The Winslow mail., 1913-09-06
fss2 BY A.c.Mcluao & ca

household. And you propose interfer-
Ing, plan to drive me forth from this
pleasant birds nest. Really you amuse
me, Mr.. Sergeant Hamlin."
But / have not proposed anything
Of that nature" the man said quietly,
rising to his feet. "It Is, of course.
| nothing to me, except that Miss Nc
Donald has been very kind and seems
very nice girl. AS / knew some
thing of you and your past, thought
perhaps you might realize how much
better it would be to retire grace
fully"
"You mean that as a threat? You
intend to tell herr"
Not unless 1t becomes necessary;
l am not proud Of the story myself"
Their eyes met, and there was no
shadow of softness in either face. The
woman's lips curled sarcastically.
Really, you take yourself quite Sc
riously, do you not? One might think
you still Major of the Fourth Texas,
and heir to the old estate on the Bra
zos. You talked that way to me
once before, only to discover that
had claws with which to scratch.
Don't make that mistake again, Mr..
Sergeant Hamlin, or there will be
something more serious than scratch
ing done. have learned how to fight
in the past few years-Heaven knows
l have had opportunity-and rather
enjoy the excitement. How far would
your word go with Molly, do you
think? Or with the Major?"
That remains to be SEEN"
Does it? Oh, / understand You
must still consider yourself quite the
lady-killer. Well, let me tell you
something she is engaged to Lieu
tenant Gaskins."
His hand-grip tightened on the rail,
but there was no change in the ex-
preston of his face.
$50 I had heard. I presume that
hardly would have been permitted to
happen but for the existence of Mr..
Dupont. By the way, which one of
you ladies shot the Lieutenant?"
1t was a chance fire, and Hamlin
was not sure of its effect, although
she drew quick breath, and her voice
faltered
"Shot-Lieutenant Gaskins ?"
Certainly; you must be aware of
that?"
"Oh, knew he had some alterca-
ton, and was wounded; he accused
you, did he not? But why bring us
into the AFFAIR.""
Because some woman was directly
concerned in it. Whoever she may
be, the officers of the fort are con-
vinced that she probably fired the
shot; that the Lieutenant knows her
| identity, and is endeavoring to shield
her from discovery
| "Why do they think that? What
reason can they have for such a con-
clusion? Was she SEEM"
| "Her footprints we're plainly Wis
ible, and the revolver used was a
small one-a '36'-such as a woman
alone would carry in this country. 1
have said so to no one else, but I saw
| her, crouching in the shadow of the
| barrack wall.
"You-you saw her? Recognized
her?"
Yes"
"And made no attempt at arrest?
| Have not even mentioned the fact to
| others? You must have a reason p"
II have, Mrs. Dupont, but we will
not discuss it now. 1 merely wish
you to comprehend that if it is to be
war between us, am in possession of
| weapons.
She had not lost control of herself,
yet there was that about her hesitan-
cy of speech, her quick breathing,
which evidenced her surprise at this
} discovery. 1t told him that he had
| played good hand, had found a
point of weakness in her armor. The
| mystery of it remained unsolved, but
| this woman knew who had shot Gas
kins; knew, and had every reason to
| guard the secret. He felt her eyes
anxiously searching his face, and
laughed little bitterly.
| You perceive, madam, " he went on,
encouraged by her silence, II am not
now exactly the same unsuspecting
youth with whom you played so cas-
lily years ago. l have learned some
of life's lessons since; among them
| how to fight fire with fire. 1t is a
trick of the plains. Do you still con-
slider it necessary for your happiness
to remain the guest of the Melon
alds?''
She Strengthened up, turning her
eyes away.
Probably not for long, but it is no
threat of yours which influences me,
1t does not even interest me to know
I Euba II ;1