The Russellville Democrat., 1893-05-25

by the alleged Ned hIFey ID NJ
morning. Here was the father
coming With guard and relay mules
to meet his children llsf a. tner
morning visitor declared he was
expected to DO. Was it possible,
after all, that the tale was true
that the children uers there at the
Gila, making wide detour around
Cerals o's and taking the northward
route around that Inflated ranchi
If so, what awful tidings had he to
break Stout soldier that he was,
Feeny felt that he was trembling
from head to foot. Up through the
gloom strobe tall figure, fearless
and confident.
There's no Irishman in all the
Morales gang" laughed the coming
man, "and / know a cavalryman's
challenge when | hear it, and so
honor it at once. Where are you,
sentry"
Here; this way" answered
Feeny, standing erect and peering
through the gloom. "I've never
met you, Mr.. Harvey, but-~we all
know you by reputation. Just tell
me your business and how you hap
pen to be riding the desert this time
of night, and then III tell you why
| ask"
81 am expecting my son and
daughters coming up from Yuma.
We were to meet at Moreno's this
evening; but scouting party in the
mountains warned us to hide until
night, so we're late. Have they
reached Moreno'si We must be
close there
you're close enough to Mo-
reno's; it's not hundred yards
back there; but that light across the
valley is the warning beacon at
Picacho. They would hardly ven
ture across knowing what that
means. J"
"Why, my God, mani" ex-
claimed Harvey, THAT says the
Apaches are out west of the Santa
Maria or the Christobal. Have you
seen-have you heard anything of
themi'
'.For the love of God, sir, don't
ask me now. Come to the ranch.
Major Plummer is there-the pay
master. He'll tell you all we
know
A moment more and, with glazing
eyes, with agonized, ashen face, the
Arizona merchant stood at the en-
trance Of the ranch, clingiug to the
horse rail for support, listening with
gasping breath to Plummer's falter-
ing recital Of the events of the morn
ing.
"Are you sure it was my SON
my Nedf' be moaned.
81 never saw him before, Mr..
Harvey; but some of my men were
sure, and old Moreno here"
The wooden shutter behind them
swung open. From the inner dark
ness Moreno's voice, tremulous with
sympathy and distress, fell upon
their ears.
Senior Harvey, my heart bleeds
fer you. | saw him but an instant,
but it was he-Senor Edward, your
son.
"God Of Heaven And your men
have gone, all of themi"
"All but Feeny here. +"
Northeast, toward the Christie
bali"
Yes; but stop one moment now
aad look at this note. Is it your
sons writingi" And Plummer
produced the crumpled page while
Feeny held the light. Feverishly
Harvey examined the scrawl, bis hand
trembling so hard he could not
steady the paper.
cit is like enough" he moaned.
at was written in such mad haste.
My horsel" he cried, "and you
come with me George. Send the
others on our trail as soon as they
get in. Give me another pistol if
you CAM have but one-and in
Gods name order along the first
troops that reach you"
Then in less than minute even
the galloping hoofs had mufied their
dull thunder in the darkness and
distance. With wild dread squirting
him on, the father was gene to the
rescue Of his children, leaving old
Plummer and his faithful sergeant
shocked and nerveless at the ranch.
(To BE coSTISUED.)