"
"I naturally regret to learn this," he said, with assumed calmness.
"But the way is so lonely I prefer walking with you until you have some
other protector."
She accepted his proffered arm, feeling the constraint in his tone, the
formality in his manner, most keenly. An older woman might have
resented it, but it only served to sadden and embarrass her. He began
speaking of the quiet beauty of the night, but she had no thought of
what he was saying.
"Lieutenant Brant," she said, at last, "you do not ask me who the man
is."
"Certainly not, Miss Naida; it is none of my business."
"I think, perhaps, it might be; the knowledge might help you to
understand. It is Bob Hampton."
He stared at her. "The gambler? No wonder, then, your meeting is
clandestine."
She replied indignantly, her lips trembling. "He is not a gambler; he
is a miner, over in the Black Range. He has not touched a card in two
years."
"Oh, reformed has he? And are you the instrument that has worked such
a miracle?"
Her eyes fell. "I don't know, but I hope so." Then she glanced up
again, wondering at his continued silence.
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