Bob Hampton of Placer

"Why, most assuredly, my dear sir, most assuredly," he said. "Mrs.

Herndon, permit me to make you acquainted with Lieutenant Brant, of the

Seventh Cavalry."

The two, thus introduced, bowed, and exchanged a few words, while Mr.

Wynkoop busied himself in peering about the room, making a great

pretence at searching out the lady guest, who, in very truth, had

scarcely been absent from his sight during the entire evening.

"Ah!" he ejaculated, "at last I locate her, and, fortunately, at this

moment she is not upon the floor, although positively hidden by the men

clustering about her chair. You will excuse us, Mrs. Herndon, but I

have promised Lieutenant Brant a presentation to your niece."

They slipped past the musicians' stand, and the missionary pressed in

through the ring of admirers.

"Why, Mr. Wynkoop!" and she extended both hands impulsively. "And only

to think, you have never once been near me all this evening; you have

not congratulated me on my good fortune, nor exhibited the slightest

interest! You don't know how much I have missed you. I was just

saying to Mr. Moffat--or it might have been Mr. McNeil--that I was

completely tired out and wished you were here to sit out this dance

with me."

Wynkoop blushed and forgot the errand which had brought him there, but

she remained sufficiently cool and observant. She touched him gently

with her hand.

"Who is that fine-looking young officer?" she questioned softly, yet

without venturing to remove her glance from his face.

Mr. Wynkoop started. "Oh, exactly; I had forgotten my mission. He has

requested an introduction." He drew the lieutenant forward.

"Lieutenant Brant, Miss Spencer."

The officer bowed, a slight shadow of disappointment in his eyes. The

lady was unquestionably attractive, her face animated, her reception

most cordial, yet she was not the maiden of the dark, fathomless eyes

and the wealth of auburn hair.

"Such a pleasure to meet you," exclaimed Miss Spencer, her eyes

uplifted shyly, only to become at once modestly shaded behind their

long lashes. "Do you know, Lieutenant, that actually I have never

before had the privilege of meeting an officer of the army. Why, we in

the East scarcely realize that we possess such a body of brave men.

But I have read much regarding the border, and all the dreams of my

girlhood seem on the point of realization since I came here and began

mingling in its free, wild life. Your appearance supplies the one

touch of color that was lacking to make the picture complete. Mr.

Moffat has done so much to make me realize the breadth of Western

experience, and now, I do so hope, you will some time find opportunity

to recount to me some of your army exploits."