Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1901-01-31
CHAPTER IX.-CoNT1NuED.

4 1AAoN AAOss AS'AA19 >>AAA SAAS~e3 AAe 800
you have been in all this, and I
wouldn't have you think me migrate
full, but-did you believe was always
going to be o little girl? What do
you suppose I studied housekeeping
for at school? Mrs. Fletcher. is en-
gagged, presume, and I can't ask you
to undo that now, but wish you had
written to me first. However, if you
don't mind, there's somebody I'd
rather you would invite to take the
fourth seat to-day, and then you can
have Pappoose beside you, if you
wish"
'Why, of course, sweetheart, any
one you like"
"Lieut. Loomis, then, daddy-the Of
ficer we met on the train. Jessie likes
him, and he's such friend of her
brother-the only one we have yet
seen who seems to know him at all.
Then you could ask him to dinner,
too"
Folsom's face was study. Doubt
and perplexity both were twitching
in the little muscles about his lips.
1--WE met three officers, did we not,
Elinor, and had thought-somewhat
of-asking the major and his guest.
BE said he wished to call. He was
here while we were driving yesterday.
I met him later
'Yes, saw his card" was the hur-
ried, Indifferent answer. "But they
are not like Mr.. Loomis. Daddy, did
not at all like that Capt. Newhall, or
for that matter"
"They both seemed prodigiously
struck with you," said Folsom, in mis-
guided confidence, yet pardonable
pride. "They've done nothing but talk
to me about you ever since"
"They did nothing but talk to me
all the way over the mountains, ex-
cept when they were out taking what
I have reason to believe was an occa-
sional drink, daddy mine. Jess had
Mr.. LOOMS to herself. They have
found your weak spot, daddy. They
know you love to talk of your daugh-
ter. You have only known Maj. Bur-
leigh little while. Is it not sop
'Only within the year, perhaps,
thoughaof course I've heard of him q
great deal"
''And this Capt. Newhall, whose reg
iment is in Louisiana while he's out
here on leave-I thought officers went
east when they got leave"
'Newhall says he's out looking over
some mining schemes. He has money
to invest, believe"
HE should invest some money in a
travelling suit, daddy, dear. That coat
and his linen seemed woefully out of
condition. Gentlemen are not care
less about such matters
"Oh, he explained that his trunks
were delayed in Omaha or somewhere,
and were coming along next train. I
own I was prejudiced against him,
too, but of course if he's friend and
guest of Burleigh's he-he must be all
right. He's staying with him at the
depot"
"And you've got to invite them to
dinner?" asked Miss Folsom, after an
other pause, during which she had
been thinking deeply.
''Not if you don't want it, pet. OF
course they'll expect it. Army officers
are hospitable, you know. Burleigh
has asked me to dine with him doz-
en- times. though I've only been there
once
"Then you'll have to invite him,
daddy" was the answer, with quick
decision. "Only, just wait for day
or two. Capt. Newhall was going
right out to the mines, he said, and
there may be others we'd be glad to
have. Jessie's brother ought to be
here any hour"
"Yes," said Folsom, obviously. "I've
been thinking about him-Tve been
wishing"
But he hesitated and faltered and
could not meet the deep brown eyes,
so full of searching inquiry and keen
intelligence.
you've been thinking-what, dad
dy?" she asked, and now her slender
hands were on his shoulders and she
was turning him SO that she could
study his face. "You have been hear
ing something you do not wish us
to know, daddy, dear. I heard Maj.
Burleigh say something to Mr.. Loomis
about-about Lieut.. Dean, and know
Mr.. LOOMS did not like it, and Jes-
sic and I can't believe it. Father,
where is he? Why doesn't he come?
Why do these-these people at the
fort hem and haw and hesitate when
they speak about him? Jessie is
getting SO troubled"
I'm getting troubled, daughter"
answered Folsom, impulsively. II
never met likelier young fellow or
one that promised to make a better
officer. He may be all right, too, only
it isn't so much what they do say as
what they don't say that troubles me.
Burleigh here and old Stevens out at
the fort and one or two others I've
asked about him. Burleigh says he
lost his nerve when they met Red
Clouds big band. A boy might be ex-
cused for that so long as he didn't
misbehave. It was big responsibility
for q young lieutenant. But these
people, as you speak OF them out at
the fort, really know very little about
Dean. Burleigh says he's in position
that enables him to know SO much
more about the character and habits
of the young officers"
'Surely he can say nothing against
Mr.. Dean!" exclaimed Pappoose,
lsoking up with quick indignation in