The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1913-07-18

pressed ana Htdi loiSh-
rolling hills, bare and desoiate'
stretched to the horizon. the grass al
ready burned brown by the sun. Inc
town itself consisted OF but one
short. crooked street, 1anked oy
rough. ramshackle frame structures
two-thirds of these apparently sa-
looms, with dirty. tapping tents SAND
WICKED between, and huge piles OF
tin cans and other rubblsh stored
away behind. The street was ratteo
and dusty, and the ceaseless wind
swirled the dirt about in continuous,
%suffocating clouds. The hotel ITSELF
a little. squatty, two-storied AFFAIR
groaned to the blast, threatening 70
collapse. Nothing moved except a
wagon down the long ribbon OF ROAD
and a dog digging for a bone behind
a nearby tent. 1t was SO squalid n
Ugly she turned away In speechless
disgust.
The interior, however, offered even
smaller comfort. A rude bedsteaa, one
leg considerably short and propped up
by a half brick, stood against the
board wall, a single Wooden char was
opposite, and a ~ly-specked mirror
hung over a tin basin and pitcher. Inc
floor sagged fearfully and the slae
walls lacked several inches OF reach
ing the ceiling. Even in the din
candle light Of the evening before, inc
bed coverings had looked SO forbid
ding that Molly had compromised. ~
ing down, halfdressed on the outside;
now, in the garish glare OF returning
day they appeared positively hlthy'
And this was the best to be had,
she realized that, her courage falllng
at the thought Of remaining alone
amid such surroundings. As she
washed, using a towel OF her own after
a single glance at the hotel article.
and did UP her rebellious hair, she
came to a prompt decision. n would
20 directly on-would take the first
stage. Perhaps her father, or whom
ever he sent, would be met With along
the route. The coaches had regular
meeting stations, SO there was small
danger of their missing each other.
The question OF possible danger was
dismissed almost without serious
thought. She had seen no papers
since leaving st. Louis, and the news
before that contained nothing more
definite than rumors Of uneasiness
among the Plains Indians. Army Off
GERS interviewed rather made light of
the affair, rs being merely the regular
outbreak of young warriors, easily
suppressed. On the train she had met
with no one who treated the situation
as really serious, and, II it was, then
surely her father would send some
message of restraint. Satisfied upon
this point, and fully determined upon
departing at the earliest opportunity,
ing stairs in search Of breakfast.
The dining-room vas discovered at
the foot of the steps, a square box Of
a place, the " narrow windows look
ing forth on the desolate prairie.
There were three tables, but only one
was in use, and, with no waiter to
guide her, the girl advanced ~hesitating-
ly and took a sea opposite the two
men already present. They glanced
up, curiously interested. staring at her
a moment, and then resumed their in
terrupted meal. Miss McDonald's crit
ical eyes surveyed the unsavory-look-
ing food, her lips slightly curved. and
then glanced :nquiringly toward the
men. The one directly opposite was
large and buriy, with iron-gray hair
and beard. about sixty years of age,
but with red cheeks and bright eyes,
and a face expressive of hearty good
nature. His clothing was roughly
wholesome. The other was an army
lieutenant, but Molly promptly
uuelched her first inclination to ad-
dress him, as she noted his red, in.
famed face and dissipated appearance.
As she nibbled, half-heartedly. at the
miserable food brought by a slovenly
| waiter, the two men exchanged barely
a dozen words, the lieutenant growing
out m~onosyllabic answers, finally push
ing back his chair, and striding out
! Again the girl glanced across at the
older man, mastering courage to ad
dress him. At the same moment he
looked up, with eyes full Of good hu
NOR and kindly interest.
Looks rather tough, l reckon
MISS" waving a big hand over the
table. But you'll have ter git USED
to 1t in this kentry."
"Oh. I do not believe I ever could,
disconsolately. Il can scarcely choke
| down a mouthful."
so l was noticin'; from the East,
reckon?"
Yes; IL came last night, and
and really | am afraid | am actual,
homesick already. lit is ever
more-more primitive than l supposed
Do-do you live here-at Ripley?'
Good Lord, mol" heartily, though
I reckon yer might not think my hom.
wuz much better. I'm the post-tradel
down at Fort Marcy, jist out O. SAINT;
Fee. I'll be blame glad ter git bacl
thar too, I'm tellin' yer"
"That-that is what l wished to ash
you about she stammered. "Th.
Santa Fee stage; when does it leave
horoc apd-nnH uhnrn ~ .s--