The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1891-01-01

lufOuSn between the middle wires and
finally stood within the inclosure, read
jnstng his waist belt and holster. Then
he took his revolver from its leathern
case, carefully tried the hammer and
cylinder, saw that each chamber was
loaded, and turned once more to the SER
geant.
"Your pistols all right:"
"All right. sir; fresh loaded when we
started"
81 don't know that they'll be necessary
at all, sergeant; but this is queer place,
from what I've heard and the little I've
seen. Keep your eyes and ears open.
Capt. Stryker and some Of the men may
come down into the valley if they find
no trace Of Gwynne up on the prairie.
Watch for the doctor, too"
Then, through the deepening twilight
he strobe, following the trail that led
southwark up the slopes. Five minutes
brisk walk along the springy turf
brought him to the crest and in view Of
the lights at the ranch buildings, still
some six or seven hundred yards away.
All through the eastern sky the stars were
peeping forth, and even through the
gleam of the twilight in the west two
brilliant planets shone like molten gold.
All was silence and peace on every hand,
and, but for those guiding, glimmering
lights at the south, all would have told
of desolation. Behind him in the valley
waited his faithful men. Far beyond the
Monee, out on the northern prairie, he
knew that comrades were securing the
face of the earth in search of their miss
ing brother. Up the stream, somewhere
behind them, the Cheyennes were pa
tiently trailing the hoof tracks as long
as light should last; he knew that search
must be at an end by this time, and that
some of their number, at least, would be
riding down to join his men. Whoever
found the sergeant was to fire three shots
in air; the signal could be heard a long
way in that intense stiffness, and that
signal was to recall the searching par
ties. Every step brought him deeper
into the darkness of the night. yet
nearer and nearer those twinking lights
ahead.
Already he could distinguish those in
the main building, the homestead, from
those more distant still, in the store
rooms and Office. Far over among the
stables and corrals he heard the deep
oaying of hounds, and he wondered If It
vas to be his luck to encounter any en-
terprising watch dogs. An English bull
terrier would be lively entertainer,
thought he, with instructive motion to-
wards the flap of his holster; and IL
would be q wouder i ranch that sur.
rounded itself with fifty miles of barbed
wire fencing were not further environed
by pack of watch dogs Of the most ap-
proved and belligerent breed. Once
having passed the distant barrier of that
gate on the Monee, however, his way
Sss was gnimRsaaffff frfh be 6aa al Haffleea With
in fifty yards of the foremost building
the homestead, before he was brought te
halt. Then he stopped short, sur
prised, half credulous, and all attention
listening to the concord of swee
sounds" that came floating from tht
open easement somewhere along the cas-
front of the big, gloomy house.
"One part of the story verified, b,
Jove! It's piano-and well played
too."
Full a minute he stood there listening
Perry was dancer, whose nimble fee
moved blithely to any measured, rhyth
mical strains, and soldier whose sou
was stirred by martial music, but wit
| Chopin and Mendelssohn, Bach an
Rubenstein he had but slight acquaint
ance. That any one should be playin
a piano here on the borders of the Liam
Estacado was in itself sufficient caus
for wonderment; that the invisible pei
former was playing-and playing wit
exquisite taste and feeling-one of tn
| loveliest of the "Lieder ohne Worte,
the "Spring Song," was fact that cor
veyed no added astonishment to his SOU
he never knew it until one sweet nigf
long after.
However, matters more pressing tina
music demanded Mr.. Perry's attentio
just here. He had reached Dunraver
after all. Neither dog nor man ha
challenged. Once within those barbe
and frowning barriers, all the encirclin
objects spoke Of security and rest. FL
away towards the corrals he heard th
sound of voices in jolly conversation;
rich, melodious laugh rang out on tt
cool evening air; he heard some OF
shouting genial good night to somebod
else, and then the slam of distant doc
Presently light popped out from
window in what he believed to be
storehouse, and all was still again. Evs
the piano had ceased. Now was h
time, thought Perry; and so, bold
, mounting the steps, he stood upon
dark portico and strobe to the blat
shadow in the wall before him where
knew the main doorway must be.
was his intention to knock or ring. [
stairs dim lights were shining throut
the open windows, but on this front
the ground floor all was darkness. E
: gauntleted hand felt all the face Of t
:. door in search of knob or knocker, b
nothing of the kind was there; Meth
was there such a thing on either do
post. Just as he decided to hamm
with his clinched fist the piano beg
: again.
He waited for pause, but none can
This time the music was vehement a
spirited, and no banging of his on oak
!, doorway would be audible against su
d rivalry. Uncertain what to do, he ct
e cluded to reconnoiter the eastern fro
A few steps brought him to the corn
and there lay the veranda before hi
bathed at its farther end in food
+ light that streamed from one open
venetian window, and through this G
!, tanned aperture poured the grand tol
of the melody. "That fellow can raj
more music out of piano than any m
e I ever heard" muttered MI. Perry
IS himself, as he strobe down the woot
, gallery. wonder if it's that boss c
e puncher met this morning" Anotl
,, moment and he stood at the open "
:, dow, rooted to the spot, and with
g frank blue eyes fairly starting from th
e sockets in amazement at the sight t
II met them, all unprepared.
Across aspacious room, hung with T
/ curtains, carpeted with costly rugs
L.