ME KANP1D
PLACER
UllPAMiSMUfffflfiQr
kind protecting hills.
It burst upon them with wild ells.
The gloomy ridges blazed into their
startled faces, the dark ravines hurled
at them skurrying horsemen, while,
wherever their eyes turned, 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 awfu! minute of con
sternation, and the little column
seemed to shrivel away as If consum
ed by the flame which struck It, front
and flank and rear. It was as if those
men had ridden into the mouth of
Lell.
Yet it was scarcely for more than a
minute. Men trained, strong, clear of
brain, were in those stricken lines
men who had seen Indian battle be
fore. The recoil came, swift as had
been the surprise. Voice after voice
rang out old familiar orders, steady
ing Instantly the startled nerves; dis
cipline conquered disorder, and the
shattered column rolled out, as if by
magic, into the semblance of a battle
Hue.
It was magnificently done. Custer
and his troop commanders brought
their sorely smitten men into a posi
tion of defense, even hurled them
cheering forward in short, swift
charges, so as to clear the front and
sain room in which to deploy. Out of
confusion emerged discipline, confi
dence, esprit de corps.
Safe beyond the range of the troop
ers' light carbines, the Indians, with
their heavier rifles, kept hurling s.
constant storm of lead, hugging the
gullies, and spreading out until there
was no rear toward which the harass
ed cavalrymen could turn for safety.
One by one, continually under a heavy
fire, the scattered troops were form
ed into something more nearly re
sembling a battle line Calhoun on
the left, then Keogh, Smith and
Yates, with Tom Custer holding the
extreme right. Thus they waited grim
ly for the next assault.
Nor was it long delayed. Scarcely
had the troopers recovered, refilled
their depleted cartridge belts from
those of their dead comrades, when
the onslaught came. The soldiers
waited their coming. The short,
brown-barrelled carbines 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 rage, the red brave?
swerved to left and right, leaving
many a dark, war-bedecked figure ty
ing dead behind them, and many a
riderless pony skurrying over the
prairie. Exultant over their seeming
ly successful repulse, the men flung
themselves again upon the earth,
their cheers ringing out above the
thud of retreating hoofs. j
"We can hold them here, boys, unti j
Reno comes," they shouted to eacr
other. !
The skulking red riflemen crept !
ever closer behind the ridges, driving j
their deadly missiles into those ranks i
exposed in the open. To the command j
of the bugle they discharged two j
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.
It was four o'clock. For two long
hours they had been engaged in cease
less struggle, and now barely a hun
dred men, smoke begrimed, thirsty,
bleeding, half their carbines empty,
they still formed an impenetrable ring
Ground their chief. The struggle was
yer, apd they realized the fact.
When that wave of savage horsemen
swept forth again it would be to ride
them down, to crush them under their
horses pounding hoofs.
Like a whirlwind those red demons
came howling wolves, now certain of
their prey. On both flanks of the
short, slender line struck Gall and
Crazy Horse, while like a thunderbolt
Crow-King and Rain-in-the-Face at
tacked the center. These three storms
conyerged at the foot of the hill,
crushing the little band of troopers.
With ammunition 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
ever-contracting circle, officers and
men stood shielding their commander
to the last. Twenty or 30 made a de
spairing dash, in a vain endeavor to
burst through the red enveloping
lines, only to be tomahawked or shot;
but the most remained, a thin strug
gling ring, with Custer in Its center.
Then came the Inevitable end. The
red waves 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. unpjeasant predica
ment In the valley, "Terry's and OTd
bons's Infantry tramped up the ravine,
and emerged upon the stricken field.
In Uses ot motionless dead they re&u
the fearrui story; ana mere iney
found that man we . new. iyiiig nnn
a bed of emptied cartridge shells, his
body riddled with shot and mutilated
with knives, his clothing torn to rags,
his hands grasped a smashed and
twisted carbine, his lips smiling even
In death, was that soldier whom the
Seventh had disowned and cast out.
but who had come back to defend lis
chief and to die for its honor Robert
Hampton Nolan.
CHAPTER XXXV.
The Curtain Falls.
Bronzed 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 his
new cavalry jacket, Donald Brant
trotted down the stage road bordering
the Bear Water, his heart alternating
between hope and dread.
The familiar yellow house at the
cross-roads appeared so unattractive
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
a vision of flushed face and snowy
drapery confronted him.
"Why, Lieut. Brant! I was never
more surprised in my life. Do, pray,
come right in. Yes, Naida is here,
and I will have her sent for at once.
Oh, Howard, this is Lieut. Brant, just
back from his awful Indian fighting.
How very nice that he should happen
to arrive Just at this time, isn't it?"
The young officer silently accepted
Mr. Wynkoop's extended hand, and
found a convenient chair, as Miss
Spencer hastened from the room to
announce his arrival.
"Why 'just at this time?'" he ques-
Mr. Wynkoop cleared his throat.
"Why why, you see, we are to be
married this evening Miss Spencer
and myself. We shall be so delighted
to have you witness the ceremony. It
is to take place at the church, and
my people insist upon making quite
an affair out of the occasion Phoebe
is so popular, you know."
The lady again bustled in, her eyes
glowing with enthusiasm. "Why, I
think 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
Naida for decision," he replied, so
berly. There was a rustle at the inner
door, and Naida stood there. Their
eyes met, and the color mounted
swiftly to the girl's cheeks. Then he
stepped resolutely forward, forgetful
of all 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?"
he asked, at last. "I have much to
say which I am 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 walk
ed in silence side by side along the
bank of the little stream. Brant glanc
ed furtively toward the sweet, girlish
face. Then he spoke.
"Naida," he said, gravely, "I have
come back, as I said I would, and
surely I read welcome in your eyes?"
"Yes."
"And I have come to say that there
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
stand; perhaps you mistake my mean
ing." "I know it all," he answered, sober
ly, "from the lips of Hampton.'
"You have seen him? Oh, Lieut.
Brant, please tell me the whole truth.
I hare missed him so much, and since
the day he rode away to Cheyenne not
one word to explain his absence has
come back to me. You cannot
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 breath. 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 Gen.
Custer on the bluffs of the Little Big
Horn."
Her slight figure trembled so vio
lently that he held her close within
his arms.
"There was a smile upon his face
when we found him. He performed
his full duty, Naida, and died as be
came a soldier and a gentleman."
"But but, this cannot be! I saw
the published list; his name was not
among them."
"The man who fell was Robert
Nolan."
Gently he drew her down to a seat
Vroved." .
She glanced up at him quickly. "By
Murphy?"
"Yes, by Murphy, who Is now lying
upon the soft turf of the bank. She
looked up at him helplessly, her mind
seemingly dazed, her eyes yet filled
with doubt.
"Robert Nolan? My father?"
He bent over toward her, pressing
his lips to her hair and stroking it
tenderly with his hand.
"Yes, Naida, darling; it was truly
Robert Hampton Nolan who died in
battle, in the ranks of his old regi
ment died as he would have chosen
to die, thank God! completely cleared
of every stain upon his honor. Sit
up, little girl, and listen while I tell
you. There is in the story no word
which does not reflect nobility upon
the soldier's daughter."
She uplifted her white face. "Tell
me," she said, simply, "all you know."
He recounted to her slowly, care
fully, ,the details of that desperate
journey northward, of their providen
tial meeting on the Little Big Horn,
of the papers left in his charge, of
jP
,vmm '
He Held Her Close Within His Arms.
Hampton's riding forward with dis
patches, and of his death at Custer's
side. While he spoke, the girl scarce
ly moved; her breath came in sobs
and her hands clasped his.
"These are the papers, Naida. I
opened the envelope as directed, and
found deeds to certain properties, in
cluding the mine in the Black Range;
a will, duly signed and attested, nam
ing you as his sole heir, together with
a carefully prepared letter, addressed
to you, giving a full account of the
crime of which he was convicted, as
well as some other matters of a per
sonal nature. That letter you must
read alone as his last message, but
the truth of all he says has since hn
In the hospital at Bethune, slowly re
covering. His sworn deposition has
been forwarded to the department at
Washington, and will undoubtedly re
sult in the honorable replacing of
your father's name on the army list.
I will tell you briefly the man's con
fession, together with the few addi
tional facts necessary to make it
clear.
"Your father and mine were for
many years friends and army com
rades. They saw service together dur
ing the great war, and afterward upon
the plains in Indian campaigning. Un
fortunatetly a slight misunderstand
ing arose between them. One night
they openly quarreled when heated
by wine, and exchanged blows. The
following evening your father chanc
ing to be officer of the guard and on
duty, my father, whose wife had then
been dead a year,, was thoughtless
enough to accompany Mrs. Nolan
home at a late hour from a post ball.
It was merely an act of ordinary cour
tesy; but gossips magnified the tale,
OS
"Donald, I Love You."
and bore it to Nolan. Still smarting
from the former quarrel, In which I
fear my father was in the wrong, he
left the guard house with the openly
avowed intention of seeking imme
diate satisfaction. In the meanwhile
Slavln, Murphy, and a trooper named
Flynn, who had been to town without
passes, and were half-drunk, stole
through the guard lines and decided
to make a midnight raid on the colo
nel's private office. Dodging along
behind the powder house, they ran
suddenly upon my father, then on the
way to his own quarters. Whether
they were recognized by him, or
whether drink made them reckless of
consequences, is unknown, but one of
the men instantly fired. Then they
ran, and succeeded in gaining the bar
racks unsuspected."
She sat as if fascinated by his re
cital. "Your father heard the shot, and
sprang toward the sound, only to fall
headlong across my fathers lifeless
body. As he came heavily down, his
revolver was jarred out of its holster
and dropped unnoticed in the grass.
An instant later the guard came run
ning up, and by morning Capt. Nolan
was under arrest charged with mur
der. The circumstantial evidence was
strong his quarrel with the mur
dered man. his heated language a
few moments previqus, the revolver
lymg Teslde the body," having two
'chambers discharged, and his being
found there alone with the man he Lad
""
gone forth to seek. Slavln and Klynn
both strengthened the case by posi
tive testimony. As a result, a court
martial dismissed the prisoner in dis
grace from the army, and a civil court
sentenced him to ten years' Impris
onment."
"And my mother?" The question
was a trembling whisper from quiver-
rng lips.
"Your mother," he said regretfully.
"was an exceedingly proud woman, be
longing to a family of .social promi
nence in the east. She felt deeply
the causeless gossip connecting her
name with the case, as well as the
open disgrace of her husband's con
viction. She refused to receive her
former friends, and even failed in
loyalty to your father In his time of
trial. It is impossible now to fix
the fault clearly, or to account for her
actions. Capt. Nolan turned over all his
property to her, and the moment she
could do so she disappeared from the
fort, taking you with her. From that
hour none of her old acquaintances
could learn anything regarding her
whereabouts. She did not return to
her family in the east, nor correspond
with anyone In the army. Probably, ut
terly broken-hearted, she sought se
clusion in some city. How Gillis ob
tained possession of you remains a
mystery."
"Is that all?"
"Everything."
They kept silent for a long time, the
slow tears dropping from her eyes,
her hands clasped in her lap. His
heart, heavy with sympathy, would
not permit him to break in upon her
deep sorrow with words of comfort.
"Naida," he whispered at last, "this
may not be the time for me to speak
such words, but you are all alone
now. Will you go back to Bethune
with me back to the old regiment
as my wife?"
A moment she bowed her head be
fore him; then lifted it and held out
her hands. "I will."
"Say to me again what you once
said."
"Donald, I love you."
Gently he drew her down to him,
and their lips met.
"I wish you to be very happy, Nai
da, dear," he whispered, drawing her
hei tenderly down until it found rest
upon his shoulder.
"Yes, I feel you do, and I am; but
it cannot come all at once, Donald,
for I have lost so much so much.
I I hope he knows."
(The End.)
A brand new single harness for sale at
a bargain. Call on Bort Ballard in the
Boeck block.
Roll of Honor
Following are those who have sent
in the wherewith to avdance their sub
scription mark on the Semi-weekly
Journal to 1909. We shall endeavor in
this way to acknowledge the receipt of
all monies paid on the weekly edition.
If you fail to find your name in the list
please notify us at once, and if you
have not ""received credit it may be
looked after at once. At the same
time please accept our thanks for the
remittance
J. W. Johnson, Plattsmouth.
Dr. J. A. Pollard, Nehawka.
August Thiele, Avoca.
L. F. Dunkak,
Dr. J. W. Brendell, Avoca.
W. II. Eetts, jr.,
Henry Manderman, "
J. I. Corley, Weeping Water.
W. H. Pool,
F. L. Wolcott, Elmwood.
J. G. Stark,
L. F. Langhorst, "
R. D. McDonald, Greenwood.
W. E. Hand,
J. P. Rainey, Union.
C. W. Frans, Nehaw-ka.
W. A. Taylor, Union.
M. C. McQuinn, Union.
Peter Campbell, Plattsmouth.
Herman Dettman, Elmwood.
Wm. Morley, Avoca.
Louie Leiner, Plattsmouth.
Jerry McHugh, South Bend.
Thos. Walling, Plattsmouth.
Louie Puis, Murray.
G. Marshall, Greenwood.
J. J. Phillips, Macdoel, Cali., ordered
by Geo. Hicks.
H. F. Wenke, Wausa.
Henry Engelkemeier, Murray.
Henry Knabe, Nehawka
Wm. Kaufman, Plattsmouth.
Gates Parker, Guide Rock
W. J. Crosser, Bloomfield
Geo. Cook, Alvo
Geo. Stander, Plattsmouth
T. F. Tidd, Fleak, N. D., paid by
Geo. Stander
Mrs. Roe Hinton, Scott's Bluff, paid
by Jos. Adams
Henry Thierolf, Star
John A. Gutsche, Cleveland, O.
M. Waybright, Los Angles, Calif.
John Tromble, Asherville, Kas.
Frank Rand, So. Omaha
W. II. Wherbein, Plattsmouth.
Allen Land, Mynard.
C. C. Tucker, Mynard.
D. C. Tucker, Alva, Okla., paid by
C. C. Tucker.
H. F. Gansmer, Plattsmouth.
Mike Swartzfisher, Minco, Okla.
Luke L. Wiles, Plattsmouth.
Anton Meisinger, Cedar Creek.
John Meisinger, Cedar Creek.
Jacob Kruger, Mynard.
David Foltz, Weeping Water.
W. I. Foltz, So. Omaha.
Ernest Richter, Murray.
Now if the time to sow blue grass
and white clover. Get them at John
Bauer's.
ANOTHER WEDDING
NEAR ELUW00D
Miss Marie Engliking and Mr
Wm. Stege Were Married
on March II, 1908
On Wednesday, March 11th, at 11
o'clock a. m.., a very pretty wedding
was solemnized at the farm home of
Mrs? C. Engleking, a half mile south
of Elmwood, her daughter, Marie, and
Mr. Wm. F. Stege forming the con
tracting parties.
Just as the clock chimed the hour
the strains of a beautiful wedding
march, played by Miss Minnie Schick,
was heard through the rooms, and the
unattended bridal party entered the
parlor taking their place near the dec
orated window, where they were met
by Reverend Toerne, pastor of the
German Lutheran church, and perform
ed the ceremony, which was witnessed
only by the immediate relatives of the
bride and groom.
The bride was dressed in a light blue
silk costume. The groom wore a neat
black suit and a happy smile.
The bride is the oldest daughter of
Mrs. Engleking, born and raised in
this community, where she has the re
spect of all who know her. The groom
is the second son of Mr. and Mrs.
J. H. Stege, sr., and a twin brother
of Otto Stege, who entered upon the
joys of connubial bliss last week. He
has grown to manhood in our midst
and is known as a young man of good
character, and is one of our successful
young farmers.
The time until late evening was
spent in games and social enjoyment.
A number of beautiful and useful gifts
will remind them of the happy occa
sion. Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Stege will be at
home to their friends on the farm a
mile east and a half mile south of Elm
wood. The Leader-Echo extends con
gratulations. Elmwood Leader-Echo.
Can It Be Possible?
The following appeared in the Sun
day Omaha World-Herald, under the
head of "A Query?"
Plattsmouth, Neb., March 13. To
the editor of the World-Herald: I notice
in your paper this date a report from
Washington, D. C, under date of the
12th, stating that Senator Brown pre
sented a resolution from the Omaha
Clearing House association against legis
lation to prevent dealing in futures.
Can it be possible that the leading
financial organization of our state is in
favor of option dealing, which has
ruined so many bankers and business
men? A Country Banker.
We also notice that Congressman
Pollard has been requested to do the
same in the house.
Return Frcm the West
Mrs. S. L. Thomas departed from
Sacremanto, California, last Thursday,
arriving at Denver Saturday, stopping
over to visit with friends there until
last evening, and will arrive at home
this evening on number two of the Bur
lington. Eddie Todd and wife will also
return as will Mrs. E. R. Todd and A.
L. Todd, who have been visiting in
Denver for the past ten days.
In the District Court
As we go to press the case of the
State vs. Brandmeir is on trial, to a
jury the county attorney representing
the state, and Will C. Ramsey looking
after the interest of the defendent.
OF
I .
Thursday, Marat 18
17 Head cf Good Horses! 20 Head of Yearling Steers!
and 14 Head of Mules!
All will be sold at Public Auction at my place, 3J miles northeast of Union.
Sale will commence at 11:00 a. m. sharp. This stock is all good, and if you need
any of them it will pay you to attend this sale.
R. G. KENDALL, Owner.
ROBERT WILKINSON, Auctioner.
V.F. TRACY, Clerk.
8PEC1BL BBTlBEi
We have Just received
a supply of
f
The groat cleaner
and rencvcr of
Furniture, Pianos
and Woodwork.
In the New Size
25c. Bottles.
ANDREW KAUFFMAN
and DAUGHTER
CASH STORE
DEALERS IN DRT GOODS AKD GROCERIES
Can This be Tru e?
A young couple of this city recently
purchased a baby carriage at a local
store, and having the child with them,
placed it in the carriage and started
home. On their way they passed a
number of people who looked at the
carriage blandly and who appeared
greatly amused. The action of friends
was a matter of great annoyance to
the young people and was wholly
inexplicable until they reached home.
As the little one was being taken from
the carriage their eyes fell upon a
printed card on the front of the carriage
which read: "None better: our own
make."
thi:
Temptation to Buy
3SBBBSSS3CSS
needlessly will be greatly reduced if
you have to draw a check every time
you make a purchase. Don't keep
your cash in your pocket where it is
likely to burn a hole. Open an ac
count with The Bank of Cass County.
Experience proves that a man thinks
twice before he spends once when he
has an account at the bank.
THF BANK OF GASS COUNTY
j j
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