Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 385 — page 29: what you’re looking at

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

Wild Dick Turpin, the Lion of Leadville. here? How did you get here? Where are the ards? How—” : ** Ask no questions now, for I will explain ata later time. Enough to say that I have removed all obstacles, and that the way is clear. Come, let us go!” a. She took Dick’s hand within her own, and led him from the jail. No one opposed their depart- ure, and, as the hour was late, they saw only dark, deserted streets before them when the outer door was reached. Red Kit, however, paused and looked about. ‘* Why do you delay?” Dick asked. ‘ Every moment is of value—let us get away.” ‘*{T expected my ally here.” ‘¢Your ally! Who was that?” ** Jude Peterson.” ** What! that accursed villain? Was he—” Turpin gwas speaking hotly, but the mountain girl interrupted. **Hush! hush, Dick! Wait until I explain. Ah! I see no one here, though he said he would wait. Well, I dare not delay, and if he will only keep out of sight wholly, I shall be only too glad. It will save us a good deal of trouble. If we can gain the mountains, all will be well. I have two horses waiting there, of which one is Brutus, and we will see if we can avoid them. Here are revolvers, Dick, and now let us go!” They went! Breen for them all Leadville seemed asleep, and they glided rapidly through the streets like two specters of the night, . A great joy had fallen upon Red Kit. The future was shrouded from view, with its weal and woe, but she had rescued Dick and made partial amends for what she had done in the past, Dick might never care for her, but that other woman had forfeited her claim, and it was happiness to the mountain girl to be in the pres- ence of the man she loved. The city was soon left behind. Then, and not until then, did Red Kit explain how she had ef- fected the rescue. From the time when she failed to arouse Dick at the Legrand cottage, she had been consider- ing how she could get him out of prison. She finally formed a plan, and went to Jude Peter- son with the idea that all was fair in war, She told the police spy that she knew where Dick had buried a good deal of the money ob- tained on the road, and that the secret, and the money, should be his, if he would help rescue the Leadville Lion. . Jude jumped at the offer. During the last few days he had wielded a good deal of power, outstripping the deputy-sheriff, and it was through this power that he had arranged suc- cessfully for Turpin’s escape. j One thing, however, was mysterious. He had remained at the jail entrance when Red Kit entered the cell, and was to be there when she came out, but, as we have seen, the promise was not kept. In this Turpin saw ounds for fear. He could not believe that ude would willingly run the risk of losing his promised reward, and there was a mystery about the affair which was not favorable of as- t. P The Lion believed that fresh trouble was on foot. It was a long journey to the cave where Red Kit had left the horses, and so much time had been lost in Leadville, the shadows of night be- an to disappear before the place was reached, This settled one point conclusively; it would not do to attempt flight at once. By that time the authorities probably knew of the escape, and, with them on the track, it would be reck- less in the extreme to begin the flight by day. In due time the cave was reached, There Red Kit had concealed Brutus and her own horse, and stored food enough for them and two persons to last a week. There was no fear as to that. Her first move at the cave was to pace breakfast. No elaborate meal could be furnish- ed, but it would be substantial. While she worked Dick Turpin lay back at his ease, smoking the cigar she had given him, His mind had left the clouds and returned to real life, and he watched the girl as she flitted lightly about the place. She had never looked prettier. Her face was flushed; the fire-light gave a deeper glow to her brick-red hair; and her clear-cut, intelligent face was at once bright and womanly. Trouble had prematurely brought to the surface the deep feeling which was a part of her nature, and though, if happy moments came in the future, the old, sparkling fountain of vivacity was sure to spring to the surface now and then, there was a sweet, gracious dignity about her manner which had not been visible when she was Red Dick ‘Turpin watched her with new emotions rising in his heart. Of all those who had professed attachment to him, she, alone, had been unalterably faithful. Even her act which had so changed his destiny had been the result of her love for him, and now that he had discovered Lois’s fickle, shallow na- ture, he was not sorry personally that it had been done. Through all trouble, trial, desolation and dis- couragement, Red Kit’s love had been a strong, radiant, living star; when all others forsook him, she had been true, If the girl was conscious of this scrutiny she gave no sign, and was calmly watchful of his in- 22 _ One speck of comfort I will give you. said that I could name the real criminal im that old murder case of which you were wrongfully | accused. Solcan. The real murderer has been terests as they ate their humble breakfast to- | found and hanged.” gether. Her manner was modest; she spoke no more of her love; and a slight reserve was visible in her speech and actions. When they had finished eating, Dick abruptly asked: ‘* When did you first suspect my deceit in the city?” ** When I went to take care of Bradstreet. I | knew before I had been there ten minutes that it was not you. The sheriff resembled you won- derfully, as I often noticed when talking with oe at the time I supposed you to be he, but I new of this resemblance weeks before you took his place.” ** You have been through a good deal of trouble in helping me, Kit?” ‘**T did it willingly,” she replied, avoiding his aZze. ‘**What of the future? Suppose we escape? What are we to do then?” ‘**Go far from here.” “Ay, that follows, of course, but it was not that to which I referred. I was thinking of our future, taken exclusive of the rest of the world. Kit, Tam peculiarly situated. A few days ago I was asserting my love for Lois Legrand in loud words. What if I should tell you now that my last spark of affection for her is gone?” lis gaze was fixed on Red Kit’s face, and he saw a look flash to it which he could never forget. If ever face expressed deep, paramount joy it was hers, but she did not look up, her head drooped still lower. Dick went on, without a pause: ‘*] suppose you, and every one else, would ey that I, too, was fickle and inconstant, but, thoug the knowledge of her treachery stunned me at first, words cannot explain what utter loathing and disgust took possession of me later. The thought that I had wasted honest affection on one so inconstant was a bitter recollection, and it was disgust at my own folly, not sorrow at her conduct, which made me at first say, to-night, that I would remain and face my fate.” He paused, but Red Kit did not answer or stir. He laid his hand upon hers and continued: ‘** Kit, of all whom I once thought devoted to me, you alone have remained faithful; youalone have remained true to me in adversity, as in prompershy Kit, if my feelings toward Lois lave cacengoue a change, it is not greater than that in my feelings toward you. Once, you said that you loved me, but that affection could not have been deeper than that I now feel for you. Kit, I love you; shall we go through the journey of life together?” Her large, handsome eyes were raised, and in them was all the light and wondrous tenderness of a true woman’s love. ‘* Are you in earnest, Dick?” she whispered. ‘*T am!” A She said no more, but held out her hands, and then he clasped her in his arms, and she drop- ped her head on his shoulder with a tremulous sigh, which was the voice of her pent-up emo- tions, Half an hour pees. It was a golden, happy period to Red Kit, and her face was radiant. At last!—at last her love was reciprocated, and all the doubts and dangersof their position could not prevent it from being the happiest period in er life, All that half-hour they talked earnestly, and so far as orp es control the future, their des- tinies were fixed. They would go to some place where they were wholly unknown, and there begin life anew, joined together until that time when death should part them. Their happy conversation was rudely and strangely interrupted. A step sounded not far away, and looking up they saw an intruder in the cave. More than that, Dick Turpin saw with amazement that the new-comer was a man he had hoped many miles away. It a” the Man with the Scar! The ex-road-agent stared in speechless sur- prise, but the man of mystery broke into a mocking laugh. ‘*Didn’t expect to see me, did you?” he sneered. ; Turpin arose and faced him. The Lion’s face had grown stern and implacable, but he was perfectly cool. — f WA, ‘‘No,” he replied; ‘“‘but, since it is so, J shall make no lamentation. Where are the Canadians?” ) ““T know not. I am not their keeper—nor are they mine. Did you think they could hold me? Bosh! no one can do that; you might as well try to chain the wind. I escaped, and have come back to see you, boy.” ‘It is well; I am not sorry; andnow that you are here, we will have a settlement. I will force your secrets from you, or one of us dies before this affair is over.” ‘Nonsense! You talk wildly, as usual, Do ou know that one part of this game has gone yond my hands? But never mind that yet. a a ee him away; I was w “Thank Heaven for that!” said Turpin, in a deep voice. ** Another point I will explain. ‘You wonder- ed when you left the jail that you did not find Jude Peterson slg” Eo | rope.” ‘You have done well,” the Leadville Lion — _coclly replied; ‘‘ and now that you are in my _ hands, you can safely believe that you will not i get away without a settlement.” Bis voice was stern and threatening, but the Man with the Scar smiled and seemed to be wholly at his ease. **So you are still aggressive?” 23 I am,” ‘“Then you shall have the settlement with- out delay, though I fear it will hardly be to. your liking.” The last word was quickly followed by a | whistle, and then he suddenly stepped back. | | ells Sst i ee As he did 40 a revolver shot sounded from the: entrance, and the Man with the Scar suddenly raised his hand to his breast, staggered and dropped to the ground. A moment more and half a dozen men came pouring into the cave, and Dick Turpin saw that they were headed by the mayor of Lead- ville. e put up his hands with a revolver held in each, but the official made a quick ges- ture. ‘** Don’t fire, Dick Turpin! It would only be a useless sacrifice of life, for we are far too strong for you. Besides, lam not sure that we need be such bitter enemies. Recent develop- ments have placed your character at bigher es- timate; Sheriff Bradstreet is strong in your favor; and as one higher in authority than I will settle your case, [ am willing to go light.” The Man with the Scar had been lying motion- less, but he suddenly moved now. Fris hand strayed to his pocket, came out, and a glittering revolver was turned full upon Dick Turpin while murder gleamed in the man’s eyes, CHAPTER XXXVIL THE SUN RISES ON A NEW LIFE, For a moment the Leadville Lion was in great danger, but there was one man there who did not lose his presence of mind. This was Dick Turpin, himself; and he sprung forward and wrenched the revolver away before harm could be done, ** You'll excuse me,” he observed, ‘* but I de- cline to be butchered just now.” ‘* Foiled!” hissed the Man with the Scar, ** Where is the dog who shot me?” ‘*Tt was an accident,” muttered one of the men. “TI intended it for Turpin, but you moved just as I fired, and it hit a instead.’ “What business had you to at any one?” sharply asked the mayor. ‘Tt heard that Bradstreet said Tu kill Abe Knowlton, and I thought hack at the outlaw.” Dick turned garg to the mayor, “Ts this true?” he asked. ** About Knowlton?” a“ Yes. bb] ““Itis. Sheriff Bradstreet states that he will swear that when his revolver dropped from his hand it was accidentally discharged, and that Knowlton then dropped suddenly. You need have no more fear on that score, while the sheriff has telegraphed the governor to pardon you. - ‘““He has seen Sibylla, I reckon,” thought in. e was carefully considering his situation. The mayor no longer acted like an enemy, and as the new-comers practically had the whole case in their own hands, he thought it might be best to go slow and not incur more enmity. Freed from suspicion in the Knowlton case, and with Bradstreet to help him otherwise, he might. yet pass the breakers safely, On the other hand, to resist these men would be to fail in the end, and to lay up fresh food for hatred against him. Attention was now directed to the Man with the Scar, who had grown as pale as death, It was found that the bullet had entered his left breast, and even he knew that his time on earth was limited to a few minutes. He motioned back those who would have tried to care for the wound. ** Let me alone!” he said curtly. ‘I am able to die without help. Stand back, all of you—I want to look at that man!” _ His gaze was turned on Dick Turpin, who had just been whispering to Red Kit. ‘* Come here!” he said, abruptly. ‘‘ You have often asked me my real name, and the time has come for revealing it. I am named Monk Greg- erson.” “Ha! are you one of that family?” Dick ex- claimed in rise, ‘** Ay, that I am; more, I am the father of Jude Peterson, so-called, and his sister, Meg!” Still more was Dick surprised. heard mention made of the father of Jude and in didn’t ‘d take a I have twas I who took | g to give you a little | He had never NIGDOOKS (E(0) (E(0) we ee _—_—_—_ ) TR IS