The Red Cloud chief. [volume] (Red Cloud, Webster Co., Neb.) 1873-1923, 1920-12-23

CONSCIOUS OF his own HWkWdTunesb.
The embarrassment, however, was but
for the instant, for the preacher had
been waiting his entrance, eager to
begin the ceremony.
What occurred during the next few
moments was never wholly clear In
Shelby's mind. He did mechanically
whatever he was told. but without
comprehension. He remembered walk.
ing between rows of curious faces, oc-
casionally recognizing familiar
countenance. clear across that crowded
parlor to the further wall, which
seemed to be decorated pr0fusely with
sprays Of evergreen. He seemed to
recall that the girl Joined him, stand
Ing at his left, and that she had ad-
vanced to his side guided by Dan Nc
Carthy. II was all vague, misty, un-
certain, and the next moment all he
saw was the fieshy figure Of the Buff
falO Gap preacher standing there I'm
mediately before him, his hands up
lifted and his sonOrOus voice uttering
words that sounded like a prayer.
Then Dan came forward again and
he felt her hand resting In his, real
izing how soft and small It was. He
remembered a question was asked him
and he answered "yes' and then he
seemed to hear her whisper similar
response. The preacher said some
thing, using some strange words, and
turning once to face the silent crowd
pressing close In upon them; then he
lifted his hands solemnly and Shelby
caught the sentence, II pronounce you
husband and wife and whom God
hath Joined together. let no man put
asunder."
There was an explosion Of breath.
a faint clapplng Of hands, an instant
buzz Of tongues. He felt that he must
have shaken hands with q thousand
people; was pushed 'here and there
by the efforts made to reach him and
finally, bewildered, his mind in a
whirl, found himself once more out
In the hail. obsessed with a desire to
escape. He possessed no idea as to
what had become OF the girl; no doubt
she was somewhere back there In the
crush, but he. at least, was free. and
would walt for her to Join him ont
| side.
He stood there alone. staring down
at the team of broncos and the heavily
laden blackboard uncOmprehendlngly
Yet slowly 1t all came back and his
mind began to arouse from blank
stupOr. His attention was attracted
by the approach Of a horseman trOt-
ing steadily up the deserted street to.
ward the hotel. The rider was cav.
airy soldier in uniform. powdered
with dust. his horse showing evidences
Of hard travel.
Shelby watched his coming curious
ly, his memory still lingering upon the
scene within. The man drew up a,
the hotel, dropped his rein over the
horses head, swung stiffly to the
ground and advanced up the steps
He glanced aside at Shelby's motion
less figure, took step toward tn,
door and then wheeled suddenly.
SAY. amt your name ShelbyY'
The dazed bridegroom turned ant
looked into the face confronting him
his mind swapping back into Quicl
recognition.
"Sure. Well. thunder, you're Shau
messy Of the Sixth. What're you do
Ing here?"
The TWO clasped hands firmly.
Thought knew you. Tom, whel
! first came up the steps, but WASH
quite sure till got a side view. Mus
be six years since you left us. aIn't 1t
What am I dolng7 Oh they've shove
us up here from Arizona and I've bee
up at the Reservation watchin' 'er
ghost-dance an am headin' now 70
Collins to tell the old man the new.
Some fun gOin' to be pulled of pres
entity"
"YOu mean the Sioux are goln' o
rampage ag'in?"
"Sure thing, unless miss my CUES,
an reckon l ought to know lnjun
by this time. It'll either come thi
: fall or next spring. ! figure they
never hold In over winter. or Sittil
Bull has got the game In his hand
an you know that OIL devil. I reckon
II have reason to. Any troops u
J there?"
"No; the Injun agent don't belle,
D there's goin' to be any trouble; say
e It's Just few young bucks who al
] raisin' HI. He don't know what
: goin' on. But l been among 'em n
i the whole outfit Is bloOd-mad. I see
Q two OF their ghost-dances myself bat
J. In the hills an tell you they mea
n business. You Twin here now?"
mo, out on the Cottonwood"
Il "What--north? Say, old man, tn
II amt gOln' to be no healthy place Z
d a white, II those devils break loos
Y, they'll make that country sure. G
d much Of an outfit3"
q "a bunch Of cattle an two herders
e, "NOt enough to put up fight. We
ID II was you. Tom. I'd run those co,
E. over into the Bad Lands an lie O
Ie there awhile. Wen get the Injuns.
l. course: but there la bound to be SOL