Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-01-04

was insist on attempting to follow his
 men in their pursuit. the shyness ot | maidenhood was forgotten. Ruth had
 seized and clasped the long, brown 6n- ] gers, and Drummond forgot for the mo-
 ment all thought of quitting her pres
 ence for the field. And then haVing-as she supposed
 won her point, and having caught the 1 new light in his admiring. eyes, it be- 1 came necessary to struggle for the re-
 lease of the hand she had so unhesitat-
 ingly used to detain him. This might
 have proved difficult matter, judging from the expression in Drummond' s face, but for a sudden hail from Patter- 1 son.:
 Can the lieutenant come up here 6 moment? There's something going on down there can't understand.
 Old Moreno, whose bonds could not restrain his shifting, glittering eyes, | glanced quickly upward. Then, as he caught menacing look in the sunburn- ed face of the Irish trooper Walsh, he became as suddenly oblivious to all earthly matters beyond the pale of his own physical woes. And now it was Ruth's hand that would retain its clasp and Drummond's that was again | struggling for release. In a moment 1 the lieutenant stood under Patterson's s 1 perch.
 "What did you see? What was it | like? How far away" "Six or seven miles, sir. The valley ; is broad and open, and three of our fel- 1 lows were riding slowly back on the west side, while Wing was galloping | as though to meet them, and when they weren't more than mile apart Wings | horse went down-looks no bigger than | black speck-and the other three sheered off away from the rocks on 1 this side and seemed to be scattering apart.
 The words were low spoken so as to reach only his ear. Now it was no i easy scramble for man in Drummond's s condition to make, but it took him only i little time to chamber to Patterson s side.
 There's something back of all this, ! and you know it, Patterson. What Apache sign have you seen?" Smoke, sir, on both sides. But we agreed, the sergeant and I, that the young ladies mustn't be alarmed nor you aroused. Then, he rode away to hurry ill any of our fellows who were in sight and warn them to keep out from the rocks. What I'm afraid of is that they've been ambushed, or at least that the Indians have ambushed him. His horse is down, and those others you see are away out on the plain now. They're working around toward the horse as though he were lying behind it, and they appear to be firing mount ed.''
 What was Drummond to do? To leave his charges here, unprotected, was out of the question. Fail to go or send to Wing's relief he could not. Decide he must and decide quickly.
 Patterson, that party of Apaches can't be over dozen strong, or they would have rushed out of their cover by this time, yet they are too strong and too securely posted to be driven by that little squad, especially if Wing is wounded, I can't shoot now, but I can ride and direct. Every man who can shoot may be needed here. You have four now and can stand of 40 Apaches-Tonto or Chiricahua--in such a position as this, so leave you in charge. You have everything to help you stand a siege. Now see to it that the ladies are kept we'll under cover, and I'll hurry back with Walsh and what men can find"
 Then down he scrambled, giving one look at Moreno and his sleeping guard ian as he passed, then gave low toned order to Walsh:
 Saddle your horse again and ride justto the other side of that rock yon-
 Ter and wait for me-"
 We'll he understood that it would be impossible for him to ride away without Fanny Harvey's knowing that some thing of a serious nature was impend- ing, and that he could not get away at all without their knowing it. What he desired was to conceal from them that there was any danger from Apaches.
 Just as he expected, both girls were eagerly awaiting him at the entrance to the cave. His revolvers were in there beside the rude couch on which he had slept so peacefully.
 Now are you ready to return to hos pital and proper subiection?" asked Miss Harvey laughingly. It is high time. What could have tempted you to climb to that high point 7''
 Why, it's the first chance I've had of look around, was the answer. This is an awfully strong spot for place of refuge. You are safe here, safer than anywhere between Yuma and Tucson, now that tho former pos sessors are scattered. But did you hear what took Wing off?"
 ''No, he didn't stop to. explain mat ters. He simply dashed away without even saddle. Something I must look after was all he vouchsafed to say"
 Well, the men just in tell me the paymaster's safe was spirited off. Con found that little green box of green backs! Some shrewd packer among Morales people whisked it out of the wagon and onto burr0, and now we are all keen to get it back. Of course I can't sleep again until we know. Some of our people are coming slowly up the valley, and Wing went on down to meet them.''
 But all the time he talked so airily with the elder sister. Ruth stood watch ing him with suspicious eyes.
 MT. Drurnmond, please do not go, she broke forth. You have no right to-now. And James, the dissembler, found himself trapped.
 "Go I must, Ruthie, he said, with sudden change of manner. II know you will not blame me or detain when tell you. as feel forced to tell you now, that Sergeant Wing is hurt. His horse has fallen with him far out on the desert. I'll be back very soon"
 Then with sudden iT1pulsive move ment he bent, kissed her forehead and turned as suddenly away.
 When the sisters looked into each others eyes 8 moment later one face