Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 794 — page 16: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

16 were snugly encamped in King Kirby’s stronghold. Confident of Big Hank’s sterling integrity, Headlight Harry did not hesitate to reveal to that astonished individual the secret of the hidden treasure. Th2 giant leader, in turn, promptly vouched for the reliability of his followers, aad declared that under their es- cort, the gold should be transported safely to Fortune City. The cave was revisited, therefore, and the precious nuggets brought to Satan’s Camp in a quantity of bags which had been taken along for that purpose. The stage-coach from Fortune City was pressed into service immediately upon its arrival, and into it the bags of gold were carefully piled. The Vigilante chief did not propose to tarry longer than necessary in that dangerous vicinity, for both King Kirby and Black Jerry had succeeded in escaping, and it was probable that they would make a desperate effort to collect their scattered men, in which event they would still be strong enough to make things decidedly unpleasant. That very night, pausing only for a brief rest, the return journey was begun. And as the rickety old stage-coach moved slowly along the rugged trail, groaning and ereaking beneath its precious load, active men with torches flitted through the camp, bent on their work of destruction, applying the firebrand industriously here and there until the entire settlement was ablaze. The frail wooden buildings burned like tinder, and in a» hour’s time nothing remained of Satan’s Camp but a’ smoldering heap of ashes. The jeurney to Fortune City was perform- ed without mishap, and on the, way Big Hank Hawkins waxed enthusiastic over the new-found treasure, which he pronounced to be of marvelous purity and value, “Why, pare, it'll assay 95 per cent. pure gold, or l’m a Dutchman,” he declared. ‘Now, of course, your nuggets have got to be converted into builion before bein’ ready for the market, an’ I reckon there isn’t a bet- ter place than Fortune City in which to have the job done up in proper fashion. Since you are ignorant o’ sich matters, I guess you won't object tc have me steer you through an’ see that ye don’t get cheated; an’ in the mean time 1 shall be too proud to live if you'll consent to become the honored guests o’ Big Hank Hawkins.” It goes without saying that this generous offer was thankfully accepted, and the Rail- road Pards entered upon their second so- journ in Fortune City with many bright an: ticipations for the future. Of course Handsome Charlie had accom- panied the party back to Fortune City, and soon after their arrival there Headlight Har ry summoned the mysterious youth to a private conference, The engineer had, meantime, discarded the disguise which he had worn throughout his recent experience, and now appeared in his own proper charac- ter. Therefore, when his visitor entered, it was to pause in sudden surprise and doubt. “Come in! It’s really me,” was the pleas- ant salutation, ‘‘Ha, ha! I’ve changed considerably since you last saw me, have I not?” ‘‘Indeed, you have. Of course I knew that you were disguised, but I had scarcely expected so startling a change. It is a change for the better, too, I can assure you,” ‘‘Ah! Thanks for the compliment. I am sorry I cannot return the same; but it is true that, while you look vary handsome in that jaunty attire, I should admire you much -more in habiliments better suited to your sex. Swift aud sure the shot went to its mark, and Headlight Harry, watching keenly, saw the face of his visitor suddenly suffused with crimeom. Headlight Harry’s Hunt. —— ‘“Wh—what do you mean?” was the | stammering ejaculation, ‘Simply that I have guessed your secret —you are Wild Nell! Come, now, do not deny it! I knew the truth long ago.” And then Headlight Harry was sorry he had spoken so bluntly, for to his great dis- may the girl, finding her secret discovered, burst into a flood of tears. Instantly the engineer was at her side. “There, there—forgive me if I have acted too harshly. I did not intend to hurt your feelings. Come, there's nothing to cry about. Just sit down here, dry your tears, and tell me how you happened to adopt so unusual a disguise. I am anxious to learn what in- duced you to take such a perilous step.” Shamefaced and trembling, Wild Nell suf- fered -him to lead her toa chair. All her usual bravery and coolness had vanished now, and she was but the poor, frail woman, helpless in her weak ness. ‘Since you have found me out, I suppose I might as well make aclean breast of it,” she sobbed, at last. ‘‘ You see, when my poor, misguided father met his doom, I feared that I, too, would meet with violence at the hands of the mob; so I donned this disguise and fled. [ dared not remain in Fortune City, where I was so well known, for fear of recognition, and, knowing that you were bound for Satan’s Camp, | deter- mined to go there also. I felt that you were the only friends I had left, and yet I feared to reveal my identity evento you. As we neared the camp my courage suddenly failed me, and I fled to seek seclusion in the moun- tains, but only to meet with you again, quite accidentally, as you well know. 1 know I have acted very foolishly and unwomanly ; but what was a poor girl todo? No home— no friends—no place to lay my head,” and Wild Ne!l’s sobs broke out afresh. ‘‘Come, cheer up, my dear girl! You have been guilty of no misdemeanor—merely a trifle indiscreet to thus flee from imaginary enemies into the face of actual peril. But I am aot going to criticise your conduct--my object in seeking this interview is a highly important one, and | will come to the point at once without further delay. Of course you are qware that I leave in a few days for my Eastern home, and before.1 depart I wish to talk seriously with you about the future, I have taken a strong interest in your wel- fare, Nell, and I feel that I cannot leave you behind in this wild, uncouth region, which, though. it is your birthplace, is nevertheless ill-fitted for so pure and bright a being. You are beautiful and intelligent, and deserve to shine in a higher sphere of life. ‘‘Now, Nell, I havea proposition to make, and’ I wish you to consider it in all serious- ness. My desire is to have myself appointed your guardian, and in that capacily take you home with me. I have a widowed mo- ther—dear, kind-hearted, old lady—who I am sure will rejoice in your companionship and cherish you’as her own, Then, too, there is another whom I soon expect to wed —gshe will extend to you a sister's love and tenderness. You shall not want for friends and companions, and all that money can buy shall be yours, for I am_ rich, now, and can make a lady of you, Nell. Come, what do you think of my proposal? Is it not worth accepting?” While Headlight Harry spoke thus earn- estly and rapidly, Wild Nell sat with tear- filled eyes fixed eagerly, wonderingly upon his face, while in her own beautiful counte- nence surprise, joy, gratitude were evenly blended, : ‘Surely you are not in earnest,” she stam- mered, at last. ‘‘ You wouldn’t be so kind, so generous, to a poor, wild, good-for-noth- ing girl like me?” ‘YT assure you I am thoroughly in earnest. Can you not trust me, Nell?” Only for an’ instant did the glad girl hesi- tate. NN Se ee oe ee ee ‘‘ Yes,” said she, softly, ‘‘ 1 can trust you; and I will go with you if you desire it, and try to prove myself worthy of your gen- erosity, though I fear you will never succeed in making a fine lady of Wild Nell.” ‘‘Hurrah! That settles the matter, then,” cried the young engineer, in bigh elation. ‘“You shall never regret your decision, Nell, for I shall use my best endeavors to make your future a bright and happy one. This very day, then, I will consult a lawyer, and have the necessary papers drawn up which shall constitute me yvur legally-appointed guardian. Henceforward, please remember that you are neither Handsome Charlie nor Wild Nel, but—Headlight WHarry’s Pre- tegee |” The speaker laughed in boyish enthusiasna, while Nell—happy, joyous Nell—placed her little hand confidingly in his, smiling bright- ly through her tears. THE END. 2 ae Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. BY OOL. A. F. MOLT. 899 Black Buckskin; or, Tho Masked Mom of Death Canyo 419 Kenneth, the Knife-King. ARS Littice Lightfoot, the Pilot of the Weeds. BVS The Dandy Sport; or, The King Pin Semateyr- 678 Headlight Harry's Hazard; or, The tag Express Detective. 691 Headlight Harry’s Naul. 727 Headlight Harry’s Siren. 759 Headlight Harry’s Heritage. BY J. ©. COWDRIOK, Broadway Billy Nevels. 490 Broadway Billy. the Bootblack Brave, 514 Broadway Billy’s Boodle, 586 Rroadway Billy’s _‘ Ditkilty.” 557 Broadway Billy’s Peath Racket. 579 Rroséw ay Billy’s Surprise Party... 605 Broadway Billy; or, The Boy Deteotive’s Big iuning. G28 Broadway Billy’s Dead Act. 669 Broadway Billy Abroad. 675 Broadway Billy’s Beat; or, Beattag Sea Franciaco's Finest. 687 Broadway Billy in Clover, 696 Broadway Billy in_ Texas. 708 Broadway Billy’s Brand. 211 Broadway Billy at Santa Fe. 720 Broadway Billy’« Full Hand, 785 Rroadway Billy’s Business, 788 Broadway Billy’s Curious Case, 758 Broadway Billy in Denver. 762 Broadway Billy’s Bargain. 769 Broadway Billy, the Retriever Deterokre. °%b Broadway Billy’s Shadow Chase. 2788 Broadway Billy’s Beagles. Other Novels by J. C. Cowdrick, 860 Bilver-Mask, the Man of Mystery. REY Shasta, the Gold King or, For Sevem Yoars Dead. © 420 The Detective’s Apprentice; er, A Bey Without » Name. 424 Cibuia Johny or, Red-Hot Times at. Ante Bar, 489 Sandy Sam, the Street Scout, 467 Disco Dan, the Daisy Dude. 606 Redlight Ralph the Prince ef the Read, 524 The Engineer Detective. 548 Mart, the Night Express Detective. 571 Ate-Hine rake vp Young Englacer, 592 The Bo nkerton. 61S Fighting Iiarry the Chief ef Chataed e. 640 Bareback: Beth, the Centaur of the o. 647 Typewriter Tilly, the Merchant’s Ward. 659 Moonlight Morgan, the * Pinenost ¢ Mae of Ante Bas. LATEST AND NEW ISSUES. 284 Dick Doom, the Death-Grip Detective; er, The Sharps and Sharks of New York. By Col. Prentioa In am, 85 Lone Wand Joe, the Committees of One; ox, The Speok he Steed of the Stone Corral. By Lieut. A. K, Simea. 786 Broadway Billy’s Team) or, The Detective Combine’s Big Pull, By J.C. Cow drick. 787 Deadwood Dick, Jr.» Defied; or, The Prince of Piste) Pocket. ‘By Edward iL. Wheeler. 788 Dick Doom in Boston; or, A Mas of Masy Masks, By Col, Prentiss Ingraham. 789 Sam Sheridan, the Secret Service Special; o, The Jamboree at arly Bird Bar. By Wm. G, Patten. 790 Broadway Billy’s Brigade; or, The Case of the Dead Alive, By J. C. Cowdrick. 791 Kit Bandy Rattled; or, The Infant Giaat. By Ol] Coomes. 792 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Double Device; or, The Tns- , sle with Satan. By Edward L. Wheeler, “98 Dick Doom in Chicago; of, Tho Ferret of the Golden Fetters. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 294 Heudlight Harry’s Hunts or, The Rattread Paris’ Tough ~~ Run in Satan’s Camp. By Col. A. F, Holt 295 Kit Bandy in Red Ruin; or, The Young Whirlwind of the Hills. By Oli Coomes. 796 Broadway RBilly’s Queer Bequest; or, Sifting the Santvoord Secret. By J- Ce Cowdrick. 797% Deadwood Dick, Jr’.s, Desperate Venture. By Edward L, Wheeler. A New Issue Every Tuesday. — The Half- Dime Library !s for aste by all aewsdealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of elx conte cack. READLE AND ADAMS, Peblishers, 98 William Street, Now York. : : : *