The bee., 1914-12-15
The Gentleman
Corporal T"
By M. QUAD
Copyright 1914. By Associated Lit
erary Press.
By N. QUAD

hAAC VI NhN ANnkN III AVhA AhVuAAHg
said the captain as he talked over the
proposed ride with the colonel, "and
the trip is perfectly safe. will de-
tail an escort from my own company,
but It will be only for appearance
sake"
"Yes, it will be safe, and May will
enjoy the gallop," said the colonel, and
no more was said about 1t.
At sunrise all were ready to set forth.
AS the girl stood on the veranda wait
ing for her horse six Of the men OF
A troop came riding up under COM
mand Of Corporal Haynes. They halt
ed thirty feet away, and as she look
ed them over she gave start Of sur
prise, and a flush overspread her face.
Next moment her cheeks went white,
and she gasped as IL choked for breath.
The corporars hand slowly lifted, and
his head was uncovered for an instant,
and Private Harkins whispered to Pri-
vate O'Brien:
"And did you see that, Jim? BY
smoke, IL our corporal and the colonePs
daughter haven't met before then l
don't know a jack rabbit from a long
drink of whiskyF'
"And the corporal isn't a bit easy In
his mind" added the other.
It all took place in a minute, and
then Captain Cline rode up, followed
by the girls horse.
The two riders went galloping away,
followed at distance of 100 yards by
the escort. Now and then the pace
was slackened down a bit to breathe
the horses, but no halt was made I'M
I'll the Devils basin was reached. The
escort halted forty yards from the rid
ers, and the men sat about on the
rocks. Meanwhile Corporal Haynes
climbed to the top Of a great bowlder
and surveyed the country about with
his keen eyes. 1t was three-quarters
OF an hour before he came down and
said:
Men, see to your arms and lie close.
I'm going up to report to the captain"
ibid l call your" he harshly asked
a. the corporal came to a halt and sa-
luted.
mo, sir" was the reply, "but
thought it best to tell you that have
made out Indians beyond the basin to
the north"
''It's all nonsense"
''But there are Indians skulkIng
about, sir" persisted the corporal.
"Go back to your men!" was the suL
len reply.
When he had reached the troopers he
quietly said:
men, have been up to the captain
10 report that there is a band of at
least fifty Indians skulking down this
way from Red Bird pass. They have
seen Us. and they are after VS.. We've
got good cover, and we can stand 'em
on for the day"
"But when night comesr' asked one
Of the men. though without a tremor
in his tones.
"Get quietly ready" was the rsDly. +
Meanwhile there was an argunAant
between the captain and the ooloHsps
daughter He sought to assure her
that nothing had been seen and that
there was not the slightest danger;
but, to his annoyance. she persistsd In
believing that there must be good
grounds for the corporars report This
annoyance made him delay matters,
and nearly half an hour had passed,
and it was very much against the
grain when be shouted for the soldier
to approach and sneeringly added:
swell, corporal, isn't it about time
your Indians showed up?"
Eve shall hear from them in ten
minutes" was the reply. but If we
mounted now and rode fast we would
find the way open," said the corporal.
with downcast eyes.
"Back, you impudent VRgabond"
Numbered the captain with outstretch.
ed arms. "I'll break you for this the
minute we get backg'
The corporal turned his gaze on the
girl for a few fieeting seconds; then
his head and shoulders dropped in
helpless way. and he saluted his officer
and retired.
Bang, bang, bang, went the carbines
Of the troopers, and the corporal came
running up the hill to seize and drag
the ofheer under shelter ana 10 say
to the girl;
"Y0u must crouch down here and ~
main quiet. They can't get at you tn
they have killed the last one Of nap
BY and by she missed the reports Of
the carblnes, and the sound Of foot
steps echoed In her ears.
"COmeT said the corporal As he lift
"a her mp.
"Oh, Robert. ana have you beaten
them OffT" she exclaimed.
mo. My men are all dead. and the
Indians win rush us IN a mihute."
"And we-we"-
He put his arms around her waist |
ana assisted her to the rock, on which |
were the remains OF her breakfast.
The steaming. heaving. mysterious !
lake was thirty feet beneath them.
"Better this than that" he said as
he pointed from the lake to a score Of
Indians advancing.
~Yes better thisp she murmuFed as