Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1889-11-09

who cared to go mounted, buggies and
"buckboards" were TO convey the others,
and il was to be gala occasion. Ante
lope, coyote or jack rabbit-any four
footed game the prairie afforded--was to
be ''coursed" in due state and ceremony;
the ladies "in at the death" were TO be
crowned and subsequently presented
with trophies Of the chase more slightly
than the mask or brush au naturel. The
affair had been gayly talked over that
very evening Of the colonel's dinner, but
the events Of the previous day and the
perplexities of the one just closing had
completely driven 1t all out Of his head.
And yet he was engaged to ride with
Mrs. Belknap, the amazon OF Fort Rossi.
teri And for tho first time In his life
Ned Perry would have been glad Of an
excuse to get away from a gallop with
an accomplished equestrienne.
"You don't mean to say you had for
gotten it?' asked Parke, in amaze.
Don't blow on me, there's good
fellow; but, after all my breaks of yes
terday-gctting an absent from drill
and into row at the ranch--i declare
1t had slipped my memory. No, you go,
Parke; don't deserve to be let of any
thing, after yesterday. You've been
sticking to duty like brick ever since
you joined, and Stryker ought to give
you the preference"
"But you're engaged to ride with Mrs.
Belknap," said Parke.
"Who told you sos"
II heard her say SO. Dana asked IL
he might have the pleasure. just whilo
ago, and she smilingly replied that IL
would have been delightful, but that
you had asked her four days ago. when
IL was first planned"
$50 had; but I've been getting into
scrapes ever since, and oughtn't to CO.
BY Jove! I'll write her note now and
say can't get off. It's true enough. /
wouldn't let such fellow go If COM
manded the troop. I'd make him stay
in and attend roll call a week"
"Well, Mrs. Belknap expects you,"
said Parke, obviously. mot but what
Dana would DO 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 q dive into the sitting
room, towel in hand and shirt sleeves
rolled to the elbows. It read:
Mon AMI-You 60 the Spragues to dine this
evening, and there will be cards. and you will not
be able to get away until very lato. viii you not
come in little while before parade-without faili
There is something greatly want to see you about.
Sincerely, r. +. Il.
Come early as possible after stables
"Thunder and turf!" exclaimed Perry;
"and there goes first call now! Here,
Parke, you're dressed; run over and tell
Mrs. Belknap just this instant read her
note and can't come; I'll get lato as
1t is."
"How can l, MANI" shouted Parke, as
he fed. "Tve got to get into war paint
too. Lucky thing for me" he added, in
lower tone. II 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
in, speed, but even then he was buck
ling his saber belt as the assembly sound
ed, and he had to go straight across to
vhero his troop was forming-a glitter
ing rank Of yellow plumes-and SO could
only give hurried sidelong glance to-
ward Belknap's 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, 50 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.
"Gentlemen," 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 l deem it best you all should
hear. It is a letter from the manager
of Dunraven Ranch. Mr.. Adjutant, you
| read it,"
And, clearing his throat. Mr.. Farm.
ham began:
| 'DuSRAvES 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 to write
as follows: that, while he regrets the boisterous
conduct of some of his employees last evening and
| their assault on Mr.. Perry, he considers tina. in
view of tho 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 &c
the other assault alluded TO, he has no knowledge
| OF IL whatever and can find no man who has
The distinct understanding between Mr. Matt
| land and the former commanding officer at Fort
| Rosslter was that none OF the garrison should
| ever pass within our lines, and we agreed on the
| other hand that none Of our people should ever
trespass on the reservation. Mr.. Maitland holds
that it was the duty OF Col. Brainard's predeces
| sor TO acquaint him with the terms Of this agree
| ment and the residents at Dunraven had nc
| means Of knowing that the invaders of last even
| ing were not the very men whom the proper au
thorties had pledged themselves to restrain from
| such aggression.
"Mr. Maitland bess that Col Brainard will in fu.
turc ratlfy and conform with the agreement for
mally entered into by his predecessor.
| Respectfully, p. EVEN, Manager"
There was moment of puzzled silence.
The colonel looked quizzically around
upon the circle of bronzed and soldierly
faces under the black helmets. Capt.
Stryker's lips were twitching with amuse-
ment behind their black fringe of beard.
! No one spoke at first; but presently a