Waterbury Democrat., 1901-06-06


 CHAPTER I.
 The sunshine of a glorious autumn morning was slanting along the valley of the PawEee, throwing bold shadows into the flats and lighting the land scape for miles with crimson and gold. The dew sparkling on the wild "bull' berry bushes, on tufted buffalo grass and tiny 1owerets n;antled the bluffs with diamonds and was still so strong as to defy it's enc enemy, the sun Gcd. The frost had smitten the scant foliage on the banks of the winding stream, end the leaves had donned their gl5ri- ous hIes, setting forth their richest col or-as the swan reserves it's sonS-to meet the universal co1queror. The mist rose slowly from the silent. shal-- low pools, and from distant village and from the neighborins heights the smoke of chimney or campfire scared straight to the skies. It was morn ing to send the blood leaping through young veins and to brighten the eye of age. a morning ill which all nature seemed to rejoice and all mankind to thank God for the joy of living. Yet in the midst of a scene of such peace and health and hope there stood alone a man. still young, from whose face hope, peace, even health. apparently, had fed and whose attitude was one of utter grief and dejection. lie was leaning against a branching willow. gazing into the depths of tie broad pool of the Pavnee just above the rap ids with God alone knows what thoughts seething through his brain, when the silence of the morning was broken by sudden. stirring sound. Close at hand from the willows across the stream there rang out loud and clear tie call of cavalry trumpet, fol- lowed almost instantly by the appear ance of half a dozen horsemen moving at steady walk from break in the timber and descending the gentle slope to the ford. Foremost rode q power fully built soldier in the field uniform of the United States horse. Behind, side by side. came two young soldiers, all three evidently officers. Then fol lowed brace of treopers-orderlies or grooms-and a jaunty lad with the vel low braid and glistening trumpet slung from the shoulder Straight through the ford the leader splasEed. looking neither to right nor left. the sunlight peering under his lat brim nnd cresting with gold his bushy eye brows and bristling mustache. Straight at his heels followed his little party. and then from the same opening in the willows there burst into view the head or a column of cavalry. moving at the same measured pace and with the same erect aRd martial bearing.
 At she first sound ofsthe trumpet the lonely figure at the edge of the pool darted back out of view and, bending low. stood where by peerirg through fEe bushes the column cou.I be kept in sight. but when moment later the huttering guidon of the foremost troop came suddenly Haunting into the sun shine, all its brilliant color instantly enhanced, some intense emotion seem ed to seize upon the lonely watcher Rising to lis, full height. with his cIinched hands thrown above his head, he vhirsed about and. with an inarticu- late cry. sank like a stricken bull to earth and lay face downward and bur fed in his arms, his whole form shaken with sobs-
 Troop after troop, until the fourth had passed. the squadron crossed the ford and moved steadily up the south ward slope, following a winding road that led to the group of buildings crowning the height. and still the young man lay there. Over beyond the low line of bluff to the west a cloud of dsst began to rise, and there was sound of martial music. A tall flag staff. looking like slim white arrow. pierced the sky liEe from that west ward crest, and the little bit of bunting furrer.ng at it's summit vas suddenly lowered. only to be replaced moment lc.er by a symbol that told it WAS some unusual occasion at the post. the arriv- al perhaps of some dig1itary of superi- CT ra3k. and in confirmation of this view, as the great garrison flag swung up to the head of the staT, the earth frembled and the boom Of a battery sa- zute throbEed on the eAr. Even then there was no change in the attitude of the sufferer unless it were that he bur fed his fsce still deeper in his erms. but  all of sudden he started, half raised his keod and listened.
 Somewhere ro stream clear, power fEl voice was shouting:
 -LaHgdon. Eric, old chapI For Gods sake, vkere are you?"
 HUrriedly siIe listener crew Lis han5- kerchief hard across his eyes. shaking his head in the effort to pull himself together Eut he gave no answer.
 Presently the call was repeated. loud CT, nearer, and now bounding hoof beats could be beard
 -'Eric. say. Ericr'
 There was something almost com mancing in the cry. and still 70 an swer came from the man. who evident ly recognized both voice and name, to EEom indeed the former seemed to bring Q bit of hope or help or comfort, for the utter Gespond in hss pale. sad face was Ightened the veriest trife. 6et Ee turned again toward the river, es though resolrte to ignore the sum Glons.
 The next instant. glad and winsome in the sunshine at the edge of the tim Ger, there galloped into sight young officer whose brave blue ey>s and rud-
 -..1s l.