"Why, most assuredly, my dear sir, most assuredly," he said. "Mrs.
Herndon, permit me to make you acquainted with Lieutenant Brant, of the
Seventh Cavalry."
The two, thus introduced, bowed, and exchanged a few words, while Mr.
Wynkoop busied himself in peering about the room, making a great
pretence at searching out the lady guest, who, in very truth, had
scarcely been absent from his sight during the entire evening.
"Ah!" he ejaculated, "at last I locate her, and, fortunately, at this
moment she is not upon the floor, although positively hidden by the men
clustering about her chair. You will excuse us, Mrs. Herndon, but I
have promised Lieutenant Brant a presentation to your niece."
They slipped past the musicians' stand, and the missionary pressed in
through the ring of admirers.
"Why, Mr. Wynkoop!" and she extended both hands impulsively. "And only
to think, you have never once been near me all this evening; you have
not congratulated me on my good fortune, nor exhibited the slightest
interest! You don't know how much I have missed you. I was just
saying to Mr. Moffat--or it might have been Mr. McNeil--that I was
completely tired out and wished you were here to sit out this dance
with me."
Wynkoop blushed and forgot the errand which had brought him there, but
she remained sufficiently cool and observant. She touched him gently
with her hand.
"Who is that fine-looking young officer?" she questioned softly, yet
without venturing to remove her glance from his face.
Mr. Wynkoop started. "Oh, exactly; I had forgotten my mission. He has
requested an introduction." He drew the lieutenant forward.
"Lieutenant Brant, Miss Spencer."
The officer bowed, a slight shadow of disappointment in his eyes. The
lady was unquestionably attractive, her face animated, her reception
most cordial, yet she was not the maiden of the dark, fathomless eyes
and the wealth of auburn hair.
"Such a pleasure to meet you," exclaimed Miss Spencer, her eyes
uplifted shyly, only to become at once modestly shaded behind their
long lashes. "Do you know, Lieutenant, that actually I have never
before had the privilege of meeting an officer of the army. Why, we in
the East scarcely realize that we possess such a body of brave men.
But I have read much regarding the border, and all the dreams of my
girlhood seem on the point of realization since I came here and began
mingling in its free, wild life. Your appearance supplies the one
touch of color that was lacking to make the picture complete. Mr.
Moffat has done so much to make me realize the breadth of Western
experience, and now, I do so hope, you will some time find opportunity
to recount to me some of your army exploits."