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

and partner, LOOMS for himself, with
mental reservation. Dean at once had
begged to be excused. After the morn I.
ings disappearance of Burleigh and
"Surly," as Miss Folsom promptly
named the pair, Marshall had ridden
into Gate City at the side of the Fol-
som carriage, and was welcomed by
the old trader himself, who looked
panied when told he could not attend
the dinner. Surely Col. Stevens will
let you off," said Folsom, but that oh. y
viously was not the reason.
'I'm the only officer with my troop"
said Dean, "and so cannot ask"
But when Folsom took his daughter
in his arms little later and inquired
whether there was not some graver
cause behind the one assigned Elinor
calmly answered that she thought
there was, and that the cause was Maj,
Burleigh.
''But, daughter dear" said he, that's
just one reason wish to bring them
together. Then Dean could see how
pleasantly disposed the major is" and
he was amazed when she replied:
l1oA may NC dlSs
posS but Mr.. Dean is not by any
means, nor would be were I in his
place, papa"
MY child,' said he, what do you
know about it?"
Everything that Jessie knows, be-
sides what we heard on the train. Maj.
MIR. Dean told her of several things
Maj. Burleigh had said and done to his
discredit, and no wonder he declines to
dine with man who has deliberately
maligned him.
81 wish l had thought of that" said
Folsom, his knotty hands deep in the
pockets of his loose-ftting trousers.
81 saw Burleigh this morning on some
business, and he seemed to want to
help Dean along. What took him out to
the fort, do you SUPPOSED"
II don't know" she answered, grave
ly. He had Capt. Newhall with him
in quest of somebody who wasn't
there"
"Ah, yes, Griggs, the sutler. I heard
of it," interposed Folsom, lingering his
watch chain.
Very possibly. The captain was
ugly and rude in manner and Maj.
Burleigh very much embarrassed. In-
deed, daddy dear, should not be great
ly surprised if others of your party;
failed to come"
"Burleigh, do you mean, or his queer
guest?"
But Pappoose did not reply. She
seemed listening intently, and then
with swift, sudden movement darted
across to the heavy Navajo blanket
portiere that hung at the doorway of
little room back of the library. Her
voice was far from cordial as she
asked:
Were you looking for anyone, Mrs.
Fletcher? l thought you We're in your
room"
"For Mr.. Folsom, please, when he is
at leisure" was the answer. in I'M
ruffled tones. Il believe it easier to
take active part in the preparations
than to lie there thinbis g."
At one the girls We're to lunch at
the fort, as has been sud, ard it was
time for them to dress. There were
other matters on which ElinDr much
wished to talk with her fathes and,
with more reluctance than she had
yet experienced, she left him to hear
what Mrs. Fletcher might have 20 say.
The conference was brief enough,
Whatever its nature, for presently his
voice was heard at the foot Nf the
stairs.
I'm going over to the depot few
minutes, Daught. l wish 20 see Bur
leigh. Don't wait for me. Start when
ever you are ready. Where do the
boys meet your"
Here, daddy, at half-past twelve"
TWAS high noon now, and the ruddy-
faced old fellow grew redder as the
summer sun beat down on his gray
head, but he strobe sturdily down the
broad avenue that led to the heat of
the busting new town, turned to the
right at the first cross street beyond
his own big block, and ten minutes
brisk tramp brought him to the gase-
way of Burleigh's stockaded Enclosure.
Two or thsss employees lounging about
the gate were gazing curiously within.
Silently they let him pass them by,
out souuu Oh duSFy Voices rose upon
the heated air. Just within the gate
stood the orderly trumpeter holding
two horses by sac reins, one of them
Marshall Deans. and a sudden idea
occurred to Folshm as he glanced at
the open windows of the office build
ing. There was no installing the
speaker within. 1t was Burleigh.
Leave my office instantly, sir, or I'll
prefer charges that WIN stick
"Not till I've said what came to
say, Maj. Burleigh. I've abundant evil
dence of what you've been saying at
my expense. You asserted that lost
my nerve the day we met Red Clouds
band-you who never dared get out
of the ambulance until the danger was
over. It's common talk in the troop.
At Frayne, at Reno, and here at Emory
you have maligned me just as you did
in the cars to my friend here, Mr..
Loomis, and in hearing of my sister.
will not accept your denial nor win
leave your Office till you swallow