Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-09-18

ing and hunting than of his legiti-
mate duties, and this, I fear, is why
he is not here to welcome his sister"
The piano went ripping on, but the
brown eyes kept up their steady gaze.
In the deep bass chords now her slen-
der fingers were entangled. Slowly
and thoughtfully the rich melody
swung in the proud waltz rhythm
through the airy room and foated out
upon the summer breeze. A little line
was setting deep between the dark,
arching eyebrows, Il symptom Pap
posses schoolmatesh adlearned tonote
as signal of danger, but Burleigh
knew her not, as yet.
SIT is odd," said she, dreamily, shat
at the Point the officers spoke so
highly of MIR. Dean, and here you
seem to think so differently of him
1t is deep disappointment to his Sis
ter that he is not here, but do you
know, major, we were saying only
this morning before you came that
there was some excellent reason for
his delay, and we'd know it within
another day"
"Oh, ah-er-of course I hope SO. I
think, pardon me, that that must be
messenger from my Office now" for
spurred boot-heels were coming
briskly up the wooden walk. There
was a bounding step on the piazza, a
ring at the bell. The servant hustled
through the hall and threw open the
door. 1t was not a messenger from
the depot, but a stalwart, sunburnt
man in rough ranch garb who
whipped off his broad-brimmed hat
and stood abashed within the hall as
he asked for Mr.. Folsom.
And all of a sudden over went the
piano-stool with crash, and out into
the hall, joyous, bounding, light as a
fairy, vision of dark, girlish beauty,
went Pappoose.
why, Ned Lannion!" she cried, as
she seized the swarthy young fellows
hands and shook them up and down.
Don't you know me-Winona that
used to be? Why, how well you look!
When did you leave the ranch? How
did you leave them? Is Hal here-or
coming?"
And at sound of her voice old Fol-
som had started up from his sofa and
came trotting out into the hall, just
reused from his sleep, and blinking a
bit as he, too, held forth cordial, well
coming hands. 1t was a moment be-
fore they could let Ned tell his story,
and then it came by jerks.
''We left there early yesterday
morning, mum. They're all well now,
'cept Jake, and he'll come out all
right, but we had a close call. A war
party of Sioux jumped us Wednesday
afternoon, and they'd got away with
us but for Lieut. Dean and his troop.
They come along just in time
''Ned.'' gasped Elinor, you don't
mean they attacked the ranch?'
"No'me. We was down the Laramie
rounding up horses. There was a
dozen bucks in the party. It's the
first time they've come across in a
year that l know of, and they won't
be apt to try it again. We shot two
of 'em and the cavalry drove 'em a
running fight, so hard that they had
to leave one OF their wounded behind
them. He died in minute. 1t was"
and then Ned Lannion gulped and
stumbled and choked in embarrass-
ment.
''Who was it?" demanded Mr.. Fol-
som, his rugged face pale and witch
ing, his eyes full of anxiety.
"Chaska sir. You know"
Folsom gripped him by the Shout
der. And Burning Star-dii you see
him? Was he there?"
Eyes, sir; but those boys of Lieut..
Deans gave them lickin' they'll
never forget. The ranch is safe as if
it was here in Gate City, only Hal he
couldn't come himself, and he knowed
you'd be anxious for full particulars,
so he sent me in with the cavalry.
They're out at the fort now"
'Jessie!" cried Elinor, in delight that
overmastered the emotion with which
she had listened to the tale of her
brother'srecent peril. "Marshall's here
almost home. It's just as we said,
Jess. Do come down. He was there
just in time to save my brothers life
to drive the Indians back to the river.
Come quick-I want to hug you!" And
her dark eyes flashing with joy and
excitement danced full upon the bulky
form of the major, slowly issuing from
the parlor door, then beyond as she
went bounding by him, all eagerness
to clasp her bonny friend in her arms
and shower her with congratulations.
And so it happened that both the girls
We're at the rear of the hall entwined
in each others arms at the foot of
the stairs when the ranchman an
swered Folsom's next question, and
then broke out with the abrupt an
nouncement: 81 never see young Of
ticer handle his men better. We'd all
been in hell by this time if it wasn't
for him; yet, by God, sir, the moment
he got into the post they clapped him
in arrest"
CHAPTER XXI.
That evening, when John Folsom
half an hour earlier than the stipulated