The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-12-12

ed at him in contempt, then turned
abruptly away.
Good Lord, Marshall" said Loomis,
as they cleared the gate, "if that's the
only appreciation this days work will
bring us what will the results be? You
served him right, no doubt, but" and
an ominous shake Of the head wound
up the sentence.
But or no but said Dean, tits
done now, and I'd do it again"
There was no dinner party at Fol-
SONS that evening. At two a mes
senger trotted out to the post with a
note for Miss Folsom to appraise her
Of the fact, and without word or
change of color she put 1t into her
pocket. The garrison girls were bent
on having them spend the afternoon,
but presently Miss Folsom found
moment in which to signal to Jess,
and at they were driving home.
You will surely come out this even
ing and hear the music and have a
dance" were the parting salutatiOns,
as with skillful hands the young girl
took up the reins.
I'VE hope to-" was her smiling an
swer. Jess was cltnging to her broth
er's handssas he stood by the wheel,
and LOOMS had already clambered in
beside her.
please come, Marshall" pleaded
Jessie; but he shook his head.
Il must be at camp this evening,
sister mine. We go to stables in an
hour. You will come back, Loomis?"
las soon as I've seen" and a sig
nificant nod supplied the ellipsis.
Something ominous was in the wind
and both girls knew it. LOOMS. usual
ly gay and chatty, was oddly silent,
as the light, covered wagon sped
swiftly homeward. Beside the fair
charioteer sat young officer of the
infantry who, vastly rejoicing that
Dean could not go, had laughingly pos
sessed himself of the vacant place, and
to him Miss Folsom had to talk. But
they parted from their escorts at the
gate and hasteEed within doors. Just
as Ellnor expected, papa had not come
nome. 1t was nearly when she saw
MIN striding slowly and thoughtfulIy
up the road and she met him at the
gate.
Tell me what has happened. Dad
dy." was her quiet greeting, as she
linked her hands over his burly arm,
and looking into her uplifted, thought
1ul eyes, so full of intelligence and
deep affection, he bent and kissed her
cheek.
BY Jove, daughter, I believe it's the
pest thing 1 can do. Come into the
library"
That night the moon beamed brightly
o0Wn on the wide-spreading valley,
g1nt1ng on the peaks, still snow tipped
Tar In the southern sky, and softening
the rugged faces of the nearer range
black with their clustering beard of
spruce and pine. The band DIaved
sWeetly on the broad parade until after
tne tattoo drums had echoed over the
plains and the garrison bellies strolled
aimlessly in the elfin light-an nature
SO lavishly inviting, yet so little valued
now that nearly every man was gone.
out In the camp of "C'' Troop men
were Hitting swiftly to and fro. horses
were starting and stamping at the
picket ropes, eager eyes and tilted ears
1nqu1r1ng the cause of all this stir and
Dustle among the tents. In front of the
canvas home of the young commander
a graVe-faced group had gathered. two
gentle girls among them, one with tear
dlmmed eyes. Old Folsom stood apart
In murmured conference with Griggs,
the sutler. The regimental quarter
master was deep in consultation with
Dean, the two officers pacing slowly up
and down. One or two young people
from the garrison had spent a few min
utes earlier in the evening striving to
be interesting to the girls; but Jessies
fearful eyes and Miss Folsom's grave
manner proved hint sufficient to induce
them to withdraw, each bidding Dean
goodnight, safe journey and speedy re-
turn, and the hand-clasps were kind
and Cordial. The colonel himself had
paid brief visit to camp, his adjutant
In attendance, and had given Mr. Dean
ten minutes of talk concerning a coun-
try Dean knew all about, but that
''Pecksniff" had never seen. 1T is
responsibility own L should have ex-
pected to see placed on older Shout
ders," said he, but prudence and-and,
let me suggest, cool-headedness-w
probably carry you through You
will be ready to start"
Ready now, sir, so far as that's con-
cerned; but we start at g."
ooh, ah-yes, of e-weli-ah-it
leaves me practically with no COM
mand, but I'll hope to have you back
Mr.. Dean. Goodbye" Then as he
passed Folsom the colonel whispered
away"
Ten thousand dollarsr' answered the
trader in reply What do you mean?"
That's what those boys are to run
the gauntlet with. My-ah-protests
are entirely unavailing."
For a moment Folsom stood there
dumb. do you mean" he finally cried.
lIdI-JldI II > DeyOilQ ffdyne Jndt
they're going-that it's money they're
to take?"
Hush! Certainly, but it mustn't be
known. Every road agent in Wyoming
would be out, and every Indian from
the Platte to Hudsons Bay would be
on the watch. He's to take ten men
and slip through The money comes
out from Burleigh tonight"
The colonel turned away, and, beck
oning to his staff officer to join us,
stumped onward to the garrison The
prolonged wall of the bugle, aided by
the rising night wind, sent the solemn
strains of taps sailing down the dimly-
lighted valley and with staring eyes
old Folsom stood gazing after the de-
parting officers, then whirled about to-
ward the tents. There in front of Dsan
stood PappOose, her hands clasped
lightly over the hilt of the saber the
striker" had leaned against the lid of
the mess chest but moment before,
her lovely face smiling up into the
owners.
you'll come back by way of Halls,
won't your" she was blithely saying.
Perhaps I can coax father to take us
there to meet you"
"By heaven, Burleigh,'' muttered the
old trader to himself, ARE you the
deepest man l ever met. or only the
most internal scoundrel?"
(To be continued next Sunday)