"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."