Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1893-06-30

glance at tne handsome lieutenant
Seems to me-" remarked the latter,
carelessly switching one leg with sprig
of sage brush. "that if there is fellow
in the case, he would be glad to provide
the home himself. They usually Do
"Who-Burl? There! like to have
told you who he is. OF course he would,
but l want land of my own. If l am q
girl. there's no harm in that. and good
claim will soon be worth the dust round
here. Don't you forget that. sonny"
Stirling meekly acknowledged that
land was land. even if owned by q wom-
All. Arizony continued:
well, then, can't you see how hate
the sight Of you soldiersa You'll take me
away, and some lout Of man will jump
my claim. shall be left-we poor girls
usually are-and Burl, my fellow, will
want to whip some of you on sight"
1--WE will endeavor to endure that
peril" returned Stirling. "But mean
while perhaps can serve your interests
in my own way. Your claim is staked,
SUPPOSE"
YES. and four or five more besides.
There's my fellows. and Chickasaw
Johns. and Mich Turmey's, and the
Widow Lincumfeldt's"-
"Oh, they will have to take their
chances. suppose you were here to
watch for all, but that is rather too
large contract for me. But if you your
self will refrain from giving us further
trouble and will do as say perhaps !
can manage to save your claim for you
when the lands are opened. But-there's
no help for it-you must now 20 with
u.s."
go with you'll" Clearly she did not
relish the idea.
Sitting there she toyed with her rifle,
q light 81, with her name Enthusiastically
carved upon the stock. The muzzle, a.
If by accident, was pointed toward him
as it lay upon her knees.
Suppose l 60 with you. then. how am
to know you will keep your promiseY"
you must be content with my simple
assurance, Arizony. The word Of GEL
tleman, you know" and he nodded ami
cably, sending thin stream of smoke
through each nostril as he spoke.
"And what might be your gentleman
ly manner" asked she rather ironically.
Lieutenant Philip Stirling. at your
service" and opening wide his mouth he
expelled a great cloud, then nodded once
more.
But at sound of the name Arizony
leaped to her feet, while the rife fell clat-
tering to the ground. Then she grasped
the soldiers hand and gaxed at him e--s.
ly as if to read in his eyes tho complex
ion of his very soul.
"Are you the officer who took q woman
and two men from some thieving Kio-
was down here on the Cimmaron trail
about three months ago."
Il believe SO. But what of it? They
were not bucks upon the warpath, but
merely some half drunken devils who
had slipped away from the reservation"
Il don't care. That woman was my
own mother, and she said they'd have
been badly used but for you. You had
only four men. and there were II Indians.
My mother was sick. too, and she said
you were very kind and gave her horse
to ride. tell you, leftenant, you're all
solid with Arizony now. She never goes
back on them as is good to her own
mother. Stead of an inimy feel now
like was meeting with an old friend"
well, then, you'll 60 with us now7"
said he. beginning to feel rather bored
as the girl wrung his hand in way the
admirals daughter might hardly have
approved.
"Bet your boots WILL" she returned
gayly. Whenever your ready, sing out.
You're a white man, you are! When shall
we startT
Il thought you would come round, 30
l told my orderly to gather up the men
and go back to the fort. knew you
wouldn't want acrowd of soldiers staring
after you. Wen leave your things-they
won't run off, and guess we might as
well go now. Have you horseY
well, if you amt a daisy, and 10
minutes back could have hated you! A
horse? Yes-rve got Browser. Well
saddle up; then l am with you. my boy"
This volatile young Amazon then
whirled herself off among the cotton
woods, leaving her winchester where it
had fallen. Stirling sat lazily smoking
Presently from the leafy depths he heard
Arizony trilling lifting. rolicking
snatch Of border song. A few words
foated back to her ears:
He jerked his weapon out and swore
He'd run that same fandango.
Three men I've knitted; shot three more:
Just stand one side and hear me roar,
I'm boss Of this whole shebang-ohi
Sing tirrilal. irrilal, irrilal, lu-u-u"-
Stirling shrugged his shoulders as he
threw away the stump of his cigarette.