The Princeton union., 1900-10-25

A1S - = - =
rat a young officer Of the infantry who,
vastly rejoicing that Dean could not go,
had laughingly possessed himself of
the vacant place, and to him Miss Fol-
som had to talk. But they parted from
their escorts at the gate and hastenedi
within doors. Just as Elinor expected,
papa had not come home. 1t was near
ly six when she saw him striding slow
ly and thoughtfully up the road and
she met him at the gate.
'"Tell me what has happened, daddy"
was her quiet greeting, as she linked
her hands over his burly arm, and look
ing into her uplifted, thoughtful eyes,
so full of intelligence and deep affec-
tion, he bent and, kissed her cheek.
"By Jove, daughter, believe it's the
best thing I can do. Come into the
library" a.. !
That night the moon beamed bright
1y down on the wide.spreading valley,
glinting on the peaks, still snow-tipped,
far in the southern sky, and softening
the rugged faces of the nearer range,
black with their clustering beard of
spruce and pine. The band played
sweetly on the broad parade until after
the tattoo drums had echoed over the
plains and the garrison bellies strolled
aimlessly in the elfin light-au nature
SO lavishly inviting, yet SO little val
ued now that nearly every man was
gone. Out in the camp of troop men
were fitting swiftly to and fro, horses
were starting and stamping at the
picket ropes, eager eyes and tilted ears
inquiring the cause of all this stir and
hustle among the tents. In front of
the canvas home of the young COM
mander grave-faced group had gath
cred, two gentle girls among them, one
with tear-dimmed eyes. Old Folsom
stood apart in murmured conference
with Griggs, the sutler. The regi-
mental quartermaster was deep in con-
sultation with Dean, the two officers
pacing slowly up and down. One or
two young people from the garrison
had spent few minutes earlier in the
evening striving to be interesting to
the girls; but Jessie's fearful eyes and
|
hint sufficient to induce them to with
draw, each bidding Dean good night,
safe journey and speedy return, and
the hand-clasps were kind and cordial.
The colonel himself had paid brief
visit to camp, his adjutant in attend
ance, and had given Mr.. Dean ten min
utes of talk concerning a country Dean
p l. o11 oh h,,t hot
had never seen. 1T is responsibility
I I own ] should have expected to see
placed on older shoulders" said he,
"but prudence and-and, let me 'sug-
gest, cool-headedness-w probably
carry you through. You will be ready
to start"
Ready now, sir, so far as that's con-
cerned; but we start at three.' 9
"Oh, ah-yes, of course-well-ah---
it leaves me practically with no com
mand, but I'll hope to have you back,
Mr.. Dean. Goodlby.'' Then as he
passed Folsom the colonel whispered:
''That's $4,000 as good as thrown
away"
'Ten thousand dollarsl" answered
the trader in reply. What do you
y mean?" n" f. = r. ~
That's what those boys are to run
the gantlet with. My-ah-protests
are entirely unavailing."
For a moment Folsom stood there
dumb. do you mean," he finally cried
t. "that-that it's beyond Frayne that
they're going it's money they're
to take?"
flush! Certainly, but it mustn't be
known. Every road agent in Wyoming
would be out, and every Indian from
J, the Platte to Hudson bay would be or
! the watch. He's to take ten men anc
slip through. The money comes out
from Burleigh tonight" 4
7 The colonel turned away, and
>. beckoning to his staff officer to ioiI
, him, stumped onward to the garrison
: The prolonged wall of the bugle, aid
| ed by the rising night wind, sent tht
: solemn strains of taps sailing dow1
the dimly-lighted valley, and will
/ staring eyes old Folsom stood gazing
r after the departing officers, the1
i. whirled about toward the tents. Their,
: in front of Dean stood Pappoose, he1
, hands clasped tightly over the hilt o
: the saber the ''striker" had Leaned
= against the lid of the mess chest bu
a moment before, her lovely face smil
= ing up into the owners. &
r you'll come back by way of Halls
s won't you?" she was blthely saying
d Perhaps l can coax father to TAX
us there to meet you.'' E.. Y
l. "By heaven, Burleigh," muttere'
S the old trader to himself, "are you th
k deepest man I ever met, or only th
s most Internal scoundrel?'
CHAPTER XIV.
8 A sleepless night had old John Fol
som, and with the sun he was u
l. again and hurriedly dressing. Noise
J. less as he strove to ~bc he was dis