Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-11-02

Monee. out on the northern prairie, he
knew that comrades were securing the
face OF the earth in search Of their miss
ing brother. Up the stream, somewhere
behind them, the Cheyennes were pa
tiently trailing the hoof tracks as long
as light should last; he knew that search
must bs at an end by this time, and that
some o. their number, at least, would be
riding down to join his men. Whoever
found the sergeant was to fire three 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 tie darkness of the night vet
nearer and nearer those twinkling lights
ahead
Already he could distinguish those in
the main building. the homestead, from
those more distant still, in the store
rooms and Office Far over among the
stables and corrals he heard the deep
baying IF hounds, and he wondered if it
was to he his luck TO encounter any en-
terprisng 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 lie wonder Il a ranch that sur
rounded itself with fifty miles of barbed
wire fencing were not further environed
by a pack of watch dogs of the most APP
proved and belligerent breed. Once
having passed the distant barrier of that
gate OF the Monee, however. his way
was unimpeded, and, to all appearance.
utterly unmarked; he had arrived with
in fifty Yards of the foremost building,
the omestead, before he was brought to
halt Then he stopped short, sur
prised, half credulous. and all attention,
listenirg to the concord of sweet
sounds" that came floating from the
open easement somewhere along the east
front of the big, gloomy house.
Zone part of the story verified. by
Jove! It's a piano-and well played,
| too"
Full minute he stood there listening
| Perry was a dancer, whose nimble feet
moved )lithely to any measured, rhyth-
mical Strains, and n soldier whose soul
was stirred by martial music, but with
| Chopin and Mendelssohn, Bach and
Rubeustein he had but slight acquaint-
ance That any one should be playing
| piano here on the borders of the Llano
| EstacadO was in itself sufficient cause
for won lerment; that the invisible per-
former vas plaving-and playing with
| exquisite taste and feeling-one of the
| loveliest OF the "Lieder ohne Worte."
| the Spring Song" was fact that con-
veyed M added establishment to his soul;
he never knew it until one sweet night
long after.
Howe ger, matters more pressing than
music demanded Mr.. Perry's attention
just hera He had reached Dunraven,
after al. Neither dog nor man had
challenged. Once within those barbed
and froy'ning barriers, all the encircling
objects spoke of security and rest. Far
away towards the corrals he heard the
sound OF voices in jolly conversation; a
rich, melodious laugh rang out on the
cool evening air; he heard some one
shouting genial good night to somebody
else, and then the slam of a distant door.
Presently a light popped out from a
window in what he believed to be a
storehou 20, and all was still again. Even
the 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 the wall before him where he
knew the main doorway must be. 1t
was his Intention to knock or ring. Up
stairs din lights were shining through
the oper 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 a knob or knocker, but
nothing Of the kind was there; neither
was there such a thing on either door
post. Just as he decided to hammer
with his clinched fist the piano began
again.
He waited for a pause, but none came
This time the music was vehement and
spirited, and no banging of his on oaker
doorway would be audible against sucI
rivalry. Uncertain what to do, he con
cluded to reconnoiter the eastern front
A few steps brought him to the corner
and there lay the veranda before him
bathed at its farther end in a food oi
light that streamed from one opened
venetian window, and through this cur
tanned ap srture poured the grand tonei
of the melody. That fellow can rattl,
more music out of piano than any mar
| ever heard" muttered Mr.. Perry &c
himself, as he strobe down the wooder
gallery. Wonder if it's that boss COW
puncher met this morning" Another
moment and he stood at the open win
dow, rooted to the spot, and with hi:
frank blue eyes fairly starting from theil
sockets in amazement at the sight thai
met them all unprepared.
| Across 6 spacious room, hung with ricl
curtains, carpeted with costly rugs o.
| Oriental make, furnished with many ,
coy chair and couch, and tables covered
with dainty bric-a-brac, and shelves witt
tempting books, lighted by several larg
and beautiful astral lamps, some will
colored hades of crimson and gold ant
delicate tint Of blue, there stood close L
the oppos lite wall large piano of th
class known as the grand, rare enough
among the railway towns west of tn
Mississippi states, but utterly unlooket
for here, & weeks long march from tn
nearest Of the Texan railways. That il
itself were sufficient cause for much sur
prise, notwithstanding the measure O
preparation he had had in Mrs Law
rence's remarks
The sight that well nigh took hi
breath away was something far NOR
than the interior of a luxurious an,
beautifully appointed room. Nothin,
that had been said OF limited prepare,
him in the faintest degree for the appa
rition facing him, seated at the piano, O
perform er utterly unlike the "coy
puncher" whom he had met in the morn
ing. The fellow" now bending over tn
key board was young. exquisitely fai
and graceful woman. Even as he stoo
there in The full glare of the parlo
lights, shs lifted up pair of soft
shaded, luItrous eyes and saw him.
The music stopped with sudden shock
. Tannhauser was undone. The firm
white, shspely hands fell nerveless i
I her lap; 3 pallor as of faintness she
I over the Wild eyed face, only to be in
, stantly silC capded nv "a ttsh tbat rt,rga