The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1913-07-10
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though coupled with his former init
macy with the woman, was not suffl-
cient excuse for his interference. The
Major would treat the revelation with |
even disbelief, and Miss |
Molly might even resent his meddling
in the affair. Besides he was not al
together convinced that the girl had
not been actually present at, and IN
some manner connected with, the at
tack on Gaskins. The memory OF that
face, shrinking behind the corner of
the barrack wall, remained clear in
his mind. He might be mistaken, but
perhaps it would be best to go slow.
1t was a huge, bare hall, although
the walls were concealed by flags,
while other draperies were festooned
along the rafters. The band was sta
toned upon raised platform at the
rear, and hundred couples occupied
the floor. The men present were large
ly officers attired in dress-uniforms, al
though there was a considerable
sprinkling of civilians, few conspic-
uous in garments of the latest cut
and style. Evidently invitations had
time and place, literally responded to.
Among the women present the Ser
geant saw very few he recognized, yet
it was comparatively easy to classify
the. majority-officers' wives; the
frontier helpmates of the more prom.
inent merchants of the town; women
from the surrounding ranches, who
had 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 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-
scented scene of brilliant color, OF
ceaselessly 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 throng 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
floor, her red lips close to her part.
ners ear, but Hamlin, suspicious and
watchful, noted that her eyes were
busy elsewhere, scanning the faces.
They swept over him, apparently un-
seeing, but as the two circled swiftly
by, the hand resting lightly on the
Majors shoulder vas uplifted sudden.
ly in peculiar, suggestive movement.
He stared after them until they were
lost in the crowd, feeling confident
that the motion of those white-gloved
fingers was meant as a signal OF
warning. To whom was it conveyed?
He glanced aside at the jam of figures
| To- Dn%H
kered man and Connors had disap
peared. 1t was a signal then, instant
ly understood and obeyed.
The Sergeant had scarcely grasped
this fact when his attention was di
verted by the appearance of Miss Nc
Donald. She was dancing with a CT
william. an Immediately dressed indi
vidual with ruddy. boyish face. His
intense admiration of his partner was
plainly evident, and the girl, simply
dressed in white, her cheeks flushed
her dark eyes bright with enjoyment
set Hamlins cool nerves throbbing
He could not resist gazing at her, and
as their eyes met, she bowed, the full
red lips parting in smile of recogni
ton. There was no reservation, NJ
restraint in that quick greeting, a!
she whirled by; he could not fail tt
comprehend it's full signifcance-sht
had not forgotten, had no desire tt
forget. What he imagined he reat
in her face swept all else from hi!
mind instantly, and, with eager eyes
he followed her slight, girlish figur,
as they circled the hall. The must,
ceased, and he still watched as tn,
J 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