The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-03-06
CHAPTER xxxiV.
The Advance Of Custer.


the valley below.
What is IT." she questioned.
"a moving column OF horsemen, sol
diers from their formation, for Indians
never march In column OF tours. They
are too far away for me to be certain
yet. What troops can be away out
here?"
! Wasn't there to be winter cam
paign against Black kettie?" she ques-
toned. TT was the rumor at Dodge.
Perhaps"
"Why, yes, that must be it" he in
terrupted eagerly. Custer and the
Seventh. What luck: And I'll be in
1T with the boys after all"
''Shall we not ride to meet them?"
Soon, yes; only We need to be GER
tain first"
"Are you not?" and she rose in her
stirrups. 81 am sure they are cavalry.
men. Now you can sea clearly as they
climb the hill.''
''There is no doubt" he admitted,
"a single troop ahead OF the main
body; the others will be beyond the
bend in the stream"
He stepped back. where he could
look directly into her face.
They are soldiers all right, but
that was not what wanted to be so
certain about. When we ride down
there, Molly girl, we shall be swal.
lowed up into the old life once more,
the old army life"
Yes"
perhaps you do not realize how dit.
ferent it will all be from out here
alone together"
"Why should 1t be different?"
II shall be again a soldier in the
ranks, under orders. and you Major
McDonald's daughter"
"But-but-" her eyes full of ap
peal.
mo, little girl" he explained quick
ly, reaching up and touching her
gently; 1--WE are never going to say
anything about that to those down
there-his comrades in arms. 1t is 60
ing to be our secret. I am glad you
told me; it has brought us together
as. perhaps. nothing else could, but
there is no reason why the world
should ever know Let them think he
died defending his trust. Perhaps he
did; what you overheard might have
been said for a purpose, but, even il
it were true, he had been driven to it
by merciless woman. It is ours to
defend, not blacken his memory"
She bent slowly down until her
cheek touched his.
81 thought you would say that"
she returned slowly, 'but what else
you said is not so-there will never
again be barrier Of rank between
u.s." She Strengthened in the saddle,
looking down into his eyes. who
ever the officer may be in command
Of that detachment. want you to tell
him ALL
"All"
eyes, that we are engaged; am
proud to have them know"
The truth was shining in her eyes.
glowing on her cheeks. She leaned
forward.
kiss me, and believed"
Molly, Molly" he whispered, "Nev.
er will 1 doubt again."
They could perceive the blue of the
overcoats as they rode over the ridge.
and at their sudden appearance the
little column of horsemen came to a
halt. Hamlin flung up one hand in sig
nal, and the two urged their ponies
down the side of the hill. Three men
spurred forth to meet them, spreading
out slightly as though still suspicious
of some trick, but, az they drew near,
the leader suddenly waved his hand,
and they dashed forward.
"Hamlin! Glad to see you again."
the first rider greeted the Sergeant
cordially. "Can this be Major Melon.
AIDS daughter"
Eyes, Major Elliott; I can repeat
the story as we ride along. sir. You
are the advance Of Clusters expedi
ton, I presumed" '".
1--WE are; the others are some miles
behind, moving slowly 80 that the
wagons can keep within touch. Won.
derful the way those wagons have
pushed ahead over the rough country.
Have only missed camp twice since
we left Fort Dodge"
when was that, SIR"
Before the blizzard all except your
troop we're at Camp Supply; they had
Joined since and it was then we heard
about your trip down here. What be
came of your men, Sergeant"
WATSON and one private were
killed. sir; the other private was
frozen 80 badly had to leave him in
shelter on the Cimarron."
by CAD, it sounds interesting: and
SO you tackled the villains alone. and
had some fight at that before rescuing