fairly purple in the face from excitement, which
was shared in reater or less degree by all who
looked on. “ bought they’d break and chase,
did yet Not any 1"

Not all present shared his exultation. Some

Ranch champions, fancied they had lest a point
in thus perinittin themselves to be surrounded
b their adversaries. If they ke t in a compact
clyump as now, their casts woul be hampered.
And: a simultaneous attack was made by the
men now leisurely circling around them, among
so many a few must surely fall.

Only a few took the trouble to reason so close
1y, however, preferring to watch and wait, cheer-
in each flnc point as it was made.

0 Falcon Ranch champions seemed content

circle, with faces to the front, paying at ntion
only to what was oing on directly be'ore their
eyes, trusting to t eir fellows to guard their
rear.

' Then, as Nash Whildon uttered a shrill cry,
first one man and then another of his champions
veered a little closer, shooting out a lasso over
the ground, plainly trying to catch a restless
hoof, but as often as a ailure was made, the
obedient steed. vecred sharply to one side and
fell out of the circle, while its master swiftly re-
coiled his lariat.

“ Steady, you!” grated Colonel Falconer, fair-
ly drippin rspiration in his excitement as he
saw Roya art move a little in advance of the
main party, wheeling around them as though in
daring a rush.

“ He’s after Whildon, dead sure!” muttcred
Parker Mandrake, and the truth of this ascr-
tion soon became evident to all.

Careless though he seemcd, no one in all that
white ring was more in earnest than the show-
haired sport from the lower country. crhaps
it was because he felt in duty bound to serve his

ter of Open Hand Ranch for tr ing to tempt
him to serve one master while ta in y from
another. Perhaps there was some hing lying
back of all that led him to
the op .ing leader above a 1 others.

Be t at as it may, he was acting through cool
deliberation, rather than reckless bravado.

Twice a secret signal from Nash Whildon sent
two lassoes in swift succession at the heels of the
proudly-prancing black steal, only to grate his
teeth with chagrin as he saw Royal Hart leap
acrms the danger-line at the first attempt: to

 

low and sweeping a gleaming blade across one
loop before it coul be jerked back by its
owner. .3

mended by Nash Whildon divided and swept,
iward, shooting clear of the main body and

A hoarse‘cheer broke from the purple lips 01
Colonel Falconer at this adroit action, for
though the chagrined lassoer was

of his lariat.

“ Make him your foreman in lace of Archer,
and no ranch in Texas will are send on a
challenge to ride for the pennant!” cried arker
Mandrake, his little eyes glittering as though
full of fire.

“ He’s mine, if I have to take him in as part—
' nerl” -

And just at that moment the colonel was
more than half in earnest when he made the
declaration, too.

“ Ready, pard!” softly uttered Royal Hart as
he passed once more in front of the silent Kick-
apoo chief, who was intenth watching every
move his artner made. “ He’s getting ready

' to take a nibble, and—”

He slowly passed around, covertly though
keenly1 watching the master of Open Hand
Ranc .

Cool and steel-nerved though he counted him-
self, Nash Whildon was chafing and grow'
impatient at these unanticipated tactics. 0
saw that, moderate as was their pace, his men
were takinv considerable out of their steeds,
grid as yet the only triumph had turned against

im. -

He was tempted to order a simultaneous
charge from all sides, but hold as he was, there
Eras something in this stranger that “ rattled "
1m.

If he could only break that compact, yet open
clump! If he could only once make an open-

mgl

Once more he uttered a sh cry, wordlea,
but seemingl fully oomprehen ed by his fol-
lowers, for t ey spurred up their horses until
racing around in a radually narrowin circle
at almost top speed“: And then in swft suc-
cesaion their snake—like lassoes s ot out, some
curlingr along the ground, others hissing through
the air, but each in succession aimed at the
rider on the bi black steed.

But Royal art was notaman to be can ht
napping, and at a word his steed bounded or-

llifaadigg direct for the master of the Open Band
nc .

With a fierce cry of exultation Nash Whil-
don whirled his right hand forw , feeling sure

' of his main hope for an instant, bclieving that

the short charge was made wholly in order to

 

to wait for an opening, keeping in a fairly; open i

lot the d0wnfall of‘

among those who really favored the Falcon :
' reins sending his spurs home at the same time
i to clear the peril with one mighty leap. But

new master to the very utmost of his ability.  the main force.
Perhaps he felt a little grudge against the mas- '

elude these snake like loops. But the black
horse sprung to one side as nimny as ever Little
Earthquake had performed the same feat,

5 stopping short as its master sent out his own
i noose, cuttin

the dust directly in front of the
horse ridden iy Whildon.
Instinctiver the rancher drew hard upon the

' at as he acted thus. Red Clam shot out from

is position and duplimted the cast of his M
ner, calculating so nicely that the leaping ani-
mal struck fairly Within the almost circular
trap. And back the clay-bank bounded, the
greased noose closing knee-high on the horse,
yerking its feet clear ( f the ground and hurling
its rider clear out of the saddle. toturn par.
tially over in the air, then strike the ground
with a thud that reached the ears of the wildly
cheering colonel!

CHAPTER XVI.
“SAVE YOUR novicn, Ir YOU can!”

Aim clearer, higher, more malicious rung the
voice of Queen Nadine as her steed was sent u
to the very border of the inclosure, one glov
hand waving a snowy ’kerchief high above her
head in applause.

Yet it was not altogether wild enthusiasm
awakened by this si triumph on the w of
her chain ions that ed to her actions. oman
th h a e was, she had long since known Nash
W 'don to be as venomous as his temperwas
hot when once he lost his practiced self-control,
and she hated him just enough this day to take

is] delight in toiling his eflorts.
he trap was an adroi one, worked to perfeo~
tion. and a cooler headed performer than the
master of Open Hand Ranch might easily have
fallen into it.

It was with thought of something like the gen-
eral attack which was made upon himself and
horse that led Royal Hart to single himself from

t was both to elude the curl-
ing loops and to still further throw Nash Whil-
don off his guard that he sent his good stead
stillfur ther mm the remainder. And knowing
right Well that he could place implicit confidence
in his red pard, he made his own cast.

Even then the master of Open Hand Ranch
m "ht have escaped, had be retained all the
coo ness with which he entered the struggle.
But he forgot all else in his fierce longing to is-
pose of this rous stranger, and when Red

 

whirl face to the enemy at the second, bending l

Clam’s lasso r ed the feet frcm under his
, horse, he was urled fromthe saddle beforehe
i could even tighten the grip of his legs.

Far ahead, taming over while splitting the
air, to strike the hard ground with his broad
shoulders fiist shot Nash Whildon, to ' t: and
for end with anything but graceful «Sat

et in the.
ring, he would be seriously crippled y the loss.-

5:

 

14

 

The Rustler Detective.

 

 

The fall itself seemed severe enough to kill or
cripple an ordina being, but the master of
Open Han Ranch 3 owed a cat-like elasticity
in bounding to his feet, one hand dashing the
dirt and sand from his eyes, the other instinc—
tively grasping a. revolver as though he meant
to thus avenge his humiliation.

Right or wrong, so Queen Nadine interpreted
the action, and her snowy ’kerchief floated to
the ground as she flashed forth a revolver, send-
ing a bullet whistling close past the head of the
irate rancher, added to the warning her sharp,

1mg?! 0 :
( ‘ tea y, Nash Whildon! Break the rules,
and you shall gay the penalty, though I have to
pl? judge an executioner myself!"

er stern warning was supplemented by a
general chorus of excited shouts, yells and
cheers from the guests, followed by a rush for~
ward that threatened to destroy the sacred
limits for a time, at least.

In vain Colonel Falconer yelled for his cham-
pions to press their advantage. The golden op-
portunity was lost as Royal Hart checked the
charge that world almost surel have resulted
in serious damage to the cause 0 the Open Hand
gang. And during the brief flurry, one impor-
tant point was won by the cool dexterity of
OSerio the Roper, who stole close enou h to
dash in and clip the lasso of the Bounding nck
before his object could be divined or frustrated.

Nash Whildon uttered a sharp whistle that
served to gather his men in a more compact
sha , even while he himself was recovering his
wel trained horse, from whom legs Red Clam
had deftly shaken his lasso the instant his end

was accomplished. Lea ing into the saddle, the
master of Open Hand anch rode out of the
ring, seemingly cold and composed, though his
blue eyes were fairly ablaze.

The two bands of riders were now confronting
each other, seemingly undecided just what to do
next, casting uick, uneasy glancrs toward the
spot where Co onel Falconer was wildly gesticu-
lating and hoarscly shouting forth words which
his own cars could hardly have interpreted with-
out an error.

He was fairly beside himself for the time be—
in , and was hardly conscious of the words that
ro led chokingly from his throat. His heart
was so set on victory over the Open Hand! And
to see that victory almost assured, only to be
neglected, all through the hot-headed action of
Nash Whildon and Nadine! It was hard, for a
fact.

“ I thought you never lost your head, Mr.
Whildon?” sneerod Nadine, as she urred her
steed forward to meet the master of pen Hand
Ranch at the point where he crossed the white
circle. “ If that is so, what did you intend do—
ing with your gun? You helped form the rules
and conditions, I believe?”

“ If I lost my head, you found it for me,”
with a short bow and a grim smile upm his
flushed face. “ ’as that hit of had only a
warning, or—did you, too, have unsteady nerves
when you pulled trigger?”

It was not hard to rightly interpret the mean-
ing so thinly vailed by those crisp sentences, and
Queen Nadine made no effort to dissemblo. Her
1 red lips curled, her great eyes glowed as they
boldl met that suspicions gaze.

“ on think I shot to kill or cripple? Bah! do
I often miss a target of that size when my soul
is bent on sending the lead direct? It may come
to that in the end, but just now—I fancied you
would suifer more by having to face your defeat
with open eyes!”

Nash Whildon shrugged his broad shoulders as
he glanced out over the ring, sounding a signal
that set his men in motion once more.

“ It is not the first pair of dusty shoulders I’ve
had to bear. My skin is not so thin as you seem
to imagine. Some one had to make an opening,
and why not your humble servant, as well as a
better rider?”

“ Then you admit—”

“ Anything and everything you wish to claim,
Queen Nadine. Why not? If Falcon Ranch
comes out top~ of the heap, is not the victory
fully as much mine as years?”

A sharp sound, that was almost an oath in her
mother’s tongue, escaped the red lips of the
amazon at this cool speech, but she resented it
in no other shape just at that moment. There
was a change in the scene before them that held
her eyes and tongue spellbound for a time.

The rival squads had mechanically resumed
their former tactics as soon as the unanticipated
inter tion was ended' but this did not last
lon . ffective as it had proven for his side up
to t 6 present moment, Royal Hart might have
been content to keep on as he had begun, but the
chem ions of Open Hand Ranch were of a dif-
feren opinion. At a si ial from Lazy Lupton,
who took command w en his chief was van-
quished, the riders regulated their pace so as to
gradually form two divisions, though still strung
out in a circle. Then, the rearmost spurring
faster while those in advance reined in, a quic
shifting brought the two squads close enough for
their purpose.

A hoarse yell from Lazy Lupton sent them for-
ward, front and rear, charging swiftly upon the
Falcon Ranch champions, ha] of their number
sending tha'r lariatl whistling ahead, some high,

  

others low, while the rest kept their lassoes ready

to both ard and attack just as seemed most
favorab e to their cause.

Swift as was this maneuver, it did not catch
Royal Hart napping. A sharp cry from his lips
divided his party into equal parts, sending them
out at right angles with the course taken by their
adversaries for a few rods, then spreading out in
a fan-shape, and wheeling to attack in turn.
After this the changes and shiftings were so
rapid as to bewilder the keenest eye on watch to
follow and analyze them.

Each man seemed to be acting on his own
book, guarding himself and seeking the down-
fall of an enemy at one and the same time. Now
here, now there a horse would trip and stumble,
putting a rider out of the list for good, as a rule,
though wild yells of praise broke from the excit-
cd guests as they saw one or two of the horse-
men sticking to the saddle at risk of broken bones
until the struggling steed regained his feet.

Not a soun escaped the tight—closed lips of
Nash Whildon as his blazing eyes followed the
rapid shiftings, though for the most part cons
fined to a very small peltion of the contestants.
More fre uently on the strong, graceful figure of
Pink Arc er, however.

There, too, the gleaming orbs of the fair Ama-
zon seemed to find the deepest interest, and twice
a ringing cheer came from her throat as the
young foreman performed a feat of cool dexter~
ity, once emptying a saddle for Open Hand, then
savinor himself from a double onset.

Nas 1 W hildon clicked his teeth viciously as he
saw this last escape, and his brows wrinkled sav-
agely as he smothered the curse that leaped up
in hIS throat.

He seemed to care nothing for the fall of his
Own men, or of the steadily thinning ranks op-
posed to them as the contest waxed furious and
caution grew less prominent. It was not the
general result that lent his eyes that burning
gleam, that caused his blood to course so hotly
through his veins. As he said he cared little
how the trials ended, just so Pink Archer went
down in shame—or death! ,

And then—the longed for momth came! And
forgetting his usual prudence, the master of
O n Hand Ranch laughed viciously as he tum-
ec to Queen Nadine, hissingly ejaculating:

“Look, Nadine! Look—and save your lover
if you can 1”

t the same instant two loops dropped over

the head of Pink Archer, cast from opposite di—

rections. And the men Who cast them were turn«

ing their horses to dash still further apart. When

She double shock came, it would surely mean
cath!

 

CHAPTER XVII.

THE TOURNAMENT ENDED.

IT was, this for which Lazy Lupton and
Osorio the Roper had been planning from the
very beginning of the contest. It was for this
that Nash Whildon was looking and hoping,
eating his heart out with savage chagrin as,
time and again, the unsuspecting foreman foiled
the efforts of his skillful enemies. _

But as he made a cast at one of the opposing
side, to left himself briefly ungarded, and swift
advantage was taken of the opening.

At the samd instant Lupton and the Mexican
made their casts, that of the latter bein ‘ from a
shorter distance and his pliant noose rop ing
fairly over he and shoulders, a swift p uck
drawinar the rawhide coil about the foreman’s
arms. ql'he Second noose, which he was unable
to avoid while thus hampered, stopped at his
neck, and with a savage laugh of venomous

' hatred, the burly rascal who manipulated it,

wheeled his horse to dash away though he must
have known that death would follow the oppos-
ing pluck!

A l thisso swiftly that even Queen Nadine,
who saw it all, had not time to utter a warning
cry. She felt her heart turning cold as ice. She
closed her eyes and averted her head, ignorant
even of the mali ant speech from the lips of
the rancher whic so plainly betrayed his mur-
derous hopes. '

A warning shout went up from the alarmed
spectators, but that was powerless to change the
result, and on! for prompt and united action
on the part of t etwo stranger pards, a tragedy
must surelv have followed.

Royal Kart was just scrambling to his feet by
the Side of his fal en horse, when he saw the
treacherous intent of the two men_ A sharp
cry escaped his lips as he drew a revolver, bring—
ing it to a leVel and firing without the loss of an
instant. And at the same breath Red Clam
sent a gleaming missile hissing through the

air. -

The shock came, but it was only from one
side. Pink Archer was drawn backward until
his broad shoulders fairly brushed the haunch
of his good steed, but that was all.

.With an effort, be retained his seat and drew
himself erect as the bullet—Weakened 19.880 r
with an audible twang! And over‘ his )reast

hung the end of the lariat severed smooth and
clean by the knife so deftly hurled by Red Clam,
the Kickapoo!

 

“ Foul play. you curl” screamed Nash Whil-
don, spurring his horse forwardin frenzied rage

 

and baffled hatred. “You were out of the
fight, and had no right to—”

“ I interfered to save life—to foil :1 dastardly '

attem t at murder. sir i” sharply, coldly cut in
the ye lew—haired sport as his smoking Weapon
rose to a level, covering the infuriated rancher.

“Hold!” came the ringing voice of Queen
Nadine as she shot between the two men, rein—

ing in to thrust her revolver fairly into the _

ghastly [ale face of the ranch-owner. “ 1’}!
ill the man that dares to fire a shot or strike a
blow I”

“Stop the racket! I call on on all, gents, to
aid me l” thundered Colonel alccner, rushing
forward, fairly beside himself with excrtement
and agitation at the unexpected turn ovrnts
had taken. “Hold hard, all of you! I’ll
butcher the rascal that dares move a finger until
I give him leave!”

Swift as thought Nash Whildon shot out a
hand and knocked the pistol upward, his fingers
closing about that su ple wrist, just as the
weapon exploded, sending a bullet whistling
over his head.

For the second time had his life been saved by
instinctive quickness, for he saw that the fren-
zied woman intended to send a bullet through
his brain.

His brain seemed cleared, his coolness restored
by his peril, and a short, hard laugh escaped his
lips as be secured the weapon, opening it and
casting out the shells with deft rapidity, passing
it back to its Owner as he said, coolly:

“It will be safer thus, Miss Nadine. With
shells in it, the gun is alto ether too light on
trigger to be safe in the ban s of a lady!”

‘1 Sue snatched the weapon from his hand,

wheeling her horse away to mingle with the
excited spectators who had flocked into the ring.
She passed through them dashing up to Pink
Archer, who was casting t e seVered 100ps from
his gefirson.

“ on are safe? You are not seriously hurt?”
she breathlessly exclaimed, her tones hoarse and
unnatural.

“Thanks to my good friends, yes,” bowed the
voung foreman, ri ing past her to where Royal
Hart stood, pattfng the qmvermg nostrils of his
good horse.

Queen Nadine, ale and aged-looking in the ‘

face, gazed after in for an instant, then wheeled
her horse and rode back. to where Colonel Fal-
coner was excitedly talking to Nash Whildon.
She did not stop to Catch the urport of their
discussion, but coldly interposed):

“The contest must stop, right where it is now!
It should never havebe n. An idiot might
have known the ending must be unsatisfactory.
It is sport we came here to enjoy, not a
tragedy!"

“I am willing it should end. but if I felt in- '-

clined to be a sticklcr, I might claim the Sictory.
A man unhorsed, is a man defeated an out of
the ring. That fellow had no right to strike
another blow on his side.”

“Not even to prevent murder?” snecred Na-
dine, her 9 es flashing.

Nash W mildon turned to Colonel Falconer, his
voice icy cold. .

“ Do you indorse the charge of intended mur-
der, sir?”

Falconer flushed uneasily, but Shook his head.

“Don’t mind what the girl sayS, pard. The
excitement has proved a little too much for her,
and she don’t mean all she says.”

“I ask, because if a man were to char e my
fellows with an attempt at murder, I cou d tell
him he lied. Since t 9 words come from the
lips of a lady, I can only regret her mistaken
jnd mcnt.” .

T e Words were pomted by a low bow toward
(incen Nadine, who 829d keenly, intently into
t e cold, emotionless ace of the ranch-owner for
a brief space, as though She Sought to read the

lain truth written thereon. 1f so, she was
foiled. Once more NaSh Whildon was the steel-
nerved man of the world all who had dealings
with him usually found.

“ Let itflgo 8} that theny’l She uttered with an
outward 173mg Q One loved ban . “ Call
the match a drum If youp case; more than that
I will never consent to, if I have to ([1th the
ring as a contestant myself!”

“ A draw it shall be, then, your Majesty,"
bowed WhlldOn, Tallling his horse back until in
a. measure clear of the 'am, then lifting his voice
in 4 Signal that sent his men slowly out of the
circle, back to their recent quarters. .

A general cheer greeted this decision, for the
majority of the s )ectators felt that no better ar-
rangement coul have been made. They had
seen enough to know that such a contest could
hardly  fon ht out to an end, without too
great a risk to its and limb.

“I don’t generally favor draws, but this ‘

seems to be an exception to the rule," nodded
Parker Mandrake, seriously. “ Of course Miss
Nadine was a little off. but—”

it was a hiatus which no one sermed eager to
fill. Though it was hard to think such adas-

tardly scheme Would be attempted before so ‘

many eyes, yet the fact remained True. the
excitement was intense among the spectators,
and of course must have been cqi ally as stro g
anion the contestants: but (‘0th even excitin-

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The Rustler Detective.

15

 

 

'thus caught could escape death when the oppo-
site strain should come simultaneously?

Colonel Falconer was a sorely-troubled man
«durinir the next few minutes. He knew that
Nash lWhildon had [ilotted to kill or cripple the

oung foreman of alcon Ranch, and though

9 had, not so man hours before, tacitly agreed
to the “accident,” its failure was troub ing him
far more than would have been the case had

rfect success rewarded the dastardly attempt.
l‘heu, the tragedy itself would have covered
.anything unusual in his looks or manner, but
now he felt that every man who happened to
look toward him, was mentally wondering how
nearly he had been concerned in that ugly cir-
.cumstauce.

He hustled about, trying by doubled activity
and volubility to cover his mental anxiety, and
though he soon suspected that Whildon was
seeking an interview, he tried all he knew to
avoid being left alone with the master of Open
Hand Ranch.

It was labor spent in vain, as he was s . ily
«convinced. Whildon coldly persisted, an when
once cornered, Falconer dared not attempt any
further evasion, but led the way apart where
none could overhear them.

“Drop that, if you please” coldly uttered
Whildon, as Falconer mutter * something about
the failure. “I brought you here for quite a
different purpose. I want you to arrange a pri-
vate interview with your daughter, at once.’

“But you know—if she won’t-"stammered
Falconer.

“She must,” with sudden sharpness. “ You
know what I have to sayto her. You know
that unless she promises to be my wife, on the
day I see fit to name, I will drive both her and
you to worse than ruin. And knowing this, you
will do just as I say, or suffer the penalty!”

CHAPTER XVIII.
A STRANGE WOOING.

COLONEL HUGE FALCONER shrunk back a
little at those harsh words. He cast a swift,
covert glance around them, not so much to re-
assure himself that they were alone, as to see if

.any curious eyes were watching their confer-

once.

The master of the Open Hand Ranch chose to
interpret the glance after another fashion, and
a low, hard laugh came warningly throurh his
thin lips as a finger tip tapped the colonel on
the arm. And all the more impressive from
their very blandness were the words:

“Don’t waste time trying to see your way

‘ clear in that direction, dear fellow, for I frank-

ly warn you it is no thoroughfare. I am in this
game to win, and I have a trump for every
card you hold. Sabe ?”

“ Speak lOWer, curse on!” growled the colo—
nel, furtively dashing t 0 drops of perspiration
from his purple face. “ I don t want any row
with you, but if an one should happen to hear
you talk that way, ‘d have to shoot!"

“ For fair reputation’s sake, eh?” purred the
rancher, seeming to find a recious salve to all
his hurts in thus torturing is victim.

“ What do you want me to d )? Spit it out,
and without any further chewing, if you Want
me to pull fair!’

More after his usual manner spoke the owner

«of Falcon Ranch, and viciously as he was feel-

ing just then, Nash Whildon was keen enough
to realize that he might push his authority too
far for his own . His manner was still
hard and peremptory, but that stinging veneer
was no longer used.

“ I wanted first to make you comprehend how
thoroughly I am in earnest in this part of the
programme. I wanted to show you that if
necessar I could hold your nose to the rind-
.stone, Without mercy on my part, or a c once
of escape on yours. I think you understand me

now.

“What I want you to do is this: Contrive to

rocure me a private interview with Nadine.

raw her apart from all others on some pre-
tense, and when I come up, take yourself of!
whenI give you the Wink. If she insists on
stickin toyour side, then shut your ears and
preten you are a dough man.”

Even then the colonel hesitated. He knew
that he must obey, but it was with great re-
.luctance. Not so much on the score of delicacy,
or of consideration for the feeling;I Of his own
daughter. He felt that Queen adine could
hold her own, even with this insolent schemen
But he knew that something had no wrong
with the woman that day: new t at she was
in one of her most dangerous tom rs; and he
feared this enforced interview we d end in an
outbreak too sharp and Visions for smoothing
over to his guests. And he had staked so much
-on winning their good favor this day! _

Those keen blue eyes were watching him close-
ly, and their owner had little difficulty in right.
ly inte reting the brain by the face.

“Wi it smooth your path any for me to
seek her out in the thic of the company?
Either that, or follow the trail I’ve lined out
for you,” was his cold, unfeeling comment.

saved the other a decision, by turning on
his heel and striding rapidly away. For a mo-
ment the colonel can ht his breath with a chok-
ing animation, believ ng Whildon meant to act

 

on his threat. But then as he saw him mingle
with the cowboys instead of the guests, he took
fresh grace an set out about obeying orders.

Queen N’adine 'was feverishly gay, movin
restless] from point to int, dropping a lung
here an pointing a ma icious barb there, until
more than one of those who wondered even while
the admired, would have found it no easy task
to ecide whether they were unusual] dull, or
the queen of the tournament particu arly bril-
liant that afternoon.

Some there were who secretly smiled as they
recalled the sparkling champagne of which Queen
Nadine had emptied so many losses, but they
were wronging her when they p eed her fever-
ish temperature to that accoun . It was not her
brain, but her heart.

She had cast all on one desperate lay, only to
lose. She had thrown her panting cart at the
feet of the man for whom she entertained such
a fierce, unreasoning passion, only to have it
spurned as worse than valueless.

Only her imperious nature kept her from
breaking down altogether during those early
hours of sickening torture. Only hcr pride made
her seek to hide her hurts under a mask of

gaXety.
fter all, Colonel Falconer found the task set
him was much more easy than he had dared to
ho . Without an effort to elude him, Nadine
r e away in obedience to the signal which he
ave, and though a white shade came into her
autiful face as it was hidden from the guests,
her voice was clear, and steady enough, as she

asked :

“ He sent you—Nash Whildon ’i

Falconer mumbled something, he scarcely
knew what, so completely was he taken by sur-
prise.

Nadine laughed shortly, her red lips curling.

“I saw him draw you aside, and 'new from
his high-and-mi hty manner that he was putting
on the screw. ’hat is it he wants i”

“A talk with you,” he says, stammered the
colonel looking anything but comfortable.
“ He’s bound to have it, Nadine i We’ve got to
givenhim rope, unless we want a general smash-
u

“ A rope—and a noose at the other end, if he
wishes," laughed the fair amazon, turning in
her saddle and liftinga gloved hand in open
Slgpal to the master of Open Hand Ranch.
“ on can draw out of the game if it pleases
our hand best, father. I fancy I can hold this

no entleman level.” .

“ on’t stir him up—don’t ruin all,” hastily
muttered the colonel as he saw Nash Whildon
briskly advancing toward them. “ Sing as
sweet as you know how, until we can do better !
He mustn’t make a bad break, or—careful I”,

The keeneared rancher was too close for fur-
ther speech to be wise, and Falconer tried hard
to force a smile as Whildon rode up with a bow
as ceremonious as though this was their first
meeting that day.

“ You honored me, Miss Falconer i” he said,
“ My wishes did not cheat in eyes ?”

Nadme’s lip curled with scorn at his, and
there was afire in her dark eyes that sent a
shiver of fear up and down the weakened spine
of the colonel. Surely she would not be so mad
—so insane as to drive this merciless scoundrel
to his Worst? .

“ Did you count on disobedience when you
sent your orders to me, through my father?”
coldly uttered Nadine. “ Drop your silken
mask. Nash Whildon, and let us meet on a fair
footing.”

“ Nothing suits me better, Nadine ” was the
prompt response, then turning to the colonel
With: “ You can take a walk, pard, and see
that we are not crowded for a few minutes.”

“ Don’t go too fast, either of you,” muttered
Falconer, but, with his eyes fixed imploringly
upon his daughter. “ We (1 ought to be able to
fix u a combination, somehow. it, and—”

“ s the first step, sup so you cave us to-
gether "coldly interpo, the master of Open
Hand anch.

Without venturing another word, the colonel
turned his horse and rode away toward the gen-
eral' congregation, leaving the pair alone with
each other. ,

“ Shall we let our nags keep in motion, Na-
dine?” asked Whildon, in softer, more respect-
ful tones, with a slight nod toward the merry
guests. “ It may keep others from paying too
closeAattention to 01p; movements.” h

‘ n thin to 'ten your sluggis' tongue,
Sir anght o the Dusty Shoulders, with amock
bow as she slackened rein a trifle and moved
ahead at a walk. “ As for me, I have naught
to say that I would not be perfectly willing to
publish in letters a yard high, for all to read!”

Nash Whildon moved along at her side, out-
wardly cold and com , but with a fire low-
in in his eyes tha should have warn her.

atever may be thought of his methods, no
one could doubt his sincerity.

“ This is not precisely the manner in which I
expected to lay bare my heart to you, Nadine,”
he said, in measured tones. “ have spent
many an hour in dreaming—” .

“ Is it not time you were wakin up, then!”

“ You will find me wide awake this time
on, my dear," with just the ghost of a smile.

 

“ You said, or hinted, that you were not anx-
ious to prolong our little tete—a-tete. If in earn-
est, remember that I sent for on to listen to
certain words. Remember that am not a man
to be choked off easily. I will have my say, if
I have to speak with the entire company for an
audience!”

Queen Nadine gave him a mock bow as she
sweetly uttered:

“ It is better for one to suffer than for many;
consider me a meek and patient martyr. But-—
pray condense!”

“You deceive yourself if you think you can
turn this matter into a jest, my dear,” smoothly
retorted the rancher, without giving a sign of
anger or annoyance. “ It has lon been serious
earnest with me: and I mean to s ow you that
your interest is to the full as deep as even mine
can be.

“ As a woman, with eyes and instincts as keen
as woman was new gifted with, I need not waste
time in telling you how long ago I first began to
love you.”

“ As a man, not nearly so big an idiot as he
sometimes tries to make others believe through
his actionségeu need not be reminded that your
love was f only by your imagination," curtly
retorted Nadine.

“I loved you, almost from the hour of our
first meeting,” coolly added Whildon, payin no
attention to her interruption. “ I swore t en
that I would never give over until I made you
my wife.”

“ And swearing, perjured yourself!” flashed
Queen Nadine.

“ I laid myself out to win your love in return,
with more care and painstaking than I had ever
before wasted on one of your sex. I loved you
better and deeper, every day. until I felt that I
would be willing to give my life if I could there.
by win your whole love for a single day. Was
that nothin 1” -

“ “Verse t an nothing—to me !”

For the first time Since that strange wooing
began, Nash W hildon showed signs of losing his
temper. His eyes flashed almost fiercely as they
met her lustrous orbs, and his voice grew hoarse
and hard:

“ You will have it so? All right! I thought to
pave the way with smooth words, but if you
prefer them with the bark on, you shall have
your wish!

“ If I had that, where do you think you would
be?” with a soft, yet malicious laugh as her
hand pointed to the tram led ground just before
them. “ Lying there w ere on so gracefully
measured our roud length hut a few minutes
a%, Nash hil on!”

he shot hit hard, despite the effort which the
rancher made to cover the sting. And before
he could make reply, Nadine added: ' ,

“ I have listened to you, with as much patience
as I could summon to my aid. Now it is time
for you to hear m silvery tongue. I will bea
trifle more mercifu —in len h, if not in matter.

“ You say you have lov me from almost the
first hour of my meeting with you. 1 say that
I have hated, contemned, despised you to the
full as long a period.

“ You say you have sworn _to win and wear
me. I now swear that I would ten thousand
times rather give my band and troth to the
Indian whose skill sprawled you out there, a
laughing-stock for all onlookers!”

“ And des ite that ladylike assertion, I repeat
that you she lbe my wife; that you shall pretend
to love me above all the rest of mankind, even
if you perjure ourself in so swearing; that be-
fore we part t is day, you shall be my plighted
bride!”

Clear and cold came the sentences, and those
blue eyes steadily met the burning gaze which

con Nadine maintained until his voice ceased.

hen, low and strained came her response:

“ Dare you threaten me, Nash Whildon?"

“ Since smooth words fail to win you, I am
ready to make the most of m wer. Call it
thrmten, if you like. Itistrut 1181: the same!"

Swift as thought her right hand ressed a.
cocked revolver fairly against his side, heaction
being invisible to the distant guests, owing to
3313m- regpective positions, and she cried in fierce

um p :

“ How now, Nash Whildon? Who holds the
trump card?”

CHAPTER XIX. ..
rm: VALUE or A m.

HIS life bung hya sin 1e thread, and Nash
Whildon was keen enoug to see as much. He
never fiinched. He made no efiort to strike the
deadly implement aside. He'simply smiled in
silent amusement which, if counterfeit, was
most admirably mumed. _ .

“You imagine you do, Nadine, from your
face.” he said, without the slightest tremor pero‘
ceptible in his voice, evan to her keen ears.

‘And do I not?” she cried, almost vicious! ,
phasing the revolver still closer until its m e
was buried in the clothing directly over his
heart. “ A single contraction of my finger and

on are carrion to the eye, even as you have
nequally as loathsome to my other senses!"

3%!!! the resulk ou, mgddeggi”

w, moo aug gree t query.

“What would the guests yonder say, you

i

  

3“ ._._. .fl»- r ...
h *ryéw ~  a...” .

" ' ' in" W‘;.g‘;;..a .; ‘ '.’

,. _ .._ _ _
«on «was; ‘ -—AW -_..

.,

'16

The Rustler» Detective.

 

 

mean? That I served a villain just right for
causelessly insulting a lady!” .

“And no doubt your oath would find cred-
. ence,” still with that peculiarly exasperating
coolness. “But when the man whom I have
named as my executor, in case aught should
happen to lay me out before the game is fairly
played to an end, steps forward with certain
documents; what then i”

“ Bah! so transparent a trick can’t save you I”

“Then it will avenge me, which ought to be
faint consolation to a man cut short in the very

rime of life by the hand of a lady,” smiled
hildon, with unshaken nerves, though be ex-
ted with each passing moment to feel a bul-
Iztctearing its way to his heart. “ And if I am
not to win you, be sure no otherman will feel
inclined that way, when once my last will and
testament is published broadcast !”

It was a risky move, but the result justified
his expectations.

Something in his manner, even more than in
his words, shook the vicious resolution which
Queen Nadine had almost sealed by action, and
as he saw her cheeks suddenly pale, the rancher
added in softer tones:

“Come, Nadine, ut up your gun and show
your good sense. "on can kill me, but in so
doing you will simply bring worse than ruin
upon the heads of your father and yourself. If
aught should happen to me the hour that pub~
lished my fate to the wor (1, would bring to
light full and ample proofs of your past ife.

eed I say any more?”

“You are lying! I can see it in your eyes!”

“ And you are trying to choke down sober
reason, my dear,” with a low laugh, soft and
smooth as velvet. “ You know that I am
speaking no more than the simple truth. You
know that if the whole truth was told, not
even your sex w0uld prevent yonder people
from turning upon you, thirsty for vengeance.
And knowing this—put up your gun !”

Sharp and stem came the last words, and
almost unconsciously the amazon obeyed. She
lowered the hammer, and returned the weapon
to its appropriate place, still gazing into his
handsome face like one held by a curious spell,
against which she could not even struggle.

“ You were very foolish to fight against your
master, my dear,’ the rancher sai , in even,
leisurely tones, as he gently signaled the horses
toresume their slow movements. “You natu-
rally hate to come down, but you can‘t always
expect to ride your high horse. N ow we’ll talk
business, if you will be so kind.”

neen Nadine was strugglin to regain her
an denly lost nerve, and partia ly succeeded.

“I have heard enou h for once. You have

etoofar Nash Whildon! Too far and too

ast! I would have killed you—I am wondering
' ht now why I didn’t kil you—”

’Because you are too young and full of life
to relish the idea of committing murder and
suicide in the same breath, my dear," was
the cool insertion, accompanied by a mellow
lau b.

“gBecause I resolved that you shall make your
foul hints good in the eyes of all the community
before paying the penalty you deserve, rather!’
with cold emphasis.

“Let it go at that, if it eases your mind,

adine. Be sure I will not be in hiding when
you or our worthy rent makes an open
and ab ic demand for ocuments and proofs.”

“ on have none—there is none!”

“Ma you never crowd me into laying them
before {be public, Nadine ” with sudden serious-
nem ¥hat could not fail i0 impress her degply,
recal ing, as she did, the words uttered by 010-
nel Falconer. ” As long as I live, or until my
last faint hope of winning on for a wife is ut-
terly extinguished, the word shall be no wiser
for what I have learned since my first meeting
with you. But I am not a generous man. I am
not one who fears or disdainsto make use of any
and all arguments in order to win an object on
which my heart is bent. I will keep this secret
sacredly until you force me to make it public
property. Theu- ~you can picture the conse-
quences!”

“ Prove your words, on cowardly ealumnia—
tor!” almost hissed (Sheen .Nadine, pale as a
corpse, but with e as that literally glowed, as
though filled with iquid fire. “ Show your docu-
mentshor admit that you have lied from start to
finish! ‘ .

Nash Whildon laughed softly, his lips curling
as he responded:

“Will you never understand, Nadine! A bit
ago you insinuated that I was an id’t, but I am
not uite so far gone as all that comes to. I en-
tered this game towin. I naturally preferred
fair means, for, believe me or not, I do love you
asmortal man seldom loved woman before. I

awould give my good right hand just to be sure
that on did or ever would love me one-half as
who! y!” .

Queen Nadine laughed shortly, contemptuous-

ly. -

“ That is so easy to imagine! You are actin
so loverly, so gallantly, so courteously. Bah! i
you must talk, talk common sense!”

“ 1 am doing still better; I am‘ talking the
truth. I never realized what love was untilI
met you. I had known what I mistook for love

 

scores of times, I admit. But when I saw on,
I learned my mistake. From that day t era
was but one woman in all the world for me, and
you were that one. Nadine."

“ I never hated myself until right now !”
mocked the amazon.

“ I loved you so well, that I understood your
heart and head even better than you knew them

ourself,” he persisted, in the same subdued but
intensely earnest tones. “ I loved you so wholly
that when I saw you Were learning to dislike
me, that love only rendered me more firmly re-
solved to con nor in the end. It was then that
I began to loo up your past life, to find—need I
say Just what?”

“ dpcak plainly if ‘ you must speak at all.”

“ I unearthed a secret which I soon saw would
prove a powerful Weapon in in hands. I per-

ected it, then laid it aside unti I was forced to
bring it into play. For, if I could, I wanted to
win on through the power of my love alone.

“ studied you so closely that I knew, even
before you suspected the fact, that you were be-
ginning to feel an interest in—”

With a swift motion a gloved hand struck him
across the lips, and panting, trembling, Queen
Nadine hoarseiy uttered:

“ Silence, you cur! Dare to taunt me with
that—”

“Let it pass, since you are still tender on that
point,” bowed Whildon, with a half-malicious
smile. “ Unless my eyes have played me false
this day, I will have little further to fear on that
score.”

“ Do you dare—”

“ To think Angel Sam will shortly have a son—
in«lnw? Why not? You will be my wife before
that time, and can afford to laugh at what was,
at the worst, only a passing fancy or idle
whim.”

It, was risky work, but the master of Open
Hand Ranch was resolved to show no mere
until the victory was fairly won. He half:
anticipated another attempt upon his life, and
held himself in readiness to foil it without per-
mitting the distant nests to even suspect the
presence of such trou 1e so near at hand.

But Queen Nadine only shivered as her proud
head drocped lower, For the first time in all
her life she began to feel as though she had met
her master.

It was a sensation so new, so strange, that it
seemed to benumb all her faculties save the one
of wounded pride.

If Nash Whildon diviued this, he made no
sign. He was bent on a complete victory and
as they slowly rode on, turning at interva s in
an irregular course, never passing far away
from the mesa, he spoke on:

“ In studying you soclosel , Nadine, I learned
your temSer pretty thoroug ly. For a woman,
you coul be terribly dangerous, and all the
more so because a man could not wellstrike
back: at least openly. '

“ I decided that there was but one way to con-
quer you and to gain my coveted prise: that
was to carry you by storm, trusting to time and
devotion to reconci c you to your fate.

“ When your father proposed this aflair, I
made up my mind that my time had come, and
arranged matters accordingly. My first move
was to carefully arrange the roofs I hinted at,
writing out all I had collec in addition, seal-
ing them snugly, and then placing them in the
hands of a tried and trusty friend, with strict
orders notto break the seal or bring them to
light until I called for them, or he learned he-
yonél the possibility of a doubt that I was

ea .
“In case of my death. he was to open and
read the pars, then act in strict accordance
with the directions I had inclosed. I swore him
to faithfully carry out my instructions, then
came here to rule or min as fate should decide.”

“ Are you through?” slowly asked Queen Na-
dine after a brief period of silence.

“ I think I have stated my case with suffi-
cient clearness for present purposes—yes,” with
a cold smile.

“ W hat is this discovery you pretend to have

0 .

Witl‘; a soft laugh the pointed question was

I‘I‘le I

“ i will keep no secrets from my wife, of
course. Until then—a secret let it remain, my
precious!”

“ And you insist on m bein that wife? Do
you forget that I am of panis blood—that I
ca a knife?”

“ for at nothing, Nadine,” with sudden seri-
ousness, is blue eyes filling with powerful gas-
sion, his voice growing even tender as be ad ed:
“ I am willing to force you into marrying me,
simply because you decline to be won after any
more gentle fashion. But when I have once
fairly caged my bird, I will soon teach her to
answer my tenderest love-notes, with even
added fervor if that can be!”

“ I would kill you before the first day was

ended!” fiercely.
, “ 1 am willing to run that risk, Nadine. For
one month after marriage I will leave those
docuirents in_the hands of my friend. At the
end of that time I will have you so completely
won that I vow you shall receive every scrap of
proof in existence! Can I‘ say more?”

 

!

Queen Nadine laughed hardly, unnaturally as
she retorted:
“ And you think I will consent to such a one-

sided arrangement? That I will take your bare I

word for proof? Bah! you are mad !”

“Mad from love, if you like, but perfectly
sane on all other points, as I hope to prove to
your satisfaction,” was the smiiing retort. “ I

ave named my terms. Your father has :ilread
agreed to them. You will do so in the en :;
then why not let that end come at once? It.
must come before the sun yonder touches the
sky-line!” with sudden decision.

‘It will come with your death, then. Prove
to me that you are not trying to trade on an
imaginary secret! Prove to me that you know
a fatal step of mine in the past! No more hints:
the truth !’

Impetuously Queen Nadine shot forth these
words. Her great eyes lowed vividlyasshe
turned her horse to fairly ace the rancher. ,

The smile faded out of his face, and his tones.
grew cold and hard as he asked:

“What proof do you wish? My papers are.
as I said, deposited in the hands of a trusty
friend, who - ’

An im atient gesture cut his speech short.

“ You ave a tongue that runs glihly enough.-
One word— what is this pretended secret of
yours?”

“ If you will be content with no less—listen!"
bending forward as though fearful the light air
might carry his words too far. “I know the
whole truth concerning the death of Pierce Fal~
coner, and why he was killed!”

CHAPTER XX.
A wonn or WARNING.

h was some little time before Pink Archer
could fairly extricate himself from the throng
surrounding him with their hearty congratula-
tions on his happy escape from what all conceded
to be a most aw ward position.

“ That was the one tender int in the scheme
from the start,” admitted arker Mandrake,
tho h with a gentle sigh as he recalled his bets,
whic would have to be drawn as well as the
contest. “ And yet—I wouldn’t mind seeing just.
such another bout, right now!”

The young foreman laughed softly, frankly.
He bore no ill-will against those who had, con—-
sidered from a cowboy standpoint, “ rubbed dirt
all over him.” In a tournament of this sort,
some one must lose, and he was no better than
the rest.

“ I dare say it was fun to look at, but—my
dear fellow, if you really want to get at the bot—
tom facts, and to taste the real flavor, go in with
the boys and make pait of the circus! Between
you and me, it isn’t half what they crack it up
to be!” ,

Some of his hearers set this down to real or
mock modesty, but Pink Archer really meant.
what he said. He had entered the sports simply
because, as a servant, he felt in dut bound to;
obey the wishes of his cum layer. 6 took pre—
cious little pleasure in ma in an exhibition of
such skill as he possessed, an be was heartily
glad when the “circus” had reached its termi-
nation.

Royal Hart, with Red Clam ashis constant
shadow. also came in for a generous share of the
praise and comments, and he seemed far more at
case under the circumstances than the youn
foreman. He took the many compliments af-
most as a matter of course, but with such a
smili , velvet grace tlfat his new friends never'
once Ithought of charging him with vanity.

“ If your horse hadn’t stumbled quite so soon,
though!” laintivoly uttered Parker Mandrake,
still wrest¥ing with his undecided wagers. “It
was gallantly done, you know. and all that, and
I’d rather ten times over have lost every bet than
see Pink Archer come to grief in serious earnest,
but—if you had only the right, you know!”

“ Curse your bets, man!” sharply cried Brown-
in . “ l was on the same line 0 ence, but I’m
no howling. We’re nothing out, and Archer is
right end up. And Whildon ti ok the first tum—
ble! Don‘t be a hog, rd!"

In these Words lav t e key to the almost gen-
eral cheerfulneSS. It showed how popular the
young foreman was with the community, and
proved how very few stanch friends the master
of Open Hand Ranch could boast.

Archer was preserved from what, for a single
breath, had looked like certain death. Nash
Whildon was doubly defeated; he had lost his
seat first of all the champions, and though a
draw was agreed upon, not a man present but
was free to admit t at Falcon Ranch had by far
the best of the struggle as far as it was permit--
ted to go.

As soon as he could do so without actual rude~
ness, Pink Archer extricated himself from the!
friendly crowd, knowin that he would have his
hands full of work be ore many minutes, as
foreman and general director. But he was not
permitted to have many minutes to himself, just
then, for Royal Hart followed after.

“ All right after our little neck tie experi—
ence, pardf" softly aughed the yellow-haired
sport, flashing a keen glance around them, like-
one who prefers to have no other auditors than
those of his own selection.

“ Right as right, thanks to you ‘0 30¢

 



 

 

fifi‘rw

The Rustler Detective.

17‘

 

 

pard,” frankly responded the young foreman.
gms ing the bronned hand and pressing it warm-
ly,'tiien treating the silent Kickapoo after the
same fashion. “ I hardly know how you got in
your fine work, it all passed so swiftly, but I
reckon I‘m your debtor for whole bones, if not
for a life.”

“ Never mention it, pard; it cost “:3 nothing,
Ian bed the Bounding Buck from Buffalo
We low. “ It was a dirty trick, at the best,
and in knocking it cndways, to say nothin of
getting a white man out of the snarl, we ad
pl inty reward.” '

Light though his tones were, there was some-
thing in the manner of the dashing sport that
lent a double meaning to the Words he uttered,
and for the first time a suspicion of the black
truth entered the mind of the Falcon Ranch
foreman. till, he refused to give it credence.
It was too ugly, too vicious for belief!

“ It might have turned out worse, but a man
has got to take such things as they come. In a
mat-2h .ike this, a fellow soon comes to think of
nothiu but how he can do the most for his own
side. hat increases the chance of accidents, of
course.”

Thin was not exactly what Pink Archer wish-
ed to say, but somehow that peculiar smile
seemed to tangle his tongue all up.

“ And you still think it was an accident, their
gettiinr you foul?”

“ I ( 0. At least their both catching me, and
what followed.”

“ An'l it was an accident that spread you out
as a carth for the hoofs of that bull, too, no
doubt!”

Pink Archer frowned a little as his eyes began
to glow.

" What are you trying to get at, anyway,
urd?” he demanded, With a trace of anger in
is voice.

Royal Hart turned t0ward Red Clam, speak-

ing uickly:

“ on know how to use your eyes, pard, if
your tongue is ’way below par. Am I barking
along; the right trail, just now?”

The Silent Kickapoo nodded his head quickly
1‘.) ns-ren..

“ I thought so, but there’s nothing like being
positive,” with a soft laugh as be cast a glance
toward the serious face of the young foreman.
“ Why Were you so read to use your knife on
that Greaser’s riata, 1”

The Incliun swiftly worked his fingers for a
few seconds, and in a low tone the Bounding
Buck interpreted his pantomime. '

“ Saw them miss the turn twice in succession,
and knew they’d try for the charmer, ch? You
hear that, ard?” turning guickly toward the
really start ed foreman, an speaking in more
serious tones; “ Rel Clam saw just what I saw,
and interpreted it after precisely the same fash-
ion. It was no accident that led to your being
caught in that double trap, but a cold-blooded
attc t at murder!”

Pin Archer turned a shade paler, but shook
his head stubbornly. He could not—would not
believeitl

“ It may seem so, to you, but I can’t go it,” he
muttered.

“ Win it a friend that cut your right stirrup-
leather?”

“ I’ve seen just such tricks played before,
without any real malice at the bottom. This
ma have been such another.”

‘ May, but was not. Let it pass, for now.
Was it a joke or was it cold earnest that made
those two fellows—Lazy Lupton and the Mex-
ciau—try three distinct times to catch you foul:
and each time attacking you from directly op-

‘ite sides, at the same instant?”

Archer hesitated for a little before makin
answer. His suspicions were being confirm ,
yet he fou ht hard against yielding to them.

“ lt wmfid a little out of the common run, but
those two men are amon the keenest, shrewdest
of all tbs force of Open and. They looked at
me as a sort of chief opposed to them and
naturally made me their mark. When flaid
myself open, why shouldn’t they both see it!
And to see a chance to count, would be enough
for them to chip in.”

Royal Hart laughed softly at this rather
labored explanation, and renewed his grip upon
that honest hand.

“ You‘re ’way off, pard, but 1 can’t help liking
you all the better for it. Most men would jump
at a chance to get even for a trip, but you

blister your tongue making excuses for your

enemies! Magnunimous, but mighty poor
jud ent!”

“ uspicions are not legal proof, and without
proof positive I wouldn’t accuse my bitterest
enemy.” quietly retorted Archer.

“ All right, pard. I thought it no more than
fair to tell you just what we saw. No offense,
I’m hoping?”

“My heartiest thanks, instead,” was the
prompt response.

“ Consider them recorded, pard! And now——
on will keep all eyes open? If you won’t be—
ievo, you will at least watch?” '

" I’ll t to steer clear of snags, of course.”

“ The “(post toughest, knottiest snag of all

lies over you er!” muttered Royal Hart, with a
glance and barely perceptible nod in thedireo—

 

 

 

tion where Nash “’hildon was riding slowly
along at the side of Queen Nadine. “Hes
mighty bad medicine, psi-d! It’s his split hoof
that has been stirring up all this mud. He no—
tions you’re in his way, and I‘m open to bet
long odds that it’s his extra pay that made those
two rascals so mighty keen to down you for
kecpis, a bit ago!”

“ here’s no love lost between us, I’m free to
admit, but you’re off the trail when you hint
that I‘m in his path. He has a clean field for
all of me!”

“He seems bent on cutting out the running,
anyway i” with a curling 1i as he watched the
movements of the couple eyond. “ And you

 

are in Plump earnest, paid? You wouldn't kick
a bit i . I tried to show of! my paces before these.
big black 0 es?” 1

“Good uck go with you, pard,” laughed :
Archer, frankly meeting that can gaze. “I 
don’t know much about you, to be sure, but ;
anything in the shape of a man would be better ,
luck than that smooth-tongued rascal!” I

“That’s hearty, and I reckon I’ll hire with ‘i
the old gent. Not to shoulder you out of place, =
thou h mind ye, pard!”

“Igwill have no place on Falcon Ranch by I
this time tomorrow. If I can see you installed 5
as foreman, I’ll leave with an easier mind; but i
leave I am determined to, whether or no.”

“ I’ll do my level best to fill your shoes.”

“That won’t be so hard,” laughed Archer,
with a covert glance toward the spot where
Sam and Nellie Angel] were pre wing to take
their departure. “You’ll find t 8 boys 3. fair
lot. after they have once taken your measure;
rough and tough, at times, but stuff you can
count on from sun to sun, as long as you treat
them white. It will come heap easier to you
than I found it. They have sized you up pretty
accurately already, and will be willing to meet
you half-way."

Rn al Hart saw that the honest young fellow
hard y knew how to break of! the interview
without appearing too blunt, and generously
solved the question by turning away with a
laugh, saying:

“ 0 time like the present, eh? Reckon I’ll
begin to circulate and show the lads my best
pomts, just for a fi er 1”

Piilik Archer ma 9 no effort to detain him, be
sure

He saw An 1 Sam prepari the horses
which had corral him and Nelliggto the mesa,
and lest no time in seeking the side of the blush-
ing girl whose very shyness proved how much
she prized his coming. '

A frown, more of uneasiness than of anger
corrugated the weather-beaten face of Angel
Sam as he saw the youn couple slowly move
away together, Nellie wit drooping head and
downcast eyes, Pink bending over her and seem-
ingl talking with great earnestness.

“ It’s human natur‘, I reckon, but I’m wishin’
it didn’t crop out so mighty glam jest now! Of
all the wimmen in the worl , fer it to be that
s it—fire!” with an almost venomous glance over
t, 9 level to where Queen Nadine was confront-

Nash Whildon.

at there was nothing very serious possin
between the oung foreman of Falcon Kane
and Angel ell. . Nothing that could have
brought a pang of Jealous rage to the heart of
even Queen Nadine had she been near enough to
have can ht every word either uttered.

With h s unusually keen sense of honor, Pink
Archer felt his tongue tied as long as he re-
mained in the sernce of FalconRa e. Though
he felt that he had naught to blame imself for;
though he knew he .had never given Nadine
Falconer even the faintest excuse for believing
he had or ever would love her; while she re-
mained his mistress, he could not bring himself
to talk of love to one! her woman.

He was telling Nell how he had resolved to

ive up his position, and was almost timidly
Einting at a VlSlt which he hoped to make their
house before many dogs, when a hurried foot-
step startled them, on they lanced around to
see Angel Sam limle up, is hard features
filled with mingled anger and fear as he mut-
tered harshly:

“Pull out, young teller! It ain’t white—it
ain’t noways kind, the we. you’re gittin’ the
proud miss down onto my li tle al, no it ain‘t!”

Pink Archer flushed hotly, an exclaimed:

“I am her servant only until this work is
smoothed over, then—”

A sharp warning hiss came from the old man’s 1
lips, mingling with the rapid trampling of a
horse’s hoofs.

 

 

CHAPTER XXI.
CLINCHING THE BARGAIN.

As those words came almost hissineg through
the white teeth of the master of Open Hand
Ranch, Queen Nadine shrunk back, pale as;
death, shiVei-ing as though an icy chill had .
seized u n her.

Nash hildou showed a gleam of triumph in
his keen eyes as she recoiled. If he had doubted
the truth of his suspicions before, he did so no i
longer. Only one with a guilty secret would so 3
plainly betray it in face and actions.

“ You forced me to utter the words, Nadine,”
he said, trying to hide his almost vicious triumph

 

at the effect of his speech. “ You can not blame
me for doing just what you dared.”

Quickly as she had recoiled, just so swiftly did
Queen Nadine recover herself, facing the rancher
boldly, her face hard-set, her great eyes blazing
defiance. And her voice, though strained and
unusually harsh, showed no signs of fear as she

spoke:

“ Is this your mighty secret? Is this the bolt
(you have been so carefully forging, Nash Whil—

on?’

“ Is it not sufficient, Nadine?”

“ No—a thousand times no i" was the swift re,L
tort.

The master of Open Hand Ranch laughed
softly, maliciously. _ '

“ Then your actions are mighty deceiving, my
dear! For just a single breath I feared had
given you our death-blow.”

“ I nste , you have made an idiot of your—-
self,” with stin ing Contempt in tone and face.
“ In~tead, you ve played your last trump,
only to find that on had misread its face!"

“ Do you real y think so, Nadine?" still with
that bland smile, still with that mocking light
in his blue eyes. “ Suppose we wait and leave
our little dispute to your worthy father, who
seems strangely alarmed at the length of time-
it takes for us to reach an amicable conclusion.
If he sides with you when I tell him-”

Without takin the trouble to conclude the
sentence, Nash hildou beckoned for Colonel.
Falconer to hasten to the spot. He was alread r’
on the way, unable longer to restrain his br -
ing fears of an outbreak on the part of hisfiery-
tempered daughter. Di ble‘ as he knew it
must prove, this acting as buffer betWeen two
such hot-heads, it was far referable to risking
such a fatal unmasking as ash Whildon might
earzgy bring about by telling all he had discov-

e .

Nerved to the task, the colonel at once at-
tacked lzis daughter, his voice harsh and
brusquc:

“Are you crazy, Nadine! Would you put.»
lish all to the world, just when we need to Use
the reatest caution and reserve?”

“ he declares there is nosecrettokeepbid»
den,” smiled Whildon. “ She says there is
nothing to keep hidden in that-”

“ Drop it, curse on!" grated Falconer, tum—
ing white as his orid complexion would r~
mit, one band grasping a revolver. “ lsnt it.
enough that I own up you’ve got us foul, with‘
out—n

A hard, reckless laugh from the lips of Queen
Nadine cut him short.

“ Talk about a woman being unable to keep a
secret! Only for your folly, father, I could
have fought him 0 to the bitter end! As it
is—he was not lying when he swore that you
had confessed ?”

“'Be frank, colonel.” purred the rancher,
showing his teeth. “ Once for all, have I not.
got you foul? Don’t I hold you in the hollow
of my hand, to save or destroy just as sweet
fanc dictates? Out with it!” _,

“ Us the truth, Nadine," tullenly muttered
the colonel brushing a hand across his damp
brow. “There’s no use to kick against it. -
We've got to knuckle, and the less we boggla
over it, the easier it will be.”

“Because then I will have 'ust as deep an
interest in keeping the secret rom spreading
as either one of mu,” gently sup emented
Nash Whildon. “ use I Would efend my
wife against the whole world besides!”

“And if I still decline to be your wife?”

“Then I will tell all I know, in tones loud
eno h for every car to recognize! I will rule:
or ruin, as I said before!”

Colonel Falconer  between the two,
catchin the rein of is daughter’s horse, turn-
ing its end about as he hurriedly uttered:

‘Give me a few minutes to talk it over
with her, thildon. I’ll try to bring it out all
right.”

“ For your sake, uite as much as mine, re-
member! ’ nodded tie ram-her with a cold
smile as he reined back his horse for a few

paces. l

He made no effort to catch the. words that
mm between the two. He felt satisfied that,
victor was his, and was content to wait a
few mantPS lon or for his final triumoh.

Almost sav e y as he had pressed his woo—
in , there was ove lying beneath it all; strong,
ar ent, passionate love such as he had never
expected to feel for living being. A year ago-
he would have laughed at the bare idea of
forcing a woman to accepthis hand. Now—-
he cared not what means he med, just so his
end was ined.

He con d see that Colonel Falconer was
Speaking most earnestly, like one who full
realizes the serious nature of the case. e
could see that, though pale, Queen Nadine was
gradually losing her hot rage, and long before
the moved in his direction. he believed be
con d see unmistakable signs of her yielding to-
the arguments brought to bear by her parent.

“You have thought bettei of it, Nadine?" ho'
exclaimed, spurring his horse forward, his face.

. nglow with trium h as they made a move in
. his direction. “ on will forget all, save that

I love you?"

 

    

“ Forgetting does not come so easy, Mr.
Whildon, but I have concluded to make the
best of a mighty bad bargain, and yield to the
inevitable,” retorted Nadine, in a hard, reckless
tone that drove the love-light from his face in
an instant.

“You agree to be my wife? And when?”
.he demanded, coldly.

“ At as distant a date as possible, of course,”
.still in that hard unnatural tone of voice.

“ We won’t quarrel over that point, he sure,”
‘hurriedly interposed the colonel, dreading a
10-5 of ground which had been so hardly aiiied.
“It had oughtto be enough for you, W ildon,
to have her romise, without crowding too
hardslzy. Let t 0 day wait for a bit anyway."

“ on have promised, then?” persistell'hil-
«Ion. “You swear you will become my wife
whgz’i I ask you to go through the ceremony With
ine‘.‘

“Ipromise. I swear, if that suits you bet-
ter.” was the cold reply.

“ Then—"

“I’ll leave you two gentlemen together to
agree upon the minor details,” brusquely cried
1\adine. wheeling her horse without paying any
attention to the hand which he reached out to
clasp hers. -

Nash Whildon frowned darkly us he watched
her dash away toward the mesa, but as Colonel
Falconer tapped him on the arm, he turned
.back.

‘7 It cuts mi hty deep, you see, pard,” apolo-
getically. “ i ot that she won’t come to look at
it betterin time, but she’s got a terrible high
spirit, and the best of ’em don’t cotton to being
driven, you know.”

Falconer felt that his tongue was unusually
clumsy, even for him, but he had to say some-
thing. After L11, it was a pure matter of busi-
ness, and sentiment could not be expected to
figure gracefully in it.

“I am satisfied, since I couldn‘t get better
terms,” calmly said the Open Hand master. “ I
leave her taming to time, after this lirst lesson

'is fairly over. But about our wedding: the

sooner that comes off, the better for all iartics.
As long as she is her own mistress, she will chafe
and pull on the halter. W'hen I have her fairly
bound, my love will tame her the most surely.”

Colonel. Falconer feebly objected, but he was
hardly in a position to make conditions. He
knew that he was helpless, and fought with a
faint heart at best.

It was now drawing quite late in the after-
noon, an'l the guests were already thinking of
making a start for their respective homes. As
a matter of com so they wished to say a word or
two of praise for the entertainment, and Colonel
Falconer was only too glad of a chance to break
off the interview With this prospective son-iii-
.law of his. .

Nash thildon offered no opposition, quietly

iermitting the colonel to leave him behind.
Il‘hcre was a hard, disagreeable glitter in his blue
eyes as they rovod toward two figures dimly
perceptible near the side of the mesa. One was
a man, the other a woman.

Possibly it was this meeting, which he had no-
ticed from the first, that made him so hard and
obstinate in resolving to lose no time in making
his victory complete.

He sat watching those figures until a ringing
cheer from the guests announced the end of the
colonel’s neat little speech in response to their
congratulations. Then, his white teeth showing
in a cold smile, Nash Whildon rode up to the
.side of the Falcon Ranch owner.

“ One Word before we separate. ladies and
gentlemen,” Whildon said, his voice ringin out
clear and distinct. “ You have just cndc one
celebration, and I trust you have not entire]
wasted your time. This hope and belief embo —
dens me to propose another meeting which, if
not of the same nature, should be equally as
happy—tenfold so to me.

“ One week from to-night, Miss Nadine Fal-
coner will honor me by becom'ng mlyflwife, the
ceremony to take place at Falcon nch. In
her name, as in my own, I invite one and all to
.honor us with their presence 1” ,

CHAPTER XXII.
A ronLOBN HOPE.

As Nellie and Pink turned, Queen Nadine rode
briskly up to the spot, twin roses in the cheeks
which so seldom wore color, a gay smile upon
her lips, and her great black eyes full of anima-
tion.

stinctively the foreman step in front
of is shrinking companion, recal ing the mad
threat with which Queen Nadine had ast parted
from him, but if the fair amazon noticed the
guarding movement, she gave no outward signs
of comprehending its urport. -

“ Gomgggiss Angel ’1 May we hope that you
have not 11 altogether disappointed in your
anticipations?” ‘

Nellie murmured something, she hardly knew
what, but evidently Nadine accepted it as fa-
vorable, for her smile grew more cordial, her
tone at more friendly and mellow.

“ pleased ~to hear it, I’m sure. You sh
little creatures are so difficult to understan ,
and I—well, it was my duty, even as it is m '
nature, to keep on the wing. Another time

 

The Rustler Detective.

hope to see more of you. You shrink, little
girl?” with a low, soft laugh that held a pained
echo to the marveling ears of the foreman.

“ I am so unused to—to even the company of
my own sex, Miss Falconer," faltere Angel
Nell, blushing warml as she felt the encourag—
ing pressure which Fink Archer contrived to
give her trembling hand,as he fancied, unseen
by Queen Nadine.

“ And I might almost say the same,” still with
that vague sound of pain and regret lingering in
her rich tones. “ Those that I have known most
intimately, perhaps, were too nearly of my own
wild, reckless disposition. You, little girl! If I
had known you longer, better, I might have
been a happier woman this da 1”

Nellie was silent, and even ink Archer knew
not (iiust what words to utter, while Angel Sam
stoo staring with open mouth and dazed eyes,
plainly unable to credit the evidence of his own
senses.

Truly Queen Nadine was that day proving
herself a bewildering bundle of contradictions.

“ You will come to Falcon Ranch, some day,
Nellie!" she added, her full, rich tones sounding
very musical indeed. “You have never been
there, I believe?”

” lt is so far, and then—” hesitated the girl.

“ And theii——-the reputation which dame rumor
has given the mistress forbade any wish on your
part to lessen that distance!” supplemented
Queen Nadine, With a laugh that sounded far
more like the self which Pink Archer knew best.
“ But you must not believe all you hear, even——
hark!” with a swift turning of her head toward
the spot where Nash thildon was just be—
ginning his announcement of their coming mar-
riage.

So still the air, sn clear and almost painfully
distinct was his voice, that not a syllable escaped
the ears of the quartette under the mesa wall.
Instinctiwlly Nellie drew a little closer to Pink
Archer, but for once he was hardly conscious of
her presence. His eyes were fixed upon thatpale
face, looking as though carved out of marble.
Yet, statuesque as Queen Nadine sat her horse,
lie momently expected to see a fierce outburst on
her part.

Surely there could be no truth in the an
iiouiicement Nash Whildon was making? So
brief a time had elapsed since the woman whom
he claimed as his betrothed had cast her panting
heart at the feet of another!

Thch was so little of love or submission in
that pale, proud face!

And yet, when the master of Open Hand
Ranch ceased speaking, when the voices of the
surprised gucdzs were heard in more or less
hearty congratulations, Queen Nadine grace-
fully sprung from her saddle a smile upon her
red lips as she bowed to the young couple
with mock humility. And there was not a trace
of mockery to be detected in her voiceas she
uttered:

“Strange, but true, my good friends! And
from the bottom of my heart. Nellie, I trust
and hope that I will right speedily have a chance
to congratulate you after the same fashion.
Nay, nay, little one,” with a low laugh that was
music itself as Nellie shrunk back from her ex-
tended hand; “it is too late and my eyes are
too keen. That charming blush betrays your
secret, and—”

She broke off abruptly, as a horse was heard
rapidly approaching; bhe turned to confront
Nash ' Vhildon, the right, playful smile fading
from her beautiful face as by magic.

“I am not uite ready to leave, and a little
longer delay will give our good friends time to
prepare their pretty Speeches,” Queen Nadine
uttered, before the rancher could open his lips.
“ Take care of my horse, please." .

She flung him her reins, then turned her back
as coolly as though the one addressed was but
one of her servants whose duty it was to obey
her lightest whim. ‘

Au ugly gleam came into the eyes of the
rancher, n he made no rep] in words. He
took the reins, and moved quiet yaway with the
animal.

Nellie gave a little shiver of mingled surprise
and uneasiness. It was all so strange, so unex-

ted. And there seemed something unwhole—
some in the air.

“ It’s time we was moggin’ to'rds home,
birdy,” mumbled An el Sam, drawing his
daggéiter toward their orses, as he indistinctiy
ad . :

“Thankin’ you fer all the fun an’ grub, an’
secli like. mum, 0’ course 1”

Pink Archer half turned to hear them com-
pany, but Queen Nadine touched him on the
arm in token that she was not yet willing to

rt.

“ You will lose nothing by waiting, Mr.
Archer,” with a curious lau h, that but served
to increase his uneasy feeling. “Angel Nell
will have all the more time to think over the
words I dropped in'her ears. Give her time, and
you may find they have taken root in her heart
of hearts!”

Pink Archer bowed stiflly. He did not like
the situation, after what had passed between
them that day, but he hardly knew how to
escape without making his fears painfully con-
spicuous.

 

“ I am at your service, of course, Miss Fa}
coner, since your father refused to accept in
resignation until another da . I Wlll look after
your horse, and relieve Mr. hildon.”

“Mr. Whildon is doing very well,” quickly
uttered the willful amazon, slipping a hand
throu rh his arm and slowlyr inovmg along the
footo the mesa. “ Mr. Vi hildon may as Well
begin his apprenticeship now as an hour later.
And you——have you not one word of congratu—
lation to offer? Are you the least bit sorry to
see that I am determined not to wear the wil-
low. Pink?”

“ I congratulate you, Miss Falconer,” gravely
uttered the foreman, ignoring the (-losmg sen-
tence. “I wish you all imaginable happi-
ness.”

Queen Nadine laughed shortly. irritably.

“ In a voice as grave and ominous as that of
a raven! A blind man would fancy you lament-
ing over the utter ruin of a friend, instead of
celebrating her ever—enduring blissl”

Archer made no response. He felt that there
were breakers ahead, and racked his brain in
search of a plausible excuse for beating a retreat
while he was yet clear of the reef.

Queen Nadine dropped his arm, turning until
they stood face to face. The bright color was
gone. Her face was white as marble. Thtre
was a wild, fierce, yet imploring light in her
great eyes.

“ Is it too late, Pink?” she uttered, her voice
strained and harsh with the intensity of her
emotion. "Mus! this sacrifice be made cem-
pletel Do you hate me so bitterly that you
can stand by to see a man like Nash Whildon
ruin my entire future?”

Pink Archer was strongly affected by her
emotion, but he steadied his voice as he made
re ily:

L I could wish you were to wed a better man—
a man more worthy you, Miss Falconer.
Though buta servant, you have CVOI‘ treated
me kindly, generously. If sincere wishes and
prayers can bring you we and happiness, be
sure they will not be lac ing."

“ I’eacc—happiness——with Nash IVhildon?”
and a hard, scornful luucrh came through her
teeth as they clicked sharp y together.

So intense was the hatred, the loathing, ex-
pressed in her tones and face, that Archer was
thrown still further off his guard.

“Surely that man is not forcing you into
marrying him, Miss Nadine? If I thought so
for a moment——”

“You would save me?” softly breathed the
woman, as he broke oil“ with an uneasy con-
sciousness of having gone too far. “ You can
save me from a merciless villain, Pink! Say
that you will .’ Say that you will have pity, and
it is not yet too late!”

Now that the worst had come. Pink Al‘l'hel'
met it as he met all dangers, openly, resolutely.
He did not pretend to misunderstand her hardly
coherent sentences. He knew that only perfect
frankness could avail them in this crisis, and
that frankness he used.

“ If I can save you by forcing Nash Whildon
to eat his words, I am ready to do it. M Fal-
coner. If you say the word, I will pick a quar-
rel with and kill him; fortunately he has this.
day given me plenty of excuses, so no one need
know my real motive. This is the only “any 1

see of saving you from the false step you Lava.

let him take.”

Queen Nadine thing out a hand with swift
impatience. '

‘ If I sought his death,  would not need to
seek another hand. There is yet another method
—another way, if you—” .

“ None that I can take, Miss Falconer,” was
the grave interru tion.

Her proud hea bowed, and a gasping breath
from her painfully laboring breast told how
severely she was suffering. Pink Archer turned
fully as pale, but he did not falter. He felt that
there was more than his own future at stake,
and firmness now was his only course.

“ If it was only my own ha piness, Miss
Falconer, I might hesitate. But— must say it!
-—there is a little girl who loves me, even as I
love her. I have never told her this—never
asked for her secret in return; but I know that;
my hopes are well founded. It would be sinning
against three, were I to ask you to marry me.
And I fear you would be the worst sufferer of
all!

There was a brief silence. Archer was pain-
full consoious that he had not spoken 'ust as he
wis ed or intended. But he dared no attempt
to better it. The subject was bitterly painful to
his sensntwe, honest nature. And wild, ieckless,
ungoverned though he knew Nadine to be, his
kindly heart fairly bled fcr her then.

pnly abrief s ace of painful silence. Then,
with another of t esudden and complete changes
With which she had so often surprised him,
Queen Nadine lifted her need, a smile upon her
face. her voice clear and steady as she extended
bengnd: k fN'l  l f

on are spea in o 9: ie ngel 0 course
Mr. Archer?” g ’ '

The young man bowed assent. A shadow came
into his face, as he recalled the fierce threats
which Nadine had breathed against Nellie that
day, and he half expected another outbreak in

 

 

*-W‘ w 4,-

 

 

 

   
 
 
   
  
   

 

\

x2 s -

The Rustler Detective.

19

 

 

the same vein. But in this he miscalculated
widely

Queen Nadine showed no further s' as of.

agitation or passion. She looked and spo 8 like
one thoroughly at ease.

“She is a dear, good girl, judging from her
looks. I know little about her, of course, since
we have met but once or twice before today.
Still, I think she is a woman to suit you, to
make your future life complete and perfect.
She loves you, or her shy eyes 3 ke falsely.”

“I will soon know my fate,’ slowly uttered
Archer. “ After to-morrow I will be free to go
and corneas I please. 'Not but that I have found
my employment ver agreeable, but—"

“ Yes, it isbetter : t you resign your pgsition,
after my mad folly to-day. It would hardly be
pleasant for either of us to meet too often. But
we will see you at the ranch before on leave?”

Pink Archer bowed assent, bu before he
could speak, Nadine added:
“ 'l‘hen I may have more to tell on. Still,

let me say this much: My best, kind iest wishes
go with youl I trust on will meet with the
leeward you so richly eserve, and I offer you
my congratulations in advance. As for Nellie
A .gell-tell her that I beg she will permit me
t: give the bride away! And be sure she shall
not come to her husband with empty hands—to
the only man in all the world whom—”

Without completing the sentence, Queen
Nadine hurried away.

CHAPTER XXIII.
now FALCON RANCH CHANGED KANDS.

Thei tournament was ended, the company dis-

-me: .

Before taking his departure, however, Colonel
Hu 1: Falconer sou ht out both Pink Archer
an Royal Hart, bid ing them be sure and come
to the ranch on the succeeding day, when the
vexed matter of the young foreman’s resignation
rguld be finally arranged.

[here was considerable to do at the most;
and as a matter of course it fell to Archer to
.supevintond the arrangements. He had a suf-
ficxeut number of men detailed to do the Work,
and both Royal Hart and Red Clam remained to

 

’ keep him company.

Early in the evening all matters were put in
onler, and the three men were seated around a
comfortable, cherry fire. built on the mesa.

As lhe foot-path was 1m racticable for horses,

~ the cowboys naturally‘ re erred camping on the

 solemnityu “ ayt

‘~  andasked'

" mm!
'. ,- “The a ,
. ~- 10 a mbjelclt‘h‘neverlih’to alkabmkibrin

   

- one life. 'Brace up, and make

.oon Rancmfl‘M

 young.“

level “yaw, and none t. e less merry because they
were “mummy supplied with food and drink,

~ot wh oh so great an abundance remained after

the feast.

Thus it came that the trio already named were
the only occupants of the mesa , and could
converse without grading their to In, suit
curious ears. '

Pink Archer, as might have been expected
from all he had that day been called upon t0
endure, was inclined to gravity but gay, gm).
tongue! Hart Would not have it that way.

"Care killed a cat, pard, and oxa’ve only got
'hevo you are
chuck full of fun, eVen if you know itisalie!
Take examgle by me—a model, if I do proclaim
1r own tit i”

{10 bed one of the bottles of champai 1e,
and ins sted on Archer helping him and god

Clam em it.
“ To of? ha )py rl” he bowed with mock
lady (tab the gentleman‘s
head with a_ three legged stop! as often as he
ht to say his prade that will keep

ggm both too busy for quarrelingnit tho emu,
to be saved through his devotions!"

Nash hepes

“It is hardly a matter_ for jest," gravely
muttered Archer. “ That infernal scoundrel Is
not worthy to tie her shoestring l':

“I never nm 11 againsta Wiser man, para
for you a ree wit my pnvate notions eveiy
time I” an the Bounding Buck named .ppmv,
ingl across the fire. _

Almost unconsciously'to litmus-if Archer was
drawa on until he was talking freely about, pap
_ as well as‘present. He did
not suspect that he was being raped,» for it
this stranger was to em 3 on the
, it was nhtural enough for him towish for
a lit -. posting beforehand. .

“ I heard some one mention another Falconer
today,” at l h uttered Royal Hartas the
sat smoking be re turning in for the nigh ,
“Prince, or Price, or_ something 0: the sort.
Who‘was he! Any relation to the old 1;?"

“ Pierce Falconer; the colonel-a brot r."
Archer grew grave andalmoet gloomy as he‘

halibut al Hart was not onetthng
mat int “is; he  anything to gain by

. I suppose? Party-name unknown
to the eat—was cracking him up as a rider
and! as you read about. Who was he?” .

Archer roused himself up at this question,

andthaaghhismannerwasgraveatflrst,he

rm. . ‘ .
I loner of Falcon Ranch. It
Nughimllost mm: Butas

for
m m'mntell'ou
 _ .u‘y‘mm tom I

gain into the fire as he talked. /

v,

them turned upon him, shooting him dead.

 

w

 

on Fiilcon Ranch, you had better let the subject
rest.

“ Noth' 'r crooked, of course?” with a slight
arching of is brows. '

“ Not to my knowledge,” was the prompt re-
sponse. “ But the colonel has a mighty uneven
temper of his own, and it cuts him deep to
hear any such talk. He- knows that he is not
nearly as popular as his brother was, and he
sus ects a slur in every such allusion.”

‘ Recorded, to be remembered in season and
out,” nodded Royal Hart, adding briskly;
“ Brother departed; what sort sort of ticket?”

Archer frowned with an impatient gesture.

“Don’t make a jest of it, or you and I will

lay quits right here and now, stranger. Pierce
"alconer was my friend and benefactor. He
took me up 'when I hadn’t a dollar to bless my-
self with. He. nursed me when I was sick—a
thousand miles from - home and relatives. He
could not have done more for an own son—
and I a stranger, a beggar, flat on my back with
a nasty foyer. ”

“ I was wrong, pard. and I beg your pardon
for my carelessness. He was white, and you
are right to stick up for his memory,” soberly
responded Hart, stretching a hand across the
fire to grasp that of the young foreman.

“Let it drop. I’ve forgotten it already,”
with a faint smile.

“And the story with it, if you’d rather not
recall the facts.”

“ Why not? You must learn them from some
one, and that might as Well be me. It can be
boiled down without taugling up the mam facts,
and 1of course they are all you care about just
now.

Knocking the ashes from his pipe, Pink Archer
embraced both knees with his clasped hands,

“ on say you are from down country, but
you must know something about the troubles
we have. had in this quarter with the rustlers
and raiders. Not so/much of late years as be-
fore my time, but still frequent enough to
make a man keep his weather eye open when the
Sign is right. 4,

‘ As I said, Pierce Falconer picked me up and
set me on my pins again, after I had about
abandoned al hopes of a more comfortable
futon: than 0. wooden overcoat under ground.
He did more; he put me on his ranch, first as
a sort of aide, then, as" l or stronger and
more of a man, giving me t position I have
filled up to this day.

“ One night a heavy raid was made on Falcon
Ranch, as well as several others at the same
time; Open Hand amen them. It was a big
affair, and the i‘asoals w o engineered it. came
from down country—4mm across the Grande,
you understand? , r‘

“The trick was well played and almost lost
beyond recovery when we pped to the facts.
When we did get our eyes open, be sure we lost
little time in getting to work the best We knew

w. I

“ It was my first practical experienoe with
that eort‘of cattle, and being foreman, I natu-
rally held myself responsible, for the loss; at;
least, in a at measure. That- drove mei’airiy
wild, and opt me from weakenhig, as I might
have done otherwise.” '

“Yes.” drawled Royal Hart, blandly gazing
through the fragrant blue curls of smoke from
his pl . ~“ You look cut out for a coward.”

Arc er flushed a little, but made no comment.

“ With a few of my lads I run up against a
g 0' of the rustlers, and in the row that follow—
or??? got laid \out with mines and dispatch.
When I came to myself, it was broad day, and I
couldn’t lift a hand to help myself. Only for
this bit of crooked luck, I might have been with
my friend and' master when .he was lulled—to
share his fate or have saved him!”

“ He was killed, then?” ‘ . '

“ Yes. He was joined by a number of others,
and they had seVeral brushes with the raiders,
though they were not strong enough to whip
them out and out. They had sent out for help,
and tried all the knew to hamper the ng un.
til aid could rea them. This they di ,and so
saved the greater part of' the stolen) stock,
though the river was in sight when the rein~
forcements came up. ,

. “Pierce Falconer, who had lost someof his
lost men during the skirmishing, unfortunatel
let his temper run away with him and follow
the raiders as they fled across the 0rd. of

.“His‘brother, the present owner of Falcon
Ranch, with a‘ few men, followed down the
river. and managed'torecover his body. It was
so horribly mangled, and the distance so far,
that they buried him near the spot where his 
mains were recovered. . , ' ’ ‘

“It cut nae-deeper than my hurts when I

learned his fate, but as the colonel tegged me to .-

stay with him, flllin the same posit)” until he
could fairly‘get thegan’ of  ,(é‘llkonsent-
ed. And so, naturally, linger-scion outlithp
nt time.” ' ‘ * ‘ , -
“Then these two were 11 with that?
brother aad uncle atthe time.  '.

 
 
 
 

 

medal Had an interesttin Piece,
“neth ot’heen my 

 

  

V  "it... Hi 

as the relatives of the owner, they naturally
came in for the whole property.”

“Then Pierce Falconer didn‘t will the placeto
them?”

Archer stared open-eyed at the speaker,
whose voice had a peculiar echo as he asked this
question.

“ I heard or saw nothing of a will; but what
matter? As his nearest of kin, they naturally
were his heirs.”

“ What’s the matter with his wife and chil-
dren? there do they come in at?” coolly de-
manded Royal Hart.

“ Wife and—I never knew he was married!”
gaSped Archer. -

CHAPTER XXIV.
“ YOU ARE A MARKED MAN!"

ROYAL HART uttered a low whistle, his brows
arching more than ever as he stared across the
fire at his startled companion.

“ And you knew him well, Horatio?”

»“ As well as though he were my own father,
for nearly five yearsl” was the instant mspllnse.
“ And you claim to know him even Letter?”

There was a barely perceptible hesitation be-
fore the answer came.

“ I began to believe I did, but now I‘m not
half as sure. I once knew a man called Pierce
Falconer, but he was married and had onechild
toward a family of his own. The name is not
so very common, and I naturally got the couple
mixed up—if there real] were a couple?”

Royal Hart spoke ghny enough, but there
was a half-hidden eagerness in his eyes as he
uttered the last words that brought a faint.
smile to the face of the young foreman.

“You’ll have to look further, pard. Your
man and my friend couldn’t be the same.”

“The one I’m thinking about Was a trim-
built, wiry little fellow, with hair and eyes as
dark as those of Red Clam, 'onder.”

“ The man I knew was tal , broad shouldered,
with a hundred and eighty pounds of siuew,

 

bone and muscle,” laughed Archer, now fully ~

recovered from the shock he had received.

“That settles it, then!” nodded Royal Hort,
replenishing his fig» and settling back with an
air of lazy com ort. “Nothing like coming to
hard—pan. Care killeda cat, you knew, and I
was really beginning to pine away through pure
curiosity—I should sa benevolent solicitude on"
behalf oflthe suppose disinherited kids! But
of course, if your Pierce Falconer was an oil '
bachelor, that lets him out."

“I knew him for nearly five years. and dur»
ing all that time I nevor heard him mention
having been married,” gravely uttered Archer.
“He was rather peculiar about some things,-
but he seemed to trust and even to like me—"’

“ Wonderful!” softly ejaculated Royal Hart. ‘
mock surprise filling ‘ his handsome face.
“ Really took a fancy to you? The poor fel-
low must have escaped from some lunatic
asylum!” .‘ .

Archer id no attention to the words, "ewn >
if he ful y comprehended their urport. He
sat gazing into the glowing em rs‘, talking
more to himself than to his new friends. '

“I think he would have“ mentioned his mar- 

riage, even if death had long since bereaved
him. If he had, I would suml have remem-
~bered his words. No—Icoulda
that Pierce Falconer was never married P‘ ,

“ Case of two men With one name, no deal» "
carelesly commented the Boundir Buck. “ f
they had been the same, it star 8 to reason

that the wife and kids would have put in an 3p-
88 \

peamnce long before this, to share the loa
andfishes. There has been time, I take it?”
,“ The raid took place more time a !year ago.’"
“Seemsme canrecall somet ing about

it, come to think, though 'ust then I was in n '
m

{ghtg desolate part of universe my can
so . at that don’t count. You say the pre»
sent boss was the iv that recovcled
mam; fie was 'ving Jere, then?" ‘-

had been, for some little time,” with: e 

curiousglanoeintothe race of this persistent

questioner. ' ‘ ' '

Royalflartwasqnick to note this awakened
encountered

 ,and f y it, leaning.

f aan iuloweredttmes: ’ ‘ 
“You t I’m lag heap ' _ ‘ the

’matter, pardl ‘Well, you shaft so far 

trail! Iwantto lama-111mm,!!!) futon»
comm“, buti’ve got still better mason.

bomeaof 7 _ V
back. Will you take me on, trust for (fowl N

da sf”

“9" a» "v ’. I
{to  earmark
to own way I p b? ,T
q__ .11?! m helm:
my‘dgn’t’ candor a brmch
a! E“   , e .. -‘«
“NW  .mlm' w your
« 7n  yellow—haired; ,
 gamut-slaw: _. .
 {wasme
enact? "You have now its 1

   
    
  
    
  

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ing,but l‘mwilh

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ask,» league

   
  

 

 
   
   

 

 
     

 
 

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nk Archer met these blneleyes foraitew"

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20

 
   

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The Rustler Detective.

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“ Then of eonrsa they must have been the
are quill. Of course the young lady was with
her father when he first put in an ap eel"
“ They came together, yes. I met t em on the
way and guidedt emtothe ranch itself. Natur-
ally felt a little curious—J
H”That goes withou saying,” laughed Royal
art.

“And so I took closer notice of the manner in
which they were received than I might have
done bad I not acted as their guide."

“Affecting! Long-lost brother style, eh?”

“ Cordial enough, but Pierce Falconer was
never very demonstrative. He int educed them
to me, calling one his brother, the other his
niece.”

“That strai htens the record, sure enough!”
nodded the ye ow—haired sport, with an air of
satisfaction on his handsome face that but added
to the enigma in the mind of the young foreman,
who looked for disappointment instead, though
it would have puzz ed him to have explained
just why he should. “And you are perfectly
sure, pard, that on haven‘t any tender gone-
ness in that quar er? You are confident you’re
out of the game for good? Won’t chip in any
more?”

“ It you mean-3’

“ Which I certainly do,” laughed Royal, as the
other hesitated.

“ I never hal any pretensions in that quarter,”

coldl'ly.

“ hat leaves me foot-free, then, and it our
sweet-scented neighbor who brands his horns by
slapping item on the quarter with an out—
stretched. pam, don’t et a right royal shaking
up for the prize he tters ’mself is good as
won, I’m a 10 red cripple with a broken horn!
Not that I’m land or cattle hungry, mind ye

rdl But it would be a burning shame to stan

I and See that ’scape-gallows carry off such a
porions prize! I’ve got to chip in, you see!
Have 1.01 Can’t help it?”

Archer lau bed at the almost ridiculous ear-
nestness disp ayed by this stranger from Mex-
ico, and Royal Hart joined in with him, not a
bit abashed. If be entertained a good 0 inion
of‘himself, at all events he was not afrai to let
others know it.

“ It fills my heart to slopping over with jo to
have your assurance that you don’t inten to
chip, pard,” he laughed. “ You’ve had the in-

'de track for so long, you see, it wouldn’t be
an easy matter to freeze you out if on were in
earnest. Brother Whildon seemed take that
view of the case, only looking at it through a
more serious pair of lasses. If not— Pard,
though you tr to b nd yourself to the fact,
you’re a mark man!”

The abrupt transition from gay to grave
startled Archer. Royal Hart was deeply in
earnest as he leaned across the little lire, his
eyes all agbw.

“ Whil on has got it in for you, and only for

luck and a suspicious nature on my side
t da , you wouldn t be here now.”

Archer frowned, shaking his head slowly.

“I can’t think as you do, pard. It simply
happened so, just as it might have happened to
any other man.”

‘Provided that man stood in our shoes—
precisely. You know what I to] you down
onder about your stirrup—leather? Red Clam
as told me he saw that s ouching rascal, Lazy
Lupton. foolin about the horse you rode. The
chief didn’t t ink anything of it then, for

' Inch by inch, foot by fOot the human snake

 

there” was nothing to show whose animal it
was.

“‘ bill, that don’t convict Whildon. Lupton ,
never did fancy me.” '

“ While his master is ovor head and ears in
love with your humble self—pmzacdy! It
looked like it, when his two knaves were trying
their level best to whip-saw you in the free-for-
all.’

“Drop it. if you please, Hart,” gravely ut- ’
icred the young man. “ It is not such an agree-
able subject. And even if you “could prove the
complete truth of your suspiCIcns, how Would
that better mvcase? After to-morrow I will be ,
free to go and come as I please. I am no longer 1
in his way, even in fancy.” _ l

“ So you know, but will he think as much?
Even if he believes he has corraled the main
prise. Won‘t be feel safer if 3e makes sure all his

don’t just understand your meaning,
rd.”

“T. on I’ll use still plaincr English. I be-‘
Iieve that Nash Whildon set his tools to work :
your death or crippling. I believe his money

aid for the cuttin of your st‘irrupleather. I
)elieve he hired zy Lupton am Osorio the
Roper to murder you during the free-for-all.
And I feel confident that he will ngt rest quiet
cven now. I tell you, pard, you eamnrked |
man’ You are being hunted to the death, 3
either thmugltiulealousy, or for some other cause :
just. as power An unless you are on guard
all the time, they’ll rake you in from taw, dead I

er" l

“I can‘t think the mime way you do, but I
thank you for your kindly warning. And—if
only to please your fancy, para—I’ll sleep with
one eye open and a hand on twig? until I pull
out of this region,” lightly ad,

the young

1 men rose upright, one standing on ct, while the

man, rising to his feet and stretching himself I
with a lazy awn.

The Boun ing Buck from Buffalo Wallow was
silenced, if not wholl convinced, and dropped
the sub'ect then and t iere.

But little more convcrsation was indulged in,
for time was passing, and there was early ris-
ing‘ for the morrow to be remembered.

he cowboys below were still astir, and plain—
ly en '0 ing themselves when the foreman de-
scen e. to give them a friendly warning. He
was forced to drink a nightwap with them, be-
fore returning to the mesa top. where Royal
Hart and Red Clam had already completed
their simple arrangements for retiring.

With saddle for a pillow, and saddle blanket
for covering, it did not require much time to
get in readiness for sleep.

The night was warm enough to render a fire
unnecessary but Royal Hart or his red pard
had replenished it freely, and the bright glow
was playing over their recumbent forms when
1Pink Archer returned from his tour of duty be-
ow.

A few moments later he was lying quite as
still as they, dropping asleep almost imme-
diately.

Time crept on. The fire began to burn low,
its bri ht glow contracting y gentle degrees
until t 9 figures of the trio lying on the mesa
tog Were barely perceptible.

he cowboys on the level, remembering the
friend] warning of the foreman whom they
loved ully as much as they respected, dropped
off one by one, until complete silence reigned
over the place.

It was long past the turn of night when a
snake-like head was lifted above the rear wall
of the mesa ,' snake-like in action and silence, if
not in shape.

Through the gloom cast by the overhanging
trees, twm-eyes gleamed like those of a prowl-
ing cat, and Without a sound to betray its pro-
gress, a lithe, slender flvure crept up over the
escarpment, flattening itself out on the grass,
slowing moving its head from side to side as
those greenish eyes strove to netrate the
shadows which hung about the imly glowing
camp-fire.

There was no blaze, and the living coals
were coated over with gray ashes. The gave
forth only a ghostly light, barely sufficient to
betray the recumbent figure whic lay directly
between the embers an that ugly phantom of
the night.

crept along over the grassy carpet, one hand
clutchin a murderous knife, the other care-
fully an silentl clearing away each and every
obstacle in fron that could by any possibility
betra its progress.

Tw ce the crested head flattened to the ground
as there came a slight stir from the shape by the
fire, only to move on as quiet reignedoncc mere.
Only the restless movement of one whose sleep
is broken by dreams—phantoms of the exciting
events of the day. '

Then-a sharp, vicious cry rung out through
the nigh, and Pink Archer sprung to his feet,
hand on revolver as he glared about him.

To 'utter a cry of angry wonder as be dis-
tinguished two figures t at seemed but one as
they fought desperately at his feet!

CHAPTER XXV.
now THE ROPE}: cur run KNOT.
BEFORE he could make another move, the two

 

other kc t on rising until he writhed at arm‘s
length a ve the other's head. One instant,
then he was hurled to the ground with a force
that seemed enough to shatter every bone in his

body!

“Touch lightly, pard!” cried the clear voice
of Royal Hart, as a bright light shot from a
dark lantern full upon the scene, showing Red
Clam standing with one foot pressed upon the
back of the creeping assassin. “Don’t shut off
his wind too quick!”

Archer pushed the foot away, turnin the
body over, to utter a low exclamation 0 sur-
prise as he recognized the face:

“ The Roper!”

“ And here’s his sting,” rimly chuckled Hart
as he picked up a lon , ug y blade. “Yet y6u
won‘t be convinced! ven now I wouldn‘t mind
laying odds you are trying to explain in your
mind how the fellow could have wandered so
far—in a fit of somnambulism!”

Archer drew back as the yellow-haired sport
bent over the on ptive and deftlv robbed him of
his weapons. He shivered a little as he saw the
Mexican stir. utterin a. low gasping groan as of
one on the point 0 death. And he involun-
tarily stretched out a hand to check Royal Hart
as he saw him clutch the Mexican by the throat
with viciourt grip.

His own hand was intercepted by Red Clam,
who shook his head vigorously. And the Bound-
ing Buck grated:

“ Will you? Plnv ’possum? Not any, my
gentle sleep-walker !”

Even as the words passed his lips, the Roper

 

made an eel-like twist that almost freed him-
self. then struggled furiously to escape. It.
really seemed as though that terrible fall had

failed to injure him in the least: most assuredly
it had not crippled any of his limbs.

Bed Clam sprung to the assistance of his pard,
and in a marvelously short time the Mexican
was bound band and foot.

All of this passed so rapidly that the cowboys:
below, aroused by that wild—beastplike c and
the sounds of the struggle which follow had?
not fairly gained the mesa top when Royal ,Hart
hurriedly muttered:

“ Give them a bluff, pard! Km them down--
stairs until we’ve time to sqmcze i is night bird
a bit. No need to let any more into the secret
than we have to, you knew!"

It was too late to blind the c0r.‘boys to at least
a portion of the truth. but Arcl'er said just
enough to force their retreat, promisin to make
all clear to them in gocd tinxe. Au so well
had he maintained discipline over his men that
now he was obeyed without a question.

thcn he re‘urned to the camp-fire, le found
it blazing up freshly, and Osorio the Roper rcst—
ing in a sitting posture against the trunk of a
convenient tree, where the ruddy glow {and};
revealed his features.

Grim and forbidding in its rat-like vicious-
ness, and even the naturally sanguine Hart fclt
that it would be no easy matter to force a truth—
ful confession from their ca tivc.

Real Clam, full-ting with his nimble fingers with
Royal Hart for an inter rotor, quickly explained
what had happened. e had been awakened by
a start and muttering on the part. of the fire«
man, and happened to catch sight of the as-assin
only a few yards away. He watched until he
saw the phantom-like shape rise above the sleep-
ing foreman, knife in hand, plainly about to
commit murder. Then he sprung u 1) him,
knocking the glittering weapon from is hand.
The rest, they had seen.

“And now, mv gentle sleep-walker,” added
Royal Hart. squatting in front of the prisorcr
an emphasizing his words wit-h nimble linger.
“ What have you to say for your sweet self '9"

“That it is all a. mistake—all a foul lie,”
grated the Mexican with a vicious show of his.
yellow fangs
. “This is your knife?” holding the gleaming
blade up in the firelight. “ You meant to stab
Pink Archer to the heart, or “as it to slit Lis
throat?”

A sudden and complete than ’9 came over the
captive. His fiercenem turn to stolid indif—
ference, so far as outward seeming we nt.

“ Bah! what matter?” he muttered, with a
sullen flash of his heady eyes into the stern face
of the man whose death he was charged with-
having attempted. “ It is so. I meant to kill
the devil.”

“And so turn parricide?” softly laughed Hart,
with curling lip. “But 1‘re talking of an en-
tirely different character, understand. You
are char ed with attempting to murder my
friend, Pink Archer. Who hired you to use the
knife on him i”

With swift directness came the g csti-m, but.
if he hoped to catch the Mexican 0. his guard,
be was fated to be disappointed. 'l he reply was
prompt enough, but not just What was ex-

te<

“It is even so. I tried to kill Senor Archer-
But hire—bah! It was not old, but revenge.
It was 'ustice~—see? He kill my Own brother.
Is not t t enough to point my knife? Yes!”

“ When and where and why?" .

‘.‘ It matters not. 4 repeat—he kilicd my bro—
ther. I swore before the holy Virgin '0 have
blood for blood, life for life! I tried, and fuiltd.
That is my misfortune. 901d? Bah! I spit
upon gold! "

“ The woods are full of just Fucb liars as you,
Roper,” cooly retortcd the yellow-haired sport,
running a thumb gingerl over the razor-like
blade. “ See how much 8 raighter I can shoot,
even with my eyes shut. You never had a bro-
thcr. If you did, he was. never killed. If
killed, he died of hemp-disease. And that
polishes ofl lie number one.

“You were hired to slit the thrcat of Pink
Archer; for nothing less tcmpting than gold—-
plenty of it tool—could have ledyon tosucb long
chances after the specimens you ad this day of
our qluality. Now, what we want to get at next
is, w a hired you f”

Osorio the Roper contented himself with a
silent shru Of his wiry shoulders. Royal Hart,
Inn bed so fly. pleasantly.

“, ou believe in the old saving. that a silent
tongue never hung its owner, I  But that don’t
always work as it ought, unluckily for men of
your caliber. I might sling that other, about
Singing birds, but if I can’t be original, I'll be-
as or‘ginal as I can.”

“ You were caught in the act. and you know
what the penalty for such a crime is. The hovs
peeping over the escarpment, yonder, would be
only too happy to enlighten you on that. point.
but I’m in a merciful humor/tonight, and I’ll
save your worthless neck if it lies in the wood.

“ C nfess freely who hired you to murder
Pink rcher. an I’ll save your neck from the
rope. How is it, Roper?”

The Mexican gave another shrug, with a harsh
laugh of scorn.

“ it is you who lie, row' I see death in your-
eyes, though you try to mask them. It is well.

 

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.._..,._L. .__..

 

' owlialie

The Rustler Detective.

 

21

 

enough. Why not? I deserve death for being
.such a clumsy blunderer! My steel was at his

throat, and yet there is no red stain on its
blade! Bah! it is time I retired. Where is

your rope, cursed Gringo?”

" You are a tough nut, eh?” blandly lau hed
Royal Hart, with a swift gesture waving ink
Archer back as he seemed on the point of inter-
fering. “ You flatter ourself that we can’t
begin to crack you? at is very simple on
your part, my dear follow, for you are old
eno h and ugly enough to know that there is
noth ng on earth that we cursed Gringoes can’t
brin about when once we set our minds in
g earnest. _ .

“For instance: If you persist in trying to
keep our tongue tight loc ed, we can unjoint
it. liars is a fire: not very extensive, to be
sure, but what there is of it is migIhty hot when
put in tender spots. Not that am actually
yearning to toast you, but-who hired you to
put Pink Archer out of the way?”

“ You, Honorable Excellenc I”

Despite his coolness, Royal art gave vent to
an an ejaculation that brought a sardonic
smile those rat-like features.

“ Am I mistaken?” he murmured, with an ex-
aggerated arching of his jett brows. “Then
it was not you, senor. I wil tryto think of
some other person. It is all the same to me!”

" Suppose you look closer home, Roper ” with
recovered coolness. “ Suppose on me your
brain until you can recall the Simple truth. I
know it is expectin almost toomuch of you,
but when a man is rawin so near his latter
enl, a change is often bene cial. Try the truth,
just for a change. You have a master. His
name is-i” '

Royal Hart left a hiatus, but Osorio did not
seem in haste toflll it with the name of Nash
Whildon. Once more he was cold and sullen,
his voice hard and almost emotionless as he
s ke:

“ It is that way your e es are turned? Look
on if it leases on. hat matter tome? I
failed. am rea y to pay the penalty. Such a
clumsy blunderer has no right to live. longer.”

“ There’s more truth than poetry in that, for
a fact, but I’ll make you a solid offer, just for
luck! Tell us just who hired you to do this bit
of blood work. Betray your emplo er, and
you thal skin out of this with a whole ids and
a sound neck. Take your time to think it over,
Ro r. Even a rascal like you is not apt to be
in fieve with death such as awaits you if you re-
fuse to accept this last chance.”

For a few moments the Mexican droo his
eyes, and appeared to be seriousl weighing the
p wint in his mind. _Royal Bart hed a look of
u im exultation into the pale face of the fore-
man, for he felt that his wished-for end was as
good as gained.

“ You say that, but I can look on the other
side and see more,” the R0 )er slowly, c01dly ut-
tered, avivid gleam filling is little eyes. ‘ If it
was true as you hint, if it was true that a master
hired me to do this work, what would follow
after if I betra ed him? What would In life
be worth when 9 came to know that I sold
him to his enemies? Not a tlaco {”

Royal Hart laughed harshly, his eyes flashing

keen] . _

“Till the truth, and your master will have
his hands full in rding his own life, without
time to waste a t ought on ou I”

“That is so easy to say! sneered the Mexi-
can showing his discolored toeth. “The lie 1
don‘t mind. A man is worse than a fool that re-
fuses to speak a lie when it can serve him. But
--the punishment 1” .

“ Nash Whildon hired you to do this work:
Out with it, you dog 1”

“ It is you that said so, not I, senor,” With an-
other meaning shrug. “ I am not such a fool,
You can kill me once, if I remain still, 11 I
were to betray my master—if it was true what
you hint—he Won d kill me ten thousand times
over. even though his own hand was hold too
tight by you {or it to lift one finger! And so—
you 5% senor?" . '

“ 1300 that you are bitin of! your own nose,
Roper.” with painfully col tones as he rose to
his feet. “ Have it so if you prefer. You shall
tell the truth. all the same!”

He drew his com ions aside, leaving the
assa-zsin at the foot 0 the tree to his own reflec.
tions.

“ As ion as our eyes are upon him, the stub-
b’:rn I'BSCifi will to blufl’ his way out,” he
muttered, when fair y out of earshot. “ A few
minutes spent in sober thought will do no more
to fetch him around our way than all the
threats we can hammer him with while his blood
is hot.”

“ I’m not so 3.;rr,” hesitated Archer, his brows
gathering. “ flit-r all, is not his story reason-
able enough? I may have killed a brother of
his. in some of those raids. you know!"

“ And Nash ‘Whildon may be an angel, but if
so he takes precious good care to hide his wings,”
lafighed Royal Hart. “0011de it all, man!
w ., you never open your e es to the plain
truth] Will on wink and link on, like an
an i m htétuntilri‘hat gold~blooded ras-

gets n a pre ywo an your eyesare
opened—in paradise?"

 

Archer made no reply; for just then the voice
of their captive (ame their ears and with a
smile of trium h Hart hastened bat-in

“You have ho ht better of it, then? Wise
man!” with a laug .

Even now Osnrio the Roper seemed to hesi~
tate muttering Softly:

“ ou swear'l may go free! You swear to
guard my life if I tell?”

“If on tell the plain truth, I swear all you
can ask.”

“ Then—stoop nearer, senor,” with a shiver as
he nodded slightly toward the spot where the
cowboys werc eagerl watching. “ If they hear,
he would learn in time to set his tools on my
track, and—”

In his eagerness Royal Hart bent close over
the captive—only to leap back with an oath as
a hand snatched a revolver from his hip!

And with a mocking laugh, Osorio fired a bul-
let through his own brain!

CHAPTER XXVI.
THE FIRST FRUITS or VICTORY.

Tun forcnoon was still quite young when Nash
Whildon rode away from Open Hand Ranch,
looking far more like a “gentleman farmer”
from man a mile nearer the rising sun, than
what he c aimed to be, a cattle baron on his
native heath.

If he saw the furtive wink which one cow-
bo sent at another—and little escaped those
co (1 blue eyes of his-he made no sign of annoy-
ance or embarrassment at that facetious sig-
nal. Why should be? He had publicly an-
nounced his speedy marriage, and there was no
longer a secret connected with his courtship.

“A secret. but none for outsiders!” flashed
through his brain at that thought. “A secret
that has well—nigh wonjine the prize I’ve been
playing so long and earnestly for!”

Dresmd with unusual care, though he was
always rather fastidious on that score. Looking

ounger far than his actual years, withouta
ine to show for the hard struggles of the day
last ast, Nash thildon rode briskly along
over the gently rolling plain in the direction of
Falcon Rant-h, to pay his first visit to Queen
Nadine as her betrothed.

“ It‘s a toss—up h0w my lady will greet me,” he
muttered, with a low, soft laugh that contrasted
sha ly with the fire that leaped into his eyes.
“ V other She will bcg me to gaze into her
revolver, or her glorious eyes! And it is just
this delightful uncertainty that adds the needed
spice to my daring courtship!”

The Open Hand owner Was a brisk rider as
a rule, and this day he seemed articularly
anxious to reach his destination. ‘he distance
was not extreme, measured after the expansive
Texas fashion, and long before the sun reached
its meridian the buildings of Falcon Ranch came
into sight.

Of course these were nothing new to Nash
Whildon, but as Queen N'idine had rsisted
in declining his escort on the night he ore, this
was the first time his gaze had rested on them
since he felt assured of ultimately possessing
the whole.

“ For queen as she calls herself, Nadine will
find me a king; her lord and master in sober
truth!” came half-exultantiy, half—viciously
from his curling lips.

Many a long year had passed away since the
main buildings Were erected; more years than
the present master of Falcon Ranch had num-
bered, though considerably past the prime of
life

 

The main building was outwardly just what
it had been for ages, for aught any of those
now on the place could say to the contrary.
The walls were of adobe, several feet in thic -
ness, of but a single story in hight, and with the
flat roof which forms the prominent feature of
nearly every Spanish house on this side of the

lobe.

Pierce Falconer furohased both building and
the greater art 0 the estate from a Spanish-
Mexican, w 0 found it growin uncomfortable
with "so many Americans settling as “neigh-
bors.

While leaving the hacienda materially un-
chagged, save as toits interior, Falconer had
add. such buildings without as seemed conven-
ient or necessary. Little b little this was done
as his experience grew, an bit by bit he extend-
ed his limits until the ranch was noted far and
wide as being a model stock farm quite as
in e as any one man could handle with profit.

‘ So they say,” smiled Nash Whildon, assome-
thing of this flashed across his busy brain.
“ But wait a bit! Wait until the two ranges
are welded into cue, and I’ll open some of these
slow coach’s eyes!”

His further reflections were cut short by the
glimpse which he caught of a feminine figure on
the house-top. It cal ed for no second glance to
recognize Queen Nadine, and as her face turned
in his direction, of! came his hat and down sunk
his blonde head in a profound bow. ‘

When it rose again, the figure had vanished,
but if Whildon to t stung by this evident slight,
he showed no signs of it outwardly.

Turnin his steed over to a slouching, cat-
footed exican who came skulking out of a
stable, the rancher strode briskly through the

 

old archway, no longer filled by the ironstnd-
ded gates of the former regime, emerging from
the vaulted passage into the court ard in-
closed on all Sides by the building itse . Here
he hesitated for an instant, seeming in doubt
which door to use, but having his indecision end-
ed b a clear. cold vmcc:

“ elcome, Mr. Whildonl Will it be too
much to ask you—” -

A glance showed him from whence that voice

roceeded, and light of foot as the most ardent
over of more romantic days, the master of Open
Hand Ranch rendered further speech unneces-
sary by springing up a narrow flight of steps
which led to the azotea.

“ I have succeeded in a more difficult flight,
my glorious queen!" he exclaimed, his hand-
some face lit a with passionate love as he rose
before Nadine alconer. “ I have mounted to
you, and—”

“Guard your footing well, for a slip might
easily prove fatal!”

Though the retort came with a musical laugh
and an arch glance as Nadine stepped back with
proud head slightly inclined to one side, her
great eyes just peeping over the silken fringe of
her half-unfolded fan, Nash Whildon felt that it
only half concealed a menace.

“ If I fall, so much the worse for others, my
dear,” he laughed, just showing a glimpse of his
white teeth through the blonde hair that shaded
his lips. “ For those I love most would surely
share my fortunes, for evil as well as ood.”

A fiery glitter shot into the bigback eyes,
and Nadine demanded:

“ Surely that is not intended for a threat, Mr.
Whildon. ’

“N o more than your own words. my queen.
Why should there be anything like threats or
double meaning between us, Nadine? Surely we
had enou h of that yesterday i"

“ In w iich you were the principal offender,
unless my memory plays me false,” was the
swift retort. ’

“ Yesterday is not to-day,” with a low laugh.
“ Ye~tcrday is dead, and with it is buried all
but the agreeable. When my thoughts turn
back so far, they can only remember one thing:
that yesterday you gave me a promise of mar-
riage 1"

‘ And feeling yourself so unworthy, ycu
doubted your good fortune on awakingl Is this
the reason for our atrociously early call, Mr.
“'hildon?” maliciously laughed the rverse
lady, seeming even more bewitching be ind her
fan than when in equestrian costume.

“ Unworthy goes without sayin ,” was the
cool retort, as the master of Open and Ranch
deftly possessed hims 1f of her free hand, liftin
it to his lips with a warmth that overbalanc.
his affected humility. “ Unworthy to tie our
shoe-latchet, but hold enough to hold fast a the
gods have offered me.”

lt was with a quick gleam in his blue eyes
that he uttered the last words, more than half-
expecting an outbreak of pride on her part; but
Queen Nadine had evidently been schooling her-
self during the hours which had intervened.
She withdrew her hand, but it was with a smile
that robbed her action of its sting. And when
she spoke again, her tones were softer, more
agreeable. _

“Your most potent weapon is ygur tongue,
Whildon, if you could only remem r to use it
thus deftly all the time. lf—hut, as you say,
yesterflay is dead. Let it remain buried for all
time.

“ With all my heart. Nadine. I was cruel
then, but I believe the day will come when you
will give me free and sincere thanks for that
very harshnws. If not, it will not be because
my love—”

“ Once more, let it go!" with just a shade of
her old-time temper. ‘ A woman of my nature
can never forgive until she can forget: and you
read me a terribly severe lesson yesterda .”

Nash Whildon iesitated, like one unwillin to
completely abandon the subject, but his ace
edtoned up perceptiny as Queen Nadine

“ Of course we must touch on the little affair
that lay at the bottom of it all. The first and
most important point is to have a complete and
thoroug understanding with each other. But
the manner in which on won that promise—no!”

“It is a promise, I adine?" he eagerly whis-
pered, one arm stealing about her round waist
as she stood close to the parapet that shielded
the action from any curious eyes below. “ You
are ready and willing to repeat that oath?”

With a swift, deft movement Nadine slipped
out of his half-embrace with a warning frown
as she cast a quick glance over the grounds be-
low., But there was a smile on her full, redlips
as she responded:

“ It was an oath; wh repeat it now?”

“ Because it is so bar for me to believe that,
after so many days of hopeless pursuit, I have
caught my bird of paradise at last.”

Of one thing there could be no doubt. Nash
Whildon really loved the fair amazon, despite
the manner in which he had thought fit to speed
her wooing. There was nothing counterfeit in
his words, his tones. or in the ardent light that
flashed from his blue eyes. Of the earth, earthy
it may have been; but such love as his evil

 

    

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, and scheming, Whildon?” she murmurs

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The Rustler Detective.

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for her.

nature was capable of feeling, that love was all  sweetness long drawn out into her shell-like car

at the celebration,” he sneered, with an angry,

Queen Nadine saw this: she was a woman, and ' vicious curl of his lips.

puck-sighted. And if this passionate love was

Insane jealousy caused him to drop the mask a

not winning upon her, then she was a most skill-  little too far, and Queen Nadine shook a tight-
l clinched hand before his face, as she hissed,
“ Is it worth all your trouble, all your plotting i rather than exclaimed:

(

ful actress.

softly,

“ If harm has befallen him, your hand is at

her magnetic eyes fairly thrilling him through 1 the bottom of it! If harm has come to him, be-

and through as they met his over the slightly ! ware.

‘ fluttering fringe of her deftly manipulated fan.

A sw1ft movement again foiled him, and with

. a low, musical laugh the cnchantress whispered:

“Will you never remember, Nash? There
are keen eyes on every side, and—I am not yet
your wife!”

"But on will be? You will marry me just
as I dared to announce tothe company yesterday?
You will keep your oath, Nadine 3”

“ As I said then, so I repeat now,” was the
slow, grave reply. “I will marry you on the
evening on named, unless you change your
run! ant fail to keep the appointment.”

Nash \Vhildon drew a long breath of intense
relief. Until now, despite the strong hold ho
had upon both Nadine and her father, he had
not dare! feel cor‘uin of his victor . He knew
her [kissionflfe nature so well. .0 knew that
she was reckless of erer 'thing when once her
temper was awakened. 1e had expected to use
coaxings, not unmingled with threats before
full coming to an understanding. But now!

“ ' hen Heaven nor earth can prevent your be-
coming my wife, Nadine!” he uttered, his emo-
tions so powerful that his tones were hardly
articulate and 11:3 felt forced to clasp his hands
tightly behind his back in order to conquer the
mad temptation to fold her lithe figure in his
arms and thus taste the first fruits of victory.
“I would kecp that appointment even though
dead and buried!” ,

Nadine shivcred, and the flush faded from her
cheeks as though an ic blast had flashed across
her person. She force( a little laugh, but it was
unnatural and contained precious little mirth.

“You are not near so nice now! Is it the
way of you Gringoes, to make love b talking of
graves and corpses? It is not atal nice! If

on do not at once beg my forgiveness, I will
leave you to talk to the plants——or send up to
you my maid, Felipe! She is growing what you

. call—-ascetic not ?’

~ idioms, but was by no means displeased.

Nash W’hi rlon laughed softly at her alfgcted
are-

. fully as he had schooled himself on the read, he
; was ra idly losing his head. This reception was

' SO muc

r V

more cordial than he had dared even
picture in his dreams.

Nadine turned away with an affected pout,
her great eyes roving over the plain, as they

- had more than once since that interview began.

Now she gave a perceptible start, and shading

‘. her eyes with her fan, she gazed keenly at an
' approaching body of horsemen, seemingly for-

getting the presence of the rancher.

A frown came into his face as his eyes followed
hers, for he at once knew, from the direction,
that this arty must be from the mesa. And
instantly 1 his savage suspicions returned in
full force.

“Are on tryin

to recognize Pink Archer,
Miss Fa coner?

ouldn’t it be just as well if

. you were to wait a. few moments longer?”

a.

 

CHAPTER XXV II.
ROYAL HART TANGLES THE TRUTH.

QUEEN Nwrnn turned with flashing eyes and
aha voice:

“ hat do you mean by that, Mr. Whildon?”

“ Your eyes ” with a half-mockin how.
“ Why strain them at such a distance, w on by
waiting a few minutes you can learn all you wis
without running any risk?”

Even before he finished speaking, Queen Na-
dine turnedto the parapet, again gazing keenly,
even anxiously, out over the plain toward the
slowly advancing horsemen. All her acting was
forgotten now. She felt a strange oppression at
her heart. Something seemed to warn her of
impendin evil or dark misfortune though she
was whol y at a loss when she tried to analyze
that sensation.

Cold, frowning, with an evil gleam in his blue
eyes, Nash Whildon stood by her side, gazing at
the approaching party. His hands were tig t1
clinched at his side. His nostrils seemed pinch ,
showing a double white line near the tip.

A brace of minutes thus, then Nadine caught
her breath with a sp. '

“ Something has ppened! Look l what means
that strange figure in their midst? Where is

3 Pink Archeri' I see him not.”

As the party drew slowly nearer, a strange ob-
ject became visible. A figure on horseback, but
with a strangely horrible appearance. A figure

' that was plainly that of a human being, sitting

.‘A' .a

a

erect in the saddle, but seeming to lack a head.
For one Instant a flercer glitter filled the'blue
eyes of the master of Open Hand Ranch. A
look of diabolical joy swept across his face, only
to vanish and leave a cold, emotionless blank as
Nadine turned to him with those agitated ejacu-
lations. .
“Possibly he has gone to pay his lady-love a
visit. You will remember he had precioumtéa

-~ 01mi given him yesterday for pouring

 

I will avenge him myself!”

“One would be tempted to think you were
talking of your lover instead of to him, Na-
dine,” with a short, ug y laugh.

She turned away again, to utter a low cry as
she saw the party come to a halt while yet some
distance away, a single horseman riding for-
ward, slow, and with bowed head, like one who
is performing an unwelcome duty.

Another glance, to make sure that Pink
Archer was not among the party, whom she had
long since reco'mizcd as the cou‘boys who had
re naino'l behind at the mesa, then, without pay—
in: any at cation to the half-clfort which Lash
Vv'hildon made to intercept her, Queen Nadine
spoil across the azotm to the nearest steps,
springing down them with reckless haste. fairly
staggering Colonel Falconer as she brought up
against him at their foot.

“ What on earth are you trying to do, girl?”
he s )luttercd. catching his breath as he re—
coile from the shock. “\Vhat— ou haven’t
been playing the fool, I hope, W hildon i” with
fierce suspicion as he caught sight of the rancher
following ~after.

“ Hold him!” flashed Nadine, one hand clas -
ing tightly to her heart as though she coud
thus control its mad thobbings. “Keep him
until all is known, to suffer the penalty for—”

With a desperate effort she conquered her
agitation. Even Nash Whildon, used though
he was to seeing her marvelous changes, could
scarcely believe that this cold, statuesque figure
was that which he had looked upon but a. single
breath before.

“Father, the men are coming back from the
mesa. Smoothing has happened. Until all is
explained, I demand that you keep close to Mr.
W ildon. If any crime has been committed, he
must clear his skirts, or—”

“Have you a air of handcuffs, or do you
think a lasso will e sufficient?" coldly laughed
the rancher, holding out his hands, the wrists
close together.

“Be durned if 1 don’t think this rant-h has
turned into a lunatic asylum while I’ve been
asleep!” growled the bewildered master glanc-
ing from one speaker to the other in dismay.
“What under the sun—”

“Wait—he is cominvl” sharply interposed!

Nadine, inclining her ead toward the outer
gateway. “ lVe will soon learn all. And you I”
with a quivering finger directed at Nash Whil—
don, “ will remain silent until the news is
spoken. Then—if necessary, I will kill you
with my own hand!”

Nash Whildon bowed, his face cold and hard,
his eyes glowing like balls of fire. Though he
knew that his life was in danger, all the greater
because Queen Nadine had so thoroughly re-
covered her powers. he showed no si us of fear.
If yvorst came to worst, he could efend him—
sel .

“ Hallo! the house!” came the clear tones of
Royal Hart from close without the walls.

‘ Enter!” cried Nadine, her voice clear and
distinct her face Is as a corpse, but seeming
cold an hard as ice itself. '

There came the jingling of spurs as the yel-
low-haired sport leaped from the saddle, and a
moment later he strode through the passage,
stopping short with a sli ht exclamation as he
saw Queen Nadine. A though his face was
very grave beforo,,it seemed still more so now.
And until his 0 es rested on the colonel, he
seemed about to . eat a retreat.

“ The boss !” he uttered, with a gasp as of re-
lief. “ If you don’t mind, sir, I would like to
have a. word or two with you in—”

“‘Why not now and here?” coldly interposed
Nadine. .

“ Well, ma’am, you See—”

“Out with it, man!” growled the still con-
fused rancher. ‘If you re oing to serve on
this ranch you might as well begin by under-
standing that ever body. from head to tail, is
under petticoat ru e here!” I

“ You bring bad tidings, not?” still with that
strange calmness in voice as in face. “ S k
out. What has happened? Who is hurt? I but
is the meaning of t iat strangely shrouded figure
which you left behind with the men while you
advanced alone 7”

While Queen Nadine was speaking, Royal
Hart kgpt his eyes roving swiftly from face to
face. as it only his own guilty conscience
that made Nash “'hildon think the yellow-haired
sport from Mexico looked longest, keenest upon
his features?

“Well, mu’am, if you insist, I obey. You
know we stopped behind at the mesa last night.
All was quiet when I went to sleep, but a cow-
ardly cur stole into camp to use his knife on Mr.
Archer, who—-” ,

“ He was killed? You dare bring such tidings
to me !” flashed Nadine, Whipping forth a revol-
ver and leveling it at the speaker.

 

“ lVas I to blame, ma‘am?” with no percepti—

ble flinching, his gaze fairly meeting her flash-
ing orbs. “ It was all ever before I got fairly
awake, and there was nothing to no but kill the
curri :h assassin, or -—”
, “\Vho was he? Vthre is be? If you dared
to kill him before I can wrin the Whole foul
plot from his lips, it will prove l. e blackest hour
of all your life!” fiercely cried the amazon, half»
wild with rage and vengeance.

As her heat increase-.1, Royal Hort seemed to
grow cooler and more comp0scd. Hceven smiled
as he gazed into the grim muzzle that shook un-
til it could scarcely keep him covered.

“ I neVer killed him, ma’am, though the.-
tcmptation mighty nigh got away with me-
bcfore I happened to think that it might serve-
a good turn if I could frighten him into telling
just who it was that hired him to kill Pink
Archer.”

Again he broke off, as Queen Nadine gave a.
painful gasp. her rigidly-erect figure shivering
as though about to fall. His handsome {aw
was full of solicitude for the lady, but his eyes
were for the mest part turned toward Nash
Whildon. And cold, unmoved though that in-
dividqu seemrd, he was alert enou h to see
that the yellow—haired sport kept a and rest»
ing against a pistnl-bntt. Habit? Pessibly.
But it looked more as though he ant;in med an
emergency that would call for its rapir manip~
ulation.

“And that hadn’t oucht to be hard,” coldly
interposed the Owner of Open Hand Ranch-
“Of course a poor devil, caught in the act,
would confess anything—even to lying—in hopes
of saving his life 1” '

“ I ho is you are right, Mr. Whildon,” slowly
uttered art.

“ What do you mean by that, sir?” flashed the
rancher, hotly.

“Precisel what I say,” was the deliberate-
retort. “l'e tried it on—Red Clam end I.
We gave the rascal a chance for his life if he
would only tell the whole truth, It wasn’t so
easy to get him good and scared. He turned
out to be a tougher nut than I ever tried to
crack! But we mcant cold business, and he
soon began to weaken. He said that he was
hired to at Pink Archer out of the way. That
he cut t e stirrup-leather yesterday. That he
tried to break his neck with his lasso. And
failing in both, he stole back to make sure with
his knife!”

“ His name! Speak his name!” harshly cried
Queen Nadine.

“Osorio the Roper, he said he was called.
And he swore that he was hired to kill Pink
IAirs-Igor by his master!” swiftly added Royall

ar . ’ ~

 

CHAPTER XXVIII.
COMING TO AN UNDERSTANDING.

WITH a grating curse, Nash Whildon jerked
forth a rev olver, covering the messenger as he
savacrcly cried out:

“ at your words. Take them back, or I’ll
riddle you like a sieve!”

There was death in his glen ing eyes, death in
his white, strained face, and there Would have
been death at his finger-ti had Royal Hart
made even the sli htcst motion toward drawing
a istol todefcnd mself.

ut the yelIOW-haired sport seemed taken
wholly by surprise, and his general air was that
of a man who begins/to believe he has fallen un—
consciously among lunatics.

With wide open eyes, filled with a curious
mingling of wonder and disgust, he stared at the
master of Open Hand nch, not even lifting a
hand to guard himself or to attack the other.

“ What’s the matter with my Words? What
have you gotto do with it, anyway?” he coldly
domanded,h tincture 'of scorn mixing with the
other sentiments so plainly expressed by his
handsome face 0

“ DOWn .with your gun, Nash Whildon!”
sharply cried Queen Nadine, recovcring in a.
measure from the shock which the tidings
prouglgt by Royal Hart had given her. “ Down,

say. .

She “sprung between the two n‘Pn, fairly
thrusting the muzzle of her weapon into the
pale face of the rancher, her left hand closing
over the mouth of his revolver at the same time.

“ Your will is law, of course, l.ut-—”

“Obey the law, then!” was the sharp inter-
ruption. “Put up your gun and listen in si-
lence, unless you want us to condemn you off:
hand!”

“Do it for all of me, “’hildcn,” half-laughed
Royal Hart. “I never ull on a fellow-being
unless I know what I’m oing it for, and I’ve
got to do a little prospecting before I sabe wh ‘
you flare out like this. Yours to ccmmam ,
colonel!”

The last sentence came in prompt, business-
like tones, drawn forth by the action of Fol-‘-
coner, who seemed utterly taken aback l; ' all
those rapid shiftings. With a vigorous sha e. of

~ his head as though he hoped thus to clear his
confused wits. he strode forward and ca ught the
messenger by the arm, giving him a shake as he
growler :

“ What is all this racket about, anyway?
Who’s hurt? Who did it?”

\

 

 

 

 

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_- . %._.._ Macauunn ..

.._ any; . .n..- W... 1 .

    

 -M‘ .

 

' attempting the dcath of Pink Archer!”

The Rustler Deteitive.

23

 

 

“ That’s just what I was coming to when the

gent slopped over,” with a touch of injured feel— I
lugs underlyinir his words, as be cast a side 3
{fiance toward (Nash W'hildon. “ One would al- !
most be tempted to think I was accusing him of '

“ W hat else were you doing?" grated the
rancher, his blue eyes still ablaze, though his
iistol-hand had sunk back to his side under the
crce command of Queen Nadine.

“Simply U‘lllng‘ the company what that snaky l
(‘rreaser said before he killed himself.”

Nadine gave a harsh cry of angry surprise.
The colonel stepped back, his facealudicrous
study of pcrplexity. Nash Whildon—was it
relief that sent such a change over his face and
manner?

“ If I mistook your meaning, sir, I stand
ready to apologize,” he said, his tone: cold and
even. “ I really understood you toaccuse me
of having a finger in the pic.”

“I was simply telling what the fellow said
before he killed himself, not because Itmk it
for truth.”

“He is dead—this Osorio?” demanded Queen
Nadine, struggling hard to regain her wonted
composure.

“Too dead to skin-begg‘ing your pardon,
ma’am, for letting the expression slip,’ bowed
Royal Hart, with a pretty assumption of con—
f usion on his handsome face. The fact is-—-”

“Killed himself!” echoed Nadine, passing a
trembling hand acrOSs her white, lined face.
“ Why kill himself?” .

“ \Vcll, if the critter is to be believed, he did
it to save his master getting into trouble on his
account.”

“ Anl that master—he swore it was me?”
coldly demanded \Vhildon.

Royal Ilart stared at the rancher, his brows
arching in utter astonishment, as though such
an idea had never occurred to him. And his
reply came prompt, decisive:

‘Just the contrary, Mr. \Vhildon. He stuck
to it that ou knew nothing whatever about the
matter. file said that you were not his master,
though you thought you was. He declared that
he had been placed on your ranch to further the
ends of his real master; but further than that
he wouldn’t go. And when we tried to coax the
fellow, he managed to snatch a revolver from
my belt and drilled. a hole clean through his
cabeza before one 0‘ us could lift a finger to stop
his hand!” _ _

While Royal Hart was thus laboriously strivmg
to bring order out of the confusion into which
purp0sely or not, his tongue had tangled the
truth, Queen Nadine was fighting to recover her
shaken nerve. And as he concluded, she turned
toward Nash Whildon, her voice cold and men-
acing as she uttered:

“ He was your slave, this Osorio. He had no
other mast 3r than you. To you, then, willwe
look for reparation for the foul murder of Pink
Archer!” _

“ But look here!” splattered the yellow~haired
sport, the picture of comical dismay. “Be
blessed if I know 'ust who I am or how it all got
so pesky tangl up! I Wouldn’t take oath
that I’m not pointing at China with my head—
not trying to walk the milk way with m feet,
even! But this much Ido now: Pink reher
is just the liveliest dead man you ever saw in the
whole course of your personal experience!” .

Queen N adinc sprung to his side, turning him
around so that the full rays of the sun fell upon
his face, gazin eagerly, breathlessly into his
puzzled eyes. wice she essayed to speak, then
manag vi to gas )1

“It is so? 0'! are not lying? He is alive?
Zlot~ not dead?”

“ Not unless he’s dead of old age within the
Int-1t l-our, ma’ain,” was the solemn response. “ I
left him riding along just as strong and chipper
and healthy as he ever was in all his life,

on‘. —”

Nyhsh Whildon turned fairly livid with savage
rage and chagrin, his right hand gripping a
wea n, his veice barely articulate as he grated:

" Vhat sort of trick are you playing now?
You swore Archer was murdered y a Greaser,
and s” '

“ Dollars to cents you can‘t begin to prove it!”
cut in the yellow-haired-sport, both tones and
manner that of aman whose temper is at last be-
ginning to give way. “I said that a rascall
val-lot crept into our camp to murder Pink
Archer. I said I didn’t wake up until it was all
over; nor did I. When my eyes were fair]
()pg‘n, Rod Clam had the Roper foul, and a I
Archer and I had to do was to look on while
par-d trusscd the critter up for the inquisitiou.

“ That’s what I said, or what I begun saying.
If you hadn‘t chippch in before your proper cue,
I wouldn‘t have to waste good air saying it all
over again.” '

Nash Whildon seemed on the ponit of speak-
ing again, but checked himself, turning abrupt-
lv away, an uneasy light leaping into his eyes.
'.I hough he could not prove his suspicions. he felt
almost positive that a cunning trap had been
liid for him. And, worse luck! he knew that
he had fairly blundered into it!

The colonel seemed worse taken aback than

 

either of the others, his whisky-bemused senses
refusing to untidle the 01155122. He knew that

in some fashion, this fellow had terribly excited , before he finally succeeded in getting away from

both Nadine and his prospective Son-inslaw, and l Falcon

scowled at him portentously as he said:
“ You want to look a little out, my pretty lad!
Fun. is fun, but this is Business Castle, and

practical jokes are ’way below par! W'hat’re

you trying to get through you, anyhow!"

“ Come according to ( rders, Sir,” stifily re~
plied Hart, saluting. “Got a stiff out yonder,
and don’t know what to do with it.”

“Got a—-you mean that you’ve brought a
corpse here?”

“Just that, sir. If you don’t want anything
of it, I‘ll tell the boys to drop it in some con—
venient corner where it’ll be out of the way.
Or,” turniu stiflly toward the master of
Open Hand och, “if you would like to have
the disposal of it, Mr. Whildon, I don’t reckon
any of the outfit would seriously object.”

Nash Whildon flashed an ugly look at the
speaker, and retorted:

“Dis se of your own dead. I have noth-
ing to o with it.”

“But—if it is really the Roper?” hesitated
Falconer, an uneasy light in his bloodshot eyes.

“That is easily decided, sir,” added Royal
Hart, saluting again, then turning on his heel
and striding swiftly back through the vaulted
passage.

Without seeming to hear the voice of the colo-
nel who called after him the yellow~haired
sport lea .d into the saddle and dashed away
from theIIfuildings, heading for the little com-
pany still waiting on the plain beyond. With
an addition to their ranks however, since Pink
Archer, looking very unlike a corpse, spurred

‘swiftly out of a long, low depression in the

ground, which had served to cover his approach
until he voluntarily broke cover.

“ The boss wants to have a look at the
Greaser, b0 3!” cried Royal Hart, with a wave
of his han toward the house. “ Take him
along. I’ve broken the news, so I don’t reckon
there’ll bean collapse when you come to take
the blanketo l”

The cowboy set forward, Archer and Hart
coming together and following after at a slower
pace. And the yellow-haired sport muttered:

“He’s the man we want, pard! He tried a
bluff, but it was entirely too diaphanous. There
was guilt enough in his face and eyes to hang a
dozen better men than he ever dared be i"

“You let him see you thought so?”

f‘ If he didn’t, terror and ruilt made him
blinder than a bat! And yet, t 9 best of it all
is that he can’t finda handle to ick a row with!”
laughed Hart, in subdued but earty glee. “ I
roughed him with one hand, while smoothing
him 'down with the other, until he’s actuall
afraid to take a single step lest he fall and hrea
his own neck! It was just fun alive, I tell you!”

“ I only wonder he didn’t try to slip in a shot!”

“All it lacked was touching the trigger, and
for about ten seconds I looked for that to follow.
It was hip and tuck, and tuck got there! So
much the worse for Mr. Whildonl He’ll never
come so near clearing the field~ again while his
head’s warm!”

“But be cooled down? How am I to met! the
fellow?”

“ .Tustas though you never for a moment sus-
pected him of having-a finger in the little pie
Osorio the _R0 r tried to slip out of the pantry.
The noose is 9. iii; his neck, and I want him to
draw it sun with his own hands!” earnestly ad-
ded Royal art, as they drew near the building,
in the passageway of which now stood the trio.

Roya Hart deftly removed the blanket with
which, for a purpose, be had shrouded the
corpse of the Mexican. 'Just long enough for all
present to reco nize Osci'io the Roper, then a
wave of'his ban bade the men take their ghastly
companion away.

This sight seemed to sober the colonel, and
drawing the two men a little aside, he listened
gravely to their recxtal. No need to repeat their
account in this connection, since the tragedy has
already been described in detail. There was but
one addition; and both men declared that they
put no faith in the imagine?t confession impli-
cating the master of the dear man. ‘

After this, the colonel reluctantly accepted
the resignation of his foreman. Pink Archer
was firm in his resolution. He had ignoniini—
ously failed before his men, and could not con-
scientiously retain his situation. And he left a
better man behind him, in Royal Hart.

Meantime, Nat Whildon was doing his best to
smooth matters over with Queen Nadine, suc-
ceeding end his expectations, to all outward
seeming. ach one played, well the part they
had chosen, and each one in a fair measure im-
posed upon the other.

But on one point Nadine took a firm stand.

“If anythin happens to Pink Archer before
our wedding, Wil take back my vow, and
never be your bride,” she declared, lirmly.

“Nadine! one would almost believe you still
loved that fellow!” '

“ It is not love, but hate! I have taken a
sacred oath to punish him with my own hand!”

CHAPTER XXIX.
PINK ARCHER AND HIS ANGEL.
POSITIVELY as Pink Archer declined to recon-

 

Ranch. Though he managed to esca
an interview with Queen Nadine. through th’:
persistence which Nash Whildon showed in re-
, maining, there were many hands to shake, many
a parting word to be unsweied, before those
who had served under him so long would permit
him to depart. . _

But when once free, he made up for lost time,
sending his good horse along at a lace that be-
tokened his eagerness to reach his destination.

It is hardly necessary to name this, for enough
has been said to give a fair idea of the situa-
tion.

For nearly a year, Pink Archer had been
deeply in love with pretty Nellie Angel], and
though he had never actually told his ove, he
was keen enough to see that his com any was
not at all disagreeable to the young la y.

Possibly the young fellow was just a little too-
Conscientious for his own gi 0d. As before
hinted, he had never given Queen Nadine tle
slightest actual encouragement; had given her
no right to believe her mad passion was or ever
would be red rocated. Yet he knew that she
loved him, an be felt that he could not avow
his affection for another as long as he remained
'a servant on the Falcon Ranch.

He could not biing Nellie there to live with.
him as his wife, under the circumstances. and
he could not bring himself to desert the ranch
without some plausible eXcuse.

This will account in a great measure for his.
peculiar actions at the celebration centi'ived b
Colonel Falconer. If defeated even by Lit e
Earthquake, he would have an eXcuse for re-
si ning his situation.

ow, with a feeling of freedom such as he had
not- known for a year past he was riding at full-
speed for the humble cabin where Angel Nellie
lived, bent on putting his faith to the touch.

“ If she refuses—but she will not!” with a
smile that rendered his strong face really hand-
some. “ I saw it in her eyes last night! I read
it in her warm little hand! I will suecced——she
will consent to be mine, and then—”

It was the usual lover’s rhapsody. and the re-
mainder may easily be left to the reader’s
imagination.

Sam Angell was what was called “ a nester.”
He had only a few hundred head of cattle, with
a range of only a few thousand acres towhich he
could lay claim; not by right of purchase, but
of location.

It was before the days of mighty stock com-
panies, 0f fence-cutting and free grass contro-
versies. And An e1 Sam was permitted to led
on in his own 5 uggish way, from ban to
mouth, without any attempt being made to
either freeze or fence him out.

His location was a pretty one, viewed with an
artistic eye, though t e greater portion of his
“ range” was of too broken a nature to be
coveted by any really ambitious cattleman.
The little cabin was situated near the base of a.
rocky hill, in a tiny alcove made by nature. It
was constructed of stones, laid up with mud for
lime, and the nimble hands of Angell Nell had
trained vines and creepers on either side of the
door, and around the windows, and up over the
heavily shingled roof, until the ugly cal.in was
fairly transformed into a bower of beauty.

Pink Archer was not sorry to find Nellie
alone. Though he really liked Angel Sam—-
what lover ever disliked the parent of his divin—
ity before marria e?-—and had little doubt as to
his giving full an free Ccnsent to his suit, it was
Nellie he came to.see. after all.

And Ncllie? Well, if she had not been look-
ing for and expecting company of Sonic sort,
then she was a marvel of neatness, of sniartness
without the faintest shade of vulgarity in dress
or ornament.

And then, and then—

It was the old, old stor over again. The
story that was first breath in Eden, which has
lived ever since, which will end only when chaos
comeS.

Bold, brave fellOW though he undeniably was,
Pink Archer found it a terribly forniidab e task
to break the we, even with the encouragement
which blushing, shy happy Nellie so uncon-
sciously gave him. Rut it was accomplished at
last, and after the first dash, it all became so
eas -——so easy and so sweet!

ever mind those first few minutes. We all
know more or less of what they consisted, and
while delicious enough in actual experience, th. y
cannot be called the same when “ warmed over,”
no matter how skillful the chef.

By the time it was pretty well understood b
both that their future bliss was fully insure ,
that little cabin seemed all too small to contain
them. Even all out-doors seemed hardly large
enough to encompass their bliss, without crowd-

in l .

fIzhey walked, arm in arm, of course, as far as
the spring which gushed so merrily out from un—
der a great. moss covered rock. spreading into a
miniature lake below, then losing i self in the
grass. as it stole on down the valley. A shady
tree overhung the spring, and there was a neat
rustic seat at its base, where the lovers shortly
after came to a pause.

And after a time Pink Archer began telling

 

 

 

sider his resignation, it was long past noon how he had severed his Connection with Falcon

.5

 

  

24

The Rustler Detective.

 

2"

 

, Ranch and Nellie, with a charming pout,
wante‘ to know how be ex ted to live without
seeing Queen Nadine. An her pout changed to
a uiver as Pink failed to laugh, or even smile.

8 already hinted, Archer was really too con—
scientious for his own ace of mind. He was
quite wise enough to now that one woman
never likes to hear of another’s loving the man
she loves truly, even while she is perfectly as-
sured that her reign is paramount. But he felt
in duty bound to tell his betrothed everything,
without reserve. He could not begin their new
life with even the ghost of a secret between
them.

Honorable and praiseworthy, of course, but
terribly risky at times!

And so, drawing the sunny little head tender-
ly to his heart, with his check-resting against
t m silken tresses, Archer begun to tell of the
"mad passion which Queen Nadine had betrayed
so fully only the day before.

It was a difficult story to tell, without blam-
ing one too much while clearing the other of
guilt or fault, and so he found it as he proceed-
ed. Still, it would have been yet more difficult
for one who had been less blameless than him-
self. He' had nothing to conceal on his own
part, and so was not forced to Weigh his words

cfore speukin .

“ I really believe she was craz , little birdy,”
he murmured, in conclusion. “ on have seen
enough of her to form some idea. of her strange,
wild, reckless nature, and can understand what
I mean by that. Not a lunatic. exactl , but
more like one whose brain is temporari y un-
settled by strong drink.”

“And hers was yesterday—I counted the
glasses she emptied, until I grew tired!" a little
maliciously murmured Nellie.

“That helped, of course. But I believe she
was scrry before we parted, last night. She
spoke so kindly of you, and——”

“ Did you. tell her that—”

“ She guessed it, little one,” as his arm closel
about her shrinking figure. “ She saw it in my
eyes, I reckon: you women are so terribly keen!
And though I told her I had never told on I
loved you; though I said I hardly dare hope
fora favorable answur; she bade me tell you
nothing would please her more than to give my
bride away; she even said she would give you a
dower—”

“I’ll never take it from her hands!" flashed
Nell, slip ing from his embrace, her face bright-
ly flushe , her blue eyes all aglow.

“ Of course not, birdy,” laughed Pink, as he
deftly drew her back to his side. “ All the gold
in the world wouldn’t add one charm to my An-
gel Nellie i”

For a few minutes after this, there is really
nothing to record which would interest the
reader. It was a tiny little quarrel, but it re-
quired almost as much making uplas though it
had been a pitched battle, foug t out to the
death!

Pink Archer, having performed what he
deemed a sacred duty, both to himself and to
the little woman who was so soon to become his
wife, was by no means loth to turn the subject.
And side by side on the little rustic bench they
sat, talking over the golden future in low, happy
tones, lost to all else.

They would unite in coaxing her father—his
father, from that day onl—to sell out is little
property, and seek some other loca on, far
away from Falcon Ranch. On this Nellie r—
sisted, with a stubborimess which Pink ad
.never known her to . ‘

And so bus plannin a happy future were
'they, that nei her not the swift passage of
time. Neither heard the steps of Angel Sam as
the old man came down the valley and entered
the house, without catchin sight of the lovers
sitting in the shade beside t e sgring.

Neither of them saw Angel am step back to
the door, glancing around with a tron led li ht
'in his keen old e es, with a shadow of sud en
terror darkening is wrinkled, weather-beaten
face. Nor the sudden change which came over
it as he caught sight of them so close together:
a change that was not altogether of joy or re-
jlief at finding his first, worst fears without
foundation in fact.

 

CHAPTER XXX.
mean an: suns or m: PAST.

Damn eyes than his could have read the
truth conveyed by that close companionship,
but there was more of regret than of leasure in
An el Sam’s rug ed featuresas he le. t the cabin
an; strode down ‘ihe path that led to the spring.

The lovers heard the sound as his heavy boots
ground on a bit of gravel, and as their faces
turned in that direction, Nellie uttered a low cry
and would have rungKaway from that guar-
dian arm. had no Pin Archer held her the
more firmly.

“ I reckon I’d leave her slide, lad, ef  was
y. .u,” dryly uttered Angel Sam._ “ Sun’s mighty
nigh out o sight, an’ the fire ain’t even started
fer supper!” -

"It is all In)? fault, Daddy Sam. but I’ll get
,3 non: by he) ug— -

q“ I don't reckon the 5.11 really needs any help,

.

Pink. And them—come to think on’t, they’sa
bit 0' somethin’ I’ve bin wantin’ to tell ye, ever
sence-sence ’way back yenderl”

The lover; were on their feet now, Nellie
blushing and turning pale by turns, her blue
eyes downcast, a fit of nervous trembling shak-
ing her slender figure as she faintly struggled to
get free. Pink Archer a little paler than be

ad been a few moments before, but smiling
bravely into that hard, enigmatical counte~
nance.

“ It’s as you say, of course. I don’t want to
cross you, to-day of all days. But 've the little
girl one kind word to live on wh e we talk it
over, won’t on?”

It was a alf-jesting speech, but Angel Sam
took it for are earnest, ‘nd ‘ng from his actions.
He stoopec and touch his thin lips to Nellie’s
brow, and his voice was almost musical as he
muttered:

“ Trot along, birdy! An’ ra that they won‘t
no great harm come 0’ this Kay 3 work I”

There was an earnestness in his tones that im-
pressed Pink Archer disa reeably. His forced
gayety vanished, and he si ently released his be-
trothed, permitting her to take speedy flight to
the cabin.

He watched her light, lithe figure until she
vanished inside the cabin then turned to An 01
Sam. who was eying him steadily, keen y,
almost suspiciouslyas it seemed tothe young

man.

“ I‘ve asked Nellie to marry me, Mr. Angel,”
he said, with a degree of formality that brought
the ghost of a smile to the thin lips of Angel
Sum. “ If I had seen you first, I might have
asked your permission first. As it was impossi-
ble to do that, I ask it n)w."

“ An' of I say you cain’t hev it? Ef I say I’ll
never give my ’greement to anythin’ o’ the sort,
you’ll go vour own way an' leave us to go ourn,
0’ course.” With a curious grimace that was only
half frown.

“ I won’t say that. I couldn’t carry it out,
even if I were to try. And I don’t think—I’m
mighty sure I couldn’t even try!”

’fhe flushing lover began moderately enough,
but the last words burst from his lips with a
force and frankness that denied all control.

A short, hard laugh came from the veteran,
but it was quickly checked.

“ Yit it hedn’t ort to be so mi hty hard doin’,
lad. Nell is a good gal, but 100 at the stock
she comes from! Look at her pap! Angel Sam
the critters call me, but I reckon they’d hev
come heap ni her the bull’s-eye o’ truth of they’d
looked in t’ot er d’rcction for a han’le to hitch
afore the Sam rt.”

“ You are ellie’s father, and that makes
everything right,” was the simple response.

An el Sam gazed keenly into Archer’s face at
this, at those frank brown eyes stood the ordeal
without wavering. That honest face had noth-
ing to conceal, and the veteran gave a low sigh
as he turned away.

Archer watched him curiously for a brief
space, then gently touched his arm. Before his
lips could shape the Words he thought of utter-
ing, Angel Sam nodded briskly, dropping down
upon the rustic bench.

“ Set down, Pink. It’s got to come some time
an’ I reckon right now is good as any other. I
said I wanted to tell you somethin this heap
long time. I tried it more‘n once, when I had a
idoe that things was sorter workin’ ’round, this
way; but as often I didn’t—wuss luck."

‘ I will listen, of course," and the lover drop-

upon the seat beside the veteran, “ but if it
is anything about Nell, I tell you frankly that it
_can’t make a bit of difference in our relations.
We love each other. She has romised to be
my wife before long. Unless oath  be-
tween, I will claim and she keep that pl ge."

“ It’s a growin’ fear 0’ deat or some dirty
trickery that makes me do my talkin’ right now,
lad,” slowly added Angel Sam. “ Ef it was any
less then that. could I say this? Could I deny
the (liit’tle gal I’ve nussed an’ brung up es my own
chil l

“ I—don’t—understandl" stammered Archer,
his eyes filled with puzzled surprise. “ Surely-
Nellie is our child 1”

Angel in tried to force a laugh but it proved
a pitiful failure. His rugged features were
strangely contorted, but he managed to reply:

“ In love, of no nearer in law. She never so
much as suspicioned this, lad, an’ I do reckon
it'll break her all up for a time when she finds it
out, but—”

“ Then why let her know?” uickly interjected
Archer. “ You have kept t e secret so long,
why not keep it forever?

‘ That’s t what I want you to help me settle
on,” nodd An 1 Sam, with a furtive glance
toward the ca in, and lowering his voree. as
though he feared the gentle breeze of evening
might carry an alarming syllable to the ears of
the irl whom he loved so dearly, even though
no rop of his blood flowed through her veins.
“ That's gest the biggest sheer o’ the trouble I‘ve
bed in in ad these months past—ever mnce I no-
ticed you was comin’ to look sweet to’rds
Nellie.”

Angel Sam hesitated before he ended his sen-

 

tence, and Archer had acurious sense that these
words were not the ones he first intended utter-

ing. There was a secret within a secret, and he
must know it all.

“ Tell me all—hide nothing, and I’ll do my
level best in tryii‘ig to set you right, Sam," he
said rave‘y. “ ho is Nellie!" '

“ at was what I couldn’: Lever wring out o'
the man that brung her to us—niy ole woman
was livin’ then, ye know,” hurriedly responded

ngel.

“ But you knew him, of course?”

“ Why not, sence he’d bin a side pard o’ mine
for many a long tyear afore that?” speakin with
greater ease, set log back in his seat as t ough
resolved to take his comfort while rakin up
the past. “ French Poley the boys knoued im
best by, an’ I wouldn’t like to make aflydavy
that even I ever heard his other name. But
that don’t count.

“ Poley was a rovin’ critter, an’ never settled
down like I did when I jumped the broomstii-l:
with my ole woman, but of We wasn’t nigh .~o
often to other, Poley never missed a god
chaince er to drap in on his ole pard fer a day
or two, when he hit my part 0’ the kentry. An’
one day he come ag’in. An‘ he bed a mighty
cur’ous pack with him fer a man 0’ his sort——
monstrous cur’ous, I mought say!"

“ Nellie, you mean?” with a dark frown.
“ Surely she cannot have been a child of any
such man !”

“ Poley swore she was fu’st oil', but I knowwi
he was lyin’. Not that I told him so, then,‘min:l
ye!” wit] a faint laugh. “ I was a pritty tough
nut to crack my own self, but Poley was heap
si ht wuss, an’ I don’t reckon I’d be here now er"
I ed tried it on then! Still, I made up my
mind I’d find out the hull truth, an’ that night I
played dirt onto my ole pard: I slipped my licker,
an‘ kept it up ontel I lied him fulfer’n a wee-
ha’r tick! An’ then I pumped him as nig dry
as I could.

“ He said they was a man come to him an’
paid him big money fer to nab a kid an’ shet oil?
its wind. That was a bit out 0’ his run 0’ busi-
ness, mind ye, but jest then he was shoal on the
bar, an’ wanted the dingbats wu’st kind!

“ Waal, they come to a barg’in, an’ Poley
’lowed he meant to kerry it out to the queen’s-
taste. He bed to wait while the man that biiezi

prove a halibi, ike, ef the row was ckcd up
too close to his neighbor-howl. An’ then—wan},
Poley found he couldn’t [will the kid, no! ov. !
Said she laughed up in his face, an’ called 1 il‘l
daddy, an’ hugged him with her little fat arnn !
But es he’d tuck the money, an’ spent a part c.”
it, he done the next best; he toted the kid ofl’ azz’
fin’l fetched her to us.

“ e couldn’t ’a‘ come at a better time fer the
little critter. My ole woman hed jest lost hgr
kid, an’ she tuck a notion that this’ne was the
’dentical pictur’ o' the baby her eyes was still
wet fer. An’ so—waal, I don’t reckon Foley

ole woman had a fin er to scratch withl

“ Lucky all ’roun that he didn’t want to. It
was to 't shet 0’ her that fetched him to our
cabin, er though he said it went too durn hard
ag’in’ the grain fer to shet off her wind, es he’d
promised to do. yit he wasn‘t a fambly man
even so fur; he couldn’t keep the kid. An’ so
he give her over to us, agreein’ that he’d never
try to claim it back, or ever let out a hint that
it wasn’t actilly our own kid.”

“ You tried to find out who her parents really
were, of course?" '

An el Sam shook his head. almost dog edly.

“ NI) I didn’t, nuther! .Fer why? y ole
woman 'ust froze to Nellie, an‘ it d bin wuss
then rob in’ a she painter fer to even try to take
a step that way. An’ then—weal, I ove her
now, but I cannot love her no better then I did
in them days!”

Pink Archer gave 9. Ion breath of relief. ’
From the first words utte by Angel Sam, ho
had feared a revelation that an ht, despite the
bond of true love that existed tween, sever
him from Nellie. She need never knew that
Sam was not her father in fact as he had been
in leve. She had never known her real parents,
and even were they still living, they would be
strangers to her—she could never learn to re-
gard and love them as her own kindred, even
were she to be restored to them.

“ We‘ll make it up to her, Daddy Sam,” ho
muttered a smile playing about his lips, a love-
light in is ' eyes. “ She’ll neVer learn difi‘?!“
ent; never dream but that you are really her
father.”

“ Ef I only knowed that fer sart’in l” then hur-
riedly adding: “ You know when I- tuck that
trip down to Santone?" ‘

rcher nodded. Right well did he remember
when An lSam went to San Antonio, for the
veteran, ea‘flng Nellie alone, begged him to
keep an eye in her direction, to see that no harm
came to her. And it was during those gum dian
days that Pink Archer learned to love Angel
Nell l”

“ I run acrost him down thar—Poley, you
know!”

Archer gave a start, his face suddenly grow-

 

ing grave with a premonition of coming trou-

b e.
“ What did he have to say? Surely he didn‘t
bring up the past?”

him to do the ob got out 0’ the we 50’s to—
i fl

could ’a’ got away with that baby es long es the

 

 

 

 

....-._.-..,.. _ . .w A...“

l-
l
l
;:

 

    

 

'That is why

The Rustler Detective.

  

25

 

 

“ That’s jest what he did I” nodded Angel Sam’
with lowered voice and an uneasy glance around
them as though he feared the presence of an
envesdropper. “ 'l‘he fu’st words he said was to
ax how was Nellie? The kid, he called her,
though, he never knowed what, name we give
her.”

“If you had only evaded him—or lied! If
you had told him she was dead, or iniirriei and
lost sight of !” frowned Archer.

“ \Vhich I tried to k'ck myself later beca’se I
didn‘t, but he tuck me so by surprise thet I
didn’t hcv tine to think 0’ lyin’,” gloomin re-
sponded Sam. “I let it all out an’ when I
spokeo’ the place I was livin’ at, his two eyes
stuck out so fur you could ’a’ hung your hat onto
’cni like 11 pt ! ‘

“ He was mighty7 sober fer a bit, but then he
brightened up an acted the :lively pard which
he al’ays was when sober. _An.' in his Frenchy
way, he let out what hed hit him all 0’ a heap,
sotospeak. He said he fu‘st thought as how
he’d run the bank him own self, but come to
think how l’d raised the gal, it didn’t seem the
pure quill fer to freeze me out. An’ then—he
said he’d found out the name 0’ the man who
hired him to kill the kid. He said his name was
Falconer!"

“ Then you think?” slowly began Archer,
choking down his su prise by a desperate effort
of will. “ You believe that—”

“ That the birdy ain’t no ways too safe livin’
so class to Falcon Ranch!” muttered Angel
Sam with another wary glance around them.

“ What?" and Archer leaped to his feet, with
glowing eyes. “You surely don’t for an in-
stant believe that-” .

Just at that instant Nellie announced supper,
and Angel Sam hurriedly muttered as he grip-
ped Pink by the arm: _

“Not a word or a hint afore birdy, lads!
Keep a still tongue in your head ontel I kin say
jest what it is I’m skeered of l”

CHAPTER XXXI.
THE WEASEL REPORTS.

THAT cunning blundering on the part of Royal
Hart, bade fair to brin trouble where all 
seemed sosmooth and easant. Queen Nadine
had so plainly betray . her real sentiments—had
so clearly shown her unabated interest in Pink
Archer—that Nash Whildon began to see how
nearly he had been hoodwinked by an artful
woman‘s wiles.

And then, as well, he was uncomfortably con-
scious of having acted in a decidedly compro-
mising fashion when soadroitly led to believe
Osorio, the Roper, had succeeded in his bloody
mimion. . .

Taking everything into consideration, there
was a rather awkward staff of affairs between
the recentl betrothed coup e.

Of the tzvain, Nadine proved to be much the
better actor; 'bly because she felt note
whit of the love which boiled so fiercely in
the veins of her soon-to-become husband.

When the mistake was smoothed over, and the
actual truth made clear to all, .Queen Nadine
rapidly recovered her clear Wits and steady
nerve. She knew that she was playing against
a thoron hly desperate gamester, and that lent
her add nerve, if any was needed.

She declared that though she had once loved
Pink Archer—even oing so far as to frankly
admit that she had 0 cred her love, only to have
it spurned with contempt.

“ Only for that you would not be here or
alive,” she coldly added, without a trace of emo-
tion in face or tones. “ I wouli have killed you
at once when you made those threats.”

“ And so brought ruin on your own head!"
sneered the master of Open Hand Ranch. “ You
forget the lpaplers I spoke of.”

“ I won d We dared your friend and his
proofs, be they what they may. I would have
sought him and them to the bitter end. But
since it was not so to be, well. I yielded.”

There was no word from Whildon. Just then
lie felt little in the mood for paying compliments.
With a slight shrug of her shoulders, Queen Na.
dine resumed.

“ Why? Hardly through love for the man
who so viciously threatened me, to be sure. Be—
cause I swore I would drink deep of revenge on
the one who sneered at my love. Because I
swore to live and rule .until Pink Archer had
suffered at least‘a portion of the agony he had
caused me. '

“ That is why I turned upon you when 1 be.
lieved your R0 .r had robbed me of my rights.
told you, what I repeat once
more, that if aught of harm comes to Pink
Archer until after our wedding night passes, I
will never be your bride, because—well, because
you will be wedded to death instead!”

U ly words for an ardent lover to listen to,
but ash Whiidon had to “grin and bear it” as
best he might. Until she was fairly bound to
him, Queen Nadine Would rule. After that!

Yet Nash Whildon rode away from Falcon
Ranch in a far better humor than may be
thought. Nadine, having covered her slip as
best she could. bent her powers toward placating
the rancher, and with even more success than
she had dared hope for. '

It was nearly sunset when Nash Whildon rode

 

l

 

briskly away, bound for his own ranch. Colonel
Falconer secretly watched him depart, then
sought Nadine, only to be repulsed. She was
not in the mood for talking. Never mind—he
must wait!

And, just as he had done so many timesbe-
fore of recent days, Hu Falconer sulkily beat
a retreat, locking himse f in with his brandy.

After his departure, Nadine seemed strangely
restless, pacing the floor, gazing with a frown
through the narrow, iron-grated window which
gave a view of the far-away hills where Angel
Sam was located.

“ Will he fail me, also?” Sllf‘ grated, her strong
white teeth clicking viciously together as, for

the hundredth time, she sought the window. ‘

“If he has—if he does! He!” “lth a hissing
breath of ea eriiess as she caught sight of an
approaching gure on horseback. “It is he! I
will soon know! And then—”

The sentence was left unfinished in words. but
her white fingers plucked the jeweled dagger
from her corsage, and the steel flashed in the
dim lamplight as she swept through the air.

A few moments later a cat-like footfall was
heard without the room, and opening the door,
Queen Nadine admitted the spy for whom she
had waited so long and so impatiently.

The Weasel. he was called, quite as much
from his ferret—like face and marvelously supple
body as from his naturally prying, inquisitive
dis )SltiOD.

Mexican by birth, he had come to Falcon
Ranch soon after the place changed hands, and
though he was almost repulsiver u ly in face,
Queen Nadine at once took him un er her pro-
tection. |

“ Well?" sharply demanded Nadine. from the ‘
couch upon which she had sunk at his coming. 
“ You have not failed?” I

She spoke in her mothez’s tongue, and the ‘
Weasel answered in the same language. his tones :
soft and musical, in startling contrast to his re- 5
pulsive a pearance. "

“ an fail, when my mistress bids me suc-
eeed?”

“ You were so long gone that I began to fear :
a failure.” ‘

‘f There was so much to see, so much to hear!"
smiled the Weasel, with a curious writhing of
his slender figure. “ My horse is wet with
swgatnas though he had just swum the river, ,
an —

“ You followed the senor there? You saw him
at that house?”

The Weasel bowed assent, and then went on
todescribe how he had managed tosteal near
enough to the little cabin to overhear the words ,
spoken by Pink Archer, as well' as the response ,
made by Angel Nell.

He stood with head bowed, with hands meek-
ly crossed before his bosom, but his ferret-like 3
eyes were furtively watching. the changing
countenance of his mistress as she listened.
With marvelous fidelity be repeated whole sen— .
fences, even giving them the very tones in:
which the had been original] uttered And
all the while, with vicious joy he was reveling i
in the bitter torture his mistrom was enduring. 1

Not that he hated her or had cause for hating ’
her. He loved Queen Nadine as much as it was 
in his nature to love anybody besides himself, ‘
He was so thoroughly depraved that», be found ,

leasure only in torturing others. Whether his ‘
rien'i or his enemies was an after consideration. .

“Queen Nadine never once interrupted him 3
durin the earlier .part of his report. It was not
that s e feared to expose her feelings to her spy,
for she cared nothing. for that' the felt that any
attempt to speak would choke her, so intense
was her rage as she listened.

The \Veasei told h0w he had stolen after the
lovers when they went out to the rustic seat.
Bit by bit he re _ted what hehad heard and ,
saw emitting no hing in his secret amusement. !
And he told ow Angel Sam came to the scene: i
how Nellie fled to the house, and of the conver- !
sation which ensued between the two man,

Queen Nadine sprung to a sittin posture as he
proceeded, her face ghastly white er great eyes
glowing as though filled With fire, her hands
clinched so tightly that the nails drew blood.

Still with the same marvelous fidelity the ‘
Weasel continued his acolgunt, even at times
reproducing the rough d. lect used by Angel
Sam in speaking of the childso strangely placed
in his care. He told of the meeting in San ‘
Antonio, and even recalled the name of the
other: of Angel Sam’s old partner, French
P016 . , |
“ He said—this man of the hills—that his old
friend told him the name of the man who id
him money for killing the child. He sai the
name was Falconer, my lady!” added the
Weasel. . l

He sprung nimbly back as Queen Nadine '
leaped to her feet, fairly transtigured with rage
and fear. He glanced swiftly toward the door,
as though bent on flight, but it was not neces-
sary.

Nadine was recalled to herself by his move— '
merits. and with a forced laugh she resumed her
seat as ing:

“ Ba ! what matteril These cursed Gringoes
are such monstrous liars that they would even
talk of the Virgin Mary in a clumsy jest!”

The ferret-like eyes glittered vividly. but the
, voice of the Weasel was soft and smoothas ever
i when he spoke again: -
l “ Then it was a jest that seemed to sound like

truth to Senor Pink Archer, mistress!”

“ How know you that, little one?”

“Because of his face, .lady. But still more
! because of his actions. Before I came back to»
i tell you what I heard and saw, the senor was in-
. his saddle and riding hard on the trail leading
i to San Antonio.”
f There was a brief silence Queen Nadine
; drooped her long lashes until her blazing orbs
} were hidden. But she could not still the uick.
éheaving of her bosom, i‘ior entirely qucl the
sudden trembling which shook her hands as they
: tigllitly clasped each other in her lap.
3 he Weasel stood motionless saying nothing.
1 He knew that his rc rt was causing torture,
l but he never asked nnself the reason. The!

result was all that he cared for.

Then, with an affected petulant-e, Queen
' Nadine said:

“ It is well, and you may go, little one. Only
;!I wish I:could have known the senor was
f going to town. He could have brought me some—
I thing. Now I must wait I”
1 She motioned the “’easel to depart, and he
! obeyed, leaving her alone.

CHAPTER XXXII.
HUGH FALCONER GROWS UNEASY.

“ Do they know? Do they even suspect the
whole truth?”

Queen Nadine asked herself these questions, as
she Jaced swiftly the length of the room after
the Veasel left at her bidding. The mask was
dropped and she looked anything but beautiful
then. She seemed to have rown cars older,
all in an instant. Her face coked t in and bag»
sard. Her eyes, still glowing like balls of living

re, seemed to have retreated in their Sockets.
Her figure was no longer proudly erect, lut
bent forward, almost crouchingly, as she passrd
to and fro.

“ The must know, else why has he taken
the trai to San Antonio, at the beginning of a

 

lnight? Why in such haste to find this vilv

lain-this Poley of the French? Why has he
gone—the man of all men in in poor heart?
Ah! if it were any other! Any 0t or save him!
How I would fight—how I would laugh them to

! scorn when-J

Her proud fi urc drew erect once more, and
with her eyes ashin , with a vivid color flam-
ing into her cheeks, ueen Nadine scede her-
se f again. In her right hand quivered and
glitterod the jeweled dagger with which she had
saved the life of the man who she now felt was
doing his best to bring disaster, if not worse, ‘
upon her and hers.

“Only for you, he would be dead! You
saved his life, for what? To have him scorn

1 your mistress! To have him turn aside from

her proud love, to whisper sweet words in the
ear of a silly, sim ring idiot! If you had
known! He would dead, now! Lost to our
mistress—true! But lost to her—to all ot era.
as well!”

With a sudden access of passion, Queen Na~
dine hurled the weapon from her, laughing
harshly as it struck with a ringing echo against
the grating at the window, snapping in twain,
the jeweled haft fiyin on outSide, the broken
blade dropping to the oor within.

Dropping down upon the couch. sitting with
hands supporting her chin, and elbows on her
knees, the woman stared vacantly at the bit.
of bright steel, as it lay reflecting the lamp-
li ht.

er brain was busy, recalling all that the
Weasel had repOited, and her face accurately
recorded each change of thought. Not 5 pleas-
ant si ht, then! ,

Sud enly her face grew calmer. more like the
one she habitually wore. The lines and wrin-
kles gradually filled out until her face was full
and smooth and beautiful to the outward eye.
And whatever her secret emotions, when Queen
Nadine unlocked her door and left the room. not
even the kcenest could have even suspected all

i she had fought out there alone with the phau~

toms born of sin.

She had to rap sha ly at the door he end
which Colonel Hugh Fa coner had locked im-
self before an answer was given. And her
brews were angrily contracted as she crossed
the threshold, confronting the unsteady, bicar-
eyed rancher.

“Is it thus you clear your brain and steady
your nerves? Is it after this fashion you pre-
pare fer the stout fight? Is it thus you areto
degei’i‘t our enemies? Fool! Coward! Drunk-
ar ! ,

With each 9 ithet, a white clinched fist was
shaken vira ois y before the purple face of the
rancher. e shrunk further back. only to be

' followed up until he tripped and dripped heav-
. ily into a chair.

In a second, as it were, Queen Nadine altered
to her usual self. a loW. half—niockiiig laugh bubs
bling from her red li s as she drew a seat up to

; thlef opposite side of t ie table, occupying it her.
se

“'It is rudk—unladylike—unfllial, eh?" she
pumedJeaning her w ‘tc arms on the table

 

 

 

ay-

stand the more recent developments.

,'the colonel Opened his li

supporting her chin upon her joined palms as
she gazed across the barrier into the face of her
' rent. ‘_‘ But it is working better even than
ice-water! Already you are beginning to grow
.sober. Already I can see the muddy wits are
clearing! See that they do not grow stagnant
again, else—my next lemon will last longer, and
be tenfold sharper! I want you to talk, and—”

“You drove me away when I came for a
talk,” muttered Falconer.

“Did I bid you drink yourself blind?”

“ Nor have I," With an effort straightening
up. “ My brain is as clear as yours. My wits
.are as keen. Try me, if you still doubt!”

Queen Nadine nodded approvingly. Past ex-
perience told her the best and shortest method
of going to work on such occasions, and the rule
still proved Correct. If not actually sober, Col-
‘onel Falconer was far from being drunk, and
growing better with the passage of each mo-
ment.

“I sent you away because I had much to
think over, much to plot and plan. And then--
’1 was waiting for the IVeaSel to return with his
report.”

“You sent l,iim-——after \Vhildon?” hesitated
the coloncl.

Queen Nadine gn ve a gesture of impatience.

b " After a better man than that our ever dared
9!?)

The colonel frowned darkly, his hand clinch-
ing as it rested on the edge of the table before
him.

“ Yet that cur is the man we’ve got to keen
smoothed down. Nadine! He’s got us foul, and
he means to'hold his grip until he makes his
point for certan! Ugh! I haven’t got over
shivering in in, boots yet! I thought it was all
up, when you ashod out like that!

“ Something else would have flashed to a pur—
pose only for the explanation given by that
ilundering idiot,” grated Nadine, her great eyes
flashing vividly as she spoke. "If that dead
body had belonged to Pink Archer, Nash I‘Vhil—
don would have gasped out his life on those
stones —and by my hand !"

Colonel Hugh was plainly grewing more and
more uneasy. Used as he was to the sudden
Vagarics of his daughter, he could not ui.der—
He knew
little concerning the power of love when in-

dulged in by a woman of her fierce nature. He

could not comprehend why she should risk-so
much, merely because she liked one man better
than another.

“ But] thought that was all understood and
settled yesterday? I thought you were to buy
that secret by marrying Whildon, when it would
be to his interest to keep the truth from leaking
out!”

There was no immediate reply. Nadine sat
gazing curiously, keenly into his face. like one
trying to solve an important doubt. And so
she was: trying to decide whether it would be
prudent to trust this man with her whole in-
itricate, perilous scheme. ,

“ Do you know, father. that I be in to think
we were playing at crosspurposes, ash Whil-
don, you and 1? Do you know that I think we
might have made much better terms, had we
only known just what secret he hinted at so
guardedly?”

“ He spoke of—of your uncle—”

“Yes, and declared that he knew how and
why he came by his death,” was the cool ad-
dition as the colonel stammered. the words he
.sought to utter seeming to choke him.

Falconer started from his feet, casting a wild
, lance around them, like one who fears an eaves—

rop r. Great drops of cold perspiration stood
on b s temples, and his brandy-sod en face turn-
ed a sickly hue.

“msh, girl! Are on mad?” he gasped,
hoarsely, with another rightened clones around
the dimly lighted room. “ What If your words
were to be heard? Who knows who of these in-
ternal sneaks may be prowling around trying to

ick up a crumb? And let but the ghost of a
hint get out among the men, and even your
beauty wouldn’t be enou h to save you !”

“It is not you, but the randy that talks now,
m father 2‘ with a thinly disguised sneer.
“‘ he would dare to play spy on you or I? Not
one who has seen us twice!”

“ But it‘s risky—you know it’s mighty risky,
Nadine?”

“ Yet that risk must be run, my father,” and
'her voice grew hard and cold. “ We must un-
derstand Just where we stand, and what ob-
stacles we have to overcome before we can feel
fairly safe. And I begin to think that We were
amagnifyi); the power of Nash Whildon.
True,” wit a silencmg wave of her hand as
to s ak. “ He
swore that he knew all an We too him at his
word- but after what I drew from him this day,
I doubt if he even suspected what you and I be-
lieved!”

Colonel Falconer smiled faintly. '

“ You can’t go by what he as 8, always Na-
«dine. The rascal is cunning as t a very Old Boy
himself, and believes a tongue was 'ven us for
hiding our real thoughts, instead 0‘ sticking to
the simple truth.” .

“That may be, too. and stilla cunning devil
deceive himself while trying to deceive others.

 

i __ . _, 3—. ,. .
-— ":J' " gory-135'?!  N, “'95:”?!-

The Rustler Detective.

So with Nash Whildon. He has found out
something concerning those old raids, and With
that as a foundation has built up a theory of
how and why a certain man came by his death.
This is bad enough, but it might have been worse.
You know what I mean by that, father,” with a
Sh‘ll‘ little nod.

" ‘E’on are, sure he—sure he don‘t know
about~”

“As certain as one can be of anything in
which a man like Nash Whildon has a finger,”
said Nadine, as the colonel stumbled over his
question. “I am positive he knows nothing
about that matter. I am almost sure he does
not even suspect. But we have no time to lose
in finishing our work in that quarter. It must
be complete before the men come again—you
concede that?”

“But Whildon?” hesitated Falconer. “Will
he stand it?”

Nadine laughed, hardly, shortly.

“If he is kept in the dark until all is over,
what can we do?”

“ But—won’t he suspect, then?”

“Andif he should, what of it? Where can
he find anything to confirm that suspicion?
Who is he to look to for information?”

“It’s an ugly affair, and the more I think of
it, the less 1 like it!” frowned the colonel, lick-
ing his parched lips and casting a furtive glance
toward the decanter near at hand.

“ It is ten times uglier than you even suspect!”
uttered Nadine, leaning forward and speaking
swiftly. “I told you I was waitin for the
Weasel to report. He came, and this is what he
discovered.

“ Our fears were correct. Angel Sam knows
who the girl he calls his daughter really is;
or, if not quite that, he is on the right track.
He knows that you hired that French rascal
to kill the infant. Instead, he spared his life,
giving the babe to Angel Sam and his wife,
who reared it as their own.”

“ He knows this?” gasped the colonel, turn—
ing paler than ever. '

“And he is seeking to discover still more.
He has sent a fri-lnd to San Antonio, to find
French Poley apd bring him, here to identify
you as the man who paid him gold to murder
the infant!" ,

“ Not Pixik Archer?” hoarsely ejaculated the
colonel. ,

A look of surprise came into the face of his
dau hter at this.

“ hat put that wild idea into your head?”
she exclaimed. with a low laugh of scornful
derision. "Pink Archer was making love to
Angel Nell, theVWeasel said, but he was posi-
tive neither of the young couple even so much
as suspected the part Sam was playing. It m
be that he hopes to give them a glad surprise.
It may also be that he is playing simply to
feather his own nest, by extorting a heav
sum from you, as hush-money: he and this
friend,‘and this French Pole !’

Falconer seemed stung to ury by this speech.
He flung back his head with a defiant flash in
his blood-veined e es.
sharp decision in his tones th‘n at any time
since Nadine f.’ reed her way into the room.

“If he thinks that, he’ll get left—bad! I’ll
never, wait for them to get a good ready!
I’ll——

“ Remain quiet and patient until I say it is I

time to make a move,” sharply interrupted
Queen Nadine, grasping an arm across the table.
“ I have been thinking since I heard this:
thinking deep and thoroughly. I have almost
perfected a plan that will not only disco flt
Angel Sam but bury even the ghost of the er—
rible,1 blunder you committed so many years
ago.

“ He swore he’d do it, and I never thought of
failure, until—”

“Until you saw French Foley in San An-
tonio, and lost your nerve when he tried to
bleed you on that old score.” with a sneer that
she took no pains to disguise. “If it had been
me—bah! there would have been a dead man
for breakfast!” v

She rose from her seat, and without another
word turned and left the room. Colonel Fal—
coner sat silent until the faint echo of her foot-
steps died away. Then be locked the door and
returned to his brandy.

CHAPTER XXXIII.
DON Buzz, rm: nus'rnnn.

THE sun was just disappearing from view on
the day succeeding when Queen Nadine rode
brisk! away from Falcon Ranch, alone and un-
atten ed.

She put her good steed to his speed, and cov-
ered the ound rapidly until the buildings be-
hind were ost to view, then permitted the ani-
mal to assume a more leisurely (gait.

There was time enough. an she knew that
the man whom she was riding to meet would
wait patiently enough, even though she might
be hours later than the time appointed.

“If he only knew!” she laughed, with a scorn-
ful glance in the direction of the Open Hand
Ranch. “ I almost wish he did! I almost wish
his evil fate might send him to the rendezvous
this evening! Wouldn’t it be glorious? A

 

; almost fierce response.

There was more of I

w.-.
- w... - .. 

i

at; two such hot-heads leaping at each othem’
throats."

Her musical laugh floated away over the
plain, Sounding as gay and free from care as
though she was not livmg over a volcano.

The moon had not yet risen, but the stars were
shining brilliantly and gave light sufficient to
show how smooth, how untroubled, how beauti-
ful was her face just then. There was not a
sign of care or trouble to be noted. One would
give thought her the happiest of the happy,

en.

A smart touch of her ‘ilt spur sent the good
steed on at a more rapi gait, and after cover-
ing several miles more. Queen Nadine drew
rein in front of a small timl'er island, where the
trunks were pretty well grown up with bushes
and brambles.

She ut the butt of her wmp to her red lips,
but be ore she could sound the whistle, a dark
figure sprung out of the darkness, reaching htl‘
side a moment later, utting up his arms to as-
sist her from the sadc le, murmuring in a deep,
mellow voice:

“ At last! My angel!”

The words were in Spanish, and in like notes
Nadine laughed:

“Still the same, my friend? Still the same
hot-head? Still the same adorer of a poor, coun-
' terfeit image?”

I \Vhile speaking she slipped from the saddle,
half-reclining for an instant in his ardent cm-

 

! lip touched hers, with a passionate fervor that
i sent a thrill flashing through her veins.

“You do love me, a little, Don Ruez?” she
murmured, bending back her head until she
could gaze into his face.

A handsome face it was, too, though after a
somewhat fierce, barbaric style. A face that
would involuntarily cause the observer to think
ofusmugglers, of brigands, of mountain guer-
ri as.

“ A little—no! An ocean—a world, with
heaven and hell combined—yes !” was the nick,
“But why do aS' me
" that?” You do not love me enough to feel jeal-
ous !

“ Would I be here, Don Rucz. if I loved you
not?" Queen Nadine responded, with pained rc-

roach in both face and tones. “ Would your
ips have touched mine, and life still be yours,
if I loved you not? Am I not a true Spaniard?
Do I not carry this?”

A slender-bladed knife flashed in the starlight,
‘risin and then descending swift as thought,
, pausmg only when its keen point actually

)I‘iCke( through the embroidered Spenser worn

y the Mexican.

. With another low, musical laugh, Queen
1 Nadine drew back her hand, slippingthe glenm~
ing blade into her bosom from whence it had
1 flashed. She bent her head forward, and
‘ )r‘eSSed her red lips to his with an ardor such as
i few women could have feigned.
. Then, deftly slipping from his tightening em-
brace, she laughed:

“ Let that suffice, Don Rue-z, for the present.
. We must not forget that it is busincss win! 11
! brings us here at this late hour of the nieht—
Lbusiness of more importance than the intro-
change of love-vows between two who am so
wholly each other’s as we! Is it not so?”

“ It is always so of late!” muttered the Meri-
can with gloomy tones. “ It is alwa)'SLbu51-1]f'gs
' first, business last, business all the time!”

Queen Nadine drew back with an air of of-
! fended dignity, and her tones rung out hardly cs
she retortod:

“ Is it so much harder on you than it is on me,
‘ Don Ruez? Is it so wearisome for you to tr lzo n,
* ride—bah!” with sharp impatience, as she 1mm!
. toward her motionless steed. “ I know vs ho v ‘ l
‘ do my bidding, and never once hint at recrrt - r
’ impatience! I Will call on him, henceforwnu‘.
since you—"

Don Ruez caught her arm with one hand. ll“
other extending a knife toward her, bait I'rv -
most his head bowed, his voice humility ifsrlf.

“ I was a fool, my queen: punish me! Stril-"c.
and end it all—but do not add torture to punish-
ment by leavmg your slave in anger!”

Again did Queen Nadine feel that pcculirr
, thrill as she listened. She knew he was in sobrr
earnest. She knew that beloved her so passirn—
ately that he preferred death to her going a“ av
in anger. It was for this submimion she played.
, but in gaining it, she felt she was acting a most
, contemptible role.

’ “It would be a stroke worthy the Cid Cam-
I peador. Ruez!” she soft] uttered, gent] push-
! mg back the proffer weapon. “ ince it
would be letting out two lives at a smgle
stroke!”
“ Then I am forgiven?” tremblineg asked the
I outlaw, with a. strangely shy glance into lcr
I beautiful face. '
i “ By this Signet you shall know itl” laughed
1 Nadine, dropping a kiss on his high temple, then
i drawing an am through her own, as she turned
once more toward the timber island.
1 “It is not often that any one passes by this
‘ wa , after nightfall. Don Ruez, but it is always
wel-enough to act with full care. We will
enter, and at our old trysting place, talk over

 

 

from the remit, it would be well worth 100 113 this important business of ours.

| brace after her feet touched ground. A bearded ,

 

 

~—rfi— M_—_.

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

. ro ward?

The Rustler Detective.

2'7

 

 

A wave of her hand caused her well-trained
steed to follow them, and taking a barely per-
ceptible path, they entered the timber. passing
along until nearly at the center, where a small
:spring bubbled up from a low pile of rocks.
Immediately around this spring was an open
:space into which the stars shed sufficient light
for features to be recognized even though the
subtler changes of expression might escape de—
tection.

“You have been waiting—how long, Don
Ruez?”

“Since before the sun went to rest,” was the
response.

"Then. of course there is no ssible chance
for an enemy to have hidden iiinSclf in the
motte,” said Queen Nadine, with a degree of
satisfaction and relief.

“ If a ghost had tried to steal into the motto, I
would have heard it, my angel!"

“ Fora ghost—that!“ and Nadine made a ges-
ture of contempt. “It is only the living we
have to fear and guard against in this world.
In the other—time enough when it opens to our

- eyes 1“

Don Ruez made no reply. He was eager to
get down to buiiiich, to remove it as soon as
possible, and thus leave room for lovemaking.

Queen Nadine seemed to divine his wishes, and

' promptly opened the ball. There is no particu-

lar new to record her words in full. Enough
for pi‘cSent purposes that she spoke without
reserve as far as she went, and had there been
an eavesdroppcr hidden in those shades, he
might well have opened his eyes with amaze-
ment. '

For enough was said to show that Queen
Nadine, Don Rucz, and her father, were all law-
breakers of the most dangerous sort. They
talked of cattlthstealing in the past; of smug-
gling across the border, both north and south;
and of raids as at only projected, by which
they hoped to ma 'e money enough to forever
.qui: the risky business.

" And then, my queen?” murmured Don Ruez.
“How much longer am I to wait for my rich
When am I to enter the gates of
Paradise?” fl

Nadine laughed softly, even as she struck do Who
the hand that was stealing around her waist.

“Ver soon, now, my impatient killf’htl
Only-t ere is still work to be done! ork
that I dare not intrust to less competent hands
than those of my Rucz!”

“ You have only to say what you wish done,
and if mortal man can bring it to pass, that
obstacle shall not long bar the way,” quietly

answered the rustlcr.

“ You love me so well, then.. Ruez?” softly
murmured Nadine, drawing a little closer, her
hands resting on his broad shoulders, her great
eyes glowing steadily into his fierce black orbs.

“ I love you, in angel. That is all I can say,
for what are wor s? Eznpty sound, forgotten as
soon as uttered! 1 love you. In those words
might be crowded all the world I”

‘ You love me better than all theother women
in the world?”

“ I know but one woman. You are she.” _

“ You do lovo me, then I" with n softcxultation
in her musical tones th it made his strong frame
quiver again. "I was wrong to douhbttyour lfove,
oven for a moment. And yet—w a proo are
you willing to give that you are not mistaken,
my Ruez?’

" Whatever you ask, my queen. I am ready
aim: waitin l”

f Shzdblent stilt closer, until her warm breath
ann ischee .,

“ given  I were to bid you kill? If I asked
the oath o a woman?"

CHAPTER XXXIY.
A COMPACT SEALED—AND WITNESSED.

NEARER her face drew to his.- brighter grew
her eyes as they keenly sought for an answer that
might be truer than t 9 one his lips were form-
ing. But not a shade crept over that darkly
handsome face: Even her close scrutiny. failed
to detect the slightest. shrinking, the most evan~
escent symptom of disgust. or doubt, or of re-
,luctance.

“ Though that woman looked at me with my
mothei ’5 eyes, I would strike her to the heart at
your bidding, in ueen.”

Quietly, even y, Without the least effort at
display. The manner of one who can be depend-

. ed upon to do precisely what is asked.

Althou h Queen Nadine had not reall antici-
ated a ifferent response, knowin uez the
rudder so well, she drew a deep breat of intense
relief as his deep, mellow tones came in an.
war.
8 She wasin no such haste now. She knew that
'her and was assured, and she took time to gldnce
ra idly over the minor details of the hold
so eme in which she wanted. is bold outlaw to
- lay a part. It was a ticklis story she had to
11 and Don Ruez was a dangerous tool to play
with. If he loved herso intensely, just so he
could hate. And with one of his nature, there

' is but a single step from one to the other.

“It will not call for such heroism on your
rt, m Ruez,” she at len th uttered, her inter‘
 fingers resting on is shoulder, her lus-
hous eyes gazing into his with a mingled ardor

.i I
.w t»  “5'.  ;

night I might be forced to become his wife,

 

and proud reserve that few women could have
so adroitly counterfeited. “ It is a stranger
whom ou must get out of my path—our path,
remem 1', my Ruez.”

“Where will I find her, my queen? When 

pleted?”

“I will tell you shortly. ' First—I am about
to put your love and trust to a terrible test, Don
Rucz!"

“ If I fail you, you know the roadtomy heart,
Nadine.” ' -
Even then Queen Nadine hesitated, a sli ht
shiver runniu over her lissoni frame. ow
would this hot- rain receive her story? Yet she
must run the risk of feeling his jealous 'knife in
her heart. Hewns all she could really depend
upon. Without his aid she would be forever

lost!

“ If I were to so to you, Don Ruez, within
the week, I am to ccome the bride of another ,
mun?”

“I would hunt out that man, and kill him.
Then I would come to you, and the world would
find us united—in death,” was the slow, even ro-
sponso, though there was an alnmst scorchinor
baze in the black eyes that so keenly look
into her beautiful face.

“ But if I were to add to those words, in ex-
planation, that I really had no intention of keep-
ing the pledge given t is man, my Ruez?”

" I would believe you, and wait until after ‘
the appointed hour. Then, if all proved as you
said, we would drink to the fool. If not—”

The sentence was left unfinished. There was
no need to end it in Words, since Queen Nadine ,
fully understood what that hiatus indicated. g

“ You know the master of the Open Hand ‘
Ranch, Don Ruez?” ,

“ I have heard of him—have seen him at least _
once.”

“ You would recognize him, even in the
dark?”

“I neve ' forgct a face, voice or shape. I
would recognize him.” 

i

will you be best pleased to have the Work com- i

“ In five days from now, that man must be a
corpse, Ruezl” ,

“He is no better than a dead man, my,
queen." I

“There must be no mistake, or on the fifth ,

Ruezl”

“ He shall never see the sun rise again i” with
fierce emphasis. ‘

For the first time since that strange dialogue
began, the rustler showed signs of broken quiet. ,
In one hand flashed an iigl docking knife, while i
the other was tightly clinc. ed and shaken above ,
his hea '. His tones were deep and harsh, with
a snarling echo running through them. His "
face was fairly transfigured with savage ’
hatred.

And, hard as it is to record the fact, Queen !
Nadine laughed softly, adiniringly at his vicious
outburst. _

She felt a strange, wild exultation which. it is ,
almost impossible to express in words. She i
could play on the heart and brain of this stron , i
fearless man as deftly as over her fingers toucg- i
ed the strings of guitar or mandolin. To him,
the slightest motion of her white finger was as a
the wavmg of a. mighty scepter.

She no longer feared for the result as at first.
The worst was told, and his jealousy had not
overwhelmed her. The rest would be compar-
atively easy for one Who had so carefully mark-
ed out a path to follow to the end.

“ It is true, my Ruez, that the Open Hand
must lose its present mafier, but not just yet.
There is work for him to do. He must help to
guide the steel to his own heart—see?”

“It shall be as you say, Nadine,” slowly. “He
is reprieved, but only for a time. Even you
dare not ask me let him live through the full
five days i” ,

“You would refuse even my request, then?”

" I 10% you.” ’

All was contained in those three words. Not
even the woman he so complete] ' loved could
tide Nash Whildon over the nig t set for his
marriage. .

With a low merry laugh, Queen Nadine
tapped him softly on t e cheek with the tips of
her fingers. .

“It is enough, my Ruez! I will torment thee
no longer, sweet as it is to see how thoroughly
thou art in earnest— recious as such a proud ‘
triumph is to the fon heart that beats for thee
alone!” .

Instantly the rustler calmed down. There
was just the ghost of a threat in his manner as
he slowly uttered:

“ It is all a jest? It is only to t your power
over your slave, Queen Nadine? ere is no
talk of marriage between him and thee?”

A swift and complete change came over the
amazon at this. Her voice grew more business-

 

v‘ or anization.”

 

like, her face hardened under the starli ht.

“That is just what I sent for you to ear e'x-
laimid, Ron thuez. Ttgis agumd Grin gas 3

_n ay ng e spy go purpose. e as
vered that on gentlemen across the border ,
have allies on t is side. He knows that I am '
one of the famil , and by threatening to expose ‘
me to the men w one herds we have urned into =

good gold, he think: to win no for a wife, and

'i .

i, .
A NV“’

1. "" - i  IV;

gain full possession of Falcon Ranch. Shall he
succeed in his plans, Don Ruez ?”

“When shall he go to his father, the devil,
Nadine?”

Queen Nadine stamped her spurred heel fierce-
ly into the ground, a Spanish oath hissing
t rough her white teeth.

“ If it was only him he would be gone ere
this—before the words died away upon his sneer-
ing‘lipsl It is not Nadine Falconer who would
have waited for even you to avenge her!”

“ There is room below for others, my queen,”
with grim candor. ‘

“ And that room shall soon be occupied, too!
But listen, Don Rucz, and I will show you the
scheme I have decided to carry out.

“ That man took advantage of a favorin
chance, and before all our neighbors announce
our speedy marriage. I could not deny him
then. I could only wait and plan his ruin.

“ For this reason, among others, he must not
die too soon. He must live. on until almost at
his coveted triumph. Not quite— I myself
would kill him at the feet of the priest, were you
to fail me.”

“There shall be no failure on my part. Tell
me just what you wish me to do, t ion forget it
all. Your will shall be carried out.”

“ How long will it take you to collect a dozen
of your band?”

“ Three hours. I did not know just what was
wanted,so I brought a few trusty hands with
me '

“ Then that point is settled!" with a breath of
relief. “ And now, for this man who thinks to
claim an unwilling bride. You know where he
lives. You know the trail by which he reaches
Falcon Ranch. And you can find plenty of
places along that trail where you can lie in wait
to ca )ture im at the proper moment.”

“ on mean kill him, of course?” --

Queen Nadine flung out one hand impatiently.

‘ Kill him, if you like the term better. All I
stipulate for is' his silence. But. to gum .1
against accidents, there must be a false trail fir
curious e es and busy tongues. Listen:

“ I wil ive you time enough to do the work
as it should be done. If you like, I will give
you a sign that will introduce you to all 1he men
on Open Hand Ranch who are membei s of our

‘I have the si s, the passwords. my ueen.
I know some of t 6 men, and through t em I
can easily learn the rest.”

“ Then there will be still less difficulty than I
had calculated upon.” with a gratified nod.
“ You will see these men. You will let them
know you are acting by authority. You will
bid them get all in readiness for a mock raid on‘
the Open Hand Ranch, just before the time set
for the wedding. And in that raid, which will
be beaten off by the brave defenders, the master
will come by his deathl, You see, my Ruez?”

“ The mast" r Will be killed. And his body?”

“Mustbe found and identified. As he will
have died in open battle, you Innst be. careful to
cover your tracks. I do not forbid tcrtuie. tut
you can make him suffer in mind, even more
than in body.”

A hard, cruel laugh broke from the rustler‘s

ps.
“ He will hardly find a bed of roses. I fear!
But on spoke of a woman: what about her?"

“ hat is another of my reasons for ‘ving
this Grin 0 so long a grace, Don Ruez. Vhile
waiting or him. you can complete the other
work. You know the miserabe Gringo who
lives by the hills, east of Falcon Ranch? Angel
Sam ple call him.” -

“I now of him. He has a skeleton of a
herd, too poor for men of our business to
bother with.” _ .

“ There isa young woman living with him:
his daughter. To—morrow night, or any other '
night that btsts suits you —”

“ It is your will, my queen, that is to rule.”

“ Then, tomorrow night you will take enough
of your men to that lace. You will silence
every living soul you nd in the cabin, then run
of! his cattle. That will cover your tracks well.

H
F-

'It will be laid to petty rustlers, and no eyes will

be turned in our direction. Of course, if you
prefer, your men can run the bunch over the
river. It may be 'ust ,as well, on second
thoughts. You can ave plenty of aid from
here to carry out the other trick.’ -
“ And when all is done. my neon?" slowly de-
manded the rustler, his eyes a I aglow, his face
lit up with stron passions, th hhis voice was
held so complete y under contro . "‘ When your
pathwa is smooth and clear, what is to follow.”

“ If leave you to” say, my Ruez?" softly
murmured Nadine.

“ Do you dare say so much?” with steme re-

pressed. fire.

“ Why not? It is to be, sometime! Why not
—wait!” springing back with u lifted hand as
the rustler stretched out his ban 8 to fold her in
his bosom. “One moment, in Ruez!”

“Ever thus! But I wait. t is only to drink
deeper of bliss when the en at last touches my
lips!” he muttered. falling ck in prompt obe-

/

,dience to his changeable love.

“That waiting shall soon end, my Basal. 1,,
like you. am growing tired of the long, dreary ‘
delay. I, like you, yearn for the happyday:

  

in',

.W'~- -.. .

The Rustler Detective.

   

. , -
_ __ i W “ ,.._............. Mun",  s . _. . .._‘ _ _ __ 
. g  -<’-;:.—:w.‘» i‘dxivv-r‘” ctr-“‘5‘?”  ' ~ "‘ - f x

 

 

when we need no longer wear the mask—when
you and I will be forever together, with all the
World before us!

“But still we must act with prudence. We
must wait until this excitement shall have died
out. Until there is no more talk of how the
master of Open Hand Ranch came by his death
on his wedding eve!”

“ And then?”

“ You shall name your Own reward, my‘
Ruez!”

One fierce, passionate embrace Nadine per-
mitted. Then they turned and left the timber
island, riding away toward Falcon Ranch, never
once suspecting that their every word had been
overheard, their evei'geaction noted by the cun-
ning trailer who lay heath the brambles near
the spring.

And then, when their forms had vanished in
the distance, this spy left the motto, striding
swiftly toward Falcon Ranch. And. the star—
light revealed tho tall, muscular figure of‘ Red
Clam, the Kickapoo!

CHAPTER XXXV. ,_
rm: RUSTLER DETECTIVE.

IT was mid-forenoon of the day succeeding
the interview between Queen Nadine and Ruez
the Rustler, that Angel Sim looked n with a
dark frown to recognize Royal Hart an his red
pard the Silent Kickapoo.

“ Op 0’ the morning to ye, daddy!” cheerin
cried out the Bounding Buck, his blue eyes rov-
ing swiftly around as though in search of an-
other. “ Haven’t heard anything from Pink
Arcxier, have 'oul”

“ He ain’t round yere, ef that’s what you
want,” surlily.

" Well, [ hardly dared hope he had got back
from Santone, as yet, but thought it no harm to
ask the question.’

Angel Sam turned almost green in the face at
this cool speech. He feared comin trouble, and
he did not know how best to guar against it.

A low laugh broke from the lips of Royal
Hart, and there wasa half-scornful half-pitying
look in his eyes as he tapped the old man on an
arm.

” You’re mighty right, daddy; there is trou-
ble brewing, and you’re mixed u in it, too, the
worst kin ! But, that. troub e don’t come
from our direction, mind ye! Instead, I’ve
come to give you warning that it is time you
were hunting your hole in good earnest!"

“l hain’t done nothin’ ag’in’ the law," dog-
gedly muttered Sam. “ You don‘t dast to la
the wei' lit 0’ a finger onto me! I’m old, but
kin ma 9 my teeth meet in the flesh, even yit,

' of I’m . onto! You hear!"

“A heed,” with sudden avity. “Look
here, Angeli: we’ve come to« ay to do you a
kindness, mainly on account of our mutual
friend, , Pink Archer and the lady whom he
hopes to make his wi e.”

“ What you know ’bout all that!” gasped Sam
starting back. ,

“ Listen, and I’ll t to explain. In a hurry
though he left you, or Santone, Pink found
timeto look me up and be me to keep an e e
open in this direction. e told me what e
had to fear on her amount, and begged me to
see that no harm befall her during his absence.”

“ He never said nothin’ to me!” muttered An-
gell. dubiously.

“ How much time had be for saying any-
thing?” with a passing frown.

This was true. After consulting over the
st‘ange and wonderful prospect which seemed
to be opening before Angel Nell, Pink Archer
resolved to lose no time in seeking out French
Poley at San Antonio. Even with his greatest
haste. he might be too late to find his man.
French Poley had said that he intended to set—

.tle down in town for a time, but he was a roll-
ing stone, and liable to change his mind and his
location at any hour. ‘

“ I am a friend of Pink Archer, and I want to
day friend to both the lady he loves and her
ather. Archer said that I could trust you, and

in roof that I take him at his word—look l”

.pening his clothes over the breast, Royal
Ilart revealed a defeative’s badge lyin next the
skin. Only for a moment/ then the to Halo bit
of metal was hidden from View. .

“That ought to show on I’m not an enemy
of yours, daddy,” softly ughed the detective.
As well as you can tell me, I know what the life
of a detective is worth in this region; I know
that were my real busineSS known, nothing short
of riding a streak of lightning could get me out
of the country quick enough to save my life.
But I am not afraid to trust you, for more
reasons than one.”

“ I hain’t no great love fer men 0’ your call-
ber. I’m free to own, but ef you’re a fri’nd 0’
Pink Archer—” -

“ As I will soon prove,” nodded the Rustler
Detective, briskly. “ But first, I’ll give you an
inkling as to what brought me into these parts.
I want a man for murder, committed back East.
I‘ve been on his track for along time, but never
really struck oil until I came to this particular
gortion of roguedom. hat man is‘. Nash Whil-

On. You know him. on know what a wer

 

he is in these parts. You know that i you
weretosendawhisper to himof what! have

admitted, he Would run me down with his human
bloodhounds, too nick!”

Angel Sam nodc ed his my head, with a grim
smile. He could readily )elieve all this, and so
believing, he was beginning to look with more
favor upon this detective. Surely he could mean
no evil to him or his, else he would hardly have
placed such a dangerous weapon in his hands!

“That is one reason,” smiled Royal Hart,
who seemed able to read below the surface with-
out a balk. “ I want to help you and the little
lady, for my new ,pard’s sake. I can’t well do
that without first winning your confidence.
You sabe, my friend?”

“ It ain’t—they ain’t no trouble comin’ from
that—away?” muttered Anch Sam, with an un-
easy glance in the direction of Falcon Ranch.

“I’d like to say no, but I’m constitutionally
opposed to lying when there isn’t anything to
be gained by so doing,” smiled Royal Hart in
reply. “There is trouble brewing, and it does
come from that quarter, I’m sorry to say. And
yet—you ought to have known it must come,
some time, after what French Poley told you
down Santone way!”

Angel Sam shivered as thou h an icy blast
had suddenly swept over him. is lingers closed
and nnclosed nervously. His voice was shaky
as he stammered:

“ I didn’t—I couldn’t—what could I do?“ flash-
ing out in angry des ration. “ All I’ve got in
the world lays right ere! Ef I was to throw
that away, what was to ’come 0’ birdy ?”

“ Property is a mighty» good thing, when a
body can enjo it. But it don’t count for much
when that b< y is a dead body!”

“They won dn’t dar‘! They wouldn’t dar’,
even of they was to suspect the hull truth!"
stammered Angel Sam, brushing the cold drops
from his paling face. -

“So I might have said, only for the tidings
Red Clam brought me last night,” was the ear-
nest response. “ 1 could hardly believe but what
pard had been snoozing, and dreamed it all. I
made him tell it all over a ain, ust as I’d 'have
him tell it now- for our no t, if you were
smart enough in sign anguage to take it in.”

“ What was it! What did he see or hear!
Durn it, man!” with sudden rage, clinching his
bony hands and IOoking as though he would
leap at the throat of this cool detective in an-
other instant. “ Gain’t you spit it out? Shell
I t’ar the words out 0’ your heart?” I

“ I’ll not trouble you so far, daddy," with a
low laugh. “ You might break your finger-
nails, and certainly would soil my rigging. So
—open your ears, and I’ll give you a synopsis of
the real facts.”

Clearly, succinctly, the detective told how
Red Clam eavesdropped Queen Nadine and Ruez
the Rustler at the timber island. He Conceal-d
nothing that concerned Angel Sam and Nellie,
butover the plot against Nash Whildon
in  ence.

Sam listened in silence, almost stunned by a
knowled e of the dim or which threatened his

Hart cut‘his recital as short as he could without
marring the details. ,

“ That’s the neat little arrangement our ten-
der-hearted friends have decided upon, but—
don’t they wish they may get it!"

‘ We’ve got to go-—-got to run for it!” huskily
mumbled t e old man, sta gering as he turned
the cabin, only to be choc ed by the firm but
kindl grip of the detectin

“ here’s time enough and to spare, daddy,”
he said, with a cheery augh that was medicine
to the sorely shaken veteran. “ Such wolves do
all their prowling after dark, and long before
that time you an the little lady shall be in per-
feet safet . You will trust us?"

“ Kin help it?” huskin demanded Sam, his
eyes bloodshot, his wcatherbenten face even
more haggard than ordinary. “But ef ou
play her false-3f you tr ' any foul tricks—lbok
out fer Sam! l’m a mis able wreck, jest now,
but that’d make a giant out o’ rue—fer her!”

“ I swear that we mean nothin but good to
{gin and your daughter,” eai nest y responded

e detective, forcing the old man to look him
squarely in the face. “I swear that we will
save your child from her enemies, though it costs
us both our lives. Can 1 say more?”

“ Don’t is it up ag’in' the ole man, sir ” mut-
tered Sam, is eyes filling with tears such as he
had not known for mauya long year. “I’m
' gittih’ played out, I rec on, from the way things
' shake an’ shiver me a] over! I ain’t no ’count
any mo’,’ - rs like! No ’count ’cept to lave
the little irdyas is all I’ve got left in this
world!”

He hardl knew what he was so. ng, but
even Red " m seemed to appreciate is mean-
ing at its full Worth, for he caught one skinny
hand and pressed it over his own heart, then
glanced upward. It may well be doubted if

ngel Sam comprehended his real meaning, but
the action seemed to do him good. And under
the cheery talk of the Rustler Detective. he
gradually recovered his wanted composure in a
great measure. ,

Not until Angel Sam was tolerany com

 

did Royal Hart suggest a visit to the cabin
where Nellie was at work. Sam eagerly assent—
ed, for he now placed implicit confidence in his

“ bird y.’ And pitying is evident misery, Royal 3

new friends and protectors, and his tongue was
by far the busiest in winning Angel Nell over to
the same view of the matter.

And shortly after noon, each one bearing a
small parcel of iia'essaries, they deserted the-
little cabin, falling back into the hills. to finally
pause at a small but not uncomfortable caic-
which Red Clam revealed. And there the too
pards left Angel Sam and Nellie, bidding then:

eep up good courage, assuring them that is e
clouds would speedin roll by, leaving all clear
and peaceful. “ _‘

CHAPTER XXXVI.
“YOUR mums SHALL BE DEATH!”

NASH \VHILDON found these seven days diffi—
cult to classify, whenever he sat down to coolly,
carefully review their events.

At one moment he felt himself in the seventh
heaven of delight. Nadine was so gentle, so
kind, so loving, so altogether different from the'

 

proud, haughty, scornful amazon whom he had_

i so vainly courted. Already he fondly told him—
self that his mighty passion for this beautiful
creature was Winning her love in return. And
if such a change was wrought in a few days,
what would be the result a month later?

Then a word, a glance, an action, would cast-
him back into the depths once more. Nadine
was simply making the best of a bad bargain.
She hated and despised him for forcing her into
a union. She would never learn to love nor to
for ivc.

adine might have been content with the
measure of revenge which she reaped during
those days. but she was not. She knew that.
Nash Whildon was suffering. and this knowl»
edge lent her renewed strength and subtlety.
She needed them, for she, too, failed to find this
interval a bed of roses.

Still, nothing occurred to change the hour srt;
for the ceremony. and as the a‘ftcrnoon of the
all-important day waned rapidly, Nash ‘Vhlldnl’l
mounted his horse and set out for Falcon Rem h.
where he would have been hours before. «My for
the la fully serious interdiction of his blushing
bri e—e ect.

For once in his life. the master of n Hv pd
Ranch was perfectly happy. Not e sliph'est
blond obscured his mental horizon. N! t the.
faintest doubt came to ruffle his mind.

Poor devil!

His horse started toone side with a frigitvneii'
snort, but bcfore its master could touch 11 Va a»
pon, or own glance around in quest of the
alarming ob'ect, the oiled noose of a lasso closed
over his nec , and a vicious jerk tore him {mm
the saddle.

The fall stunned him, and it was many min—
utes before he recovered his consciousness, to!
find himself bound hand and foot, with his bat in
supported against a tree-trunk.

I “ Ha! sluggard . with the heavy eyes! Is it.

thus thou wouldst o’ersleep the hour of thy wcd-
‘ din ? Is it after this fashion thou lteq‘st tryst.
wit her Excellency. Queen Nadine .7"

At that name, Nash IVhildon uttered a savage

,rnar of fury and throw all his were into the
effort to burst his bonds. Not t at he suspected
the truth for even an instant. but because he
feared a malicious fate was about to rob him of
his prize, own as he saw it fairly within his
. grasp. '
Don Ruez, the Rustler, made no move to in-
‘ terfere. He had applied the bonds, and knew
that they would hold a giant helpless. And so
I knowing, he stood motionless, save for the mock-
I ing laugh that curled his jetty icard. Motion-
g' less until the captive cxhausted his strength in
? fruitless strug les. Until Nash Whilaon sat;
' glaring helpless y into his face—the face of the
man who hated him more than all the world
beside! '

“ Who are you?” he gasped, huski’lv. “ What.
does this mean? I will pay on zinything—I
3 will make you rich for life—on y set me {we and
: letDme g3 my gays

on uez cd mockin ' ' ‘

I flagging fire. 1‘: gly, his Jetty orbs
, You con cover your ran a foot doe
With NfillE‘d Olq: if you could chagrige each ( n:
of your cntt e Into diamonds of the purest
water; if you could do all this, and beg me to
930081)“ the thle in return for your life and
llbel'ty from this moment until the sun rose to-
;norgrow morning, I would laugh at you as I do
.“ Who am I? Don Ruez, the Rustler! Your
bitterest enemy, but Queen ‘ Nadine’s dearet.
friend! Hal 1: 'at stings you. dog of a Gringo?“

For the first time, an inkling of the horrible
truth seemed to flash across the whirling brain of
the captive. For the first time he began to see how
thoroughly he had been duped by the Woman
whom he loved so madly—whom he thought to
wm by forcc!

la the awful pallor that stole into his face, the
rustler read something of this. and he laughed
again, as a veritable fiend might laugh over the
destruction of a human soul. Already his re-e
venge was begun! Already this insolent Gringo.
was paying the heavy debt he owed Queen
Nadine!

“It is so, what your crack-brain whispers,
senor,” he bowotl, mocking humility for the in—
: stunt. “ The humble, miserable thief, smug-

 

 

 

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w:&2:7«; 7

«fl...» ———_-V.i.___..,f

.A-..~a.._..,

 

 

 

 

The Rustler Detective.

' 29

 

filer, ladrone, footpad, dares make that claim. iof Colonel Hugh Falconer's celebration had

nd even beyond that!” with fierce triumph
breaking through the thin mask. “ Queen Na-
dine is my premised bride! When you are
forming a feast for worms, she will be breath—
inglove sighs in my arms!”
nee again did the master of Op 11 Hand
Ranch strive to burst his bonds—to free even a
.single hand with which to choke these infernal
lies to silence. They were lies! He Would never
believe that Queen Nadine had betrayed hinil

And even as the vow flashed across his brain, it_

was branded as false: for he knew that it was
truth this sclf-confesscd outlaw was speaking.

“ Are your eyes beginning to open to the
truth as yet, my friend i" sncered the Mexican,
squattin;.r on his heels before his helpless rival,
and deftly rollinnr up a ci arette. “ Is your
brain growing cool and stea y enough to under-
stand the words I am waiting to s ak for your
dele :tation before bidding you 3 (mg farewell?
If so—I proceed. If not —-there is still a little
time for wasting.”

Whatever the cause, Nash Whildon sudden!
seemed to recover all his usual coolness. i e
ceased his struggles, and though his breath
came in short, labored pants. that was ltecause
of his terrible exertions. 'And when he spoke
his tones were stead y and clear:

“ Speak out what you have to say, you rin-
ning cur! But beware how you insult the ady
whose name you have already taken in vain. I
will hear nothing against her!”

“Queen Nadine? It'is not these lips—the lips
against which she has so often and so pa sion-
ate! y pressed hers I—that could say ought against
“Cr! 1, her lover, hcr sooihto-become husband?
Thrice iii-cursed Gringo, thou art’ mad l”

Na 11 Whildon made no reply. Despite his
struggles to the contrary, he was fast becoming
convmced that he owed this captivity to the
woman who had sworn to marry him that same
evening! It was more bitter than death!

And Ruez the Rustler did not spare him a
single pang. Although he had hardly been
aware of such a person drawing the breath of
life before that night interview with Nadine,
the words she uttered th in made him hate Nash
\Vhlldon beyond the power onwnds to tell.

Bit by bit he revealed the evil com net be—
tween himself and Queen Nadine. ord by
word he recalled the instructions she had given
him, dwelling longest on the hatred she had be-
traved for this helpless wretch. And so, one
after another,tlie rustler told of their nightly
meetings, proving them by repeating the words
that had fallen from her lips, making sport of
h i: besotted lover.

“ It even so. poor fool! While the sun shone
Queen Nadine forced herself to listen to your
sill y babble, the more surely to work your down-
l'ull. And when night came, she would hasten
to meet her true lover, repaying herself by
l iughing to scorn your clumsy compliments.

“ Why did she endure all this degradation?
To save those who were joined With her in
solemn compact! To blind your eyes and chain
your tongue until it was forever  late for you
to speak out—to proclaim the discoveries you
have made! Not that she believed all you said.
She soon learned how you lied when you threat.
enod her with the written history which you de-
clared you had placed in the hands of a trusted
friend, to publish broadcast in case aught should
happen to you. It was a clumsy lie at best, but
you could not even stick to it— on had to let
the truth leak out, and so all t 6 more surely
seal our fate! ’

“ t is this night you hoped to wed with her—
with my queen! No doubt you have been
counting the hours, the minutes, and cursing
time for cree ing along at such a sluggish pace.
And now—t 0 master of Open Hand Ranch

shall havo his bride but he will not need to.

travel all the wayto Falcon Ranch. It will not
be Queen Nadine whose glowing lips he will
)ress, for they are sacred to me-to Ruez the
Rustler!

“ As for you—your bride shall be Death !”

Despite his natural courage, nerved now by a
certainty that his desperate game had gone en-
tirely a amst him, Nash Whildon shivered with
fear as is captor hissed forth those words. It
was not the eyes of a human being that glared
upon him so savagely; they‘were the eyes of a
demon. a monster whollymthout mercy!

“ it is time, accursed Gringo!” added Ruez,
drawing a revolver from its scabband and deft-
ly rotating the cylinder across his palm. “I
have yet to ride far—for I am one of the in-
vited guests, remember! Your bride is waiting,
senor! It is painful to part with such dear
friends, but you will not long remember, you
will soon forget!" _ ,

A brief riod of nwf-il ilence, during which
Nash Whi don stired helplessly into that grim
muzzle—then a sharp explosion!

 

CHAPTER XXXVII.
man 1110! run mun.
1i! and bustle at Falcon Ranch, for
 fo: the much-talked-over wedding
wunow clean at hand. And such was the in-
most excited by it, that not one of the guests

0

I

J

 

failed to put in an appearance.

Not altogether because a wedding was of rare
occurrence on the range, though that fact pro-
bably had something to do wit it. But in this
union there was something out of the ordinary.

“ Fact is," observed Parker Mandrake to a
few confidential pards. “ Fact is, gents, “’hil-
don must have wrung in a cold deck on the
queen; but I always said he’d get there!”

This seemed to be the general impression.
Few could believe that Quecii Nadine was mar—
rying for love alone. And it was with a vague

only to the more surely lure him on to death at
the hands of a merciless rival. '

He had escaped—to hasten here, not to keep
his wedding vows, but to bring the avalanche
down upon her head.

At this thought her veins seemed to fill with ,-

fire. She forgot everything else in the one mad,
insane lust for ven eaJce. And with an almost
maniacal scream, s e lucked the dag er from
her bosom and leape toward Nash hildon,
hissing:

“ Die, you curl Die before you—”

Impetuous as was her action, a still swiftcr

expectation of witnessing something be 'oud , hand arrested her mad progress. Royal Hart

what was on the programme, that the
majorit ' of the guests put in an a pearance.

And adine? Almost feverish y gay to the i, his shoulder, then holding the infuria

arge l leaped between the twain, deftly wresting the

dangerous toy from her hand and tossin it over
beauty

outward e '6, yet sorely anxious within, as she I helpless, smiling coldly into her blazing eyes as
i he uttered:

might wel be.
it was from the lips of Ruez the Rustler him-
self that she first learned of the strange disa

“ You might hurt somebody, ma’am, and that
would be awfully awkward on a solemn occasion

arance of Angel Sam and his daughter Ne 1. ‘ llke this! Praysubside, won’t you?”

ota sign was left behind, when the outlaw
and his men stole up to the little cabin at the

l

base of the hills, to carry out the merciless ?

commands of his queen.

Nor had the mystery been solved u to this
hour, though Queen Nadine kept the V easel at
work night and day durin the interval. Even
that accomplished s y an ferret had to own
himself wholly at aibss.

Pink Archer, too, was among the missing, -

and though Queen Nadine sent out couriers far
and wide, even to San Antonio. one and all
failed to bring in the information she so eagerly
longed for.

And with this haunting dread at her heart—
the fear that Pink Archer had abandoned every-
thing to steal away with the blue—eyed irl for
whom he had rejected her love—Queen adine
was forced to hide her real emotions and play
the t of yielding woman to the man whom
she earned to hate more intensely with the pas-
sage of each hour. And not only this, but she
must also keep Riiez the Rustler in play.

Taken all-in-all. Queen Nadine was paying a
heavy price for her anticipatid victory over
Nash Whildon!

But she showed nothing of this, as she moved
Proudly, yet gayly, through the brilliantly
iglited rooms. Never before had she a peared
to so much advantage. Never befbre so
supremely beautiful. And never before had her
Wit sparkled so brilliantly as now, when she
knew that ere long a thunderbolt must fall in
the midst of this assemblage.

Already the hour named for the ceremony to
begin, was ast, and no one had seen aughh of
Nash Whil on. Where was he? Why had he
not been here long ago, to help his brideclcct
receive the company?

Such “frills’ might serve in “the States,”
but it was not what one naturally looked for out
here on the range. According to etiquette, per-
hags, but—

r was this the turn which matters were to
take? Such a curious courtship had ought to
wind up With a surprise of some sort, but who
would have precicted that Nash Whildon would
bethe one to take the initiative? Who would
have thought the bridegroom would turn up
unsung?

“It ets me— ets me " bad !” murmured
Parker andrake eebly. “ If I had to lay a
bet, I’d shut my eyes an’ let ’er float where she
liked! This sort 0’ thing knocks sober judgment
galley-west 1”

Without, the cowboys from a score of ranches
were gathered, for Colonel Hugh Falconer sage-
ly said thata man with but one child did not
have a wedding in the family every day, and
this one should be made memorable in the an-
nals of the range. And just as Parker Man-
drake put his puzzled opinion on record, a loud,
ringing cheer arose from a hundred throats at
once, and instantly all jumped to the conclusion
that the dilatory bridegroom had at lastdeigned
to Xut in an appearance.

11 save Queen Nadine and, possibl , the col-
onel. They turned paler, and seemedy to brace
themselves for an anticipated shock.

Louder grew the cheers of the 00wa s, and
Nadine involuntarily stole one hand to t e. dag-
ger that nestled in her bosom, for this was hard-
ly the cadence she anticipated: for the angry
alarm appropriate to the mock raid which Ruez
the Rustler was to make on Open Hand.

And then—she stood as though petrified.

For throu h the o ning door. the tall grace-
ful figure of ash ildon strode, his b no eyes
fixed upon her ghastly face with a cold, merci~
lees smile.

“ Am I too late? Have I sinned against all
for veness, Nadine! Yet it was not my fault
if have kept the guests waiting.” 1

Clear, mocking, almost venomous the tones,
and Queen Nadine shrunk back with a low,
gas ing cry of d ir.

is was no spi t—no host from and the
gavel This was Nash hildon in 'fe, and
uez the Rustlerhnd failed her.

She know too, that the master of n Hand
Ranch knew; everything. She  it in
midst?“ mm“ limit“ “ii?” m?“ 1

. . w a —- ew w cunn
she had befooled him thrOugh all those 
Q

- Rustler

 

Colonel Falconer stood like one petrified at
the unexpected appearance of Nash Whildon,
but as he saw his daughter struggling vainly to
free herself from the firm grasp 0 his newl ap—
pointed overseer, an oath grated throng his
teeth and be whipped forth a revolver.

Only to have the wea n torn from his hands
bgoa grip of steel! nd as he was twisted
a ut. he met the glowing eyes of Red Clam,
the Silent Kickapoo.

All this occurred in such swift succession that
not a hand could be lifted, not a voice raised in
protest by the guests until the double arrest was
made. Then all was confusion. Women scream-
ed and covered their eyes with trembling hands.
Men cursed and drew their weapons, though
hardly knowing what they were to do.‘

There was a steady rush from the courtyard,
and a score of armed men quietly ran cd them-
Selves close along the walls, while Pin Archer,
who seemed to be at their head, stepped in front
with u lifted hand. .

“ Ho d, gentlemen! This is not a matter for
you to mix in. Keep your temper until you
learn just what it does mean, or some of you
may not live long enough to repent of your
rashness l”

Probably no other man in all that company
could have so quickly brought order out of con«
fusion. Every one present knew and respected
the ex-foremau of Falcon Ranch. Each one was
williu to wait at his stern command, at least
until t ey had a fairer inkling of the real facts
than they had at that time.

“ That’s white and level~headed, gents!”
laughed the Rustler Detective, as with a dexter-
ous motion he brought Queen Nadine’s wrists
behind her back and snapped a glittering pair
of handcuffs in place. “ lt’s mighty little profit
in bucking against the law, you know, and
it’s the law that has taken charge of this little
affair.”

Colonel Falconer heard these words, and with
a desperate effort he tried to break away. Red
Clam tightened his giip for a moment, then
whirled the’ colonel around until he fcll into the '
hands of Pink Archer. Then, without another
glance at the man, he turned and passed out of
the room.

“ Friends and neighbors !”,coldl uttered Nash
Whildon, one hand grasping the utt of a cock-
ed revolver as his eyes SWiftlv roved over the
startled, pe lexed faces. “ This is hardly the
fashion in w ich l fondly expected to stand be-
fore you this evening, but ydi’ll have to make
the best of it. I fully intended to keep my part
of the bargiiin, but Miss Falconer was not con-
tent to leave well enough alone. She and her
father are at the head of the rustlera who have
been raiding our ranches! They were at the
bottom of a big raid when Pierce Falconer was
murdered! And worse—I swear that Hugh
Falconer killed his own brother on that occa-
sion!

“ A lie—a lie!” gasrzd the colonel, but giving
himself the lie by h miserably ghastly face
and trembling limbs.

As for Nadine, never a sound passed her lips.
She stood erect, with her blazing eyes fixed
on the face of the man whom she had so
persistently deceived, knowing full well that
nothing she could say or do now could keep the
black truth frOm comingout.

“ I knew this, yet I loved her so‘madly that I
agreed to keep the secret if she would marry
me. I make no other defame. "I simply say
that I loved her— how madly no words can fltly

rt‘n ! .

“ Sh: agreed as you all know. ‘The day was
set for our wedding. I would have,played my

rt to the end, but she—she hired a man called

net to wa'ylay and murder me. He kept his
part of the compact as far as permitted. He
had his revolver at my head, ready to blow out
my brains. when this gentleman,” with a side
nod toward Royal Hart, “ shot the rascal down
and took me prisoner."

“ Simply letting him go on a brief parole, the
better to carry out a still more important put
of the scheme, my good frion ’ bewed the
Detective' as he strode the side of
$23. Whil' don and took the revolver from his

Foroneinstnntitsoomod as though the man-

 

   
 

‘ a

‘. a complete understanding as we can have under v

. ter of Open Hand Ranch would resist, but then

he bowed his head and held out his hands for the
irons which were deftly snap , in place.

" It is an n rly duty at the est, good people,”
said Royal art, his face growing grave and
hard. “ I Wish I could have spared you it. I
wish I could have made these arrests after a
more quiet fashion, but there was by far too
much at stake to run an risks. You know how
little men of my profession are liked in this sec-
ti.m. You know—as I know—that without such

. these circumstances, you would never permit

Inc to take my prisoner out of the country with—

out a desperate attempt at rescue.”

“ It isn’t a dead sure thing, even now!” smiled
Parker Mandrake.

“ It will be sure death to the man who lifts
the first finger, at all events,” coldly retorted
the detective, with a nod toward the picked
men marshaled by Pink Archer.

Instantly a line of business-like revolvers rose
to a. level. '

" Simply to show you that I am prepared to
hold up my end gentlemen,” smiled the detec-
tive, blandly. “ don’t want any row. I'll try
every fair means to avoid it. But if it begins
on your side, we’ll do the best we know to sweep
the board.”

" You dare to arrest us on the bare assertion
of that cur?” coldly demanded Queen Nadine,
with a glance of loathing toward the master of
the Open Hand. “ And he a convict, according
to your own telling!”

“ As 1 said, ma’am, that is simply a branch of
the play. I arrest you for attempted murder.
1 arrest your father for actual murder!” ‘

“ Both char es are lies, base as the lips that
utter them! ho is it that dares 0011310 our
names with so foul a crime? Whobrings the
char e? Whom have we murdered?”

“ make the charge against onder cravenl”
cried a clear, ringing vorce, an the lithe figure
of Angel Nell passed into the room. “ I accuse
Hugh Falconer of causing the death of Lucille
Falconer, the Wife of his brother—and of my
mother!”

“ And I am ready to swear the same!” came
a deep, stern voicc as Red Clam strode in
through the door.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.
now ROYAL HART “GOT THERE.” ,
FROM the moment the red pard flun him

. into the strong hands of Pink Archer, .Iolonel

.' even the slightest struggle.

Hugh Falconer had not uttered a word or made
At each fresh point

' that was made against them, a shiver would

creep through his cowering form, and it only
required a single glance into his livid counte—

‘ nance for one to recognize the unmasked crim-

.~_

inal.
When Angel Nell answered the fierce defiance

‘ of Queen Nadine, Falconer straightened up for

,4

.0-

; doubt, Pierce Falconer was fully reoo

an instant, until he r nized the speaker, then
shivered and gasped for reath.

For one instant Pink Archer felt almost sorry
for the wretch, despite all his crimes, but his

ip tightened as that deep, vengeful voice fol-
owed: as the form of Red Clam strode into the
room, pausing by the side of Angel Nell, whose
arms c un lovingly to his, whose sunny head
leaned con dingly against his shoulder.

The form 0 the Silent Kickapoo, but no
longer with bronzed skin, no longer in savage
gar , no longer dumb!

“ I charge you, Hugh Falconer, with causing
the death ofm wife, ucilleFalconerl Icharge
you with stea ing my child, Angela! I charge
you with attempting my death—with—”

Colonel Falconer straightened up despite the
strong rip which Pink Archer ke tupon his
arms. e stared into that stern e handsome
face with a look of unutterable orror in his
bloodshot eyes. Then— ,

“ Pierce—returned to haunt-”

A wild, chOkin yell broke off the words, and
he sunk back afiit‘eless eight in the arms of
the cit-foreman of Falcon anch.

In the bri ht light there showed a gush of
blood from h s bearded lips.

Before the curiously tangled tale was fully
told, the red light of another day was breakin
over Falcon Ranch. Each one of the principa
actors had to explain the art he had taken in
the drama which ended wit the death of Hugh
Falconer. This took time, and would require
goo much space to be recorded in full at this late

our.

After the first few minutes of bewildered
ized by

 

' many of the wedding guests and this great]
. lightened the task of the Rustler Detective. fl

insured him against molestation, and rendered
a close guard over his prisonersunnecessary,

' so far as a rescue was concerned.

,1. a"

4

 

It was b his advice that Pierce Falconer—no
longer Red Clam the Silent—stepped outside the

ranch and briefi spoke to the intensely excited ‘

c0wboys, promis g them a more ample explan-
ation at an early hour. And it was on his sug-
gestion that the ranch-owners, with‘their wives
and: daughters, were told all before the party
was broken up.

Before he came to Texas, Pierce Falconer

v ‘ l .I l
' . jam  .  ‘ .   ‘ _ 3
2’33"“ ‘ “it”: '6‘“; 5-5:“? £32.11. ,1;  fig,  “l r

. ., ,
mu ., " ‘ ..1.. .. ' r.‘ > “a
-3 .54-; 9.31:3". .‘a‘ ..- “1..  iris-.57. ‘ .dm "

m“ . ~- was“,

The Rustler Detective.

I

lived in South Carolina, where he had a fine
plantation, a happy home, and all that mortal
man could wish for.

He was very rich. He owned scores of val-
uable slaves, and besides the “ Home Plantation”
; on which he resided for the better part of the
i year, he possessed much other property.
i He was married, and had one child, then little
[ more than an infant.

 

There was but one other in whose veins flOWed
kindred blood. and this brother, older, more
Wild and reckless, he. had not seen for years.

Business called him to Charleston, and while
there, word came that his mansion was burned
to the groun l, and that both wife and child had
perished in the flames!

then he reached the scene of desolation, he
was silently shown a few crumbling bones, which
alone remained. They were given burial, and
up to a few days since, he believed the were. all
that a terrible accident had left 0 his dear
Ol’li‘S.

None could explain how the. fire occurred. It
broke out in the dead of night, and before aught
could be done to rescue its inmates, the fatal
flames had done their work.

Pierce Falconer never fully recovered from
that awful blow. He lost all interest in his
business. And when the civil war broke forth,
he entered the Southern army, fighting rock-
lessly until the end came. Then, gatherin up
what remained of his prolperty. he turn his
face westward. settling in exas, to finally pur—
chase Falcon Ranch.

It was here that his brother turned an, after
so many years bringing with him Nadine his
dau hter by a Mexican wife. He received t em
kin ly, and treated them as his kindred, only to
m at with basest ingratitude at their hands.

If they did not themselves plan the great raid,
Hugh Falconer and Nadine were directly impli-
cated in it. Their prime incentive, beyond all
reasonable doubt, was the death of their relative,
when they would naturally fall heir to his
property.

There was a fight at the ford of the Rio
Grande, and Pierce Falconer was left to float
down with the current, supposed to be dead.

A body was found. but it was not his. If
Hugh Falconer permitted any friend to view the
corpse before burial, he first mutilated the fea-
tures beyond recognition. Then, with the owner
“ dead and buried,” of course there was no fur-
ther difficulty in takin possession of Falcon
Ranch with its herds an droves.

But, Pierce Falconer was not dead. How he
escaped with life from the river, he could not
then explain. How he wandered so man miles
into the interior, was equally a puzzle him.
Enough that it so transpired. Enough that for
many long weeks he la in bed, hovering be-
tweein life and death, una le to utter a coherent

-wor .

' When he recovered his mind, he found Royal
Hart watching over him. Not as a detective,
though. ' Rather as a guest of the rancher who
had so kindly taken the poor wanderer in and
cared for him like a brother.

But when Pierce Falconer could tell his story
Royal Hart eagerly entered into the matter, an
it was to his busy investigations, while Falconer
was slowly recovering his strength of body, that
the rancher owed a knowledge of his brother’s
foul play.

The result is readily understood. After com-
mitting such an atrocious crime, Hugh Fal-
coner would hardly balk at another attem t to
kill his brother. For this reason, among 0 beta
to be afterward explained, it was determined for
Pierce Falconer to appear on the scene in dis-
guise. To perfect this, lest some keen ear should
recognize his deep, peculiar voice, he pretended
to be dumb. And the more surely to mask his
features, he parted with his luxuriant beard,
stninin his skin to match the character he
assum . '

“I was on a still hunt of my own, you see.”
airin added Royal Hart, taking u the thread in
turn. “For nearl two cars I ad been look-
ing after a Down'~ ast criminal whom the gal-
lows {ust ached after. and just about this time I
tumb ed to the fact that I’d find my man in
Nash Wildon as you people have known the
gentleman. knew that you didn’t love detec-
tives to distraction, but I wanted my man, bad]

“To throw dust into your eyes—for which I
most humbly beg our pardon, from biggest to
littlest—I tried to ay the wild and woolly rover
of the might ‘ est! That accounts for the
Bounding Buc from Buffalo Wallow, you see!”

He told how a lucky chance first gavo him a
clew tothe identi of Angel Nell.‘ Told how
“ Red Clam” over card the plot against Angel

' Sam and his supposed daughter, as well as the
bold ame Queen Nadine was playing to foil
Nash hildon.

He had come up just in time to save the mas-
ter of the Open Hand Ranch. though the call
was so close that he was forccd to send a bullet
through the brain of Ruez the. Rustler in order
j to preserve the lifeof the man for whom he had

hunted so long. After this. it was an easy mat-
, ter to arrahge with Nash Whildon—almost in-
; sane with fury and hatred at his beingsoshame-
] lesst duped by the woman whom he adored—-
the denouemmt which they had witnessed.

 

 ~.., I y _ .
4.5x tantra"? .~ . .Q

 m===:"*r—  n~;=:»:-: -1- ~-.-.-»-v,_: ‘1.

 

Pink Archer told how he discovered “ French
Foley” at San Antonio, lying at the point of
deat , the result of injuries received in a drunk-
cn brawl. Told how the dying nzan swore he
was hired by Hugh Falconer to steal and kill the
child heiress of his brother. Swore that he was.
discovered by her mother, and to save himself,
he killed her, then fired the building and fled
with the child. He told how he gave the child
to his purd. Sam Angel]. His dying statement
was signed and witnessed. .

 

 

shock of his brother’s return. Within an hour
from the stroke, he died of hemorrhage of the
lungs.

Nadine Falconer, still haughty, still defiant,
was kept at Falcon Ranch for a few da s, but
she only received the. kind words of her re ativcs:
wnh curses and threats. Nothing could soften.
her, and at last Pierce Falconer placed her un—
dcr charge of a trusty escort with orders to take
her across the border into Mexico, there to turn
her free with gold cnough to insure herself
against want for life. The escort did their duty,
and Queen Nadine was never after heard from.

Long before this, however, Royal Hart insistr
ed on issuing invitations to all s ho had received
them before. begging their presence at Falcon
coner, only child and heiress of Pierce alconer,
to Pink Archer.

Needless to say that every invitation was
honored with an acceptance. Needless to say
that the ceremony “ went ofi‘ ” with much more
smoothness than the prior one.

And “ for this occasion only!” Royal Hart got.
gloriously bo . .

“ Had to do it, you know pard l” he seriously
uttered the next day. “ Had to keep up my
end, don’t you see? You were drunk—with
happiness. I was drunk—~With benzinel Just
aha difference ’twixt tweedle—dee and twecdle-v

um!

“ And then—who knows? I may have to
chase another criminal down in these parts, and
what’s a detective if he can’t do as the Romans
do when he’s in their territory? So—shake, and
call it even 1”

So well had the"l Bounding Buck ” played his
-part since his first appearance on the scene,

hat there were many hearty grips of the hand,
many a Wish for his speedy return, and more
than one moist pair of eyes among those who»
gsthered to see him safely on his way with Nash

hildon in charge, bound for the East, where
his prisoner was to suffer the penalty due his
almost forgotten crime.

“ Will I come back? Why, bless your souls,
gentle peo lo! I couldn’t keep awa if-I were
to try unti my horns dropped off! on’t wear
poor Little Earthquake out with too constant
riding, if you love me! Keep him in clover.
Treat him tenderly and with care. For I’m.
coming back to this benighted re ion, here to
kick up my heels and cavort aroun like a year-
ling buck with a new suit of rongs, never to
depart from your midst until ’ve taught every
mother’s son of on how to ride I”

And before t e smiling, yet weeping bride
could divine his purpose the Rustler Detective-
smacked her loud y on the lips!

Then he turned away, leaping into the saddle
and rode of! with his prisoner.

THE END.

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‘ 98 Wiaua 3mm, N. Y.

I , .
' Jm'i. ,.
.,.,. ,

' a ‘u .
it - ‘.’ 

Hugh Falconer never recovered from the-

Ranch to witness the mar‘iage of Angela Fnl- \

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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BUFFALO mu. NOVEI...
By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham.

994 Buffalo Bill‘s Lone Hum].
989 Buflaio Bill’s Marked Bullet.
984 Buffalo Blil’::Lifc Raffle.
979 Buffalo Bill‘s Rclmtless Trail.
.964 Buffa‘o Bi 1‘s lnvincihlcs.
960 Buffalo Bill’s Blue Belt Bri ads.
56 B )flak‘. Bill’s VolunteerV‘ antes.
i950 Buflalo Bill at Bav.
943 Buffalo Bill‘s Block Game.
936 Buffalo Bill 8 Black Paul.
927 Buffalo Bill's Bluff; or, Duskv Dick the Snort.
921 Bttfalo Bill‘s guandary: or. Velvet Bill‘s Vow.
15 Buflaio Bill the Surgcon-Scout.
Buffalo Bill’s League: or. Red Butterfly.
1 Buffalo Bill‘s Tangled Trail.
Buffalo Bill‘s Rough Riders.
Buffalo Bill’s Secret Ally.
890 Bufl'alo Bill‘s Life-Stake.
882 The Three Bills: Buffalo liill Wild Bill and Band-
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874 Buffalo ill's Buckskin Braves.
869 Buffalo Bill‘s Road-A

, t Round-up.
863 Bulalo Bill‘s Dca’ll

‘harm.

 

i 851 Buffalo

" u>.A._m_—'.Av'm.,.~uy. ..

‘2 :«. .4 L1»
. .

'857 Buffalo Bill’s Royal Flush.
Bill‘s l‘oub‘e Dilemma.
Bill’s Redskin Ruse.
Bill‘s Bots in Blue.
Bill’s Sha Shooters.
822 Buffalo Bill’s Best wer.
816 Buffalo Bi 1‘s Red Trail.
812 Buffalo Blll’s Death-Knoll.
794 Butl'alo Bill's Winning Hand
787 liulfalo Bill’s Dead Shot.
78‘. Buffalo Bill's Brand.
777 Buffalo Bill’s S y Shadower.
769 Buffalo Bill‘s weepstake.
7 65 B iffalo Bill‘s Dozen: or, Silk Ribbon Sam.
761 Buffalo Bill‘s Mascot.
757 Buffalo Bill’s Double.
750 Buffalo Bill’s Bur Four; or, Custer‘s Shadow.
743 Buffalo Bill‘s Flush Hand.
739 Buffalo Bill‘s Blind: or, The Masked Driver.
I735 Buffalo Bill and His Merry Men.
731 Bumilo Bill‘s Beagles: or, Silk Lasso Sam.
727 Buflalo Bill’s Body Guard.
722 Buffalo Bill on the War- ath.
‘716 Buffalo Bill’s Scout Sha owers.
1710 Buflalo Bill Baffled: or. The DeserterDesperado.
“’69? Buflalo Bill‘s Buckskin Brotherhood.
91 lluifalo Bill’s lllind Trail; or. Mustang Madge.
667 Buffalo Bill‘s Swoop;or. The King of the Mines.
" The Cowbzv Clan; or, The Ti ress of Texas.
653 Lasso Kin ‘s LeaguegonBuc Taylor in Texas.
‘649 Buffalo Bifi’s Chief of Cowboys; or. Buck Taylor
{644 Buflalo Bill‘s Bonanza; or. $1 ver Circle Knights.
l862 Buflalo Bill‘s Grl . ; or. Cam Bound to Custer.
'829 Buffalo Blll’s Pl go: or. The League of Three.
' ‘ 189 Wild Bill-’s Gold Trail; or, The Despera Dozen.
175 Wild Bill's Trump Card: or, The lndian eiress.
l 168 Wild Bill, the Pistol Dead Shot.

By Buffalo Bill.

973 The Dread Shot Four
969 Texas J ack, the Lasso King:
839 The Ranch King Dead-Shot.
829 White lleaver’s Still Hunt.
807 Wild Bill, the Wild West Duelist.
809 Wild Bill. the Dead-Center Shot.
39 Buffalo Bill‘s Gold Klng.
The Dead Sh ot Mne: or. My Pards of the Plains.
.414 Red Renard. the Indian Detective.
I401 One-Armed Pam; or. Borderland Retribution.
.897 The Wizard Brothers: or. White Beavbr’s Trail.
‘694 White Beaver, the Exile of the Platte.
319 Wild Bill. the Whirlwind of the .West.
. Texas Jack, the Prairie Rattler.
\ The Pilgrim Sharp: or. The Soldier's Sweetheart.
I 33 Gold Bullet, Sum-r; or, Knights of the Overland.
T l 52 Death-Trailer. the Chief of Scouts.

. 845 Buffalo
; 830 Buffalo
8% Buffalo

 

3 By Leon Lewis, Nod Buntllne, etc.

4 (773 Buffalo B-ll’s Bun; or. Cody *0 the Regent

 .632 Buffalo Bill’s Seer. t Scrnce Tmll.

% 162? Buffalo Bill‘s Daring Role; or. Daredeafb Dick.
517 Buffalo Bill‘s First Trail; or. The Express Rider.

.158 Buffalo Bill, Chief ( f Scouts _

ill? Buffalo Bill 8 Strange Pard' or, Dashing Dandy.

I “2 Buhalo Bill. the Buckskin King.

BY HAROLD PAYNE.

loss The Man from Mexico in New York.
3872 The King-Pin Shark: or, Thad Burr's
. 1 The Tenderloin Big Four
i The Quaker City Crook.
844 Tracked to Chicago.
4 8% gm Policy Broker‘s Blind.
‘- 829 he Mach Sharper’s Cool Hand.
821 The Tramp Shadower’s Backer.
818 gg: ghamdll tater; Tgrewd Scheme.
_ ran tree 0 -Dust Sba r8.
.5. . 798 Detective Barr‘s Luna'ic Witnenarpe
_  The Wall Street Shuroer‘s Snap.

Ten Strike.

"4 ‘ Thad Burt's Death Drop. -
., 742 Detective Burr Among the New York Thugs.

734 Detective Burt’s Foil- or A Woman’s Strategy
723 Detective Burr. the Head uartors S ' . .
713 Detective Burr-‘3 Spirit Chgse. WM

706 Detective Bu rr’s Seven Clues.

698 Thad Burr. the Invincible: or, The “L ” Clue
090 The Matchless Detective. '
6m xx the Fatal Clcw: or, Burr's Master Case.

 

31 001.. THOMAS H. MONSTERY.
, The Czar‘s Sny.’
:32 Iron Wrist. the Swordmaster.
Champion Sam: gr. The Monarchs of the Show.
l2?) El Bubio Bravo. King of the Swordsmeu.

 

BY J. W. OSBON.

m sham-ad]. the Sport Detective.

. 9oz Gilbert Goldszmr the Dandy Sport.
905 Shasta Sum, he arkler.

1 Creode, the Dead-Shot.

877
m

from St. Louis. ‘
w, W, the Tim“

.1

 

' .
/

BY CAPTAIN HOWARD IlilLMES. t

929 Gentleman George, the Showman Sport.
912 Genteel Joe's Lone Hand.

903 The Train Detective.

896 Kent Keen, the Crook-Crusher.

888 Ni htshade in New. York.

879 Fa con an, the Flash Detective.

871 The C Cashier.

850 Claw-Hawk Keene’s light Bower. ,
847 Hiram Hawk, the Harlem Detective“
840 Major Bullion. Boss of the Tigers.
881 Shadowing the London Detective.

817 Plush Velvet. the Prince of Spotters.
803 The Bog-us Broker's Right Bower.

788 The N leht—Hawk Detective.

779 Silk Ribbon's Crush-out.

766 Detective Zach, the Broadway Spotter.
751 The Dark Lantern Detectgn.

736 The Never-Fall Detective.

7‘24 Captain Hercules. the Strong Arm Detective.
711 Dan Damon, the Gilt-Ed .Detective.
701 Silver Steve, the Brand Sport.

694 Gideon Grip, the Secret Shadower.

684 Velvet Van, the Mystery Shadower.
678 The Dude Desperado

671 Jason Clew the Silk-Handed Ferret.
664 Monk More the Man-Humor.

654 Sol S hinx, he Ferret Detective.

642 Red ard and Yellow.

608 Silent Sam the Shadow Sphinx.

592 Ca tain Sid, the Shasta Ferret.

579 01 Cormorant. the Bowery Shadow.
569 Captain Cobra, the Hooded Mystery.
559 Danton. the Shadow Sharp.

550 Silk Hand, the Mohave Ferret.

- 548 The Magnato Detective.

532 Jack Javcrt. the Independent Detective.

523 Reynard of Red Jack: or, The Lost Detective
512 Captain Velvet’s Biz Stake.

505 Phil Fox. the Genteel Spotter.

496 Richard Bonfire. the Two Worlds’ Detective.

487 sunshine Sam, a Chip of the Old Block.

480 Hawkspear. the Man with a. Secret.

498 Coldgrlp in Deadwood.

460 Captain Coldgrlp. the Detective.

4513 Captain Coldfii ‘s Long Trail.

447 Volcano. the 300 Spy.

441 The California Sharp.

494 Lucifer Lynx. the Wonder Detective.

421 Father Ferret. the Frisco Shadow.

413 Captain Coldgrlp in New York.

40? Captain Coidgrlp’s Nerve; or. In un Nick.

400 Captain Coldzrip: or. The New ork Spotter.
892 The Lost Bonanza; or. The Boot of Silent Hound.
382 The Bonanza Banu: or, Dread Don of Cool Clan.
374 Major Bllster. the Sport of Two Cities.

365 Keen Kennard. the Shasta Shadow.

852 The De crate Dozen.

847 Denver uke. the Man with “ Sand.”

340 Cool Conrad. the Dakota Detective.

335 Flash Dan. the Nabob. or, Blades of Bowie Bar.
321 California Claude. the Lone Bandit.

294 Broadcloth Burt. the Denver Dandy.

941 The Shadow Sport from Frisco.

BY 'WILLIAM H. MANNING.

948 The Red-Gloved Detective.

931 Frisco Frank at G101?Y Gulch.

920 The Montana Miner 11 New York.
908 The Doomsday-Den Detective.

899 The Double—Quick Detective.

893 Yellow Gld of Dark Divide.

888 The Expert Detective‘s Shake-up;
875 Trapglng the Race-Track Judge.
864 The olice Special’s Dilemma.

849 The Gonteel Sharper‘s Combine
841 Graydon‘s Double DeaL_

888 The Sport Detective’s 811%

823 The Athlete Sport About own.
808 TheCrook-Detcctive’s Pull.

790 Film r Pete, the Race Track Detective.

782 Ram Rock, the Round-up Detective.

774 Steve Starr.‘ the Dock Detective.

764 The New York Sh ‘s Shadower.

738 Detective Claxton, t, e Record Breaker.

714 Gabe Gall, the Gambolier from Great Hump.
70‘) Spokane Saul. the Samaritan Susggt

d.‘

(Gig gtcad-gtlot Pasual, thg fop-Raingeh lorer.

. raw rry m. t e anwtht e irthmark.
646 Dark John, the Grim Guard.

638 Murdock. the Dread Detective.

621 Dan erous Dave, the Never-Beaten Detective.
611 Alkai Abe the Game Chicken from Texas.

596 Rustler Rube; the Round-Up Detective.

585 Dan Dixon‘s Double.

570 Steady Hand. tho Napoleon of Detectives
563 Wyoming: Zeke, the Hotspur of Honey suckle.
551 Garry Kean, the Man with Backbone.

539 Old Doublodark. the Wily Detective.

581 Saddle-Chief Kit. the Prairie Centaur.

521 Paradise Sam, the Nor’-West Pilot.

518 Texas Tartar. the Man With‘Nine Lives.

506 Uncle Honest. the Peacemaker cf Hornets’ Nest.
498 Central Pacific Paul. the Mail Train Spy.

492 Border Bullet, the Prairie Sharpshooter.

486 Kansas Kitten. the Northwest Detective.

479 Gladiator Gabe, the Samson of Sassajack.

470 The Duke of Dakota.

468 Gold Gauntlet. the Gulch Gladiator.

455 Yank Yollowhird, the Tnll Hustler of the Hills.
449 Bluff Burke. King of the Rockies. ‘
442 Wild West Walt. the Mountain Veteran

487 Deep Duke: or, The Man of Two Lives.

427 The Rivals of Montana Mill

415 Hot Heart, the Detective Sgw.

405 Old Baldy the Brigadier 0 Buck Basin.

297 Colorado Rube. the. Strong Arm of Hots hr.
279 The Gold Dragoon, or, California Bl hound.

m BY NED,B_UNTLINB.
Lon Tom. the Pri atee‘ .
e rivateer; or, The Midshl m Rover.
584 Fire Feather. the Buccaneer King.p up
517 Buflalo Blll‘s First Trail.
861 Tombstone Dick. tho Train Pilot.
122 Saul Sabberday, theIdiot S .
111 The Smu er Captain: or.  Skipper's Crime.

991 Dick Talbot at the Mines: or, Kentuck. the Sport.
' 988 Rocky Mountain R! b

 

18 The to or m .
um its- m’ J... we:de mmmem j

7 c
VJ.‘ ».‘ _.‘ .
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ALBERT \V. AIKEN'S NOVELS.
Dick Talbot Series.

 

976 Overland Kit: or, The ldyl of White Pine.

741 Dick lalhot‘s Close Call.

737 Dick Talbot in A he I and.

733 Dick Talbot. the nch King.

729 Dick Talbot‘s Clean-Out.

723 Dick Talbot in No Man’s Cam .

854 Dick Talbot; 01, The Brand Crimson Crow
36 Dick Talbot; or, The Death-Shot of sum...

Alkan’n Fresh of Frisco Series.

825 Fresh the Race-Track Sport.
660 The resh in Montana; or, Blake's hill Hand. ‘
652 Tue Fresh‘l Rustic at Painted City. .
647 The Fresh at Santa Fe; (r, 'l h“ Stranger arp.
556 Fresh, the Sport: or. The Big Racket at Slide Out.
537 Fresh Against the Field; or. Blake. the Lion.
(97 The Fresh in Texas; or. The Escobedo Millions.
461 The Fresh of Frisco on the Rio Grande.

97 The Fresh in Big Walnut Camp; or. Bronze Juan

Aiken’s Joe Phenix Series.

965 Joe Phenix‘s Mascot.

959 Joe Phcnix’s Donblc Deal.

954 Joe Phenix in Chicago.

949 The Doctor from 'I‘. xas; or, Joe Phonix‘s Clue.

944 Joe Phenix‘s R' _..t Bower. ‘ \

865 The Female Bar 1' Detectiv ; or, Joe Phenix in .
Silver City.

799 Joe Phemx’s Great Blue Dininde Case; or, Ther‘
New York Sporl at Long Branch.

796 Joe Phenix's Decoy: or The Man of Three.

760 Joe Phenix’s Lone Han .

749 Joe Phonix's Big Bulge.

745 Joe Phenix‘s Mad Case.

7(B J 09 Phenix‘s Siren; or, The Woman Hawkshaw

700 Joe Phenix’s Unknown; or. Crushing the Crooks

681 Joe Phenix‘s Specialsior. The Actress Detective

637 Joe Phenix in Crazy Camp.

632 Joe Phenix‘s Master Search. .

628 Joe Phenix‘s Combin ',(_r,t.he Dandy Conspirator

620 Joe Phenix’s Silent Six.

601 Joe Phonix’s Shadow; or.the Detective’s Monitor ,

419 Joe Phenix., the Kins of Detectives.

161 Joe Phenix's Great Man Hunt.

112 Joe Phenix, Private Detective; or, The League.

79 Joe Phenlx, the Police Spy.

Aiken“ Misc cllaneons Novels.

98) The All-Around Athlete.
940 Captain Jack, the Scalper
935 The Hawks and Wolves of New York
932 Detective Gordon‘s Grip.
926 Old Sunflower, the Silent Smiter. '.
923 Old Sunflower. the Hayseed Detective. .
901 The Hotel Swell-Sharp; or, The Siren 
892 The Country man Detective.
876 Gold Button S rt; or The Miner Sharps... I
842 Teton Tom. t e Half-Blood. 4
835 The King-Pin Detective. _
814 The New Yorker Among Texas Sports.
775 King Dandy, the Silver Sport.
753 Gideon's Gripunt Babylon Bar.
717 Captain Pat cGowen, the Greencoat Detective.
674 Uncle Sun Up, the Born Detective.
670 The Li htw eight Detective. V
665 The sco Detective; or, The Golden Gm Find,
618 Keen Billy, the Sport. _
607 Old Benzine the “Hard Case " Detective.
594 Fire Face, the Silver King‘s Foe.
586 The Silver Sh arp Detective.
577 Tom, of Calif crma; or, Detective‘s Shadow mi,
570 The Actress Detective: or, The lnvmible Hand‘.
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 Hon-e of the Pacific.
425 The Lone Hand; or, The Red River Recreants.
408 Doc Grip, the Vendetta of Death.
881 The Gy sy Gen tlenlan: (r. luck Fox. Detective
876 Black Aards: 01. The Bio (w‘rande High Home
370 The Dusky Dem ctive2, or. {ursucd to the End.
363 Crowningshleld, the Detective v
320 The Genteel Spotter: or The N.  Night Hawk.
252 The Wall Street Hood; cr. The 'lelem ‘11 Girl.
203 The Double Detective: or.'l‘he Mldnight ystery.
196 La Marmoset. the Letrclive Queen.
101 The Man from New York.
91 The Winning Oar: or. The lnnkeeper's Daughter.
84 Hunted Down: or, The Leagueo Three.
81 The Human Tiger: or. A Heart of Fire.
75 Gentleman George: or. Parlor. Prison and Shhotw
7'1 The Phantom Band: or. The 5th Avenue Harem;
56 The Indian Mazeppa: or. Madman of the Plains.
49 The Wolf Demon: or. The Kanawha n.
42 The California Detective: or, The Witc esof N.Y.
31 The New York Sharp: or. The Flash of Lightning.
2': The Spotter Detective: or. Girls of New York.

NEW ISSUES.

1000 Buffalo Bill’s Grim Guard. By Col. Ingrahamg
1001 TchebBrand-Burners of Cimarron. By John W.
s on

1002 Silver Cit Sam. Bv Jos E. Bad r.

1003 Gold Dang or, Dick Talth in Utafif. By Albert
W. Aiken,

1004 Buffalo Bill’s Death Deal. Bv Col. Ingrallam.

1005 Foot-Hills Frank. By Jos. . Badger.

1006 The Sea Cadet. By 001. P. lnzl‘ahlun.

JUST ISSUED.

. 996 lnjun Dick. the Shasta Dead Shot. By Aiken.
' 997 Hotsnur

Hal, the Sport from Hard Luck. By ’

Jr.
98 c tail Beowulf. Privateer. By Ned Buntiino. .
399 Tag Velvet Band: or, The Iron Grip of Injun r I
Dick. By Albert W. Aiken. \ I -\:

A new issue every Wednesday.

THE DIME LIBRARY is for sale by all
Newslealors. an m 00‘ can). or sent by mail on
receiptof prion. h.-.,- . Arm-1;. “‘z.
3"“ M in?"

1

J03. E. Badgt r

   
   

   

Each Number

 

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Complete.

 

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i

979 Buffalo Bill's Relentless Trail. .i’ly Colonel'820 White Beaver's Still Hunt; or, The Miner 653 The Lasso King’s League; 02‘. The Tigers of
lrentiss Ingraham. Muruuiier's Death-lunch By Buffalo Bill. Texas. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham.

973 The Dread Shot Four; or, My Pards of the $10 P'if‘a‘v: lilil’h‘ Roll 'l-‘rztil; or. The Road—Rider 649 Ruck Taylor, the Sndd e King. Buffalo Bill‘s
Plums. ily (gel. W. 1“. Cody, | liellzlgmle's Mun Down. By Col. 1'. lngraham. Chief of Scouts. By' 01. P. Ingraham.

964 Bun-RIO 8”le Invinnudhs; or, The Same gth‘Sl'z .’_.l: min l_iill's lwltil-Knell; or, The Red I‘lanll 644. Buffalo Bill's Bonanza; or, The Knights of
owcr'a sublime sacrifice. By (30L R Ingm_:l inlet-s lit the Rockies. iiy uni. l’. lligruham. the Silver tf‘il'cle, By Col. P. Ingraham.
hum. 07 \‘i ill Ill 1. t! e W iii Wes: Luellst; tr, The'Cil'l mg The Gold I<ing; or, Montobeuo, the Magnum-

960 Buffalo Bill's title Belt Brigade; 01‘. Sun— Maw“ "f M”"“”’~'m Min“ “3' “1””110 U1“- CenL BY Buffalo Bill-
iiower Sam of Shasta“ liy Col. 1’. Ingl'ahaln. ISO? Wild Bill, the Wild Vl'est Duelist; or, The Girl 629 Buffalo Bill's Daringr Role; or. Dafeaeath

956 Buffalo Inn-S Volume”. V-ignantes; on Thai ‘yrantle Ralph, the Cowboy Chief. By Buf- Dick, King of the Cowboys. By Leon Lewis.
Mysterious Man in Blue. By Col. 1‘. Ingra- “10m”- 599 The Dead Shot Nine: or, My Pards of the
ham. 794 Buffalo lilil‘a “'inning‘ Hand; or, The Masked Plains, L'y Buffalo Bill.

950 Buffalo Bill at liay; or, The Gold Seeker's }‘ “"33”: of the (‘Oiorado (“anyon' by (“01' P' 517 Buffalo Bill's First Trail; or, Will Cody, the
boom. 15y Col. 1’. Ingraham. [Hr I‘ngfrlk‘p‘m' D ‘qh t Th qk 1 t q t Pony Fxpress Rider. 13y Ned Duntline.

943 Buffalo Bill's Block Fame; or, The Mounted' “" ’u  0 .’ ,3 om ‘ (1:01." 9‘. e p  (:0“ 414 Red Renard. the Indian Detective; or. The
{fillers of the Oi'erialid. By Col. P. Ingra.- ,81 if  “01:9;1‘1d"'ruy :01' mug” lrgémht“: Gold Buzzards of Colol—uao. By Buffalo Bill.

3”“ h :1} a a l '3. ’"om‘ ; or' 8 “ms 0 401 The Ono-Armed Paul or Red Retribution in

936 guffalo Bill's Black Pard; or, The Golde1”“3";‘”T:j‘i; 2y lfrfiuisrlfimfif‘ifl. Borderland. By Buirulo Bill.

garners gm 3- HI _ w . l. _ it -‘.u {10 -l s .py—. lat w.; , e tS{.i ,. ._ , . _
ham. 0 9 lg pm By (,ol 1 lngra Men at Grand Canyon. By Col. R Ingmham- 397 Vxllgz‘ilrguggfifhfim,  White Beaxers

92 1:}ul‘falo_ Bill's Bluff; or. Dusky Dick, the 773 39”?” “Film”: OT- cody ‘0 “‘0 Rescue~ 394. White Beaver. the Exile of the Platte; or. ;
Sport. By Col. 1‘. ingmhum. 5 ‘90“ fie“ ‘9‘ ’ A Wrong-ed Manis Red Trail. 33’ Buffalo

921 Buffalo Bill's Quandary; or, Velvet Bill‘s 769Bufm1° “311's sweepmgke; ,0?” The Wipe-Cu" Bm‘

Vow. By Col. Prentiss ingrailam. at 1"" "hance' By (“01' Ircnuss Ingmham‘ 362 Buffalo Bill‘s Grip; or. Oath-bound to Custer.

915 Buffalo Bill and the Surgeon Scout' or Go- 765 Buffalo my” .Duzen: Or' Sm‘ Ribbon Sam- By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.
wan-go, the Retlskul Rider. By tiol. P'. in- “Y U’l- Prentiss Ingxahum. 329 Buffalo Bill'B Pledge; m‘. The League of
graham. 761 luff-(iii) Bill’s Mascot: or. The Death Valley Three, By Col, 1‘. Ingmham.

909 Buffalo Bill's League; or, Red Butterfly. By Victim NO- 13- 13’ COL Prentiss Ingl‘aham- 319 Vl'iltl Bill, the Whirlwind of the “feat. By
Col. Prentiss Ingmham. , 7’7 Buffalo :ill'h Dou}hl9:tor, The Desperado 139- Buffalo Bill.

. > ’ ' . ‘ ‘ l. ren iss Ingrahanl. p  .

904 Buffalo Bill 3 Tan lerl Trall~ 0 (‘. t1 [Lame By (’0 304 Texas Jack, the mule Rattler,‘ or The
Jack, the Man of gMany Mang 13:9"oo‘ifniff 750 Buffalo Bill's Big Four: or. Custor's Shadow. Queen of the wild Riders. By Buflalo 'Bin,
Ingmham. By Col. Prentiss Ingruhum. , 243 The Pilgrim Sharp; Or, The Soldier's sweet-

900 Buffalo Bill‘s Rough Riders: or. Texas Jack’s 743 Bumllo Bill's Flush Hand: or. Texas Jack's heart. By Buffalo llili, Government S'cout
Sharp—Shooterg_ my (30L prenuss Ingraham. Bravos. By Col. Prentiss Ingrahalll. and Guide.

805 Buffalo 811' s. -- - 739 Buffalo Bill's Blind; or. The Masked Driver 189 \Vild Bill's Gold Trail; or. The Desperate
Double. 51y Echeclglc‘énfisn: ’Ing.'ah'§’,‘,i Texans of Death's Canyon. By Col. Prentiss Ingra- Dozen. By Col. P. lngrahnm.

. , . _ ham. 17" Wild Bill‘s Trum C rd' or. Th I d1

800 B ff - - . a ‘ p a . e n an
 glows Siifiiahé’fi   735  endlmhme‘i  “i The  By   mm“

. ' ' ' It bi 0c lvus. o. ren so n a- ' 'l, h - d ‘

882 The 'lhl‘ee Bills; Buffalo Bill. Wild Bill and 1.33m,“ y “T 163 “"9 ‘1’)” 1):." mm} D? Sim" °"' Dagger
Band-Box Bill; or The Bravo in Broadcloth D°n s m.‘ L “y 9"" rem SS “graham
By Col, P. Lngrah’anL ' 731 Buffalo Bill's Beagles: or, ’Silk Lasso Sam. 158 Buffalo Bill. Chief of Scouts: or. The Doomed

. . . By Col. Prentiss Ingmham. ‘ Dozen- By Dr. Frank Powell.

874 Builan Bill 3 buckskin Bravos; or, The Card if 1 Bl '

Queen’s Last (June. By tzoi, p, Ingmham 727 Buffalo Bill‘s P-ody Guard; or, The Still Hunt 117 3:“; y0 the“; tStzgngf “2833;” or. BDafihine

869 Extra“ Burs Road Agent Roundljpz or. The 2 of the Hills. By (.01. Prentiss Ingraham. D. But". 0 sp a. y ajol

ysterious Masked Man in Black. By Col. 72 Buffalo Bil 0n the War Path; or, Silk Lasso o ,
P. Ingraham. Sam, the Will-o’-the-Wlsp. By Col. P. In- 9‘ 11$;zlgn 1:11"ihéh€Ve236kglynmgmgbaggfifglzl

863 Buffalo Bill's Death—Charm: or, The Man graham' ' Burr. .

With the $0211”- Kl C01. Prentiss Ingralmm. 716 Buffalo Bill's goout Shadowers' or Fmer- 83 Gold Bull‘ '
‘ ~ ,- I v w J I et Sport. or, The Knl hts of the

857 Buffalo Bill's Royal Flush; or, The Pony m— aid Ed 0f Devil 5 Acre- By Col. P. Ingraham- Overland. By Bunalo Bill. 3
fie” Death-Rm BY 001- Premiss lnflru- 710 Buffalo Bill Borneo; or. The Deserter Des- 52 Death Trailer, the Chief of Scouts; cr, Life

85 “m- perado‘s Defiance. By Col. P. Ingraham. and Love in a Frontier F011. BY Bunalo

1 Buffalo Bill's Double Dilemma: or The Great i ~ - ‘ ‘
t . . . ’ ' 697 Buffalo Bills Buckskin Brotherhood. 01‘.
bcouts Big i‘hree. By Col. P. Ingrahum. Opening Up 3 Lo“ Tm“ By Col. p_ 1m NEW ISSUES coun-

845 Buffarloslglll‘s 1latedrslflinPRuaei; orl. Texas Jack‘s graham. 981 Th Gold 1,9, g Th Tex S
Deal °‘- Y ‘5“- WM” “3” “m' 691 Buffalo Bill’s Blind Trail: or The Daughter e, 68 wort: or. e an am-

839 The Ranch IF’ing' Dealldhshot; or, Texas Jack's of the Regiment. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 582 :honls “Ede Slwath.WBy 1Joel. gkfgdgzr. 
Proxy. By ~itii‘falt) ii . , M , rs rew ey's inn ng : 1‘. e

682 Buffalo Bills Secret Service Trail. BY 8101' .
880 Buffalo Bill’s Boyenln E31111ei)mirg¥gh8$mstone Dangerfield Burr. {Ego-ally Valet 3 Double Game. By A, p,
d' Bl t-out. lo. . .' a . .
8 6 :8; is Bl?!‘ Qmar YS‘hOOterS' or The Surgeon 667 Hurrah) Bm'“ swoop; 0" the King or the 983 Kid Glove Kris, the S ort. BY J. C. (3on
2 Sgouat (:0 thesftescfe By Col-P: InKI‘Mm-m- Mines‘ By COL Prentiss “graham. driek' Ready AuguSt '
Buffak) gmlg Beat Bower: or, Montebello the 658 The Cowboy Clan; or. The Tigress Of Texas. 984 Buffalo Bill's Life Raffle: 01‘. The Doomed
Gold King. By Col, Prentiss Ingraham. By Colonel Prentiss Inst-sham. Three. By Col. P. Inga-sham. Ready Sept. 1.
$ .A
~o 1 1h 111v 5d oo “I "owe
: e / ~ THE DIME LIBRARY is for age y a ew ealers, § 6 Q Q
. o e
3 ° {g \' a Q ' ten cents per copy, or sent by mail, pre-pald, on re- Q 6 e 95 Q g
9 Q 0
Q g ‘\9‘ o e ceipt. of price. o o p o o
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