Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-12-07
CHAPTER xxI1.-RowR's PISTOL

ohu dit1osl speecuitss.
''Be gosh - was ell he had TO say.
'Have you all grown daft. saiu
Blaine Irritably. after lengthy pause.
1.-The whole coldmn praotises with ball
cartridges at midnight. Cad, L never
spent such bad quarter of an hour. -
:wal,' exclaimed Rowe, with
smile Us the grim humor OF the thing
struck him. al s'pose il does seem 10
you rayther strange to receive SIGH
warm welcome back, but tell you Capt.
they'll he right glad to see you. You
were given up as dead. Thunder, amt
glad you we turned up.
''I think l know you, are you not
Rowe of Inv troop? take me to our lines,
I'm tired out and in want of food. y
81 dursn Z. Captain.
why not, If command you.
"Captain, they say ] struck you down
that night Of the patrol, and l IN mnk-
ing tracks.
~ do not understand, - Blaine
answered YEARLY, ''what object could
you have for getting rid of me. l have
done you no injury.
"Ah, that's 1t. There was motive,
Capt Blaine, and that gave color to the
charge against me. l must tell you all
now for IL not go back into camp TO be
charged with attempt ut escape, mutiny
and the devil kuows wnnt else. Come
into the donga here and II tell you all
IF lose the chance of $1,000.
Rowe pointed 10 tho donga. but the
Other drew hack with a growing suspl-
cion against the man before him.
"How do know Won would not mur-
der me IL followed you. You say you
are a deserter; | ought 10 raise the alarm
at once.
"Rere, sir - replied Rowe, calmly.
''take my rifle. Now follow, aud after
You have heard what have 20 tell do
what you like with me. He moved of
aud the young officer followed without
another word
Now, Capt. Blaine,' continued
Rowe when they hrd reached the shelter
of a duneG, '.yOu asked me what motive
l had for getting rid of you. You stood
betwixt me ana fortune, or the begin
niugs of ii pile. The story's in nu.-
shell Under the Will Of Mr.. Nicholson
you are entitled to Gas 900 and rancho
N Texas worth with stock about $50, 900,
on condition that you marry Niss Kate
Dalston within two years. failing which,
the property TO go in equal parts TO the
young lady and Capt. DalS,on.
"'Wen, sir, - said Blaine as the other
paused, "that is singular story, but
fail TO see how IL gives you any interes;
in nv death.
81 was sent out 10 prevent you marry
ing the young lady. If l succeeded wac
10 be paid well. That was II motive
strong enough TO make hard man put
you out of the way.
a O. in his
mind. The story had some degree of
probability in 1t, for he knew perfectly
that il had been the wish of his uncle,
Mr.. Nicholson, that he should marry
Miss Dalston, whom he had learned 10
think of as his little sweetheart.
"Someone, Re eaid suspiciously.
s'mus; have known this story II il is
true, else they would not have suspected
you.''
capt. Dalston knew it. - said Rowe,
darby :Aud. sir. you must find your
enemy IN him or me. His motive was
bigger ihan mine by long way
at appears TO me, answered Blaine,
coldly. though the suggestion in Rowe's
words was not unfamiliar TO his mind.
cit appears 10 me that you are not the
man to throw suspicion on others. -
.'You have the drop on me, Captain,
but remember this, have spoken you
fair as man, and expect 10 he judged
fairly by proofs and not by suspicion. /
did not striil" YOU, Capt. Blaine.
The young officer wavered q moment,
Then obeying sudden impulse, he thrust
out his hand. 81 believe you, Rowe.
Come bacl; with me aud l will stand by
you.
.sNo, captain, I've done with the
% tnn
discipline, and mutiny IS an ugly word,
uglier than murder.
"Nousense, man. If Won are not
captured as a deserier YOU will fall into
the hnnds OF the Xulus.
HNot me, by gosh. II I start now III
he al Kopje Alleen at daybreak. -
:Kopje Alleen. What will you do
there2''
"Runno. captain, 'cept look after
that sweet young lady there, who 5 in q
mighty dangerous position, it seems 10
me. -
"Here's your rife Rowe, and good
luck to you. Keep dine north and you III
reach the place all safely. If any danger
threatens Miss Rath, let me know IL
possible.
Rowe smiled. After what tole you,
captain, you Will surely give up thoughts
Of Miss Mary, though | reckon there's
10 other girl can approach her either
for looks or goodness or sand either.
don say n word about that Will,
Rowe. Now hurry on or yoa'll be seen
by Zulu scouts before you get there. -
"Good-bye, captain, and see here. If
YOU want 10 send me message send it
hv Busuro Dick of Cochraue's horse.
Goodbye; IN tell the young lady you
have not forgotten her.
HGod bless her. said Blaine as he
turned away 10 the camp, which he en-
tered safely after some trouble with the
sentries.
In the excitement and chsgrin which
still held sway over the minds of the
thoroughly aroused men his presence was
overlooked, but By and BY Ms brother
officers awakened TO the astonishing fact
that their missing friend had returned.
He was then surrounded by troup OF
eager men, who piled him with questions
until his head reeled.
Here, you laundering dolts,'
shouted red-faced surgeon. shoulder
ing his way in, '.if Blaine has escaped
the stabbing assegai don't kill him with
your id curiosity. Get some brandy
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