The Yale expositor., 1907-12-20
CHAPTER XIII.
Silent Murphy.

Brant spTang forward, all dorbt re-
garding this young woman instantly
dissipated by those final words Of mis-
chievors mockery. She had been play
ing with him as unconcernedly as if
he were a mere toy sent for her
amusement and his pride was stung.
But pursuit proved useless. Like
a phantom she had slipped away amid
the underbrush. leaving him to fioun-
der blindly in the labyrinth. His in
cautious foot slipped along the steep
edge of the shelving bank, and he
went down, half stumbling, half slid
ing, until he came to sudden pause
on the brink of the little stream. The
chase was ended, and he sat up, con-
fused for the moment, and half ques-
tioning the evidence of his own eyes.
A small tent, dirty and patched,
stood with its back against the slope
of earth down which he had plunged.
Its flap flung aside revealed within a
pile of disarranged blankets, together
with some scattered articles of wear
ing apparel, while just before the
opening, his back pressed against the
supporting pole, an inverted pipe be-
tween his yellow, irregular teeth, sat
hideous looking man. He was a
withered dried-up fellow, whose age
was not to be guessed, having a skin
as yellow as parchment, drawn in
tight to the bones like that of a
mummy, his eyes deep sunken like
wells. and his head totally devoid of
hair, although about his lean throat
there was copious fringe of iron-gray
beard untrimmed and scraggy. Down
the entire side of one cheek ran a
livid scar, while his nose was turned
awry.
He sat staring at the newcomer,
unwinking, his facial expression de-
void of interest, but his fingers open
ing and closing in apparent nervous
ness. Twice his lips opened, but moth
ing except a peculiar gurgle sound is
sued from the throat, and Brant, who
by this time had attained his feet and
his self-possession, ventured to ad.
dress him.
Nice quiet spot for camp" he re-
marked, pleasantly, but bad place
for a tumble"
The sunken eyes expressed nothing
but the throat gurgled again painfully
and finally the parted lips dropped a
detached word or two. Blame
pretty girl-that."
The lieutenant wondered how much
of their conversation this old mummy
had overheard, but he hestated to
question him. One inquiry, however
sprang to his surprised lips. do you
know herr"
Damn sight-better-than any one
around here-know her-real name"
Brant stared incredulously. do you
mean to insinuate that that young
woman is living in this community un
der an assumed one? Why, she is
scarcely more than a child. What dc
you mean, man."
The soldiers hat still rested on the
grass where it had fallen it's military
insignia hidden.
II guess know-what know,
the fellow muttered. "What's-youi
regiment"
Seventh cavalry"
The man stiffened up as If an cleo
trio shock had swept through his linn
frame. THE l!-and-did-she-
call you-Brant?
The young officers face exhibited
his disgust. Beyond doubt that sc
auestered nook was a favorite loung
ing spot for the girl. and this disrepu
table creature had been watching he
for some sinister purpose.
$50 you have been eavesdropping
have your" said Brant. gravely. AM
now you want to try turn at defam
ing woman? Well, you have com
TO poor market for the sale of sue
goods. am half inclined TO throN
you bodily into the creek. beliey
You are nothing but common liai
bat I'll give you one chance-you sa
you know her real name. What is it?
The eyes of the mummy had becom
spiteful. "lt's-none of--yOur damn
business. Tm--not under--your orders.
Under my orders OF course not
but what do you mean by that? VIII
and what are your