Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1913-01-23

coutcemenss over the bed assigned
him in the far corner, and, revolver
belt still buchled about his waist, stood
at the open window, striving to de-
termine which OF those winking lights
shone from the house where he had
seen her. There had been something
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
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
was as solemn as evers 80 you fell.
lows have come back to be in the
shindy?"
We've been in it all summer, Sam"
was the reply. ITS 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 were 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, consolfdat-
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 EN- 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, land 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.
Il hope it's true"
They're arrangin' supply depots,
anyhow; six companies of infantry are
on Monument Greek, 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 l
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
SASOnS AdiuCO, Jul -1S ASSSI lOOhcO
up.
eyes, saw her as we came in"
She's asked ms about you once or
twice; don't seem TO forget what you
did for her"
Sorry to hear that"
mo, yer not; couldn't no man be
sorry to have girl like that take an
interest in him. 'Tain't in human ma
ture. What did yer tell her about me?"
Tell her!" surprised. why. only
advised her to hang close to you if
anything happened. l didn't exactly
like the style of the Lieutenant"
"Thet's wat l 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 amt so sure