Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-12-12

over CHS putting ana was tDOugnt1Ully
shifting the air. still" she added,
they're coming slow for soldiers"
Simon rubbed red shoulder against
her arm confdlngly and gave a defiant
sideways toss Of the head.
you know, don't your" Dallas said,
scratching the star In his curly fore
head. "Well, | would, too, If had your
nose" She glanced Mt the mules and
noted their lack Of fright. They're not
Indians anyhow" she went on, 80
guess Wen do some more blowing"
When the sun was so high that 81.
mons shadow made but small
splotch upon the ground under him,
Dallas again stopped to look toward
the east. The men and horses had
Travelled only n short distance and were
halted for their noon rest. Close to the
wagons the smoke Of burning grass
twists was curling up from under tho
midday meal.
They amt soldiers" she said decls.
lively. IF they was they'd 80 on to the
ferry. And what can they be, headed
this way?" She took of her hat and
swung it at her father to attract his
attention then pointed toward the men
and teams.
Lancaster was sitting before the
shack, his crutchcs across his knees.
Seeing her signal he got up and hob
bled hastily around the corner, from
where he blinked into the gap. And,
unable to make out anything but q
blurred collection Of moving things, he
called Margin from her dinner get
ting.
Come an see wat v en- make out
off thar on tn prairie, Mariyn" he
cried. EFF It's antelope, bring out tn
Sharps"
Marylyn hurried to him and followed
the direction of his gaze. "Why, its
men, pa" She said.
Certainly, it's men," he agreed pet.
tishly, but wat kin O. men? Thet's
wat All KANT sec"
Marylyn shook her head. Then, ga
she bent her look inquiringy toward
the far away camp, horseman sud
denly left 1t and started on a gallon
toward them. ones coming this way
fastw she exclaimed and rushed back
INTO tne snack lot Uer bonnet.
Lancaster and his younger daughter
commented excitedIy rs the rider ap.
preached. One troop OF cavalry had
remained at Brannon throughout tho
sumner to give protection to the wives
and children Of officers and enlisted
men. The remaining troops belonging
at the fort were away on Indian serv.
.e,,, i ~
section boss believed he saw in the
nearing traveller the herald of the
home coming force. Marylyn, how.
ever, was just as certain that Indians
were about to surround them and
| hastily brought out the gun. but DallaA
wasted no time IN conjectures. She
touched up Ben and Betty and finished
her round of the plowed land Not tn
the stranger was close did she stop at
the eastern end Of the field and wait,
leaning on the cross bar.
lie came forward IN a sharp canter
keeping regular tap upon the tanks
of his mount with the end of lariat
His careless seat in the saddle and the
fact that he wore no spurs told Dallas
that he was not a trooper, though
across the lessening distance now be-
tween them his dress of blue shirt
dark breeches and high boots, crowned
by 4 wide, soft hat, was not unlike a
campaign uniform. At his approach
Ben and Betty became lazily Interested
and raised their long ears to the front
Simon advanced little and took de-
termined stand beside Dallas. WIG
hung her lines on the pillow handles
and prepared to greet the horseman.
The instant lie reached her he halted
abruptly beside the mules and barred
his head. Good morning" he said
with CHEEKY politeness, but his swift
glance over team, plow and girl show
ed a surprise that was almost pity.
She saw his look, and the color swept
up under the tan of her face. How
IL v do?' she answered
I'm John Iounsbvry from Clark s."
he began. I've been supplying that
crowd back there with feed and grub
for a couple Of weeks" He nodded to-
ward the distant men and horses.
MAY l ask--l-I didn't know any wo.
men folks had settled
She faced him squarely for mo-
ment, and he met her eyes. They were
gray, with tawny fecks, wide open,
clear and compromising My IA
Tiers Evan Lancaster" she explained.
"Lancaster-oh, he's traded at my
store"
That's him over there with Mary
Ign"
Lounsbury turned in his saddle and
looked toward the shack. "MarylynY"
he said. "Whlt pretty name! Sounds
like Maryland. How'd She He
paused questioninGy.
Mothers name was Mary Lynn"
She answered, her voice lowered. 80
she just put it together"
And yours?'
mines Dallas. l was born in Tex.
as"
He leaned back against his high
cantle and smiled. Il could "a guess
ed that" he declared.
Again she cOlored sensitively and
fastened to swing the team around I'M
til Betty stood in the furrow. MY
fathers coming" she said
Instantly Lounsbury was all regret,
for he saw that she had misunderstood
him. You don't look Texas he said
earnestly. It's just the name. And
and think Dallas is pretty too"