The citizen., 1913-06-06
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out know the trail Can you outfit
me, lieutenant?"
Gaskins smiled grimly, but with no
trace Of humor His eyes were upon
the girl, still leaning over her pom
mel.
III outfit you all right" he said
orusquely, and with no great regret,
either. And shall report finding
you here in disobedience to orders"
Very well. sir"
Molly's brown eyes swept to the
lleutenant'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.
i shall prefer charges, you under.
stand almost savagely Helm. give
this fellow that extra rifle, and am
munition belt. McMasters. you will
let him have your horse"
Wasson rolled out of his saddle.
muttering something indistinctly,
which might have been an oath.
Il amt goin' ter stand fer that.
leftenant," he said defantly. "Bein'
| 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! I'll git to Dodge all right. Won't
hurt me none to walk"
The eyes of the two men met under
standingly, and Hamlin took the rein
in his hand. Gaskins started to speak,
but thought better Of it. 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 l 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 CT 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 unbelieving,
at the faded inscription underneath
the flap Yet the sight of those let
ters awoke him, bringing to his
bronzed face a 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.