The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1897-10-22

WOunOeO, MAINTAINING the OeIeDSe anu
inflicting severe loss upon an over
whelming force of hostile Indians, until
finally relieved by the arrival of detach-
mert of troops and volunteers success
fully and gal!antly led by Lieut.. 1. v
Lambert, -teenth infantry (wounded),
and Sergt. Dolan, Fourth cavalry.
Sergt. Walton, promoted within the
week, had been granted a months fur
Tough as soon as able to travel, and with
his arm in a sling had fastened home
ward, where within the forty-eight
hours succeeding his arrival he had
time and time again to tell his story of
that fearful day. They had got with
in five miles of the Caliente before dis
covering that only smoldering ruin
remained of the stage station. Hear
ing from fleeing settlers of the raid,
Col. Sweet had decided to push for
ward at top speed to reinforce the little
party of defenders. The driver had
urged the same course, and the two
civilian passengers had naturally de-
INJURED. Then, when they found it too
late, they turned and strove to retrace
the road to Lampasas, were headed off
at dawn, but fought way to Wither-
ellis old dug-out. the driver and two
soldiers being killed, Col. Sweet ANA the
corporal both shot in the attempt. and
the stage abandoned and burned. Ard
there in that sitting hole. without wa
ter for the wounded, they had fought
off dash after dash of the Indians; but
their ammunition was almost gone,
and only two men had any fight left i'll
them. when they heard the welcoming
crack of the rescuers' rifles. Even then
the Indians hung about all the long
afternoon and night, and Lambert got
his painful wound in heading little
squad that ran the gauntlet to a neigh
boring spring for water for the fevered
wounded. OF his own conduct Floyd
had little to say. (''What else did they
expect of Walton?" was his mothers
comment. rs bravery SO rare an at
tribute in the federal army?") bu. he
could not say enough about young
Lambert. I'VE were fighting for orr
lives; we had to fight" he said; but
he risked his to fetch Us water 1 cay
that young fellows trump" And he
flashed a significant glance at Katesie-
manhood, had let that domestic cat out
of the bag, and then, once started, had
told more. Floyd Walton, under pledge
of secrecy, was held a spell-bound lis
tener to Cousin Bart the second night
after his arrival, when the rest of the
family had gone to bed. Bart had
been celebrating his cousins deeds and
rejoicing over his return to the extent
of tangling his tongue, but Floyd could
not trip him on his facts. IF you
don't believe Inc, you can ask the doc
tor-ask Col. Scroggs--or Walton
he'll be hyuh to-mawwo," said his in
formant. That's the kind of Yank he
is, by Gawd, sub: an if thought they
was nav like him you bet I'd recon-
struct. too. But the Lawd don't make
too many like him, nor young Lambert,
either
And when Floyd finally went to his
room that night after the low
ing visit to his mothers bedside, he sat
long at the open easement, gazing out
on the soft, still beauty of the moonlit
night, his heart touched and thrilled
as it had not been for years, and his
and forgetful of their needs, had left
mother and sisters to struggle for
themselves. and had lost himself in vain
dreaming of sweet-faced girl who he
had early enough been warned was not
for him-while he, reckless, selfish.
weak. had abandoned himself to drink
and despair and then to the cold char
ity of the world-it was an alien and an
enemy, an uncouth soldier in the hated
blue who had stood between the strick-
en- and helpless ones at home and abso-
lutte want and privation. The good
angel who ministered to them in their
they should never know whence came
the needed aid. and who finally became
the purchaser of the Gesolate and
ruined place, thereby supplying the
means to make them so content and
comfortable now. was that creature of
strong contrasts, Capt. Close.
Not until long after midnight did
Walton leave his seat by the open case
ment and seek his pillow: but there
was another watcher whose vigil out
lasted his. In the little batch of let
ters brought by Cousin Bart from the
post Office that evening was one which
bore the Austin stamp and was adj
dressed in Lambert's hand. Reading il
hurriedly, Floyd had changed color
and thrust it in his pocket. Katesie
watching him with furtive eyes. yet
never trusting herself to question.
1t was Esther who eagerly demanded
news Of their absent friend. ''Oh. Yes,
he's getting better" Floyd admitted.
Int then faltered- When was he com
ing: oh. Lambert didn't say. The
doctors probably wouldn't let him
travel just yet The letter was main
Is about-other matters-about Col
Sweet, who didn't seem to be doing
as we'll as they could wish His wife
was on the way to join him. Didn't
Lambert send any word or message?
No. He probably wrote in hurry.
And that night Miss Katesie sat with
heT dimpled chin buried in her pref
ty round arms, gazing long out upon
the flashing waters, sad. silent and
deeply troubled girl. There was some
thing in that letter that concerned her;
and how diagreeable she had been to
Lambert. and she just knew it. and
Floyd was mean and wouldn't tell her,
At least this was the burden of her