The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1896-12-31

WOmdu HOE 10 me. IL IS only Tor q
time I must be silent. When I can
speak, you'll forgive me, dear. You will
thank me that l do keep silence now.
Trust me, Ellis. Can you not look up
at me and say you trust me?'
All, how pleading was his tone, how
full Of love and fire and tenderness his
manly face, as in that still winter night
he looked down into her eyes! Over at
the barracks there was sudden stop to
all the music, but men IS voices could be
heard in excited talk. Along officers
row many a door was opened and wom-
en- and children were peering out il
search Of explanation of the unusual
summons. Over at the adjutant's Office
a dark throng had gathered, the officers
OF the garrison and other knots as of SOL
diers or Indians could be seen, but Jack
and Ellis saw, heard, nothing Of this.
Her voice had the ring of steel to it as
she answered:
"If it were just question of my own
happiness, l might trust you, but it is
my mothers happiness-perhaps her
life. must know all there is to know
about that woman whom my mother
trusts so blindly. must know for my
SELF In the name of the love you offer
me will you tell me the truth about
her?''
ellis, I cannot tonight. I have
given my word"
"Then keep it" said she with sudden
passion. keep it and keep your love. ,:
Then she turned and fled within the
chaplain's gate, leaving him standing
on the snowy walk without, sorrowing.
yet determined.
For moment he stood there follow
ing her with his eyes. Never stopping
to knock or ring, she turned the knob
and let herself into the brightly lighted
hall. He caught glimpse of the gray
haired chaplain bending over womanly
form. He caught one feeting view of
Helen Daunton's anxious face Evil
IDENTIFY the call had been heard there,
too, and, coming as it did in the still
ness Of the holiday evening, it BODIED no
good. Only on rare occasions or some
sudden emergency was Fenton known
to call every duty officer to his presence,
even by day, and he would be almost
the last man to break in upon the fes-
tivities of the season with a stern call
to arms unless arms and men both were
needed somewhere. The day had been
one long trial to Mrs. Farrar, and since
noon one long torture to her cherished
friend. And so, as they were seated
about the chaplain's fire and the trum-
pet notes were heard, and servant
fastening in said, "It's officers call,
sir, - just as Ellis feared her mother
was seized with sudden faintness. "My
boy, Willy! They won't take him." she
into her chair.
Ormsby turned and sped away for the
Office. At least he could ascertain the
cause of the summons and bring them
tidings if it meant no move, but the
first glance through the window at his
uncle's face, as he stood surrounded by
his officers, told the New Yorker, al
ready experienced in frontier garrison
life, that something imminent was in
the wind. Fenton was talking rapidly,
as was his wont when reused, and the
only faces in the group that did not
seem to kindle in response to the light
in his keen, sparkling eyes were those
of two heavily blanketed Indians stand
ing sullen and imperturbable beside
him. Out in the snow half dozen non
commissioned officers were gathered in
q group by the little knot of Indian
ponies and cowboy bronchos. An Indian
boy. lolling in his saddle, replied in
monosyllables to their eager questions.
A brace uf cowboys, one of them obvi-
ously in liquor, sought to impress upon
all within hearing their version of some
row that had evidently taken place.
Among the bystanders was Ormsby's
old friend, the sergeant major, and to
him he appealed.
whats up sergeant?''
''Been fight, sir-cowboys and In
dams. Christmas drunk, reckon. The
cowboys were having some fun with
their lariats, and they roped old Big
Road off his pony and shot at him when
he showed fight. Then his two sons shot
Laramie Pete, and it looks like a gen.
eral scrimmage. Big Roads whole vii
lage is camped only ten miles down
stream, and they're war dancing al
ready. There's a lot of drunken wboys
over at town, and they swear they'll
rouse the county and clean out the
whole Indian outfit"
Thanking the staff sergeant for his
information, Ormsby pressed on to the
crowded room and stood in the outskirt
Of the throng of officers. Fenton was
speaking as he entered the hall, and his
voice had no uncertain ring. He had
been questioning one Of the cowboy
leaders, scowling, semidefant, but
splendidly built specimen Of frontier
chivalry, and it was evident that the
verdict of the commander was against
these turbulent gentry and in favor Of
the Indians.
"By your own admission, Thorpe,
your fellows are on tear, and whether
they meant it as fun or not it was
rough fun at best and nothing less than
mad Drained trick in my eyes and an