Arizona republican., 1898-03-30
fContinued From Yesterday.)

Clara twined and twisted through fairly fertile valley, once the herding ground of the Navajos, now wild and al- most unsettled. Americans and MeXi- cans both had tried it as a stock range, but American cattle and American horses demanded better quality of grass and more of it than would serve the stomach of the Indian pony. Treaty obligations sent the Navajos farther into the mountains to the northwest beyond the Mescalero-but there were restless roamers who were constantly off the reservation, sometimes on pass but oftener on mischief, and on the pre- text of trading they came recklessly as far as the settlement, and then some body's horses were sure to be missing, spirited away into the foothills, whither it was almost useless to follow. The Navajos said the Mexicans were the thieves, the Mexicans declared them to be the Navajos, and when both parties were caught and accused, with prompt unanimity both announced that Apaches must again be raiding, and the name of Apache covered a multitude 
 Mana led the cavalry some glorious chases into the Mescalero, but both those redoubtables had met their fate, and agency officials across the Arizona line were ready to swear that none of their once intractable followers ever thought of quitting corn or melon planting for the forbidden joys of the raid and the warpath. All the same the foothills and the valley far to the north west of the settlements were full of mystery and danger-the roaming ground of the horsethief and the rene gade. and Merriam's men, just in from their long chase, pointed out how the Mexican ruffians, though starting originally toward the southwest, had in long wide circuit gradually worked their way northward, as though making for this very region. The leader of the gang that shot Brady and Corcoran was a fellow by the name of Ramon Valdez, and there was no deviltry too steep for him. The news, therefore, that Flor ence Merriam had not reached Jose's, but that her trail was lost somewhere among the buttes and powders four miles tc the eastward of that frontier refuge. struck dismay to the hearts of her friends at Sedgwick. The tidings went from lip to lip. from house to house, like wildfre, and by midnight an entire troop had ridden forth with their ever ready three days rations, and with Capt. George Grafton in con- mand. ard their orders were not to re- turn without Mrs. Merriam or definite news of her.
 Mrs. Grafton let her husband go only with deep reluctance. He was very nee essary to her now. She felt the need of his support in the management of her truculent patient. She had to leave the latter while assisting him in his busy preparations, and she was surprised and rejoiced to see that on her return to her Fanny had become far more calm and resigned. The ladies in many households were still up and fitting about the post, tearfully. forebodingiy discussing the situation, and several of them had dropped in to speak word with Mrs. Grafton-Whittake and Minturn being ever on the alert to es- cort such parties-and so it was long after ore-indeed, it was nearly two O 'ciock-when at last, after final peep at her now placidly sleeping guest and leaving Annette curled up on the sofa by her mistress bedside, Mrs. Grafton finally sought her own pillow and slept long into the sunshine of the following day.
 Awakening with start at the sound of stirring music on the parade, she found that it was after eight and guard mounting was in full blast. Summon ing servant, her first question was for news of Mrs. Merriam, for servants all ways know the garrison news before their masters. Not a word had been re- eeived. Presently she tiptoed to Fan ny's room, softly turned the knob, and noiselessly entered. There lay her guest still plunged in deep slumber, but An rette had disappeared, gone, probably, to the kitchen for coffee Far over at the east, where the railway crossed the barren mesa, a locomotive whistle broke the silence of the desert with long, ex- ultant blast. The blockade then was broken. The first train was coming in from Cimarron. Dressing with greater haste than usual, she ordered breakfast served. and then went out on the piazza and looked up the row toward the Mer- riams'- The doctor was just coming out of the gate, and Whitaker, who had spent the night there on watch-all thought of rivalry forgotten-was standing on the top step, apparently detaining the physician with some ques- tion. Eager for news of Randy, Mrs. Grafton threw her husbands cavalry cape over her shoulders and tripped brisIlly up the gravel walk. "Still sleep ing" said the doctor, land how is your patient?"
 Also sleeping" said Mrs. Grafton. q don't see how people can sleep so soundly at such times," whereat the doctor looked conscious but said noth- ing.
 All that morning people strained their eyes and rubbed their binoculars and o1,aA