ale unfold.'"

"How nice that will be, and I am so grateful to you for the promise.
By-the-bye, only this very morning a man stopped me on the street,
actually mistaking me for Naida."

"What sort of a looking man, Miss Spencer?"

"Large, and heavily set, with a red beard. He was exceedingly polite
when informed of his mistake, and said he merely had a message to
deliver to Miss Gillis. But he refused to tell it to me."

The glances of the two men met, but Brant was unable to decipher the
meaning hidden within the gray eyes. Neither spoke, and Miss Spencer,
never realizing what her chatter meant, rattled merrily on.

"You see there are so many who speak to me now, because of my public
position here. So I thought nothing strange at first, until I
discovered his mistake, and then it seemed so absurd that I nearly
laughed outright. Isn't it odd what such a man could possibly want
with her? But really, gentlemen, I must return with my news; Naida
will be so anxious. I am so glad to have met you both."

Hampton bowed politely, and Brant conducted her silently down the
stairway. "I greatly regret not being able to accompany you home," he
explained, "but I came down on horseback, and my duty requires that I
return at once to the camp."

"Oh, indeed! how very unfortunate for me!" Even as she said so, some
unexpected vision beyond flushed her cheeks prettily. "Why, Mr.
Wynkoop," she exclaimed, "I am so glad you happened along, and going my
way too, I am sure. Good morning, Lieutenant; I shall feel perfectly
safe with Mr. Wynkoop."

CHAPTER XI

THE DOOR OPENS, AND CLOSES AGAIN

In one sense Hampton had greatly enjoyed Miss Spencer's call. Her
bright, fresh face, her impulsive speech, her unquestioned beauty, had
had their effect upon him, changing for the time being the gloomy trend
of his thoughts. She was like a draught of pure Spring air, and he had
gratefully breathed it in, and even longed for more.

But gradually the slight smile of amusement faded from his eyes.
Something, which he had supposed lay securely hidden behind years and
distance, had all at once come back to haunt him,--the unhappy ghost of
an expiated crime, to do evil to this girl Naida. Two men, at least,
knew sufficient of the past to cause serious trouble. This effort by
Slavin to hold personal communication with the girl was evidently made
for some definite purpose. Hampton was unable to decide what that
purpose could be