CHAPTER XVI

THE MEETING

Hamlin’s first impulse was to ignore the note, trusting his position in the ranks would be sufficient barrier to prevent any chance meeting, and believing his stay at that garrison would be only a brief one.  Sheridan was evidently preparing for an early offensive campaign, and it was rumored on all sides that the Seventh Cavalry had been selected for active field service.  Indeed, the urgent orders for the consolidation of the regiment from scattered posts must mean this.  Any day might bring orders, and he could easily avoid this Mrs. Dupont until then.  Except for a faint curiosity, the Sergeant felt no inclination to meet the woman.  Whatever influence she might have once exercised over him had been thoroughly overcome by years and absence.  Even the unexpected sight of her again—­seemingly as beautiful as ever—­had failed to awaken the spell of the past.  It was almost with a thrill of delight that Hamlin realized this—­that he was in truth utterly free of her influence.  There had been times when he had anticipated such a possible meeting with dread; when he had doubted his own heart, the strength of his will to resist.  But now he knew he stood absolutely independent and could laugh at her wiles.  She who had once been all—­trusted, loved, worshipped with all the mad fervor of youth—­had become only a dead memory.  Between them stretched a chasm never to be bridged.

What could the woman possibly want of him?  To explain the past?  To justify herself?  He knew enough already, and desired to know no more.  Could she hope—­natural coquette that she was—­to regain her hold upon him?  The man smiled grimly, confident of his own strength.  Yet why should she care for such a conquest, the winning of a common soldier?  There must be some better reason, some more subtle purpose.  Could it be that she feared him, that she was afraid that he might speak to her injury?  This was by far the most likely supposition.  Molly McDonald—­the woman was aware of their acquaintance, and was already alarmed at its possible result.

Hamlin stood up resolved.  He would meet the woman, not from any desire of his own, but to learn her purpose, and protect the girl.  The meeting could not injure him, not even bring a swifter beating of the heart, but might give him opportunity to serve the other.  And Le Fevre—­surely she could tell him something of Le Fevre.

Leave was easily obtained, and the Sergeant, rejoicing in a freshly issued uniform, dressed with all the care possible, his interest reviving at this new point of view.  It was not far down the bluff road to the squalid little village which had naturally developed in close proximity to the fort—­near enough for protection, yet far enough removed to be lawless—­a rough frontier outpost town, of shacks and tents, most of these dispensing vile liquors.  Among