The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-12-07
dence in a wickiup."


Il wish you wouldn't go to the fort
though. You've heard dad-you know
how he feels"
Il wouldn't go If I didn't have to.
But the temperatures falling. By sun
down they'll begin changing the SEN
tries at Brannon every hour. No one
man could stay out even half the
night. And this shack has to be guard
ed till morning. 1 must get Some one
to relieve me-"
81 suppose you're right" she said
reluctantly.
He brought the horse about. as
there anything 1 can do before l go.
he asked.
mo We've got everything but
wood. and Charley brings US that"
Charley" repeated Lounsbury.
who's Charley?"
She told him.
He seemed relieved. 'I'll look that
Indian up" he said, and raised his
hand to his cap.
From the road he looked around.
Despite the distance he could see that
the girls were where he had left them,
and MaryIyn's head was once more
pressed against her sister. The sight
made him writhe in his saddle and
wish he were as old as the river bluffs
themselves, that he might go back
and protect them. AS he descended to
the ice their two faces rose before him.
One, pretty and pale, with the soft
roundness of a childs, the blue eyes
filed with all a child's terror and en-
upon it there still fingered the brown
of the summer sun, but firm Of out
line, its crown a heavy coil of braidS,
its center, eyes that were brave, stead
fast, compelling.
The first picture blurred in remem-
bering the second. God bless herr
he murmured ITO think she knew
all the time and never cheepedw
At the shack Dallas, too, was ponder
ing-over a strange contrariety Their
home was in danger, perhaps their
very lives. Yet the day had fulfilled
its promise of the morning-it was the
happiest in her life!
The ramshackle ferryboat was firm
~ wedged in a drydock of ice on the
western side of the Missouri AS
Lounsbury passed 1t, with his horse
following pluckily in spreadeagle fash
| ion, he shouted for old Michael. But
long before the river had flooded, when
1t was edging and covering only in the
least swift places, the pilot had made
his final crossing, run the wheezy
steamer nose-on against the bank and
/ deserted her So the storekeeper re
ceived no answering halloo. He was
/ disappointed. 1t was desirable to en-
/ broil as few as possible in the LancaS-
ter dispute. Old Michael already a
factor, was needed to act the picket
to FIRE a warning signal If Matthews
left Shanty Town.
A substitute was found at the sta
bles. The storekeeper as he rushed
away after disposing of his mount
came upon Lieutenant Fraser busily
reaching his own riding animal, a
Eighty buckskin cayuse that no one
else cared to handle and that was af-
fectionately known in barracks as the
"she devil" The men had met be
fore, around the billiard table at the
suffers, and Lounsbury had set the
young officer down for q chivalrous
but rather chicken hearted youngster
who had chosen his profession unwise.
". So, his story told. the storekeepel
was altogether surprised at Frasers
spirited enthusiasm aud quick re
Spouse.
''I've nothing to do, old man." he
said as they went toward the parade
ground. II can help as well as not
So just take your time I'll watch
for you"
"T hardly think our man II show his
nose before dark. But 1 can't leave
the way OPEN
Don't fret"
They parted at the hagpole, the Yves
Pointer going down to the river ant
Lounsbury hurrying off in the oppo
site direction.
Colonel Cummings entry and recep
ton rooms were crowded when thu
storekeeper entered. 4 score Of ofd
GERS were standing about in littl,
groups talking excltedly. But Louns
bury was too anxious and distraughr
to notice anything unusual He hur
ried ND to tall, sad faced man whose
mustache, thin and coarse, dropped
sheer over his mouth. giving him the
look of a martyred walrus.
Can 1 see the K. O., Captain OH
ver?" he asked. ITS important"
J
But I don't believe you can. Hes
up to his ears" He disappeared int
the next room.
Lounshury bowed to several officers
though he scarcely saw them. III
heard divers low voice, evidently an
: nouncing him, then the colonefs.
Yes, bring him in.' cried the latter
Maybe he'll know
The storekeeper entered wfthou
waftirC Colonel CUMMINGS stood IL