The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1913-11-22

sion quickly, and, satisfied that any
further investigation along this line
would be worthless, reverted to his
earlier quest-the safety of Miss Nc.
Donald. Merely to satisfy himself of
her presence, he crossed the street
and glanced In at the whirling dancers.
There were few loiterers at the door.
way and he stood for a moment beside
the guard, where he was able to sur.
Vey the entire room. Mrs. Dupont was
upon the floor, and swept past twice,
without lifting her eyes in recognition.
but neither among thu dancers, nor
seated. could he discover Miss Molly.
Startled at not finding her present,
Hamlin searched anxiously for the Ma.
1or, only to assure himself of his abb
sence also. Could they have returned
to the fort as early as this? II so,
how did 1t happen their guest was still
present, happily enjoying herselfr OF
course she might be there under es.
cort OF some one else-Captain Bar.
rett, possibly. He would ask the in.
fantryman.
Have you seen Miss Mcdonald
since support"
The soldier hesitated an instant. "A
though endeavoring to remember.
mo, l amt, now you speak of 1t. She
went out with that kid over there, and
he came back alone. Don't believe
he's danced any since. The Major was
here, though; Connors brought him a
note few minutes ago. and he got his
hat and went out"
Hamlin drew breath of relief.
Girl must have sent for him to take
her home" he said. "Well, it's time
for me to turn in-good.night, old
| man."
He tramped along the brightly illu.
mined street, and out upon the dark
road leading up the bluff to the fort,
his mind occupied with the events of
the evening, and those other Incidents
leading up to them. There was no
doubt that Miss Mcdonald and her ia.
Their had returned to their home. But
what could he do to assist her? The
very knowledge that she had volun-
tarily appealed to him, that she had
come to him secretly with her trouble,
brought strange happiness. Moreover
his former acquaintance with Mrs. Du.
pont gave him a clue to the mystery
Yet how was he going to unravel the
threads, discover the motive, find out
the various conspirators? What were
they really after? Money probably, but
possibly revenge. What did the wom-
an know which enabled her to yield
such influence over Mcdonald? What
was the trap they proposed springing ?
The Sergeant felt that he could solve
these problems If given an opportuni-
ty, but he was handicapped by his DO
sition; he could not leave his troop,
could not meet or mingle with the sus-
pected parties; was tied, hand and
foot, by army discipline. He could not
even absent himself from the post
without gaining special permission. He
swore to himself over the hopeless.
ness of the situation, as he tramped
through the blackness toward the
| Guard-house. The sentinel glanced at
his pass, scrutin!2ing 1t by the light OF
a fire, and thrust the paper into his
| pocket. Hamlln advanced, and at the
corner saluted the officer of the day
who had just stepped out of the guard,
house door.
Good evening, Sergeant" the latter
said genially, Just in from town? !
expect they are having some dance
down there tonight"
"Yes, sir" hesitatlngly, and then
venturing the inquiry: May / ask II
Major Mcdonald has returned TO the
post?"
Mcdonald? No." he glanced at his
watch. "He had orders to go east to
Ripley on the stage. That was due out
about an hour ago."
"To Ripley? By stage?" the Ser.
geant repeated the words, dazed
'Why-why, what has become of Miss
'McDonald?"
The officer smiled, shaking his head.
I'm sure I don't know, my man." he
returned carelessly. Come back with
Barrett and his ladylove, likely. Why?
suddenly interested by the expression
! On the others face. whats hap
, pened? Is there anything wrongT