Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-06-12

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 he had seen at Dun
raven the 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 moment as though to
join the group of ladies on the walk,
then return to her slow, graceful lsnguid
promenade up and down her piazza. He
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 the 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 a letter from the manager
of Dunraven Ranch. Mr.. Adjutant, you
read it.
And, clearing his throat. Mr.. Farm
ham began,
"DUNRAvEN RANCH, Friday
Col Brainard, til Cavalry, Fort Rossiter;
DEAR SIR-Mr. Maitland is confined to his bed,
and too Ill TO personally reply TO your letter Of
this morning, which was duly received at the
hands of your adjutant. He directs me 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 reSuits-a broken head on the part Of
one of our people and apparent damage TO
Mr.. Perry the matter should not preset As TO
the other assault alluded to, he has no Il :aigt.
of it whatever. and can find no man who ,S
''The distinct understanding between Mr. Matt
and and the former commanding officer at Fort
RosSiter was that none of the garrison should
ever lass within our lines, and we agreed on the
other hand that none of our people should ever
treSpaSS on the reservation Mr.. Maitland holds
that it was the dnty of Col BrainarIi's predeces
sor TO GcquaiEt him with the terms Ct this agree
meut and the residents at Dunraven had no
means Of knowing that the invaders Of last even
ing were not the very Inen whom the proper au
thorities had pledged themselves to restrain from
such aggression
'1Ir. IIosIand begs that Col Brainard will IN fu-
ture ratify and conform with the agreement for
maIly entered into by his predecessor.
Respectfully, P. EVEN, Manager"
There was a moment of puzzled silence.
The colonel looked quizzically around
Gpon 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 pre- y a
deep voiced troop commander gave vent
to his emotions:
"What a bombastic old crank Who
is he:"
AN 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.
Il 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 fell
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 a sharp
lookout on the quarters until midnight,
to see that no men slip away; after mid
night the guard must attend 1T. 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 saw him
go and believed herself sighted.