Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-06-12

low braid and glistening trumpet
slung from the shoulder. Straight
through the ford the leader splashed,
looking neither to right nor left, the
sunlight peering under his hat brim
and cresting with gold his bushy eye.
brows and bristling mustacne. Straight
at his heels followed his little party,
and then from the same opening in the
willows there burst into view the head
OF q column Of cavalry, moving at the
same measured pace and with the same
erect and martial bearing.
At the first sound of the trumpet the
lonely figure at the edge of the pool
dnrted back out of view and, bending
low. stood where by peering through
the bushes the column could be kept in
sight, but when a moment later the
futtering 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 his full height, with his
clinched hands thrown above his head,
2 he whlrled about and, with an inarticu-
late cry. sank like stricken bull to
earth and lay. face downward and bur-
led 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 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
dust began to rise, and there was
sound of martial music. A tall flag
staff, looking like a slim, white arrow,
pierced the sky line from that west
ward crest, and the little bit of bunting
fluttering at Its summit was suddenly
lowered, only to be replaced a moment
later by a symbol that told it was some
unusual occasion ut the post, the arriv-
al perhaps Of some dignitary of superb
or rank, and In confirmation Of this
view, as the great garrison flag swung
up to the head Of the staff, the earth
trembled and the boom of a battery So
lutte throbbed on the ear. Even then
there was no change In the attitude of
the sufferer unless 1t were that he bur-
led his face still deeper in his arms. but
oil Of q sudden he started, half raised
his head and listened
Somewhere up stream clear, power
ful voice was shouting:
sLangdon! Eric, old chap! For
Gods sake, where are you?"
Hurriedly the listener drew his hand
kerchief hard across his eyes, shaking
his head In the effort to pull himself
together. But he gave no answer.
Presently the call was repeated, loud
er. nearer, and now bounding hoof
beats could be heard.
Eric. Isayl Ericl'
There was something almost com.
manding In the cry, and still no an
swer came from the man, who evident
" recognized both voice and name, to
whom indeed the former seemed to
bring bit of hope or help or comfort,
for the utter despond In his pale, sad
face was llghtened the veriest trlfle.
Yet he turned again toward the river,
ms though resolute to ignore. the sum-
mons.
The next instant, glad and winsome
In the sunshine at the edge Of the tim
Der, there galloped into sight young
officer whose brave blue eyes and rud-
Z dy cheeks and fair, crisply curling hair
would have invited more than single
glance, while the grace of his strong
vet slender form and his capital seat in
saddle would have made him marked
even among score Of his fellows. He
rode with utter abandon, leaping his
mettlesome, excited horse over the few
obstacles along the fringe of willows
1s though he and his steed had wings
and this was easy as flying.
"Erici Eric Langdon, sayl' rang
out the brave young voice once more,
md then, as CLEAN Of the sunshine
shot through the willows, his eagerly
searching eyes caught sight of the lone
figure. the object Of his morning scout
In an instant he had sprung from
saddle.
"Eric you-you''- he began In al
most boyish eagerness. "Stand where
5 you are, RonaldW he commandingly
spoke to his beautiful horse and then,
unhesitatingly leaving him without
fastening of any kind, fairly leaped In
to the timber and to the side Of his
friend. Whipping of his gauntlet, he
held forth his barred hand.
j Remember Old Spots story, Eric;
what we used to hear from those cav
airy fellows never give q gloved hand
II you want to talk business with In.
dian Or friend7 Old man. you-you"