Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1913-08-15

the neutrality-suspicious. wives; the
frontier helpmates OF the more prom
inent merchants OF the town; women
from the surrounding ranches. who
had deserted their homes until the In
dian scare ceased; a scattered few
from pretentious small cities to the
eastward, and. here and there, younger
faces. representing ranchmen's daugh-
tiers, with a school-teacher or two. AL
together they made rather a brave
show. occasionally exhibiting toilets
worthy OF admiring glances. never
lacking ardent partners, and entering
with unalloyed enthusiasm into the
evenings pleasure. The big room pre-
sented a scene of brilliant color, of
ceaselessly moving figures; the air
was resonant with laughter and
trembling to the dashing strains of
the band. Primitive as 1t was in many
respects. to Hamlin, long isolated in
small frontier posts. the scene was
strangely attractive, his imagination
responding to the glow of color. the
merry chime OF voices, the tripping of
feet. The smiling faces flashed past,
his ears caught whispered words, his
eyes followed the flying figures. For
the moment the man forgot himself
In this new environment of Thought
less pleasure.
From among that merry throng of
strangers his eyes soon distinguished
that n in whom he felt special in
terest-Mrs. Dupont, dancing now
with Mcdonald, the rather c~orpulent
Major exhibiting almost youthful agil-
fty under the inspiration OF the music.
The lady talked with animation. as
they circled among the others on.the
foor, her red lips close to her part
ner's ear. but Hamlin, suspicious and
watchful. noted that her eyes were
busy elsewhere, scanning the faces.
They swept over him, apparently nm
seeing, but as the two circled swiftly
by. the hand resting lightly on the
Majors shoulder vas uplifted sudden
ly in a peculiar, suggestive movement,
He stared after them until they were
lost In the crowd, feeling confident
that the motion of those white-eloyed
fingers was meant as a signal of
warning. To whom was 1t convened
He glanced aside at the jam OF figures
In the doorway. Both the black-whis-
kered man and Connors had disap-
peared. 1t was a signal then. instant.
~ understood and obeyed.
The Sergeant had scarcely erasned
this fact when his attention was al
verted by the appearance OF Miss Nc.
Donald. She was dancing with . nj
william, an Immediately dressed indi.
vidual with rudy, boyish face. His
intense admiration OF his partner was
plainly evident, and the girl. simplv
dressed In white. her cheeks flushed
her dark eyes bright with enjoyment
set Hamlin's cool nerves throbbinp
He could not resist gazing at her, and.
az their eyes met, she bowed. the full
red lips parting In a smile OF recoent-
ton. There was no reservation M
restraint in that quick greeting. as
she whtrled by; he could not fail to
comprehend Its full signtfcance-sba
had not forgotten. had no desire to
forget. What he imagined he read
In her face swept all else from his
mind instantly. and. with eager ewes
he followed her slight, girlish figure
as they circled the hall. The music
ceased, and he still watched as tha
lad led her to a seat, himself sinking
INTO q chair beside her. Then the pass
Ing out OF several men, who desired
return checks. claimed his attention.
When the last of these had dtsap-
peared. he glanced again In her direc-
ton. She was alone, and her young
partner was walking toward him
across the deserted floor. The lad
came to the door. which by now con-
tanned few loiterers. and stood there
9 moment gazing out into the street.
Are you Sergeant Hamlin!" he
asked quietly.
Yes"
Miss Mcdonald requested me to
hand you this note ~unobseryed. l
have no knowledge of its contents
Hamlin felt the lutter OF the paper
In his palm. and stood silent, clinging
to 1t. as the other carelessly recrossed
the room. She was looking toward
him. but he made no motion to un-
fold the missive. until his eyes, search
Ing the chairs. had located Mrs. Du-
pont. The very secret Of delivery
made him cautious. made him suspect
II had to do with that She
was beside the band-stand, still con-
versing with the Major. apparently
oblivious to any other presence. her
face turned aside. Assured OF this, he
opened the paper, ana glanced at the
few hastily scrubbed lines.
Il trust you. and you must believe j
do not do this without cause. During
the intermission Be In the hotel par
Tor I