Bob Hampton of Placer

"I scarcely thought it could be you," he said, seemingly not altogether

satisfied, "as you were accompanied by another."

The younger man took a single step forward, his uniform showing in the

moonlight. "Miss Gillis will inform you later why I am here," he said,

striving to speak civilly. "You and I, however, have met before--I am

Lieutenant Brant, of the Seventh Cavalry."

Hampton bowed, his manner somewhat stiff and formal, his face

inpenetrable.

"I should have left Miss Gillis previous to her meeting with you,"

Brant continued, "but I desired to request the privilege of calling

upon you to-morrow for a brief interview."

"With pleasure."

"Shall it be at ten?"

"The hour is perfectly satisfactory. You will find me at the hotel."

"You place me under obligations," said Brant, and turned toward the

wondering girl. "I will now say good-night, Miss Gillis, and I promise

to remember only the pleasant events of this evening."

Their hands met for an instant of warm pressure, and then the two left

behind stood motionless and watched him striding along the moonlit road.