The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-05-19
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.


CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
The letters when the brothers and
Walsh had written at Fort Laramie
and which they had entrusted 10
party OF returning emigrants. were
the last that reached the town OF
Benson. They were pored over In
secret, and afterward Colonel Sharp
was permitted To print in the Pr
oneer such descriptive passages as
were deemed OF general public in
terest.
They marked the end OF what had
seemed as permanent as anything
can seem In this world; and all that
remained In record OF what three
men in their varying ways had
counted of supreme worth, was the
yellowing paper with the many seals
and the words that meant so little or
80 much.
One month, then two. then three,
dragged by In silence: silence
which Virginia. and Jane. and Anna,
bore with differing degrees OF fear
and uncertainty. as they waited from
day to day for some sign from the
gold.seekers: but no word came. The
trail and the campfire with the love
that watched beside them had spoken
for the last time
Each day Virginia with Jane. from
the white porch OF the farm house,
anticipated the coming of the north
bound stage which carried the west
,ern mails. They heard ii with its
squeaking brake block hard set
against the wheels the moment II be-
gan the long descent OF Landray's
Hill; they watched II with anxious
glances as IL came careening into
sight. tossed and troubled in the ruts
Of the Little River road: and their
=, eyes, now filed with world OF hope
and yearning, followed IL until ii was
| lost in the depths OF the covered
| bridge at the foot of Main street
Sam West, sometimes dusty. and
sometimes muddy--for they would
not let him start for town until they
saw the last OF the coach. since they
. found some comfort in sending him
! of post -ha ste. and in bidding him
! ride hard, and above all things De
sure and bring back the letters
would each day present his honest
red face at the little square window
in the postoffice. with cheerful,
Anything today, Mr.. Bently? And
Mr. Bently. who knew there was
nothing for him would answer NO,
] think not. Sam. but won't De
sure: just wait minute and III
look And he would search through
the letters only to lay them down
with a regretful shake OF the head.
III am sorry. Sam. but there don't
Nseem to be as much as the scratch
Of q pen" he would say
At first. Sam. by variety OF IN
Renious theories strove TO explain
away the repetition OF this tragic
kfact; then theories being exhausted.
he Nxed his faith for time on the
Inherent weakness Of human nature.
81 didn't think It Of Stephen Land
ray-I vow didn't. Looks like out
of sight out OF mind, don't 1t? We'll,
Inn dummed;" However, the cynics
mood endured but briefly. i wish
she wouldn't send me- he told the
postmaster one rainy day late in Sep
TENDER. I'D give good deal NOT
to have to 20 back and tell her
there's nothing: why don't he write
what's to hinder him, anyway
"I don't know what's to hinder,
lSam. but something is a-hindering,
said Mr.. Bently.
mighty singular: amt it?" and
Sam meditated in silence for a mo-
ment. do you reckon ANYTHING )
wrong with them" he asked. drop
ming his voice TO confidential whis.
liner He could never quite rid himself
or the conviction that the postmaster
with all those letters. must nave
means OF knowing.
81 hope not: Id hate TO think that,
said Mr. Bently.
"You don't reckon the letters could
be LOST" Sam ventured hesitatingly.
for to him the question somehow
seemed to argue lack OF faith In MI.
Bently's official ability.
THAT might happen. Sam; ] won
say II Is at all likely: still 1t might
happen"
Can tell her that. Mr.. Bently. that
you said so? got to tell her some.
thing; she Just listens TO any foof
thing | say. and turns back into the
house without q word except Thank
you. Sam She's got to stop sending
me. or III quit the place. II dom
make no difference II Stephen Land
ray did tell me he wanted me to stay
on. He Amt acting right. not letting
her know where he's at"
II am afraid the boys made big
mistake" said Mr. Bently. They
was we'll fixed here.r W
They was indeed" agreed Sam.
Say. would you mind looking at them
letters again to make sure. Mr.. Bent.
~? No? Don't II heat all why she
don't hear from him. Well. I must be
getting along. she's waiting for me.
You think there is some sort OF a
slim chance that the letters are lost ?
It will be a comfort for them to think
that. Indians. maybe?"
NO. I wouldn't say - word about
indians. Sam. objected Mr.. Bently
hastily.
Well. then. they are just lost, you
PoCkos .,