The Redwood gazette., 1897-01-07

wonder it seemed as though Christ
mas ever brought its tragedy to her at
old Fort Frayne.
And then came diversion that was
merciful. There was rush of light
footsteps, a futter of silken skirts on
the porch without, bang at the door
and in came Kitty, flushed, disheveled,
fearful, indignant.
What's this about WHY'S going?''
she demanded. "Where is he? What
business has he Why, he cannot go,
Mrs. Farrar. He's engaged to me for
the german tomorrow night"
There was something SO comical in
her utter inability to understand the
gravity of the situation, to realize that
y soldiers duty far outranked even SO
solemn compact as an engagement to
dance with his sweetheart, that even
Mrs. Farrar forgot her grief and appre-
hension for the moment &nd opened her
arms to the imperious little lady and
drew her to her heart.
"Ah, Kitty, you have the same lesson
to learn that had long years ago. y she
cried as she sought to soothe and con
sole the child, but Miss Ormsby was in
no mood for petting. She was up in
arms. She was being defrauded. Uncle
Fenton had no business whatever to
send Willy away on such a quest at
such time. It was worse than incon-
siderate. It was outrageous, and then
Mrs. Farrar's face went white again as
she asked what Kitty meant, and then
Kitty's nerve gave way, and she buried
her bonny face on that motherly shoul-
der and burst into tears.
II thought you d heard,' she sobbed.
"They have only just told me. Captain
Farwell came home to change his dress,
and asked him where Will was, and
he said he left him Offering his services
to Uncle Fenton to ride ahead to the
Indians, and he wanted to know if I
didn't think Will was a trump.
don't-I didn't think it's simply
h-h-heartless in him!''
And then Mrs. Farrar raised her eyes
appealingly to Ormsby, and he went
without word. He knew what she
needed and hastened in search of Will.
He found him at Fenton's, whittier he
had accompanied the colonel, and where
he was still pleading and tugging at
his tiny mustache and tramping up and
down and biting his nails, while Fen
ton, in the adjoining room, was calmly
getting out Of his dress clothes and into
winter field garb.
"Would you mind dropping this and
going down to the chaplain's g and COM
forting your mother and my sister,"
said Ormsby as soon as he could get in
a word edgewise.
'Yes. Go, WILL" said Fenton, "and
tell her that there is nothing whatever
in this affair to worry about. We're
merely going to bring old Big Road up
here to take Christmas dinner at the
fort. There's no chance for a fight or
you should 60 along. No, it's useless
arguing, my boy. I'd do anything for
you that's right, but this is absolutely
unreasonable on your part. Now go and
tell those two blessed women that you re
to remain on guard over them, and
they'll rise up and call me blessed-at
least they ought to.
And SO, finally, Ormsby got the pep
perry young fellow out Of the house and
fairly started, Ormsby keeping pace with
him as he strobe excitedly from the
room.
II want you to do something for me,
WILL" said he in a low tone as they
FASTENED along. "I'm going with the
command, and I haven't moment to
spare. Give this note to Mrs. Daunton
for me as soon as possible after you
reach the house. May I rely upon you?"
And as he spoke he held forth an en-
velope, evidently snugly filled, and Far
rar took it mechanically and without
reply. The boy was thinking only Of his
own disappointment. "Do you under
stand, Will?" persisted Ormsby. eft is
of great Importance that she should
have it before 10 O'Clock. You won't
forget?'' And wondering now, Farrar
promised, and Ormsby turned abruptly
back.
II wish to the Lord I were in your
place, was poor Willis parting shout
as the guardsman hurried back to dress
for the night ride. Already the four
troops had marched to stables and were
saddling. Already there were sounds Of
excitement over across the river and
much scurrying through the struggling
street Of the cattle town Of well mount
ed ranchmen and s'cow punchers. I"
Thorpe was as good as his word. He
was rousing the county with venge-
ance, hoping to ride down the valley
in strong force within the hour and
''wind up the whole business" before
the cavalry could come to the rescue Of
the offending band. Will could hear the
occasional whoop and yell that came
ringing over on the still night air, and
he was in a petulant mood bordering on
evaporation when admitted at the chap
lain's and ushered into the parlor,
where Kitty still lay clasped in the
mothers arms.
She scrambled to her feet the instant
he entered and began an energetic out
burst, but the sight Of his woebegone
face checked her suddenly. Mrs. Farrar
read instantly the cause of his gloom,
= l. 1.