The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1913-08-14

necuon with Gaskins. Then II must
have been Mrs. Dupont. That looks
reasonable. But she stays II your
home, does she not!"
She makes our house her headQuar
ters' but is absent occasionally Last
night she was here at this hotel. Well.
We are getting this Strengthened out
httle-that is. II you believe me-"
"Of course"
ihen ] am going to question you
iou spoke of overhearing a converse
tom"
| Yes; It was after Mrs. Dupont had
ieIt Captain Barrett came, and took
her away, l was sitting here thinking
when two men came into the parlor"
Who we're they! Do you know"
One was the soldier who drives yeu
aoout0Connors; the other q black
bearded. burly fellow called .Reb.'"
Mr.. Dupont"
What? Is that Dupont! Lord! No
wonder she's gone bad Why. 1
Ithought her husband was q ranchman
ooSn south somewhere! This fellow
10 . tin-horn"
| He did run cattle once, years ago
think he was quite well of. but drank
ana gambled 1t away. Papa told me
AL about 1t. but found out he was
the man by accident. He-is the one
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.
"Yes. l must tell you as quickly ~
can before am missed. did not
know about Mrs. Dupont and Lieuten-
ant Gaskins. l realized there was
something between them-a-s-slight
Irritation. but scarcely gave that .
thought. What brought me hero was .
much more serious matter. yet this
new information helps me to compre-
hend the other-the motives, l mean.
Mrs. Duponts maiden name was Vera
Carson"
Certainly; ! knew her family we'll"
"she came here. and was received
into our family as 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 ! doubt II
even your word would convince him.
for he seems thoroughly under her In.
duence. There has been such a change
In him since she came; not all at
once, you know. but gradual. until now
he scarcely seems like the same man.
IL do not dislike Lieutenant Gas
kins; he has been pleasant and atten-
tive but do not care for him in any
other way. Yet papa insists that l
marry the man. Lately he has been
very unkind about 1t. and-and ! am
sure she is urging him on. What can
do? 1t Is all 30 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; shall refuse to be
sold But how does that woman con-
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 | know;
perhaps 1t is all womanly instinct, but
! do know that he is terrorized; that
he dare not oppose her wish. l have
read the truth in his eyes, and am
sure he is harsh to me only because
he is driven by some threat. What
can 1t be?"
You have never spoken to him Of
your suspicious? Asked him?"
Yes and no. ! tried once, and shall
never forget the expression Of his face.
Then he turned on me in perfect
paroxysm of anger. | never even
dared hint at the matter again."
The Sergeant stared out into the
street, not knowing what to say, or
how to advise. Almost unconscious Of
the action his hand stole along the
rail until it touched hers.
| rT0 RE C0NTJNJIEDN