, 1908-09-03

VII you uhlll yOu nave some OIner
protector"
She accepted his proffered arm, feel
ing the constraint in his tone. the
formality in his manner most keenly.
An older oma might have resented
1t. but 1t only served to sadden and
embarrass her. He began speaking of
the quiet beauty Of the night, but she
had no thought Of what he was saying.
Lieut.. Brant," she said. at last,
you do not ask me who the man is"
Certainly not. Miss MAZDA; it is
none Of my business"
II think, perhaps, 1t might be: the
knowledge might help you to under
stand. 1t is Bob Hampton"
He stared at her. THE gambler?
No wonder. then, your meeting is
clandestine."
She replied Indignantly. her lips
trembling. Fl is not a gambler: he
II q miner. over in the Black Range.
He has not touched a card in two
years"
"Oh, refoSmed has he? And are
you the instrument that has worked
such a miracle?"
Her eyes fell. II don't know, but I
hope So" Then she glanced up again,
wondering at his continued silence.
Don't you understand YETI"
only that you are secretly meeting
3 mar of the worst reputation. one
known the length and breadth of this
border as a gambler and fighter"
Yes; but-but don't you know who
I ann"
He smiled grimly, wondering what
possible difference that could make.
Certainly; you are Miss Nadia Hern-
DON"
II? You have not known? Lieut..
Brant. I am Nadia Gillis."
He stopped still. again facing her.
MAZDA ellis? Do you mean old ellis
girl? Is it possible you are the same
we rescued on the prairie two years
ago."
She bowed her head. Yes; do you
understand now why l trust this Bob
Hampton"
81 perhaps might comprehend why
you should feel grateful to him, but
not why you should thus consent to
meet with him clandestinely."
He could not see the deep flush upon
her cheeks. but he was n deaf to the
pitiful falter in her voice.
Because he has been good and true
to me-" she explained. frankly, bet
ter than anybody else in all the world.
| don't care what you say, you and
those others who do not know him,
but | believe in him; I think he is 4
man. They won't let me see him, the
Herndons, nor permit him to come to
the house. He has not been in Glen
caid for two years, until yesterday.
The Indian rising has driven all the
miners out from the Black Range, and
he came down here for no other pur-
pose than to get a glimpse of me. and
learn how I was getting on. IL saw
him over At the hotel just for a mo
ment-Mrs. Guffy handed mt a note
and IL had only Just left him when I
encountered you At the door. l wanted
to see him again. to talk with him
longer, but l couldn't manage to get
away from you, and l didn't know
what to do. There, I've told it all; do
you really think l am so very bad, be-
cause-because 1 like Bob Hampton?"
II otooo q oLlC oIlPiStSiy AVE-
plussed. yet compelled to answer
81 certainly have no right to ques-
ton your motives" he said, at last,
and 1 believe your purposes to be
above ~reproach. l wish l might give
the same credit to this man Hampton.
But. Miss Nadia, the world does not
often consent to judge US by our own
estimation of right and wrong; 1t pre-
fers to place its own Interpretation on
acts. and thus often condemns the in
nocent. Others might not see this as
do, nor have such unquestioning faith
In you"
81 know" she admitted. ~stubbornly,
but I wanted to see him: l have been
70 lonely for him, and this was the
only possible way"
Brant felt q wave. Of uncomfortable
sympathy sweep across him. even
while he was beginning to hate this
man, who, he felt, had stolen a pas
sage into the innocent heart Of a girl
not half his age, one knowing little Of
the ways of the world.
May l walk beside you until you
meet him ?" he asked.
You will not QUARREL"
mo; At least not through any fault
Of mine"
A few steps in the moonlight and
she again took his arm. although they
scarcely spoke. At the bridge she
withdrew her hand and uttered a pecu-
liar call, and Hampton stepped forth
from the ~concealing bushes, his head
bare. his hat in his hand.
II scarcely thought 1t could be you,'
he said, seemingly not altogether sat
isfed, "as you were accompanied by
another"
The younger man took a single step
forward, his uniform showing in the
moonlight. Miss ellis will inform