Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-12-19

OF ground LeaulnS up 10 tue
EssSTSrH shack He trailed the mules,
SSSt1ITj the squaw, the troopers. He
followed those moccaSin prints that
came across the draw and went again.
He found the last behind the lean-to,
along the side nearest the coulee, on
the back fire strip in front, and declar-
ed. they had been made by white
man.,
Two circumstances pointed strongly
to the truth. of this the body had been
carried away in the direction of Shan
ty Town; white man would have
taken so much trouble, not an Indian,
who would have left his handiwork
for all to see. And again, when Shan
ty Town was searched one of the huts
was found to contain evidence of late
occupancy-scraps of food that We're
not yet stale and in a rusty stove fresh
Goals. But though the coulee, the road,
the prairie and the timber edging the
river were all faithfully scanned one
thing concerning the murderer's doings
remained mystery. At Shanty Town
the traces of him began and ended
But how had he reached Shanty
Town?
Old Michael furnished the clew of
time. He related how he had heard
the crack of gun to the eastward the
previous evening, about tn ind av tn
furst dog WATCH
Captain Oliver stayed uutil the last
rod had been travelled and the last
stone turned. Then he was ferried to
Brannon. On landing he went at once
to the wife of his colonel, who had va
Gated her home when the command
Left and was now living with Mrs.
Martin at Major Appletons.
Mrs. Cummings" he said, 1.-The old
man on the bend is missing. 1t looks
like murder. His two girls are left,
orphaned and heartbroken. They need
a woman's comfort, ma'am. VIII you
not go to them, and will you find q wo-
man to stay with them for a few
nights?"
ooh, how very sad!' exclaimed that
lady, then turned away as if suddenly
perplexed 'I-I-really don't care to
go myself" she went on, when she
had given his request a moments
Thought 81 know these country peo-
ple-so touchy and taciturn, always
ready to think one is patronizing
them"
zone usually is" retorted the cap
tain sharply. "Then 1 must ask some
body else"
zone of the troopers wives would
probably be glad to co.
you are evidently quite mistaken
regarding these young women de-
clared Oliver. with some heat. Mrs.
Oliver will think differently"
Really. l haven't thought of them
she answered petulantly. But why
may L ask, don't they come to the
postY'
"They prefer TO stay In their OWL
little home. In their present trouble
and grief it is particularly dear tC
them. Would be to any one
Il thuk it odd, captain, that they
should choose to stay over there alone
Cau--can they be-eh-quite nice?'
Madam" replied Oliver sternly
"they wish to do what would please
their father. They wish to be indie
pendent"
"Ah!" Mrs. Cummings threw up he
head.
and let me say that l heartily com
mend them," Oliver fairly roared
They are made of the stuff of on
forefathers, who pushed their way in
TO the wilderness. Their spirit is tn
spirit of the frontier" With which
bowling and Tuning, the captain stamp
ed out.
Mrs Oliver, a motherly chunk of
woman, thought very differently.
Work and babies she consigned 10
thrifty troopers wife and in a jif
pinned on bonnet that had stood va
rious seasons. 'Ill be back in tn
morning." she said, with a kiss fo
each of the seven. Then, stuffinS
tidbit or two into the wide pockets G
a buster, she FASTENED away.
Captain Oliver meanwhile had cleai
ed the front room of his progeny an
summoned the surgeon, Lieutenan
Fraser and Matthews.
Matthews came at last. As he Ell
tered the three men were struck by
curious change In him. He was ere'
and somewhat soldierly in his bearing