The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1913-07-31
CHAPTER XXI.
A Deepening Mystery,

Startled and bewildered as Hamlin
was by this sudden revealment, he at
once comprehended the embarrass-
ment of his own position. He could
not confess all he knew, certainly not
the fact that the girl had met him Sc
cretly and had vanished while he was
endeavoring to turn aside Mrs. Du-
pont. He must protect her at all haz-
ards. To gain time, and self-control,
he replied with question:
Did not Connors drive them down,
sir?"
Eyes, the four of them"
And Major Mcdonald knew then
that he was ordered East?"
"No, the order came by telegram
later. An orderly was sent down about
ten O'Clock. But, see here, Sergeant,
have anything to report, make it
brief"
Hamlin glanced at the face Of the
other. He knew little about him, ex.
cept that he had the reputation of be-
ing capable officer.
II will, SIR" he responded quickly
| you may never have heard of the af-
fair, but I was with Miss Mcdonald
during little Indian trouble out on
the trail a few months ago."
The officer nodded.
Il heard about that; Gaskins brought
her in"
| We'll, ever since she has seemed
grateful and friendly. You know how
some women are; we'll, she is that
kind. Tonight she came to me, be-
cause she didn't seem to know whom
else to go to, and told me of some trou
BILE she was having. realize, Captain
Kane, that it may seem bit strange
to you that a young lady like Miss Nc
Donald, an officers daughter, wculc
turn for help to an enlisted man, but
| am telling you only the truth, sir
You see, she got it into her heat
somehow that was square, and-and
WELL that cared enough to help her.
"Wait a minute, Sergeant" broke il
Kane, kindly, realizing the others EN-
barrassment, and resting one hand or
his sleeve. "You do not need to apollo
gize for Miss Mcdonald know some
thing of what is going on at this post
although, damn me if I've ever got or
Dupont woman?"
Eyes, she's concerned in the matter
but there are others also"
"Why couldn't the girl tell her ia
ther?"
"That is where the main trouble lies
Captain. Major Mcdonald seems t,
be completely under the control o
Mrs. Dupont. He is apparently afrai,
of her for some reason. That is VIVA
Miss Molly spoke to me about. W.
were on the side porch at the hote
talking while the dancers were at SUI
pert was the only opportunity tn
girl had to get aWay-and Mrs. Dupon
and her husband came into the pal
lor-"
Her husband? Good Lord, though
her husband was dead"
"He isn't. He's tin-horn gambler
known in the saloons as 'Reb,' hi
duffer, wearing black beard"
"All right, 60 on; don't know him.
"Well, l stepped into the room t
keep the two apart, leaving the gil
alone outside. We had bit of tai
before l got the room cleared, an
when / went back to the porch, Mis-
Molly had gone"
dropped over the railing to tn
ground"
That's what thought at the TIM
sir, but what happened to her afte
that? She didn't return to the hotel
she was not at the dance hall, an
hasn't come back to the post
The hell you say! Are you sure?'
II am; searched for her high an
[ low before left, and she could not &C
in here without passing the guart
house."
,Kane stared into the Sergeant's fac
I moment, and then out across the p;
, rade ground. A yellow light winke
in the Colonels office, OCCASIONAL
, blotted out by the passing figure of
, sentry. The officer came to a promI
t decision.
1.-THE old man Is over there We
grubbing at some. papers. Come o
over, and tell him what you have toll
) me. believe the lass will turn up a
right, but 1t does look rather queer