tholic faith. It was she who went at once to
every woman in the garrison whose husband was ordered out on scout or
campaign, proffering aid and comfort, despite the fact long whispered in
the garrisons of the Platte country, that in the old, old days she had
far more friends among the red men than the white. That could well be,
because in those days white men were few and far between. Every one had
heard the story that it was through her the news of the massacre at Fort
Phil Kearny was made known to the post commander, for she could speak
the dialects of both the Arapahoe and the Sioux, and had the sign
language of the Plains veritably at her fingers' ends. There were not
lacking those who declared that Indian blood ran in her veins--that her
mother was an Ogalalla squaw and her father a French Canadian fur
trapper, a story to which her raven black hair and brows, her deep, dark
eyes and somewhat swarthy complexion gave no little color. But, long
years before, Bill Hay had taken her East, where he had relatives, and
where she studied under excellent masters, returning to him summer after
summer with more and more of refinement in manner, and so much of style
and fashion in dress that her annual advent had come to be looked upon
as quite the event of the season, even by women of the social position
of Mrs. Ray and Mrs. Blake, the recognized leaders among the young
matrons of the ----th Cavalry, and by gentle Mrs. Dade, to whom every
one looked up in respect,--almost in reverence. Despite the mystery
about her antecedents there was every reason why Mrs. Hay should be held
in esteem and affection. Bill Hay himself was a diamond in the
rough,--square, sturdy, uncompromising, generous and hospitable; his
great pride and glory was his wife; his one great sorrow that their only
child had died almost in infancy. His solecisms in syntax and society
were many. He was given at times to profanity, and at others, when
madame was away, to draw poker; but officers and men alike proclaimed
him a man of mettle and never hesitated to go to him when in financial
straits, sure of unusurious aid. But, even had this not been the case,
the popularity of his betterhalf would have carried him through, for
there was hardly a woman at Frayne to speak of her except in terms of
genuine respect. Mrs. Hay was truth telling, sympathetic, a peacemaker,
a resolute opponent of gossip and scandal of every kind, a woman who
minded her own business and was on