The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-07-30


TheyIayall doubled upiint the coarse
grass exactly as they had fallen, the
man resting face downward, the
slender iigdre .of;the girl clasped vice.
IKE ID his arms, with her tightly
CLOSED eyes upturned toward the glar'
ing sun Never once questioning but
nit he was CONFERENCE.-The closing
scene Of a grewsome tragedy, the thor
ongiIy aroused lieutenant dropped
upon his knees beside them, his eyes
already moist with sympathy, his anx-
icus fingers feeling for a possible
heartbeat. A moment of hushed,
breathless suspense followed, and then
he began finging terse, eager com
mands ACROSS his shoulder to where
his men we're clustered.
Herei Carson, Perry Ronk, lay
hold quick, and break this fellows
clasp he cried, briefly, 1.-THE girl
retains a spark of life yet, but the
mans arms fairly crush her"
With all the rigldity OF actual death
those clatching hands2held their tena-
ciots grip, but the aroused soldiers
wrenched the interlaced fingers apart
with every tenderness possible in such
q emergency, shocked atnoting the ex'
preston Of Intense agony stamped
upon the mans face when thus ex'
posed to view. The whole terrible
story was engrayen there-how he
{ had toiled, agonized, suffered, before
finally yielding to the inevitable and
p1nnging forward In inconsistencies,
written as legibly as though by a pen.
Carson, who in his long service had
Witnessed much OF death and suffer
Ing, bent tenderly above him, seeking
for some faint evidence ,ot lingering
Life. The anxious lieutenant, bare
headed under the hot sun-glare, strobe
hastily across from beside the uncon-
scious but breathing girl, and stood
gazing doubtfully down upon them.
Any life, sergeant?" he demanded,
his voice rendered husky bysympathy.
sHe doesn't seem entirely gone, sir, /"
and Carson glanced up into the Off
GERS face, his own eyes filed with
feeling. Il can distinguish Just a wee
bit Of breathing, but it's SO weak the
pulse hardly stirs."
What do you make of tt?"
Starving at the bottom, sir. The
only thing see now is to get them
down to water and food"
The young officer glanced swiftly
about him across that dreary picture
Of sun,burnt, desolate prairie stretch.
ing in every direction, his eyes paus.
ing slightly as they surveyed the tops
Of the distant cottonwoods.
esllng blankets between your horses"
he commanded, decisIvely. Move
quickly, lads, and we may save one OF
these llyesyet."
AS If by some magic discipline the
rude, effective filters were rapidly
made ready, and the two seemingly
lIfeless bodies gently lifted from on
the ground and deposited carefully
within. Down the long, brown slope
they advanced slowly, a soldier grasp
ing the rein and walking at each
horses head, the supporting blankets,
securely fastened about the saddle
pommels, swaying gently to the meas
ared tread OF the trained animals. Be-
meath the protecting shadows of the
first group Of cottonwoods almost on
the banks Of the muddy Bear Water,
rs the little party let down their sense
less burdens, and began once more
their seemingly hopeless efforts at re
suscitation. A fire was hastily kin
died from dried and broken branches,
and broth was made, which was forced
Through teeth that had to be pried
open. Water was used unsparingly,
the soldiers working with feverish
eagerness, inspired by the constant ad.
monitions of their officer, as well as
their own curiosity to learn the facts
hidden behind this tragedy.
1t was the dark eyes of the girl
which opened first, instantly closing
again as the glarIng light swept into
them. Then slowly, and with wonder