Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-12-07
COPYRIGHTED 1890. 4

trouble him any more tonight.
Next day Blaine sat out in the Gun ana
told his story.
:Who was it struck you. and what
was the weapon usec? Here doctor,
shouted the auestiorer, "come aud give
US your opinion
The doctor examined the circular
wound carefully, and then glanced at
the ring of faces with look Drim full OK
| Importance.
''He has discovered something. you
may judge from that vacant stare which
he fondly hopes is fruitful of profound
meaning,' observed fiippant lieuten-
ant. He's swelling visib!y.'
~ find - said the doctor, solemply,
"a confused wound with q circular
abrasion OF the skin, caused evidently
| by some blunt weapon used with great
! force. -
'swhat pompous old fellow he is.
| Why doctor, that's as plain as flag
staff. Tell us something we don t
| know?''
''Well boys, the weapon was a revolt
yer, used with the butt end, but OBJ
serve, it was not a military weapon.
| Explain!
"Why, you see the wound is perfectly
| round, without dent. II was accord
| ingly produced by smooth surface.
| Now the butts Of the regular revolvers
are furnished with rings for straps.
| "By joye, the doctor is right for once.
| The weapon used must have been one of
| Yankee make. By the way, l believe
| Duistun carries the identical weapon.
| The speaker, Il young lieutenant, could
| have bitten mis- tongue of for the maia-
| droit remark. for glancinS up he met the
| gloomy eyes of the very man fixed on
| him.
| "What is that?'' the newcomer asked.
'Oh, Blaine, l heard of your arrival.
IN heartily glad TO see you again. -
| He took Blaine's hard in his strong
grasp and shook it warmly.
NOW, sir, what about my weapOns!'
| he asked, with q vicious glance at the
officer who had spoken.
at was mere slip of the tongue.
| The doctor says the weapon which pro-
duced thai wound on Blnine's head was
q smooth butted revolver, an L remem-
bereG that you carried a weapon Of that
kind. need scarcely say, he added,
",hat meant nothing
Dalston ked ut the speaker st eadIly
without 81 muscle moving. then said in
| his hare; tones with IA slightly bitter ac-
cent. tc, you were TIRHt. Hhu outu
! weapon, but unfortunately 1 lost II
yesterday In ths scrinmsge.'
A flush OF shame came 10 the brow OF
the garruous lieutenant as he recalled
the incident which caused Dalston TO
lose his revolver.
al beg your pardOn,'' he said impul-
| siveiv, "that was a galIau, action of
yours In saving Rsth.'
"Thauks, he said coidly. SIT
might have occurred to some of You TO
examine Rowe's revolver.
Immediately someone ran off, and
presently returned with long-bsrrelled
weapon. The butt was smooth and ex-
sctly fitted the bruise.
"Where il Rowe himself? Let US have
the villain up.
"He has escaped, " said Blame.
"Impossible, - said the doctor ''why,
l saw him last night and he appeared 10
be the only man who was not excited
about our gallant encounter With o
shadow
"Auyhow met him beyond the pick
cts last night and he told me he was de-
sertins. -
THE devil he did - remarked one.
"Had we not better pursue him? Which
direction did he take2''
"Why didn't You capture him,
Blaine?''
:You mean,' replied Blaine dryly,
'why did he not capture me. If, as you
think. he gave me this blow with the OBJ
ject of numbering me. why did he not
finish his work last night. when he was
armed and / was not, and when, II he
had shot me. no one could have said that
l had not fallen 20 the volley tired from
the square.
.If Rowe did not strike you, who
did, demanded Dalstop, suspiciousiy.
81 wish could tell you, Capt. Dali
ston. Ii was not a Zulu, for the man
who struck me wore heavy boots.
"Of course 1t was Rowe" said the
man who had first drawn attention to
Daiston's pistol, "whst do you think,
Dalston?''
decidedly. 'he did not finish his work
last night because his game had been ex-
posed and he had no object IN commit
ting murder.
THAT settles it. Let US saddle and
spur. What direction did he take,
BlGine?''
Towards Kopje Alleen.''
al will go with you,' sail Dslston,
promptly.
CHAPTER XXIII-MARY.
Capt. Da!ston placed himself ut the
head of the party more with the object of
seeing Miss Rath than of capturing
Rowe, but when lie reached Kopje Alleeu
he showed strange reluctance about
approaching the homestead.
Big and bold AS he was, he yet mis-
trusted himself and was afraid to face
Mary, lest he should not acquit himself
properly. Upon this point he dwelt with
morbid intensity since he had so
coarsely lusulted her, melted thereto by
his experience with class of women who
had rather encouraged that kind of
rough address.
In contrast to those IN whose company
he had coarsely joked and deeply drunk
this farmers daughter was Of another
mould. 1t was well for him he could
recognize the difference. and il would be
well for him If his dark and stormy ma
sure were to be irradiated by her love.
Mary came 10 the door at the sound of
'hoofs, and ran up to the black charger,
with a wonderful look of gratitude in her
deep eyes, aud trembling about the
lips.