The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1901-05-02
CHAPTER XI.

Ihat evening, When JOnn roiSom,
half an hour earlier than the stipulated
time, drove the girls and their friend,
Lieut.. Loomis, out to the fort, Maj.
was left to his own devices,
and his face plainly showed that he
was far from pleased with the why
things were going. The news that
Dean had been placed in ar
rest by order of the commanding Off.
GER of Fort Emory, following as 1t did
close on the heels Of the tidings Of
that young officers prompt and sol
dierly handling Of the crisis ut the
ranch, made Folsom boil over with
wrath. His first word was one of eau
tiou, however. "Hush!" he said.
Speak low. Yonder stands his sis
ter. The girls must not know yet"
Then, leading the way into the library
and closing the door behind them, he
all particulars Lannion
could give him, which were few enough.
'The lieutenant halted the troop out
side the post" said the indignant
"had IL dismount there
while he rode on in to report to the
officer for instructions.
The colonel was taking his nap after
lunch, and the adjutant was at the
Office, and what does he do but get
up from his desk solemn-like, and when
the lieutenant says: L report the ar-
rival of troop G at the post, sir the
adjutant didn't answer word, but
reached out and got his saber and be-
gan buckling IL around him, and then
he put ON his cap and gloves, and says
he: Lieut.. Dean, I'm sorry, but my
instructions are to place you in close
arrest, by order OF Col. Stevens Why,
you could have knocked me down with
the kick OF n gopher l was so dunn
founded! The lieutenant he didn't say
anything for minute, but turned
white and looked like he could have
knocked the top of the adjutant's head
of. An officer will be sent to take
charge Of the troop said the adjutant,
AN 1 suppose you'd better confine
yourself to your tent, rs the colonel
means to have them camp there day
or two, until he hears from Capt.
Brooks as to quarters We'll, will you
have the goodness to say what charges
have been laid against me?' said Mr..
Dean, and the adjutant hemmed and
hnwed. and lowed that the colonel
hadn't formally drawn 'em up yet, but
that copy would be served on him as
soon as they were ready.
Then / said I'd go right in and find
you. and that's all know"
And then IL was that Folsom turned
on Burleigh, with gloom In his eye, and
said: "By the Eternal, Maj. Burleigh,
I hope you've had nothing to do with
this!"
Nothing In the world. assure you,
Mr.. Folsom. IL deeply regret IL.
Though, as have told you, can hard
ly be surprised, after what has been
said, and-what / have seen" But
the major could not squarely meet the
gaze in the keen eyes Of the old trader,
nor could the latter conceal his sus-
picions. ~ know you wish to hear oil
the particulars of the affair Mt the
ranch from this gentleman" said the
major, uneasily, $50 will leave you
with him for the present" and back
ing out into the hall he turned to the
foot Of the winding staircase where
Elinor had met her friend. The girls
were still there, their faces clouded
with surprise and anxiety. II was an
opportunity not to be lost.
"Pray do not be troubled, Miss Fol-
son." said Burleigh, advancing upon
them with outstretched hand, "er-Mr.
Folsom merely wants to hear further
details from Lannion. Iwish to extend
my congratulations to you and-nh-
this young lady, first upon the for
tunate escape Of your brother" and
he bowed over his distended stomach
to Elinor, "and second upon the part
played by yours" and he repeated the
bow TO jess, who, however, shrank
away from the extended hand. at will
go far TO counteract the stories that
I-ah-er-believe you know about
that were in circulation. and most un-
justly, doubtless, at-er-his expense"
"Who put them in circulation, Maj.
BurleighY" asked Pappoose, her brown
eyes studying his face as unfiinchingly
us had her fathers gaze moment be-
fore.
THAT, my dear young lady Ter
cannot surmise. They are mostly I'M
aginative, I dare say"
But Miss Folsom looked unmonified,
Miss Dean agitated, and Burleigh him
self had many n reason for feeling Ill
mt ease. just at the time OF all others
when he most desired to stand on good
terms with the well-to-do old trader
and his charming daughter he found
himself the object of distrust. He was
thinking hard and far from hopefully
as n moment later he fastened down
the street.
"Tell them TO send up my buggy,
quick" were his orders as he stepped
within his Office doorway. Then low
ering his voice: 'Has Capt. Newhail
returned?" he asked the chief clerk.
"The captain was here, sir. Left
word he needed to take the first train
freight or construction, II made no
difYerence--to Cheyenne and expected
to find letter or package from you.
and there's two kilograms In from de-
partment headquarters on your desk,
ar"
The major turned thither with sol
emn face, and read them both. his
back 10 his subordinate, his face 10 the
light, and growing grayer every mo-
ment. Clnn Was = curt pOtihca tiOu
~ e1opoo wsuld " needed st esee st