The Princeton union., 1900-11-08

(
the result Of its policy, the bureau
had recommended immediate aban-
dorment of Warrior Gap and the
of the troops from the Big
Horn country. The war department,
therefore, had tothold its 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 Marshall's cause. From be-
ing a fellow under the ban of suspi-
cion and the cloud Of official censure,
Marshall Dean was blossoming out as
hero. 1t 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 Loomis
in devoted attendance. 1t was nearly
II when the officers left-two re-
turning to the fort, Loring lingering
for word with Folsom at the gate.
The night was still and breathless.
The stars CLEANED 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. "Day after tomorrow that
safe-opener should reach us. If YOU
have influence with Col. Stevens YOU
should urge him to have a guard at
the quartermaster's depot, even if he
had to strip the fort. The general
cannot be reached by wire''
"Why?" asked Folsom, looking up
in alarm. "You don't suppose he'd
come back to rob his own ofice?"
"He is not the man to take a risk,
but there are those with him not so
careful, and the hand that sent Bird
sails gang in chase of Dean could
send them here, with the safe-key.
Those few clerks and employees would
be no match for them
by heaven. I believe you're right"
cried Folsom. (Which way are you
going now?"
Back to the hotel by way of the
depot" was the answer "Will YOU
go?''
Zone moment. do not travel about
just now without a gun,'' said Folsom.
stepping within doors, and even the
low sound of their voices died away and
all was still as a desert. The old trader
did not return at once. Something de-
tanned him-Miss Folsom, probably,
reasoned the engineer, as he stood
there leaning on the gate. Aloft a
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 dim light shone.
through the Stats, and the shade was
raised, and, while calmly Watching
the performance, Loring became aware
of a 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
died away after a moment, as though
the rider had dived into sandy soil.
Just then Folsom reappeared. 81 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? [ suppose Miss Folsom
has gone to her ROOM"
THE girls have, both of them-bu5
not to the third story. That's Mrs.
Fletcher's ROOM
"Ah, yes. The woman, I 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 a walk, but why
should she have chosen the back-gate
and the alley as a way to air and sun
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. ave can !
head him off, but 7 want to see this =
situat tion first
Looking away southeastward from
the porch of Folsom's homestead, one
could see in the daytime vista Of
shingled roofs and open yards, 9 broad
valley, with a corral and Enclosures on
the southern edge of the town, but not
tree. Tonight only dim black shad
ows told where roof and chimney
stood, and not a sign could they see
of the depot. Loring curiously gazed
aloft at the rear and side windows of
the third story. "They command quite
,-so1 l.,