Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1895-06-13
MAJORS DAUGHTER.
Ey Edward H.tton.

ne iii -TalI from Ine country ipl !
miles around soon driited down near
Buiord many of the goldseekers
even coming from as far as California.
was one of the rouglls. but | WAS
not quite as crude as INC ST of my Assoc
ciates.
Upon INV arrival found established.
near our camp. Il military-looling gen
tleman of diyniticd appearance. cnef-
gelic movement. and quick. measured
tread. His keen dark eyes seemed to
take i'm a fellow ut Il glance, especially
daughter. Il grave and refined lady OF
about twenty-five, who acted as his
housckccper.
We had dubbed him the ''najo ON
account of his military micn. and we
aftclward learned that lie WAS IL Wli-
over. and had really been Il captain
inthe Confederate army. At the close
of tie conflict he had but Il few huli-
drcd dollars out of Il once large Tor
tune. I;iSiiklng to have his poverty
known. and daily commenced upon NY
those who were acquainted WITH nun
in his prosperity. lie left his SOU llefh
home and With his only rhiiu.
daughter. wandered 10 Colorado
Major Waring and his daughter
occupied Il rude adobe cabin on the
cd"o ol :. mule road. far removed from
the other cabins or tents.
The ..najor and | were working
( adjacent ci:,iinS. and became we'll ac-
ouiintcd. He seemed To he less tact
4 - Il
/ when other miners We're within ear
! shot.
one day. While discussing some in
teresting theme had accompanied
the major To within Il few yards "i.
THEN humble habitHtion. and his
daughter ran out to meet him. The
sight of her startled me. So uneNpoci'
ed in II lonely spot. where there WAS
no other company than the birds, no
sound hui the wind in tn" trees. She
WAS tail: the color of Wild roses in
her cheeks; heavens blue in her eyes.
Her dress was dark. and had none OF
the hashy ornaments usually Worn by
the women seen around mining
camps: lcr hair coded smooth about
her head, shone like black satin.
This is one of my-chrlnS. my
dear" said the major" with Lis sof,
voice and smile.
Since then had often hung about
the cabin after work. | fetched water
and wood and did such odd jobs rs
We're not tit for her. saving no word
but she soon became quite Thankful
for my efforts to tighten her labors
once | came across her watching II
tile cleaning. How eerie ii was ulid"
the trees: the wind soushed THROUGH
the branches. bringing Il dash of rain
a dcluge was in the black cloud
: sweeping across the sky.
II am anxious about my father.
she said. and She looked like Il tai
white lily that had been tlansplante'
to the wrong spot. and touched IN.
big, earth-staincd fingers with he
fine. slim hand. II am anxious abou
, him: though, since knowing you
. have not felt so absolutely distressed
|. for am glad to recollect that you ar
within his call You will stand be
l tween him and harm. l think"
"Why. yes. Miss Amy: make You
, mind easy on that score: 'twouli b
! done with will But what harm j
like to come that you need WORT
\ YOURSELF
t Ned" she cried. stopping suddenly
I 81 had such n curious dream last nigh
dreamed that | Went down into til
e valley beyond the wood, and there
Il saw my father lying upon the SraS
u sound asleep-so sound that | coul
not wake him, while the clusters G
wild flowers spralg Up so high TIL;
n they hid him. and heard the pines j
It the distance chanting Il solemn kin
: of litany. was crying when awok'
n ..iou are too much alone. Miss Am.
ANA grow nervous.
My father has been very fortunai
:. lately, has he not:' she asked.
% "IIe has haa some good finds. mis-
and to-day lie got hold of two rousin
big Nuggets.
i II am glad. Will he bring the'
n home this evening: What's that:
# She sprang to the door. tlinging
open. the glare of the lamp benin
her
Dearest father SIZE cried. lis
you:"
q But she broke off. alarm in HI
q voice. eXclaimng Ned! Ncd.' Il
. her father was not there. but two
IL the worst of our lot-scamps #
" whom hemp was growing; the one
t. sailor, the other smart. slim cha
~ whose name was Phil DawlisE.
remembered now. as saw him |
e the flash of the light. that he. as we
S. as I. had been near when the '.majol
d held up the two great nuggets: and
s. struck me-I'm quick at conclusions
se that both scoundrels had not intend,
X to come up to the cabin. but were ju
II lurking about. What fOr?"
N Miss Amy faced them .;teadil
to though she had called me to her. IL
NJ asked what they wanted.
,e "Why. nothin' in particular. miss
;e stammered Dawlish. lifting his rage
"a straw hat with the politeness of
10 pickpocket. and a leer that made II
IF Jingle to kick him; "only, is Il
O. ''major" at home?'
Il NO" she coolly replied, to sho
~ that she was not frightened. hut
Il being close to her. could see that t
blood famed to her brows. under t
insulting gaze rowing over her. "Wl
do you ask"
II. Just this. mum. Will you be
he good as to tell him that me and Il
sh pals eff to Hulton's !Aanch for Il She
- spell. and if he'd like to tramp over