The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1913-05-23

hended the scene. His eyes met hers
and read her bewilderment.
They are going all right. and in a
hurry. It's plain enough they are
afraid to stay there any longer. See,
they are lashing bodies on to the
ponies. All, that is what l wanted to
be sure about-that fellow is heading
west on the trail; now the others are
moving"
Then you are sure Roman Nose
will not return? That-that we are
safe?"
Yes; l wouldn't hesitate to go back
as soon as the last of them disappear
over the ridge" pointing up the river.
They knew they had to go that way;
Roman Nose and his band hoped we'd
taken that direction, and hurried on
ahead to catch US If he could. They
are afraid to stay about here any long
er. Look how they are flashing those
ponies; there, the last of them are
leaving"
They lay there in the sand, already
becoming warm under the rays of the
sun, trying to assure themselves that
all danger of discovery had vanished.
There was no movement on the oppo-
site shore, only the blue spiral OF
smoke curling up against the bluff,
marking where the stage had stood.
About this. outlined upon the brown
grass, appeared darker patches rep
resenting dead ponies and the bodies
of Moylan and Gonzales, where they
had been tumbled, scalped and other
wise mutilated. Down by the river a
wounded pony tried to follow the dis
appearing cavalcade, but fell, giving
vent to one scream of agony. Then all
was silent, motionless. the last strag-
gler clubbing his horse pitilessly as he
vanished over the ridge.
Hamlin sat up, his eyes smiling.
I'VE are the lucky ones, Miss Nc
Donald" he said, his manner uncon-
sciously more formal now that the
danger had passed and a swift realiza-
ton of who his companion was recur-
ring to his mind. Something must
have frightened them" He shaded his
eyes, staring at the bluffs opposite
But, there is nothing in sight from
here. Well, the best thing we can do
is to eat breakfast. May I have the
haversack. and see what 1t is stocked
With"
Certainly not. There is so little
l can do. do not propose yielding
any prerogative." And she drew her
head through the strap. letting the
leather bag fall to the sand Il am
afraid there is no cloth here. Would
you dare light fire."
Hardly, even if we had fuel" he
answered, watching her with interest
She glanced up into his face, her
cheeks reddening.
why don't you want me to do
this?"
How do you know object? Indeed,
Only, you see. it is very unusual for
an officers daughter to take such good
care of an enlisted man"
But | am not thinking of that at
all Youths is different"
For the moment. perhaps" just a
slight bitterness in his tone. land
should enjoy it while | can"
She stopped in her work, sitting
straight before him Her eyes were
indignant, yet she stifed the first
words that leaped to her lips. His
soft hat lay on the sand and the sun
revealed his tanned face, bringing out
its strength.
"You-shouldn't say that" she fal-
tered Surely you do not believe [
will ever become ungrateful."
No; and yet gratitude is not alto
gether satisfactory" He hesitated.
1T is hard to explain just what mean
to you, for you do not realize the life
we lead out here-the loneliness of it.
Even a man in the ranks may possess
the desires of human being. well,
I'm hungry for the companlonship of
a good woman Don't misunderstood,
Miss Mcdonald | am not presuming,
nor taking advantage of the accident
which has placed us in this peculiar
position, but | have been trooper
out here now a long while. stationed
at little isolated frontier posts. riding
the great plains, doing the little rout-
inc duties of soldering. haven't
spoken to a decent woman on terms of
social equality for two years; I've
looked at few from a distance and