Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-08-27
CHAPTER xxxv.
NA>I ELL.

look upon his face, and the bars of a
captain gracing the shoulders Of his
new cavalry jacket, Donald Brant
trotted down the stage road bordering
the Bear Water, his heart alternating
between hope and dread.
The familiar yellow house at the
crossroads appeared so unattractive
as to suggest the thought that Nadia
must have been ineXpressibly lonely
during those months of waiting. He
knocked at the sun-warped door
Without delay it was flung open, and
a vision OF flushed face and snowy
drapery confronted him.
why, Lieut.. Brant. was never
more surprised in my life. Do, pray,
come right in. Yes, Nadia is here,
and will have her sent for at once.
Oh. Howard, this Is Lieut.. Brant, just
back from his awful Indian fighting.
How very nice that he should happen
to arrive Just at this time, isn't it?"
The young officer silently accepted
Mr.. Wynkoop's extended hand, and
found a convenient chair, as Miss
Spencer fastened from the room to
announce his arrival.
why Just at this timer" he Ques-
toned.
Mr.. Wynkoop cleared his throat.
.Why-why, you see, we are to be
married this evening-Miss Spencer
and myself. We shall be so delighted
to have you witness the ceremony. 1t
Ia to take place At the church, and
my people insist upon making quite
an affair out of the occasion-Phoebe
is so popular, you know
The lady again hustled in, her eyes
glowing with enthusiasm. why, l
think it is perfectly delightful. Don't
you, Howard? Now Lieut.. Brant and
Nadia can stand up with us. You
will. won't you. Lieutenant"
THAT must be left entirely with
MAZDA for decision" he replied, So
berly.
There was rustic at the inner
door, and Nadia stood there Their
eyes met, and the color mounted
swiftly to the girls cheeks. Then he
stepped resolutely forward, forgetful
of all other presence, and clasped her
hand in both his own. Neither spoke
word, yet each understood some
thing of what was in the heart of the
other.
"WiIl you walk outside with me?"
,, ne asked, at last Il have much to
say which am sure you would rather
hear alone"
She bent her head, and with brief
word of explanation to the others, the
young officer conducted her forth into
the bright July sunshine. They walk
ed in silence side by side along the
bank of the little stream. Brant glanc-
ed furtively toward the sweet, girlish
face Then he spoke.
Nadia he said, grayely, Il have
come back, as I said | would, and
surely 1 read welcome in your eyes?"
"Yes."
"And 1 have come to say that there
is no longer any shadow Of the dead
between u.s."
She looked up quickly, her hands
clasped, her cheeks flushing. Are
you sure? Perhaps you misunder-
stand; perhaps you mistake my mean
ing"
II know It ALL" he answered, sober
", from the lips of Hampton
"You have seen him? oh, Lieut..
Brant. please tell me the whole truth.
l have missed him so much, and since
the day he rode away to Cheyenne not
one word to explain his absence has
come back to me. You cannot
understand what this means, how
much he has become to me through
years of kindness"
"You have heard nothing?
'Not a word"
Brant drew long, deep breath. He
had supposed she knew this. At last
he said gravely: MAZDA, the truth
will prove the kindest message, l
think. He died in that unbroken ring
of defenders clustered about Gen.
| Custer on the bluffs Of the Little Big
| Horn"
Her slight figure trembled so vio-
lently that he held her close within
his arms
There was a smile upon his face
when we found him. He performed
his full duty, Mazda, and died as be-
came a soldier and gentleman"
"But-but, this cannot be! 1 saw
| the published list: his name was not
among them"
"The man who fell was Robert
Nolan
Gently he drew her down to seat
upon the soft turf of the bank. She
looked up at him helplessly, her mind
seemingly dazed, her eyes yet filled
with doubt
Robert Nolan? My father?"
He bent over toward her, pressing
his lips to her hair and stroking 1t
| tenderly with his hand.
Yes, Nadia, darling; it was truly
Robert Hampton Nolan who died In
battle, in the ranks Of his old regi-
| ment-died as he would have chosen
| to die, thank God! completely cleared
of every stain upon his honor. Sit
up, little girl, and listen while | tell
| you. There is in the story no word
which does not reflect nobility upon
the. soldiers daughter"
| She uplifted her white face. Tell
me-" she said, simply, "all you know"
He recounted to her slowly, care