The citizen., 1913-05-30
CHAPTER XI.
A Remembrance of the Past.

A Remembrance of the Past.
Moylan must have had Miss Melon
aiI IN mind when he had stocked up
With food at Fort Dodge, and had
therefore chosen all the delcacies to
be- found at that frontier post. These
were not extensive, consisting largely
Of canned goods, which, nevertheless,
made a brave show, and were clearly
enough not the ordinary fare Of the
border Hamlin had to smile at the
array, but Molly handled each article
almost with reverence, tears dimming
her eyes in memory.
"EIe-he bought these for me" she
said softly and looking across re-
proachfully at the sergeant. 1T was
jAa best he could do"
i was not laughing at poor Moylan;
only, fear, he had a wrong concep-
ton Of a girls needs on the trail But
! reckon our combined apDetites are
equal to it."
u do not feel as though could
swallow a mcuthful."
Under orders you will try We
have q hard day before us. Young lady,
and some tramping to do afoot
wish knew where that horse | turn
ID loose last night has drfted to- in
to the bluffs, probably, where the
grass is green. He would be o. some
help Just now. Try this, Miss Melon
ald for lack Of something better
yeaYn for ham and coffee. but hardly
dare build d fire yet. The smoke
would be seen for miles away"
III we were across the river we
could use the stage fire"
Yes, but there is a wide river flow
ing between. Don't be afraid of that
trip noting the expression OF her
face. at will be easy enough to cross
back by daylight, now that know
where the danger spots are"
II was not so terribly afraid last
ui-ht; l hardly had time to realize
what was being done did you?"
Well. yes; it was risky business.
Awfully treacherous bottom and was
trusting to good luck.
The sergeant ate heartily, speaking
occasionally so as to divert her mind,
hgt for the most part busily thinking
and endeayoring to decide his next
move He sat facing the river, con-
unually lifting his head to scan the
opposite shore There was probably
q scouting detail somewhere near at
hand, either approaching from the
east, alarmed by the report of the
fleeing stage crew, or else a detach
ment tracking Roman Noses war
riors across those plains extending
into the north. The latter contin
gency was the more probable, judg-
ing from the Indians fight, and his
own knowledge of the small reserve
force left at Dodge Besides, ride as
they might those two fleeing towards
Of Yesterday could hardly have yet
reached that shelter Of safety and
might not confess the truth of their
desertion even when they did arrive,
pursuing force was the only real
hope for escaping the necessity of a
hard tramp back over the trail. Well,
the girl looked fit, and he glanced to-
ward her appreciatively
in spite of the sad experiences OF
the past night she was pleasant
spectacle, her eyes bright with eX-
citement, her cheeks flushed under
the morning sun which hecked her
dark, disordered hair with odd color
Hers was a winsome face, with smil-
ing lips, and frank good nature in its
contour. He was surprised to note
ho" fresh and well she looked
Are you tired?"
Not very 1t seems more as though
[ had dreamed all this than actually
PASSED through the experience. Per
haps when | DO realize, the reaction
Tili set in. But now am strong, and
and not at all frightened
Nor hungry?"
1t is hard to eat, but am often
that way" Her hand strayed to the
emptied haversack. and she turned it
corelessly over, where it lay beside
ner on the sand. why. this is an
old confederate sack, isn't it? hadn't
noticed before; see, C. S. A. is on
the aap."
80 it is; perhaps Moylan served in
The south"
think not. / am sure this was
never his, for he bought it at Dodge
| remember he told me he would have
70 md something to carry our lunch
III She pushed the flap farther back
'heh held it up to the sunlight. There
are some other letters, but they are
hardly decipherable. cannot read
Ihe first line at all, but the second is
somewhat plainer-Fourth Texas In
fantry.,"
Hamlin reached out his hand swift
~ and grasped the hayersack, forget
'hg everything else in suddenly
aroused interest. The girl, surprised
stared up into his face, az he closely
studied the faded inscription, his face
expressing unconcealed amusement.
Good Gods'' he calculated breath
lessiy. 1T was' Genes What can this
mean?p
lou-you knew the soldier?'
hhew hiHt? 4es," speaking almost
ueonsciouslk. his incredulous eyes
euD 1.-the Inscription, as though fear