The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-11-28

mules from BurlelSH > Coii oil, WiiiSii AeAJ
half a mile to the southeast, out or
sight of Folsom's house except from
the upper windows. Eager to stock the
library with standard works against
his daughters coming the old trader
had consulted a friend among the
officers, and had sent lavish order
to a house in Chicago. Books, there-
fore. were there in plenty on the hand
some shelves, and they were not III
chosen. either, but it was Mrs. Fetch
er who pointed out how stiff and angu-
lar everything looked, who introduced
the easy lounge. the soft rugs, the
heavy hanging portieres of costly Ma
vaio blankets. 1t was her de1t toucn
that draped the curtains at the WIN
dows and softened and beautlhed the
lines the hand of man would have lett
crude and repellent.
And that library had been her favor
ite haunt: but since the coming of the
girls Mrs. Fletcher had seemed to re-
tire to her own room aloft, and to
spend no time below stairs that was
not demanded by her household duties.
Now as the father and daughter were
talking earnestly together, they heard
Mrs. Fletcher moving about overhead
as though looking over the work or
the housemaid. Jessie had gone TO her
own room to write a short letter 10
her mother Maj. Burleigh was to
come at 1920 to drive them out to
Pinnacle Butte, a sharp, rocky height
far across the valley, from the sum-
nit of which a wonderful view was
to be obtained 1t lacked but five
minutes of the time, and suddenly
Mrs. Fletchers voice was heard on
the floor above 1t was wellmodu-
lated voice. gentle and controlled, with
a clear, vibrant ring in it that made
the words distinctly audible to the
hearers below.
1.-THE majors carriage is coming up
the street, Miss Dean. there are two
officers"
"Twor' exclaimed Jess, starting to
her feet, thinking only of her brother
"Ohl 1 wonder if" And then they
heard her go pit-a-pat through the hall
to the front of the hoSse, heard Mrs.
Fletcher more deliberately follow
heard presently the beat of horses
hoofs on the hard roadway, and the
whir of coming wheels. TIL go, out
to meet them, Elinor-pE-I'H talk to
you more about this some other time.
You don't care to go on this ride this
morning one bit, do you, dear?" he
added uneasily.
mo, father; frankly, I don't-but
he has been polite TO you and atten-
tive to u.s. There's no help for it.
And so Folsom went alone to the
door to meet his visitors on the porch
without, and did not hear. did not see
Mrs. Fletcher, who came hastily down
the stairs, her face singularly pale, a
glitter of excitement in her eyes. On
tiptoe she fastened along the broad
hall, reaching the library door just as
Folsom stepped out on the porch. On
tiptoe she darted in, closed the door
behind her, almost rushed to the north
window, and there grasping the cur
tain she crouched, needless of the pos
sibility of observation, and for half
a minute chung and crouched and
stared Then, as Folsom's genial, pow
erful voice was heard in welcoming
accents, and heavy footsteps came
along the broad board walk, the wom-
an Strengthened suddenly, and noise
less as before. hurried back across the
room and came face to face with the
daughter of the house.
ooh. Miss Folsom she faltered, her
bosom heaving in violent agitation.
81 did not know you were here. I
excuse me" and FASTENED out of the
room and up the winding stairs.
"Pappoose" never hesitated. Coolly,
quickly, she stepped to the window.
Maj. Burleigh had just reached the top
step and was exchanging greetings
with his host. The stylish team and
glistening wagon were just spinning
away.
I'll be back in five minutes she
heard the quartermaster explain to
her father. "Newhall has to meet
some people coming in by stage from
Gresen River. I thought I'd rather
spend the time here"
And on the back seat, affably waving
his hand in adieu, and jauntily lifting
his rakish forage cap in salutation
general to any of the young ladies
who might be watching, sat the gentle
man whose regiment was in Louisiana
while he was up here on leave looking
after mining investments.
CHAPTER x.
'Three mortal hours" said Miss Fnlsam to