The Winslow mail., 1913-09-13

though coupled with his former tnti-
macy with the woman, was not suf1-
c1ent excuse for his interference. The
MAJOR would treat the revelation with
lndlHerence, even disbelief, and Miss
Molly might even resent his meddling
In the affair. Besides he was not al
together convinced that the girl had
not been actually present at, and in
some manner connected with, the at
tack on Gaskins. The memory of that
face, shrinking behind the corner of
the barrack wall, remained clear in
his mind. He might be mistaken, but
perhaps it would be best to go slow
1t was a huge, bare hall, although
the walls were concealed by flags,
while other draperies were festooned
along the rafters. The band was sta
toned upon raised platform at the
rear, and hundred couples occupied
the floor. The men present were large
ly officers attired in dress-uniforms, al
though there was a considerable
sprinkling of civilians, a few conspic-
uous In garments of the latest cut
and style. Evidently invitations had
been widely spread, and, considering
time and place, literally responded to.
Among the women present the Ser
geant saw very few he recognized, yet
1t was comparatively easy to classify
the majority-oficers' wives; the
frontier helpmates of the more prom
1nent merchants of the town: women
from the surrounding ranches, who
had deserted their homes until the In
dian scare ceased; scattered few
from pretentious small cities to the
eastward, and, here and there, younger
faces, representing ranchmens daugh-
ters, with school-teacher or two. AL
together they made rather a brave
show, occasionally exhibiting toilets
worthy of admtring 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 it 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 one in whom he felt special in
terest-Mrs. Dupont, dancing now
with Mcdonald, the rather corpulent
Major exhibiting almost youthful agil-
tty under the inspiration Of the music
The lady talked with animation as
they circled among the others on the
floor, 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 was uplifted sudden
ly in peculiar, suggestive movement.
He stared after them until they were
lost in the crowd, feeling confident
that the motion of those white-gloyed
fingers was meant as a signal Of
warning. To whom was it conyeyed9
He glanced aside at the jam of figures
in the doorway. Both the black-whis-
kered man and Connors had disan-
peared. 1t was signal then, instant
ly understood and obeyed.
The Sergeant had scarcely grasped
this fact when his attention was d.
verted by the appearance of Miss Nc
Donald. She was dancing with a CT
william, an Immediately dressed indi-
vidual with ruddy, boyish face. His
intense admiration of his partner was
plainly evident, and the girl, simply
dressed in white, her cheeks flushed
her dark eyes bright with enjoyment.
set Hamlin's cool nerves throbbing
He could not resist gazing at her. and.
as their eyes met, she bowed. the full
red lips parting in a smile of recogni-
ton. There was no reservation, no
restraint in that quick greeting, as
she whirled by; he could not fail to
comprehend its full signifcance-she
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 eyes,
he followed her slight, girlish figure
as they circled the hall. The music
ceased, and he still watched as the
lad led her to a seat, himself sinking
into chair beside her. Then the pass
ing out of several men, who desired
return checks, claimed his attention.