Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-11-06

mere swiftly, only to retreat again, and the sun, climbing toward the cen ter of the sky. flashed back upon bright objects carried at the front of the group
 Soldiers for Brannon, reckon" she said aloud to Simon, who had given over his putting and was thoughtfully snifting the air. ''Still," she added, they're coming slow for soldiers"
 Simon rubbed a red shoulder against her arm confdingly and gave defiant sideways toss of the head.
 You know, don't you?" Dallas said, scratching the star in his curly fore head. Well, I would, too, if had your nose" She glanced at the mules and noted their lack of fright. They're not Indians anyhow" she went on, "so I guess we'll do some more blowing"
 When the sun was so high that Si- 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 a short distance and were halted for their noon rest. Close to the wagons the smoke of burning grass twists was curling up from under the midday meal.
 "They ain't soldiers" she said decis- lively. If they was they'd go on to the ferry. And what can they be, headed this way?" She took off 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 crutches 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 a blurred collection of moving things, he called Marylyn from her dinner get ting.
 "Come an see wat V c'n make out off thar on tn prairie. Mar'lyn" he cried. "Ef it's antelope, bring out tn Sharps."
 Marylyn hurried to him and followed the direction of his gaze. Why, it's men, pa," she said.
 Certainly, it's men," he agreed pet tishly. but wat kin O men? Thet's wat An kaln't sec"
 Marylyn shook her head. Then, as she bent her look inquiringly toward the far away camp. horseman sud denly left it and started on q gall0p toward them. "One's coming this way faStr' she exclaimed and rushed back into the shack for her bonnet.
 Lancaster and his younger daughter commented excitedly as the rider ap- preached One troop of cavalry had remained at Brannon throughout the summer to give protection to the wives and children of officers and enlisted men. The remaining troops belonging at the fort were away on Indian seTy- ice. They were to return soon. and the 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 Dallas wasted no time in cOnjectures. She touched up Ben and Betty and finished her round of the pIOwei land Not till the stranger was close did she stop at the eastern end of the field and wait. leaning on the cross bar.
 He came forward in a sharp cantcr. keeping a regular tap upon the Hanks 0f his mount with the end Of lariat- His careless seat in the saddle and the fact that he wore m spurs told Dallas that he was not a trooper. though across the Iessening distance now be- tween them his dress of blue shirt dark breeches and high boots. crowned by a wide. soft hat. was not unlike a campaign uniform. At his approach Ben and Betty became Izzily interested and raised their long ears tO the frOHt simon advanced little and took de termfned stand beside Dallas. who hung her lines on the p5ovE handles and prepared to greet the hgrsenau-
 Tbe instant he reached her hs halted abruptly beside the uaIes and bared his head ~Good n1orui1c- be ssEd- with cheery FoiifenesS. but his swIft glance over team. pIow and girl sASw- eI a surprise that was aEn8os1 pity
 Sbe saw hss Eook- and tke c0i1T swept up under the tan of ber face- -HsU q 7 doT- sse answerrd
 Tn John Isznsh1rT fr8Z Clzrks.- ks begzz- I've been szpplyEg tkzt