Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1901-02-07
CHAPTER x.-CoSr1NuEp.

0AC Aou Scdtcu ucTScl4 dL Tue piano,
and her long, tapering fingers were
ripping over the keys. She knew full
well he did not care what she played,
and for herself she did not care just
then to play at all. She was thinking
of his insinuation at Marshall Deans
expense. She was still bordering over
Mrs. Fletcher's stealthy scrutiny Of
the quartermaster's team. On these
two accounts, and NO other, he was
possessed of certain interest in FL
inor's dark-brown eyes, and they were
studying him coolly, searchingly, as
he drew chair near the piano stool,
and seated himself and met her look
with a broad, encouraging smile.
Trill and ripple, ripple and trill her
white fingers raced over the key board.
"Im sure you know this waltz, ma
jor," she was saying. '"rhey played
it beautifully At the Point two sum-
mers ago."
"I-ah, yes, it's a charming compost
tion-charming, though I don't re-
call its name just now"
'"This? why it's one of Godfrey's-
The Hilda,' don't you know? I'm sure
you waltz, major"
"-ah, used to, yes. I was very
fond of q waltz" answered Burleigh,
whose best effort in that line could re-
suit in nothing better than waddle.
''But Of late years I-I-since my be-
reavement, have practically with
drawn from society,"" Then, with Ian
gushing smile, he added: II shall be
tempted to Renter the list now" and
the major drew his chair nearer by
full an inch, and prepared to be fur
ther, killing"
"Jessie dances divinely," said Miss
Folsom. "She simply floats round a
room. You should see her waltz with
her brother, Maj. Burleigh. They
might be waltzing here this very min
ute, if he were only home. What
can have detained him, do you think?"
II wish I knew" said the quarter
master slowly. 1T makes those who
are-ah-his friends, you know, anx-
ious in more ways than one,, because
there is-er-nothing to warrant de-
lay-nothing to-excuse it. He should,
in fact, have been at his post, where
bis troop is sorely needed, full four
days ago." and Burleigh looked heavy
with portent.
rs it not possible that he has found
something along the lower Laramie:
something where his troop is needed
much more than here doing stable
guard?"
"How can it be possible?" said Bur-
leigh. "The only thing to warrant
his delay would be Indians, and there
are none south of the Platte; or horse
thieves, and they hung the last of
the gang three months ago. Mr.. Dean,
I-ah-regret to say, is fonder of fish
ing and hunting than of his legiti-
mate duties, and this, I fear, is why
he, is not here to welcome his sister .
The piano went ripping on, but the
brown eyes kept up their steady gaze.
In the deep bass chords now her slen-
der fingers were entangled. Slowly
and thoughtfully the rich melody
swung in the proud waltz rhythm
through the airy room and floated out
upon the summer breeze. A little line
was setting deep between the dark,
arching eyebrows, q symptom Pap
posses schoolmat ties hadlearned tonote
as signal of danger, but Burleigh
knew her not, as yet.
1T il odd," said she, dreamily, shat
at the Point the officers spoke SO
highly of Mr.. Dean, and here you
seem to think so differently of him.
It is a deep disappointment to his SIS
ter that he is not here, but do you
know, major, we were saying only
this morning before you came that
there was some excellent reason for
his delay, and we'd know it within
another day."
"Oh, ah-er-of course hope so. I
think, pardon me, that that must be
a messenger from my Office now," for
spurred boot-heels were coming
briskly up the wooden walk. There
was bounding step on the piazza, a
ring at the bell. The servant hustled
through the hall and threw open the
door. It was not messenger from
the depot, but stalwart, sunburnt
man in rough ranch garb, who
whipped of his broad-brimmed hat
and stood abashed within the hall as
he asked for Mr.. Folsom.
And all of sudden over went the
piano-stool with crash, and out into
the hall, joyous, bounding, light as a
fairy, a vision of dark, girlish beauty,
went Pappoose.
"Why, Ned Lannion!" she cried, as
she seized the swarthy young fellows
hands and shook them up and down.
Don't you know me-Winona that
used to be? Why, how we'll you look!
When did, you leave the ranch? How
did you leave them? Is Hal here-or
coming?"
1--WE left there early yesterday
morning, mum. They're all well now,
'cept Jake, and he'll come out all
right, but we had close call. A war
party of Sioux jumped us Wednesday
afternoon, and they'd got away with
us but for Lieut.. Dean and his troop.
They come along just in time"
"Ned!" gasped Elinor, ''you don't
mean they attacked the rancho"
"No'me. We was down the Laramie
rounding up horses. There was a
dozen bucks in the party. It's the
first time they've come across in
year that I know of, and they won't
be apt to try it again. We shot two
of 'em and the cavalry drove 'em a
running fight, so hard that they had
to leave one of their wounded behind
them. He died in a minute. It was"
and then Ned Lannion gulped and