n Chateau-Thierry under such strange
conditions during one of the final battles of the war.

Yet it was Bianca's breakdown which was the beginning of a relation
approaching friendship between the young United States officer and the
Countess Charlotta Scherin.

As Bianca had been in a nearly fainting condition when she was brought
finally to the American Red Cross hospital, naturally Major Hersey
called there the next day to inquire for her.

By chance, as Charlotta had haunted the hospital all day, she and Miss
Pringle were leaving the moment Major Hersey arrived.

As his inquiry occupied only a short time, he was able to overtake the
young girl and her chaperon before they had gotten any distance away.

"I don't know what we should have done if you had not been riding
horseback yesterday, Major Hersey," Charlotta declared. "I don't believe
Bianca could possibly have walked back, or waited very long while we
tried to find a vehicle. I'm afraid too that I actually enjoyed my own
ride even under such circumstances. You cannot realize how much I have
missed riding in these last weeks. I think until my accident, or
whatever one may choose to call it, I had been on horseback every day of
life from the time I was five years old. I am envious of you. Do you
suppose it would be possible for me to get hold of a horse in Coblenz
which I could use? Any kind of horse will be better than none."

Ordinarily, Jimmie Hersey was shy, finding it difficult to talk to young
women or girls without embarrassment. Yet one could scarcely be shy with
the Countess Charlotta, she was so frank and direct herself and so free
from any affectation.

"I don't know, I expect it would be hard work to find a woman's riding
horse in Coblenz these days. The horses that were any good were
requisitioned for the German cavalry. But there is just a chance that I
may be able to borrow one of our own American horses for you
occasionally. I can't promise of course, but it would be jolly if you
could ride with me."

"I should love it," the Countess Charlotta answered.

"But I suppose we ought to have some one else with us; it won't do under
the circumstances for us to ride alone," Major Hersey added.

During this speech the young officer colored slightly, since it was not
among his usual duties to chaperon a girl. However, he knew what was
fitting and intended that the conventions should be obeyed.

Glancing toward him, the little countess was about to