Bronzed by months of scouting on those northern plains, a graver, older
look upon his face, and the bars of a captain gracing the shoulders of
his new cavalry jacket, Donald Brant trotted down the stage road
bordering the Bear Water, his heart alternating between hope and dread.
He was coming back as he had promised; yet, ardently as he longed to
look into the eyes of his beloved, he shrank from the duty laid upon
him by the dead.
The familiar yellow house at the cross-roads appeared so unattractive
as to suggest the thought that Naida must have been inexpressibly
lonely during those months of waiting. He knocked at the sun-warped
door. Without delay it was flung open, and a vision of flushed face
and snowy drapery confronted him.
"Why, Lieutenant Brant! I was never more surprised in my life. Do,
pray, come right in. Yes, Naida is here, and I will have her sent for
at once. Oh, Howard, this is Lieutenant Brant, just back from his
awful Indian fighting. How very nice that he should happen to arrive
just at this time, is n't it?"
The young officer, as yet unable to discover an opportunity for speech,
silently accepted Mr. Wynkoop's extended hand, and found a convenient
chair, as Miss Spencer hastened from the room to announce his arrival.
"Why 'just at this time'?" he questioned.
Mr. Wynkoop cleared his throat. "Why--why, you see, we are to be
married this evening--Miss Spencer and myself. We--we shall be so
delighted to have you witness the ceremony. It is to take place at the
church, and my people insist upon making quite an affair out of the
occasion--Phoebe is so popular, you know."
The lady again bustled in, her eyes glowing with enthusiasm. "Why, I
think it is perfectly delightful. Don't you, Howard? Now Lieutenant
Brant and Naida can stand up with us. You will, won't you, Lieutenant?"
"That must be left entirely with Miss Naida for decision," he replied,
soberly. "However, with my memory of your popularity I should suppose
you would have no lack of men seeking such honor. For instance, one of
your old-time 'friends' Mr. William McNeil."
The lady laughed noisily, regardless of Mr. Wynkoop's look of
annoyance. "Oh, it is so perfectly ridiculous! And did n't you know?
have n't you heard?"
"Nothing, I assure you."
"Why he--he actually married the Widow Guffy. She 's twice his age,
and has a grown-up son. And to think that I supposed he was so nice!
He did write beautiful verses. Is n't it a perfect shame for such a
man to throw himself away like that?"