The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1889-12-28
40 trace of Gwynne up on tho prairie.
Anfcln Tor flAn 1l,ntns t.l, ~

SOAeuM dlo UP lilc Slopes. ClNe minutes
brisk walk along tho springy turf
brought him to the crest and in view of
the lights at the ranch buildings, still
some six or seven hundred yards away.
All through the eastern sky the stars were
peepng forth, and even through the
CLEAN of the twilight in the west two
brilliant planets shone like molten gold
All was silence and peace on every hand,
and, but for those guiding, glimmcring
lights at the south, all would have told
of desolation. Behind him in the valley
waited his faithful men. Far beyond the
Monec, out on the northern prairie, ho
knew that comrades were securing the
face of the earth in search of their miss
ing brother. Up the stream, somewhere
behind them, tho Cheycnncs were pa
tiently trailing the hoof tracks as long
as light should last; ho knew that search
must be at an end by this time, and that
some of their number. ut least, would be
riding down to join his men. Whoever
found the sergeant was to fire thrco shots
in air; the signal could be heard long
way in that intense stiffness, and that
signal was to recall the searching par
ties. Every step brought him deeper
into tho darkness of tho night yet
nearer and nearer those twinkling lights
ahead
Already he could distinguish those in
the main building, tho homestead, from
those moro distant still, in tho store
rooms and Office Far over among tho
stables and corrals he heard the deep
baying of hounds, and he wondered if it
was to DO his luck to encounter any en-
terprisins watch dogs. An English bull
terrier would be lively entertainer,
thought he, with instructive motion to-
wards the flap of his holster; and it
would be 4 wouder If ranch that sur
rounded itself with fifty miles of barbed
wire fencing wcro not further cnvironcd
by pack of watch dogs of the most ap-
proved and bcligcrcnt breed. Once
having passed the distant barrier of that
gate on the Monec, however, his way
was unimpcdcd, and, to all appearance.
utterly unmarkcd; ho had arrived with
in fifty yards of the foremost building,
the homestead, before ho was brought to
Il halt Then he stopped short, sur
prlsco, half crcdulous, and all attention,
listening to tho concord of sweet
sounds" that camo floating from the
open easement somewhere along the east
front of the big, gloomy house.
"One part of tho story verified, 10y
Jove! It's n piano-and we'll played,
| too"
Full minute lie stood there listening
Perry was a dancer, who's. nimblo feet
| moved blithcly to any measured, rhyth-
mical strains, and soldier whose soul
was stirred by martial music, but with
Chopin and Mcndclssohn, Bach and
Rubcnstcin ho had but slight acquaint
ancc. That any ono should be playing
piano here on the borders of tho Llano
Estacado was i'm itself sufficient cause
for wondcrnent; that the invisible per-
former was playing-and playing with
exquisite taste and fecling-ono of the
lovclicst Of tho "Licdcr ohne Worte," "
the "Spring Song" was fact that con-
vcyed noadded establishment to his soul;
| he never knew it until ono sweet night
long after.
However, matters moro pressing than
music demanded Mr.. Pcrry's attention
| just hero. He had reached Dunravcn
after all. Neither dog nor man had
challenged. Once within those barbcd
and frownng barriers, all the cncirclins
objects spoke of security and rest. Far
away towards the corrals he heard tho
sound of voices in jolly conversation; a
rich, melodious laugh rang out on tho
cool evening air; he heard some one
shouting genial good night to somebody
else, and then the slam of a distant door
Presently light popped out from Il
window in what he believed to be 4
storcllousc, and all was still again. Even
tho piano had ceased Now was his
time, thought Perry; and SO, boldly
mounting the steps, he stood upon a
dark portico and strobe to the black
shadow in tho wall before him where he
knew the main doorway must be. 1t
was his intention to knock or ring. Up
stairs dim lights were shining through
the open windows, but on this front Of
the ground floor all was darkness His
gauntleted hand felt all the face of the
door IN search of n knob or knocker, but
nothing of the kind was there; neither
was there such n thing on either door
post. Just as he decided to hammer
with his clinched fist tho piano began
| again.
lie waited for pause, but none came.
This time the music was vehement and
spirited, and no banging of his on oakcn
doorway would be audible against such
| rivalry. Uncertain what to do, he con-
cludcd to rcconnotcr the eastern front.
A few steps brought him to the corner,
and there lay tho veranda before him,
bathcd at its farther end in flood OF
light that streamed from ono opened
venetian window, and through this cur
taincd aperture poured the grand tones
Of the melody. "That fellow can rattle
more music out of n piano than any man
l ever heard" muttcrcd Mr.. Perry to
himself, as he strodo down the wooden
gallery. "Wonder if it's that boss COW
puncher met this morning." Another
moment and ho stood at tho open win
dow, rooted to the spot, and with his
frank blue eyes fairly starting from their
sockets i'll anazcmcnt at the sight that
met them, all unprcparc1.
| Across a spacious room, hung with rich
curtains, carpcted with costly rugs of
Oriental make, furnished with many Il
cozy chair and couch, and tables covered
with dainty bric-a- brac, and shelves with
tempting books, lighted by several large
| and beautiful astral lamps, some with
colorcd shades Of crimson and gold and
delicate tint of blue, there stood close to
the opposite wall large piano Of the
class known as the "grand, rare enough
among the railway towns west Of the
Mississippi states, but utterly unlocked
for here, a weeks long march from the
nearest of the Texan railways That in
| itself were sufficient cause for much sur
prise, notwithstanding tho measure Of
| preparation he had had in Mrs. Law
| rcncc's remarks.
TO BE Continued
Dainties Of the Princyal Lana.