Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1908-01-03
CHAPTER XIV.
The Parting Hour.

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Of bitterness. He had called twice
upon Hampton, both times finding the
wounded man propped up in bed, very
afable, properly grateful for services
rendered, yet avoiding all reference to
the one disturbing element between
them.
Once he had accidentally met Nadia,
but their brief conversation left him
more deeply mystified than ever, and
later she seemed to avoid him alto
gether One day he deemed her but
an idle coquette; the next, . warm
hearted woman, doing her duty brave
ly. Yet through it all her power over
. him never slackened
The end of this nervous strain came
In the form of an urgent dispatch re-
calling n troop to Fort Abraham Lin
coin by forced marches. The COM
mander felt no doubt as to the full
meaning of this message, and the SOL
der in him made prompt and joyful
response. Brant had learned of the
consolidation of the hostile savages,
melted by Sitting Bull, into the fast
ness Of the Big Horn range; he was
aware that Gen. Cook was already ad.
yancing northward from the Nebraska
line. Now he realized that he was to
be a part Of this chosen fighting force
and his heart responded to the sum-
mons as to bugle call in battle.
Instantly the little camp was astir,
The men feeling the enthusiasm of
their officers. With preparations well
In hand, Brant's thoughts veered once
again toward Nadia. He rode down to
the Herndon house with grave face
and sober thought He recalled long
the plainly furnished room into which
Mrs. Herndon ushered him to await
the girls appearance-th formal look
Of the old-fashioned hair-cloth furni-
ture, the prim striped paper on the
walls, the green shades at the win.
dows, the clean rag carpet on the floor.
The very stiffness chilled him, left
him Ill at ease. Then he heard the
rustic Of Naida's skirt and turned to
meet her. She was pale from her
weeks of nursing, and agitated for fear
Of what this unexpected call might
portend. Yet to his thought she ap.
peared calm, her manner restrained.
Nor could anything be kinder than her
first greeting, the frankly extended
band, the words expressive of vel.
come.
Mr.. Wynkoop informed me a few
minutes ago that you had at last re.
ceived your orders for the north" she
said, her lips slightly trembling. 81
wondered if you would leave without
o word Of farewell"
'ua bowed low. 81 do not undan
stand how you could doubt, Tor { nave
shown my deep interest in you even
from the first. If have lately seemed
to avoid you, it has only been because
believed you wished it So"
There was an embarrassing pause,
Is though neither knew how to get
through the interview.
mo doubt you are rejoiced to be
sent on active service again." she said,
sat last.
Yes, both as a&oldier and as a
man, Miss Nadia, l am glad to get
into the field again with my regiment,
to do my duty under the flag, and
am equally rejoiced to have something
occur which will tend to divert my
thoughts. had not intended to say
anything Of this kind, but now that |
am with you simply cannot restrain
the words. This past month has been,
believe, the hardest have ever been
compelled to live through. You sim.
ply mystify me so that l alternately
hope and despair. Your methods are
cruel"
"Mine?" and she gazed at him with
parsed lips. Lieut.. Brant, what can
you mean? What is it | have done?"
1T may have been only play to you
and so easily forgotten" he went on
bitterly. But that is a dangerous
game, very certain to hurt some one
Miss Nadia, your face, your eyes, even
your lips almost continually tell me
one thing; your words another.
know not which to trust. | never
meet you except to go away baffled
and bewildered"
"You wish to know the TRUTH"
"Ay, and for all time, Are you
false, or true? Coquette or woman
Do you simply play with hearts fol
Idle amusement or is there some true
purpose ruling your actions?"
She looked directly at him, hel
hands clasped, her breath almost
sobbing between the parted lips. Al
arst she could not speak. "Oh, yol
hurt me So" she faltered at last. &c
did not suppose you could ever thinl
that. II did not mean It; oh, truiy
l did not mean Il! You forget how
young am; how very little l know
OF the world and Its ways. Perhaps
have not even realized how deeply in
earnest you were, have deceived my
self into believing you were merely
amusing yourself with me. Why, In
deed, should think otherwise?"
I love you" he said, with simple
honesty. 7 seek you for my WIFE"
She started at these frankly spoken
words, her hands partially eoncealins
her face, her form trembling. soh,
wish you hadn't said that! II "a no,