Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1907-10-25
and what are your

and what are your"
The fellow stood up, slightly hump
backed but broad Of shoulder, his
arms long, his legs short and some
what bowed, his chin protruding i'm.
pudently, and Brant noticed an oddly
shaped black scar, as If burned there
by powder, on the back of his right
hand.
"Who-am II" he said, angrily. I'm
-Silent-Murphy."
An expression Of bewilderment
swept across the lieutenant's face.
Silent Murphy! Do you claim to be
Clusters scout?"
The fellow nodded. "Heard-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 man
pictured out before him. There could
remain no reasonable doubt of his
identity, but what was he doing there?
Yes, I've heard Of you,"-and his
crisp tone instinctively became that
of terse military command,-"al although
we have never met, for l have been
upon detached service ever since my
assignment to the regiment. l have q
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.
er be-alone-n report-been over
Black Observation-Disclosures or.
ders."
DO you mean you are In direct com.
munication with headquarters, with
Custer?"
The man answered, with wide
sweep Of his long arm toward the
northwest. Coin to-be hell-out
there-damn SOON"
How? Are things developing into
a truly serious affair-a real cam
paign?"
Every buck-in the-Sioux nation
lis makin'-fer the-bad lands and
ne laughed noiselessly, his nervous
fingers gesticulating. guess that
means-business."
Brant hesitated. Should he attempt
to learn more about the young girl?
1nstinctively he appreciated the fulfil.
ity of endeavoring to extract informa.
tion from Murphy, and he experienced
a degree of shame at thus seeking to
penetrate her secret. He glanced
about, seeking some way of recross.
ing the stream.
If you require any new equipment"
he said tersely, I'VE can probably sup.
ply you at the camp. How do you
manage to get across here?"
Murphy, walking stifly, 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 q
thorough soldier, born into the service
and deeply enamored Of its dangers;
yet beyond this he remained a man, q
young man, swayed b. those emotions
which when at full tide sweep aside
all else appertaining to life.
His had been a lonely life since
leaving West Point and joining hi:
regiment-a life passed largely among
rough men and upon the desolate
plains. For months at a time he haC
known nothing Of refinement, nor en-
1oyed social intercourse with the CD
posite sex. Yet, beneath his mask o.
impassibility, the heart continued t.
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 t
awaken an interest unfelt before, anC
leave him idly dreaming of shadowet
eyes and flushed, rounded cheeks.
He was in this mood when he over
took the Rev. Howard Wynkoop ant
marked the thoughtful look upon biz
pale face.
Il called at your camp" explained
Wynkoop, after the first words o
greeting had been exchanged, "as soor
as / learned you were here in com
mand, but only to discover your alb
sence. The sergeant, however, wa.
very courteous, and assured me Their,
would be no difficulty In arranging
religious service for the men, unless
sudden orders should arrive. NJ
doubt may rely on your coopera
ton"
Most certainly" was the cordia
response, land l shall also permi
those desiring to attend your regula
| Sunday aervices so lnnr az wa ara cta