Evening star., 1901-07-20

IS quite safe in the coach and asleep, She
KNOWS nothing yet of what has happened
ana believes it is you who have taken
everything away for security against IN
Indian attack. She has had pretty rouph
Nisht-what with her fatigue and her alarm
at the wolves-and l thought it best TO
heep the truth from her as long as Dos
sipie, and l would advise YOU to broaI, n
10 her gently He then briefly told tho
story of their experiences. omitting onlv
MS own personal encounter with the In
ulan. "A new pride, which was perhaps
the result OF his vigil, prevented him
Inc young officer glanced at him with a.
inucn courtesy as might be afforded to
CIVILIAN intruding upon active military on
trallohs. Il am sure Major Cantire will
be greatly obliged to you when he knows
1t. he said politely. and as we intend to
harness up and take the coach back tn
Sage Brush station Immediately you viii
nave an opportunity Of telling him"
Il am not going back by the coach to
sage Brush said Boyle, quietly. "I have
already lost twelve hours of NV timeNas
Wen as my trunk-on this picnic, and 7
.echoh Ta. ehe ieast Major Cantire can do is
10 let me take one Of your horses to the
next station In time to catch the down
coach l can do 1t, If l set out at once"
Boyle heard his name. with the familiar
commissary sergeant. whom he recognized
as having met at the agency, and the
words Chicago drummer added while a
perceptible smile went throughout the
with familiarity a shade less respectfni
than his previous formal manner "Yo,,
can take the horse. as l believe the In
aaans nave already made free with your
samples. Give him a mount, sergeant
The two men walked toward the coach
Boyle fingered moment at the window to
snow him the figure Of Miss Canttre still
peaeeIuliy slumbering among her pile Of
cushions, and then turned quietly awav
"A moment later he was galloping on one
OF the troopers horses across the emmy
plain.
Miss Cantire awoke presently ,o tho
sound of a familiar voice and the sight of
t1gures that she knew. But the youn0 on
GERS first words of explanation-a guarded
account OF the pursuit Of the Indians and
the recapture of the arms, suppressinr tho
killing OF Foster and e the mail agent
brought change to her frightened face
! ana wrinkle TO her pretty brow. ..But
asked oye yttna sad nothng OF this h to she
Already on his way to the next station
on one Of our horses! Wanted to catch the
down stage and get new box of SAMPLES,
o i FANCY. as the braves had rugged them
ned lost time enough on this picnic.'' re-
turned the young officers with a laugh.
Smart business chap; but 1 hope he didn't
bore you"
Miss Cantire felt her cheek flush. and hit
her lip Il found him most kind and con-
siderate. Mr.. Ashford" she said, coldIy.
| He may have thought the escort could
have Joined the coach q little earlier and
saved all this; but he was too much Of a
gentleman to say anything about 1t to me. !"
she added, dryly. with slight elevation Of
her aquiliue nose. 81
Nevertheless. Boyle's words. as reported
by the young officer, stung her deepiy To
hurry of. too, without saying "Rood-bye"
| or even asking how she slept! No doubt he
had lost time. and was tired of her COM
pany. and thought more of his precious
| samples than Of heri After all, It was ike
him. to rush of for an orderl
She was half Inclined to call the young
officer back and tell him how Boyle had
| criticised her costume on the road But
Mr.. Ashton was at that time entirely pre-
| occupied with his 5Men around q ledge of
| rock and bushes some yards from the coach.
/ yet not SO far away but that she could hear
| what the sergeantsWas saying. ''Tn swear
yesterday. We searched the whole place,
by daylight, too, for any sign. The Injin
/ was killed In his tracks by some one last
night. It's like Dick Boyle lieutenant to
! have done 1t, and like him to have said
nothin' to frighten the young lady. He
| knows when to keep his mouth shut-and
| when to open it!
| Miss Cantire sank back in her corner as
| the officer turned And approached the coach
| The incident Of the past night flashed back
| upon her-Mr. Boyle's long absence, his
flushed face. twisted necktie and enforced
| cheerfulness. She was shocked. amazed.
discomfited-and adniring! And this hero
had been sitting opposite to her. silent ail
| the rest Of the night
| did Mr. Boyle say anything of an Indian
| attack last night?'' asked Ashford IBID
you hear anythingf
Only the wolves bowling" said Miss
CDufire. ssllr Bowie was awav fulr> .