Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-03-10

OCIOEcs lzWF < "MR. RALPH MoREAU,
 "En Ville."
 CHAPTER TX.
 Sorely puzzled as Blake had been by the discotery, he had been able on the lon& homeward march walking unti in sight of Frayne and safety, t ben galloping ahead on the corporal'& horse-to think it out, as he said, in several ways. Miss Flower had frequently ridden up the valley and visited the Indian village across the Platte. Miss Flower might easily have dropped that note,, and some Nsquaw, picking it up, had surrendered it to the first red man who demanded it, such being the do- mestic discipline of the savage. The Indian kept it, as he would any other treasure trove for which he had no use, in hopes of reward for it's re- turn, said Blake. It was queer, of course, that the Indian in whose pouch it was found should have been so fluent a speaker of English, yet many Sioux knew enough of our tongue to swear volubly and talk ten words of vengeance to come. There were several ways, as Blake req soned, by which that letter might have got into the hands of the en- emy. But at any rate, with every thing said, it was woman's letter. He had no right to read it. He would first confide in his wife, and, if she said so, in Mrs. Ray. Then what they decided should decide him.
 But now came new problem. De- spite the long morning of peril and chase and excitement, there was still much more ahead. His men were in saddle; his troop was afield; the foe was in force on the road to the north; the battle, mayhap, was on at the very moment, and Frayne and home was no place for him when duty called at the distant front. Only, there was Nan, silent, trem- ulous, to be sure, and with such a world of piteous dread and pleading in her beautiful eyes. It was hard to have to tell her he must go again and at once, hard to have to bid her help him. in his hurried preparations, when she longed to throw herself in his arms and be comforted. He tried to smile as he entered the gate, and thereby cracked the brittle, sun dried court plaster with which ser geant had patched his cheek at the stables. The would-be gladsome grin started the blood again, and it trickled flown and splashed on his breast ere poor Nan longed to pillow hJ onny head, and the sight of it, ds "a her years of frontier training, made her sick and faint. He caught her in his left arm, laughing gayly, and drew her to the other side. "Got the mate to that scoop of Billy's," he cried, holding forth his other hand to Mrs. Ray. "'Tisn't so deep, perhaps, but twill serve, twill do, and I'll crow over him tonight. Come in with us, Mrs. Ray. live something to show you" ..a.l ...
 "One minute," said that wise young matron. "Let me tell the children where to find me. Sandy and Billy are on post at the telescope. They wouldn't leave it even for luncheon" With that she vanished, and husband and wife were alone.
 "You must go, Gerald" she sobbed -'T know it, but-isn't there some way?-Won't Capt. Dade send more men with your"
 "If he did, Nan, they'd only ham, per me with horses that drag behind. Be brave, little woman. Webb has swept the way clear by this time. Come, need your help"
 And the door closed on the soldier and his young wife. They never saw that Nanette Flower. in saddle, was riding swiftly up the roN, and. for the first time since her coming to Frayne, without an escort. Dade re- appeared upon his front gallery in time to greet her, but Esther, after one quick glance, had darted again within. Dade saw unerringly that Miss Flower was in no placid frame of mind. Her cheeks were pale; her mouth had that livid look that robbed her face of all beauty; but her eyes were full and flashing with excite ment.
 "What news. captain?" she hailed, and the joyous. silvery ring had gone from her voice. "They tell me Capt. Blake is back-two horses crippled, two men hit, including himself"
 "iis own share is a scratch hs wouldn't think of mentioning outside the family, Miss Flower" answered Dade, with grim civility. He had his reasons for disappearing of the young woman; yet they were not such as warranted him in showing her the least discourteey. He walked