The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1898-06-21


small expanse OF tn-s that sloped down
70 the swiitly-rolI,ns Missouri was
dotted with trim. buildings which had
seemingly won q martial appearance
from their occupants, A chill was no.
tieeable in the cir, though June
re{grsd, sna countless mosquitoes
ieigne} also, hcvering in dense swarms
over the willows near the rivers edge
mosquitoes whose spiteful sting was
altogether out of proportion to their
size. Even the stoical Indians from.
the Gros Eentres village, two miles
north, Just over the boundary line in
Montana, were visibly affected By
these ubiquitous pests and waved
eagles wings before their inrertur-
bahle grave faces as they stood upon
the banks while cargo Of military
supplies was being unloaded from a
ttdown-river" boat.
..s5j1Sther and thither, across the pa
ground, figures in blue were mov-
ing slowiy--soldiers with the dull,
apa5hesic countenancas characteriziug
SO many troops upon the northwestern
frontier. But today there was a bright
ening Of faces, quickening Of steps.
for the 'down-river' had brought let
ters from the States and home.
An unusually generous mail, too.
Several men laughed when they saw
Zsck Brayton with deeper bronze on
MS cheeks and letter in his hand
He had never been known to receive
enc since the coming of the company
TO Fort BufoEd. he was tall, awk-
ward fellow, one Of those shambling
men who suggest some mistake on the
part of nature in choosing material too
hastily. He stood now just outside
3 the gymnasium, the letter huttering in
his grasp, the torn envelope crushed
in one strong hand. He had read it
oyer twice and was beginning at the
first page again, rumbiing it iadis-
tinctly:
t, .You and me amt so much to
each other as husband and wife
7. oughter be- IF NE had, you wouldn't t
/, never have gone away. I've kept 81
ience a long time, waiting for you TO
say you cared, but You don't say that
yet; ard now it's my cough and the
strange feelings all over me that
makes me write. The doctor says it
sss:et = eez1t issslo1g g-ana there's little jim,
and the baby -------..----
Ge stopped rrr5tyfE en- : and crunpled
the piitiiful scrawl in his brawny fist
and pushed the back Of h hand across
his deep-set eyes.
- Il don't know rightly what I'll do, .
he began. desperately, and then he
Strengthened up as a comrade ap-
preached, laughing.
Lots of news, Zack?' he quE"ied
IN aSteaslng way.
TIE man looked at his interlocutcr
with dazed expression.
slows all the folks:' persisted the
soldier.
4 puzzled expression settled Oh
Zack Brayton's face He dug one
foot doggedly into the turf. 'Lt
: warn't her fauit-never! he NUT
tered.
r. soho! 7: was lovers quarrel,
hey?" quizzed the soldier.
s:No; it warn't no quarrel" fereely
replied Iack, and then he as suddenly
strobe away.
Ten minutes later Zack Brsyton
stood more awkwardly than ever be-
fore the highest authority in the fort.
That officer had received pleasant
news from home, and lie unbent his
military dignity to a surprising degree
and was chatting merriiy with several
subordinates.
:<Well, my man." was his remark
when lacks presence was noticed.
Tie, private saluted awkwardIy. He
beganto to speak in q low, hesitating
voice.
s:Beggin' yer pardon. colonel, but
I've got word I'd like to sav-least
wise, if
Talk to youy captain, interrupted
the officer, recalling his dignity now.
He was tired of hearing complaints,
and there had been too many Of late.
'<Not as id oughter bother you, sir;
but the fact is"
"Well, speak out; what is it?' said
the otficer, with some show of impa-
tience.
\ dull wave of color arose in the
private's face. He had never seemed
so ponderouslv y awkward.
''My wife, he began. huskily; "she
is sick, an l lowed maybe you had a
wife, colonel. an you'd know how
"Where is she?"
"Back in Missoury"
And YOU want furlough? It's
impossible. slr II We needed half
the requests We shouldn't hare a sol
der lett on his post. Don't YOU see,
M good fellow?'
Yes. air, replied lack, simply.
When he was clear of the quarters
he le8ued against post as if needing
support Of some sort. Yet Iack was
a strong man certainly,
The soldiers q;iizaed him a good
deal, in a>rough manner. at mess, about
his love-letter. He did not utter 2
word in reply, but there was al I'm,
usual look Of determination settling
dow" upon hfs uncouth features, form
ing 1tc hard lines they had never no,
tited before.
The days at FoEt Buford are long i'll
June. There is no evening.
In this high latitude the sun cheats
you ont of the evening" hours and sets
Mt nearly 70 o'clock 4 detachmen
OF troops were assisting the steamboat
sous:.anuts il unloading military snp