Farmers' champion. (Elgin, Okla.) 1912-1922, 1913-05-01
CHAPTER Ili.-ContInued.

Good Lord. MISS" he exclaimed
swiftly. do yer mean to say ye're
goin' to make that trip alone?"
"Oh, not to Santa Fe; only as far
as the stage station at the Arkansas
crossing" she exclaimed hastily. Il
am going to join my father: he-he
commands post on the Cimarron-
Major Mcdonald"
We'll, I'll e. damned" said the
man slowly. so surprised that he for.
got himself. Babes in the wilderness: I:
what. In Heavens name. ever induced
yer dad to let yer come on such a fool
trip? Isn't thar no one to meet yer
here. or at Dodge?"
II don't know" she confessed.
Father was goins to come, or else
send one of his officers, but | have
seen no one am here two days
earle. than was expected. and-and |
last month. See. this is his last let
ter; won't you read 1t. please. and tell
me what ought to do?"
The man took the letter, and read
the three pages carefully, and then
turned back to note the date, before
handing the sheets across the table.
THE Major sure made his instruc-
tions plain enough" he said slowly.
And yer haven't heard from him
since. or seen any one he sept to meet
yer?"
The girl shook her head slowly.
We'll. that amt to be wondered at,
either" he went on. Things has
changed some out yere since that let
ter was wrote. reckon yer know
we're havin' bit o. Injun trouble, an
yer dad is shore to be pretty busy out
thar on the Cimarron."
Il do not think dc. have seen
no papers since leaving st. Louis. Ia
the situation really serious? is 1t un.
safe for me to go farther"
The man rubbed his chin. as though
undecided what was best to say. But
the girls face was full OF character.
and he answered frankly.
ITS serious 'nough, l reckon. an I
certainly wish ! wus safe through to
Fort Marcy. but | don't know no rea-
son now why you couldn't finish up
your trip all right. ! wus out to The
fort last evenin' gettin' the latest
news. an thar hasn't been no trouble
to speak of east OF old Bent's Fort. Be
tween thar and Union. thar's bunch
o Mescalo Apaches raisin' thunder.
One lot got as far as the Caches. an
burned wagon train, but were run
back into the mountns Troops are
out aloIS both sides the Valley, an
thar AIT been no stage held up, nor
station attacked along the Arkansas. |
reckon yer pall have an escort waltin'
at the crossin'?"
"Of course he WILL what am most
afraid OF is that might miss him or
his messenger on the route"
mot likely; there's only two stages
week each way, an they have regu.
lar meeting points"
She sat quiet. eyes lowered to the
table, thinking. She liked the man.
and trusted him. he seemed kindly
deferential. Finally she looked up.
When do you go?"
To-day. | was goin' to wait bout
sN'N p" "N'h i'ht'i, but ain slttlUk
skeered they might quit runnn' their
coaches. TO tell the truth. miss, II
looks some to me like thar wus a big
ln1un war comm. and Id like ter git
home whar ! belong afore 1t breaks
loose"
"Will-will you take me with you %
He moistened his lips. his hands
clasping and unclasping on the table.
Sure. IL yer bound ter go. III do
the best ! kin fer yer, an | reckon
ther sooner yer start the better chance
yen have o. gittin' through safe" He
hesitated. 'lf we should git bad news
at Dodge. is there anybody thar. at the
fort. you could stop WITH"
Colonel Carver"
He's not thar now; been trans.
ferred to Wallace. but. l reckon, any o.
those army people would look after
yer. Ye've really made up yer mind
to try It. Them"
Yes. yes; I positively cannot stay
here. ] shall go as far as Dodge at
least. lf--if VIC are going to travel to.
gether. ! ought to know your name"
Sure yer had" with laugh. ~
fersot all bout that--it's Moylan
milan. William Mnylou. so,..l- s,.,.,