Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-01-18


person, Miss Nadia"
II that were only true. I am sure
L should be most happy for it has
been my fortune SO far 90 conjure up
only pleasure through day-drca.ning
the things 7 Lte and long for be-
come my very o.vn then. But II YOU
mean. as ! suspect. tf-t I do not en-
Joy the dirt and drud.ary Of life. then
my plea Will have 20 be guilty. Back
OF what you term practical some one
has said there is always a dream. a
hrst conception. In that sense I
choose to be dreamer"
And not so unWise a choice. if
your dreams only tell toward re-
suits lie sat looking into her ami
mated face. deeply puzzled by both
words and actions. II cannot help
noticing that YOU avoid al reference
20 my meeting with Mr. Hampton. Is
this another sign OF your impractical
mind?"
should say rather the opposite.
Tor / had not even supposed It con
cerned me-"
Indeed! That presents a vastly diff
ferent view from the one given us an
hour since. The distinct impression
was then conveyed to- both our minds
mat you were greatly distressed re-
garding the matter. Is Il possible YOU
can have been acting acain2"
Il? Certainly not," and she made
no attempt TO hide her INDIGNATION.
What 60 you mcaa?"
He hesi-atod an instant in HE re.
ply. feeling that possibly ne was
treading uron thin ice. But her ewes
commanded q direct answer. and he
yielded 20 them.
We We're informed that YOU expe.
rienccd great anxiety for fear we
might quarrel-so great indeed. that
you had con1dod your troubles to an.
other"
ITO whomg~
Miss Spencer. She came 10 rs os.
tensibly in your name. and as a peace
maker"
For a moment she sac gazing direct
" at him. then she laughed softly.
Why. how supremacy ridiculous. 7
can hardly believe 81 true. only your
face tells me you certainly are not
In play. Lieut. Rrant / have never
even dreamed OF such q thing. You
had informed me tlst your mission
was one OF peace. and De nlodeed me
his word not to permit any quarrel
] had the Utmos. confidence in YOU
both"
How. thoa, did she even know OF
our meeting 81"
Il am entirely On the dark. as mys-
uhed as you" she acknowledged
frankly "for g. ias certainly never
been a habit with me to bctray the
confidence OF uy friends. and learn
ed long since NOT Oh corede secrets to
Miss SPENCER"
Apparently neither cared TO discuss
the problem Jon err yot Dc remained
silent cons doring those questions
which mlsht decide his fate.
You SPEAK oi your confidence in
us both he saia. slowly. ITO me
the complete truss you ropose In Mr..
Hampton is scarcely comprehensive.
DO you truly believe Ga his reform?"
Certainly. Don't youg"
Tho direct return question served
TO nettle aad confuse him. III is.
perhaps. not my Place TO say. as nv
future happiness does not directly de-
pend on the rcrmancnce OF his
reformation. Blt if his word can be
depended upon Your happiness to a
very large extent does"
She bowed. Il have no doubt Won
can safely repose confidence In what
me"
You indOrse, then, the claims he
advances"
You are very insisteat: vet
know of-no good reason why / should
not answer. Without az all kaowin,
the nature OF those claims 70 which
you refer, l have no hesitancy I'm saw.
ing that ] possess such conipiote ron
ndence In Bob Hampton as 20 replv
unreservedly yes. But really. I5ept
brant, ! should prefer talking upon
some other topic It is evident thar
you TWO gentlemen are not friendly
yet there Is no reason why any mis-
understanding between you should in
terIere with our friendship. is there? >"
She asked this question with such
perfect innocence that H-ant believed
she failed TO comprehend Hamptop's
claims.
I have been Informed that II uaust.
ne explained. II have been told that
was no longer 10 force my attentions
upon Miss GiIl,s."
by Bob Hampton?"
Yes. Those were. l believe his ex.
act words. Can you wonder that
hardly know how stand in your
sight?"
Il do not at all understand" she
faltered. Truly, Lieut. Brant. / do
not. feel that Mr.. Hampton would
not say that without a good and suf-
ficicnt reason. lie is not a man to
be swayed by prejudice; yet. what
ever the reason may be, l know moth
ing about It."
But you do not answer my last
query"
Perhaps I did not hear it,"
1T was; How do / stand in your
sight? That is OF far more impor-
lance to me now than any unauthor-
lied command from Mr.. Hampton"
She glanced up into his serious face