Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1913-08-07

frontier helpmates of the more prom.
lnent merchants OF the town; women
from the surrounding ranches, who
mad deserted their homes until the In
dian scare ceased; a scattered few
from pretentious small cities to the
eastward, and, here and there, younger
faces, representing ranchmen's daugh.
ters, with'a school-teacher or two. AL
together they made rather brave
show, occasionally exhibiting toilets
worthy OF admiring glances, never
lacking ardent partners, and entering
with unalloyed enthusiasm into the
evenings pleasure. The big room pre-
sented a scene of brilliant color, of
ceaseiessly moving figures; the air
was resonant with laughter and
trembling TO the dashing strains OF
the band. Primitive as It 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 throne of
strangers his eyes soon distinguished
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
The lady talked with animation. as
they circled among the others on the
door, her red lips close to her mart
ners ear, but Hamlin, suspicious and
watchful, noted that her eyes were
busy elsewhere, scanning the faces
They swept over him. apparently an
seeing, but as the two circled swiftly
by, the hand resting lightly on the
Majors shoulder vas uplifted sudden.
ly In a peculiar, suggestive movement.
He stared after them until thew were
lost in the crowd, feeling confident
that the motion Of those white-gloyed
fingers was meant as a signal OF
warning. To whom was It conveyed
He glanced aside at the Jam of figures
in the doorway. Both the black.wbis.
kered man and Connors had disan.
peared. 1t was signal then. instant.
ly understood and obeyed.
The Sergeant had scarcely Crashed
this fact when his attention was al.
verified by the appearance of Miss Nc.
Donald. She was dancing with a CT
william. an Immediately dressed indi
vidual with rudy. boyish face. HIS
intense admiration Of his partner was
plainly evident, and the girl. simpIv
dressed in white. her cheeks flushed
her dark eyes bright with enjoyment
set Hamlin's cool nerves throbbinp
He could not resist gazing at her. and
as their eyes met, she bowed, the full
red lips parting in a smile OF recoeni.
ton. There was no reservation no
restraint in that quick greeting, as
she whirled by; he could not fan IA
comprehend its full significance-sbe
had not forgotten, had no desire IN
forget. What he imagined he read
In her face swept all else from his
mind instantly, and, with eager ewes
he followed her slight, girllsh figure
as they circled the hall. The music
ceased, and he still watched as m.
lad led her to seat, himself SINKING
into 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 direc
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 &c
hand you this note unobserved.
have no knowledge of its contents.
Hamlin felt the futter of the paper
in his palm, and stood silent, clingins
to it, as the other carelessly recrosset
the room. She was looking toward
him, but he made no motion to un
fold the missiye, 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
obliyious to any other presence, hel
face turned aside. Assured Of this, he
opened the paper. and glanced at the
few hastily scrubbed lines.
Il trust you. and you must believe
do not do this without cause. During
the intermission be In the hotel par
lor."