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

THE DANE AT LTNpY'S.

CHATTER III.
THE DANE AT LUNpYS.
The Struggling tents and cabins Of the
boomers camp on Cuttontail creek We're
partially deserted. Some Of the elderly
people still sat 10y the smoldering fires.
The usual chorus of dogs and coyotes sa-
luted the stars. and about the feeding
grounds were heard the nightly crunch
ing and stamping Of pickcted mules and
horses.
But at Lun:y's. farther down the
creek. sounds of lncriilncit We're abroad
upon the night air. In one cabin was
an imprOvi,cd bar. consisting of two bar
rvls on end and Il broad plank laid there
on. with rough shelf behind. quite
loaded with black bottles and kcg or
twoof the omnilrcscnt lager beer. Over
this affair presided II lean. mottled faced
man. slrcwl and quiet of manner. vet
ever alive to the free circulation of coin
AMI handy ~ landy-with the re-
volver. This was old Lundy, busy enough
just now handling out the drinks and
swabbing up the slops. He was keen of
eye dexterous of hand and discreet Of
tongue. Behind him. in full view, re-
posed pile Of loose silver change and a
handsome Smith & Wesson-one of the
latest self cooking affairs-as if careless
ly thrown there by chance.
In a larger cabin nearby two sets Of
dancers were gyrating noisily, two fid-
dlers industriously saving. and a swarm
of expectant forms and faces watching
the "giddy whirl' from every available
chink and opening. A motley crowd of
less eager, yet not less joyous jewellers,
were gathered about several roaring fires
under the trees outside. They were
cracking elephantine jokes, spinning
yarns and otherwise indulging in a loose
horse play of frontier wit and laughter
There was thin sprinkling of petticoats
here and there, together with n plenti-
tude of breaches and boots everywhere.
A few blue uniforms from the post de-
noted that these arcadian gayeties were
not Of too plebian a flavor for certain
pleasure loving sons of Mars, whose BAN
ishment from more select revels had
doubtless iberalized their tastes. Per-
haps they were also there to preserve
order-who knows?
| wherever the boomers congregate
there are the soldiers Also" was quite a
current apothegm of the time and place,
and doubtless there were cogent reasons
for the same.
Ladies being at a premium. the fair
ones who danced were kept in as con-
slant exercise as their endurance or good
nature permitted. None was more &C
lively or congenially occupied than Ari-
zony, who. as Burl Yates airily expressed
1t, took to the light fantastic as natu-
rally as pig to puddle in the road"
Burl himself, as he averred, twas no
SLOUGH at turnin his partner in the most
approved western style. Having, how
ever, been on the floor for three consecu-
tive sets, he naturally felt rather dry"
as he handed Arizony to seat against
the wall after an extremely active reel,
during which the skirts and ankles OF
that attractive young boomeress fairly
twinkled in the abandon of her light and
supple movements.
That dancing was keen enjoyment to
her wss very evident. Lieutenant Stir
ling, watching her from the doorway,
noticed that even during the pauses in
the set her feet and lithely swaying fig
ure still gently kept time to the swing of
the music. Once when Burl-revolving
heavily-veered somewhat out of his
usual orbit, she turned herself with an
imaginary partner in the most bewitch-
ing manner.
II wish you wouldn't drink so often,
Burl." she whispered as that fatigued
giant announced his intentional absence
"for about 81 minutes"
Better let me fetch you a small sized
stiffener," was that gentleman's inele-
CANT reply.
mot much you won't. I've had two
beers. and that's enough for any lady to
carry. But if you will go-touch it
light, old man. Or won't dance another
set with you this night"
| "You make me dizzy, child" returned
Yates. not much alarmed by this threat.
As he turned away he brushed square
| ly against the lieutenant at the door. He
scowled at the latter's shoulder straps,
apologized clumsily and disappeared.
Philip had been grumbling to himself
at the fate which had placed him in
charge Of the score of troopers detailed
by the commandant to maintain order
at Lundy's upon this occasion. Arizony,
the only girl he at all cared to talk to,
had been 80 surrounded by big booted
and flannel shirted admirers as to move
him with disgust. Especially did he
dislike the air of domineering fondness
with which Yates continued to monopo-
lie her hand and attention. Arizony's
choice of fellow" was far from i'm
maculate, yet what else but low tastes
were to be expected in a creature 80
wild and unconventional? Her sur
roundings were simply barbarous from
Q West Point standpoint.
| Her methods of fascination smackedo Of
the lawlessness and irregularity of that
border life of which she was herself SO
perplexing an outcome. Now, however,
she was for a moment free. Stirling
fancied just then that she looked wearied
and anxious. She might even be some
what bored, though of that he was not so
sure. He hesitated, now the opportuni-
ty had arrived, as to whether it was re-
ally worth while for him to doff his Off
cial reserve and speak to her. Then he
saw another numbering idiot crushing
his way toward the girl. This decided
him Of course. An instant later he was
before her, cap in hand for the moment,
while the other man, with a snort of dis
gust, took himself elsewhere-probably
to the bar-for consolation.
Nov, you'll want me to Dance" said
Arizony. holding up cheap, flaming red
paper fan in . coquettishly protesting
way, though her face had at once bright
ened; "but-Id better not. / think I'd
rather sniff little fresh air outside"
She rose and thrust her hand through
his arm as nonchslently as if he had al
ready offered it, and before he fairly re-
allied what he was doing they were slow
ly walking under the magnolias and cy-
presses just beyond the frelight's broad
er CLEANS. The night air famed them
refreshingly, a million stars peered
through the branches overhead, while
sounds Of revelry growing riotous were
filtered by distance into an entertaining
murmur that mingled pleasingly with q
nearer stamping Of hoofs and crunching
Of feed.
"You seem to be quite belle" said
Philip at length. feeling that his cue was
to maintain fatherly platonic and prop
er demeanor toward this little untamed
beauty of the plains.