The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1907-10-31
CHAPTER XVII.
The VERGE of a Quarrel,

Brant's mind was a chaos of con-
flicting emotions, but single abiding
conviction never once left him-he re-
tanned implicit faith in her, and he
purposed to fight this matter out with
Hampton. Even in that crucial hour,
had any one ventured to suggest that
he was in love with Nadia, he would
merely have laughed, serenely conf
dent that nothing more than gentle
manly interest swayed his conduct
Nevertheless, he manifested an I'M
reasonable dislike for Hampton. He
had never before felt thus toward this
person; indeed, he had possessed a
strong mans natural admiration for
the others physical power and cool,
determined courage. He now sincere
ly feared Hampton's power over the
innocent mind of the girl, imagining
his influence to be much stronger
than it really was, and he sought after
some suitable means for overcoming
it. He alone, among those who might
be considered as her true friends,
knew of her secret infatuation, and
upon him, alone, therefore, rested the
burden of her release. 1t was his
heart that drove him into such de-
cision, although he conceived it then
to be the reasoning of the brain.
And so she was Nadia ellis, poor
old ellis little girl! He stopped sud
denly in the road, striving to realize
the thought He had never dreamed
of such a consummation, and it stag
gered him. What was there in COM
mon between that Outcast, and this
well-groomed, frankly spoken young
woman? Yet, whoever she was or had
been, the remembrance of her could
not be conjured out of his brain. He
might look back with repugnance upon
those others, those misty phantoms of
the past, but the vision of his mind,
his interchangeable divinity of the
vine shadows, would not become OBJ
scured, nor grow less fascinating.
Suddenly there occurred to him a rec
objection of Silent Murphy, and his
strange, unguarded remark What
could the fellow have meant? Was
there indeed some secret in the life
history Of this young girl?-some
: story of shame, perhaps? If SO did
Hampton know about it?
Already daylight rested white and
solemn over the silent valley. and only
a short distance away lay the spot
where the crippled scout had made
his solitary camp. Almost without vo,
hp Cd = hot
way, crossed the stream by means OF
the log, and clambered up the bank
But it was clear at a glance that Muir.
ply had deserted the spot. Convinced
of this, Brant retraced his steps to,
ward the camp of his own troop. now
morning. Just in front OF his tent
he encountered his first sergeant
Watson" he questioned. as the ar.
Ter saluted ana stood ~ a1ant'2n
do you know a man called Silent
Murphy"
The scout? Yes, sir; knew him as
long ego as when he was corporal in
your fathers troop. He was reduced
" lIle ClIhS lOl lthAl4E an D44iNCl
Brant wheeled in establishment
WAS he ever a soldier in the Sew.
enth?"
He was that, for two enlistments,
and a mighty tough one; but he was
always quick enough for a fight in
field or garrison
Has he shown himself here at the
camp"
mo, sir; didn't know he was any.
where around. He and 7 were never
very good friends, sir"
The lieutenant remained silent for
several moments, cndeavoring to per
feet some feasible plan.
Dispatch an order to the telegraph
Office" he finally commanded. ito in
quire if this nan Murphy receives
any messages tA'ce, and if they know
where he is stopping. Send an intel
ligent man and have him discover al
the facts he can. When he returns
bring him in to me-
He had enjoyed bath and shave
and was yet lingering over his cot
fee, when the two soldiers entered
with their report. The sergeant step
ped aside, and the orderly tall, boy
ish looking fellow with a pugnacious
chin, saluted stiily.
We'll, Bane," and the officer eyed
his trim appearance with manifest ap
proval, what did you succeed IA learn
ing?"
The operator said this ycre Muir
ply had never bin thar himself, sir
:. butIthere wus several MESSAGES come
. 'er him. One got here this nornin'.'
= What becomes of them. '
They're called fer by ar1ther fel
Ter, sir"
ooh, they are Who?"
Red Slavin wus the name he give
me of tibet other buck
When the two had disappeared
Brant sat back thinking re pidly. There
was a mystery here, and such action!
must have cause. Something eth
er in or about Glenca d was com
polling Murphy to keep out of sigh
but what? Who? Rrant was un
able to get 1t out of his head tina
all this secrecy centered around Nadia
Perhaps Hampton knew at least HI
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