looking
beamingly up at the group on the piazza.

"Mrs. Gordon," she said, "Mr. Mayhew has invited me to walk down to the
camp of the battalion, and, as I haven't been outside the limits of the
post since we came, I should like to go. They are to have inspection in
'field kits' in half an hour. Don't you want to come with the girls? He
says there are half a dozen young gentlemen down there who are eager to
see them----"

"Oh, mamma, do!" implored both girls in a breath.

"Why, I hardly know, Miss Forrest," answered Mrs. Gordon, hesitatingly.
"Cannot Mrs. Forrest go?"

"Ruth is never ready to go anywhere," answered Miss Forrest, half
laughingly, yet with a certain rueful emphasis. "She is a slave to her
babies, and as for Celestine, the nurse, she is no help to her
whatever."

"Of course you girls must have a 'matron,'" said Mrs. Gordon. "How long
will you be there, Mr. Mayhew?"

"Oh, just about half an hour or so, Mrs. Gordon. Then inspection will
be over, and we fellows can all come back with you. It's just for the
walk, you know, and the pleasure it will give a raft of second
lieutenants." (Mr. Mayhew was a first lieutenant of one year's
standing.) "They'll bless me for bringing them down."

"Do let the girls go with us, Mrs. Gordon, and if you are too busy I'll
see Ruth at once. I can make Celestine stay home and look after the
children, though she cannot; and here come Mr. Hatton and Mr. McLean.
One of them, at least, will be glad to join us," said Miss Forrest,
with the confidence of handsome womanhood. "Perhaps both of them. No.
They are turning off across the parade. Call them, Mr. Mayhew. Let no
guilty man escape."

Obediently Lieutenant Mayhew shouted to the two young officers who had
just come forth from the presence of the major commanding. Both were in
undress uniform and sword-belts; both had caught sight of the tall girl
at the Gordons' gate at the same instant, and, had any one disposed to
be critical been looking on, that somebody would have been justified in
saying they "sheered off" the very next instant so as not to pass her
by within speaking distance. Mrs. Miller, sitting where she could see
the whole affair, was struck by the sudden change in their line of
direction, and watched them in no little curiosity as they halted in
recognition of Mayhew's call.

"What is it, Mayhew?" sung out Hatton.

"Come over here a minute, you and McLean. I have a scheme to unfold."

"Can't; I'm officer