The Princeton union., 1900-10-11
CHAPTER XII.


half an hour earlier than the stipulated
time, drove the girls and their friend,
Lieut.. Loomis, out to the fort, Mai.
Burleigh was left to his own devices,
and his face plainly showed that he
| was far from pleased with the WAY
things were going. The news that
Marshall Dean had been placed in ar
rest by order of the commanding off,
Ger of Fort Emory, following as it did
close on the heels of the tidings Of
that young officers prompt and SOL
dierly handling of the crisis at the
ranch, made Folsom boil over with
wrath. His first word was one of eau
tion, however. ''Hush!" he said,
"speak low. Yonder stands his Sis
ter. The girls must not know yet."
Then, leading the way into the library
and closing the door behind them, he
demanded all particulars Lannion
could give him, which were few enough.
1.-The lieutenant halted the troop out
side the post" said the indignant
ranchman, chad it dismount there
while he rode on in to report to the
commanding officer for instructions.
Ihe colonel was taking his nap after
lunch, and the adjutant was at the
Office, and what does he do but get
up from his desk solemn-like, and when
the lieutenant says: I report the ar
rival Of troop G at the post, SIR the
adjutant didn't answer a word. but
reached out and got his saber and be-
gan buckhng it around him, and then
he put on his cap and gloves, and says
he: Lieut.. Dean, I'm sorry, but nv
instructions are to place YOU in close
arrest, by order of Col. Stevens Why,
you could have knocked me down with
the kick Of gopher I was so dunn
founded! The lieutenant he didn't saw
anything for minute, but turned
white and looked like he could have
knocked the top of the adjutant's head
OF. An officer will be sent to take
charge of the troop, said the adjutant,
an suppose you'd better con6ne
yourself to your tent, as the colonel
means to have them camp there day
or two, until he hears from Capt.
Brooks as to quarters We'll. will Won
y
have the goodness to say what charges
have been laid against me?' said Mr..
Dean, and the adjutant hemmed and
hawed, and lowed that the colonel
hadn't formally drawn 'em up yet, but
that copy would be served on him as
soon as they were ready.
'"Then said I'd go right in and find
you, and that's all know"
And then it was that Folsom turned
on Burleigh, with gloom in his eye, and
said: "By the Eternal, Maj. Burleigh,
hope you've had nothing to do with
this!"
Nothing in the world, assure YOU,
Mr.. Folsom. II deeply regret it.
Though, as have told you, 7 can hard
~ De surprised, after what has been
said, and-what I have SEEM But
the major could not squarely meet the
gaze in the keen eyes of the old trader.
nor could the latter conceal his sus
picions. II know you wish to hear all
the particulars of the affair at the
ranch from this gentleman" said the
major, uneasily, $50 T will leave you
with him for the present." and back
ing out into the hall he turned to the
foot of the winding staircase where
El1nor had met her friend. The girls
were still there, their faces c]ouded |
with surprise and anxiety. It was an
opportunity not to be lost.
"Pray do not be troubled, Miss Fol
son." said Burleigh, advancing upon
them with outstretched hand, s'er-Mr.
Folsom merely wants to hear further
details from Lannion. Iwish to extend
my congratulations to you and-ah-
this young lady, first upon the for
tunate escape of your brother" and
le bowed over his distended stomach
to Elinor, "and second upon the part
played by yours" and he repeated the
DOW to Jess, who. however, shrank
away from the extended hand. 1T will
20 far to counteract the stories that
you know about
hat were in circulation, and most rn-
Justly, doubtless, at-er-his expense"
'Who put them in circulation Mai.
3urleigh?" asked Pappoose, her brown
yes studying his face as unflinchingly