The Irish standard., 1907-08-31

4uo lcllOW uOOQeQ. HearQ-Of me
-maybe:"
Brant stood staring at him, his mind
occupied with vague garrison rumors
connected with this odd personality.
The name had long been a familiar
one, and he had often had the mau
pictured out before him. There could
remain no reasonable doubt of his
identity, but what was he doing there?
Eyes, I've heard of you,"-and his
crisp tone instinctively became that
of terse military although
we have never met, for l have been
upon detached service ever since my
assignment to the regiment. l have a
troop in camp below" he pointed
down the stream, "and am in com.
mand here"
The scout nodded carelessly.
"Why did you not come down there
and report your presence in this neigh
borhood to me?"
Murphy grinned unpleasantly. "Rath-
or be-alone-no report-been over
Black Range-telegraphed-wait or
ders."
DO you mean you are in direct COM
munication with headquarters, with
Custer?"
The man answered, with a wide
sweep of his long arm toward the
northwest. Coin to-be hell-out
there-damn soon."
How? Are things developing into
truly serious affair-a real cam
paign?"
Every buck-in the-Sioux nation
is makin'-fer the-bad lands" and
he laughed noiselessly, his nervous
fingers gesticulating. guess that
means-business.
Brant hesitated. Should he attempt
to learn more about the young girl?
Instinctively he appreciated the fulfill
ity of endeavoring to extract informa-
ton from Murphy, and he experienced
q degree of shame at thus seeking to
penetrate her secret. He glanced
about, seeking some way of recross-
ing the stream.
"a IF you require any new equipment"
he said tersely, 1--WE can probably sup
ply you at the camp. How do you
manage to get across here?"
Murphy, walking stif1y led the way
down the steep slope, and silently
pointed out log bridging the narrow
stream. He stood watching while the
officer picked his steps across, but
made no responsive motion when the
other waved his hand from the oppo-
site shore, his sallow face looking
grim and unpleasant.
- The young officer marched down
the road, his mind busted with the
peculiar happenings of the morning,
and that prospect for early active
service limited at in the brief utter
ances of the old scout. Brant was a
thorough soldier, born into the service
and deeply enamored Of its dangers;
yet beyond this he remained man, a
young man, swayed by those emotions
which when at full tide sweep aside
all else appertaining to life.
His had been lonely life since
leaving West Point and joining his
regiment-a life passed largely among
rough men and upon the desolate
plains. For months at time he had
known nothing of refinement, nor en-
joyed social intercourse with the op.
posite sex. Yet, beneath his mask OF
impassibility, the heart continued to
beat with fierce desire, biding the time
when it should enjoy its own sweet
way. Perhaps that hour had already
dawned; certainly something new
something inspiring, had now come tc
awaken an interest unfelt before, and
leave him idly dreaming of Swallowed
eyes and flushed, rounded cheeks.
He was in this mood when he over
took the Rev. Howard Wynkoop and
marked the thoughtful look upon his
g pale face.
II called at your camp" explained
Wynkoop, after the first words o.
greeting had been exchanged, 'as soor
as l learned you were here in com
mand, but only to discover your alb
sence. The sergeant, however, was
very courteous, and assured me there
would be no difficulty in arranging {
religious service for the men, unles:
sudden orders should arrive. NJ
doubt l may rely on your coopera
ton"
Most certainly" was the cordia
response, "and l shall also permi
those desiring to attend your regular
Sunday services so long as we are sta
toned here. How is your work pros
pering?"
There is much to encourage me
but spiritual progress is slow, ant
there are times when my faith falter'
and l feel unworthy of the service IL
which am engaged"
"A mining camp is so intensely ma
terial seven days of the week that i
must present difficult field for tn
awakening Of any religious sent
ment," confessed Brant sympathetical
ly. II have often wondered how yo'
consented to bury your talents in sucl
place."
The other smiled, but with trac
Of sadness in his eyes. Il firmly be
lieve that every minister should dc