The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1883-09-28
UP THE FLUE.

been at this frontier post ever since
Captain Boswell was stationed here?
"Yes; we have been here eight
years." she replied, with the rare smile
that glorified her face. Il have passed
through many ordeals here, but really
think that l had an adventure in the
East, before married the Captain,
equal to anything that l have expe-
rienced.'
"Will you relate it, and oblige U.s."
urged Russell.
Mrs. Boswell said Dan, the IRE
pressible youngster of our party,
Jim jerking his thumb toward the
Lieutenant, lis out West here on pur-
pose to spill ink for the NewYork pa
pers. You can become a heroine of ro-
nance, if you will
Thank you," said our little hostess.
81 don mind accepting the honor
Three of US were sitting in an inner
apartment of the small frontier hostel
~. The bar-room was packed with
miners, and we had chosen to have our
supper served by ourselves. as we had
appointed to 60 on to Custer City in
COMPANY.
Mrs. Boswell was much below the
medium size, quick of speech, light of
movement as a bird, and graceful as a
fawn.
1t was in IS she began. 81 had
Just made the acquaintance of Captain
Boswell, he having some business mat
tiers to arrange with father, had called at
our place several times Finally there
caRe a rare day in autumn, and he and
father were closeted the greater part OF
the day, overhauling papers, memoran-
da, deeds and receipts. Nv father at
that time was doing great deal of
business as an attorney.
- At tea-time father said to me: Bless,
You won't mind an evening alone, so
long as Thomas is about. will you?'
Il said no, for although there were
many robberieS being committed in the
neighboring cities, private families in
the suburbs felt no fear. Our house was
q mile from the city proper, and half
mile from neighbors either way.
".We find be continued. that the
Captain has got to hunt up some mora
papers concerning the estate before Ii
can give Barron satisfactory title. We
shall 90 to Judge Whitcomb's office.
and our search may be so successful
that eleven o'clock will find us home
again. Still we NAV be detained longer.
Shan l call and tell your cousin Milly
to come down and spend the night with
you?'
Moves, l contradictorilv an
swered- do as you please; 1 am not
timid in the least, with Thomas about
But Captain Boswell is going to
ieave FIVE thousand dollars here until ne
returns
Does any one know about the
money!"
"'Onlv ourselves
"'Then / am not afraid. Besides.
you are likely to be back before grave
yards yawn and thieves do walk
abroad
Thomas brought the horse round,
and while father spoke to him, l touched
The Captains sleeve:
"Where Is your money left?'
a.. In YOUR fathers desk in the libra
~ Then he looked with tender, in
quiring glance into my face chow the
little woman's cheeks flushed at the
memory. and said: Little girl, if YOU
are in the least afraid. we will not 90
tonight, although it is absolutely nee
essay.
:. l told him, honestly, that | was not
afraid. never had that strata of tim
idity in nv makeup peculiar to wom-
ankind: and so they rode away.
II sang about my work. as 1 put
things in shape around the room, and
viewed the brilliant sunset without fear
or care.
Thomas, our new man-of-all-work,
was very busy puttering about the
grounds, tying up grape-yines and
mulching evergreens. / knew there
was coarse aftermath upon the hill, that
father was anxious to have put on the |
beds, and seeing Thomas 90
up there with his basket. tied scarf |
over my head. took another basket, and
went up 70 help him.
As passed up the hill saw a man |
in the highway speaking to him. l hes |
itated about going on, but the man |
made only moments pause, and then |
went down the hill, and was soon con-
cealed by turn in the highway.
Who was that, Thomas?' l in
guired
Oh. miss. it was q man from the |
mills, saving that my brother has had a |
bad fail on the dam, and is believing |
for me to come and see him. His LEGS |
he broke entirely
80 hat will you do?'
:. i told the man could not come to |
see him to-day-but if l went. miss, l |
would be sure TO be back by eleven of
the clock, if not earlier
You may go. Thomas, if your
brother is hurt so bad. Papa will not be
away long.
40 But, my young lady
"a. Never mind me in such q case as
this | always was very tender-hearted.
You may go, and 1 viii run right back
to the house
He talked few moments more. was
profuse in his thanks for my kindness,
and then started down for the city. l
took up the two baskets, and went sing
ing &c the house.
Il sat an hour by the open window,
enjoying intensely this being alone, and
the quiet beauty of the cool, autumn
evening.
Perhaps you viii wonder at this"
md the dimples played about her pretty
mouth, 80 but little birds were singing
, new song in my heart, and the quiet
et me near the sweet echoes.
''But directly / chided myself for
being rather careless, SIS the road was
and chance straggler