Mower County transcript., 1907-09-18

exclamation Of. unmitigated disgust.
yet there was no escaping their plain
meaning. Trouble was und doubtedly
brewing among the Sioux, trouble in
which the Cheyennes, and probably
others also, we're becoming involved
Every soldier patroling that long
,, northern border recognized the ap-
! proach Of some dire development,
some early coup Of sayagery.
Brant was not blind to all this, nor
to the necessity OF having in readiness
selected bodies Of seasoned troops, vet
it was not in soldier nature to refrain
from grumbling when the earliest de-
tail CHANGED to fall to him. But or
ders were orders in that country, and
although he crushed the innocent pa
per passionately beneath his heel. five
hours later he was in saddle, riding
steadily westward, his depleted troop
of horsemen gathering at his heels.
Up the valley OF the Bear Water,
slightly above Glencaid, far enough
beyond the saloon radius to protect
his men from possible corruption. yet
within easy reach of the military tele-
graph,-they made camp in the early
morning upon wooded terrace over
looking the stage road, and settled
quietly down as one of those numer-
GUS posts with which the army chiefs
sought to hem in the dissatisfied red
men, and learn early the extent of
their hostile plans.
Brant was now in a humor consid-
erably happier than when he first rode
forth from Bethune. He watched the
men of his troop while with quip and
song they made comfortable camp,
and then strolled slowly up the valley,
his own affairs soon completely for
gotten in the beauty of nearby hills
beneath the golden glory of the morn
ing sun. Once he paused and looked
back upon ugly Glencaid, dingy and
forlorn even at that distance; then he
crossed the narrow stream by means
of convenient log, and clambered up
the somewhat steep bank. A heavy
fringe of low bushes clung close along
the edge of the summit, but plainly
defined path led among their intri-
cacies. He pressed hts way through,
coming into q glade where sunshine
fickered through the overarching
branches of great trees, and the grass
was green and short, like that of q
well-kept lawn. &c.,"
AS Brant emerged from the under
brush he suddenly beheld a fair vision
of young womanhood resting on the
grassy bank just before him. She was
partially reclining, as If startled by
his unannounced approach, her face
turned toward him, one hand grasping
an open book, the other shading her
eyes from the glare of the sun. Some
thing In the graceful poise, the piquant,
uplifted face, the dark gloss of heavy
hair, and the unfrightened gaze held
him speechless until the picture had
been impressed forever upon his mem
ory. He beheld a girl on the verge of
womanhood, fair of skin, the red glow
of health flushing her cheeks, the lips
parted In surprise, the sleeve fallen
back from one white, rounded arm,
the eyes honest, sincere, mysterious.
She recognized him with glance, and
her lips closed as she remembered
how and when they had met before.
But there was no answering recollec-
tion within his eyes, only admiration
nothing clung about this Nadia to
remind him of a neglected wait Of
the garrison. She read all this in his
face, and the lines about her mouth
changed quickly into slightly quiz
zical smile, her eyes frightening.
"You should at least have knocked,
SIR" she ventured, sitting up on the
grassy bank, the better TO confront
him, before intruding thus unin-
vited."
He lifted his somewhat dingy scout
ing hat and bowed humbly.
Il perceived no door giving warning
that approached such presence, and
the first shock of surprise was per-
haps as great to me as to yeu., Yet,
now that have blundered thus far, /
beseech that be permitted to venture
upon yet another STEP" 81;
She sat looking at him, a trim, sol.
dierly figure, his face young and pleas
ant to gaze upon, and her dark eyes
sensibly softened.
What step?'
To tarry for a moment beside the
divinity of this Wilderness"
She laughed with open frankness,
her white teeth sparkling behind the
red, parted lips. s.a51ss--.4-.s
Perhaps you may, If you will first
consent to be sensible" she said, with
returning gravity; "and reserve the
right to turn you away whenever you
begin to talk or act foolish If you
accept these conditions, you may sit
down." ..
He seated himself upon the soft
grass ledge, retaining the hat in his
hands. '.You must be an odd sort Of
girl" he commented, soberly, mot to
welcome an honest expression of ad-
miration.''
"Oh, was that it? Then duly bow
my acknowledgment. I took your
words for one of those silly, compl1-
ments by which men believe they
honor women. I am not a. hahv. nor