Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1910-06-24
CHAPTER VI

seem just the word. but don't know
what to call it. She's ~adorable!"
CHAPTER VI.
Rodney Merriam and Morris Leigh
ton walked up High street to the Tip
pecanoe Club. which occupied a hand
some old brick mansion that had been
built by the Merriams who had after
ward lost his n Merriam usually
went there late every afternoon to look
over the newspapers, and to talk to
the men who dropped in on their way
home. He belonged also to the Ham
ilton, a much larger and gayer club
that rose to the height of five stories
in the circular plaza about the SOL
diers' at the heart of the
city; but he never went there, for it
was noisy and full of politics. Many
young men fresh from college belong
ed to the Tippecanoe, and Merriam
liked to talk to them. He was more
constant to the club than Morris,
though they often weut there together.
A number of men were sitting about
the fireplace in thc lounging-room.
The lazy blazing logs furnished the
only light. A chorus of go~od-evenings
greeted the two men in unmistakable
cerdiality, and the best chair in the
nom was pushed toward Rodney Mer-
r1am.
"Mr. Merriam, Captain Pollock; and
Mr.. Leighton"
A young man rose and shook hands
with the newcomers. Merriam did not
know most of the group by name. He
had cache the age at which it seems
unnecessary to tax the memory with
new burdens. 1t was, he held, good
club tanners to speak to all the men
you meet in a club, whether you know
them or not. The youngsters at the
Tippecanoe were for the greater part
college graduates, just starting out in
the world and retaining a jealous hold
of their youth through the ties of the
club.
Captain Pollock has been telling us
about the Philippines" said one of the
group. We've been trying to FIND out
whether he's an imperialist or how
about it, but he won't tell"
THAT shows his good Judgment"
said Merriam. rss.-
1T shows that I want to keep my
job" declared Pollock, cheerfully.
And I'll be cashiered now for certain,
if I don't get back to the Arsenal. Ma
jor Congrieve expects me for dinner"
Baker, who had brought Pollock to
the club, shook himself out of his chat
and the others rose.
I'll see that you find your way back
to the reservation" said Baker.
That's very kind Of you And I'm
glad to have met you, Mr.. Merriam"
1t was a soft voice, and as they went
out into the hall, Merriam looked at
the owner Of it with interest. He was
a slim young fellow. with friendly
blue eyes, brown hair, and a slight
moustache. His carriage was that Of
the drilled man. West Point does not
give a degree in the usual academic
sense: but she writes something upon
her graduates that Is much more use
full for purposes of identification. Frank
Pollock had been the shortest man in
his class; but his scant inches were all
soldierly. The young man with whom
he had spent an hour at the Tippeca-
noe Club had been gathered up by Ba-
ker, who had met Pollock somewhere
and taken a fancy to him. They all
left the club together except Merriam
and Leighton, who went to the news
D room. But Merriam stared at
the evening paper without reading it,
and when he got up to so presently, he
stopped at h club register which lay
open on a desk in the hall. He put On
his eyeglasses and scanned the page.
The ink was fresh on the las sigma
ture:
Frank Pollock, U. s. A."
Rodney Merriam then walked to-
ward his own house, tapping the sida-
walk abstractedly with his stick.
The next morning he called for his
horse early. He kept only one horse,
for he never drove; but he rode nearly
every day when it was fair. His route
was usually out High street toward the
country: but to-day he rode down.
town through the monument plaza n
then struck east over the asphalt of
Jefferson street, where a handsome old
gentleman of so, riding a horse that
was remembered with pride at Lexing-
ton. was not seen every day. Rodney
Merriam was thinking deeply this
morning, and the sharp rattle of his
horses hoofs on the hard pavement
did not annoy him as it usually did.
Arsenal is a word hat suggests dire
full things, but the Arsenal that had
been maintained through many peace
full years at Mariona, until the town in
its growth leaped over the government
stone walls and extended the urban
lines beyond 1t. was really a pretty
park. The residences of the officers
and several massive s%torehouses were.
at least, inoffensive to the eye. The
native forest trees were aglow with au
tumn color, n laborers were collect
ing and carrying away dead leaves
Merriam brought his horse to a walk
a. he neared he open gates. A pri-
vate came out OF the little guard house
and returned Merriam's salute. The
man gaxed adrniringly after the mill
tary figure On the thoroughbred.
though h6@had often seen. rider and
horse before, and he know that M.
Merriam was . friend OF Major Con-
gteevss the co0mAAdanG The seSdief