Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1908-01-22
CHAPTER XIII.
Silent Murphy.


Brant sprang forward, all doubt re-
garding this young woman instantly
dissipated by those final words of mis-
chievous mockery. She had been play
ing with him as unconcernedly as if
he were a mere toy sent for her
amusement and his pride was stung.
But pursuit proved useless. Like
a phantom she had slipped away amid
the underbrush, leaving him to .foun
der blindly in the labyrinth. His in
cautious foot slipped along the steep
edge Of the shelving bank. and he
went down, half stumbling, half slid
ing, until he came to sudden pause
on the brink of the little stream. The
chase was ended, and he sat up, con-
fused for the moment, and half ques-
tioning the evidence of his own eyes.
A small tent, dirty and patched,
stood with it's back against the slope
of earth down which he had plunged.
Its flap flung aside revealed within
pile of disarranged blankets, together
with some scattered articles of wear
ing apparel, while just before the
opening, his back pressed against the
supporting pole, an inverted pipe be-
tween his yellow, irregular teeth, sat
hideous looking man. He was
Withered, dried-up fellow, whose age
was not to be guessed, having skin
as yellow as parchment, drawn in
tight to the bones like that of
mummy, his eyes deep sunken like
wells, and his head totally devoid of
hair, although about his lean throat
there was a copious fringe of iron-gray
beard, untrimmed and scraggy. Down
the entire side of one cheek ran a
livid scar, while his nose was turned
awry.
He sat staring at the newcomer,
unwinking, his facial expression de-
void of interest, but his fingers open
Ing and closing in apparent nervous
ness. Twice his lips opened, but moth
Ing except peculiar gurgle sound is
sued from the throat, and Brant, who
by this time had attained his feet and
his self-possession, ventured to adj
dress him.
Nice quiet spot for camp" he re-
marked, pleasantly, but bad place
for a tumble"
The sunken eyes expressed nothing,
but the throat gurgled again painfully
and finally the parted lips dropped a
detached word or two. Blame
pretty girl-that."
The lieutenant wondered how much
of their conversation this old mummy
had overheard, but he hesitated to
question him. One inquiry, however,
sprang to his surprised lips DO you
know herr"
Damn ight-better-than any one
around here-know her-real name"
Brant stared incredulously do you
mean to insinuate that that young
woman is living in this community I'M
der an assumed one? Why, she is
scarcely more than a child, What do
you mean, MANI"
The soldiers hat still rested on the
grass where it had fallen, its military
insignia hidden.
Il guess-I know-what know
the fellow muttered ''Whats-youl
regiment"
Seventh cavalry"
The man stiffened up as if an cleo
trio shock had swept through his limI
frame. The l!-and-did-she
call you-Brant?"
The young officers face exhibited
his disgust. Beyond doubt that Sc
questered nook was favorite loung
ing spot for the girl, and this disrepu
table creature had been watching hel
for some sinister purpose.
$50 you have been eavesdropping
have your" said Brant, gravely. "ArC
now you want to try turn at defam
ing a woman? Well, you have colut
to poor market for the sale of sucl
goods 1 am half inclined to throw
you bodily into the creek. 1 believ,
you are nothing but a common liar
but I'll give you one chance-you sa,
you know her real name. What is it?'
The eyes of the mummy had becom,
spiteful. 'It's-none of-your damn
business. Pm-not under-your orders
Under my orders! Of course not
but what do you mean by that? VIII,
and what are your"