"They did nothing but talk to me all the way over the mountains, except when they were out taking what I have reason to believe was an occasional drink, Daddy mine. Jess had Mr. Loomis to herself. They have found your weak spot, Daddy. They know you love to talk of your daughter. You have only known Major Burleigh a little while, is it not so?" "Only within the year, perhaps, though of course I've heard of him a great deal." "And this Captain Newhall, whose regiment is in Louisiana while he's out here on leave--I thought officers went East when they got leave." "Newhall says he's out here looking over some mining schemes. He has money to invest, I believe." "He should invest some money in a traveling suit, Daddy dear. That coat and his linen seemed woefully out of condition. Gentlemen are not careless about such matters." "Oh, he explained that his trunks were delayed in Omaha or somewhere, and were coming along next train. I own I was prejudiced against him, too, but of course if he's a friend and guest of Burleigh's he--he must be all right. He's staying with him at the depot." "And you've got to invite them to dinner?" asked Miss Folsom, after another pause, during which she had been thinking deeply. "Not if you don't want it, pet. Of course they'll expect it. Army officers are hospitable, you know, Burleigh has asked me to dine with him a dozen times, though I've only been there once." "Then you'll have to invite him, Daddy," was the answer, with quick decision. "Only, just wait for a day or two. Captain Newhall was going right out to the mines, he said, and there may be others we'd be glad to have. Jessie's brother ought to be here any hour." "Yes," said Folsom dubiously. "I've been thinking about him--I've been wishing----" But he hesitated and faltered and could not meet the deep brown eyes, so full of searching inquiry and keen intelligence. "You've been thinking--what, Daddy?" she asked, and now her slender hands were on his shoulders and she was turning him so that she could study his face. "You have been hearing something you do not wish us to know, Daddy dear. I heard Major Burleigh say something to Mr. Loomis about--about Lieutenant Dean, and I know Mr. Loomis did not like it, and Jessie and I can't believe it. Father, where is he? Why doesn't he come? Why do these--these people at the fort hem and haw and hesitate when they speak about him? Jessie is getting so troubled."