The Florida agriculturist., 1889-12-11
the troop. I'd make him stay


said Parke, obviously. 'sNot but what
Dana would be glad to take your place.
Belknap can't go: he's too bulky to ride,
and she'd leave him miles astern first
run we had, sure.
Suddenly Perry bethought him of the
note, and made dive into the sitting
room, towel in hand and shirt sleeves
rolled to the elbows. 1t read:
Mon AMY go the Spragues' to dine this
evening, and there will be cards. and you will not
be able to get away until very late Will you not
come in little while before parade-wlthout failf
There is something greatly want to see you about
Sincerely, FEB
Come early as possible after stables
Thunder and turf exclaimed Perry;
land there goes first call nOwl Here,
Parke, you're dressed run over and tell
Mrs. Belknap just this instant read her
note and can't come: I'll get a late as
it is.
''How can l, manY" shouted Parke, as
he fed. "Tve got to get into war paint
too. Lucky thing for me. he added, in
lower tone. 81 don't want to be the one
to tell the prettiest woman at Rossiter
that her note that she sent here at noon
wasn't opened until first call for parade"
Perry's dressing was completed at rae
ing speed, but even then he was buck
ling his saber belt as the assembly sound
ed, and he had to go straight across to
where his troop was forming-a glitter
ing rank of yellow plumes-and so could
only give hurried sidelong glance to-
ward Belknaps quarters. There was her
bonnie ladyship pacing up and down the
veranda; and he knew well he would
have to account for his SINS All through
parade his thoughts were divided be-
tween the fair face he had seen at Dun
raven the night before and the dark one
with the long, curving lashes sweeping
those soft. peachy cheeks and half veil
ing those wonderful, liquid, speaking,
side glancing eyes. He saw Mrs. Belk-
nap stroll forth moment as though to
join the group of ladies on the walk,
then return to her slow, graceful languid
promenade up and down her piazza. lie
knew that he must hasten to her the in
slant the rank OF officers dispersed and
make his peace if possible, but as they
marched to the front and saluted the
commanding officer he signaled that he
had something to say to them all, and,
moving away to the edge of the parade
ground, SO that the troops might not be
detained on. the line, he gathered his Off
GERS about him, Silent group under the
little shade trees that bounded the road
way. and took letter from the breast
of his uniform coat.
e.'sGentlemen," said he, this will be
of Importance to some of you, and of
interest to all. 1t explains something
none of us understood, and contains
matter that deem it best you all should
hear. 1t is letter from the manager
of Dunraven Ranch Mr.. Adjutant. you
read it..
And, clearing his throat. Mr.. Farm
ham began
'DUNRAvEN, RANCH, Friday
Col Brainard, -th Cavalry, Fort Rossiter
DEAR SIR-Mr. Maitland is confined to his bed,
and too Ill to personally reply to your letter Of
this morning. which was duly received at the
hands of your adjutant He directs me to write
as follows: that while he regrets the bosterouS
conduct of some of his employees last evening and
their assault Mr. Perry, he considers tha. In
view of the reSultS-a broken head ON the part Of
one of our people and no apparent damage to
Mr.. Perry the matter should not pressed AS to
the other assault alluded TO- he has no knowledge
of it whatever, and can find no man who has
1.-THE distinct understanding between MIR Matt
land and the former commanding officer at Fort
Rossiter that none of the garrison should
ever pass within lines, and we agreed on the
other hand that none of people should ever
trespass on the reservation Mr. Maitland holds
thofi Il OfGN NoI RYsotn ovds