The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1913-10-24

nection with Gaskins. Then 1t mus.
have been Mrs. Dupont. That looks
reasonable. But she stays at you,
home, does she net?"
she makes our house her headQuar.
tiers, but is absent occasionally. Last
night she was here at this hotel. Well,
we are getting this Strengthened out a
little-that is, II you believe me-"
"Of course"
Then ! am going to question you.
You spoke of overhear!ng a converse
toni"
Eyes; 1t was after Mrs. Dupont had
left. Captain Barrett came, and took
her away. l was sitting here thinking
when W men came into the parlor."
Who were they? Do you know
"One was the soldier who drives you
about-Connors; the other q black.
bearded. burly fellow called 'Reb.'"
"Mr. Dupont.
What? Is that Dupont? Lord! No
wonder she's gone bad. Why, I
thought her husband was a ranchman
down south somewhere! This fellow
is a tin-horn."
He did run cattle once, years ago.
l think he was quite we'll of, but drank
and gambled 1t away. Papa told me
all about 1t, but l found out he was
the man by accident. HE'S the one
I am really afraid Of"
She stopped, her eyes deserving his
face, and stared out into the darkness.
He waited, feeling vaguely that he had
not heard all she intended to say.
What more do you know" he
asked. What was it you expected OF
me-"
She turned again, aroused by the
question.
Eyes, | must tell you as quickly as I
can before l am missed. / did not
know about Mrs. Dupont and Lieuten-
ant Gaskins. l realized there was
something between them-a-a-slight
filtration, but scarcely gave hat a
thought. What brought me here was q
much more serious matter, yet this
new Information helps me to compre-
bend the other-the motives, I mean.
Mrs. Dupont's maiden name was Vera
Carson?"
Certainly; l knew her family WELL"
She came here, and was received
into our family az a daughter Of my
fathers sister. II true, her maiden
name would have been Sarah Counts.
Papa had no reason to suspect the de-
ceit. He does not now, and l doubt II
ven your word would convince him,
For ~ rnn~oC %h0vo,rhl~, ,,~lou h4~ -
fluence. There has been such a change
in him since she came; not all at
once. you know. but gradual, until
he scarcely seems like the same nan
IL do not dislike Lieutenant Gas
kins; he has been pleasant and atten-
tive, but l do not care for him In any
other way. Yet papa insists that I
very unkind about it, and-and l am
sure she is urging him on. What can
/ do? 1t is all so unpleasant"
Hamlin shook his head, but without
reply.
"You will not tell me? Then | will
tell you l shall say no! no! no! In
spite of them; I shall refuse to be
sou. but HOW uOcS ludL NOLldu COu-
troll my father?" she leaned closer in
her earnestness, lowering her voice.
"She has not won him by charms: he
is afraid OF her"
Afraid? Are you certain Of that!"
"Yes. / cannot tell you how l know;
perhaps it is all womanly instinct, but
l do know that he is %terrorized; that
he dare not oppose her wish. ! have
read the truth in his eyes, and l am
sure he is harsh to me only because
he is driven by some threat. What
car 1t be-"
You have lever spoken to him Of
your suspicious? Asked him."
Eyes and no. tried once, and shall
never forget the expression Of his face.
Then he turned on me In a perfect
paroxysm Of anger. l never ever
dared hint at the matter again."
The Sergeant stared out into the
street, not knowing what to ray, or
how to advise. Almost unconscious of
the action his hand stole along the
rail until it touched hers.
(TO BE CONTINUED.)