Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-08-26
CHAPTER i.
Copyright, 1901, by Charles King

CHAPTER l.
The sunshine Of a glorious autumn
morning was slanting along the valley
OF the Pawnee, throwing bold shadows
into the fats and lighting the land
scape for miles with crimson and gold.
The dew sparkling on the wild 'bull'
berry bushes, on tufted buffalo grass
and tiny 1owerets mantled the bluffs
with diamonds and was still so strong
Us to defy its one enemy, the Gun god.
The frost had smitten the scant foliage
OH the banks of the winding stream,
and the leaves had donned their glori-
GUS hues, setting forth their richest col
er--as The swan reserves it's song-to
meet tie universal eonqueror. The
mist rose slowly from the silent, shall
low pools, ana from distant village and
from the neighboring heights the
smoke Of chimney or campfire scared
straight to the skies. 1t was a morn
Ing to send the blood leaping through
young veins and to brighten the eye of
age, morning In which all nature
seemed TO rejoice and all mankind to
thank God for the joy Of living. Yet
in the midst of a scene of such peace
and health and hope there stood alone
a man. still young, from whose face
hope. peace, even health, apparently,
lad fed and whose attitude was one
OF utter grief and detection. He was
leaning against branching willow,
gazing into the depths of the broad
pool of the Pawnee just above the rap
ids with God alone knows what
thoughts seething through his brain,
when the silence of the morning was
broken by sudden, stirring sound.
Close at hand from the willows across
the stream there rang out loud and
clear the call of a cavalry trumpet, fol-
lowed almost instantly by the appear
ance of half dozen horsemen moving
at steady walk from break in the
timber and descending the, gentle slope
to the ford. Foremost rode power
fully built soldier in the field uniform
Of the United States horse. Behind,
side by side, came two young soldiers,
all three evidently officers. Then fol-
lowed brace of troopers-orderlies or
grooms-and jaunty lad with the yell
low braid and glistening trumpet
slung from the shoulder. Straight
through the ford the leader splashed,
looking neither to right nor left, the
sunlight peering under his hat brim
and cresting with gold his bushy eye
brows and bristling mustache. Straight
ut his heels followed his little party,
and then from the same opening in the
willows there burst into view the head
of 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 pool
darted back out Of view and, bending
low, stood where by peering through
the bushes the column could be kept in
sight, but when moment later the
futtering guidon of the foremost troop
came suddenly Haunting into the sun
shine, all its brilliant color instantly
enhanced, some intense emotion SEEM
ed to seize upon the lonely watcher.
Rising to his full height, with his
clinched hands thrown above his head,
he whirled about and, with an inarticu-
late cry, sank like stricken bull to
earth and lay face downward and bur.
led in his arms, his whole form shaken
with sobs
Troop after troop, until the fourth
had passed, the squadron crossed the
ford and moved steadily up the south
ward slope, following winding road
that led to the group of buildings
browning the height, and still the
young man lay there. Over beyond the
low line of bluff to the west q cloud Of
dust began to rise, and there was
sound Of, martial music. A tail flag
stan, looking like a slim white arrow,
pierced the sky line from that west
ward crest, and the little bit of bunting
suffering at its summit was suddenly
lowered, only tcsbe replaced moment
later by a symbol that told 1t was some
unusual occasion at the post, the arriv-
al perhaps OF some dignitary of superb
or rank, and in confirmation Of this
view, asthe great garrison flag swung
up to the head. OF the staff, the earth
trembled and the boom Of battery sa-
Lutte throbbed on the ear. Even then
there was,no change in the attitude Of
the sufferer unless It were that he bur-
led his face. still deeper in his arms, but
ell Of sudden he started, half raised
his head and listened.
Somewhere up stream clear, power
ful voice was shouting:
"Langdon! Eric. old chap! For
Gods sake, where are your"
\ ~ Al.
kerchief hard across bis eyes, shaking
Nnis head ia the effort to pull himself
together. But he gave no answer.
Presently the call was repeated, loud
er, nearer, and now bounding hoof
beats could be heard.
il Eric. I cay! Eric!'
There was something almost com.
manding in the cry, and still no an
swer game from the man, who evident
" recognized both voice and name. to
whom indeed the former eeerned to
bring o bit Of hope az help Or comfort
for the utter desDonh In Mia paae. sad