Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1913-08-21
h ELBalucs
CORyRlotI 1912 BY AZ. nec.luRo g 60

longer have word to say myself
to this man."
She waited an instant while he left
the room; then her eyes defiantly met
Hamlin's.
Il was told you had driven every one
out of here" she said coldly. What
was the gamer"
This room was reserved"
Pish! keep that explanation for
some one else. You wanted the room
for some purpose, Who have you got
out thereT' she pointed at the window.
Whether there be any one or not. I"
ne answered, leaning against the win.
dow frame. and thus barring the pass.
age, Il fail to see wherein you are
concerned"
She laughed.
Which remark is equivalent to a
confession. Dave" suddenly changing,
why should we quarrel, and misjudge
each other? You cannot suppose |
have forgotten the past, or am indiffer-
emit Cannot you forgive the mistake
OF a thoughtless girl? Is there any
reason why we should not be, at least.
friendly?"
There was an appeal In her voice,
but the mans face did not respond.
I cannot say that feel any bitter
ness over the past" he answered light
ly. Il am willing enough to blot that
out. What am interested in is the
present. / should like to understand
your purpose here at Dodge"
Surely that Is sufficiently clear. |
am merely an exile from home, on &C.
count of indian depredations. What
more natural than that should take
refuge In my uncle's house."
you mean Major McDonald?"
"Certainly-he was my mothers
only brother"
Il think have heard somewhere
that the Majors only sister married a
man named Counts"
She drew in her breath sharply.
Eyes, OF course-her first husband. /"
You were daughter then of her
first marriage?"
"Of course"
But assumed the name of Carson
when she married AGAIN."
That was when you met me-"
The change was natural enough. /"
he went on. But why did you also be-
come Vera in place of SARAH"
"Oh, is that 1t? Well. never attempt
to account for the yagaries OF a girl. !"
she returned lightly. as though dis.
missing the subject. Il presume
took fancy tc the prettier name. But
how did you known"
Garrison rumor picks up nearly
everything, and 1t is not very bind 10
you, Mrs. Dupont. | hope ann doing
you q favor in saying this, Yoar rath.
er open Irritation with Lieutenant Gas.
kins is common talk, even among en-.
listed men, and have heard that your
relations with Major Mcdonald are pc
culiar."
Indeed" with rising infection of
the voice. How kind of you, and SO
delicately expressed" She laughed.
And poor Major Mcdonald! Really.
that is ridiculous. Could you imagine
my flirting with him?"
Il have no recollection of using that
term in this connection. But you have
strange influence over him. For some
reason the man is apparently afraid of
you"
Afraid Of me? oh. no! Some one
has been fooling you, Dave. am
merely Major McDonald's guest /
wonder who told you that? Shall
guess ?"
Before he could realize her purpose
the woman took a hasty step forward.
and swept aside the curtain, thrusting
her head past to where she could gain
q view outside. Hamlin pressed her
back with one hand. planting himself
squarely before the window. She met
his eyes spitefully.
Il was mistaken this time" she ac-
drawing away. but I'd
like to know why you were 30 anxious
to prevent my looking out. Do you
know whom thought you had there?"
"As you please" rejoicing that the
girl had escaped notice.
THAT little snip of Molly. You
made hit with her all right, and she
certainly don't like me. Well. delight
full as 1t is to meet you again, ! must
be going" She turned away, and then
paused to add over her shoulder
Don't you think 1t would be just as
safe for you to attend to your own
business, Sergeant Hamlin?"
"And let you alone?"
Exactly; and let me alone. l am
hardly the sort of woman 1t is safe to
play with. 1t will be worth your while
to remember that"
He waited, motionless, Until assured
that she had passed down the hall as
far as the door of the dining-room
The sound of shutting chairs evi.
denced the breaking up of the party.
In preparation to return to the ball
room. II Miss McDonald's absence
were to escape observation, she would
have to slip out now and rejoin the
others as they left the house. He again
turned down the light, and held back
the curtain.
1.-THE way Is clear now. Miss Molly"
There was no response, no move
ment. He stepped outside. thinking
the girl must have failed to hear him.
The porch was empty. He stepped
from one end to the other, making
sure she was not crouching in the
darkness. scarcely able to grasp the
fact OF her actual disappearance. This.
then, was why Mrs. Dupont had failed
to see any one when she glanced out.
But where could the girl have gone?
How gotten awayY He had heard no
sound behind him; not even the rustic
of skirt to betray movement 1t
was not far to the ground. i've or six
feet. perhaps; It would be perfectly
safe for one to lower the body over
the rail and drop. The matted prairie
grass under foot would render the act
noiseless. No doubt that was exactly
the way the escape had been accom-