Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1896-11-26

But, Ellis, give You my honor I am
hiding nothing shameful to that poor
woman nor to me. It il only for .
time I must be silent. When I can
speak, you'll forgive me, dear. You will
thank mo that I 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, AZ In that still winter night
he looked down into her eyesl Over at
the barracks there was sudden stop to
all the music, but mems voices could be
heard in excited talk. Along officers
row many q door was opened and wom-
en- and children were peering out in
search Of explanation Of the unusual
summons. Over at the adjutant's Office
q 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 a.
she answered:
III it were Just a question Of my own
happiness. might trust you, but it 10
my mothers happiness-perhaps her
life. must know all there 10 to know
about that woman whom my mother
trusts 60 blindly. must know for my
self. In the name of the love you offer
me will you tell me the truth about
her7''
"Ellis, I cannot tonight have
given my word. "
"Then keep 1t, "said she with sudden
passion. Keep 1t and keep your love.
Then. she turned and fed within the
chaplain's gate, leaving him standing
on the snowy walk without, Borrowing,
yet determined
For moment he stood there follow.
Ing her with his eyea 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 manly
form. He caught one heeting 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-
uvities Of the season with 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. Aud go, as they were seated
about the chaplain's hre and the trum-
bet notes were heard, and . servant
fastening in said, Its officers call.
SIR" Just as Ellis feared her mother
was seized with sudden faintnessI my
boy, Willy! They won't take him." she
faltered, and then sank back nerveless
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. Ont in the snow half dozen non
commissioned officers were gathered In
q group by the little knot Of Indian
ponies and COW boy bronchos. An Indian
boy, lolling in his saddle, replied in
monosyllables to their eager questions.
A brace Of 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 sergeantT
Been a fight, sir-cowboys and In
dams. Christmas drunk, reckon. The
cowboys were having some fun with
their lariats. and they roped lid Big
Road Of hin pony and shot at him when
he showed fight. Then his two SONS shot
Laramie Pete, and it looks like q 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 cowboys
over at town, and they swear they'll
rouse the county and clean ont 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 officera Fenton was
speaking a. 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
ohivalry, and 1t was evident that the
verdict of the commander was against
these turbulent gentry and In favor Of
the Indiana
"By your own admission, Thorpe,
your fellows are on tear, and whether
they meant 1t a. fun or not 1t was
rough fun at best and nothing less than
q mad Drained trick in my eyes and an
outrage from the Indian point OF view.
Big Road would have been no chief at
all il he hadn't resented 1t furiously. 1t
may be, as You say, that he was first to
pull his gun. but You pulled him off his
horse. The men that did IL deserve TO be