The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1908-04-03

u every drop"
\ for an instant the maniac glarec
Daok al him sullenly. then he appear
ca 70 shrink in terror. and dranl
a swiftly.
, we can make the rest OF the wa,
now Hampton announced. quietly
LORD but this has been a trip"
Lane dismounted at Brant's orde,
! ana assisted Hampton to climb into
the vacated saddle. Then the trooper
srasped the rein Of Murphy's horse
ana the little party started toward
Nhere the pack-train was hidden In
the valley
is Custer here?' said Hampton.
No; that is. not with my party. We
are guarding the pack-train. The 9th.
ers are ahead and Custer. with five
troops, has moved 10 the right He
Is somewhere among those ridges
back Of the BLUM
The man turned and looked where
the officer pointed slA.ding his eyes
with his hand.
Can you give me a fresh horse a
oite TO eat. and a cup Of coffee. down
there" he asked, anxiously. you
see I've got TO go on"
Go on? Good God, man. do Won
realize what you are saying? WHY
you can hardly sit the saddle, You
carry dispatches. you say? Well.
there are plenty OF good men in NV
troop who will volunteer to take them
on. You need rest"
Not much" said Hampton. I'm
M enough. or shall be as soon as get
FOOD. Good Lord. boy. | am not done
up yet by long way. It's the cursed
loneliness out yonder" he swept his
hand toward the horizon. and the |
having TO care for him that has broken |
my heart He went that way clear |
back on the Powder. and it's been a |
night between US ever since. III be /
all right now II you lads will only look |
after him This is going TO reach Gus
Ter and III take it," He flung back |
his ragged coat his hand on the dis
patch-bag. I've earned the right"
Brant reached forth his hand cor
daily That's true; you have. What's
more, If you're able to make the trip.
there is no one here who will attempt
70 stop you. But now tell me how this
thing happened | want to know the
story before we get in
For a moment Hampton remained
silent, his thoughtful gaze on the near
by yidettes his hands leaning heavily
upon the saddle pommel Perhaps he
did not remember clearly: possibly he
could not instantly decide Just how
much Of that story TO tell. Brant sus-
pected this last 20 be his difficulty.
and he spoke impulsively
Hampton. there has been trouble
and misunderstanding between us. but
that's all past and gone now. I sin
cerely believe in your purpose of
right, and ask you TO trust me
Either Of us would give his life If need
were. to be Of real service to a little
girl back yonder in the hills. | don't
know what you are TO her. l don't
ask ! know she has every confidence
n you. and that is enough Now. /
want TO do what is right with both OF I
Tou. and If you have a word 10 say TO
ne regarding this matter. I'll treat il 5
This trip with Murphy I
las some bearing upon Nadia ellis. :
has il not?" +
Yes" f,
'will you tell me the stor, ?" c
The thoughtful gray eyes booked at 4
i'm long and searchingly. "Brant. do 1
on love that girl?" n
Just as unwaveringly the blue eyes v
eturned the look. Il do. | have 2
sked her to become my wife" h
And her answer a
she said no: that a dead man was q
etween US" \
is that all you know" q
The younger man bent his head. his 81
ice grave and perplexed Practical. "
all" n
Hampton wet his dry lips with his a.
'ngue. his breath quickening. "
And in that she was right" he |
lid at last. his eyes lowered TO the Sc
round Il will tell you why. II was b'
e father OF Nadia ellis who was con- q
cted of the murder of Mai. Brant fe
"Oh. my father Is she Capt. No al
ms daughter? But you say convict So
l. Was there ever any doubt? DO ~
~ question his being guilty?" ni
Hampton pointed in silence to the ca
deous creature behind them. That III
an could tell. but he has gone mad" VI
Brart endeavored 20 speak. but the IN
ords would not come: his brain 81
emed paralyzed. Hampton held him. CO
II under better control.
Il have confidence. Lieut.. Brant. in on
'ur honesty" he began. gravely. "and ~
believe you will strive to do what. 60 =,
'er is best for her. II anything should
lppen 10 me out yonder But for the
Of my being knocked out,
ouldnt talk about this. not even 10
~. The affair is a long way from to
ing Strengthened out so as TO make sit
pleasant story. but I'll give you all I w
~ actually require TO know in order OIL
make IL clear TO her. provided alb
COULDN'T come back. You see. she ow
'esn't know very much more than thu