The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1901-05-10


throughout. But all Gate City knew
Burleigh had drawn large sums from
the local bank, many citizens had
heard that John Folsom was several
thousand dollars the poorer for his
sudden going, and all interest was
eentered in the coming from Chicago
of an expert summoned BY wire, to
open the huge Office safe at the quar-
termaster's depot The keys had
gone with Burleigh. At the last
moment, after loading up with all
the cash his own private safe con
tanned, for that was found open and
practically empty in its corner Of
his sitting.room, and when he had
evidently gone to the Office to get the
funds there stored, he was confound-
ed by the sight of the two employees.
He could have ordered them to leave
and then helped himself, but con-
science had made coward of him, even
more than nature. He saw aeeasers
in every face, and fled. Burleigh had
! lost his nerve.
Two days went by and excitement
was at its height. All manner of evil
report of Burleigh was now afoat.
The story Of the bogus package had
been noised abroad through later
messengers and dispatches from the
Gap. Lieut.. Loring had come to Fort
Emory under the instructions OF the
department commander, and what
those instructions were no man could
find out from the reticent young Off
Ger. II ever youth seemed capable
Of hearing everything and telling
nothing it was this scientist of dis
tinguished corps that frontiersmen
knew too little of, What puzzled Fol-
som and old Pecksniff was the per-
sistence with which he followed up
his inquiries about Capt Newhal. He
even sought an interview with Pap
poose and asked her to describe the
rakish traveller who nad so unfavor-
ably impressed her. She was looking
her loveliest that evening, Jessie was
radiant once more. A long letter had
come from Marshall-sad because Of
the fate that had befallen his com
panions, stern because of the evil
dence of the deep-laid plot that so
nearly made him victim, but mod
estly glad of the official commenda-
ton he had received, and rejoicing
over the surgeons promise that he
could be well enough to make the
march with command ordered back
to Frayne. Red Clouds people had
scattered far and wide, said he "God
grant they may not turn back to the
south" He was coming home. He
would soon be there. The papers had
told their readers this very morning
that the general had plainly said his
force was too small to risk further
assault upon the Sioux. Alarmed at
the result of its policy, the bureau
had recommended immediate aban-
donment Of Warrior Gap and the
withdrawal of the troops from the Big
Horn country, The war department,
therefore, had to hold 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 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 mushroom,
with Peeksniff's adjutant and LOOMS
in devoted attendance. 1t was nearly
II when the officers left--two re-
turning to the fort, Loring lingering
for a 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-looling 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 il ne
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 Officer.
He is not the man to take 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
go2p
Zone moment. do not travel about
just now without gun, said Folsom.
stepping within doors. and even the
low sound of their voices died away and
all was still as desert. The old trader
lid not return at once. Something de-
tanned him--Miss Folsom, probably,
the engineer, as he stood
there leaning on the gate. Aloft
blind creaked audibly, and, gazing up
ward, Loring saw dark shadowy
shutter at the third-story window
swing slowly In. There was no wind to
move 1t. Why should human hands be
70 stealthy? Then q dim light shone
through the Stats, and the shade was
raised, and, while calmly watching
1 4