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The young officer passed slowly down the dark staircase, his mind still

bewildered by the result of the interview His feelings toward Haed He found it ily had no real cause for existence He began besides to

co of the secret of his influence over Naida; even to

experience hi spirit Out of

controversy a feeling of respect had been born

Yet Brant was far fro satisfied Little by little he realized

that he had gained nothing, learned nothing Haed the real issue, leaving the

soldier in the dark regarding his relationship to Naida, and erecting a

barrier between the other two It was a ly ied with but one thought clearly defined--whoever she

ht prove to be, whatever was her present connection with Hampton, he

loved this dark-eyed, auburn-haired waif He knew it now, and never

again could he doubt it The very co of this man into the field of

contest, and his calm assumption of proprietorship and authority, had

co officer From

that instant Naida Gillis became to him the one and only woht to win her; never confessing defeat