The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1889-12-14

that button ever since the ball until to-
night; but I've been mighty careful not
to wear that cap on any kind of duty"
And yet you let Mrs. Belknap take it
off tonight"
"Why shouldn't I? There was no
sentiment whatever attached to it.
haven't the faintest idea whose it was,
and only tied it there for the fun of the
thing and to make Graham, here, ask
questions"
"Mr. Perry!" gasped Mrs. Lawrence.
"And do you mean that Mrs. Belknap
knows-that you told her what you have
just told me?'
"Well, no." laughed Perry. II fancy
Mrs. Bclknap thinks as you thought
that 1t was gage d'amour. Halo! look
at that light away out there across the
prairie. What can that be?"
Mrs. Lawrence rose suddenly to her
feet and gazed southeastward in the d.
rection In which the young officer point
ed. 1t was lovely, starlit night. A
soft wind was blowing gently from the
south and bearing with 1t tho fragrance
of spring blossoms and far away flower
ets Others, too, had arisen, attracted
by Pcrry's sudden exclamation. Mrs.
Bclknap turned languidly in her ham,
mock and glanced over her pretty white
shoulder The colonel followed her eyes
with his and gave start of surprise.
The doctor turned slowly and composed
ly and looked silently towards tho glis-
tening object, and then upon the officers
OF the cavalry there fell sudden astonish-
ment.
"What on earth could that thave bcen?"
asked the colonel. "It cleaned like tho
head light of locomotive, away down
there in the valley of the Monee, then
suddenly went out"
"Be silent a moment and watch. !"
whispered Mrs. Lawrence to Perry.
"You will SEQ it again; and-watch the
DOCTOR"
Surely enough, even as they were all
looking about and commenting OH the
strange apparition, it suddenly glared
forth asccond time, shining full and lus-
trous as an uncloudcd planet, yet miles
away beyond and above the fringe of
cottonwoods that wound southcastward
with the little stream. Full half a min
ute it shone, and then, abruptly as be-
fore, was hidden from sight.
Perry was about starting forward to
join the colonel when a little hand was
laid upon his arm.
"Wait; once more you'll sec it," she
whispered. "Thcn take mo in to Capt.
Lawrence. Do you SEQ that tho doctor
is lcavingt'
Without saying aword to any one, the
post surgeon had very quietly Withdrawn
from the group on the veranda. lie
could not we'll leave by tho front gat.
without attracting attention; but he
strollcd leisurclX into the hall, took uI
a book that lay on the table, and passed
through tho group of officers seated
smoking and chatting there, entered the
sitting room on the south side of the
hall-thc side opposite the parlor where
the whist game was In progress-and
there he was lost to sight.
a third time the bright light burst
upon the view of the gnzers. a third
time, sharply and suddenly, it disap-
peared. Then for moment all was
silence and watchfulncss; but it came nc
more.
Perry looked =. tationingly in his com.
panion's face. She had turned "a little
white, and he felt sure that she was
shivcring.
care you cold:" he asked her, gently.
"No-not that; but hate mysteries,
after what I've heard, and wo haven't
seen that light in ever SO long. Come
here to the corner ono moment" And
she led him around to the other flank OF
the big wooden, barrack like residence OF
the commanding officer.
"Look up there" she said, pointing te
dark window under the peaked dormel
roof of the large cottage to the south.
'That is the doctors house."
In few seconds faint CLEAN seemed
to creep through the Stats. Then the
Stats themselves were thrown wide open,
white shade was lowered, and, with
the rays behind it growing brighter cv-
cry instant, II broad white light shonc
forth over the roof of the veranda. An
other moment and footsteps were heard
along the doctors porch, footsteps that
presently approached them along the
grass.
Come" she said, plucking at his
sleeve, "comc away; it is the DOCTOR"
''For what reason?' he answered.
"That would seem like hiding. No, Mrs.
Lawrence, let us stay until he comes."
But tho doctor passed them with brief
and courteous salutation; spoke of the
beauty of the night and the balm of the
suminery air, and went in again by tho
main door to the coloncl's quarters.
Then Perry turned to his partner:
"Wcll, Mrs. Lawrence, what does it all
mean: Is this part of what you had to
tell mey'
Don't ask mo now. IL did not want
to see what we have seen, but l had
heard queer stories and could not believe
them. Take me in to Capt. Lawrence,
please. And, Mr.. Perry, you won't speak
Of this to any one, will you? Indeed, if l
had known, would not have come out
here for the world; but l didn't believe
it, even when she went away and took
the children"
"Who went awayy'
"Nlrs. Quin-the doctors wife. And
she was such a sweet woman, and SO de-
voted TO him."
"Well, pardon me, Mrs. Lawrence, l
don't see through this thing at ALL Do
you mean that the doctor has anything
to do with the mystery"
She bowed her head as they turned
back to the house: 81 must not tell you
any more tonight. You will be sure to
hear something of it all, here. Every
body on the piazza saw the lights, and
all who were here before you came knew
what they meant
"What were they:"
Signals, of some kind, from Dunraven
Ranch"
CHAPTER II.