The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1913-08-21

any discovery Of Miss Mcdonald.
Without an instant's hesitation he
drew aside the curtain. and stepped In
to the room.
Pardon me-" he said quietly. - the
two started back at his rather abrupt
entrance. but did not care to over
hear your conversation. No doubt It
was intended to be private"
The woman stepped somewhat In
advance OF her companion, ~ 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 nerves. II you must know,
l was merely giving our ranch fore
man a few hnal instructions. a. he
leaves tomorrow. Have you objec-
tions?"
"Assuredly not-your ranch. fore
man. you sayI Net him before. l
think. You are the fellow l ordered
out Of this room. aren't your"
The man growled something unintel
ligible. but Mrs. Dupont prevented any
direct reply.
That's all right. John," she broke in
impatiently. You understand what !
want now. and need not remain any
longer. l have . word to say myself
to this man."
| She waited an instant while he left
the room; then her eyes denantly met
Hamlin's.
Il was told you had driven every one
out of here" she said coldly. What
was the gamer"
This room was rssefved-".
"Ptsh! 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. Il fail to see wherein you are
concerned"
She laughed.
Which remark 10 equivalent to q
confession. Dave" suddenly changinG.
why should we quarrel, and misjudKe
each other! You cannot suppose
have forgotten the past. or am indif1er-
ent. Cannot you forgive the mistake
OF thoughtless girl? ID there any
reason why we should not be. at least.
friendlyr
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. Il am willing enough to blot that
out. What I am interested in 10 the
present. l should like to understand
your purpose here at Dodge"
Surely that is sufficiently clear. I
am merely an exile from home, on &C.
count Of Indian dspredations. What
more natural than that should take
refuge in my uncle's house."
You mean Major McDonald!"
| "Certainly-he was my mother's
only brother"
Il think 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 i"
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. u
he went on. But why did you also be.
come Vera in place of Sarah?"
| anh ia thot 80 uya1J
to account for the vagaries Of a girl
she returned lightly. as though dis.
missing the subject. Il presume
took fancy tc the prettier name, But
how did you know3"
Garrison rumor picks up nearly
everything, and 1t is not very kind to
you, Mrs. Dupont. l hope am DOING
you favor in saying this. Your rath
er open Irritation with Lieutenant Gas
kins is common talk, even among en-
listed men. and have heard that YOU,
relations with Major Mcdonald are pe
culiar"
Indeed" with rising infection o,
the voice. How kind of you. and &C
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 tina,
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. an
merely Major McDonald's guest
wonder who told you that7 Shall
xuess?"
I Before he could realize her purpose