Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-04-24


there was some romance attached to it,
and now it is gone"
Perry laughed, his blue eyes twinkling
with fun: 'If will tell you how and
where got that tassel, will you tell me
what you have heard about Dunraven
Ranch"
81 cannot, unless Capt. Lawrence
withdraws his prohibition. Perhaps he
will, though, for think it was only be-
cause he was tired Of hearing all our
conjectures and theories"
"Well, will you tell me if can induce
the captain to say he has no objection?'
persisted Perry.
81 will to-morrow-f you will tell me
about the tassel tonight"
SIS it a positive promise? You will tell
me tomorrow all you have heard about
Dunraven Ranch if will tell you to-
night all 1 know about the tasselT'
''Yes-a promise"
every well, then. You are witness
to the compact, Graham. Now for my
confession. have worn that tassel ever
since our parting ball at Fort Riley.
That is to say, it has been fastened to
that button ever since the ball until to-
night; but I've been mighty careful not
to wear that cap on any kind of duty"
"And yet you let Mrs. Belknap take it
off tonight"
"Why shouldn't 1? There was no
sentiment whatever attached to it.
haven't the faintest idea whose it was,
and only tied it there for the fun of the
thing and to make Graham, here, ask
questions
"Mr Perryy" gasped Mrs. Lawrence.
'And do you mean that Mrs. Belknap
knows-that you told her what you have
just told me?"
"Well, no." laughed Perry. 81 fancy
Mrs. Belknap thinks as you thought
that it was gage d'amour. Halo! look
at that light away out there across the
prairie What can that be?''
Mrs. Lawrence rose suddenly to her
feet and gazed southeastward in the di-
rection in which the young officer point
ed. 1t was lovely, starlit night. A
soft wind was blowing gently from the
south and bearing with it the fragrance
of spring blossoms and far away flower
cts. Others, too, had arisen, attracted
by Perry's sudden exclamation. Mrs.
Belknap turned languidly in her ham,
mock and glanced over her pretty white
shoulder The colonel followed her eyes
with his and gave start of surprise.
The doctor turned slowly and composed
ly and looked silently towards the glis-
tening object, and then upon the officers
of the cavalry there fell sudden aStoniSh-
ment.
What on earth could that have been?'
asked the colonel. 1T cleaned like the
head light Of a locomotive, away down
there in the valley of the Monee, then
suddenly went out
"Be silent n moment and WATCH"
whispered Mrs. Lawrence to Perry.
you will see it again: and-watch the
doctor"
Surely enough, even as they were all
looking about and commenting on the
strange apparition, it suddenly glared
forth Il second time, shining full and lus-
trous as an unclouded planet, yet miles
away beyond and above the fringe of
cottonwoOds that wound sOutheastward
with the little stream. Full half min
ute it shone,. and then, abruptly as be-
fore, was hidden from sight.
Perry was about starting forward to
Join the colonel when little hand was
laid upon his arm.
wait; once more you'll see it," she
whispered. Then take me in to Capt.
Lawrence. Do You see that the doctor
is leaving?
Without saying word to any one, the
post surgeon had very quietly withdrawn
from the group on the veranda. He
could not well leave by the front gate
without attracting attention; but he
strolled leisurely into the hall, took up
a book that lay on the table, and passed
through the group of officers seated
smoking and chatting there, entered the
sitting room on the south side of the
hall-the side opposite the parlor where
the whist game was in progress-and
there he was lost to sight.
A third time the bright light burst
upon the view of the gazers. A third
time, sharply and suddenly, it disap-
silence and watchfulness; but it came no
more.
Perry looked questioningly in his COM
panion's face. She had turned little
white, and he felt sure that she was
shivering.
care you cold:'' he asked her, gently.
'No-not that; but hate mysteries,
1f hot 'ro Io,
seen that light in ever so long. Come
here to the corner one moment" And
she led him around to the other flank of
the big wooden, barrack like residence of
the commanding officer.
''Look up there, she said, pointing to
q dark window under the peaked dormer
roof of the large cottage 10 the south.
''That is the doctors house."
In few seconds faint CLEAN seemed
to creep through the Stats. Then the
Stats themselves were thrown wide open,
a white shade was lowered, and, with
the rays behind it growing brighter ev-
cry instant, n broad white light shone
forth over the roof of the veranda. An
other moment and footsteps were heard
along the doctors porch, footsteps that
presently approached them along the
grass.
Come" she said, plucking at his
sleeve, "come away; it is the doctor"
For what reason:" he answered.
"That would seem like hiding. No, Mrs.
Lawrence, let us stay until he comes"
But the doctor passed them with brief
and courteous salutation; spoke of the
beauty of the night and the balm of the
summary air, and went in again by the
l. Il