The Dupuyer acantha. [volume] (Dupuyer, Mont.) 1894-1904, 1895-07-25
MAJORS DAUGHTER.
by Edward HattOn.

by Edward Hatton.
Paying dirt had been struck all
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 e
| even coming from as far as California.
1 was one of the roughs, but I was
not quite as crude as me st of my asso-
GATES.
Upon my arrival I found established,
near Il camp, a military-looking gen.
tleman, of digniied 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, a 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 a wild
over, and had really been a captain
inthe Confederate army. At the close
of the conflict he had but a few hun
dred dollars out of a once large for
tune. Disliking to have his poverty
known, and daily commented upon py
those who were acquainted with hin
in his prosperity, he left his Southern
home, and with his only child, a
| dor,ubfar ~x,ondoro1 fn COlOra DO
major" Warning and his daughter
occupied a rude adobe cabin on the
edge of a mule road, far removed from
the other cabins or tents.
The major and l were working
adjacent claims, and became well ac-
Quainted. He seemed to be less tact
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 major to within a few yards of
their humble habitation. and his
daughter raj out to meet him.. The
sight of her startled me, 80 unexpect.
ed in a lonely spot, where there was
no other company than the birds, nc
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 fashy 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 cabin after work. l fetched water
and wood, and did such odd jobs as
We're not fit for her, saying no word
but she soon became quite thankful
for my efforts to tighten her labors.
Once | came across her watching il
the cleaning. How eerie it was under
the trees; the wind soughed through
the branches, bringing a dash of rain
a deluge was in the black clouds
sweeping across the sky.
II am anxious about my father
she said, and she looked like a tall
white lily that had been transplantet
to the wrong spot, and touched m!
big, earth-stained fingers with he
fine, slim hand. 81 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
tween him and harm, I think"
"Why, yes, Miss Amy; make you
mind easy on that score; 'twOuld b.
= lone with a will. But what harm i
like to come that you need WORT.
~yOurself?"
Ned" she cried, stopping suddenly
~ had such a curious dream last night
: l dreamed that / went down into TIL
, valley beyond the wood, and there
, saw my father lying upon the ,gras
sound a~sleep-so sound that | coul'
not wake him, while the clusters o
: wild flowers sprang Up so high tina
. they hid him, and l heard the pines il
the distance chanting a solemn kim
of litany. l was crying when | awoke
You are too much alone, Miss Amy
and grow nervous"
my father has been very fOrtunat
lately, has he not?' she asked.
HE has had some good finds, miss
and to-day he got hold of two rousini
; big nuggets"
! 81 am glad. Will he bring Their
home this evening? What's that?"
She sprang to the door, tiinging
: open, the glare of the lamp benin
= her.
Dearest father" she cried, sis
you?"
: But she broke off, alarm in he
! voice. eXclaiming, Med! Ned!' TO
her father was not there, but two o
the worst of our lot-Scamps TO
r whom hemp was growing; the n
o sailor, the other a smart, slim chaI
whose name was Phil Dawlish.
1 l remembered now, as l saw him b.
the flash of the light, that he, as we
h as l, had been near when the "major
y held up the two great nuggets; and
struck me-T'm quick at conclusions
that both scoundrels had not intende
to come up to the ca bin, but were jus
lurking about. WI at for?
Miss Amy faced them steadily
though she had called me to her, an
= 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
Jingle to kick him; "only, is til
major at homer
\ NO she coolly replied. to shov
? that she was not frightened. but
being close to her, could see that til
= blood famed to her brows, under tn
insulting gaz rowing over her. "Wh
do you ask?'
| ".Tust this, mum. Will you be S
!. good as to tell him that me and m