Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-03-21

with your brother, eh2 Give us a kiss
there's. dolll''' go.
In an instant she leaped TO her feet
Child as she was, she resented the in
suit that had been offered her with a VIC
mans offended pride and anger.
How dare you?" she cried Go away
( II you touch me, I'll call my brother"
All, now, young one, you're fooling,
he said insolently. You act older thar
/ took you for. I'll warrant no boy ex
cept your brother has kissed them lips o
yOur'n, AID pm bound to have one-sc
now"
As quick asa fash, she drew from hel
pocket pistol Mark had bought for hel
at Leavenworth, and which he had since
taught her to use skilfully. She cooked
the pistol, and its four small dark tubes
were promptly presented to the eyes oI
Burk for inspection. He started back in
unaffected horror and amazement.
The little vixenl he muttered. "She
acts like highwayman instead OF a
shrinking girl. She beats ALL"
i was only fooling," he said aloud.
81 didn't mean nothing. Don't say
nothing, young one. I'm off.
And he hastened to beat a retreat to
his own proper quarters.
Gays light laugh rang after him mock
ingly,
Jack would tame that wildcat spirit OF
her n, and / wish he may do it, that s
all. | III make en- acquainted, hlest il
l don't"
The train was ready to resume its
march.
Come up into the wagon, Mark, I"
said the girl coaxingly. have some
thing to tell you"
Mark climbed up beside Gay, his boy
ish face full Of tenderness and affection
as he looked down upon his adopted sis
ter.
well, what is it, little Gay?" he said,
as she hesitated.
Have you noticed that man Burk,
who joined us with the other train at
Kearney City?' asked Gay.
We seen him and noticed him, said
Mark. Mr.. Landlord has poor opin-
ion of him. He S confederate of Blue
Jack, the outlaw. What have you to
say about him, Gay2"
He wanted TO kiss me back at the
halt, said Gay composedly, and, as
you were busy, / just pulled out my pis-
tol and scared him, He thought meant
to shoot him, and went of TO the rear of
the train.
Marks boyish brows grew stern, and
his eyes flashed.
The coward and villainl' he ex-
claimed. p" / II horsewhip him for that.
How dared he?"
Don't get into trouble on my account,
dear Mark" exclaimed Gay, in alarm.
Hes bad man, and he might kill you.
He didn't kiss me, and / have taught
him to keep his distance, so that he won't
trouble me again. Don't speak to him,
Mark, please don'tW
But Mark would not promise
About sunset Landlord beheld in the
distance solitary horseman, who, upon
looking back and observing the train,
wheeled his horse about, and rode rap
idly toward it, As he approached it, he
said.
Are you the conductor of this train,
sir2 am bearer of dispatches from
Fort Kearney to Fort Sedgwick. Will
you grant me the protection Of your
train during the remainder of my jour
neyY"
What is your nameY
Fallon, Lieutenant Fallon, was the
reply, and he offered to show his ere
dentials.
Landlord babe Lieutenant Fallon
welcome, and offered him the freedom
of the camp.
Fallon ate supper with the Whitmans,
and after conversing until a late hour,
retired to the rear of the camp to sleep. |
After all was still, he rolled over on the |
ground until he came to the side of
Burk.
Burk p he Kissed.
Burk started. with smothered oath.
who calls2" he growled.
Hush, you idiotl' hissed Fallon, be-
tween his teeth. Have | fooled you
and the boys as easily as ! fooled the
conductor of the train? Don't you
know me2 haven't got my card-case
with me. but I'm Blue Jack, at your SER
ficel Ha, hal The serpent has got
nto Edenl"
] and the boys have looked for you
o join us all day" said Burk. But of
course we didn't look for you in this
lisguise. III
Upon the morning after the coun-
erfeit Lieutenant Fallon had Joined the
wagon train, the camp was astiF as usual
t daybreak The train halted at noon
n the river bank, opposite a lovely
sland. At sunset they again halted,
nd for the night. nd
In the course of the evening Lieu '
ensnt Fallpn approached Gay, and said
Miss Heher, | must soy to you that
ou are startlingly like former friend |
{ mine. 1t seems almost as if she |
TODD before me as first knew her 1t t
, q strange, Q startling coincidence |
ould almost think-but no. Impossl.
lie! You are the sister of Mr.. Heber,
re you potY t
Gays pure face flushed, T
Eyes, she answered, with some hesi-
ltien. IN
The disguised Blue Jack turned vet c
hitter. He had marked that hesitation,
nd his wonder at it thrilled him with a e
idden fear. Y
" You do not look like your brother
iss Heber?" he remarked q
" | have been told so before" said 4
sy dryly. o
And you are his own sister,? per Z
sted Blue Jack, with agitation.
do not know your motive for ma |
ng such inquiries, Lieutenant" said i:
az, after moments thought. Il do c.
d therefore know how to reply to you. n
should like to know the name Of your
lend whom | resemble, but for an an b
Ter to your inquiries | must refer you n
my brother. d
Gay Heber seized the first opportunity u
inform her adopted brother Of the par n