Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-05-09

whom in the eyes of the -th there liv-
ed no grander potentate on earth. Then,
the next thing Hunter knew, the troop
came tripping by the line of picket fence
on which he leaned, gazing out upon
the spirited scene beyond, and now it
was his turn. The teachings of the old
days in the famous regiment, wherein
every man might be said to have worn
kid gloves when not on military duty,
We're fresh in his mind, as he had been
well schoola,a in thes first principles of
soldier duty. Yet Hunter felt the blood
was mounting to his temples and his
heart was beating quicker as he faced
the coming column, braced his heels to-
gether and raised his hand to the cap
visor as Captain Gregg came ambling
by. The big troop leader glanced curl
ously at the lonely figure in the cheap
fatigue dress and again, but with far
less precision, returned the salute, and
Hunter could got but note the differ
enoe. Before another troop could pass
him by, he moved quickly away, 20
yards or more beyond the gate, where
he still could have a good look at the re-
turning solidery, but was himself be-
yond saluting distance. One after an
other the seven separate compact little
columns of tours marched steadily in
and logged on down the gentle slope to-
ward the huge wooden stables. He was
still gazing in some odd fascination after
the last, the roam troop, when the sound
of bounding hoofs, whirring wheels
and gay laughter recalled his wander
ing thoughts, and, turning sharply to
the prairie once more, his eyes fell upon
the foremost of the rapidlynearing car
riages
1t was light, open phaeton, drawn
by two spirited bays, whose fine action
and we'll made harness won his instant
approval. Beside the carriage trotted
the stocky, burly major whom he so
we'll remembered the day of his first in
terview with Dana in the office. On the
other side rode Dana himself, d hand
some young soldier, and, far more inter-
ested in them than in the possible o.
cupants Of the vehicle, Hunter was look
ing upon them with soldiers eye,
keenly appreciative of Dana's graceful,
easy seat and of Mainwaring a good, if
bulky, horsemanship when he suddenly
became aware of the fact that instead of
turning in at the gate the driver was
heading straight southwark, evidently
intending to drive around to the main
gate instead of passing, as Hunter had
come, through that portion Of the post
best known as "Sudstown.
Another minute, and they must fash
past him, not ten yards away, with only
that low picket fence between them.
Already the sentry had halted and pre-
sented arms, both officers touching their
caps in acknowledgment. Already the
swift team was darting past the gate.
The lady occupants of the stylish We
hicle were wkisking into view, and,
yielding to sudden and uncomfortable
impulse, Hunter whirled about, jumped
the shallow ditch and sprang behind the
nearest Of the little houses devoted to
the use Of the married soldiers. In that
one swift glance at the fair occupants
he had seen face at sight Of which the
blood went rushing to his own. There,
side By side, were Mrs. Mainwaring ard
the young lady whom he had picked up
in his arms the night Of that "head on''
collision at Alkali Flats.