The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1895-05-15
"Then, in Gods name, what is to be
CHAPTER XIV,

to your arms it will be because my
name has been stricken from the roll
of life and added to the great roster of
death. will and can rescue her If you
will permit me to do So"
The old commander regarded the sol
dier with searching look, admiration
beaming from his eyes. In the young
mans clear, unhinching gaze he saw
evidence of the courage of the lion,
courage that would not waver in the
face of any danger. His hatred of the
humble private was intense, for he had
dared to look upon his daughter with
eyes of love, yet that daughters life
was now at stake, and he realized that
her rescue depended perhaps wholly
upon the efforts of the nan he so de-
spised. 1t was doubtful if a man in all
that garrison could be found who would
take his life in his hands and go upon
mission so fraught with deadly peril
Brown stood and awaited the result of
his plea, his well-poised head thrown
back and his clear eyes looking into
those of the commander with unflinch-
ing steadiness, Addressing Capt. Col
by, the colonel said:
Captain, supply this man with
everything he may need and let him go,
and may God go with you, sir, may
God go with you" Then turning he
entered his quarters.
Captain, there is not moment to
lose" said Brown, his eyes flashing
with impatience.
81 know it, my man, know it. There
stands my horse ready saddled, and he
is one of the swiftest and strongest in
the garrison. My pistols are in the
saddle holsters, and here is my Win
chester rifle. Mount and away at once,
Give me your hand, my brave fellow
for you are made of the right metal
and believe you will succeed"
THANK you, captain. will succeed
if it lies in the power of mortal mar
to do So"
Taking a memorandum book from
his pocket he tore leaf therefrom ant
after writing his aunts address upor
it handed it to the captain with the
words:
Captain, if it be in Gods will that
shall not return, please write to tha
. lady and tell her how died. Tell he
/. that Private Brown was her own bo.
: Ned. Tell her that in his army life HI
lived as an upright, true, honorable
i man, and died as soldier"
: "Your wishes shall be religiouSl,
carried out, Brown" Then drawing
:, near the soldier, so that those VIII
4 were gathered about might not hear
: he said: 81 know your history, MI
4 Thornton, and no one more than
wishes for you safe return and tn
- consummation of your fondest hope
for the future. / have read your amb
l. tions in your eyes when the name Q
= your commanders daughter has bee
spoken. The prize is well worth an
% risk, and feel that you will win it."
>, THANK you, captain, thousan
II times. trust the future will demon
q strate to you that am not unworth
of your confidence. Good-by."
= Springing into the saddle he pr
. spurs to the noble animal he bestrod
h and went laundering away on tn
70 trail, followed by the approving shout
"a of his comrades.
!, After his departure from the fort tn
Il troops were dismissed with orders
h hold themselves in readiness to mouI
at a moments notice. Every office
e. and officers wife gathered at tn
colonels quarters to cheer him in h
n great grief, and bid him hope for tt
is best. Despite their assurances the ol
= warrior sat stricken with sorrow.
II nameless fear had settled upon h
&c soul, almost prostrating him beneat
its crushing weight. In his easy cha
-, he sat surrounded by sympathisir
~ friends, alternately .bemoaning his 10
ls and cursing the Indians.
''I have every confidence in that ma
l. Brown, colonel" said Capt. Cobb
~ ''He has been in my troop for near
~ three years, and until recently h
been an enigma to me. No man w
., ever more scrupulously faithful in Il
. discharge of his duties, and in the sc
eral affairs with the Apaches in whi,
''' the troop has taken part since he join
us he has exhibited marked courag
In conversation with him have foul
him to be a man of education and IA
intelligence, and one who is fitted fol
far higher position in life than that
a soldier in the ranks. In fact, colon
implicitly believe the strange sto
= he has told of himself"
\ ''Strange story? Who the devil is
fellow"
81 have been led to believe that y
were long ago made acquainted wi
his history. Did not your daughter t
. YOU of the soldier artist who was dra7
into the service when in an irrespon
BILE condition from drink?"
ooh! is that the man? The same mt
too, who resented an insult at
: hands of Vandever."
1.-The same man, colonel; and
I" lieve him to be man whose friendsl
would be an honor to any of us WI
he in his proper station in life."
CHAPTER XVI.
Col. Sanford's head dropped on
{ if breast and he sat for several minu
In in deep reflection. Occasionally de
lth painful sigh would escape from h
lyp saddening evidence to those aror
ian him of the terrible grief which
rst come upon him. AS he sat there bur
will in his own distracting thoughts, Lie
the Vandever entered and silently sto
be cap in hand, with the group Aftt
her time the colonel raised his head |
said to Capt. Colby: