“He certainly frightened me terribly by stating that I could show no marriage-certificate. Neither can I, but I know the priest that married us; I know the church well, and I saw it put upon the register. He thought that I had forgotten, and so forced me to vow to rescue him. “Well, he has escaped, and I only hope that he will soon be shot, for then will I be free, and a widow. It is useless for me ever to dream of love with Colonel Dunwoody now, for I know that he suspects me. I cannot, I dare not tell him the truth, and, doing what I did, impersonating Clarice Carr, I cannot make him understand unless I confess all to him. “No, I must go on as best I can and try and wipe out that mistake of mine from his memory. I shall make an effort now to win Caruth, and, failing there, I will turn to Lieutenant Turpin, for he is by no means bad, and he has prospects of promotion as well as money. I would like to know what news that courier brings, for I will be anxious until Buffalo Bill again returns to the fort.” So mused the woman, and with her beauty, wit, cleverness, and money, it was very certain, if she could bury Silk Lasso Sam, the world yet had charms for her which she would make the most of. The courier, meanwhile, had reached headquarters, and, dismounting, had delivered his leather satchel to Colonel Dunwoody. He had come from the upper fort, also under the command of Colonel Dunwoody, and the officer in charge there had sent him through as a special, as an important paper had come there, addressed to Pioneer Post. The colonel saw two letters, one an official document and so marked and sealed, the other a personal communication. Both came from Chicago, the army headquarters. The official letter was first opened and was only some special orders, and a sanction of the act of Colonel Dunwoody in having Silk Lasso Sam and his men so promptly tried and sentenced. This was a satisfaction to him, and then he turned to his letter. It was a personal one from the general, and read as follows: “MY DEAR DUNWOODY: If you resist falling in love with that beautiful girl to whom I gave a letter to you, then you are indeed destined never to be a benedick. “I am sorry you can do no more for her than to allow her to see that villain of a brother, who certainly deserves hanging, and I suppose will be promptly executed on the day set, as he should be. “The young lady did ask me something about the possibility of her having the civil law take the man from the military, but I have heard no more of it, so suppose she made no attempt to do so. “You have shown nerve and determination in your dealing with those border ruffians, and I uphold you in it.” The letter then spoke of other matters, and having read it to the end Colonel Dunwoody hastily sent for Lieutenant-Colonel De Sutro and Major Lester. When the officers arrived at headquarters they found the commandant pacing the floor with a look as though very much annoyed.