Part 22 (1/2)

Brant felt that the other's display of irritation gave him an unexpected advantage.

”Nothing that need awaken anger, I am sure. Something caused me to harbor the suspicion, and I naturally supposed you would know about it.

Indeed, I wondered if some such knowledge might not account for your very deep interest in keeping her so entirely to yourself.”

Hampton's fingers twitched in a nervousness altogether unusual to the man, yet when he spoke his voice was like steel. ”Your suspicions are highly interesting, and your cowardly insinuations base. However, if, as I suppose, your purpose is to provoke a quarrel, you will find me quite ready to accommodate you.”

An instant they stood thus, eye to eye. Suddenly Brant's memory veered to the girl whose name would be smirched by any blow struck between them, and he forced back the hasty retort burning upon his lips.

”You may be, Mr. Hampton,” he said, standing like a statue, his back to the door, ”but I am not. As you say, fighting is my trade, yet I have never sought a personal quarrel. Nor is there any cause here, as my only purpose in asking the question was to forewarn you, and her through you, that such a suggestion had been openly made in my hearing.

I presume it was a lie, and wished to be able to brand it so.”

”By whom?”

”A fellow known as Silent Murphy, a government scout.”

”I have heard of him. Where is he?”

”He claimed to be here waiting orders from Custer. He had camp up the Creek two days ago, but is keeping well out of sight for some reason.

Telegrams have been received for him at the office but another man has called for them.”

”Who?”

”Red Slavin.”

”The cur!” said Hampton. ”I reckon there is a bad half-hour waiting for those two fellows. What was it that Murphy said?”

”That he knew the girl's real name.”

”Was that all?”

”Yes; I tried to discover his meaning, but the fellow became suspicious and shut up like a clam. Is there anything in it?”

Hampton ignored the question. ”Lieutenant Brant,” he said, ”I am glad we have had this talk together, and exceedingly sorry that my duty has compelled me to say what I have said. Some time, however, you will sincerely thank me for it, and rejoice that you escaped so easily. I knew your father once, and I should like now to part on friendly relations with his son.”

He held out his hand, and, scarcely knowing why he did so, Brant placed his own within its grasp, and as the eyes of the two men met, there was a consciousness of sympathy between them.

CHAPTER X

A SLIGHT INTERRUPTION

The young officer pa.s.sed slowly down the dark staircase, his mind still bewildered by the result of the interview. His feelings toward Hampton had been materially changed. He found it impossible to nurse a dislike which seemingly had no real cause for existence. He began besides to comprehend something of the secret of his influence over Naida; even to experience himself the power of that dominating spirit. Out of controversy a feeling of respect had been born.

Yet Brant was far from being satisfied. Little by little he realized that he had gained nothing, learned nothing. Hampton had not even advanced a direct claim; he had dodged the real issue, leaving the soldier in the dark regarding his relations.h.i.+p to Naida, and erecting a barrier between the other two. It was a masterpiece of defence, puzzling, irritating, seemingly impa.s.sable. From the consideration of it all, Brant emerged with but one thought clearly defined--whoever she might prove to be, whatever was her present connection with Hampton, he loved this dark-eyed, auburn-haired waif. He knew it now, and never again could he doubt it. The very coming of this man into the field of contest, and his calm a.s.sumption of proprietors.h.i.+p and authority, had combined to awaken the slumbering heart of the young officer. From that instant Naida Gillis became to him the one and only woman in all this world. Ay, and he would fight to win her; never confessing defeat until final decision came from her own lips. He paused, half inclined to retrace his steps and have the matter out. He turned just in time to face a dazzling vision of fluffy lace and flossy hair beside him in the dimly lighted hall.

”Oh, Lieutenant Brant!” and the vision clung to his arm tenderly. ”It is such a relief to find that you are unhurt. Did--did you kill him?”

Brant stared. ”I--I fear I scarcely comprehend, Miss Spencer. I have certainly taken no one's life. What can you mean?”