Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1901-05-17
CHAPTER xIv.-CoNr1NuEp.


CHAPTER XIV.-CoNTINUED.
~Were you looking for anyone, Mrs.
Fletcher? I thought you were in your
room."
For Mr.. Folsom, please, when he is
at leisure" was the answer, in I'M
rnffled tones. 81 believe it easier to
take active part in the preparations
than to lie there thinking"
AT one the girls were to lunch at
the fort, as has been said, and it was
time for them to dress. There were
other matters on which Elinor much
wished to talk with her father and,
with more reluctance than she had
yet experienced, she left him to hear
what Mrs. Fletcher might have to say.
The conference was brief enough,
whatever it's nature, for presently his
voice was heard at the foot of the
stairs.
I'm going over to the depot few
minutes, Daught. 1 wish to see Bur-
leigh. Don't wait for me. Start when
ever you are ready. Where do the
boys meet you?''
( Here, daddy, at half-past twelve"
1t was 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 heart of
"the bustling new town, turned to the
sright at the first cross street beyond
his own big block, and ten minutes
brisk tramp brought him to the gate
way of Burleigh's stockaded Enclosure.
Two or three employees lounging about
the gate were gazing curiously within.
Silently they let him pass them by,
but sound of angry voices rose upon
,fhe heated air. Just within the gate
.stood the orderly trumpeter holding
two horses by the reins, one of them
Marshall Deans, and a sudden idea
occurred to Folsom as he glanced at
fthe open windows of the Office build
ing. There was no installing the
speaker within. It was Burleigh.
leave my Office instantly. sir, or I'll
prefer charges that will stick
"Not till I've said what / came to
ssay, Maj. Burleigh. I've abundant evil
.<e1ace of what you've been saying at
uny expense. You asserted that I 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
an the cars to my friend here, Mr.,
Loomis, and in hearing of my sister
i will not accept your denial nor will
leave your office till you swallow
your words"
s'Then, by God, I'll have you thrown
out, you young whipsnapper!"
And then Folsom, with fear at his
heart, ran around to the doorway te
iSntcrpose. He came too late. There
was a sound of furious scuffle within
a rafting of chairs, a crunching Of
feet on sanded floor, and as he sprans
up the steps he saw Dean easily squirm
ing out from the grasp of some mem
Der of the clerical force, who, at NJ.
masters bidding, had thrown himself
.npon the young officer, who then deft
uy tripped his heels from under hin
and dropped him on the floor, while
Loomis confronted the others who
would have made some show of obeyins
! orders And then there was the whir1
of a whip lash, crack and snap ant
swish, and red welt shot across Bur
Heights livid face as he himself stag
gered. back to his desk. With ragins
tongue and frantic oath he leaped ou
aagain, leveled pistol in his hand. blu
even before he could pull trigger, o.
Folsom interpose, LOOMS stick cam,
down like flash on the outstretche(
wrist, and the pistol clattered to tn,
floor.
Good God, boysi what are you do
dng? cried the trader. as he hurlet
himself between them. aStop this in
=stantly. Sit down, Burleigh. Com,
out. Dean-come out at once! AND
-yot,., too. Loomis.'
Sim entirely ready-now," said tn
~rayalry lieutenant. though his eye
~~ere flaming and his lips We're rigid
-.But whenever Maj. Burleigh wants
10 finish this he can find me-" an.
rNith these words he backed slowly t,
.-the door. face to the painting and dis
>nrderee foe.