Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1907-11-22


watch, and ordered his horse to be
saddled
1t did not seem quite so simple now,
this projected interview with Hamp-
ton, as it had appeared the night be-
fore. In the clear light Of day, he
began to realize the weakness of his
position, the fact that he possessed
not the smallest right to speak on be-
half of Nadia ellis. Nevertheless, the
die was cast, and perhaps, provided an
open quarrel could be avoided, the
meeting might result in good to all
concerned.
Hampton welcomed him with dis
tant but marked courtesy, having evil
IDENTIFY thought out his own imme-
diate plan of action, and schooled him
self accordingly. Standing there, the
bright light streaming over them from
the open windows, they presented two
widely contrasting personalities, yet
each exhibited in figure and face the
evidences of hard training and iron
discipline. Hampton was clothed in
black, standing straight as an, arrow,
his shoulders squared, his head held
proudly erect, while his cool gray
eyes studied the face Of the other as
he had been accustomed to survey
his opponents at the card table. Brant
looked the picture of soldier on
d trim, well built. erect, his reso-
Lutte blue eyes never flinching from
the steady gaze bent upon him, his
bronzed young face grave from the
seriousness of his mission. In both
minds the same thought fingered
the vague wonder how much the 9TH
er knew. The elder man, however, re-
tanned a better self-control and was
first to break the silence.
Miss ellis informed me Of your
kindness to her last evening"" he
said, quietly, and in her behalf l
sincerely thank you. Permit me to
offer you chair"
Brant accepted it and sat down,
feeling the calm tone of proprietorship
in the words of the other as if they
had been a blow. His face flushed,
yet he spoke firmly. Possibly mis-
construe your meaning" he said with
some bluntness, determined to reach
the gist of the matter at once. Did
Miss ellis authorize you to thank me
for these courtesies?"
Hampton smiled with provoking
calmness, holding an unlighted cigar
between his fingers. why, really
as to that l do not remember !
merely mentioned it as expressing the
natural gratitude of us both"
"You speak as if you possessed full
authority to express her mind as well
as your own"
The other bowed gravely, his face
impressive. MY words quite naturally
bear some such construction"
The officer hesitated, feeling more
doubtful than ever regarding his owl
position. Chagrined, disarmed, HI
felt like prisoner standing bound
before his hooking captor Then
fear my mission here is useless"
Entirely so, if you come for tn,
purpose suspect" said Hampton. sit
ting erect in his chair, and speaking
with more rapid utterance. ITO lee
ture me on morality and demand m,
yielding up all influence over this cir
such mission is assuredly a fail
, ure. | have listened with some de
gree Of calmness in this room alread
to one such address. and surrendere
!, to its reasoning. But permit me t
say quite plainly, Lieut.. Brant, tina
;. you are not the person from whom
will quietly listen to another"
Il had very little expectation tina
you would"
: You should have had still less. an
remained away entirely. Howeve
b nov that you are here, and the sui
l. 1ect preached, it becomes my tur
s to say something, and to say it clea
v ly. 1t seems to me you would e,
l. hioit far better taste and discrimin;
Il ton if from now on you would ceas
S forcing your attentions upon Miss Gi
lis"
:, Brart leaped to his feet, but tn
f. other never deigned to alter his pos
d ton.
p Forcing my attentions" exclaime
y the officer. Gods mercy, man! q
IS you realize what you are saying?
have forced no attentions upon Mi:
d ellis"
p My reference was rather to futul
D. possibilities. Young blood is pro
erbially hot, and l thought it wise
T. warn you in time"
r, Brant stared into that imperturbe
lie face, and somehow the very sight
:" its calm, infexible resolve served
clear his own brain. He felt that tn
j. cool, selfcontrolled man was spea
Ing with authority.
p Wait Just moment" he said
re last Il wish this made perfectly clea
and for all time. | met Miss Gill
d. first through pure accident. She il
re pressed me strongly then, and l co
rs Tess have since grown more deep
b. interested in her personality. l ha'
n reasons to suppose NY presence n
bit altogether distasteful to her, and 81
n has certainly shown ,hat she repos
at confidence in me. Not until late Ia
a. night did / ever SUSIE ct she was d