The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-01-09

lacking ardent partners, and entering
with unalloyed enthusiasm into the
evenings pleasure. The big room pre-
scented scene of brilliant color, of
ceaselessly moving figures; the air
was resonant with laughter and
trembling to the dashing strains Of
the band. Primitive as 1t was in many
respects, to Hamlin, long isolated in
small frontier posts, the scene was
strangely attractive, his imagination
responding to the glow Of color, the
merry chime of voices, the tripping Of
feet The smiling faces flashed past.
his ears caught whispered words, his
eyes followed the flying figures. For
the moment the man forgot himself
in this new environment of thought
less pleasure.
From among that merry throng of
strangers his eyes snon disting uished
that one in whom he felt special in
terest-Mrs. Dupont, dancing now
with Mcdonald, the rather corpulent
Major exhibiting almost youthful agil-
ity under the inspiration of the music.
they circled among the others on the
floor, her red lips close to her part
ner's ear, hut Hamlin, suspicious and
watchful, noted that her eyes were
busy elsewhere, scanning the faces.
They swept over him, apparently IN
seeing, but as the two circied swiftly
Nv, the hand resting lightly on the
Majors shoulder vas uplifted sudden
Nv in a peculiar, suggestive movement.
He stared after them until they were
lest in the crowd, feeling confident
that the motion of those whitegloved
6ucers was meant as a signal of
,"rl:i1e TO whom was it conveyed?
y 4l.nced aside at the jam of figures
20 doorway. Both the black-whis-
and ConDors had disap-
peared. It was signal then, Instant
ly understood and obeyed.
The Sergeant had scarcely grasped
this fact when his attention was dl-
verted by the appearance of Miss NC
Donald. She was dancing with a cl'
william, an Immediately dressed lndl-
vidual with rudy, boyish face. HIS
intense admiration of his partner was
plainly evident, and the girl, simply
dressed in white, her cheeks flushed,
her dark eyes bright with enjoyment,
set Hamlin's cool nerves throbblng.
He could not resist gazing at her, and,
as their eyes met, she bowed, the full
red lips parting in a smile of recognl-
restraint in that quick greeting, as
she whirled by; he could not fail to
comprehend its full ignificance-she
had not forgotten, had no desire to
forget. What he imagined he read
in her face swept all else from his
mind instantly, and, with eager eyes,
he followed her slight, girlish figure
as they crcled the hall. The music
ceased, and he still watched as the
LAD led her to a scat, himself sinking
into a chair beside her. Then the pass
ing out of several men, who desired
return checks, claimed his attention
When the last of these had disap
peared, he glanced again in her d1rec
ton. She was alone, and her young
partner was walking toward him
across the deserted floor. The lad
came to the door, which by now con
tanned few loiterers, and stood there
a moment gazing out into the street
Are you Sergeant Hamlin?" he
asked quietly.
YES"
Miss Mcdonald requested me to
hand you this note unobserved. !
have no knowledge of it's contents.
Hannlin felt the futter of the paper
in his palm, and stood silent, clinging
to it, as the other carelessly recrossed
the room. She was looking toward
him, but he made no motion to un'
fold the missive, until his eyes, search
ing the chairs, had located Mrs. Du'
pont. The very secret of delivery
made him cautious, made him suspect
it had to do with that woman. She
was beside the band-stand, still con-
versing with the Major, apparently
oblivious to any other presence, her
face turned aside. Assured of this, he
opened the paper, and glanced at the
few hastily scrubbed lines.
II trust you, and you must believe j
do not do this without cause. During
the intermission be in the hotel par.
Ior."