Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-03-02

npHle lOr nearly fCOr0 OF years, DuJ
rarely were the herds left without some
one to attend to them. Uuntley himself
passed back and forth between his house
and the hills, and, since the coming of
Weston Rundcll, they took many rides
together. Edith, who was skilful
horsewoman, was sometimes a compan-
ion and not infrequently she and Run
dell INDUCED in long excursions that
sometimes kept them absent for most of
the day.
They had learned the Photographic
code 80 common among the soldiers in
that section of the country, and often,
when separated by space of several
miles, found entertainment in com
municating by means Of the small hand
mirrors.
The weeks following the arrival of
Rundoll and the ladies went by un.
eventually. The flaming summer, when
the heat at times becomes intolerable
and the whole country is "a furnace, had
passed and there was a GOODNESS in the
air at night that was exceedingly CRATE.
full, while the temperature at noon was
it trying.
The tall, grim, bronzed, toughened
owner of the ranch, clad in sombrero,
flannel shirt high boots and big spurs,
was riding his why pony homeward,
toward the close Of a bright, sunshiny
day i'll early autumn, and at his side,
similarly attired, was Weston Rundcll,
No al l,,,.
ways of the natives, even to the extent
of wearing a rattlesnake hatband and
gaudy flowing neckerchief. Edith de-
clared that he made real cute cowboy,
and with "a few years training would
be able to earn fair wages in looking
after cattle.
Huntlcy and Rundell were yet sew
eral miles from home, and their ponies
were walking over the crunching sand
toward the dwelling, whose outlines
could be dimly discerned through the
clear atmosphere. The younger man
always carried spyglass and his small
hand mirror, with which to communi
cate with the one that had become very
dear to him within the last few weeks.
and who was growing dearer with each
passing day. Even while asking and
answering questions he kept glancinc
toward the dwelling in the hope OF
catching the fash that had so often
stirred and cheered him on his way
homeward.
II am afraid there is going to be
trouble" remarked Huntley, after they
had ridden few minutes in silence.
"Of what nature;" asked bis com
panion.
There is only one kind of trouble in
these parts, and that comes from the
devilment of the ApacheS. We thought
that when Geronimo and the worst OF
the gang were removed eastward, be-
You'd the possibility of doing evil, we
should have rest and peace in this part
OF the world.
HAS not such been the case?"
Substantially, yes When we learn
ed that the gang had been actually ship.
ped to the States. we sent up prayer
of thankfuness and relief and several
years passed before there was "a ripple
of mischief but" grimly added the
ranchman, "the mistake was in leaving
any Apache, at all, whether Warm
Spring, White Mountain, Chiricahuas
or any branch, for unless they are
watched and kept down with an iron
hand they are liable to break out at
any time, and when they do break out it
means hades.
"Do You apprehend anything of the
kind now:' asked Rundell with 4
thrill of alarm.
Eyes. Coyote Kit, one Of the keenest
ranchmen l ever knew, told the men
this morning that some of the bucks
were off the reservation, and there was
reason to believe, We're organizing an
other raid. am sorry didn't leave
word for the boys to come in tonight
and stay at the house till we know the
truth, but they will be alert and it
won't take them long to show up. Hell.
10! What's that"
While speaking, the elder naturally
looked toward his own home, which
they were approaching, AS he did so,
he saw a flash Of light of dazzling bril-
liancy, which was instantly gone again.
Before Rundell could reply, the father
answered his own question.
1T is Edith practicing photography
again. | can't read her lingo, but sup.
pose it is meant for you.
Il presume SO. She has become very
expert, and We find a good deal OF
amusement in telegraphinS to each 9th
er, when almost ont Of sight"
"What does she say"
The flashes were appearing and van
ishing in quick succession, so quick in
deed that Rundell checked his pony
fearing to lose some of them. seeing
which his companion did the same. He
/ too, watched the curious signaling
though not particle was comprehend
ed by him.
For few minutes there was no cal
for reply on the part of the young man
who, with his little mirror in hand
! knit his brows in the effort to keep tracl
of the swift comings and goings of the
signals.
II lost little of what she said al
first" he remarked, "but she is asking
( A&, 4