The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1890-01-04

DAKOTA, SATURDAY,
for Perry's stern and sudden prohibition
would have had a round with him, but
was forced to content himself with the
information conveyed to all within hear
ing that he'd "fght any tin min" the
ranch contained If they'd only come out
where the lieutenant couldn't stop him.
Tho troopers were making eager inquiry
as to the cause of all the trouble, and,
fearing further difficulty, Perry prompt
ly ordered the entire party to "fall in"
Silence and discipline were restored in
moment, and as the platoon formed rank
he inquired of a sergeant how they came
to be there. The reply was that it had
grown so dark on the prairie that further
search seemed useless, Capt. stryker and
most Of the men had been drawn off by
signals from the Cheyennes up the val
ley towards the post, and these men who
had been beyond Dunraven on tho north
ern prairie were coming back along the
Monee trail when they saw the lights
and heard voices over at the lower shore.
There they found Leary, who was excit-
ed about something, and before they hao
time to ask he suddenly shouted, "They're
KILN the lieutenant. Come on, boys!"
and galloped of with his own party; SO
they followed Perry quietly ordered
them to leave corporal and four men
with him, and told the senior sergeant
to march the others back to the post; he
would follow in five minutes. Then he
turned to the manager
"You will have to put up with nv
keeping some of my men with me, in
view of all the circumstances" he said,
coldly. "But after this exhibition of
lawlessness on the part of your people l
do not propose to take any chances.
want to say to you that it is my belief
that some of those ruffians you employ
can tell what has become of our missing
man, and that you will do we'll to inves-
tigate tonight. AS to you, Mr.. Matt
land, he said turning to the old gentle
man, who had sunk into low easy
chair, "much as regret having dis
turbed your privacy and-that of the
ladies of your household, you will ad-
NIT now that justice to my men and to
the service demands that should report
my suspicious and my reception here to
the commanding officer at Fort Rossi-
ter"
There was no reply.
~ wish you good night, SIR" said
Perry; but his eyes wandered in to the
lighted parlor in search of very differ
ent face and form-and still there was
no answer
Tho manager came back upon the pi-
azza and stepped rapidly towards them
Perry quickly dismounted and bent
down over the crouching figure.
"Why, herep he suddenly exclaimed,
"your employer is faint, or-somethings
gone wrong"
"HushI" was tho low spoken, hurried
answer of the Englishman. "Just bear
a hand, will you, and help mo to lift
him to yonder sofa?'
Easily, between them, they bore the
slight, attenuated form Of the old man
into the lighted parlor. A deathly pallor
had settled on his face. His eyes were
closed, and he seemed fallen into deep
swoon. Perry would have set cushion
under his head as they laid him down on
u broad, easy couch, but the manager
jerked 1t away, lowering the gray hairs
to the very level of the back, so that the
mouth gaped wide and looked like death
itself.
"Just steady his head in that position
one minute, like good fellow. I'll be
back in twinkling," said the manager,
as ho darted from the room and leaped
hurriedly up the hall stairway.
Perry heard him rap at distant door,
apparently at the southwest anglo of the
big house. Then his voice was calling:
"Mrs. Cowanl Mrs. Cowanl would yo,
have the goodness to come down quick:
the masters ILL.,"
Then, before any answer could he
| given, another door opened aloft and
trailing skirts and light foot falls came
flashing down the stairway. Almost be-
fore he could turn to greet her, she was
in the room again, and with quick, i'm
| pulsive movement had thrown herself
on her knees by his side.
"Oh, papa! dear father! I was afraid
of this! Let me take his head on my
arm, So" she hurriedly murmured; "and
would you step in the other room and
fetch me little brandy 'Tis there on
the sideboard."
Perry sprang to do her bidding, found
a heavy decanter on tho great oaken
buffet, half filled glass, and brought it
with some water back to the lounge.
She stretched forth her hand, and,
thanking him with a grateful look from
her sweet, anxious eyes, took the liquor
and carried it carefully to her fathers
ashen lips.
"Can not help you in some way? Is
there no one can call?' asked the young
soldier, as he bent over her.
"Mr. Even has gone for her-our old
nurse, mean. She does not seem to be
in her room, and fear she has gone over
to her son's-a young fellow at the store
house. Mr.. Even has followed by this
time"
She dipped her slender white fingers
in the water and sprinkled the forehead
and eyclids of the prostrate man. A
feeble moan, followed by deep drawn
sigh, was the only response. More brandy
poured into the gaping mouth seemed
only to strangle and distress him. No
sign of returning consciousness rewarded
her effort.
eff Mrs. Cowan would only comet
She has never failed us before; and We
so lean upon her at such time"
"Pray tell me which way to go. Sure
ly can find her." urged Perry.
Mr.. Even must be searching for her
now, or he would have returned by this
time; and dread being alone. 1 have
never been alone with my father when
he has had such q seizure"
Perry threw himself on his knees be-
side her, marveling at the odd fate that
had SO suddenly altered all the condi-
tions of his unlocked for visit. He seized
| 0na of tho lonu fron,,11o,,c bop1c fl,t