ation that should delight a mother's soul. Once again he was
leading her up to the massive portal, with a tall youth swinging on
crutches beside her, and a joyous little party in her train. Only that
day had he arrived--her Geordie--a little pallid from long housing and
wearied from the long ride, but wonderfully well and happy otherwise,
and assured that a few weeks more would see him strong as ever. Connell
had met him at Buffalo. Bud was up from New York. McCrea had escorted
him all the way from Chicago, where John Bonner would have held him
for a week of lionizing, but he could not be stopped for an hour. Nolan
and Toomey had ridden every mile to the railway to see their young
leader aboard, but over the meeting with that yearning mother there was
none on earth to spy. Long hours she kept him to herself, but, now that
evening had come, she yielded him to the colonel's pleading.

"It is for their sake," said he, and for their sake even Geordie
consented.

And so, very much as he had planned on the previous occasion, Colonel
Hazzard led them to the door as supper was nearly over, having
previously notified his officer-in-charge, but no man in the corps was
in the secret. "Whatever happens," said he, "shall be entirely
spontaneous."

For a moment they waited until, as before, the voice of the adjutant
was heard, clear and commanding, above the clamor. Then came the
publications, a perfunctory order or two, and then the colonel put
forth a hand, pushed open the door, and while Mrs. Graham and Bud,
trembling with excitement, clung to each other's arms, and the rest of
the group instinctively closed about them, Hazzard turned to the two
young graduates--his captains of the year gone by, now looking not a
little white and by no means happy--and signalled "step within," he
himself close following, and throwing wider the door so that Mrs.
Graham might see.

As the big half swung slowly inward, and the two crutches were planted
across the threshold, Connell hung back, but the colonel would not so
have it. The corporal of the guard, surprised at the intrusion, stepped
forward to check the strangers within their gates, then as suddenly
halted, his eyes alight with instant recognition and rejoicing, his
hand springing up in salute, even as the cadet officers at the head of
the nearest tables found their feet in instant and irresistible
impulse. Up, too, sprang the first captain, at the opposite side, his
first thought to re