The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-10-20
CHAPTER l.

the fats and lighting the landscape for
miles with crimson and gold. The dew
sparkling on the wild bull berry BUSH
es. on tufted buffalo grass and tiny flow
srets mantied the bluffs with diamonds
and was stili so strong as to defy its one
snsmy, tho sun god The frost had
smitten the scant foliage on the banks OF
the winding stFeaHfr-snd the leaves had
donned their glorious hues, setting forth
their richest oolor-as the swan reserves
Its song--to meet the universal conquer
or. The mist rose slowly from the silent,
shallow pools. and from distant village
and from the neighboring heights the
smoke of chimney or campfire scared
straight To the skies. IL was morning
90 send the blood leaping through young
veins and 70 brighten the eye OF age,
morning In which all nature seemed TO re-
1oioe and all mankind 10 thank God for
the Joy OF living. Yet In the midst OF
scene OF such peace and health and hope
there stood alone man. still young,
from whose face hope, peace, even health,
apparently had ned and whose attitude
was one OF utter grief and detection. He
was leaning against a branching willow.
ga zinR into the depth OF the broad pool
OF the Pawnee just above the rapids with
God alone knows what thoughts seething
the morning was broken by sudden, stir
ring sound. Close at hand from the will
lows across the stream there rang out
loud and clear the call or cavalry trum-
pet, followed almost instantly by the ap-
pearance OF half dozen horsemen NOV
ing at steady walk from break In the
timber and descending the gentle slope
10 the ford. Foremost rode powerful
ly built soldier I'm the field uniform OF the
United States horse. Behind, side by side,
came two young soldiers, all evidently
officers. Then followed brace or troop
ers-orderlies or grooms-and jaunty
lad with ths<yellow braid and gnstening
trumpet slung from the shoulder. Straight
through the ford the leader splsshed,
looking neither TO right nor left, the sun
light peering under his hat brim and
crestIng with gold his busy eyebrows and
bristling mustache. Straight at his heels
followed his little party. and then from
the same opening I'm tho willows there
burst into view the head of a column OF
cavalry, moving at the same measured
pace and with the same erect and martial
bearing.
At the first sound OF the trumpet the
lonely figure at the edge of the pooi
darted back out of view and, bending low,
stood where by pesring through the bush
es the column could be kept in sight. but
when a moment later the fiuttering gull
don OF the foremost troop came suddenly
Haunting into the sunshine, all lts prli-
liant color instantly enhanced, some IN
tense emotion seemed TO seize upon the
lonely watcher Rising 10 his full height,
with his clinched hands thrown above
his head. he whirled about and, with an
,narticulate cry sank like stricken
hull TO earth and lay face downward ana
buried in his arms. his whole forfn
shaken with sobs--
Troop after troop. until the fourth mao
al
and moved steadily up the SOUTHWARK
sIone following a winding road that LED
40 the group OF buildings crowdlng the
height, and still the young man lay there.
over beyond the low line OF bluir 10 inc
west q cloud Of dust began TO rise. ana
there was sound Of martial music. n
tall flagstaff looking like slim white
arrow p,erced the sky line from that
westward crest, and the little bit OF bunt-
,pr futterinR at It's summit was sudueh-
Iv lowered. only 10 be replaced moment
later by a symbol that told IL was some
unusual occasion at the post the arrlyaI
perhaps OF some dignitary or superior
rank. and In confirmation OF inns VIC" ,sa o
the great garrison flag swung UP 10 'ne
haad Of the stafr, the earth trembled on
,he ear Even then there was no chanse
In the attitude OF the sufferer unless IL
-,.r. that he buried his face stiH deeper
In his arms. but all Of sudden ne start
ed half raised his head and listened.
Somewhat up stream clear, powertui
voice was shouting;
''Lansdonl Eric, old chap! fof 'ou
sake, where are your
Uurr,edIv the listener drew his hand-
terchief hard across his eyes, shakihs MS
head in the effort 10 pull himselt tose'her'
But he gave no answer ,,
Presently the call was repeated, iouuer ",,
nearer and now bounding hoof peats
could be heard.
Erie, I sayl EricV
rhars was something almost command
Ing I'm the cry, and still no answer caIi,
from the man, who evidently recognizeu
both voice and name, to whom hueeo III,
yormer seemed 20 bring a DIT OF hoPe W W
help or comfort, for the ut,er ,t'o ,,ar,
S,s n.ie aad face was lightened the verl
90, ty,aa Yet he turned again TOWARD th'
.,r.r as though resolute 10 Ignore 'h'
Tha neY, instant. glad and winsome u
,ha sunshine at the edge OF the un,oei l,
there gaIloped into sight a young oLnVe S,,'
,yho.a brave blue eyes and ruddy cheeh'
"a sa,r crisply curling hair would nave
snvd,sd moro than a single glance whlI'
Az. Grace Of his strong yet slender iorI
ga his capital seat In sadie Woui'
havs made him marked even anhohs
soorc OF his fellows. He rode Win W. W.
abandon, leaping his mettlesome, eNo'.s' ~,
hOrse the lew
ss,.,., =, willows as though he and MI
ste.d had wings and this was easy a.
flying rr r,r,
.n, tho brave young voice once nore
ana then. as sieam of the sunsn,n, n,,
shot through the willows. ns ~
searching eyes caueht sight OF the ION
nraro. the object Of his morning sSou' ~
In an instant he had sprung iron
saddle. - .,,,o.
bov,sh esgernees Stand where you ar
Ronaidl'' ne commandingly spoke 20 hi
beautiful horse. and then unhesitauhst
ieavtne him without fastening OF an
Mind fairly leaped into the timber an,
20 the SIDE OF his friend. whipping oi
his gauntlet. he held forth his bare
hand -,
.sRemember old Spots story. Eric
what we used To hear from those cav
Airy feiiows-ncver give gloved nan
N YOU want 20 talk business with In
dian or friend7 OLD man. you--you.
and for q moment he paused partly 10
S...th nartiv for words. and the Drigh