She drew a deep breath, these open words of faith touching her more
strongly than would any selfish fault-finding.
"Trust begets trust," she replied, with new firmness, and now gazing
frankly into his face. "You can walk with me a portion of the way if
you wish, but I am going to tell you the truth,--I have an appointment
with a man."
"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. "Don't you understand yet?"
"Only that you are secretly meeting a man of the worst reputation, one
known the length and breadth of this border as a gambler and fighter."
"Yes; but--but don't you know who I am?"
He smiled grimly, wondering what possible difference that could make.
"Certainly; you are Miss Naida Herndon."
"I? You have not known? Lieutenant Brant, I am Naida Gillis."
He stopped still, again facing her. "Naida Gillis? Do you mean old
Gillis's girl? Is it possible you are the same we rescued on the
prairie two years ago?"
She bowed her head. "Yes; do you understand now why I trust this Bob
Hampton?"
"I perhaps might comprehend why you should feel grateful to him, but
not why you should thus consent to meet with him clandestinely."
He could not see the deep flush upon her cheeks, but he was not deaf to
the pitiful falter in her voice.