Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1908-01-10

"DonaId, | Love You"
70 get away scot-rrse. BESIDES, II this
affair only manages to turn out right,
I can promise to make you the hap
piest girl In America. But, MAZDA,
dear. don't cling to me so; It is not at
all like you to break down In this fash
ion," and he gently unclasped her
hands. holding her away from him
while he continued to gaze hungrily
into her troubled face,
Sometimes | feel Just like q COW.
ard, Bob. It's the woman Of It; yet
truly l wish to do whatever you be-
lievs to be best. But, Bob, l need you
so much, and you will come back,
won't you? shall be so lonely here,
for-for you are truly all | have in the
world"
With one quick, impulsive motion
he pressed her to him, passionately
kissing the tears from her lowered
lashes, unable longer to conceal the
tremor that shook his own voice.
Never, never doubt it, lassie. 1t will
not take me long, and If | live | come
straight back"
He watched her slender, white
robed figure as it passed slowly down
the deserted street. Once only she
paused and waved back to him and he
returned instant response, although
scarcely realizing the act.
Poor little lonely girl! Perhaps ]
ought to have told her the mole In.
fernal story, but simply haven't got
the nerve, the way 1t reads now. II
l can only get it Strengthened out, it'll
be different"
Mechanically he thrust an unlghted
cigar between his teeth anG descend
ed the steps, to all outward appear
ance the same reckless, audecious
Hampton as of old.
The military telegraph occupied enc
half of the small tent next TIE Miners
Retreat, and the youthful O, orator in
stantly recognized his debona:. yisi
tor.
We'll, Billy" was Hampton's friend
ly greeting, are they keeping you fair
ly busy with wars and rdm0rs o.
wars these days."
"Nuthin' dom just now" WAS tn,
cheerful reply. Everything goa tel
Cheyenne. The Injuns ale gittin
themselves bottled up in the Big Horr
country"
"Oh, that's it? Then maybe yol
might manage to rush message
through for me to Fort A. I.incoll
without discommoding Uncle sam?
and Hampton placed a coin upon tn,
rough table.
Sure; write it out"
Here 1t is; now get 1t of early, m,
lad, and bring the answer to me owe
at the hotel. There1l be another We
low boy waiting when you come"
The reply arrived some two hour
later.
Fort A. Lincoln. June H. 1876.
Hampton. Glencaid:
Seventh gone west: probably Yellow
stone. Brant with them. Murphy, gov
, eminent scout, at Cheyenne waiting or
ders. BITTON. Commanding.
He crushed the paper in his hanC
Notwithstanding Of the past, tn
present, the future. He had born
much in these last years, much mi
representation, much loneliness {
soul. To run this Murphy to cove
remained his final hope for retrievin
! those dead, dark years, Ay, and ther
D was Nadia! Her future, scarcely les
than his own, hung trembling In Ii
e balance. The sudden flashing of tn;
l. name into his brain was like an ele
!, trio shock. He cursed his inactivit
Great Cod had he become a chi
o again, to tremble before imagined ev
l. a mere hobgoblin Of the mind?
u had already wasted time enough; no
he must wiring from the lips OF TIL
d misshapen savage the last vestige
S his secret.
e He dressed for the road, for har
3 exacting service, buckling his load,
cartridge belt outside his rough CO
. and testing his revolvers with unusu
q care. He spoke few parting wor,
Of instruction to Mrs. Guffy and we
q quietly out. Ten minutes later he W
in the saddle, galloping down the dus
g stage road toward Cheyenne.