Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 104, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 May 1913 — Page 2

MOLLY MCDONALD A TALE OF THE FRONTIER

u BYNOPSIS. Major McDonald, commanding an army post near Fort Dodge, seeks a man to Intercept his daughter, Molly, .who la 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 company with "Sutler Bill” Moylan. Gonxales, 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 Oonsales 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 his disgrace and for whom he has been hunting ever since. Troops appear on the scene. Under escort of Lieut. Gaskins Molly starts to Join her father. Hamlin leaves to rejoin his regiment. Hamlin returns to Fort Dodge after a summer of fighting Indians, and finds Molly there. Shots are heard in the night accompanied by the call of the sentry. Hamlin rushes out, sees what he believes is the figure of Molly hiding In the darkness and falls over the body of lieutenant Gaskins, who has been wounded. The officer accuses Hamlin of shooting him and the sergeant is arrested.

CHAPTER XlV.—Continued. Voices reached him from outside, echoing In through the high, ironbarred window, but they were distant, the words indistinguishable. As his brain cleared he gave no further thought to his own predicament, only considering how he could best divert suspicion from her. It was all a confused mass, into the mystery of which he was unable to penetrate. That it was Molly McDonald shrinking there In the dark corner of the barracks wall he had no doubt. She might not have recognised him, or imagined that he saw her, but that Bpear of light had certainly revealed a face not to be mistaken. White as it was, haggard with terror, half concealed by straggling hair, the identification was nevertheless complete. The very piteousness of expression appealed to him. She was not a girl easily frightened; no mere promiscuous shooting, however startling, would have brought that look to her face. He had seen her in danger before, had tested her coolness under fire. This meant something altogether different. What? Could it be that Gaskinß had wronged the girl, had inßulted her, and that she, in response, had shot him down? In the darkness of conjecture there seemed no other adequate explanation. The two were intimate; the rumor of an engagement was already circulating about the garrison. And the stricken man had endeavored to shift the blame on him. Hamlin could not believe this was done through any desire to injure; the Lieutenant had no .cause for personal dislike which would account for such an accusation. They had only met once, and then briefly. There was no rivalry between them, no animosity. To be sure, Gaskins had been domineering, threatening to report a small breach of discipline, but in this his words and actions had been no more offensive than was common among young officers of his quality. The Sergeant had passed all memory of that long ago. It never occurred to him now as of the slightest importance. Far more probable did It appear that Gaskins’ only motive was to shield the girl from possible suspicion. When he had realized that Hamlin was a prisoner, that for some reason he had been seized for the crime, he had grasped the opportunity to point him out as the assassin, and thus delay pursuit. The chances were the wounded man did not even recognize who the victim was—he had blindly grasped at the first straw. But suppose he had been mistaken? Suppose that woman hiding there was some one else? Suppose he had imagined a resemblance in that Budden flash of revealment? What then? Would she care enough to come to him when she learned of the arrest? He laughed at the thought, yet it was a bitter laugh, for it brought back a new realization of the chasm between them. Major McDonald’s daughter interesting herself in a guard-house prisoner! More than likely she would promptly forget that she had ever before heard his name. He got up and pabed the cell, noting as he did so how closely he was watched by the guard.

BULLETS DID LITTLE DAMAGE

.Aviator*! Machine Hit Frequently, but Efficiency Was Not Impaired at Any Time. The Balkan campaign has proved valuable to the-science of aviation. It has shown by one concrete example that the mere fact of being struck by bullets and perforated does not signify Irretrievable disaster for the airship. The Russian aviator, Eflmoff, •was engaged by Bulgaria to fly to Ad-

By RANDALL PARRISH

JtSorof "KSttrort% -Bordcrr My Lady of Doubt; My Lady of »= 1 Kl.BamcA COPyKMHT UU BY A.c.r—CUJRG ft CO

“Have you heard how badly the Lieutenant was hurt?” he asked, approaching the door. The sentry glanced down the corridor. “He’ll pull out, all right,” he re-' plied confidentially, his lips close to the door. “Nothin’ vital punctured. You better go to bod, an’ forget it till mornin’.” „ i “All right, pardner,” and Hamlin returned to the cot. “Turn the light down a little, will you? There, that’s better. My conscience won’t trouble me, but that glare did.” With his face to the stone wall he fell asleep.

CHAPTER XV. An Old Acquaintance. It was late In the forenoon when the heavily armed guard marched Hamlin across to the commandant's office. He had been surprised at the delay, but had enjoyed ample opportunity to plan a course of action, and decide how best to meet the questions which would be asked. He could clear himself without involving her, without even a mention, of her presence, and this knowledge left him confident and at ease. There were half a dozen officers gathered in the small room, the graybearded Colonel In command, sitting behind a table, with Major McDonald at Ills right, and the others wherever they could find standing room. “Sergeant,” the Colonel said rather brusquely, “you came in last night with ‘M’ troop, did you not?” “Yes, sir." “Had you ever met Lieutenant Gaskins before?” « “Once; he pulled me out of a bad scrape with a bunch of Indians out on the trail a few months ago.” “The same affair I spoke to you about.” commented McDonald quietly. “The attack on the stage." The Colonel nodded, without removing his eyes from the Sergeant’s face. “Yes, I know about that," he said. “And that was the only occasion of your meeting?" "Yes, sir.” f "Well, Serfceant Hamlin, I purpose being perfectly frank with you. There are two or three matters not easily explained about this affair. I am satisfied of your innocence; that* you were not directly concerned in the shooting of Lieutenant Gaskinß. Men of your troop state that you were in barracks when the shots were fired, and the wound was not made by & service revolver, but by a much smaller weapon. Yet there are circumstances which puzzle us, but which, no doubt, you can explain. Two shots had been fired from your revolver,”

“You Better Go to Bed an’ Forget It Till Mornin’."

and he pushed the weapon across the table! “I rode ahead of the troop In march yesterday," Hamlin explained, "and fired twice at a jack-rabbit. I must have neglected to replace the cartridges. Private Stone was with me.” “Why did you submit to arrest so easily, without any attempt to clear yourself?” The Sergeant’s gray eyes smiled, but his response was quietly respectful. “I was condemned before I really knew what had occurred, sir. The sentry, the Sergeant of the guard, and the Lieutenant all insisted that I

rianople and throw down handbills in the Turkish language, in which the Bulgarians called on the population of Adrlanople to surrender. He was given only an old apparatus, but he threw down the bills. “At Fort Karagach I saw a Considerable number of infantrymen shooting towards the sky with their rifles," he said/ “I did npt hear the shots, but when I noticed that four bullets had struck my apparatus 1 knew for whom the shots were means. 1 did hot lose my presence of mind, but flew on. When the guns In

was guilty. They permitted me no opportunity to explain. I thought it just as well to remain quiet, and let' the affair straighten itself out.” “Yet your action threw us completely off the trail,” broke in McDonald impatiently. ‘4t permitted the really guilty parties to escape. Did yon see any one?” “Black smudgfes merely, Major, apparently running toward the ravine. My eyes were blinded, leaping from a lighted room" ~ McDonald leaned forward eagerly, one hand tapping the table. “Was one of them a woman?” he questioned sharply. Hamlin’s h£art leaped into his throat, “but he held himself motionless. “They were indistinguishable, sir; mere shadows. Have you reason to suspect there may have been a woman involved?” The Major leaned back in his chair, but the commandant, after a glance at his officer, answered: “The pistol used was a small one, such as a woman might carry, and there are marks of a woman’s shoe plainly visible at the edge of the ravine. Lieutenant Gaskins was alone when he left the officers’ club five minutes before the firing began. You are sure you have never had controversy with this officer?” “Perfectly sure, sir. We have never met except on the one occasion already referred to, and then scarcely a dozen words were exchanged.” “How then, Sergeant,” and the Colonel spoke very soberly, “do you account for his denouncing you as his assassin ?” “I presumed was influenced by my arrest, sir; that the shock had affected his brain.” “That supposition will hardly answer. The Lieutenant ls not severely wounded, and this morning appears to be perfectly rational. Yet he insists you committed the assault; even refers to yon by name.” The accused man pressed one hand to his forehead in bewilderment. “He still Insists I shot him?” “Yes; to be frank, he’s rather bitter about it, and no facts we have brought to bear have any apparent weight. He swpars he recognized your faee in the flare of the first discharge.” The Sergeant stood silent, motionless, his gaze on the Colonel’s face. “I do not know what to say, sir,” he answered finally. “I was not there, and you all know it from the men of my troop. There has been no trouble between Lieutenant Gaskinß and my-i self, and I can conceive of no reason why he should desire to involve me in this affair —unless,” he paused doubtfully; “unless, sir, he really knows who shot him, and is anxious to shift the blame elsewhere to divert suspicion.” “You mean he may be seeking to shield the real culprit?” - “That is the only explanation that occurs to me, sir.” J

The Colonel stroked his beard nervously, his glance wandering to the faces of the other officers. “That might be possible,” he acknowledged regretfully, “although I should dislike to believe any officer of my command would be deliberately guilty of so despicable an act. However, all we Can do now 1b endeavor to uncover the truth. You are discharged from arrest, Sergeant Hamlin, and will return to your troop.” Hamlin passed out the door into the sunshine, dimly conscious that his guarded answers had not been entirely satisfactory to those left behind. Yet he had said all he could say, all he dared say. More and more firmly there has been implanted in his mind a belief that Molly McDonald was somehow involved in this unfortunate affair, and that her name must be prorected n.t all Bazafdr This theory alone would seem to account for Gaskins’ efforts to turn suspicion, and when this was connected with the already known presence of a woman on the scene, and the smallness of the weapon used, the evidence seemed conclusive.

As far as his own duty was concerned, the Sergeant felt no doubt. Whatever might be the cause, there was no question in his mind but that she was fully justified in her action. Disliking the Lieutenant from the first, and as strongly attracted by the girl, his sympathies were now entirely with her. If she had shot him, then it was for some insult, some outrage, .and he was ready to protect her with his life. He stopped, glancing back at the closed door, tempted to return and ask permission to interview Gaskins personally. Then the uselessness of such procedure recurred to him; the fact that nothing could result from their meeting but disappointment and recrimination. The man evidently disliked him, and would resent any interference; he had something to conceal, something at stake for which he would battle strenuously. It would be better to let him alone at present, and try to uncover a clue elsewhere. Later, with more facts in his possession, he could face the Lieutenant and compel bis acknowledgment. These considerations caused him to turn sharply and walk straight toward the ravine. Yet his investigations there brought few results. On the upper bank were the marks of a woman’s shoe, a slender footprint

the forts fired shrapnel at me and when the apparatus had been struck several times by fragments of projectiles the situation became critical. Fortunately only the wings were bit and not the motor, and so I could keep on and in twenty minutes I was once more In the flying field at Mustafa Pasha. The apparatus was re paired and used again." Wood That Changed Location. An extraordinary incident of a moving forest was reported to the Uan-

clearly defined, but the tower portion of the ravine was rocky, and the trail Boon k>Bt. He passed down beyond the stables, realizing how easily the fugitives, under cover of darkness, could have escaped. The stable guard could have seen nothing from his station, and just below was the hardpacked road leading to the river and the straggling town. There was nothing to trace, and Hamlin climbed back up the bluff completely baffled but desperately resolved to unlock the mystery. The harder the solution appeared, the more determined he became to solve it. As he came out, opposite the barrack entrance, a carriage drove in past the guard-house, the guard presenting arms, and circled the parade In the direction of officers’ row. It contained a soldier driver and two ladles, and the Sergeant’s face blushed under its tan as he recognized Miss McDonald. Would she notice him—speak to him? The man could not forbear lifting his eyes to her face as the carriage swept by He saw her glance toward him, smile, with a little gesture of recognition, and stood there bareheaded, his heart throbbing wildly. With that look, that smile, he instantly realized two facts of importance—she was willing to meet him on terms of friendship, and she had not recognized him the evening previous as he ran past her in the dark. Hamlin, his thoughts entirely centered upon Mis.s McDonald, had scarce

“I Do Not Know What to Say, Sirr,” he Answered Finally.

ly noted her companion, yet as he lingered while the carriage drew up before the Major’s quarters, he seemed to remember vaguely that she was a strikingly beautiful blonde, with face shadowed by a broad hat. Although larger, and with light fluffy hair and blue eyes, the lady’s features were strangely like those of . her slightly younger companion. The memory of these grew clearer before the Sergeant—the whiteness of the face, the sudden lowering of the head; then he knew her; across the chasm of years her identity smote him as a blow; his breath came quickly and his fingers clenched.

“My God!" he muttered, unconsciously. "That was Vera| She has changed, wonderfully changed, but—but she knew me. What, in Heaven’s name, can she be doing here, and—with Molly?” With straining eyes he stared after them until they both disappeared together within the house. Miss McDonald glanced back toward him once almost shyly, but the other never turned her head. The carriage drove away toward the stables. Feeling as though* he had looked upon a ghost, Hamlin turned to enter the barracks. An Infantry soldier leaned negligently in the doorway smoking. “You’re the sergeant who saved that girl down the trail, ain’t yer?” he asked indolently. “Thought so; I was one o’ Gaskins’ men.” Hamlin accepted the hand thrust forth, but with mind elßewhere. “Do you happen to know who that was with Miss McDonald?” he asked. “Didn’t see ’em, only their backs as they went in—nice lookin’ blonde?” “Yes; rather tall, with very light hair.” “Oh, that’s Mrs. Dupont.” “Mrs. Dupont?” the name evidently a surprise; “wife of one of the officers?” “No, she’s no army dame. Husband’s a cattleman. Got a range on the Cowskin, south o’ here, but I reckon the mißsus don’t like that sorter thing much. Lives in St. Louis mostly, but has been stoppin’ with the McDonalds fer a month er two now. Heerd she was a niece o’ the Major’s, an’ reckon she must be, er thar'd been a flare up long ago. She’s a high flyer, she is, an’ she’s got the Leftenant goin’ all right.” “Gaskins?” “Sure; he’s a lady-killer, but thet’s ’bout all the kind o’ killer he is, fer as I ever noticed —one o’ yer he-fllrts. Thar ain’t hardly an officer in this garrison thet ain’t just achin’ fer ter kick that squirt, but ther women—oh, Lord; they think he’s a little tin god on wheels. Beats hell, don’t it, what money will do fer a damn fool?" (TO BE CONTINUED.)

daff and Dinas Powls (Wales) rural district counclL The gentleman who called attention to the matter, said the wood was situated hear Llanvlthyn. It was about four hundred yards long, and consisted of large elm trees. It had left its' moorings on a steep slope and was moving bodily towards the roadway. A cut had been left at the top which was full of water. The wood had been moving for eight or nine dayß. Trees were leaning in all directions, and soma ware coming bodily down.

PECULIAR CUSTOM OF MEXICO

Not Much Chance for Prominent Man to Die Natural Deaih in Republic —All Are Executed. Smith Apperson, a Missourian, while on a visit In the City of Mexico, was shown through the portrait gallery of the national palace, lately the scene of so much turmoil. The walls were covered with pictures of generals, dictators, emperors, and ordinary presidents. “And who is this?” asked Apperson of his guide, pausing before a painting. “That? Oh, that would be a mere vice-president. He led an Insurrection some* 50 years ago.” “Then he Is dead by now.” “Oh, yes, he was executed.” “Now, here’s a likely looking chap; what of him?” Apperson asked. “He was a temporary emperor; yes, only temporary.” ! “Wliat happened to him?” “Oh, he was executed.” *“And this one?” Apperson asked, going down the line. “He was our most distinguished patriotic soldier,” answered the guide. He did much for the country; a really wdrthy man.” • / “And he lived, I take it, to a green old age.” “Well—no, hardly that” “What became of him?” “Oh, he was executed.” “Great Caeser! Is It possible for a prominent man in Mexico to die a natural death?” “It is possible,” replied the guide, gravely, “but the chances are against It. You see, they are executed.” —New York Post.

Knew What He Meant.

Five-year-old Billy was swinging on the front gate. “How’s mother this morning?” asked a passing neighbor cheerily. Billy looked serious. “I don’t fink she feels very good, Mrs. Brown. Her bestest rosebush Is ’most spoiled, and she had to use lots of emotion.” Mrs. Brown looked sympathetic, but puzzled. “Poor mother! Did it really make her cry?" “No!” with scornful emphasis. “She Just putted some soapsuds an’ kerosene on the rosebush, to kill the bad little bugs.” “Oh, yes!” light dawned on the questioner; “emulsion.” “That’s what I said,” explained Billy patiently, “kerosene emotion."

Cautious Scot.

-A Scotchman went to a •solicitor, laid before him a question, and asked him if he could undertake the case, reports the Birmingham Weekly Post. “Certainlyreplied the solicitor. "I will readily undertake the case. We’re sure to win.” ■' "So ye really think It’s a good case?” “Most decidedly, my dear sir. lam prepared to guarantee that you will secure a favorable verdict.” “Ah, weel. I’m much obliged tae ye, hut I danna think I’ll go tae law this time for, you* see, the case I’ve haid before ye is my opponent’s.”

Easier Task.

Miss Beatrice Harraden, the EngHsh writer, praised, at a luncheon at the Colony club in New York, the beautiful Easter hats that in countless numbers beautified the restaurant. “You’d scarcely believe It,” a woman journalist said to Miss Harraden, “but many of us American women make our own Easter hats.” “An Englishwoman can’t make her own hats —but she can pick other women’s hats to pieces,” Miss Harraden answered with a smile.

TOO BAD.

Jennie —Did you send a poem to the girl you were engaged to? Jack —Yes —that waß the trouble. Jennie —How so? Jack —She discovered that another fellow wrote it, and she married him.

Absentee Landlord.

An English tourist was sight-seeing in Ireland, and the guide had pointed out*the Devil’s Gay, the Devil’s Peak and the Devil’s Leap to him. “Pat,” he said (all English tourists call Irish peasants ‘Pat,’ just as they call little boys ‘Tommy’), “the devil seems to have a great deal of property in this district!” “He has, sir,” replied the guide; “but, sure, he’s like all the landlords —he lives In England!’’—Manchester Guardian.

A Fair Exchange.

"People say you’ve been sheriff too long, Jim.” “I expect I have. They also say you oughter step down and let somebody else be postmaster.” "I admit I’ve been pestmsuiter long enough.” “Well, after this term, s’spose we exchange places.”

RAPIDITY OF BASHFUL YOUTH;

Bpent Six Months Making Sheep’*| Eyes at Maiden Without Speaking—Finally Finds Courage. “Miss Crupplngton —Sybil—! lovsj you,” he sattt —- “Oh, George,” she sighed, “this is so! sudden! Speak to father,' will you,, dear? He’ll be in soon.” And ten minutes later the nervoual young man was facing his adored) one’s father. '‘l Jove your daughter, sir,” he com-! menced. “Rather sudden, isn’t it?” interrupt-! ed the old man with a twinkle in his? eye. “Love refuses to he checked by l time, sir,” declared the youth. “Iti was sudden, I admit.” Then the old man laughed. “Take her, boy, take her,” he saldJ “You ain't a bad sort of chap at aIL George; but you ain’t over swift, and that’s a fact. For six months you. 1 made sheep’s eyes at the girl without speaking; for another eight yott sent 'er enough flowers to stock Convent garden; and this last year you’ve been round ’ere every night squeezin’* ’ands, sighin’ like a steam siren and sitting with the gas out. Sudden! Good ’eavens, George! You’ll be takln” a ’earse ’orse for the Derby winner next!’’—Tit-Bits.

BEYOND HIS COMPREHENSION.

“Lemme un’stan’. Is er locksmif V man dat knows all ’bout how ter open, all kin’s er locks?” “Co’s he is.” “Well, I dunno how ’tiß, but I sho’ljr see it.” “What did you done see?” “Er locksmif down in de mahket Sr buyin’ his chickens.”

Tragedies Told In Headlines.

"He Thought Four Deuces Was * Winning Hand.” ~ “ "Barrel of Alum Found in Ruins of Burned Bakery.” "Deer Hunter Wires <Home for Money; Farmer’s Cow Was a Jersey.”*, “After Spending S4OO in Procuring Divorce, Discovers Marriage Was Illegal.” "Not Enough Gasoline in Tank; Irate Father Overtakes Eloping Couple.” “lustily Packs-Trunk for European Trip; Finds When Aboard Ship He Has No Change of Shirts.”

Risky.

A well-known shipper, introducing a new brand of champagne, met Charles Hawtrey at the club luncheon table. “You are so well known, Mr. Hawtrey,” he said, “and your opinion carries such weight that you would bo doing me a great favor if, when ordering champagne, you would ask for my brand.” "Certainly,” said Mr. Hawtrey. “I’d be delighted to do so.” The shipper was profuse in hia thanks. “Not at all,” said Hawtrey; “but, I 3ay, old chap, how jolly awkward for me if they should have it.” —London Opinion.

Not Twelve Dally.

Angry Purchaser —Didn’t you tel! me that you had got as many as twelve eggs in. one day from those eight hens you sold me? Poultry Raiser —Yes, ma’am. Angry Purchaser —Then why is it that I’m never able to get more than two eggs from them and sometimes not so many in one day? Poultry Raiser —I don’t know, ma’am, unless it’s because you look for eggs too often. Now, if you look for them only once a week I feel quite positive you will get just as many eggs in one day as I did.—Weekly Telegraph.

Horrible Thought.

Mrs. Pneuritch had ordered an outfit good enough to wear when riding in the splendid new automobile. "Well, I guess that's all,” she said. “O, no, madam; you’ll need a veil,” suggested the dressmaker. “A veil? What for?” “To protect your complexion from the fierce winds.” “But, goodness alive! If I have to wear a veil over my face how will anybody know who I am?*-’

Drifted Apart.

"Yes; the engagement is off.” “What came between two loving hearts ?” "I hardly know. I told her I was unworthy of her and she agreed with me so heartily on that point that our courtship kind of languished after that.”

An Inducement.

"Now, If you don’t study, Johnny, you’ll never get to be president.” “I don't want to be president. Pres* idents don’t have no fun.” "They don’t, hey? They get season passes to all the big league games.”