Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1913-07-03

but | know the trail. Can you outfit
me, lieutenant"
Gaskins smiled grimly, but with nc
trace Of humor His eyes were upon
the girl. still leaning over her pom
mel.
III outfit you all right" he said
brusquely. "and with no great regret
either. And | shall report finding
you here In disobedience to orders"
Very we'll, sir"
Molly's brown eyes swept to the
lieutanant's face, her form straighten'
ing in the saddle, her lips pressed
tightly together Gaskins fronted the
sergeant. stung into anger by the
mans quiet response.
Il shall prefer charges, you under.
stand" almost savagely. Helm, give
this fellow that extra rife, and am.
munition belt. McMasters, you will
let him have your horse"
WATSON rolled out of his saddle
muttering something indistinctly,
which might have been an oath.
Il amt goin' ter stand fer that
leftenant," he said defiantly. "Bein
| a ] amt no enlisted man, an this
yere is my boss, Brick Hamlin don't
start on no such ride on that lame
brute O. McMasters'. Here, you
Brick take this critter. Oh shut
up! Ill git to Dodge all right. Won't
hurt me none to walk"
The eyes of the two men met'under.
standingly, and HaRilin took the rein
in his hand. Gaskins started to speak
but thought better of it. A moment
he stood, irresolute, and then swung
up into saddle, his glance ignoring the
| sergeant.
Attention. company" he command
ed sharply. by column four
march,"
The girl spurred her horse forward
and held out her hand
"Good-by." she said. falteringly
'you-will be careful"
"Of course" and he smiled UP into
her eyes. Don't worry about mel
am an old hand"
And / am to see you again."
Il shall never run away, surely, and
/ hope for the best"
Miss Mcdonald" broke in Gaskins
impatiently, the men are already
moving"
YES" her eyes still upon the SER
geant's uncovered face, 81 am coming.
Don't imagine | shall ever forget" she
murmured hastily, "or that / will
not be glad to meet you anywhere"
Some time / may put you to the
test" he answered soberly. IF any
trouble comes. trust Wasson-he is a
real man"
He stood there, one arm thrown
over the neck Of the horse. watching
them ride away up the trail. The
| lieutenant and the girl were together
| at the rear of the short column, and
| he seemed to be talking earnestly.
Hamlin never moved, or took his eyes
from her until they disappeared over
the ridge. Just as they dipped down
out of sight she turned and waved
one hand. Then the mans gaze swept
over the debris of the burned stage
and the two mounds of earth. Even
these mute evidences of tragedy
scarcely sufficed to make him realize
all that had occurred in this lonely
spot. He could not seem to separate
his thought from the cavalcade which
had just departed, leaving behind the
memory Of that farewell wave of the
hand. To him it marked the end OF
dream. the return to a life distaste.
full and lonely.
Mechanically the sergean: loaded
his rifle, and strapped the old Con,
federate haversack to his saddle pom.
mel, staring again, half unbelievtng
at the faded inscription underneath
the flap. Yet the sight Of those let
tiers awoke him. bringing to his
bronzed face new look Of determine
ton. He swung into the saddle. and
rifle across his knees, his eyes study
ing the desolate distance, rode west
ward along the deserted trail.