Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 103, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 April 1913 — Molly McDonald A TALE OF THE FRONTIER [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Molly McDonald A TALE OF THE FRONTIER

By RANDALL PARRISH

-“'Border’’ My Lady of Doubt: My Lady c/2& ; South? etc.etc,. . \ Illustration# Joy I r.Lßaroai B coeyiuoHT tsi* by a.c.m'caurg & cca

SYNOPSIS. Major McDonald, commanding an army post near Fort Dodge, seeks a man to Intercept his daughter, Molly, who Is 'headed for the post. An Indian outbreak is threatened. “Brick" Hamlin, sergeant who has Just arrived with messages to McDonald, volunteers for the mission. Molly arrives at Fort Ripley two days ahead of schedule. She decides to push on to Fort Dodge by stage In eompany with "Sutler Bill” Moylan. Gonisales, a gambler. Is also a. passenger. Hamlin meets the stage with stories of depredations committed by the Indians. The driver deserts the stage when Indians appear. The Indians are repulsed In attacks on the stage. Moylan and Gonaales are killed. Hamlin and Molly plan to escape In the darkness by way of a gully. Molly Is wounded and Hamlin carries her. They cross a river and go into hiding. The Indians discover their escape and start pursuit, but go in the wrong direction. Hamlin is much excited at finding a haversack marked C. S. A. He explains to Molly that he was in the Confederate service and dismissed In disgrace under charges of cowardice. At the close of the war he enlisted in the regular service. He says the haversack was the property of one Capt. LeFevre, who he suspects of being responsible for hts disgrace and for whom he has been hunting ever since. Troops: appear on the scene. Under escort of Lieut. Gaskina Molly starts to join her father. Hamlin leaves to rejoin his regiment.

CHAPTER Xlll—Continued. Thirty minutes later in the great barn-like barracks, he hung his accoutrements ever the bed assigned him in the far corner, and, revolver belt still buckled about his waißt, stood at the open window, striving to determine which of those winking lights shone from the house where he had seen her. There had J>een something In the eagerness of her voice which he could not forget, nor escape from. She had seemed to care, to feel an interest deeper than mere curiosity. The Sergeant’B heart beat rapidly, even while he sternly told himself he was a fool. A hand touched his shoulder, and he wheeled about to grip Wassons’ hand. "Well, ‘Brick,’ old boy,” said the scout genially, although his thin face was as solemn as ever; “so you fellows have come back to be in the shindy?” A? -.x'--“We’re been in it all summer, Sam,” was the reply. “It’s been lively enough south of the Clmarrgn, the Lord knows- I’ve been riding patrol for months now. But what’s up? No'one seems to know why we were ordered In."

"It’s all guess-work here,” and Wasson sat down on the narrow bed and lit his pipe. "But the ‘old man’ is getting something under way, consolidating troops.’ Your regiment Is going to be need, that’s certain. I’ve been carrytn’ orders between here an’ Wallace tor three weeks now, an’ We heard Sheridan explode once or twice. He’s tired of this guerilla business, an’ wants to have one good fight.” “It is getting late.”

“That’B the way he figures it out, accordin' to my notion.. We've always let those fellows alone during the bad weather, an' they’ve got so they expect it. The ‘old man’ figures he’ll give ’em a surprise.” “A winter campaign?" “Why not? We can stand it if they can. O’ course, I’m just guessin’; there’s no leak at headquarters. But Caster’s up there,” with a wave of the hand to the north, “and they’ve got the maps out” “What maps?” “I only got a glimpse of them out of the tall of my eye, but I reckon they was of the kintry south of the Arkansas, along the Canadian.” Hamlin sat down beside him, staring across the big room.

"Then it’s Black Kettle; his band is down on the Washita,” he announced. "I hope it’s true.” “They're arrangin’ supply depots, anyhow; six companies of infantry are on Monument Creek, and five troops of cavalry on the North Canadian a’ready. Wagon trains have been haulin’ supplies. There’s some stiff work ahead when the snow flies, or I miss my guess." Hamlin sat silent, thinking, and the soout smoked quietly, occasionally glancing toward his companion. Finally he spoke again, his voice barely audible. “That little girl you sent in with us Is hers yet” The Sergeant was conscious that his cheeks flamed, but he never looked op. “Yes, I saw her as we came in.” “She’s asked me about you once or twice; don’t seem to forget what you did for her.” “Sorry to hear that” "No, yer not; Oouldn’t no man be sorry to have a girl like that take an interest in him. “Tain’t in human nature. What did yer tell her about me?”

“Tell her!” surprised. "Why, I only advised her to hang'close to you if anything happened. I didn’t exactly like the style of the Lieutenant.” "Thet’s wat T thought. Well, she’s done it, though thet hasn’t pried her loose from Gaskins. He’s hauntin’ her like a shadow. It’s garrison talk they’re engaged, but I ain’t so sure ’bout thet. She an’ I hev got to be pretty good friends, though o’ course, it’s strictly on the quiet. I ain’t got no invite to officers’ row yit She’s asked me a lot ’bout you.” “Interesting topic.” "Well, I reckon as how she thinks it is, enyhow. Yesterday she asked me ’bout thet scrimmage yer had down on the Canadian. She’d heerd ’bout it somehow, an’ wanted the story straight. So I told her all I knowed, an’ yer oughter seed her eyes shine while I wus sorter paintin’ it up.” "Oh, hell; let’s drop it,” disgustedly. "The Lieutenant here yet?” “Sure; his Company is down on Monument, but he got special detail. He’s got a pull, Gaskins has.” "How is that?”

“His old man is-Senator, or something, an' they say, has scads o’ money. Enyway, the kid finds the army a soft snap. First scoutin’ detail he ever had when you met him. Didn’t hunt no danger then, so fur as I could see. Nice little dude, with a swelled head, but popular with the ladies. I reckon McDonald ain’t objectin’ none to his chasin’ after Miss Molly; thet’s why he’s let her stay in this God-forsaken place so long. Well, ‘Brick,’ I reckon I’ve told all the news, and hed better move ’long,” “Hold on a minute, Sam,” and Hamlin, suddenly recalled to earth, reached for the haversack hanging on the iron bedpost. “Moylan, the fellow who was killed in the coach with us, had this bag. According to Miss McDonald, he bought it here just before starting on the trip. See this inscription; those are the intlalsof an old acquaintance of mine. I’d like to trace. Any idea where Moylan found it?” Wasson held the bag to the light studying the letters.

“Fourth Texas—hey? That your regiment?” . The Sergeant nodded, his lips tightly pressed together, “Must hev come from Dutch Charlie’s outfit,” the scout went on slowly. “He picks up all that sorter truck.” “Where is that?”

“In town thar, under the bluff. We’ll look it up tomorrow.”

CHAPTER XIV. Under Arrest. One by one the barrack lights went out as the tired troopers sought their beds. Hamlin extinguished his also, and only one remained burning, left for emergency near the door, which flung a faint glow over the big room. But the Sergeant’s reflections kept him awake, as he sat on the foot of his bed, and stared out of the open window into the darkness. There was little upon which to focus his eyes, a few yellow gleams along officers’ row, where callers still lingered, and the glow of a fire in front of the distant guard-houße, revealing occasionally the black silhouette of a passing sentinel. Few noises broke the sileuce, except the strains of some distant musical instrument, and a voice far away saying good-night. Once he awoke from revery to listen to the call of the guards, as it echoed from post to post, ceasing with “All well, Number Nine,” far out beyond the stables.

The familiar sound served to recall him to the reality of his position. What was the use? What business had he to dream? For months now he had kept that girl’s face before him, in memory of a few hours of happiness when he had looked into her dark eyes and heard her pleasant speech. Yet from the first he had known the foolishness of it all. He was nothing to her, and could never become anything. Even if he cleared his past record and stepped out of the ranks into his old social position, the chances were she would never overlook what he had been. Her gratitude meant little, nor her passing interest in his army career. All that was the natural result of his having saved her life. He possessed no egotism which permitted him to think otherwise. Years of discipline had drilled into him a consciousness of the impassable gulf between the, private and the officer’s daughter. The latter might be courteous, kindly disposed, even grate-

HU for services rendered, but it must ei|d there. The Major Would see that it did, would resent bitterly any presumption. No, there was nothing else possible, ir they met —as meet they must in that contracted post—it would be meSt Torinai, a~mere exchange of reminiscence, gratitude expressed .by a smile and pleasant word. He could expect no more;’ might' esteem himself fortunate, indeed, to receive even that recognition. Meanwhile he would endeavor to strike Le Fevre’p trail. There were other interests in the world to'consider Molly' McDonald, and his memory drifted away to a home he had not visited in years. But thought would not concentrate there, and there arose before him, as he lay there, the face of Lieutenant Gaskins, wearing the same expression of insblent superiority as when they had parted out yonder on the Santa Fe trail.

“The cowardly little fool,” he muttered bitterly under his breath, gripping the window frame. “It will require more than his money to bring her happiness, and I’ll never stand for that Lord! She’s too sensible ever to love him. Good God —what’s that!” It leaped out of the black nightthree flashes, followed instantly by the sharp reports. Then a fourth — this time unmistakably a musket — barked from behind officers’ row. In the flare, Hamlin thought he saw two black shadows running. A voice yelled, excitedly: “Post Six! Post Six!” With a single leap the Sergeant was across the sill, and dropped silently to the ground. Still blinded by the light ■he ran forward, jerking his revolver from the belt. As he passed the corner of the barracks the sentry fired again, the red flash cleaving the night in an instant’s ghastly vividness. It revealed a woman shrinking against the yellow stone wall, lighted up her face, then plunged her again into obscurity.

The Sergeant caught the glimpse, half believing the vision a phantasy of the brain; he had seen her face, white, frightened, agonized, yet it could not have been real. He tripped over the stone wall and half fell, but ran on, his mind in a turmoil, but certain some one was racing before him down the dark ravine.« There had been a woman there! He could not quite blot that out —but not she; not Molly McDonald. If —if it were she; if he had really seen her face in the flare, if it. was no dream, then what? Why, he must screen her from discovery, give her opportunity to slip away. This was the one vague, dim thought which took possession of the man. It obscured all else; it sent him blindly crashing over the edge of the ravine. He heard the sentry at his right cry hoarsely, he heard excited shouts from the open windows of the barracks; then his feet struck a man’s body, and he went down headlong. Almost at the instant the sentry was upon him, a gun-muzzle pressing him back as he attempted to rise. “Be still, ye hell hound,” was the gruff order, “or I’ll blow yer to kingdom come! Sergeant of the guard, quick here! Post Number Six!” Hamlin lay still, half stunned by the shock of his fall, yet conseious that the delay, this mistake of the sentry, would afford her ample chance for escape. He could hear men running toward them, and his eyes caught the yellow, bobbing light of a lantern. His hand reached out and touched the body over which he had fallen, feeling a military button, and the clasp of a belt —it was a soldier then who had been shot. Could She have done it? Or did she know who did? Whatever the truth might be, he would hold his

tongue; let them suppose him guilty for the time being; he could establish innocence easily enough when it came to trial. These thoughts flashed through his mind swiftly; then the light of the lantern gleamed in his eyes, and he saw the faces clustered about “All right, Mapes,” commanded the man with the light "Let the fellow up until I get a look at him. Who the hell are you?” “Sergeant Hamlin, Seventh Cavalry." “Darned if it ain’t. Say, what does all this mean, anyhow? Who’s shot? Turn the body over, somebody. By God! It’s Lieutenant Gaskins!”

Hamlin’s heart seemed to leap Into his throat and choke him; for an instant he felt faint, dazed, staring down into the still face ghastly under the ray a, of the lantern. Gaskins! Then she was concerned in the affair; he really had seen her hiding there against the wall. And the knan’s eyes .were open, • were staring in bewilderment a t the faces. The Sergeant of the Guard thrust the'lantern closer.

“Lift his head, some o’ yer, the man’s alive.® Copley, get some water, an’ two of yer run fer the stretcher —leg it now. Well have yer out o’ here ip a minute, Lieutenant. What happened, sir? Who shot yer?”

Gaskins’ dulled eyes strayed from the speiker’s face until he saw Hamlin, still firmly gripped by the sentry. His lips drew back revealing his teeth, his eyes narrowing. “That’s the one,” he said faintly. “You’ve got him!” One hand went to his side in a spasm of pain, and he fainted. The Sergeant laid him back limp on the grass, and stood up. "Where is your gun, Hamlin?” “I dropped it when I fell over the Lieutenant’s body. It must be back of you.”

Some one picked the weapon up, and held it to the light, turning the chambers.

“Two shots gone, Sergeant." “We heard three; likely the Lieutenant got in one of them. Sentry, what do you know about this?” Mapes scratched his head, the fingers of his other hand gripping the prisoner’s shoulder.

“Not so awful much,” he replied, haltingly, “now I come ter think ’bout it. ’T was a mighty dark night, an’ I never saw, ner heard, nuthin’ till the shootin’ begun. I wus back o’ officers’ row, an’ them pistols poppe«Tnp yere, by the corner o’ the barracks. I jumped an’ yelled; thought I heerd somebody runnin’ an’ let drive. Then just as I got up yere, this feller come tearin’ ’long, an’ I naturally grabbed him. That’s the whole of it.”

“What have you got to say, Hamlin?" “Nothing.” “Well, yer better. Yer in a mighty bad box, let me tell yer,” angered by the other’s indifference. “What was the row about?”

The cavalryman stood straight, his face showing white in the glow of the lantern.

“I told you before I had nothing to say. I will talk tomorrow,” he returned quietly. “I submit to arrest."

“I reckon yer will talk tomorrow, and be damn glad o’ the chance. Corporal, take this fellow to the guardhouse, an’ stay there with him. Here comes the stretcher, an’ the doctor.” Hamlin marched off silently through the black night, surrounded by a detail of the guard. It had all occurred so suddenly that he was bewildered yet, merely retaining sufficient consciousness of the circumstances to keep Btill. If they were assured he was guilty, then no effort would be made to trace any others conneoted with the affair. Why Gaskins should have identified him as the assassin was a mystery—probably it was merely the delirium of a sorely wounded man, although the fellow may have disliked him sufficiently for that kind of revenge, or have mistaken him for another in the poor light. At any rate the unexpected identification helped him to play his part, and, if the Lieutenant lived, he would later acknowledge his mistake. There was no occasion to worry; he could clear himself of the charge whenever the time came; half his company would know he was in barracks when the firing began. There were women out on the walk, their skirts fluttering as they waited anxiously' to learn the news, but he could not determine if she was among them. Voices asked questions, but the corporal hurried him along, without making any reply. Then he was thrust roughly into a stone-lined cell, and left alone. Outside in the corridor two guards were stationed. Hamlin sat down on the iron bed, dazed by the silence, endeavoring to collect his thoughts. The nearest guard, leaning on hlB gun, watched carefully. (TO BE CONTINUED.)

It Revealed a Woman Shrinking Against the Yellow Stone Wall.