Bob Hampton of Placer

by Randall Parrish

  CHAPTER IX

  THE VERGE OF A QUARREL

  Brant's mind was a chaos of conflicting emotions, but a single abidingconviction never once left him--he retained implicit faith in her, andhe purposed to fight this matter out with Hampton. Even in thatcrucial hour, had any one ventured to suggest that he was in love withNaida, he would merely have laughed, serenely confident that nothingmore than gentlemanly interest swayed his conduct. It was true, hegreatly admired the girl, recalled to memory her every movement, herslightest glance, her most insignificant word, while her marvellouseyes constantly haunted him, yet the dawn of love was not even faintlyacknowledged.

  Nevertheless, he manifested an unreasonable dislike for Hampton. Hehad never before felt thus toward this person; indeed, he had possesseda strong man's natural admiration for the other's physical power andcool, determined courage. He now sincerely feared Hampton's power overthe innocent mind of the girl, imagining his influence to be muchstronger than it really was, and he sought after some suitable meansfor overcoming it. He had no faith in this man's professed reform, noabiding confidence in his word of honor; and it seemed to him then thatthe entire future of the young woman's life rested upon his deliveranceof her from the toils of the gambler. He alone, among those who mightbe considered as her true friends, knew the secret of her infatuation,and upon him alone, therefore, rested the burden of her release. Itwas his heart that drove him into such a decision, although heconceived it then to be the reasoning of the brain.

  And so she was Naida Gillis, poor old Gillis's little girl! He stoppedsuddenly in the road, striving to realize the thought. He had neveronce dreamed of such a consummation, and it staggered him. His thoughtdrifted back to that pale-faced, red-haired, poorly dressed slip of agirl whom he had occasionally viewed with disapproval about thepost-trader's store at Bethune, and it seemed simply an impossibility.He recalled the unconscious, dust-covered, nameless waif he had onceheld on his lap beside the Bear Water. What was there in commonbetween that outcast, and this well-groomed, frankly spoken youngwoman? Yet, whoever she was or had been, the remembrance of her couldnot be conjured out of his brain. He might look back with repugnanceupon those others, those misty phantoms of the past, but the vision ofhis mind, his ever-changeable divinity of the vine shadows, would notbecome obscured, nor grow less fascinating. Let her be whom she might,no other could ever win that place she occupied in his heart. His minddwelt upon her flushed cheeks, her earnest face, her wealth of glossyhair, her dark eyes filled with mingled roguery and thoughtfulness,--inutter unconsciousness that he was already her humble slave. Suddenlythere occurred to him a recollection of Silent Murphy, and his strange,unguarded remark. What could the fellow have meant? Was there,indeed, some secret in the life history of this young girl?--some storyof shame, perhaps? If so, did Hampton know about it?

  Already daylight rested white and solemn over the silent valley, andonly a short distance away lay the spot where the crippled scout hadmade his solitary camp. Almost without volition the young officerturned that way, crossed the stream by means of the log, and clamberedup the bank. But it was clear at a glance that Murphy had deserted thespot. Convinced of this, Brant retraced his steps toward the camp ofhis own troop, now already astir with the duties of early morning.Just in front of his tent he encountered his first sergeant.

  "Watson," he questioned, as the latter saluted and stood at attention,"do you know a man called Silent Murphy?"

  "The scout? Yes, sir; knew him as long ago as when he was corporal inyour father's troop. He was reduced to the ranks for striking anofficer."

  Brant wheeled in astonishment. "Was he ever a soldier in the Seventh?"

  "He was that, for two enlistments, and a mighty tough one; but he wasalways quick enough for a fight in field or garrison."

  "Has he shown himself here at the camp?"

  "No, sir; didn't know he was anywhere around. He and I were never verygood friends, sir."

  The lieutenant remained silent for several moments, endeavoring toperfect some feasible plan.

  "Despatch an orderly to the telegraph-office," he finally commanded,"to inquire if this man Murphy receives any messages there, and if theyknow where he is stopping. Send an intelligent man, and have himdiscover all the facts he can. When he returns bring him in to me."

  He had enjoyed a bath and a shave, and was yet lingering over hiscoffee, when the two soldiers entered with their report. The sergeantstepped aside, and the orderly, a tall, boyish-looking fellow with apugnacious chin, saluted stiffly.

  "Well, Bane," and the officer eyed his trim appearance with manifestapproval, "what did you succeed in learning?"

  "The operator said this yere Murphy hed never bin thar himself, sir,but there wus several messages come fer him. One got here thismornin'."

  "What becomes of them?"

  "They're called fer by another feller, sir."

  "Oh, they are! Who?"

  "Red Slavin wus the name he give me of thet other buck."

  When the two had disappeared, Brant sat back thinking rapidly. Therewas a mystery here, and such actions must have a cause. Somethingeither in or about Glencaid was compelling Murphy to keep out ofsight--but what? Who? Brant was unable to get it out of his head thatall this secrecy centred around Naida. With those incautiously spokenwords as a clew, he suspected that Murphy knew something about her, andthat knowledge was the cause for his present erratic actions. PerhapsHampton knew; at least he might possess some additional scrap ofinformation which would help to solve the problem. He looked at hiswatch, and ordered his horse to be saddled.

  It did not seem quite so simple now, this projected interview withHampton, as it had appeared the night before. In the clear light ofday, he began to realize the weakness of his position, the fact that hepossessed not the smallest right to speak on behalf of Naida Gillis.He held no relationship whatsoever to her, and should he venture toassume any, it was highly probable the older man would laughcontemptuously in his face. Brant knew better than to believe Hamptonwould ever let go unless he was obliged to do so; he comprehended theimpotence of threats on such a character, as well as his probableindifference to moral obligations. Nevertheless, the die was cast, andperhaps, provided an open quarrel could be avoided, the meeting mightresult in good to all concerned.

  Hampton welcomed him with distant but marked courtesy, having evidentlythought out his own immediate plan of action, and schooled himselfaccordingly. Standing there, the bright light streaming over them fromthe open windows, they presented two widely contrasting personalities,yet each exhibiting in figure and face the evidences of hard trainingand iron discipline. Hampton was clothed in black, standing straightas an arrow, his shoulders squared, his head held proudly erect, whilehis cool gray eyes studied the face of the other as he had beenaccustomed to survey his opponents at the card-table. Brant looked thepicture of a soldier on duty, trim, well built, erect, his resoluteblue eyes never flinching from the steady gaze bent upon ham, hisbronzed young face grave from the seriousness of his mission. Neitherwas a man to temporize, to mince words, or to withhold blows; yet eachinstinctively felt that this was an occasion rather for self-restraint.In both minds the same thought lingered--the vague wonder how much theother knew. The elder man, however, retained the better self-control,and was first to break the silence.

  "Miss Gillis informed me of your kindness to her last evening," hesaid, quietly, "and in her behalf I sincerely thank you. Permit me tooffer you a chair."

  Brant accepted it, and sat down, feeling the calm tone ofproprietorship in the words of the other as if they had been a blow.His face flushed, yet he spoke firmly. "Possibly I misconstrue yourmeaning," he said, with some bluntness, determined to reach the gist ofthe matter at once. "Did Miss Gillis authorize you to thank me forthese courtesies?"

  Hampton smiled with provoking calmness, holding an unlighted cigarbetween his fingers. "Why, really, as to that I do not remember. Imerely mentioned it as expressing the
natural gratitude of us both."

  "You speak as if you possessed full authority to express her mind aswell as your own."

  The other bowed gravely, his face impassive. "My words would quitenaturally bear some such construction."

  The officer hesitated, feeling more doubtful than ever regarding hisown position. Chagrined, disarmed, he felt like a prisoner standingbound before his mocking captor. "Then I fear my mission here isuseless."

  "Entirely so, if you come for the purpose I suspect," said Hampton,sitting erect in his chair, and speaking with more rapid utterance."To lecture me on morality, and demand my yielding up all influenceover this girl,--such a mission is assured of failure. I have listenedwith some degree of calmness in this room already to one such address,and surrendered to its reasoning. But permit me to say quite plainly,Lieutenant Brant, that you are not the person from whom I will quietlylisten to another."

  "I had very little expectation that you would."

  "You should have had still less, and remained away entirely. However,now that you are here, and the subject broached, it becomes my turn tosay something, and to say it clearly. It seems to me you would exhibitfar better taste and discrimination if from now on you would ceaseforcing your attentions upon Miss Gillis."

  Brant leaped to his feet, but the other never deigned to alter hisposition.

  "Forcing my attentions!" exclaimed the officer. "God's mercy, man! doyou realize what you are saying? I have forced no attentions upon MissGillis."

  "My reference was rather to future possibilities. Young blood isproverbially hot, and I thought it wise to warn you in time."

  Brant stared into that imperturbable face, and somehow the very sightof its calm, inflexible resolve served to clear his own brain. He feltthat this cool, self-controlled man was speaking with authority.

  "Wait just a moment," he said, at last. "I wish this made perfectlyclear, and for all time. I met Miss Gillis first through pureaccident. She impressed me strongly then, and I confess I have sincegrown more deeply interested in her personality. I have reasons tosuppose my presence not altogether distasteful to her, and she hascertainly shown that she reposed confidence in me. Not until late lastnight did I even suspect she was the same girl whom we picked up withyou out on the desert. It came to me from her own lips and was a totalsurprise. She revealed her identity in order to justify her proposedclandestine meeting with you."

  "And hence you requested this pleasant conference," broke in Hampton,coolly, "to inform me, from your calm eminence of respectability, thatI was no fit companion for such a young and innocent person, and towarn me that you were prepared to act as her protector."

  Brant slightly inclined his head.

  "I may have had something of that nature in my mind."

  "Well, Lieutenant Brant," and the older man rose to his feet, his eyesstill smiling, "some might be impolite enough to say that it was theconception of a cad, but whatever it was, the tables have unexpectedlyturned. Without further reference to my own personal interests in theyoung lady, which are, however, considerable, there remain otherweighty reasons, that I am not at liberty to discuss, which make itsimply impossible for you to sustain any relationship to Miss Gillisother than that of ordinary social friendship."

  "You--you claim the right--"

  "I distinctly claim the right, for the reason that I possess the right,and no one has ever yet known me to relinquish a hold once fairlygained. Lieutenant Brant, if I am any judge of faces you are afighting man by nature as well as profession, but there is noopportunity for your doing any fighting here. This matter isirrevocably settled--Naida Gillis is not for you."

  Brant was breathing hard. "Do you mean to insinuate that there is anunderstanding, an engagement between you?" he faltered, scarcelyknowing how best to resent such utterance.

  "You may place your own construction upon what I have said," was thequiet answer. "The special relations existing between Miss Gillis andmyself chance to be no business of yours. However, I will consent tosay this--I do enjoy a relationship to her that gives me completeauthority to say what I have said to you. I regret having been obligedby your persistency to speak with such plainness, but this knowledgeshould prove sufficient to control the actions of a gentleman."

  For a moment the soldier did not answer, his emotions far too strong topermit of calm utterance, his lips tightly shut. He felt utterlydefeated. "Your language is sufficiently explicit," he acknowledged,at last. "I ask pardon for my unwarranted intrusion."

  At the door he paused and glanced back toward that motionless figureyet standing with one hand grasping the back of the chair.

  "Before I go, permit me to ask a single question," he said, frankly."I was a friend of old Ben Gillis, and he was a friend to my fatherbefore me. Have you any reason to suspect that he was not NaidaGillis's father?"

  Hampton took one hasty step forward. "What do you mean?" he exclaimed,fiercely, his eyes two coals of fire.

  Brant felt that the other's display of irritation gave him anunexpected advantage.

  "Nothing that need awaken anger, I am sure. Something caused me toharbor the suspicion, and I naturally supposed you would know about it.Indeed, I wondered if some such knowledge might not account for yourvery deep interest in keeping her so entirely to yourself."

  Hampton's fingers twitched in a nervousness altogether unusual to theman, yet when he spoke his voice was like steel. "Your suspicions arehighly interesting, and your cowardly insinuations base. However, if,as I suppose, your purpose is to provoke a quarrel, you will find mequite ready to accommodate you."

  An instant they stood thus, eye to eye. Suddenly Brant's memory veeredto the girl whose name would be smirched by any blow struck betweenthem, and he forced back the hasty retort burning upon his lips.

  "You may be, Mr. Hampton," he said, standing like a statue, his back tothe door, "but I am not. As you say, fighting is my trade, yet I havenever sought a personal quarrel. Nor is there any cause here, as myonly purpose in asking the question was to forewarn you, and herthrough you, that such a suggestion had been openly made in my hearing.I presume it was a lie, and wished to be able to brand it so."

  "By whom?"

  "A fellow known as Silent Murphy, a government scout."

  "I have heard of him. Where is he?"

  "He claimed to be here waiting orders from Custer. He had camp up theCreek two days ago, but is keeping well out of sight for some reason.Telegrams have been received for him at the office but another man hascalled for them."

  "Who?"

  "Red Slavin."

  "The cur!" said Hampton. "I reckon there is a bad half-hour waitingfor those two fellows. What was it that Murphy said?"

  "That he knew the girl's real name."

  "Was that all?"

  "Yes; I tried to discover his meaning, but the fellow became suspiciousand shut up like a clam. Is there anything in it?"

  Hampton ignored the question. "Lieutenant Brant," he said, "I am gladwe have had this talk together, and exceedingly sorry that my duty hascompelled me to say what I have said. Some time, however, you willsincerely thank me for it, and rejoice that you escaped so easily. Iknew your father once, and I should like now to part on friendlyrelations with his son."

  He held out his hand, and, scarcely knowing why he did so, Brant placedhis own within its grasp, and as the eyes of the two men met, there wasa consciousness of sympathy between them.