of his choice--now must come this cloud upon his young life, his and
blithe-hearted Bud, who so adored him. She knew well that his first act
would be to set aside a certain portion of his scanty pay for her use,
and for her own part she would not so have it.

But where were the boys, and why had they gone? It was some minutes
before Bud returned, alone.

"Where is Geordie?" she asked.

Bud dropped his cap on the hall table, looking dispirited and troubled.

"Gone to the hotel, mother--wants to see"--with a gulp--"McCrea--and
I'm of no use to anybody."

"You can be and will be," was the gentle answer, as the mother wound an
arm about and led him within. There in silence and semi-darkness they
sat awhile. The doctor had gone into his little library to look over
memoranda and accounts. It was nine o'clock when Geordie's quick,
soldierly step was heard on the walk without. He came bounding up and
in, alert, virile, and vigorous.

"You saw Mr. McCrea, Geordie?"

"Yes, mother. He's going to Newburg to catch the Pacific express on the
Central, and, mother--I'm going with him."

CHAPTER III

AWAY TO THE WEST

By the general regulations of the United States army there is granted
three months' leave of absence to graduated cadets of the Military
Academy, to be taken advantage of immediately after graduation. It is
given to these young men after their four years of rigorous discipline
and hard study, that they may have abundant time to visit home and
friends, and to enjoy a period of rest before reporting for duty again
to begin their careers as officers of the army.

For nearly two weeks since Graham's graduation day the mother had had
him for her very own, busying herself in the choice of his modest
outfit, and taking it not a little to heart that he declined to order
his uniform and equipment until, as he said, he knew where he was
going. She longed to see him in his "regimentals," yet shrank from it
as a reminder that all too soon he would be taken from her side to wear
it day after day with his comrades in arms. She could not think of that
parting to come late in September. She would think only of the glory
that was hers in having him here, having him now, with no bugle-call to
tear him from her side. She was just beginning to realize her
possession, her happiness, when that hateful telegram told of disaster
at the mines, and urged her husband to have a representative at the
spot. Within one hour of it