Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1899-07-06

IN VI suffering, and, as be
-N1 l?ok e ! across The
GA ~ stretch OF ovely
country visible be-
yond the stately elms which had stood SO
long before the old-fsshioned house, his
thoughts went back 70 the days when, as e
boy, he played there and lie was fun Of
careless glee.
The paper, blown by a little slit Of wind,
rippled IRON his thip hands and fell at lis
feet. lie did not stoop 10 pick it up, but
let It lie where il had futtercd. Presently
from the village just beyond the hills came
the echoes Of a cannon's boom ara his face
for a moment lighted up as be remembered
that it was the nations holiday. and he
thought Of the Fourths the years had carried
out TO sea.
The door behind him opened 50 softly that
be did not hear L, nor the footsteps wh:oA
came, gozelle1ike, to bis chair, Naen he
looked up it was to gaze into the f3ce CT
fair girl whose hand bad fallen lightly upon
his sleeve
"You remember you asked about Tracy
yesterday| said the young maid.
"Oh, yes-TTacy Wordsworth said the
captain. 'T had forgotten almost"
Did the young girl believe the captain?
CDe seemed 70 tlullE N4iQ AlL a l-NulHlN Atl
gaze wandered from him.
81 have just found one Of her letteTs-one
she wrote me last winter"
"Ah"
'The last one got from her 7 believe.
She mentions ycu n it,
The captain grew interested.
Il went TO Manila last summer. you
know, Harriet. TracyY An yes, I knew
her when came beck hom school, but the
family moved away shortly after that
and"
The captains companion was opening a
letter With her dainty fingers and, strange
10 say, be vas watching her.
Tracy thought she might come back this
summer" continued the girl. "She had
heard somehow that you were away ard
wished you a safe return"
That's clever. I thought she had for
gotten me"
''Not quite, as It seems. She never quite
forgets her friends, but"
The captain waited for the completion Of
the sentence, but II was not finished
you are not going over 20 Hampton to-
day, ! belieyes" suddenly asked II rriet.
81 believe 1 VIII. Il is the Fourth, you
know, and ! half promised jackson that l
would help him celebrate II in cd style"
'Tf you keep out Of the sun you VIII get
along I'm doctor now, vog Eee,' and the
speaker laughed. u VIII order out tie car
Rage while you make your toilet, and the
fair face vanished and the captain was alone
again.
''That was queer" he said 70 himself. as
he kicked the newspaper away from higt-et.
Il was thinking about Tracy mvssf and
stood pat for YOU and had mol time % let
you know"
They ;e al aoQupintan2es, Harold, said
Cousin Harriet. You won't be criticised
and, besides, they want 70 hear from one u
the heroes Of Manila
"He-oes, fddlesticksl j. every man
hero because he does his duty?
and they've got an interesting pro
gramme, captain, said Jackson at this june
ture. Judge Souers IS 20 DO tle zpread
eagle part OF il, ana yon know what he can
DO. The West Milton ouartette Is 90 sing,
and they're promised patriotic song from
a young lady who lives-I don't know just
where-she came here OF visis Jas. D. Rht.
SO walk up to he trenches, $50. .a.E. III
stand by you through thick and thin"
Capt. Cleveus appealed TO Harriet, but
that young lady, who he'd a great deal Of
confidence IN her soldier cousin. urged him
to accept the invitation extended through
jackson, and az last II sheer desperation he
agreed 10 do so.
Presently the programme committee
waited on him officially, and he permitted
himself TO be escorted 20 the speakers
stand. This was an deliberately decorated
sffair and overlooked the pretty little pub
lie square for which Hampton was famous.
The young captain was given an ovation a>
he walked 70 the seat assigned him. and De
cast look toward Harriet, who was watch
ing the proceedings from the carriage.
bere Harriet recalls her "a her cheerful
Reminiscent way. It rot tle irst time I've
thought Of her lately, bu: pshav. Jh0t's all"
He rose and ent,Ied ,Ae house, 20 reap
pear on the porch o :ew minutes later IN uni
form, ready Cor the ride over the hills
Tracy came cut iust as the carriage was
brought round AM tie two cousins seated
themselves in 1t while John took up the
lines.
The noise Of the ceisb7an.s now came over |
the hills with more distiucruess, and the |
captain laugh.nglv said that i reminded Iim
just a triie Cf military lite. The ride was |
pleasant, because both were chatty, and pres /
emily the carriage pulled into the long main |
street ci the western village. The "iihsrty |
pole" soon 10 be raised with appropriate /
lay On the ground receiving the |
finishing touches, and the captain was warm |
ly greeted by Old friends the moment he |
was seen.
I'VE expect q short address from one e.; /
the victo's OF Manila" playiul'v said jack |
son. i was hold enough % give the commit |
tee an affirmative re-r5nse for you and
why, never Iu1de speech iH ny lfr,
broke IN Capt. Cheers 'LaoE here, jack /
son; this VIII never de-"
But, hang il gl.. you can't we,l decline. !
See what a mess it would get me into. I /