The Taney County republican., 1913-05-01


MY Name Is HamlIn; Am Here on
the Lady's Invitation.
profanity, Once shots echoed from out
The din, but created no apparent ex.
element, and q little later q dozen
horsemen spurred recklessly through
the street, scattering the crowd, their
evolyers sputterlng. Some alteration
arose opposite and voice called loud.
jy for the guard, but the trouble soon
ceased with the clump Of hoofs, dying
away in the distance, the regimental
sand noisily blartng out waltz. Ham
lin, immersed in his own thoughts.
5Carcely observed the turmoil, but
leaned, arms on railing, gazing out in
to the darkness. Something mysteri-
Gus from out the past had gripped
him; he was wondering how he should
greet her when she came; speculat!ng
on her purpose in sending for him.
1t seemed as though he waited a
long time before the curtain at the
window was thrust aside and the lady
emerged, the slight rustling of her
5ress apprisIng him of her presence
The curtain still held slightly back by
her hand permitted the light from
within to reflect over her figure, re-
yealing In softened outline the beauty
of her features, the flossy brightness
Of her hair. She was In evening dress,
light shawl draping her shoulders.
An instant she paused in uncertainty,
striving to distinguish his face; then
stepped impulslvely forward, and held
out her hands.
81 have kept you waiting, but you
must forgive that, as | came as soon
rs ! could manufacture an excuse
Won't you even shake hands with
me"
rs 1t necessary" he asked, almost
YEARLY. you have come to me foT
some purpose surely, but It can hardly
be friendship"
"Why should you say that2" re-
proachfully. 81 have deserted a rath
er brilliant party to meet you here"
THAT, perhaps, Is why l say it, Mrs
Dupont. If my memory serves, you
would not be inclined to leave such
friends as you have yonder to rendez
vous with a common soldier, unless
you had some special object in view
If you will inform me what 1t is, we
can very quickly terminate the inter
view"
She laughed, little touch of nerv
BUSINESS in the voice, but drew hel
skirts aside, and sat down on the
bench.
DO you think you can deceive mt
ty such play-acting?" she asked eager
ly. you are no man OF wood. Tel
me, is there nothing you care to ash
me, after-after all these years."
Hamlln lifted his eyes and looked a
her, stirred into sudden interest BY
the almost caressing sound of the sof
voice.
"Yes," he said slowly, there arr
some things | should Hike to know, II
thought you would answer frankly"
"Try me and see"
Then why are you Mrs. Dupont, in
stead Of Mrs. lie Fevre?"
Then my guess is true, and you ar,
not so devoid of curiosity" sh,
laughed. MY answor2 Why, It 4
simplicity itself-because I was neve
Mrs. lie Fevre, but am rightfully Mrs
Dupont"
DO you mean you were never mar
ried to lie Feyre?"
What else could l mean2"
"Then he lied"
She shrugged her white shoulders.
THAT would not surprise me In tn
least. Twas a characteristic Of tn
man you had ample reason to know
How came you 20 believe so easily?"
Believe? What else could BE-
lieye? Everything served to substar
tiate his boast. l was In disgrace
practically drummed out of camp
There was nothing left for me to llv
for. or strive for. was PRACTICAL
dead. Then your letter confessin
came
Wait" she interrupted, that lette
was untrue, false; 1t was penned VI
der compulsion. / wrote you agalr
later, but you had gone, disappeare
utterly. wanted to explain, but you
own people even did not know wher
you were-do not know yet"
He leaned his body against the raj
and looked at her in the dim ligh
Her face retained much OF its glrlisI
attractiyeness, yet its undoubte
charms no longer held the man cal
tive. He smiled coldly.
"The explanation comes somewha
late" he replied deliberately. "Whe
It might have served me 1t was nc
offered-indeed, you had convenien
ly disappeared. But am not here
criticise; that is all over with, prat
tically forgotten. ! came at your r,
quest, and presume you had a reason
MAY / again ask what II Was?"