“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.”

The lieutenant smiled.  “Most gladly; yet just now, I confess, the music invites me, and I am sufficiently bold to request your company upon the floor.”

Miss Spencer sighed regretfully, her eyes sweeping across those numerous manly faces surrounding them.  “Why, really, Lieutenant Brant, I scarcely see how I possibly can.  I have already refused so many this evening, and even now I almost believe I must be under direct obligation to some one of those gentlemen.  Still,” hesitatingly, “your being a total stranger here must be taken into consideration.  Mr. Moffat, Mr. McNeil, Mr. Mason, surely you will grant me release this once?”