Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 156 — page 20: what you’re looking at

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

ay = ge = ee ---— a — ge ve : ay . _ ee —_ 20 and Jean Leo meet me at the Miner’s Rest in Pur veg “ - is E ut Jean Leo will be recognized &s a stran- ger. ‘* He can say that he is a miner that has been | this secret of our trying to overtake the train; be careful, do not lose rc nerve, and all will be well.” Oll waved his hand in farewell, and the next moment was lost to sight in the darkness of the cavern, while Mad Myra turned to find herself confronted by Velvet Face. CHAPTER XXXITI. THE DANITE CHIEF. Wuen Jean Leo, the Danite Chief, returned from bis tragic chase with the bloodhounds, he sought the rock chamber, where Muriel had been under the espionage of the Mexican wo- man, and said: **Luel, I have no need of the girl cannot be found, and quarters again.” ‘**Si, sefior chief,” replied the woman, and trimming the lamp that burned on a shelf of rock, she departed, leaving the masked chief pacing the floor in dee meditaiion. ‘*On, curses on my il-fortune! a second time in my power, and again she has escaped,” he muttered. ‘* But death has freed her this time, I am sure, fer my spy in the valley reports that she has not returned there. ** A sad fate, to die in this cavern, alone and hunted, for one so young and beautiful as Mu- riel Merle. ‘** Ah me, I really do love her, and had she re- mained, I intended giving up my wild career here, and going with her far away, to live in luxury with the gold I have made—yes, made by treachery and bloodshed—ay, bloodshed enough to cover every ounce of the yellow metal with red stains. ‘No, no, my Prophet, Muriel Merle was not a gem for your wearing, as you thought, and commanded, when I told you of ber beauty ; no no, she was the bright star of my destiny, anc she has gone down in gloom— Great God! can sbe still bein some secret part ‘of this cavern, roaming about a madwoman, from the scenes she Las witnessed? ‘The thought is fearful, and I would rather have her dead than mad.”’ He paced the floor more quickly with his in- tense thoughts, and his lips became firm set as -he brooded in silence. Suddenly he started, for be heard a light step behind him, and»beheld before him, as he turned, a form clad in tke robe of the secret eae, and wich the black mask concealing the ice, _ ‘ Well, who is it of the League that seeks me here?” he asked, sternly. ‘*Lam one who bears to you a letter, chief, one raised in the creed of the Mormon, but a dweller among Gentiles, and whom chance threw in the way of a dying Danite on the mountain trail.” ‘*Ha! who was this Danite?” ‘* He was known + Rocky Mountain Ike.” “What! no, no,' he is in the States with Danite Dick on secret service,” said the chief, suspiciously. ‘* He was, chief, but he came West with a train.” ‘* And how knew you how to reach me here?” asked Jean Leo, with increased suspicion. Rocky Mountain Ike directed me to the ‘cavern, and told me how to follow the right- hand ——- wall, that would bring me here. uate ! and how know you that I am Jean Leo? ‘*T have seen you often in the Mormon City, and your form and bearing I would know among a thousand men, for there is but one other I have seen like you.” ‘* And who is that one?” “Men name him Velvet Face, the Border Bravo.” ‘*T have seen him, and I have cause to re- member him; where is he now?” ‘In the Paradise Valley, where I dwell.” ‘And how found you Rocky Mountain Ike ote wrayer sai f 1d ad was p ng for gold, and came upon him; he had been in a struggle with a bear, but received death-wounds, after he had slain the brute; I can lead you to the place where they are.” ‘*No; and yet, from some reason 1 doubt you, and yet dare not remove the mask you Ww b ‘* But the letter I bear, chief, which is from Danite Dick, who lies sick.” “Strange indeed that misfortune should isagbees: th of my men; but give me the let- Oll silently obeyed, and the chief glanced over it, and said, as he read it through: “It is Danite Dick’s writing, and it looks safe ‘to do as he asks; I wi ou mean treachery, I shall fate what it may.” ‘*T know how the Danites punish treachery, ehief.” ‘*Ha! how you know this?” “*He whom I called father was a Danite.” our services, as shall resume my ill you, be my f will weenie Td you, but if | | i . “Indeed! and what is the punishment meted out to traitors?” ‘**To be buried alive.” ‘**In Satan’s name, who are you that knows League?” ‘The League law forbids the question, chief.” “True; 1 had forgotten for the instant, and I hold your mask sacred. ‘* Now, when shall we go to Paradise Valley? for I shall accompany you to see Danite Dick.” ‘**Tt would be better to arrive there after dark to-morrow night.” ‘* Yes, for 1 like darkness rather than light; but in what disguise?” ‘That of a miner will best suit you, chief.” ‘Yes; now seek rest there, and to-morrow afternoon we depart together; bub stay, when did ue leave the valley?” ‘*Some thirty hours ago.” ‘‘And do you know Malcolm Merle, the owner of Dead Man’s Mine?’ ** Yes, chief,” ** He has lost a daughter?” ‘* Yes, Muriel Merle.” ** Does he know her fate?” ‘* No, chief, and he is almost crazed with sor- row, for she disappeared in a most mysterious manner.” ‘* Then she has not returned home?” ** Not when I left, chief.” ‘‘ Then she is dead; curses on that Paul Reno, for through his treachery was she lost to me; ay, curse him in his grave,” said Jean Leo, breaking out savagely, as was sometimes his wont, ‘* Dead! is Paul Reno dead, chief?’ asked Oll, suddenly. ‘* Yes; he proved a traitor, and he was—” ‘‘Great Heaven! buried alive?” cried. the youth, in a tone of horror, ‘*'Yes; he lies at present in the iron coffin, and my curses be upon him; but did you know bim, boy, or man, whichever you be?” ** Yes,” came the answer, in a low tone. ‘Was heaught to you, that you seem shocked at his fate?’ “Yes,” came in the same low, sad tone. ‘* What was he to you?” ‘“‘ He was the one I called father.” ‘*What! Paul Reno your father? I knew not that he had a son,” cried the chief, in surprise, and the youth answered, evasively: ‘‘There are Mormon mysteries that even the Danites do not know.” **You speak the truth, boy, as I well know; but if Paul Reno was your father who was your mother?” ‘‘The League law of the Danites forbids you, chief, to raise the vail of secrecy, if one of the name desires it unknown.” ‘*Pardon me, I erred again; it matters not who was your mother; but your father was cer- tainly a magnificent devil; well, there is a cot for you, if you wish rest, and sleep will come to ou when you know what was Paul Reno’s ate,” and, with a harsh laugh, Jean Leo left the rock chamber, while Oll, still wra in his cloak and wearing his mask, sunk down upon the bed of skins, his whole form tremblin with emotion, for, only a few days before had he saved Paul Reno from pang ng at the hands of the Vigilantes of Paradise Valley. CHAPTER XXXIV, DISCARDED, MINER’S REST was a general resort for the settlers of the valley and the denizens of Pur- use City, of +, Sporave nature, after the fh nde is hs ‘ n en rsonage own we cat the old-dust of the dig- ares, ie built what he termed a saloon and gambling room combined, but which consisted of a pine wood counter on which stood tin cups, a shelf, upon which were jugs of liquor, and a dozen plain tables, worn smooth by the con- stant card-playing mee them to which they were nightly subjec Such was Miner’s Rest, and though a mere shanty, many thousands of dollars in yellow metal changed bands there nightly, and many a thrilling scene nad been therein enacted. Upon the night tollowing the escape of Mu- riel from the Death Cavern of the Danites, Miners’ Rest was the point of destination for nearly every male personage in the valley and in Purgatory City, in the very center of which hamlet it was situated, for the return of Mu- riel, rescued from the Danites by Velvet Face and Ralph Reno had been reported, and the news spread like wildfire, while another train of wagons having arrived in the settlement, the citizens wished to talk over the rapid growth re prospects of their far-away mountain re- t with an eye to Toward sunset on the day of her arrival at home, after a fond welcome, substantial food, and a long rest, Muriel had gone out upon the piazza to join her father and Camille, upon whose faces a look of joy rested at her being once more in their midst. ‘* Please, father, don’t spoil me, for I am not an invalid, and I feel myself again, after Camille’s good nursing to-day,” said Muriel, as ii . © Velvet Face, the Border Bravo. SIE ee EE LS eee Eee her father and cousin seemed bent upon making an invalid of her. ‘‘Weareso happyin having you back, Mu, we wish to have you in the big easy-chair, where we can ses you; but see how the miners are flocking down to Purgatory City this eve- ning to talk over your return, and many haye stopped to congratulate us, and they look upon Velvet Face as some one of a supernatural or- der, to rescue you from the Danites,” said Camille, running on gayly. ‘* He is a most remarkable man, and, after all I suffered, had he not been there when I awoke the guard at the cavern entrance, I would have been lost; in fact, I do not believe my strength would have lasted me a league from the spot, so I owe my life to him,” remarked Miss Merle, feelingly. ‘‘T wish he would come so we could thank him; ah, there comes Reno, and we shall know about him, now.” As Mr. Merle spoke, Ralph Reno rode up to the rustic piazza and raised his sombrero, the act displaying the long hair which the night's sorrows had whitened, and his face was haggard and sad. ‘*T hope you are better, Miss Merle: you hava recuperated rapidly,” he said, in a tone of forced calmness. ‘* Yes, [am well again, for the day has done wonders for me; but, dismount and take supper with us,” and, as Mr. Merle and Camille also urged it, the Guide allowed the grinning Was'ico Washee to take his horse, and he sat downina chair next to Muriel. ‘There comes Mr, Godfrey, and Hazel, too,” said Mr. Merle, as the two pards approached the house, and warmly offered their congratu- lations to Muriel, but refused to remain to sup- per, also, as they said a meeting of importance was called for that night at Miner’s Rest. But hardly had they departed when two more persons came in sight, one of whom was Oll, of whose whereabouts Ralph Reno had said he had not been able to learn, although he had pensches for him, after having carried Muriel ome. ‘*But, who is it with him?” said Camille. “IT do not know him; doubtless one of the miners from the wagon train that arrived to-day,” answered Ralph, as Oll left his com- rade, a tall, heavily-bearded man in miner’s at. tire, and wearing a slouch hat, with an extra- ordinarily wide brim, which was pulled down over his eyes. - As the youth approached the piazza, bis com- anion waited for him in the road, and watcbed fhe party witha Bag FON Rg glance that seemed to make Muriel nervous, for she said: ‘*See how that man eyes us, father.” **T will ask Oll who he is— Ah, Oll, we thought you were lost.” oP was nearly so, sir, but I escaped; Miss Muriel, lam glad tosee you home again; but, who can tell me where Velvet Face is?” and the youth sp ke in a low tone. ‘‘ He returned in search of you last night, Ol, since when we have not seen him,” replied Ralph Reno. . ‘* And the Bannocks, Mr. Reno?’ ** Are doubtless with him; but, whois your comrade, O11?” “A miner on his way to Furgstory City, having just arrived; but, Mr, Reno, sure and come to the Miner’s Rest to-night,” and, with a significant glance at the Guide, the youth departed, and, joining his comparion, they walked on and were soon lost to sight in the gathe twilight. ) A short while after Washee announced sup- per, and, adjourning to the dining-room, they sat down to one of the substantial and HH repasts for which Sunset Retreat was noted; but, while Muriel ate with an appetite that threatened, ere long, to make up for her days pee in starving, Ral h Reno hardly tasted is food, and it was evident that the sorrow had entered deep into his soul. : ** I will go down and see what is going on at Purgatory City, and, if Velvet Face does not arrive to-morrow, I will head the miners ina march agent the Death Cavern,” said Ralph Reno, rising from the table, and, with a word of farewell, he departed. But, hardly had the sound of his stced’s hoof- falls died away, when there was heard the rapid clatter of several horses without, and drawing rein at the cabin the next moment, in strode the splendid form of Velvet Face. ‘“‘ Ah, Miss Merle, it is a joy to see you in your home once more,” he said, pleasantly, while, in a voice that trembled, Muriel replied: **T owe it to you, sir.” ‘* Not at all; it was your own splendid pluck that saved you.” ‘* And we were most anxious about you, sir; but, sit down and have some supper with us, and invite {our friends in, for you are not alone,” said Mr. Merle. . “They have gone on to Purse tory City where I must soon follow them; bus I will acce if your kind invitation, Mr. Merle, as a ride hrough the mountains has given me an appe- tite,” and Velvet Face sat down to the table, while Mr. Merle arose and left the room ata call from Washee, that: m Gomicbook —— ‘Cor 2 = cio * a ———_— rae E =