The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1913-07-25

Si'e waited an instant while he left
Ihe room; then her eyes defiantly met
Hamlin's.
was told you had driven every one
out OF here" she said coldly. What
was the game?"
This room was reserved"
Flsh. Keep that explanation fol-
some one else. You wanted the room
Tor some purpose. Who have Won got
out there?' she pointed at the window
whether there be any one or not.
he answered, leaning against the win
dow frame, and thus barring the pass
age, Il fail to see wherein Won are
| concerned"
She laughed
Nhlch remark is equivalent to 9
confession. Dave" suddenly changing
why should we quarrel. and misiudge
each other? You cannot suppose
nave forgotten the past. or am indiffer
ent. Cannot you forgive the mistake
OF thoughtless girl? Is there any
reason why we should not be. at least
friendly"
There was an appeal in her voice
but the mans face did not respond
Il cannot say that feel any bitter
ness over the past" he answered light
ly. Il am willing enough to blot that
out. What l am Interested in is the
present. | should like to understand
your purpose here at Dodge"
Surely that is sufficiently clear
am merely an exile from home. on &C
count of Indian depredations. What
more natural than that should take
refuge in my uncle's house"
You mean Major McDonald?"
"Certainly-he was my mothers
only brother"
u think l have heard somewhere
that the Majors only sister married a
man named Counts"
She drew in her breath sharply
Yes. of course-her first husband
You were a daughter then of her
first marriage"
"Of course"
But assumed the name of Carson
when she married again."
That was when you met me-"
The change was natural enough
he went on But why did you also be
come Vera in place of Sarah?"
"Oh, is that it? Well, never attempt
to account for the vagaries of a girl
she returned lightly, as though dis
missing the subject Il presume
took fancy tc the prettier name. But
how did you know?"
Garrison rumor picks up nearly
everything, ana 1t is not very kind to
you, Mrs. Dupont. hope am doing
YOU a favor in saying this. Your rath
er open Irritation with Lieutenant Gas
kins is common talk, even among en-.
listed men, and have heard that your
relations with Major Mcdonald are pc
culiar."
Indeed" with rising infection OF
the voice How kind of you, and SO
delicately expressed" She laughed
And poor Major Mcdonald! Really
that is ridiculous. Could you imagine
my flirting with him."
Il have no recollection of using that
term in this connection But you have
strange influence over him. For some
reason the man Is apparently afraid OF
you"
Afraid OF me? Oh, no! Some one
has been fooling you, Dave am
merely Major McDonalds guest
wonder who told you that? Shall
guess?"
Before he could realize her purpose
the woman took hasty step forward
and swept aside the curtain, thrusting
her head past to where she could gain
a view outside. Hamlin pressed her
back with one hand, planting himself
squarely before the window She met
his eyes spitefully.
Il was mistaken this time" she &C.
knowledged drawing away, but Ia
like to know why you were so anxious
to prevent my looking out. Do you
know whom | thought you had there?
las you please" rejoicing that the
girl had escaped notice.
THAT little snip OF a Molly. You
made a hit with her all right, and she
certainly don't like me. Well, delight
full as it is to meet you again, ! must
be going" She turned away, and then
paused to add over her shoulder
Don't you think it would be just as
safe for you to attend TO your own
business. Sergeant Hamlin?"
And let you alone?"
Exactly; and let me alone. | am
hardly the sort OF woman it is safe to
play with. 1t will be worth your while
to remember that"
He waited. motionless, Until assured
that she had passed down the hall as
far as the door of the dining-room
The sound of shutting chairs evil
denced the breaking up of the party
in preparation to return to the ball
room. II Miss McDonalds absence
were to escape observation, she would
have to slip out now and rejoin the
others as they left the house. He again
turned down the light, and held back
the curtain.
1.-THE way is clear now, Miss Molly.
There was no response, no move
ment. He stepped outside. thinking
the girl must have failed to hear him
The porch was empty. He stepped
from one end to the other, making
sure she was not crouching In the
darkness, scarcely able to grasp the
fact OF her actual disappearance. This