Read The Jeweled Spur for Free Online

the meal. “You take a dog like Ugly, now. One sure way to make him cranky and mean is to tie him up and let him get bored and hungry. Then you offer him something he really wants, like some juicy bones.” He paused, admiring the satin smoothness of her cheeks and the sweep of her clean-cut jaw, then shrugged, adding, “And then just when he’s got it, why, you yank it back so he doesn’t get it.”
    Laurie’s eyes were fixed on her father’s face, for she knew he was saying more than his lazy tones implied. She was a quick girl, especially with him, for the two had spent so much time together during the years on the plains, they could almost read each other’s thoughts. As she pondered what he’d said, her eyes narrowed and her lips grew firm. Her fatherhad always said that she was like a bulldog with a thought, that she’d never give up until she got the meaning of things.
    “You mean that our trip to see Uncle Dan made me unhappy?”
    Winslow nodded, then stepped closer and laid his hand on her shoulder. “You’ve been discontented here at the post for a long time, Laurie. Then you had a fine time when we went there. It wasn’t just Wyoming, though,” he said gently. “You’re hungry to get away—just like Ugly was hungry for those bones. And just like him, when you got a taste of freedom from this life, and then it was snatched away from you—why, you have to get a little mean or you wouldn’t be human. We’re all like that when we don’t get what we want.”
    “No, that’s not right,” Laurie answered swiftly. Looking up into his face, she looked very vulnerable, but there was a stubborn set to her lips and a directness in her dark eyes. “You’re not like that, and Mother’s not. Neither one of you likes this post, but you don’t go around tormenting animals!”
    Winslow suddenly laughed aloud, then put his arms around Laurie and squeezed her so hard she gasped. “You’re a real desperado, you are!” She struggled to free herself, but he held her firmly for a moment. When she did look up, he said, “You’re a fine girl, Laurie. No man ever had a better daughter.”
    “Oh, Daddy, I feel so—so useless! ”
    “Never think that, Laurie!” Winslow spoke almost sternly and released her. He started to say more, but glancing over at the drill field, he saw it was filling up with mounted men. “Time for retreat,” he murmured. He wheeled, saying, “Wait until I come back.”
    Laurie nodded and moved over to stand in front of the feed barn. One of the things she did like about the post was the daily ritual that took place every evening as the sun went down. It was a splash of color and drama that bloomed in the midst of the gray monotony of the army post.
    She watched as five cavalry companies filed out from thestables to the parade ground. The officers yelped sharply, like foxes, shrill in the air. “Column right! Left into line! Com-m-pany, halt!” The mounted men guided their horses expertly, the animals sending quick puffs of dust rising into the air. One by one, the five companies came into regimental front, each group mounted on horses of matched color, each company’s guidon colorfully waving from the pole affixed in the stirrup socket of the guidon corporal’s stirrup.
    Then the moment came when the milling horses seemed to freeze into position, each trooper sitting with a grooved ease in his McClellan saddle, legs well down and back arched, sabre hanging on loosened sling to the left side, carbine suspended from belt swivel to right, dress helmet cowled down to the level of his eyes.
    Laurie stared at the sunburned faces all pointed toward her father and to the adjutant now taking his report. She felt a quick glow of pride rush through her as her father took the report and answered the adjutant’s salute. Always at a time like this, she was proud of him, for all these men were in her father’s hands, and she knew how they trusted their commanding officer.
    Then a word was