The Irish standard., 1907-11-02
see I've got to go on


there are plenty of good men in my
troop who will volunteer to take them
on. You need rest"
mot much" said Hampton. 'T'm
At enough. or shall be as soon as get
food. Good Lord. boy, am not done
up yet, by long way! It's the cursed
loneliness out yonder," he swept his
hand toward the horizon, and the
having to care for him that has broken
my heart. He went that way clear
back on the Powder. and it's been a
fight between us ever since. I'll be
all right now II you lads will only look
after him. This is going to reach Gus.
ter. and I'll take it," He flung back
his ragged coat, his hand on the dis
patch-bag. 1--WE earned the right"
Brant reached forth his hand cor.
daily. That's true; you have. What's
more. If you're able to make the trip,
there is no one here who will attempt
to stop you. But now tell me how this
thing happened want to know the
story before we get I'm
For moment Hampton remained
silent his thoughtful gaze on the near
by videttes, his hands leaning heavily
upon the saddle pommel. Perhaps he
did not remember clearly; possibly he
could not instantly decide just how
much of that story to tell. Brant sus-
pected this last to be his difficulty,
and he spoke impulsively.
Hampton, there has been trouble
and misunderstanding between us, but
that's all past and gone now. I sin
cerely believe in your purpose of
right. and / ask you to trust me.
Either Of us would give his life If need
were, to be Of real service to a little
girl back yonder in the hills. don't
know what you are to her: I don't
ask. know she has every confidence
in you. and that is enough. Now, I
want to do what is right with both of
you. and if you have word to say to
me regarding this matter. I'll treat it
confdentially. This trip with Murphy
has some bearing upon Nadia Gillis,
has it not?"
"Yes"
"Will you tell me the story"
The thoughtful gray eyes looked at
him long and searchingly. "Brant, do
you love that girl?"
Just as unwaveringiy the blue eyes
returned the look. IT do. have
asked her to become my wife,"
"And her answer"
"she said no; that a dead man was
between US"
rs that all you know"
The younger man bent his head, his
face grave and perplexed. Practical
ly ALL
Hampton wet his dry lips with his
tongue, his breath quickening.
And in that she was right" he
said at last, his eyes lowered to the
ground. II will tell you why. 1t was
the father of Nadia Gillis who was
convicted of the murder Of Maj
Brant."
ooh. my father? Is she Capt No.
lan's daughter? But you say convict.
ed Was there ever any doubt? Do
you question his being guilty?"
Hampton pointed in silence to the
hideous creature behind them. THAT
man could tell, but he has gone mad.
Brant endeavored to speak, but the
words would not come; his brain
seemed paralyzed. Hampton held him
self under better control.
II have confidence, Lieut. Brant. in
your honesty" he began, Favely, "and
! believe you will strive to do what
ever is best for her. If anything should
happen to me out yonder. But for the
possibility Of my being knocked out,
wouldn't talk about this, not even to
you. The affair is long way from
being Strengthened out SO as to make
a pleasant story, but I'll give you all
you actually require to know in order
> to make it clear to her, provided
shouldn't come back. You see. she
doesn't know very much more thar
you do-only what I was obliged Il
tell to keep her from getting too close
. ly entangled with you. Maybe l ough
to have given her the full story befor'
I started on this trip. I've siAc'
. wished had. but you see, I neve
dreamed 1t was going to end here, o,
the Big Horn; besides, I didn't hav
the nerve.
= "You see, Brant, I feel that simpl,
have to carry these dispatche
through. have q pride in glvin
them to Custer myself, because of tn
trouble I've had in getting them here
;, ;, But perhaps l may not come back
u and In that case there wouldn't b
l. anyone living to tell her the truth.
seems to me that there is going to b
. big fight somewhere in these hill
. before long. So want to leave thes
: private papers with you until com
back. 1t will relieve my mind to kno,
y they are safe; II don't come. then
. want you to open them and do what
ever you decide is best for the littl
girl. You will do that. won't you?"
He handed over long manila er
ve1ope securely sealed. and the younf
er man accepted it. noticing that
, was unaddressed before depositing
safely in an inner pocket of his fatigu