Scarlet Days

[Reconstructed titles]

1
Pictured in the country of 
the great gold strikes of '49.

2
This story corroborates
the old saying that truth is
stranger than fiction -
incidents being taken from
actual episodes of those
stirring days. We refer you
to "Reminiscences of a
Ranger," by Horace Bell,
H. C. Merwin's "Bret
Harte," or Hittell's
"History of California."

3
From this ground, eighty
millions in gold was taken,
  with pick and shovel.

4
At times in the world's 
history, law and order step
aside, while each man with
his weapon alone makes
law. The Robber Barons of
the Dark Ages reappear in
California, in the days of '49.

5
So we introduce these Sir
Knights of the Golden West.

5
The Wandering Knight -
Don Maria Alvarez -
blue-blood of old Spain -
a frontier Robin Hood, who
masquerades as a rich
cattle buyer from Mexico.

6
Dreaming of past events:
Note: This gentle-
appearing youth was
the most famous
desperado and gunman in
all California.

7
A mad prank - he holds up
the Sheriff of Angel's Camp.

8
The Sheriff:
"I'd give five hundred 
dollars to meet that outlaw
Alvarez face to face."

9
And Alvarez 
accommodates the Sheriff,
without even asking for
the five hundred.

10
Also Little Flameheart -
piteous maiden - from the
old adobe quarter -
sometimes moaning for an
indifferent lover -
Alvarez.

11
"Moon less over Alvarez -
  you'd cook better."

12
Sir Whiteheart of the Stain-
less Shield - otherwise,
John Randolph, a clean
young Virginian - strikes
pay-dirt on the Tuolumne.

13
The dance-hall in Bagley's
      outlaw camp.

14
In days of old, when knights
were bold, and life and love
         held sway.

15
Bagley, Knight of the Black
  Stain - ex-convict and 
       sluice-robber.

16
Rosy Nell, the belle of
       Bagley's.

17
Now, journeying from this
strange Romance Land,
meet Lady Fair, leaving the
New England school that 
  has been her world.

18
Though longing since child-
hood to see her mother, she
knows a strict and religious 
aunt as her only guardian.

19
Arriving home - the aunt
    critically ill.

20
"Your mother - I want
      to tell -"

21
The aunt dies without
explaining certain strange
matters concerning Lady
Fair's mother.

22
As to Lady Fair's mother -
Rosy Nell could throw 
     much light.

23
The lonely little Lady Fair
often pretends that her 
mother - of whom she 
dreams as a saintly,
beautiful lady - is actually
with her.

24
Soon to be very, very happy
with her mother - says the
fortune in the tea leaves.

25
Only a dream.

26
In her loneliness, Lady Fair
  determines to go west to
     find her mother.

27
Again in the West.

28
Little Flameheart's hero
   still indifferent.

29
Also introducing a Mexican 
lady called "Spasm Sal,"
often warned to avoid 
excitement because of her
heart.

30
"Chiquita, you are too small
     for a man's love."

31
She takes it out on the goat.

32
The goat loses.

33
Lady Fair's ship arrives in
      San Francisco.

34
"My daughter -
Boston society, she is!
I'd die if she found out
about me in this place!"

35
"Don't believe me? Look!"

36
"Nothing like that around 
       here, eh?"

37
"You don't make a hit with 
the Senor - ever try 
washing your face?"

38
Love-driven - a desperate
venture with soap and
        water.

39
Not dreaming that on the 
  nearing stage is her 
       daughter.

40
Hoarding her earnings until
she can get away with her
daughter to a different life.

41
In the stained soul of Rosy 
Nell is a mother's yearning 
for childish arms, vaguely 
remembered. A strange 
game of pretend - even a 
special dress for these 
      occasions.

42
She wheedles the pass keys
       from Bagley.

43
Lady Fair arrives at Spring 
  Station, near Bagley's.

44
She inquires of Alvarez' 
man for the Bagley Hotel.

45
So they agree to take her 
  to Randolph's cabin.

46
Ready for her turn.

47
"That money - I slaved for 
    it - my daughter!"

48
The Boy's cabin, a safe
distance from the dance 
hall.

49
"We'll get your mother.
Think she's attending to 
some business in town."

50
"She's dead!"

51
Alvarez goes for the mother.

52
"I didn't do it!"

53
Hot for vengeance, Bagley 
determines that Rosy shall 
          die.

54
"Hang her! Hang her!"

55
But Bagley does not forget 
        the gold.

56
Alvarez intervenes.

57
Bagley consents that Rosy
Nell shall see her daughter
        before -

58
"Perhaps you can get your 
daughter away before she 
       finds out."

59
The first decent kiss in ten 
           years.

60
"Hurt my arm, Miss? I'll cut
   it off if you say so!"

61
Never did Nell dream that
fate would set such a stage
for the meeting with her 
        daughter.

62
The strange pact with
trusted Sir Whiteheart:
Silence concerning the 
mother's plight for three 
days, on condition she then 
be returned to Bagley's.

63
"Come down to my place 
and see me - just down 
       the way."

64
"Gracias, Senor! I accept
your mos' kind invitation.
When she comes, I come too."

65
The cabin given to the 
ladies, the men in a nearby 
          shack.

66
World-bruised arms hunger
for the tender touch of
    innocent love.

67
And a sweeter fire burns in 
    a lawless breast.

68
"The Senor's gone."

69
In a suit that fitted when he 
      left Virginia.

70
Fortunately one of their
library of three books is
lovelorn poetry.

71
"White days above me, I
love - I love, Moon rays
above me, still, still,
       I love."

72
A half hour later, while
Randolph is love-moaning
   in the far woods.

73
His search unavailing.

74
"Next time, don't scream -
       come to us."

75
In distant Angel's.

76
"I'd give my roll to get that 
    girl in this place."

77
"When I get that Alvarez...!"

78
"If they hadn't robbed me,
I might yet be able to get
  my daughter away from 
   this terrible place."

79
Alvarez, weary of his life,
dares to dream he can steal 
away with them to a better, 
      sweeter way.

80
"Perhaps, Senora, I can 
borrow the money, and -"

81
When the hall is nearly 
       deserted.

82
Randolph, hunting the
marauder, happens upon
Alvarez.

83
In the early morning.

84
"My own money!"

85
She hints she has sold a 
        claim.

86
"You can't go! I've given 
        my word!"

87
Black Stain pretends to 
believe Sir Whiteheart is
the robber.

88
He cannot tell the daughter 
why the journey is 
impossible.

89
But before they -

90
"Bagley mus' not come in
- he wish only the girl!"

91
"Stay where you are,
      Bagley!"

92
"But you will be in danger!"

93
Alvarez' super-gun work in
    good use at last.

94
They agree to let one man 
    search the house.

95
From his coarse bluster 
   about Rosy Nell -

96
- Lady Fair learns the 
terrible truth about her 
         mother.

97
"- Besides that, she's got 
         to hang."

98
"Well, the time isn't up yet."

99
"Mother! That isn't true -
         is it?"

100
"I am Rosy Nell."

101
"They're not there."

102
"Partner!"

103
Alvarez' supreme sacrifice:

104
"The cliff - perhaps you 
make it - you tell the 
      Sheriff -"

105
They demand Randolph,
thinking to learn where
Lady Fair is hidden.

106
Without ammunition,
Randolph attempts to
divert the attack.

107
"While they're busy with 
me, make a run for it with 
      the ladies."

108
"Where are those women?"

109
"You let him go out - to die?"

110
"Let him hang till he talks!"

111
She attempts to save her 
lover by returning the gold.

112
"Bring Baby-Face here and 
      let him look!"

113
"Where's Alvarez?"

114
"I'm glad he's alive so I can 
         hang him!"

115
"It's - it's all right - dear. I
    had you a little while."

116
So, after Chiquita has 
nursed him back to life - 
 on his way to death.

117
The last farewell.

118
"Used to be the best shot in 
the country - little off color 
           lately."

119
On the way to Stockton,
    and matrimony.

THE END.