The Florence daily tribune., 1898-03-24

morning air rang with the melody. and
the troopers were tumbling out from
the barracks and ever across the parade
officers came stalking forth from their
doorways, for the -th were sticklers
about morning stables and roll call;
| and, most prominent figure of all,
streaking across the mesn with pig.
'ails and pa mas a-nying. with his felt
bottomed boots fairly flashing, with
haring eyes. distended for once n. least
with mad appeal and dread in every
feature and shrill distress in his chat.
tering tones. came Hop Ling. straight
for the guardhouse and shricking for
"Melium."
y new officer of the guard. u scowling
and unresponsiye man, turned from his
survey of the array of grinuing prison.
ers, forgetting their own troubles in
the contemplation of Hops grotesque
misery, and this new official. Whitaker
by name, sternly shouted: stop your
Internal noise, you clappcr-Jawed
heather. What the devils the mat
ter?"
"Mellium Melliuml" was all poor
Hop could pant.
mir. Merriam isn't here" said Whit
taker, majestically.
"Oh-wha he gone?-Misse Mellium
gone! She gone Minion-alle gone,"
"Whew!" said Whitaker. Sergeant.
take charge of the guard. I've got to go
up to Capt. Gi'afton's and report this
Come on with me. you heathen," and,
forgetful of the officer of the day. and
only too ready to visit Graftons and
bask under that window, the lieutenant
fastened away, Hop obediently and
hopefully following. Matters weren't
so bad perhaps, then, after all, thought
he. Odd though the freak might be
his master and mistress might possibly
have trotted away together for very
early morning rifc and would soon be
back demanding breakfast.
But Grafton was ont in an instant.
and together did the three hasten to the
pretty nest which Randy had go proud.
~ furnished for his bride. Hop ushered
them to the dark, empty parior, then to
The empty rooms above.
There on the unrumpled bed, just
where she lad thrown them. were the
garments Flo had hastily discarded
There ON the dressing table were toilel
articles in wild disariay. "She's heard
in some way OF his orders to chase thost
id greasers, said Whitaker, sui
lenly. He, who hated the name OF
Fanny Hayward year gone by for hav-
ing Tilted his fondest friend. now well.
nigh hated him because the woman
sought him again, and Whitaker knew
il.
I'VE cnn soon tell" said Grafton,
briefly, 'by following her trail"
Down to the little stable they went;
but first Grafton stepped back into
Randy's bath and dressng-room. Yes
just as be thought. there was a note
stuck in Randy's mirror, but no woman
iy little scrawi. no young wife's cooling
confidence TO her devoted mate, 1t wa
in stout envelope, and the superscrip-
tion in II hand that spread itself over
the entire face, was formal, indeed
menacing:
LIEUT.. MERRIAM.
Private
and personal. -th Cavalry.
The captains face grew quickly grave
as he came forth and closed the door
behind him.
which way did Merriam head?
asked he of Whitaker moment later,
as the three regathered back of the
line.
straight off TO the southwest" said
Whitaker, 'and here go her tracks-by
Jove! Straight away for the end of the
row-and-from there?-"
The two officers looked in each others
eyes moment. then strobe hurriedly to
the west end of the line. Before them
there-broad and far spreading, brave
in the slanting sunshine, the rolling
reach of the mesa toward the Santa
Clara. Beyond that valley the slow
rising stretch of desert toward the old.
old mission miles ard miles away. Be-
yond al. the far foothills and glistenirg
range Of the Mescalero.
But not toward these did Mignon's
dainty foot-tracks lead. Straight as the
crow flies they clipped the sandy bar
rem when once well cut beyond the line
and hearing of the westward sentry.
Straie ieiht, swift and sure, like hcmirg
pigeon, Floy had evidently shaken loose
her rein and bade her pet and precious
bear her, swcrying never, far at least
as strength would last, to where there
was ever waiting her the changeless
love and pity and protection of the shell
tering arms at the old cantonment,
now her only hope of home.
CHAPTER Kill
mo word of this to anyone, Whit
taker," said Grafton. as they turned
away. He was beginning to see through
it ALL He knew hat two ladies of the
garrison were calling at his quarters
just at that luckless hour near retreat.
when, as he had urged, Merriam went