Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-14
BOB HAMPTON OF PLACER.
BY RANDALL PARRISH.
AUTHOR OF WHEN WILDERNESS WAS KING"
Copyright. 1907. By &C Meclurg 4 Coz

ceiving pathetic pleading in her upturned
face. Suddenly there came to him a belief
that the girl was crying; he could feel the
slight tremor of her form against his own
He glanced furtively at her, only to catch
the glitter Of a falling tear. To her evident
distress his heart made instant and sympa-
thetic response. With all respect influence
ing the action his hand closed warmly over
the smaller one on his sleeve.
Little girl" he said. forgetting the short
ness of their acquaintance in the deep feel
BILE is"
ture for saying that" she blurted out with
out looking up. 1T wasn't ladylike or nice
but-but simply couldn't help 1t. Lieut..
Brant."
carry me home with your he asked, re-
lieved to think this might prove the entire
difficulty. Don't let that worry you. \. n.y.
I am simply rejoiced at being permitted to
60 Do you know wanted to request the
privilege all the time we were dancing to-
gether. but you acted SO differently from
when we were beneath the vines that ]
actually lost my nerve"
She looked up and he caught fieeting
glimpse into her unveiled eyes,
II did not wish you to ask me-
"What?" He stopped suddenly. 'ewhy.
then. did you make such an announcement
to Mrs. Herndon?"
"Oh, that was different" she explained
uneasily. II had to do that: had to trust
you to help me out but-but I really wanted
to go home alone"
He swept his unbelieving eyes around
over the deserted night scene, not knowing
avowal. WAS that what caused you to
appear 30 distant to me in the hall, SO
vastly different from what you had been
before?
She nodded. but with her gaze still upon
the ground.
'sMiss Nadia" he said ct would be cow
ardly for me to attempt to dodge this issue
between US. Is 1t because you do not like
met"
She looked up quickly. the moonlight re-
vealing her flushed face.
ooh. no. no! You must never think that.
I told you I was a girl Of moods; under
those vines had one mood. in the hall an
other. Cannot you understand"
VERY little" he admitted. "for I am more
inclined to believe you are the possessor of
strong win than that you are swayed by
moods. Listen. II thought that a mere
senseless mood had caused your peculiar
treatment of me tonight should feel justi-
fed in yielding to a mood also. But will
not lower you to that extent In my estima-
ton. I prefer to believe that you are the
true-hearted. frankly spoken girl Of the
vine shadow. It Is this abiding conviction
as to your true nature which holds me loyal
to test. Miss Mazda. is 1t now your desire
that leave your
He stepped aside relinquishing her arm,
his hat IN hand; but she did not move from
where he left her.
"It-it hurts me-" she faltered, "for I
truly desire you to think In that way Of me,
and II don't know what II best to do. II
I tell you why wished to come alone you
might misunderstand. and II refuse then
you will suspect wrong and 20 away de-
spfsing me-"
II sincerely wish you might reposs SUM-
Client confidence In me as . gentleman to
believe I never betray Q trust never pry
Into q lady's secret"
'Oh. do. Lieut.. Brant It is not doubt
Of you at all. but I am not sure. even with
in my own heart that I am doing just
what II right. Besides. 1t will be 80 difncult
to make you, almost q stranger, compre-
encs my action. Even now you suspect
that I am deceitful-a masked sham like
those others we discussed tonight: but
have never played part before never
skuiked In the dark. Tonight simply had
to do T."
Her voice was low and pleading. her eyes