CHAPTER VI
THE LIEUTENANT MEETS MISS SPENCER
Lieutenant Brant was somewhat delayed in reaching the scene of MissSpencer's social triumph. Certain military requirements were largelyresponsible for this delay, and he had patiently wrestled with anunsatisfactory toilet, mentally excoriating a service which would notpermit the transportation of dress uniforms while on scouting detail.Nevertheless, when he finally stepped forth into the brilliantmoonlight, he presented an interesting, soldierly figure, his facestill retaining a bit of the boy about it, his blue eyes bright withexpectancy. That afternoon he had half decided not to go at all, theglamour of such events having long before grown dim, but the peculiarattraction of this night proved too strong; not thus easily could heerase from memory the haunting witchery of a face. Beyond doubt, whenagain viewed amid the conventionalities, much of its imagined charmwould vanish; yet he would see her once more, although no longerlooking forward to drawing a prize.
The dance was already in full swing, the exciting preliminaries havingbeen largely forgotten in the exuberance of motion, when he finallypushed his way through the idle loungers gathered about the door, andgained entrance to the hall. Many glanced curiously at him, attractedby the glitter of his uniform, but he recognized none among them, andtherefore passed steadily toward the musicians' stand, where thereappeared to be a few unoccupied chairs.
The scene was one of color and action. The rapid, pulsating music, theswiftly whirling figures, the quivering drapery overhead, the brightyouthful faces, the glow of numerous lamps, together with the ceaselessvoices and merry shuffling of feet, all combined to create a scenesufficiently picturesque. It was altogether different from what he hadanticipated. He watched the speeding figures, striving in vain todistinguish the particular one whose charms had lured him thither. Helooked upon fair faces in plenty, flushed cheeks and glowing eyesskurried past him, with swirling skirts and flashes of neatly turnedankles, as these enthusiastic maids and matrons from hill and prairiestrove to make amends for long abstinence. But among them all he wasunable to distinguish the wood-nymph whose girlish frankness and gracehad left so deep an impression on his memory. Yet surely she must bepresent, for, to his understanding, this whole gay festival was in herhonor. Directly across the room he caught sight of the Reverend Mr.Wynkoop conversing with a lady of somewhat rounded charms, and pickedhis way in their direction.
The missionary, who had yet scarcely recovered from the shock ofMoffat's impulsive speech, and who, in truth, had been hiding anagonized heart behind a smiling face, was only too delighted at anyexcuse which would enable him to approach Miss Spencer, and press asidethose cavaliers who were monopolizing her attention. The handicap ofnot being able to dance he felt to be heavy, and he greeted thelieutenant with unusual heartiness of manner.
"Why, most assuredly, my dear sir, most assuredly," he said. "Mrs.Herndon, permit me to make you acquainted with Lieutenant Brant, of theSeventh Cavalry."
The two, thus introduced, bowed, and exchanged a few words, while Mr.Wynkoop busied himself in peering about the room, making a greatpretence at searching out the lady guest, who, in very truth, hadscarcely been absent from his sight during the entire evening.
"Ah!" he ejaculated, "at last I locate her, and, fortunately, at thismoment she is not upon the floor, although positively hidden by the menclustering about her chair. You will excuse us, Mrs. Herndon, but Ihave promised Lieutenant Brant a presentation to your niece."
They slipped past the musicians' stand, and the missionary pressed inthrough the ring of admirers.
"Why, Mr. Wynkoop!" and she extended both hands impulsively. "And onlyto think, you have never once been near me all this evening; you havenot congratulated me on my good fortune, nor exhibited the slightestinterest! You don't know how much I have missed you. I was justsaying to Mr. Moffat--or it might have been Mr. McNeil--that I wascompletely tired out and wished you were here to sit out this dancewith me."
Wynkoop blushed and forgot the errand which had brought him there, butshe remained sufficiently cool and observant. She touched him gentlywith her hand.
"Who is that fine-looking young officer?" she questioned softly, yetwithout venturing to remove her glance from his face.
Mr. Wynkoop started. "Oh, exactly; I had forgotten my mission. He hasrequested an introduction." He drew the lieutenant forward."Lieutenant Brant, Miss Spencer."
The officer bowed, a slight shadow of disappointment in his eyes. Thelady was unquestionably attractive, her face animated, her receptionmost cordial, yet she was not the maiden of the dark, fathomless eyesand the wealth of auburn hair.
"Such a pleasure to meet you," exclaimed Miss Spencer, her eyesuplifted shyly, only to become at once modestly shaded behind theirlong lashes. "Do you know, Lieutenant, that actually I have neverbefore had the privilege of meeting an officer of the army. Why, we inthe 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 mygirlhood seem on the point of realization since I came here and beganmingling in its free, wild life. Your appearance supplies the onetouch of color that was lacking to make the picture complete. Mr.Moffat has done so much to make me realize the breadth of Westernexperience, and now, I do so hope, you will some time find opportunityto recount to me some of your army exploits."
The lieutenant smiled. "Most gladly; yet just now, I confess, themusic invites me, and I am sufficiently bold to request your companyupon the floor."
Miss Spencer sighed regretfully, her eyes sweeping across thosenumerous manly faces surrounding them. "Why, really, Lieutenant Brant,I scarcely see how I possibly can. I have already refused so many thisevening, and even now I almost believe I must be under directobligation to some one of those gentlemen. Still," hesitatingly, "yourbeing a total stranger here must be taken into consideration. Mr.Moffat, Mr. McNeil, Mr. Mason, surely you will grant me release thisonce?"
There was no verbal response to the appeal, only an uneasy movement;but her period of waiting was extremely brief.
"Oh, I knew you would; you have all been so kind and considerate." Shearose, resting her daintily gloved hand upon Brant's blue sleeve, herpleased eyes smiling up confidingly into his. Then with a charmingsmile, "Oh, Mr. Wynkoop, I have decided to claim your escort to supper.You do not care?"
Wynkoop bowed, his face like a poppy.
"I thought you would not mind obliging me in this. Come, Lieutenant."
Miss Spencer, when she desired to be, was a most vivacious companion,and always an excellent dancer. Brant easily succumbed to her sway,and became, for the time being, a victim to her charms. They circledthe long room twice, weaving their way skilfully among the numerouscouples, forgetful of everything but the subtile intoxication of thatswinging cadence to which their feet kept such perfect time,occasionally exchanging brief sentences in which compliment played noinsignificant part. To Brant, as he marked the heightened colorflushing her fair cheeks, the experience brought back fond memories ofhis last cadet ball at the Point, and he hesitated to break the mysticspell with abrupt questioning. Curiosity, however, finally masteredhis reticence.
"Miss Spencer," he asked, "may I inquire if you possess such aphenomenon as a 'star' pupil?"
The lady laughed merrily, but her expression became somewhat puzzled."Really, what a very strange question! Why, not unless it might belittle Sammy Worrell; he can certainly use the longest words I everheard of outside a dictionary. Why, may I ask? Are you especiallyinterested in prodigies?"
"Oh, not in the least; certainly not in little Sammy Worrell. Theperson I had reference to chances to be a young woman, having darkeyes, and a wealth of auburn hair. We met quite by accident, and thesole clew I now possess to her identity is a claim she advanced tobeing your 'star' pupil."
Miss Spencer sighed somewhat regretfully, and her eyes fell. "I fearit must have been Naida, from your description. But she is scarcelymore than a child. Surely, Lieutenant, it cannot
be possible that youhave become interested in her?"
He smiled pleasantly. "At least eighteen, is she not? I was somewhatimpressed with her evident originality, and hoped to renew our slightacquaintanceship here in more formal manner. She is your 'star' pupil,then?"
"Why, she is not really in my school at all, but I outline the studiesshe pursues at home, and lend her such books as I consider best adaptedfor her reading. She is such a strange girl!"
"Indeed? She appeared to me to be extremely unconventional, with adecided tendency for mischief. Is that your meaning?"
"Partially. She manages to do everything in a different way from otherpeople. Her mind seems peculiarly independent, and she is sounreservedly Western in her ways and language. But I was referringrather to her taste in books--she devours everything."
"You mean as a student?"
"Well, yes, I suppose so; at least she appears to possess the facultyof absorbing every bit of information, like a sponge. Sometimes sheactually startles me with her odd questions; they are so unexpected andabstruse, falling from the lips of so young a girl. Then her ideas areso crude and uncommon, and she is so frankly outspoken, that I becomeactually nervous when I am with her. I really believe Mr. Wynkoopseeks to avoid meeting her, she has shocked him so frequently inreligious matters."
"Does she make light of his faith?"
"Oh, no, not that exactly, at least it is not her intention. But shewants to know everything--why we believe this and why we believe that,doctrines which no one else ever dreams of questioning, and he cannotseem to make them clear to her mind. Some of her questions are soirreverent as to be positively shocking to a spiritually minded person."
They lapsed into silence, swinging easily to the guidance of the music.His face was grave and thoughtful. This picture just drawn of theperverse Naida had not greatly lowered her in his estimation, althoughhe felt instinctively that Miss Spencer was not altogether pleased withhis evident interest in another. It was hardly in her nature patientlyto brook a rival, but she dissembled with all the art of a cleverwoman, smiling happily up into his face as their eyes again met.
"It is very interesting to know that you two met in so unconventional away," she ventured, softly, "and so sly of her not even to mention itto me. We are room-mates, you know, and consequently quite intimate,although she possesses many peculiar characteristics which I cannot inthe least approve. But after all, Naida is really a good-hearted girlenough, and she will probably outgrow her present irregular ways, for,indeed, she is scarcely more than a child. I shall certainly do mybest to guide her aright. Would you mind giving me some details ofyour meeting?"
For a moment he hesitated, feeling that if the girl had not seen fit toconfide her adventure to this particular friend, it was hardly hisplace to do so. Then, remembering that he had already said enough toarouse curiosity, which might easily be developed into suspicion, hedetermined his course. In a few words the brief story was franklytold, and apparently proved quite amusing to Miss Spencer.
"Oh, that was Naida, beyond a doubt," she exclaimed, with a laugh ofsatisfaction. "It is all so characteristic of her. I only wonder howshe chanced to guess your name; but really the girl appears to possesssome peculiar gift in thus discerning facts hidden from others. Herinstincts seem so finely developed that at times she reminds me of awild animal."
This caustic inference did not please him, but he said nothing, and themusic coming to a pause, they slowly traversed the room.
"I presume, then, she is not present?" he said, quietly.
Miss Spencer glanced into his face, the grave tone making herapprehensive that she might have gone too far.
"She was here earlier in the evening, but now that you remind me of it,I do not recall having noticed her of late. But, really, Lieutenant,it is no part of my duty to chaperon the young girl. Mrs. Herndoncould probably inform you of her present whereabouts."
Miss Spencer was conscious of the sting of failure, and her faceflushed with vexation. "It is extremely close in here, don't youthink?" she complained. "And I was so careless as to mislay my fan. Ifeel almost suffocated."
"Did you leave it at home?" he questioned. "Possibly I might discovera substitute somewhere in the room."
"Oh, no; I would never think of troubling you to such an extent. Nodoubt this feeling of lassitude will pass away shortly. It was veryfoolish of me, but I left the fan with my wraps at the hotel. It canbe recovered when we go across to supper."
In spite of Miss Spencer's quiet words of renunciation, there was alook of pleading in her shyly uplifted eyes impossible to resist.Brant promptly surrendered before this masked battery.
"It will be no more than a pleasure to recover it for you," heprotested, gallantly.
The stairs leading down from the hall entrance were shrouded indarkness, the street below nearly deserted of loiterers, althoughlights streamed forth resplendently from the undraped windows of theOccidental and the hotel opposite. Assisted in his search by Mrs.Guffy, the officer succeeded in recovering the lost fan, and started toreturn. Just without the hotel door, under the confusing shadows ofthe wide porch, he came suddenly face to face with a young woman, theunexpected encounter a mutual and embarrassing surprise.