Wilmington daily commercial. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1866-1877, 1872-03-23


man with them There were five OF these des-
peradoes, and only the smaness of their NUM-
Der compared with the other induced Land
ford to allow them to travel under his guidance
and the protection Of his train
A few introductons took place, and then the
long train took up its line Of march westward
| During the noon encampment, on the follow
ing day, Gay had finished her dinner, and mer-
ny snatch Of song was on her lips, when one Of
the desperadoes known an Blrk came up to her
and paused beside her, regarding her with an
insoleut stare.
"Hao younker," hesaid gruaiy. 81 noticed
you yesterday, and you are the prettiest young
one l ever did see. Got no father nor mother,
eh? Going west with your brother, eh? Give us
u kiss, there's doll"
In an ustant she leaped to her feet.
Child as she was, she resented the insult that
had been offered her with womans offended
| pride and anger.
How dare you ?" she cried. go away. II
you touch me, I'll call my brother"
| "Ah now, young one, you're fooling, he said
insolently. ''You act older than l took you for.
I'll warrant no boy except yonr brother has
kissed them lips o yourn, aud I'm bound to
have one--so nowl"
As quick as "a flash, she drew from her pocket
pistol Mark had bought for her at LoAv IN
worth, and which he had since taught her to use
| skilfully. She cooked the pistol, aud its four
small dark tubes were promptly presented to
the eyes of Burk for inspection. He started
| back in unaffected horror and amazement
THE little vxenl" he muttered. ''She acts
| like highwayman instead Of shrinking girl.
| She beats all !"
II was only fooling," he said aloud. II didn't
mean nothing. Don't say nothing, young one.
I'm or"
Aud he fastened to beat retreat to his own
| proper quarters.
Gays light laugh rang after him mockingly
| Curse her!" muttered Burk. "Blue Jack would
tame that wildcat spirit of her,n, and wish he
| may do it, that's all. I'll make EN- acquainted
blest il | don'tl"
| The train was ready to resume its march.
| Come up into the wagon. Mark, said the
| gifl coaXingly II have something to tell you. "
Mark clmed up beside Gay, his boyish face
/ full OF tenderness and affection al he looked
down upon his adopted sister
Wen what is it, little Gay5" he said, as she
hesitated
Have you noticed that man Burk who Joined
! rs with tho other train at kearney City? asked
Gay.
I've seen him and noticed him, said Mark
| "Mt Landlord has poor opinion Of him. He's
a confederate Of Blue Jack the outlaw. What
| have you to say Of him. Gay?"
He wanted to kiss me back at the halt said
| Gay composedly land, as you were busy, just
| pulled out my pistol aud 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 villain !" he exclaimed, "I'll
/
Don't get into trouble on my account, dear
Mark = exclaimed Gay, in alarm. He's a bad
| man, and he might kill you. He didn't kiss me,
and have taught him to keep his distance 80
| that he won't trouble me again. Don't speak to
| him, Mark please don't"
| 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 rapidly toward it. As lie approached
| it, he said
Are you the conductor of this train sir?
| am bearer of dispatches from Fort kearney to
Fort ssdgwick. Will you grant me the protec-
ton OF your train during the remainder Of my
| Journey"
WHAT il your name?"
"Fallon. Lieutenant FAllon," was the reply,
| and he offered to show his credentials
Landlord babe Lieutenant Fallon welcome,
aud offered him the freedom Of the camp.
Fallon ate supper with the Whitmans, and
after converting until late hour, retired to the
rear Of the train to sleep. Aftel all was still,
he rolled over on the ground until he came to
| the side of Burk
| "Burk ~ he hssod
Burk started with a smothered oath.
"WhO oalsi" lie growled
"Hush, you idot!' Missed Fallon, between
his teeth. "lIave fooled you and the boys as
| easily az fooled the conductor of the train
| Don't you know me? haven't got my card case
| with me, but I'm Blue Jack at youri service
liza, ha The serpent has got into Eden!"
II and the boys have looked for you to join
us all day said Burk. but OF course we didn't
look for you in this disguise"
Upon the morning after the counterfeit Lieut.
Fallon had joined tue wagon train, the camp was
astir as usual at daybreak. The train halted at
noon at the river bank opposite lovely island.
At sunset they again halted, and for the night.
In the course of the evening Lieut.. Fallon APP
preached Gay, and said;
Miss Heber, l must say to you that you are
startlingly like former friend OF mine. 1t
seems almost as if she stood before me as first
knew her IL is strange, startling coinci-
dence. / could almost think but no. Impossi-
ble You are the sister of Mr.. Heber are you not?
Gays puro face flushed.
Yes" she answered with some hesitation.
The disguised Blue Jack turned yet winter.
He had marked that hesitation, and his wonder
at it thrilled him with sudden fear.
" You do not look like your brother, Miss
lIeber z" he remarked.
II have been told 30 before" says Gay dryly.
And you are his own sister 2" persisted Blue
Jack with agitation.
| II do not know your motive for making sucl
inquiries, Lieutenant" said Gay, after a mo
ments thought 81 do not therefore know how
to reply to you. l should like to know the name
of your friend whom l resemble, but for an an
swer to your inquiries must refer you to my
brother"
Gay Heber seized the first opportunity to in
form her adopted brother Of the particulars o
her singular interview with the false Lieutenan
Eallon.
II told him to speak to you, Mark" she said
''but my heart has been on fire ever since
What if he should have known my mother z"
HE looked like death when he first saw you
face, Gay" said Mark thoughtfully. 1T wa
as if he had seen ghost"
t Gay started, and exclaimed
From the moment behed the man shran
a from him. had an instructive fear aad abhor
renee Of him. Oh, Mark dear Mark, don't lie
e him know any more about me than he know
now ?"
, II will not, Gay, said Mark soothingly. II
he is your father, he shall not know that you ar
n his daughter"
The promise comforted Gay, who smile
family through the gloom that had fallen upo
E. her.
: As some young people came toward the He
, bers. Mark arose abruptly, and went to loo
e after his oxen.
Gay was about to join Mark, when tie falls
Lieutenant Fdllon approached him, Offering hi
h a cigar.
Il Zine evening, Mr. Hebsr," said the disguise
Blue Jack courteously What You don
i smoke ! Smoking is vice. L wish cou
y break myself of it. Your sister is lovely chit
or girl, should say. She must be fifteen yeal
Ii old Is sho not -
t, "She is but child yet lieutonant-only fou
Z teen-yet she is moro womanly than many CIR
of eighteen"
r, "Only fourteen" said the pretended lieutenal
is musngly. IL had fancy that she was ii
i. teen. 1 know child once-perhaps she's deG
L now-but II she were living she would be fiftee