The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1901-05-16

brave. One look was enough for Hal
and the comrnde with him. Don't
let my wife know--who 10 was," he had
muttered to his friend. at would only
make her more nervous" There lay
Chaskn. Lizette's eldest brother, and
well Hal Folsom knew that death would
never go unavenged.
"f ever time comes when can do
you good turn, lieutenant" said he
that afternoon as, worn-out with long
hours Of pursuit and scout, the troop
was encountered slowly marching back
to the Laramie, "Ill do IL II IL costs
me the whole ranch" But Dean smiled
and said they wouldn't have missed
that chance even for the ranch. What
blessed piece of luck 10 was that the
commanding officer at Fraync had bid
den him take that route instead of the
direct road &c Gate Cityl lie had sent
men riding In to both posts on the
Platte, with pencilcd lines telling OF
the Indian raid and its results. Once
well covered by darkness the little
band had easily escaped their pursuers,
and were now safe across the river and
well ahead Of oil possibility of success
ful pursuit. But IL anything were
needed to prove the real temper OF the
Sioux the authorities had IL. Now was
the time to grapple that Ogallalla tribe
and bring IL to terms before IL could
be reinforced by half the young men
in the villages of the northern plains.
The Platte, OF course, would be pa
trollcd by strong force OF cavalry for
some weeks to come, and no new foray
need be dreaded yet awhile. Red
Clouds people would clay low" and
watch the effect of this exploit before
attempting another. II the White
Father got mad" and ordered 'hcap
soldiers" there to punish them, then
they must disavow ali participation in
the affair, even though one of their
best young braves was prominent In
the outrage. and had paid for the lux
ury with his life-even though Burning
Star was trying TO hide the fresh scar
OF n rifle bullet along his upper arm.
Together Dean and Folsom rode back
to the ranch, and another night was
spent there before the troop was suill-
ciently rested to push on to Emory.
Remember this, lieutenant" said
Folsom again, as he pressed his hand at
parting, there's nothing too good for
you and &C. troop ut my home. If ever
you need friend you'll find one here"
And the time was coming when Mar
shall Dean would need oil that he could
muster.
Two days later-stin q march away
from Emory-a courier overlook him
with a letter from his late post COM
mander: "Your vigorous pursuit and
prompt, soldierly action have added to
the fine record already made and meri.
hearty commendation." The cordial
words brought sunshine to his heart.
How proud jess would be, and mother!
He had not had word from either for
over q week. The latter, though far
from strong, was content Mt home In
the loving care of his sister, and In the
hope that he would soon obtain the
leave OF absence SO long anticipated,
and, after Jcss's brief visit to Pap
poose's new home, would come to
gladden. the eyes Of kith and kin, but
mothers most Of all, bringing Jessie
with him. Little hope OF leave of alb
sencc was there now, and less was he
the man to ask IL with such troubles
looming up all along the line of from
tier posts to the north. but at least
there would be the Joy of seeing jess in
n few days and showing her his troop
her ana Pappoose. How wonderfully
that little schoolgirl must have grown
and developed How beautiful girl
she must now be II that photograph
was no hatterer! by the way, where
was that photo? What had he done
with II? For the first time in four
days he remembered his picking 1t up
when Mrs. Hal Folsom collapsed Mt
sight of Jakc's swooning. Down In the
depths of the side pocket OF his heavy
blue flannel hunting shirt I've found II,
crumpled a bit, and all its lower left
hand corner bent and hlackened and
its way SO close below the young sol
tier's bounding heart, just nipping and
soaring the skin, had left its worst
mark on that dainty carte de visite.
In that same pocket, too, was another
packet-a letter which had been picked
up ON the floor OF the hut nj Reno after
left-onc for which the ma jor
iad searched in vain, for II was under
meath lot OF newspapers. "You take
that after him." said the cantonmcnt
as Dean followed with the
troop next day, and little dreamed
what II contained.
That very dizzy, In the heavy, old
fashioned sleeping cars OF the Union
Pacific, two young girls were seated In
their section on the northward side.
One, dark-eyed, radiant beauty. gazcd
Dut over the desolate slopes and far
stretches of prairie and dis
Iant lines of bald bluff, with delight In
her dancing eyes. The other, n win
some maid OF 10, looked on with mild
not unmixed with disap- |
pointment she would gladly have hid
len. TO Elinor the scenes OF her child |
rood were dear and welcome; TO Jessie |
here was too much that was somber,
90 little that was inviting. But pres
'ntly, as the long train rolled slowly |
o the platform of rude wooden sta
ion building, there came sight at |
which the eyes of both girls dnnced in
,ager interest-a row of "a" tents on
he open prairie, a long line of horses
ethered to the picket ropes, groups
II stalwart, sunburned men In rough
'lue garb, n silken guidon tapping by
he tents Of the officers. II was one of
lalf a dozen such camps of detached
roops they had been passing ever since
'reakfast time-the camps Of isolated
little commands guarding the new rail-
yay on the climb 10 CHEYENNE. Pnpn.