on, too," said Ethel.

Down the street the Highlanders came in column of fours, the pipe band
leading.

"Aren't they gorgeous?" said Smart with generous praise for a rival
battalion. "Chesty-looking devils, eh?" he added as they drew near. "You
would think that Pipe Major owned at least half of Winnipeg."

"And the big drummer the other half," added Ethel. "Look at his sticks.
He's got a classy twirl, hasn't he?"

Gorgeous they were, their white spats flashing in time with their step,
their kilts swaying free over their tartan hose and naked knees, their
white tunics gleaming through the dusk of the evening, and over all the
tossing plumes of their great feather bonnets nodding rhythmically with
their swinging stride.

"Mighty glad we have not to fight those boys," said Frank as the column
swung past into the armoury.

The crowd which on other occasions would have broken into enthusiastic
cheers to-night stood in silence while the Highlanders in all their
gorgeous splendour went past. That grave silence was characteristic of
the Winnipeg crowds those first days of war. Later they found voice.

"Now we can go in. Come right along," said Smart. "Stand clear there,
boys. You can't go in unless you have an order."

"We ar-r-e wantin' tae join," said a Scotch voice.

"You are, eh? Come along then. Fall into line there." The men
immediately dropped into line. "Ah, you have been there before, I see,"
said Smart.

"Aye, ye'er-r-r right ther-r-re, sir-r-r," answered the voice.

"You will be for the Kilties, boys?" said Frank.

"Aye. What else?" asked the same man in surprise.

"There is only one regiment for the Scotchman apparently," said Frank,
leading the way to the door. "Just hold these men here until I see
what's doing, will you?" he said to the sentry as he passed in. "Now,
then, young ladies, step to your right and await me in that corner.
I must see what's to be done with these recruits. Then I shall find
Kellerman for you."

But he had no need to look for Kellerman, for before he returned the
little Jew had caught sight of the young ladies and had made his way to
them.

"Why, how splendid you look, Mr. Kellerman," said Ethel. "I did not know
you were in the Ninetieth."

"I wasn't until Friday."

"Do you mean to say you joined up to go away?" inquired Ethel.

"That's what," said Kellerman.

"But you are--I mean--I do not see--" Ethel stopped in confusion.

"What you mean, Miss Murray, is that y