The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1912-12-19

shone from the house where he had
in the eagerness Of her voice which
he could not forget, nor escape from
She had seemed to care, to feel an in
terest deeper than mere curiosity. The
Sergeant's heart beat rapidly, even
while he sternly told himself he was
q fool. A hand touched his shoulder.
and he wheeled about to grip Was
sons hand.
well, Brick old boy" said the
scout genially, although his thin face
vas 20 solemn as ever; 80 you fol.
lows have come back to be in the
skindy?"
We've been in it all summer, SAM"
was the reply. "It's been lively enough
south of the Cimarron, the Lord
knows. I've been riding patrol for
months now. But what's up? No one
seems to know why we we're ordered
in"
"It's all guess-work here" and Was
Son sat down on the narrow bed and
lit his pipe But the old man is get
ting something under way, consolidate
ing troops. Your regiment is going to
be used, that's certain. I've been car
ryin' orders between here an Wallace
for three weeks now, an I've heard
Sheridan explode once or twice. He's
tired of this guerilla business, an
wants to have one good fight"
1T is getting late"
That's the way he figures it out,
accordin' to my notion. We've always
let those fellows alone during the bad
weather, an they've got so they ex-
pect it, The old man figures he'll
give 'em surprise"
"A winter campaign"
"Why not? We can stand it If they
can. o. course, I'm just guessin';
there's no leak at headquarters. But
Clusters up there" with wave Of the
hand to the north, "and they've got
the maps out"
What maps?"
II only got glimpse of them out of
the tail of my eye, but reckon they
was of the kintry south of the Arkan-
sas, along the Canadian"
Hamlin sat down beside him, staring
across the big room.
"Then it's Black Kettle; his band is
down on the Washita," he announced.
II hope it's true.'
"They're arrangin' supply depots,
anyhow; six companies of infantry are
on Monument Creek, and five troops
of cavalry on the North Canadian
already. Wagon trains have been
haulin' supplies. There's some stiff
work ahead when the snow flies, or I
miss my guess"
Hamlin sat silent, thinking, and the
scout smoked quietly, occasionally
glancing toward his companion. Final
ly he spoke again, his voice barely
audible.
"That little girl you sent in with us
is here yet ..
The Sergeant was conscious that his
cheeks famed, but he never looked
up.
Eyes, I saw her as we came in"
"She's asked me about you once or
twice; don't seem to forget what you
did for her."
"Sorry to hear that"
: "No, yer not; couldn't no man be
sorry to have girl like that take an
interest in him. 'Taint in human ma
ture. What did yer tell her about me?"
"Tell her!" surprised. "Why, only
advised her to hang close to you II
anything happened. I didn't exactly
80 Io r ont - *
"Thet's wat thought. Well, she's
done it, though tibet hasn't pried her
loose from Gaskins. He's hauntin' her
! like shadow. It's garrison talk
! they're engaged, but I amt so sure
| bout tibet. She an I hev got to be
pretty good friends, though O. course,
+! it's strictly on the quiet. amt got
no invite to officers row yit. She's
asked me lot bout YOU"
Interesting topic"
"Well, l reckon as how she thinks 1t
is, enyhow. Yesterday she asked me
! bout tibet scrimmage yer had down
on the Canadian. She'd heerd bout it
somehow, an wanted the story
straight. So l told her all knowed,
an yer oughter seed her eyes shine
while wus sorter paintin' it up"
ooh, hell; let's drop it," disgustedly.
"The Lieutenant here yet?"
"Sure; his Company is down on
Monument, but he got special detail.
He's got PULL, Gaskins has"
"How is that?"
"His old man is Senator, or some
thing, an they say, has scads o
money. Enyway, the kid finds the
army a soft snap. First scoutin' de
tail he ever had when you met him.
Didn't hunt no danger then, so fur as
could see. Nice little dude, with a
swelled head, but popular with the
ladies. l reckon Mcdonald amt OBJ.
jectin' none to his tchasin' after Miss
Molly; thet's why he's let her stay in
this God-forsaken place SO long. Well
Brick reckon I've told all the news
and he'd better move long"
"Hold on minute, SAM" and Har,
lin, suddenly recalled to earth, reached
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