Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1889-02-10

Miss Forrest, l know you want TO
see my little girl left Jennie Bruce
with her-Major, you and 1 want a glass
of Madeira and Mrs Miller to bless the
occasion and then we all want some
music, don t we! Come in and well
come
And so, half urging, half pushing, half
leading, the doctor swept his trio of visi-
tors into the parlor Despite her start at
sight of Miller : appearance at the door;
despite his preoccupation and gloom,
which several glasses the DOCTOR good
wine failed TO disSipate, Miss Forrest re-
manned after brief visit TO the invalid
upstairs, and then, saying that she had
promised Nellie, sang 10 them wItchlngly
again and again.
But that night dispatches flashed in
from Fetterman that gave the major an
other turn. The telegraph operator him
self came running mp with the message
Just as the party as the doctor (consid-
erably augmented by this time by new
Corners drawn thither by Miss Forrest :
voice. was breaking up for the
night. Indians had appeared in
great numbers along the North
Platte threatening the road connecting
the two posts, and train had been at
tackled and burned midway between
them Terry and his hard-worked Grays
were ready in an hour to take the trail,
but there were no yonng gallants to ride
forth this time. Hatton indeed offered
his services but was told he could not be
spared. Morning brought tidings that
the war parties were seen only seven
miles away at sunrise and in the presence
of the common foe the major, for the
time being, put aside the matter weigh
ing so heavily on his mind, but not for
moment could he forget her startled face
as he threw open that door. 1t was time
indeed to look the situation squarely
through aud through 1t might be nee
essary to send for Forrest.
Another day brought with it a strong
column of cavalry Fastening ND from the
railway at Cheyenne, and these troops
were to be fully provided with rations
and ammunition before setting forth to-
wards the Black Hills, whittier they were
ordered. 1t was hustle and business for
eve. ybody. The major said no more to
Hatton on the subject of fhe interrupted
interview, but on the second day, as
Mclean was lying languidly in his bed
listening to the sounds of hoofs and heels
without and bemoaning his fate that he
was to be bedridden here when such stir
ring times were ahead, his soldier serY-
ant came noiseiessly to ask the lieuten-
ant 5 permission TO step out a little while
to see some friends in the cavalry. The
attendant was seated in the front room,
so the permission was readily granted.
els there anything the lieutenant
wants, sir, before l go?''
Nothing, except handkerchief.
Give me one of those silk ones in this
corner of the drawer. They are softer. -
The man handed the topmost on tine
pile and went noiselessly away Mclean
shook it open and a card dropped out
npon the coverlet. Surprised, he picked
1t up and slowly read if; perpiexity, and
then symptoms of annoyance showing
plainly in his face Twice-thrice he
read it through. Then slowing it under
his pillow he began to think.
The doctor came in before great while
to renew the dressing on his wound, and
asked him if he had not been talking too
much.
81 haven t been talking at all. Why
do you ask?''
t'Pulse little quicker than it was.
What have you been doing?"
s. Sothing-to speak of What is
there to do but read and think?
you musn 4 get TO fretting because
you can { go ont with every expedition,
Mac. We ali know you d like it, but
you can t have your pie and eat it, You
can t get shot III one fight and expect to
get in to the next. If you I'll keep quiet
here [ think l can put you in saddle
again in Il mOnth-much quicker than |
can poor Blunt-but you must be patient,
especially now that you IL miss HattOn.
He goes out with the train guard to-
night -
Hatton! To-night?' exclaimed the
invalid.
''There You go again, Mae What
bundle of tow you are, to be sure; L
might just as soon touch a match to a
magazine
'Doctor, tell Hatton / want him-must
see him before he goes
''Confound it, man! I told him to
keep away. Why do you want him?
Because l must see him You III
have crazy man on your hands if you
don It. - And Weeks decided it best to
let this headstPong Highlander have his
way
That night, in his field dress and all
ready 10 start Hatton gently came to his
oomrade g bedside
What is it, old MANI" he asked,
q Weeks told me first to slip away with
out saying goed-b ye-I'll only be gone a
week-and then hunted me up and said
you wanted to see me.
Mclean looked out in the front room.
''Send that man away for while, -
he said.
Now for it - ground Hatton between
his teeth. Something new and ne Is got |
hold of it. How in heaven am l to keep |
nay story to myself if he s got wind of |
it?'
Obediently at word from Hatton the
hospital attendant took his cap and |
stepped outside Then Mclean put |
forth his hand and took that of the senior
lieutenant.
Hat, you and I have been good |
friends, haven 4 we?'
Always, Mac.
GIVE something to ask you. Some |
thing | must know You remember the |
night we burned that handkerchief?
II should say so.
siHaye you ever seen-haye you ever |
known of her being III here-or around
here since?''
Hatfon hesitated.
''Tell me, Hat -
81 can t tell you, Mac. There : been /
the devil TO pay. Some ether things
stolen MIiler's got held Of il and-old /
a, Il 1 4