The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1886-05-22
CHAPTER IL
THE MAD MlTn

from his hand, and a drop of crimson
oozed from the end Of the yictors thumb
The bullet had swent close indeed.
Spang,
A second shot resounded, and a leaden
pellet whistled within an inch of Primrose
Pete's nose. The yellow haired sport IN
| derstood the situation and at once sprang
to his feet. He did not come up alone,
however.
White, soft fingers clutched the collar of
the PROSTATE tough, and he was lifted as
though he had been babe, and held up as
a shield toward the spot from whence came
the sound of a rife.
Shoot, pards of Frisco Matt l think
he viii catch all the blue pills You have to
| waste," cried Primrose Pete III a loud voice.
The giant tough squilmed and tried to
| release himself, but weak as he was from
| loss of blood, he was as a babe in the hands
of his foe.
Hold on thar yelled the giant as a third
bullet came whis Ting past.
The frightened toughs cry seemed to
have its effect, for the firing ceased at once,
and queer-looking figure glided from the
shadows and stood boldly forth on the
plateau confronting the two men.
girl III complete hunting costume.
| Black hair hung nearly to her waist from
under se-fitting turban, from the crown
of which red tassel depended. A pair of
the most piercing black eyes looked sharply
and anXiously at Primrose Pete and his
bUrly companion.
About the rather wild looking girls waist
was a belt from which hung revolver and
knife. In her hand she carried light,
| silver mounted repeating rifle.
| Primrose Pete regarded the girl in some
surprise.
WAS it YOU, my girl, who fired just
now?" questioned the astonished young
sport, as he regarded the newcomer Won
deringly
Il am the person who fired" answered
the girl, in a low tone.
| Did you seek my life?"
mo; / am not in Montana on an GRAND
of blood. | have been wronged, and seek
to right that wrong. | am the Princess of
| Montana, and the President sent me to
! govern the people. | saw you, young sir,
about to murder a defenseless subject of
mine. l sent few warning shots. to re-
mind you that the ruler was near. | do
not permit one of my subjects to Stay an
other; am the ruler, and will settle all
| quarrels.
Primrose Pete thought he saw a wild
| CLEAN in the girls eye while she talked.
| He was yet puzzled at the actions of the
| mountain maiden.
ITS Mad Myrtle, said Frisco Matt, in
a husky voice. "She's MAIDS er March
hare. Don't pervoke her, or she'll kill us
both"
| you must permit this man to CO." said
| the girl, in tone of command.
Hes villain, and deserves death"
| at don't matter; my orders must be
| obeyed."
With these words the maidens rife fell
to a level and keen black eye glanced
along the tube. The heart of the young
sport was covered, and it may well be sur
missed that he felt little nervous.
Release Frisco or l fire."
An ominous click fell on the ear of Prim-
rose Pete. For once he found that he was
at the mercy of one worthy his steel.
Don't make a mistake, fair princess,
said Primrose Pete. This man is a vii
lain; he has insulted females, and is not
fit to live. You certainly ought to defend
your own SEX"
Frisco is not on trial now; let him 90, "
ordered Mad Myrtle, shortly.
Primrose Pete hesitated but moment.
he could we'll believe the fair huntress mad.
and he was not foolhardy enough to throw
his life away for such a man as Frisco Matt,
especially when no good was to be ac-
complished; therefore, at the second com
mand, the young nountaineer released his
| grip on the shoulders OF his late antagonist.
The moment he felt himself free Frisco
! Matt rushed from the spot without stopping
| to thank the one who had saved him from
| death. A minute later Primrose Pete and
| the fair Montanan were the only occupants
of the Swallowed mountain plateau.
! Instantly after the departure of the giant
| tough the fair huntress dropped the breech
of her rifle to the ground and held ont her
| hand.
| Primrose Pete, let US be friends"
! The gentlemanly sport was quite taken
| aback at this. He moved forward quickly,
! however. and took the protfered hand.
! With all my heart, he said, cordially,
| but l am puzzled to know how you came
| to learn my name,7
| 4 smile showed even, white teeth as the
girl answered:
| who in Montana does not know the
| blonde sport, Primrose Pete, who has out
witted and conquered more men than | can
count, and yet who, to-day, has found his
| match in girl"
| She laughed aloud then, but the express
| sion in her eyes was not pleasing.
Your name, fair huntress?" be question
| ed, as she drew her hand from his.
! Myrtle"
is that all?
Isn't it enough?'
But you surely have another name-your
| family name?n
mo" and the black head was shaken
| slowly; Il am without name, that is why
| ! am here ID Montana-to find nv name.
/ Some idiotie people call me mad and in
! one sense | am Mad Myrtle is good, but
/ am wiser than many sane people. My
| subjects dare not refuse to obey me; if
was mad this would not be, think vou?n
| ,TrI.l I,.,l- Il. Il
momnful expression sweeping into her
/ black eyes and over her face. She was in
somber mood now, and Primrose Pete
/ watched her face with deep interest.
| He did not doubt the girls being
mad. She was a strange creature
at best, and in spite of himself the blonde
| sport felt awed and afraid in her presence.
! He laid his hand on the butt of revolver.
/ as though he would use it against the maid
before him.
Don't, and she made a deprecatory mo-
/ tien. Il know your thoughts; your are al
most woman yourself in tineness of feel
/ ing. but don't attempt to make me YOUR
/ prisoner. In that case I might have to kill
/ You. which l should not like to do. but anv
I one who crosses my path with intent to
| thWart my plans will surely die; I have
/ sworn 1t, and Iad Myrtle will keep her
| oath"
Calm as an icicle the girl was when she
! gave utterance TO such strong language. and
Primrose Pete was more puzzled than ever.
/ his hand fell from the butt of his revolver
! You are IN Montana on a mission?"
| DO You think so?"
Did YOU not say as much9"
! If did I'll not go lack on NV word. "
she SAID. with faint. sickly smile. 4 am
seeking two things in Montana, man AMI
| a name.
"Wens"
Both are necessary to my future happi-
| ness Primrose Pete like your looks. and
We might be pards if you would.
she was piercing him with her black ewes.
eyes that held IN their depths strangely
| familiar look. and Primrose Pete was. mo-,
/ puzzled than ever.
! Inmrose Pete. why don't you speak,
! " hat shall ! say:H
mat You VIII be my pard In this hunt
I Tor name among the hills of Montana
:, het eyes We're swapping and glowing with
z