Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1901-11-29

ness said Jennie Ford. dropping into
. II chair, the moment the door had closed
behind her in Florcncc's room.
II was afraid you Nigh, show your cN-
citemcnt." said Florence. but YOU bore
up hravcly. and deserve n kiss"
And you are determined to 20 on"
II certainly am. l will lead this man
into IL trap: aud he will remain in it, if
one hair of Colin Morton's head be IN
! .inrcd," said Florence, with the fiery de-
cision that mt time distinguished her.
And when vii! You start for Fort
Clark
M once.
AT once, Florencc?"
Yes; ! will! not return from this ride.
/ shall go prepared to accompany Long
Lance and the Skagits.'
The major appeared at dinner in his
riding boots. and he looked to have taken
unusual pains with his toilet. He was
even more youthful in his manner: and
his attentions to Florence. neal. whom
he sat. Were p~rofnsc.
Jennie watched them ont of sight. The
last glimpse She caught WAS The waving
of Il scarlet scarf from the crest of IL dis
tant hill.
The major was in rapturcs: and now
that the work had begun. l'lprcnce's nerve
BUSINESS passed away, and the hope of
success eNhilarated her. She told him
the names of all the streams they cross
ed and all the mountains they sighted.
After an hours riding. Florence point
cd ont IL column of mist that marked
the location of the falls. and the dull roar
came to their ears. above the tramping of
the horses.
"Ah!" exclaimed the major, as they
turned a %promontory and saw the falls
before them. This is perfectly glori-
Gus! l wouldn't miss being here for IL
great deal"
She took off her scarlet scarf; the ma
ior thought she WAS going to put it over
her hat to save it from the mist. which
the varying wind whirled ut times that
way. She shook the scarf: he thought
the action very beautiful, and could have
watched it all day.
".Ah. Miss Florcnce--Hlcss me. what is
that exclaimed the major. who at that
instant lclt two strong hands OH his
shoulders. He thought ii must be a bear.
aud he realized that he was unarmcd.
Florence made no answer. There was
no need Of an answer.
Six Indians appeared from behind the
rocks. and before Maj. Gcrmon could
collect his scattered wits he was seized
and his arms securely bound. The In
dams We're disguised, and their paint and
feathers gave them an appearance we'll
calculated to excite the strongest nerves.
Maj. Germon had some physical cour-
age. and in his anxiety for himself lie
did not lose sight of the fact that he was
the escort and protector OF the beautiful
girl. To his amazement. Florence mani-
Tested no alarm, no anxiety; and this
amaZement grew into horror when he
heard her saying to the Indians:
do not destroy this man till you hear
from me-
destroy met gasped the major. Miss
Flor-Miss Loring-gracious heaven,
what does this mean:'
lit means that YOU are Il prisancr."
"A prisoner he repeated. "Ah. | see,
Miss Florence, this is one of your jokes.
Very good. very clcvcrly done. indeed
and the major looked down at his bound
arms. and tried to smile as il he We're
enjoying it.
"Maj. Gcrmon.' she stepped before
him. and Il look of scorn came into her
blue eyes. this is no joke. as YOU shall
find ont before it is finished. | planned
YOUR capture neiuIc NOu CtIle lO.IllN Hull
er's house; but ! will say that he knew
nothing of it, and tlat my act may for
felt his. love. DO You know. sir, that
there is q young man ut Fort Clark con
demned to DEATH"
Il do. Miss Lorins: but | am not to
5 blame for that said the major, now
thoroughly frightened.
'You are wholly TO blame.'
but, explain. Miss Loring.'
: The time for explanations has past
l and the time for action has come. II
! Colin Morton is executed Mt Fort Clark,
twcnty-four hours afterwards you will
die in these mountains"
, but ! cannot stay his execution"
"You can try"
How"
! You must write II letter 10 the com.
+ handing officer mt Fort Clark, saying
a that you are n prisoner. and telling him
to stay the execution
t Florence motioncd to the Indians, and
they freed his arms. At her dictation the
major wrote to -Adjutant Selden, saying
that he was Il prisoner in the hands OF
/; the Indians, and that not only his liberty
: but his life depended on staying the eN
ecution of Morton. He signed the let
ter officially, and handed it to Florence
She read it over, folded it up, and handed
. it to a tall young Indian.
She waved her hand-it still held the
scarlet scarf-and the major was agair
bound, and lifted on his horse. and two
men led the animal into the mountains.
"Now,' said the tall chief. the Ska
gifts are ready
And so am L." replied Florence.
-
CHAPTER Xxi.
Fort Clark was as silent as the grave
even the noisy gangs in the huts outside
the garrison had gone to sleep. The
tramping of the ~sentries, and the rhyth'
mic smashing of the incoming tide Mere