Then she became aware of a third form,
rifle-bearing, and slowly pacing the curving line of the bluff--the
sentry beyond doubt. Who, then, were these others who had now totally
disappeared? She thought to speak of it to Nannie in the morning, and
then thought not. There were reasons why nervous alarm of any kind were
best averted then from Mrs. Blake. But there came reason speedily why
Mrs. Ray could not forget it.
And that night, later still, along toward four o'clock, the persistent
clicking of the telegraph instrument at the adjutant's office caught the
ear of the sentry, who in time stirred up the operator, and a "rush"
message was later thrust into the hand of Major Flint, demolishing a
day-old castle in the air.
FROM ROCK CREEK, WYOMING,
_October 23, 188--._ 9:15 P. M.
COMMANDING OFFICER, FORT FRAYNE,
_via Fort Laramie_.
Stage capsized Crook Canon. General Field seriously injured. Have wired
Omaha.
(Signed) Warner,
_Commanding Camp._
CHAPTER XVII
A RIFLED DESK
Events moved swiftly in the week that followed. Particulars of the
accident to General Field, however, were slow in reaching Fort Frayne;
and, to the feverish unrest and mental trouble of the son, was now added
a feverish anxiety on the father's account that so complicated the
situation as to give Dr.
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