The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-10-08
Tragedy of the Plains.
1eyenne Letter in New York Mail.

Cheyenne Letter in New York Mail.
The writer met on the streets OF
Cheyenne few days ago an old friend,
last seen on the southern cattle trail.
Old times We're talked over. Ou,
friend still followed the Texas long.
horns, and many scenes OF past DAYS
were recalled and many trail adven.
lures recounted. In the course OF the
talk Red River crossing was mention.
ed, and our friend said he must tell
of q romantic tragedy marking the
crossing OF the stream by the herd he
was with this season. In the outfit,
starting to gather tho cattle for the
trail in the early spring, was young
fellow about whom hung a mystery
He had been with the outfit since the
fall before, and such was his reserve
that six months had not succeeded
in making him any better known tc
his companions than when he Joined
them. He was slight and delicate, in
appearance togirlishness, yet his duty
was always performed as we'll as that
Of the most stalwart rider. In the
spring, when the activity OF the cattle
gathering began, this young fellow, to
whom the boys had given the sobri
quet OF Lady" became restless. Ar
eager anxiety to see every stranger en-
countered on the range seemed tc
have taken complete possession Of
him. He seemed to know by intui
tion when stranger was about, and
was certain, sooner or later to get
sight OF him. "Lady" carried a good
Winchester habitually, and knew ex
actly how to use it. 1t soon became
a recognized fact in the outfit thatths
young fellow was looking for some one
and the wild cowboys watched eagerly
for the denouement. 1t did not come
until the herd had been gathered and
reached the Red River crossing The
night the outfit camped on the banks
OF the red stream there rode into
camp astranger looking for work. He
was a stalwart, sun-burnt fellow, an
parently about thirty years OF age
AS the foreman arose from his supper
to meet the newcomer there came the
rapid beat OF hoofs. A horse
dashed UP to the group around the
supper fire, girlish form leaped to the
ground, the freight shone on the bar.
rel OF leveled Winchester as it cover
ed the stranger, and q voice. clear and
stern, was heard: "Make your peace
with your God at once, James Saund
ers. 1t is |, Ella Morrow, who speaks
to you" A spellbound silence endured
for seconds space and then the re.
port rang out and James Saunders
pitched headlong from his horse, shot
through the heart by Lady,"
hn l, a
Scarcely had the smoke wreaths float
ed upward when another report cams
and Lady" had taken her own life.
On the person OF the girl, who had SC
long braved the hard life OF the cattle
frontier for the purpose of taking ven,
geance on her false lover, was found
letter. This told in pathetic terms
the story OF her wrongs. Up to her
18th birthday. three years from the
date OF the tragedy, she had lived hap,
py and beloved daughter. amid the
grant hills OF New Hampshire. On the
l1th birthday there came a young
stranger to her home. He was hand
some, accomplished, and winning.
Teaching the winter term OF the dis
trict school, Ella was one OF his pu
P.AH'' 'siiN' hiiO tio'S WIN
which they were thrown developed
love on her part. 1t was the old
story. Then came desertion and the
secret departure of the girl from her
home to avenge her wrongs She
had traced her betrayer to the Texas
frontier, and knew that if she only
had the patience to wait long enough
she must meet him. Her task com
pleted. she no longer had any desire
to live.
Reverently the rough riders, who
had so long known her as comrade,
dug for Lady" q deep grave on the
spot witnessing her vengeance and laid
her therein. The body of the seducer
was carelessly flung in O. shallow hole,
and the next morning two lonely
graves were left on the banks ofRed
River