The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1913-11-08
CHAPTER XVI.


the note, trusting Ills position in the
ranks would be sufficient barrier to
prevent any chance meeting. and be.
lieving his stay at that garrison would
be only a brief one. Sheridan was evi.
IDENTIFY preparing for an early offensive
campaign, and It was rumored on all
sides that the Seventh Cavalry had
been selected for active field service.
Indeed, the urgent orders for the con.
solidation of the regiment from scat,
tered posts must mean this. Any day
might bring orders, and he could
easily avoid this Mrs. Dupont until
then. Except for faint curiosity, the
Sergeant felt no inclination to meet
the woman. Whatever influence she
might have once exercised over him
had been thoroughly overcome by
years and absence. Even the unex-
pected sight of her again-seemingly
as beautiful as ever-had failed to
awaken the spell of the past. 1t was
almost with thrill of delight that
Hamlin realized this-that he was in
truth utterly free of her influence.
There had been times when he had
anticipated such a possible meeting
with dread; when he had doubted his
own heart, the strength OF his will to
resist. But now he knew he stood abb
solutely Independent and could laugh
at her wiles. She who had once been
all-trusted, loved, worshipped with
all the mad fervor of youth--had be-
come only a dead memory. Between
them stretched a chasm never to be
bridged.
What could the woman possibly
want Of him? To explain the past?
To justify herself? He knew enough
already, and desired to know no more.
Could she hope-natural coquette that
she waste regain her hold upon
him? The man smiled grimly, conf
dent of his own strength. Yet why
should she care for such a conquest,
the winning of common soldier?
There must be some better reason,
some more subtle purpose. Could it
be that she feared him, that she was
afraid that he might speak to her In.
jury? This was by far the most like
ly supposition. Molly McDonald-the
woman was aware of their acquaint.
ance, and was already alarmed at its
possible result.
Hamlin stood up resolved. He
would meet the woman, not from any
J desire Of his own, but to learn her
purpose, and protect the girl The
meeting could not injure him, not
even bring a swifter beating of the
heart, but might give him opportunity
to serve the other. And LIE Fevre-
surely she could tell him something
Of LIE Fevre.
Leave was easily obtained, and the
Sergeant, rejoicing In a freshly issued
uniform, dressed with all the care pos
sible, his interest reyiving at this new
point OF view. II was not far down
the bluff road to the squalid little vii
lage which had naturally developed In
close proximity to the fort-neal
enough for protection, yet fal
enough removed to be lawless-t
rough frontier outpost town, of shacki
and tents, most OF these dispensing
vile liquors. Among these, more en-
terprising spirits-hopeful OF futur,
deyelopment-had erected large
buildings, usually barn-like, with falls,
fronts facing the single main street
filled with miscellaneous stocks 0
goods or used for purposes not SO lie
climate. One of these housed tn
Poodle Dog" saloon, with gambling
rooms above. while a few doors beloy
was great dance hall, easily convert
ed into theater II occasion arose
| grotesque, one-storied monstrosity. B,
: low these was the stage office, bull
against the three-storied wooden hC
tel, which boasted OF a wide porch o
two sides, and was picture OF ugl
! ness.
BY daylight all was squalor and dir
dingy tents tapping in the ceaseles
wind, implanted shacks, woode
: houses with boards varying under Ii
!, hot sun, the single street deep in ye
low dust, the surrounding prairie II
tered with tin cans, and all manner {
debris, But with the coming OF nigl