The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1911-06-23

tleN calleQ the Tar west, was once u
ranch house. In those days the Ame..
lean Indian was not kept in cont. .lAd
subjection, and the rancher built ll.s
house near enough to TIE fort to ~
there with those of his household FOX
protection in case of necessity. Th'
fort, now that the Indian has been
eliminated, has sunk to nothingness in
Importance, and the ranch house is
but a charred spot, having been burn
ed by the redskins years ago.
Not an hour before its destruction
couple. young officer from the fort
and girl, the rancher's daughter,
were sitting on the broad veranda in
the light of a full moon. Allen Kim
ball had enlisted in the United States
army because he could neither be con-
trolled nor control himself. He had
given in TO almost every kind of dis
sipation, and at the end Of a spree,
not having the hardihood to meet his
father and being out Of money, in a
fit of desperation he had enrolled him
self in a cavalry regiment, choosing
that arm of the service since it would
send him farthest from his home.
He had not been long at his station
when trouble with the Indians came
on, and Kimball showed himself so
brave that he was rapidly promoted
through the noncommissioned grades
and before the fighting was over was
made a lieutenant. This gave him
heart, and he determined to redeem
himself with his family. But a pas
sion for gambling stood in his way.
At those remote posts there was little
or nothing for the men to do except
drink and gamble, and Lieutenant
Kimball found the temptation to gam
BILE too strong for him. Once he had
begun to play all caution deserted him,
and he bet wildly. The result was
that he became indebted to his broth
er officers in large amounts. One or
two Of his creditors In order to get
what they considered to be their just
dues formed clique against him, and
he found himself "cut" man, which
is the army expression for one whose
brother officers will not speak to him.
though some dissented from the rest
on the ground that Kimball did not de-
serve what was inflicted upon him.
Kimball had formed the acquaint-
ance Of Winifred Armour, the ranch
mans daughter, at the height of the
reputation he had made for bravery
and efficiency. He loved her, and his
loved was returned He confessed his
previous life to her and announced his
intention thereafter to be a credit in
stead of disgrace to his family. She
sympathized with him deeply and
promised him that If he adhered to
his resolution for given time she
would marry him.
But" she said 81 will confess that
there is in the east a man of sterling
worth who has asked me to be his
wife. He is much older than l. and
thus far l respect him only. My love
is yours. If you relapse into your
former condition when / return to the
east I shall accept his proposition"
Doubtless she put the matter thus to
furnish an incentive to him to conquer
himself.
He had ridden over to the ranch
house on this moonlight night to bid
her goodby. He had failed to conquer
himself and had lost her. The inter-
view was painful to both.
"Well," he said, sin one thing l re-
joice-you in time will be happy. Thank
heaven, 1 am not to drag you down
with me! You will be member of a
family, while II am every day ex-
pecting an invitation to resign"
Winifred made no reply. What could
she say? She could not find it in her
heart to upbraid him. And there was
nothing she could say to relieve the
mental torture both suffered. She sim
ply put out her hand in a mute fare
well.
They were both recalled from the
melancholy status existing between
them by hearing distant sounds of a
galloping horse. evidently coming at
full speed. Both listened. The ami
NAL was not coming from the direc-
ton of the fort, but toward 1t. Kim
ball knew that the Indians on the
nearby reservation had been unruly,
and something told him the conner
was a messenger bringing a warn
ing. His fear was realized. A horse
man, reaching point in the road OPP
posite the ranch gate, pulled his horse
back on his launches and cried out
''The Indians are coming! They're
right on usp'
Without a word Kimball ran for the
stable near the house and in a few
minutes returned, leading Winifred's
mare, saddled and bridled. Her father
was away from the ranch, and there
was no one In the house but employ
ees and servants. They, too, prepared
for fight. Kimball put his companion
ON her horse, mounted himself and
they tore through the open gate and
away toward the fort. They had
scarcely started when behind them
came that terrible whoop which only
an Indian can give.
The fort was six miles from the