The St. Johns herald., 1921-06-02

IuS dlTeduy dn dppTOdcn IO lue OOC- tonwood. He had been a fool to even dream that he could ever satisfy her in such surroundings. We'll, 1t was not too late to turn back. He would talk with her and learn the truth.
 He drove steadily forward, en- deavoring to formulate some pleasant opening sentence, his mind inevitably drifting back to that late conversa- tion with Shaunessy and the doubts 1t had awakened. Ought he to permit her to become exposed to a possible Indian attack? Was it not plainly his duty to explain fully the exact situation? And then that other mat ter relative to Old Calkins? Surely it was her place to make that clear?
 He strengthened up, clearing his voice. and she glanced about dis turbed from revery by his action.
 How dismal 1t all is," she said, as he failed to speak, "and yet the very silence and loneliness has a charm. Is 1t like this out on the Cot tonwood"
 "No. not exactly. It's lonely enough, but that is broken country, with something to rest the eyes on. am afraid, though, you're goin' to be awfully sorry"
 Really, I don't" honestly. I don't mind being alone at all. I've always been alone, so that won't hurt"
 But this is different" he insisted stubbornly. Besides, heard some thing back there in Ponca that makes me think I had no business bringing you along at all."
 '.'What was that?"
 "Why, just before we come away I ran into an old friend O mine in the army, named Shaunessy. He'd been UT in the Sioux reservation. watchin' 'em ghOst-dance, and he says the bucks up there are goin' to raise Ned before long, an there ain't no troops anywhere around sufficient to hold 'em. It's OF Sittin' Bull who is stirrin' 'em up."
 But surely they could never get
  down here?"
 Mot to Ponca-no; they wouldn't go in that direction. But they'd be mighty liable to come raidin' down the Cottonwood. That's what Shaun essy said; he told me I'd better run my stock over into the Bad Lands, and lie out for awhile, till the soldiers got the devils rounded up again. I been thinkin' ever since I ought to tell you about it, so. if you thought best we could turn around an take you back to PonLa."
 "And then what would you do?"
 "Me? Why go on O course an take care O the cattle. Faint the first time I've seen Indians"
 "Then I am going with you," she said firmly. 'T am not the least afraid. wonder if you have an extra rife out there?'
 "Sure," he said, grinning. '1 sorter like that kind O talk, little girl. Can you shOot?"
 Some; I'll show you when we get out there. Anyway, please don't turn back on my account. I heard in Ponca that the Sioux were ghOst-dancing, but didn't think about their coming down the Cottonwood. Dad said they were getting ugly, but don't know where he heard it."
 This unexpected mention of Calkins stirred Shelby to ask further Ques- tion. She was going on with him, that was evident, and the mystery between them must be cleared away.
 "What was your name?" he asked soberly.
 She glanced up into his face, sur prised at the abrupt question.
 'My nameI Why. don't you know?"
 "I never heard of 1t; seems sorter odd, maybe, but never did"
 Tt is Olga"
 "Olga-Olga what?"
 "Why, Shelby, suppose"
 "No, didn't mean that. Of course, it's Shelby now, but what was it be- fore today? 'Twasn't Calkins."
 The smile had deserted her lips and her eyes were very serious.
 "Just what do you mean, please? Have you heard something?"
 "Well, yes. This here soldier Shau- messy has been in the army a long while; he was fifteen years in the Sixth cavalry. Now I happened to learn, accidentally from Mccarthy, that Old Calkins was once a sergeant in that outfit, so naturally I asked if he ever knew him."
 "And did he?"
 Sure; they were bunkies once an he said Jeff Calkins never was mar ried an didn't have no daughter"
 ''Well, did I ever say was his