The Washington times., 1901-12-01

said another. significantly. He was an
old timer. and an anxious look crept into
| his eyes. Those Sioux are cutting up
like the devil down at the reservation.
'Serious?' asked Darlington, laeonic-
ally.
The laughter was hushed; the buzz Of
light conversation had ceased; the Ian
guor of the men had vanished.
Il think it likely
what's up?' 1t was Johuson's voice.
THAT hot-headed Osconwichita is kick
ing against the Government supplies and
exciting the tribe to such pitch that
Worthington thinks it means trouble.
The men of the Eleventh sat silent.
| Worthington had lived among the reds
since a child, and knew their language
and religion as his own; their good points
and their bad What Worthington said
| went
What's the colonel going to do?" asked
Johnson.
Lay low, probably. until osconwichita
| gives the sign" answered the veteran, as
he rose and walked out Of the ROOM
The officers glanced at each other, and
in the face of the young lieutenant. fresh
from the Point, was an eager, excited
look as if he longed to throw off this in
activity and be doing.
Far into the night they sat and talked
| of Osconwiehita and the expected out
| break that night and the day to come,
but when after a week had passed and
they had vainly waited for the sign, they
told themselves that for once Worthing-
ton has missed his bearings, but Worth
ington, brown and short and keen eyed.
said not a word and kept his cat-like
watch.
One afternoon, while crossing the pa
rade grounds, Darlington saw Miss Fair
fax's horse standing bridled and saddled
before the colonel's door. He frowned
paused, and waited ;or her to come out.
Elizabeth" he demonstrated. when
he caught sight of the tall. wellpropor-
toned figure in the close-ftting riding
habit, you are surely not going out
alone" The words were half question,
half an assertion. wholly protest.
Il most certainly am" replied Miss
Fairfax There is absolutely no danger.
You know perfectly well 1 did it long
before-before l let you come with me"
Darlington smiled anxiously.
Yes" he admitted, "but this rumor
about the Sioux
woman.
81 hope so; but. Elizabeth, in case OF
trouble. take jim" begged her lover.
I'm on DUTY and can't get of, but l
can't bear you should he riding around
the country just now without escort
Miss Fairfax laughed.
"Jiml" she said a little scornfully.
pursued. Why, his old horse couldn't
touch Ladybird in speed
But he could come for help. Then,
too, he can have my mare. II you won't
have him." Darlington added hastily, as
| Miss Fairfax shook her head, ASK one
of the fellows to go with you--Ichnson,
for instance"
| you wouldn't have suggested that
month ago, Captain Darlington. No. since
can't have your own attractive and ele-
waiting society, I prefer to go without
any-all of which shows what model
sweetheart ! am" And before he could
say another word she was mounted and
galloping down the road. She turned once
in her saddle and waved her hand reas-
suringly to him, where he stood, tall and
dark and still, watching her disappear
with troubled eyes; and she blew him a
kiss from the tip of her gauntlet and
made a charming moue at him. and borne
back on the fresh western air, there cane
to him the sound of her wild, free laugh
ter
".
Afternoon sank into twilight. twilight
melted into dusk, and the moon rose
struggling behind a bank of clouds. Still
! Miss Fairfax did not return.
The colonel, Darlington. and Johnson
stood impatiently on the veranda OF head
quarters and discussed the adyisabllity Of
sending out search party, when sudden
ly there reached them familiar neigh.
''Ladybirdl'' cried Darlington. in infinite
relief.
The officers waited expectantly, but no
horse or rider came. There was a con-
fused murmur OF voices. and then above
all other sounds there rose a girls treble,
passionate, piercing sweet
Ne touchez pas! l must see ze colonel
or re Capitaine Darlington right away!
Comprenez vous?''
White and silent, and of one accord, the
three officers strode in the direction of the
voice.
"Regardez! have mademoiselle's
horse re Ladybird He run away; re In
dlans have la billie Americainel"
Every word came clear and distinct to
Carrington's ears. Objects grew black to
him as from a great distance he saw an
orderly with white stricken face run to-
ward them. AS in a dream he followed to
the other gate. where stood Ladybird.
with dilated nostrils and foam iecked
body quIvering with excitement. On her
back was huddled wild-eyed. haggard
little figure, with torn dress. bleeding
hands, and Gisheveled hair Could this
be
Darlington strode forward.
''Demain?" he cried.
At the sound Of his voice the girls
storm of passion ceased. She slipped from
the horse without a word and lay on the
ground, quiet. still. Darlington bent over
her. The men of the Eleventh crowded
near.
"DemaIn." he said. and he wondered
that his voice could be so calm "Demain.
what does this mean"
She sat I'M end Draeaad ona hand ,o