Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1913-05-16

floor sagged fearfully and the !
walls lacked several inches of reach
ing the ceiling. Even in the dim
candle light of the evening before, the
bed coverings had looked SO forbid
ding that Molly had compromised. ~
ing down, half-dressed on he outs1de;
now, in the garish glare Of returning
day they appeared positively filthy.
And this was the best to be had;
she realized that, her courage failing
at the thought Of remaining alone
amid such surroundings. AS she
washed, using a towel Of her own after
a single glance at the hotel article.
and did up her rebellious hair, she
came to a prompt decision. She would
go directly on-would take the first
stage. Perhaps her father, or whom
ever he sent, would be met with along
the route. The coaches had regular
meeting stations, so there was small
danger OF their missing each other.
The question of possible danger was
dismissed almost without serious
thought. She had seen no papers
before that contained nothing more
definite than rumors of uneasiness
among the Plains Indians. Army off,
GERS interviewed rather made light OF
the affair. as being merely the regular
outbreak of young warriors. easily
suppressed. On the train she had met
with no one who treated the situation
as really serious, and. If it vas then
surely her father would send some
message Of restraint. Satisfied upon
this point, and fully determined upon
departing at the earliest opportunity,
she ventured down the narrow creak-
ing stairs in search, of breakfast.
The dining-room was discovered at
the foot of the steps, a square o of
a place, the two narrow windows look
ing forth on the desolate prairie.
There were three tables, but only n
was in use, and, with no waiter to
guide her, the girl advanced ~hesitating-s
ly and took a seat opposite the two
men already present. They glanced
up, c~uriously interested, staring at her
a moment, and then resumed their in
terrupted meal. Miss McDonald's crit
ical eyes surveyed the unsavory-look-
ing food, her lips slightly curved, and
then glanced :nquiringly toward the
men. The one directly opposite was
large and burly, with iron-gray hair
and beard, about sixty years of age,
but with red cheeks and bright eyes,
and a face expressive of hearty good
nature. His clothing was roughly
serviceable, but he looked clean and
wholesome. The other was an army
lieutenant, but Molly promptly
queiched her first inclination to adj
dress him, as she, noted his red, in
famed face and dissipated appearance.
AS she nibbled, h~alf-heartedly, at the
miserable food brought by a slovenly
waiter; the two men exchanged barely
a dozen, words, the lieutenant growing
out monosyllabic answers, finally push
ing back his chair, and striding out.
Again the girl glanced across at the
older man, mastering courage to ad-
dress him. At the same moment he
looked up, with eyes full of good hui
NOR and kindly interest.
Looks rather tough, l reckon,
MISS" waving a big hand over the
table. But you'll have ter git used
to it in his kentry."
"Oh, I do not believe I ever could"
disconsolately. II "a scarcely choke
down a mouthful."
$50 I was noticin'; from the East. 1
reckon"
Eyes; IL came last night. and
and really I am afraid l am actually
homesick already. lit Is eve
more-more primitive than / supposed.
Do-do you live here-at Ripley?"
Good Lord, mol" heartily, though
l reckon yer might not think my home
wuz much better. I'm the post-trader
down at Fort Marcy, list out O. Santa
Fee. I'll be blame glad ter git back
thar too. I'm tellin' yer"
"That-that Is what / wished to ask
you about" she stammered. The
Santa Fee stage; when does it leave
here? and-and where do I arrange
for passage?"
He dropped knife and fork, staring
at her across the table.
ITO BE CONTINuEDD