Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-10-24

er another in quick succession, and
now 1t struck me that in case Jack sue
ceeded in fascinating this lawless group
some Of them, fired with a desire of
possession, would break through all re-
straint. / had been wonderstruck that
two defenseiess girls should dare to
come among them, and now l was stu
pefed that Jack should dance before
them and that Helen should permit her
to do so. But who shall measure the
strength of woman's weakness? Moth
err Nature had taught Jack and Helen
their power, and they went about their
work with not a 1.-THE of the fright that
possessed me.
Meanwhile Jaqueline had drifted in
to the dance and was whirling, bend
ing, floating, every muscle alive with
its especial motion. At times she
would lull, poise herself for moment,
then, like a fitful wind, start again
with renewed fervor. At no time could
there be discovered aught but delicate
refinement in her movements. and now
1t was her purpose to attract without
exciting her spectators. Stimulated by
frequent bursts Of applause and by
the rapt attention Of the men surround
Ing her, she found her main incentive
in far deeper, nobler motive, feeling,
as she did, the critical situation. the
dread responsibility, for human life
resting upon her.
What a singular scene! The ring of
| ugly faces momentarily softened by
the sight Of grace and beauty; the cap
tain, his sharp face turning with the
dancer and following her wherever she
goes; Pete Halliday, standing with
folded arms, lowering from under the
broad brim Of his sombrero, grinding
his quid; Ginger's black face cleaning
with pride at furnishing the music for
his young mistress. inspiring her with
his own inspired melody; little Buck.
standing between two lank guerrillas
in 'butternut," staring at his cousin
and forgetful OF her danger in his inter.
est in her work: Helen Stanforth,
standing apart, her strong face wear
ing the expression Of general who
watches cavalry charge intended to
turn a position on which hangs the fate
of the day.
The guerrillas, not one of whom
would hesitate to slit throat at the
slightest prospect Of gain. were watch
ing the little soubrette not only with
admiration, but with respect. Once
during her performance one of the men
applauded with ribald remark. He
was standing by the captain, who
stretched his arm, brought it down
with backward stroke and sent the
man sprawling. Jaqueline saw the
act and the approving looks Of the out
laws, who were in no mood to have
their sport interrupted. The color left
her cheeks, but she kept right on, and
| tho episode passed without further con-
sequences.
| At q moment when the attention of
the men had become riveted upon the
| dancer Helen, who had been gradually
working her way from the group to-
ward me, came and sat down on the
| log behind Ginger, where she was par
TALLY screened by him. Watching her
opportunity, she deftly took revolver
from her pocket and concealed it in
the folds Of her dress. With her eyes
fixed upon the group about Jack, she
waited for burst Of applause, and
when 1t came, reaching back, she drop
ped the weapon behind the log at my
feet; then, rising, rejoined the circle.
pushed the revolver under the log with
the toe Of my boot, then kicked dust
and leaves over 1t. This accomplished,
l al ;oI,
| Of relief have ever drawn in my life.
/ The whole situation seemed changed
by that little dust covered combination
of bits Of metal. STOPPING, / slipped it
into the leg of my boot and felt that
| half the battle was won.
At that moment the setting sun came
out from behind cloud and shot
lances Of light through the trees. cover
ing the group-the beautiful and the
ugly, the good and the bad, the refined
and the vulgar-with gilded splendor.
| saw but Jaqueline. The usual fitful-
ness Of her disposition, her natural ex-
preston of careless indifference, had
| given place to serious Intensity de-
noting great purpose. Posing herself
DelWGtu Two IuOVelHGIIS, tue Sltu.uS
rays shone On her forehead. Then dart
ing on her toes to another part of the
ring, quick succession Of lights and
shades passed over her brow, glitter
ing diadsm OF sun hashes. Truly God
Is O wonderful artist since he can
touch even a dance with celestial pu-
rity.
Helen Stanforh turned to ma Pull
ing her sunbonnet forward so as to
| conceal her face from the others,
though they were too intent on Jaaue-
line to notice her, she moved her lips.
and though no sound came knew she
intended the word:
"Gow
Near pe was tree, not far from
that another. underbrusH, bushes-just
the cover through which to make re-
treat. could easily get down behind
the log, crawl into the thicket and
away. Now for the frst time the pur-
pose Of dear Jaqueline was fully ap.
parent
But how could leave these friends