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18935ir CMARLE5 CHAPTER VIII—('ouimued. .•’All ri^ht, Psttenon.. Try to where the rest have gone and what they're doing. I’ll aend the glaea np to yon presently,. What .I'm afraid of, lieutenant, i* that In their rage over Donovan’• death, and MnllanVand all the devil’s work done there at Moreno’s, and your mishap, too, the men have, become nnoeotroijfhle and will never let np on the poreiit until they have killed the that one of that gangW TheSe two who 1 are coming With the bodies of the Morales brothers probably hate fit an instant Wing turned. ••Sorry , for yon,8enor Moreno," he grimly mut tered. “But as only two men are with me, and both are otherwise engaged. I’ll have to secure you temporarily. It isn't pleasant, but it serves you right. ” In vain the Mexican pleaded and pro tested. A rawhide riata waa wound and looped about him. in a few scien tific turns, and he was left reclining against the rock, conquered yet inward ly raging, while Wing stole in to Drum mond's rude couch, slipped the field- iUi» from" its case, then, with a long- wornout horses, of perhaps Lee ordered' in # * 00 * t into the darker depths beyond. H them to stay and guard the safe. The last 1 saw of any of the gang they were disappearing over lift' desert to the sooth, striking •for Sotaora pass.” "1 wonder they didn’t all 'come in here, ’’ said Drnmipond. , “ Wdll, hardly that, Heatenant They knew they Would be follbwed here, pen ned np, where their capture woi^ld only be a question of time. A hundred cav alrymen wonld be aronnd them In a yery few bonrs, and we could send to Lowell for thoee old mountain howitzers and just leisurely shell them out. Then, when they surrendered*—M they'd bav* to—the civil autIron tips would Immediately step in and elaim jurisdic tion-claim the prisoners too. We’d Simply have to turn .tbepi over to jus tice as a blatter of. coiirsO, anil you know, and they imow, that (he only judge apt to sit on their case would be. that of our eminent frontiersman arid fellow citizen—Lynch. They are scat tering like Apaches through the moun tains and will -reaseemble ai*d count noses later on. Thanks to you and C troop, they hays lost all they had gained and their leaders besides. No. sir, they won’t Stop this side of tte Mexican ■fine.” “There’e one, Wirlg, I hope to heav en they’ll never lose sight of till they run him down. ” ' ■*•* “Who’s that, sir?” “The fallow who was enlisted in O troop last winter at Tucson and desert ed last night to join this gang. He drove for the stage company last year and was discharged. He gave his name as Bland.” *i •, .H . . * “Bland I Henry Bland I’’ exclaimed Sergeant Wing, leaping. {O' his feet’In uncontrollable excitement. “Do yon mean it, air? . Had he enjisted? Do on meat) that he was the man Miss grvey spoke of—thediaguiaed soldier, «he called him?’’ .r •■ • • . - And Drummond, amaaed at Wing’s; emotion, gazed np to see the verge ant’s features wording almost convulsively, his face paling, his eyes full of intense' anxiety. .• ’’Why, I cannot doubt it, sergeant. He ran away from e® on tjHe discovery of Donovan’s body and rodp straight for Moreno's, beating us there proba bly by an hour or so,'for no one hap pened to miss him. ” < Wing’s hands were raised on high in a gesture almost tragic, then dropped ’ helplessly : by hie side. With'a stifled gToan the tall soldier turned abruptly away and went striding toward the opening of the canyon, leaving Drum mond wondering and perplexed. * When, a quarter of an hour later, the eeTgeant returned, bringing; with him soine Improvised splints ahd bandages, and Drtfmmpnd belfeVfed it Sis duty to .make inquiry ay to whether h a. knew Bland and what waa the cause of his excitement. Wing turned his grave, troubled face and looked his young su perior straight in the eye. — “Mr. Drummond, 1 have known that mtett for good and for ill many a long year. If our fellows have killed him, let his crimes die with him. If he is fafonght in alive—brought ta trial—1 may have to speak, but not now, sir. Bear with'me, lieutenant—not now.” Was Drummond dreaming ? He could have declared that tears were starting in the sergeant’s eyes as he turned has tily away, nnable for the moment to continue the setting"'and bandaging of the broken arm. - - "Take your own time. Wing,” said the young officer gently. ••Hpmk or keep silent as you will. •> Yon ha-e earned the right. ” And the sergeant mutely thanked him. The primitive surgery of the frontier took little time, and with his arm com fortably and closely slpng Drummond lay impatient fdr the coining of his men, impatient perhaps to hear a softer voice, to feeT again the Hu-bt touch of •hinder fingeip, yet in his weakness and exhanstion dropping sfoWl^ off to sleep. All efforts to keep awake proved vain. Hio heavy eyejids closed, and presently he was in dreamland. Meantime Sergeant Wing had busied himself it> many a Wayr First he had gone to loosen old Moreno’s bonds— enough, at least, to relievehfs pain, yet hold him securely. The soldier sitting drowsily .on the rock beside the prisoner gladly accepted permission to put aside hit carbine and go to sleep.' * ”141 watch kfai; Mat, ” said Wing ~ "Ton liddowrf-tteii'Montatf itofrkee tofttfiwr* icnot vtfps I’m far awuyis that ambulanch d^J’at^ terson?” he called.to the man.on.look and a moment’s hesitation, he stepped to the projecting rock that seemed to divide the cave into two apartments and called In lower tone, “Mias Har vey. ” “Here. Mr. Wing. What is wanted?” And at the Instant, prompt, alert, eveq smiling, Fanny Harvey appeared before him. The pallor waa gone. The disheveled hair had been twisted into shape. Food, reel, relief from dread and misery and that little appreciated beautider, fresh water, had wrought their transformation here. Wing’s handsome eyes glistened as he removed his hat. “I have to go np to that point yonder a few minutes, leaving old Moreno alone, bound, to be sure, but his wife or daughter might slip out and release him. Will you have the goodness to take this and shoot him if they should make the attempt?” And he handed her his pistol. '’’I’ll see to it that no one Interferes with him, Mr. Wing. What has hap pened? Are the others coniiag?” And •he took ’ the revolver, balancing tt ta her accustomed and practiced band. The admiration deepened In Wing’s gaxe. “I see yon handle a pistol as though you had used one. You’re a true fron tiersman’s daughter. I’ll have to be away tor a lew minutes. I’m going np to look from our rock above there.* Some of our men, they say, are in sight slolfly returning, and the paymaster’s ambulance is only a mile away, proba bly waiting for the rest of the party. How is Miss Ruth?” “Sleeping like a baby, bless her heart.” “Well, I have promised Mr, Drum mond that she should be his nurse. 1 hope you will consent Be is sleeping too. No fever yet 1 am thankful to say.” “Hath will he ready, and so will L to-help in any way we can. But when are you to have a rest, may I ask?” “O-ob—by and by. Lee and the others must have theirs first. They have been in saddle much longer and farther than 1. When is Min Harvey to have her rest, may I ask?” ”W-e-1-1, 1 don’t know. I’ll say, ‘perhaps by and by’ too. Look, that man is calling yon. ” Whirling about, Wing saw his senti nel beckoning, and in a moment he went clambering np the rocky trail, active qaa mountain Apache. “What is it, Patterson?” “Ik-is signal smoke, sir, across the valley. That ain’t more than eight miles away, and down here In the range ain’t more than six. What Indiana could be out here, I wonld like to know ? Do they grow everywhere tn this in fernal country?” Wing took his glasses and long and earnestly studied the bluish white clouds rising in puffs, faint and barely distinguishable in the oppoeite heights, then fixed bis gaze upon the filmy col umn soaring up among the dark pines at the heart of the range to the south ward. His face grew graver every min ute. "Stay here and watch, ” he said. ’’1 must go and get those other men in with the ambulance. Of course if it is Apachee, they’ve sighted that party and the few men straggling back, and thoee signals mean, ’close in on them.’ I’ll send the team right in and then ride and hurry the other fellows out. ’’ The sun was retiring behind the Cababi range as Wing went leaping down the trail. •’Sorry for yon, Dick, old boy,” he said to his horse, who was drowsing in the shade. “More work for us both now,” Never stopping to saddle, he leaped upon the bare, brown back and went clattering down the canyon. “Keep your eye on Moreno, there I” he shouted up to the lookout “If be tries to slip away, shoot him.” Ten minutes’ brisk gallop through the windings of the gorge brought him to the edge of the sandy plain. There, under a little clump of willows, waa the ambulance, Its mules unhitched and hoppled securely, nibbling placidly at tuoh scant herbage as they could find. -The horse?! of the two guards, unsad dled,. vtere drooping in the shade, too tired to hunt tor anything to eat “Saddle np, men. Hitch In and get that team-to the head of the canyon, live- the carbine ftbhre," Moriudf'dnfrsoe ly now,” was his brief order to Att* no feffdrtto slip 0 rteepy trooper Who greeted him, car i "at wdik Hefei ” How -tntoihd. _ mWan „toiip at the edge sergeant, That's where : water first,'and 1 reckon It tdako tap their minds to farther, loanffnake out one'or of the fellows coming baqk far d6w desert to the sooth. Horses played cwt “Anything to be seen across the val- jtha trail we «w|e?” >' ’’Nothing, sir; not a puff of dust Nut here’s something*! don’t nnder- Btaftd-*oft here tn the rsnge south of ns —toel! tap toward the top. ’ ’ ’ , “ wTiat’e tHat ?” .asked Wtttg, diop- i of lariat'he bald In his l looking quickly up. . it’s mere tike signal smoke Just exactly such on in tb« Chirica- hua and Catarinas and— Well, just come up here with your fieldglMs, il —t’^tbar Mdsef the Taller. ” 'What’s up, sergeant?” queried springing out from the wil- Lee told us to wait here, or Wherever we could find shade and ’ ta' How long and what tor?” __ i know how long. None ’em ain’t In sight from here coming back, but ’what tor’ is easy to answer. The paymaster’s chest.” paymaster’s chest?” cried Isn’t that here in the ambulance?" ••Not a hinge of It. Those greaser* •gapped it onto sn apparejo while we were all running for Harvey’s daugh ters. The money’s half way to Sonora by this time.” ^ ’ CHAPTER IX. Peaceful as was his rest. Drummond slept’ only un hour or so. For months he had lived in the open ait, “ on the warpath “said ^ ^ding clore behind her sister, her who had won tos .pm* suffused, her cheeks blushing red. ’■’ “ f “ r ui. tS— I n. *.«- ta. b. m-3- a now and let the themaelves the hollownoa of mirtary glory. Wonrinees and physical exhans tion had lent their claims, and despite bruises ami many a pang, despite the realization of the presence of the fair girls whom his dash and energy bad rescued from robber hands, the young fellow had dozed away into dreamland. Why not ? The objeet of bis mission was accomplished. Fanny and Ruth Harvey were safe. All that was left tor the party to do now was rest in quiet until another morn, then it would be quite possible to start on the return without waiting for the coming of their friends. Before sunset his men would be reassembled. They could have a long night's sleep, and with the rising of the morrow's sun, convoying their three wagons and their captured trea sures, the little detachment would take the back track for the Tucson road, confident of meeting “old Harvey" and probably a doctor on the way. He himself, thongh most in need of tnrgical attention when they reached the caves, had inch confidence la the skill of Sergeant Wing as to feel that hie arm was set as perfectly as could be done by almost any other practition er, and before dropping off to sleep had qnite determined that be would make the morning march in saddle Still, he coaid not sleep for any great length of time. The instinct of vigi lance and the sense of responsibility would not leave him. In his half dreaming, half waking state, he once thought be heard a light footfall, and presently aa he dosed with eyelids shut there came a soft touch upon his tem ple. Lifting his band be seized that of his visitor—Fanny Harvey, “Why are yoirnot resting?" he asked. "And where is Ruth?” “Rnth is sleeping, as ws hoped yon might be. ‘Tired nature's sweet re storer’ is all you need, Mr. Drummond, yet yon do not seem to hare had more than a cat nap. Twice 1 have stolen in here to see yon, and then, thongh 1 was fearful of waking you. you slept peacefully through it aU. ” "Well, I must hare slept a couple of hours anyway, and 1 slept soundly until within the last few minutes. Has none of the men got back yet Miss Harvey ? Do you know what time it Is? I suppose Wing is sleeping." "Mr. Wing ought to be sleeping, hot he Isn’t. The sentry—Patterson 1 think they call him—summoned him up to the lookout there in the rocks, oh, about an hour ago, and when the sergeant came back he mounted his horse and rode away down the canyon. He said there was something requiring his at tention. Bnt yon are to drink this chocolate and lie still." Drnmmond slowly strove to rise He waa too anxious, too nervoos. to re main where he was. “And none of them has returned yet?” he asked. "1 cannot understand that. No, please do not strive to detain me here. I’m perfectly a Me to be np and about, and if Wing Is gone it’s my business to look after things. ” | Over among the rocks across the narrow canyon the first object to meet his gaze as be arose was Moreno, reclin ing there bound and helpless, while at hand a soldier had thrown himself on his saddle blanket and was sound asleep. The plash of the waters in the brook, dancing and tumbling down the chasm, made sweet, drowsing music tor his ears, a lulling, soothing sound that ez- plained perhaps the deep slumber of his trooper friend. “1 heard Mr. Wing toll that man to He down and sleep, ’’ said Miss Harvey as the yonng officer's eyes seemed, to darken with menace at the eight of a sentry sleeping on guard. “Moreno is securely tied, and both Patterson np there and 1 here are now his keepers. The senors and her daughter are in the other cave, forbidden to go near him.' Glancing np at the stunted cedar where Patterson stood faithful to his trust, Drummond saw that he was peering steadily southward through the black fieldglassea. “What do yon *ee, Patterson?" he hailed. “Where is Wing? Any of the men coming back?" "Wing has gone on down the valley, sir. Some of our fellows, two or three only, were coming back, bnt they didn't come fast enongh to enit him. The ambulance will be here in a minute or two—ft's just below us down the canyon now.” Indeed almost at the moment the click of iron shod hoofs was heard, and the dejected male team came into view aronnd a jntting point, the dingy yel low ambulance jolting after them, one soldier in the driver’s seat handling the reins, the other riding behind and lead ing his comrade’s horse. “Come np here to the month of the .cave, Merrill,” called the lieutenant ’"You can unhitch and nnharness just beyond, but 1 want that safe unloaded and pnt in here.” “The safe’s gone, sir. “What?” ‘ “The safe’s gone, sir. We never got it That’s what took Sergeant Wing off down the valley, 1 reckon. 1 sup posed you knew It sir, and him, too, bat be didn't. Those Morales fellows got away with It on burro back while we were chasing the white wagon.*' For a moment Drummond stood as tounded. “Man alivet” be at last exclaimed, "why wae 1 not told of this? Get me a horse at once, Walsh," he ordered. ”rU take Patterson’a Yon two re main here and see that that old soonn- drel don’t get loose—Moreno there—and that no harm befalls the ladies. I'll ride down after Wing. ” "Oh, Mr. Drammoud, you mart not think of going) ” exclaimed Mise Har vey. " You’re far too seriously hurt, far too weak, to attempt such a thing. Please lie down again Sorely Mr. Wing will do all that any man could do to recover the safe. All the others are in pursuit. They most have over taken them by this time. Come; 1 am doctor now that be is away. Obey me and lie •till.” Drummond's one available hand found Itself clasped by warm, slender fingers. He would have drawn It away and striven to carry out hie design, hot a glance at his two troopers told him that they plainly and earnestly advo cated Miss Harvey 's view of the case. He was in no condition to make the at tempt And at the moment, too, even as he strove to release his band, another voice was heard, almost imploring: “Oh, don’t let him go. Fan. Don’t let him try to ridel” And turning suddenly at the sound Mr. Drummond found Ruth Harvey ta. a* mm* « wnart at son krancwco a you gone oy, mid for the moment he forgot the safe, the funds, the crippled arm, the band aged head and every other item that should have occupied his thoughts. "Why, Rnthie, is this you? How yon have grown,'' And then the imprisoned hand waa released only to be transferred to the clasp and keeping of another. In her fear that he* knight, her soldier, wonld leave them, and wounded though he was insist on attempting to follow his men in their parsmt, the shyness of maidenhood .was forgotten. Ruth had seised and clasped the long, brown fin gers, and Drummond forgot for the mo ment all thought of quitting her pres ence for the field. And then having—as she supposed— won her point, and having caught the new light In his admiring eyea, it be came necessary to struggle for the re lease of the hand she had so unhesitat ingly used to detain bfm. This might have proved a difficult matter, Judging from the expression in Drummond's face, bnt for a sadden bail from Patter- •oat "Can the lieutenant come op here a moment? There’s something going on down there 1 can’t understand.” Old Moreno, whose bonds coaid not restrain his shifting, glittering eyes, glanced quickly upward. Then, as he caught a menacing look in the sunburn ed face of the Irish trooper Walsh, he became as suddenly oblivious to all earthly matters beyond the pale of his own physical woes. And now it waa Rath's hand that would retain its clasp and Drummond's that was again straggling for release. In a moment the lieutenant stood under Patterson's perch. “What did yon see? What was it like? How far away?” “Six or seven milee, sir. The valley Is broad and open, and three of onr fel lows were riding slowly back on the west side, while Wing was galloping as thongh to meet them, and when they weren’t more than a mile apart Wtng’e horse went down—looks no bigger than a black spofck—and the other three sheered off away from the rocks on this side and seemed to be scattering apart.” The words were tow spoken eo as to reach only his ear. Now It was no easy scramble tor a man In Drummond's condition to make, but it took him only a little time to clamber to Patterson’s side. “There’s something back of ajl this, and you know it, Patterson. What Apache sign have yon seen?” “Smoke, sir, on both sides. But we agreed, the sergeant and 1, that the yonng ladies mustn’t be alarmed nor yon aroused. Then he rode away to hurry in any of our fellows who were in sight and warn them to keep ont from the rocks. What I’m afraid of is that they’ve been ambushed, or at least that the Indians have ambnshed him. His horse is down,'and thoee others yon see are away ont on the plain now. They're working aronnd toward the horse as thongh he were lying behind it, and they appear to be firing mount ed.” What was Drnmmond to do? To leave his charges here, unprotected, waa ont of the question. Fail to go or send to Wing’s relief he coaid not Decide he must and decide quickly. “Patterson, that party of Apaches can’t be over a dozen strong, or they wonld have rushed ont of their cover by this time, yet they are too strong and too securely posted to be driven by that little squad, especially if Wing is ■Wounded. I can’t shoot now, bnt 1 can ride and direct Every man who can shoot may he needed here. Yon have four now and can stand off 40 Apaches—Tonto or Chiricahna—in such a position aa this, eo I leave yon in charge. You have everything to help yon stand a siege. Now see to it that the ladies are kept well under cover, and I’ll hurry back with Walsh and what men I can find. ” Then down he scrambled, giving one look at Moreno and his sleeping guard ian as he passed, then gave a low toned 'order to Walsh: "Saddle your horse again and ride just to the other side of that rock yon der and wait for me. ” Well he understood that it wonld be impossible for him to ride away without Fanny Harvey’s knowing that some thing of a serious nature was impend ing, and that he could not get away at all without their knowing it. What he desired waa to conceal from them that there was any danger from Apaches. Just as he expected, both girls were eagerly awaiting him at the entrance to the cave. HU revolvers were in there beside the rude couch on which he had slept so peacefully. “Now are yon ready to return to hos pital and proper subjection?” asked Miss Harvey laughingly. “It U high time. What could have tempted you to climb to that high point?” “Why, it’s the first chaace I’ve had of a look around, ” was the answer. “TkU U an awfully strong spot for a place of refuge. You are safe here, safer than anywhere between Yuma and Tucson, now Burt the former pos sessors are scattered. But did you hear what took Wing off?" “No, be didn’t Stop to explain mat ters. He simply dashed away without even a saddle. ‘Something 1 must look after, ’ was all be vouchsafed to say." “Well, the men jnst in tell me the paymaster’s safe was spirited off. Con found that little green box of green backs! Some shrewd packer among Morales’ people whisked it out of the wagon and onto a burro, and now we are all keen to get ft back. Of course I cap’t sleep again until we know. Some of onr people are coming slowly np the valley, and Wing went on dowp to meet them." Bnt all the time he talked so airily with the elder sister, Rnth stood watch ing him with suspicious eyes. “Mr. Drnmmond, please do not go,” she broke forth. “You have no right to—now.” And James, the dissembler, found himself trapped. “Go I must, Rnthie," he said, with sadden change of manner. “I know you will not blame me or detain when 1 tell you, as 1 feel forced to tell you now. that Sergeant Wing is hart. His horse has fallen with him far out on the desert. I’ll be back very soon.” Then with sudden impulsive move ment he bent, kissed hfir forehead aqd turned aa suddenly away. When the sisters looked into each other’s eyes a moment later, one face waa blushing like the dawn, the other waa pallid with a new and deep au*- ietrr *-T* ~ And now we, too, musi ronqw wing He waa a total stranger, it’ts to he re membered, to the regiment when, after its years of battling tn the Army of the Potomac, it was sent into exile on the far Pacific coast and speedily lust to sight in the deserts of Arizona. The type of noncommissioned officer most familiar to the rank and fils as well as to their superiors was the old fashioned "plains raised," "disciplin furst and raysoll afterward" class of which Feeny was so prominent an exponent. Brave to rashness and faithful to the very death, they had reason to look for re spect and appreciation. They were men whose only education wos^that picked up in the camps and campaigns of the famous old regiments to which, when mere recruits, they had been as signed. They were invaluable in the army and would have been utterly mis judged and out of their element any where else. That "book learning" and soldiering could ever go hand in Iqmd no man ic the old dragoons wonld ever have believed for sn instant. Such scholars ss had drifted into the ranks were, as a rule, irreclaimable drunk ards, lost to any chance of redemption at home, and only tolerated in the serv ice in the rough old days because of their meek and nncomplaining perform ance of long hours of extra duty In the troop or regimental offices when, their whisky and their money alike exhaust ed, they humbly went back to their desks, asking only lo live in the hope ffh bmt amd Mesed her forehead. of another drunk. Hundreds of the old dragoons could barely sign their names, many could only touch the pen when culled upon to make "his (X) mark.” "Another busted clerk” was the general expression when the young Californian came forward to enlist. Yet he was the picture of clear eyed, athletio manhood, was accepted with much hesitancy by the officers and un doubted suspicion by the men, yet speed ily proved a splendid horseman, scout, shot and, as waa the final admission, "all round trooper,’* despite the fact that he was well educated and spoke Spanish like a native. Still, such was the prevailing faith, aa it ever is among veteran soldiers, that the old atyle was the best, it was long before he won pro motion. No one who has not known both* can begin to imagine the differ ence between the army of a quarter cen tury ago and the army of today. Just as Feeny was a resolute specimen of the old, so was Wing a pioneer of his class in the new. At the moment when the latter struck spare to the wearied flanks of poor Dick and called on him for one more effort, the stalwart and handsome sergeant sped away on the path of duty, confident of the fact that by this time every man In his own troop and every soldier who knew him at all would stake his last dollar on Bob Wing's tac kling the problem before him aa fear lessly and Intelligently aa any veteran in the regiment. Having ordered the ambulance np the gorge, he himself spurred away to gath er in all stragglers within reach, so os to re-enforee the little garrison at the oaves in the event of attack from the Apaches. To hie practiced eye no ves tige of donbt remained as to the char acter and purpose of the signal smokes. Not a moment was to be lost. Within that very hour perhaps unseen Indians would come skulking, spying, “snak ing" upon their refuge, would be able infallibly to determine the number and character of its occupants, and if their own force were considerable and that of the garrison weak God alone could help those innocent women. When last noted, the westward signal was puffing slowly np into the cloudless sky from a point in the range perhaps six miles below Pattereon's station in the rocks. The three wearied troopers, dragging slowly back from the chase, could be seen coming np the valley prob ably four milee away, some distance, therefore, ahead of the supposed position of the foe. Wing well knew with what goatlike agility the mountain Indians could speed along from rock to rock and •till keep under cover, and every man who had served a month In Arizona could have predicted that If Indians in any force were within a day's march of those three stragglers ambush and death would be their fate, perhaps even when within view of their longed for goal. That they had not eeao the sign, that they were ignorant of the possible pres ence of Apaches tn the range, was man ifest simply because they rode close along under the toot hills, often over the bowlder strewn outskirts of the talda, and, though still far from them, such waa Wing's anxiety for their safe ty that he rode furiously along, signal ing with bis left hand aa thongh to say i “Keep ontl Keep to your right I Don’t go eo close to the rocks I” In this way, nrgiag Dick to his speed and never thinking of his own safety, intent only on saving his comrades from possible death, believing, too, that no Apache could yet have worked bis way so far np the range. Wing was riding, straight as the crow flies, from the little oasis at the month of the canyon toward the ambling laggards to the south. HU conns led him along within 100 yards of many a bowlder or “snwarrow, ” thongh hU path itself wae unobstructed. The sun had gone west ering, and he was in the shadow. Pres ently, however, aa Dick panted painful ly, heavily, np a very gentle elope, and the sergeant came upon the low crest of a moqpdllko upheaval, he saw some 400 yards ahead a broad bay of sun light stretching in from the glaring sea to the east, and glancing to bis right noted that there was a depression in the range—something like a broad cleft in the mountains, possibly a pass through to the broader desert on the other side. Ha gave it little thought, however. There, only a mile or eo away now, came his fellow troopers, two in front, another lagging some distance behind, riding sleepily toward him and danger- roexa. Intent on y on tnem and stiu Wishing to attract their attention, he swnng his broad brimmed hat, waving it off to t he left, hut with no apparent result. Confound them I Were they aounil asleep? Oiuld they never be made to see? Poor Dick waa able now only to strike a feeble canter, ao utterly was he used up, and just when Wing, looking only to the front, was thinking that he might aa well discontinue the spur and let his poor hone rest, they labored forth from the sheltering shade full upon the tawny, sunlit sand. Then, while the s<-rgeant’u eyes were tempo rarily blinded by the glare, there came from the rocks to bis right a sudden flash and report. He felt at the same instant a stinging pang in the leg. He had just time to grasp his own carbine and to attempt to awing off when the second shot echoed loudly from the rocks. He felt poor Dick start and swerve; he felt him going headlong, and the next thing he knew he was vainly striving to peer into the face of the evening sun from over the quivering body of his faithful friend, unable for the moment to see tho faintest sign of an enemy, and then the blood came welling through the little hole in his worn cavalry trousers, midway between the hip bone and the knee, and he knew he had received a serious perhaps dftStM'rwt/i won ml [to be continued.] The Beauty of Wrinkles. And now an authority inveighs against steaming the face as a preventive against wrinkles, alleging that this is uhe swift est and surest prix^ss by which to pro duce them. “Tho second layer of the skin becomes attenuated, and there is a decrease in balk bf the superficial lay ers," is the technical explanation which the laity will not understand and does not need to. The simple fact is suffi cient. Bnt why should wrinkles be such a red rag to every woman? They must inevitably come if one lives long enough, ami barring the suppression of the habit of frowning and the avoidance of dan gerous cosmetics it seems useless to fight them. Time was when we were taught that they were the lines of character, and time is when diameter, as shining forth in tho expression of the face, makes the wrinkles forgotten. Watch the soul be hind the wrinkles. Take as much care of that as you strive to of the outer layer of cuticle, which is its external sem blance, and the wrinkles will be lost or overlooked in the serene and steady eye and quiet but smiling mouth. “Think lofty things,” says a preacher, “and the countenance will show the thought.”— New York Times. Ho Wu BatUtt.d. Tho old boarder, after an experience of 20 years or more, at last got into a place which seemed to him to be as near the ideal as he cared about. When he had been there a week, he went one night to a religious service, and one of tho work ers approached him. “Are you a Christian?” was the first question. “I hope so,” he replied humbly, “though I don’t belong to the church.” “Ah, my friend, there is where you are wrong.” “Possibly I am.” “Don’t you feel that you are a sinner?" "Well, I’m not perfect, 1 suppose.” “Don’t you want to go to heaven?" The old boarder braced np. “If you’d asked me that 10 days ago,” he said, “I should have answered ‘yes’ promptly, but now I’m in a boarding house where they don’t have stewed prune*, skimmilk, hash, paralytic coffee, dried apple pies, soiled napkins, tough meat, a piano on each floor, gossiping boarders and a lot more discomforts, and I’m afraid to take any risk in leaving it,” and the worker gave him np as hopeless. —Detroit Free Press. «taW.B.McGIRl,U.D. $.,«!» Offers his professional set vtcoR t» the people of Darlington and victn'ty Office over the store of Edwards, » -s meat & Co. Jan 19,’90—lv (i. I HACKER A m /-CHARLESTON, SUMTER AND NORTHERN RAILROAD CHARLES E. KIMBALL lteoe<v.r In Effect Jan. 10, 186' north/ SOUTH. 1 a A.M. P.M. Lv 7.30 Charleston 8.45 Ar 8.40 Pregnall's 7.87 10.47 Sumter 5.87 12.05 Darlington 4.13 12 56 Bennetteville 8.21 1.20 Gibeon 2.57 1.47 Hamlet 2.30 Ar 6.00 Raleigh 1015 Lv P.M. P.M. No. 1 eouuneets with Seaboard Air Line at Hamlet tor Raleigh Wilmington, Charlotte, Shel by, Koutherforffton ; and at Charlotte with R. A D. Vestibule Limited for Washington and New York. Passen gers can take sleepers at Charlotte at 8 :39 p. m. Np. 2 passengers by this train have through Sleepers. New York to Char lotte, connects with 8. A. L. at Ham let from Charlotte, Raleigh and North, and from Wilmington, con nects with S.C. Ry. at Pregualls for harleston, Columbia, Angugta and the West. Dinner at Hamlet. C. MILLARD, Superintendent ( "1 A D. and 0. A S. RAILROADS. J» In effect Dec 8, 1898. Through Passenger Train. Leave Wadesboro 4.80 a m Bennett’s 4.51 a m Morven’s 5.04 a m McFarland 5 17 a m Cheraw...— 6.00 a m Cash's 6.12 a m Society Hill 6.26 a m Dove’s 6.44 a in Floyd’s 6.49 a m Darlington 7.00 am Palmetto 7.11 a in Arrive Florence 7.25 a m Leave Florence 7.15 p m Palmetto 7.28 p m Darlington - 7.88 p m Floyd’s 7.50 p m Dove’s 7 55 p m Society Hill 8,13 p m Cash's 8 27 p in Cheraw 8.50 p in McFarland 9.13 p m Morven’s 9.39 p in Bennett’s 9.04 p m Arrive Wadesboro 10.15 p m Freight Train. Leave Florence ^ 7.30 a m Darlington 8.40 a in Arrive Cheiaw 11.20 a nr Leave Cheraw 1.00 pm Darlington 4.00 p m Arrive Florence 5.00 p in A. F. RAVENEL, President. N ORTH EASTERN RAILROAD. In effect Jan. 11, 1894. SOUTH BOUND. No. 61 Leave Florence 7.45 a m Klngstree 8.58 am Lanes 9.20 a m Arrive Charleston 11.20 a in No. 85. Leave Florence 8.37 a m Lanes 4.52 a m Arrive Charleston 6.50 a m No. 83. Leave Florence 7.25 p in Kingstree 8.37 p in Lanes 9.00 p in Arrive Charleston 11.00 p m No. 53. Leave Lanes 7.05 p m Arrive Charleston 8.45 p m Train on C. A D. R. R. connects at Florence with No. 61 Train. NORTH BOUND. No. 78. Leave Charleston^ —. 3.35 a m Lanes 5.30 a in Klngstree 5 52 a m Arrive Florfinoe 7.10 a in No. 80 Leave Charleston 5.00 p m Lanes 7.05 pjiu Kingstree 7.25 p in Arrive Florence 8.50 p m No. 14. Leave Charleston 8.30 p m Lanes 5.29 p m Kingstree 5.45 p m Arrive Florence 6.45 p m No. 52. Leave Charleston 7.00 a m Arrive Lanes 8.S5 a it No. 52 rnns through to Columbia via Central R. R. of S. C. No. 78 runs solid to Wilming ton, N. C., making close connection with W. A W. K. R. for all points North. Train No. 14 runs via Wilson and Fayetteville—Short Line—and makes close connection for all point* North. J. F. DIVINE. Hen. Snpt. IV ILMINGTON, COLUMBIA * AUGUSTA RALROAD. In effect Dec. 3,1898. SOUTH BOUND. Manulacturers —OF— Doors, Sash, Blinds, a^oTTLDiisras —AND- Building Material. ESTABLISHED 1842. CHARLESTON, 8. C. April, 2o m3—1 EAGLE BRAND No. 65. Leave Wilmington 3.20 p m Marion 6.11 p m Arrive Florence .*. 6.50 p in No. 50. Leave Florence 7.10 p a Sumter 8.28 p in Arrive Colombia 10.00 p m No. 58. Leave Florence 7.45 a m Arrive Snmter 9 20 a m No. 58. Leave Snmter 9.53 a m Arrive Colombia 11.05 a m No. 58 rnns throogh from Charles ton via Central Railroad; leaving Lanes 8.40 a m, Manning 9 18 a m. NORTH BOUND. THE BEST ROOFING Is unequalled for housed, barn, fact ory or out-buildings, and costs half the price of shingles, tin or iron. It is ready for use and easily applied by anyone. RUBBER PAlNTcosts on ly 60 cents per gallon in banel lots, or II 50 for 5 gallon tubs. Color dark red. Will stop leaks in tin or iron roofs that will last for years. Try it. Send stamp for samples and particu lar*. Excelsior Paibt and Roofing Co., 155 DUANE 8T., NEW YORK, N. Y. Dec 88—2m. H ART8VILLE RAILROAD. In effect Dec 8,1898. DAILY MIXED TRAIN Leave Hartsville 8.00 a m Jovann 6.80 a m Floyd’e 6.35 a m ArriveParlington 7.90 a m Leave Darlington 6.80 p m Floyd’s 8.00 p m Jovann 8.80 pm Amriva HarUv ille 8.40 p » J, F. DIVINE, Gen. 8«i*. No. 51. Leave Colombia 4.30 am Snmter 5-57 a m Arrive Florence 7.15 a m No. 66. Leave Florence ••••••••••••••••eeeee ?• 40am Marion - 8.83 a m Arrive Wilmington 11.10 am No. 53. Leave Columbia 4.80 pm Arrive Sumter 5.85 p m ^ No. 59. Leave Columbia- — Sumter 5.45 p m Arrive Florence 6.55 p m No. 58 rnns thiouau so enarlestcn via oentral Railroad, arriving Man* ning 6.15 p m. Lane* 7.00 p m, charleston8.45 pm. Trains on Mancheeter and Augusta B. R-,- leave Strmter daily except Sun day, 10.50 a. m., arrive Rimini 11:59 a. m. Returning leave Rimini 1.00 p. m.. arrive Sumter 8:10 p. m. Trains on Wilmington, Chadbonrn and Conway Railroad leave Chad- bourn at 10.10 a m, arrive at Conway 18.30 p m, returning leave Conway at 8:00 p. m., arrive Chadbonrn 4:50 p. in. Leave Chadbonrn 7.00 a m and 5.15 p m, arrive at Hub 7.45 a m and 6.00 pm. Returning leave Hub 8.Ufa in and 6.80 p in, arrive at Chadbonrn 9.00 a m and 7.15 p in. Daily except , SUI J& F, DIVINE. Geal Snpt.