The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1902-09-04

| huslC lcsbonS. 1to WrOto lmplOrlng
letbers to Millie. He scorned all Of,
forts Of Belle Finley to console him,
and there were mon now who warned
him to be OH his guard against the
jealous fury Of that Indian -blooded
girl.
| Then ono June morning he marched
on guard, and when Private Clancy
! growlcd at being assigned to sontry
| post at tho wood yard under tho bluff,
kramor asked eagerly to exchange
with him-Number Two for Number
Four. That afternoon Mile found a
mlssive squeezed in crovice at tho
rear gate, and Mrs. Foster saw her
reading it, and that evening, aftor but
! brief visit to hor invalid sister, Millie
had slipped away saying sho was going
home. That was the last seen or heard
Of her.
AS for Belle Flnloy she was stoical-
ly silent. Both her father and her
mother declared her to have been at
home and in bed from 10 O'Clock, until
! aroused by the excitement nt midnight.
| Not trace OF the missing girl was
found until hours after roveille, when
IN pulling down one of the woodpiles
on the post of Number -Four, the
searching party came upon cavalry
ravhlne, callbre 40, lying among the
sticks, All empty cartridge shell still in
he bCte1h. aud then Little Bat, the
>.oUX hs.t.H.ted scout without word
..e.G .o:::h u Cay: Brent a sharp aud
.a..t:. ::As@ ~. :.:lething white ana
3:n.>y cA";L1: = -: splinter of the
Tt'r.. = ::..,--: -; :: Unity, at sight of
wh.c.. Ca>:.:y :I:::t,; sick with dread,
ana Ms. tos:": asAln burst into tears.
That night there was q move among
the men that BODIED i'll for Kramer.
He had been confined in cell room of
the guard hou$c. 1t was resolved that
they would have him out and tho truth
with him. The men had made up their
minds how it ali happened. Kramer
had deliberately planned Millie's death
because she tired Of him and had re-
called Cassidy. He had stolen the
carblne and secreted 1t by the river
side, had exchanged good post for the
remote and lonely one under the bluffs,
had lured her thither, shot her with
the carbinc and flung her body into the
| stream.
Promptly at 1.30 in the starlit sum-
| .,
masked and in moccaslns or stocking
feet, stole out from the rear of tho
company quarters and, crouching low,
bore down upon the guard house. The
foremost men were already within the
black shadow OF the building when,
clear, sharp and sudden, followed in
stantly by the shrill cry of woman,
and then with wild yell of " Corporal
OF the guard, Number Fourp the
sound of a shot down the bluffs reused
all Fort Wayne to instant life, sent
Sergt. Corscott with his lantern tear.
ing away to the scene, and the would
be abductors rushing noiselessly back
to the barracks. In less than five min.
utcs Capt. Benton and half dozen
members of the guard were grouped at
the river bank, where, limp and sense
less, wet and well nigh in rags, yet
alive and without sign of wound,
lay Millie Shannon, while tho sentry,
scared out of HE wits, covered blubber.
ingly among tho wood piles, swearing
he had seen ghost.
Quickly they bore her, her head on
Cassidy's broad shoulder, to the adj
jutants quarters, whore DR.. Floyd ad.
ministered rcstoratives, but not until
morning was her strange story told.
AS the bugles were sounding first call
ior guard mounting couriers were ford.
ing the Platte to ride for the Big Horn
10 warn the cavalry in their summer
; camp, while mounted men, armed tc
Inc teeth, went gallopin, for Warrio,
= Gap IN pursuit Of little band of Ara
. phoes that had broken away from thei,
I village, guided by tho traders daugh
ter, Belle Finley, and soldier who
! was her slave, the first sergeant O.
Benton's company.
Even Milllo didn't realize at first al
that her story told. The letter sh,
found in the accustomed place was all
appeal from Kramer to soc him ius
once more. Though still a private sol
der, he was now q man Of moan
through the death Of q relative. Th
, German minister at Washington woult
secure his discharge. Then he woul,
have competence, and distinguishe
name to offer her.
, She went-coquotry and curiosit
prevailing, and down among the wood
piles was surprised to 500 shadow
forms-soldlers, probably swappir
}, boldly forward to rebuko them and a
il too late found herself facing Bell
Finley and two or three Indians, tn
J, latter already half drunk. Instantl
q she ecented peril for Kramer, sough
., 70 give him warning, but was seize'
~ and firmly hold, a broad hand over he
y mouth. With frantic effort she freet
- nerselt just one instant and as sho
!" was hred she screamed for help. 1
l. dow knocked her senseless and whei
"a consciousness came she was in canoe
=" shOotlng down the Platte, with her Indi
" 70 an poatmen fighting among thomselve
~ lor liquor. Somewhere about dawn tn,
- canoe was overturned, and somehow
she managed to reach n wooded island