The evening world. Newspaper, July 31, 1915, Page 9

> \ * si © . c) tin hg ion ip y { A Western Romance i) t) ———. SE TOR ninaiaieeda MOopyright, 1906, by A. ©. McClurg Company.) StKoPats OF PRECEDING CHAPTER! > Hampton, it ton pamiblor and. man ata ta “ivfiens 8 He feols a "an Der and wens ty aloot ‘her yuRh and weeks to ailopt her as " ood folk of Gieneaid dimuade im rim hie, and Naida goes to live with a Mrs, ee, Phoebe ‘ : dance and meets Maida. each and ghé are at once strongly attract nts ber fk fm action in the ranks of the Seventh. ife, Sm ty to a h ¥ rescued by Brant, t and Naide confess their mutial lo ft tells Braot i ob i dea Sc tye CHAPTER’ XVII. (Continued.) The Old Regiment. EB had become wearied of the endless vista of desert, rock and plain. Yet now It strangely appealed to him In beauty. About him were those ‘uneven, rolling hills, like a vast storm lashed sea, the brown crests devold of life, yet with depressions between sufficient to conceal multitudes. Once © looked down through a wide cleft the face of the bluff and could Perceive the head of the slowly ad- vancing packtrain far below. Away to the left something was moving, a dim, shapeless dash of color, It might be Benteen, but of Reno's columns he could perceive nothing, nor anything of Custer’s excepting that broad track across the prairies marked by his horses’ hoofs. track Hampton followed, pre: fresh mount to increased speed, con- fident that no Indian spies would be loitering so closely in the rear of that body of cavalry, and becoming fearful lest the attack should occur before he could arrive. He dipped over a sharp ridge and came suddenly upon the rear-guard. They were a little squad of dusty, brown-faced troopers, who Instantly wheeled into line at sound of ap- proaching hoofs, the barrels of their lowered carbines glistening in the sun, With a swing of the hand, hoarse shout of “Despatche: beyond them, bending low over his saddle pommel, his eyes on the dust cloud of tie The extended line of hors: ing in column of fours, cam sudden halt, and he raced A little squad of officers, several of their number dismounted, were out in front, standing grouped just below the summit of a@ slight elevation, ap- parently looking off into the vailey through some cleft in the biuff be- yond, Standing among these, Hamp- ten perceived the long, fair hair, and the erect figure clad in the well- known frontier costume of the man be sought—the proud, dashing leader of light cavalry, that beau ideal of the sabyeur, the one he dreaded most, the one he loved best—Custer, The commander stood, field glasses in hand, pointing down into the val- ley, and the despatch bearer, reining in his horse, his lips white but reso- lute, trotted straight up the slope to- ward him, Custer wheeled, annoyed the interruption, and Hampton @wung down from the saddle, his rein flung across his arm, took a single step forward, lifting his hand in salute, and held forth the sealed packet. ‘Despatches, air,” he sald simply, standing motionless as a statue. The commander, barely glancing toward him, instantly tore open the Jong official envelope and ran his eyes over the despatch amid a hush in the conversation, “Gentlemen,” he commented to the little group gathered about him, yet without glancing up from the paper in his hand, “Crook was defeated over on the Rosebud the 17th and forced to retire, That will account for the unexpected number of hostiles front- ing us up here, Cook; but the greater the task the greater the glory. Ah! I thought as much. I am advised by the department to keep in close touch with Terry and Gibbons, and to hold off from making a direct attack until infantry can arrive in support. Rather late in the day, I take it, when we are already within easy rifle shot. | see nothing in these or. a to interfere with our pre plans nor any military necessity for playing hide and seek all summer in these hills, That looks like a big village down yonder, but T have led the dandy Seventh into others just as large. He stopped speaking and glanced up inquiringly into the face of the silent messenger, apparently mistak- ing him for one of his own men, “Where did you get this?” Cheyenne, sir. Yhat! Do you mean to say you brought it through from there?” . “Silent Murphy carried it as far as the Powder River. He went crazy there and 1 was compelled to strap him. 1 brought it the rest of the way.” ‘Where is Murphy?" “Back with the pack-train, sir, 1 got him through alive, but entirely gone in the head,” “Run across many hostiles in that region “They were thick this side the Rose- bud; all bucks, and travelling north.” Fried ook slowly crept into the ig face of the abrupt questioner, pis stern, commanding eyes studying the man standing motionless before him, with freshly awakened interest, The gaze of the other faltered, then came back courageous! “T recognize you now, quietly. “Am I to unde: in in the service ‘My presence here is purely acct Gen. Custer. The opportunity came to me to do this work, and 1 very gladly accepted the privilege. The commander hesitated, scarcely ‘knowing what he might be justified saying to this man, but I saw one band ‘heyenne war bonnets.” * Custer said, stand you are ‘BobHampton of SSOSSOSEES By RANDALL PARRISH Aathor of “THE RED MIST, lifted his hand in salute, tf ha i eth i i eh ait Placer: of the Big Outdoors i. i a, RAR ARARI “It was a brave deed, formed,” he said at with soldier- ly cordiality, “although I can hardly itting reward. jtood baraheaded, his face showing pale under its sunburn, his hand trembling violently where it rested against his horse's mane. “There is little I desire,” he replied, slowly, unablésto altogether disguise the quiver in his voice, “and that is to be permitted to ride once more into wel) per- The true-hearted, impulsive, maniy soldier fronting him reddened to the roots of his fafr hair, his proud eyes | instantly softening. For a second Hampton even imagined he would ex- tend his hand, but the other paused with one step forward, discipline proving stronger than impulse. “Spoken like a true soldier,” he ex- ‘claimed, a new warmth in his vote “You shall have your wish. Take position in Calhoun’s troop yonder. Hampton turned quietly away, lead- ing his horse, yet had scarcely ad- vanoed three yards before Custer; halted him. “T shall be pleased to talk with you agin after the fight,” he said, briefly, as though half doubting the propriety of such words. i The other bowed, his face Instant! brightening. “I thank you sincerely. The perplexed commander stood motionless, gazing after the receding figure, his face grown grave and thoughtful. Then he turned to the wondering adjutant beside him, “You never knew him, did you, Cook?" 4 | “I think not, sir; who is ptain Nolan—you have heard the “Cal story The young officer wheeled about, staring, but the despatch bearer had | already become indistinguishable among the troopers, “Is that so?” he exclaimed, dent surprise. “He has ace, “Ay, and he w: ever fought unde: 4 Custer frankly. “Poor devil! The hardest service I was ever called upon to perform was the day we broke him. I wonder if Calhoun will reco nize the face? They were good friends once, He stopped speaking and for a time his fleld glasses were fastened upon a| small section of Indian village nestled | in the green valley, Its full extent! was concealed by the hills, yet from| what the watchers sgw they realized | that this would prove no small en- campment. “I doubt if many warriors are! there," he commented, at last. “They | may have gone up the river to inter- cept Reno's advance, and if so tt should be our time to strike. But we| are not far enough around, and this ground 1s too rough for cavalry There looks to be considerable level land out yonder, and that coulee ought to lead us into it without peril of observation from below, Return to your commands, gentlemen, and with the order of march see person- ally that your men move quickly, We must strike quick and hard, drivir the wedge home with a single blow His inquiring gaze swept though fully over the expectant faces of his troop commanders. “That will be all at present, gentlemen; you will re- quire no further instructions until we deploy. Capt. Calhoun, just a word, please. The officer thus directly addressed, a handsome, stalwart man of middle age, reined in his mettlesome horse and waited “Captain, the messenger who has just brought us despatches from Cheyenne ts a civilian, but has re- quested permission to have a share in this coming fight. I have assigned him to your troop.” Thoun bowed, I thought it best to spare you any possible embarrassment by saying that the man is not entirely unknown to you “May I ask his name?” “Robert Nolan. The strong, under its tan, with a smil T thank you, Nolan will not suffer at my hands.” He rode straight toward his troop, his eyes rehing the ranks until they rested upon the averted face of Hampton, He pressed forward and leaned from the saddle, extending a gauntleted hand. “Nolan, old man, welcome back to the Seventh!” For an instant their eyes met, those of the officer filled with manly sympathy, the other's moistened and dim, his face lke marble. ‘Then the two hands clasped and clung in a grip more eloquent than words, The lips of the disgraced soldier quiv- ered, and he uttered not a word, It as Calhoun who spoke. “T meant it all, Nolan, From that it day to this I have believed in you~ have held you friend.” For & moment the man_ reeled; then, as though inspired by a new born’ hope, he sat firmt and “Those are ‘words I have 1 1 to hear spoken for fifteen years, ‘They are more to me than life, May God help me to be worthy of them. Oh, Calhoun, Calhoun! ‘or a brief space the two remained still and silent, their faces reflecting repressed feeling, Then the voice of command sounded out in front; Cal- houn gently withdrew his hand from the other's p. and with howed head rode sowly to the front of his troop. In column of fours, silent, with not a canteen rattling, with scabbards thrust under thefr stirrup leathers, each man sitting his saddle like a statue, ready carbine flung forward across the pommel, those sunburnt troopers moved steadily down the coulee, There was no pomp, no sparkle of gay uniforms, No military band rode forth to play their famous battle tune of “Garry- owen"; no flags waved above to 11- spire them, yet never before or since to w field of strife and death rode nobler héarts or truer. Troop follow- ing troop, their faded, patched uni- forms brown with dust, their cam- paien hats pulled down low to shade them from the glaw, those dauntless cavalrymen of the Seventh swept across the low intervening ridge to- ward the fateful plain below. The troopers riding at either side of Hampton, wondering still at their captain's peculiar words and action, glanced curiously at their new com- rade, marvelling at his tightly pressed lips, his moistened eyes. Yet in all the glorious oglumn, no heart lighter WHAT KIND oF CLOTHES ARE You CLOING “To WEAR IN THAT CAMP than his, or happier, pressed forward to meet a warrior’s death. CHAPTER XVIII. The Last Stand. JOWEVER daring the pen, it } cannot but falter when at- tempting to picture the events of those hours of vic- torious defeat. Out from the scene of carnage there crept forth no white survivor to recount the heroic deeds of the Seventh Cavalry. No voice can ever repeat the story in its fulness, no eye penetrate into the heart of its mystery, Only in motionless lines of dead, officers and men lying as they fell while facing the foe; in emptied carbines strewing the prairie; in scattered, mutilated bodies; in that unbroken ring of dauntless souls whose Jifeless forms Jay clustered about the figure of their stricken chief on that slight eminence marking the final struggle—only in such tokens can we trace the broken outlines of the historic picture, The actors in the great tragedy have Passed beyond either the praise or the blame of earth, With moistened eyes and swelling hearts, we vainly strive to imagine the whole scene. ‘This, at least, we know; no boider, nobler deed of arms was ever done, Tt was shortly after two o'clock in the afternoon when that compact column of cavalryinen moved silently forward down the, concealing coulee toward the more open ground beyond. Custgr's plan was surprise, the sud- den ‘smiting of that village in the valley from the rear by the quick charge of his horsemen, From man to man the whispered purpose travel- Jed down the ranks, the eager troop- ers greeting the welcome message with kindling eyes. It was the old Way of the Seventh, and they knew it well The very horses seamed to feel the electric shock, — Worn with hard marches, bronzed by long weeks of posure on alkali plains, they ad- vanced now with the precision of men on parade, under the observant eyes of the officers. Not a canteen tinkled, not a sabre rattled within its scabbard, as at a swift, noiseless walk those tried warriors of the Seventh pressed forward to strike once more their old-time foes. Above them a few stray, fleecy clouds flecked the blue of the arching sky, serving only to reveal its depth of color, On every side extended the rough irregularity of a region neither mountain nor plain, a land of ridges and bluffs, depressions and ravines. Over all rested the golden sunlight of late June; and in all the broad ex- poise there was no sign of human presence, With Custer riding at the head of the column, and only @ little to the rear of the advance seouis, his adju- tant Cook, together with « volunteer aide, beside him, the five depleted troops filed resolutely forward, dreaming not of possible defeat, Sud- denly distant shots were heard far off to their left and rear, and deepen- ing into a rumble, evidencing a warm engagement. The interested troopers lifted their heads, listening intently, while eager whiepers ran from man to man along the closed files. “Reno is going in, boys; it will be turn next.” “Close up! Quiet there, lads, quiet,” oMcer after officer passed the word of command, Yet there were those among them who felt # strange dread—that firing ° \ + | WILL TAKE ONLY OLD CLOTHES THE CAT | I KNEW SHE WOULD DRESS Fit To Kite sounded so far up the stream from where Reno should have been by that time. Still it might be that those overhanging bluffs would muffle deflect the reports. Those fighting men of the Seventh rode steadily on, unquestioningly pressing forward at the word of their beloved leader. All about them hov- ered death in dreadful guise. None among them saw those cruel, spying eyos watching from distant ridges, peering at them from concealed ra vines; none marked the rapidly mass- ing hordes, hideous in war paint, crowded into nearby coulees and be- hind protecting hills. It burst upon them with wild yells. The gloomy ridges blazed into ther startled faces, the dark ravines hurled at them skurrying horsemen, while, wherever their eyes , they be- held savage forms leaping forth from hill and coulee, gulch and rock shad- ow. Horses fell, or ran about neigh- ing; men flung up their hands and died in that first awful minute of con- sternation, and the little column seemed to shrivel away as if o sumed by the flame which struck it, front and flank and rear. Tt was as if those men had ridden into the mouth of hell, God only knows the horror of that first moment of shrinking suspense—the screams of agony from wounded men and horses, the cries of.fear, the thunder of charging hoofs, the deafening roar of rifl Yet it was for scarcely more than a minute, Men trained, strong, clear of brain, were in those stricken lines —men who had seen Indian battle before. The recoll came, swift as had been the surprise. Voice after voice rang out in old familar orders, steadying instantly the startled nerves; discipline conquered dis order, and the shattered column rolled out, as if by magic, into the semblance of a battle line. On foot and on horseback, the troopers of the Seventh turned desperately at bay. It was magnificently done, Custer and his troop-commanders brought their sorely smitten men into a post- lion of defense, even hurled cheering forward in short, swift arges, So as to clear the front and gain room in which to deploy. Out of confusion emerged discipline, con- fidence, esprit de corps, The savages skurried away on their quirt-lashed ponies, beyond range of those flaming carbines, while the cavalrymen, paus- ing from vain pursuit, gathered up their wounded, and re-formed their disordered ranks. “Wait till Reno rides into village,” cried — encouraged through parched lips. “Phen give them hell!” Bafe beyond range of the troop- ers’ light carbines, the Indians, with their heavier rifles, kept hurling a ant storm of lead, hugging the 3, and spreading out until there no rear toward which the assed cavalrymen could turn for safety, One by one, continually un- der a heavy fire, the scattered troops were formed into something more nearly resembling a battle line—Cal- houn_on the left, then Keogh, Smith and Yates, with Tom Custer holding the extreme right. ‘The position taken was far from he- ing an ideal one, yet the best possibla under the circumstances, and the @x- hausted men flung themselves down behind low ridges, seeking protection from the Sioux bullets, those assigned to the right enjoying the advantage of & somewhat higher elevation, Thus they wal grimly for the next as- sault. Nor was it long delayed. Searcély ’ their volees we'll MY TouqHest OLDEST CLOTHES, NOBODY DRESSES ere , DON'T AIKE ANY Good THE CAT! I KNEW SHE ( FIT To KILL pa = had the troopers recovered, refilled their depleted cartridge belts from those of ther dead comrades, when the onslaught came. Lashing their ponies into mad gal- lop, now sitting erect, the next mo- ment lying hidden behind the plung- ing animals, constantly screaming their shrill war’ cries, thelr guns brandished in alr, they swept onward, seeking to crush that thin line in one terrible ons But they reckoned wrong. The soldiers waited their com- ing. The short, bi®wn-barrelled car- bines gleamed at the level in the sunlight, and then belched forth their message of flame into the very faces of those reckless horsemen It was not in flesh and blood to bear such a blow. With screams of Ps » red braves swerved to left ad right, leaving many a dark, war hedecked | figure lying dead ind them, and many a riderless pony scurrying over the prairie, Yet their wild ride had not been altogether in Vain; like a whirlwind they had struck against Calhoun on the flank, forcing his troopers to yield sullen ground, thus contracting the little semi-circle of defenders, pressing it back against that central hill It was a step nearer the end, yet those who fought scarcely realized Its significance, Exultant over their seemingly successful repulse, the men flung themselves again upon the earth, their cheers ringing out above the thud of retreating hoofs “We can hold them here, boys, un- til Reno comes,” they shouted to each other, The skulking red riflemen crept ever closer behind the ridges, driving their deadly missiles into those ranks exposed in the open. Twice squads dashed forth to dislodge these bunds, out were in turn driven back, the line of fire continually creeping nearer, clouds of smoke concealing the cau- Ucus marksmen lying prone in the Brae, Custer walked up and down the tr- regular line, cool, apparently unmov- d, speaking words of approval to fficers and men, To the command of the bugle they discharged two roaring volleys from their carbines, hopeful that the combined sound might reach the ears of the lagging Reno. They were hopeful yet, al- though one troop had only a sergeant left In command, and the dead bodies of their comrades strewed the plain. Twice those fierce red horsemen tora down upon them, forcing the thin, struggling ling back by sheer strength of overwhelming numb yet no madly galloping warrior su ceeded jn bursting through. The hot brown barrels belched forth their lightnings into their painted faces, and the swarms of savagery melted away The living sheltered themselves by hind the bodies of their dead, figh ing now in desperation, their hors stampeded, their ammunition all gone excepting the fow cartridges remain- ing in the walst-belts. From lip to lip passed the one vital question: “In God's name, where Is Reno? at has become of the rest of the boys?" Tt was four o'clock, For two long hours they had been engaged In ceaw less struggle; and now barely a hun- dred men, smoke-begrimed, thirsty, bleeding, half their carbines empt they still formed an impenetrable ring around their chief. The struggle was over, and they realized the fact. When that wave of savage horge- mon swept forth again It would be to ride them down, to crush them uns der jheir horses’ pounding They turned their loyal eyes Bim they loved and followed CLOTHES WouLDd DRESS S oF 0) SN ONL PF * fel, y Jast time, and when he uttered one final word of undaunted courage, they cheered bim faintly, with parched and fevered tips. Like a whirlwind those red demons n6--howling Wolves now certain of r prey. From rock and hill, ridg ine, and coulee, lashing their half- crazed ponies, yelling their fierce war cries, swinging aloft their rifles, they poured resistiessly forth, sweeping down on that doomed remnant, On both flanks of the short slender line struck Gall and Crazy Horse, while like a thunderbolt Crow King and In-in-the-Face attacked the contre, These three storms converged at the foot of the little hill, crushing the little band of troopers, With am munition gone, the helpless victims could meet that mighty on-rushing torrent only with clubbed guns, for one Instant of desperate struggle Shoulder to shoulder, in e tracting circle, officers and m shielding their commander t Foot by foot, they were forced back, treading on their wounded, stumbling over their dead; they were choked In the stifling smoke, scorched by the flaming guns, clutched at by red hands, beaten down by horses’ hoofs Twenty or thirty made a despairing dash, in a vain endeavor to burst through the red enveloping lines, only to be tomahawked or shot; but the most remained, a thin struggling ring, with Custer In'its centre, ‘Then came the Inevitable end surged completely across the crest, no white man left alive upon the field They had fought a good fight; they had kept the faith. Two days later, having relieved Reno from his unpleasant predica ment in the valley, Terry's and bons's Infantry tramped up the ravine and emerged upon the stricken field. In lines of motionless dead they read the fearful story; and there they found that man we know. Lying upon a bed of emptied cart- ridge-shells, his body riddied with shot and mutilated with knives, his clothing torn to rags, his hands grasp- ing a amashed and twisted carbine, his Ips smiling even In death, was that soldier whom the Seventh had Aisowned and cast out, but who had come back to defend tts chief and to die for its honor—Robert Hamptoa Nolan. CHAPTER XIX. The Curtain Falls. RONZPD by months of scouting on those northern plains, a graver, older look upon his face, and the bars of a captain gracing the shoulders of hiv new cavalry jacket, Donald Brant trotted down the stake road bordering the Rear Water, his heart alternating between hepe and dread The familar yellow house at the cross-roads appeared #o unatttrictive as to suggest the thought that \Naida must have been inexpressibly lonely during those months of waiting. He knocked at the sun-warped door. Without delay it was flung open, and vision of flushed face and snowy drapery confronted him, “Why, Lieutenant Brant! T was ever more surprised in my life. Do, Bray. come right in, Yes, Naida is eve, and I will have her sent for at Howard, this is Lieutenant rant from his awful Ind i How xery nice that hi a) to arrive just at ae The young oMoer, as yet unable to discover an opportunity for speech, silently accepted Mr. Wynkoop's ex- tended hand, and found a conv ¢ a8 Miss Spencer hi Mr. Wynkoop cleared his throat. “Why—why, you see, we are to be We-we shall be so de- ave you witness the cere- mony. It ls to take place at the church, and my people insist upon making quite an affair out of the oo- casion—Phoebe is so popular, you know.” The lady again bustied in, her eyes glowing with enthusiasm, “Why, I | tuink it is perfectly delightful. Don't you, Howard? Now Lieut, Brant and | Naida can stand up with us. You will, won't you, Lieutenant?” “That must be left entirely with Miss Naida for decision,” be replied, soberly. “However, with hf memory of your popularity L should suppose you would have no lack of men sock. ing such honor. For instance, one of | your old-time friends, Mr, William MoNeil.” The lady laughed notatly, regard- leas of Mr, Wynkoop's look of annoy- ‘Oh, it is so perfectly Tidicu- And dido't you Know? Haven't you heard?” “Nothing, I assure you.” “Why be—he actually married the Widow Gufty. She's twice his age and has @ grown-up son. And to | think that I supposed he w He did write beautiful verses. ita perfect shame for such a throw himself away like that “It would seem so. But there was another whose name I recall—Jack | Moffat. Why not have him?” Miss Spencer glanced uneasily at her chosen companion, her cheeks |reddening. But that gentleman re- 4 provokingly silent, and compelled to reply. never mention him as a very bad man.” t an to any “Yes; it seems he had a wife and four children he had run away from, back in Lowa, Perhaps that was why siways looked so sad. She ivertised for him in one of papers, It was a terrible k to all of us. TL wae #0 grateful |to Howard that he gucoeeded in Jopening my eyes in tim af Mr. Wynkoop placed his hand gen- ‘tly upon her shoulder, “Never mind, \dearie,” he said, cheerfully. “ | West was all so strange to you, and it seemed very wonderful at ret, But | that is ali safely over with now, and, as my wife, you will forget the un- | pleasant memories.” And Miss Spencer, Ito Brant’s presence, jsively and kissed him. There was a, rustio at the inner door, and Naida @tood there, Their eyes’ met and the color mounted swiftly to the girl's checks, Then he stepped resolutely forward, forgeful of ull other presence, and clasped her hand in both his own, Neither spoke a word, yet each understood some- thing of what was in the heart of the other, “Will you walk outside with me? ho asked, at last. “I have much to. say which Iam sure you would rather hear alone, She bent her head, and with a brief word of explanation to the others, the young officer conducted her forth into the bright July sunshine, They walked in silence side by side along the bank of the little stream. glanced furtively toward the sweet, girlish face. He realized where they were going now, where memory had brought them without conscious volition, As he led her across the rivulet she glanced up into his fage with though a happy recollection t upon her, Yet not @ word ken until the barrier of un- srhbrush bad been completely pen they stood to ft trees. ‘Then Brant spol ‘he said, gravely, “I have come back, as I said [I would, and surely L read welcome in your eyes?” es." “And T have come to say that there totally oblivious turned impul- is no longer any shadow of the dead © between us.” She looked up quickly, her hands clasped, her cheeks flushing. “Are you sure? Perhaps you misunder- ing. “IL know ft all,” he anewered, so- berly, “from the lips of Hampton.” “You have seen him? Oh, Lieuten- Brant, ple tell me the whole 1 have missed him eo much, ant truth, Cheyenne not one word to explain his absence haa come back to me. You eainot understand what this means, how much he has become to me through years of kindness.” “You have heard nothing? “Not a word.” Brant drew a long, deep dreath. He had supposed she knew this, At last he said gravely: “Naida, the truth will prove the kindest message, I think, He died in that unbroken ring of defenders clustered about General Custer on the bluffs of the Little Big Horn.” Her slight gure trembled #0 violently that he held her close within his arma. “There was a smile upon his face when we found him. He performed his duty, Ngida, and died as became 4 soldier and gentleman.” “ut—-but, this cannot be! I saw 1 list; his name was not them.” man who fell was Robert ntly he drew her down to @ seat upon the soft turf of the bank, She looked up at him helplessly, her mind seemingly dazed, her eyes yet fille@ with doubt Nolan? My father?” nt over toward her, pressing to her hair and stroking it with his hand, Naida, darling; {t was truly lampton Nolan who died tn in the ranks of his old regi- died as he would have chosen to die, and died, thank God! compele- ly cleared of every stain upon his hon- or, Sit wp, little girl, and listen while I tell you. There ts in the story no word which docs not reflect nobility upon the soldier's daugher.” She uplifted her white face, ‘Tell me.” she sald, simply, “all you know,” He recounted to her slowly, care fully, the details of thi desperate journey northward, of th roviden= tial meeting the Little Horn, of the papers left in bie of 4 his lips tenderly "You, Robert battle, fou eludt a will married this evening—Miss Spencer nami i with deased to y of the crime a victed, as well as some other of personal nature. That letter must read alone as his last M by Murphy, who ts now. in the hospital at Bethune, slowly re- covering, His sworn deposi been forwarded to the Washington, and will undout sult in the honorable ‘our father’s name on the Army will tell you briefly the man’s en fession, together with the few 4 Honal facta necessary to clear, Your father and mine were for many years friends and~ radem They saw service during the great war, and upon the plains ip Indian ing. Unfortu y a slight derstanding arose between them, while not serious itself, bitter by the interference and the unaccountable a | @arrigon life, One night they quarreiled when heated by wine: exchanged blows, if ; “The following evenin, chancing to be Officer “of the and on duty, my father, whose had then m dead @ year, thoughtless enoug! Mra. Nolan home at a late hour the post 1, It was merely an courtesy; but magnified the tale and bore it to jan. a Searing. from the former. quar: in whic! fear my father was in the wrong, he left the 4 with the openly avowed intention ‘king immediate satisfaction, “In the mean while Slavin, and & trooper named Flynn, who been to town without were half drunk, stole throug guard Ilnes, and’ decided to a midnight raid on the colonel's oftice Dodging along be} powder house, they ran } upon my father, then on the way to bis own quarters. Whether they recognised by him, or whether made them reckless of ls unknown, but one of the a ted.” 0! iho at as if fascinated by bie eve ital. “Your father heard the shot, sprang toward the sound, only t beadiong across my father's . As he came down revolver was jarred out of its and dropped unnoticed in the An instant later the guard came ning up, and by morning Capt. MW ye under arrest, charged with muse — “The circumstantial evidence strong—his quarrel with the gored mse, ae Be ni) es pron few momen’ revious, tl lying beside the body, having two — chambers discharged, and his found there alone with the man had gone forth to seek. Slavin Flynn both strengthened the positive testimony. As a court-martial dismissed the In disgrace from the army and & court sentenced him to ten years’ prisonmen ‘And my mother?’ The was a trembling whteper its aig regretfully, “Your mother,” he sald “was an Pegg pen woman, belonging to @ family of social nenoe in the Enst. She felt * the causeless gossip name with the case, as well ag open diegrace of her viction. She refused to recetve former friends, and even alty to your father tn his It impoastble now to y or to account for her ‘apt. Nolan turned over procery to her, and the n could do so she disappeared from fort, taking you with her, From hour none of her old Tho red waves stand; perhaps you mistake my mea@D- could learn anyth! ti 7 whereabouts, She ‘ata not her family tn the East or co with any one in the army. utterly broken hearted, she seclusion in some city, How obtained possession of you »- and since the day he rode away to & mystery.” 9 that allt “verything.” They kept silence for a | e her lap. heort, heavy with sympathy, not permit bim to break 11 deep sorrow with words ot is he whisp “this may not be the time for speak such words, but you alone now. Will you go Bethune with me—back to the regiment as my wife?” moment she bowed her fore him; then lifted it and her hands “I will.” ‘Say to me again what you enee Donald, I love you." re! Gently he drew her down to him, and their lips met. . ‘The red sun was sinking behind fringe of trees and the nook in which they sat was fast. He had been wat silence, unable to escape little hurt because of her grave and those tears yet clinging to lashe I wish you to be very Nalda, dear," he whispered, her head tenderly down uatil it rest upon his shoulder, 4 “Yes, I feel you do, and I emp it cannot come all at once, D for T have lost so m I—I hope he knows.” (The End.) GOING AWAY FOR VACATION? Remember.’ Evening World pans en a complete up- no week's ceatinal Have The Bye ning py sent to