they found the Indian clinched with
Kennedy. Kennedy was rescued in the nick of time, and pledged to
silence. The Indian rode away triumphant. Nanette climbed back to her
window, exhausted, apparently, by her exertions, and Field started for
his quarters, only to find the entire garrison astir. The rest they
knew.

Asked how she came to know of the money in the trader's safe, he said no
secret had been made of it by either Hay or him. She had asked him
laughingly about his quarrel with Wilkins, and seemed deeply interested
in all the details of subaltern life. Either Hay or he, fortunately,
could have made good the missing sum, even had most of it not been found
amongst Stabber's plunder. Field had never seen her again until the
night the general took him to confront her at the Hays', and, all too
late, had realized how completely she had lured and used him. In pride,
honor, self-respect, he had been sorely wounded, and, even when assured
that the general attached no blame to him, and that his name was no
longer involved, he would have resigned his commission and quit the
service had it not been for these soldiers three, Webb, Blake and Ray.
They made him see that, all the more because his father's death had left
him independent--sole master of quite a valuable property--he must stick
to the sword and live down the possible stain.

And stay he did, refusing even a chance to go abroad the following
spring, and devoting himself assiduously to his duties, although he
shrank from society. They made him sometimes spend a quiet evening at
Ray's or Blake's, where twice Miss Dade was found. But that young lady
was quick to see that her hostess had been scheming, as loving women
will. And then, when he went hoping to see her, yet half afraid, she
came no more. They could not coax her. The early spring had taken him
forth on long campaign. The ensuing fall had taken her to the far
distant East, for gallant old Dade was breaking down. The doctors sent
him on prolonged sick leave. Then was Fort Frayne indeed a desolate post
to Beverly Field, and when midwinter came, and with it the news that
Dade had but little while to live, he took counsel with Ray, and a
month's leave, not much of which was spent in the South. The old
regiment was represented at the sad and solemn little ceremony when the
devoted husband, father and fellow soldier was laid at rest.

Nor was Field a happier man when he rejoined from leave, and they all
thought