The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-03-23
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IT think so," was the answer. "Isn'
there map Of Nebraska in the major
den? can show you just how they ar,
marching in. The doctor and l figured
it out on his map this morning before
before we heard Of this" And again b,
glanced at Nathalie's bowed head.
tits hanging there on the east wall,
between the windows" said Mrs
Barry, and rising and stepping quickly
across the hall Maynard entered thu
narrow apartment in the clean to-
which Barry used as his study, office,
library and general loafing place. II
opened into Mrs. Barry's bedroom, al
did also the little hall. A pair Of heavy
Navajo blankets hung in the connect.
ing doorway, the floor was covered with
thick carpet, underneath which were
several thicknesses of newspaper-the
universal expedient Of the old frontier
days for keeping out the Wyoming
gales. The windows still wore their
winter battens Of cotton, and the mar
row den was as snug and secure from
drafts as any house at Russell could
be made, and yet something had occur.
red to disturb those Navajo curtains
within five seconds, for one Of them
was swinging back as though it had
just been blown In by puff Of wind.
Maynard looked at it in some surprise,
but the heavy folds quickly settled to
rest. He did not consider 1t his prov.
inoe to search for the cause in Mrs.
Barry's room. The rear window might
be open, or the kitchen door which stood
beyond the arohed entrance to the din
ing room. Lifting the map from its
hook, he turned to retrace his steps, and
right at the foot Of the stairs met Nath-
allie. With bowed head and averted
eyes she brushed by him and fastened
up to her room.
"She was SO agitated and distressed,
Mr.. Maynard" explained his hostess,
as the young fellow returned to the par.
lor, that I had to let her go to bathe
her face. She'll be down again before
long"
But this proved delusive. Mrs. Stan
hard remained few moments to look
over the map while Maynard pointed
out where the battalion had been en-
gagged with the Oheyennes, the line of
flight Of the latter to the northern
agencies and the probable homeward
course Of the regiment, and then she
took her departure.
Mary, the maid, presently came in
with tea and was told to take it up to
Miss Baird, which she did, and on her
return was asked if Bridget was up
stairs as had been reported, and Mary,
with puzzled face, said, "No; neither
was she in her own room back of the
Kitchen" But a minute later, after the
maid had retired, Bridget's voice was
heard in the kitchen, and speedily she
herself approached the parlor door, but
stood respectfully and modestly back in |
the dining room and inquired with
great Difference Of manner was Mrs.
Barry needing anythingf
"Not now, Bridget" was the an.
swer. II needed you few moments
ago to make some tea for Miss Baird"
"I'm so sorry, num-" said the invis-
ible domestic. II had just stepped over
to Mrs. Gregg's moment after coming
in to see if anything was wanted. Isn't
there something can do now, ma amp
Nothing, thank you, Bridget, unless
you'll step up to Miss Baird and see if
you cannot suggest something to coax
her appetite. Whereupon Bridget's
footsteps were heard passing through
the bedroom into the hall and SO on up
tho stairs, the goddess of the kitchen
thereby coyly defeating the possibility
Of being seen in the garb of her servi-
tude as we'll as avoiding the parlor as a
;horoughfare-not so easy matter to
leach to frontier "help."
ga most excellent, faithful crea-
;ure," said Mrs. Barry to her visitor,
and so good tempered! She's worth
'ix Of her predecessors. "
II hope she will prevail on Miss
Baird to eat something" said Maynard ,
'nxiously. "She seems to have been SO
II for days and weeks
poor child, yes" was the answer,
and she has had enough to drive girl
listractedl OF course, Mr.. Maynard, I
'ou must have heard something Of her
ingular adventures Of late"
~ have both seen and heard some
hing, Mrs. Barry" was the prompt 0
eply, land I'll stake my all it's-it's
0 her credit, not to her disoredit, if
Surely that man must be h
ONE kin Of her people. 1t cannot be !
nything else."
He was glad Of a chance to champion
er cause; glad to show Mrs. Barry the d
epth of his faith and trust in her, and 6
ct there was that in his tone which
I'D her he had been harshly tried and &
lat he longed for the support Of her Il
pinion.
"That is my conviction, too, Mr.. Fl
[aynard," she said, "but the poor girl b
ill not even admit that. There is some