Waterbury Democrat., 1900-11-12
WATERBURY EVENING DEMOCRAT MONDAY. 7NOVE7


 that the general had plainly sata his orcc was too small to risk further assault upon the Sioux. Alarmed at the result of it's policy, the bureau had recommended immediate aban- aonment of Warrior Gap and the withdrawal of the troops from the Big Horn country. The war department, therefore, had to hold it's hand. The Indians had had by long, long odds the best of the fight, and per haps would be content to let well enough alone. All this had tended to bring hope to the hearts of most of the girls, and Loring's welcome was the more cordial because of this and because of his now known champion ship of Marshalfs cause. From be- ing fellow under the ban of suspi- cion and the cloud of official censure, Marshall Dean was blossoming out as . hero. It was late in the evening when Folsom brought the young en- gineer from the hotel and found Elinor and Jessie in the musicroom, with Pecksniff's adjutant and Loon1is in devoted attendance. It was nearly Il when the officers left-two re- turning to the fort, Loring lingering for q word with Folsom at the gate. The night was still and brcathless. The stars gleamed brilliantly aloft, but the moon was young and had early gone to bed. A window in the third story softly opened, as the two men stopped for their brief confer ence-the one so young-looking, stur- dy and alert, despite the frost of so many winters; the other so calm and judicial, despite his youth.
 Up to this afternoon at five no trace of them has been found,' said Loring. "Dav after tomorrow that safe-opencr should reach us. If you have influence with Col. Stevens you should urge him to have a guard at the Quarternaster's depot. even if he had to strip the fort. The general cannot be reached by wire"
 "Why?" asked Folsom locking up in alarm. You don't suppose he'd come back to rob his own ofice?"
 "Hc is not the man b take risk, but there arc those wi:!l him not so careful, and the hand that sent Bird sails gang in chase of Dean could send them here, with the safe-lsey. Those few clerks and employ cs would be no match for them"
 By heaven, believe you're right!" cried Folsom. (Which way, arc you going now?"
 Back to the hotel by way of the depot" was the answer. twill you go?"
 One moment. do not travel about just now without gun," said Folsom, stepping withia doors, and even the low sound of their voices died away and all was still as desert. The old trader did not return at once. Something de- tained him-Miss Folsom, probably, reasoned the engineer, as he stood there leaning on the gate. Aloft blind creaked audibly, and, gazing up- ward, Loring saw a dark, shadowy shutter at the third-story window swing slowly in. There was no wind to move it. Why should human hands be so stealthy? Then a dim light shone through the slats, and the shade was raised, and, while calmly watching the performance, Loring became aware of dim, faint, far-away click of horses hoofs at the gallop, coming from the north. If that were from the eastward, now" thought he, ''it might bring stirring news" But the sound
 
 the rider had dived into sandy soil.
 Just then Folsom reappeared. q had to explain to my daughter. She is most reluctant to have me go out at night just now"
 Naturally" said Loring, calmly. And have you been way up to the third story? I suppose Miss Folsom has gone to her room."
 sx,1. I. not to the third story. That's Mrs. Fletcher's room."
 "Ah, yes. The woman, believe, who accidentally scared your horse and threw you?'
 "The very one!' he answered. 'I'm blessed if I know what should have taken her out at that hour. She says she needed air and walk, but why should she have chosen the back-gate and the alley as q way to air and sum- shine?"
 Would you mind taking me through that way?" asked the engineer sud- denly. Its the short cut to the depot, I understand"
 'Why, certainly. I hadn't thought of that,' said Folsom. Come right on."
 And so while the hoofbeats up the road grew louder, the two turned quickly back to the rear of the big frame house. That coming horse brings news," muttered Loring to him. self. as he turned the corner. "We can head him off, but I want to see this situation first"
 Looking away southeastWard from the porch of Folsom's homestead, one could see in the daytime a vista of shingled roofs and open yards, broad valley, with a corral and.inclosures on the southern edge of the town, but not a tree. Tonight only dim black shad- ows told where roof and chimney stood, and not sign could they see of the depot. Loring cNriously gazed aloft at the rear and side windows of the third story. ''They command quite view, suppose" said he, and even as he spoke the sash of the southeast room was softly raised, the blind r,1, ,l0