The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1913-01-09

candle light of the evening before. the
bed coverings had looked so forbid
ding that Molly had compromised. ly-
ing down, half-dressed on the outside;
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
90 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. 80 there was small
danger of their missing each other.
Even II she was compelled to wait
over at Fort Dodge, the environment
there could certainly be no more dis
agreeable than this.
The question of possible danger was
dismissed almost without serious
thought. She had seen no papers
since leaving st. Louis, and the new
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 nc n who treated the situation
as really serious, and, II 1t was, 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 vas discovered at
the foot of the steps, a square box of
q place, the two narrow windows look
Ing forth on the desolate prairie.
There were three tables, but only one
was in use, and, with no waiter to
guide her, the girl advanced hesitating-
ly and took a seat opposite the two
men already present. They glanced
up, c%uriously interested, staring at her
q moment, and then resumed their in
terrupted meal. Miss McDonald's crit
lcal 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
se%rviceable, but he looked clean and
wholesome. The other was an army
lieutenant, but Molly promptly
Quelched her first inclination to ad-
dress him, as she noted his red, in
famed face and dissipated appearance.
As she nibbled, half-heartedly, at the
miserable food brought by a ~slovenly
waiter, the two men exchanged barely
q dozen words, the lieutenant growing
out m~onosyllabic 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, I reckon,
MISS" waving a big hand over the
table. But you'll have ter git used
to 1t in this kentry."
"Oh, I do not believe I ever could"
disc~onsolately. 81 can scarcely choke
down a mouthful."
$50 I was noticin'; from the East, /
reckon"
Eyes; II came last night, and
and really I am afraid I am actually
homesick already. lit is even
more-more primitive than I supposed.
Do-do you live here-at Ripley?"
Good Lord, mol" heartily, though
I reckon yer might not think my home
wuz much better. I'm the post-trader
down at Fort Marcy. fist out o. Santa
Fe. I'll be blame glad ter git back
thar too, I'm tellin' yer"
"That-that Is what I wished to ask
you about" she stammered. "The
Santa Fe stage; when does 1t leave
here? and-and where do I arrange
for passagef"
He dropped knife and fork. staring
at her across the table.
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 az far
as the stage station At the Arkansas
crossing" she exclaimed hastily. a"
am going to join my father; he-he
commands q post on the Cimarron-
Major Mcdonald"
well, I'll be damned" said the
man slowly, SO surprised that he for
got himself. Babes in the wilderness;
what, in Heavens name, eve induced
yer dad to let yer come on such q fool
trip? Isn't thar no one to meet yer
here. or at Dodge"
IL don't know" she confessed.
Father was going to come. or else
send one Of his officers, but I have
een no one I am here two days
earlier than was expected, and-and I