The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1907-10-31


saddled.
1t did not seem quite so simple now,
this projected interview with Hamp-
ton, as it had appeared the night be-,
fore. In the clear light of day. he
began to realize the weakness of his
position, the fact that he possessed
not the smallest right to speak on be-
half of Nadia ellis. Nevertheless, the
die was cast, and perhaps, provided an
open quarrel could be avoided. the
meeting might result in good to all
concerned.
Hampton welcomed him with dis
tant but marked courtesy, having evi-
IDENTITY thought out his own imme-
date plan of action, and schooled him
self accordingly. Standing there. the
bright light streaming over them from
the open windows. they presented two
widely contrasting personalities, yet
each exhibited in figure and face the
evidences of hard training and iron
discipline. Hampton was clothed in
black, standing straight as an arrow,
his shoulders squared, his head held
proudly erect, while his cool gray
eyes studied the face of the other as
he had been accustomed TO survey
his opponents at the card table. Brant
looked the picture of a soldier on
duty, trim, well built. erect, his reso-
lutte blue eyes never flinching from
the steady gaze bent upon him, his
bronzed young face grave from the
seriousness of his mission. In both
minds the same thought fingered
the vague wonder how much the 9TH
er knew The elder man, however, re-
tanned a better self-control and was
first to break the silence
Miss ellis informed me of your
kindness to her last evening"" he
said, quietly, and in her behalf
sincerely thank you. Permit me to
offer you a chair"
Brant accepted it and sat down.
feeling the calm tone of proprietorship
in the words of the other as if they
had been a blow. His face flushed
yet he spoke firmly. Possibly | mis-
coEstrue your meaning" he said. with
some bluntne5s, determined to reach
the gist of the matter at once Did
Miss ellis authorize you to thank me
for these courtesies?'
Hampton smiled with provoking
calmness, holding an unlighted cigar
between his fingers Why, really.
as to that I do not remember. l
merely mentioned it as expressing the
natural gratitude of US both
You speak as if you possessed full
authority to express her mind as well
as your own"
The other bowed grayely, his face
impassive. My words quite naturally
bear some such construction.
The officer hesitated. feeling more
doubtful than ever regarding his own
position Chagrined, disarmed, he
felt like a prisoner standing bound
before his hooking captor. Then [
fear my mission here is useless.
Entirely so, if you dome for the
| purpose [ suspect" said Hampton. sit
ting erect in his chair, and speaking
with more rapid utterance TO lee
ture me on morality, and demand my
yielding up all influence over this girl
such a mission is assuredly a fail.
! ure | have listened with some de-
! gree Of calmness in this room already
to one such address, and surrendered
to its reasoning But permit me to
say quite plainly, Lieut. Brant that
ycI are not the person from whom |
v j quietly listen to another"
Il had very little expectation that
| vnu would"
You should have had still less, and
"emajned away entirely However
nav shat Won are here. and the sab
feet preached, it becomes my turn
to say something, and to say it clear
! ly. 1t seems to me you would ex-
hibit far better taste and discrimina
| ton if from now on you would cease
forcing your attentions upon Miss Gil.
| lis"
other never deigned to alter his posi-.
ton.
Forcing my attentions!" exclaimed
the officer Gods mercy, man! do
you realize what you are saying?
have forced no attentions upon Miss
ellis"
MY reference was rather to future
possibilities. Young blood is prov.
erbially hot, and | thought it wise to
| warn you in time"
Brant stared into that imperturbed
face, and somehow the very sight OF
its calm, inflexible resolve served to
clear his own brain. He felt that this
cool, self-controlled man was speak.
ing with authority.
Wait just moment" he said al
last. Il wish this made perfectly clear
and for all time. pet Miss ellis
first through pure accident. She i'm
pressed me strongly then, and l con
fess l have since grown more deeply
Interested in her personality | have
reasons to suppose my presence not
altogether distasteful to her, and she
has certainly shown that she reposes
confidence in me- Not until late last
night did ! ever suspect she was the
same girl whom we picked up with