Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1913-02-06

9 .s..-s - 2. -. -.
oh, knew - I'D some sltsrcar
tion. ana ~AS Ws6SSd I'd; Sc -accused
you. did hs aoti But wAy heiar ID
into the a6Alsr'
Because some woman WAS directly
concerned In It. Whoever she may
De. the officers Of the fort are con.
WINGED that she, probably fred The
snot; th 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 con-
clusion? Was she seen?"
Her footprints were plainly Wis.
ible, and the revolver used was q
small one-a .36'-.such as a woman
! alone would carry in this country. I
have said SO to no one else. but saw
her, crouching In the shadow Of the
barrack wall.
"You-you saw her1 Recognized
herr"
! Yes" t
"And made NO attempt at arrest?
, Have not even mentioned the fact to
others? You must have a reason?"
Il have, Mrs. Dupont, but we will
not discuss it now. / 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 a good hand, had found q
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, 81 am not
now exactly the same unsuspecting
youth with whom you played so cas-
lily years ago. have learned some
of life's lessons since; among them
how, to fight fire with fire. It is a
trick of the plains. Do you still con-
slider it necessary for your happiness
to remain the guest of the McDon-
aids? 2"
She Strengthened up, turning her
eyes away.
Probably not for long, but 1t is no
threat of yours which influences me.
1t does not even interest me to know
who sho. Lieutenant Gaskins. He is
a vulgar little prig. only made possible
by the possession Of money. How
ever, when decide to depart, shall
probably do so without consulting
your pleasure" She hesitated, her
voice softening as though in change
OF mood. yet / should prefer part
ing with you in friendship. In asking
you to meet me tonight / had no in
tention of quarreling; merely yielded
to an impulse of regret for the past
The heavy curtain draping the win
dow was drawn aside, permitting the
light from within to fash upon them,
revealing the figure OF man in uni
form.
Pardon my interruption" he ex
planned, bowling, "but you were gone
SO long, Mrs. Dupont, feared some
accident
She laughed lightly.
'You are very excusable. No doubt
I have been here longer than I sup.
posed"
The officers eyes surveyed the
soldier standing erect, his hand lifted
In salute. The situation puzzled him.
Sergeant Hamlin. how are you
here? On leave?"
Eyes, SIR"
"Of course this is rather unusual,
Captain Barrett" said the lady hast
lily. tapping the astonished officer
lightly with her fan, "but was once
quite well acquainted with Sergeant
Hamljn when he was major of the
Fourth Texas infantry during the late
war. He and my husband were init.
mates. Naturally was delighted to
meet him again.
The captain stared at the mans
rigid figure"
Good Lord, / never knew that
L
know 1t, my man. You see," he ex
planned lamely, I'VE get all kinds OF
fellows in the ranks, and are not in
terested in their past history. I've had
Hamlin under my command for two
years now, and hanged II knew any,
thing about him, except that he was
good soldier. Were you ready to
| GO Mrs. nnnOnt 2o
"Oh. yes; we have exhausted all
our "reminiscences. Goodby, Sergeant;
SO glad to have met you again."
She extended her ungloved hand, a
single diamond glittering in the light
He accepted it silently, aware of the
slight pressure of her fingers. Then
| hlIaIllnMIil|E=Z5,