Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-10-13

In whose overwhelming presence all
thought of promiscuous combat seemed
to leave the ranchmen. They slipped
away In the darkness. leaving to their
employers the embarrassment of ac-
counting for their attack.
Leary was still Tuning with wrath and
raging for further battle and shouting
into the darkness fierce invective az the
vanished head of his opponent. BE
turned on the overseer himself, and bus
for Perry's stern and sudden prohibition
would have had round with him. but
was forced 10 content himself with the
information conveyed TO all within hear
ing that he'd fight any tin min" the
ranch contained if they'd only come out
where the. lieutenant couldn't stop him
The troopers were making eager inquiry
Rs to the cause of all the trouble. and,
fearing further difficulty, Perry pronlp.-
" ordered the entire party to "fall in"
Silence and discipline were restored Ii a
moment, and as the platoon formed rank
he inquired Of sergeant how they came
TO be there. The reply was that it had
grown so dark on the prairie that further
search seemed useless, Capt. Stryker and
most of the men had been drawn off by
signals from the Cheyennes up the val
ley towards the post. and these men who
had been beyond Dunraven on the north
ern prairie We're coming back along the
Monee trail whes they saw the lights
and heard voices over at the lower shore.
There they found Leary, who was excit-
ed about something, and before they hao
time TO ask ne suddenly shouted, They're
KILN the lieutenant. Come on. boys."
and galloped off with his own party; 50
they followed. Perry quietly ordered
them to leave corporal and four men
with him, and told the senior sergeant
to march the others back TO the post, he
would follow in five minutes. Then he
turned to the manager.
You will have TO put up with my
keeping some of my men with me, in
view of all the circumstances" he said,
coldly.. But after this exhibition of
lawlesSness on the part of your people /
do not propose to take any chances.
want to say to you that it is my belief
that some of those ruffians YOU employ
can tell what has become of our missing
man. and that YOU will do well to inves-
tigate tonight As TO you. Sir. Matt
land he said, turning to the old gentle
man, who had sunk into low easy
chair, much as i regret having dis
tIlrbed your privacy and-that of the
ladies of your household, you will adj
init now that justice TO my men and To
the service demands that should report
my suspicious and my reception here to
the commanding officer at Fort Rossi-
ter"
There was no reply.
Il wish you good night, sir" said
Perry; but his eyes wandered in TO the
lighted parlor in search of very differ
ent face and form-and still there was
no answer.
The manager came back upon the pi-
azza and stepped rapidly towards them.
Perry quickly dismounted and bent
down over the crouching figure.
''Why, here!' he suddenly exclaimed,
''your employer is faint, or-something's
gone wrong"
Hush was the low spoken. hurried
answer of the Englishman. Just bear
a hand, will you, and help me to lift
him to yonder sofa?'
Easily, between them, they bore the
slight. attenuated form of the old man
into the lighted parlor A deathly pallor
had settled on his face. His ewes were
closed, and he seemed fallen into q deep
swoon. Perry would have set cushion
under his head as they laid him down on
broad, easy couch. but the manager
jerked it away, lowering the gray hairs
TO the very level of the back, so that the
mouth gaped wide and looked like death
itself.
Just steady his head in that position
one minute. like a good fellow. III be
back in twinkling." said the manager,
as he darted from the room and leaped
hurriedly up the hall stairway.
Perry heard him rap at distant door,
apparently at the southwest angle Of the
big house. Then his voice was calling:
Mrs. Cowan, Mrs. Co.an. would you
have the goodness to come down quick:
the masters i'll. ="
Then, before any answer could he
given, another door opened aloft and
trailing skirts and light foot falls came
flashing down the stairway. Almost be
fore he could turn 70 greet her. she was
in the room again. and with quick, inn
pulsive movement had thrown herself
on her knees by his side.
''Oh. papa, dear father' i was afraid
of this. Let me take his head on nv
arm. so" she hurriedly murmured; land
would you step in the other room and
fetch me little brandy? IT'S there on
the sideboard."
Perry sprang TO do her bidding. found
a heavy decanter on the great oaken
buffet. half filled glass, and brought it
with some water back to the lounge.
She stretched forth her hand. and,
him with a grateful look from
her sweet, anxious eyes, took the liquor
and carried it carefully 10 her fathers
ashen lips.
Can / not help you in some way? i
there TO one can CALI asked the young
soldier. as he bent over her.
Mr.. Even has gone FOR her-our old
nurse. l mean. She DOES not seem u be
in her room. and fear she has gone over
to her son's-a young fellow at the store
house. Dir. Even has followed By this
time
She dipped her slender white finger.
in the water and sprinkled the forehead
and eveii1s II the prostate man. 4
A l. L a j 4