t ?r?" THB IJLK0A8TER DAILY INTMQCJaR, 8ATU ', u SW,'.'' 'IS i DUNRAVEN RANCfi. ' 'U A Story of American' Frontier Life. By C APT. CHARLES KING, U. S. A., AUTKOm OF "THS OOUMMlfU DAtTCMRVR," urOM THS KAMXB," CeHrrlgatee, tSM, by J B. Lisflacett Special Arraageattat threas;h . TeD3wia( tha trail, lie reds down s mm tall Salt mile, and still taste MMMaObTMk. KQWb(M0lMOtaer faere wai tfeere sign of bridle fata lead faenptae steps. Tur&tafttehis.sftia east Impatience, Im ssnrNelan st rapid lop mtem tb utetrealng "bottom," aadsoeareeebed the blots, waich reaa perhaps forty ee Sfty (act above tha stream, Oaea ea tha crtat, tha prairia strsteaed before aim northward, level aa anoer.ontll it mat tha sky j but it waa aenthward ba longed te leek, and thither quickly turned. Yea, thera it lay Dun raven Ranch, In all ita lonely majesty. Frem where he gased the nearest build ing steed a geed long mile away. That It waa the homestead he divined at once, for a bread veranda ran around the lower story, and white curtains were visible at the dormer windows of the upper fleer. Back of it and en the eastern flank were ether buildings, massive look ing, single storied affairs, vldentlr stables, storehouses and corrals. Thera was a tall windmill there en odd sight in se remote a region and a big water tank. Perry wondered hew it ever get there. Then at the southwest angle was a build ing that looked like an office of some kind. He could see horses tethered there, and what seemed te be human figures moving about. Beyond it all, te the east and south, wcre herds of grazing cattle, and here and there in the dim dis tance a horseman moved ever the prai rie. This reminded him of the stranger who had given him the slip; and he gazed westward in search of liim. Far up the valley, between him nnd the distant pest, he could plainly see a black object just descending the Elopes from the southern prairie te the stream. Net another was in sight that his prac ticed eye did net .knew te be cattle. That, then, was his horseman, once mere going fort-wards in the valley, after hav ing made a three or four mile detour te avoid him. "New, what sortef a Chris tian is tliat fellow?" thought Perry, as he gazed at the distant speck. "Going te the fort, tee. By thunder! I'll find out who he is, anyhow. New I'm going te the ranch." Down the dopes he rode. Down the winding trail once moie he trotted, peer ing through every gap among the cot cet cot tenwoods, slaking Nelan's thirst nt a lit tle peel in the stream, and then, after another long half mile, lie came te a sudden turn te the right. The read dipped and twisted through the Etrcam bed, rose te the ether side, wound through the cottonweeds and then out en the open turf. Huzzal There it stretched up the slepesstralght away for the south, straight through a bread gap between two heavy gate pests standing en the stake line of that rigid fence. Nelan broke into a brisk canter and gave a neigh of Balutatieu; Perry's eyes glistened with anticipation aa he bent ever his charger's neck, keenly searching the odd looking structure growing en his vision as they neared the fence. Then, little by little, Nelan's eager stride shortened and grew choppy. Anether moment, and horse and rider reined up short in disappointment. Between the gate pests swuug a barrier of cobweb lightness, slender and airy as spider ever were, but bristling with barbs, stiff as "bullfinch" and unyielding as steel. One glunce showed Perry that this inhospitable gate was firmly locked. Fer a moment he sat in saddle, study ing the situation, while Nelan poked his head ever tlie topme3t strand of wlre and keeping at respectful distance from the glittering barb3 Razed wistfully ever the inclesed prairie in search of comrade quadruped who could tell him what manner of place this was. Meantime his rider was intently eying the heavy padlock that was secured en the inner side of the gate. It was square in shape, massive- and bulky something utterly unlike anything ha had ever seen among the quartermaster's stores. Dismount ing and holding Nelan well back from the aggressive fence with one hand, lie .gingerly passed the ether through the spike fringed aperture and turned the padlock se as te get a better view. It was of English make, as he surmised, and of strength sufficient te resist any thing short of a trip hammer. Evident ly no admission was te be gained here, he reasoned, and yet it was through here that that horsemen had come but en hour be fore. Here were the fresh hoof prints in the trail, and it was evident that the rider had dismounted, opened the gateL led his hore tlueugh, closed and fast ened it, then remounted and ridden away. Perry was plainsman enough te i ead this from the hoof prints. Studying them carefully, a leek of surprise came into his face; he bent down and closely examined the two or three that were most clearly defined upon the trail, then gave a long whistle as a. means of ex pressing his feelings and giving play te his astonishment. "Johnny Bull holds himself tee high and mighty te have anything te de ith us blarhted Yankees, it seems, except when he wants his horses shed. 'Ihe&e shoes were set at the pest blacksmith shop, or I'm a duffer," was the lieuten ant's verbal comment. "New, hew win it dene without the quartermaster's LueAing it? That's the cavalry shoe!" Pondering ever this unlooked for revo reve Jatinn, Mr. Perry once mere mounted and turned his disappointed steed again down stream. At last, full half u mile farther en, he saw tliat a wire fence ran southward again across the prairie, as though marking the eastern Leundary of the homestead inclesure, nnd con jecturing that there was probably a trail along tliat fence and an opening through, even if the southeastward line should be found fenced still farther, he sent Nelan through the Menee te the open bank en the northern side, cantered along until the trail turned abruptly southward, and, following it, found himself once mere at the fence just where the heavy corner pest steed deeply Imbedded in the soil. Sura enough, here ran another fence straight up tlie gentle slope te the south, a trail along its eastern side, and a bread cattle gap, dusty and tramped with the hoofs of a thousand steers, was left in the fence that, prolonged down stream, spanned the northern boundary. Inside the homestead let all was virgin turf. Following the southward trail, Perry rede briskly up the long InclLie. It wai east of this fence ha had seen the cattle herds and their mounted watchers. fe waa-far beyond the ranch buildings, but felt sure tliat once well up en the prairie he could have en uninterrupted view of them and doubtless meet seme of the ranch people and satisfy himself what there was in the stories of their churlish and repellent demeanor. The sun was climbing higher all this time, and he, ager i". pursuit of his rtCQAJjelsunss, L"UTO. Comply, Paitaajphla, aa Pabllshed by tke American Press Asseciatien. gave llttle heed te Meeting minutes. It fair means could accomplish, it, he and Nelan were bound te have acquaintance with Dunraven llanch. Ten minutes' easy lope brought him well up en the prairie. There westward new was the mystereus clump of brown buildings, just as far away as when he steed, baffled and disappointed, by the gateway en tha Menee. Here, leading away towards the distant buildings, was a bridle path. Herein the fence was a gap just such as he had entered en the stream, and that gap was barred and guarded by the counterpart of the first gate and firmly secured by a padlock that was the ether's twin. Mr. Perry's comment at this point of his explora tions was brief nnd characteristic, if net objectionable. He gave vent te the same low whistle, half surprise, half vexation, that had comforted Ids soul before, but supplemented the whistle with the unnecessary remark: "Well, I'll be damned!" Even Nelan entered his pretest against such incredible exclusiveness. Thrusting his lean head far ever the topmost wires, as before, he signaled long nnd shrill a neigh that would have caught the ear of any herse within a mile and then, all alert, he waited for an answer. It cania floating en the rising wind, a re re re sponsive call, a signal as eager nnd con fident ns his own, and Nel.m and No Ne lan's rider whirled quickly around te bee the seurce from whence it rose. Four hundred yards away, just appearing ever a little knell in the prairie, and moving towards them from the direction of a distant clump of grazing cattle, another horse and rider came trotting into hail ing distance; and Perry, his bright blub eyes dilating, and Nelan, his dainty, sen sitive cars pricked forward, turned promptly te meet and greet the new ar rivals. Fer fifty yards or se the stranger rode confidently and at rapid trot. Perry smilingly watched the eutturned tees, the bobbing, "bent ever" seat, and an gular elbows that seemed sostrnngeand outefplacoon the bread Texan plain, lie could almost see the "crop" in the free hand, nnd was smiling te himself at the idea of a "crop" te open wire gates, when he became aware of the fact tliat the stranger's mien had chang ed; confidence was giving place te hes itancy, end he was evidently checking the rapid trot of his herse and throwing his weight hack en the cantle, while his feet, thrust through te the very heels in the gleaming steel stirrups, were braced in fient of the ewerful shoulders of the bay. The horse wanted te come, the rider plainly wanted te step. Anether moment, and Perry could sce that the stranger were eyeglasses nnd had just succeeded in bridging them en his nose nnd was glaring at him with his chin high in air. They wcre within two hun dred yards of each ether by this time, and te Perry' astonishment, the next thing the stranger did was te touch sharply his herse with a barbed heel, whirl him spitefully nbeut, nnd go bob bing off acres the prairie nt lively can ter, standing up in his stirrups, nnd be striding hi? steed as though his object wcre net se much a rlde nsgamn of leap frog. It was evident that he had caught sight of Perry w hen Nelan neighed, had i id- I den at ence te meet hlra, expecting te tlnil seme one connected with the ranch, and had veered elf In disgust the mo ment he was able te recognize the uni form and herse equipments of the United States cavalry. CHAPTER IV. U'EMT ,n..,.-.,.1 t,.. 'Ttjfe low as Mr. IVrry con fessedly was, there w.is some thing in the stranger's conduct that galled him incxpr.'s-i Mbly. 1-ieui his hand some mount; his garb and his general appearance, Perry hct this stranger down as one of tlie Englishmen residing at the ranch. It was net fear of arrest and capture that sent him scowling away acreis tlie prairie; it was deliberate in tent te avoid, mid this was, te Perry's thinking, tantamount te insult. One moment he g.ied after the retreating form of the lierteman, then clapped his ferage cap firmly down upon his head, shook free the rein and gave Nelan the longed for word. Anether instant, nnd with set teeth and blazing, angry eyes he was thundering at headlong speed, sweeping down upon the unconscious stranger in pursuit. Before that sun burned, curly haired, bulkily framed young man had the faintest idea of what was impending, Mr. Perry was reining in his snorting steed alongside and cut tingly accosting him: "I beg your pardon, my geed sir, Im may I ask what you mean by trotting away when it must have been evident that I wanted te speak with you?" The stranger turned slightly and coolly eyed the flushed and indignant cavalry man. They were trotting side by si de new, Nelan plunging excitedly, but the English herse maintaining his even stride; and btrotigercentrant et type and style ene could scarcely hepe te find. In rough tweed sheeting jacket and cap, brown Bedford cords fitting snugly at the knee but Happing like shapeless bags from there aloft te the waist, in heavy leather gaiters and equally heavy leather gloves, the stocky figure of the English man had nothing of grace or elegance, but was sturdy, strong, and full of that burly self reliance w hlcli is se charac terestlc of the race. Above his bread, steeping shoulders were a bull neck, red dened by the sun, a crop of close curl ing, light brown hair, a tanned nnd honest face lighted up by fearless gray eyes and shaded by a thick nnd curling beard of lighter hue than the hair of his massive head. He rede with the careless ease and su preme confidence of the skilled horse man, but with that angularity of feet and elbow, that roundness of back and bunching of shoulders, that incessant rise and fall with every beat of .his rt-'JJ -t 1 flu w Qt crz. Mill- ? n H Pu xr dLrC ?& .. hena's jwrful hauaeh,vtluttW effect was that of neither teemrity aer reyeae. His saddle, tee, waa tha kmf , flat NateA Australian medel.pig akta, with hug rounded leathern cushion circling In front aaa ever the knees, adding te tha cutabrqpsneM of his equipment and in no wise te the comforts but his bit and curb chalH wars of burnished steel, , gbaaslag as though fresh from the hands of some Incomparable English groom, and the russet reins were aeft and plia ble, telllng'ef excellent stable manage ment and discipline. Perry couldn't help admiring that bridle, even in his temporary tit of indignation. As for hum tall, slender, elegantly made, clothed in the accurately fitting undress "blouse" of the army and In rid ing breeches that displayed te best ad vantage the superb melding of his pow erful thigh, sitting like centaur well down la the saddle, his feet and lewet legs, cased in natty riding beets, swing ing close in behind the gleaming shoul ders of his steed, erect as en parade, yet swaying with' every motion of his horse, graceful, gallant, and te the full as new erful as his burly companion, the advan tage in appearance was all en Perry's side, and was heightened by Nelan's spirited action and martial trappings. Perry was an exquisite in his soldier taste, and never, except en actual cam paign, rode his troop horse without his broidered saddle cloth and gleaming bosses. All this, and mere, the English man seemed quietly noting as, finally, without the faintest trace of irritability, with even a suspicion of humor twink ling about the corners of his mouth, he replied: "A fellow may de as he likes when he's en his own bailiwick, I suppose." "All the same, wherever I've been, from here te Assinlbela, men meet like Christians, unless they happen te be read agents or cattle thieves. What's mere, I nm an nffli-ni r9 n rnrrtniAnt 4i(ef nrrtt-nrl isn't n ranch along our trail where we were net welcome and whose occupants were net 'hall fellow well met' in our camps. Yeu nre the first people te shun us; nnd, as that fort yonder was built for your protection in days when it was bad ly needed, I want te knew what there is about its garrison that Is se obnoxious te Dunraven Ranch that's what you call it, I believe?" "That's what it is called." "Well, here! I' vq no intention of in truding where we're net "wanted. I sim ply didn't svppese that en the bread prairies of the west there was such a place as a ranch where one of my cloth was unwelcome. I am Mr. Perry, of the tit cavalry, and I'm bound te say I'd like te knew what you people have against us. Are you the proprietor?" "I'm net. I'm only au empleye." "Who is the owner?" "He's net here new." "Who is here who can explain the situation?" "Oh, as te that, I fancy I cau de it as well as anybody. It is simply because we have te de pretty much as you fel fel fel loweobey orders. The owner's orders are net aimed at you any mero tluxn any body clse. He simply wants te be let alone. IIe bought this tract and settled here because he wanted a place where he could have things his own way see people whom he sent for and nobody else. Every man in his employ is ex pected te stick te the ranch se long as he is en the pay roll, and te carry out his Instructions. If he can't, he may go." "And your instructions are te prevent pcople getting into the ranch?" "Oh, hardly that, ou knew. We don't Interfere. There's never any ene te peme, as a rule, and, when they de, tha feuce seems te be euilleient." "Amply, I should say; nnd yet were I te tell you that 1 had business witli the proprietor and needed te ride up te the ranch, you would open the gate yonder, I suppose?" "Ne; 1 would tell you that the owner was away, and that in his absence I tramurted nil business for him." "Well, tljink you for the information given me at nil events. May 1 auk the name of your misanthrepical beis'l Yeu might tell him I called." "Several officers called thrce years age, but he begged te be excused." "And what is the name?" "Mr. Maitland is what he is called." "All right. Possibly the time may come when Mr. Maitland will be as anxious te have the cavalry around him as he is new te keep it uway. Hut If you ever feel like coming up te the fort, just ride In and ask for me." "I feel like It u dozen times a week, you knew; but a man mustn't uu.ir; with his bread and butter. I met ene of your fellows once en a hunt after strayed mules, and he asked me in, but I couldn't go. Serry, you knew, and nil that, but the owner won't have It." "Well, then there's nothing te de for it but say geed day te you. I'm going back. Possibly I'll sce seme of your people up at Resslter when they ceme te get a herse shed." "A herse shed! Why, man alive, we shoe all our horses here!" "Well, that fellow who rode out of your north gate and went up towards tlie fort about au hour or se age had his horse shed at a caalry forge, or I'm a duffer." A quick change came ever the En glishman's face; a flush of uirprise and auger shot up te his forehead; he wheeled about and gazed eagerly, lowcr lewcr ingly, back towards the far away build ings. "Hew de you knew there was What fellow did you see?"' ha sharply asked. "Oh, I don't knew who he was," an swered Perry, coolly. "He nvelded me just as pointedly no 'you did galloped across the Monce aud out en the prairie te dodge me; but he came nut of that gate en the stream, locked it after him, and went en up te the fort, and his horse had cavalry shoes. Geed day te ou, my Britannic friend. Come and tea us when you get tired of prison life." And, with a grin, Mr. Perry turned and rode rapidly away, leaving the ether horse herso herse man in a brown study. Once fairly across the Monce he am bled placidly along, thinking of the odd situation of affairs at this great prairie reservation, and almost regretting that he had paid the ranch the honor of n call. Reaching the point where the wagon tracks crossed the stream te thu gateway In the Iwundary fence, he reined in Nelan and looked through a vista In the cottonweeds. There was the Englishman, dismounted, bloeping ever the ground and evidently examining the hoof prints nt the gate. Perry chuckled at the eight, then whistling for Bruce, who had strayed off through the timber, he resumed his jaunty way te the pest. In t!ie events of the morning there were several things te give him abun dant causj for thought, if net for lively curiejity, but he had net yet reached the sum total of surprises in store for him. He was still two miles out from the fort, and riding slowly nlungtli bottom, when he Lecaine aware of a trooper coming tow ards him en the trail. The sunbeams were glinting en the pol ished ornaments of his ferage cap and en the bright yrllew clurrras of his , snugly fitting bleuse. Tall mid slender and erect was the ceminz horeeman. a ' mm of eeMMiiy free and earriafe, aadaa he draw aearer tad hta hand went up te 'the cap rieer In salute a gesture from his young superior brought aa Instant pressure ea the rein, and hone and man became an animated statue. It was a wonderfully sudden yet easy check of a steed in. rapid mo tion, and Mr. Perry, a capital rider him self, could net withheld his admiration. "Where did you learn that sudden halt, sergeant?" he asked. "I never saw anything se quick except the Mexican training; but that strains u horse and throws him en hta haunches." "It is net uncommon abroad, sir," was the quiet answer. "1 saw it first la the English cavalry; and It Is easy te teach tlie horse," "I must get you te show me the knack someday. I've noticed it two or three times, and would like te learn it. What I stepped you for is this: You're been stable sergeant ercr ajnee we get here, have you net?" "Yes, sir." "Then if anybody besides members of the trrtp had horses shed at our forge you would be pretty apt te knew it?" "I knew that no one has, sir." And a flush was rising te the young sergeant's face nnd a pained leek hovering about his bright blue eyes. Yet his manaer was Hclf restrained and full of respect. "Don't think I m intimating anything te the contrary, Bergt. Qwynnc. Ne soldier in the regiment mere entirely holds the confidence of his captain of all the officers than you. 1 was net thinking of that. But somebody down there at that big ranch below us has had his horse shed by a cavalry farrier it may have been dene while the Eleventh were here and, while I knew you would net allow it at our forge, I thought 'it possible that it might be done in your absence." "It's the first time I've been out of sight of the stables slnce we came te the pest, sir, nnd the captain gave me per mission te ride down the valley this morning. May I ask the lieutenant why ie thinks seme ranchman is getting his shoeing done here at the pest?" "I've been down there this morning, nnd met a man coming up. IIe avoided me, mid rede ever te the south side, and se excited my curiosity; and as they keep that whole place inclesed In a wlre fence, and he had evidently ceme out of the north gate, 1 was struck by the sight of the hoof prints; they were per fectly fresli there ou the trail, and plain ns day. There's no mistaking the shoe, ou knew. By the way, he rode up te the fort, and prebebly entered at your side of the garrison; did you see him?" "Ne, sir, and, except for breakfast just after reveille I havebeenat stables nil the morning. I was there when the lieutenant get his horse." " Yes, I remember. Then no one rede In from the valley?" "Ne civilian no ranchman, sir. The only horsemen I've seen were some Cheyenne scouts during the last two hours, and Dr. Quin just before sick call." "Dr. Qulnl the pest surgeon! Are you sure, sergeant?" "Certainly. 6lr. Tlie doctor rode Inte (he neU just nbeutnn hour ufter the lieu tenant left coining up the valley tee. He went right around te his own stable, ever towards the Irjspltal." A leek of amaze nnd stupefaction was settling en Perry's fnce. -New for the first tlme he recalled Mrs. Lawrence's intimations with regard te the doctor, nnd his connection with the signal lights. New for the first time it occurred te him that tha secret of these cavalry hoof prints at the gate was that no ranchman, but an officer of the garrison, had been the means of leaving them there. New for the ilrbt tlmelt (lashed upon him that the Englishman's astonishment nnd con cern en hearing of theso hoof tracks In dicated that the story of a mystery at Dunraven in which tlie doctor was con nected amounted te something mera than garrison rumor. New for 10 first time an explanation occurred te him of the singular conduct of the horseman who had dodged him by crossing the Menee. Never in his young life had he known the hour when he was ashamed or ufruid te leek nny man In the eye. It stung him te think that here at Resslter, wearing the uniform of an honorable profession, enjoying the trust and con fidence of all his fellows, was a man who had some secret enterprise of which he dared net speak and of whose discov ery he steed in dread. There could be little doubt that thu elusivu btranger was Dr. Quin, and that there was grave rea son for the rumors of which Mrs. Law lencc had vaguely told him. ter a moment hu sat, dazed and Irrese lute, Nelan impatiently pawing the turf the while; then, far across the prairie and down the valley there came floating, quick and spirited, though faint with distance, the uetcj of the cavalry trum pet sounding "light, front into line." lie looked up, startled. "They're out at battalion drill, sir," said the sergeant. "They marched out just as I left the stabler." "Just my Infernal luck agalr!" gasped Perry, as he struck spur te Nelan ami sent him tearing up the slope; "l might have known I'd mis3 it!" CHAPTER V. HAT evening a group of cavalry officers came sauntering back from stables, and as they reached the walk in front of efilceri,' row a dark featured, black bearded, soldierly looking captain separated himself from the rest and en tered tHe colonel's yard. The command ing officer happened te be seated en his veranda at the moment, and in close confabulation u ith Dr, Quin. Beth gen tlemen ceased their talk ns the captnln entered, nud then rose from their scats as he stepped upon the veranda fleer. "Geed evening, Stryker," said the col onel, cheerily. "Come In and have a seat. The doctor and I were just won dering if we could net get you te take a hand at whist te-night." "I 6hall be glad te join you, sir, after parade. 1 have ceme in te ask permis sion te bend a sergeant and a ceuple of men, mounted, down te the Meueu. One of my best men is missing." "Indcedl Who is that? Send the men, of course." "Sergt. Gwynne, sir. The first time I ever knew him te mUs a duty." "Yeur-fctahhv- sergeant, tee? That Is unusual. Hew long has he been gene?" "Since battalion drill this morning. He was en hand when tlie men were sad dling, r.nd asked permission te take his horse out for exercise and ride down the valley u few miles. 1 said yes, never supposing hg would be cone after neon red eati; and we were astmuahed whea he failed te appear at stables. Perry says he met him two miles out." "The two culprits!" said the colonel, laughing. "Peer Perry h down In the depths' again. He rode up te me with such a woebegono leek en his fnce at drill this morning that I could hardly keep from laughing In front of the whele line. Even the men were trying hard net te grim they knew he had turned up just initie nick of time te savodilm savedilm elf an 'absent.1 What de you suppesa can have happened te Gwynne?" "I cannot Imagine, sir. and am In clined te be worried. He would never willingly overstay a pass; nnd I fear seme accident has happened," "Is he a geed rider?" asked the doctor. "None Letter In the regiment. IIe Is a model horseman, In fact, nnd, though he never alludes te nor admits It. there Is a general feeling among the men that he lias been In tha English cavalry ser vice. Of course, there Is no doubt of his nationality; he Is English te the back bone, aud, I fancy, has seen better days." "What made them think he had been In the cavalry sorvlce abroad?" "Oh, his (icrfcct knowledge of trooper duties and management of horses. It took him no time te learn the drill, nnd lie was a Bcrgcant before he had been u ith me two years. Then, if you ever noticed, colonel," said dipt. Stryker, ap pealing te his chief, "whenever ( Iwy nne stands attention he always has the fin gers of both hands extended and mint ing down along the thigh, close ngalnit It se." Aud Stryker illustrated. "New, you never see nu American soldier de that; und i never saw It in any but Eng lish ti allied soldiers. IIe has quit It somewhat of late, because the men told him it showed where he was drilled we have ether English 'nou-cems.' veu knew Out ter u long time 1 noticed that 111 him. Then he wus enlisted in New Yerk city, seme four years nge, and nil his things were of English make what he had." "What manner of looking fellow Is her asked tlie doctor. "I think 1 would have noted him bed I seen him." "Yes, you Englishmen nre apt te leek te one another," said the colonel in re ply, "and Owynne Is a particularly flne specimen. IIe has your eyes nnd hair, doctor, but hasn't had tlme te grew grizzled nnd bulky yet, ns you nnd I have, One might say that you and the sergeant were from the same shlre," "Tliat would help me very little, since I was only thrce years eldwhr- the gev emer emigrated," answered the doctor, with a quiet smile, "We keep seme traces of the old sod, I suppose, but I've been a Ynnkce for forty years, and have never once set eyes en Merrie Eng land in all that time. Did the sergeant say where he wanted te go?" And the questloner looked up sharply. "Nowhere in particular down the valley was alb I remember, though, that Mr. Parke said he seemedinuch ex ercised ever thonameof that ranch down the Menee I've forgotten what they call It Have you heard it, colonel?" "Seems te me I have, but I've forgot ten. Yeu have, doctor, have you net?" "Heard what, colenol?" "The name of that ranch down the Menee an English ranch, they tell me, about seven miles away." "Oh, yes! that onel They call it Dun raven Ranch. Did the sergeant take any of the hounds with him, captain? It oc curs te me he might have been running a coyote or a rabbit, and his herse have stumbled and fallen with him. Thore Is no end of prairie deg holes down that way." "Ne, the dogs nre all In. I wouldn't be surprised If lie had geno te 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 te stay with English hospitality; though It would astonish me if he yielded. I'll tell the men te Inquire there first, colonel, nnd will go and send them new." And, bowing te his com mander, Capt. Stryker turned and left the perch. , Tlie doctor rose, thrust his hands deep In his pockets, paced slowly te tha south ern end of the veranda, nnd gazed down the distant, peaceful valley, an anxious cloud settling en his brew, The colonel resumed once mere the newspaper he had dropped upon the fleer. After a mo ment Dr. Quin came slowly back, steed in front of the cntrance a few seconds looking Irresolutely at the soldier sprawled at full length in his reclining chair, stepped towards him with a pre paratory clearing of his threat as though about te speak, and then, suddenly and helplessly abandoning tlie idea, he E lunged down the short flight of steps, urrled out of the gate and disappeared around the fence corner in the direction of the hospital. Immersed in his paper, the colonel never seemed te note that he had gene; neither did he nete the fact that two ladles were coming down the walk. The soft swish of trailing skirt being Insufficient te attract his attention as they arrived nearly oppesito the shaded veranda, n silvery peal of laughter breke the stillness of the early evening. Mrs. Belknap'H laugh was delicious soft, me lodious, rippling ns u canary song, and just as spontaneous. Neither lady liad said anything at the moment that was incentiveef merriment; but if Mrs. Law Law rence had given utterance te the quaint est, oddest, most whimsical conceit Im aginable, Mrs. Belknap's laugh could net have been mere ready, nnd her great, dark eyes shot a sidelong glance te note the effect. Down went the paper, and up, with considerable prepping from his muscular arms, came the burly form of the pest commander. Twe sweet, smil ing faces beamed upon hlin through an aperture In the leafy screen, nnd Mrs. Belknap's silvery veice hailed him in laughing salutatien: "Did we spoil your siesta, colonel? Hew can 1 make amends? Yeu see, you were se hidden by the vines tliat no ene would dream of your being there in nm bush." "Oh, Indeed, I assure you I wasn't asleep," answered the colonel, hastily, "Won't you ceme In, ladies, and sit here in tlie shade awhile?" "We thought we would stroll around until parade," said Mrs. lawrcnce, hesi tatingly, "and then sit down and watch it somewhere." "Ne placq better than this," promptly answered the colonel. "Yeu can sit be hind the vines en that side and see, or, what we would Infinitely prefer, sit here at the entrance and be Been. Meantime, I've been unpacking seme photograph albums this afternoon, and you can amuse yourselves with theso while I put en my harness. Come!" Tlie colonel's collection of photographs was something the ladles had already heard a great deal of. One of the most genial and epular officers of the army, he had gathered together several large alliums full of pictures of prominent men and attractive und distinguished women net only these with whom he had ben associated in his long years of service, but men eminent in national nnd state affairs, and women leaders in society in many a gay metropolis. Beth the ladies had hoped te sce this famous collection thoevening before, but the colonel had net then unpacked the albums, and they were disappointed. New, he ever, the prospect was indeed alluring, and neither could resist. When the first call sounded for parade a few moments after, and the commanding officer was getting himself into his full dress uniform, the two pretty heads wers close together, nnd two pairs of very lovely eyes one dark and deep nnd dan gerous, the ether a clear nnd honest gray were dilating ever page after page of photographed beauty. There was no need te putxle ever the identity of the originals; under each picture the thought ful colonel had carefully written the name and address, Absorbed In this treat, they could barely afford tlme te leek up and smile their thanks as ths colonel passed, clanking forth at the sounding of adjutant's call, nnd were tee completely engrossed In their delightful occupation te notice what took place at parade. t The long, slender line had formed the Infantry companies en the right and left flanks, their neat and tasteful dress of blue and white contrasting favorably with the gaudy yellow plumage of the four -dismounted troops of the cavalry. Company after company had taken the staturesque pose of "parade rest" nnd its captain faced te the front again, the ad jutant was just about moving te his pest en the prolongation of the front rank, and the colonel settling beck into the conventional attitude of the command ing officer, when from outside the rect angular Inclesure of the parade ground from some where beyond the men's barracks there came sudden outcry nnd commotion. There were shouts, Indis tinguishable at first, but excited and startling. Some of the men In ranks twitched nervously and partially turned their heads, as though eager te leek be hind them and sce what was wrong; whereat stem voices could be heard In subdued but potent censure: "Keep your eyes te the front, there, Sullivan I" "Stand fast, there, center of Third company!" The guard, tee, paraded in front of its quarters some distance behind the line, was manifestly disturbed, nnd the voice of the sergeant could be heard giving hurried orders. Every man In the bat talion seemed at the same instant te ar rive nt ene of two conclusions prisoners escaping, or fire ever at the stables and j all eyes were fixed en the imperturbable ' form of the commanding officer, as I though wajtlng the signal from him te j break and go te tlie rescue But there the colonel steed, placid, calm, nnd ap parently utterly unconscious of the dis tant yet nearlng clamor. The adjutant hesitated a moment before proceeding further, nnd glanced appeallngly nt his chief i whereupon there came from the blue and geld and yellow stntue out en the parade, in half reproachful tones, the quiet order, "Ge en!" and the adju tant, recalled te his senses and with evi dent expression of his sentiments te the effect that If ethers could stand it he could, brusquely turned his head to wards the band and growled, "Sound effl" The boom and crash of drum and cymbal and the blare of brazen threats drowned for n moment the sound of tha turmoil without. The next thing the battalion heard or saw was a riderless herse tearing full tilt out en the parade and sweeping in a big circle from the right of the line down towards tlie point 'where the colonel steed. Following him came a pair of Chey eneo scouts, their ponies scampering in pursuit, but veering off the green as their riders realized tliat they were intruding en the ceremony of the day. Relieved of his pursuers, the fugitlve speedily set tled down Inte a lunging trot, and with streaming mane and toil, with head and cars erect, with falling bridle rein and flapping stirrups, he circled rapidly the open space between the colonel and the line of battle, then came trotting back along the front, aa though searching in the stolid rank of bearded faces for the friends he knew. Officer after officer he passed in roview until he came te Stryker's troop, posted en the right of the cavalry, and there, with a neigh of recognition, he fearlessly trotted up te the captain's outstretched hand. Anether mlnute and two men fell out and madea temporary gap In tlie rank; through this a sergeant file closer extended his whlte gleve, relieved the captain of hU charge and led the panting steed uway. The men ictoek their places; the cap tain again resumed his position in front of the center of his company, dropped the point of his saber te the ground and settled back into "parade rest;" the band wcut en thundering down the llu", countermarched and came back te Its pest en the right, making the welkin ring with the triumphant strains of "Northern Reute," the trumpets pealed the "retreat," the adjutant stalked his thrce yards te the front, faced fiercely te the left and shouted his resonant or ders down the line, three hundred mar tial forms sprang te attention, and the burnished arms came te the "carry" with simultaneous crash, ranks wcre opened with old tlme precision, the parade "presented" te the colonel with all due formality, the manual was ex ecuted just ns punctiliously ns though nothing unusual had happened; first ser geants reported, orders wcre published, par.-uht formally dismissed; the line of officers marched solidly te the front, halted, and raade its simultaneous salute te the colonel, who slen ly rained and lowered Ills white gloved hand In recog nition; and then, and net till then, was any one allowed te speak of what was uppermost In every mind that Sergt. Gwynne's herse had cecfi In without him, nnd that the animal's right flank was streaming with bleed. Ten minutes later Lieut. Perry, In rid ing dress, came hurrying down te the colonel's quarters, where two or three officers were new gathered nt the gate. The ladles had put aside the albums, and with anxious faces were scanning the llt llt teo group as though' striving te gauge from their gestures and cxpio-nien the extent of the calamity or tlie possible de gree of danger. But Mm. Lawrence looked fairly startled when her hus band's veice was heard for the first time above the general hum of consultatien: "Cel. Bralnard, Mr. Perry is coming, 1 see, and I prcsume there is no time te be lest. Yeu lune asked if nene of us who wcre stationed here ever visited the ranch, and the answer was no. May 1 suggest tliat Dr. Quin could pet haps tell something of its inhabitants?" "Where is the doctor?" usked the cel enel, turning suddenly. "Orderly, go and give my compliments te the pest surgeon and say I wish te sce him here a moment. All ready, Perry? Yeu liave made quick work of it," "All reudy, sir. At least, 1 will be the moment my horee gets here. There go the men running te tbe stables new,1' "Capt. Stryker will Bend a sergeant and four men te report te you, and you are te go direct te Dunraven Ranch. The rest of the troop, with the Cliey enncs, will scout the prairie te the east and south. Twill seen be tee dark te. trail, but thrce of the Indians are going back en the horse's track as far as they can. The adjutant Is writing a nete te the proprietor of the ranch I don't knew his name" "Ills name Is Maitland, sir," "Is it? Have you beeu there?" "I've been around ene end of it, out side, but nowhere near the buildings. It's all fenced in, sir, and the gates ke;it locked." "What an Incomprehensible proceed ing for Texas! Walt a moment while I speak te Mr. Farnluun; he's writing here at my desk. Oentlsmee. ceute la ea the perch and sit down, will you netfi i I ' But they excused themselves ' sad , hastened away te remove tlielr full dress,' , ,' J- .'.'. . -..-. . , who. one eaue ner companion geed evening, thanked the colonel with a smiling glance for the pleasure the pho tographs bad given her, and added a word of earnest hepe that they might' find the sergeant uninjured. Then she joined her husband, and together they walked quickly awey. Mrs. Belknap and Mr. Perry wcre left fei the moment alone. "Can you walk hemy with me?" she asked, hi hr low, modulated tones, the great, heavily lashed, swimming dark eyes searching bis fnce. "I have net seen you since they breke In upon our talk last evening, and there Is something I want te ask you." , "I'm sorry, Mrs. Belknap, but I'm en duty, you see," wus the young fellow's answer as he gave a tug te the strap of hlscartridge belt, "Can't you ask me here?" "Hew con P and the eyes were full of pathctle disappointment "when they may ceme out any moment? Yeu did net finish telling me about about 'the tassel last nigh I believe you were glad when they interrupted us. Were you net?" "Nonsense, Mrs. Belknap! I was hav ing tee geed a time lets of fun." "Yea," was the reproachful answer, "that Is what It was te you mere fun, And new you are going away again, after premising te come in this evening." "I have te go, Mrs. Belknap. Why, I want te go. Haven't you heard what has happened about Sergt. Uwynne?" "Ob, yes, It Is your duty, of course but hew unlucky!" And the pretty face was drooping with Its weight of disap pointment and sadness. She leaned against the railing near his gauntlet cov ered hand, the dark eyes pensively down cast, the dark lashes sweeping her soft, i nufiinng cnecic, "Ami te-morrow you are en guard," she presently continued. "Yes, unless seme one has te go ea for me In ense we are net back in the morn ing in time." "Then it's geed-by, I suppose," she said, lifting her eyes ence mere te his. "After te-morrow there will be little cliance of seeing you. Mrs. Page will be here by that tlme." Mr, Perry toekod at bis fair com panion with a glance that told of much porturbatlen of spirit. Mrs. Page was an eiu ana ciicrisiicd Mend of lira. Belknap's se the latter bad always said1 1 from n Station in tha lntllAn tarrtbw ... v.. V..W e vvuHUd IV fmiUW 'J Just why her coming should prevent -.p, his seeing Mrs. Belknap or her itilns; ';. him was mero than the tall subaltern . $ could understand. On the brink of an v unpardonable solecism, en the very rag- eeu cuge pi a uiunuenng inquiry, he ,5 was saved, In her estimation, by the J nuuyuu ivium ui uiu urueriy ana me re- !' appearance ei tne colonel. g "I've been te the hospital, sir, and te the doctor's quarters; lie's net there..., They say that's him, sir, riding oft yonder." And the orderly pointed te a faint speck just visible in the waning twilight, far away southeastward' be-' yond the Monce. " -i. Continued next Satttrday, ,, CoiUecn. lEIUCKCOU.KUr- '&& ' j! r.i -r.-r,.mis.A Ur BUaiNtBByJ PERCE -AXI VmZ Short-Handl W" . iui2 J'X. ' -B hat t linn . Ml I H UN cinarrmrr 'nmaanfe '... -.- iV uuHinn. 'inim nnv j. WJJJJUUU Fourth floors. 1 Mernlm?. Afternoon and Klclil Sl IniiS V. Twiity-riiUi Uollpglnte Year begins Tllu-a "j TlVfllvn lllinilrml anil tlviv.nlnnflMIlafeulaaian'&i Inat year. Knrly MptillciUleiis neceHary. Nm4 ,'- '& for enrollment blank. . ..,"iV, M Tevlinlenl knewledge qtinllfrlnir Ter trasiasssiv 4 fiiKUKCinentn. Full lintnicllen for remiarell ' y nuu venrrai uiimnmui vocuuena. Alse Maori- ,S ltamlauU Typewriting. . 'At A faculty of mere limn a score of praet lest & inrn wnennvB prnciicca nnnuney icacn, a'j JftSkftF Irimini llt n tuintillfiii tinHiuA (aaUt" i. J -J bookkeeping ; lawyers teseblnc law an hnsCsX nn- fernix: ncoeful lil(h nchoel ptlaetfiAi M hlnic KiuiIIf.1i branches; law reporter? - .iiiiji mi.,, t-iinim iiiiu ijiHi-wriiiiirf, vks., Mfcn.T 1 hla Inatlfiiftrkti ItuM luwti fnf IaimIW AtmJri tti into In ilia ik-ccm of ths students who have' vV ' gr 1 unlet! Uivrefrem." . t finSra ntMM .v.rv VMk ilnv rlnl ln linilnaia ' I ii.ii ra ami alainn ifnnilitfyi'niuflcif mnA Tha.. is? ' cUy i;vii!n forth KnrollinentefBtudaaU." Jffi; I AmiouucemeiiU, clc, will whn imuhM.wL l ul (maaa )! kral WalnnntA A j41jlauaa.aa . &- flB V nwinainMje nvivinci rsuus . j S 1 THOMAS MAY PETRm M A ' nuglMinMdti t-ruisiiw, " eanaw ,j.; 4rttattftalal4. MrftxhSaaa t rtt$ " --W. mjM -lALI.ANDHUE THE ROCHESTER LAMP! ;i Hlxly Candle-Usbl ; Beats tneca all, V Anetlicr Let of Cheap Glebe for Oaaae40Uw THK "rKllKECriON" METAL. MOULD! HQ and BUBBKR CUSHION" i& Weather Strip. ll..i(..liitm all Till i. ,lili !,.! ttnlt, -A Ki-ciM nut the cold. Huim ruttllug of windows. '";' Kxilmlc theditt. Keen out maw and rata. .-;' Any ene cuii apply it-no waste or dirt saaatla ,- .-"a applying IU Cau be nttwl any whem no Jtetas -nil (.!... Mull. f1. !!. 1 ltl ttt B..II. .MAMB..M 1 . hrlnk a rtihliin atrip the most nerfacLaat S.V.,$ the Hteve. Hunter and llanice Hture of '-a , , 3sfl . nnn k Nnnnnm at simaw W V4J.M. a- syVAtWIIimi VV KVJaaM 34 SOUTH QUEEN ST., LAtfCA'HTKIl PA. drtrrirtflCB. 1 LOSING OUT SALE. Carriages, Buggies, Wagons, .vr C UI.L... fAL. llf.. M'A tu. ncgci 9 wst.il wvuin, CltltlbTI AN HTUEET. (Between Orange aud Chestnut Street.) rnn.l.Hfiit nf lnmnJl.ul flnrrla... nri Vu.w f.M. f..ri,tf l. ilt. tun Uphill U'u.nn. UaiwmiAV :.""'r,i,"..v,""n -.-- --i-tT.-.-rr" Hum! Tretlltnr lliirev. and nevcrul llvht 1 A. li'& form Wagen that will curry from iix) te a,ewif3& peundx. Alea few Fine Hlelglia. Call I'jirly for Br gnlur. uuifSMM- S' TANUAUDCAUUIAUK WOKK. EDW. EDGERLEY. nlnntlnn niTTTTirn vnnaiau puuuir.rt, -g 0, C, 43 A MAItKBT HTKKKT. (Bear of tht f 5 l'oaefflc), Lancaster; pa. jrd UU UUt, 1 UU l -JII HIW nw lilj f 1140 fBkBHNr t tT j JUU11V v Rnihf ee PhmtnTK Jnmn SAflf rimittt B ''V. uuM'v"i r - .. i 4?r, I have all the latest ntylen te "elect from. I" IS" hurt) a very rtne assortment of aeoead-luuMl -' work some of my own work. ,A-a lfoitem nrlren. Call and examine. Ne treu- v' " bit. te hew our work and eip.aln every detail. ' i. I. .a!.... ui.,1 llannlrlnd nennintlif ak4 neatly 4me. One -l or werkmeu wpeeUUjr &, -employed for Mint iurtte, -j, , a I , a , . ,: --TTlTlfP ITl '1'ltl-MI'AKHT-llH 1NH filtlf . IX Nt'lIVL All iwrwiiiinrn hprehv fnrtdilaUa. te irespftu en our of the lauds of the Cornwall ' ml Hiedwell eatulta In Lebanon or Tannasfr. ;. umntlea, whether Inclesed ur untne leatd, itaar.. ; ler me purpeNfl ei snoeung or etniag, aaaaaa,, luw win be recldly aid luuil enferevd agaliut an pawing en sum lumu or me nuanifammn9i thNueUiv. - , ' U WM, COLEMAN FRBKafAM tUlW.ttKKKJafAK, ixfiferH. W.Oslssiss's v Attarnsfs &' sV Hi , .is m 4 j: x- Vj I ,. fc -v3 es m im mi M. M m 3& m. S3 r CVU i-w m ?& 5: : 0, W m: m S5; T s ,ft. s P&eflR X&l . fcrii wz 'm urte &i -t ukA H-3 Ttt VSra,, aj Xif 1-1 5T.a , kX j .-, & ,t'&fXAsi j inny 4. i . i?. JiXt q ft- - riKl, n ..&. ,y.flMiti,2Jr$l&& . y.ftW.vt.i . fetAM&i.S'.-V'.vS&l' u
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers