Gunnison news-champion., 1914-01-23
molly
neOonAlD
Rsndan PMriA
csASrEa KHAN.
Tue Aasssss q cuUnss.

csAprEa AKA,S.
rns AasssSs - cs1ha
The Sergeant sxsss aosn - -
Saddle aad forced both poaiss -
eeso~ the cresi of the hsal. hss -
glance sxeepias baos over - -
Thea he sazed axaia searchin0u -
the valley below
What 10 h p she aasstionsA
a moving eolssmR Of hosseDaA -
diers from their formatioa. for ba01nnD
never march Ia eolamH Of foan. ~
sre too Tar away Tor me to b sOean
Jet What TROOPS can - sweg -
hsre7"
Wasn't there To be . winsse -
paisn against Black Kettle :" So -
toned 1T was the rumor q Du0uA
Perhaps"
why. yes. that must he IT," - -
terrupted eagerly. Custer and -
Seventh. What lucki And In - -
II with the boys after all"
shall We not ride to meet tAsor
Soon. yes. only ~e need TO - -
tain first"
Are you not" and she ross - ~
stirrups. Il am sure they are osvaArv-
men. Now you can see clearly = ~
climb the hill"
There 10 no doubt" hs aAn,sesA
- single troop ahead OF ths Da1n
body; the others win be beyesl -
bend In the stream"
\ He stepped back. where ~ osu11
hook directly into her face.
They are soldiers oil right, ~
that Was not what ! wanted 70 - -
certain about. When we ne aewa
there, Molly girl, we shall be swoa-
lowed up into the old life oRes DsgA
the old army life"
Yes"
perhaps you do not realize hoe -
ferent it viii oil be from out hoo
alone together"
why should II be diRerente"
Il shall be again . soldier IN -
ranks. under orders, and you naHns
McDonsld's daughter"
~But-but-" her eyes full q -
PEAL.
No. little sirl," he explained SuicA-
iy. reaching up and touching ~
gently; I'VE are never O0inG 70 say
snythinG about hat 70 thess a.wn
there-his comrades IN srns. II - -
ing to be our secret. ] en- glal pea
told ne; It has brought us tosethes
-. Derhaps. nothing else could, but
there u 10 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 Q purpose, but, even IL
It were true, he had been driven to it
BY . merciless woman. 1t is ours to
defend, not blacken his memory"
She bent slowly down until her
cheek touched his.
II thought you would say that"
she returned slowly, bat 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
OF that detachment, | want you to tell
him all"
"An?"
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 believe!"
Molly, Molly" he whispered, "Nev.
er will doubt again"
They could perceive the blue Of tho
overcoats as they rode over the ridge.
and at their sudden appearance tbe
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, as they drew near.
the leader suddenly waved his band-
and they dashed forward.
"Hamlinl Glad to see you again..
the first rider greeted the Sergeant
cordially. ''Can this be Major McDon-
AIDS daughter"
Yes, Major Elliott; can re1aat
the story as We ride along sir. you
are the advance of Clusters evuedi-
ton, presume?"
We are; the others are some nile.
behind, moving slowly so that he
wagons can keep within touch. r,n-
derful the way those wagons rave
pushed ahead over the rough cor1fry-
Have only missed camp twice sfgce
we left Fort Dodge"
When was that, sir?"
Before the blizzard all exca-f r,r-
troop were at Comp Supply: tbav "A
Joined since, and ii was then We -
ABOUT your trip down here. What BE-
came OF your men, Sergeaut?s
Wasson and ene private wsr~
Killed, sir the other private as
|; frozen 50 badly had TO leave h., =,