Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 385 — page 5: what you’re looking at

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—— Oo f oY A RO . Turpin, the Lion of Leadville. 5 ——— | ee CHAPTER V. life, hecould not summon resolution enough to | Bradstreet nodded, and then again addressed RED KIT’S REVENGE. tell her all and abide by the result. | Kit: ’ , A WEEK passed, That the future might atone for the past, was | ‘*‘ How did you get the Me my girl?” During this time Sheriff Bradstreet searched indefatigably for the Lion of Leadville, but al- ways to no purpose. He had Jude Peterson and others out to search for the outlaws’ cave; «lecoy vehicles were sent over the road; several inno- cent parties were arrested on suspicion, and in every way the official tried to relieve the region of what he was pleased to term its curse. Robert Bradstreet was young and ambitious. When still younger he would have laughed at the idea of becoming a western sheriff, but, after a career of adventure and trouble, there he was, and it then became his ambition to excel as such. He did not, however, seem likely to attain prominence by capturing Wild Dick Turpin. Twice, while Bradstreet was watching for him, the noted outlaw dashed down near Leadville and added as many bold, dashing robberies to his list. Clearly, he defied the hunters, and never had he been more like his English pBONOLy bes he came and went as free as the wind, and almost with the same dash and speed. ' Finally, there came an act which stirred Leadville to its center. At the hour of noon, and in the full glare of the sun, through the open streets with people crowded, Wild Dick rode to the door of the sheriff’s office and, while that gentleman smoked and meditated how to get his eyes once more upon the Lion of Leadville, that man nailed a broad sheet of paper to the door with the butt of his revolver... The sheriff heard the sound but supposed it next door, and only one person at first took notice of what was going on. With careless curiosity he read the notice: “PEOPLE OF LEADVILLE! gg + 4 # Aa want me, why don’t you come and take me? You surely don’t expect me to hunt up your ail, borrow the key and lock myself im, do you? Vith such great heads at the front you ought to soon run down a few despised road-agents, though Imake bold to say you never will. It’s dollars to cents that the undersigned keeps in business on the road as long as he sees fit, and then retires, never again to be heard of by you. ** Who takes the bet? ‘*T propose to nail this to Rob Pradstreet’s door, just to let bim see whatI dare do. Today I shall ride through your city. All who desire may then look pen my noble self. Li‘e is short; changes will take place; men come and go; a bird in the hand is worth a dozenin the bush; so do not miss what may be the la t chance to see the subscriber. ‘* Dick TuRPIN, OF LEADVILLE.”’ He who was reading this notice turn: d to- ward him who had nailed it up, a mixture of his earnest wish. In due time he reached the cave. None of the men suspected his intention of deserting them, but, as he had already taken leave of the people of Leadville, so he proposed to take leave of his road-men, after a fashion, Making a good excuse, he called them to- gether, and, as often happened, they sung sev- eral songs of wild or martial character. Among others was one composed expressly for them by their dashing leader, and when it was rendered by broad-shouldered mountaineers, it veritably ‘**made the echoes ring.” Never before had Dick’ Turpin put more vim into his own part of the work, and when the song was sung they gave three cheers for the leader whose Sank an daring compelled their heartiest admiration. While this was taking place, there was one observer of the scene who did not add voice to the song or the cheers; from a recess at one side, Red Kit watched with gleaming eyes, clinched hands, and a quick, short, unnatural way of breathing, which made her bosom rise and fall almost convulsively. She knew what that scene meant! She knew that in a short time Dick Turpin would leave the cave to seek his promised bride, and utter his marriage vows, and that he was taking the only farewell of his men which was safe under the circumstances. Had he seen her, Dick Turpin might have been troubled, but, for some days, she had avoided him, They had had one talk after Red Kit’s discovery, but she made no mention of Lois, and the Lion did not suspect that his secret was known, He had tried to reconcile the girl to the unal- terable, but with poor success. When she saw that nothing could bring him to her, she had be- come sullen and moody. The men of the band no longer called her the Wasp. Her store of sport and repartee had vanished, and she was more like an unquiet ghost than anything else as she flitted through the cave. No mind there was more active than hers, however, and her course was fully decided upon. When the singing and cheers were past, she silently retreated from the niche, and, going to her private room, donned her outer garments, This done, she went to where the horses were kept, saddled her own, mounted and rode away from the cave and toward Leadville, What a vast change a few days had made in the girl! Before, she had been open, frank, happy, and full of bright enjoyment of life. ‘‘No matter!” she repeated. ‘* You needn’t go to pouring in questions on me, for I won't answer them. Ive told you all you need to know, and you can take him or leave him. IL advise you to strike before the marriage takes lace, or Dick may slip through your fingers ike a shadow.” ‘* Never fear; I'll do the work in time. Dick Turpin don’t marry in my district like an ordi- nary man, when I am ‘onto’ his game.” ‘Good! I’m going now.” Red Kit turned abruptly toward the door. The sheriff would have stopped her, but Jude made a quick motion and she was allowed to go. Then tue police spy spoke quickly: 8 think we have a chance to make a double strike here. Ill wager a good deal that jealous is at the bottom of all this; probably this girl is an inmate of Turpin’s cave; his one-time but discarded favorite. Vl put Foxfoot Frank on her track; he shall follow her to the cave; and then we'll have not only Turpin but the whole gang.” ‘* Bravo! Do it at once!” Peterson rushed into a rear room and aroused a lithe, long-haired man who was sleeping there. A few words sufficed to explain what he was to do, and as Red Kit rode away, he might have been seen gliding along in crafty, skillful pur- suit. ‘And now,” said Bradstreet, rubbing his hands, ‘‘ we will soon have the Lion of Lamictiin in a snare. Get together twenty of our best men, Jude, arm them to the teeth, and make prepara- tions for the march. Ha! ha! Dick Turpin shall find uninvited guests at his wedding!” CHAPTER VI. THE BLOW FALLS, EVENING! All was happiness at Raoul Legrand’s, In a short time, if nothing occurred to prevent, Lois would become Mrs. Barnes, and the old folks were as well satisfied as the young ones, Plain, honest Legrand had a high opinion of his pros- pective son-in-law, and none of the family sus- pected what Barnes really was. Legrand had expressed a desire to have “ the boys” from the mine of which he was superin- tendent down to enjoy the evening, but the two parties nearest concerned had insisted on a yore? marriage, so no outsiders were to be there, In the morning the young couple were to start for the groom’s ranch, where Mr, and Mrs. Le- grand were to join them the next day, and then surprise and incredulity on his face. He saw a| Now, her face looked older, far older; and its | all were to go to Dakota. man in cloak and slouched hat, who good-hu- | expression was dark, sullen and forbidding. The Lion of Leadville anticipated no great moredly nodded. im ell might Dick Turpin tremble had he known | trouble in making the passage. Of course he ‘Yes, it’s a square deal; ’'m Turpin,” he non- | all, must go with uncovered face, but no one save chalantly explained. ‘‘ Will you please call the Straight to Leadville she rode, and to Sheriff | the Legrands outside his own band—and but few sheriff?” of them—knew the face of Dick Turpin. But at that moment Bradstreet, himself, came out, and the outlaw coolly saluted him: ‘*Hallo, old man! Going to turn your office into a hash-house? I see some sort of sign over your door which may be a bill of fare.” But Bradstreet had no eyes for the sign; he saw only the man on the black horse. Could he believe his eyes? Was it possible that Dick Turpin had been so mad as to come to the heart of the city? Only a moment he looked in amazement, and then he jerked his revolver from his pocket, Dick Turpin laughed mockingly, wheeled and dashed away. Crack! went the sheriff’s re- volver, and then, as he saw that he had missed, he ran into the street, shouting loudly to arouse ‘the people to a sense of the situation. The Hien waved a farewell as he shot away, and, after that, never looked around. He put the black horse to a gallop, and they shot through the street at a pace which made eve one stare at them, but, alas! for Robert Brad- street’s hopes, he was left too far behind to be a feature in the case, and no one by the way real- ized who the rider was until it was too late to Bradstreet’s office. Her face was strangely pale, but it bore a fixed expression, and she did not hesitate for a moment. She was soon in the sheriff’s presence. He had been talking with Jude Peterson, and both men looked indiffer- ently at the visitor. Her quick gaze flashed from one to the other, and then settled on the leader. ‘* Are you Sheriff Bradstreet?” she demanded. ce Yes, ?? ‘ ‘““T’ve got news for your private ear, then— unless the other man is an officer.” ‘** He is an officer, and you can speak freely.” ** Do you want Dick Turpin?” The question was abruptly flung at them, and their indifference vanished in a moment. ‘**Do I want him?” echoed Bradstreet. ‘‘ Well, I should say I do! Why do you ask? Do you gs anything about the man?” “* Yes ‘*Give me news which shall lead to his cap- ture, and you shall be well rewarded.” The girl made a quick gesture of aversion. **T want none of your blood-money!” she ex- claimed. ‘‘ Don’t speak of itagain. All I want is to—to see law and order triumph.” The flimsy excuse was with difficulty made, It seemed safe enough, and Dick had a trump card to play, if necessary. Reference has been made to the fact that he resembled Sheriff Bradstreet. The resemblance was remarkable; two men nearer alike could not have been found in a year’s search. Knowin this, it was Turpin’s intention, if he was sonpe on the road, to pass himself as Bradstreet, him- self. This was not a wild idea; he believed that he could go to Leadville when the sheriff was away, transact official business, meet all of Bradstreet’s associates, and never create a sus- picion of his identity. Shortly before the hour appointed for the ceremony, the minister—a feeble old man whose sole characteristic was unbounded goodness of heart—arrived, accompanied by a single man selected from among the miners as a witness. It was the habit of the Reverend Mr. Chester to rd all young people as children, and he devoted half an hour to talking with Dick and Lois, as though the approaching event was to be a children’s picnie or something of the kind. Preparations were then made for the mar- The young people arose, and Dick’s face was stop him. he passed the last house of the city proper in| ‘‘ Well, tell us where to find Turpin.” full of grave joy. This was the first step toward safety, and then flung up the rim of his hat with | ‘Do you know where Raoul Legrand lives?” | escaping from his old life and becoming an hon- Be a laugh. Bradstreet shook his head, but Jude Peterson | est man, and his heart was full of hope. That ‘So much for them. Once more I’ve shown | promptly answered. the dark past might be forgotten in the sacred — them how I can defy them, and I reckon they will not forget it soon. Perhaps if they keep my placard and read it over later, theyll see the point contained in the last sentence, even as they will no more see the Lion of Leadville. “Over near Whistling Canyon. Legrand is rintendent of the Gold Bug Mine.” ‘That’s the place,” said Red Kit, with a quick nod, ‘‘ Gothere to-night, at eight o’clock, and you can catch Dick Turpin. He’s going to su light of the future was his one great desire, But as Mr. Chester was about to begin the SERONY, a thundering knock sounded at the oor. All paused, and a quick light shot into Dick Now for the cave and the boys. TPll get them | marry Legrand’s nig Turpin’s eyes. That inberg Gye summons might together, sing our war-song over once more, ‘*The dickens he is!” exclaimed Bradstreet. | mean nothing unusual, but his fears suggested and then—farewell Dick Turpin! Providence | “ Is this a square deal, young woman?” the worst. rmitting, this is my last day as an outlaw, aa in the new home [ll try to forget this wretched, villainous career on the road, Pray Heaven that Lois may never know what I’ve been!” : Moe then his head drooped and he rode in silence. That night he was to be married to Lois Le- rand, and, by the dawning of another day, he hoped to be miles away with his bride. is conscience smote him at the thought of ‘making her his wife with his dark past kept ‘*-Yes; you'll find all just as I say. Over there Dick Turpin is known as Richard Barnes, though, of course,” here she spoke slowly, for the lie came hard, ‘ Legrand’s girl knows just who ha is.” ** By the eternal!” cried the sheriff, ‘if this proves to be on the square, it’s the best thing of theage. But who are you who thus gives him ore ‘No matter!” Red Kit curtly replied. Jude Peterson leaned toward his leader and whispered: Raoul Legrand moved irritably toward the outer door, and Dick followed. The heavy knock was repeated, causing Legrand to growl a curse on the applicant; but the Lion of Lead- ville glided past him, and took position where the door, when it swung back, would hide him from view. Legrand opened the door, and Wild Dick looking secretly, saw Sheriff Bradstreet and several other men. The worst had come; Brad- street had not forgotten him, and at last the odds were against him—terribly against him. | = a secret; but, though he regretted his misspent ** A cast-off favorite, probably.” The sheriff stepped inside, . mal .. ' ‘ oy 9 OD 8 2 oS , i ay Gomicbooks..com