The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1913-10-21

slnBle glance at the motel article,
and did up her rebellious hair, she
came to 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.
Even II she was compelled to walt
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 news
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 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 was discovered at
the foot OF the steps, square box of
a 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 seat oppasite the two
men already present. They glanced
up, curiously 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
quelched her first inclination to ad-
dress him, as she noted his red, in
canned face and dissipated appearance.
Is she nibbled, half-heartedly, at the
miserable food brought by slovenly
waiter, the two men exchanged barely
dozen words, the lieutenant growing
out monosyllabic answers, finally push
t,,a, no. Il hi AI,t, t,tI
Again the girl glanced across at the
older man, mastering courage to adj
dress him. At the same moment he
looked up, with eyes full of good hui
NOR and kindly interest.
Looks rather tough, reckon
MISS" waving big hand over the
table. "But you'll have ter git used
to 1t in this kentry."
"Oh, l do not believe ever could,
disconsolately. 81 can scarcely choke
down a mouthful"
80 / was n6ticin'; from the East,
reckon?"
Yes; II came last night, and
and really am afraid / am actual!
homesick already. lit is ever
more-more primitive than supposed
Do-do you live here--at Ripley?"
Good Lord, mol" heartily, "thougl
/ reckon yer might not think my hom
wuz much better. I'm the post-trade
down at Fort Marcy, jist out O. SAINT
Fe. I'll be blame glad ter git bacl
u thar too, I'm tellin' yer"
Q "That-that is what wished to as
9 you about" she stammered. 9TH
, Santa Fe stage; when does 1t leav
7, here? and-and where do l arrang
D. for passage?"
l. He dropped knife and fork, starin
o at her across the table.
o Good Lord, miss" he eXclaime
y swiftly. do yer mean to say yer
3, goin' to make that trip alone?"
l. "Oh, not to Santa Fe; only as ia
J. as the stage station at the Arkansa
II crossing" she exclaimed hastily.
d am going to join my father; he-t
d commands post on the Cimarron-
d Major Mcdonald"
5, well, I'll be damned" said II
I, man slowly, so surprised that he 70
r. got himself "Babes in the wilderness
% what, In Heavens name, ever induce
q yer dad to let yer come on such TO
d, trip? Isn't thar no one to meet "
I'd here, or at Dodge?"
I'd IL don't know" she confesse
IS Father was going to come, or ell
send one Of his officers, but ha'
sn seen no one. am here two da,
ne earlier than was expected, and-and
~ haven't heard from my father sin
he last month. See, this is his last II
as ter; won't you read it, please, and u
or me what | ought to do?"
he The man took the letter, ana re
de the three pages carefully, and tn
IN turned back to note the date, belo
I'm handing the srs across the table
he "rhe Major sure made his instr
Id tons plain enough" he said slow
ly- "And yer fi'clt heard IRON h
e; since. o. ho cent to mo
ng Yeg
"