Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-19
CHAPTER XIII.
"She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not. !"

Unkind as the fates had proved to Brant
earlier in the day. they relented somewhat
as the sun rose higher. and consented to
lead him to far happier scenes. There is
rare fortune which seems to pilot lovers
Alright. even when they are most blind to
the road. and the young soldier was now
most truly a lover cropping through the
mists OF doubt and despair.
II was no claim OF military duty which
compelled him to relinquish Miss Spencer
50 promptly at the hotel door, but rather a
desire to escape her ceaseless chatter and
gain retirement where he could reflect in
quiet over the revelations of Hampton. In
this quest he rode slowly up the valley of
the Bear Water. through the bright sun
shine. the rare beauty of the scene scarcely
leaving the slightest impress on his mind
so busy was 1t. and so preoccupied. He no
longer had any doubt that Hampton had
utilized his advantageous position, as well
as his remarkable powers of pleasing. to
ensnare the susceptible heart OF this young
confidlng girl. While the man had ad-
yanced no direct claim, he had said enough
to make perfectly clear the close intimacy
OF their relation and the existence OF a
definite understanding between them. With
this recognized as a. fact. was he justified
In endeaVOring to win Nadia Gillis for
himseif?- That the girl would find contin-
ued happiness with such man as Hamp-
ton he did not for a moment believe posi-
BILE; that she had been deliberately deceived
regarding his true character he felt no
doubt. The fellow had impressed her by
means of his picturesque personality. his
cool. dominating manner his veneer OF re-
fnement: he had presumed on her natural
gratitude, her girllsh susceptibility, her
slight knowledge of the world. to worm his
way into her confidence perhaps even to
inspire love These probabilities. as Brant
understood them. only served to render him
moi aa cvor 70 faSt
his strength in the contest for a prize so
wen worth the winning. He acknowledged
no right that such man as Hampton could
Justly hold over innocent and trustful a
heart. The girl was morally far above
him as TO make his very touch a profana-
ton. and al the unbidden thought OF It,
the soldier vowed to oppose such an unholy
contamination. Nor did he, even them ut
terly despair of winning, for he reca..eu
afresh the intimacy of their few past Meet
fngs. his face Frightening in memory of this
and that brief word or shy glance. There
Is voiceiess language of love which a
lover alone can interpret. and Brant rode
on slowly. deciphering its messages and
attaining new courage with every step OF
his horse.
All the world loves a lover, and all thu
fairies guide him. As the officer's eyes al
ready smiling In anticipated victory, glanced
up from the dusty road. he perceived Just
ahead the same steep bank down which he
had plunged in his effort at capturing his
fleeing tormsntor. With the sight there
came upon him desire to loiter again in
the little glen where they had first met,
and dream once more of her who had given
TO the shaded nook both life md beauty.
Amid the sunshine and the shadow he could
picture afresh that happy. piquant face. the
dark coils Of hair, those tantalizing eyes
He swung himself from the saddle, tied
loose rein to scrub oak. and clambered
UP the bank.
With the noiseless step Of q plainsman he
pushed In through the labyrinths of bush
only to halt Detrided npOn the ed0a of
that inner barrier. No Pigment OF imagi-
nation. but the glowing reality OF flesh and
blood. awaited him. She had neither seen
nor heard his approach, and he stopped In
perpfexity. He had framed dozen
speeches for her ears. yet now he could do
no more than stand and gaze. his heart In
his eyes. And 1t was a. vision to enchain
TO hold lips speechless. She was seated
with unstudied grace on the edge of the
bank. her hands clasped about one knee
her sweet face sobered by thought. her
eyes cowncast the long lashes plainly out
uned against the clear cheeks. He marked