Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1907-12-13
lumN wwmmwmiimmmmmmmmNfm Ntnwl
!. BOB HAMPTON
!. Of PLACER ]
By RANDALL PARISH Author Of
When Wilderness was King My Lady
of the Notrh" Historic llllnois" Etc. -.

Il should say rather the opposite,
for had not even supposed 1t con.
cerned me-"
Indeed! That presents a vastly diff.
ferent view from the one given us an
hour since. The distinct impression
was then conveyed to both our minds
that you we're greatly distressed re-
garding the matter. Is it possible you
can have been acting again."
81? Certainly mott" and she made
no attempt to hide her indignation.
What do you mean?"
He hesitated an instant in HE re-
ply, feeling that possibly he was
treading upon thin ice. But her eyes
commanded a direct answer, and he
yielded to them.
I'VE were informed that you expe-
rienced great anxiety for fear we
might quarrel-so great, indeed, that
you had confded your troubles to an.
other"
ITO whom?"
Miss Spencer. She came to us o.
tensibly in your name, and as a peace
maker"
For moment she sat gazing direct.
ly at him, then she laughed softly.
why, how supremely ridiculous: !
can hardly believe 1t true, only your
face tells me you certainly are not
In play. Lieut.. Brant, have never
even dreamed Of such a thing. You
had Informed me that your mission
was one Of peace, and he pledged me
his word not to permit any quarrel.
had the utmost confidence in you
both"
How, then, did she even know of
our meeting"
i am entirely in the dark, as mys.
tilted as you," she acknowledged,
frankly, "for 1t has certainly never
been habit with me to betray the
confidence of my friends, and l learn
ed long since not to confide secrets to
Miss Spencer"
Apparently neither cared to discuss
the problem longer, yet he remained
silent considering those questions
which might decide his fate.
You speak of your confidence in
us BOTH" he said, slowly. ITO me
the complete trust you repose in Mr..
Hampton is scarcely comprehensive.
Do you truly believe in his reform?'
Certainly. Don't you?"
The direct return question served
to nettle and confuse him. 1T is
perhaps, not my place to say, as my
future happiness does not directly de.
pend on the permanence of his
reformation. But if his word can be
depended upon, your happiness to a
very large extent does"
She bowed. 81 have no doubt YOU
can safely repose confidence in what
ever he may have told you regarding
me-"
You indorse, then, the claims ht
advances?"
! You are very insistent; yet
know Of no good reason why should
not answer. Without at all KNOWN,
the nature of those claims to which
you refer, l have no hesitancy in say
Ing that | possess such complete con
fidence in Bob Hampton as to repl,
unreservedly yes. But really, Lieut.
Brant, | should prefer talking upoI
some other topic. 1t is evident tina
you two gentlemen are not friendly
yet there is no reason why any mis-
understanding between you should il
terfere with our friendship, is there?
She asked this question with sue
perfect innocence that Prant believe
she failed to comprehend HAMPTON
claims.
Il have been informed that 1t must
he explained. Il have been told thu
| was no longer to force my attention
upon Miss Gillis."
by Bob Hampton?"
Yes. Those we're, believe. his e
act words. Can you wonder that
hardly know how l stand in you
sigLt?"
i do not at all understand" sh
taltered. Truly, Lieut.. Brant, | d
not, l feel that Mr.. Hampton woul
not say that without a good and SUI
nclent reason. He is not a man {
be swayed by prejudice; yet, wha
ever the reason may be, know notl
ing about it."
But you do not answer my las
query"
Perhaps l did not hear It."
1T was: How do l stand in YOU
sight! That is Of far more impo
lance to me now than any unautho
lied command from Mr.. Hampton.
She glanced up into his serious fac
; shyly, with a little dimple of returnin
laughter. Indeed; but perhaps b
might not care to have me say. How
ever, as once informed you that 70
.. were very far from being my idea
!, possibly it may be my duty to qualif
that harsh statement somewhat"
: BY confessing that am YOU
ideal?"
4, "oh, indeed, no! We never reali1
our ideals, you know, or else the
would entirely cease to be ideals. NJ
confession is limited to a mere admi
sion that I now consider you a vel
nj