The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-07-16

idea of ethirty mile driTewith g stranger
but while breakfast WIS IN course OF
preparation a little ineident happened
thu made this difficulty seem a very
small one. The room was in was lighted
by one square window not far from the
ground, and after the postmaster had
left the room l saw three pairs of eyes.
belonging to the rough faces OF some OF
the men had seen on the platform, star
ing fi1edly at me. They disappeared
with great quickuess when they saw
that was aware Of their scrutiny; but
the feeling of being watched was very
unpleasant, and felt that I would not
pass night at Santana OF any account.
DIR. Wybrow appeared relieved when
l told him this, and when he brought up
breakfast introduced man who owned
a wagon, and guaranteed to arrive at
Fort Lincoln before shutdown.
l can see the fellow now, though it is
ten years since that day. A very thin
man, of middle height, dressed in neat.
brown canvas clothes. His hair was
very smooth, parted in the middle and
carried back behind his ears as tightly
as if it were bound with rope. He had
a small, round head, fat nose, brown
eyes, rather dull and expressionless, very
high cheek bones and thick lips. An
ugly man, yet quiet and modest in man.
ner and speech, with soft, well modu-
lated voice, He was inclinedt be bald,
stopped in his gait, and seemed a rather
stupid and altogether insignificant kind
of a person. A ''doctor of medicine, -
he called himself, and added with some
dignity that he was 'friend of Col
Wynnes."
l trusted him. His quiet voice was a
relief after the harsh speech of Mr..
Wybrow, and my one object in life just
then was to get away from those horrible
staring eyes. In less than an hour l was
by his side jolting along the Fort Lincoln
road behind stout team Of mules.
cannot remember now how far we
went before 1 began to feel nervous and
uncomfortable. l know that it was a
long way, for remember congratulating
myself upon having left Santana, be-
NHNoO NCAt Ph4lOLI COAN Liz JIldO Oift
safe postmaster had been murdered by
cowboys week or two ago-and this
was doubtless how my letter miscarried
and that the station was known to be
one of the worst haunts for rowdies in
the county. But the time came at length
when he fell quite silent, and 1 then
found that whenever l turned my head
to view the prairie about Us his eyes
rested upon my face. Oh, how terrible
it was! l edged away from him to the
farthest corner of the seat, and felt more
and more helpless and unnerved every
moment. The suspense did not last long.
When he perceived my fears he boldly
raised his eyes and looked at me with
smile of the most horrible kind. Then
he laughed softly dry, hard laugh. 1
tried to speak ROW, but my throat was
dry and parched, and my tongue seemed
paralyzed. He laughed again, louder,
and, stopping quickly, pulled up the
mules with jerk. l knew what was
coming now, and, before he could touch
me, sprang from the wagon. He fol
lowed me with the swift, silent move
ment of a snake, and as turned TO meet
him, for l could not run, he laughed for
the third time. The sound reused me-
| tried to seize his throat with both hands.
] felt that could kill him for that laugh.
But, oh. the weakness of a woman!
Why are we not as strong as men? He
caught my wrists in his hard, brown
fingers, Ny arms were forced back, pow
erless and helpless, as if held in iron
bands. | screamed now in good earnest
and struggled against him with all my
strength and soul, and all the time felt
his grip grow tighter and tighter. His
muscles were of steel.
Suddenly he relaxed his hold and stood
still, and his flushed face became color
less and hvid, as if | had accomplished
my desire and he was dying. Then he
let me go, starting from me as if l were
some poisonous thing; and, dropping on
his knees, he bent his head TO the ground
and listened. When he rose TO his feet
a moment later he reeled and staggered
like drunken man, looking at me wild
" with the expression of some hunted
beast of prey. l stared at him dunn
founded for moment, feeling very gid
DIV and sick, and then / knew what he
had heard. We were IN a hollow be-
tween two rolls of prairie, and could not
see far on either side. but sound carries
a long way in this country, and even
my unaccustomed ears now caught
low, rumbhng thunder, becoming louder
every instant-the flying hoofs of gallop-
ing horses. 1t came from behind; some
one had followed rs. Whoever It might
be, the wretched man who had betrayed
his trust was likely to get short shrift.
He knew it well, and now threw himself
On his knees at my feet. muttering in
hoarse whisper:
Come back TO the wagon. They'll
murder me in cold blood else, before
your eyes. l swear l was only fooliRg.
had not wrong thought Ia my heart.
Save me, save mel
oathed the creature, for be had not hurt
ne: but l could not go back TO the
wagon. l began To feel very faint and
queer; the sensation of safety, after the
tension a minute ago, was a
severe reaction, and almost too much
for me. The poor wretch saw this, and
his muttered supplioation rose to a bit
.er cry.
They are cowboys; they've heard
your call They'll tear me In pieces if
you drop Dun'tl Oh, nav God! my
Iodr'
set my teeth hard. weuld not yield
% my weakness Bad as bis intentions /
were, could not let HIN be killed. With