Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1907-12-13
CHAPTER XXI.


tel door, but rather a desire to escape
her ceaseless chatter and gain retire
ment where he could reflect In quiet
over the revelations of Hampton. In
this quest he rode slowly up the val.
ley of the Bear Water, through the
bright sunshine, the rare beauty Of
the scene scarcely leaving the slight.
est impress on his mind, so busy was
it, and so preoccupied. He no longer
had any doubt that Hampton had util-
lied his advantageous position, as well
as his remarkable powers of pleasing,
to ensnare the susceptible heart Of
this young, confding girl. While the
man had advanced no direct claim, he
had said enough to make perfectly
clear the close intimacy of their re.
lation and the existence of a definite
understanding between them. With
this recognized as a fact, was he JUS
titled in endeavoring to win Nadia Gil.
lis for himself? That the girl would
find continued happiness with such
man as Hampton he did not for mo
ment believe possible; that she had
been deliberately deceived regarding
his true character he felt no doubt.
That the girl was morally so far
above him as to make his very touch
proclamation, and at the unbidden
thought of it, the soldier vowed to op-
pose such an unholy consummation.
Nor did he, even then, utterly despair
Of winning, for he recalled afresh the
intimacy Of their few past meetings,
his face frightened in memory of this
and that brief word or shy glance.
All the world loves lover, and all
the fairies guide him.. AS the off.
GERS eyes 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 tormentor. With the sight
there came upon him the desire to loi.
ter 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 and beauty. He swung
himself from the saddle, tied a loose
rein tc scrub oak, and clambered up
the bank. f;!j Fai'
Witt The noiseless step of a plains.
man he pushed in through the LADY.
rintAs of bush, only to halt petrifed
upon the very edge of that inner bar.
rier. No Pigment Of imagination, but
the glowing reality Of flesh and blood,
awaited him. She had neither seen
nor heard his approach, and he stop
ped in perplexity. He had framed a
dozen speeches for her ears, yet now
he could do no more than stand and
gaze, his heart in his eyes. And it
was a vision to enchain, to hold lips
speeches. She was seated with un.
, studied grace on the edge of the bank,
her hands clasped about one knee. her
sweet face sobered by thought, her
eyes downcast, the long lashes plain,
ly outlined against the clear cheeks.
To draw back unobserved was impos.
sible, even had he possessed strength
OF will sufficient to make the attempt,
nor would words of easy greeting
come to his relief. He could merely
worship silently as before a sacred
shrine. 1t was thus she glanced up
and saw him with startled eyes, her
hands unclasping, her cheeks rose.
colored.
Lieut.. Brant, you here?" she eY.
claimed, speaking as if his presence
seemed unreal. What strange mir.
acles an idle thought can work."
Thoughts, l have heard" he re.
piled, coming toward her with head
uncovered, will sometimes awaken
answers through vast distances OF
time and space. AS my thought was
with you may be altogether to blame
FOR thus arousing your own. From
the expression of your face, sup
posed you dreaming"
She smiled, her eyes uplifted for 9
single instant to his own. 1T was
rather thought just merging into
dream and there are few things In
life more sweet. l know not whether
It Is the common gift of all minds, but
my day-dreams are almost more tt
me than my realities"
First is was moods, and nov
Dreams He seated himself comfort
ably at her feet. You would cause
me to believe you most impractical
person, Miss Nadia"
IF that we're only true, I am sur,
Ol should be most happy, for it hal
been my fortune so far to conjure VI
only pleasure through day-dreamini
the things /. like and long for be
come my very own then. But If yo1
mean. as l suspect, that / do not en-
Joy the dirt and drudgery of life, thel
my plea will have to be guilty. Bacl
Of what you term practical some on
hes said there is always a dream,
: first conception. In that sense
choose to be a dreamer"
o "AAd not so unwise choice,
your dreams only tend toward n
suits" He sat looking into her an
mated face, deeply puzzled by bot
words and actions. 81 cannot hel
noticing that you avoid all referenc
to my meeting with Mr.. Hampton.
| this another sign Of your impractics