"I told Naida I thought you would. People don't take such things so

seriously nowadays, do they? But Naida is such a child and so full of

romantic notions, that she worried terribly about it. Is n't it

perfectly delightful what he is going to do for her?"

"I am sure I do not know."

"Why, had n't you heard? He wants to send her East to a

boarding-school and give her a fine education. Do you know,

Lieutenant, I am simply dying to see him; he is such a perfectly

splendid Western character."

"It would afford me pleasure to present you," and the soldier's

downcast face brightened with anticipation.

"Do--do you really think it would be proper? But they do things so

differently out here, don't they? Oh, I wish you would."

Feeling somewhat doubtful as to what might be the result, Brant knocked

upon the door he had just closed, and, in response to the voice within,

opened it. Hampton sat upon the chair by the window, but as his eyes

caught a glimpse of the returned soldier with a woman standing beside

him, he instantly rose to his feet.

"Mr. Hampton," said Brant, "I trust I may be pardoned for again

troubling you, but this is Miss Spencer, a great admirer of Western

life, who is desirous of making your acquaintance."

Miss Spencer swept gracefully forward, her cheeks flushed, her hand

extended. "Oh, Mr. Hampton, I have so wished to meet with you ever

since I first read your name in Aunt Lydia's letters--Mrs. Herndon is

my aunt, you know,--and all about that awful time you had with those

Indians. You see, I am Naida Gillis's most particular friend, and she

tells me so much about you. She is such a dear, sweet girl! She felt

so badly this morning over your meeting with Lieutenant Brant, fearing

you might quarrel! It was such a relief to find him unhurt, but I felt

that I must see you also, so as to relieve Naida's mind entirely. I

have two special friends, Mr. Moffat and Mr. McNeil,--perhaps you know

them?--who have told me so much about these things. But I do think the

story of your acquaintance with Naida is the most romantic I ever heard

of,--exactly like a play on the stage, and I could never forgive myself

if I failed to meet the leading actor. I do not wonder Naida fairly

worships you."

"I most certainly appreciate your frankly expressed interest, Miss

Spencer," he said, standing with her hand still retained in his, "and

am exceedingly glad there is one residing in this community to whom my

peculiar merits are apparent. So many are misjudged in this world,

that it is quite a relief to realize that even one is appreciative, and

the blessing becomes doubled when that one chances to be so very

charming a young woman."




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