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30 .
ized body, at least in that section, and the
community would thus be enabled to breathe
freely once more.
But as to this last, there is a parting epi-
sode, the brief relation of which must bring
our present story to a close, though there
may be more to come, in the way of finally
explaining what is not yet fully clear, at some
future day.
On the evening of that same day at Esme-
ralda, Diamond Dick strode away from a
small cabin, in which Mountain Lion Mike
had been confined under a strong guard,
and, making his way through crowds of mut-
tering, frowning, and more or less infuriated
men, sought the presence of Captain Fanny,
whom he found alone in one of her favorite
rooms.
She looked up with misgiving, for his face
was sterner than she had ever seen it before,
and yet with something else in its frown-
ing lineaments which she could not divine.
“I have been on a visit to Mountain Lion
Mike’s prison,” he said. abruptly, even
harshly.
Miss Fanshaw paled visibly, but only
slightly inclined her head.
“I didn't intend to burn him to death,
though the villain might well have merited
such a sentence by the code of lex talionis.”
he continued, in the same tone. “No-I
merely meant to hand him over to our men,
to be hanged like a dog.”
She still made no answer, not even by a
nod, and her eyes were fastened upon his
with something imploring in them.
“I found the prison,” he went on, “but not
the prisoner. He had escaped. Miss Fan-
shaw,” with sudden suppressed fury, “this
was your doing-by your design! I have
investigated the whole matter-how the
guards were ordered away by you-how the
horse was furnished-everything! Deny it,
if you can!"
“I cannotrl dare not she cried, spring-
ing up, and rushing to him with clasped
hands. “It is true, true, true! Oh, my friend
mlliamond Dick!" with an agony of appeal,
“forgive me! That man-that man ”
"Well?" impatiently.
Her head sank upon her breast, which was
rising and falling as if with a storm of sup-
pressed sobs.
“Was mv husband. in the old and happier
days!” faintly; “and-I--I still love him,”
half-sobbingly: “for, strive as I will, I cannot
vet wholly tear him from my heart!"
4 A slight, but very slight, softening came
into Diamond Dick's hard face, Much that
had been inexplicable in this beautiful
woman's strange character was becoming
clearer now.
‘)9
!
DIAMOND DICK, JR.-THE BOYS’ BEST WEEIILY.
“A villain, crime-stained to the core!” he
exclaimed. “A villain, who will reorganize
his accursed band at the first opportunity!”
“No, no‘, no!” vehemently. “He swore to
me that he would not, swore it by our former
love, and-and ”
“And you believed him?”
“Yes, yes; but I know that he will keep
his oath-I know it-feel it!”
“Pshaw! Listen to the hoots and groans
of that mob of men outside-brave wolves,
cheated of their just prey!”
“I care naught for them-a word from my
lips, a wave of my white hand, will suffice to
make my peace with them. But, oh, my
friend!” wildly, and again clasping her hands,
“it is your forgivenness, yours alone, that I
crave. Say that you give it to me, only say
it, Diamond Dick!” -
He drew a long breath. Why should he
not grant her the forgiveness she begged?
His mission to Esmeralda was triumphantly
ended and achieved, apart from all considera-
tion of the single master-desperado who had
been permitted to escape living from his
clutch. However, as another thought sud-
denly crossed his brain, his unforgiving stern-
ness returned to him, at least temporarily.
“On one condition I will," he said at last.
“Name it!” eagerly.
“Explain to me, with your past history,
that clover mark on your shoulder, such as
I might bear in mind.”
“Alas!" wringing her hands, “I cannot...
must not.”
(IHa!Y7
“Give me time, then!” imploringly. “Then
at some other time, some future "
“Time!” angrily. “Woman, whatever may
be the secret that links us in the past, your
past has not been stainless, then-not such as
you would dare recount it to me?"
“Indeed, indeed, you wrong me!" wildly;
"and yet-and yet-oh, my friend, if you but
knew all! My life, it may have been as wav-
ward and wandering as your own, but never,
never guilt-stained, on my honor! Oh, do
not, do not press me further. now!"
Here there was a rushing of steps in the
adjoining passage, and little Kitty, hurrying
into the room. ran first to her aunt, and then
to Diamond Dick.
“Oh!” cried the child, “the men are so
furious out of doors. And all because that
big robber has escaped. instead of being
hanged by them. I have told them they
ought to be ashamed of themselves, for
enough robbers have been killed already, and
it is wicked to kill so many. Come and tell
them lso yourself, aunt. And you. too, Dia-
mond Dick!" lmgging at one of his knotted
hands. “Come! Ain't-my wicked uncle killed,