The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1908-04-10
CHAPTER xvi.-contInued.

"Oh, I do, Lieut.. Brant. 1t is not
doubt Of you at all; but / am not sure,
even within my own heart, that I am
doing just what is right. Besides, 1t
will be SO difficult to make you, almost
4 stranger, comprehend the peculiar
conditions which influence my action.
even now you suspect that ! am de-
c%eitful-a masked sham like those
others we discussed tonight; but l
have never played a part before, eve
skulked In the dark. Tonight I simply
had to do It,"
Then attempt NJ explanation" he
said, gently. land believe me, l shall
continue to trust you. Tonight, what
ever you wish may be, l will abide by
It. Shall l go. or stay? In either case
you have nothing to fear"
She drew a deep breath. these open
words Of faith touching her more
strongly than would any selfish fault
ending.
Trust begets trust" she replied,
with new f1rmness, and now gazing
frankly into his face. You can walk
with me a~perAen of the way II you
wish, but l am going to tell you the
TRUTH have an appointment with q
man."
Il naturally regret to learn this" he
said, with assumed calmness. But
the way is so lonely I prefer walking
with you until you have some other
protector"
She accepted his proffered arm, feel.
Ing the constraint in his tone, the
formality In his manner, most keenly.
An older woman might have resented
1t, but 1t only served to sadden and
smbarrass 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 Nadia; 1t is
none Of my business"
II think. perhaps. It might be; the
knowledge might help you to under
stand. It is Bob Hampton"
He stared at her. "The gambler?
No wonder, then, your meeting Is
clandestine."
She replied Indignantly. her lips
trembling. "He Is not q gambler; he
IL q miner, over in the Black Range.
He has not touched a card In two
years."
"Oh, reformed has he? And are
you the instrument that has worked
such q miracle?"
Her yes 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
q man 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"
~? You have not known? Lieut..
Brant, l am Nadia Gillis."
He stopped still, again facing her.
MAZDA ellis? Do you mean old Gillis'
girl? Is 1t possible you r the same
we rescued on the prairie two years
ago?"
She bowed her head. YES; do you
understand now why I trust this Bob
Hampton
Il 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 not deaf to the
bitiful falter In her vcSce.
Because he has been good and true
20 me-" she explained, frankly, "bet.
ter than anybody else in all the world.
I don't carr what you say. you and
those others who do not know him,
but I believe In him; I think he is q
man. They won't let me Q him. the
NsrndonA nor permit him to rome ia