The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1913-07-17
The Advance of Custer.

VI SeokSt
The Sergeant swung down from the
saddle and forced both ponies back
below the crest Of the hill. his swift
glance sweeping back over the trail.
Then he gazed again searchingly into
the valley below.
What is it," she questioned.
"A moving column Of horsemen, sol.
d1ers from their formation, for Indians
v march In column Of tours. They
are too Ear away for me to be certain
yet. What troops car be away out
here?"
Wasn't there to be q winter cam.
paign against Black Kettle? ?" she ques.
toned. 1T 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. II am sure they are cavalry.
men. Now you can see 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 l 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 diff.
ferent 1t 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; Eve 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 nc eason 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 II
1t were true, he had been driven to II
by q merciiess woman. 1t is ours to
defend, not blacken his memory"
She bent slowly down until heI
cheek touched his.
I'll thought you would say that
she returned slowly, "but what else
you said Is not so-there will never
again be q barrier of rank between
u.s." She Strengthened in the saddle.
looking down into his eyes. Who
ever the officer may be in command
CT that detachment, I want you to tell
him ALL"
"All?"
"Yes, that we are engaged; I 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 I doubt again."
They could perceive the blue Of the
o%vercoats as they rode over the ridge,
and at their sudden appearance the
little column Of horsemen came to q
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, as 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, / presumed"
I'VE are; the others are some miles
behind, moving slowly &c 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 Lett Fort Dodge"
when was that, sirf"
Before the blizzard all except your
troop were at Camp Supply: they had
Joined since, and Il was then we heard
about your trip down here What be
came Of your men. Sergeant"
"Wasson and one private were
killed. sir; the other private was
frozen % badly I had to leave him In
shelter on the Cimarron."
by CAD. It sounds interesting; and
90 you tackled the villains alone, and
had some fight at that before rescuine
| Miss Mcdonald. Well. the story will
%aou until wa mnko Damn aOnlu