The Delta independent., 1898-05-13
CHAPTER I.

through the snow from the creek valley
up past the long line Of raI1shackle
sheds that defaced the east front of the
original Fort Russell. had declined the
invitation Of some of the old st..gers and
young plungers Of his regiment to
"oome in and have something" at tho
traders store by the gate. had plodded
thOughtfully on 20 his own quarters
some distance mp the row. had had his
hath and changed his stable garb for the
bsst.undress uniform he owned and was
now waiting somewhat impatiently for
ESaE3asE The Cheyenne Leader had
little In the way Of telegraphiO news
and its local gossip failed to interest
him. He tossed IL aside and after look
Aato the little dining room, where the
besakfast table was set for two, began
0acing slowly up and down the tiny
paslor I've PAGES one way and five back.
Occasioaally be would cast glance up
ward and listen for sounds Of movement
slufI but none rswarded his attention.
PFsssntly he went 70 the window and.
throwing aside the curtains, gased
0loomily ont upon the snow covered
paradp. Over across the barren. wind
sWsp1 1svel. bosdered BY its row Of leaf
Len. desolate, STRIPPING cottonwoods
Quivsfing in the rising breeze. the un-
dghtly brown barracks were eoheloned,
their gable ends to the north and south,
With the wooden tower, tho official
home Of the officer Of the guard. and be-
hind 10 the dun colored walls Of the
Suasdhouss. filling the gap at the oppo-
sits an0ls OF the diamond shaped quad
silaeeral
H0o and there along the parade lay
has@ unsightly patches Of dead gray
ta0alo grass where the wintry gales
had swept away the falling snow. only
TO whirl IL into deep drifts about the
harfackA Beyond the rough wooden one
stcry bufidings that framed the road
way bounding. the parade the snowy
slopes dipped out OF sight into the val
ley q TIE Crow, only to reappear half
mile beyund. defaoed with the same
broad gray patches and streaked with
3AGgsd lines of deecy white where the
snow lay fathoms deep In the ravines
end coeleeA Beyond them oil. 100 miles
% tee south, cold. remote and majestic.
lowered tie peaks and domes Of tho
Jsoskiest dazzling when the morning
sum shoue, but repclisnt and frowntng
now that his face was hid behind .
denss veil OF cloud that was drawn
ashwaFe the heavens. The scene was
drsary In the last degree. Only about
the guardhouse was there eign OF life
and action. for In tho intense cold the
troopers huggod the comfort OF their
barracks and huddled about the redhos
eeovea The captains face. somber and
uaslancholy. yet . refined. clear cut,
handsome face withnl, sccntd to tako
% an additional shade OF gloom az he
stood there. lonely and tilcnt, drum
ming ON the window rancs with his
6nsee apa THROUGH tho thin partition
In the party wall OF wood that separat-
cd his soldier home from that OF Captain
Wayne next door came the sound OF
CHEEKY voices. Of 3oyoSs laughter and
chtldtsh glee. Turner sighed heavily -
be took out his watch, glanced at it and
turned impatiently. Even ~ he left the
window . trumpeter. puufilcd in heavy
ovexcoat, ccmo briskly out from the ad-
5utant's on3ce and sounded first call Tor
guard mounting. whercat the captain
strode through the dining room aud
poked his head into tho kitchen beyond.
"Nora," he said, "be 90 Kind as 70
Yun mp and tell &rA Turner not to hur-
~ II ahs's tired. but that I'm ON gar
risou court this morning and must have
my breakfast at once"
Wipins her hands on her apron, the
lrish maid Of all work proceeded on
hee missioo. She was back in a mo-
n,ent. "The missus fsys not 10 wait.
She'll b down directly" was her re-
port
''vsry we'll Bring me whatever 10
ready. hid Turner briefly and sat him
down at the table.
Thsrs bad been lively hop the night
before. and Joy was upccnGned. A dozen