The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1890-01-11

$50 had; but I've been getting into
scrapes ever since, and oughtn't to go.
By Jove! I'll write her q note now and
say can't get off. It's true enough. 1
wouldn't let such a fellow go if COM
manded the troop. I'd make him stay
in and attend roll call week."
"Well, Mrs. Belknap expects you,"
said Parke, obviously. "Not but what
Dana would be 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 dive into the sitting
room, towel in hand and shirt sleeves
rolled to the elbows. 1t read:
Mon AMl-You go the Spragues' to dino this
evening" and there will be cards, and you will not
be able to get away until very late Will YOU not
come In little while before parade-without fail!
There Is something greatly want to see you about
Sincerely, FEB
Come early as possible after stables.
Thunder and turf!' exclaimed Perry:
land there goes first call now! Here
Parke, you're dressed; run over and tell
Mrs. Belknap I just this instant read her
note and can't come; I'll get a late as
it is."
How can I, man?" shouted Parke, as
he fled. GIVE 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
ing speed, but even then he was buck
ling his saber belt as the assembly sound
ed, and he had to go straight across to
where 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 lie had seen at Dun
raven tho 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 n 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 tho 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, SO 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 deem it best you all should
hear. 1t is letter from the manager
of Dunraven Ranch. Mr.. Adjutant, you
read it"
And, clearing his throat, Mr.. Farm
ham began:
| "DUNRAvEN RANCE Friday
"Col. Brainard, -th Cavalry, Fort Rossiter:
DEAR SIR-Mr. Maitland is confined to his bed,
and too i'll to personally reply to your letter of
| this morning, which was duly received ut the
hands of your jutant. lie directs mo 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 the resutS-a broken head on the part of
ono of our people and no apparent damage to
Mr.. Perly-the matter should not pressed. AS to
the other assault alluded to, he has no knowledge
| Of 1t whatever, and can find no man who has,
1.-THE distinct understanding between Mr. Matt
land and the former commanding officer at Fort
Rossiter was that mono of the garrison should
ever pass within our lines, and We agreed on the
| 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 Dunrayen had no
| means of knowing that the invaders of last even.
Ing were not the very men whom the proper au-
| thorities had pledged themselves to restrain from
such aggression.
"n1r. mainland begs that Col Brainard will in fu-
ture ratify 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
deep voiced troop commander gave vent
to his emotions:
"What bombastic old crank! Who
is hep
can Englishman-the owner of the
biggest ranch in this part of Texas" an
swered the colonel. "Capt. Belknap,
| Capt. Lawrence, have you any knowl-
| edge of the agreement of which he
speaks?"
Nothing beyond the vague talk we
heard. DR.. Quin would be more apt to
know what Col. Stratton agreed to than
we would" answered Belknap.
~ will ask the doctor this evening.
Meantime, knowing no reason why such
a policy of non-intercourse should be OBJ
served, shall not recognize it. What is
more, while you will caution your men
to respect Dunraven bounds as they
would other private property, let them
show no hostility to the ranch people
who may have occasion to visit us. The
man who brought this note tells me he
was threatened and abused by some cav
alrymen near the stables. Mr.. Maitland
processes to have no knowledge of an
other assault, but we have evidence that
Sergt. Gwynne was beaten by three fel-
lows on the Dunraven grounds yesterday.
That matter is yet to be settled. Now
one thing more: Troop and company
commanders will closely watch their
men the next few nights; keep sharp
lookout on the quarters until midnight,
to see that no men slip away; after mid
night the guard must attend lit. There
is an element in the ranks that would be
only too glad to go down to Dunraven
some night and have satisfaction on their
own account for yesterdays affairs.
This must not be permitted. See to it,
| gentlemen. That is all for the present.
Mr.. Perry, will you come with me mo-
ment?"
Perry went. Mrs. Belknap sow him