Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 102, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 April 1913 — MOLLY MCDONALD A TALE OF THE FRONTIER [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

MOLLY MCDONALD A TALE OF THE FRONTIER

By RANDALL PARRISH

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BYNOPSIB. Major McDonald, commanding an army poat near Fort Dodge, aeeka a man to Intercept his daughter, Molly, who is headed for the post. An Indian outbreak Is threatened. “Brick*' Hamlin, sergeant who has lust arrived with messages to McDonald, volunteers for the mission. Molly arrives at Fort Ripley two days ahead of schedule. She decides to push or to Fort Dodge by stage In company with “Sutler Bilr’ Moylan. Gonzales, a gambler, is also a passenger. Hamlin meets the stage with etories of depredations committed by the Indians. The driver deserts the stage when Indians appear. The Indlene are repulsed In attacks on the stage. Moylan and Gon sales are killed. Hamlin and Molly plan to escape in the darkness by way of a gully. Molly la wounded and Hamlin carries her. They cross a river and go into hiding. The Indians discover their escape and start pursutt, but go in the wrong direction. Hamlin is much excited at finding a haverssuck marked C. S. A. He explains to Molly that he was In the Confederate service and dismissed in disgrace under charges es cowardice. At the close of the war he enlisted in the regular service. Re says rite haversack was the property of one Capt. LeFevre, who he suspects of being responsible for his disgrace and for whom ha has been hunting aver since. Troops appear on the scene CHAPTER X|l<—Continued. “I prefer to rely on my own Judgment,” he said tartly. “From what this man reports they are In stronger force than we are. Besides my Instructions were not to provoke hostilities.*’ Wasson grinned, revealing his yellow teeth. “Sore not; they are so damned peaceable themselves.” **l prefer leaving Captain Maxwell to deal with the situation,” Gaskins went on pompously, ignoring the sneer, "as he outranks me, and I am under strict instructions to return at onee to the fort Two of our horses are disabled already, and Smiley Is too sick to be left alone. I’ll not risk it Well.” he broke off suddenly, and addressing a corporal who had just ridden np and saluted, “have you burled the bodiesT” "Yes, sir; found these papers on them.” The lieutenant thrust these Into his Jacket pocket "Very well, Hough. Form the men Into column. Miss McDonald, ’ you will retain the horse you have, and I should be very glad to have you ride with me. Oh. corporal, was everything in the coach destroyed? Nothing saved belonging to this lady?" "Only the Ironwork Is left sir.” “So I thought; exceedingly sorry, Miss McDonald. The ladies at Dodge will fit you out when we get In.- I am a bachelor, yon know," he added, glancing aside Into her face, “hut c&n promise every attention." * Her eyes sought Hamlin where he stood straight and motionless, respectfully waiting an opportunity to apeak. "Is —Is this what I ought to do?" she questioned, leaning toward him. "I am so confused I hardly know what is best" y "Why, of course,” broke In the lieutenant hastily. "You may trust me to advise.” “But my question was addressed to Sergeant Hamlin,” she interposed, never glancing aside. “He understands the situation better than you." The sergeant held his hat in his hand, his eyes meeting her ewn frankly, but with a new light in them. She had not forgotten now the danger was over; she meant him to realize her friendship. "It seems to me the only safe course for you to take, Miss McDonald," he said slowly, endeavoring to keep the note of triumph out of his voice. "Your father is perfectly safe, and will Join you within a few days. 1 would not dare attempt your protection farther west" "You are not going with us then?” she questioned In surprise. "Not if Lieutenant Gaskins will furnish me with horse and rifle. I must report at Union, and, on the way, tell your father where you are.” “But the danger! oh, you mustn’t attempt such a ride alone!” “That is nothing; the valley Is swept clean, and I shall do most of my riding at night Any plainsman could do the trick —hey, Sam?” Wasson nodded, chewing solemnly on the tobacco In his cheek. "He’ll make the trip all right, mlsß," he drawled lazily, "Wish I was goln’ long. l‘m sure tired o’ this sorter Mootin', I am. Down below the Cimarron Is the only place ye’ll hare tar watch out close, ’Brick.’ Them Comancbes an’ Apaches are the worst lot"

“I know —night riders themselves, but I know the trail. Can you outfit me, lieutenant?” Gaskins smiled grimly, but Tyith no trace of humor. His eyes were upon the girl, Btlll leaning over her pommel. 1 “I’ll outfit you all-right,” he said brusquely, “and with no great regret, either. And I shall report finding you here In disobedience to orders.” “Very well, sir.” Molly’s brown eyes swept to the lieutenant’s face,' her form straightening In the saddle, her lips pressed tightly together. Gaskins fronted the sergeant, stung Into anger by the man’s quiet response. "I shall prefer charges, you understand,” almost savagely. "Helm, give this fellow that extra rifle, and ammunition belt. McMasters, you will let him have your horse.” Wasson rolled out of his saddle, muttering something indistinctly, which might have been an oath. "I ain’t goln’ ter stand fer that, leftenant,” he said defiantly. “Bein’ a? I ain’t no enlisted man, an’ this yore tfc my hoss, ‘Brick’ Hamlin don’t start on no such ride on that lame brute o’ McMasters’, Here, you ‘Brick,’ take this critter. Oh’ shut up! I’ll git to Dodge all right. Won’t hurt me none to walk." The eyes of the two men met underand Hhmlin took the rein In his hand. Gaskins started to speak, but thought better of it A moment he stood, irresolute, and then swung up Into saddle, his glance ignoring the sergeant “Attention! company," he commanded sharply. "By column sou march!” The girl sparred her horse forward, and held out her hand. “Good-by,” she said, falteringly, “jron —will be careful.” “Of course,” and he smiled up Into her eyes. '‘Don’t worry about me —I am an old hand.” “And I am to see you again?" ‘1 shall never run away, surely, and I hope for the best—” "Miss McDonald," broke In Gaskins Impatiently, ‘ the men are already moving.” "Yes," hpr eyes still upon the sergeant’s uncovered face, "I am coming. Don’t Imagine I shall ever forget,” she murmured hastily, “or that 1 will not be glad to meet you anywhere.” "Some time I may put you to the test," he answered soberly. "If any trouble comes, trust Wasson—he is a real man.” ; —— He stood there, one arm thrown over the neck of the horse, watching them ride away up the trail. The lieutenant and' the girl were together at the rear of the short column, and he Beemed to be talking earnestly.

Hamlin never moved, or took his eyes from her until they disappeared over the ridge. Just as they dipped down out of sight she turned and waved one hand. Then the man’s gaze swept over the debris of the burned stage, and the two mounds of earth. Even these mute evidences of tragedy scarcely sufficed to make him realize all that bad occurred in this lonely 6pot. 'He could not seem to separate his thought from the cavalcade which had just departed, leaving behind the memory of that farewell wave of the hand. To him It marked the end of a dream, the return to a life distasteful and lonely.

Mechanicallj the Sergeant' loaded his rifle, and strapped the old Confederate haversack to his saddle pommel, staring again, half on believing, at the faded Inscription underneath the flap. Yet the sight of those letters awoke him, bringing to his bronzed face, a new took of determination. He swung into the saddle, and, rifle across bisknees, his eyes studying the desolate distance, rode westward along the deserted tralL CHAPTER XIII. Back at Fort Dodge. The swiftly speeding weeks of that war-summer on the plains ' bad brought many changes to the hardworked troops engaged in the campaign or garrisoning the widely scattered posts south of the Platte. Scouting details, although constantly in the saddle, failed to prevent continued Indian depredations on exposed settlements. Stage routes were deserted, and the toiling wagons of the freighters vanished from the trails. Reports of outrages were continuous, and It became more and more evident that the various tribes were at length united In a desperate effort to halt the white advance. War parties broke through the wide-strung lineß of guard, and got safely away again, leaving behind death and destruction. Only occasionally did these Indian raiders and the pursuing troops come into actual contact. The former came and went in swift forays, now appearing on the Pawnee, again on the Saline, followed by a wild ride down the valley of the Arkansas. Scattered in small bands, well mounted and armed v no one could guess where the next attack might occur. Every day brought Its fresh report of horror. From north and south, east and west, news of outrages came into Sheridan’s headquarters at Fort Wallace. Denver, the base of the mountains, was practically In state of siege, provisioned only by wagon trains sent through under Btrong guard; the fringe of settlement along the water ways was deserted, men and women fleeing to the nearest government posts for protection and food. The troops, few In number and widely scattered in small detachments, many being utilized as scouts and guards, were unequal to the gigantic task of protecting so wide a frontier. Skirmishes were frequent, but the Indians were wary and resourceful, and only once during the entire summer were they brought into real decisive battle. The last of August, Major Forsythe, temporarily commanding a company of volunteer scouts, was suddenly attacked by over a thousand warriors under command of Roman Nose. A four days’ fight resulted, with heavy ldss on both sides, the Indians being driven from the field by the opportune arrival of fresh troops. The general condition of affairs is well shown by the reports reaching Fort Wallace In September. Governor Hunt wrote from Denver: “Just returned. Fearful condition of things here. Nine persons murdered by Indians yesterday, within radius of nine miles.” A few days later, acting Governor Hall reported: “The Indians have again attacked our settlements in strong force, obtaining possession of the country to within twelve miles of Denver. They are more bold, fierce, and desperate In their assaults than ever before. It Is impossible to drive them out and protect the families at the Bame time, for they are better armed, mounted, disciplined, and better officered than our men. Each hour - brings intelligence of fresh barbarities, and more extensive robberies." This same month Governor Crawford, of Kansas, telegraphed: “Have Just received a dispatch from Hays, stating that Indians attacked, captured, and burned a train at Pawnee Fork; killed, scalped, and burned sixteen men; also attacked another train at Cimarron Crossing, which was defended until ammunition was exhausted, when the men abandoned the train, saving what stock they could. Similar attacks are of almost dally occurrence." South of the Cimarron all was desolation, and war raged unchecked from the Platte to the Pecos. Sheridan determined upon a winter campaign, although he understood well the sufferings entailed upon the troops by exposure on the open plalnß at that season. Yet he knew the habits of Indians; that they would expect immunity from attack and would gather in villages, subject to surprise. He, therefore, decided that the result would justify the necessary hardships involved. To this end smaller posts were abandoned, and the widely scattered soldiers ordered to central points in preparation for the contemplated movement Devere had been deserted earlier, and Major McDonald had marched his men to Dodge, where Molly awaited his coming. Retained there on garrison duty, the two occupied a one-story, yellow stone structure fronting the parade ground. In October, orders to march reached “M” troop, Beventh Cavalry, at Fort Union, and the ragged, bronzed troopers, who all summer long had been scouting the New Mexican plains, turned their horses’ heads to the northeast In hopefulness of action. With them up the deserted Santa Fe trail, past burned

stations and wrecks of wagon trains, rode Sergeant Hamlin, silent and efficient, the old Confederate haversack fastened to his saddle, and his mind, In spite of all effort, recurring constantly to the girl who had gone to Dodge early in the summer. Was she still there? If so, how would she greet him now after these months of absence? The little cavalry column, dust-covered and weary, seemed fairly to creep along, as day by day he reviewed every word, every glance, which had passed between them; and at night, under the stars, he lay with head on his saddle, endeavoring to determine his course of action, both as to their possible meeting, and with regard to the following of the clue offered by the haversack. The time he had hoped for was at hand, but he could not decide the best course of action. He could only wait, and permit Fate to interfere. Certain facts were, however, sufficiently clear, and the Sergeant faced them manfully. Not merely the fact that he was in the ranks, great as that handicap was, could have prevented an attempt at retaining the friendship of Molly McDonald. But he was in the ranks because of disgrace —hiding away from his own people, keeping aloof from his proper station in life, out of bitter shame. If he had felt thuß before, he now felt it a thou-

sand times more acutely In memory of the comradeship of her whose words had brought him a new gleam of hope. Never before had loneliness seemed so complete, and never before had he realized how wide was the chasm between the old and the new life. This constantly recurrent memory embittered him, and made him restless. Yet out of it all, there grew a firmer determination to win back his old position In the world, to stamp out the lie through which the Confederate court-martial had condemned him. If Le Fevre were alive, he meant now to find him, face him, and compel him to speak the truth. The discovery of that haversack gave a point from which to start, and his mind centered there with a fixed purpose which obscured all else. It was after dark when "M" troop, wearied by their long day’s march across the brown grass, rode slowly up the face of the bluff, and Into the parade ground at Fort Dodge. The lights of the guard-house revealed the troopers’ faces, while all about them gleamed the yellow lamps, as the garrison came forth to welcome their arrival. Guided by a corporal of the guard the men led their horses to the stables, and, as they passed the row of officers’ houses Hamlin Caught a furtive glimpse in a radius of light that gave his pulses a sudden throb. She waß here then —here! He had hardly dared hope for this. They would meet again; that could scarcely be avoided in such narrow quarters. But how? On what terms? He ventured the one swift glimpse at her—a slender, white-robed figure, one among a group of both men and women before an open door, through which the light streamed —heard her ask: “Who are they? What cavalry troop Is that?” caught the response in a man’s voice: “ *M’ of the Seventh, from Fort Union," and then passed by, his eyes looking straight ahead, his hand gripping his horse’s bit. (TO BE CONTINUED.)

“But My Question Was Addressed to Sergeant Hamlin," She interposed.

War Raged Uncheeked From the Platte to the Pecos.