Farmers' champion. (Elgin, Okla.) 1912-1922, 1913-07-31

nsctjon with dsskins Then 4 must
have been Mrs.. Dupont. That looks
reasonable But she stays st your
home, docs she mott"
She makes our house her heAdQuar'
tiers, but Ia absent occasionally. Last
night she was here at this hotel. Well.
we are getting this Strengthened out .
little-that ia. II you believe ma"
"Of course"
Then I an going to question you.
You spoke Of overhearing . convsrsa'
| tionf
Yes; It was after Mrs. Dupont had
left Captain Barrett came. and took
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
about-Connors; the other black.
bearded, burly fellow called 'Reb.'"
"Mr. Dupont"
What? Is that Dupont? Lord! No
wonder she's gone bad. Why, !
thought her husband was ranchman
down south somewhere! This fellow
is tin.horn."
"He did run cattle once, years ago.
| think he was quite we'll OF, but drank
and gambled 1t away. Papa told me
all about 1t. but found out he was
the man by accident He-is the one
| am really afraid Of"
She stopped. her eyes deserting his
face, and stared out into the darkness.
He waited, feeling vaguely that he had
not 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 you as quickly as I
can before | am missed. l did not
know about Mrs. Dupont and Lieuten.
ant Gaskins. realized there was
something between them-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 compre-
hend the other-the motives, I mean.
Mrs. Duponts maiden name was Vera
Carson?"
Certainly; knew her family we'll"
She came here, and was received
into our family as a daughter Of my
fathers sister II true. her maiden
name would have been Sarah Counts
Papa had no reason to suspect the de-
ceit. He does not now. and l doubt IL
even your word would convince him,
for he seems thoroughly under her In.
fiuence. There has been such 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 | do not care for him In any
other way. Yet papa insists that
marry the man. Lately he has been
very unkind about it. and-and | am
sure she is urging him on. What can
| do? 1t Is all SO unpleasant"
Hamlin shook his head. but without
reply.
You will not tell me? Then l will
tell you shall say no! no! no! In
spite of them; | 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"
"Afraid7 Are you certain Of thatf"
"Yes. | cannot tell you how | know;
perhaps It Is all womanly instinct, but
| do know that he Is terrorized; that
he dare not oppose her wish. | have
read the truth In his eyes. and ! am
sure he Is harsh to me only because
he is driven by some threat What
can II be?"
You have never spoken to him Of
your suspicious? Asked him."
"Yes and no. tried once, and shall
never forget the expression of his face.
Then he turned on me in perfect
paroxysm Of anger. never even
dared hint at the matter again"
The Sergeant stared out into the
street, not knowing what to say, or
how to advise. Almost unconscious of
the action his hand stole along the
rail until 1t touched hers.
(To BE CoNTINUED)