No. 370. first.   Vol. XXIx.

 

 

 

 

 

“erm: PONY UP, AN’ SAVE THEM NICE CLOTHES YE'B.’ A-WEARIN‘I” THE SIX-
FOOTER REMARKID AS BE LAID ms BRAWNY PAW ON KIT'S KNEE.

 

Denver Kit’s Double.

  

  

 

Denver Kit’s Double;

R:

The Giant Miner of the Gulch,

BY MAJ. H. B. STODDARD, Ex- SCOUT.

 

CHAPTER I.
" BY THIS RED STAIN I SWEAR!"

“ WELL, who‘s there?”

“Oh, open upl D’ye want ter keep us out
here all night in the rain?”

“ Not even a dog, much less a human being,
should be refused shelter on such a. night as this
—come in."

The rude door of the rudcr but was flung
Wide open, the wind catching it as it Swuug
ajnr, and clonging it with a. tremendous bang
against the log wall, when, as if in echo to the
crash, a pistol-shot rung out on the howling
gale of the night, and the occupant of the cabin
staggering back with a tremendous cry of pain,
fell to the floor and lay motionless.

He had been shot fnir between the eyes, and
was dead before he struck the planks that cov-
ered the ground inside the hut.

Stepping insidc,uml bucmning’ in on instant
plainly visible by the light of the smoking kvrm
scne lamp that stool on :1 shnll' opposite the
door, the man who had fired the fetal shot
strode across the room to n. dOor that opened
through a partition int) an nilj lining open-t-
ment, tried the latch and With an oath that
mode the rafters ring, turned to his three com-
panions who had entered after him, and growl—
ed:
“The girl’s in there, boys, but has fastened
the door. Hercules, bu’st it opcnl”

The man who was thus addressed, and who
OWed his cognomen to his immeme stature and
tremendous strength, pluced the rifle he carried
in one corner, and, stalking across the narrow -
room, placed his brawny shoulder against the
closely-ceiled planks, threw his weight against
them, and the door splintered into a, thousand
fragments.

“Hercules,” the giant minor of tho gulch,
deserves more than a passing: notice, as he is to
figure somewhat extensively in this drama of
the mountains. and n pen portrait of him will
not be out of place.

Sranding six feet two in his bare feet—for he
dlsdnincd socks—he was brond in proportion,
and possessed u magnificent physical develop-
nicnt.

His strength was such lh'll} to full 91 bullock
at a blow was but child’s play for him, and in
all the length and breadth of the Rickies there
could not be found a. miner who dnrcd cross
him when angered or thwart him when in
li nor.

Iis coarse and unkempt hair and heard added
to the savageness of his appearance, while the
blank hollow where his left eye should have been
hightened the ficrceness of his decidedly forbid-
ding. countenance.

As the door crashed in, the lender, who had

 

 

in the mean time taken the lump from the shelf J

on which it stood, dashed into the room ti 5,
rudely carried by assault and glanced hast/A rude gré’t‘
about him. atoll Rho? 10
A dainty chamber it was, and seemed decidords We“? 4,
ly out of place among these rude surroundin A “’1” E’r‘”
and presented a strum,r con rest to the rougg i” h“ L”
uncouth trio that clustered about the door nit blaze, 3“
vented their disappointment in growls and mint. .
tered expletives; for the room was untenanl For 9- m9“,
and the snowy couch, that stood in one corn 3g the Crlm,‘
bore no impress that would bear witness tend (ll-lath“:
late occupant. ;he cried 0‘
“ A thousand curses on the luckl” hurried tier.
leader, as he scanned and scrutinized eve: But on
crack and crevice of the room, even to thothrough ‘3‘“
that could scarce shelter 9. mouse, “the girl shooting 0‘
not here, and our expedition is partially unaung .
successful. went to 9’1
“Baffled by her absence our task is but hm
completed; for while she lives we are in cotoi the Y"
stunt danger.” 'Wiih a“ l
“ But, Cup,” interposed Hercules, “ she mus-alums“ 1“
come back soon—s’posin’ I wait hynr an’ catclhand. 9“
her When she comes.” was 59 ‘l"
“ Hercules, it isn't often you talk, but whenthe blow-
you do speak your words are diamonds. “ Am“
“ You wait here for Miss Dainty and we’ll go you Sb“
on about our work. Way ‘03
“ You know where to find us.” All“.
“ Sal't’in, Cap. She can’t be long a—comin' fur‘ tossed l‘
I reckin’ she’s only gone down to ther gulch ter The l
git some med’cine fur the ole man. ' the we
“ Small need of a doctor he has now!” the deli
And at the brutal jwst the others laughed dOOI‘Wa
loudly as they returned to the other room, more' on “3‘

than one of them Spurnng with his foot the moans
dead body lying there so still and quiet. But
A noble form it was that was thus stretched stung
out in death, damp dews shining on the fore—- room,
head, while white hair clustered tlfickly about sonfil
the massive brow, a snowy beard sweeping the . stair“
broad chest. cried
The man whom the others addressed as ca “E
train, and two of his followers, left the cabin,with fail“
:1 parting word to Hercu'cs, and mounting: their gm"
horses that Were fastened to a rack in front of W
the door, galloped off into. the darkness. the 9T8“
hoofs of their mustangs splashing through the “
mud and sending it flying in every direction.
Hercules, thus left to himself, hcmm hi; pre-
parations in anticipation of the arrival of the
girl who seemed destined to become the second
prey ol‘ the night to this ruvening band of as— l
snssins. stc
Closing the outer door, and fastening: it, be m
turned the light low, and tl1r0wing himself upon fill
the fur cauch in the corner, waited. 1y
The minutes sped on and he had just begun to 1“

nod into a. slight doze when the clutter of a

horse’s hoofs outside roused him in an instant, l
and in 8. seconds time he was standing by the '
door and on the alert.

A moment more and there came a gentle
tag on the door, and it fresh young voice called
on :

“ Open, father, it is I, Dainty.”

And stepping forward, Hercules drew the bolt
and gave admission to the applicant.

A slight, girlish figure enmrged from the outer
gloom, stepped into the room and cried:

“ Why, father, all in the dark! why don’t—”

7

 

\

Denver Kit's Double. 3

 

b0 the reom a

(

l glanced hastA rude grasp on the delicate throat, a fierce
utch about theslender neck, and the succeeding
(1,, sum . ords were lost in a gasp.

’8 U thUHdmA Wild shriek sprung from her lips, and leap—
“uy “leg Tougg to her feet, she turned the lamp to its full-
gro 1 001' ast blaze, and turmug, confronted her assail‘

W s and mint,

w
is: g: telnet)! For a moment they stood thus, her eye catch—
“. wit ‘5 (Graig the crimson pool in the middle of the floor
Hess tC-nd dilating with horror, when suddenly, as
 burned All): cried out again, the giant sprung toward
9,7155? 8"91 But on the instant, a lithc body flashed
e n th 0 Phqthrough the open door and a small gloved hand
,hnrvelmr shooting out on the instant, a stunning blow
"313' "naught Hercules behind the left ear, and he
sk is b b Went to earth as if shot, .
3 are .u 1m: As composedly as It In a ball-room the savxor
1H corof the young girl walked to the light, and
‘ Sh with an expression of decided disgust on his
.’ ‘3 mile-almost feminine features, examined his right
CfltCIhand, on which the lavender glove he wore
k but was split from wrist to fingers with the force of
“as When the blow.
md‘ W ,1 “ Another pair of gloves ruined. Kit, my boy,
6 180 you should remove your kids before you give
way to your impetuosity l”
> And tearing the glove from his hand he
tossed it from him.
The girl, who had stood a silent witness of
the encounter, now turned and caught sight of
the dead body of her father through the open

(I seemed decid

‘COmin’ far
‘1' gulch ter

7!”

 

Toriallghed‘ doorway, and rushing to it, threw herself prone

{06;"01‘9 on the corpse, With a thoumnd inarticulal‘e

t the moans and kISFe‘i.

s'tret h But suddenly she started to her feet as if

the“? 9d stung by an electric shock, re-vntvred the main

Iy more‘ room, midtfalling on her knees by the crim-

pl.” Iput son spot, plcked up the glovo that lay therein,
g he . stained and red, and lifting it high in the air

crier :

‘5‘? “By this red stain I swear to avenge my

.r’ ‘91] father's death and track his murderersto their

1L [heir graves!"

sniff While the young rescuer, lifting his hat rev-
' e erently from his head, added a solemn:

z“ the “Amen!”

(Ill.

[" Pre- ,

“f the CHAPTER II.

“gond A CHALLENGE.

3' 85' REVERENTLY with baer head, the young man '

it h stood thus for a moment, and then, as the pros-

u’oe trate giant in the corner began to give some

p " signs of life, he walked over to where he was

m to lying, and, steeping, removed the pistol and

3f murderous—looking knife from Hercules’s belt.

am“ Returning to the girl, who yet remained

m ' kimehng where she had thrown herself, he took
6 her by the hand and gently lifted her to her

me feel; and spoke a few words of kindness and

led comfort.

And the girl, turning her lovely blue eyes
full upon him, seemed for the first time to fully
,M realize how near she had been to death;and
placing her hand on her throat, which was
51. scratched and scored and torn by the cruel

- clutch of her would-be assassin, opened her
! lips as if to speak, but before she could utter a.

' word, burst out in a wild torrent of tears and
cried_liko a child.

 

It was a blessed relief, and her companion
realized that it was better that nature should
take her course, so did not endeavor to quiet
her but stood silently awaiting the lulling of the
storm.

And the very violence of the fit of weeping
soon brought quiet, and gradually the sobs that
shook the slender frame ceased, and the fair girl
became quiet by degrees, and was able to turn
to and thank her rescucr.

And a lovely picture they presented as they
stood there together—she with her masses of
golden hair, loosened in the struggle and stream-
ing far below her waist, her delicate complex—
ion, hei‘clear~cut features, and her magnificent
blue eyes; he, the living embodiment of his
companion.

So much alike “ ere they in feature, hair and
eyes, so startling was the resemblance, that an
observer would have taken oath that they were
not only brother and sister, but twins.

“Dress them both in like costumes,” would
have said the on—lookcr, “and it would be ini-
possible to distinguish them apart.”

But now they were dressed anything but
alike.

She wore a close—fitting habit of dark-green
Cloth, which showed her slendrr form to the
best aquntago, while a broad-brinnned bat, in
which drooped a magnificent white ostrich
feather, was planted firmly on the back of her
shapely head.

Small boots incased her shapely feet, to the
heels of \\ hich were attached silver spurs with
tiny jingling bells, which tinkled musically as
she walkul, and snugly-fitting gauntlet gloves
covered her hands.

The young feilow who had so opportuner ur-
rivod in her dire distress, was, as he stood there,
a picture for a Rembrandt.

Twenty-two years had with them brought no
sign of beard, and his complexion was as smooth
and fair as a woman’s.

His hair, virgin to the scissors” touch, hung
far below his shoulders, and was of the hue of
burnished gold, with streaks of light sparkling
in it here and there, as the rays of the lamp
glinted among the flowing strands.

It was identical in color and shade with that
of the girl, a bile his eyes were as like hers as
one pea to another.

But with. his face and head the resemblance
ceased, for he was clad in a costume which was
so striking that it would have attracted atten-
tion anywhere.

His coat-a loose—fitting sack, with silver but-
tons as large as trade dollars—was made of
the finest Lyons velvet», of a deep claret color,
the vest, which was cut low, being of the same
material.

Tightly-fitting trowsers, also of velvet but
Prussian blue in color, clothed his lower limbs,
and boots of the shiniest of patent leather, but
now flecked here and there with patches of
mud, came to his knees, while gold spurs, small
and neat, with balls attached, ornamented his
heels.

His hat was broad, and black as night, the
nmteriai being also velvet, it being encircled
with agold band an inch and a half in breadth,
fastened on the left side with an enormous gold-

 

    

4

en buckle, in which sparkled a. diamond of un-
usual size and purity.

A crimson scarf, knotted negligently, hung
from beneath his turn—down collar, and in the
bosom of his shirt shone a stud that capped the
diamond in his hat.

His left hand was gloved with a kid covering
of the most delicate lavender hue, he having
split the glove on his right hand when he struck
the bully, who yet lay half-unconscious in the
corner.

A small case of RuSsian leather hung at his
left side, being suspended from his right shoul—
der by a massive gold chain, while about his
waist was buckled a broad belt that carried
arms.

He was slight, although tall, not Weighing
mire than a hundred and thirty—five pounds,
yet beneath the velvety covering of his coat and
skin lurked muscles and sinews of steel, While
the lightning’s flash is not quicker than were his
motions when in action.

But while these two stood thus, Hercules had
almost fully recovered his senses, and softly
stealing one hand along the floor he grasped u
small billet of wood, and unpcrceived, drawing
back his arm. he flung it at the lamp on the
shelf, striking it fair, overturning it, and leav-
ing the room in total darkness.

At the crash the youth sprung to the door, to
bar the exit.

For an instant all was was still, each one of
the actors in the drama. holding their breath
and waiting.

Then the voice of the stranger broke the
silence.

“Young lady, if you will strike a match, I
will attend to our friend.

“ Do not fear to move boldly.

" Should he move, I will shoot him as I would
a mad cur.”

Clear and firm came the answering voice:

“ There is not a match in the house.

“ One of my errands to the gulch was to pro-
cure some, but I must have dropcd them on the
road.”

“Then come this way and stand near me;
when there are wolves about we must hive a
care lest we get bitten.”

And as the girl stole to his side and nestled
her hand confidingly in his, the griilf voice of
the bully broke out on the stillness of the room,
for the storm had subsided and no sound broke
the stillness of the night from outside:

“ Ye‘r‘ u brave youngster, you be.

“ Ye’ve taken away my weepins, an’ now ye
think ye’ve got me.

“ Give me half a show an’—-”

“ Shut up and listen:

“I now unloose my belt and fling it to the
floor.”

And suiting the action to the word, he un-
clasped the belt and allowed it to fall to his feet.

“ Now, we are equal, and we’ll see if you will
win.”

“ Ohl pray be careful i" pleaded the voice of
Elbe young girl, as she clung to the young man’s

an .

“ You do not know this man.

“ You do not know the reputation he bears in
the neighborhood.

Denver Kit’s Double.

 

   
 

“ He will surely kill you if he once gets you in
his grasp.

" Let us fly; the door is open, and in the dark-
ness we can escape.”

“ My dear child,” mildly, but firmly, inter-
posed the young fellow, “ do not worry. 1 am
well able to take care of myself and of you.

“ I will teach this gentleman something that I
believe Will be of service to him.

“ Stand to one side, and fear nothing.

“ Now, sir, I am ready to argue this question
with you."

“ All right, mv young sprig, I’ll take your
measure for a coffin!"

 

CHAPTER III.
AN ESCAPE AND A CAPTURE.

THESE words were suflicient for the delicate-
looking young fellow, who, thus guided by the
voice, leaped lightly forward, straightening his
left arm as he did so, his small clinched, loved
fist coming in crashing contact with the ips of
the giant, and driving him back, with crushing
force, the back of his head striking the log wall
of the room and causing a thousand stars to
dance before his eyes.

For an instant he stood, leaning against the
wall in a semi—dazed condition, and then, with a
roar like a wounded lion, he rushed blindly for-
ward, with outstretched arms, and encountering
his adversary, clasped him as in a wee, and
fairly crushed the breath out of his lungs as be
squeezed the slim young fellow against his
brawny chest.

For a few moments his position was a desper—
ate one, and it seemed as if he were doomed to
die, particularly as the giant began to rain blow
on his head, with his free hand, until the lad’s
brain was one whirl of dazed confusion.

But he was quick as a flash, supple as a snake
and slippery us an eel, and suddenly crooking
his leg behind Hercules’s knee, he glided from
his grasp and, With an unexpected strength,
gave him such a push that he was tripped up and
fell with a tremendous thud to the floor.

And then there was a sudden crackling, a fizz,
and a sputter, in the corner of the room, where
the young girl had found a match and lighted
it, an! before the bully regained his feet the
lamp was burning clear and bright, and the two
combatnnts were pluinly visible to each other.

Springing hastily to his feet, Hercules, who
presented a terrible appearance, shook himself
and again rushed on his young adversary, his
sledge-hammer fist raised high in the air to
cru~h the life out of the youth with one blow.

0601 and calm and smiling the other awaited
him, and as the giant swung his fist in a swing-
“1!, round nrm blow, he dodged’down almost to
the H m: the stroke passing harmlessly over his
head. and rhnu, rising, planted that dainty little
list just under the giant’s jaw, with such force

an i precision that Hercules was lifted clear of!

hi.. in -r, and he fell all in a heap, bowling with
piiu Hill rugs.

Paying not the slightest attention to him, the
young: fullko walked over to where the girl was
stnndi-Ig with (‘laspF‘rl hands, tremblin With
fear, cuurtuously dolfud his, hat and ad ressed
her. ‘

l
i
l

D.

a

heavy-w, M,.,...:.— u...

 

a
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i
i

q. 41..."...

  

Denver Kit’s Double. 5

 

   

“ It is not fitting that you should be the wit-
ness of such scenes.

“ The rain has ceased, the skies are clear and
it would be better if you sought shelter with
friends; for such you surely have in the neigh—
borhood?" '

At the interrogation the girl sighed sadly.
while a mournful smile stole about the corners
of her mouth.

“You are evidently a stranger here,” she
said, "and not familiar with the dwellers in
this vicinity.

“There is no one to whom I could apply
for shelter within miles and miles, for none but
miners occupy the cabins hereabouts.”

“ But you can not remain here."

“ Here I remain until the last sad rites are
performed and my father”——here her voice fal-
tered for a moment, but was instantly steadied—
“ and my father is laid to rest.

“ Can I count on you to aid me in performing
this office?"

“You can rely upon me to undertake what-
ever you may ask.”

With a. graceful bend of her proud head in
acknowledgment, the girl left him and walked
into the other room, where she stood by the
body of her dead father, looking down into the
cold still face, but uttering never a word—~shed-
ding never a tear.

Her friend and ally followed her, and, re-
moving his hat, stood silently awaiting what-
ever she might wish to suggest.

And so they remained until the pent—up
emotions of the girl again broke forth in a
storm of sobs, and he, respecting her sorrow,
quietly retired, going into the other room, and
mechanically glancing at the spot where Hercu-
les had fallen.

But the room was vacant—Hercules had dis-
appeared.

Evidently having profited hy their abstraction
the giant had crawled to the door unpei'ceived
and escaped into the outer darkness.

As the young fellow sprung to the open door-
way, a clatter and splashing of hoofs sounded
outside, and under the dim light of the stars a
horseman was indistinctly visible, dashing down
the road at a break-neck pace.

Without hesitating an instant the youth leaped
outside, uttered a shrill whistle, and as his horse
came centering up, neighing with delight at the
sight of his master, he bounded into the saddle
and calling out:

“Wait until I return!” dashed off in pursuit
of the fleeing Hercules, who already had a con-
siderable start.

D0wn the rocky road he sped, touching his
horse. gently with his spur and encouraging him
to his greatest efforts with hand and voice,
while the noble brute, as if realizing how im-
portant the errand was, spurned the road be-

' heath his boots, and devoured the miles as if by

magic.

But Hercules was also well mounted, and al—
though he did not gain an inch, neither did his
pursuer, the latter being guided in his chase
only by the sound made by the foremost horse,
as he galloped wildly on, for the intricate turns
and twists of the mountain road hid him always
from sight.

 

At one moment the pursuer caught a fleetin
glimpse of the fleeing horseman, and his hang
sought his belt to draw revolver and halt the
fugitive, but with a sudden shock he realizod
that his weapons were lying on the floor of the
cabin, where he had cast them prior to his late
encounter.

For a second he hesitated and almost drew
rein; but the innate recklessness and courage of
the man prevailed, and loosening his grasp he
again urged his steed forward.

And so he galloped madly on for a quarter of
an hour more, listening all the time intently to
the sound of the flying horse’s feet in front of
him; but as the ride began to grow wearisome
in its monotony, he allowed his thoughts to
stray back to the fair girl whom he had so
lately left.

Lost in a bright reverie he gulloped mechani-
cally on when suddenly he aroused himself {as
he realized that the hoof—beats he had been fol-
lowing no longer sounded on the rocky road in
front of him.

He drew rein quickly, but too late, for the
forelegs of his horse encountered a lai-iat tight-
ly drawn across the road and stretched at a dis-
tance of a foot or so above the ground, the steed
stumbled and fell on his knees, and flung his
rider far into the air, whence he fell with an
awful thud on his right shoulder and lay in the
middle of the road, inscnsible.

At the same moment three brawny forms
leaped from the shadow of the rock at the road—
side, and six muscular hands seized and bound
him fast, as Hercules, standing by, surveyed
lt'lieiltproceedings with a grin of malignant de.
1g . I

 

CHAPTER IV.
A SECOND VICTIM.

LEFT alone in the cabin with the body of her
beloved father, the hours rolled on unheeded by
Dainty, who was lost in an agony of grief and
despair.

The sudden and brutal murder of her father,
now that the excitement of the past hour or so
had subsided, overwhelmed her and rendered
her oblivious to all surroundings.

Buried as she was in her sorrowful thoughts,
she was unaware of the escape of Hercules, of
the departure of his adversary, and had scarce-
ly heard the words shouted back by the latter
as he galloped away.

But finally the earliest streaks of dawn glim-
mered through the open door, and roused her
from her thoughts, and rising, she walked into
the other room, the perfect ghost of the bloom-
ing, cheery girl who had ridden up to the door
the evening previous.

Expecting to find the room tenanted, she
glanced around, and could at first scarcely com-
prehend that she was alone, and then, thinking
that the stranger might have stepped outside,
she went to the door and looked about.

All was deserted and silent, no living thing
being in sight but her horse, which still stood
fastened to the rack where she had left him the
night before.

She soon had him stabled and fed and then,

 

 

6

Denver Kit’s Double.

   

 

returning to the house, for the first time fully
realized that she was alone.

The belt, with pistols and knife, lying; on the
floor when: it hmi been flung, recalled vividly
the encounters of a few hours before, and like
the memory of a drcnm came to her the recol-
lection of the clutter of hour's she had heard as
pursued and pursuer dashed away, and the
memory of the words, called out in that clear
young voice:

“ VVnit until I return I” -

And then she comprehended that Hercules
_ must have GScaperl and that her young champion
had started off in pursuit of him.

So returning to the side of her father, whose
head she had tenderly raised and placed on a.
folded blanket, she recommenced her lonely
vigil, and sat there quietly, until exhausted
nature asserting herself, she gradually drooped,
until finally she fell into a deep slumber and
became ob‘ivious to all surroundings.

The day grew clearer and brighter, the sun
rising high in the heavens shone through the
open doorway, nnd still she slept on, until
finally a stealthy footstep approached the open
dpcpr and a dark shndow fell across the thresh»
o .
A head was thrust into the room followed by
a body, when the intruder might have been
recognized as the leader of the band which had
attacked the cabin the night before.

Quietly and cautiously entering, he stole
across the room to where a small cupboard was
built into the corner, and finding the key in the
lock. he quietly opened the door, took a small,
oblong tin box from one of the shelves, and
thrusting it in the bosom of his shirt, turned his
attention to the ad joining room.

With usmlle of fiendish delight he realized
how completely the girl was at his mercy, and
tip-toeing to the door seized her before she was
aware of his vicinity.

She was powerless in his grasp, and seemed
instantly to realize that to cry for help would
be uSeless, so submitted silently while he fasten-
ed her arms behind her with the raw-hide lariat
he carried, and only fixed her eyes steadily
upon him, as if to burn the photograph of his
features into her memory.

Oblivious or careless of the fact that the
leathern cord was cutting deeply into her deli-
cate flesh, the bandit drew the bonds tight
about her slender wrists and fastened them so—
curely. ‘

Then attaching the end of the lasso to a hook
driven firmly into the wall, he disappeared in
the direction of the stable, soon returning with
her horse, completely sudd led and hridled.

Returning to where she still sat, pale but un-
dauuted, he addressed her:

“Your dandy, kid-gloved friend is in my

ower, more completely than even you are.
oes not this information make your heart leap
with very joy?”

To his taunts he received no answer.

“ You doubtless think him a. royal champion,
but in my hand he is as a wheat-straw—to be
broken wheneverI will it.”

And still no answer came from those delicate
lips, white through physical and mental suf-
faring.

 

 

“ A plonsing pair you will make as you swing
together from the brunch of some convenient
tree; for you both die to-dny.”

The girl’s patrieian fuce blanched a trifle, yet
she looked calmly and scornfnlly at her tor—
mentor, and answered never a word.

“ Curses on you!” fairly hissed the mocking
demon, who scowled fiercely on her from under
his bent brows.

“ I’ll rouse you yet."

And casting his glances moodily about, his
eye caught the belt and pistols forgotten by
her chumpion in his hurried exit in pursuit of
Hercules.

“ Ho !" he cried, “this accounts for the young
dandy’s being unarmed.

“ Does it strike you, Miss Dainty Danford,
that it is to you he will Owe his death?

“ That it was in your behalf that he rode
nwayui'tcr my friend Hercules?

“ That, as he gasps and strangles and strug-
gles at the end of the tightening cord, his last
thought will be that you are his murderess?”

“ For God’s sakel” sobbed the girl, “torture
my body as you will, but spare me this mental
agony!

“ Murderer of my father as I u0w know you to .

be, Craig Colton, murderer to be of that brave
youth and myself, I defy you, and believe that
God’s justice will not long allow you to continue
in your career of blood and crime.

“ Again I say—I defy you 1”

And magnificent in her disdain the young
girl arose and drew her slight form, quivering
with passion, to its full height.

He had roused her, at last, but the storm of
her indignation was such that he cowered b9-
neath it like a whipped coward, and withouta
word in reply, unfastened the rope and drag-
ging, rather than leading her outside, lifted her
and fastened her securely in her saddle.

Then, going to the door, he removed the key
from the inside, closed the door and locked it,
throwing the key into a clump of bushes by the
roadside, and then mounting, and lending her
horsle by the bridle, he rode off slowly down the
roar .

He anticipated meeting no one, for it was a
wild and desolate country, and but few miners
inhabited the neighborhood, they being at this
hour all engaged with their laborn, besides which
fact, the road they were following was an old,
abandoned one, lately supplanted by the new
stage-mu to some miles distant.

After rirlingl for some time alongr the road
over which the followed and the follower had
gnlloped so impetuously the night before, they
came in sight of a. little group that was
evidentlyawairing their arrival and expecting
them.

The young fellow who had proven himself
such a hero in the girl’s defense was fastened by
a rope tied about his ankles, to a tree, his hands
being unbound, while he looked as jaunty and
unconcerned as if in n. drawing-room.

Hercules, with his head bound up in a cotton
handkerchief, and his two companions, lolled
about in listless attitudes, keeping, however, a
sharp watch on their prisoner, whose prowess
they evidently feared.

As the captor and the girl rode up, the men

  

   
    

 

 

». Mum“,

  
  
  
  
  
  
 

   

Hnmunm A_l._-

95¢

Denver Kit’s Double.

 

.came forward, one of them lifting her to the
ground, she shuddering at his touch, and releas-
lug herseltasquickly as possible from his ngSp,
hurried to the young fellow who stood there so

_ quifily, and with handsstill bound behind her,

” And it is I who have brought ’0‘] to this!
Can you ever forgive me?" ,

“ Anything done in your service, even to the
fill-Gigi; of death, would be to me u willing sacri—

ce. .4 ,

And stretching out his arms as she wavered,
he caught her as she fell, fainting, and laid her
gently on the turf.

CHAPTER V.
THE RIDE TO DEATH.

THE wretches who stood about only looked
on and laughed, while the prisoner, walking as
far as the rope would permit, scooped up some
water in the hollow of his hand, and allowed a.

. few drops to trickle therefrom on the forehead
of the insensihle girl.

r'Gently chafing her hands, she was soon re—
stored to consciousness, and, sitting up, gazed
, ‘ about her in amazement, but soon came to a
realization of her situation, and with a deep
31gb turned her eyes on the man to whom she
owed so much, with a pleading look for forgive-
ness in her magnificent blue eyes. ,

An answering look of devotion gave her cour-
age. while he, bending forward to raise her,
whispered, unheard by the outlaws, who were
attending to their horse~: ‘

,. “Do not despair; while there is life there is

always hope l”

w “I cannot despair," she whisperol, while a
.deep blush mantled her cheek, "so long as you
are near me i"

‘ What he might have answered remained un-
spoken, for at that moment they were inter-
rupted by the leader of the gang, who came
toward them and roughly ordered them to
mount and follow, stooyinz as he spoke, and
untying the rope from his prisoner’s ankles,
andk forming a. noose be fastened it about his
nee . .

Then all having mounted, they rode on down
the road for some distance, finally reaching a
narrow path which branched off to the loft,

_ up which, owing to the nurrowness of the
gill)“, they were compelled to proceed in double

9., .

1 "rThemanwhann‘ t'l d dd esled C '
l m y in a r as raig
. ,quton and Hercules: took the lead, the two
prisoners coming next, they being followed in
turn h the other tWo momlwrs of the hand.

,“W at ll to honor fete?" whispej‘ed the girl
, to her companion, as they rode, slowly along,

V7 lffianging, I imagine, from what-I gathered
-,!rom‘ their conversation. At least mm, is to
“blimg fate, andmforgire me for the apparent

Selfis ness of the remark—I hope it will be
ours."

, *What Can you mean?” ~

I'mean that it is better you should die than

. - _ the wife of that hound.” ‘

audits young fellow nodded toward the

he who premded them. ' ‘

, times betten" answered the,

 

girl, almost speaking aloud in her righteous in-
dignation.

“ Does he imaginc for an instant that I would
place my hand in one stained with my father’s
blood?

“ I am sure he killed' him, or if he did. not,
one of his satellites did, and he was a party to
the crime.”

“Well, you are to have your choice, and if
you are the brave girl I take you for, he will
never call you his wife, even it the grave cou-
fronts you as the only alternative.”

“And your faith in me shall be justified'by
my acts.”

“ Here! this confab has lasted long enough be—
tween you two.

“ Young fellow, you fall back and ride with
my partner; I’ll keep the young lady com-

n

And with nn'evil leer one of the men who had
been riding behind pushed forward and inter-
ru ted the conversation. ‘

n the menu time Colton and Hercules, who
had ridden some distance ahead of the rest of
the party, were also talking regarding the fate
of the prisoners.

" He shall hang, of course ” answered Colton,
in response to some query of, his C(unpanion.

“ An’ l’ll yank ther rope," chuckled the
other, every feature of his forbidding counte-
nance distorted into an expression of exultant

0y.
“ And you can pull the rope if you wish,” as—
sented his leader.

“ An7 ther gull" w

“ The girl promises and swears to marry me,
or she dunglos from the same tree.”

“ Better string ’em both up to oncet, Cup; ’t’ll
save in heap o’ truhhle.

“An’ then ther mine—”

“ Shut up, you fool,” interrupted Colton, sav-
agelv, as he gazed fearfully around.

“ Do you want to give the whole snap away?”

“ Beg pardon. Cap; I clean forgot ther other
two hinkesdidn’t stand in.” p
‘ “ Well, try and remember something more
than ten minutes at n. time hereafter.

“ lt would make things safer if she should be—
come my w1fe;there’s no telling iuvthese math
ters What may turn up.”

“ You’ve got all ther papers?”

“ Safe and sound.”

“ We], what’s Let be feared?”

“ Everything.”

“ Everything?”

“ Yes.’

“ I don’t tumble.”

“ You wouldn’t tumble if Pike’s Peak were to
fall on you.” V

“ Now see hyar, Cap, hain’t you a»ridin’ a
leetle rusty?” I

“Not half as rusty us you deserve.

“ But enough of this; we’ve got to hurry up it
we. want to escape a ducking.”

For the sky was now as black as, midnight,
and as Colton spoke, the low growl of di~taut 21nd
muttering thunder betokened a coming szorm,
while a vivid flash of forked lighting split the
somber veil frain‘top'to bottom. '

Turning in his’saddl‘e, he called to the’others

in lhe rcurjto hummus the storm would some 1

.'\

 

 

 

 

break, and in obedience to the order the caval-
cade broke into a quick trot, one of the men
leanm forward, and severing the bonds which
still c afed the wrists of the girl, that she
might be able to sit in the saddle without diffi-
culty.

And soon they came to a. level stretch of
ground, in the center of which stood a huge tree,
under the spreading branches of which was a
stone hut, of a single story.

This was the home of the outlaws.

 

CHAPTER VI.
A MIRACLE.

IT was a wild and desolate place, this plateau
into which they rode, and the gloom of the sur-
roundings was hightened by the weird, yellow
light that the storm-cloud shed down on all the
landscape.

Towaring cliffs of rugged rock sprung abrupt-
ly from the valley on all sides, their beetling
fronts so abrupt and precipitous as to be entire-
ly unscalable, while high up on the face of
the loftiest of them was perched an eagle’s
eyrie, about which the birds were circling and
screaming, as if afl’righted by the approaching
tempest.

The entire party were soon dismounted, and
the horses being led away. were quickly stabled
in a small building near the main edifice.

The young man was again bound, while the
girl was allowed to seat herself on a small rock
underneath the tree.

Then Hercules went into the house, and press
ently returned bearing a long and stout rope,
both ends of which he quickly and skillfully
knotted into running-nooses that would have
excited the envy of a professional hangman.

This rope he coiled and then, standing under
the tree, selected his branch.

Not more than a dozen feet from the ground
a huge limb sprung from the main trunk,which,
a couple of yards from its junction with the
tree, split into two branches, forming a horizon-
tal Y, and over these two branches he flung
his rope, so that the two nooses dangled close to
the ground, and a half a dozen feet apart.

He held the middle of the cord in his hand, so
that by pulling on either the right or left side he
could raise or lower either of the nooses at will
and his preparations being completed, seated
himself on the ground and waited.

“ Miss Dainty,” began Craig C-olton, court-
eously, “ you hold two lives in your hand. Ac-
cede to my wishes. and your friend goes free and
your life is safe. Refuse, and—”

“ I say, Cap,” growled Hercules, wroth at the
prospect of being cheated of the revenge for
which he so ardently longed; “yer ain’t a-goin’
ter let tner young snip ofi, be yer?”

“ Silence I” shouted Colton, livid with rage
and fury at this insubordination. “ Open those
swollen lipl of yours again before I give you
permission, and I’ll blow you to the lower
re ions tosinge “cruelly!”

" he latter, kn: wing with whom he had to
de-u. immediately lubsided, and contented him-
self with incoherentvgrowlings and mutterings.

Again the thunder crashed in near proximity

Denver Kit’a Double.

 

yellow lightning.

“ Your answer must be given in fifteen min- 1'

utes from the time of asking the question.

“ That you may not think me harsh and
cruel "—laughing sardonically—“ we will retire
and afford you opportunity to consult with this
young ggntleman.

“ But this only on the condition that you
promise, me not to endeavor to free him or to
escape yourself, although the latter would be a
vain effort. »

“ Do you promise this?”

“ I romise.”

“ on will not endeavor to untie those cords
or to escape?"

“ I will not.”

" Well and good.

“ I know I can depend on your word, for your
truthfulness is but one of your many virtues.

“ Now, as to my question.

“Will you, within twenty-four hours, lay
your hand in mine and marry me?

“ Stop 1" lifting his hand as the girl was about
to speak.

“ Take your time and consider well before you
answer.

“ And remember, besides, that your reply
does not affect you alone; this young fellow is
equally interested by it with you.

“If your answer is ‘ Yes,’ he shall be released,

to the spot, following close upon a vivid flash of .

and no harm shall ever come to him from any

of us.

“Should your answer be ‘No,’ then he dan- V
gles from one of yonder nooses, you from the 3

other.
“ Save his life or murder himl
“ Choosel”
And rising, and followed by Hercules, who

secured his rope by placing a stone on it, and by .

the other two members of the gang, he walked
to the house, wherein they all disappeared.

Scarce had the door closed behind them than i

the girl, with streaming eyes and clasped hands,
turned to the young fellow who stood there,

with a look of intense disdain playing over his 1

handsome features, and, sobbing, cried:

“ Ohl counsel, advise me!

“Was ever weak womanhood put to such a
test as this: in one balance of these terrible
scales hangs your life; in the other a lifetime of
self—loathing and misery for me.

“But what is my despair compared to your ‘

life? My mind is made up; I choose marriage,

and your safety; death can always relieve my .

sufferings!”

And turning, she walked proudly toward the 1

house.

N Sm!"

And as she arrested her firm step, he con-
tinued:

“My life is not for sale on the terms pro- ‘

posed.

“ As Heaven is my judge, if I am set free, the
first shot of any weapon that I can procure will
be for that cur, the second for myse f.

“ If life is to end, as you say yours will
in the event of your marriage, at us die to-
gether, and dying, thwart this villain who would
make whatever of life that was left toyoua
torture!” ‘

  
    

 

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“My brother—for more you can never be—
you are even now more noble than I thought,
although I knew what your answer would be.

“ And now, good—by 1”

And bending over him she kissed him solemnly
on the forehead, just as Colton came from the
house.

“ Your answer, Miss Dainty?”

“ Death, rather than life with you!”

“ Then, so be it i” he shrieked.

“Hercules, do your work!"

A minute sufficed to place «the nooses about
the necks of these twain, doomed to die so
young. A spike, to which to fasten the rope
being driven into the tree-trunk. Hercules and
two of the others caught the rope, the girl’s
hands were fastened behind her, and at a signal
from Colton they pulled, and Dainty and the
brave young fellow who died for her, swung in
the air.

But at that moment the black pall overhead
was rent asunder as by magic, a deafening clap
of thunder split the air, while a vivid flash of
lightning descending straight down from the
cloud overhead, struck the tree, shivering it to
atoms, and wrenching the limb, on which hung
the two vicnims, from the trunk, and dashing
them to the ground.

The bandits, standing about the tree, were
hurled in every direction, while at the same
instant the rain descended in torrents.

CHAPTERVIL
A cnosa CALL.

FOR a short time it seemed as if the bolt from
Heaven had descended with equal fatality on
executioners and victims, for not one of them
stirred, and they were, to appearance, dead.

But in a short time the cooling rain and the
brisk breeze that swept over the valley, re-
v1vifled the daring young fellow who had but a
moment before been choking to death, and the
fall having loosened the noose, he ’was able to
breathe without difficulty.

So, sitting up, he looked about him, and in an
instant realized that he had been saved by a
miracle, but as his eye caught the prostrate
form of the young girl, lying there so still and
white, his heart gave a mighty bound, and stag-
gering to his feet, he tugged and pulled at the
cords which encircled his wrists.

To his great joy he found that they were
so soaked with the rain that they stretched
considerably and were easil slipped over his
hands, when he hurried to Dainty’s side and,
loosening the cruel rope, used all of his efforts
to resusc1tate her.

HIS efforts were soon rewarded, for she
heaved 5 deep 31gb, Opened her eyes, and in a
few minutes was able to sit up, weak from the
shock, but thoroughly conscious of her surround-

ln s.

Elolton and his three comrades still lay mo—
tionless, and, standing as they had been, close
to the trunk of the tree, had evidently been in-
stantly killed by the thunderbolt.

In fact, one of them, who lay nearer to the
youth and Dainty than the others, bore on his
temple 9. small, black spot, showing where the
flesh had struck him; '

 

The storm-cloud passed as quickly as it had
come up, and in a few moments the girl was
able to mount the horse which her companion
had procured and saddled for her, and ride off
with him from this terrible scene of desolation
and death.

Before leaving the fatal spot, however, the
youth had secured his belt, which Is. on the
ground near where Colton had fal en, and,
buckling it about his waist, felt able to cope
with scores of enemies in defense of the fair
girl to Whom fate had so closely linked him.

After they had left the valley and a bend in
the path hid it from their gaze as they turned
and looked, they gradually fell into conversa-
tion, Dainty being somewhat embarrassed at
the recollection of the caress she had bestowed
on her companion,when she thought that they
were about to die together.

But this feeling soon wore off and the recol-
lection of her father’s awful fate came surging
back to her memory with renewed force.

“Now that we are once more free, I want to
ask you a question which I should have put to
you before, if it had not been for this succession
of stirring incidents that drove everything from
my mind." _

“Ask anything and if I can answer it, be as-
sured that I will, Miss Dainty.”

“You know my name?" with open-eyed sur-

prise.

“ You see that I do.”

“ And how did you learn it, pray?”

“ Did not the man who lies dead back yonder,
speak to you by name just before our—our—ac-
cident?” _

“True, I had forgotten it.”

“ But now that you know m
not think it only fair that
yours?"

“ Most assuredly.”

“ Then—pray tell it.”

“I can only give you the name by which I
am known out here; I am called DENVER
Krr."

“ But your last name?”

“ It is the saddest thing I can say to you, but
—I do not know it.”

“ Do not know your own name?”

“ I do not know my own name I”

H But—3)

“ Pardon me, Miss Dainty, but it is a very,
very sad story, and too long to tell you now.

“ At some future time, perhaps-L”

“ Ohl pray forgive me! I hope I have not
hurt you by my persistence; that I have not
wounded your feelings." '

“ Not the least in the world,” returned Kit,
cheerily “ please call me just ‘Kit’ in the fu-
ture, and if I have no name now, I Will try
and make one for myself before I diel”

“ On one condition I will call you ‘ Kit.’ ”

“ And that condition is?” v. v. ‘

“ That hereafter you will drop. the ‘ miss,’
and call me by my first name--‘ Daintyl’”

“A eedl”

“ Then there is my hand on it.’_’,,

“ And there is mine.” "n  _ _

And the two hands met_it,~,a 'hngermgclasp
from which they seemedoloti, to Withdraw. ,# .

“ And now one thing» more—Dainty1 ., his

name, do you
should learn

    
 
  

 

  

  

Denver Kirsnaubie.

 
  

 

tongue hesitating an instant over the unaccus—
tamed syllables.

“ Yes?” she replied, encouragingly and blush-
ing delightfully.

“ We are no longer ‘ brother and sister?’ ”

“ Oh, yes we are,” gayly, and then solemnly:

“ For you must remember my father yet lies
unburied, and my first duty is to him. »-

“ But my hat! In the hurry of departure
from that awful spot I left it lying on the
ground.

“ We must return for it.”

“Spare yourself that visit; let me go alone.
I will gallop there and return and you can await
me here. i

“ Are you familiar with fire-arms?”

“ Perfectly.”

“ Then ta 1: this revolver, use it if necessary,
but trust rather to your horse’s speed should
any one agproach you.

“ Shoul you not be here I will join you at
your cabin.

“Farewell, and good luck!”

“ Hurry back,” she cried, as he galloped off
at full speed, kissing her hand to him as he
reached a bend in the road.

Lifting his hat in acknowledgment of the
salutation, he spurred up the path, swept around
the bend and disappeared.

Riding on rapid y be soon came to the valley,
and rode up to the tree, from the spike in
which yet dangled the fatal rope, saw the hat
lying there, leaped from his horse and picked it
up and then glancing about, saw that not one
of the stricken men was in si ht!

At the same moment a s ot rung from the
stone house, and a bullet, whizzing by his ear,
scored his cheek and brought blood.

CHAPTER VIII.
A BLAZING HOME.

KIT had too much common horse-sense to at-
tack a concealed enemy, barricaded behind the
stone-walls of a house, so, leaping into his sad-
dle, he beat low, stuck his spurs deep into his
horse’svflanks, and scampered down the valley
as fast as his thoroughbred could carry him.

One or two more bullets sped after him, but
without inflicting any injury, for either the
marksmanship was very poor, or the nerves of
the shooter were unstrung by the late shock
from the lightning.

Thanks to the fleetness of his steed, he was
soon out of all danger, and, turning the bend in
the path, drew rein, not wishing to run the risk
of injuring his horse by gallopin him down the
rock-strewn steepness of the ma .

Proceeding leisurely alongfl carefully holding
the ostrich-feather decked at, he soon drew
near the spot where he had left Dainty, and
quickening his horse’s pace somewhat, be hur-
ried on at a quick trot, rapidly nearing the bend
in the path, which, once turned, would bring
him in sight of the fair girl.

But at that moment a pistol-shot rungx out on
the still air, and with a snort of pain is horse
bounded forward, as the needle-like, golden
rowels were sunk deep in his sides.

And as he swerved around the corner of the
blufl. a riderless horse, with the empty stirrups
‘ 0! his empty saddle battering his sides and

 

 

  
  
 
 
    
  
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
   
  
  
  
  
     
 
    
  
    
   
  
    

frightening him to still greater speed, v
dashing up the path, and barely avoided w
ing with him.

And as he came in view of Dainty, he
that young girl bending over a human
which lay stretched on the ground, using
handkerchief to stanch the bloodrwhich flo
freely from a wound in the shoulder of
prostrate man.

Riding hastily up he drew his horse on to .
haunches with a vigorous pull on the bit,
with a voice trembling with emotion, cried: .

“ What does this mean?” ..

“ rlnly another of Colman’s band, who t
to abduct me,” replied Dainty, more coolly t ' ,
would have been expected. “But thanks ,
your revolver. I was able to defend myself.” L

“ And he offered you injury?" , a l y

The tones of his voice fairly bubbled witposedt

wrath, as he asked the question. ,, “Th
“I will tell you,” answered Dainty, as, he left I!
ing finished her surgical labors, she turned the th

1t: deters

“Just before you returned this man on by 1112
riding up the path, evidently on the way to t: grave
house we saw up under the tree in the valle I hem
and which is the rendezvous for all of Oral “A
Colton’s band. ‘IDainl

“When he saw me he approached, and vcr lieva
politely asked me if I had seen a party of four “ 1‘.
horsemen riding up the path. I replied in th A“
negative when he approached still closer, an in th
before I could realize what he intended, he he read
grasped me by the arm, exclaiming: to or

“ ‘ If I mistake not, you are Miss Dainty Dan‘ 13!
ford, and a young lady whom Mr. Craig Colto find
will be very glad to see at his home; so com man
alonfi.’ witl
“ y right hand, which held your pistol, w ;’ war
concealed in the folds of my skirt, and before
he could defend himself, I had aimed and fired,
the boil passing through his shoulder and the
shock throwing him from his horse.

“I do not think he is as much hurt as be ap-
pears, but for fear of serious results, I bound
up his wounds, first takin the precaution to
remove his weapons,” and s e pointed to a belt'_ _
lying near, in which were two magnificent, = .
ivory-handled revolvers.

   
 
 
  
  
   
   
    
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
    
   
  

“ Take that handkerchief from your shoulder";.
and hand it to me. No man of your stripe ca ’
wear Miss Danford’s property 0 in that man .
her and beast of the trophy afterward.” - '—

Sullenly the man obeyed, and then in obedi-“i‘
ence to Kit’s repeated order, he hurried oi! an
was soon lost to View. . . ' , ’

“ Oh, thank you i” cried Miss Dnnford, as K

 

Jumping down beside the wounderl man, Kit 110
examined him carefully ,and then, with a de— W4
cided sneer on his handsome face, exclaimed,
with a kick: c1

“ Here, quit your shamming, and scatter for - d<
home. I’ll give (you just three minutes to get U
out of sight,” an be emphasized his remark
with a click of his revolver. , ‘3‘

The prostrate man did not wait for a second 1‘
bidding, but Spraing to his feet, and with an f‘
agility which prov how slight his wound was ‘
started off up the hill, being halted, however, I
before he had gone many steps, by Kit, u; i
called out to him: ‘ V §

1

    
    
 
    
  

       

  

Denver Kit’s Double.

[1'

 

 

968"! can:
‘de COlli'anded her hat to her, she quickly and deftly
ilucing it on and fastening it to her sunny
lty, he saocks.
imu'n boa “ But those men who were killed by the light-
.“S'UE bfling; who will give them the burial that every
ich fioWénun deserves?”
lcr of ti “ They are not quite ready for burial yet and
,ire the liveliest Corpses I ever encountered, as
‘ OHIO hbvi'tness this scratch on my cheek."
1" P13, 813‘ “Why, what do you mean?”
“Hedi “ That they were only stunned by the flash, as
. we were. One of them, the man who had the
W110 brmspot on his temple, was probably instantly kill-
)olly tha'ed, although they had probably carried his body
hunks “into the house.”
“em” » And Kit related to her his adventures in the
. valley, and his surprise at finding that the sup-
iled Witlposed corpses had disappeared.
“ Then," said the girl, solemnly, “ Heaven has
85' haV'left my vengeance to myself. I thought that
urned Wthe thunderbolt, had destroyed my father’s mur—
derers, but my vow must be fulfilled. I swore
111 came by my father’s blood to track them to their
0’ t0 “10 graves, and as soon as my father is in his grave
a valley. I begin my work of vengeancel”
lf Craig ‘: And whateverlcan do that will aid you,
“Dainty, will be only too willingly done; you be—
id veryllieve me, do you not?”
Of fourl “ As I believe in Heaven 1"
l in the And again the hands met and their eyes dwelt
361‘, and in the liquid depths of each other, until Dainty
he had read something in Klt’s eyes which caused her
to Color and turn her head. ,,
5)’ Dam, But as they at length centered along the road,
Colton,’ and came in sight of the house where the dead
0 come? man lay, they saw that it was in flames, and
with a cry of horror they dashed wildly for-

 

ward.
before,
red,j, CHAPTER IX.
ml the; ‘ IN THE JAWS or DEATH.

1 _THE horror-stricken expression of the young
be ap- ; girl was enou h for Denver Kit, for he saw that
bound 3' she was thinking that in those flames her father’s
Ion to 1 body was being consumed, and that only a few

H ghnrred bones, if anything, would be left to
ury.

So, dashing .up to the front of the blazing
,1 house and leaping from his horse, he sprung to-
_R de- ,/ ward the door and endeavored to open It.
lined, But Colton had locked it, and as the d00r
cpened outward he was unable to break it

r for down, so looked about for other means of en—
3 gen trance.
:nark But the windows were all closed with heavy
wooden shutters, which were also firmly bolted
cond lnsule. and he saw no way by which he could
h an force his way in.
was, The flumes u ere now leaping high above the
aver, roof, which threatened at any moment to fall
who in, and Dainty, seeing that if he did succeed in
entering, it would be at the imminent peril of
Ider his life, called out to him, and begged him to
can give ii the attempt and not risk the danger.
Him But; it, when he had once undertaken any-
_ thing, almost invariably carried it through, so,
edi- runmgg around to the back of the house, he dis—
rind cover that by climbing up on the lean-to
_ which constituted the stable, he could gain the
Kit 4’ root of the cabin and then probably drop down

the chimney, which was huge and wide,

 

 

Quickly scrambling up, before the girl could
fully comprehend his intention, he climbed to
the edge of the chimney, lowered himself into
it by his hands and dropped out of sight.

Minutes that seemed tours passed by, and
Dainty sat; there, waiting and watching, until
finally one of the closed shutters was flung vio-
lently open and at the window Kit appeared.

He was hearing something which made him
stagger beneath its weight, and which, on being
lifted up, proved to be a buffalo-robe, in which
something was carefully wrapped, and it was
not difficult for Dainty to divine what that
“ something ” was.

She could but admire the consideration of the
young mnn who, to spare her feelings as much
as possible, had taken time in the midst of this
whirlwind of smoke and flame to carefully en-
fold her father's body in the buffalo-robe which
had been his bed during his life.

Tenderly raising his burden and lifting it out-
side the window, he gently lowered it and de—
posited it 011 the ground where no sparks could
fall on the robe, for the wind was blowing from
the front and swept the smoke and flame and
burning particles of wood, that rose in the air,
toward the buck bf the house.

Having thus cared for his burden, Kit turned
to cast a last look around to see if there were
anything in sight worth saving, when, without
a moment‘s warning the roof fell in, while a
cloud of smoke and flame and sparks shot high
in the air.

The piercing scream uttered by the girl, and
which echoed far away among the hills, was 9.]-
most iiistantly drowned by the crash of the fall-
ing timbers, and then all was still.

Choked for an instant by the falling mass the
fire smoldered for a moment, and then the
flames burst out with renewed fury and the
heat became so intense that the buflTalorobe, in
which the corpse was wrapped, began to scorch
and burn.

Regardless of the heat and smoke, Dainty,
who had dismounted some time before, rushed
up to the burning building, seized the robe, and
exerting all of her frail strength, succeeded in
dragging it some distance from the spot and
beyond all danger of bUi hing.

And then her next thought was for Kit.

Looking at the roof, she saw that the fire was
still confined to the end of the house op Osite to
that on which stood the chimney, and mowing
that the fine was built; of rough stones and plas-
tered niud, realized that she could easily climb
down and up again without any danger.

For no smoke came from the chimney, and
she was convinced that the draught was in the
other direction.

Hesitating not an instant, and praying that
she might be able to render some assistance to
Kit, she ran around the house, and with some
little difficulty clambci‘ed upon the lean-to and
thence to the roof, where she stopped 11. moment
to rest, so wildly did her heart beat.

But as she stood there a pistol shot rung out
from the room below, so startling her that she
near] lost her balance and came within an inch
of fill ing to the ground below.

Was it a si no], or had the fire reached Kit’s
body, and di theroport mean that the flame.

 

had so heated the pistol as to cause its dis-
charge?

With hand pressed hard on her throbbing
breast, and every sense on the alert, she waited,
listening for a second report.

If it came instantly, then indeed must it be
the result of a heated cylinder; but if it was de‘
layed a few moments—no matter how few—
then she would know that Kit still lived and
was signaling to her.

Imperative as it was that she should hasten,
she could no more have moved than with a tear
she could have extinguished those roaring
flames. every muscle seeming paralyzed as she
listened.

After what seemed an age a second shot was
fired, and as if it had been a. signal to free her
from the chains which held her, her muscles re-
gained their strength, her brain its clearness,
her heart resumed its quiet beatings, as with
firm step she walked over the roof t_o the chim-

ne .

$0 her, strong and active as she was, the de—
scending of the line was a simple matter. so
tying her riding-skirt tightly about her with
the cord she wore for that purpose for conve-
nience in walking, she stepped on the chimney-
ledge, and with all the grace and ease of a
skilled athlete, lowered herself into the grimy,
sooty flue.

In a moment she reached the bottom, and the
sight that met her eyes was one well calculated
to unnerve a stronger person than she.

The end of the room opposite to where she
stood was one seething mass of glowing embers
and leaping flames, the fiery tongues springing
high in the air through the opening above
where the root" had fallen in.

This was her salvation, for owing to the fire
being at the outer end and the heat pouring out
through the roof, the draft was down the chim-
ney, in the fireplace of which she stood, and she
found no difliculty in breathing.

The heat was, however, intense, and already
her dress began to smoke and scorch, while the
ostrich feather in her hat was instantly shriv—
eled into nothingness.

And just in front of her, face downward on
the floor, and pinned there by huge beams that
had fallen across his back, lay Kit, unable to
move, while the flames were slowly creeping
nearer and nearer.

And with a murmured prayer, Dainty sunk
to the floor and crawled toward him.

CHAPTER X.
RESCUED.

CROUCHING low to the floor, to avoid as much
as possible the bent and smoke, Dainty crept on
until at length she reached the Spot where Kit
was lying helpless just as he fired another shot,
for he had succeeded in worming his hand down
to his belt, drawing one of his pistols and firing
it as a signal.

He had begun to despair, for what could a
frail girl do with this mighty weight that
crushed him to the floor and rendered him help«
less, even it she should hear his signal above
the cracking and roaring of the flames?

So'he had about given up all hopes, and was
nervuig himself to undergo the fearful torture

 

Denver Kit’s Double.

 

    

2
that threatened him, when a. voice that sounded—’---‘
like an angel's tones fell on his ears, as Dainty uBut
bent over him and whisperer]: awry ext
“As you saved me, so will I save you i” it Do“
And rising nearly to her full hight, she grim-t you “
ed the beam which was wedged in a mass Of it 1 1m
rubbish at either end, and pulled on it with alltioned v
the nervous strength of her frail hands. me an ;
But the effort was as the power ofa pigmyidoor.
exerted against a. Samson, for not the thou! H 3,11
sandth part of an inch did the beam move. n It
Try and push and pull and drag as she wouldlminute
she could not succeed in affording Kit, who was} u A‘
cruelly bruised by the weight across his loinS, u 10,
an instan ’s relief, nor could she raise the beam as he ‘;
in the slightest degree. fonow,
So it seemed as if. Kit were doomed to die a‘ Muc
terrible and a lingering death, and calling my 59d
her as loudly as he Could, his voice caught her; ength
ear, and she bent to listen to what he had to, nitely
Say: _ witho
“ It is useless; you had best save yourself, At
before you are injured by the heat and smoke." judgi,
“ What care I for pain, so long as there is the luck
slightest chance of saving you?” it ‘53
“ But, Dainty, I am (loomed. ‘, h; 1
“Your frail strength can never move this i the d.
weight that crushes me, and renders me power»,x it.

less to aid you in your efforts to release me. No
“Go and live long and happily, and think of’ by _[
me sometimes.” '  the 5
“I will always think of you, Kit, as the“. 5mm
truest, noblest friend I ever had, and—” ' girl’:
“Do not‘tulk that way, Dainty! You only», am,

make death harder to bear. , Al
“ Oh!’7 he cried, bitterly. “ It is hard thus to '3 sum
die, caught likea wolf in a trap!” him

At the word a wild shriek burst from the the
parted lips of the girl, as she cried: sq",
“ Saved, saved! You are saved!" H
And hysterically laughing and crying, she the
again sunk to the floor, crawled 8 little nearer plai
the flame, and forcing her hand under the beam, and
which lay across Klt’s body, drew a bolt, after per
some little difficulty, and the floor giving way, E
Kit, with a loud cry of startled surprise, fell as'
headlong through the opening, striking on the ab]
ground below With a tremendous thud, but be- the
lugr uninjured. .. pm
u an instant Dainty was beside'him, having  10C
descended by means of the steps which led into 11“
the cellar, she having opened the trap door I
which gave access to it, and on which, most no
providentially, Kit happened to be lying. ‘ w,
Dainty had closed the door, and they found at

themselves in utter darkness, and in a close and
stifling atmosphere, but which was still an iin- 3,

provenient on the furnace above. :1; s,

“This is but a temporary res ite, after all.” 

said Kit, “ and you, foolish chil that you are, 5,

instead of escaping, have sought your tomb :3 c

with me. 5 t,

“The fire will soon eat through the floor and , ‘ t

i

i

(

l

 

we will be roasted in here like a. fox in his bur- -

 

l'OW.

“ Dainty, Dainty, why did you make me re-
sponsible for your death 1”

“ I am not dead yet, nor are you.”

“ Do you feel able to walk?”

“A little sore across the back, but able to
walk for miles, ‘

 
   
  
 

    

  

i soundnr‘l
s Dainty

“ But why do you ask? We can not enjoy a

H” ‘Vory extensive promenade in this cellar!”

she r”. “ Don’t laugh at my cellar. If it were not for

mag o{it you would now be in a sad plight.

win? an r “ I had forgotten all ahr iit it until you men-
tioned the word ‘ trap,1 when it flashed upon

la pigmyggilall at once that you were lying just over the

e t,°u' “ But give me your hand, and follow.

VB. u ‘ t , . l
ehwouldfiinézem getting warm heie and hotter every
:38 (£03195? “ A breath of air will be very acceptablfi"

“ [only hope you may find it!” muttered Kit
“5 beam as he took the small hand extended to him and
followed willingly.

Bugle u") ‘ Much to his surprise the cellar, which he sup-
,ht her: sed would at least be no longer than the
‘bad to, length of the house, seemed to extend indefi—

‘ niter and they walked on for some minutes
Without stopping.

_ At length they apparently arrived at a door,
judging from the sound of a key grating in a

'ourself
inoke."

' 15 the lock, and he having followed Dainty through
It. was warned to look out for the steps, which
,0 this he ascended to the number of a dozen or SO,
Dower _, the door clanging to behind him as he released
-) '9 it.
-' ,I Not stop in as suddenl as he was told to do
wk of! by DaintyFalEngside of ghom he had ascended
s the‘ the steps, his head came in sharp contact With
' some solid substance above, and which on the
DD, girl’s Opening it, proved to be a second trap-door
Y, through which they passed into daylight.
ms to And as he gazed about him, Kit could not
1 suppress'a “cry of astonishment, for he found
n the himself inside the hollow trunk of a huge tree.
the place in which he stood being some six feet
square.
she High up in the side was a hole through which
gamer the. light .I'O'Jl‘ed, rendering all about him as
6am plainly viSible as if outside under the clear sky,
ft a i and by it he could examine the surroundings
5 91' perfectly.
was]? But'short time was given him for reflection,
y ch as Dainty _turning to him, asked him if he felt
I, e able to climb up to the hole above and see if
’9' there were any one in sight, and he replying in
VI. 1 the affirmative, rapidly clambered up to the
i135 lookout-place by means of slats nailed to the
loor interior of the trunk.
10% At first he looked out cautiously, but seeing,r
.* no one about—for that portion of the country
md was generally deserted, be projected his head
um and looked about him.
in)- He Could scarce suppress aword of wonder,
for thetree grew just on the edge of a. precipice
” ,, some Six hundred feet high, and it was into
r; theserlepths he was gazing.
ml; Dainty bad instructh him to push a small
' case, he would find inside, out of the hole and
Dd . to remove the cover, doing which he found that
“a ' K the box Contained a mirror, and that by mov-
ing- it about in various directions on its hinged
Fe_ iron rods, the whole extent of country on the
' ‘ Ether Slde of the tree was plainly Visible to
im.
_He could see in all directions without any
to risk of being seen. ,

He was admiring the ingenuity of the device,
and was carefully examining the country, when
he was recalled to a. sense of his surroundings

 

 

Denver Kit’s Double.

 

13

by the reproachful tones of the young girl
who seemed to think that she was entirely for-
gotten.

So folding back the case inside the tree, he
rapidly descended and joined Dainty below.

CHAPTER Xl.
AN EVENING BURIAL.

“PARDON my remaining so long away,” he
explained, “but being entirely unfamiliar with
the workings of that ingenious arrangement up
there, I could not, at first, adjust it exactly.”

“I thou ht that you had entirely forgotten
that I was ere.”

“Not at all, nor have I forgotten that you
have a duty to perform, in WhichImust aid
you.

“ Your father must be buried to-day, and
already the sun is sinking low in the west.”

“ Then come,” cried the girl, and going to the
side of the tree that overhung the precipice, she
unloosed a catch, and a door, skillfully cut
through the bark, swung easily outward.

“Take carel” she warned him.

“'l'he ledge is very narrow, and you will fall
if you are not extremely careful.”

“And on?”

“ Oh! I am accustomed to it.

“Swing the door after you are outside and it
will catch with the spring lock.”

“ And can it be opened from the outside!”

“By any one u ho has the Secret, yes.”

As she Spoke she swung herself around the
massive trunk with the quickness of a squirrel,
while Kit, following more deliberately and
supporting himself by the tough vine which
covered the tree, swung the door to.

It closed with a snap, and he saw that owing
to the thickly-matted vine, the closest scrutiny
would fail to reveal any artificial opening in the
trunk.

Joining Dainty, he walked rapidly away, but
turning to look, he found that he could not dis—
tinguish the hollow tree from a dozen or twenty
others which, like monarchs of the forest in
size, grew along the edge of the precipice.

It was some distance to the burning house,
and they walked along in silence, for Kit re-
spected the sorrow of the young girl, which
grew more and more profound as the hour ap-
proached when she must bid a final farewell
to her father.

Arrived at the house, which was et burning
fiercely, Kit, without a word. left ainty, and
going to an out—house near by, took from there
a pick and shovel, and plunging into the wood,
selected a grassy plot, shaded by a gigantic
pine tree, and here he began to dig a grave, first
cutting the turf carefully away.

Owing to the nature of the Ioil, which was
rocky and difficult to dig, the task occupied him
some time, and it was not until the sun had set
that the receptacle \i as ready for the body.

Returning to Dainty whom he found watch-
ing by her father’s body, which was still envel-
oped in the l'iufl’alo-robe. nlthough she had
thrown the edge of it back that she mith look
for the last time on the beloved features, he
removed his hat and stood patiently by.

The girl, who had washed away the gory
stains from the wound, and brushed the long,

 

grew“ '  “ ‘ 

14

Denver Kit’s Double. .

    

  

 

white locks over the bullet-hole, for a time
seemed unconscious of his presence, but at
length roused herself and cast a look of inquiry
upon him.

He bent his head silently in response, and she,
rising with a deep sigh, walked in the direction
whence he had come.

Denver Kit, who, though so slight, was pos-
sessed of immense strength, lifted the dead man
from the ground and followed her, walking
slowly until they had arrived at the grave, when
he laid the body gently on the turf.

He realized that words of condolence would
be a hollow mockery at such a time and under
such circumstances, but be deemed it impera-
tive that Dainty should secure whatever papers
or letters or valuables the pockets of her mur-
dered father might contain, and so suggested to

er.

"/Please look, then, if you think it best; any
memento of my father would be of the highest
value to me.”

And obeying her request he reverently began
his search, finding nothing, however, but a small
locket, suspended about the dead man’s neck by
a laircd leathermcord.

his, without a word, he handed to Dainty.

Mechanically she took it, mechanically she
opened it, when a small piece of folded paper
fell to the ground which Kit picked up and re-
turned to her.

Unfolding it she glanced at the few written
words it contained, and then handed it to Kit,
who read as follows:

“Should an thin une ected ha pen to me,
Dainty, you wi l flu my wil and a so edule of my
property in the tin box in the corner cupboard."

This was all.

“The message from the dead comes too late
to the'living,” she murmured.

“ The box and papers are long since destroyed
by the fire which has destroyed my home!

“ It is a doubly unfortunate accident at this
time."

“It was no accident, I’ll dare swear,” broke
in Kit.

"‘All the circumstances point to incendia-
I'lSm.

“ There was no fire in the house, and I noticed
that the lamp, which was doubtless lighted
when you were dragged away, stood on the
floor beside your father’s body, where you had
placed it, empty, having burned itself out.

“ The house was set on fire, after having been
robbed, for there were footprints in the ashes of
the fire—place when I dropped down into them,
which I plainly saw.

“No doubt the man you shot, and who be-
longs to Colton’s band, was acting under orders
from his leader, stole the box and then fired the
house to hide his crime.

“ Fool that I was to let him go!”

“ We must talk of that later; my father de-
mands our attention now."

And carrying out her wishes, Kit laid the
body guietly m the grave, the fur robe its coflin
and its winding-sheet, its re uiem the sobs of
fine lgirl, who cried as if or heart would

rea .

 

And then, the grave being filled and the turf

l,-
carefully spread over it, Dainty became suddel that be;
ly quiet, and kneeling beside the grave, too,“s b
from her bosom the kid glove which Klt ha in they
torn from his hand after striking Hercul came in
raised it high toward Heaven and cried: ed
“Again, my father, who art watching ovriile'was
me to—night, I swear to avenge your death ankn the n
to follow your murderers to their graves!" s dubbe
And rising, she uttered the single word birth.
“ Come!” and led the way to where their horst wring
were grazing. “any tin
Mounting, in a few moments they had tree t
reached the mysterious tree, when the horsegmr W'a,
were unsaddled and unbridled and turned loosey'd “mm:
and, still following the girl, Kit swung around“0W m
and entered the tree, when Dainty disappearedins hat
down the steps, and almost immediately re-erdim
turned with a goodly supply of cold meet an {mks u
bread, and some cold coffee, of which Kit par

took ravenonsly. £52183
Then again descendingg she, saying: i)“ Bug;
“ I have a room below, ’ is chaii

shot the bolt in the lower side of the trap. ished
and sought her couch, while Kit, too tired told be“
think, threw himself on a pile of skins at one?t um
side of the hollow trunk and in a moment was it 1 th
fast asleep. as wa

‘I
CHAPTER XII. WE“:
A STARTLING PROPOSITION. u {1
A LONG rest completely restored Denver Kit, “1 an
and when he awakened the next morning, and, “Th
having taken an observation from the lookout: “N0
hole and satisfied himself that no one was in' ainc
sight, had stepped out to look after the horses {my c
and taken a good wash in a little brook which ewai,
ran near by, e felt like a new man. 593,10,
The two horses he found grazing quietly near, 5 u T(
and after a short walk along the edge of the pre— 9 u 1 1
cipice, which overhung an inaccessible canyon, his g,
into which the stream plunged with a magnifi- £30 in

 

cent leap, he returned to the tree, where he V8
found Dainty awaiting him. , is
She looked churmin , her beauty hightened by g An
9. look of sadness whic had settled over her fea- whip
tures. l u
But there was an expression of stem resolve 'manl
about her chin and clear-cut mouth, that denoted bthe
that she had stepped from girlhood to woman— cert,
hood ina short thirty-six hours, and that her , in
one aim and object in life was vengeance on her {be t

father’s assassins. ‘ ,1 w,
Requesting Kit to follow her, she descended sac
the steps which led into the undergound pas- %
sage, and after going a short'distance, turned to con

the ri ht and opened a door which led into a ‘j cm
latera passage, at the end of which was a small :-

room, cut out of the solid earth and fitted up as ha,
a kitchen. mt
An oil stove occupied one corner and a table m,

and three or four chairs completed the furniture 1
of the apartment. -n,

Light was obtained from a small hole cut 
through the bank and overlooking the canyon ‘pl
before mentioned. ‘ fl:

Here Dainty had prepared an appetizing break- a,
fast, to which Kit did full justice, while the girl a
forced herself to eat, doubtless realizing that it a
was of the utmost importance that she should
preserve her strength.’ _ 7

During the meal she explained to her compaui ,

    

N

Denver Kit’s Double. 1‘

 

lgjfdg‘fg that her father had gained the ill will of the
l K1; hale,“ bY_ declining to associate With them or
[Herculean in their carousals, and that invariably when

[came in contact with them, harsh words fol—

,‘n ed.
£5,112; a was much more refined and intelligent
,5," [in the rest of the dwellers in the region, and

6 words  “ Aristocrat” on account of his gen-
lr 1" -
hm‘sggearing that he might have trouble with them
93, bfldany time, he had constructed this passage to
3 horsep tree, having discovered by accuient that the
,d looseiter was hollow, and dug out the rooms alone
Moan d unaided.
ppeared' 0W that the house was destroyed and the
my reJns had fallen into the cellar, no one would
mo an her discover that end of the passage, while
at par anks to the ingenious arrangement of the mir-
Pl‘l they could always scan the country before
p‘l‘ng out, and thus avoid detection.
1, But now," continued Dainty, as Kit pushed
3 trapisphair slightly away from the table, havin
:red milshed his breakfast, “advise me what plan
at on id better pursue; for you know I will never
It was st until I have avenged my father."
“ I thought about that, this morning, while I
:as walking around.
, f‘But first of all you must understand one
hing, positively:
. Kit " n all your actions I am with you, heart,
a d1 iii and strength.”
i , “Thank you, my friend, I know that.”
is m “.Now would it not be better for you to re-
main uiet either here or at any other place you
may c 0030, even to go to Denver, and let me
emain here and be the instrument to your ven-
,eance?”

l

3:; g  To that I never will consent!

you i lhave sworn over my father’s blood, over
7

mm )is rave, to wreak my vengeance myself, and
I he go ulfilling this oath, 1 henceforth devote my
, ve energy, my every moment."
i y f “ hen so be it; now listen to my plan.”
a And he drew his chair up to the table again,
{while the girl listened intently.
; “ As well asI can judge,” continued the young
man, “ We are each the living image of the
bthel‘ a fact that is more remarkable as it is
certain that we are in no manner related.
,er ,1 “ Cut your hair a little shorter, so that it will
be the same length as mine, clothe us alike and
ed: 51 would defy any one, even a person intimately
- acguai'nted with us both to tell us apart."
slight suspicion of what Kit intended to
7, convey caused a faint blush to mantle Dainty’s
I” , cheek, but shennodded to him to continue.

A woman, pursued the lad, “is invariably
hampered by her sex, when she undertakes a
man swork, so my advice to you is to become a
a man, in up arance, if not in reality.

_ “Dresse alike as we would be, each the liv-
t ing counterpart of the other, and your enemies,
a Who are now mine. would be continually non-
, plused and baffled, and with you here, me there,
they would not be able to comprehend the sud-
en appearance and disappearance of the per-
son whom they would think miles and miles
away.
“ Su rstitious as all criminals are, they
would brought to the belief that there was

4&4

 

something supernatural about me, for they

would never suspect that you were disguised to
resemble Denver Kit, and would believe that
you had left this section of the country.

“Your vengeance must be something terrible,
unheard of, besides which you owe it to your
dead father to regain possession of the property
that he guarded for you, and for which he un-
doubtedly lost his life.

“Separated as we Will be very often, it will
be necessary for you to have some means of
communicating with me if you are in danger or
trouble.

“ You can always purchase a messenger, and
if you desire my resence, send me the glove that
you have which threw away, write your mes-
sage inside, and I will come as fast as horse—flesh
can bring me

“ But there is one obstacle to your plan, feasi-
ble as it otherwise seems to me.

“It is humiliating to confess it, maybe, but——
I have no money.”

“ Do not let that worry you, I have an ample
supply; if you object to taking it, consider it a
loan; you can repay me when We obtain your
father 3 papers; for I am certain that he would
not have preserved that scrap of paper so care-
fully had there not been something of value con-
nected with it."

And slinging the Russian leather bag lie car-
ried on the tab 9, he unlocked it with asmall key
he carried fastened about his neck by a. gold
chain, and placed the contents on the cloth in
front of him.

A small package, wrapped in tissue paper, be
tossed carelessly aside, and then, picking up a
roll of bank-notes, he opened it and counted the
bills one by one.

“Ten thousand and a few hundred dollars,” he
said as he finished.

“That is our fortune; let us begin today, and
see1 ifnit will not be sufficient to accomplish our
on Si

 

CHAPTER XIII.
A BAD CROWD.

DIVIDING the sum he possessed into two equal
portions, he handed one of them to Dainty,
who hesitated a moment, and then, extending
herhand, took it, smiling on him divinely, and

aying:

“I accept this as a loan, in the same spirit in
which it is offered.

“ But how can I ever thank you?”

“ I may tell you at some future time, not
now.

“But I must be off to my den, and procure
you clothing suitable to your new role, as Den-
ver Kit’s Double.

“ You will remain here until I return I"

“ Most certainly.

“ Is your—‘ den,’ as you call it, far from
here?”

“ Ten miles as the crow flies, nearer fifteen by
the road. .

“ I have there a suit identically similar to this
one,” designating his own attire, “ which has
never been worn. ,

“ I think it will fit you to a T.”

“ You are kindness itself, and overwhelm me
with favors.”

“ It is not worth mentioning.

Ami»

 

    

 

18

“ But before I go, try on a pair of these."

And Kit untied the tissue-paper parcel he had
drawn from the leather bag, took from it a
dozen pair of exquisitely tinted lavender kid
gloves, one pair of which he handed to Dainty.

“ If you want to be my double,” he laughed,
“ you must never appear in public without
wearing a pair of these. .

“ ‘ Denver Kit’ would soon lose his identity
if you neglected this precaution.”

Dainty took the gloves and slipped them on
her slim fin ers, where they fitted as if made for
her, so sma 1 and delicate was Kit’s hand.

“ Excellentl” he cried, “ the only problem
that worried me is solved; for if my gloves did
not fit you, I should be at a loss where to pro-
cure any in this region.

“I have plenty more stored away, so donot
hesitate to abuse them.

“Would you mind letting me have one of
your shoes for a moment?”

Dainty Without hesitation handed him a high-
laced gaiter from a number in an adjoining
closet, and he, removing his boot, easily slipped
it on his slim foot over his silk sock, where it
fitted like wax.

“Nothing could be better; on can weara
pair of boots that I have, and can fit you out
from sole to-crown.

“ In about two hours expect me.

“ You can reach the observatory?”

“ I have climbed up there a hundred times,
when I was looking for father.”

“Then you can see me coming and open the
door for me.

“ For a short time, farewell l”

K“ good-by, and take good care of yourself,
it.

It was the first time she had called him by his
name, and he thought that the monosyllable had
never sounded musical before, and would have
had her repeat it, but rousing himself with an
effort, be put on his boot, stuffed his gloves and
money into the bag he carried, and without
another word, left the room.

That the girl’s thoughts were pleasant ones,
was evinced by the quiet smile that played
about her lips, as she sat there for some time
after Kit had left the room.

But finally, heaving a. deep sigh as she rose,
she murmured: '

“ How generous, how noble, how brave he is I"

And then, as if awakening from a pleasant
reverie, she, again sighed and then began to
busy herself deftly with her household duties,
moving lightly and quickly about the room, un-
til everything was in perfect order.

Kit, meanwhile, had saddled and bridled his
horse, and mounting, had ridden rapidly away,
having first assured himself that there was no
one in sight.

Striking the main road, he galloped along it
for a. distance of five miles or so, 1n the direc-
tion opposite to that which Dainty had followed
the day before, when the prisoner of Colton,
until he came to a small mining village known
as The Gulch, and which consisted of a long,
straggling street of twenty or thirty houses,
eve other one of which was a gambling and a.
drin ing saloon combined.

/lit was the dull. hour oi the day, 101: thme

    

Denver Kit’s Double.

 

   

_:__’2

were all at work, and it was only in the evening
that these resorts did any business, so that in
the majority of cases the proprietors or bar-
keepers of the gin-mills were sunning themselves
at the front doors of their saloons.

As Kit came galloping up the street, his long
hair streaming behind him, while his exquis—
itely gloved hand held the reins carelessly, be
having put on a new pair of kids before start—
ing on his ride—many rude and sarcastic xe-
marks were shouted after him from the occu-
pants of the doorways.

“ Get onter his nibs, Billie,”said one. “ Won-
der when ther circus is acomin’ter town.”

“ ’Tain’t no ‘ him,’ ” shouted another, from
across the street; “ it’s a gurLdressmi up for a.
maskerade.” -

“ Stag his kids; ain’t them purty dukes fer a
prize—fight?”

“He’s a pony—express rider,” chimed in an—
other. “ Don’t yer see his mail—bag slung ter his
bloomin’ side?”

“ 'E’s a Queen’s messenger, ’e is," cried a
brawny Cockney, “ a-carryin’ news hot the
war in Hegypt to the Guv’ner.”

“ Hyar, my young bantam, git down off’n
that horse, and come in an’ set em up fer ther
boys; their throats is dead dry from conversln’
wid you.”

And a six—foot barkeeper, whose face was
scarred with the wounds from a; hundred rough—
and-tumblo fights, grasped hlS horse by the
nostrils, and brought him to a dead stop.

Kit smiled sarcastically, althou h a nervous
twitching of his nostrils and a eep-red spot
that suddenly glowed on each cheek would have
warned any one familiar with him to look out
for trouble. . '

But dropping the reins on his horse’s neck, he
began quietly to draw otf his left glove, while
he replied:

“ And suppose I decline?”

“ Then we’ll make yerl” growled the bar-
keeper—“ won’t we, boys?”

And he turned to the crowd of roughs that
had by this time gathered about them, while
he still restrained the horse, having shifted his
gras to the bit.

“ ou bet!”

“ We don’t want no frills—pony up I"

“ Git down and walk up to the bar like a. man
and set ’em up!”

“ Cockey there’ll give you some goat’s milk,
of lemon-an’—sugar’s too strong for yer.”

This sally produCed a laugh, and when it had
subsided, Kit answered:

“ I’ll see the whole b’ilin’ of you to the North
Pole and back, before I’ll spend a nickel on such
a gang of cut-throats as you i"

A yell of rage arose at these words, and the
crowd was about to rush on and pull him from
his horse, when the powerful voice of the bar-
keeper was heard, high above the tumult:

“ Leave him to me, boys. I’ll fix him!”

And sliding his hand along the rein, he walked
back toward Kit, who sat coolly awaiting what.
ever was to follow.

CHAPTER XIV.
mr's “DEN.”
U QUIEILYVturninginthe saddle so as to face 

y

 

 

   

[-

the ruflian, as he came up to his left side, Den—
ver Kit threw himself back the slightest possible
distance, and, looking straight down‘ into the
other’s shifty eyes, accosted him:

“ Now, look here, I’m not seeking any trouble,

and if any follows, it will be of your own mak-

inv.”
a All right, my chicken, we’ll risk ther conse-
quences. But now ther question is, will yer

' treat, or must we make yer?”

“I won’t treat, and you won’t make me i”

“ See hyar, youngster ye’r a-bitin’ off a heap
more nor yer can chew. Better pony up, an’
save them nice clothes ye‘r’ a—wearln’l’

And the six-footer laid his brawny, grimy paw
on Kit’s knee.

Kit extended his hand and brushed the huge
fist away as if it had been a fly, and then in
the most insulting manner in the world, coolly
dusted his trowsers with the glove he held in
his right hand, as if the touch had contaminated
him.

The gesture and the act added immediate fuel
to the already aroused anger of the rumseller, so,
releasing the bridle, he stepped forward, with
both hands extended, to seize Kit, and drag him
from his horse.

But as he came within reaching distance,
Kit’s small clinched left hand shot straight from
his shoulder with the rapidity of an electric
flash, and as it cents in contact with the right
eye of the bully, the blood splattered in a red
ruin, right and left, and “ Cockey,” falling
straight back, lay like a. dead man on the
ground.

At the instant the blow was delivered, Kit
called to his horse, and the intelligent brute
sprung forward, knocking the crowd in front in
every direction, while Kit, twisting around in
his seat with all the skill of a professional horse-
man, faced the mob behind him, a cocked re-
volver in each hand, and cried:

“ The first man who puts hand to belt, dies!”

‘And, the gang of cut—throats being completea
ly overawed, he galloped 03 down the street,
Enharmed, and soon left the town far behind

on. »
Relaxing his pace as he reached the open
country and resuming his normal position in
the saddle, Kit replaced his revolvers in the belt,
again put on his glove, and, as his horse walked
along. thus soliloqnized:

“Fifteen minutes, at least, lost in that little
squabble, and Dainty waiting.

“No more of that, my boy, at least for the
present.

“ But, as it was not my fault, and I could not
avoid it, I suppose there is no use worrying
about the matter.

“Come, Dick, we must make up for lost
timel”

And lifting his horse into a center, he galloped
rapidly along until he arrived at a point where
the road ran between two high banks, both of
which Were abrupt as the sides of a house.

But, scanning the face of one of the banks,
and evidently washed out by‘ the spring’s floods
when the snows above melted, was a gully, in
which grew 9. luxuriant mass of bushes, seem-
in ly impenetrable.

0 one, it would seem, would care to endeavor

 

 

beaver Kit’s Double. V 1'?

to climb up this ravine, as there was apparently
nothing to be gained by So doing, but Kit evi-
dently was not of that opinion.

Dismounting and removmg saddle and bridle,
he gave the horse a gentle slap on the flank, and
with a farewell whinny, the bay trotted up the
road, evidently seeking a pastuie with which he
was familiar.

Casting a hasty glance up and down the road,
so as to be sure he was unobserved, Kit then
plunged into the undergrowth, carrying his
bridle and saddle with him, and scrambled up
the decidedly steep incline of the gully.

Some rods up he came to a place where lay
the trunks of two trees, side by side, they hav-
ing evidently been washed down from the sum-
mit of the bluif by some unusually powerful
freshet. _

Maeses of tangled brush were piled and heap-
ed on then), and the ends of the logs were com-
pletely hidden by the heaps of dead branches
that lay scattered about, and there was no trace
of human being visible any where.‘

But Kit, depositing his burden on the ground,
caught hold of a huge branch that projected
from the pile, pushed it to one side, and the en-
tire heap of brush moved away, disclosing the
ends of the logs.

Between them was a space of three or four
feet, and hiding his horse’s trappings in'a thicket
near by, Kit, lying down, wormed his way feet
foremost, inio the opening, pulled the stick
which acted as a lever, and the pile of brush,

moving back into place, resumed its normal con- '

dition.

Moving carefully backward, and lying on his
back, Kit continued his progress until be en—
countered a smooth surface, which seemed to
be made of planks, when, feeling on the right,
he grasped a rope that hung taut, and, holding
it firmly, immediately sat upright.

He was in total darkness, but was evidently
thoroughly familiar with his surroundings, for,
allowing the rope to slip slowly through his
hands, he descended to the distance of a bun-
dred feet, when the trap on which he was seated
sto ped and he stepped off.

eeling about for a moment, his hand en-
countered ». shelf, from which he took a box of

matches, and quickly struck one, then lighted .

a lantern which swung from the ceiling a foot
or two above his head.

Then, having seen that the catch which held
the trap was secure, he walked along the corri-
dor for a short distance until he came to a.
large, vaulted—room, which, when a second lamp
was lighted, was dazzling in its beauty.

The room was some twenty feet square, and
the same number of feet in hight, the sides and
top glowing with a dull yellow, which betokened
the presence of immense quantities of gold-
bearing quartz, rich beyond the wildest dreams
of the most avaricious miner. V

The chamber was perfectly dry and the air

i‘fectly pure, the room doubtless being venti-
ated by some unseen air-shaft; while the floor
was six inches deep in fine sand, in which spar-
kled thousands of golden nuggets, ranging in
size from a pin-head to a pea, some of them be
ing even larger than that.

In one corner stood a huge chest, evidently

  

  

18

 

Denver Kit’s Double.

. ____.......-,... -. u.

 

constructed in the room, for it would have been
impossible to bring it there by means of the
shaft down which Kit had descended from the
outer world.

Such was Kit’s ” den.”

CHAPTER XV.
AN UNEXPECTED ALLY.

THIS “den” was a varitable store—house of
wealth, and it could easily be seen how Denver
Kit could afford to dress in the expensive garb he
always wore, and manage to carr ten thousand
dollars about with him so careless y.

Kit hastened to the chest, opened it, lifted out
the tray, and placed it on the floor.

In the bottom of the chest were at least twen-
ty suits of clothes such as Kit always wore,
while at one side were packed a dozen belts,
identical with the one worn by Kit.

Each of the belts also contained arms and a
store of cartridges, and was ready for instant
Wear.

Taking out two complete suits, with two hats
and a couple of pairs of boots, Kit replaced
the tray and closed the lid of the chest with a
bang.

A pair ol’ saddle-bags hung on one of a num—
ber of wooden egs driven into the wall at one
side of the van ted room, and in these Kit care-
fully packed the articles he had selected, and
then, extinguishing the lamp, left the cavern by
the same corridor through which he had en-
tered it.

Again seating himself on the trap and placing
his saddle-bags beside him, he caught the rope,
and pulling on it steadily, hand over hand, he
hoisted himself to the top, his labor being less-
ened by a weight attached to the other end of
the cord which pulled him up.

Fastening the platform in place, he crawled
out of the space between the two logs, carrying
his parcel with him, moved the i eof brush,
ste ped out into the open air, and ooked about.

0 one was in’ sight, and collecting together
his traps, he climbed down the gully, drew his
right-hand revolver and fired a shot in the air,
the report echoing afar.

Scarcer had the reverberations died away,
when in answer to the signal, for such it was,
his horse came galloping down the road, stop—
ping alongside Kit, and rubbing his nose affec-
tionately against his shoulder.

Dick was soon saddled and bridled and Kit
flinging the saddle-bags on the horse‘s back and
securing them to the cantle, mounted and rode
back toward The Gulch.

He had not been more than an hour away, and
he could see that little grou s of men .were
gathered in front of the “ Go d Dust ” saloon,
over the destinies of which “ Cockey” pre-
sided.

They were evidently discussing the late oc—
currences, and as it was necessary that Kit
should pass down that street, be anticipated,
and nerved himself for trouble.

The men were gesticulating and evidently
talking loudly, apparently being much excited,
and u there were a couple of dozen of them
standing about, Kit realized that he had con-
siderable'ot an undertaking before him.

But he cantered on, until suddenly it became
evident that he had been seen, judging from the
general movement and pointing that followed
it.

Loosening his revolvers, he was about to spur
up and dash as rapidly as he could through the
threatening crowd, when he saw a man, whom
he recognized as a gambler, known as “Faro
Frank,” leave the group in front of the “ Gold
Dust”and walk rapidly toward him.

Frank was faultlessly attired in the finest
broadcloth, and wore a shiny silk hat, his ap-
pearance betokening financial ease and perfect
content with himself and all mankind.

He belonged in Denver, where Kit had seen
him before coming to The Gulch, for the lad
had only been in the country forty-eight hours,
and had never before that day seen the town,
or rather village, by daylight.

As soon as the gambler arrived within hailing
distance be stopped, and called out to Kit, hold-
ing, meantime, his switch cane across his shoul-
ders to show that he carried no weapon in his
hands.

“ Put up your guns, young follow ”——for Kit
had drawn and cocked his revolvers.

“ You won’t need them here to-day.”

Kit, seeing that but one man, confronted him,
slid his pistols back into their resting-places
and quietly awaited what the other had to say.

“ The b0 5 just told me about your knocking
Cockey co d," continued Faro Frank, “ and I
swear it’s the pliickiest thing I ever heard of in
my Wild and varied career.

“ The idea of a slender young fellow like you
possessing such strength; they say that when you
struck out the blow sounded like the kick of
a mule.

“ I’m with you, and no harm comes to you
this day, I’ll see to that.

“ Come and have a drink.”

“Much obliged,” returned Kit, Iaconically, “I
never drink."

“A cigar then."

“Never smoke.”

“ Well, hang it, take a lemonade."

“ Since you insist, I will.

“I feel alittle thirsty and a sour lemonade .

won’t go bad.

“ This isn’t a steer your giving me?”

“On the word of Frank Francis, I’m giving
it to you dead straight.”

“ All right then, I’ll join you."

And Kit knew that he was perfectly safe in
so doing, for althouin Faro Frank was a con-
firmed gambler and the hero of a score of des-
perate knife and pistol fights, he had never
gone back on his word.

In Denver, his honesty when he had pledged
himself, was proverbial, and so well-known that
every one relied on it.

So Kit rode quietly along. the gambler, who
was a magnificently built man, eyiug the
young fellow qiiizzicully, and shaking his head
and muttering to himself as if he found it im-
possible to comprehend how such a slight figure
could posses such tremendous strength.

As they drew _near the saloon, the crowd
about the porch scowled and glared at Kit, and
several of them, evidently wishing to toady to

 

Cockey, made threating remarks.

    
 

I
r

 

 

   
  

 

Denver Kit’s Double.

 

 

But Frank stepped quickly forward and ad—
dressing them said:

“Look here, you fellows, this young gentle-
man is a. friend of mine, and any one who in—
sult him, insults inel”

“ So just keep civil tongues in your heads, or
by the great horn spoon you’ll regret it.

“You know me!”

“ And I’m with you, Frank,” remarked a
quiet, determined-looking fellow, Frank’s part-
ner, as he stepped out from the saloon.

“ You see, you are all right, so come on.”

And Denver Kit dismounting, entered the
saloon, While the crowd about them slunk away
from the angry glances Frank and his partner

V flung right and left.

CHAPTER XVI.
Kir‘s NEW FRIENDS.

THERE were many persons in the saloon, and
most of those who were standing outside, fol-
lowed the trio through the swing doors, so that
once all were inside, so great was the crowd
that it was almost impossible to move.

Elbowing his way up to the counter, Frank
shoved every one in his way right and left,
being closely followed by Diamond Dan, his
partner, and Kit.

As the latter leaned on the bar, Cockey, who
was engaged at the other end, spied him and
came rapidly toward where he was standing.

Coekey was a. total wreck, and looked as
though he had been interviewed by a pile—
driver.

His eye was beginning to color, and promised
in a. short time to become a magnificent blend-
infiot blue, yellow, black and brown.

efore he could address a word to Kit, Frank,
who cared for and feared no one on earth, called
out to him:

“ What’s the matter with the eye, Cockeyi
Looks like a rainbow in a fog.”

An inarticulate growl was the only answer to
this sarcastic speech, and (Jockey, bringing
down his massive fist with a tremendous thud
on the counter, cried:

“ ’F‘ you‘ve come in hyar ter look for a row,
young teller, you’ll get it sooner nor yer
think.

“Git out o’ my saloon!”

“ Gently, (Jockey, entlyl" interposed Faro
Frank, w iilo Diamond Dan drew a little closer,
and turning, faced the crowd behind his friend.

“This young gentleman is a friend of mine,
so you Just shut up and bustle ’round.”

‘ Now, look hyar, Frank Francis, you’ve been
a-runnin’ this yer_’ town long enough, an’ I'm
hanged ’1 I’m a—goin’ ter stan’ it any longer.

“ An’ as fur this yar young snip, ’f he don’t
vamose pretty considerable quick, I’ll fling him
through ther door, an’ you, too!”

And as he spoke he drew from beneath the coun-
ter a huge revolver, already cocked, which he
thrust squarely into Faro Frank‘s face, the muz-
zle touching his forehead.

But with a movement like the spring of a

nther, Kit caught the brawny wrist of the

ully, and gave it a quick twist upward, while
at the same instant Francis dropped to the flotir
behind the shelter of the counter.

 

The pistol was discharged, the bullet burying
itself harmlessly in the ceiling overhead, and
fell to the counter, and thence to the floor, while
the harkeeper, seizing his right hand, fairly
danced and howled with mingled pain and
rage.

His wrist was dislocated

But at the same time bookey’s partner, who
was standing just behind Kit, and u ho was
even stouter and taller and more powerful than
Cooke), rushed on our hero with hand uplifted
to administer a crushing downward blow.

Spat! And as Diamond Dan’s right arm shot
out, Blinkey, as he was afl‘ectionately termed,
staggered hack and would have inevitalil
fallen, had he not been caught by some of his
friends.

Frank had risen and turned to face the
crowd, drawing a pair of wicked-looking der-
ringers from his coat Ipockets as he did so, and
cocking them, while it kept his attention di-
rected toward Cockey, not knowing what might
be the next move of that worthy.

But Cockey was just at that moment interest-
ed in nothing so much as his wrist, and was
standing by the faucet, allowing the cold water
to run over the injured member, which he had
pulled back into place.

At sight of the wicked-looking weapons which
Faro Frank held. the crowd, which a moment
before had seemed inclined to side with the bar-
keepers, fell back as far as it could while some
of the men began to sneak out of the door and
hunt their homes.

Imirating Faro Frank’s movement, Kit and
Dan drew their weapons, and the trio, realizing
that it would be foolish to remain any longer
where they Were, backed out of the saloon, con-
fronting the crowd, and retreated to the street,
Frank hurling back this parting thrwt:

” Remember! If any harm ever comes to my
friend here, through you, Dan and I will see
that he is terrihy avenged I”

When they were once more in the street, Faro
Frank turned to Kit, and Slipping his deri'ingers
back into his pocket, extended his hand to Kit,
and said:

“ Well, you are a daisy.

“Cockey had me dead, and, as there in no
love lost between us, would probably have
lwiped out old scores with a bullet through my

em .

“You saved my life, undoubtedly, and we
are stench pards for life.

“ Put her there I”

And grasping Ki t’s hand he shook it warmly,
in which action he was seconded by Dan.

“Now I must leave you,” remarked Kit, when
they were through congratulating him.

“I am not at liberty to say what calls me
away, but I am sure that when I tell you that
it is most important that I should go, you will
excuse me.” I

“Sure, pard, sure. If on have anything of
importance to attend to, 8 ip out.

“ But, remember, should you ever need a
friend, call on me, and if l’m not to be found,
Dan here will see you through."

“ You can plank down your chips on that, my
boy, every time.” assented Dan, while Kit
thanked them warmly. -

 

 

  

Denver Kit's Double.

..._.........._—...c... _ .. ,

   

 

“ But before you go, tell us what we shall call
you ” added Frank.

“My friends know me as Denver Kit, but
simple Kit will do.”

“ Well, good-by, Kit, and good luck I”

“ Good~by I"

And swinging himself into the saddle Kit
centered off down the street, while the two
gamblers walked away to their rooms, where
they soon forgot the last occurrence in the ex—
citement of a itlle game.

It (lid not take long for Kit to reach the
burned house, when, branching off to the north,
he galloped over the plain toward the hollow
tree, fastening his horse in a thicket near by,
and then returning and entering the hollow
trunk.

Snooping, he rapped at regular intervals,
twice, three times, and then to ice again, and in
a minute or two the bolt was shot below, and,
lifting the trap, the fair face of Dainty appeared
at the foot of the steps.

“ You have been away much longer than you
said," she called out, pouting prettily.

“ And have had numerous adventures, which,
when you have heard them, you will acknowl-
edge excuse my protracted stay.”

‘ Possibly,” still panting.

“But some down here and tell me about it.”

And Kit, descending, closed the trap and fol-
lowed her.

 

CHAPTER XVII.
A WESTERN FARO-BANK.

DAINTY listened with glowing cheeks and
sparkling eyes to Kig’s narration, and when he
had1 finished, extended her hand to him, and
sen :

“Forgive me, my friend, for my childish pet-
tishness of a while ago.

“ I should have known that something unu-
sual had detained you, but with nothing but my
fad thoughts for company, the day has been very
011g:

“ And it is now too late to leave here, and it is
best that you should have another good night’s
rest before we start out on the trail against Col-
ton and his band.

“ I have a plan which I think may prove a
successful one, and to prepare it thoroughly I
must return to The Gulch to-night.

“ Your horse seemed a little lame yesterday. ”

“ Yes, poor fellow; he stepped on a loose stone,
night before last, as I was hurrying home, and
evidently sprained his shoulder.”

“ Well, I will see that you haven better one
to-morrow.

“ In there,” designating the saddle-bags, “ you
,will find a complete outfit, and by the time I re-
turn in the morning 1 hope to find you all ready
and prepared for an early start.

“It is a pity, and almost seems a sacrilepge,
but you must sacrifice some of your beautiful
hair, so that it will be the some length as
mine.”

“ Then you must act as barber.” ‘

“ Very unwillingly, but it is absolutely neces-
sary, and I will console myself with the thought
that it will soon grow again.”

A pair of shears was soon found, and Dainty
having carefully measured the length of his

 

hair, Kit gave a. few scientific snips, and the
massus of golden tresses were shortened by near-
ly a yard.

Carefully collecting the glittering strands, Kit
wrapped them up and placed them in his leather
sachel that hung by his side, remarking:

“ These leave me only with my life l”

And then telling her that he had forgotten one
or two necessary adjuncts to her Costume, he
advised her not to dress before he returned.

And then, after a hasty lunch, Kit rose, and
telling Dainty not to worry if he were detained,
but to Wait patiently until he returned, was
about to leave the room, when she called him
back.

“ You are going to venture into that awful
place again?”

“ It is absolutely necessary.”

“ Then pray—pray he ver carefull

“What womd I do, shon d anything happen
to you that would and seriously?”

“ Do not fear. Life has become too precious
to me within the past day or two for me to risk
it foolishly.

“ Good~b .”

And Kit .left the room. while Dainty, burying
her face in her hands, whispered to herself:

“What could he have meant by that last re-
mark he made?”

But her wildly beating heart answered her
quickly, and her face settled into a. tender
smile, which yet played about her mouth when
she slept.

For her dreams were of Kit!

The long street of The Gulch was one blaze
of light as Kit rode into the village, kerosene
torches flaring in front of the saloons from posts
set at the edge of the road, while from the in-
terior of the shanties came sounds of laughter,
loud voices, the click of ivory checks and the
rattle of the ivory ball spinning around the re—
volving roulette wheel.

Riding up to 1» building which was somewhat
more pretentious than its fellows, and which
was ornamented with a sign bearing the inscrip-
tion:

“ THE GULGH HOTEL,"

Kit dismounted and gave his horse in_ charge
of one of the stablemeu, who was lounging near
by, and rrquested him to take care of him
for a time, emphasizing his dlrections by 5111;)-
ping a five—dollar note into the fellow’s ready

hand.

“ He‘ll be looked after as if he was a babby
sir,” replied the hostler, dofling his hat and
looking admiringly at Kit’s magnificent mount.
“ A fine horse that, sir, and well suited to carry
a fine gentleman like you."

And, as he led the horse off in the direction of
the stables, Kit turned and walked up the street
in search of Frank’s place.

He opened the swing-doors of half a dozen
resorts, but was disappointed. until at length he
came to a low, singlestory frame building that
stood a little back from the street.

It was constructed of rough, unplaned boards,
and did not boast of the slightest sign of paint;
but on opening the door and stepping inside, he
saw Frank seated back of a far0~table, about
which was grouped a crowd of men three deep,

  

 

 

    
  

 


l
{

Denver Kit’s Double. ,7 21

 

each one intent on the bets that lay scattered
about in every direction.

In the “ lookout 7’ chair was Diamond Dan,
carefully watching that no mistakes were made
in the bets.

Raising his eyes mechanically Frank recog-
nized Kit, and instantly called out:

“Pete, a chair for Mr. Christopher. Here,
some of you sitters, move out and let this gen—
tleman have a placal" '

And, as Kit walked forward, the negro atten-
dant brought a chair, the crowd about the table
who were seated squeezed together a little
closer, Kit took a place directly opposite the
dealer, and, diving into his pocket, produced a
roll of bills.

“Give me a thousand dollars’ worth, please,”
be said quietly, as he counted the money out on
the table. ‘

“ Certainly; what price?”

“Oh, five hundred a stack.”

“Ther kid’s a—goin’ tor play twenty~five dol-
lar checks, by gum!” muttered a grizzled old
miner who sat near “keeping cases,”aud who
had evidently found luck against him, as he
did not have a single check in front of him.

Receiving his two stacks, Kit, as it was near
the end of the deal, waited and looked about

1m.

Judging from the exterior, the interior was a
complete surprise, for it was fitted up with an
elegance that would have been no discredit to a
Broadway bar-room.

The place was crowded, and the air heavy
with tobacco smoke, while nearly every one in
the room was intent on one object—gain.

CHAPTER XVIII.
BUTTED our or TIME.

As Denver Kit finished his observations, the
grufi' voice of the case—keeper growled out:

“ One turn and a call!"

And hostilities were suspended for a few mo-
ments to enable the players to make their final
bets on the deal before the last cards were drawn
from the box.

And then, as they were slipped out, various
ejaculations arose from the crowd of bettors, as
they had won or lost.

“ Called her that time!”

” Struck the turn at last!”

“ Hang the deuce, she last four times.”

“Pay this bet, Mr. Dealer.”

“ Give me five hundred.”

“ I’ll take another stack 0’ blues.”

And the bets being collected and paid, the
cards shuffled and again placed in the box. Kit
turned his attention to the game, and scattered
his cheeks about with a reckless profusion that
caused even the usually imperturbable Frank to
raise his eyebrows in slight amazement.

For two hours Kit sat there, playing with
varying fortune, seeming entirely indiiferent as
to whether he won or lost.

At one time he had won forty-two thousand
dollars, but not long afterward his ivory capital
was reduced to the hundreds; but at the end of
the time mentioned, at the close of an unusually
successful deal, on counting up his cheeks he
found that he was exactly even, not having won
or lost a dollar.

 

 

 

Being somewhat fatigued from sitting so long
in the same position, he arose, his chair being
instantly appropriated by one of the players
who was standing behind him, and, slipping his
checks in his pocket, walked away, calling back
to the dealer:

“ See you later, Frank.”

He strolled about the room from group to
group, remarking as he did so, that there was
not one of the men in the room that he had seen
during his adventures at the Gold Dust, that
crowd having been made up of bar and saloon-
keepers, who were now evidently busy with
their duties.

Again approaching the taro table, he stood
there a moment, when he was accosted by a.
tall, fair-haired young fellow of his own age,
who was looking on, but who was not doing any
betting.

“ As we are not playing, suppose you join me
in a drink.”

Kit was about to decline, courteously, when
he caught Frank’s eye, and the latter noddcd,
ulnmst imperceptibly, evidently having over-
heard the remark.

Kit instantly took the cue, and replied, pleas-
anily:

“Certainly, if you’ll excuse my not taking
anything stronger than a. lemonade."

“Anything you wish,” replied the other,
courteously.

“ That’s exactly what I’m going to take.”

And laying his hand on Kit’s shoulder in a
friendly way, they threaded their way through
the crowd to the counter.

While the barkeeper was engaged in mixing
the two lemonades, Kit’s new acquaintance
turned to him, and said:

“ That you may understand how it happened
that I invited you to drink, I must introduce
myself.

“ I am Frank’s brother.

“ I only reached here this evening, and while
at supper he told me of what you had done this
morning, and so described your appearance to
me that I recognized you the moment you en-
fared,

“Let me thank you, on my own behalf. for
what on did for him.”

“ our gratitude is grateful to me, but both
you and he are making a mountain out of a.
very small mole-hill.”

“ That may be your view of it, but I assure
you we look at it in a very different Ii ht.

“ Well, here’s to our life-long frien ship,” he
added as the harkeeper placed their glasses bl -
fore them. . .

The two young men, finishing their lemon-
ades, walked into a back room and began to
talk about a dozen different things.

CHAPTER XIX.
A METAMORPHOSIS.

THEY had not set long thus, when they were
interrupted by a knock on the door, and in re—
sponse to the answer, the black and smiling
faee of Pete, the negro attendant, was thrust in-
side.

He was grinning from ear  ear,_ and his
white teeth shone ke ivory behind his scarlet-
red lips,

 

  

22.

 

Denver Kit’s Double.

...—_ u-..——... \-r a,» “a

   

 

“’Scuse me, gen’l’men ’scuse me, Massy
Charley, but Massa Frank, he wan’ ter know
of you'll be good enufl‘ ter spell him a bit.”

“ All right, Pete; but here!” as the negro was
about to withdraw.

“ Take this.”

And pulling a bundle of bills from his pocket,
he drew from it a hundred-dollar note, and
handed it to the delighted darky.

“ And this, Pete added Kit, capping the gift
with a bill of like denomination.

“ Maybe you can do the same for me at some
future time.”

“ T’ank you gen’l’men; t’ank you boi’.

“ I always tries tsr act with judicion, when
any of the gen‘l’men gits inter trouble. "

And he smiled so vigorously that it really
seemed to Kit as if the back of his head must in~
evitably fall off.

Excusing himself, Frank’s brother left the
room bidding Kit remain where he was as it was
more than likely that Frank wanted to see and
talk to him.

And in a moment the other came in and
greeted Kit warmly.

“ Delighted to see you, my boy, delighted.

“ What’s the best word?"

“There’s nothingnew; but I want you to do
me a favor.”

“ Anything in the world, Kit.

“ If you want any money, you can have every
cent there is in the house.

” If you are in any other sort of trouble, we’ll
close Yt’he shehang and go with you wherever you
wish.

“Thanks, old man, but it is nothing of that
sort at all.

“ When I saw you in Denver, you were rid-
ing a magnificent horse; have you him here?”

‘Stabled and stalled not a hundred yards
awa from where we are sitting.”

“ e is fast?”

“I’ll give fifty yards start in a quarter of a
mile to any horse in Colorado, and bet a thou-
sand to a hundred I’ll beat him home.”

“ I thought as much when I saw him.

“I particularly need a. speedy animal, and
want to borrow him for a short time, say a
week or two.”

“ Sincel have owned Dandy, no leg but mine
has ever been thrown across his back.

“I have never loaned him to a soul on earth
and have vowed that I never will.”

It was curious to see the look of disappoint-
ment that stole over Kit’s face at this announce-
ment and he evidently could not comprehend
how ll‘rank could return such an answer after all
his protestations.

But he was not allowed to remain long in sus-
gense, for Frank, leaning back in his chair,

roke out laughin and cried:

“ There, there, it, don’t look so glum.

“All the vows I have ever made about not
loaning Dandy, do not prevent my giving him
awe .

“ e‘s yours, my boy, to do what you please
with, but you must accept him as a gift.

“By the way, if I’m not mistaken, he is an
exact match for our horse."

“ So nearly a ike that one not thoroughly
familiar with them could not tell them apart.

 

“ It is for this reason that I am so anxious to
borrow him for a time—why, I am not at liberty
to tell you.

“ But I’ll never accept him as a. gift!”

“ Oh, yes, you will!

“Take him as freely as he'is olfered, and if I
had a hundred horses you should have them all,
willingly.

“As for your reasons for wanting him, keep
them to yourself."

“ At least let me buy him from you."

“Never!”

“ Well, then, if you insist, I’ll accept him, and
I cannot tell you how grateful I am to you for
the gift.”

“ Bosh! What’s a transaction of that sort be-
tween friends.

“ Vthn do you want him?”

“ In an hour or two, when I return."

“ All right; I’ll tell Pete to saddle him,
now,”

“Never mind, I’ll bring a saddle and bridle
with me when I come back.”

“Just as you wish.

“Oil? already. Well, drop in when you get
back and say good-night to a follow."

And shaking hands heartily the two friends
separated, Frank returning to the fare table and
Kit going to the hotel, procuring his horse and
riding away toward his “ den.”

It was nearly eleven o’clock, the next morn-
ing, and the sun was shining high from the
clear, blue vault above, when two young
fellows rode side by side along the road, which
led toward the path which led to Coltou’s
home.

Dressed exactly alike, their horses resembling
each other perfectly, with twin saddles an i
bridles, the hair, eyes, features of the two riders“
perfect images, one of the other, any one meet-
ing them would have removed his hat, scratched
his head, and been puzzled to know how their
mothers could tell them apart.

They were chatting quietly, and one of them
was saying:

“ Upon my word, Dainty, if I thought that I
was half as good looking a fellow as you make,
I’d be the vuinest man in the mountains!”

“ You know we look exactly like each other.

“ When we looked in the glass, this morning,
you remarked how startling the likeness was.”

“ That is true, but whenever I look at you,
the more I am convmced that my double is the

v better looking.

“ But now to business.

“ When they see you, gallop straight down
the hill—that horse is as sure-footed as a goat—
ride straight to Faro Frank’s, the place is called
‘The Broadway,’ and stable our horse.

“ Go inside and tell anybo y you see that you
wont to go into the private room and lie down
on the lounge, being tired.

“ Wait for me there.”

“I’ll do exactly as you say; but here is my
path, hide yourself carefully l”

“ I will; good luck and good—by.”

And Kit rode off into a thicket where he could
not be seen from the road, and dismountin ,
seated himself on the grass to wait as patient y
as he could. _

Dainty rode rapidly up the path until she ,

 

 

 

  
   

l

 

Denver Kit’s Double.

3...? _. may-.. v ., _  , ,,

23

 

came near the end of her journey, when she
proceeded slowly, until she could peer around
the bank at the side and look ahead.

Seated under the tree which had so nearly
been her gallows, she saw three men, eating.r
their dinner, while their horses stood near, and
riding out boldly, she showed herself openly.

She was instantly perceived, and supposed to
be Kit, so with a shout, the men sprung to their
horses, mounted and galloped toward her, While
she coolly waited.

CHAPTER XX.
F A C E T o F A C E .

IT was evident that Cullm] and his men were
completely deceived, and that they thought it
was Kit who thus defied them, as they galloped
down the valley toward Dainty.

It was doubtless the case, also, that they
wished to capture her alive.

As they began to draw uncomfortably near,
Dainty turned Dnndy’s head, for she was
mounted on Faro Frank’s gift to Kit, and be—
gan to center slowly down the path, increasing
the speed of her horse as her pursuers drew
nearer and nearer.

Kit had told her of Dandy’s wonderful speed
and endurance and she felt no anxiety about
being able to ride away as she wished, when-
ever she desired, but as the men who were fol—
lowing her possessed good horses, she was by
degrees Compellcd to quicken her pace, until
finally, her horse fairly flew down the steep
and rocky path, never stumbling once, and,
picking his way over the loose stones that lay
scattered about, never checked his speed a par-
ticle.

He proved magnificently what Kit had said of
him:

“He is as sure-footed as a. goat,” while the
light burden he carried seemed but a feather’s
weight on his broad back.

Reaching the road Daiut swept ofl.’ to the
right at full speed, again a1 owed the bowling
trio behind her to gain a. few rods until a mile
away from the path, and then, gently touching
Dandy with her golden spur, she dashed off ata,
pace that defied pursuit.

Still Colton did not abandon the chase, but
pressed on until he arrived at a spot where the
road forked, one branch leading to the main
stage-road, the other passing through The
Gulch, and as the fleeing rider he was in pursuit
of, was by this time out of sight, he drew rein
and ordered his companions to stop.

He was completely nonplused, and knew not
which direction to take.

“ Curses on the young whelp!” he growled.

“ Insulting us by riding nearly to our camp
and then escaping in this manner!

“ The next time he comes within range, boys,
I give you permissmn to shoot him down as you
would a dog.

“ Let's go back; I don’t fenl quite right yet,
and suppose you are not entirely recovered from
the shock.”

And, in truth, such had been the efi'ect of the
lightning-stroke, that had killed one of their
number and stunned the rest, that this was the
first day since the event, that they had ven—
tured outside of the house.

 

“ We’ll take a good rest to—night, and will be
all right in the morning.

“ There’s no need of our keeping watch, no
one will harm us, and that young cub will not
dare venture near us, thinking as he doubtless
does, that we are on the alert.”

And so, turning their horses, they rode slowly
back toward their camp, as they called it, mean-
ing the stone house in which they lived, osten-
sibly carrying on the work of honest miners in
the vicinity.

As they had swept by Kit‘s hiding-place, he
looked with admiration upon the magnificent
horsemanship displayed by Dainty, and the
wonderful, easy, stretching stride of the animal
she rode.

And as they disap eared in the distance, he
mounted and gallope up the path they had just
descended, and reaching the valley rode straight
up to the house.

Having seen that there Were three men in the
party which pursued the girl, he was convinced
that there was no one in the vicinity, believing,
as he did, that one of their number had been
killed by the lightning.

The black mark that had shown so plainly on
his temple was almost proof sufficient of this,
but had Kit needed any confirmation, he would
have found it in a green mound that rose above
Ehe turf, under the branches of the spreading

ree.

Fresh earth scattered: about showed that a
grave had recently been dug there, and in it
doubtless lay the body of the poor wretch who
had been so suddenly stricken.

Leaving his horse standing there, Kit opened
the door, which was unfastened, and entered
the single room that composed the interior of
the dwelling.

He had no specific purpose in coming there, _
but hoped that he might come across some clew
that Would lead to an explanationof the murder
of Dainty’s father, so he began rummaging
around in every direction.

But look as he would, being hurried in his
Search by the thought that the bandits might re-
turn at any moment, he could find nothing, and
was about to abandon the search, when he
stumbled over a pair of high boots that stood in
one corner.

This would not have attracted his attention
had it not been for the fact that one of them
gave out a. metallic sound, which he at first
thought proceeded from a spur; butto satisfy
himself, he kicked it again, when . the clink
sounded louder than ever.

His curiosity thoroughly aroused, he picked
up the boot, turned it upside down. when there
tell to the floor with a clang, an oblong tin box,
at the sight of which he started, and then eager-
ly picked it up.

The box was japanned, and on the top was
written, evidently with some sharpvpointed in-
strument, the name of Drake Danford.

“ Now here’s luck!” solilc uized Kit.

“ If I’m not entirely mists en, this is the iden-
tical box that Duinty’s father mentioned in his
writing in the locket.

“ I only hope the papers are still inside and
have not yet been disturbed." _

And he eXumiucd the box, which to his great

 

    

   

1
l
i ,

joy he found bound about with a piece of tape,
which was sealed with wax, the seal‘bearing the
stamp of a. signet ring he had noticed on the
dead man’s finger.

The box could not have been opened without
either cutting the tape or breaking the seal, so
that Kit felt convinced that the contents had not
been tampered with.

Hastin placing it in a capacious inner pocket
of his coat, he left the house and again took his
seat in the saddle, hoping that he might be able
to regain his hiding-place by the road before
Colton returned.

He felt convinced that they would abandon
the chase when they reached the forks in the
road, for he had impressed on Dainty the neces‘
sity of being so far ahead, when she arrived
there, as to be out of sight, and thus b the her
pursuers.

fluri'ying down the valley, he began the de‘
scmtoi the path, and was just congratulating
himself upon beingin time, when, as he rode
out from behind the hill, he found himsslf al-
most face to face with Colton and his two com—
punions.

 

CHAPTER XXI.
PERIL or Mrs DOUBLE.

DAINTY gallopcd swiftly along, nerving her-
self for the first experience that she was to have
in hm‘ role as Denver Kit’s Double, when brought
face to face with those who know Kit personally,
and were familiar with his appearance.

Her voice was somewhat low-toned for a.
woman, though sweet and well-modulated, while
Kit’s voice was rather high-pitched, so that,
should they converse in the hearing of a. third
party who could not see them, it would have
been difficult for the listener to decide which one
was speaking.

With his usual foresight Kit had given her
the chips he had purchased the evening before
at The Broadway, and which he had neglected
to “ cash in," thinking that some inquiry might
be made for them.

He had related to her, even to the minutes:
particular, everything that had happened to
him during his absence, so that she felt perfectly
able t) hold her own, should any reference be
made to past events.

So she rode bravely up to the saloon after
reaching the town, and was about to lead Dandy
to the stable, having dismounted, when Pete,
the woolly-headed, came bursting out of the
door, removing his cap as he did so.

“ Mawnin’, Massa Kit; you’se back early.

“Didn’t’spcct you so soon. I’ll take your
horse, sah," and consiqning Dandy to the ne—
gro’s care, Dainty strode into the saloon, much
relieved that the first ordeal was safely passed.

But would she be as successful with sharp,
shrewd Faro Frank, with keen—eyed Diamond
Dan, with shrewd Charley?

That remained to be seen, and consoling her-
self with the thought that she was among Kit’s
friend’s, in any event, she walked straight up
to the taro-table where Frank was busy with
his cheeks, seeming much perplexed about
Something. ' '

Denver Kit's Double.

 

 

 4.....9-..‘ n... . ,. .

  
  

“ Hello! Kit, my boy,” cried Frank, extending
his hand and grasping Dninty’s delicate lavender
glove.

“ You’re just the person I want to see.

“ Did you carry off any of my chips last night
when you left?

“ If. you didn’t. I’m hanged if I know where
they have gone.”

“ I’ve got a few in my pocket,” replied the
girl, her voice trembling somewhat, despite her
efforts to steady it.

“I’m awful sorry, Frank, but I clean forgot
all about them.”

“ Well, I did, too, so we’re even. It don’t
make a particle of difference, only I do like to
keep track of them.

“ How many have you got?"

“All I bought when I started in——five hun-
tired or a. thousand, I forget which."

Frank looked at Dainty a moment, as if he
could not comprehend how a young fellow could
forget a matter of five hundred dollars in a
dozen hours, but said nothing, taking‘the checks
that the girl threw on the table, and stacking
them up in regular piles.

“A thousand, even. Wait till I open the safe
and I’ll hand you the ducats.”

“ Oh, no hurry; keep ’em until some other
time. '

“But say, Frank, I’m dead tired; any objec-
tion to my going in yonder and taking a nap on
the lounge?”

“ Of course not; sleep there all day if you
like, and if anybody comes in here making a
noise, I’ll fire ’em into the street.

“ I’ll go in with you and see that everything
is all right."

EVerything seemed in (good order, so Faro
Frank,'telling the snpposa Kit to lock the door
if he wished, withdrew, while Dainty, trembling
like a leaf, shot the bolt, and threw herself on
the lounge, crying bitterly.

“Oh, my father,” she sobbed in a whisper,
“ I fear that my woman’s strength will not be
equal to the work I have vowed to perform.

“ Would you. I wonder, be very angry if I
broke that vow?”

But she soon became calmer, and, overcome
by nervous exhaustion, was soon in a deep sleep,
which promised to do her more good than all the
drugs physician ever prescribed. ’

She slept on for some time, unconscious of her
surroundings, when she was suddenly awakened
by high words in the saloon, for the partitions
were none of the thickest, and only a thin plank
well separated the room in which she was from
the bar-room.

Wide awake on the instant, and with every
sense alert, she sat up and listened intently.

“ Mr. Francis gave strict orders when he went
out that no one was to be allowed to go into that
room,” said a voice which Dainty supposed to
be that of the barkeeper, who was alone in the
saloon, Faro Frank having gone to his lodgings,
and taken Pete with him.

The rest of the barkeepers had not yet put in
an appearance, as very little business was done
at The Broadway, or indeed at any of the
saloons, before the lamps were lighted.

“ I don’t give a cent w’ot Faro Frank er enny
other bloke says, I‘m a-goin’ inter that room an’

 

 
 

    
  
 

 MM

 
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
  
    
   
   
   
   
  
   
  
 
 
 

,was

1“

find that young snip w’ot”broke my wrist and

'. lick the stutfin’ outen him.

“ Yes, you bet, an’ l’m a—goin' tool" growled
a second voice.

Dainty immediately realized that these could
be ncne others than Cockey and Blinkey, who
had evidently heard or her being there and sup-
posed that it was Kit.

These two worthies evidently were familiar
with The Broadway, and knew that as Kit was
not visible in the main room he must be con-
cooled in the small room, which was reserved

for rivate her-parties, when the different
gain lers of he Gulch got to bucking against
each other.

The two men evidently began to walk toward
the room where Dainty sat, and she, drawing a
revolver, was about to prepare herself to resist
to the last extremity, when the voice of the bar-
keepor was again heard:

“ I tell you, once for all, you can’t go in there;
and if you persist—4’ '

There was a. sickening thud, and something
came crashing against the partition and then
fell to the floor.

“Well struck, Blinkey,” remarked the cruel
voice of Cockey.

“Thet fool’ll not bother us any more; now,
let’s go an’ skin the youngster.”

In a moment there came a thunderin
the door, and in response Dainty

boldly:
“ but do you want?”

“ Open this door or we’ll bu'st her down I”

Trembling with fear Dainty turned to the
open window, and was about to climb out when
it was darkened, and an agile form sprung into
the room.

“ Here I am, Dainty,” he whispered, “safe
and—- But what is that?” he asked, as the door
cracked and creaked.

“Cockey and Blinkey are trying to get in to
kill me, thinking it is you.”

“ Oh-hoi Is that the way the land lies? Stand

rap on
ed out

to one side, out of harm‘s way, and see what we

do with murderers where i come from 1”

, The door crashed down as Kit drew his revol-
vers, while as Blinkey and Cockey came stum-
bling in, two pistols spoke as one, and the men
who were ravening for his blood fell to the floor

. without a groan or a or .

y r
Each had been shot through the heart!

CHAPTER XXII.
AT THE NICK OF TIME.
W1: must now go back in our story to the mo-
ment when Kit encountered Colton, Hercules
and Bi 16.(llim, as the third of this delectable trio

 

It is almost needless to say that Kit was much
vexed at this unfortunate meeting,.for he knew
that Daint would be nervous under the ordeal
through w ich she was about to pass: and now
that his ruse had been successful, and he had
obtained more than he had hoped for or ex-
pected at the stone house, he wished to consult
with her regarding their future movements.
But there he was, face to face with the gang

_ and puttin on the best [ace he could, he salu
’th‘m blnu 1y: ,

 

‘ Goon-mm Mr. Dalton; good-morning,

O

 

  

Denver Kit’l Double.

 

 

 
   

Mr. Hercules; good morning, Mr. What’s-your-
name, I never have had the pleasure of an in-
troduction, so cannot address you as I would
w1s .

The trio gazed at Kit as if they thought him
some supernatural visitor, no? being able to
conceive how he came to be herb when they
were certain that they had lately pursued him
for a distance of miles, and bein positive that
there was no other means of reac ing the point
where they had encountered him save the road
by which they had returned.

Hercules was b far the most troubled of the
three, and trembl’ed visibly, whispering to Col-
to’n:

“ Where in thunder could he hev sprung
from?

“Tain’t nateral, an’ I swear 1 believe he’sa
ghostl.

“ He couldn't ’a’ got back hyar onless his crit—

ter kin gy, an’ I don’t see no wings.”
I “We lsoon see whether his be mortal or im-
mortall” cried Golton, and leveling his revolver
he fired straight at Kit, who sat quietly smiling
at‘bim.

Either his aim was exceptionallyvbad or his
nerves were decidedly unstrung, for the bullet
whizzed harmlessly by Kit’s head and he laugh-
ed sardonically, adding to the terror of the
giant and Big Jim.

Hercules did not remain any longer to see
what would be the result of a second shot, but
put spurs to his horse, and with a yell of fear
star ted off up the road on a dead run, being fol-
lowed by Co ton, whose horse becoming unman-
ageable, followed the flying boots of his stable
mate.

Recovering somewhat from his fright and be-
in really a brave man, although a natural
bu ly and thief, Big Jim drew one of his re-
Iviolvers and was about to cock and fire it at

it.
But he never finished the movement.

More rapid than thought was Kit’s motion,

and as his pistol was raised to a level With
his eye, he fired apparently without taking
aim.
And true to its mark the lenden messenger
s ,and entering Big Jim’s forehead, passed
15 rough his brain and sent him with a crash to
the ground. .

Kit had well preserved his reputation for being
the “ quickest man on the trigger in the State of
Colorado!” ‘

And then be centered on, realizing that two
of the band upon which rested the suspicion of
Dainty’s father’s death, had. been wiped out of
existence.

One had fallen by the hand of Providence, the
second by his own hand.

But the two most desperate of the quartette
yet remained alive, one of whom had possibly
fired the fatal shot which killed Mr. Danford,
and made Dainty an orphan.

Reaching the forks of the road, Kit saw by
the hoof-prints in the mud, that thetwo horse-
men had taken the left-hand road, or the one
which led to the stage route, so riding on a little
further, be fastened his horse, and, retracin his
steps, hid himself and waited at the point w ere
the road branched.

    

    

26

Denver Kit’s Double.

 

He sat for some time, waiting until at length
be heard the sound of voices, and soon perceived
Colton and Hercules riding slowly back, the lat»
ter casting fearful glances ahead and seeming to
need considerable urging to persuade him to con-
tinue the route.

Colton was arguing with him and urging the
necessity of returning to their home to secure
sundry documents, which were there, and which
would he of immense value to them.

At which remark Kit chuckled quietly and
tapped the tin box in his pocket gently.

As the two men disappeared dewn the road.
Kit, having located them, which was all he cared
to dc for the present, returned to where his
horse was standing, mounted and rode away to
The Gulch.

As we have seen he arrived just in time, and
had he been delayed a minute longer, would
have been too late.

Cockey and Blinkey having been so summa-
ril-y disposed of, Kit turnet .his attention to
Dainty, whom he found quivering like an aspen
leaf, but he soon soothed and quieted her, after
which he, in as few words as possible, related his
adventures, telling her also of his success in
finding the tin box.

“ And now,” said he, ” slip out of the window
and return home and wait for me.

“ I must see Frank and tell him what happen-
ed while he was absent.

“ Do not take the main street, but ride out
back of town, so as to escape observation, if
it is possible!”

“ Oh, Kit!” 30be the frail young girl, “ do
not remain long away from me.

“ I am not so strong as i thought and a few
more days of this will kill me.”

“I will be there almost as soon as you are, my
child, and whether near or far, will always
watch over you.”

With a long hand-clasp they separated, Dainty
step ing out of the window and Kit going into
the r-room.

There he found the barkeepcr, lying on the
floor, stone dead, his skull having been crushed
like an egg-shell by a tremendous blow from the
butt of a pistol.

The sight was a sickening one, and Kit gladly
turned away from it and walked to the door,
where he encountered Frank, who entered at
that moment.

In a few words Francis was laced in full
possesm‘on of the facts, and than ed Kit for so
quickly avenginz the death of his assistant, to
whose side he walked and looked down at him

sadly.
“ oor J ack,” he said, “ was a nice fellow and
as honest as he was clever.

“ But as be is gone, we will see that he has a
funeral that will do him justice.”

And Kit, promising to see him soon, went to
the stable and rode off toward Dainty’s under-
fiound home, as fast as his horse would carry

11!.

 

CHAPTER XXIII.
A FEARFUL DEATH.
As Kit rode past the still smoking and smol-
dering ruins of Daintv’s former residence,

which yet burned slightly at the bottom of the

mass of timber which had fallen into the cellar,
he became aware of the fact that he was fol-
lowed by some one, as he could hear hoof-beats
sounding on the road behind him.

Anxious as he was to once more rejoin Dain-
ty, who might, he feared, be still suffering from
the late shock to her nerves, he hurried on,
turned to the left, and after a short gallop, ar-
rived at the hollow tree, and sending his horse
trotting oil‘ up the bank, he swung around by
the vine, and rupped on the trunk.

The door was fastened on the inside, and he
was compelled to mp louder and louder, finally
hammering with the butt of his revolver, before
he heard the sliding of the bolt, and the door
going opened, he saw Dainty standing before

1m.

“ Excuse my keeping you waiting, but I had
gone down the underground passage for a mo-
mcnt, to see if there was any danger of (my one
entering through the cellar. But the passage is
full of smoke, and the other end is choked up
with rubbish from the fire, so that it is impos-
sible that any one should notice the opening.”

Kit stepped in and closed the door after him,
whvn, drawing the tin box from his pocket, he
handed it to Dainty, saying:

“ No hands but yours shall break this seal or
until this knot.”

“Then come below,” shehnswered, “ and to-
gether we will examine its contents.”

Seated in the dining—room, Dainty struggled
with the intricately twisted tape for a few mo-
ments, and then seizing a knife, quickly snle
the problem by cutting the knot, placed the box
on the table and opened it.

Lying one on top of the other were two sheets
of folded foolscnp, which she unfolded and read,
afterward handing them to Kit.

The first, evidently written some years be
fore, as was proven by the faded color of t]:
ink and the yellowness of the paper, bore date
1866, and was thus worded:

“ I give and bequeath everything I now possess or
may hereafter come in possession or, t ) my beloved
daughter Dainty.

“ Signed)
” Witness, JAMES ARTWELL.
“ New York, December 11, 1866.“

anny Duncan;

The other was dated 1884, and was in the
form of a letter to Dainty, and, condensed, in:
formed her that by great good fortune, he was
able to leave to her property which would make
her an immensely rich woman.

He had discovered a mine, which, properly
worked, would prove of inestimahle value, if.
being situated in a canyon which was supposed
to be inaccessible, and which——

Here the letter terminated abruptly with the
words:

“I am interrupted, but will finish this later."

The date of the month at the top was that on
which Mr. Danford had been murdered. '

He had evidently been writing when inter-
rupted by the assassins’ knock, and never had
been able to finish it.

“Had your father never Spoken to you of
this matter?” asked Kit.

 

“Never. He was a peculiar man, and always

“.7 _ nhNHW LM'” 1"; «~

   
 

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Denver Kit’s Double.

 

 

at on paper any matter of interest he Wished
0 convey to a person.

“ He often told me that, if he should sudden-
ly die, I must search the house for his will, but
never referred in any manner to any of his pro-

ert or wealth.

“ n fact I always thought we were very poor,
for our larder was empty half the time.”

“But how did Colton become familiar with
the existence of these papers?”

“ I can not imagine.”

“Well, we must endeavor to solve the mys-
tery. and I will devote myself to that end.

“ But I must go out and see if those who were
following me are in the neighborhood."

And leaving the room, Kit returned to the
hollow tree and climbed up the ladder to the
lookout hole.

With a rashness that was unpardonable, he
immediately stuck his lived out, and looked
around, when suddenly a shout echoed from be—
low, so startling him that he nearly lost his bal—
ance and came within an ace of falling from his
lofty perch to the ground below.

Just below, one on the right, the other on the
left of the tree, stood looking up at him, Colton
and Hercules, and as he jerked his head insile,
a. bullet whizzed past the hole, clipping the
leaves of the vine which clambered round it,
and burying itselt in the tree~trunk.

“ We’ve treed him, Cap!" cried Hercules, ex-
ultingly, “an’ now we’ll purcved ter smoke him
(yzt in the most scientific manner.”

“What are you going to do, you fool?” re-
turned Colton, as hehegan to move about, col-
lecting dead branches and twigs, and piling
them about the trunk of the tree.

“ Goin’ ter light a bonfire fer his benefit.”

“And you expect to smoke him out in that
manner?”

(A Sure-5’

“ Why, you double-dyed idiot, can’t you see
that the whole tree is so wrapped about with
that green vine that it would never take fire!"

“ Right you are, Cap.

“Tth sarcumstance didn’t strike me aforv.”

And scratching his bushy head he continued:

“ But what’ll we do about it?’

“ Camp here and starve him out, standing
watch and watch.

" He’ll have to come out at last, and as there
is evidently no way of getting out of the tree
except by that hole, which only looks small on
account of its immense distance from the
ground, he will have to climb down the vine to
reach the earth.

“ That is evidently the way lie got in the tree
and that is the way he’ll have to get out.

“ When he climbs down we can easily cap—
ture him, for he will be able to offer no resist—
urine."

And Hercules grinned in high glee as he gloat-
ed over the anticipated death of the young fel»
10W.

Colton had succeeded in talking him out of his
superstitious fear, inventing some plausible (-x-
case to account for Kit’s mysterious di appear-
ance.

It had been by accident that they had seen
Kit and tracked him to his hiding-place, believ-
ing it to be only a temporary resort, and not

i

 

dreaming of ‘the perfect living arrangements
that existed in the ground below their feet, 01'
of the lower entrance to the hollow tree.

The day passed, and the night, and the two
men watched by turns, having luncheon with
them and procuring water from the stream
nearby; and still Kit gave no sign of life, and
when the third (lay had passed Hercules grew
impatient.

“l’m a-goin’ ter climb up ther tree by that
vine, an’ take a. squint inside, Cap,” he said, to-
ward evening.

“ Go ahead.”

.And Hercules grasped the stout vine, which
twisted and turned in every direction, and
easily climbed to the hole, into which he thrust
his head.

But just then something terrible happened,
for the vine, growing weaker as it grew higher
from the ground, was here not strong enough to
hear his immense weight, and first broke away
under his feet, leaving him hanging by the
hands.

Finally, the rotten wood of the trunk splinter-
ed and gave way, and his huge body went turn-
ing and tumbling and twisting through the void,
until it crashed on the cruel, pointed rocks be-
low, where the giant miner of the gulch was
crushed out of all semblance of humanity.

Colton, covering his eyes with his hands to
shut out the awful sight, uttered a fearful yell,
and fled wildly.

CHAPTER XXIV.
CONCLUSION.

KIT, who was standingr at the bottom of the
tree-trunk, when Hercules had looked in, al—
though invisible from above on account of the
darkness, had been a partial witness of Hercu-
les’s struggles, and immediately realized what
had happened when he heard Colton’s cry.

So climbing up the ladder, he looked can-
tionsly down, and saw, lying far below him, all
that remained of Hercules, and then placing
the mirror in position, surveyed the plain behind
him.

Almost immediately his eye caught the re-
flection of ahuman figure lying motionless, a
short distance away, which, from its general
appearance, he instantly recognized as that of
Colton.

Hurrying down the ladder, he opened the door
and soon reached Colton, who was groveling on
the ground in an agon of fear and remorse,
and immediately secure him, tying his hands
and feet firmly, and then searching him in hopes
of finding some further clew to the lost mine.

There was nothing in his pockets but a half~
finished letter. which Kit, having called Dainty,
read to the girl: ‘

“ My mum CURT," it be an.

“ I got your lotterull O. ., and throu h it learned
of Daiifoi'd’s communication to you, n which .he
tells you of the mine he has discovered. fl‘hinkmg
that your proposition that we should obtain posses-
sion of it was a. good «he, I watched his house, and
s ied his every movement, night after night,
t irongh a. convenient crevice, until finally my pa.-
tiencc was rewarded, one evening, 13y seeing him
cane from an inner roo'm. where he. oubtless had
some secret hiding-place, carrying a tin 

“ He began to write a letter, but I, behevmg that

 

    

28

Denver Kit’s Double.

   

 

the box held the memoranda we wanted, and fear-
ing the return of the girl—Dainty, you know-—
knocked, and asked for admission.

“It was raining like thunder, and the old man,
hastily putting the letter into the box, where there
was, I saw, another document. tie] the receptable
with a tape and, having Si'alC‘Ll it, put it in a small
cupboard, and then, after a few words opened the
door.

" An'l then I shot him and securud the box-What
do you think of your humble servant, Craig Colton,
Anvway?

“I am afraid the girl may give us t ouble.par—
ticularly as a young champion has lately espoused
her cause, coming from nobody knows where, and
I shall remain until I have settled them both.

“I have bad no time yet to examine the papers,
but will do so soon, when I will finish this.”

Here the letter, containing full proof of Col—
ton’s guilt, ended, and Kit, turning to Dainty,
said sternly:

“There lies your father’s murderer, whom
you have vowed to track to his grave.

“ What shall be his fate?"

Stern as destiny itself, Dainty, with not the
slightest tremor in her voice, answered:

“ Death!”

“ And by what means?”

“ Send him to join his comrade!”

And with a gesture like a queen, Dainty
pointed toward the Canyon.

Kit, going to his and Uoltou’s horses, took
from their heads the rawhide ropes with which
they were fastened, and then, saddling Colton’s
horse, he returned to the spot where the ex—
captain lay.

Untying his feet, and lifting him into the
saddle, he fastened him firmly in the seat, tying
him to the horn with one larlat and to the rings
in the cantle with the other.

Then, taking a large silk handkerchief from
his pocket, he blindfolded the horse so carefully
that not a ray of light could enter his eyes, the
poor brute uivering all over, as if he anticipat-
ed his terrib 3 end.

Then, leading the horse by the bridle, he
walked close to the edge of the precipice,
stopped, and turning, with whip in band, he
waited until Dainty should give the signal to
him to lash the horse on the flanks and cause
him to bound madly forward over into the fear-
ful gulf below.

But the girl was standing, with closed eyes
and clasped hands, her face turned toward
heaven, praying, and was unaware of what Kit
had been doing.

But a moment later she looked toward him
and realizing what an awful fate he had in store
for Colton, She leaped forward with all the des-
perate energy of her nature, seized the horse by
the bridle and dragged him away from the
brink, crving:

“ Oh, Kitl I cannot, cannot do itl

“ See! Ibrcuk my vow and let this man go
free, my father’s murderer though he is.”

And touring the bandage from the horse's
head, she cut the ropes that bound Colton and
with a sweep of her hand pointed to the east.

And without a word he turned, without n
word rode away and, without looking back, dis-
appeared in the distance.

‘Thank you, Dainty; .it is only what I ex-

. pected from you ,7’ said Kit,

 

. nu; ADAMS, Publishers, 9% William st, N. Y.

“ And now your task is done, your fath‘c‘
murder avenged, for the pardon you extended .‘
him is more bitter than death. L

“ But now, beforeAwe separate, let me ask ya
a question.

“Short as our acquaintance has been, it has
been so fraught with danger as to bind us more
closely than years of friendship,

“ Can you reelprocale the love- I have borne for
you Since the instant I saw you?

“Can you, honestly and with no thought of
gratitude paying a supposed debt, lay your hand
in mine and say: ‘ Kit, I love you, and will be
your wife?” ' .

“ 1 can and do. Kit, for, as this is no time for
false pretenses, I can say to you, frankly, that
no man but you could ever be my husband.”

Two weeks after that (lay Denver Kit and
Dainty were marred in Denver, and that even-
ing Faro Frank, Diamond Dan and Charley
Francis, Frank’s brother, kept open house, and
champagne flowed like water.

THE END.

  
    

 

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mont.

134 MikeMerry, the Harbor Police Boy. By Chas.
Morris.

135 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood, or, The Picked
P. rty. By Edward L. Wheeler.

136 Old Rube, the Hunter. By Capt. Hamilton

olmes. ’

137 Dandy Rock. the Man from Texas.
Waldo Browne.

138 Bob Rockctt. the Boy Dodger. By Chas. Morris.

139 The Black Giant: or. Dainty Lance in Jeopardy.
By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.

140 Captain Arizona, the King Pin of Road-Agents.
By Philip S. Warne.

BY

By

By
By Edward

Oil

By T. C. Har-

By T.

By G.

 

  

141 N York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective. By
E. .Wheeler.

m Little Texas, the Young Mustanger. By 011
Coomes.

143 Deadly Dash; or. Fighting Fire with Fire. By
Jos. LG. Badger. Jr.

141 Little Grit. the Wild Rider. By Col. Prentiss Iii-

 

   

fi‘raham.
145 he Tiger of Taos; or. Wild Kate, Dandy Rock‘s
An o1. By Geo, Waldo Browne.
146 The Cattle King; or, Cortina‘s Right Bower. By
Frank Dumoiit.
147 Nobhy Nick of Nevada; or, the Seamps of the
Sierras. B Edward L. Wheeler.
148 Thunderbo t Tom; or. the Wolf-Herder of the
Rockies. By Harry St. George.
149 Bob Rockett, the Bank Runner. By Charles
Morris.
150 The Mad Miner: or, Dandy Rock‘s Doom. By
G. Waldo Browne.
151 The Sea Trailer; or, A Vow Well Kept. By Co].
Prentiss liigraham.
152 Dandy Darke; or, The Tigers of High Pine. By
W. H. Eyster.
153 Wild Frank, the Buckskin Bravo. By E. L.
Wheeler.
154 The Boy Trailers; or, Daint Lame on the War-
Path. By J03. E. Badger, r.
155 Gold Plume, the Boy Bandit. By Col. Prentiss
lnzi‘aham.
156 Will Wildfire in the Woods. By C. Morris.
157 Ned Temple, the Border Boy. By '1‘. C. Har—
haugh.
159 Deadwood Dick’s Doom: or. Calamity Jane‘s
Inst Adventure. By E. L. \l'heeler.
159 PatentvLeather Joe‘s Def eat; or, The Lady
Rand-Azent. By Philip S. Wai'ne.
160 Buffalo Billy. the Boy Bullwhaeker; or, The
Doomed Thirteen. By Col. 1’. liiqi'aliain.
161 Bob Rockett. the Cracks nan. By C. Morris.
1152 Little Huriieane, the Loy Captain. By 011
(homes.
163 Deadwood Dick‘s Dream; or. the Rivals of the
Road. By E. L. Wheeler.
164 ’l‘ornavlo Tum; or. Injun Jack from Red Core.
By T. C. Harbaugh.
165 Buffalo Bill‘s Bet; or, The Gambler Guide. By
001. P. lngraham.
166 Will Willarn Wins and Loses; or, “A Trump
Card." By Charles Morris.
167 Dan’iy Rock‘s Pledge; or, Hunted to Death. By
George W. Browne.
168 Deadwood Dick‘s Ward; or, The Black Hills
Jezebel. By Edward L. Wheeler.
169 The Boy Champion. By Edward \Villett.
170 Bob R ickett’s Fight f )r Lii’ -; or, Shadowed in
New York By Charles Morris.
171 Frank Morton, the Boy Hercules. By 011
i 2 $901113? k in
7 ie an ee n er' 0r, Dusk D. I .
1 a fidwiibEinerson. g l y “mu By
7» )ic‘z iizlo. Seoui' or. The Fr i t' ~ v
m giwglirdxl? Ell s. ’ 0' M Ange" B)
an ock's Scheme' or Th - l
1 5'}; Gz’wfinmwm. y y L Gilden Hand.
7 1e ra Detective' (n-7 Sn 2; r
1 6 gylllflv‘l‘wlairrcil L. \Vheeler. 00 e ’ the Boy Sharp
7 i ii re‘s Pluck-
177 ggarllges Morris. ‘ or" The Hidden Hand‘ By
8 0y C nnmauder: , .‘
178']; 01%]. Pmmi‘fi Infl‘alg‘rmThe Maid of Perth.
ie aniac Hunter: or, The M ' '
1H9 lslfmél. LBy Burton Saxm ySteneS or Night
I all! Y anee: or Th: ‘ ‘
J E? Badger. Jr. , L Mystlc Marksman. By

180 The Boy Gold Hunter' or N ‘ ’ “
By T- C. Harbaugh- , . avajo Nick 5: beaut.

181 The Scapegrace Son. By Charles Morris.
182 The Dark-Skinned S‘co'It' or 'l‘h Frmho
. . . . I . e i oters
of the MlSElSSlppi. By Lie’ut. Col. Hazeltiue.

BEADLE'S POCKET LIBRARY.

 

. . \
183 Jabez Dart, Detective; or, The Hermit Trapperh,L .

By Oil Coomes.

l
181 .li‘eatherweiglit, the Boy Spy. By Edward \Viied
lott. '.
185 Bison Bill, the Overland Prince. By Col. Pren—Ym=

tiss Ingraliaui.

186 [minty Lance and His Yard. By Joseph E.
Badger. Jr. .

18? Th 'l‘i-aFneLl Tiger King; or, Dark Paul’s Plot.
By Chir es Morris.

188 The Veiitriloq‘uist Detective. A Romance of
Rogues. By Edward L. \\'ueeler,

189 Old Rocky‘s Boys; or. Bonito. the Young Mus-
tang-Breaker. By Maj. Sam. S. Hall.

190 Sim Simpkins. Scout; or, The Faithful Mountain
Mastiff. By James L. Bowen.

101 Dandy Rock‘s Rival: or, The Mysterious Wolf
Rider. By (loo. Waldo Browne.

192 Hickory Harry; or. Ros ingRalph, theVenti-ilo.
quist. By linri-y St. Geor 'e.

193 Deteeiiv - Josh Grim: or. The Young Gladiator’s
Game. By 12. lward L. Wheeler.

191 Prospect Pete. the Boy Miner. By 011 Coomes.

19:”) "he Tenderfoot Trailer; or, Plucky Phil, of the
Mountain. By '1‘. C. Harbaugh.

196 The Dandy Detective; or, The Abducted Boy
Mystery. By Charles Morris.

1!)? Boy. the Y ung Cattle King; or, The Texan
Sport Unmasked. By Col. l’i‘riiiiss Ingraham_

198 Ebri Dan's Musk; or. The Rival Leagues of
the .\ ill-:8. By Frank l)uu’;ont.

199 l>i.:tion;iry Nat. Detective; or, Zill Bravo, the
Bear Tamer. By ’1'. (J. Ilzu‘baugh

200 The Twin Horsemen: or, The Brothers of the
l’lumvd Lance. By Capt. Frederick Whittaker.

201 Dandy Dan-he’s Pard " or, The Hawks of High
l'iiie. By \Vni. R. 19, ter.

20:! Tom. the Texan Tiger; or, Old Luke's Luck. By
011 Gnomes.

203 Sam. tie Office Boy; or, The Tables Turned. By
Charles Morris.

201 The Young Cowboy; or, The Girl Trailer‘s Tri-
umph. B 001. Prentiss lum‘aham.

205 The Frontier Detective; or, Sierra Sam's Scheme.
By E. L. \Vlievler.

206 White Lightning; (r, the Boy Ally. By T, C.
Harhaug‘n.

207 Kenle ’l‘albot‘s Band; or, The Red Lasso. By
Captain Mark Wilton.

208 Trapper 'l‘orn’s Castle Mystery; or, Dashing
Dick‘s Disguise. By Oll Gnomes.

209 The Mossnuqer-Boy Detective; or, The Tables
Turned. iy Charlrs Morris.

210 The Hunchback of the Mines: or. Reckless
R 'lnh. the {owl-Agent. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.

211 Lillie Giant and His Band; or Despard, the
Duelist. By P. S. \V'arne.

213 ’i‘heJiuirown Sport; or, Gypsy Jack in Colorado.
iv E L. Wheeler. _

213 The Pirate‘s Piiie; or. The Mysterious Yankee
Schooner. By C. Dunning Clark.

214 Dandy Dave. of Shasta; or. The ‘Frisco Flash 0’
Lightning. By T. C. Harhaugh.

215 Darin;r Dan. the Ranger; or, The Denver Detec—
tive. By 011 Coomes,

216 The Cmvbm' Capi'iin-

  

, nr. Ranger Ralph's Ruin.
Bv Colour] 'Pi'r'nt H?» ii 1:1" mm.

317 mm! Head of the Rockies: or, The Ang’l of the
R'mvre. Br Major Ram S. Hall.

218 The Miner Snort: or. Sugar—Coated Sam's Claim.
BV Edward L. Wheeler.

‘21!) Buck, the Detective; or. Paul, the Boy Pia-rd. By
A“: in \\'. Aiken.

220 Crook-Shot Frank; or, Bill Bounce, the Moun-
tain Bravo. By Charles Morris

221 Merle the Middy: or. A \Vaif of the Waves. By
Colonel Prentiss liiiri'a‘iimi.

2‘22 Rosebud Ben’s linVS; or, The Young Prairie
Rangers. H" ()II 00"!“9“.

223 Gold Conrad’s Watch-Does; or. The Two Pards
of Vulture Bar. By T. C. Harbaugh.

 

 

‘ ,

 

 

 

   
  
   

 

  
    

2..-...» / ' ‘

Lamas” .. ., .‘ ‘ 

 

 

 

 

BEADLE’S POCKET LIBRARY.

 

H Frisky Fe gus, the New York Boy. By G. L.
Aiken. ;
225 Dick Drew. tho Miner‘s Sou; or. A wollo Bill, the
Road—Agent. By Edward L. W hoe or.
226 Dakota Dick in Chicago; or, Jack, the Old Tar.
By Charles Morris.
2127 Merle. tho Boy ('rnisi‘r: or. Brandt. the Due—
cancer. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham.
228 The Preacher Detective; er, The Boy Ventrilo-
(uist. By 011 Gnomes.
22!) 1d Hickory‘s Grit. By John J. Marshall.
52:30 The Three Bwy Sports; or. The Sword Hunters.
By C :ptuin Frederick Whittaker.
231 Sierra Sam, the Detective. By Edward L.
Wheeler.
232 Merle Montc’s Treasure; or. Buccaneer Brandt’s
Threat. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.
233 Rocky Rover Kit; or. Davy Crockett’s Crooked
Trail. By Ensign C. 1). Warren.
231Baldy. the Miner Chief. By Capt. J. F. C.
Adams.
235 Jack Stuinp’s Cruise; or. The )lontpelier's Muti-
neers. By Ron r Starbuck.
236 Sierra Sam‘s Double; or. The Three Female De—
tectives. By Ell. L. \\'h clwr.
237 N--\\'shoy Ned. In tt-ctive' or, Two Philadelphia
Gamins. ByChzu'lv‘s ‘nr':
238 llrrle Month’s Sou St mcr; or. Little Belt’s
Droll Disguise. By (W. Prentiss lngrahaui.
230 Ben's Big.r Boom: or. ’lhe Boss Miner’s League.
B ' Capt. Mark Wilton.
210 Sharp Shot Mike; or. Columbia Jim on the War-
l’ath. By 011 Gnomes. ,
241 Sierra. Sam's S: ntenee or. Little Luck at Rough
Ranch. By Edwa rd L. \‘(heclciz
242 The Denver llutuvtivcz or. Dainty Dot at Gold
Gulch. By T. C. llarbauxh.
213 Dutch San’s Dilennna: or. The Mysterious
Mountain Monster. By Maj. L. W. Carson.
2—11 Merle lllontc’s Disguise; or. The Capture of
Brandt, the, hiccaneor. ly Col P. lngraham.
245 B 'ldyls Boy Partner: or. Young Brainem’s
Steam Man. By l‘ldwnrd S. Elis.
246 Detective Kcon‘s Apprentice: or. James Jumper
the New York Gamm. By Charles Morris.
247 The Girl Sport; or, Jumbo Joe’s Disguise. By
Edward L. Wheeler,
243 Giant George‘s Pard; or. Arizona Jack, the
’l‘enderfoot. By Buckskin Sam.
249 Ranch Rob‘s Wild Ride; or, Old Winch The
Rule King. By T. C. Harbzmgh.
250 Merle Mouto‘s Pardon; or. The Pirate Chief’s
Doom. Hy Col. Prentiss Ingraham.
251 The. Deaf .Ih‘tective; or. Weasel, the Boy Tramp.
By Edward Willett. '
252 Denver Doll’s Device: or. The Detective Queen.
By Edward L. Wheeler.
253 The. Boy ’l‘ondvrfoot; or. Roaring Ben Bundy of
Colorado. By (lunl. Mark “it on.
251 Black Hills. Ben; 01-. Dutch Jan on the War-
_ Path. ly Maj. Lewis W. Cars-on.
205 Jolly Jim. Detective; or. The Young Protege's
_ Victory. ly Charles Morris.
Boll Merle Monte's L 'st Cruise; or. The Sea Robber
W at Bay. By Col. Pren'iss lngrahaui.
Bu! The Boy Chief of Rocky Pass; or. The Young
California I’ards By Maj. E. L. Sr. Vrain.
258 Denver Doll as Detective. By E. L. Whe Ier.
SH) Little h‘oxeye. the Colorado Spy. By 01] Coomes.
25f) Skit. the Cahiu Boy. By Edward Willeft.
261 Blade, the Sport or. the. Giant of Clear Grit
Camp. By T. C. Harbaugh.
262 Billy, the lloy Rover. By Col. P. Ingraham.
263 Buster Bob‘s Buoy; or, Line. the Light‘House
Keeper. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams.
264 Denver Doll’s Partner; or, Big Buckskin the
Sport, By E. L. Wheeler.
265 Billy. the Bngga're Boy; or. The Young Railroad
Detective. By Charles Morris.
266 Guy’s Bov Chum; or, The Forest Wolf‘s Mask.
By Capt. Comatock.

 

 

 
 
 

 

 

 

267 Giant George's Revenge; or, The Boys of “ Slip-
up Mine.” By Buckskin Sam.

268 The. Dead Shot Dandy; or, The Rio Grande

Marauders. By Col. Prentiss lngraham.

The Qua-‘tzville Boss; or, Daring David Darke.

By Edward \Villett.

270 .l)euve.r Doll‘s Mine; or, Little Bill’s Big Loss.
By E. L. Wheeler.

271 Ebony J im’s Terror; or, Ranger Rainbolt‘s Ruse.
BV‘ Oll Coonies.

272 Kit, the Girl Detective. By T. C. Harbaugh.

273 To Girl Rider; or, Nimble Ned‘s Surprise. By
Jos. E. Badger. Jr.

27-1 Dead Shot Dandy’s Double; or, Benito, the Boy
Pard. By Col. Prentiss Ingrahani.

275 Fred. the Ocean Wait; or, The Old Sailor’s
Protege. By Charles Morris.

276 Deadwood Dick Trapped; or, Roxey Ralph’s
Ruse. By Edward L. Wheeler.

277’ The Idiot Bo Avenger" or, Captain Wild-Cat’s
Big Game. y Albert . A‘ken.

278 Arizona. Alf. the Miner; or, Little Snap Shots
Luck. By ’1‘. C. Ilarbangh.

5379 Colorado Jack, the Tiger; or. The Ghost of the

7 Trailer. By Frederick Dewey.

280 Dead Shot Dnndy’s L‘lSt Deal; or. Keno Kit‘s
New Role. By 001. Prentiss Ingraham.

% Ned, the Boy Pilot; or, The Pirate Lieutenant’s

Doom. By Jack Farragut.

282 Buck Hawk,1)eteclive‘ or, The Messenger Boy’s
Fortune. By Edward . Wheeler.

283 Roving Sport Kit; or. The Ghost of Chuckaluck
Camp. B: Edward Willett.

$4 The Showman’s Best Card; or, The Mad Animal
Tamer. By Capt. Fred. Whittaker.

285 Old Rocky‘s Pard; or. Little Ben‘s Chase. By
Buckskin Sam. ‘ .

286 Dick, the Dakota. Sport. By Charles Morris.»

287 Ned, the Boy Ski per; or, The Sea Sorceress’
Cruise. By Jack arragut.

288 Deadwood Dick‘s Disguise- or, Wild Walt, the
Sport. By Edward L. Wheeler.

%9 Colorado Nick. the Lassoist; or, Old Si’s Protege.
By Major H B. Stoddard,

290 Rube, the Tenderfoot' or. The Boy‘s of Torpedo
Gulch. By Major E.  St. Vraln.

291 Peacock l’rtc, the Leadvillo Sport: or, Hawk, the
Brss Miner. By Albert W. Aiken.

292 Joe Morey, the Night-Hawk; or, The Black
Rider. By Jos. E. Badger. Jr. _

293 Dwarf Jake. the Detective; or. Kit Kenyon’s
Man Hunt. By Edward Willelt.

294 Dumb Dick’s Pard; or Eliza Jane, the Gold
Miner. By Ed. L. Whee er.

295 White Wing, the Ferret Flyer. By Chas. Morris.

2116 Govinda, the TigerTamer: or, The American
Horseman Abroad. By Captain F. Whittaker.

297 Arizona Giant George‘ or, The Boyecs of Sardine-
Box City. By Buckskin Sam.

298 Daisy Doll’s Dash; or, The Ten Colorado Pards.
B_ ’ .C, Harbaugh. v

299 The Balloon DetectiveS' or, Jack Slasber‘s
Young Pard. By Harry nton.

300 Deadwood Dick’s Mission. By E. L. Wheeler.

301 gaudy Duke, the Cowboy. By Major E. L. St.

Full].

302 B'g Benson‘s Bet. By '1‘. C. Harbaugh.

 The, Hotel Boy Detective; or, The Grand Central
Robbe '. By Charles Morris.

301 Bald } ead‘s Pard; or. Creeping Cat’s Cunning.
By Buckskin Sam.

305 Dusky Dick's Duel; or, The Demon’s Trail. By
Harry Hazard.

306 Spotter Fritz; or, The Store-Detective‘s Decoy.
By E. L. Wheeler. _

307 Nick. the Boy Sport; or, Three Plucky Pards. By
Maj. E. L. St. rain.

308 Dnuble-Fisted Mat: or. The Mystic California
Giant. 13v Jos. E. Badger, Jr. .

309 Old Graybeard‘s Boy; or, The Girl‘s Ruse. By
C. Dunning Clark.

N)
C)
m

H

BEADLE’S POCKET LIBRARY.

 

310 Kit, the Girl Captain; or, The Mad Sailor’s
Legacy. By Col. Prentiss Ingrahum.

311 Frio Fred in Texas. By lluc skin Sam.

312 The Detective Roadakgcn ; or. The Miners of
Sassafras City. By E lward L. Wheeler.

313 Honest Jack's Protege; or, The Dwarf‘s Scheme.
By Philip S. \Vurne.

311 Clip. the Boy Sheriff; or. The Two Crooks of
Montana. By Edward Willett.

315 Tom. the Arizona, Sport; or, Howling Hank from
Hard Luck. By Major E. L. St. Vrain.

316 The StrectiArztl) Detective; or, Dick Dorgun’s

Do 1ble Dealing. By Charles Morris.

Buckskin Ben of Texas; or, Single-Eye‘s Plucky

l’ards. By Buckskin Sam.

318 Colorado Charlie‘s Detective Dosh;
Cattle Kings. By Edward L. Wheeler.

319 Frisky Frank in Idaho; or, Old Skinflint the
Shadower. By Roger Starbuck.

320 Cool Sam’s Girl Ford; or. Captain Dick and His

Texans. By T. C. Hnrheuzh.

Billy. the Kill from li‘iiseo; or, Silver Mask’s

Clew. By J. C. Cowdrick.

Fred Flycr, Detective; or, Abe Blizzard on Deck.

By Charles Morris.

32‘; Dead Shot lkc in Montana; or. ch Helper, the
Yankee Pard. By Roger Starhuck.

321 Kit, the Denver Sport; or. The Bonanza. Miner

King. By Edward L. Wheeler.

Dusky Darrell the Camp Detective; or, The

Dandy’s Daring Dash. By Edwin Emerson.

Roy, the Boy Cruiser; or. The “later Wolf

Wreckers. By Colonel Prentiss lngrahnm.

Nod. the Roving: Miner: or, Arkansaw Jack’s

Match. By Hurry Hazard.

Rocky Ben’s Band; or, Big Puto‘s Big Haul. By

W. J. llmnilton. '

Dave, the Colorado \Vrcstler.

V rain.

330 The Denver Sport's Racket;

By Edward L. thelrr.

The Coast Detective; or, The Smuggler Shadow-

er. By Roger Starbuck.

332 Dakota Dan in Canyon City; or, Colorado Kate’s
Check. By Philip S. Warne.

333 Boothlaok Ben, the Detective; or, Pooler Jim
and His Pard. By Anthony P. Morris

331 Frisco Tom on Deck; or, The Golden Gate Smug-
glers. By George I-li-nry Morse.

335 Ben Bandy, the Boss Ford; or, The I‘lucky
Parson. By J. Stanley Henderson.

336 Fred, the Sport. in Brimstone Bar Camp; or,

The Boston \Vrestlcr’s Confederate. By Ed. L.

'\\'hecler.

Daisy Dave the Colorado Galoot; or, The Boss

of Dezul Line City. By T. C'. Harbaugh.

3‘38 The Go] 1 B'Il‘ Detective; or. Iron Ike. the Solid
Man. By Major E. L. St. Vrain.

339 thrdo. the Boy Gynsy; 01‘,'Reckless Rolf‘s Re-
yolt. By Wm. G. Patten. '

340 Billy Bnhhlv‘s Big Score; 01‘, Tim, the Tramp.
By Chzirles Morris.

341 Co‘orwlo Steve’sDnsll;01', Old Buncomb’s Sure
Shot By Philip S. Wm‘ne.

342 Snap-Shot Sam; or, Ned Norris’s Nettle.
Bnc 'skin Stun.

343 Mike, the Bowery Detective; or, Pelcg Prancer
of Vermont. By Edward L. Wheeler.

844 The Drummer S ort; or, Captain Dasher’s Droll
Dilemma. By dward'Willett.

817'

or, The

321

32

3%
326
3 7
328
329 By Maj. E. L. St.
or, Kit‘s Big Boom.

331

337

By

 

345 Jaqnes, the Hardpan Detective; or, Captain
Frisco, the Road-Agent. By J . C. Cowdrick.

346 Joe. the Chicago Arab; or, A Boy of the Times.
By Charles Morris.

347' Middy Herbert’s Prize; or, The Girl Captain’s
Revenge. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.

348 Sharp-Shooter Frank; or, The Young Texan
l’ards. By Buckskin Sam.

319 Buck. the Miner' or, Alf, the Colorado Guide.
By Maj. E. L. St. rain.

350 Ned, the Slab City Sport; or, The Detective’s
Big Scoop. By E. . Wheeler.

351 R’cky Mountain Joe; or, Deacon Simplicity on
the War Path. By 001. T. H. Monstery.

332 New York Tim; or, The Boss of the Boulevard.
By Charles Morris.

353 The Girl Pilot; or, Ben. the Reef-Runner. By
Roger Starbuck.

354 Joe, the Boy Stage-Driver; or, Nick Hicken’s
Cunning. By Ma]. E. L. St. Vrain.

 Texas Frank‘s Crony; or, The Girl Mustang
Rider. By Buckskin 5am.

356 Idaho Nod, Detective; or, The Miners 0! Tarpot
City. By Edward L. Wheeler.

35’? Guy. the Boy Miner; or. Rocky Mountain Bill.
By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham.

358 Jersey Joe. the Old Tar; or, The Wrecker‘s
Protege. By Mrs. Orin James.

359 Dandy Dick’s Dash; or, The Boy Cattle-King.
By Oll Comes.

360 Jim‘s Big Bonanza: or. Jake Dodd and His
Gang. By W. J. Hamilton.

391 Oregon Phil, the Spor‘; or, The Marshal of Two
Bits. By Philip S. Warne.

362 Kit. the Boothlnck Detective; or. From
Pilll‘ldt’lpllla to the Rockies. By Edward L.
“'hcr-ler.

363 The Ocean Racer; or, Trusty Tom, the Tar.
T. C. Ilztrbuugh.

361 Fritz's Old Score; or, Sib Cone’s Right Bower.
By Nel Buntline.

365 Crack Shot Harry; or, The Masked Rider.
Col. Prentiss Ingraham.

366 Gold Dust Rock, the Whirlwind of the Mines.
By G. Waldo Browne.

367 Fred ls Boll Game; or. The Cave Treasure.
Paul Bibbs.

368 Jim. the Sport in Wake-up; or, Foghorn Fan to
the Front. By Edward L. Wheeler.

369 Captain Blake's Jonah; or, Harry, the Cabin
B y. By Roger Starbuck.

370 Denver Kit's Double: or, The Giant Miner of the
Gulch. B Maj. H. B. Stoddard.
Ready ‘ebruary 11.

371 Blue Blazes Dick' or, Danger Doll oleyuamitel.
By T. 0. Hamburg .
Ready February 18.

372 Seawaif‘s Gulf Prize; or. The Cruise of the Sea.-
Cat. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.
Ready February 25.
A New Issue Every Wednesdm.

BnAnLE’s POCKET LIBRARY is for sale by all News-
dealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail on re-
ceipt of six cents each.

13mm AND ADAMS, Publishers,
98 William Street, New York.

By

By

BY

9