The Winslow mail., 1913-09-27
coeoRscT 1912 BIZ A.c.rcLueo & CO.

Without an instants hesitation he
drew aside the curtain, and stepped in
to the room.
Pardon me-" he said quietly, as the
two started back at his rather abrupt
entrance, "but 1 did not care to over
hear your conversation. No doubt 1t
was intended to be private"
The woman stepped somewhat in
| advance of her companion, as though
to shield him from observation, in
stantly mastering her surprise.
Nothing at all serious, Mr.. Ser
geant Hamlin," she retorted scornful-
ly. Don't be melodramatic, please; it
gets on the enerves. If you must know,
| was merely giving our ranch fore
man few final instructions, as he
leaves tomorrow. Have you objec-
| tions?"
"Assuredly not-your ranch fore
man, you say? Met him before, 1
think. You are the fellow 1 ordered
out of this room, aren't your"
The man growled something uninte[
ligible, but Mrs. Dupont prevented any
| direct reply.
That's all right, John," she broke in
| impatiently. You understand what I
| want now, and need not remain any
| longer. l have a word to say myself
to this man"
She waited an instant while he left
the room; then her eyes defiantly met
Hamlip's.
Il was told you had driven every one
out of here" she said coldly. What
was the gamer"
This room was reserved"
"P1sh! keep that explanation for
some one else. You wanted the room
for some purpose. Who have you got
out there?" she pointed at the window.
Whether there be any one or not" !"
he answered, leaning against the win
dow frame, and thus barring the pass
| age, II fail to see wherein you are
concerned"
She laughed.
Which remark is equivalent to a
confession. Dave" suddenly changing,
why should we quarrel, and misjudge
each other? You cannot suppose I
have forgotten the past, or am indiffer-
ent Cannot you forgive the mistake
of thoughtless girl? Is there any
reason why we should not be, at least,
friendly?"
There was an appeal In her voice,
but the mans face did not respond.
Il cannot say that / feel any bitter
| ness over the past" he answered light
ly. II am willing enough to blot that
| out. What 1 am interested in is the
present. l should like to understand
your purpose here at Dodge"
Surely that is sufficiently clear. 1
am merely an exile from home, on ac-
! count of Indian depredations. What
more natural than that should take
refuge in my uncle's house."
"You mean Major McDonald?"
"Certainly-he was my mothers
only brother"
Il think I have heard somewhere
that the Majors only sister married a
man named Counts"
She drew in her breath sharply.
"Yes, of course-her first husband" :"
you were daughter then of her
| first marriage?"
"Of course"
But assumed the name of Carson
when she married again?"
THAT was when you met me-"
THE change was natural enough. :"
went on. But why did you also be-
| come Vera in place Of Sarah?"
"Oh, is that it? Well, never attempt
to account for the vagaries of a girl"
she returned lightly, as though dis
l<missing the subject. Il presume I
took fancy tc the prettier name. But
how did you know?"
| Garrison rumor picks up nearly
everything, and it is not very kind to
you, Mrs. Dupont. I hope l am doing
you favor in saying this. Your rath-
er open Irritation with Lieutenant Cas-
kins is common talk, even among en-
listed men, and have heard that your
relations with Major Mcdonald are pe-
culiar."
Indeed" with rising infection Of
the voice. How kind of you, and so
delicately expressed" She laughed.
"And poor Major Mcdonald! Really.
that is ridiculous. Could you imagine
my flirting with him.
II have no recollection of using that
term in this connection. But you have
strange influence over him. For some
reason the man is apparently afraid of
you"
Afraid of me? Oh, no! Some one
has been fooling you, Dave. am
merely Major McDonalds guest. I
wonder who told you that? Shall 1
| 5uess?"
| Before he could realize her purpose