The San Francisco call., 1895-05-19


useless. The last word is said. But we
cannot forget the world is looking on to-
night. You will give me-this dance?'
She inclined her head in assent, but
would not trust herself to speak. Even
now, when angered and full of jealous dis
trust, she cared for him far too well not to
note the sudden change in tone, not to
feel vague yet deep distress that he had
taken her at her word; that he had deter
mined to leave her this very night; that
he would plead no more.
CHAPTER XIV.
An hour later and the long-expected
Christmas ball was in full swing, but the
late corners entered snow-covered and buf-
dicted, a bowling blizzard was sweeping
down from the gorges of the Rockies, and
whirling deep the drifts about the walls of
old Fort Frayne. Leale had come in
about tattoo, grave and taciturn, his fine
face shadowed by sorrow whose traces
all could see. He had come for no festive
purpose, and was still in undress uniform,
and after brief, low-toned conference
with his colonel, had turned at once in
search OF Helen Daunton, who, ever since
the dance began, had lowered near the
windows that looked out toward the guard
house, barely 100 yards away, yet now
even with its brilliant light only dimly
=
had Mrs. Farrar essayed to draw her friend
into the little circle by which she was sur
rounded, but Helen had speedily shown
she was unable to give her attention to
what was being said or to take any part
in the conversation. 1t was at the window
Leale found her and gently but firmly
drew her to one side and closed the shade.
81 have felt in every FIBER" said he, chow
you We're waiting. watching, and agoniz-
ing here for news from-frOm him. There
is no news, Helen, except-you know the
man he stabbed-who gave his life for me-
is dead"
"I know" was the shuddering answer.
"Has he heard? Does he realize?'
Possibly not He seems to be sleeping.
But he will know it soon enough. Helen
do you know this-that tomorrow we must
give him up?"
"Give him up2" she asked, unable to
comprehend his meaning, and looking
with new dread into his compassionate
face.
"Yes, to the civil authorities. He has
cannot choose words now-he has COM
mitted murder and must be tried by civil
| not military court"
"You must give him up" she moaned
"Oh, what can we do-what can we dor"
and fearfully she glanced to where Mrs
Farrar was seated, chatting blithely, even
! joyously, now, with her garrison friends
'fYes,' he answered, 'and well I know
now why you gaze at her. l know all the
miserable truth. Ormsby told me when
he came to ask my counsel and my help.
He has only left me short time since. l
was pledged to help your husband, Helen,
and l am doubly pledged to help that dear,
! dear woman's son. / must protect Royle
| Farrar to the utmost of my power; but
| Helen, i'll this last half hour by the bedside
of the brave fellow who gave his life for
me | have looked life and my own soul
in the face. ! know what I must do and
what connot do. l am not strong enough
to play at friendship with the woman l
love with all my soul. 1 can only be your
friend by serving you from far away.
When what is coming to Royle Farrar
has come shall take leave of absence and
go over the sea. 1t is good-py between
us now. Tonight I look my last upon
the face of Royie Farrar's wife. What2
You want me, WHIP" he suddenly turned
and asked, for at this moment, throwing
back the snow-matted hood of his over
coat, Farrar entered and came quickly to
them, unseen by his mother.
"Yes, sir. The news of Crow Knife's
death is all over the garrison and the men
are fairly mad over it, They won't try
lynchlng, but the sentries at the guard
house are doubled, front and rear. Graice
is sleeping yet, or else shamming. don't
think he's too drunk not to realize what
would happen if Crow Knife's people got
at him.
'Then your duty is doubled, lad" was
Leales low-toned answer, ''to hold the
prisoner and to protect him, too."
II understand" said Will, firmly. "The
man who gets at him tonight, sir, Will
have to go through hell frs"
And then he turned to find Kitty stand
ing, smiling in saucy triumph, at his elbow,
against her and deeply impressed with the
Importance of the duties deyolying upon
MN Farrar would have fastened by them
with only brief and ceremonious saluta-
ton, when Fenton stopped them.
wv here did understand that you were
going, sir?" said the colonel with mock
severity OF manner. II gave you ,permis-
SION to remain here, sir, and you'd better
jump at the chance Here's my niece tell
ing me that you are engaged to dance
with her, and at this moment it seems
you are about to leave the room. Off with
; that oVercoat, or its your saber that will
come, OF, sir, in arrest. What! Slight a
member OF your colonel's household Lord
bless me, sir, it's tantamount to mutiny.'
"But, colonel" responded Farrar, I'M
petnously, ''the officer Of the day"
MOT another word, sir. Here is your
Kitty, '.and you will report for duty in
stantly."
lrresolute, rejoicing and disappointed
and perturbed all in one, Farrar stood one
moment, hardly knowing what to do. when
Kitty seized him by one arm and Leale
noting his embarrassment, stepped to his
J side.
II am going to the guardhouse, Will
and L will look after your duties there,
Have your dance and return at your con.
venience. The colonel will let you &c
, after while''
And then Miss Kitty resumed her sway.
Il shan't dance one step with you until
you take that dreadful thing off, said she,
indicating his dangling saber, and utterly
Ignoring his protest that, as officer of the
equipment. Her only response was that
he was to remember that he was then on
duty with her. Take off that sword, sir
and hurry about it. for there goes the
band" And SO, unslinging the heavy
. weapon, he handed it submissively to his