The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-08-10

> 2 I Z u
lion II from now on you would cease
forcing your attentions upon Miss Gil
rs"
Brant leaped to his feet but the
other never deigned to alter his posi-.
ton.
Forcing my attent1ons!" exclaimed
the omcer. Gods mercy, mani do
you realize what you are saying! I
have forced no attentions upon Miss
ellis" -
''My reference was rather to future
possibilities. Young blood is Prov
erbially hot, and thought 1t wise to
warn You in time"
Brant stared into that imperturbed
face, and somehow the very sight Of
its calm, intiexible resolve served to
clear his own brain. He felt thatthis
cool, self-controlled man was speak
ing with authority.
wait just a moment" he said at
last. Il wish this made perfectly clear,
and for all time. l met Miss ellis
first through pure accident. She i'm.
pressed me strongly then, and con
Tess have since grown more deeply
interested in her personality. have
reasons to suppose my presence not
altogether distasteful to her, and she
has certainly shown that she reposes
confidence in me. Not until late last
night did I ever suspect she was the
same girl whom we picked up with
you out on the desert. 1t came to
me from her own lips and was a total
surprise. She revealed her identity
In order to Justify her proposed clan
destine meeting with you"
"And hence you request this pleas.
ant conference" broke in Hampton,
coolly, ito inform me, from your calm
eminence Of respectability, that was
no at companion for such young and
innocent person, and to warn me that
-"p were prepared to act as her pro-
tsctor." este, =. ~,
9aaR ~ al
Il may have had something Of that
nature in my mind"
well, Lieut.. Brant," and the older
man rose to his feet, his eyes still
smiling, some might be impolite
enough to say that 1t was the con-
ception OF a cad, but whatever it was,
the tables have Unexpectedly turned.
Without further reference to my own
personal interests in the young lady,
which are, however, considerable,
there remain other weighty reasons
that I am not at liberty to discuss,
which make 1t simply impossible for
you to sustain any relationship to
Miss ellis other than that of ordinary
social friendship"
"You-you claim the right"
II distinctly claim the right, for
the reason that possess the right and
no one has ever yet known me to
relinquish hold once fairly gained.
Lieut.. Brant, If / am any judge of
faces, you are fighting man by ma
ture as well as profession, but there
is no opportunity for your doing any
fighting here. This matter is ire,
yocably settled-Naida Gillis is not
for you"
Brant was breathing hard. do you
mean to insinuate that there is an I'M
Outstanding, an engagement between
you?" he faltered, scarcely knowing
how best to resent such utterance.
"You may place your own construc-
ton upon what l have said," was the
quiet answer. 1.-THE special relations
existing between Miss Gillls and my,
self chance to be no business of yours,
However, will consent to say this
| do enjoy a relationship to her that
gives me complete authority to say
what have said to you. regret hav-
ing been obliged by your persistence
to speak with such plainness, but this
Knowledge should prove sufficient to
control the actions of gentleman"
For a moment the soldier did not
answer, his emotions far too strong to
permit Of calm utterance, bis lips
tightly shut. He felt utterly defeat.
ed. your language is sufficiently ex-