Catoctin clarion., 1889-01-17
Continued from LIST page.

fearing a piece OF linen from his hand
j,erchief, he padded the cork and tied
J. securely. I
There" he said to the dsconsolate
mother. I think that will work. once
raised litter of puppies on no better
one.'
The lady, who had smiled rather
hopelessly at this cumbrous device,
anxiously watched the Infants attempt
to manage it. The lieutenant, not
withstanding that the beans were get
ting cold, looked on with almost as
much interest. An expression of con-
tentment gradually stole over the
baby's face. Evidently the bottle met
with its. entire approval. Then the
mother gave the child a quick, delight
ed hug, and with little, low laugh Of
relief, turned her veiled face to the
driver and said, but this time her voice
lrembled: You are so kind How can
| thank you?
But ne only replied with an amused
smile, and :nstinctively, though care
lessly, lifting his hat, he went back to
his supper Of cold pork and BEANS
while the eyes behind the veil followed
him with look of increasing surprise
and curiosity.
The stage. when it left City OF Rocks,
was twenty minutes late. But the
jack.rabbits, which laid back their
ears and scudded at its approach, found
it no mean rival that afternoon.
I'll bet ten dollars he makes up afore
he gits to Sioney Creek, and not turn a
hair! said the station-keeper to him
self. Then, after further contempla-
ton of the fast, receding cloud OF dust,
he added IN a more reckless tone, I'll
bet ten dollars he makes it up afore he
gifts to Dick Dap's ranch, and not turn
hairr As no one accepted either of
these generous propositions he shook
his head and remarked confdentially,
There amt many kin copper the lieu.
tenant now, if you year me ! and, dis
appeared in the gloom of the interior
of the house, City of Rocks was left
once more to the hot silence Of its fan
tastic stones.
-
The sun was setting behind Bald
Butte as the Johnstown stage approach.
ed the five mile grade which led down
to Stoney Greek. The air was growing
cool. The rabbits, looking like sage
bushes in motion, fitted about in the
twilight. A colony of prairie owl,
posting themselves at intervals along
the road, accompany the lntruding We
hicles through their territory, the head
Of the line rising as the stage drew near
and grayc'y lying down to take station
at the foot, until, the danger departed,
they solemnly withdrew. Down the
grade the stage went, with the driver
on the brake and the horses ,rotting
loosely in their harness, until, with a
final Jolt and lurch. they fetch up on
the bank of Stony Creek. The driver
swung himself off the box, and taking
an iron pail out of the boot. proceeded
to water his horses. The elderly pas.
senger emerged from the station with a
tin cup, and scooping up some of the
bright, cold water from the noisy
mountain stream, gallantly took it to
the lady inside. Then, helping HIM
self, he said to the dryer with a laugh F.:
'Ijedge you've been making up time.
Ye herdeJ 'em along pretty lively down
that grade.
The lieutenant nodded his head
The position in which he found himself
had responsibilities that discouraged
sociability. Going to the other side
Of the stage he got out his overcoat
and put it on. 1t was garment made
Of rough, blue cloth, long and volumi.
mons, with a cape that came to the
waist. Quietly slipping his revolver
from its holster, he put it in q narrow
pocket in the lining of the coat. This
pocket, apparently made for the pur-
pose, dispensed with the ostentatious
and cumhrous method of betting the
pistol on outside. These preparations
for the night completed, he mounted to
his place and make the usual warning
inquiry: All set p
If you don t mind, pard,' said the
passenger, 'I'll ride outside for ways
and give the lady a chance to stretch,
Il don't mind said The lieutenant,
and the elderly stranger climbed labor.
iousiy to his ride. The horses hoois
splashed and the stage wheels crushed
their way through the stream, while
tho uater frattna and foan,ed noisilv