The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1913-08-08

nection with Gaskfns. fhss q nsN
have been Mrs. Dupont That looks
reasonable. But she stays at your
nome, does she mott"
She makes our house her headQuar
ters, but Is absent occasionally. Last
night she was here at this hotel. Well,
we are getting this Strengthened u .
httle-that is, II you believe me-"
"Of course"
lhen | am going to question you.
o spoke of overhearing a CONVERSE
ton ?"
Yes; 1t was after Mrs. Dupont had
left Captain Barrett came, and DOL
her away. was sitting here thinking
when two men came into the parlor."
Who were they? Do you know"
One was the soldier who drives you
aoout-Connors; the other a black.
bearded. burly fellow called 'Reb.'"
"Mr. Dupont"
What? Is that Dupont? Lord! No
wonder she's gone bad. Why,
thought her husband was a ranchman
down south somewhere! This fellow
Is a tin-horn."
II e did run cattle once, years ago.
think he was quite we'll off, but drank
n gambled 1t away. Papa told me-
all about it. but I found out he was
the man by accident. HE'S the one
l am really afraid Of"
She stopped. her eyes deserving his
face and stared out into the darkness.
He waited, feeling vaguely that he had
o heard all she intended to say.
What more do you know" he
asked. What was it you expected Of
me?"
She turned again. aroused by the
question.
Yes, ! must tell o as quickly as I
can before | am missed. | did not
know about Mrs. Dupont and Lieuten-
ant Gaskins. l realized there was
something between theUl-a-a-slight
Irritation. but scarcely gave that q
thought. What brought me here was :.
much more serious matter, yet this
new Information helps me to comprer
bend the other-the motives, l mean.
Mrs. Dupont's maiden name was Vera
CARSON"
certainly; | knew her family WELL"
She came here, and was received
into our family as a daughter of my
fathers sister. II true, her nader,
name would have been Sarah Counts.
Papa had nc reason to suspect the de.
ceit. He does not now, and l doubt II
even your word would convince him.
for he seems thoroughly under her in
%f1uence. There has been such a change
in him since she came; not all at
once, you know. but gradual, until now
he scarcely seems like the same man
II do not dislike Lieutenant Gas
kins; he has been pleasant and atten
tive, but l do not care for him in IN
other way. Yet papa insists that I
marry the man. Lately he has been
very unkind about it, and-and l am
sure she is VI ging him on. What can
l do? 1t is all so unpleasant"
Hamlin shook his head, but without
reply.
you will not tell met Then I will
tell you l shall say no! no! nc! in
spite Of them; l shall refuse to be
sold. But how does that woman con-
troll my father?" she leaned closer in
her earnestness, lowering her voice.
she has not won him by charms; he
is afraid of her"
Afraid? Are you certain of that?"
Yes. | cannot tell you how know;
perhaps it Is ali womanly instinct, but
| do know that he is terrorized; that
he dare not oppose her wish. have
read the truth in his eyes, and I am
sure he is harsh to me only because
he is driven by some 'areat. What
can it be-"
you have never spoken to him OF
your suspicious? Asked hin"
Yes and no. l tried once, snd shall
never forget the expression Of his face
Then he turned On me in a perfect
paroxysm of anger. l never even
dared hint at the matter again"
The Sergeant stared out into tn,
street, not knowing what to say, OF
how to advise. Almost unconscious oil
the action his hand stole along The
!. rail until it touched hers.
frO Dr r