Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 20, Number 20, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 9 November 1889 — Page 2

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[i HUNRAVEN1RANCH F)

CHAPTER V.

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"Sergt. Gwynne, sir. The first time ever knew him to mix a duty.'' "Wi:r stable sergeant, too? That is unusual I low Ion has he been j*one?" "Since battalion drill this morning, lie was on hand when the men were saddling. and asked permission to take his hoiv.e out for exercise and ride down the valley a few mll°

A. Story of American Frontier Life.

1

By CAPT. CHARLES KING, U. S! A./ Y.

VT7THOR CP "THH COIONHL'3 DAUGHTER," "FROM THS RANKS,

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:opyr»ghtcd, 1888, by J. B. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia, and Published bj Special Arrangement through the American Press Association. 4

in i'hi' Mai! o-t. 2i th. Ba*k ntim!hru! it h.ilf price.

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A evening a group 1 if cuvjilry officers! came •auntering back from us they reached the? walk fdeers' row dark featured, soldii iiy looking captain him-.-lf from I he rest and en•«i!i:h'{*8 van!. The eommandhappened bu seated on his moment, and in close a with Dr. Qui:i. Bo^ijgentlicii" talk as the captain id (h -n ro,e From their seats 1 upon the veranda floor, veiling, Stryker," said tin.' col"Corne in and have a •:tor and I wci'o just wonif wt could not get you to take a w!ii-,i. to-night." all be glad to join you, sir, after 1 have come in to ask pormissen.l s-rgeatit and a couple of 1, down to the Monee. One men is missing.

Who is that? S nd the men.

never

supposing he would he gone after noon roll call- aiuj wf were astonished when stables. Perry says bo mot two miles out." "The two culprits!" said the colonel, laughing "Poor Perry is down in the depths again. He rode up to me with such a woebegone look on his face at drill this morning that I could hardly keep from laughing in front of the whole line. Even the men were trying hard not to grin they knew lie had turned up just in the nick of tiiuo to save him self an 'absent.' What do you suppose can have happened to Gwynne?" "1 cannot imagine, air, and am inclined to be worried. Ho would never willingly overstay a pass and I fear some accident has happened." "Is lien good rider?" asked the doctor. "None lietter in the regiment Ho is a model horseman, in fact, and, though ho never alludes to nor admits it. there is a general f.xding among tho men that ho has been in tho English cavalry service. Of course, there is no doubt of his "—nationality ho is English to tho backbone, and, I fancy, has seen better days."

What made them think ho had been in the cavalry service abroad?" "Oh. his perfect knowledge of tnHper duties and management of horses. It took him no time to learn the drill, and he was a sergeant before he had been with me two years. Then, if you ever noticed, colonel," said Capt. Stryker. appealing to his chief, "whenever Gwynne stands attention he always has the fingers of Ixith hands extended and pointing down along the thigh, close against it—so." And Stryker illustrated. "Now, you never see an American soldier do that-, and I never saw it in any but Bog* lish trained soldiers. He has qo^ If somewhat of late, because the men told him it showed where he was drilled— we have other English •non-coms,' yom know—but for along time I noticed that iu hh J. Then he was enlisted in New York city, some four years ago. and all his things were of English make—what he had." •What manner of Uwking fellow is he?" asked the doctor. "I think I would have noted him had I seen him." "Yes, you Englishmen are apt to look to one another," said the cohvnel in reply -and Uwvnne is a particularly fine specimen. He has your eyes and hair, doctor, but hasn't had time to grow irrixjdod and bulky yet. as you and I have One wight say that yov1 and the sergeant were from the same shure. •«That would help roe very little, since I was only three years old when the governor emigrated, fins^ered the doctor, with a quiet smile, "We keep some traces of the old *d, I suppose, but I've been a Yankee for forty years, and have never once set sj*« Me*4® England in all that time. Did Uje say where he wanted to goT And the questioner looked up sharply. "Nowhere in particular—down the valley was all. I remember. that Mr. Parke said he seemed much exercised over the oambof thaW^o^J the Monee—I've forgotten what W it Have you hoard it, coloneff" •'Seems to me I have, but Pw ten. You have, doctor, have you nocr "Beard what, colonel?" "The name that ranqh down fflf

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Monee—an English ranch, they tell ice. about seven mites away." •Oh, yes!—that one! They call it Dunraven Ranch.—Did the sergeant take any of the hounds with him, captain? It occurs to me lie might have been running a coyote or a rabbit, and his horse have stumbled and fallen with him. There is 0 end of prairie dog holes down that way.* "Ity. the dogs are all in. I wouldn't be surprised if he had gone to the ranch. That's an English name, and they are all Englishmen down there, I hear. Very possibly that is the solution. They may have tempted him to stay with English hospitality: though it would astonish me, tf he yielded. I'll tell the men to inquire there first, colonel, and will go and send them now." And, bowing to his commander. Capt. Stryker turned and left the porch.

The doctor rose, thrust his hands deep in his pockets, paced slowly to the southern end of the veranda, and gazed down the" distant, peaceful valley, an anxious cloud settling on his brow. The colonel resumed once more the newspaper he had dropped upon the floor. After a moment Dr. Quin came slowly back, stood in front of the entrance a few seconds looking irresolutely at the soldier sprawled at full length in his reclining chair, stepped towards him with a preparatory clearing of his throat as though about to speak, and then, suddenly and helplessly abandoning the idea, he plunged down the short flight of steps, hurried out of the gate and disappeared around the fence corner in the direction of the hospital. Immersed in his paper, the colonel never seemed to note that he had gone neither did he note the fact that two ladies were coming down the walk.

The soft swish of trailing skirt being insufficient to attract his attention as they arrived nearly opposite the shaded veranda, a silvery peal of laughter broke the stillness of the early evening. Mrs. Belknap's laugh was delicious—soft, melodious, rippling as a canary song, and just as spontaneous. Neither lady had said anything at the moment that was incentive of merriment but if Mrs. Lawrence had given utterance to tho quaintest, oddest, most whimsical conceit im-

Mrs. Belknap's laugh could not

have been more ready, and her great, dark eyes «Wa Bideloa# glan«» to note the effect, uowri went the paper, and up, with considerable propping from hie muscular arras, came the burly form of the post commander. Two sweet, smiling faces beamed upon him through an aperture in the leafy screen, and Mrs. Belknap's silvery voice hailed him in laughing salutation: "Did we spoil your siesta, colonel? How can I make amends? You sec, you were so hidden by the vines that no one would dream of your being there in ambush. "Oh, indeed, I assure you I wasn't asleep," answered the colonel, hastily. "Won't you come in, ladies, and sit here in the shade awhile?1' "We thought we would stroll around until parade," said Mrs. Lawrence, hesitatingly, "and then sit down and watch it somewhere." "No place better than this." promptly answered tho colonel. "You can sit behind the vines on that side and see, or,, what we would infinitely prefer, sit here at the entrance and be seen, Meantime, I've been unpacking some photograph albums this afternoon, and you can amuse yourselves with those while I put on my harness. Gomel"

Th? colonel's collection of photographs was something the ladies had already heard a great deal of. One of the most genial and popular officers of the army, he bad gathered together several large albums full of pictures of prominent men and attractive and distinguished women —not only those with whom he had been associated in his long years of service, but men eminent in national and state affairs, and women leaders in society in many a gay metropolis.

Both the ladies had hoped to see this famous collection tho evening before, but the colonel had not then unpacked the albums, and they wore disappointed. Now, however, the prospect was indeed alluring, and neither could resist. When the first call sounded for parade a few momenta after, and the commanding officer was getting himself into his full dress uniform, the two pretty heads were close together, and two pairs of very lovely eyes—one dark and deep and dangerous, the other a clear and honest gray —were dilating over page after page of photographed beauty. There was no need to puzzle over the identity of the originals und ?r each picture the thoughtful colonel had carefully written the name and address. Absorbed in this treat, they could barely afford time to look up and smile their thanks as the colonel passed, clanking forth at the sounding of adjutant's call, and were too completely engrossed In their delightful occupation to notice what took {dace at parade.

The long, slender line had formed— the infantry 00mpanics on the right and I left flanks, their neat at*i tasteful drees of blue and white favorably I with f^ady yc— v-: ^ur: -. ge of the I four di anted troops of the cavalry,

Company after cm.-. any had taken the 1 stataroeque jv -j ride rest" and ita captain facer. f.v^t again, the adjutant waa about moving tofeis post on the prolongation of the (root rank, and the colonel settling hack into the conventional attitude of the command-

uig olUper, when from outside the rectangular inclosureolT the parade ground —from somewhere l»evond the men's barracks—there came sudden outcry und commotion. There were shouts, indistinguishable at first, but excited andstartling. Some of the men in ranks twitched nervously and partially turned th ir heads, as though enger to look behiud them and see what was wrong whereat stern voices could be heard in sutflued but potent censure: "Seep your eyes to the front, there, Sullivan!" "Stand fn?t. there, center of Third company!"

The guard, too, paraded in front of its quarters some distance behind the line, was manifestly disturbed, and the voice the sergeant could be heard giving nnrried orders. Every man in the batLilian seemed at the same instant to arrive at one of two conclusions—prisoners escaping, or fire over at the stables—and nil eyes were fixed on the imperturbable form of the commanding officer, as though waiting the signal from hith to break and go to the rescue. But there the colonel stood, placid, calm, and apparently utterly unconscious of the distant yet nearing clamor. The adjutant hesitated a moment before proceeding further, and glanced appealingly at his chief whereupon there came from the blue and gold and yellow statue out on the parade, iu half reproachful tones, the quiet order. "Go on!" and the adjutant, recalled to his senses and with evident expression of his sentiments to the effect that if others could stand it he could, brusquely turned his head towards the band and growled, "Sound off!" The boom and crash of drum and cymbal and the blare of brazen throats drowned for a moment the sound of the turmoil without. The next thing the battalion heard or saw wap a riderless horse tearing full tilt out on the parade and sweeping in a big circle from the right of the line down toward^the^int where the colonel stood

Following him came a pair of Cheyenne scouts, their ponies scampering in pursuit, but veering off the green as their riders realized that they were intruding on the ceremony of the day. Relieved of his pursuers, tho fugitive speedily settled down into a lunging trot, antl with streaming mane and tail, with head and ears erect, with falling bridle rein and flapping stirrups, he circled rapidly the open space between the colonel ami the line of battle, then came trotting back along the from, as though searching in the stolid rank of bearded faces for the friends he knew. Officer after officer he passed in review until h** came to Stryker'w troop, posted on the right of the cavalry, und there, with a neigh of recognition, he fearlessly trotted up to the captain's outstretched hand. Anothei minute and two men fell out and madea temporary gap In the rank through this a sergeant file closer extended his white glove, relieved the captain of his charge and led the panting steed away.

The men retook their places the captain again resumed his position in front of the center of his company, dropped

,.

jTERRE HAUTE SATURDAY EVENING MAIL

hastened away to remove their full dress. Capt Lawrence had no need to caX his wife. She hade her companion good evening, thanked the colonel with a smiling glance for the pleasure tlie photographs had given her, and lidded a word of earnest hope that they might find the sergeant uninjured. Then she joint*! her husband, and together they walktxl quickly away. Mrs. Belknap and Mr. Perry were left for the moment alona •'Quo you walk home with me'"' she asked, in her low, modulated tones, the great, heavily lashed, swimming dark eyes searching his face, "I have not seen you since they broke in u* on our talk last evening, and there is Something I want to ask you." 'Tin sorry, Mrs. Belkn&jp, but I'm on duty,, you see.'" was the young fellow's answer as he gave a tug to the strap of his cartridge belt. "Can't you ask me here?" "How feSn P'— and the eyes were full if pathetic disappointment—"when they may come out any moment? You did not finish telling me about—about the tassel last night. I believe you were glad when they interrupted us Were^vou not?" r. -4 "Nonsense, Mrs. Belknap! I *vas having too good a time—lots of fuu." "Yes," was the reproachful answer, "that is what it was—to you—mere fun. And now you are going away again, after promising to come in this evening." "I have to go, Mrs. Belknap Why, 1 want to go. Haven't you heard what has happened—about Sergt. Gwynne?" "Oh, yes, it is your dtuv, of course but how unlucky!" And the pretty face was drooping with its weight of disappointment and sadncsS. She leaned against the railing near his gauntlet covered hand, the dark eyes pensively downcast, the dark lashes sweeping her soft, flushing cheek. "And to-morrow you are on guard," she presently continued. •y Yes,, ualess some one has to go on for nie—in case we are not back in thf^mornitig in time." ,.ff "Then it's good-by, 1 suppose," she said, lifting her eyes once more to his. "After to-morrow there will be little chauce of seeing you. Mrs.^ Page will be here by that time." I (Mr. Perry looked at his fair*4'companion with a glance that told of much perturbation of spirit. Mrs. Page was an old and cherished friend of Mrs.

the point of his saber to the ground and Itwilight. ^r away southeastward besetned twetf

went on thundering down the lin\ countermarched and came back to its post on the right, making the welkin ring with the triumphant strains of "Northern Route," tho trumpets pealed the "retreat." the adjutant stalked his three yards to the front, faced fiercely to the left and shouted his resonant orders down tho line, three hundred martial forms sprang to attention, and the burnished arms came to the "carry" with simultaneous crash, ranks were opened with old time precision, the parade "presented" to the colonef with all due formality, the manual was executed just as punctiliously as though nothing unuSUal had happened first sergeants reported, orders were published, parade formally dismissed the line of officers marched solidly to the front, halted, and made its simultaneous salute to the colonel, who slowly raised and lowered his white gloved hand in recognition and then, and not till then, was any one allowed to speak of what was uppermost in every mind—that Sergt, Gwynne's horse had come in without him, and that the animal's right flankwas streaming with blood.

Ten minutes later Lieut Perry, in riding dress, came hurrying down to the colonel's quarters, where two or tliree officers were now gathered at the gate. The ladies bad put aside the albums, and with anxious faces were scanning the little group as though striving to gauge from their gestures and expression the extent of the calamity or the possible degree of danger. But Mrs. Lawrence looked fairly startled when her husband's voice was heard for the first time above the general hum of consultation: "CoL Brainard, Mr. Perry is coming, I see, and I presume there is no time to be lost You have asked If none of us who were stationed here ever visited the ranch, and the answer was no. May 1 suggest that Or. Quin could perhaps tell something of its inhabitants?* "Where is the doctor?" asked the colonel, turning suddenly. "Orderly, go and give my compliments to the post surgeon and say I wish to see him here a moment. All ready. Perry? You have made quick work of It." "All ready, sir. At least. I will be the moment my horse gets here. There go the men running to the stables now." "Capt. Stryker will send a sergeant and four men to report to you, and you are to go direct to Donraven Ranch. The rest of the troop, with the CJieyeoxtea, will scout the prairie to ti*a east and south. Twill soon be too dark to trail, but three & the Indians are going bock on the horse's track as far as they r+n The adjutant Is writing a note to the proprietor of the ranch—I don't know his name" «-v "His name Is Martiand, dr." "Is it? Have you been theref "I've been around one end of It, outride, but nowhere near the buildings. It's all fenced in, sir, and the gates kept locked." "What an incomprehensible proceeding for Texas! Walt a moment while I speak to ilr. Faraham he's writing ben at my desk. Gentlemen, come in co the porch and sit down, will yoo not?"

Bat Ujey excused tfaaudw and

Belknap's—so the latter had always said —and now she was coming to visit her from a station in the Indian territory. Just why her coming should prevent his seeing Mrs. Belknap or her seeing him was more than the tall subaltern could understand. On the brink of an unpardonable solecism, on the very ragged edge of a blundering inquiry, he was saved, in .her estimation, by the sudden return of the orderly and tho re,Appearance of the colonel. "I've been to the hospital, sir. and to the doctor's quarters he's not there. They say that's him, sir. riding oil yonder." And the orderly pointed to a faint speck just visible tn the waning

CHAPTER VI.

WILIGHT still hovered over the broad expanse of prairie when Lieut. !||3Perry and his little party, Rafter a brisk canter down the valley, reached the

barbed inclosure of Dunraven, and the young commander led unhesitatingly to the gateway on the northern line. A sergeant of his troop and two private soldiers were his escort at the moment a third man, by direction of Col. Brainard, had been sent at the gallop in pursuit of the distant speck which the orderly had pronounced to be Dr. Quin, and the instructions which this messenger' bore were to the effect that the post surgeon should ride by the most direct route and join Lieut. Perry at the north gate o.f Uie ranch.

In the few minutes which elapsed between the announcement of the doctor's departure on his solitary and unexpected ride and the arrival of the little mounted escort, Perry had time to tell the colonel something of the situation down the Mooee and to make a rough sketch of the inclosure and the distant buildings. The direction taken by the doctor, np to. the moment when the black speck disappeared from view in the waning light, would be very apt to lead him, if he rode far enough, to some point on the wire fence which spanned the western limit of Dunraven but that point would be at fire or six miles south of the valley. Possibly there was no gateway north of fltat—certainly no trail was visible on the prairie but the more Mr. Perry thought of the nutter as he rode away the more was he satisfied that somewhere far down thai western line there was an entrance where Dr. Quin, at least, had the "open sesame." perry's orders were. In case nothing was seen or heard of Sergt. Gwynne while on the way thither, to enter the incisure and make inquiries at the ranch ilBfif. Meantime, the Cheyenne scoots had been hastily summoned from their lodges along the Monee just above the po«t «nd sent scurrying forth upon the prairie to trail the horse's footprints and so work back as far as possible before darkness Interposed. Gapt. Stryker, too, and a docea of his best men, had mount* «d and ridden forth in kmg, scattered

line

across the eastern plain and these parties were all five miles out from the post before nlghtfiJ1 fairly hid them from

One thing the

had to tell Mr.

Perry which confirmed him in the belief that the sooner they got to Dunraven the quicker they would be at the scene of their comrade's mishap, whatever that might prove to o. He had had no time himself to visit the stables and examine the wounds on the horse's flank, but as they rode away from Rosslter he turned in the sad deand call 1 the non-commis-sioned oliieer to his t-uie. "What sort of vind is it, sergeant, that made the horse bleed so—bullet or knife? "It dvx-Vt lor^b Hke t4ther, sir. There are several of them, ja^ed scratches in the 'shoulder and along the flank, like thorns or njiil?" "Or barbed wire?" suggested the heu tenant suddenly

Yes, sir, like as not though we hadn thought of that, not knowing of any fences hereabouts." "You'll see fence enough presently. That's where we'll find Sergt. Gwynne, too* Let your horses out a tittle. I want to get there before dark, if possible."

It was'dark in the timber, however, as they rode through and reined, up at the gateway. It would f»e half an hour at the very le:ist. thought Perry, before the doctor could join them, if he came at all. It was by no means certain that the messenger had overtaken him. and. even if he had. was it probable that the doctor would be in great haste to come? His mysterious movements of the morning, his undoubted connection with the night signals from the ranch, the fact that he had given his commanding officer no inkling whatever of these outside inter ests of his, all tended to make Perry distrustful of their post surgeon. He would not speak of it to a soul, or hint at the possibility of such a thing, until he had evidence that was indisputable, but the young officer was sorely perplexed by these indications of some secret and un-v lawful enterprise on the part of their new comrade, and he doubted his sympathy in the mission on which they had been hurried forth.

Dismounting to examine the gate while still pondering this matter over in his mind, Perry found it locked as securely as he had left it in the morning. The sergeant and his men dismounted, too. at a low spoken word from their officer, and stood at the heads of their panting horses, looking in silent surprise at the strong and impervious barrier that crossed their track. "The gate is locked and the fenco impassable. sergeant," said Mr. Perry. "We cannot get our horses through or over unless we hack down a post or two. You can't cut such wiro as this with any tool we've got. I'll leave Nolan here with you and go on to the ranch on foot it lies about half a mile to the south. If the doctor conies, he can follow me. If I do not come or send back in half an hour from this you three come after me. for I'll need you."

With'that, slowly and carefully, and not without a muttered malediction on the stinging barbs, Mr. Perry wriggled through Between the middle wires and finally stood within the inclosure, read justing his waist, belt and'holster. Then he took his revolver from its leathern case, carefully tried the hammer and cylinder, saw that each chamber was loaded, and turned once more to the sergeant. ••Your pistols all right?" "All right, sir fresh loaded when we started." "I don't know that they'll be necessary at all, sergeant but this is a queer place, from what I've heard and the little I've seen. Keep your eyes and ears open. Capt. Stryker and some of the men may come down into the valley if they find 110 trace of Gwynne up on the prairie. Watch for the doctor, too."

Then, through the deepening twilight he strode, following the trail that led southward up the slopes. Five minutes' brisk walk along the springy turf brought him to the crest and in view of the lights at the ranch buildings, still some six or seven hundred yards away. All through the eastern sky the stars were peeping forth, and even through the gleam of the twilight in the v. ijst two brilliant planets shone like molten gold. All was silence and peace on every hand, and, but for those guiding, glimmering lights the south, all would have told of desolation. Behind him in the valley waited his faithful men. Far beyond the Monee, out on the northern prairie, he knew that comrades wore scouring the face ol" the earth in search of their missing brother. Up the stream, somewhere behind them, the Cheyennes were patiently trailing the hoof tracks /is long as light should last he knew that search must be at an end by this time, and that some of tbelr number, at least, would be riding down to join his men. Whoever found the sergeant was to fire three shots in air the signal could be heard a long way in that intense stillness, and that signal was to recall the searching parties. Every step brought him deeper Into the darkness of the night, yet nearer and nearer those twinkling lights ahead. VV

Already he could distinguish thme in the main building, the homestead, from those more distant still, in the store rooms and office. Far over among the stables and corrals he heard the deep baying of hounds, and he wondered if it was to bp his luck to encounter any enterprising watch dogs. An English bull terrier would be a lively entertainer, thought he, with instinctive motion towards the flap of h?« bolster and it would be a wonder I! a ranch that surrounded itself with fifty miles of barbed wire feocirg wen- not further environed by a pack of watch dogs of the most approved and belligerent breed Once having pnnnrd the distant barrier of that gate 011 the Monee. however, his way was unimpeded, and, to all appearance, utterly unmarked he had arrived within fifty yards of the foremost building, the homestead, before be was brought to a halt. Then he

abort, sur­

prised, half credulous, and all attention, listening to the "concord of sweet sounds" that came floating from the open casement somewhere along the east front of the trig, gloomy house. "One part of the story verified, by Jorel Ifs a piano—and well played.

it

Full a minute he stood there listening. Perry was a dancer, whose nimble feet moved blithely to any measured, rhythmical strains, and a soldier whose soul was stirred by martial music, but with Chopin and Mendelssohn, Bach and Rubei isteiu he had but slight acquaintance. Tliat any one should be playing a piano here on the borders of the Lhno Estaendo Was in itself sufficient cause for wonderment that the invisible performer was playing—and playing with exquisite taste and feeling—oae of the loveliest of the "Lieder Ohne Worte." the "Spring Song," was a fact that conveyed no added astonishment to his soul he never knew it until one sweet night long after.

However, matters more pressing than music demanded Mr. Perry's attention just here He had reached Dunraven, after all Neither dog nor man had challenged. Once within those barbed and frowning barriers, all the encircling objects spoke of security and rest. Far awav towards the corrals he heard the sound of voices in jolly conversation a rich, melodious laugh rang out on the cool evening air he heard some one shouting genial good night to somebody else, and then the slam of a distant door. Presently a light popped out from a window in what he believed to be a storehouse, ami all was still again. Even the piano had censed. Now was I) is time, thought Perry and so, Ixildly mounting the steps, he stood upon a dark portico and strode to the black shadow in the wall before him where he knew the main doorway must be. It was his intention to knock or ring. Up stairs dim lights were shining through the open windows, but on this front of the grouud floor all was darkness. His gauntleted hand felt all the fact? of the door in search of a knob or knocker, but nothing of the kind was there neither was there such a thing on either door post. Just as ho decided to hammer with his clinched fist the piano began {tgain.

He waited for a pause, but none came. This time the music was vehement tund spirited, and no banging of his 011 oaken doorway would be audible against such rivalry Uncertain what to do, he concluded to reconnoiter the eastern front. A few steps brought him to the corner, and there lay the veranda before him, bathed at its farther end in a flood of light that streamed from one opened Venetian window, and through this curtained aperture poured the grand tones Of the melody. "Thai fellow can rattle more music out of a piano, than any man 1 ever heard." muttered Mr. Perry to himself, as he strode down the wooden gallery. "Wonder if it's that boss cow puncher 1 met this morning." Another moment and he stood at the open window, rooted to the spot, and with his frank blue eyes fairly starting from their sockets in amazement at the sight that a re a re

Across a spacious room, hung with rich curtains, carpeted with costly rugs of Oriental make, furnished with many a cozy chair and couch and tables covered with dainty brie-«u-brac, and shelves with tempting books, lighted byKtrveral large and beautiful astral lamps, some with colored shades of crimson and gold and delicate tint of blue, there stood close to the opposite wait a large piano of the class known as the "grand," rare enough among the railway towns west of the Mississippi* states, but utterly .unlooked for here, a week's long march from the nearest of the Texan railways. That in itself were sufRcienJ cause for much surprise, notwithstanding tho measure of preparation he had had in Mrs. Lawrence's remark,*.

The sight that well nigh took his breath away was something far more tli an the interior of a luxurious and beautifully appointed room. Nothing that had been said or hinted prepared him. in the faintest degree for the apparition facing him, seated at the piano, of a performer utterly unlike the "cow puncher" whom he had met in the morning. The "fellow" now bending over the key board was a young, exquisitely fair and graceful woman. Even as ho stood there in the full glare of the parJor lights, she lifted up a pair of soft, shaded, lustrous eyes and saw him.

The music stopped with sudden shock. Tannhnuser was undone. The firm, white shapely hands fell nerveless in her la»v a |aUor as of faintness shot over tht wild eyed face, only to ,1* instantly succeeded by a flush that surged up to her very brows. Startled she might have been for an instant scared —not a bit of it! One instant only of hesitation, then she rose and swept gallantly forward to meet him.

Instinctively Perry's hand went up to the visor of his forage cap and bared the bright, curling crop of hair. Speechless with, amaze, he could only bow before her and wait her question but it waa a moment before she could speak. Brave as die wu, the sudden apparition of a stranger staring in upon her solitude from an open casement was a shock that served to paralyze the vocal cords. He could see that she was making gallant effort to control the tremor that had seized upon her and to inquire the purpose of his coming. He could see, too, that the sight of the uniform had reassured her, and that there was neither indignation nor displeasure in her beautiful eyg^ Reserve, of course, he expected. [7b be Continued.']

In your throat, which makes you cough once In awhile and keeps you constantly clearing your throat, arises from catarrh, and as catarrh Is a constitutional disease the ordinary cough medicines all fall to hit the spot. What you need 1s a constitutional remedy like Hood's Sarsaparllla, Many people who have taken this medicine for scrofula, dyspepsia, lusa of appetite, and other troubles, bare been surprised that It should cure

this

stopped

troublesome cough. But to know the actual cause of the cough Is to solve the mystery. Many cases of consumption can be traced buck to the neglect of some such slight affection as this. Consumption can be controlled In its early stages, and the effect of Hood's Sarsaparilla in purifying the blood, building up the general health, and expelling the scrofulous taint which Is the cause of catarrh and consumption, has restored to perfect health many persons on whom this dreaded disease seemed to have a firm hold..

HI mm®

f, $

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