The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1910-10-21


Platte. The flag at the old
fort on the neighboring
height chung to the staff with scarcely
flutter, awaiting the evening salute
OF the trumpets and the roar of the
sunset gun. The young girl fitted
restlessly about the vine covered porch
Of the roadside cottage. She laid the
big binocular aside. wistful. longing
look in the dark and dreamy eyes.
Ever since stable call she had lowered
about that shaded nook, again and
again searching the northward slopes
and ridges. Rawdon should have been
here at her side-Rawdon. whom she
RawdOn. whom she had never set eyes
on before the Ist Of April and whom
now she looked upon as the foremost
soldier Of the regiment, when in point
OF fact he was but a private trooper,
serving the first part of his first en-.
listment.
This girl Of seventeen. in her dainty
white frock, pumped herself detected
ly down on the top step with two very
shapely. slender. slippered feet dis
played ON the second below.
And then of sudden the tears were
dashed away and the girl sprang to
her feet. A blithe voice hailed her
from within.
'Dey's comm. Miss Dora-two on
'em, at least--like enough to be twin
brudders."
Dora flew light as bird to the other
end Of the little porch and was gazing
out through the honeysuckles with all
her soul in her eyes.
Coming up the slope at easy canter
rode young officer, with broad brim-
med hat and dusty field dress, alert
slender, sinewy, Of only medium
height and not more than twenty-five
years. with a handsome, sun tanned,
what Aunt Chloe. in her "darky" dia-
lect had declared "the very spit of
nina young trooper in similar
SLOUGH hat and dusty field dress.
younger probably by three or four
years, but to the full as alert and ac-
tive, his face now all aglow with
light that was sweet for girlish eyes
to see.
The leader swung his hat and blithe-
ly shouted as he curbed his eager
horse. "Howdy. Miss Dora? Bless
your heart. Aunt Chloe. knew you'd
have the buttermilk ready. No, Raw
don, / shan't dismount'-this to the
young orderly. who had sprung from
saddle. Father home, Miss Dora"
he went on cheerily.
"Over at the stables, Mr.. Laniey,"
was the smiling answer. Trooper
Rawdon had instantly swung once
more into saddle and was refining back
to his place.
STABLES going yet? 1 thought 1t
supper time. Colonel sent me ahead to
find him. Three of e troop horses act
like they'd been eating loco weed"
Colonel Buttons always fndin'
some way of sendin' you in ahaid.
Marse Lanier," grinned Chloe. "Ah
don't wonder dey says you can do any
thing you like an never get hauled up
for it,
You're a gossip, auntie,' laughed
Lanier. "Rawdon. you dismount and
wait for DR.. Mayhem in case l miss
him. Give him the colonels message
and say the squadron should be in by
7:3O." And. with a wave Of his hand.
he was off.
Then Chloe vanished OPPORTUNITY.
Dora, with glistening eyes and glow
ing cheeks. retreated within the shell
ter of the powered porch. Then,
bounding up the steps and turning
with outstretched arms, thither Raw
don followed.
Ten minutes later at swift trot
came a third horse and rider, the horse
all that a cavalry horse should be In
gait and build, the rider well nigh as
marked in build and proportions. 1p
front Of the little cottage Of the veteri-
nary surgeon he hurriedly dismounted
and strobe. angering, through the
gate. Dora. her face paling, met him
at the head of the steps.
~ bp,,ohoN nv turned sharp to hie