Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-09-25

that night, as she Rugged him be-
fore being lifted to her seat, "tell
me true, wasn't Pappoose's picture in
your heart pocket? Didn't that bull
let crease it?"
Promise on your honor not to tell,
JESS" he whispered.
She nodded delightedly.
eyes, and what's more, it's there
now!"
Early on the morrow came further
news. Troops from Steele and Bridger
were on the move, but no word came
for the cavalry at Emory, and Mar
shall Dean, hitherto most eager for
field service. learned with joy he felt
ashamed to own that he had still an
other day to spend in the society of
Jessie and her friend. But how much
of that elation Jessie could have
claimed as due to her every sister
whose brother is in love can better
tell than L. AT eight they came driv-
ing out to hear the band at guard
mounting, though, to old Pecksniff's
pathetic sorrow, he could mount only
twelve men all told. That ceremony
over, they watched with kindling eyes
the sharp drill of Marshall's troop;
that soldierly young commander, one
may feel well assured, showing his
men, his horses, and himself off to
the best of his ability, as who would
not have done under such scrutiny as
that. LOOMS was with them, but Eli
nor drove, for her father had urgent
business, he said, and must remain at
his Office. Maj. Burleigh. he added,
was to meet him, whereat the girls
were silent.
eff you could have heard the major
pleading with that cantankerous old
fool at the fort in Marshalls behalf
you would get over your wrath at
Burleigh just as l did, said Folsom.
to both. apparently, and still neither
answered. Burleigh was evidently
persona non grata in the eyes of
both. He tells me Capt. Newhall is
still here, waiting for train to be
made up to run back to Cheyenne. I'm
afraid I'll have to ask him to bring
the captain to dinner to-day. Do
you think Mr.. Dean will care to
Gomez" he asked.
II think he would rather not leave
camp" said Jessie, slowly. Orders
may come any minute, he says"
YES, l suppose So" answered Fol-
som, vaguely relieved. Something told
him that there was antagonism be-
tween the young fellow and Burleigh
that would be. apt to involve Newhall,
too. "Ill ask them both, if you don't
very much mind,' he went on. whis-
pering to Elinor. ''-And will you tell
Mrs. Fletcher? How is she this morn-
fng?"
Just as usual, papa. She says she
has rather violent headaches once in
awhile, and she thinks it prudent to
! keep her room to-day. But | can at
tend to everything" Indeed, thought
the daughter, she wished she had it all
to do.
And SO Folsom had gone to meet
Burleigh, and the girls had planned,
at least Jessie had, that Marshall aft
er drill should ride beside them into
town and have a chat in the parlor
while she wrote to mother in the Ii
rary. But thing happened that no
one could have foreseen. Just before
drill was over and while they were
still watching it from their seats in
the covered wagon, buggy drove up
alongside and Maj. Burleigh jumped
out, gave the reins to his companion,
and babe him come to him as soon as
he had finished what he wished to do
at the suffers. The majors face was
pertufbed, that of his companion
looked black and ugly. 1t was Capt.
Newhall, and something was amiss.
The latter barely tipped his hat in
| driving away. the former heaved a
sigh of relief, then turned to greet
! the girls.
Ten minutes passed in constraint
| and awkwardness. Burleigh felt that
he was unwelcome, but his eyes were
fixed in fascination on Elinor. Fol-
som, and he could not go. Presently
drill was dismissed, and Dean, all
aglow, came galloping up, his orderly
trumpeter following. Not until he
had joyously greeted both the girls
did he see who was standing by the
forward wheel on the opposite side.
Good morning, Mr.. Dean" said
Burleigh. affably. 81 never saw that
troop look SO WE'LL"
Good morning, sir" said Dean, cold
ly. Then turned to speak again to
Miss Folsom when the buggy came
whirring back.
HE isn't here, Burleigh,' said the
occupant, petulantly. "He's in town,
and you've got to find him right Off.
Come on!"
Burleigh turned livid. "Capt. New
hail. he said, you fail to notice am
with friends"
"They are friends who will be glad to
get rid of you, then" replied the
stranger, thickly, and it was easy to
see that he had been drinking. All the
same Burleigh went.
CHAPTER XIV.
Another day Dean and Troop Cwere
held in camp awaiting orders for spe-
cial service, and no orders came,