Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1901-04-26
CHAPTER X.-CoNTINUED.

She had seated herself at the piano,
and her long, tapering fingers were
srippling 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 Ell
inor's dark-brown eyes, and they were
studying him coolly, searchingly, as
he drew a chair near the piano stool,
and seated himself and met her look
with broad, encouraging smile.
'Trill and ripple, ripple and trill her
white fingers raced over the keyboard.
"Im sure you know this waltz. ma
5or," she was saying. They played
it beautifully at the Point two sum-
mers ago.
'I--ah. yes, it's charming compost
tion-charming, though I don't re-
call it's name just now.'
This? why it's one of Godfrey's-
The Hilda,' don't you know? I'm sure
you waltz, major"
"I-ah, used to, yes. 1 was very
fond of a waltz" answered Burleigh,
whose best effort in that line could re-
ssult in nothing better than a waddle.
but of late years I-I-since my be-
sreavement, have practically with
drawn from society" Then, with Ian
gushing smile, he added: 81 shall be
tempted to reenter the list now" and
tthe major drew his chair nearer by
full an inch, and prepared to be fur
fher killing"
Jessie dances divinely," said Miss
Folsom. 'She simply floats round
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 2"
Il wish 1 knew" said the quarter
snaster slowly. cit makes those who
Are-ah-his friends, you know, anx-
sous in more ways than one, because
there is-er-nothing to warrant de-
aay-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.
as 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?"
SLOW can it be possible?" said Bur-
leigh. "The only thing to warrant
-tis 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,
1-ah-regret to say, is fonder of fish
ing and hunting than of his legiti-
mate duties, and this, 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 thouShtfully the rich melody
swung in the proud waltz rhythm
through the airy room and fioated out
upon the summer breeze. A little line
was setting deep between the dark,
arching eyebrows, a symptom Pap
,poose's schoolmates had learned tonote
as signal of danger, but Burleigh
knew her not, as yet.
cit is odd,' said she, dreamily, "that
at Me Point the officers spoke SO
highly of Mir. Dean. and here YOU
seem to think SO differently of him
1t 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 fol
41is delay, and we'd know it within
another day."
"Oh, ah-er-of course I hope so. ]
think, pardon me, that that must be
a messenger from my office now" fol
spurred boot-heels were coming
sbriskly up the wooden walk. There