The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-07-30
Continued


you mean?"
"Oh, I am SO glad. and Nadia Will
be, too. I must go right back and tell
the poor girl. for she is nearly dis
tracted. oh, Lieutenant, isn't it the
most romantic situation that ever
was? And he is such a mysterious
character
TO whom do you refer? Really. L
am quite in the dark"
Why, Mr.. Hampton, of course. On.
know all about it. Nadia felt so bad
ly over your meeting this morning
that l just compelled her to confide
her whole story to me- And didn't
you fight at aIl?"
Most assuredly not" and Brant's
eyes began TO exhibit amusement; in
deed, we parted quite friendly"
I told Nadia / thought you would.
People don't take such things so seri-
ously nowadays, do they? But Nadia
is such a child and so full of romantic
notions. that she worried terribly
about It. Isn't it perfectly delightful
what he IS going to do for herr"
4 am sure | do not know"
why, hadn't you heard? He wants
to send her east to a boarding school
and give her a fine education Do you
know, Lieutenant, / am simply dying
TO see him? he is such a perfectly
splendid western character
It would afford me pleasure to pre-
sent you" and the soldiers downcast
face frightened with anticipation.
"Do-do you really think it would
be proper? But they do things so diff
ferently out here, don't they? Oh,
wish you would"
Feeling somewhat doubtful as to
what might be the result Brant
knocked upon the door he had just
closed, and, in response to the voice
within, opened 1t, Hampton sat upon
the chair by the window, but as his
eyes caught glimpse of the returned
soldier with a woman standing beside
him he instantly rose to his feet.
MIR Hampton, said Brant. Il trust
! may be pardoned for again troubling
you, but this is Miss Spencer a great
admirer OF western life who Is desir-
GUS of making your acquaintance.
Miss Spencer swept gracefully for
ward her cheeks flushed her hand ex-
tended. oh. Mr. Hampton have so
wished to meet with you ever since 1
first read your name in Aunt Lydia's
letters-Mrs. Herndon is my aunt, you
know-and all about that awful time
you had nth those Indians. You sec,
/ am Nadia Gilliss most particular
friend, and she tells me so much
ABOUT you. She is such a dear, sweet
girl She felt so badly this morning
over your meeting with Lieut.. Brant,
fearing you might quarrel! 1t was
such relief to find him unhurt, but
felt that l must see you also. so as
to relieve Naida's mind entirely"
4 most certainly appreciate your
frankly expressed interest, Miss Spen-
GER" he said, standing with her hand
still retained in his, and am exceed
ingly glad there is one residing in this
community to whom my peculiar mer-
its are apparent"
Miss Spencer sparkled instantly
her cheeks rosy. Il do wish you
would some time tell me about your
exploits. Why Mr.. Hampton. perhaps
if yoN were to call upon me. you might
see Nadia, too. | wish you knew Mr..
Moffat, but as you don't, perhaps you
might come with Lieut.. Brant."
Hampton bowed i would hardly
venture thus to place myself under
the protection of Lieut. Brant, al
though l must confess the former at
fractions of the Herndon home are
slight knowledge of Mr.. Moffat's capa-
bilides. I fear l should be found a
rather Indifferent entertainer; yet 1
sincerely hope we shall meet again at
time when I can a tale unfold
How nice that will be, and l am so
grateful to you for the promise. BY
the bye, only this very morning a man
stopped me on the street, actually
mistaking me for Nadia
What sort Of a looking man, Miss
Spencer"
Large, and heavily set, with red
beard. He was exceedingly polite
when informed of his mistake, and
said he merely had a message TO de-
liver to Miss ellis. But he refused to
tell it to me"
The glances of the two men met,
but Brant was unable to decipher the
meaning hidden within the gray eyes.
Neither spoke. and Miss Spencer, new
er realizing what her chatter meant.
ratified merrily on.
You see there are so many who
speak TO me now. because of my pub
lie position here. So I thought moth
ing strange at first, until I discovered
his mistake. and then it seemed so alb
surd that I nearly laughed outright.
Isn't it odd what such a man could
possibly want with her? But really.
gentlemen, must return with my
news Nadia will be so anxious. am
glad to have met you both"