The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-01-31

btSt ti0O+ 2AiN' say, the best scout and fighter-ieads charge as well as q german and all tthlt sort Of thing, but he hasn't a cent to ms name. and if you're not careful how you let him itin. with Nell e'liw waltz Sinclair s hopes and her prospects into the Piatle, Dam! The colonel was mixing cocRtaH at the moment, but keeping the weather eye on ehis wife. You don't mean she-- cares for hiri--alrcady? he demanded. She's at the west window with the signal glasses. and says if anythingr-hap; pens to him it's a judgment on her 50 judge for yourself. Col Chanter,' walled his better half, despairingiy. She tolo us tho whole story another year.
 "Jcrusalem!' said the colonel, q, ana here's our Jim at college-and Ruth and kitty at school-and all bills due next week.
 Then there was hang, bang at the 1 front door and the adjutant came bouno- ing in. Pardon mo. colonel, but Corporal Swift's just in-they lifted him off his horse at tho hospital. The Sioux jumped Sinclair's outfit twelve miles up the Platte. They made for the island oppo- site Beaver Bluff. Swift risked the ride for help and made it with two bullet holes. He met Hampton five miles oyt and thinks he'll get there, but says they Il need the ambulance. The Sioux are three to one. Here's q note, sir The. colonel took 1t and read aloud, never hearing or needing the swish of silken skirts on tn. landnig above. It was the mother who sped to the stairway and there waited breathless.
 "'C. o. Fort Laramie:
 Corporal Swift will tell his own story. We double speed from here. I hope to get there in time. Took signal rockets with us. One from Beaver Bluff will mean Successful and Secure.' Two, at ten seconds interval, will mean Send help" Hampton"
 'The birthday dance was to begin at 9, but at 9:i5 the musicians hadn't come. Every man, woman and child at Laramie seemed to be out on the westward front, staring through the starlight up the val ley of tho Platte. Two companies of in- fantry had stacked their Springfelds and thrown themselves on the sandy slope. Two or three sergeants, with lanterns, were fitting about. Chanter stood with his officers. some with watch In hand, some with signal glasses. all gazing north westward. Soldiers wives and chiidrep were huddling tearfu1ly together. Even from the officers quarters had come a group of fair women, but Nell Chanter was not with them. It was high time they had tidings of some kind, but not a
  heavens. May have had Q stiff fight whispered Brent, second in command, ana will not signal till he's sure.'
 'Holton ought to be there by this time,' answered the adjutant. and Holton. it seems, with all of TX and what re- mained of e companies, had been hur- ried forward ten minutes after Swift's arrival, ordered to the support of Hamp- ton. One half the coloners little force therefore, was now afield. The rest might well he needed on the spot. Chan ter would not risk a Fort Phil kearney affair.
 '9:30,' said he. wiping his dripping forehead. God. but it seems long!'
 And then, all on a sudden, from every throat went up cry, some shrill and hysterical from women or children, some half choked, and ashamed, from many a man: and then, harsh and command ing, the order, Silence, every one" Far, faint yet visible even to the naked eye, a cometlike head and tail of fire climbed few inches toward the low-hanging constellation at the northward horizon faltered: checked, dropped; burst and, in tiny glowing fragments, drifted slowly back to earth, and then pale. compressed lips were counting at second intervals, while all eyes were strained on the van isfing fires. Four five, six, seven. eight inc 'ten'-a deathlike pause and silence, a few seconds more lest thcre might yet be a sequel, then Chanter's S watch shut with snap. Safe said he. as he grabbed his juniors hand, and a great sob of relief and joy went up to the twinkling. sympathetic stars"
 "The birthday dance, as though by com mon consent. was postponed. The adju- tant and another young officer trottcd about the quarters, giving notice thereof. But notice was hardly needed. A group oe a score at least, officers and ladies, had gathered on the piazza of old 'Bedlam, and others, still smaller in number were nervously waiting at the post command CTS and the doctors quarters, when shouts were heard on the sandy flats, and, Q little after 11:30 the first ambulance whirled briskly around tho parade, drew up at Chanter's, and half the garrison swarmed thither to hear the news. In his they were not entirely successful.
 'harter led the first corners indoors-Cap- ain Sinclair and two juniors from Fetter- man. Two trunks were pitched out, and the drive- and a single soldier with him were surrounded and honbarded with questions. Few. therefore, knew until long afterwards just what happened with in. Nell Chanter was on hand, it seems, with her father and mother, eager to I her eyes asked for another It was Mrs Chantcr who interrupted Sinclairs story of how hard they had fought and how desperate was their plight. when at last they heard cheering and shooting down the right bank-and interrupted with the question:: But where is MT. Hampton?' Whereat there was embarrassment. Both youngsters looked as though they wished to tell but etiquette forbade.
 'Well-er-I asked him to come with US. but you see there were some few wounded and he-he thought he ought to stay with them,' explained Sinclair, and as he seemed disposed to let it go at that. his own sub it was that took up the word"
 Hampton himself is one of the few wounded said he.
 You don't mean you've left him there -wounded?' almost shr:eled Miss Nell; then darted from the room, her mother bustling after her.
 "Of course you know the rest. That episode let Sinclair out of the running. He and his securities were sent to the right about. "A dead loss,' said old Chan ter rucfully, tho he knew better anotb-' CT year.
 There were two spare rooms at the colOners quarters and Sinclair was +o have occupied one, but he backed o,t gracefully. after Nelrs outburst. Ii was almost dawn when the ambulance came in with the wounded. but she was up. and-I think, I told you she con1noonda1 the commanding officer. Chapter or- dered Hampton toted into the room Sin