Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1893-07-14
,:.ri. II ,..r.uch worried comm

fffllli||!'z2 -z4:I5Ti s
G-tETF*>
If you put me In that gudrdhouSc, 1t arill
be the 1cuSs for you"
'Id ruther be cotton hoein niger"
said Chickasaw John, that's what I'd
ruther be, than blue backed slave Of
such a government rs ourn. My wife
and mules is a-starvin over at Colonial,
and I'm here. and all for what-for
what, l say! Just for wantin a little
land. And Well have that land yet
spite Of these skulkin soldiers We haint
stole nothin, we haint killed no one, we
hain't even lied, lessen 1t was in calm
you officers gentlemen. Therefore, say
with Yates here, turn us loose or it may
be wuss for you yet"
Il am sorry. men," returned Stirling
mildly. But You knew what the orders
were before you went out. / wish you
had these lands. We are all tired Of
keeping you out, but we don't make the
laws. We have to execute them, how
ever, or take tho consequences ourselves.
You have repeatedly and willfully vio-
lated them, and the colonel insists on
making an example Of some one. 1t is
three days in the guardhouse for you
both. Take them away, sergeant"
At this moment tall, blond young
lady in a gray riding dress appeared
upon the parade ground from round the
corner of the commandments Office. Yates
was again raising his voice in an angry
reply when his eye fell upon her face.
He came as near changing color as a
sunburned plainsman can. His loud
words seemed to lose themselves in his
throat. With muttered after curse or
two he turned and followed Chickasaw
John to the guardhouse. both of them
preceded by the sergeant, while two
troopers with drawn sabers brought up
the rear.
Meanwhile Philip, dismissing disagree
able thoughts. joined the young lady,
who seemed to have something urgent
upon her mind.
why, Stella" said he gayly. you
really look animated. Has the giant Of
boredom released you at last? And am
l the happy cause? Yet-no. couldn't
interest you, even III the moon last night,
though it rose out of the prairie like
Venus from the sea. Stay, was it Venus
or Diana now?"
"You ridiculous man" said the ad-
miral's daughter. How could l dote
over the moon when my feet were so
cold? But I've made the most charming
discovery-a perfect Maid Marian, with
soupcon of western slang thrown in,
for local coloring, suppose. She has
made me jealous already, my Philip.
There is your remedy against your rival
of boredom-continue to make me jeal-
Gus. A jealous person is never bored"
Maid Observation-Disclosures is all
this" He looked playfully puzzled.
"You will have to explain further be-
fore put on airs"
There is the sweetest, sauciest, sad
dest chit of girl here, if you will know.
Yes, sweet and saucy, yet she impresses
me somehow as being sad. She wants
to do securing, washing, sewing-work
of any kind. Had heard of my arrival
and thought the chance to secure some
would be better, l suppose. But this is
not the worst, sir. She wants to see you
you! Modest little jewel that she is,
however, rather shrinks from appearing
before all these men Of war;"
This looked rather fictitious, seeing that
these two now had the parade to them
selves. But Stella-her gray eyes half
closed. q tiny smile barely emphasizing
the dimples at the corners of her mouth,
her manner at once droll, affectionate
and inquisitive surveyed her lover
archly.
1T must be Arizony," he said, putting
her arm within his own and slowly
walking her off. "She's a good girl,
Stella, yet with q lot of combustible
friends about her who cause US no end
of trouble. Where is she?"
"There-beholdg' said Stella semitrag-
ically a. Arizony herself came in sight
from round the officers quarters. Seeing
Philip, the latter hurried forward.
"Have you locked 'em up, leftenant?"
she began earnestly. IF you have, l
want you to let 'em out. l just heard
they was here and how it was. You
once said you'd do me good turn if you
ever had the chance. Now you've got
the chance. / came over to see Miss
Oberly here, and l saw 'em, and / heard
you was going to lock 'em up, but you
won't keep EN- there? I'll make 'em stay
straight now-indeed / will" d.
Stellas eyes were full Of an amused
surprise. In her earnestness Arizony
had grasped Philips hand as an aid in
softening the official heart. Stirling
hardly knew what to say.
You see they're such old trespassers,"
be urged In defense of his action. "Yes
both of them-ahem! hardly see my
way to releasing either one. Why don't
you give them up, Arizony? You could
get on much better with different asso-
eiates."
Il told you once before that could
hot give up my friends" she returned
somewhat sullenly.
He had not intended at first to re-
monstrate upon this head, nor had she
thought Of being otherwise than humbly
solicitous. But Miss Oberly was kind
hearted, nor had fashionable life dulled
a natural quickness of comprehension so
broad as to be, in her. quite unconven-
tional. She had already OWNED touch
ing incongruity between Arizony and
her local surroundings.
Stay here with me for q few days."
she now said to the girl. Il know al
most nothing of You, but you appear to
be both good and sensible. If Lieuten-
ant Stirling concurs, will give you en-
lloyment here. Meanwhile you will
have time to look about. From what l
have heard Of these boomers l should
think you would DO well to keep away
from them in future"
''She Is So energetic" said Philip
warmly. Wants to be INDEPENDENT
and all that-don' you, Arizony? Why, /
when | first met her she WAS playing
Cru,oe upon Il claim Of her own. 1t real /.
ly distressed me TO have To take her
away. If she will stay. of course shall
be pleased. You ladies can do 50 much
for your sex when you will What say
you, Arizony? Let these men go A lit !
tie discipline will do them good"