ross hospital in Luxemburg where
we were both patients at the same time. At least until Mrs. Clark
arrives he may persuade you, Colonel Winfield, that I am not a spy or in
any way a dangerous character."

Then the girl turned again to Major Jimmie.

"I don't know what Mrs. Clark will say or do when she sees me. She told
me positively I was not to embarrass the American Red Cross by taking
refuge with them. And I tried my best to be brave and endure my
existence. I even gave up to my father's wishes, but I found I could not
keep my word. So I confided in Miss Pringle. She is English and was my
governess when I was a little girl. She had continued living in
Luxemburg after the war began, and yet perhaps because she was English
she understood me better than other people. Anyhow we came away
together. It was not so difficult to accomplish as you may imagine. Most
of the people in Luxemburg at present dislike the Germans as thoroughly
as I do. I told a few acquaintances that I was going away because I
could not endure being forced into a German marriage. Miss Pringle was
with me and I said I was going to join some American friends. Besides,
Luxemburg is not very large you know and it does not take long to reach
the frontier. If Mrs. Clark is not willing to receive us at the Red
Cross Hospital, surely we can find a place to shelter us for awhile.
Miss Pringle says she will be glad to go with me to the United States,
as she has long wished to travel. I suppose, Colonel Winfield, that you
could arrange for us to go to the United States?"

Plainly the young countess's words and manner both amused and annoyed
the Colonel.

"Nonsense, young woman, girls who run away from their homes no matter
from what motive, must be sent back to their parents. Mrs. Clark will
doubtless see that you and Miss Pringle are made comfortable for a few
days. But I think I understand how you managed to reach Coblenz and why
you were permitted to have an interview with me. The colonel of an
American regiment of the army of occupation is not in the habit of
having young women whose credentials and passports are not what they
should be, take up his spare time. Where, child, had you ever heard my
name?"

"Oh, I often heard Mrs. Clark and the American Red Cross nurses speak of
you when they referred to their winter at the Red Cross hospital near
Chateau-Thierry. They said too they were delighted that you were to be
in Coblenz because they liked you so