Copyrighted, 1886, by BIADL‘I um ADAMI. Euund It the You om. It New York. N. Y., In Second Clun lull Hutton Supt. 9!. It“.

V01. XI. $2,150 Pnbhshed Weekly by Beadle and Adm", Fh‘lzrémw N0. 

I 3 9|"- No. 98 WILLIAM 51".. NEW YORK.

“WNW TO THE BOAT SEE PCLLED, TRONGLY AND EMILY.

 

 

8 ‘ New York Nell.

 

New York Nell,
The BOY-GIRL DETECTIVE:

03:
OLD BLAKESLY’S MONEY.

BYEDWARD L. WHEELER,
AUTHOR or “ nnwwwn DICK ' NOVELS, ” ROSE-
BUD non” NOVELS, are, ETC.

CHAPTER 1.
(men BImSLY COMES TO TOWN.

“ Pumas! papers! Herald, Times, Chronicle
and Sun! Buy one, mister?"

And the newsboy paused in his parade through
one of the Market street cars, to hold a fresh y

rinted daily under the nose or Mr. Redmond
lakesly, retired merchant, who chanced to be
one of the passengers. .

“ Well! well! my boy, I suppose I nor ht as
well humor you,” he re lied, “ although I a ready
have a ket full. hat‘s your name, my lad?
You 100 like a girl.” I

“ Phew! you’re mighty sharp at guessm’, Gov-
ernor. Bu trai la! I’ll see you again."

And out of the car the nimble news—
dealer ski in time to jump upon the tender
of a westward hound “ dummy,” which was pass-

‘zn .

Ilncle Redmond Blakesly put on his spectacles,
went to the door, and took a long look at the re-
treating oar.

“ Well! well! well!” he muttered.
old w” _

“ t’s the matter, Cap? Didn’t git took in

by the little cuss, did you?’ the conductor asked,
with a. rim, whereat Uncle Redmond shifted hls
gaze to 'm. _

“ No. youngster, I did not. By the way, I
look a little verdant, don’t I, compared wi’ the
city folk?" _

‘ Yes—that is, you look as it you had just

I come from u ountry.” the man of the bell-
punch replied,/wlth a smile.

“ I do ” the retired merchant assented;
“ but, for all t 1;, my hey, just chalk it down
that the old‘gent ain’t picked up for a fool, every
day. an' ain half so green as some of you city
snobs who laughs at him. Who was the young-
ster with the pa rs, my friend 7”

“ She? 0h! t t was a new one they’ve got
on the force-4 gel, by the way, inst over from
N. Y. Nell Nib 0, she calls horse f, and they do
say she’s reg’lar smart. "

‘ Oh! they do eh?” and Uncle Redmond
scratched the h
tivel . “ Weill , l well! who ever heard 01!
agir dyremfi'n’ up lthoy’s lcllothefsdlan’ gellin’ news-
papers amp 3 5 mm W a van;
will fetch folks to" p0 3'

“ Why; old man, you talk as if you never had
known want?” ,

“No. I don’t talk nothin‘ o’ the sort, young-
ster, fer I’d be tellin’ lies, an' them‘s ag’iu’ my

“ Blast my

honett, orthodox rineiples. Thar uster be the
time when ‘Red Black’ had hard luck, an’
, filer)th ht overtook him. Ye see, young
teller, I’m u nd Blakesly, from Hudsondale,

/

bulwafiortion of his head relied,

 

up on the Hudson River, an’ I hate;- live in that
City, jes’ as Well as you, an’ the .I called me Red
Black. Times have changed, t 0’, am nobody
recognizes in the hole, hearty. and welpmo
country gentleman, the former ‘honem dealer
of Chathom street.’ Purty place, this P11113019}.
his 2” .

p “The Keystone city of them all,” the conduc-
tor replied, now courteously.

“ Yes. I uster run over hcer when I did busi-
ness in New York,” and something like a sorrow-
ful expression came over his face, as the old fel-
low stumped along back into the car, and be-
came seated.

Uncle Redmond Blakesly did look rather
“ green ” taken at first glance. He was of me
dium hight, and portly, his fat dumplin of
legs, apparently inadequate to the task 0 sup-
porting his trunk, as he walked with a heavy
cane. His face also was fat and florid, and
good—natured in its expression, with a. fringe of
straggling white beard under his chin, and hair
to match upon his head, exce t directly on the
the top, where was a shining Bald spot.

Elle attire consisted of a pair of coarse boots,
which had been polished; a pair of linen trow-
sers, too short in the legs; a vest of thesame
material, too small to encompass his t ‘rth;
and an old gray overcoat, that evi ently
seen ears of usage and that, in spite of the
fact t at it was now the sultry August weather.
His head was ornamented with a broad-rimmed
Panama hat, and his eyes shaded 2f! spectmles-

Taken ate. glance, he looked a. h e and hearty
down-East farmer, and was the source of (39n-
siderable amusement to a few of the “nqu in
the car, who were not careful in making 1'9-
marks about the country and its nath advan-

ta .

gift, it Uncle Redmond heard, he headed not,
having the satisfaction of knowing that be
suited himself and his friends, and was Ilble to
pull through life, despite these diflerences be.
tween the city nabob and the country gentle-
man. . _

About an hour later he left the Thirteenth and
Fifteenth street line or cars at the - W.
Baltimore railway station, and entered $1181
and e! not depot which is one of the featums
of Soul: Broad stree . - r

The train had alread arrived, and the we“.
ing-rooms were fl“ *WIth passengem‘old,
middle-aged and young 0: bow 59x95" and many
nationalities. '

Among them was a young‘man rof eifemimte
appearance. faultlessly. “med in “Elna.
with spotless white surmount. vest. tie,
white silk hat. kid gloves. Patent-leather walk.
ing shoes, and gold—headed cane—a very dam
difled personage 01 some twfmty'one Wining“,
with a fair face of attractive cast, llght blue
eyes, brown hair, and a faint mustache of a
tow color. .

H: carried a sachel and duster with his right
hand, while on his left arm leaned a lady, at.
tired in a gray duster, pretty hat and veil, the
latter being drawn down over her face, screen,
ing it from view. , ‘

Both evidently "are m 01188.” In the (31%, f9;-
they paused, in seeming healtatlon, an a,

young man'sgwe rested upon Uncle Redmond 

Wm...

‘ MM! ,,

AMW

      
   
       

 

yrle

 

New York Nell. 3

 

Blakesly, when his face lit up with an expres-
sion of recognition, and he led the way forward
to where the countryman was standing.

“Excuse me, sir,” the young man accosted
him, “but can it be possible that I am ad-
dressing my jolly old dad, Redmond Blakesly?”

Uncle Redmond stared a little, and gave the
young man a critical survey through his
glasses.

“ ‘Well! well! well! I don’t know about that,
sir,” he replied, taking off his hat and scratch-
im,r his bald spot. “ I’m Red Black, that’s sure
—~ro:i when I’m angry; black when I’m mad, as
the boys used to say. Yes, youngster, I’m Red—
mond Blakesly, from Hudsondale, on the Hud-
son. And, next to that, whoin the world are

mu?”

3 “ Your own son, Jack Blakesly, alive and
Well after an absence of eight years,” was the
long '11 response, and the new-comer put forth
his han warm] .

But Uncle , shoved his down‘, into the
pockets of his pantaloons with a quiet little
lau h.

‘EJust hold on, boy. The old Iran is jest as
smart as he used to be ef he is a little older, an’
he ain’t goin’ to be took in on sharps. You tell
me you’re my boy, Jack Blakesly—you?”

“Why, certainly, my To 8.1 dad—of course I
aml Didn’t I write you I’ be here to-day—the
prodigal returned, after .many years? Of
course I’m Jack, just the same as I was ears
ago, when I was kindly booted out, and to d to
3;.) make my own fortune.”

“Well, have you made it?” the proprietor of
Hmlsondale demanded.

“ Not a red] Every cent I have been able to
get hold of I have spent on education.”

lilakesley, Sn, closed one eye obliquely.

“ Are you certain about that?” he demanded.

“Positive!” the young man protested. “'I
can converse in seven languages, and am com-
potent to handle the Iprofessorship of a coll e.”

“ That, settles it,” ncle Redmond cried, zip-
ping his thi h, dehghtedly. “ I recognize you,
for my ack he was allus fer study!
study! study an’ eddlcation, an’ allus would
ruther loaf around town, at school, or in ther
free readin’-rooms, than ter stay up—countr7 an’
hill pertuters. I uster git so ’tarnal out o’ pa~
times, an‘ when he told me he_ wasn’t goin’ to
farm it, but was a—goin’ to shlrk fer hisself, I
give him fifty dollars, an’ told him not to cum’
back till he had got all ther book l‘arnin’ he
wanted."

And seizing the youn
chop wrung it in a way t,
Offspring wince. _

“ Yes, I’m thunderin’ glad you’re backto keep
your old dad company, boy,” Uncle Redmond
pursued, “ fer ye see, ye can be a heap 0’ com-
fort to me. I ain’t a. poor farmer no more, by a
long shot, nuther. They ustel' count old Red
Black a sorter greenhorn, Wi’ the barnyard
clingin’ to his boots; but I Went inter a. leetle
mercantile speckilation an’ fmjst IJmow’d, 1
went out ag’in, ownin a mansion up on ther
Hudson, 9. city residence, an’ aplump leetle nest-
egg, asides. 80 yo see that old dad’s fixed, artor
all. an’ thing’s is in’ to be gay when we all
git up at Hudsonda e. To be sure, Prudence is

man’s hand, the old
t made his returned

 

ittin’old an’ vinogary, like all old maids do,

ut I reckon she’ll ’liven up, when she sees you
back. But, see hyar, Jack, thar’s one p’int I‘d
like ter ask ye about—com ye spell. ?”

“ Well, I should presume so,” Jack replied. a
little sarcastically. ‘ Educated people generally
know how to spell.”

“Well! well! I s’pose so. Didn’tknow about -
it, you know. You see yer old dad never had
much success at wras’lin Wi’ the llin’-book,
tho’ he lied allus leave off, ahead. as, I s’pose
you must know how ter 5 11, an’ hev heaps of
l’arnin’ besides. Why, I” near forgot it, boy; I
seed a trained bog down ter Barnum’s show, in
Brooklyn, last year, what could spell, an” tell
the time 0’ day. It’s astonishin’ what this world
is comin’ to. But, come, be , ye hain’t iven ’
me a knock-down tow the la y, beer. 0 is
she? Hain’t been gittin’ married?”

“ Oh! no,” young Blakesly replied, glancing
around him, uneasily, and noting that Uncle
Redmond’s hearty manner was attracting at-
tention.

And not only attention, but many curious

, I am not married. This young lady
allow me to introduce to you as Miss Viola. Ver-
non. She is a. homeless orphan, whose people
were recently killed by a. railroad accident out
chst. and being acquainted with her, and know-'
iug her circumstances, I took the libert to
brin her home with me, as a. guest of unt
Prugenee, until she can get tidings of a brother,
who lives somewhere in the East. Show him
your face, Viola.”

The young lady accordingly raised her veil,
and turned her face full upon Uncle Redmond,
who gave vent to a prolonged whistle of surh
prise. \ .

“Well! well! well!” you’re a beauty, and no __
mistake!” he ejaculated. “Durn my eyes, of
you don’t take the glimp 0133 ’n any of our East-
ern gals!”

Miss Vernon was indeed remarkably pret ,
With a fair face, dusky eyes, and brown ha 1‘,
her power of attraction lying chiefly in a fat-:-
cmating smile, which she knew well how to use.

“I fancy she would resemble my poor little
sister, who was stolen away, years ago, if we
could find her,” young Blakesly said. “But,
come! tell us what hotel you stop at,andwe
will seek it, after I attend to a little business. in
town. Do not put yourself to any trouble to
show us, as we can easily find it, if you give us i
the proper directions.”

“ put up at the Girard, on Chestnut street,
boy. You will find me there later.” ‘

“Ah! yes. Thanks. We will soon join you
there,” then bowing, Jack led his fair compan- '
ion away toward the carrin 6 stand. .

After the were gone, ncle Redmond shut
one eye, an spat a volume of tobacco—juice at
an unobtrusive fly which was crawling alon on
the floor. It was a fashion the honest but lite
erate old gent had, when in a study.

“I wonder if I don’t smell a rat?" hemm-
mured, takiné of! his hat, and scratchin his
bald spot, “ uess maybe the boy was a eetlo
ashamed 0’ his old dad’s toga, an‘ Was afoard to
be seen in my consign , for fear he’d get laughed ‘
at. Weill welll t s the way the world wags.

4 New York Nell.

 

 

But, let it wag. Old Red Black’s honest, an’
atrai ht, an’ that suits him.”

Sti l the master of Hudsondale seemed consid—
erably “ cut” by what he had ri htly drawn as
a conclusion, and paced to an fro about the
waiting-room, some time in deep meditation.

He was thus engaged, when he was startled
by a familiar voice crying:

. “ Papers! Herald, Tunes, Chronicle, Sun.
Star 1’ and turned quickly to see the same
newspaper girl, whom he had seen a short time
before on the Market street cars, just in the act
of ssing.

girl she was, too, be discerned at a second
glance, her face betraying femininity.

In form she was scarcel of woman’s medium
hight, but well rounde and graceful, and
Sgi‘lghtl of movement. In face she was decid-
e y ir ish and prett , her features being round
and c armingly chise ed, the mouth in particu-
lar wearin a roguish, spirited aggression, and
the eyes a rilliant, independent ash, that be-
tra ed a nature at once gay and happy, yct

,bol ,tearless, and scorning wrong and evil-do-

in .

fier hair was of a olden hue, and curled in a
close mas; about her cad, which added to her
pretty appearance.

\In the way of attire, she wore aslouch but up-
on her head, and rough pants, vest and jacket of
“coarse brown woolen, a checkered shirt without
any collar, and a pair of rather coarse shoes up-
on her small feet, which were much too large
for them.

Taken as a whole, and not forgetting that her
face was somewhat dirty, and that she was smok-
ing the stump of a cigar, she was about as good
a specimen of a street Arab as one could have
found in all the Quaker City, the importance
with which she strutted about giving her the ap-

. pearence of one of the urchins she ersonated.

What her age was no ordinary 0 server coul'l
ess, probably. for while her form and m'imms
Eglonged to t. girl of seventeen or eighteen, her
face and its expression were those of one less than

, sixteen;

As he saw her passing him, Uncle Redmond
put out his hand, involuntarily. and detained her.

: “ Hold on, my dear,” he said. “ Ain‘t you the

' one I bought a paper of this mornin l”

- “ You bet I am There ain’t anot er gal what
' peddles _
knowof, ’ was the roguish reply.

the rip? Wasn’t the aper a1 right?”
‘ “ I s’pose so; but, t at ain’t what I/want. I
' want tor hey a little chat with on."
“ Oh! that’s it, eh? Well, I’d Just as lieve chir-
_ run With you as any other good—looking feller.
What’s your name?”

‘ ' “My name? Well, I'm Redmond Blakesly, of
Hudgmdale, up the Hudson. And who are
you a '

“ Mel Ohl ,I’m New York Nell, the news girl.

I Niblo is my name, when I’mtohome, tho’ I don’t

, bear any relationship to Niblo’s Garden. Used

to live over in York, but had to skip out, be-

. cause I 13559de a butcher’s bi uglly dog, an’ the

cops wasgo to’ at me in tie ombs. Oh! I
tell ou I in a g youngster, for my age!”

“. ell! welll I should say so. But, somehow,

~ I loader take to you. Can’t you get more profi-

pers, in this town 0’ Philadelph’, as I

“ Why? what’s ,

 

table employment than dressin’ up in boy’-
clothes, and peddlin’ papers?”

“ Nix! it’s what suits me. I like the tags first
rate, because a rson can get around ship-shape,
much better. f you want to play ball wi’ the
bow. run a foot race, or do most ennything,
these togs is enough sight handier than skirts.
And as for sellin’ news pers, I make a dollar
or tvgoafiay, an’ learn eaps to help me in my

bu, .

‘ Your biz?”

“ Yes, my biz.”

“ What’s that?”

“ That’s a secret of in own, but I’ll confide it
to you, as you seem to a sort of honest pal,
an’ I guess you won’t give it away. I’m a. de-
tective."

“ A detective?” V

“ Preciselyl Identicallyadefective. Oh! you ‘.
bet I make a sharp one, too. What I can’t nose
out, there ain’t many as can. I’m a rogues’ ter-
ror, an’ they all know me by heart, over inYork,
and are beginning to find me out here in Phila-
delph. Got any detective business you want ex-
ecuted with neatness and dispatch? If so, I’m
your ferret.”

“ No, I guess I haven’t an thin to be detect-
ed,” Uncle Red replied. “ ut 1’ like you to
dress in proper attire, and come up to Hudson-
dale and pay us a visit."

“ Get out. D‘ye 5’? I’d throw away my toga
jest for one visit? 0 sir-eel It I ain’t good
enough to come a—visitin’ in breaches, I ain’t good
enough to come at all.”

“ ut, my gracious! Prudence she’d faint
clean awa if she’d see a woman dressed up in
men’s clot esl”

“ But I ain’t a woman; I’m only a gal. They
call me a little cuss over in York. ’cause I allus
hoe out my own row, an’ kccr fer No. 1. Who’s
Prudence?”

“ She’s my sister.”

“An old maid ain’t she, sourer than pickles
in the month of unel”

“ Well! well! Blast my 6 es of you hain’t
hit it purty straight. But di you see my boy,
a bit ago?”

" What! the sickly lookin’ teller with the gel
a singing to him?”

“ es. That’s my boy, Jack, whom I started
out eight years ago, to make his way in the
world.”

“Humph! Guess he hain‘t never paralyzed
any one, judgin by his looks. Kinder like me
to come up to udsondale. au’ fall in love with,
and marry him, wouldn’t you?”

“ J ust my thought, my girl, sure’s I‘m an l

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D

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honest but illiterate old chap!" the master of
Hudsondale admitted, slapping his knee. “ How
old are you, child?”

“ Dunno. Guess I never knew. Uld mother
Nihlo never would tell me. and. one day she
7slipped her wind, and her spirit took a waltz.

Spect I’m old enough to not marry each a sick-
loolnng equasbas that teller you sa ‘5 your can.”

‘ Then you don‘t like the looks him?”

. ‘Not much! I allua term my likes 811513.“ .1
hires purty nick. an’ I set that chap dam! “"5 '
snide, the m nnit I clapped my 95'“ onto mm' :

“ Well! welll that’s strange Dun“, much ' 1 ‘
about him, myself. You £60,171” boy 5 been I

a,“ m ,

 

“i

, Midway.

- wvsmwwaw‘l.a.flm.w. owner“... » . . - A

New York Nell. I B

 

awaheightnyears, an’ I don’t know. jest what
he‘s ' e. e was onl thirteen when be cleared
out, an’his poor old ad never heard a word
nntilafew days ago,‘when he writ fer me to
moethim here. But he sez he’s, spent every
cent he’s made on eddication, an’ is awful
smart!”

"I’ll bet he is,” with a sarcastic grimaee.
“ He looks as if he know’d more than some hull
book binderies. I say, unkle, ain‘t. you a little
bit an’ liable to be took in?”

e 01 man locked grave, and at the same
time scratched the bald spot on top of his head.

“ Well! well! welll I don’t know,” he mut-
tered, slowly. “Mebbe I ain’t so smart as I
used tor be, thou h l‘ve allus counted old Red
Blazc'k about as c ipper as the average. Why,

I

“ Because it strikes me—but never mind. I’ll
give you to opinion some other time. In the
meanwhile ’11 make observations an’ report b
an’ by. Am goin’ back to N. Y. to—morrer, f
you everha pen in town when I’m there, jest
tellan o’ 1: ob. b.'s or n. h.’s you want to see
New or]: Nell, and they’ll put you on track.
Tral la! la! Take care of ourself, now, and
doniitnlet that son of yours leed your pocket-
boo

And then, with a laugh, she walked away.

CHAPTER II.
“ CHAMPAGNE QUITE rm: THING.”

OLD Uncle Redmond Blakesly had not essed
wrongly, when he concluded that Jae was
ashamed of his Site’s rough—and-ready appear-
ance, and had filled in the excuse of having
some business elsewhere to attend to, in order
that the old gent should not accompany him, for
the young man had gone direct to the Girard
Hotel. '

“Is there an old chap stopping here by the
name of Redmond Blakesly?” he asked, as he
‘Y redhitsapallmilth l 1-: led 11’ l

E es,oer my, ecer rep: (Hey.
“You will find his name registered iiith to-
day’s arrivals. Believe he is out just now."

“ Oh! that does not matter. I have already
seen him. Just arrived from the West, and met
him at the depot, and he directed me to stop
here, at his ex use.”

“ Ah! yes. eleft orders to that effect,” and
the clerk touched a call bell. “ This boy will
show you to your apartments.”

The were given an elegant suite of rooms
upon he third landing, consisting of bedcbam-
hers and private parlor, all richly furnished.

Jack B akesly threw himself upon a sofa in
the parlor with a lazy yawn, while Miss Vernon
was removing her wrappings. ‘

“ Well, my clear, how do you fanc the master
of Hudsondale?” he asked, quizzical y. “ Think
he resembles his dutiful ofi'sprin any?”

“I did not see any max-lie resemblance,”
Viola replied, uietly. “I should judge, how.
ever, that Mr. lakesly would be a nice man to
get along with-«an easy. gotgd-natured man, of

beral and indnl nt bab ts." r

“ You refer to e younger Blakesly ?”

“ No; to the elder. You are not at all of the
name nature as the man you introduced to me
as your father.”

 

 

“Thank heaven for that! He looks like a
regular old codger more than the master to
Hudsoudale. Did you mind how nicely I got
rid of him up at the depot? I was ashamed to
have folks suspect any connection between us,
and so shook him. Of course he was too thick-
headed to know the difference.” ‘

“Maybe, and again maybe not. I hope we'
can keep on the right side of him. Have you
seen Colonel Baxter?”

“ No. He got oil’ the cars at the first station
out of town, intending to hire a cab and drive
in. I guess he had no demo to meet the old
gent at the depot, for feara scene might ensue.” 4-

“ What is the secret about this matter? Does
Baxter fear Blakesly ?”

“It would seem so. There is some old grudge
between them, which I do not know.” ‘
4 “Then, tell me, truthfully. and for the last
time, do you believe on are the son of this old
countryman?” Miss ernon asked wilha strange ,
eagerness, the meaning of which it would have
been hard to interpret. 7

“Yes, I do,” Jack replied. “ Up to the age‘
of fourteen years, or rather, previous to that
date in my existence, I have no recollection.
whatever. My first remembrance is of being in
Baxter’s care, at about the age I named, and
from that time up the present, he has ever‘
taught me that I am the son of Redmond Blak' -
sly, who booted me out upon the world who
young to shift for myself.” “

Miss Vernon was silent as she gazed out of a
front window upon the street below. Ber pretty
brows were knitted in an expression that was -
inex licahle. " r '

“ have no choice but to believe you,”sle
said final! . “But I have sometimes been as-
sailed wit a fear that both you and Baxter
were arraut knaves. How are you responsible?
You might fail to fill your romises, and there
would be a pretty state of a airs. “

“ Bah! you need have no apprehension on that ‘
score. You have seen the old man, and taken a
liking to—his cofl‘ersl Ha! ha! I have yet‘sto ..
meet the woman that gold will not tempt. Ome
we get safely to Hudscndale, your conquest will
be easy wit the old man, and, first we know,‘
you’ll be my stop-number instead of my lo:
trothed, as you are now. By and h the old'
gent will u altz oil and leave you and the mas:
ters of the situation—and a Very soft snap it is,
too—much better than doing a son and-dance
for ten dollars a week at the Be Union in
Cheyenne! Ha! ha!”

Miss Vernon scowled. She evidently did not
not like the reference.

“Perhaps,” she said. “But if I do not suc-
ceed, either you or Baxter Will have to pay back '
the money you have borrowed of me, or there
will be another tragedy for the morning papers
to chronicle.” .~

And the young woman shut her lips time in ,
a way that detracted somewhat from her at ,
while Jack Blakesly smiled vague] to hims f,
ashetipped hack in his chair anglitacboice
(3831'- ,. '

Uncle Redmond Blakest arrived at the Girard

just before dinner hour that evenin , and in ac-
cordance With a life—long custom, a pped up to g;

 

 

    

New York N e11.

 

 

 

the bar and took a glass of ale, “just for an
appetizer.” More than three glasses of any
kind of drink never found their way down the
sturd old farmer’s throat per day, and it was
one 0 his favorite boasts that no one had ever
seen old Red Black when he could not walk as
sm'ai ht as a bee-line.

" ell! well! Philadelphy is gittin’ to be a
big town, I declare," he said, as the barkeepcr
was pouring out his beverage. “ The old man’s
been takin' a good look over it, you see, on foot,
an’ is pretty Well tuckered out. S’pose my boy
Jack’s been around?"

“Ah, yes. Quite a. fine youn fellow, and a
good judge of cham agne in the arguin.”,

“ Champagne?” ncle Redmond gasped, put-
ting up his hands. “My Jack dont drink
cham goo?" _

“A ! yes; certainly. It’s quite the thing
among the young men of the day to take a
couple of bottles Just after luncheon.”

“ Oh! is it, ehi Well! well! things have
changed since I was young. And you say my
boy Jack has been guilty of drinking cham-

pa e?”

gliderer two bottles—that’s all, you know. A
,friend came along whom he knew, and he sim-

ply did the courteous.”
‘Hang the courteous!
He id for it, I s’pose?"
"‘ 0, not exactly—that is, he said just dot it

down to you, and it would be all right!”

Uncle Blakesly brought his cane down upon
the (founter with a vehemence that made things
in e.
J ‘gWelll well! well! The impudence of the

I’ll havo to see to this.

boy is astonishin’l” he cried, gruflly. “Mind
you, sir, no more of this. If the oung scape-
5 must pa

goat wants champagne to drink,
or it. How much for what he has had? I’l
pay for it, and it‘ll be the last you can set down
to that old man, an’ don’t ye fergit it. Up in
the quarter of the globe where I was born, every
teller paid for his own todd , an’ of the ain’t
ot aster them ideas down eer it’s big time
ey was a—l’arnin’. How much for that cham-
pa 9, bark‘er?"

‘ Only five dollars to you, Mr. Blakesly. Six
is the regular price for two bottles, but I will
break the usual custom, since this has been
rather an unexpected honor to you.”

“ Six fiddlestlcksl Here’s your money, bark’er,
an’ now do ye mind not to charge anything
more to Redmond Blakesly.”

' And the sturdy old ruralist slapped a five—
dollar gold piece upon the counter, and walked

awe .

“go Jack be a drinkin’ chap eh?” he mur-
mured, as he sauntered about. ‘1 Well, well; it
ain’t much more than the old man has expected
these man year. The boy was allus a wild ’un,
an’ w‘at’s ruin the blood can't be erradicated
m’ h gads nor tongue-lashin’s. A nice fel-
ler to rule Hudsondale, arter ther old man’s
dead an‘ gone! Hum h! we'll see about et—
a? yes! we will see a at that. of we aire getr

_ ’ old and sorter oi! our track, like a played
out plow.”

- About an hour later Jack Blakeslly sauntered
down into the lounging-room of the otel, airin

 

 

attired in a suit of spotless (luck, with patent-
leather slippers on his feet, and a silk hat on his
h d

ea . ,

He purchased a choice cigar at the stand, and
then threw himself into a great loun in r chair
before one of the open windows that 00 ed out
upon Chestnut street,

He was hot long thus positioned are he was
tapped familiarly upon the shoulder, and a man
drew a chair near by, and became seated.

He was tall and of commanding figure, with a
face in which was expressed cunning, self-con-
ceit, and an evil nature; and this face was orna—
mented with a hcavy black mustache which con-
nected with a bushy crop of side whiskers; his
hair was black, his complexion dark; even his
attire was black throughout.

Jack Blakesly uttered a. grunt of surprise at
sivht of him.

‘ So you’re back, eh?" he said. “ Soisthe old
man Blakefly.”

_ “ So I heard,” the dark man replied.

“Just heard about his raising the deuce over
your champagne bill. You may as well dry up
Kour fountain-head now. No more champy at

is expense.”

“ Ha! is be angry, then?”

“ Yes. How does the coast lie now!”

“I’ll be hanged if I know. Guess it will all
work out right. If it doesn‘t, you are the loser,
not I. Fancy your chagrin at a total defeat,
Colonel Baxter l”
mighe dark man gritted his teeth, and scowled a

e.

“ I do not intend to court defeat,” he said,
with an evil grin. “ Flem Baxter has played in
dramas, before, and played in heavy parts, too,
in which he has always come out the 'victor.
Consequently, he is not to be cast for any parts
inferior, nor Where there is not a moral certain-
ty of his winning." '

“ But the old country elk isn‘t so green as he
looks. You'd best play 10W, Jack and sure,"
young Blakesly suggested, knocking the ashes
from his cigar. “ ’ve always noticed that the
more carelessly you fool around a country bum-
ble-bee, the more likely you are to get stung.”

“ Never fear on that score; I and Redmond
Blakesly have met before. And, betwixt you
and me the old man dare not say his soul is his
own. when I remind him. But I do not desire
to approach him this way, unless he gets unruly.
Always tempt a horse first, and reserve the whip
for the emergency. How about Viola? Is she
getting uneasy?"

“ A little, I guess. She thinks there is some
villainy in the matter, and that we are tryingto
swindle old Blakesly.” r

“Ah! this is had. She must be disarmed of
that suspicion, or our influence over her is at an
end. One point is for you to arrange: Keep
her at ease; another: Get packed of! for Hud-
sondale as soon as possible. ’

” For what? The city is much preferable to
the odor of rural barnyards.”

“ You mistake. Hudsondale is no such place
as you imagine. They tell me it is one of the
most charming resorts along the Hudson. It
will be better for you there, where no, one can
interrupt you in soft-soaping the old man.” u ‘

“Well, you are the master—J the servant. I '

 

 

 

new ~25... men. *

 

must  I am none too sanguine of success,

however. ’ . _
“ Bahl on are weak—minded. I have given
{on your ' es, see that you not them Well, or
'11 no longer be responsible for your Welfare,
and keep the wolves from your door.” . _
“ I will perform according to your directions.
If the girl gets manageable, it W111 not be my
fault 7’

“ I'will attend to her, myself. We must get

another deposit, and then, if she gets dissatis-
She’d

fled, either let her go, or shut her up."

“It would not do to let her loose.
hunt up that hot—tempered Southern brother of
hers, and the mischief would be to pay for a
certainty.”

“ True. And were it not that he is already on
the chase, I would shove her in as Blakesly’s
long-lost daughter I”

“ She wouldn’t hear to it. She is too scrupu-
louslgalgonest.” r

“ , l Money and position are What she
craves, or she would never have backed our
little ente rise with her fortune, in ho es of
marrying t e heir of Hudsondsle. But have
not much time to talk on this sub'eot,- now, for
there is danger in another dime on which de-
mands my attention."

“Where?”

“ In New York.”

“ From What source?”

“ From the Colorado mines."

“ What! not the real Jack ?”

“ .xactlyl the genuine and original 1”

“ How did you learn this?"

“From Shark , Whom I sent to ferret him
out, ere I came ast. It seems that he's got his
fill, up in the mines, and is coming on to see 1113
father.” _,

" And is in New York?" ‘

“Rather, is liable to arrive there. at most
any minute. Sharky telegraphed me that he
was close at his heels, in C ' .”

“Where are the others—— ose’ Barker and
Jql‘mny Fish? 1 N Y tching f h

’ ow n . ., we or im.
Also ffionk, of Leadville.”

Jack Blakesly grew pale.

“Vthtl is he (‘omin on?”

“ Yes. But he’ll find he’s tackled game out of
his sphere—ti ers, instead of common prairie
wolves. Hal a!”

“ What are you going to do with the other?
He’ll bedangerousi’ _

“my. He‘ll find New York too large
for hm}, when he fiets there. He must suspend
breathm as qmck‘y and quietly as he arrives.”

Blak {shook hishead, rather dubiously.

“It loo 5 to me like a desperate undertak-
ing," he demurred, “ and, ten to one, we lose.”

Fifty to one we do no ” Baxter ndgd,
confidently. “All that remains is to p on
the fight‘side of the old man, and not let him
get_mzsp1oioxxs.- If, however, he does et sus-
picxous, we must git our heads toget er and
work. I’m 01! to ew York, now, to look out
for the game. Get packed oil for Hudsondale
as soon as you can.” ,

“ I will see to it Report soon.”

“ Of course”

Then Baxter arose and sauntered away.

'3

But he was destined not to leave the hotel un-
disturbed. , . *

In the bnr~room of the hotel he came face to
face with Uncle Redmond Blakesly, the two halt-
ing at a respectable distance as if by a mutual
impulse.

The colonel used at the ruralist in his coolly ‘
cynical way. ncle Red flushed nngril a de—

termined, belligerent light shining from eyes
as he grasped his heavy cane, firmlé. ,

“ Ah! really! is this you, Uncle lakeslBy? It
is an unexpected honor to meet you,” utter

said, putting out his hand and adopting a pleas-
ant smile for the occasion.

“Oh! it is, is i "and Uncle Blakest gave a.
grim stare. '“ Me be by the time I tan yer in—

ernal jacket for ye, li‘leming Baxter et wonftbe

quite so much of a pleasure. Do ya want i should
tryit,an’See?" - .

“ Oh! no, I won’t put you to that trouble,” the
other replied, sneeringly.

“ ’Twon’t be no trouble at all, an’ blame me at
I wouldn’t do it, of I had ye out somewhere,
whar I could unloosen myself. But, never mind,
Flem—tlhe old manfl ’s halelat sixity;i an’ he’s oin
tor live ongenu tel-pee yer ie ye an on
recollect it. Thor day ain't fur off, author; *

“ This is a strange greeting to come from an
old-time friend and schoolmate,” and Baxter well
feigned sur rise. .

“Friend ’uncle Red gasped, wi inng per- _
spiration from his bald spot. “ W were on
over my friend, Flem Baxter? Didn’t we a us
noter be fightin', an’ quarrelin’i Didn’t on stool
away my poor misguided sister, an’ a her
until she was g‘tl‘ad ter in down 511’ die togit rid
of you? Oh! lem, ye' find flier old man has
got just as good memory as he had five-ln’Jorty'
years ago!” '

Baxter gazed round him with aqnick, nervous
glance, but gavera. sigh of relief, when he saw
that their conversation had attracted nonotioe.

“ See here, you acoursed fool, do you know
what you are saying?” he hissed, fiercely, taking
a stemward the master of HMW‘?’ You
may ve together: that you are‘afl‘ailfiflf mo," 3

“I afraid on?” Uncle Blakesly'morted.
“ Well, that is e first I ever heard of it,”

years ago, when I caught on in o, v on law-
ant situation, that you be me inalggzlmgwa!”
“No! Flam Baxter—4w! I newertoMTyou I
was afraid of you, nor will ’ 1 ever tell you so. «
Listen! ye ain’t so keen as ye might be, 'm‘Je’d .
'hev learned long ago, that the murderer 
gal ye found me kneelin’ over, Ms w men
over in Sing Sing, and confessed his claim! 95
ln'llin’ berg?)ng wi’  8010;!
,«see ouri egameisbafl‘led. r , _
ngter scowled, anan a m 03th

“Y 1' tome”’hegrowlad aav i *, r

 stunnedil <
d . “ ye ' _ . 
aesieyge can findmtsllubout infinmthe’

“WhenIgotoSin Sin itwillbeatka' has ,
dead,” Baxter  “  fink I’m fife, ,
old friend, because I‘ am  '- polymer al-
ways marathons in getting  orpha-
gain, and since weareme ‘i m!

 

.to make you as uncomfortablens loan,

“You lie! Did Inot make you conteesfivm ‘ l

  
   

 

‘mean by bros in

8 New York Nell.

 

that we are, or were, once sli htly related. Ta!
ta! now. Ill drop up to En ndale as soon as
I have time.”

“You’d better not, Flem fer you’ll find it
ain’t a wart hospital place for you when I am
to home. f ye show your mug thar, I’ll
punch it for ye as true as I’m one 0’ that old
stock they uster breed up in Schoharie.”

“ Presumably I shall not come until I shall
have gained some hold upon you whereby I can
make you my loving friend. Hal hal_ always
saplings your bear first and break him in after-
w

ard.

And flieu the dark man lau hed triumphant-
ly, and walked away, leaving nole Blakesly in
rather a warm-tempered mood.

“ Drat that man!” he muttered. “ He has

ever been an evil Ihadder in m path, and seems ‘

determined to crush me. ut, just let him
{tulip his head at Hudsondale, an‘ I’ll smash

 

CHAPTER III.
nw YORK HELL snows mm HAND.

“ anl” “Fire!” Fire!” _

Shouts and lusty yells announced the cause of
the mass of humanit that surged through the
streets, of the rnmb o of heavy trucks, of the
slang of penling bells. and shrieks of whistles.

In the darkest hour before the dawn had the
Babel of excited sound burst upon the night,
and although the streets had been torn rarin
deserted but a moment before, it seem scarce-
11 an instant later that they were filled to over-

owing with excited beings, who rushed pell-
mell toward the North River, in which direction
the sky was flushing ruddy with the reflection
of a great fire.

It proved a useless task for the police to
check the excited multitude, as there seemed a

.hundred fire seekers to every officer—conse-

quently the rush was as of a might
bent on stormin some offending citade .

The fire prove to be upon the river.

A lar , full-ri zed vessel of Southern “ hail”
was rid ng at anc or but a short distance out in
the river, wrapped in a brilliant sheet of flame,
about the hull and deck, while the masts tower-
ed like gaunt spechrs into the night, as yet un-
scathed by the flames.

Other vessels in the vicinity were being towed
Iwa , and every where wasa scene of bustle and
um ment.

The fire atrol guarded the river front and
kept back he crowd With their clubs, but it
was only by hard work that they succeeded.

And they did not even do that, for one figure
eluded them and ran toward the water with the
aglllity of a fawn.

t was no use, however, for the patrol sprung
in pursuit, and soon succeeded in capturing the
oflender.

“ See here,

army,

on young devil, what do you
past the law?" one of the
ofloors cried, she. ng the person roughlv. “ See
Pinionhys—shall we bundle him off to the

“ etter try it if you knew when your pants
don’t fit you.” the cfi'ender repliedi Iaucily.

‘ Just :0“ drop your cull 01' ’11 report
” W! I!
V .

 

“ What d’ye mean? Who the devil airs you,

on sassy—’ .

“Shut up. Don‘t go to callin me names or
I’ll thump you. I’m Nell Niblo, of the N. Y.
D. F., ef you want to know it, and the, sooner
you let go of me, the better it will be for? on.”

The officer released his hold instant y, his
manner changin from surl to courteous.

“Excuse me,” e said, “ did not recognize
you. Where are you goin l"

f‘ To release the victim e a trap,” the girl re-

p l .

Then she darted on, and leaped from the pier
into an empty row-boat that was rocking at the
water’s edge.

The next instant she was seen pulling toward
the burning vessel.

The people who could see her waiched with

“games.
hat she was going todo was more than they
could determine.

0n, on, she went as fast as she could row to-
ward the burnin boat, herself and the frail
craft she so ski fully managed, the center of
many wondering lancee.

Nearer—nearer the boat she pulled, :~ .rong-
ly and steadily. '

Once or twice she was hailed and warn .d that
the masts were liable to pitch into the water at
any minute, but her only answer was 2 wild,
reckless laugh.

She pulled directly beneath the prow of the
vessel, and shipped her oars, then, wituout a
word, leaped into the river and disappeared
from sight.

In two seconds she reappeared, and catching
hold of the prow rigging, went up, hand over
hand, with the agility of a monkey.

A moment later she clambered aboard where
the flames had not yet reached. and swung her
hat triumphantly, to a thunder of applet; "ng
shouts that seemed to come from sea and a re.

The next instant she turned and plunged _r rom
view directl into the flame.

The horri ed cry went up from the watchers
in the boats, upon the river, and the many ex-
cited gazers upon the docks. ;‘

Was the boy-girl insane? Certain death lurk-
ed everywhere withiu the seething sea of flame
that enveloped the ter portion of the vessel,
and was now licking the rigging spitequ ,
makingggighter the lurid night. 

The ts upon the river, of which there n ‘w
were scores of all kinds, pulled nearer to t a
doomed ship, as if awaiting to receive the ven-
turesome creature Who had gone into the jaws
of death for—what? 3

This was the question uppermost in the minds
and the mouths of the eager, excited watchers.

The vessel was a whaler, just ready for sea‘ ,\

again.
What could attract the venturesome darew'

devil aboard such a craft, in the face of the?

merciless flames, remained a. mystery.

But not long. .. .

Soon she burst again from the flame, upon the
Unscathed portion of the boat, and bore in her
arms a form draped in female attire.

A moment she paused, and gazed at a” m“ I

upon the water nearest the vessel. m"!me

overboard into the firelit water 0‘ a“ fiver-

       
    
      
       
   
  
   
  
    
   
   
  
  
  
   
    
 
  
 
   
  
  
   
    
 
   
   
 
  
 
   
 
  
    
    
  
  
  
   

 

 

-us (p -._

@'§

Warn,

9-! HG

5:31;,

“for

.9 I.

‘ new, V, _

 

 

 

New York Nell. 9

 

Instantly two boats nearest the vessel pulled
swiftly toward the spot where she had gone

own.

One boat contained Colonel Fleming Baxter
and two low-brewed rufiianly-looking fellows;
the other contained two young men_ of some
{our and twent years of age, respectively, one
of whom was ecidedly western in appearance,
with his slouch hat, long hair, and tanan buck-
skin hunting shirt.

It became at once apparent that each boat
was determined to reach the spot of rescue be-
fore the other, and a Single moment roved that
the boat containing the long-hair chap and
his companion was destined to be victorious, for
the little craft seemed to fairly skim over the
top of the water, so fast it went.

Colonel Baxter urged his men fiercely, a tor~
rent of oaths escaping his lips as he saw that he
was not to be the rescuer of the brave girl de-
tective and her companion.

“Stop! stop!” he yelled, fiercely. “Those are
mine to rewue—mine to protect! Hands 011’, I
command you."

“ You go lac—Mexico!” the man with the long
hair shouted, "net as .Nell Niblo came to the sur-
face, bearing er fainting or unconscious com-
gggion, and both were hauled quickly into the

t.

“ You see I have got them, my savage friend,”
the long-haired man continued, turning and
mockineg addreSsing Baxter, “ and, what’s
more, I intend to keep them for a bit. So just
whistle a solo, for your pains, and go home.“

The next minute the boat shot toward the
piers rapidly gliding through the choppy
waters.

With smothered curses of rage Bsxter ordered
his companions to pull ashore, which they did,
landing at a pier further up the river.

“M young lad, you are a hero l“ the long-
 you man of the rescuing boat sai ,
turning to ' ew York Nell, who was seated in
the stern With her charge lying across her lap.
“How did you know the lady was in the ship,

7 .

X In the first place, you’re sucked in about my
being a. boy; and in the next place, it’s in own

‘v-ate biz how I found out about the ad ’3

in’ in the boat,” Nell replied independent y.
“If you want to exchange cogs. my name is
Nell Niblo, alias, New York Nell, news girl,

tter, detective and hard crowd generally.
min, what’s your a pellafive?’

“ My namels Jae Carson, and I’m from up

Ville pounu'y,” the long-haired man re-
nded- upping hi! hat. “M companion,
re calls himself Val Vernon, believe. We

met low here Just as the fire broke out, and
became acqainted to the extent of jumping into
a boat and pulling for the blaze.”

“ Correctl He’s Val Vernon, all right. no
doubt; but I twig you slice samee, as the China-
men say. “You ain’t Carson no more’n I’m
John Jackob Astor or Tony Pastor. But it's all
right. It‘willkee with me.”

“ Welll if you n’t the nearest gel in boy’s
clothing I ever met, I’ll be at!” the Westerner
exclaimed in surprise. “ Of course my name is
Carson. Do you suppose I 'am some criminal,
wag around under an alias ?” .V

 

” You are liable to bemade ’most anything to
suit the fancy of a air of schemin villains, if
you don’t look out or yourself mig sharp,”
Nell replied “ Hold on! don’t pu l ashore
where all the crowd is, or the rlice will be
nosing into what is none of their usiness. ‘Pull
down-stream till I tell you to stgg.

The order was promptly obey , and the boat
headed down the stream. '

After ten minutes’ ride, Nell gave the order to
go ashore, and they pulled into an empty dock
and tied up. .

The long-haired man took the girlish form of
the rescued woman in his arms and s g
ashore, and Vernon assisted Nell to disem h,
following her example himself.

“ Where do you want this lady taken, young
lady?” Carson asked, pausin and gazing into
Nell’s face with a lon , searc ing scrutiny, as it
he were trying to rea her purpose.

“Well, if you want the job of carryin' her,
come along and I’ll show you,” she replied,
flushing, and turning away. “ I’m going to
take her where she will be cared for, and don’t
you forget it. So come along;- ‘

She led the we up the 1:, narrow thor-
oughfare which 1 from the river intothedense
city. Carson followed his strange conductress,
bearing the insensible lady, w ose face was
heavily veiled, and Val Vernon brought up the
rear.

In the course of fifteen minutes, they arrived
before the door, or rather opening, of a staircase
which ascended into a tumble—down, ’my-
looking tenement building, which eviden y had
been one erected a half-century before.

Up the rickety staircase the news girl led the
way to a hallway in the third story.

Here she paused, and gave a loud rep upon
the door, and a few minutes later it was 0
by a toothless, u ly—lookin old hag, whose tat-
tered dress and isheveled air served to make
her a pearance akin to frighful. ‘ ~

“ ell, what d’ye want, gal?” she demanded,
surveying the news girl sharply. “ Who’s than
tellers, an’ what‘s wantin‘l'

“ If you’ll hold your tongue a minm't, and let
us in, on’ll be apt to find outtheguick ” Nell
repli , fearlessly. “Scat! now! ‘

The old woman growled someth' unintel-
ligible about being disturbed, and row the
door ogen, admitting her visitors into—not a
dirty, lthy hovel, as Carson and Vernon land
e ted, but a richly furnished parlor of con-
si erablesize, with frescoed w and
rich plush carpetin , stufled furniture ofe
pattern and finish, uxurious sofas, a Steinway

grand (piano—in fact, many and man attract-
ive an costly adornments that not have
disgraced a palace on Filth avenue.

Carson was not sorry either, when he rewir-
ed directions to deposit his burden_ upon one of
the sagas, for her weight was beginning to tell
11 im. '
p‘c‘mWelll well!” the old bag granted, setting
her hands upon her hips, with her armsakimho.
“Now, what’s up you. Nell Niblo! Wboaire
these tw0 fine—loohm' fellow and who in the
woman {gamer with the veil face?”

“ The y is my char ," New York Kellen-
pounced. ‘ I rescued :- from. the,

 

10 Now York Nell.

 

ship, and I’m goin’ to assume charge of her for
a spell. You must; keep her here, and treat her
like a lady, and see that no one gets a glimpse
of her. Do you heart—nobody, except yourself
and I.”

“I hear,” the old woman assented, with an
odd smile. “No one ever come a-visitiu’ to
Mag Mink yet when she sed they couldn't, and
them as tried allus went away with sore
heads.”

“Yes,.you‘re a good watch-dog Mag, and
have done me many a good turn,” the news girl
said. “ These young gentlemen are Mr. Carson,
and Mr. Vernon, who kindly volunteered tohelp
me ashore with my charge. The long-haired
feller is Kitopher Carson-t’other’un is Vernon.
Come, boys, let’s take leave now. Mag, she‘ll
take hear of the lady, and you can get back to
flour hotels, carryin’ with you the thanks of

ew York Nell for our services.”

Thus dismissed, arson and Vernon bowed
themselves out, and Nell followed them to the

t.

“I’ll show you the way out of this place,”
she said, taking the lead. Heaven only
knows, there are traps enough to catch the un-
initiated.”

In ten minutes she had guided them out of the

narrow lace into one of the well-lit, principal
’ thoroug es.
' “There! you are now where you can go it
alone. Better get to our roasts, too, for late
’1an are allus s‘picion by the police. Whar’ll
I find you ter-morrer, Kito her Carson?”

“ At the Union Place Ho el, miss."

“All'right. Just you lay low there, until I
drop in to see you. S’pect I know S'imethin'
more about you than you do yourself. And,
above all, avoid familiarizin’ with strangers."

Then, turning abruptly, she hurried away in
an opposite direction. ’

She at once sought her lodgings, in a tens-
ment building in Baxter street—a Single apart-
ment in the fourth story, furnished neatly with
aragearpet, astand containing a lamp and a
few papers, 9. white counterpaned little bed,
and. a s ls chair. It was not much, but was
all she cou d aflord, after purchasiu her meals,

still, was a home to her, whic she often
sought as a welcome refuge, after the toils and
moi] of busy metropolitan days.
, Early the following morning, even before the
day was light, she was abroad, with a large
‘ t of morning papers, which she disposed
ofupon her delivery route, after which she wns
again equipped With another armful, to sell
upon the street. .
- ,Newsboys has New York Without limit, but
.noneof them stood a thont of a chance in the
business with prett Nell Niblo, who invariably
sold her papers as ast as she could hand them
on and make change.
he Bowery was her bonanza ground. Every
one knew her, and admired her, and it was no
trick for her to sell a hundred papers from sun-
rise till seven, in summer time.

The same success greeted her on lower Broad-
way, and everywhere she went, many of tho
“ muhsble” youn men purchasing in tthopes
of bei reward bya smile, which they al-

ways go if gentlomonly and respectful.

 

The policemen knew her along the whole
force, and although it lay in their power to ar-
rest her for masquerading in attire not natural
with her sex, they seldom offered her molesta-
tion, for she was ever modest, well behaved,
and just independent enough to “ to hoe her
own row,” and defend herself from insult, and
no one of an honest and honorable turn of mind
over let drop a word or hint that New York
Nell the news girl was not in every way re-
spectablo.

To-day, of which we narrate, her trade was
good, and by noon she had disposed of over two
hundred and fifty papers, on which she realized
about one dollar and fifty cents profit, so small
is the margin on the daihcs.

It was now that her thoughts reverted to her
promised call u on Carson, and she accordingly
went to a dose .d corner to sit upon a step, and
count the contents of her pockets.

The result was twenty-two dollars—all her
own, which it had cost her two whole weeks to
accumulate. Out of this had to come six dollars
for rent, leaving her sixteen dollars.

“Jest enough to rig up in style fer onc't,” she
murmured, eying the money. “An’ I‘m goin’
for new togs, if I don't never make another
cent. Et's good enough to go ragged a—sellin’

apers, but when one‘s goin’ to call on sech fel-
ers as that ar' Carson, good toga stand pro-emi-
nent. Mehbo. too, he‘s on the romantic lay, an'
I can “ mush” him. Ha! ha! fancy me a hero-
ine of a love scrapel Bet I’d get laughed at.
S’pose I orter put on gel togs, but I ain‘t goin’
to, no sireel It’s just eight years ago since
Mom Niblo put boy's togs on me an’ lent me the
front end of her gaiter.with the motherly in-
i'unction to go selliu’ news for a livln’, an’ so
’ve hung to my costume faithfully, an’ it‘s too
late now to try an’ play on sumthin’ I wasn‘t
brought up to. Bet I’d trip in skirts first shot.”

It had been a long time since she had been ex-
travagant enough to invest in new wearing ap-
parel, and she now was resolved to break the
monotony of her appearance, for once, at least.

To think, with her, was to act, and a visit to
different furnishing stores soon put her in pos-
session of what she needed.

She then repaired to her Baxter street lodg-
ingéand arrayed herself the best she knew how.

hen she again appeared upon the street, she
was a picture, compared with her former origi-
nal self.
he was attired in a suit of nobby light-brown
cloth, with neatly-polished 'shoes upon her feet,
and a ‘mmty straw hat upon her sunny, curly
head. or shirt front, ornamented with collar
and tie, boasted of a large paste diamond pin,
while rings of the same material graced her flu:
gers and she twirled a natty little walking
stick. .

As a boy she was a “masher,” whileln her

femininity of graceful figure and roguish face,

she “caught ‘em all.” judging by the admiring ,

glances she attracted. as she sauntered over into
the Bowm-v, and thence weuded her way to-
ward the Union Place Hotel.

“Oh, my! whata finger I cut!" she laughed

to herself, as she saw her shadow in the show

Windows, “ S'pos‘s half of my old acquaiuts
won’t know me, If I only could get along with,

  

.v.“

 pow; 

  

  
     

 

 

 

 

 

/

‘ New York Noll. 11

 

out sellin’ papers, I’d iust like to play sport all
the time, 501 would] at. now I must call-on
that Jack Carson and see if he hnows anything
about danger 1n under them long hairs of his’n.”

‘ CHAPTER IV.
JACK BLAKESLY HEARS OF A RIVAL.

MR. JACK CARSON had just. gone out for a
stroll, when she inquired for him at the Union
Place Hotel. Would be in a-tinio for two
o’clock luncheon, said the polite clerk, who fail-
ed to re'ognize in the nobby inquirer the rollick-
ing news girl who came regularly to tease him
to invest in a paper, which he never found time
to do because she “chaffed ” Lim. poked fun at
the few sallow hairs upon his upper lip, and ad-
vised him to go out “'est and buy a complexion.

So Nell loungcd about the waiting—room
smoked a cigarette to he fashionable. and waited
for the long-haired son of Colorado to put in an

apfearance.

Vhilo she was waiting, she heard a familiar
voice, and saw the dressy Colonel Baxter enter,
accompanied by two companions, also well at-
tired but evil-looking as any air of knavcs
one could find photographed in t e Rogues" Gal-
lcry.

The colonel spied our heroine about the same
moment she spied him, and, dismissing his com-
panions. he approached her, with a dark scowl.

“Aha! so it’s you. is it .2” he saluted, taking a.
chair near by. “I’ve been searching all over
the city for you. Where is the woman you res—
cued from the burning: boat last night?”

“ Whore she’ll keep,” was the cool reply.

“ Take care, my pert miss—for I’ve found out
that you are a girl instead of aboy, and if you
know when you’re wcll oil? you'll use more cour-
teousncss in addressing.”

“Will I. though? S’poso I do as I please-—
how are you going to help yourself?”

“I’ll show you mighty quick, mygal. I want
you to tell me what you did with- the woman
you rescued.” ~i

“Then I’ll plainly tell you it's none of your
business. I’ve put her where she will he in good
care, and out of your villainous clutches.”

“ But, you fool, that woman was fny wife.
What busines: have you to shut her up, where I
cannot find her?”

“ Your wife, eh?”

“ Of course she isl”

“What was she doing aboard the burning
boat. then?”

“Easily answered. The ship was to sail to-
day, and I took her aboard to be ready, and
was on my way to join her when I discovered
her!"

“Phewl” and Nell Niblo took oi? her hat to
give her curly head a dig. “That’s too shak
a yarn to swaller. old man—too transparen ,
What was the lady doin’ chucked away in the
hold. bound hand and foot, 1! what you say is

 

' true?"

“ She wasn’t!"

“ She was!”

“ You lie, curse you !”

“ You lie back ain, curse you i"

“ You impudent ussy, I’ll strike you, it you
contradict me."

“ No, you won’t, Baxter. Just close your

 

valve and listen. Your little game is all known
to me, or most of it, at least, and the whole
will eventually come into my possessi 11. And
while the opportunity is oiIered me, want to
tell you that if you hope to keep yourself out of
Sing Sing, the best thing for you to do is to get
right up and climb out of the city—go West. I
ain’t foolino' you, neither. The sooner you are
fifteen hun red miles from New York the less
liability there is of your being hanged. Do you
know what 1 am?" .

“An accursed idiot!” the colonel growled, not
yet determined whether the eccentric creature
was to be feared or not.

“ N 0, not an act-urged idiot,” Nell repiied,
proudly. “ God gave me the usual gifts of hu<
inanity, and I have sharpened the same up by
experience, until I am just ordinarily smart.
Professionally, heretofore, I have been a detec‘
tire and a news girl, the latter serving me in
the former capacity. Professionally, hence‘
Iorth, I am a detective. I tell you this because
I would rather battlu with an armed villain
than one unarmed. The victory is greater.
the satisfaction lioencr. Look at me. I am a
mere chit of a girl—seventeen years of age only
—and never had the advantage of a common
school education. Still. there isa heap of sense
and understanding in my curly head, and I have
eyes like a hawk. The detective business suits
mc, as I always happen around just out of si ht
hut in hearing, in time to hear important is—
closures. I was in Philadelphia a week a o, and
heard a few things which I put on fl 9, and
shall use them when the proper time arrives.”

Baxter scowled fiercely.

“You evidently know nothing against me,”
he said. “But in case you do. I’ll take good care
you don’t do any one any particular harm!”

“Ha! ha! I am glad you take itsolightly.
Open enmity is ten times easier tomnqucr-than
hang—dog sneakism. And about this rescue
business; I strolled into a down-town saloon
last night, where a lot of sailors were camusin
on the strength of a ten-dollar note which one o
Ehemwhad received. Any idea whom he got it

rom.

“Not the least.” Baxter replied, without ~-

flincbing.

" But I have. The sailor said as how he had
got it from a. black-lookin’ chap. who had
brought a lady aboard, and wanted her stowed
away in the hold and taken out to sea. on the
Lady Julia, which sailed on the marrow. He
didn’t want her harmed—only he (7 aboarddnr-
ing the out trip, and if she shou d be‘aomden-
tally let't upon some desolate island, it would
not have been a matter of much consequence,
and it would be a matter of five hundred dol-
lars deposited in the bank at the sailor’s dis-

1 on his return. I heard this much,
and waltzed down to the rescue. I saw your
anxiety and concern, and rightly knew where
to place you, after seeing you in the Quaker
City. That’s what about the lady. Irescued
her, and have stowm her 21an until I get time
to hear her-case. Then I shall find what’s the
secret between you. I‘ve a suspicion about the
matter, tucked away, and maybe it ain’t fur
out of the way. As for your Blakme scheme, .
you take care! That’s all.”

 

13 New York Nell.

 

In his rapidly rising rage, Baxter’s face assum-
ed a grayis pallor.

Here were all his plots in the knowledge of a
mere child—but a remarkably shrewd,keen child,
as he was forced to admit himself.

“Curse you. I‘ll fix you ” he said, with a ma-
licious gleam in his eyes. ‘l’ve tamed canary
birds for a living, and not lost my art yet.”

“ Yes, but you never tamed a little New York
bantam rooster—a regular little game-cook l"
Nell retorted, as he arose and stalked out of the
room, muttering haleful oaths. ,

“ Bet a clam he feels as if he’d like to shut off
my wind," the girl muttered; “Mebbe I hadn’t
orter let him know’d I knew so much, but I
couldn‘t resist the temptation. But, neverthe-
' less, I‘m goin‘ tar get the fat of the game. Won-
der just how I'm going to commence, anyhow?
The first thing is evidently to see our long-haired
Western coon.”

It was the middle of the afternoon ere Carson
put in an ap rance, and came forward to be
seated, and s ake hands.

“Sorry I kept you waiting," he said, twisting
his handsome mustache, “ but I got interested in
a little game of taro, upon Broadway, and could
not tear myself away, until I cleaned out the
bank. But now I am at your service."

“ What's become of your companion 1"

“Vernon? Oh! he’s up atPolice Headquarters
instituting inquiries for a lost sister, who elofied
with a precious rascal who was, at the time, e
music-teacher. Vernon has been Searching for
them. far and wide, with a vengeful vow to plant
the aforesaid music-teacher, when he finds him.”

“ Has his sister money?"

“Yes. She and her brother each came into

ssezsion of a large cash fortune, recently I be-

eve.

“Then, I've twigged the game, already. The

r ’ music-teacher has coaxed her OE With him sim-

ply to get hold of filthy lucre.”

‘Ahl have you seen her, thenl”

“ Mebbe-mebbe not. ‘Spect I might lay a
paw on her, possibly, if I was hit with a big in—
clination.”

“ Well, this is good news, and Vernon will pay
you well to tell nn.”
“ Perfeshio detectives ain’t a—goin’ ter shuck

ofl p’ints, even fer mom-y, sometimes, I trow.
But, laying aside that matter, I want to inquire
what businessbrought you to New York?"

“ Ohl I came East on a visit to some of my re—
lates," the Westerner confessed. “ You see, I’ve
been gone some eight years, and got kind 0’ hun-
gry to gaze upon old friends.”

“ And your name is Jack Blakeslyl"

“Well, es, though up in the West I was call-
ed Jack arson, became it was easier on the
tongue. But, how did you know?”

“ Oh! I've a peculiar faculty of gaining
mints. Was in Philadelphia, when old Uncle
Redmond Blakesly arrived there to receive and
welcome you back!”

“ What! are you crazv. girl! I have not yet
had a glimpse of the old man. Indeed, I have
been rather doubtful about seeing him. since he
lent me the toe of his boot to start me on my
own hook, over eight years ago.”

“ Hal hal that's the same story the other fel-
1.9" we"

 

“ What other fellow l”

“ Why, the returned prodigal, Jack Blakesly,
to be sure.”

“ Pshawl you speak in riddles. What do you
mean i”

“ Well, l‘ll tell you, just for us. Jack

Blakesly, of Loadville COL, arriv in Philadel-

ghia, last week, and' was met by his father.
ince that they have gone up to Hudsondalo,
the old farmer’s country seat, to spend the heat»
ed term—the old man, the young man, and the
pretty 0 ban."

The real Jack Blakesly gave vent to a whistle
of surprise. '

“ So, another Jack Blakesly has got in ahead
of me, oh?" he said, reflectively. “Well this is
romantic—and not so very strange e1ther,'for
I’m told the old gent is worth a coo half a mil-
lion. What for looking fellow is the other
Jack l"

“ Rather white-livered—like a bot-house plant
w’ot ain‘t been watered lately.”

I “ Illlgi’nphl And he calls himself Jack Blake»
3’, 8

“ On course he does."

“ But, does the old gent take him in all ri ht?"

“ Reokon so. Leastways, he took 'em own
to Hudsondale.”

“ You intimate that there is a third party?”

- “ Yes, an orphan when Jack has under his
charge until she can learn the whereabouts of a
rich rother who lives in the East."

“ Ahl then judgin I by what you say, there is
not much of a show or me. If the other feller's
Jack Blakesl , who the deuce am I?”

“ You‘re . G., in that respect. You’re left
out. If you are the bona fgale Jack Blakesly,
you ma be have something, the way of proof,
that wi l establish your identit .” '

“ I am sorry to say that haven‘t, to my
knowledge. I didn’t ex Ject I should have a
rival, or I should hardl ave taken the pains to
come East, for quarre ing is not one of my ac-
complishments. Still I opiue I shall have to in-
terwew this rival of mine."

“Bqu for you! Don‘t ive up such a little
game, when there’s a. show or winning. If you
want help and want to pay for it, I’m ready for
biz— York Nell, at your service, perfeSh-
ional de .tive, an’ of i can’t win a case I take
hold of, I don’t cha o 21 Cent.”

“ As you say, I s all not give up the little
game, 1 care nothing for what little property
may be at risk, as I am pretty well heeled, but,
I on‘t propose to let any usurper occup a

.ition that is rightfully mine. And I shall

only too glad to enlist you in my service, for
you appearto have all the qualities of a th h
detective. You can do the planning and lig t
work, and leave the fighting. it any, to me.
for the pav, you may command your own terms,
as I've got a gold-mine and a bank at my order,
Perhaps you will want some money down? If
so. here is a hundred dollars."

“ Which I will accept only to purchase such
things as will aid me in my labors for you,”
N ell said. “ Now I will leave you. to allow you
to think the thing over, and form an idea how
it is best to go to work. But, look out for one
Colonel Baxter, and a couple of villainous oom-
panions he has. He is the hacker, 1 take it, of

,W“ 

 
 
   
 
 

 

New York Nell.

     

18

 

the usurper and if he finds out who you are,
will prohabl attem t to do you harm. There-
fore it is we 1 enoug to keep on your ”

“i know this Baxter by repute,” Jack Blake-
sly replied coolly. “He comes from up in the
mines also, and this is not his maiden attempt
at vill’ainy. I’ll take care of myself, as far as
he is concerned. I once had the pleasure of
knockin him down for insulting a. girl; per—
haps I shall have occasion to repeat the oper-
ation.

 

New York Nell, after leaving the original
Jack Blakesl , resorted at once to a well-known
costumer an invested a part of her money in
wi costumes and effects to match.

fill of these she ordered sent to her lodgings,
after which she strolled in the Bowery in quest
of some one. This one she found in the person
of a dirty fyoung bootblack of some fifteen years
—-a stout allow, withp face like a prize-fighter,
and a pair of fists to match, while in his eyes
there was a bold, yet drowsy expremion, the
meaning of which one was liable to mistake.

He was seated upon a.ng in front of a

en aged in pu gawa at api ,
gmghyiwoge alternately with hiys puffs a a
gang of smaller boys who were throwing peas at

im,.which they had purlomed from a neighbor-
ing grocer’s basket.

He eyed New York Nell in surprise as she ap-
proached.

“ Hello! been a fire, Nibs? You’re fixed up

like a dandy 1”

“So I am, to be sure,” the young detective
replied gaylfy;0 “Who‘s got a better right?"

‘ Dunno at that. ’Spect you‘ve been cap-
garip‘ a banana, ain't ye! Gracious, but you’re
yl

" Yes, and you might be, if you had any am-
bition. Why don‘t you brace up and have some
style about you!"

“ How in thunder’s a teller goin’ to brace up
on a busines of ten cents a day!" the boy de-
manded, sourly. “ Hain’t got but two cash
shines toda , an’ both 0’ they was counterfeit
nichels. the rest on tick."

“ When you ketch old Niblo doin‘ biz on tick,
or gettin' ro in on bogus. you sing the Dead
March of Ba , will you? Know what I’m gomg
to do with you, Sam Quicker?” .

“ No!" the boy replied, not manifesting much

work fer me. on a salary of twenty-five ate a
day. Will you accept?
“ What‘s to do?”

“Shadow—dodge. sneak—eavesdrop—in fact,
do I More! detective business 

“Ple d‘ye s’poee I‘ll do, Nibsf"

“Of cause you'll do! I‘ll give you instruc—
tions, an' when you comb your has once with
a 5 comb, I’m sure ou'll flnd wits
enoug to keep afloat. I you don’t, I'll
stir you up wit t 0 too of my shoe.”

“ All right. I’ll do it!”

“ Then come along to my brown-stone front,
and I’ll give on your cue to work on.”

The bootblyack accordingly left his perch on
the barrel. and followed the girl detective to
has lodgings in Baxter street, where she took

interest.
“ Well, I’ll tell you; I’m goin' totakxyou to

 

him into her confidence, and posted him as to
his duties.

She was in no wise afraid to trust him, for
she had known him for years, and alwa 3 found
him trustworthy and honest, and a fe ow with
a bulldog determination.

CHAPTER V.
a'i‘ HUDSONDALE. ,

UPON the rightrhaud shore of the majestic
Hudson in going up the river, was situated the
magnificent estate of Hudsondale, of which
Uncle Blakesly was the owner. It had a front-
age along the water’s edge of about one hun-
dred rods, and from the water rolled back and
upward in a beautiful slope, to a sort of bench
or tablelnnd, whoreon was erected a fine modern
mansion, surrounded b spacious verandas,
vine-draped arbors, an in the rear a mag-
nificent garden, and carriage drives, aLd outr
buildings.

The great lawn in front was divided by a
broad flagstone walk which led tothe water's
edge, down over the numerous terraces, the lelt
division, looking toward the water, being a
dense park of gigantic maples, beneath whose
outstretching branches lurked splayin foun—
tains, croquet plateaus, swings and ar rs. to
say nothing of a prett little observatory that
towered above the big est treetops, and com-
manded a view of the Hudson for miles in either
direction, and of other beautiful homes acrcss
“with h k 1 pct! d ii

e containing t e per a o as
from the mansion, half the distang‘to thz
river—then. by a sudden freak of nature rolled
upward toward the water, teiminating in a.
great wooded cliff, which broke ofl’ perpen-
dicularly at the water’s edge. This wooded tratt
contained in all several acres, making a most
lovely and picture no feature of the grounds.

0n the opposite o the avenue there rose from
the river to the mansion terrace after terrace of
beds of flowers and plants and flowering bushes.
Not a small assortment, but every known Amer
ican variety, and many foreign shrubs, huts
and bushes remarkable for their beautif blos—
soms, perfume and foliage.

It was now the time of the year when all of
nature’s adornments were wreathed in smiles,
and the view of the grounds was most enchant-
inin beautiful.

t the foot of the lawn, a steam-and-asil yacht
of diminutive size and graceful build locked
on the water at anchor ready for use.

And it was to such a home that Uncle Red—
mond Blakesly had brought the pseudo Jack and
Mia Vernon and installed them. '

“Thar!” he said, after he had gone through
the reliminaries of introducin them to Miss
Prutfence, a prim old maid o five-ami.fiftyv
with a keen guy eye and a sour temper.“ thu-
they ar‘, Prudence—my boy Jack and his lady 1
friend, Mis Vernon. who_has come East arter
her brother. An’, d’ye mind, Prudence, they‘re
to take their ease an‘ hev what pleasure the sit-
t wation oflers ’em: an’ 1’]! bet a chaw of Navy

at Hudsondale beat: any home they ever had
before. Take care of ’em. Prudence.
he an extra servant gal up on the evenin’ beat
ter help Sally. An’ now I’m of! fer a good nap,

 

 
 

 

I 14 ' New York Nell.

grfer’ which ther old men will be as lively as 3
ea.

And so Jack and Viola were left to entertain
themselves in the great mansion, with its com-
plement of many magnificently-decorated rooms

urnished with everything that the taste of a
connoisseur could conceive.

For in Miss Prudence there was not much on-
tcrtainmcnt, us she seldom spoke except it was
to sputter, find fault and 500 d.

After making toilets in their respective
rooms, the younz people joined in the parlor
and took a stroll down into the park, where
there was relief from the heat of the day in the
cool shade. ‘

“Well, how do you like it now?” Jack. de-
manded, triumphantly. “Is this not all and
more than I boasted of—a. grand home, such as
any person might be proud of?” A

“ It is all very beautiful—too beautiful to
seem true. But, Jack, is it yours—will it be
yoin‘sl I have strange fears sometimes, after
all your assurance.”

“Bosh! You are silly. What further assur-
ance can you ask. after I have been openly as
cured a Welcome by my father?"

“ I don’t know, but—but maybe it is all right.

V It is a strange romance, anyhow, Jack. First,

‘\

 diamond-set

you were my musicteacher, and asked mew
marry you. I hesitated. not because I did not
like you, but because I deemed you a ponniless
wanderer. But one day you told me a strange
story of having a grand home here, from which
you had been alienated for many years, and
could not return because you had not money to
estublisha. recognition. You bosons/ht me to
loan you a part of my fortune to help you re-
gain your position, promising to wed and make
me our wife.

“ nzzled by your description, I was tempted,
and finally consented, and eloped with you from
my home and my poor loving brother, who even
now may be blindly searching for me. You
have brought me here, Jack, and I have found
all apparently as you hold forth. But thi‘rc is
still one thing puzzles me: What become of
thesum of three thousand dollars I have from
time to time loaned you out of my fortune?”

Jack was silent for a few moments, his fea-
tures working nervously, and his eyes gleaming
siren-row.

“ ell, Iwill tell you. Years ago I stole a.
old locket, which for ages ha'l
been an heir 03m in my father’s family, unal
puwned it for drink. I was wild in those days,
and ungovernnble. For that theft my father
kicked me from his house, and told me I never
thereafter could be his son and heir until I re
turned the locket to him. The tavern-keeper
had cleared out for parts unknown, and noth—

, ing was left for me but to era out into the world

and search for it. For eight years I spent my
earnings in puttinz detectives on the trail. But
to no purpose. N o trace of it could I find. until
one day. while yet your' music—teacher, I read a
description of a curious locket possessed by an
Indian in Colorado. I got possession of some of
your means, as you know. and set a. detective
on the truck once more. The Indian was found,
and had just sold the locket to a French trader,

_ en route forEurope.

 

“ Resolved not to give up hope, I dispatchzd
the detective to Euro e, in pursuit, and Just be-
fore we started for t in East, I received u tele-
gram that the looket had been found. I wrote
my father, and explained, and asked if I could
come home, on the strength of it. He tvlc~
§raphed on in the affirmative, and we came on.

left my31nntters in charge of my old friend,
Colonel nxtcr, and he met me in Pluladelphin
and told me that he had reccivcd a telegram
from Morgan, my detective, to the effect that
the Frenchman was in possession of the lookot,
but would not part with it, short of five thous-
and dollars.”

Miss Vernon put up her hands, with a. horri-
fied little gasp.

“ The outrageous monster. He ought to be
gibbeted. So you cannot obtain your ri htful
position? Ohi Jock! you were very cruc over
to entrnp me and my means, this way. I shall
never forgive you 1”

And she dropped into one of the rustic settees
they were about passing, and burst into a pas-
sion of tears. '

. J ack bent over her with apparent tenderness.

“Tut! tutl don’t cry, Viola.” he said. “I
have not yet despaired and while I have hope
you ought to have. erhaps when I explain
matters, father will releut, and give me the
money to redeem the accursed heirloom.”

“Oh! then let me o to him. I am sure I
could prevail on him, if any one could. I will
go at once!”

“ Stay!” J ack said, boarsely, pushing her back
into tlhe sent, his face suddenly growing death-

n s. r
y‘Pl‘lot for the world would I have you to inter-
fere with so much as a word, in this matter.
You do not know my father. His opinion of
women, viewed at a respectful distance, is
grand. But he will not listen to advice or en-
trenties from one. If you were to let fall a
word, to give him an idea, that you were inter~
ested in my welfare, he would pronounce me a
fool with a Woman tied to my apron-stringsand
my hopes of a place in his esteem would 3 lost
forever. In this respect he is unreasonable—un-
mavable." ‘

“How terrible. I took him for such a good,
genial old soul.” .

“ Because you know him only as he is when
everything goes smoothly. Even I dread to ap-
proach him with the plea. for fear he will show
me the door again as he did eight years ago.
Viola, you have the amount, have you not?—
only think of it; just five thousand to place us
the event l heirs to this grand estate, and u.
half«mill' n bank eccount.”

“Jack. run you ask this? It is all I have loft
in the world, out of the little fortuneI had a.
week ago."

“ N01 I will not ask it. I will suffer myself
to explain to father, andstand the consequences.
If I win, I am lucky. If I fail, I must go out
into the world a penniless man, and try and
earn the sum.”

“You shall notl I will yield, and you shall
send for the locket. But, stop, Jack. Listen!

If it should ever come out that you have been 

swindling‘ me, God hnvc mercy upon you, for
vengeance shnl‘. be mine, and mercy for you I

An

New Y:rk Nell:

1‘

 

shall not know. Come. lVe will go to the
mansion and you shall have the money. ”

That evening J acl; Blakesly the impostor. took
the boat for New York, with five thousand dol—
lars in his pocket, promising to return from New
York by the morning boat. . ‘ .

“ Going to meet a couple of distinguished col-
lege rofmm, you see who are about to sail
for IBuro , you see,” he explained, to satisfy
Uncle B esly’s curiosity.

And the old man patted him on the shoulder
good—naturedly, bidding him godspeed.

“Take keer o’ yerself, boy, an’ look ye don‘t
git peeled. It’s a great (place icr greenhorns to
git roped in, I tell ye. um back when you git
thr‘u’ wi’ your perfcssors; an’ in the mean time
yer old dad will spark around thcr gal, just fer
to see it sparkin’ seems as nice as it did fifty
years ago. Hal ha!”

And after the 01d servant had rowed Jack out
a-stream, to meet the down boat for New York,
the old farmer turned back toward the long
veranda in front of the mansion, where Viola
was standin , watching the departure with an
on er, wistfu , scared expression in her eyes.

‘ Sech a boy fer book-l’amin’, eddication, and
refinement is that J ack,” he said his jolly old
taco beaming with pleasure. “ At first he didn‘t
seem like as of he was my son, but, by golly. I
like him the more I see him.

“ Ohl I am so glad,” Viola said.
we both love you dearly.”

“ Ohol then you an’ Jack ar’ e. leetle thick
oh?” the old man queried, quizzingly. “’Spec
you’ll be hitchin’ up in double harness one 0’
these days, eh?”

“ Oh! no, air. We have never thought of
such a thing, even. Your son has always
seemed to me more of a brother than a—a
“Yak; b th d I ecko In

n. liner, 1‘ n’ court one
little mysel’i, when I get the time,” yUngle
Blakesly laughed, as he limped away.

Jack Blakesly, the bogus, went to New York,
arriving there in the early twilight, and found
Baxter in his room at the man Place, engaged
in getting outside of Several varieties of wine
and cigars.

The colonel was in none too pleasant a mood,
but bowed aciously, and pushed forward an
arm—chair With his foot. . . fl

“ Sit down,.” he said, lighting a Cigar. Here
are cigars and some good Wine. Help yourself.
What brings on here?”

" Money. trumped up the locket story .ac.
cording to your plans, and succeeded in getting
the last five thousand.”

“ Good. Give it to me. I know just whereto
put it to good advantage-” , .

“ So do I,” the younger man said, throwmg a
roll of bills upon the table. “There is half of
the amount. The other half I'll take the liberty
of using as a lining for my own kets.”

“ What] how do you mean? am to have all
the profits of the business the first year, for my
services.” _

“ Oh, no! You’ve got a wrong idea. I‘ve
played my part long enough for nothing, and
either I have n his’ share of the spoila,or you can
'in'l another Jack Blakesly.”

 

“I am sure

 

“ Curse you! But never mind. If we at tho
Blakesly estate it will be a fat thi or our
pockets. How does Miss Vernon feel a lit it?"

“I think she trusts implicitly in me inhope

that I will get the property and m er.”
“Hum h she’ll rave if there shoul be a. col-
lapse ow goes it with the old man?”

‘Outwardly all is serene. But, I trow, he is
watching with the eyes of a hawk, for something
to confirm his suspicion that I am not enuine.
If nothing arises to further arouse ' my
piciou, all promises to work welL But there is
one thing imperative.” -

“What is that?”

“ The other Jack Blakesly must be put out of
the way, before he has a chanceto do anyharm.
\Vere the old man to hear a word that there was
another person claiming the posmon, my chan-
ces would be knocked in the head.”

“ I am as well aware of that as you are, and
have been finishing my third bottle of wine in
endeavoring to armn a satisfactory plan for
his disposal. I think have hit upon one.‘

 uglialigglit; h be taking the

t is. y, r. as 11

girl detective into his confidence, and she, by
some means unknown to me, has gained a Lretty
correct idea of our business. 0! emu-so, s has
told him about our little games, and he willshort-
ly go up to Hudsondale to investigate. I have
arranged to antici to him. To-morrow he will
he waited on b harky, in disguise, who will
represent himse as an attache of Hudsondale,
bearing a letter to Blakesly. Sit closerto the
table, and take ink and pen, and indite what I
shall direct you on the sheet of paper} ' ‘there,
for your nerve and hand are a b sight
calmer than mine.”

Jack took the required stand.

“ Date the letter, and head it at Budsondde,”
Baxter said, “ slin_ ‘ng a broad style of chiro-
graphy. Then write as follows:

“‘MrDum Sow—Through accident! learned of
your presence in New York, and hate! to tend you
my hand. to fetch you home in my little
steamer. Do not tell to come. for there‘s: grave
matter. here at Budsondale, to be settled. Another
voung man has come to me. claiming to be my IOI.

wish to decide on one. and boot the other out.
Don't. tail to come, as i am confident you aremylon.
and the other an im stor.

“ ‘ our father,
“ ‘ REDlOND Buzunr, :
.“ ‘0! Hudsondale.‘

“That will do.” Baxter concluded. "Young
Blakesly will be the recipient of the letter,”
marrow. He can have no doubts as to It: _ -
mahty. and will accompany SharkY~ ‘- h .
steamer. I have chartered will convey them uI)
the river, after dark, an “3 .twp mo Igor,
know who—will surprisethq Ir‘ln his y
and after binding and weightm him. will throw
him into the river, so that we not have any
more trouble from him.” I .

“ A capital plan ” Jack agreed, with a ugh at
relief—“ that is; if it works."

“It will and must work. After thatlhau
another Ian, a hundred times more diabolical.
But, I Will not unfold it now. It iebest towns-k
only one trap at a time."

Jack returned to Hudsondale—that is, the
‘1’

 

 

" : 'mssther.”
 at the

, hotel, Jack took

.av
ash

16 New York Nell.

 

counterfeit Jack did. The genuine Jack re-
mained at the Union Place, and waited for New
York Nell to put in another appearance, where-
at they could hold another consultation.

Dunn the course of the day. he was ap-
proache b a seedy—looking individual, with
red hair an stubbly beard, who dofl’ed his hat
and bowed humbly:

“ Bur, the be either tellin’ me at the office,
there, tot you be the. led by the name of Carson,
sur,” he said, in an unmistakable Irish
bro 9. '

“ am Jack Carson, yes," was the long-haired
Westerner’s rep . “ Who are you?"

“Sure, mena it is Andy, sur, an’ I’m the.
hired mon, up at Hudsondale, fot does the work.
An’ the old boss, he was afther sendin’ me down
here to New Yorick, to the Union Pullus How-
tel. to ive a letther to a gintlemon by the name
of Joe Carson, an’ wait for an answer."

“ Well, give me the letter, for I am undoubt-
ed] the man you seek."

coordineg the Hibernian produced the let—
ter, which was addressed to “ Jack Carson
Blakesly.”

“ Irwander what now?" were J ack’s thoughts
as he tore open the envelope. But, when he
perused the inclosure. his countenance was the
Scene of many contending emotions.

“ See here, you Limerick," he said, imrning to
the Irishman. “ Did you get this from old Red-
mond Blakest himself?”

, “ Faith, shure an‘ I did. Who would be efther
givin’ it to me but the boss?"

“ Idon’t know. Maybe it is all right. How

' far is it to Hudsondale by water?"

“ A bit of a ways, sur—twinty or tin miles, I
seem” . . .
‘ I dare say it 185” Jack replied dryly. “ Have

you a conveyance ”

“A bit of a stameboat, sur, belonging to tha
masther, tot I can manage like a daisy.‘

“ Very walL Tell me what time you propose
to return, and I will be on hand."

“ The steamer lies at Pier No. —, Hudson
River, yer honor, and will l’ave at eight this
avenin.”

“ Why do you pull out so , late?”

“ Because have business to attend for the

“ Vegy well. Go attend to it, and look for me
me and lace.”
The Irkhman wed and took his leave, while

" Jack lit a fresh cigar and pondered,

“ How I will bounce out the usurper when I
get there! It will do me good, and secure me
or with me dad. He admires muscle as well
rains. wonder why the girl-boy don’t
come around. It must be I’ve takm a fancy to
gar, 131’ my thoughts wander to her most of the
me. « .
But Nell did not put in an appearance, and
ht drew on rapidly.
ging to have his baggage left at the
a cab, and in due time was
landed at the pier where awaited the Hudson—
dale-boat.

And was . ettiug steam , and et

found to alleles; hgis hat, respectf‘tilly. y
“Ah! the top of the avenm to yez,” he said.

“ If you’ll be afther goin’ into the cabin, below

 

deck, you’ll find a snug place, sure—an’ I’ll have
stame up an' the vissel movin’ direct, sur.”

“ Thank on. I refer to remain on deck and
catch the reeze,” ack replied, and he accord-
ingly seated himself by the lee rail, and lit a
cigar for a quiet smoke. '

Any suspicion of danger or unfair play had
quite vanished from his mind, as there were
only two persons besides himself, about the
boat, being the Irishman, who was firing up,
and a rough, black-whiskered looking fellow in
the pilot box.

In due time the steam was up, and on, and
the propellers began to vibrate, while the harsh
Jane, as the boat was named, glided out into
the harbor, looking u stream.

Jack enjoyed the eparting view of the city,
as they steamed away at a rapid rate, and set.
tled himself comfortably into his seat for a
snooze.

How long he snoozed he was not aware, for
when he awoke, startled by some strange dream,
tlfie sugroundings were enveloped in the mantle
o n g t.

The boat was still movin swiftly through
the water, 11 stream, an the icturesque
shores were on y dimly visible, as t ey drifted

y.

“ Well, young man, I see you have had your
nap,” a voice said, near by, and Jack saw a man
attired as a police officer, standing only a few
paces away.

Impressed with a sense of implending danger,
be now became thorough] awe ened, and dis-
covered, for the first that ‘5 hands were locked
in handcufls.

“Yes, I am awake and fail to understand '

why it is that my hands are in limbo," Jack re-
plied, with flashing eyes.

“ That is an easy question. I have a warrant
from Albany, for the arrest of a fellow of your
description, for horse theft,” the liceman re-
plied. “ At least that is the story should have
told you, to have secured your arrest, had I not
found you asleep. Now, all I have to say is
that you haVe been trapped by tools paid by
your enemies, and in the course of a few min-
utes, will journey of! into a new world, where
there is a law permitting immigration, but for-
biddin emigration.”

“ t! have I been tricked—duped?”

“ R0 in, as sure as you are a sinner. M
name is Fisk, and my companion’s name is
Shakry. We are, protessionally, border rufflens,
but are a little out of our sphere just now, be-
cause it pays. Aparty wanted your lease of
life to expire. an’ we tuk the job of furnishin'
the desired eflect, sine die."

“ Villain! Release my wrists. You are fool-
ing with the wrong man this time. Free me,
or I will call for assistance and have a quick
revenge on you.

“ Baht Call if you like, for only the waters
will catch your vain appeal. The river is de-
serted, the shares at this point are too wide

apart aud too sparsely settled for you ever to -

make any one hear. Come, Sharkyl”

The Irishman advanced, a triumphant grin
distorting his features.

“Sure it was the divil’s own trick I 1played
on you so nicely,” he said. “Truth, am a

cm; ‘

W‘s-1w?“ W-wxuwww ..

199-

 

~ me wxxmmapx, .4... ~  

 

New York Non. I 1"

 

little ashamed of mesilf to take an advantage
of sick 8. purthy young feller, but, sorry is the
conscience fot won’t be appeased by its weight
in grauebacks. Eh,"Fisky?” .

‘ Sart’in,” the other replied. “Money is the
root of all evil, an’ the one who captures the
root is decidedly the best teller.”

“ What do you intend doing?” J ark demand-
ed, calmly. “ You surely do not contemplate
murdering me?”

“ Oh, nol not exactly what one would call
murder. You see, the world has long been in
need of more sub—marine explorers who could
bring about a revelation in regard to the bot-
toms of oceans, lakes and rivers, and I being
rather a scientist, proposed to fill the want.
That’s all. Believing you might unreasonably
object, I caused your hands and feet to be so-
cured and your body weighted so as to keep you
down long enough to do some good. When you
have succeeded in makin§ any discoveries
worthy of mention all you‘l have to do will be
to get some mermaid to release you.”

‘ You devil! If I could get free I’d break

our skull with the first thing I could lay my

nds upon.”

“ But you see you can’t get free, so you may
as well make the best of a bad Situation. You
have just five minutes to devote to piety before
you ass in your checks, and so you mayas wen
get fiiwn to business.”

Jack did not reply.

He saw that anything he could say had no
effect upon the rumans into Whose hands he had
so easily fallen, and he resolved to give them no
satisfaction over his weakness.

Sharky’s companion took out his watch and
stood where the light from the pilot‘hcuse re-
flected u 11 its dial.

“The ve minutes is up!" he said, presently,
closing the watch and restoring it to his pocket.

“ Then, come along, an’ let’s get through with
the job. Got any li‘ker?” .

Sharky assented, and produced a. bottle, from
which the both drank deegly._ Then they ap-
proached yank Blakesly an raised him in their
arms, he powerless to help himself, and too brave
toevince any horror he may have felt at his
situation. .

“ Take him to the stern of the boat,” Sharky
said, and they did so.

Then bracing themselves. they swung the body
to and to between them, once, thce, three
times and——

“ STOP!” a sharp, stern voice cried, “ or you
are dead men I” ‘

The (lid stop, and droxéped Jack to the deck;
then aced quickly aroun ,WIth frightful oaths.

About shelf-score of feet, away, stood New
York Nell, with a pair of cocked Smith 86 Wes,-
sons in her gripe, the muzzles of which were
turned menacinglg' upon the would—be criminals
a smile of trlum u n the girl’s face.

“ You are euc e 1" she said, quietly.

CHAPTER VI.
run GAME BALKED.

Tim light from the reflector in the pilot~house
shone down upon the tableau, giving it power
and eflect.

“The devil! who are you?” Sharky gasped,

 

 

turning pale and red at the same time. “ What
d’ye mean Lt”

“ I mean that you just cheese it, where you
are, or I’ll bore a tunnel through your system
quicker than an eyester ever sli d down a
huckster’s gullet. My handle is all Niblo-
New York Nell, the g’hirl detective, fer short.”

“ Furies! how did on come here?"

“ On the boat. ake care! don’t try topull
no weapons, if you don’t want to have your
throttle forever closed. I’m just the gal to do
the biz, if you don’t obey orders. Yes, I cum up
on the boat. Overheard in little conversation
that led me to believe my perfeshional services
might not come amiss so I sly] stowed m It
away in the hold. ion, Sher y, jnathe' ind.
enough to free Mr. Jack Blakedy of thoselittlo
incumbranoes he wears.”

The ruflinn hesitated.

“ Go on I” Nell ordered sharply; “ just unsure
as you refuse, I’ll let daylight throu h on.”

Sharky saw that his beetand on y ope was
obedience, and he accordingly knelt beside Jack
and released his feet and hands so that he 
rise

“ That’s the kind,” Nell said, a rovingly. “ I
like to tee rough cusses like you ckle under
I do. Jack, while you give them each a good
kick apiece, I’ll keep ’em covered.”

“ l have a better idea. than that," Jack asun-
ed. “Make ’em jump into the river. If they-
've got grit and strength enough to swim ashone
all right. If not, let ’em sink.” ‘ r

“ But hadn’t we better take ’em down to New
York, and give them a trial for attempted mare
der?” Nell su shed. ‘-

“ No. Let t em go on the terms I have said.
The next time they cross my track I’ll shoot
them on the spot, sure 1" r

“ Then that settles it. Take a bounce, oung
men ” the little deteftive said.  high:
regu :- o—as-you~p ease 't, 133
mile andg walk overboard?an
“ fint stop! stop! I cannot swim a stroke!
I shall drowna—I cannot swim a stroke,” Slinky
protested.

“ But Icon,” his companion answered “and
since we’ve lost the game, I’m goin’ to e the
chance that’s offered, you bet. So come lions
and I’ll try and help you ashore.” _

The next minute the two men had jumped
overboard, and then struck for the eastern
shore, Sher ’s companion, Fisk floating upon ‘-
lus back, an causing Sharky to do so, slow ‘

f‘ Now, then, we'll pull for New York ” Nell
sold, accepting J ack’s proffered hand. “it was
lucky I happened to overheat the plot between
Baxter and your double, or your pie would have
been fish-chowder. You’d ’3’ been takin’ imb-

marine observations, as Sher said.” 
“ Undoubtedly so, my dear :58 Hell:
never can hope to find enough grain e with

which to y you for our unselfish hero l
were I to ‘ve a bum! years. But gratitude
failin , I have a little bank account to plane gt
your 'posal in the way of reward.” , _ ,

“ Bah! get out! Money is something I rarely
load my hands with. I foes: I wasn’t never in- ,
tended for a banker—at east, I have never been
much of a cashier. I‘ll take your ‘titude, but
not your money. Shall we go to town?”

and! '

 

l

4

! ,

18

New York Nell.

 

“Yes. I’ll postpone my visit to Hudsondale
a few hours at least. I think I’ll go up and take
alook at the situation later.”
Nell went forward and examined the engine
of the boat, and found everything in working
order. 'She then stationed Jack there, with
pro r instructions how to keep the fires a—going,
whi e she went to the pilot-box, and once more
headed the boat for New York, which was made
early in the morning.
Jack went at once to the Union Place Hotel
for breakfast, inviting New York Nell to ac-
company him, but she declined, and sought her
own home instead.
It chanced that Jack was assigned a seat at
table opposite Colonel Fleming Baxter, whose
scoan face manifested the surprise he felt at
seeing t e heir of Hudsondale alive and appa-
rently in the best of health.
' . “You are quickly returned from your visit, I

see, Mr. Carson,”t elsndlord hailed from an-
other table. “ Didn’t you find the folks at
home?” '

“ Oh, yes, and well as usual. Such a we]-
come, too would have brought tears to the eyes
01: an an orite. But a telegram in the shape of
a personal f-iend lured me again back to town
for a few days.”

In no word or way did Jack betray that any
thing had happened to him through the a ency
of Baxter’s tools. whitgl‘i1 quite nonplusei that
Barty, and he mastica his food in savage si—

nce

Assoon as the meal was over, he followed
Blakesly into the lounging—room, where the
long-haired Westerner had gone to smoke a

(:1 .

$2)Ollllxense me sir,” Baxter said, drawing a
chair near, and seating himself. “ It appears
to me that I have somewhere encountered such
a face as yours in my travels?” he said, inquir-
irigly. , " And yet I cannot recall the time and
p ace.’

“How very singular,” Jack retorted, coolly.
“ Wh , Flam Baxter, that game won't work at
all. It wasn’t six months ago that I had the
pleasure of knocking you down, up in Leadville
country, for insultin a lady on the street.
Shouldn’t be surpri if I indulged in an ex
,periment of a similar nature again soon. I feel

. I some-that way.”

i 'got a job on

"\find I am more

“What. sir? .Do you mean to intimate that
' you ever knocked me down—I, Colonel Baxter,
gentleman?”
“ Wal yes,” Jack replied, coolly. “ Ohl
unee n’t play off, colonel, for it won’t washl
Fin your enemy and you’re mine. It's as broad
as it is long, and I'll tell you right here that the
first time I catch you out where policemen are
not thicker than files, I shall give you such’a
bbing asyou nover had before. I’ve also
and. to go up and boot your pal
onto! my ri httul position as heir at Hudson-
dnle. too. m on the war—path now; so look
out for music.”

Baxter grated his teeth fiercely.

“We’ll see about that." he growled. “ You’ll
werful than you think, at pre~
dent. You hall ttcr go back West, while you
have 0 portnnity, or you will never get there,
Listen youseeinto understand my game, and

 

there is no use of denying anything. I’ll tell
you frankly that I have set about to win the lit-
tle game, and I’m going to do it, if it takes a
century of time and perseverance, and a bank
of money. Once I set about accomplishing a
El'ojecll, I never say die, until sufficient blood

as been spilled to float my boat to a safe haven
of refuge.”

“I presumo so. If I were you, I'd build a.
vault to store the hogshcads of gore in,” J ack
replied. sarcastically. “ Of course you must
know I am not afraid of you, Flem Baxtcr.
From early youth I have grown up in a country
where men of your type are re arded as harm-
less. I have dealt with more angerous devils
than two of you, and alwa 3 come out vic-
torious. It is no matter of oubt to me that
you will fail in your project of beating me out

of my right and title—I am certain of it, if sue: .

cess crowns’all your efforts in the same way it
did. last night.”

“What ‘do you mean? I am at a loss to un-
derstand you.” ,

“ What a pity! I simply referred to a little
plot that lured me on a. trip up the Hudson.
Perhaps you are entirgly ignorant concerning
the matter?”

“ In truth, I am. But. to talk business: Will
you nit the field, or not?”

“ ecidedly not," Jack replied, with great
calmness. ‘ That isn’t the kind of a clothes-pin
I am. In fact I rather enjoy a scrimmage and
propose to see this thing through until you get
a four by seven roost in Sing-Sing. That’s my
game, Flem, and you needn’t go back on me.”

“Then you shall die. Do you hear? You
shall die, or be put at least, where you cannot
interfere. If you will return “fest, kvop mum.
and leave the coast clear for us, I will keep
harm from coming to you, and give you ten
thousand dollars. Refuse, and you’ll got the

knife.”

" Very well. I’ll take the knife. Be sure
and select a good one, however. A bad knife is
more despicable than a low our of a ruflian, like
yourself," Jack said, rising to leave.

Baxter sprung to his feet, with an oath, rais-
ing his cane, threateningly.

“ Chaw your words, you accumed whelo. or
I’ll break your head, for your insolence,” he cried.

“Ha! ha! no! I never chow anything but
my victuals, colonel. Take care; hit it you
think best.”

The colonel did not think best evidently, for
he made a pass at Blakesly‘s head, that must
have felled him, had he not wardod off the blow.

The next instant the miner’s hard, knotty
fist took the colonel in the region of the mouth.
with stunning effect, and the recipient went
back to the floor with a crash that made the
floor tremble.

With a snarl of rage Baxter regained his tea,
and again rushed at his opponent, this time to
receive a blow that not only knocked him down,
but caused him to remain there in an insensiblo
condition.

While Jack sauntered coolly away into the
bar-room, adjoining, whistling.

“I say Cap, you’ll find one of your minsts
lying on the floor in the next room,” he said. in-
differently. ” He got a little too fresh—41t-

we.»

,  ‘M. :45"- dawwmwwwnww

 

wwvrem‘mwmwm

m '

 

  

  

    

New York Nell; 19

 

tempted to ’sault me, you know—and so I
pickled him. Please impress upon lJlS mind,
when you take him to his room, that I shall be
in New York until to—morrow, and that if de-
sirable to him, dueling pistols are on sale, a few
blocks below.”

Then the man from the West saunterod
away, as it nothing had happened, lcavmg the
clerk staring in open-mouthe amazement.

Baxter was carried to his room, and restored
to consciousness, and was given the message
that had been left for him.

He swore fearfully, and sent for Barker, one
of his pals, or rather, one of his tools.

He was a dark fiercelooking rufllan with a
brigandish black mustache, and a look ahout his
(yes that was not pleasant to study, it was so
suggestive of ferocity.

Baxter at 011(‘8 explained how he had been
handled by Blakesly, and was successful in mak-
inghthe narration emphatic by the use of many
on 8.

“And now the young cuss has even had the
cheek to challenge me I” he said, furiously.

“ Waal, ye hadn’t orter growl at that,”
Barker said. “It gives yeachanoe ter meet
him and git even.”

“ ll‘ooll idiot! do you suppose I want to throw
my life away? The fellow is a dead shot. Up
in the Lewdville country he has such a repute

. in that line that men fear him. No, sir, I’ll not

meet him. You must go in my place.”

It was now Barker‘s turn to swear.

“You’re cheeky,” he growled. “As if I am
a puppet to shield your carcass. I rather pre-
sume not, Mr. Baxter.”

“ Bah! you are as good a shot as he, and could
win. Even it» you didn‘t it wouldn’t matter
much. There’s few would mourn your loss, I
can tell you.”

“ As many for my side as ours. Besides I’ve
no desire to pass in my chec 3 yet.”

“ Well, then, let the whelpego. and I’ll hire
him silenced. I guess he elud Sharky and the
other ‘un. See if there’s any one listening out-
side.”

Barker obeyed, but the hallway was deserted.

“The coast is clear,” he reported. “ Go
ahead.”

“ All right. I’ll tell you how I’m going to
get the nipners on old Blakesly, so that he can’t
say his soul’s his own. There’s an old hag living
in a tenement on Baxter street, by the name of
Snicker. She used to be an old flame of mine,
when she was young, but married a worthless
cont, and is now an avaricious thing, none too
scrupulous as to how she (gets her cash, it having
been hinted that men ha been known to have
died suddenly through her agency. Now 1 think
a few dollars will hire her to do just what I

i want.”

“And what is that?”

“ I will tell you. Years ago, Redmond Blokes-
ly drove his wife from his house because be
suspected that she was unfaithful to him. From
all I can learn, he has never heard a word from
her since. Now I propose to send Suse Snicker-
to stir him up. She shall arrange for a meeting
on the bluff by the river in the evening. She
shall provoke and exasperate him. and I can
easily foresee the result. He will attempt to

 

 

strike her, and she n ill back oi! the clifl into the
Hudson, and disappear from View~until she
can get ashore unobserved. About the same
instant you and I willappcar upon the scene
you being made upas a )oliceman, and we’ll
arrest the old man for rum erl Ha! ha! what
think you of the plot?"

“ It is most diabolical, and yet promises to he
succeSSful, if you can arrange to your satisfac-
tion with the old gal,” replied Barker.

“ I’Vhich I am certain I can do. bv flattering the
old fool. You see, alter we catch Blakcsly in the
act, it will be all in my power to do as I will
with him. The rice of his life will be his
obedience to my emands. I fancy that rathcr
than go to the gallows, he will be as meek and
tame asa lamb. If however, he is refractory,
direct to the scaffold he goes and dances on
nothing. After that I and Jack can carry
things our own way.”

Barker looked grim.

“Waal, I hope ye‘ll do suthin’, purty lively,
anyhow,” he declared, “fer I’m gittin’ hungry
fer ther little scrip ye owe me, an’ Fisk and .
Sharky ar’ in about flier same fix. Bizncss is
bizness, and after yo git yer paws on Blakesly‘s
money, either you’ve got to whack up our
salary, or down noes your ten—pins.”

“0! course. You shall have your money in
full. Now, I must pay this Sue Snicker a visit,
and see what I can do with her. You hang ,
around here, and if you get a chance to hit
Jack Blakesly hard and sure, without an onc‘s
leafeinf?r you, be sure and do it, so it Wil settle

1m

Baxter soon after left the hotel. and made his
way to Baxter street, in which thoroughfare
Mrs. Susan Suicker was known to reside, in a
single room in the top story of a. dilapidated
tenement. The house was a poor-lookingaifair,
to say the least, but a fit rcprcsentitive of the
general class of tenants who made it an abiding

lace. '
1: Up the rick stairs to the fourth sto he
went, and soon ound the door of Mrs. Snic “er’s
room. and knocked. <

“ Come in, ef ye've got bizness—if ye hain't,
sta out,” a shrill voice cried.

axtor entered, and found himself in an
apartment smelling strongly of tobacco and
whisky, and notable for the scarcity of its fur-
niture, a single chair, table, bed on the floor,
and cook—stove, all of the poorest description,
comprising its outfit.

A woman was crouching in the chair. before
the stove, as if cold. She was meanly clad. her
head and the greater portion of her face bein
enveloped in a white broad—edged cape ,Whi
made her pretty effectually unrecognizable,
taking into consideration thilit her eyes were
also hidden behind green gngg 69-

She looked up with a nod, as Baxter entered,
and stamped upon the floor with her cane, as
she said:

“ Be seated. Flem Baxter, fer I see it is you!”
was her invitation. I

“ What will I sit on?" the colonel demanded,
looking in horror at the dusty floor.
chair. What am I to sit on?”

“ The floor. to be sure. If it ain‘t too
for my boy, Sam, at ain’t too good for you.”

   

“Iseeno _ i '

 

= the street.

, 30 , New York Nell.

 

“ I prefer to stand. I came to see if you are
getting along nicely, Suse?"

"No!" she said, spitefully, without looking
up “I do not get alon nicely. The world
tricks and cheats me. oney is scarce. Oh!
these ’re sorry times for the poor.”

“ But Suse, they tell me you have money in
the bank and out at interest—fifty thousand or
over "

“ They list they lie! I have not got a cent.
I am goor— nniless,” she said, fiercelfi.

“ l toogfad; I ity you. If you ad mar-
ried me, Suse, you would now be occupying a
position of afliuence. But there is a chance for
you yet. If you are willing to do a little work,
and not be scrupulous as to its nature, I have the
place, for you at a figure of one hundred dol-
nrs

“ One hundred dollars, Flem Baxter?” ‘

“ One hundred dollars, Suse—ail in good clean
money.”

“ But, stop—perhaps
wouldn’t do that, Flam
a hundred dollars.”

“This is not murder I would have you do,"
the colonel said. “ Listen, and I’ll tell you.”

The woman nodded her readiness to hear, and
the colonel accordingly told her what she would
have to do. It was, in detail, what he had told

on mean murder! I
axter—at least, not for

' toBarker, a. short time before. Sue was silent

as Baxter explained, and when he had finished,
she said:

“ find you’ll give me a hundred dollars to do
this

“Yes—more. A hundred now—fifty more
when the job is done. But, do you mind, you
must not appear where you can be recognized

n”

/ “ oh: I understand, Leavé that to me. r11
‘ do the 32b up brown for you, Flem, for the sake
y

of old s and no one will everbe the wiser for
it,” Mrs. énicker said with a chuckle, as she
gathered up the bills wh‘ch he laid in her lap.

Baxter then took his departure.

“So far, so 00d,” he muttered, as he gained

“ I'hat is settled, and another surety

of ultimate success. The next thin is to ar-
range some plan to still the origins Jack and
his ,champion, the girl detective. He must be
collapsed, but no harm must come to her until I
find where “she has stored Eva.”

To get rid of Blakesl , Jr., however, was no
small job; he realized t ‘ , and he knew he must
devise some certain plan. \

 

CHAPTER VII.
vxou reasons INQUIRIES—JACK, ran BOGUB,

nxrr.

A FEW hours later, at night, after his visit to
Mrs. Snicker, Baxter entared Chatham street,
with its rows of edifices used for every known
business purpose, perhaps, under the sun.

, Finally arrivingbat one of the dingiest struc-
tures of ‘a.dingy lock, he made his way up-
stairs to the second flight, and rapped upon the

' first door to the right, from the landing.

Above the door a lantern swung upon a brack-

' at, upon the panes of which was inseribed:

“Boa Ewes; Jackor ALL Tamas,”
which very significantly indicated that the

 

aforesaid “Slugs” was not particular as to the
nature of his business so long as the labor was
rewarded by an equivalent in cash.

The door was soon opened by a low-brewed,
villainous-looking little old man, with white
hair, mustache, and shaggy eyebrows that
Ezrtially covered the expression of a small,

ad-liko pair of eyes. He was shablnly
dressed, the only redeeming feature of his attire
consisting of a magnificent cable chain of gold
set with diamond ornaments, which he wore
across his vest.

“Ah! good—evening, Slugs! Do you know 'n
chap of my ersuasions?” Baxter asked, as he
entered an o co even dingier than the external
appearance of the house.

“It depends how rcmunerative the nature of
you visit may be," Slugs replied, dryly. “ If
there is money ahead, I recognize you as Baxter
—if not, I never saw you before.”

“ You miserable old shyster!" the colonel said,
in disgust. “ I see you grow more miserly with
age. Supposing I have no money and yet want
a job done—didn’t I serve out an apprentice-
ship under you, and can’t you afiord to tip me
a helper?"

“ No," Slugs answered, flatly, as he dropped
into a chair, and lit an old clay pipe, the stem
of which had been worn or broken off until none.
of it, to speak of, remained. “ I do business on
a cash basis now. If you want anything in in
line, pay for it. I turned you loose well enoug
educated in the ways that are dark, so that you
might make your mark in the world, and you
can beg no more of me."

“ Nor do I wish to, Slugs. I’ve got money
enough to back my craft through rough water.
What I want is to hire a trusty hand to put a
girl out of the way.” ,

“ Ah! that's good. I have reduced my price-
list to suit the times. Who is the party?"

“ A young snip of a girl who rigs u in gt‘mts
and sells papers. Calls herself New ork ell);

“ Oh! but you don’t mean her?"

“ I do, though.”

“ You’re a fool.
who does not know her by sight or hearse , and
respect her, and there’s mighty few you’ find,
who'd take a turn against her."

“ Then you refuse?”

“ Positively.”

“Then I’ll bid you good-evening and look
elsewhere. The girl must stop breathing,
surel .

There isn’t a sport in N. Y.

“ site my advice, Baxter and let her alone, '

or she‘ll turn a trump on you,” was the older
villain’s advice.

In the mean time, things at Hudsondale were
progressing after their usual tenor.

The new heir and Miss Vernon had become
fully established in the grand mansion, at their
ease, and Uncle Redmond moved about the
premises with a jolly, satisfied expression upon

is genial old phiz.

“And to think,” he would say to Miss Pru«
deuce, with a visible shaking of his portly sides,
with hearty laughter, “ that I she‘d hev ever ‘a
doubted Jack’s bein’ my own son! Why, I tell
Kg, lira, there’s the makln' 0’ a president in the

Y- ‘

 

 

. 7 use York Nell.

21

 

I“ The president of a penitentia ,” ‘ Miss
Blakesly snapped. “ Mark my work, mond,
you’re deceived. And worse than all, you’re
getting mixed up with that unknown adven-
turess, Miss Vernon.”

“Pshaw! fiddlesticks! you’re crazy, Prue.
But s'posin’ I should take a, notion ter pop ter
ther little woman, Prue—how would it suit?
She is good and kind, and would make Hudson—
dale a good mistress.”

“ When a new mistress comes let her go into
the kitchen and do the housework, then—I’ll
move!” Prudence retort/ed, sailing away in
high dud eon.

While ncle Redmond quietly laughed and
hunted u Miss Vernon in a rustic arbor over-
looking t e sunlit river.

Jack was not with her.

Indeed, since his return from New York, he
scarcely found time to more than passingly
speak with her, spending a good share of his
hours in solitary rambles about the premises, or

rides gpon the river.

It 1013' cared, she, did not betray the fact.
Indeed, she found it pleasant to entertain good—
natured, honest _Uncle Redmond, not uncon—
scious of a. growmg admiration of his sterling
qualities.

And as for the old master of Hudsondale, he
felt youthful and tascmatedun the presence of
the pretty Southern girl. seeing in her much to
admire and something to love—herself—«with
all his hearty nature.

The 11 hot of the matter was a blunt but fer-
vid 9 anation, and an earnest proposal on
Unclexlledmond 5 part, all of which Miss Ver-
non received with a sober countenance, but kind-
ling expression of pleasure in her eyes.

“To be sure,” Uncle Redmond continued,
‘.‘ mebbe it ain’t hardly fair to speak afore the
boy, but he’s young an’ orter be smart enufl
“:11 all his college eddicntion ter get ahead 0° his

“Your son cares nothing for me,
and really, I am not sorry,” Viola replied.
“ The more I see of and understand him, the
less I admire him.” . ,

“ You don’t say! Waal, mebbe that’s so.
But he’s my son, an’ somehow I’m growin’
mighty proud 0’ his. book larnin’ an’ knowledge
of e big arts.” _

“ Then, Mr. Blakesly, do you candidly beliéve
that he is your own son?”

“ Why yes—don’t you?”

“ No, I do not I”

The declaration wrought a change.

Uncle Redmond wrong to his feet and paced
about the little arbor in great surprise.

“Tell me the reason!” he finally said, resum-
ing his seat beside her. “Tell me why you do
not believe that Jack is my own son?"

“ I will first ask you why it was that your son
left- you years ago?” Miss Vernon said.

“That iseasily explained. My boy was of a
wi:d,_rollicksome disposition. and could only be
kept in the school-room at his studies, and not
at work on the tum. He longed for the roving
life of hunting and jocke ing, too, and seeng no
prospect of ever taming im, I started him for
the West. 59m eight years ago, with a hundred
dollars in his pocket, and a friendly lift with the

I believe,

 

toe of my boot. Of course we parted friends,
and my boy promised not to come back until
either he had a vast store of education, or an
equivalent in precious gold. That’s the last I
heard of him until he telegraphed me he was 1
coming home.”

“ Then there is no truth in his story to me of
his stealing a charm of you—a. golden locket—
Which he has to return to you intact ere you will
admit him as a member of your family?" Viola.
demanded with flashing eyes.

“ Waal. no—not that I know of. Tell me what
you mean?” the old man said. ,

She accordiu ly did unfold to him the whole
story the false eir had told her, as a magnet to
draw away the last of her money.

Uncle Redmond listened, with genuine incre-

duli » and amazement.  ._
“ ell! well! well!” he ejaculated when she had
finished. “ It this don’t beat my time all holler,

may I be sent down few Sing Sing, fer life.
Either you’re a plaguey big liar, gel, or else that
boy is an infernal rascalwthat’s all."

“You don't believe me then?”

“Yes. gal. It ’pears to meas how you’yebeen,
ro in by the chap wuss’n I. But never mind.
that. I’ll make that all §uare, when you con-
sent to be Mrs. Redmond lakesly.”

“ Oh! you are too kind. But——"

“ No demurs, at all. Ther old man’s tulr a.
shine ter ye, fer earnest, an’ yer little misfortune
draws you all the closer to my sympathies. Mel)-
be ye can stand the old man‘s society a few years, '
and help him fight out of this strange battle——
then there’ll be a grave down in the park on the
bluff, leavin’ a fair widder at Hudsond-ale for,
my boy, should he ever return.” '

“ 0h! Mr. Blakesly, do not talk so. I have as
yet given you no hopes that I can ever be aught
to you, and were I inclined, Ishould decline to
give you encouragement, While you are in such
a mood. I am no fortune-hunter. It I ever
mar . , it will be only when I havediecovered the
man can love. I once thought I cared for your
bogus son, but have awakened tofind out my
mistake.”

“ But, you do care for me enough to be mine,
do you not?” ' V
i “ I gelclége to give you 1:?! anslwer, yet. There
is as ee :1 in your a ' coset. Missl’rn-
dencg toldfme so. When r
stan ingo our ,Imaybeableto 've on '
a decisron. Elliss maniac said you havgel otgers’
nearer to‘you of whom you never ~—it is of
those I Wish to learn, ere I—I—bu never mind
what!” .

“She referred to my first wife,” Uncle Red-
mond said, gloomily. “I rarely ever speak of
her. because she was unworthy. I never saw
her after the first month or our manning she
having absoonded, ’tis said, with a man in ’ has
been my life-long enemy. he Sam/B Wt!
ruflian afterward Wedded my OungPl‘» SISIBI:
under an assumed name. and 3 “59d he? “’3
she was glad for the privilege to lay down and
die, and thus escape his power. The second Wo-
man I Wedded was an angel. and we lived hap-
pily until she died of a. fever, leaving two
babes, '9. boy and a girl, aged one and three
years, for me to care for. The . l was r ‘y
after stolen, and I have never to t 13 day m3 V

have a full nndEr-,  .

2S . New ' York Nell.

 

atrace of her. I laid her kidnapping at the
door of my first and unfaithful wife but not
knowing even her whereabouts, my etectives
Were never able to gain aclew. She may live
still, but I tr to hope not, as fears dark and

loomy assai me, and totally unnerve me.

hat is why I never allude to my long lost child.
As to the viper, she is said to be living, but
where I cannot learn—how, I care not to
learn.”

“ My poor friend, how much I pity you I can-
not expres=. Suffice to say, you are in no way
blamable for what wrong has been done you,
and if I ever conclude toconsider your kind pro-

osal, I shall do so fully and freely, believing

y my faithful affection I can lift a cloud from
the past tolet in light and peace of present and
future.”

“ Blew you, my child. May God ever rant

on the peace and happiness you can gran me.
It you come to me you‘ need have no fear of
trouble, for, although I failed to get a divorce
from the viper of my first chome, I have no fear
that she will ever seek to make me desperate by
coming across my path after all these years.
New I will leave you, to look after the impos-
tor!”

The false Jack was found in the parlor, loung-
ing in an 65.5 -chair, while he smoked a haml-
, . some pipe an perused the morning paper.

“ l is it you, daddy?” he said, looking up
leasantly, as
into the room, thumping his cane on the car )et
with more than usual vim. “A terrible fal in
stocks on Wall street today—bulls and bears in
a ll ht, you see. Got any money out?"

“ otared. I don‘t bull nor boar the mar-
ket, sir. But if I ever do take a hand in bounc-
ing out bears, it is about this time 0’ day. So
pick up your duds, young man, and bid yer
alieux ter Hudsoudale for good an’ all.”

“What!” the bogus Jack gasped, leaping to

his feet. “ Father—7’
“ Sto 1” the old gent roared, sternly. “ Don‘t
ou calfme father, you puppy! Get out of my

case—off of my premises at once, or I’ll lam
you over the skull with my stick. You’ve
, layed your game well, as far as it went, but it
Ididn’t go fur. Your secret is known. The cat’s
‘ Out of the bag, and unless your heels are seen
departing from this vicinity in short order, I’ll
' telegraph to New York for a pair of hand-
c Es."
“ But I don’t understand," Jack faltcred.
“ You lie!” Uncle Redmond declared, with in-
/cre_asin em basis. “You are an impostor and
a Villa, 11. ff you don’t believe it, remain here
until I tprepared, and I’ll prove it to you. If
my reafeboy Jack was here, I’d have him boot
you ’way up to Kinderhook an’ back again!”
r “Then ring the bell for the race to commence,
' for the original Jack Blakesly is here to take
» the dramatic, part assigned him,” a. merry,
laughing voice exclaimed.

And into the room came two persons, through
an open window, which looked out upon the
garden—two persons. one of whom was of fault-
lem form and costume, while the other was none
0 than the” long—haired Westerner whom

cle Redmond had just been wishing to see—
. file Blukesly, the ought“,

Uncle Redmond came sturdilyr

 

The first person it was who had spoken, and
that was New York Nell.

Uncle Redmond immediately recognized her,
and put forth his hand.

“So it’s you, is it?” he said, heartily. “Glad
ye cum, fer I’ve got a. ‘ob on my hands of boot-
ing out this chap, W 0 has been pla ‘ :2: it
strong on me in the shape of a son. ut I’ve
made up my my mind he is’possum, and he’s
a-goin’ to walk out.”

“ ’Course he’s a snide! Didn’t I tell you that,
over in Philadelph? Why, Uukfy, here is your
own son, alive and well—this eller with the
long hair.” .

The old man turned and surveyed Jack quite
calmly. .

“ So you say that animal is my boy Jack, eh?”
he observed. “Wan, I don’t know. S’pect
mebbe he mought be, and again, mebbe he
moughtn’t. The old man ain’t n-goin’ter be
tuk in so easy this time. not by a long shot.
Howsomever, young teller, if ye’ve any notion
of hitchin' up in relationship, you can’t start in
any better that to clear out this ’ere teller, who’s
been imposin’ on my ignorance and generosity,
by reoresentin‘ hisself as my boy J tick.”

“ With the greatest of pleasure.” Jack No. 2 re—
plied; and, as good as his word, he stepped

uiekly forward and seized the bogus heir by
t e nape of the neck and right leg, and bore him
out of the mansion.

Down the lawn he strode as unconcernedly as
though he were bearing no burden, and. on or-
riving at the water’s edge, he gave Jack N o. 1 a
boost that landed him out in the river, where
the water was up to his neck.

Uncle Redmond and New York Nell, joined
by Viola, watched the proceeding, greatly
amused, inasmuch as the victim was great]
frightened and bawled like a whipped schoo -
boy. Not darin to come ashore again, where
the long-haired esterner stood, the defeated
candidate swam down the stream below the
bllluff, and from there made his retreat to the
s ore.

Jack No. 2 then joined those who had been
admixing his act, and the whole party then re-
turned to the parlor of the mansion, where gen-
eral introductions and explanations were made.

“Yes, mebbe you‘re in Jack, and mebbe
again you ain’t,” Redmon said, surveying the
new candidate critically. “I’m goin ter be
lsurg, this time. Whar’d you pick him up, Nel-

ic?

“ In N. Y.," Nell replied. “ He sed his name
was Carson, but I cornered him, and found out
he was your son. instead of the t’other ‘un whom
I reckon you’ll find is the son of Colonel Baxter,
who has been settin’ him on.”

“Ohol so that (levil has been connected with
this case, eh? I did not suspect that, despite
the fact that I met him in Philadelphia. I lee
plainly where the impostor picked up his p’ints,
now. As for you. young man, what have you
to say for yourself?”

“Not a great deal, “either way,” Jack replied,
indifl'erently. “I am your proieny if it suits
your notion; if it don’t, it’s all t a same to me.
I am not particular except for relation’s sake, as
I have a snug fortune to back my career through,
this weary vale of Wars," "

ind
lel‘,

[ad

=‘<Qw‘l'

@Wl‘lfl

ww—WIV‘h-H

New. York Nell.

 

“ Well, welll you don’t seem very anxious,
that’s a fact.”

“Nor am I. If you’ve got any one in mind,
whom you think you’d like better, take your
choice. If you see anything of the Blakesly
kind about me, all correct; I’m your son.”

“Well, youn man, I’ll deliberate on it ”
Uncle Redmon said, with a dig at the ba d
spot on his head. “ Thor’s on] one thing about
ye, as puts me forcibly in min 0" my Loy Jack,
of years ago, an’ that‘s yer hair. Jack allus
was thunderin’ lazy about gettin’ his wool clip-
ped, and I’ve give him many a whaling because

e’d spend the money I gave him, for cigars, in—
stcad of hair cutting.”

“ The peculiarity still clings to nic—not be-
cause of the reason you mention, now, but be-
cause barbers were among the things we seldom
saw up at the mining-camp where I held out.
B’iled shirts were the next scarcesi‘."

The conversation ran along smoothly, and
without J ack’s making any attempt to ingrati-
ate himself.

. Toward evening New York Nell signified her
intention of returning to the city, but upon
beifig urged, Jack finally consented to remain
at udsondale, as a guest, until the marrow.

- During the fore part of the evening Viola pre-
sided at the piano, and both surprised and de-
lighted. her hearers by her skill and proficiency
in mono.

Jaclr retired early on the plea of weariness,
and Viola was not long behind him, in going to
her room.

Uncle Itedmond always was the last up, in
the mansmu, at night, as he gave the closing 0f
doors and Windows his personal supervision.

_To ui ht he was interrupted in the midst of
his war by a ring at the front door hell.

1: some surprise, he grasped his stout cane,
and went to answer the summons, just in time
to 599.8. female figure retreating through the
moonlight toward the park upon the bluif.

136 at once called to her, but received no re—
P Y-
Aggain he shouted after her, with the same re-

Then firin up with indignation be grasped
his cede, flrngily, and hobbled ofl’ ih pursuit as
fast a: lay in his power. '

 

CHAPTER VIII.
scour. ONE FOR BAXTEB.

UNCLE REDMOND, although obliged, in a meas-
ure, to use a cane for self-support, could get
over the (ground with considerable activitv,
when the case demanded, and more especially
when in pursuit of vengeance. ,

Therefore, he was not long in catching up
with the retreating woman, inasmuch as she
was not apparently in any great hurry. He
overtook her in the 1-1:, just at the  of the
blufl or clifl which rapped so precipitously off
into the stately Hudson. _ . _ _

“Stop!” he said, authoritatively, laying his
left hand firmly upon her shoulder, and raising
his cane. “ Are you deaf, that you didn’t hear
me before?” .

“ ol" the woman replied—“No, Redmond
Blakesly. I heard you, and should have
heeded, only I wanted to draw you out here,

 

where} could talk to you in private. Look!
do you know me, Redmond Blakesly?”

And upon Hudsondale’s rotund and genial
master was turned a‘ ghastly face—a wrinkled,
EPCkeredF1§3g91 the greater part of which was

idden Within a. great cap.

Only one ghm se Uncle Redmond got, then
the head was Jer ed to one side and the view
obstructed.

“No! I’ll be hanged if I know who ye are,
ner do I care, either!” he said gruflly. “ What
I want to know is, what business have you got
prowling round these premises?”

“The business of a mistress, you old fool—-
the business of a wife and mistress. Ha! ha!
don’t you know me, new? I am your own dar.
ling first love and longlis‘ bride—yes, I am
Hester Blakesly!”

Uncle Redmond leaped back as though he had
been dealt a blow—and in fact, he had.

" You lie!” he gasped, lioarsely.

“I do not lie!” the woman replied, with a
tantalizing laugh. “I am who and what I
claim—your first and only wife—and I’ve got a.
little certificate, among my effects, which will
prove it!” ‘

“You viper! you wretchl” Uncle Redmond
fairly shouted ina rage. “I know you lie—I
know you are not the iaithless one who deserted
me years ago, You haveabout you no trace of
resemblance to her. ”

“ But I have her spirit and her tongue. If you
remember, she was gifted with a superfluity of
both. What other rsonal beauties I possessed
so many years ago, igh living and dissipation
have consumed. Time works miracles, you
know, mend."

“ Yes; and I'll work miracles with you if you
do not leave my premises." .

“ Oh. no you won‘t, my beloved husband. I "
am legally and lawfully your wife, and I’ve just
as much right here as you, and confidently ex-
pect and intend to maintain it." r ‘

“ By thunder, no! Blast my old eyes if ya do
that!" the old man said, in a determmed we .'
“You disgraced me years ago, old devil;
you shall not add further to t same blow.
Either you’ll go away from here willinng
promising never to trouble me again, or I
give you such a drubbing as you never got be-
fore!"

“ Drub as much as you please, Redmond, for
I can stand it. I’ve been beaten until I‘m with-
out a particle of feeling. And, as for leaving.
I certainly shall not. I came here .tohke u
my poswion as mistress of your household an
youraifaiis. and shall soon blossom forth into
afull~blowu leader in fashionable socie . Then
I’ll make your bank account look wen I saw
mise. Ha! ha! aren’t you glad of my advent,
dear husband? Of course you are Any one
can sac that in the placidity of your counte-
mince. Ha! ha! ha!”

“ Curse you, woman! curse you! I was given
to cursing you years ago—I am not backward
in doing it now, and you have earned it all.”

“ Obi yes; I don‘t deny anything. Ialways
own up to the truth. I gave you cause to curse
me, years ago, and I’have come back to give
you another racket now. If possible, I intend to
make your life more wretched than it war was

 

 

 

24 New York Nell.

 

/
before. Come, I’ll give you my arm, and let’s
go to the house."

“ Never! I‘d sooner touch a rattlesnake. Go
away I tellye—leave my premises. or I swear
you shall have cause to re nt it. G0. at once I”

“Bahl‘1talk tothe Win . I am going to the

ion.

“Devil, go at your rill”

The woman laugh scornfully, and took two
or three steps toward the house.

With a gasp of anger, Uncle Redmond flew at

' her and aimed a blow at her head with his
heavy cane.

The blow missed the mark a half-toot, because
she darted back, with an agile spring. ‘

It was a fatal move, for, standing just at the
edge of the cliff as she had been, while speaking,
she now went backward into the yawning space
-—down, down, through mid-air, into the deep.
.dark river, in a spot where the shadows lay

dark] .

“ gvy God! what have I done!" Uncle Red-
mon exclaimed, rushing to the edge of the cliff
with a horrified expressmn of countenance. “ I
have been the means of sending her to a watery
gravel”

' It seemedeven so, for, although hereered from
the clifl down upon the water, he di' not behold
the old woman come to the top. She had sunk
in the bottom, to rise no moral

With a groan, Uncle Redmond at last arose to
his feet, and turned toward the mansion. But
he paused with a startl

If he was horrified at the fate of the woman,
he was startled to see Colonel Baxter and anoth-
er mau standin but a few yards away—the col-
onel with fold arms, and a triumphant smile
about his sensual lips.

His com anion was attired in the uniform of
the New ork police.

» A bar of bright moonlight penetrated down
through the overhanging tree-tops and lit the
bluff where the trio stood facing each other.

“ Weill welll well!” Baxter said, sarcastically
' using Uncle Redmond‘s own favorite expression
of astonishment. “ This is a strange position to
find you in, old friend. Had I not seen it with
my own eyes. I should never have believed you
guil of such a crime. Too bad—too bad for
you,w ncle Blakest 1”

“ hat—what do you mean?" the old man
gasped, whitening. ‘Surely you do not accuse
me of—of—"

“Knocking that poor woman over and push-
ing her into the river—exactiyl” Baxter re—
plied. “ Surely you do not deny it?"

“ I do den it, I struck at her, I’ll admit.
but did not hit her. She dodged me and backed
off over the cliff.”

“ Ahl es—but that's too thin. It won‘t
stand pic ing. We arrived just in time to see

on strike the woman, and hear the whack.
ldn’t we, officer?"

“ Yes we did that,” the policeman replied.
“ There ore Redmond Blakesly. you Stand be-
fore us. and, your God, a man upon 'whose soul
is written the stain of murder, and it is our duty
to arrest you for the crime i” said Baxter.

“ Your duty! What d’ye mean? You’re not
the law!” Uncle Redmond cried.

9‘  We are both. servants thereof," Baxter

 

said. “I am a detective, and in com anion
here is an officer of the New York olice orce.
We came here on a different mission from this.
The old woman you just murdered was under
our eye, suspected of burglary, and we took the
pains to follow her up cm into the country,
hoping toget a 01er on which to arrest and in-
carcerate her. Instead we have been so un-
lnck asto be in at the death.”

“ (god help me!” Uncle Rcdmond gasped. “ I
am not guilty—no, I am not nilty. I struck
at the woman, but, failed to iit hcr. Believe
me, gentlemen, this is true. You saw the act.
ye say—p’raps ye overheard the conversation,
an’ know to what a test I was put. Spare
me then, from arrest and disgrace, in my old
age. Et ain’t long the old man will live, so let
me go unmolested I beg.”

“ Hal ha! this is my reven , Redmond
Blakeslyl" the colonel retorted. ‘ It is trium h
to hear you beg of me! Awhile ago you held 1: e
trump—now I have it in my grasp. But, I fear
it is utterly useless for you to ask quarter of me,
as murder is a crime that should never escape
gallows justice. Still, I will consider. Perhaps
we can make some terms. If you will invite us
to your mansion and offer us its hospitalities,
for a few da 5, I will think the matter over,
and see what can do for you." _

Uncle Redmond bowed his head upon his arm,
as it leaned against the tree near which he stood,
and was silent for several moments.

He saw what was the destined result, as be
reflected. .

On the one hand was arrest, a prison cell, and
eventually, the gallows—on the other. Baxter
held his own sway, and would insist upon what-
soever tyranny he might deem best; the first
act of which would be the restoration of the
false heir to the position he had been so sum-
marily dismissed from.

There was then but two choices—the one gall,
the other wormwood.

Uncle Redmond, fully aware that he was in
one sense no longer his own master, resolved to
acquiesce and await his chance, trusting in God
to clear him of the coil that was winding about
him.

“Comel” he said, finally, “you shall be my
guest. How about the officer? For him to be
seen here will excite suspicion."

“True. Montford you may return totown.
When I need you I will send for you,” Baxter
ordered.

The policeman bowed and strode away
through the park; then Uncle Redmond led the
way to the mansion, and showed Baxter to a
comfortable apartment.

“ Don’t worry about your fate,” the polished
villain said, with a smirk, as the victim of his
machinations was about to leave. “I am not
naturally so bad a fellow to get along with as
some would liketo make me out. f you ac.
cept my terms, all will be_well. and no one will
ever be the wiser for the little occurrence of to-
night.”

Uncle Redmond bowed himself out, with a
troubled face, and when once looked within his
room, he pillowed his head in his hands and

wept.
“ God help me," he muttered. “ I am in the

 

v

New York Ifiell. 35 _

 

power of the devil now, and have no chance to
rebel. I am a slave to my life-long enemy, and
he will show me no mercy—no mercy!”

Baxter and his tool had not been the only
ones upon the scene at the bluff that night. The
frowning old park contained many fantastically
shaped shadows, and among them another wo-
man stood. . '

She never stirred from the posxtion she occu-
pied from the time she entered the park, a few
minutes in advance of Uncle Redmond and the
ill-fated Hester, until she left the park again, a
short time after the villain, Baxter, and his prey
had de rted for the mansion.

She ad seen everyfliinv—overheard eve -
thing that had transpired: all without visible
affection, and soon after Uncle Redmond left
for the mansion, she made her way from the
grounds and along,r the river road to the first
railway station, a distance of some three miles.

She was attired in a. long linen duster and
fashionable bonnet, but her face was closely
screened from View by a. heavy vail.

On arriving at the station she
train bound for New York, an
steamed away toward the metropolis.

A few hours afterward she was installed in a
pretty room at the St. George Hotel, and with

11, ink and paper'bofore her on the table,
gilded herself in Writing. .

For hours she plied a rapid on, and then fin-
ished with a sigh, just as t e t beams of day-
light streaked into her room. A short nap she
then took in un easy-chair, after which she or-
dered and partook of her breakfast in her room.
With her at and vail removed, she proved to
be an elderly woman.

Upon her face, which had once been hand-
some, were gruvo lines and furrows that trouble
had wrought, and in her eyes a sorrowful, tear—
ful expression that seemed to define untold an—
guish. Her hair was as white,too,us driven snow.

After breakfast she donned her hat, veil and
wrappings, and betook herself to the street.
There, signahng a cab, she entered, and gave the
directions.

Later she was deposited in Baxter treet, and
found herself knocking at the door of Nell
Niblo’s room, in the old tenement. Our heroine
answered the summons in person, and invited
the stranger to enter, while rubbing,r her eyes,
for she had evidently just awakened from a late
slumber.

“You are Nelly Niblo, the news girl, are you
not?" the veiled woman said, as she took a seat.

“ ’Spect that used to be me~but since then
I’ve shifted around so that I now stand in as New
York Nell. the detective.”

“ Oh!" the woman said with a little laugh.

“ Well, it is all the same. Do you know Bed-
mond Blekesly, of Hudsondnle?”

“ Reckon I do. What of him?”

“ I have a letter here I would like you to take
whim. Also, I want you to take along with

on the young woman you rescued from the
burning boat. “When you arrive at the mansion
contrive to have your interview take place in
the presence of all that are about the premises.
You are then to open this letter and read it
aloud. It will fully explain itself, and every-
thing necessary.”

t aboard a.
later was

r?“

 

“ And you want me to do all this?"

H I do. ’1

“ But I can’t.”

“ Why not?”

“Because I can’t allow myself to fall into
none of your traps—oh! no. You’d like me to
bring the young lady from her hiding-place,
wouldn’t you,so that Baxter could gobble her up?"

“ You mistake. I have no suc desh‘e or in-
tention. I already know where Eva—the irl
you rescued is concealed, and could have d
her spirited away a dozen diiferent times, had
it been my wish. I assure you I mean her only
what is g .” ' .

“ How can you? What proof have I that there
is not some game afoot?”

“ W'heg I syggr tgtyzzi the): I am the girl’s
own mot er I no 0 ttosa on?"
the woman a’sked. “3 my y

“ I suppose so. But, you see, Eva told methat
she did not have a. mother! How’s that?”

“ Easy enough to explain. She has never
known me as a mother, but as an aunt. The
secret of this both she and on shall know when
the letter is perused at Hu sondnle.”

“Then give me the letter and I will do as you
say. What’s the salary?”

‘I will give you twenty dollars. That will
pay your two fares to Hudsondale, and leave
you considerable for your trouble.”

b_“ 5811 right. When’s the starting time for the
II!

“ Tomorrow morning will do. Nol—better
say Friday, when I come to think of it. To-
day is Wednesday. Friday will be best.”

A The woman then placed a twenty-dollar note
in Nell’s hands, and took her departure.

v

She Went from Baxter street to the nearest 

district telegraph station, and paid for and
caused to be sent the folowing telegram to
Redmond Blakesly:

"Do not be frightened by threats. Hold your ._
Austin." «

own. Help will come when needed.

This telegram was handed to Uncle Redmond
that day, about noon, as he sat beside one of
the fountains in the park.

He read it in great surprise, then dismissed
the mmenger.

“ Who could have sent that?” he wonderineg
murmured.
present, who foresees hope for me. God be
praised then. if hope there is, for I have pur-
posel avoided meeting that devil, Baxter
draugn' g the consequences. This manage is at
least comforting.” ' ’
And it was. 7
He cheered up wonderfully from its influence
D

 

—so much that he wasso thathemlur- —
prised at himself.
He returned to the mansion and found Bax-

ter lounging in the rlor. .
Jack and Miss emon were seated.“ the
Elastic table on the vemndf, of oh the
udson, engaged in u soon game egg, in
which both a red to be deeply
So Uncle
passed into the parlor, where r was seated.
“ Ah! it’s you, is it?" the colonel said, looking
up from his paper. “ Where
hiding all the mornmg?"

“Some one else must have been .

mond did not interrupt than. but .’

ix,

have you been -

 

 

' man has half a notion to resist.

as

New York Nell.

 

“ I have not been hiding, sir," was Uncle
Redmond’s replgr. “ I have nothing to hide for.”

“ Bah! you ide because you fear me—be—
cause you dread the vengeance you have a right
to ex t from me.” '

“ o: I do not even fear you," was the reply,
again. in a collected way.

“ What! do not fear me, whose power it is to
send Nyou to the scafl’old, or to liberate you?”

“ o: I do not fear you. Nor do I believe

. you have power to send me to the scaflold. In

fact, Baxter, I surmise that ye‘d better not be
too fast. Mebbe you’ve got the whip row just
now, in your own opinion, but that‘s no tellin’
but what the old man may get in a few, yet.
Road that.

He handed the colonel the strange telegram he
had received, and the polished villain read it
over a faint scowl wrinkling his forehead.

“ Well, what does that signify?” he carelessly
asked, as he returned it. “ I see nothing in it."

“I seeho —1ibert ~escape from our vil—
lainous clutc es,” Unc e Redmond sai , forcing
an appearance of considerable confidence.
“ Look out, I’m going to struggle, man.”

“. Bah! again. You are going to do as I say.
Come around in about an hour and we will talk
on business."

“I am in no hurry, yet; any time within a

' week will do.”

“ Hagdly!” Baxter hissed, leaping to his feet,
after his victim had gone. “ Thlngs look squally
——there is need for more work I"

CHAPTER IX.
JACK THE BOGUS WEAKENS—A GERMAN RE—
, - CRUIT.

Hm foresaw that there was trouble brewing.

.The telegram itsclt suggested strongly that
there was some one else who knew something
about the dark business at the bluflf. Who could
it be?

“I’ll we or my head it’s the snip of a girl

 

detective, ew York Nell,” the colonel growled,
dark! . “She’s sticking her nose into every

one's usiness. lately, curse her, and it is vitally
necessary that she co more quiet. Perhaps
she may have seen old ghee SJiCkel‘ creep from
the water, or ma possess some other cqually
important proof at Would disarm me of in

power over Blakesly. This must not be. t
must be nipped in the bud. Already the old
V Should he get
further encouragement, ogen defiance to my
wishes would fol ow. It t erefore remains for

_ motosee that this boy-girl is summarily dis-

of. As for the fellow, who claims to be
the real Jack Blakosly, if he, too, were to dro
out of existence, it would augur well for us.
must bunt up my Jack, and set him at this long-
haired pilgrim, while I look after the girl. I
will first see Blakesly, and we Will come to
terms—easy terms, for the present. The screw—

T press”can be instituted when it becomes neces-

He found Uncle Redmond in the garden, a
half-hour later. superintending the Work there.
At a hockon, the oldman followed his persecutor
to a neighboring arbor, and the two men took
so V facing each other.

“ ,came to talk on business,” the colonel an—

 

nounced, briefly. “I am going down to New
York to-day, and shall probably return late,
tonight. I want to know if I am to bring the
ocfllerback with me or not; shall I understand
that on defy my power, or submit to it?”

“YYe can understand just as ye please. I‘d
advise ye to go slow, an’ not attempt to exercise
your ower, as ye call it.”

“ hen, listen. I shall send my claim itback
here, and you must install him as your air, in
place of the long-haired pupp , and both he and

shall have the privileges 0 your possessions.
If this is agreea le, for the present I will not
bring the policeman with me, on my return.
Otherwise, I shall, and to-morrow‘s sunset shall
find (you luxuriating in the N. Y, Tombs, for
mur ering your own wife. I will step over to
the stable and order your carriage to take
me to the de 01:; you can ruminate until my re-
turn when shal expect an answer.”

“lilold on. You can have it now. Send on
your man, and you shall have your wishes—un-
til I get some ground for the defensive. Then,
I shall turn the tables.”

“ Oh! I’ll run all risk of that. Be kind enough
to advise the long-haired pilgrim that his pres-
ence is no lon or desirable here.”

“ I’ll do not ing of the kind. He is m son——
of that I am fully satisfied—and he she I have
all the hospitalities my house aifords."

“ Oh! very well; I am not particular, only I
thouglht it would be to your advantage, and his
healt to get him out of the way.”

The colonel strode away toward the stables
then, with a mocking laugh. A few minutes
later he was driven away in Uncle Redmond’s
grand barouche toward the railway station.

On arriving there, he made inquiries and
learned that his coadjutor was at the village
tavern, and on search found him there, halt
drunk on the poison they sold over the bar.

Arousiug him, the colonel led the way to a.
room, and gave him a chair.

“Sit down, you fool!” he said, sharply. “I
am ashamed of you 1”

“ What do I care?” Jack retorted, with a
scowl. “ Can’t a feller have a little fun?"

“ I’ll give you fun, you drunken idiot. What
did you leave Hudsondale for when that long«
haired devil came?”

“Couldn’t help it, daddy. The long-haired.
fellow throwed me out 1” Jack replied, the pic-
ture of innocence.

’ “ Throwed you out?”

“ Yes—picked me up, and throwed me out in-
to the river.”

“ Oh! you baby! you ninnyi you sickly 10011”
the colonel raved.

“Yes. I know I am, daddy; but really I
couldn’t help it. I got it all from you.”

“Take care, boy!”
An’ that Western

“ No, I won‘t. It’s true.
feller is awful strong.”

“ I could handle him ees~
I've slain better warriors than he wit
finger."

“In your mind. It won‘t wash, dad. Didn’t
I see you laid out stiff by this some coon?
Can’t come it ovor me. We are both cowards,
and there’s no use denying it.”

enough.
:my little

;

The elder villain fairly overflowod V with rage.

r

 

i 5

<.n..,<

 

i
.
4

 

 

 

:; ,exwmvf——~v~ ‘M «w —v/- ‘ r“

 

,Now York flail. 1 ‘ L 

 

“I’ll kill you if you don’t hold your infernal
ton us!” he swore. “ You’ve got to go back to
En ndale.” '

f‘ What! where the Westerner is?"

“Exactly sir.”

“No, 1’11 he hanged if I will. Idon’t want
my head cracked.” ’ ‘

“ No danger of that happemn . Besides. I
will pay you enough so you can a 0rd to take a

D .

fl .
qg‘izhagnks. Money is no temptation. But I

‘ will 0 on one consideration.”

“ ame it, then.”

“ It is simple. A basket‘of champagne.”

“ You will go for that?”

“ I Will.”

“ Then I’ll send it up direct from the city.
There is something else I want you to do, how,
ever.”

“ What?”

“I’ll tell you. The Westerner and a 'rl in
New York, named New York Nell, must e at
out of the way are we can hold a show at ud—
sondale.”

u  so?” _ I

“Because the man is dangerous, and the girl
because she is sharp and Crafty. I will attend
to her case, while you look after your rival.”

“ But, how? I don't like to tackle him openly.
He might lay me out, you see.”

“ Don’t do it openly. There are a score of
ways of doing for him. Take him when he is
asleep, for instance, or slip a knife into his ribs,
or drug him.”

J ack looked dubious.

“ l’ll try,” he said, “ but most likely I’ll be the
one who’ll get switched off the track and take a
term ticket in Sing Sing.”

C_olonel Baxter left—Forglew York by the next

train. -

Immediately upon settin foot in the metro-
polis, be made his way to t e' Bowery, and into
one of the dives, for which it is famous.

The dive was a salgofn in the bfiement of a
buildin that was use or mercan i e purposes.
The sagion was well filled with a delegation of
cit ,roughs.

‘ing into the room beyond the saloon, to
which a narrow hallway led from the 0Ltside,
Baxter found himself in the theater. .or concert-
room—quite a. spacious, but low-celled apart-
ment, furnished with several hundred seats, and
a. stage at the opposite side, for performances.

There was no performance, now, however,
and the auditorium ‘was deserted. . Without
noticing this fact, however,‘Baxter descended a.
side aisle, and entered through a narrow door
upon the stage. and made his way to the further
side of the platform where he encountered a.
man engaged in mixing a. bucket of paint _for
the purpose of daubing over a. stretch of neigh-

' boring canvas, into a. fairy scene. He was a

villainous looking old German, with long stringy
black hair, little peering eyes, and urged hooked—
nose, While in girth he was of great dimensions.

He looked up with a nod of recognition, as
the. colonel approached, his eyes emitting a,

, peculiar sparkle.

“ Wie gems!” he saluted. “ How yen v35 so
long since, mynheer Baxter?” ’

 

“Good. How’s yourself, Fritz?”

“ Bad—yer bad! Dot establishments day was
make me vor yust so mooch like von dog, unt
den dey don’d vas it me some monish.”

“ Oh! that’s it? ell, Fritz, I‘ve come to the
conclusion that nothing pays so well as anti—
scruEles and cash jobs, you say.” '

“ b? How vas dot. Aunty’s sgrubles unt
cash 'obs you say?” ,

‘ mtly. It’s all bosh this living honest all
one’s life, and poorer than a church mouse.
Now, listen! I have a cash job for you, with
the mug waiting for you, as soon as the job is
com le .” ’

“ awI dot vas goot. But, what was de shob
you want me to do, and how much you gifl" me?”

“ I want you to put a. check on the breath of
a girlwth‘at is to say—I want you to'kill her.
The pay for you will be one hundred do .”

“ For true—so much ash all dose?”

“Just as I tell you. When I am convinced
that you have forever hushed the girl, ash-sight
hundred will I give you.” ’ , ‘

“Den I yes your man. How shall I fix de
mutter?” V

“ To suit yourself, so that you-make sure, and
don’t mention names in connection." "

“ All right. Gill? mo der description unt I
leave der stage, und do do shob fer der hundred
dollars.” _

V“ The girl I want fixed calls herself New York
Nell. She dresses in boy’s clothes, and does
detective biz. Used to peddle papers on the
street by the way.”

“Y’awl yaw! I dink ashnhow I knows her.
I will settle her account burt‘y soon, not! come
for my hundred dollars. Vere vill I find you,
Mister Baxter?”

“At the Union Place, any time to—day-i—or at
Hudsondale, up on the Hudson, after today}

“ Ferry well. I vill hunt for you, not if I
don’d vas find you, I vill advertise for you.”

Baxter then took his departure.

“That settles the girl into a snug reposiug—
place in her native soil,” he muttered.-' .“ Fritz
wflldoashea audit behoovesmetohang
around, ml in fill my part." “

Fritz had served an apprenticeship at the
business before this, and knew pretty nearly how
to rro to Work. ‘

fie immediately quitted the dive and went to
a tenement-house in a narrow street not for
from the BOWery. Seekin a room upon the
second ‘floor, Where dirt, on webs and mercity ‘-
of furniture were chief characteristics he called ‘
to a little boy who was laying in  hallway.

" Mme goot_leed1e vel ow, you vaskfio‘Jamey
Murphy?" he in uired, slippint a nickel mm the
child‘s hand. ‘%m yust you £0 17811me dot
an old Dutchman vents to see him.” . ‘ I

The boy skun'ied away in delight.’ W

Fritz, after the urchin’s dopamine, threw him—
self upon the dirty cotbed’in one comer of the
apartment, and looked Sick. Perhaps few
artists in expression could look as woeisegoue
and miserable as the Dutchman'an he chose.
It was a trick, this one he npw contemplated.
which he had succemfully worked many times
before, and which had brought him inconsider-
able ill-gotten cash. 4 - 

Jamey Murphy soon put in an appeal'ancc_a

  
   
          
   
   
    
   
  
   
    
  
 
 
 
   
   
   
  
 
 
    
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
  
  
      
    
        
       
     
     
           
     

 

   

‘ e’omedings for a

23 ‘ New York Nell.

.

 

strap ing, rod-headed Irish youth, with abull—
dog ace, and a physique that denoted great
stren th.

“ D d yez Bind for me, Fritz l” he asked, eying
the German critically. ,

“Dot ish so,” the Teuton replied. “ I vas
sick, Jamey. I was goin’ to cross ofer der
rivers mit der angels. I vants you to do some-
ding mit me."

“ hat would yez have, Fritz? Faith it’s
many a sly lager ye’ve smuggled to me, an’ if I
can do yez a turn, here’s my will.”

“Dot ish right. I vas ferry sick, poy, unt I
vents to dell some dings mit a detective. You
know der gal New York Nell?”

“ I‘ve seen her, sur."

“ An' do ye subbose ash how you can find her?”

“ S’pect mebbe.”

“Then, oi! you vill pe so kindness, yust send

» dat gal to me. Tell her dot a dyin’ Dutchmans

vant tosee her a out some br0pertie 2”

“Faith, an’ it s mesilf will be doin’ the same,
an‘ after ye’r’ dead, Dutchy, I’ll be applyin’ for
your job at the dive,” was the comforting amur-
ance of Jamey, as he marched away out of the

room.
After he was gone, Fritz found himself well
enough to sit up and smoke his pipe.
But he was back on the cot again in a twink-
ling, groanin mournfully, when he heard foot-
approac ing the door.
moment later New York Nell entered the
room. closing the door behind her.
“ Areayou the person who wanted to see me?”
she ask approaching the bed.
“ Yaw,I vas der barty,” the German answered.
“ I ish dying, not I vant to hire you to do some—
dinks for me. Vil you?"
“ Well, that deggnds. my German friend, what
your Wants may ,” Nell re lied, taking a seat,
and lighting a cigarette. “ on don’t look very

' funeralistic.”

“ Vet isclot?” Fritz inquired, doubtfully “ Vot
yes funeralistic’l”

“I meant to say that you do not look very
much like a corpse.”

“But you vas misdaken. I vas purdy near
deadt, honest. I half a cancer in my stumache,
und der doctor dell me of! I was got. some dings
to make straight mit deir crookedness..better I
vas tend to ’em. So I send to ask if you vill do
r deadt man's, who don’d vas
got some friends in der worldt?"

“ I shouldn’t wonder. Spill out what you
want to so , and I’ll tell you afterwards.”

“ You is von detectives, leedle girl?”

U B! I am.”

“Und you ish ohnest mit der helpless Dutch-
mans?”

“Bet yer boots I never was dishonest yet,

‘ when I know’d it." ,r

“Dot is goot. Dot makes me like you most
like der fraulein I left over in Germany. I
dellsdyou vat I vents. I hafl' no friends in der
worl yet I had some moneys vet I earned
some days since I coome to America. There pe
several t’ousand dollars of dis moneys, and I
pury him mit a tin box, mit der ground, 00p

der Hudson River. But, now, as I vas

, along _
[0111 to die, I vanes you to get dish moneys for

me, and I giflyou some ofit.”

 

“Well, now, that hits me, uncle. Give us

your directions, and I’m off like a Fourth of .

uly firecracker.”

“You vil pe honest, and pring pack all der
moneys to me, first?”

“ On course I will. Hope I may be shot if I
play shenanigan.”

“ All right. I tells you, den. You know up
along der Hudson dot place vot dey vas call
Schneider’s Inlet?"

“ Bet I do.”

“ Vel, you hire von leetdle tug-boat, an’ ride
up to der mouth of! der inlet, an get out on der
furder point. Look sharper, und you find a ig
flat stone mit some ashes on top where von re
half peen puilt. You get you some stick, and
gry up der stone, und in von leedle hole you

nd a tin box, vot gondains der money. See?”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Vol, dot ish goodt. You den come pring
pack der box to me, unt I gift you eta—swi—
five hundred dollars.”

“Well, that ain’t bad. But suppose you’ve
passed in your checks when I get hack?’

f firitz caused his countenance to elongate, dole-
‘u y.

“ Vol, if I ish dead, den you keeps der whole,
unt gilf me a pig funeral, vid a lager beer supper
afterwards.”

“Correct. I’ll do that, my old boy. When
had I best go for the cash?"

" If you vas not one cowards, it vould be pet
tor for you to wait til purdy near dark, so dot
nopodys would see you dig up der box und
sdcal him from on.”

“All right. f the water is not too rou h, I’ll
row up in a skifll" Nell said, asehe turn to go.

 

Schneider’s Inlet was merel the mouth of a
small creek that flowed into he Hudson, some
ten or twelve miles up that beautiful stream.

Shadows were gathering thick that evening
when a man appeared at the western int 0
land that was bounded by the waters oft e creek
and river, on two sides.

He peered anxiously down the river, as if
awaiting some one’s coming, then sneaked steal-
thin back into the cover of the timber, carry-
ing in his hand a small rifle.

The man, of course, was the villainous Dutch-
man, Fritz, lying in wait for the victim of his
cunning but murderous scheme.

“It vas time she corned,“ he growled, a fiery
litter in his eyes. “ 1 ya like her stay avay so
ong, vor my courage lsh already up, und my

hands pimepy get unsteddy mit der ichin’ for
dot hundred dollars vot Baxter promised me.”

He passed the big stone that had some time
served as a fireplace for a cam in autumn-y,
and ensconced himself in the us es yond,
out of sight.

An hour passed, and the murderous schemer
still crouched silent and motionless in his posi-
tion among the bushes.

A moon came up. shot long bars of moonlight 1

down into the woodland.

Shaw and penetrating, the German‘s gazei '
peered straight before him, marking every ob-‘

jeet closely as far as he could see. V
Presently the sound of a'footfall came to his
sharp hearing.

    

:



      
      

 

 

 

 

x

New York Nell.

2e

 

In an instant he was doubly on the alert, with

‘ his rifle cocked and ready for use. And not too

' soon for his villainous purpose. .

' The moment following he canght‘mght of a
female figure away among the trees, standing
silent and motionless, as if in an attitude of lis—
tening. . The face was turned from him, looking
toward the river. .

Raising his rifle to his shoulder, he glanced
along the barrel and fired.

. A piercing shriek answered the report, and

r the figure fell prone to the earth.

With a hoarse laugh he then seized his hat,
and retreated rapidly from the scene of his foul

 

CHAPTER X.
In CONCLUDING ACT,

Cowman Burns sat up until past midnight
that nigh and was rewarded byan expecte
visit from 'tz. . ' _

“ Well?” he said, inquiringly, as the German

entered. _
“ Vel!” Fritz replied, “ I fixed her.”
“ You are sure? _ _
“Yaw! I is]: sure. I vaited for her at an tip-
]:ointed place, and plugged her right through
der rains mil: a rifle ball.” ‘
“ ow do on know?”
“Because went up and examined after I had
killed her.” .
“ And she was quite dead?” ’
« “ Yaw! deadter as a door nail. There was no
life left in her.”
“ Well, I‘ll believe you, till I learn better. If
I find you have been cheating me, I’ll have you
arrested for the crime.”
t “ But where pe my moneys?”
‘- “ Heme is the amount—a hundred-dollar note.
‘ Take“ it and begone. And mind, you infernal

beer Beaker, if you ever open our mouth as to
this transaction between us, I see that you fill
an early grave!”

to st his blood-money Fritz nodded
 ,and took his leave.’

if, fter he had one, Baxter smote the table
1 beside him with ' fist, to emphasme'his satis-
faction.

. “One more obstacle removed!” he said, with
.a‘hiss. “The next is at Hudsondale, for which

J'plaoe I must make an early departure."
t He took the first train in the morning, accom-
 ied bythe policeman, who had been with
Q  before, at the time of the clifl.’ tragedy, and

‘ ' who now were citizen’s attire over his oificml

't.

ém'l‘he arrived at Hudsondale too late for

Wbreaklnlt, but Baxter coolly ordered one, With
much nonchalance as though he were «in fact
an master, instead of the guest. _

After breakfast, Baxter sought his son, and
mind him in his room. with his head bandaged
p,whi1e he sat bolstered up in an. easy—chair

'th a stand beside him pontaimng several

of Ii uor.
asin, what new?” the colonel growled, in
“ Who's been punchmg’your head?”

,‘ That awful We=tern teller, Jack gasped,
faintly. ,“ He caught me slip ing something
into his coffee, and knocked me .owu.” '

' “ You dolti you idiot! what did you do then?”

 
   
   
 
 
  

 

“ He made me beg his pardon—then I crawled
up here to doctor up.”

Baxter, Sn, fairly howled with rage.

“ I’ve a notion to kill youI” he roared, draw-

ing a. pistoL . i

‘ Do!” Jack said, beseechingly. “I’d rather
die than live.” .

“ Death would he too good for you,” Baxter
snarled. “Oh! you’re a disgrace to the human
race—you poor cowardly idiot—you veling
sneak ofa cur! I’m ashamed to stan in your
presence.”

“ Then get out of it. I don’t care. If you‘re
so brave, go sample the fellow, yourself. He’ll
thump dayli hts out of you in asecond.”

The colone gritfed his teeth together.

“I wish I was handy with my lists, and soon
I’d show you,” he growled.

He left the room and descended to the veran-
da, where Jack was seated, smoking a cigar.

‘ here, you young long-haired Eu py,

‘en , ac]:

' are you the person who struck my fri

Blakesly?’ ’

“ I dare say I am the ilgrim who gut a head
upon a young snob W cm I caug t putting
poison into my coffee, if that’s the one you refer
to,” Jack replied, rising to his feet. “ As to the
preferred title. of ‘ puppy,‘ allow me to thank
you for applying your own Christian title to
one undeservm of the honor.”

Baxter flush red.

“ Curse your impudence!” he cried, hotly.
“If I had my cane here I’d chastise you.”

“ Bahl the cane is an instrument used by the
aged, decrepit, lazy and rowardly. Men use na-
ture’s weapons, out in our country."

“ Thank you. I am not a pngillst,” Baxter re-
plied. “ I came to say that if you laid abandon
my friend Blahesl again, I’ll break your head
—-that’s all. Goodday.” r p .

“ But hold on. If you wish, I can go up and
clean out the poisoner at once,,so as to give you
the desired 0 portum‘ty.” .

The-0010113 stalked on into the house, how-
ever, agparenfly terribly deaf, while Jack re-
sented imself, with a laugh, to finish his cigar.

“That devil has obtained some mysterious
power over my father,” he mused, “but I’ll be
shot if he shall exhibit much of itaroundhere
While I’m about. He's got in record to heart,
from the old mining days, an I guess he won‘t ’
attempt to hurt me much, unless it is in a 8%
stealthy Way. He’s off for an interview with
old gent now. I wonder What’s to peg?”

Baxter was bent on interviewing 11016 Red-
mond, as Jack had surmised, and found him‘in
the library at his desk, engaged in writing. .

“900d!” the lished villain said, entering;
and closing the our behind him, after which he
drew a chair up to the desk. “ While .701! ha“
your pen ready you and I had best settle our
affairs.” ‘

“ Oh! we bed, bed we?” UncleRedimmd t«
ed, staring over his glasses. “Waal, I ' ’1: so
suneéibog that. I ain’t y j‘ygtt.”md -

‘ nteeontmryiyou 1' yr-to
tojaiLifyondo-not‘cometoterme. The so
liceman is lounging in the park yonder, and”;
singlecall {rename whim will bring him here-
to arrest you.”

“ Well, what do you want?”

 

\

' wait a bit, until I get a

30

“ Money first. You can make me out a check
for what spare cash'yourhave got in the bank.
When you have done that you may write me out
a clear deed to the rest of your properties, and I
will call our business square 1"

“ You are sure?”

” Oh! yes-quite positive."

“ And suppose thereafter, I and my family
can skin out, and leave you in ossession?”

“Exactly. These are mya solute and only
terms and you can either acce t them or start
for jail within the next hour. eel I have my
signal Whistle. Write me out the requisites and
sign them, at once, or I will blow for the oflicer.”

“ Then, blow at once,” Uncle Redmond said,
quietly ‘ for I have thought the matter over,
and fully decided to accept arrest, and im risen-
ment, ay, even death rather than acce e to a
single one of your villainous demands. There!
that is fully as final a conclusion as your own-—
my absolute and only terms."

“ Then, by Heaven, you shall feel my power,
and I‘ll trump in a deal on your wealth yet,’
Baxter cried, as he blew the whistle fiercely.

Uncle Redmond went on with his writing,
'but from the nervousness of his hand, it was
evident that he was somewhat agitated.

A servant immediately answered this strange
summons, and Baxter said:

“Be kind enough to Send up Mr. Montford
Green—the gentleman that came with me, this
morning.”

“ Yes, and you may also fetch along Miss
Vernon, and Jack,” Uncle Redmond added.
“ I’d rather be taken before the full army than
as alone soldier on the field. Yes, yes. Bring
along Jack and Miss Vernon.”

“You are foolish," Baxter sneered, “to wish
to make your disgrace public 1” v

“That is my business. I don’t ask any ad-
vice from you. I realize that you, by some devil-
ish scheme I cannot account for, have got me
into a trap. That ought to satisf you. If I
die, however, I shall die game, an innocent of
the charge you prefer. Better than all, I have
madeawill, and laced it in safe hands, that will
baffle you of all ope of fingering my property.”

“Curse youl you are lying to me!”

,“No, I am not. But, here they come.
ceod with your devilish design.”

As he spoke, the door opened, and Jack and
Miss Vernon entered, accompanied by the man
Green, now arrayed in his olflcial uniform.

Both Uncle Redmond and Baxter then arose.

“ Ladies and gentlemen," the letter said,
mockingly. “ it becomes my painful duty to ar—
rest this man Redmond Blakele for the crime
of murder, which he was seen to commit night
before last. I have endeavored to arrange with
him so that he need not be taken, but he refused
all the advances I made, and therefore must
deal with'the law. Officer, arrest him.”

“ Touch him. Sir Officer, at your peril!”
Long Haired Jack replied, stornly. “Just
peep at this matter.
Father, is there any truth in this accusation?”

“No—in the face of Truth, noi A woman
exasperated me to that extent that I rushed at
her ice-strike her, but before I could touch her.
she backed into the river and disappeared. I
am not guilty of murder,” /

Pro-

\ y "

 

New York Nell.

“ You lie—you struck her with the cane and
both the officer and myself are ready to swear
to it. The courts are the proper mediums to
render a verdict in this case. Arrest him,Green.”

“Not yet, if you please, Mr. Baxterl" a cool
voice cried, and Neil Niblo came sauntering in-
to the room, in her jaunty way. “ f you please,
Mr. Baxter, I want to say something. Come
in, my friends.”

And in answer to her call, there entered the
room, Mr. Valentine Vernon, Sam Snicker,
bootblack, and a pale-laced intellectual-looking
girl of some twenty—four summers.

Baxter grew livid and a gasp escaped from
between his shut teet .

“Ladies and gentlemen, I am here on busi-
ness,” Nell now announced, with a smile. “I
have arranged a sort of surprise part , with a
view to 'ving you all a little treat. scarcely
know w ore to commence, but think proper
first to interduce Mr. Val Vernon, sheriif’s
special, from Leadville country. Mr. Vernon,
with your authority will you see that no one
leaves the room?”

Vernon bowed, and took his place at the door.

Then, Nell continued:

“Mr. Blakesly, senior, has this man Baxter
been molesting you?”

“Ayi I have ordered his arrest for willful
murder!” the villain cried, fiercely. “ Officer,
do your duty.”

‘ Hold on! That man is no officer atell, and
has no power to arrest. He is one of your
rufiian pals, rigged out in uniform. As for ar-

resting Uncle Redmond Blakeely. Baxy you‘d .

better dro that game. It won’t was . It’s
too heavy or you to carry!” \

“ Curse you, girl! What do you mean?”

“I mean that your hand is heat. Listen,
while I briefly make a summary of the case:

“In the beginning you trump up a game to
put your son In at Hudsondale as the red hcir.
You lie to an innocent irl and get her to back
your case with her cas , until you evontually
get it all from her. The real Jack Blakest
comes to light, and the bogus one has to bounce.
You get wrathy. You seek a woman who loves

money, and arrange for her to come to Hud- ,

sondale, declare herself a former Mrs; Blakesly,
and exasperate Uncle Redmond to such an ex-
tent that he will attack her, when she is to back
elf a clifl into the river, and be drowned—in
your mind! You will then stop in and threaten
to arrest Uncle Red unless he knuckles to your
will. But you made a slight mistake in the
tool you chose. A certain New York girl ever-
heard your plan, Went and sent the real Mrs.
Snicker away, and, in disguise, filled the posi-
tion. Later. she further carried out your plans
here at Hudsmdale—dodged Uncle Redmond’s
blow, tumbled gracefully into the river, and
sworn out, thus preventing any harm being done
any one.”

“And that was you,” Uncle Redmond cried,
rushing; forward with extended hands.

. “Well. if not me, it was some one about my
size,” Nell replied with a smile. .

‘f May God ever bless you, my brave, noble
child!” the old man said ferventl , tears of joy
streaming down his cheeks, while there was a
cry of surprise and applause from all but Bate

. I , -

-D’ZNB‘93-._H.

a.

New York Hell.

81

 

tcr and his pal, who stood at bay, with sullen
faces.
“ No, don’t call me your gal, fer I ain’t no one
but Nell Niblo, who wears trowsers m spite of
fashion or famine,” was the reply. “ Bes1des,
I s’pect I’ve found ye a better daughter than I
Could make. A woman gave me a letter ter
fetch to you, along with the young lady, yon-
der, sayin’ I should read it'outloud. So if you’ll
iill keep mum, I’ll try to display my poor educa-
tion in “11,83 class oration.

“God 17 that I may not be mistaken, for
I already suspect that this oung woman is my
long—lost Eva,” Uncle R end said, crossing
over and taking her two hands warmly in his,
while Jack edged near, ready to claim a bro-

ther] kiss.

“ ell I s’ ct you’re right,” Nell said tear-
. a P9 ,, 7
mg open the envelope. Anyhow, here goes:

“ New YORK, —, 187—.
“ My Dun HUSBAND:—

“After all these years of silence and bitter re-
pentance God has instilled into my heart the courage
to write to you—a last. long letter.

” Accomfinying the bearer of this message I send
you our c ld—understand, ours. The child stolen
from you by Colonel Baxter died in in arms, after
I rescued it from his power, and I ha it respecta-
Hy buried. The boy of your second marriage still
lives, I have learned, a noble specimen of manhood.
God grant he may ever continue in the right path
through life. He is a legitimate son, for, on learn-
ing of your proposed second marriage, I procured a
divorce—to save your children.

" or myself, Redmond Blakesly, I must in justice
say a few words. As true as God witnesseth this, I
never was the had worn an on had reason to believe.
True, I left your house an home in company with
Baxter. I accompanied him on the cars to New
York. He had told me you were unfaithful—shown
me letters he claimed to have intercepted, address-
ed to other women in your hand. I became mad
with jealousy, and in a condition bordering on
frenzy fled With him to New York. Lon ere we
reached there, he insulted me, and I awo e to his
deVilish scheme. Idenounoed him. but it was too
late. I knew you would never receive me at End-
sondale, so I came not back. I left Baxter at the
New York station, and sought labor for my support.
I could get no position. so rented me an attic-room
and too in sewin .v In this way. ever since, I have
supported myse and child. who was born after
my fatal misstep. God helping me, I have ever led
a virtuous, respectable, Christian lire—a life of bit-
ter penitence and sorrow that has whitened my
hairs. Our child I have reared as 1 would have her
20—“: the path of purity and righteousness, .and in
turning her over to your fatherly care, With the
hope of your welcome for her, my earthl mission is
complete. If any suspicion of my nn aithfuluess
vet lurks in your mind, ask Baxter. Villain and ut-

' tor wretch as he is, I can but believe that he will at

e women justice whose ruin be sought,
Eif‘sftldil’edhto secure. But one thing yet I beg—let
mv child—our child—come owasionally and place
flowers on my grave when I die. From yoiir
divorced wife, Hnsrua Buxnsi. .

Uncle Redmond had staggered to a chair, and
with his head bent forward, the old man wept
silently. '

Nor was there a dry eye in the room, except
those of the colonel and his pal. _

“ She speaks the truth!” be said, voluntarily,
in a husky tone. “ As far as I have ever been
able to learn. she has led a pure, unstained life
P-would to God I could say the same of myself.

 

I have plotted and am baffled. I have nothing
more to say—no apolo 'es, no prayers. I know
the consequences; wi ltake them as they come.
But, girl, there is one thing I-would ask—did
Fritz, the German, lay for you, and if so how
did you escape?”

” Ohl asto that, Baxy, you see. I ma sus-
picious little craft, and I smelt a big rat. So I
tuk Sam Snicker, here, along with me, and in-
stead of protrudin' our anatomy before the muz— '
zle of an expected hostile gun, we slung out the
dummy, and had the satisfaction of seeing that
die an unnatural death. That’s all. No one
was killed through your kindly machinations.
Mr. Vernon, if you have any paper to serve on
this chap, there’s no time like the resent.”

“ No! no! stop!” Uncle Redmon cried, rising.
“Let him go. I believe the lesson he has been
taught through the instrumentality of our little
detective wi be the means of causing his re-
form, for the only redeeming act I ever knew
the man to do has been to exonerate an inno-
cent woman of a life—long wrong and '
which he put upon her l"

“ It is not for me to say whether heshall he go
or stay,” Val Vernon said, stepping forward.
“ True, I am a sheriff’s agent, but I have no

pers to serve on these villains—no advice to
give them, exce t to go, as there is a. detective
searching for t em, named Monk, whose busi~
ness it is to bring them to the gallows. The for-
tune they have inveigled from my too trusting
sister I care not for, as I think the cure the les-
tsloln has given her is amply worth the expendi-

re.

“ That settles it. Get out, while all are so
lenient, or you may get your head into a noose
yet,” the girl detective cried. “ And, above all,
if you ever come to New York again, don't fool
around a certain little hornet called N. Y. Nell,
or itis pretty likely you’ll get stung. Ta! ta!
mu vanquished heavy villain—skip outl The

t act has told the story i” ‘

 

/

A few words sufiioe to close.

Accompanied by his son, and pal, Colonel
Baxter took his departure, and was never heard
trill: fillileafmr'd U 1 Red

6 o owing ay nc e mon Eva and
New York Nell left for the meg-,opolis’, and
later there was a. ‘o ous reunion between the
stanch old master 0 udsondale and his long-
lost Wife, during which all wrongs of the post
were freely forgiven, and peaceful happiness
brought about. .

Later still Hudsondale exchanged hands, and
grand homes in a Western State knew those
whom our pen has favorable hawn~three
homes, close together where Manny dwell
Uncle Redmond and Anni: Hester—Jack and his
bride, nee Miss Vernon, and 8-1 vmon 311d
bride, nee Eva Blakesly- .

Materially rewarded, for the 39er 3'19 
performed, the authoress of much of the happi-
ness radiating those Western homes went back
to New York, and since then has made a happy
choice in a noble husband. W119 13 Proud
of his wife whose experience in he otecflve
business brought about such auspicious results!

THE END.

 

 

 

a2 ocuvo mans. ' ‘ .7
I /9EADLE,S\ PRICE, FIVE (.JITS. \

POCKET LIBRARY.

mummhhwhmwmwwmuaptnmmwmmmwmwwmwmwmwzmwwmmi'i'fmm‘cé

 

I

1 Deadwood chk. B Edward L. Whaler. P35 The Boy Minors. ll - F.le rrl S. Fllis
3 Bin! I kill 5 BY “5"” B‘”- . 56 Jack llarluuvuy in }N0\v York. By Bruce.

Dam ee. Bf; Cg]i Prefil‘u‘htllxunllllnm. brid e Hunvnu.

u on. y ‘A war - 1' we or. 8? The lung} (lgptnlll. Bv (701. Prentiu lnzrnhnm.
he Two Delft" ves. By Albert WtAxken. 85 Deadwood llluk In Leach llle. lh’ E. l..\\'lwdur.
he Prairie I IM- By Buflnlo BHI- 89 mu Bhldo , Trap mm m Edward 5. mm.
he Bufl‘nlo Demon. B'y Edwnrd L. Wheeler. 90 Tim", the en... ly Gwrée Gleuon.

Antelo e Abe, the Boy Guide. By gllemL-L Bl Muntnug Sam. lh‘ Jun. E. Badger, Jr.
Vida. fl” "‘7? SM?“ BY Tumsvhfk " 92 The 0ch1: Bloodhound. By Smmrcl “V. Puree.
D Bulnlo Ben. Prlnuo‘ lhc inl. By E. L.“ healer. 98 PM! llurd ', the lions Buy. By Chm-hr: Morrls.
III! II Roy. the Buy Imrcwgr- 3." C L Ingmbum- 94 Deadwood illck as Deteetlve. lly E. Lyman.
Nlc o‘ the Nifht. 33' T- (1- Hnrbnuzh- 95 Buck Buckrum. By ('nphcln J. l‘. C. Adams.
Yellowuone nek. y Jn-eph EL many. 96 cult-Edged luck. By Inlwnnl L. “‘heclr-r.
wud IVER “W 303' Chm“ D"""- I}? E- In“ 'leeler- 97 The Bind: Steed offlle l’rnlrleu. J. L. Bowen.
Mnmond fill-k. By Cull-Ml I’rgnm- Iurmlmm. ms The a - cm. Bv J"... Lewis.
Keen-Knife, Prlncc or Hug Pmlrm. By 011 Coomel. 99 Bonn 1m Bll the Man 'l‘rm-krr. By E. L. Wlxeelur.
-r on 301- W Cart 1- F- G A mm , 100 Nut Todd. By Edward is.
.I“ h.Fnee, the Dewcflvc. 3y E. L. Wheeler. 101 During nuv“ n . “MI fime‘
I!” luck. BY 0“ CW'NOL 102 The \ l-llou' {file}. lly . Mayne Reid.
sou-lug Ralph Roeky'omt 115' H. St 69mm 108 Chip, m.) cm Span. lly r1. ~m- L Wheeler.
he by Llow’ll- “3‘ “mm 5- Fl'm- V 104 The Black Relrooncr. lly Ruge Stm-buek.
’hnntom Miner. Bv Edward L. “1mm.
' Sen-Out. ny Cnplnlu Frederick Whittaker.
I: lg ‘ llrifi y. 3y 'CllllCo's-meé.
'0‘... n u a. y I"! L OWE!" . I . n n In K .. l! ' '1‘. C. llurbuu l1.
01dAV§ nnche, lhaGrent Mnlhllntnr. By“ hot-In. m 1}.” "Adléd‘rlnnd. IESV 173...» Dumum. g
Gum. Shut. or n:- \\ e131. BndpL Admns. ) The Broad “Me... By Com-u. w. nmwne,
antnln- l“ Rezvréwlmsk- no... Bob.lllelilngulllnnllpllfi‘kw. n..- E. l..\\'l|ealer.
Mk Dlrunl" 33‘ CW“ “'dcmk “ “Wk,” The llelplcn llnnd. By Cth. Muyne Reid.
D ob Woolf. th- Bdrm R‘nf’flm By P- L- “hceh-r- Honr.anefinul,tlIeSilt-ntllumvr, 1;,» Ol|('nomu.
Nightlncnle Nnt- By '1- 0- Hnrbnurh l’lncy Paul. the Mount-it. Buy. lly'l" <2 llnrbmmh.
Black ’flhlh “‘0 Rm‘d AFNW 313' I Dcndwood Dirk’n Double. By  L. Wheeler.
Omaha 011. "19 NM 4 lflm- ‘9 Jubez ('oflln. Suillych By Cum. 1?. “'Ilitlnlrer.
Burt Bunker. the Trapper: By (wary Fun“. Frank, ol'Culurxdu. By Bufl‘nln Blil.
The Boy Rifles- By A- 0- lrm- a Will Wildfire, lhe Thoroughbred. My (1"... Mnrrll.
TI: to B flulo- By Gem" 5- Law‘la- 119 lllonde mu: or. Duadwoml menu. Home 1m...
. 1m Bludloe, Jr. By Edward L. \Vlrel-Ier. By Edward L. \ 'hveler. \ ,‘ '
led Hazel, vino Bo Trap w. By Capt. Adams. 120 Gbpher Gld,tlmliny'l‘rnp er. By'r. C.Hm~hnugh.
] (5ng E a, the Un nown wont. ll" mxflnln llill. 121 flurry Armstrong. “w .anin of the Club. By
flak {VI-{Ilean- Pat‘. By C« 1.. J. F. C. Admnl. llncahrldgo Hem ‘uzJJnvk llurmwuy.)
he..de Dick’s En Ion. y E- L. Wheeler. we The lluntcd nun-r. lly E-lwn-d S. mm.
‘ y Oll Cunmes. 123 Hand sum, the Buy Rom] \uem. ‘ ‘
38:. Grams. ‘24 Judge Lynch. Jr. l ' l (f. II m '1‘.
r dlnn. y Curt J- _l'. 0- Adnmi- 125 The Land Pirates. LN apt. .\lnym Reid.
,lnekhorn Bill. 33' NW5?“ 14- “ Peek“ 12¢! lllue llluzcu. ly [’mnk hum ut.
’ he 8|“an Ship. lly (ml. Pied!!!“ lnzrqlmm- 127 Terry Fox. Hm Fur-rat. By Edu-urd L. “'hoclcr.
Elm lied Hrotherhoofl [’3‘ “ - J- “'m‘m'm' 12’! “’III “'lldfire'n Rik-er. Bv Chm'les )lnrrll.
Junk. By T.C« Ilm'hnyuh- 139 Eagle mt, d..- V'ny Drum“. m 011 Cnmnes.
can: Bl“. By J'lli‘pll h “Mil”. JY- 180 G old Trigger. the S mn. By '1'. C. Hnrbnugh.

B W. J. Hmnlllnn. 1:“ ,\ Game of Gold. y Ellwnnl L. Wheelex.

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initiations...

3-" Philip S’ “"m‘e‘ 82 Dxrlnty Lance, the EM Sport. By J. E. Bridger, Jr.
HY mml‘m m”- 35 “’lld-flre. the lion 0! Illa Rodd. liv Frank Dumonc.
“00W- ”; Ed- 'I- “"mhr- 134 ms..- Merry. mum»... l’olicelio‘v. uvc. Morris.
Y CM- J- ~C' “mm- 135 irendivuod me]. of Dendwnod. By Edward
By 0" C‘W'm- L. “'lwelar.
By W' ’— ""“""!"- 136 old Rube, dual-11ml". By Ca LHMullLon Hnlmeu.
By E' n' “lwfl'h 137 lhmdy Rock, the Man from am. By G. Wnldo
. nwkeya Ilnrry. fly 0“ Conmu. Brawn“
b° g‘ft’2r39t- K ;C°lrnrnffa'fw*kfp 133 Bob Rockctt, the Boy Dodger. By an... M. "in.
e o 0 PGW— ‘- f. ' l’ . '6“. V , ‘
ordnroy Chm-lie. B; Ednr‘nrd L.\\'heeler. 189 The Blnzk Glam. By Joueph 14.. Badger, Jr.
“go-“'1‘”;gypsum".B By C\l;nsflnrriu- 14o Cnptnln Arizona. By Philip 5. Wm...
n I." a n runner. ‘A. '. 'on. v , r V v . . -. ,
ouch": R'ob. By mm. L, yaw“... , 141 1m. x or}. hell. n} Edward L. \\ 1...]...
IghltInlnngo: BBy'zgugtfi. hC.|Addxnu 142 Little Tum-Aha Youngllmlnnger. R1: (ll (‘nomem
arena y - - Ir 1‘1. , ., - 7.
310,1?” B“).hfiflngef'n B ongnfnfifi ‘ 145 qninglyl'h gillirorhlcklliyralfém Vlth Fire. By
Girl er. V war . «up. ‘ ‘ “ W ' ' ‘ A‘ '
eile'c‘flz'e Dick? By hurl" Morris- 144 Lime Gm, um Wild Ruler. n3 Col. Pmullu
are Shot. Seth, the Boy Rilflmlllrn. By 0|1Coomn. Irgrnhnm. P.me (M. 1.5.
m. “'3. Alex-n er ntteu. . ,0 ’w M B ‘
1731:: arm-L Se'a.BDB£IAlmn£VEAllfain 1 Y ‘45 {3335‘ng Tm» B: an n 0 mm
‘ K ll . - \1 2 .
2:35;?12329’3? Ch’nrla: Mon  140 Cortll‘l’n‘n‘gllght Bower. By Frank Dun-mm.
alum! Jlnu or,The Pr: of the Family. By Bruce. Rend) Jet. J .
brill” Hemyng (Jark H-rkdu any).
Etch-E e the Shadow. m Edward L. \Vheeler.
1: Mai é

a: B Col. Pravrv'iin: IErIIzrfll'uii‘Mm lulled Every Weluendny.

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14? Nobby vak of Nevada. By E. 1.. Wheeler.
firmly Nov. 3.

4 the Gulth. x T. C. Hnrhmxgh. flflnlm’l, 6w ccnls per copy, or nut by mail on mecip: “1' .3x

‘ hails.  gColJ'érc’p‘ lngmlum. can" urn-h.
anon. y W" « BEADLE & ADAMS X’ublhhen.
‘ all I Get M1" m . 13 Who hr. s
h ‘imanug so. sympthodldck “bun-Mr. 98 Willam Strut. NOW York.

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