Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-14

an appeal. and Brant could not resist the
impulse to comfort.
Then attempt no explanation" he said
gently, land believe me shall continue to
trust you. Tonight. whatever your wish
may be. win abide by it. Shall I go or
stayi In either case you have nothing to
She drew a deep breath these open words
OF faith touching her more strongly than
would any selfish fault-hnding.
Trust begets trust" she replied with new
f1rmness, and now gazing frankly into his
face. you can walk with me a portion OF
the way II you wish. but am going to tell
you the TRUTH have an appointment with
q man."
81 naturally regret to learn this" he said
with assumed calmness. But the way Is
SO lonely I prefer walking with you until
you have some other protector"
She accepted his proffered arm. feeling
the constraint in his tone, the Formally in
his manner. most keenly. An older woman
might have resented 1t. but 1t only served
to sadden and embarrass her. He began
speaking Of the quiet beauty Of the night.
but she had no thought Of what he was
Lieut.. Brant." she said at last, "you do
not ask me who the man isl
Certainly not, Miss Nadia; 1t is none Of
my business"
II think. perhaps. 1t might be: the knowl-
edge might help you to understand. 1t is
Bob Hampton"
He stared at her. 1.-THE gambler? No
WONDER, tnen, your meeting Is ClanQeStlne.'
She replied Indignantly, her lips trembling.
He is not gambler: he is miner over
in the Black Range. He has not touched a
card In two years..
"Oh. reformed, has he? And are you the
instrument that has worked such a mira
cIe?"
Her eyes fell. II don't know, but hope
So" Then she glanced up again, wondering
at his continued silence. Don't you I'M
derstand yet?''
"Only that you are secretly meeting a
man of the worst rcputati one known the
length and breadth of this border as gam
bier and fighter"
yes; but-but don't you know who I
ann"
He smiled grimly. wondering what posi-
BILE difference that could make. Certainly;
you are Miss Nadia Herndon."
IT? You have not known? Lieut.. Brant,
am Nadia ellis"
He stopped still. again facing her. MAZDA
ellis? Do you mean old ellis girl? Is it
possible you are the same We rescued on
the prairie two years ago.?
She bowed her head. yes; do you I'M
derstand now why trust this Bob Hamp-
ton?'
IT perhaps might comprehend why you
should feel grateful to him, but not why
you should thus consent to meet with him
clandestinely."
He could not see the deep flush upon her
cheeks, but he was not deaf to the ptiful
falter In her voice.
because he has been good and true to
me-" she explained frankly: "better than
anybody else In all the world. don't care
what you say. you and those others who
do not know him. but believe in him;
think he Is a man. They won't let me see
him. the Herndons, nor permit him to come
to the house. He has not been in Glencaid
for two years until yesterday. The Indian
rising has driven all the miners out from
the Black Range. and he came down here
for no other purpose than to get glimpse
of me and learn how was getting on. l.
saw him over at the hotel Just for a mo-
ment-Mrs. Guilty handed me a note-and L
had ony just left him when encountered
you at the door. I wanted to see him again.
to talk with him longer. but couldn't man.
age to get away from you. and didn't
Do you really think / am so very bad be-
cause-because I like Bob Hampton
He stood q moment completely nonplussed,
yet compelled to answer.
II certainly have no right to question
your motives" he said at last. land be-
lieve your purposes to be above reproach.
wish might give the same credit to this
man Hampton. But. Miss Mazda, the world
does not often consent to judge US by our
own estimation Of right and wrong; 1t pre-
fers to place its own Interpretation on acts.
and thus often condemns the innocent.
Others might not see this as / do nor have
such unquestioning faith in you"
IT know" she admitted stubbornly; but I
wanted to see him; have been 30 lonely
for him. and this was the only possible
way
Brant felt wave of uncomfortable SYM
pathy sweep across him. even while he
was beginning to hate this man, who, he