The Princeton union., 1895-06-06
MAJORS DAUGHTER.
\ BY Edward Hatton.

along White river, near Buford, Colo
RADIO, and the rush there was i'm
menSe.
The riff-raff from the country for
miles around soon drifted down near
Buford, many Of the gold-seekers
even coming from as far as California.
was one of the roughs, but was
not quite as crude as nest of my asso-
ciates.
Upon my arrival found established,
near our camp, military-looking gen.
tleman, of dignitied appearance, ener-
getic movement, and quick, measured
tread His keen dark eyes seemed to
take in a fellow at a glance, especially
if he caught one of them staring at his
daughter, n grave and refined lady OF
about twenty-five, who acted as his
houSekeeper.
We had dubbed him the major" on
account of his military mien, and we
'afterward learned that he was n wild
over. and had really been a captain
ipthe Confederate army. At the close
of the conflict he had but a few hum
dreu dollars out of a once large for
tune. Disliking to have his poverty
known, and daily commented upon 10y
those who We're acquainted with him
in his prosperity, he left his Southern
home, and with his only child, Il
daughter, wandered to Colorado.
Major Waring and his daughter
occupied q rude adobe cabin on the
edge of a mule road. far removed from
the other cabins or tents.
The major" and | were working
adjacent claims. and became we'll ac-
Quainted. He seemed to be less taci-
turn when in my company alone than
when other miners were within ear
shot.
one day, While discussing some in
tereSting theme, l had accompanied
the 'najor' to within a few yards Of
their humble habitation, and his
daughter ran out to meet him. The
sight Of her startled me, so unexpect-
ed in a lonely spot, where there was
no other company than the birds, no
sound but the wind in the trees. She
was tall; the color of wild roses in
her cheeks; heavens blue in her eyes.
Her dress was dark, and had none Of
the tlashy ornaments usually worn by
the women seen around mining
camps; her hair cOiled smooth about
her head, shone like black satin.
This is one of my-chums, my
dear" said the major" with lis soft
voice and smile.
Since then l had often hung about
the abin after work. l fetched water
and wood. and did such odd jobs as
We're not fit for her, saying no word;
c1,o NO ,l- FIJI
for my efforts to tighten her labors.
Once l came across her watching in
the cleaning. How eerie it was under
the trees; the wind soughed through
the branches, bringing dash of rain;
deluge was in the black clouds
sweeping across the sky.
Il am anxious about my father
she said, and she looked like tall.
white lily that had been transplanted
to the wrong spot, and touched my
big. earth-stained fingers with her
fine, slim hand. II am anxious about
him; though, since knowing you l
have not felt so absolutely distressed,
for am glad to recOllect that you are
within his call You will stand be-
tween him and harm. think"
"Why, yes, Miss Amy; make your
mind easy OH that score; 'twoul6 be
done with a will But what harm is
like to come that you need worry
yourself?'
"Ned,' she cried, stopping suddenly
81 had such curious dream last night
l dreamed that l went down into the
valley beyond the wood, and there
saw my father lying upon the grass
sound asleep-so sound that l could
not wake him, while the clusters OF
wild flowers sprang Up so high tina,
they hid him, and heard the pines in
the distance chanting a solemn kind
OF litany. I was crying when awoke
You are too much alone, Miss Amy
and grow nervous"
my father has be en- very fortunate
lately. has he not?' she asked.
He has had some good finds. miss
and to-day he got hold of two rousiny
big nuggets
II am glad. Will he bring then
home this evening? What's that?'
She Sprang to the door, fiinging i
open, the glare of the lamp behind
her.
'Dearest father" size cried, "is i
you?"
But she broke off, alarm in hel
voice. eXclaiming, Med! Nedr' fo1
her father was not there, but two o.
the worst Of our lot-scamps fol
whom hemp was growing; the cne ;
sailor, the other a smart, slim chap
whose name was Phil Dawlish.
I remembered now, as I saw him b!
the flash Of the light, that he, as wei
as I. had been near when the "major'
held up the two great nuggets; and i
struck me-T'm quick at conclusions
that both scoundrels had not intended
to come up to the cabin, but were JUS
lurking about. W1at for?'
Miss Amy faced them steadily
though she had called me to her, ant
asked what they wanted.
"Why, nothin' in particular, miss,
stammered Dawlish, lifting his ragge,
straw hat with the politeness of :
pickpocket, and a leer that made m,
tingle to kick him; "only, is th'
"major'' at homer
no. she coolly replied, to SHOW
that she was not frightened, but /
being close to her, could see that tn,
blood famed to her brows, under til,
insulting gaze rowing over her. "Wh,
do you ask?'
"Just this, mum. Will YOU he 8,