Bob Hampton of Placer - Page 152/205

He recalled long the plainly furnished room into which Mrs. Herndon

ushered him to await the girl's appearance--the formal look of the

old-fashioned hair-cloth furniture, the prim striped paper on the

walls, the green shades at the windows, the clean rag carpet on the

floor. The very stiffness chilled him, left him ill at ease. To calm

his spirit he walked to a window, and stood staring out into the warm

sunlight. Then he heard the rustle of Naida's skirt and turned to meet

her. She was pale from her weeks of nursing, and agitated for fear of

what this unexpected call might portend. Yet to his thought she

appeared calm, her manner restrained. Nor could anything be kinder

than her first greeting, the frankly extended hand, the words

expressive of welcome.

"Mr. Wynkoop informed me a few minutes ago that you had at last

received your orders for the north," she said, her lips slightly

trembling. "I wondered if you would leave without a word of farewell."

He bowed low. "I do not understand how you could doubt, for I have

shown my deep interest in you even from the first. If I have lately

seemed to avoid you, it has only been because I believed you wished it

so."

A slight flush tinged the pallor of her cheeks, while the long lashes

drooped over the eyes, concealing their secrets.

"Life is not always as easy to live aright as it appears upon the

surface," she confessed. "I am learning that I cannot always do just

as I should like, but must content myself with the performance of duty.

Shall we not be seated?"

There was an embarrassing pause, as though neither knew how to get

through the interview.

"No doubt you are rejoiced to be sent on active service again," she

said, at last.

"Yes, both as a soldier and as a man, Miss Naida. I am glad to get

into the field again with my regiment, to do my duty under the flag,

and I am equally rejoiced to have something occur which will tend to

divert my thoughts. I had not intended to say anything of this kind,

but now that I am with you I simply cannot restrain the words. This

past month has been, I believe, the hardest I have ever been compelled

to live through. You simply mystify me, so that I alternately hope and

despair. Your methods are cruel."

"Mine?" and she gazed at him with parted lips. "Lieutenant Brant, what

can you mean? What is it I have done?"