The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1911-05-25
Self
Conquest
How Love and Bravery Sawed
Man From Himself
By CHRISTOPHER BARKLEY
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation, 1911.

Not far from Fort -, in what was
then called the far west, was once q
ranch house. In those days the Amer.
lean Indian was not kept in continued
subsection, and the rancher built his
house near enough to the fort to go
there with those of his household for
protection In case Of necessity. The
fort, now that the Indian has been
eliminated, has sunk to nothingness in
Importance and the ranch house is
bu: charred spot, having been burn
ed by the redskins years ago.
Not an hour before its destruction a
couple, young officer from the fort
and a girl, the ranchers daughter,
were sitting on the broad veranda in
the light Of 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 lieutenant. This gave him
heart, and he determined to redeem
himself with his family. But q 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 a clique against him, and
he found himself a "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, II will confess that
there is in the east q man Of sterling
worth who has asked me TO be his
wife. He is much older than l, and
thus far | respect him only. My love
Is yours. If you relapse into your
former condition when return to the
east | 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, "in one thing l re-
jOice-you in time will be happy. Thank
heaven, | am not to drag you down
with me! You will be a member of
family, while IL 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 |
status existing between
them by hearing distant sounds of a
Balloping horse, evidently coming at |
full speed. Both listened. The ami |
NAL was not coming from the direc-
don of the fort but toward 1t, Kim.
ball knew that the Indians on the |
nearby reservation had been unruly,
md something told him the conner
was a messenger bringing a warn
ng. His fear was realized. A horse
nan, reaching point in the road op.
)osite the ranch gate, pulled his horse
back on his launches and cried out:
"The Indians are coming! They're
light on usl
Without word Kimball ran for the
stable near the house and in q few
minutes returned, leading Winifred's
mare, saddled and brided. Her father
vas away from the ranch, and there
vas no one in the house but employ
'es and servants. They, too, prepared
or flight. Kimball put his companion
IN her horse, mounted himself. and
hey tore through the open gate and
way toward the fort. They had
carcely started when behind them
anne that terrible whoop which only
n Indian can give.
The fort was six miles from the
anch-not a long distance for an or
he fugitves to reach safety with a
orde Of yelling savages in their rear.
he horses knew that yell and put
orth all their strength.
Goo rnai,y milo hod hoop no,,o-od |