representative of the baronetcy—as Sir Frederic Mildmay." He lowered his eyes a little beneath her ealm,steady gaze, and shifted uneasily from one foot to the other. " Yes," spoke she, slowly : those claims I havo been at gre.lt pains always to allow. You have always received all proper defer ence in thin house, unless your own conduct has prevented. No rights of yours were Over forfeited to my knowledge- "

"What I" interrupted ho, sharply, "would you havo mo believe that you are unaware of the diversion of income from tho male line to tho female heirshin V It is true that tho terms of entail and tne property direc tions are somowhat vaguely stated in old Sir Hugh's will; but every lawyer I ever con sulted agreed with me that if I instituted investigation I could obtain a handsome ad dition to my income, at the expense of your own and Lady Hortenso's rent-roll."

The dowager's bend was lifted proudly ; her eyes Hashed ; but her lips which answered wore whiter than before.

" 1 think I understand your meaning ; the insolence of speech I pardon, because I asked for it; that of the thought remains to be answered another time. So you believe that I have wrongfully retained from your estate certain moneys that I might swell my granddaughter's fortune. But insinua tions amount to little ; proofs art} asked for in such matters, sir. What proofs do you offer»"

"I have looked into the matter just enough to see that there were certain very mysterious arrangements at the banker's, and about Mildnviy Terrace, immediately follow-in" Sir Richard's death. My love for Hortonse, my sincere friendship for you, prevented my making any open investiga tion ; but if you drive me to it "

The dowager lifted her thin white hand commaudingly and stopped the threat upon his lips.

"Foolish boy! If investigation can bring downfall to any, it will be to you. Mark my words well." Sir Fredev'c Mild may will be the first to fall. For the matter of this engagement, I will have no hasty proceedings. Konrade Earle is honourable enough to spare our name, even though he be proved as guilty as you accuse, of which lam strangely in doubt. I will take time to consider all this. Ido not say no, and I will not say yes, until I have had due time for reflection. Lady Hortense will yield obedience to my wishes : I know that with out asking her."

The beautiful heiress had flung herself upon the sofa near and buried her fair head in its velvet cushions. She lifted up her sweet, wistful face, all its sternness and pride faded out, and answered, meekly :

" Yes, Ted, I ahull obey every word she tells me. If she thinks it best I will marry you —it does not matter ; nothing mutter.-; much now, except that the old name should come to shame. And if .•'lie says not, then no it must be. My grandmother know? — Lady Mildmay knows always what is bust.1'

"■ My wife willbe thereal Lady Mildmay." observed the youth, sulkily. " I fan never make that understood here.''

The dowager looked at him \yith a singularly compassionate smile.

" Poor silly Ted !" she murmured. " After all, you have some truth on your side. I cannot he angry with you. And your love for Hortense is truo and unselfish, 1 do believe."

" Then give her to me. Promise me that she shall be the real Lady Mildmay," cried the ardent lover, in a mollified voice.

" I must not givean answer now. I must have more time," persisted the dowager. " But you have not refused ?"

" I have said neither yea nor nay. If there is any comfort in such an assurance, you are welcome to it, but Idure not give you any moro," was her firm reply.

Sir Frederic put on a lugubrious smile. " I suppose I must bo content; but, after the words of Hortenso herself, it is very cold comfort. Oh, Hortense ! dear Hor tense ! those gracious words will ring in my ears the night long—' I will marry Ted if ho wishes it.' Keep them in mind, dear est ; for indeed it is poor Ted's supremest wish, bis fondest hope."

The girl's bright eyes were looking at him, but seeing him not, for their expression ira- far-oil"and blank to his meaning. She made a little pettish movement with her white hands, and said, carelessly :

" Yes, yes. And now you had better go. Ted. !>on't you sec grandma is very tired '. Good-night !"

(Tn bo Continued.)

Chinese Women.

A vou.ni: girl walking in the street must not turn her head round, nor at home is she to glance slyly at visitors. She is to re member, moreover, thatgirls who nre always laughing and talking are not esteemed, find that virtuous women have been honoured from the earliest times. The philosopher Wenclez grieved when lie saw his mother break her shuttle ; the woman TsOun throw herself on a sword in order to save her hus band's life ; the mother of Ao, being so poor that she could not buy writing materials, taught her son to read by tracing characters in tho sand. Women should be able to read write, and use the counting machine, so as to bo in a position to direct a household. They should read books of piety, and stories of morality in action, while avoiding love poetry, songs, and anecdotes. Women should he reserved, and they are cruelly en joined never to occupy themselves with other people's affairs. Men ought never to talk of domestic matters, while women should never talk of anything else. When a visitor is in tho drawing-room, the lady of the house should not be heard raising her voice in tho kitchen. Women are not to paint their faces and wear striking colours, for the insufficient reason that if they do men will look at them. Young women, as well as young men, arc to be dutiful to their parents, and always in a good humour, even when their father and mother are not. They are to ask them whether they are hotorwhother they are cold.; to take them food and drink and to furnish them with new boots and shoes. When a young girl is grown up and married to an honest man she must not forget her parents, and once or twice a year must ask permission of her husband to go and see them. "From tho highest antiquity until tho present day tho rule in marriage has been that the husband com mands and the wifo obeys." Virtue for a wife consists in having an equal temper, and to arrivo at this much must be sup ported. "If tho first wife has not tho hap piness to give her husband a malo child, he chooses a person he loves in order to have by her a son who will continuo his lino. It is necessary under these circumstances," says the "Manual," "not to give way to jealonsy, but to live together on friendly terms in the same house. At present great dissensions take place between first and sec ond wives. Out of a hundred first wives you will scarcely find one or two of a sweet and affable disposition. I have taken great pains," adds the author, "in writing this paragraph. Do not read it thoughtlessly." If, however, he had been more thoughtful himself, it might have occurred to him that tho want of sweotness and affability which he deplores in supplanted " first wives " is the result less of character than of circum stances, and that it would show itself equally in second wives if they in their turn were to be replaced.—l' St. James's Gazette."

A LADY'S LETTER FROM LONDON.

Feminine Facts, Fancies, and Foibles.

(By Elisk.)

London, January 10. Dear Mk Editor, —We havo just got back to town, after spending the Christmas holi days with Tom's people in the North. It was such a pleasant time. Instead of in sisting on the party being made up solely of relations, my father-in-law asked a delight ful lot of young folks to stay in the house ; so that from Christmas Eve till New Year's Day we were literally "as merry as crickets." Of course, private theatricals formed part of the week's programme. The clever ones of the family got up two little pieces, called " Thrico Killed" and " Crea tures of Impulse," and surprisingly well they played them. Tom dislikes amateur acting intensely, but on this occasion he admits having been genuinely amused. I think the secret of success lies in choosing short, dressy, and laughable farces. " Creatures of Impulse" is thoroughly suited for drawing-room performances, especially when a few lively soncs are introduced. By-the-by, did you ever get the popular French chanson, " Le Petit Yin de Bordeaux," which I recom mended to you some time ago ? It is in all the pantomimes this winter, and has just been published with the English words sung by a man named Nash. Depend upon it, the first person who warbles this ditty in public in New Zealand will create an extra ordinary jurtirc. And now for a few words about "chiffons." You read, I suppose, the budgets of extracts from the various ladies' papers which I send out from time to time. If not, I should certainly advise you to begin doing so. The opinions of such good .judges as "lima" (the "World's" lady contributor) and "{Madge " the popu lar writer in " Truth ") are not to be de spised even in England, and out in your part of the world they ought to be simply invaluable.

There is, so the leading modiilc.i say, nothing really very new in ball dresses this winter. People are still wearing the snow flake tullo skirts and the satin bodices, although these are to a great extent being replaced by plush and velvet bodices a shade or two darker than the tulle of the skirts they aro worn over. Coloured tulles seem more popular than white—yellow and <_rrey are the two best worn, although there is a [Treat deal of geranium red being made up for ball gowns now; for red, however pretty it may be in the abstract, is very trying to most people, especially in the evening, when the natural soft bloom of the romplexion is lost under the glare of count less gaslights. Only very blonde girls should venture upon wearing red at night. Of course, there are brunettes with clear olive skins that show up well against red; but if there is one speck of colour on a brunette's cheek, the red in the irow'n catches it, and turns it into a painful crimson, vulgarising both the gown and the wearer. The grey tulle dresses, brightened up by either agrafes of crimson feathers or a spray of crimson roses, are botli affective and ladylike, and suit almost every complexion. Take, for instance, this one : Grey satin bodice, trimmed with ber tha of crimson leafless roses; grey tulle skirt over satin waterfall back with a long trail of roses starting from under the bodice on the left hip, crossing the waterfall, and finishing off in a bunch of crimson velvet ribbons. A loose knot tied down the front of the skirt of the same velvet in a wider width gives the necessary touch of positive colour in the foreground. Yellow seems rather a favourite colour too ; yellow in all shades, from the brilliant "mazarine" yellow to a pale maize. Old gold you never see. It is distinctly one of the shades of the past. A pretty maize-coloured tullo is made after this fashion : Skirt of tulle, with silk pompons placed about in bunches of threes of rather a darker shade than the tullo, plush bodice in the same tone of colour an the pomponsJinishedotFround the neck by line gold lace, the short tulle sleeves plaited to the bodice to form epaulettes. At the left side of the skirt a bunch of wide velvet ribbons is placed, about three loops and four ends is the usual quantity. They reach to the horn of skirt, and each end is finished oil' by a pompon. What do you think of a dress of pale sage green tulle, trimmed with y>ink roses ? Some of the leading dressmakers are making up their ball gowns in acombination of colours. In some cases it is botli effective and striking, but the colours want a very judicious assortment. For in stance, a brown tulle skirt looks well with a pale bluo brocade bodice, trimmed round the bertha with brown velvet leaves. Bronze shoes, and a little blue aigrette in the hair, complete the

Small round tables instead of long ones are becoming quite en. regie. Some months ago the idea was recommended in several journals, especially for breakfast parties in country houses, whero a large number of the guests often take advantage of the latitude allowed them to come down at all manner of times to breakfast. But the idea has now been taken up, not only for break fast, but for supper, and even for dinner. The Marquis of Salisbury has for some time past had his dinners served in this way. On the occasion of the Duke and Duchess of Connaught's visit to Hatsfield, the tables were arranged as follows : —The Marquis sat with the Duchess at one petite table at the top of the room, while the Marchioness and the Duke sat opposite, and tho guests were arranged down the room in the order of precedence.

Of course you have hoard that the Queen's private records of life at Balmont and Windsor from '02 to '82 are to be published shortly, and will appear in tho form of a supplement to the famous "Journal of Our Life in the Highlands." The little work has already been printed for private circu lation at Court, and I hear from a lady who often stays at Windsor that it is quite as interesting as its predecessor. I only hope Sir Theodore Martin, who has been entrusted with tho task of revision, will not spoil Her Majesty's simple tale. Who was it said of him that of all men he was " the most painfully afflcted with flatulent and pompous verbosity '"

Wo have not been to see " The Princess " yet. Tom tried to get tickets for the first night, but it was no pood. They were allotted in answer to written applications only, and we had no special reason to give for wishing to bo present. I am sorry Lilian Russell, the American prima donna, does not after all play the title r6le. They say she would notattond rehearsals regularly and Gilbert, who Is a veritable dragon amongst stage managers, gave her her conc/ic. Well do I remember at some amateur threatrieals, about ten yeara ago, being put through my facings by W. S. G. The piece was "Sweethearts," and Gilbert in the kindest manner possible came to stay in the house and " coach" us in our parts. For several nights we spent hour after hour rehearsing. The author indicated every movement of the person, every inflection of the voico ; moreover, he seemed perfectly tireless. Nobody felt very sorry when the night of the per formance arrived. Thanks to Gilbert, the

piece was really a bona Jitle success ; but often .since, when a new opera of (Hlbert's has been in rehearsal, I have thought of thoso times and wondered how the com pany like his drilling. Burnand, by-tho way, who ought to know, says Gilbert is the best stage manager of modern times. A canard that has created a fine flutter in London "society" this last week is to tho effect that Miss Mary Anderson has rejected the greatest match of the day, to wit, the young, handsome, and millionaire Duke of I'ortland. Whether there is any founda tion for the story I cannot say, but it has not as yet been denied. At tho present moment Miss Anderson scorns to be the star par excellence of tho London theatrical fir mament. The papers are now as full of her as they used to be of Sarah Bornhardt, and her beauty, her goodness, her charities, and her photos, form inexhaustible subjects for paragraphs.

Parliament opens on tho 7th of next month, and I expect " society " will muster pretty strong in town the following week, for on Valentine's Day there is to be a leviathan "old English fair" and fancy ball, under Royal patronage, at the Albert Hall. This fete has been promoted for tho benefit of a Hospital for paralysis and nervous diseases, in which the Princess of Wales takes a personal interest. 11.R.1f. is doing all she can to make the affair a big success, and as most of tho members of the Royal Family in England will either keep stalls or help in some way, a triumph may be predicted with tolerable certainty.

Tom took a largo party of us to gee "Rod Riding Hood" at Her Majesty's Theatre tho other evening. Tho great* attraction of the piece was, of course, tho famous Yoked family, who, as regards pantomime, may most certainly be called the " Old Votes at Homo." The show is also remark able for 300 wonderfully-drilled children. They both dance and sing amazingly weii, appearing four or five times in different dresses, and filling up the large stage com fortably. This pantomime is not, however, equal in splendour to the one at DruryLane, where nine hundred persons are now em ployed.

One does not get through many books at holiday time, but I ha te read one or two that are worth mentioning. In the first place, pray remember to ask for "Tho Breadwinners," a novel by an anonymous American author, which ran through several numbers of the " Century" magazine last autumn, and is now issued at six shillings by Ward, Lock, and Tyler. I don't know whether it will please every reader (some folks can see nothing special in "Altiorn Peto"), but to my tasto it is a fresh clever story describing a condition of society quite new to most English people. " Henley," an early tali- of .Jessie Fother gill's repuhlished by Bently in the favourite green series, is also a pleasant novel, and

"Al.ric Speucely," by Mis Uiddoll, the latest addition to'ttampson, Low's Standard edition, deserves favourable mention.

Of the new serials commenced in the .January magazines the anonymously published "Zero, a story of Monte Carlo," in " Temple Bar," promises bust. " Peril," Miss Fothergill's new novel, also begin? well, and "The Lover's Creed," Mrs Cashel Hoey'a romance in " Belgravia," seems readable. Although "Phantom For tune " was only finished a couple of months ago, the prolific Miss Braddon lias already completed anothor highly sensational novel. It is called "Ishmael," and will be pub lished shortly in the " Whitehall Review." Amongst other forthcoming stories by popular authors may be mentioned " Thirlby Hall," by \V. E. Norris ; " Beatrix Randolph," by Julian Hawthorne; "The Baby's Grandmother," by L. B. Walford ; " Susan Drummond," by Mrs Riddell; and "Cherry,' by Mrs Compton Reade. The Maxwells have purchased the copyright of Rita's novels, and intend issuing them monthly, at 2s, commencing with " Dame Durden," which will, bo followed by "My Lady Coquette," " Yurenne," " Like Dian's Kiss," Fravoletta," "Faustinc," and "Two Bad Blue Eyes," in the order named.

Throwing the Hatchet.

In* the fourteenth century the situation o, public executioner of the city of Florence

became vacant; and as it was a place of considerable emolument, there were three candidates. The first candidate, with a knife, cleverly separated the head of the victim from his shoulders. Hewns outdone by the rapid stroke of tho second, whose glittering broadsword struck tenor in the hearts of the surrounding multitude. The third, and least promising, held in his hand a short hatchet, and when tho victim was extended with his head on the fatal block, approached him, and in a low whisper in quired if he was a swift runner, and if he could swim well. On being answered in the affirmative, he desired him to spring on his feet and cross the river. The execu tioner then, putting on a lioree look, swung his weapon round his head, but instead of making it descend on the devoted creature's neck, struck it with great force into the block ! Shouts of execration rose from the crowd, and the trembling wretch, astonished at his wonderful escape, had nearly gained tho opposite bank of tho river before any steps were taken to pursue him. He had, however, scarcely gone ten yards on dry land when the executioner, taking steady aim, threw his hatchet with such ellect that the body continued running some time after the head was off! From this rather improbable incident the common phrase of throwing the hatchet is said to be de rived.

A Maniac on Board Ship.

Ox the arrival of the Sea King, an American ship, at Portland, from New York, the captain reported that tho cook a China man, named Ah John, had gone mad at sea, and the crew found it necessary to kill him in self-defence. Ho was under tho delusion that the crew were in league to kill him. He then was taken sick, and was supplied with medicine, but became much worse, locked himself in his room, and threatened to kill any one who attempted to enter. He fired at the chief officer, who was standing outside tho window, and struck him in tho shoulder. He seemed to liavo an unlimited supply of ammunition, as tho firing was kept up for some timn. His ay not position in the room could not be learner!, because no one dared to go within range of the window to learn whether his mania had subsided. A hat was held up on a stick outside the win dow, and in a moment the Chinaman had sent a bullet through it. A battering ram was brought to bear on the door, hut two bulletsfrom the inside warned the men to desist. The crew were then armed, and as Ah John still continued firing, several shots were sent through the door from the outside. H«avy breathing and groans indicated that they had taken effect, and when the door v.-as'burst in the Chinaman was found to have been struck by no loss than seven bullets. He died next day. In the room were found a self cocking revolver, two boxes full of cart ridges, and a third box partly full.

CAPTURING A DESPERADO.

An Incident in American Bush Life

Is tho Far West, particularly in the Far South - We.-t, the newly arrived settler often finds that ho has strange neighbours—

not only Indians, but white desperadoes, who are more to be fonral than even Utcs

and Apaches.

Two young friends of mine—good, steady, New-England-born young men—were so un fortunate as to buy land in the vicinity of an especially ugly member of this out-law fraternity.

These two young men had been brought up to obey the law, and to respect the property and rights of their neighbours. They could be bravo enough in tho defence of any just cause, yet they dreaded and shrank from the use of deadly weapons against a fellow being, from a keen sense of the saeredness of human life, and the criminality involved in such nets.

Such were Gilbert and Charles Small. Plain, farm-bred boys, they had, by steady labour and economy, saved up a capital of 1,700 dollars. With this they had emi grated to Colorado and started a small stock-farm, fifteen miles from Alamosa. By availing themselves of the Homestead Act and the Pre-emption Law, they secured a tract of IKO acres of land, lying upon a creek, with a range extending back over the hills, which was not likely to he taken by other settlers. At a point a short distance below, where a mining-trail passed them, and where they judged there would in time be a railroad, they built a frame-house which they opened as a hotel, and in which they aWo kept a stock of groceries. For, like many other enterprising young emi grants, they had an ambition to found a town and grow up with it. Some eight or ten miles from them lived a man named Peter Hergit, who professedly worked a mine, but whose place really was a kind of rendezvous for renegade "cow boys," and other desperate characters of the Jesse James type. It was intimated that several daring train robberies had here been planned, and also that " Clato Walker" made it one of his stopping places. This Walker was a notorious gambler and dead shot. He was supposed to be the leader of a band cf train robbers, and was said to have killed not less than ten men in various affrays. It was Paid, too. that occasionally when times became too monotonous because of the lack of excitement, he would kill a man "for fun," just to keep his hand in. He had a habit, also, of riding through small towns and camps, shooting pro miscuously at everybody he saw, to keep up the terror of his name—a matter he appears to have been vain of.

It will seem well-nigh incredible that such a man should be allowed to escape justice and to run at large. Such i.s the ugly fart, however, in scores of cases, owing probably to the circumstance that no officer likes to attempt the arrest of these desperadoes, who generally carry two and sometimes three heavy revolvers, and are marvellously quick and sure of aim.

As an example of the wonderfully rapid and accurate shooting of some of these frontiers-men, the writer remembers seeing a " cowboy " at Raton New Mexico, rido his horse at full gallop past a telegraph pole, to which was pinned the round white cover of a paper collar box, and lodge four balls from his Colt's pistol in this small mark while passing. Afterwards he enter tained us by throwing into tho air, one after another, a handful of pig-nuts, and cracking each as it fell with a single bullet, Then he did the same thing again, tossing the nuts up rapidly and twirling the re volver round his forefinger after every shot. Finally, throwing tho nuts up more slowly, he replaced his pistol in its sheath at his hip after every shot, drawing it for each succeeding nut, and did not one out of six.

This shows the accuracy and quickness of aim of many of these lawless fellows, and euch a marksman was Clate Walker, who added to this reputation, moreover, the more murderous one of being a "killer," which in the phrase of this section means a desperado who will shoot a man upon the least provocation.

Our two young stockmen had heard of this border monster, but their firat actual acquaintance witli him began the week after putting up their sign of "Small 8r.05., Hotel and Grocery." Walker chanced to pass one morning, and seeing the new sign, reined in his horse, and by way of calling the attention of the land lord to his arrival, drow his revolver and opened lire on the sign, shooting the first letter "S" to pieces. Then dismounting, he kicked the door open, and walking in, demanded a " cocktail."

Gilbert, who chanced to bo inside at the time, told him civilly that there was no bar connected with the house ; for, true to their home principles, the young men had determined to keep a " temperance house "

a greater anomaly in the West than many may at first suppose.

"A temperance house !" shouted Walker, and he vented his astonishment and dis gust in a burst of oaths and reviling*. "No man shall keep a hotel with nothing to drink in it in these parts !" he said. "If you don't have liquor, and good liquor, too, the next time I call, f won't leave a whole dish or a whole bone here !"

And as a foretaste of what he would <'o next time, he kicked over the table and smasked throe or four chairs by way of leave-taking.

With such a customer on their hands, it is little wonder that our two young friends felt very ill at ease. Still they were bold men, and were determined not to be bullied into keeping rum ; so they went about their business as usual.

Nothing further was seen of Walkor for a fortnight, when he again appeared early one morning while Charles was getting breakfast, Gilbert having gone out to look after the cattle. The first hint that Charles had of his visitor was another volley of shots into their sign-board. This time Clate had shot tho second lotter to pieces. It was apparently his way of knocking. Immediately he kicked the door open as before.

Under the circumstances it is not very strange that Charles stepped out of n back door at about this time, and went behind the corral, from whence he heard Walker firing repeatedly, and making a great smashing inside. "When at length the desperado had taken hi? departure, it was found that he had mado a complete wreck of the crockery and furniture : and in the grocery room he had helped himself to to bacco, and emptied his revolver at tho kerosene barrel, which, tapped in half a dozen places, was deluging the floor. I shall not undertake to say what the duty of my young friends was ; whether they should have resisted outrage and de fended their property at the risk of their ives, or moved away from fo dangerous a neighbour. What they did was to get out of sight whenever they saw Walker coming, and let him do his worst.

It chanced that after a times a second cousin of ray young friends came West to Bee them. His name was Forney, and he was then a student at the military academy at West Point. lam not sure, however,

but he had just graduated, though that does not matter. He dropped in upon tho Small brothers quito unexpectedly one afternoon, and it is needless to say that they were glad to see him, and that they passed a very pleasant evening. Nothing was said about Walknr, for (Jilbert nnd Charles, having an honest, pride in their ranch, were loth to let Lieutenant Gerald know how badly they were oil'in respect to neighbours. The desperado happened to come along, however, the very next morn ing. Charles and (lorald were sitting in the dining-room, when Gilbert, who had seen tho gambler coming up the road, sud denly rushed in.

"Old Clate Walker's coming !" he ox] claimed. " Tut out at tho back door |"

Charles leaped to liis feet, but. our young West Pointer rose more leisurely. "Who the dickens is 'Old Clate Walker'?" heasked.

" A rogu lar border terror ! A desperado ? A 'killer'! exclaimed Gilbert "lie's likely to shoot any of us at sight ! Come on after us !"

" What ! run out of your own house ! said Forney, .surprised. " Why, lyhat hold has this fellow oh you ?"

" No hold whatever ; hut he's a deal shot and adoublo-dyed murderer !" cried Charles. "You don't know him as we do. Coma along with us and got out of his way !" "Not I!" exclaimed Forney, who per haps felt that his military reputation was at stake. "Take your two shotguns and stand ready in the kitchen. I'll stop hero and see Mr Walker!"

And lie hurriedly took his revolver from his overcoat pocket, then stepped to the window behind tho desk on the counter.

With his customary oath, (lie gambler and dead shot kicked open the door and strode in. The young lieutenant sat on the high stool behind the desk, apparently read- Ing the newspaper. Ho did not look up. " Hello, you sneak !" shouted Walker. "Where are the tender kids what keeps this blasted temperance hotel V " I think they've pone out to hide," said Forney, carelessly turning; his paper. "They said there was a man-eater, a. regular anthropophagus, earning, and that they were going to hide soinewheros." Walker stared.

" Well ! well !" ho ripped out. "If you aint the freshest kid I've .struck in ten years ! Right fresh from the East, aren't ye, young feller?" "Yes," said Forney, moving the paper, "I'm from the East, find I'm pretty fresh, I suppose. I'm a young fellow, but I'm a pretty nice one." " Don't you give me any of your lip ! thundered Walker. "Do you know who I am ?"

"How should 1V" paid Forney. "It's none of my business. I'm only here on a visit. 1 don't cure who you are."

The bully Hushed, stung by the careless contempt in Forney's (one. "Suppose," ho muttered, talcing a step toward the counter, while a murderous gleam crept into his eye, " supposo I were to tickle your Adam's apple with my dirk, what then V" " Then I'd shoot you dead for the acounj drolly hound you are !" exclaimed the young cadet, suddenly presenting his cocked revolver full in Walker's faeo. " Move—stir a hand, and I'll shoot you like a dog !"

"The first man that ever got the ' drop ! on me !" gasped Walker; "and you a little whippersnappor from the East !" "Nomatter what I am," said Forney, sternly. "If you move a hand, I'll shoot you ! Gilbert ! Charlie !"

The two brothers, who from the kitchen had heard the above dialogue, and were several times on the point of taking to their heels out at the back door, now entered, guns in hand. " Cover him, Gilbert," said Forney. "If he stirs a hand, put a load of buck-shot through him ! Now, Charles, como and take his pistols and his knife."

A deep red flush mounted to Walker's face. But he knew that the slightest move ment on his part would send two charges of cold lead through his body, lie gritted his teeth, but stood motionless

They disarmed him, then marched him out of the door and round the house into the cattle corral in the rear of it. This corral was built of adobe bricks, die wall being from .«oven to eight feet high, and enclosing a space about eighty feet square. They gave him no chancu to get tho start, but kept him covered with both gun and pistol constantly. They gave him a chair to sit on, however, and there ho .sat all day, watching tho cadet and Gilbert, and they him, while Charles rode post haste, to Alamosa to swear out a warrant for his arrest and summon the sheriff and his posso to take him.

Tho officers, hearing that so dangerous a ruffian was really waiting their disposal, were not slow in responding to Charles Small's summons, and by throe o'clock that afternoon the young lieutenant, had the satisfaction of seeing tho "border terror" taken into legal custody and marched off to gaol.

But, as is too often the noso in tho Far West, tho prisoner was lynohud instead of being fairly tried and convicted of his crimes. He was taken forcibly from gaol by a masked party from one of the neigh bouring mining camps, tho third night after being lodged thore, and hanged with out any form cf trial, to the nearest tree.

UNKNOWN

It is not often that an American town is doomed to decimation, but Virginia City, Nevada, affords one instance at least. Eight years ago, Virginia City and Gold Hill, adjoining each other, and practically one town, had 35,000 population. It was the largest community between Denver and Sun Francisco. There were merchants doing business with a million capital There were private houses that cost 100,000 dollars to build and furnish. There were stamp mills and mining struc tures that, cost 500,000 dols. each. There were also three daily newspapers, and a hotel that cost 300,000d015. It wasa teem ing, busy and money-making population, and among the people were a score or more men worth from 300,000 doK to 30,000.000. Mackay and Fair both lived there. There were three banks, a gas company, n water company, a splendid theatre, and a costly court house. Eight years hove passed, aniii the town is a wrack. Thu 83.000 people have dwindled to 5,000. The banks have retired from business. The memhnntfl have closed up nnd left : the hotel is nhnndoned ; ; the gas company U bankrupt, and scores of costly residences have either boon takrn. to pieces and moved away or rjivsn over to bats. Real estate cannot he guen away for taxes. Nothing can be sold that wilt not cost its worth to move away.. The rich men have all gone. Those who. vemnWi arc. the miner.--, the sucorinlond'.MKi, uiid the saloon men and gamblers. The latter are usually the first to r:ome to a mining town nnd the last to leave The caueo of thia

;: which ha? swallowed up millions ol capital and wrecked the worldly ambition of thousands of pev-sons, is tho failure of tha Comstock mine? to turn out additional wealth.

STAR SATURDAY SUPPLEMENT, MARCH 8, 1884.

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