orse was tethered. Force of habit made him test the cinchas of his
saddle before mounting.

He spoke over his shoulder to the man who had risen to his feet at his
coming.

"Guess you got everything right, Corporal?" he said.

"Everything, sir."

"Good. My diary's right up to date," Steve went on. "Things are quiet
just now. They'll get busy later."

He swung into the saddle and held out a hand.

"So long," he said, as the Corporal promptly gripped it.

"So long, sir. And--good luck."

"Thanks."

The horse moved away and Steve passed round to Nita. He drew rein
opposite the door but did not dismount.

"Let's--get another peck at her, Nita," he said, and it almost seemed as
if the words were jerked from under the restraint he was putting on
himself.

The girl had no words with which to answer him. Her eyes were wide and
dry. But from her pallor it was obvious deep emotion was stirring. She
came to his side, and held the baby up to him, a movement that had
something of the tragic in it.

The father swept his hat from his head and bent down in the saddle, and
gazed yearningly into the sleeping child's cherubic face. Then he
reached lower and kissed the pretty forehead tenderly.

"She'll be getting big when I see her again," he said, in a voice that
was not quite steady.

Then a passionate light flooded his eyes as he looked into the face of
his girl wife.

"For God's sake care for her, Nita," he cried. "She's ours--and she's
all we've got. Here, kiss me, dear. I can't stop another moment, or--or
I'll make a fool of myself."

The girl turned her face up and the man's passionate kisses were given
across the small atom which was the pledge of their early love. Then
Steve straightened up in the saddle and replaced his hat. A moment
later he had vanished within the woods through which he must pass on his
way to Ian Ross and his wife, to whom he desired to convey his final
word of thanks.

Nita stood silent, dry-eyed gazing after him. He was gone, and she knew
she would not see him again for two years.

* * * * *

The woodland shadows were lengthening. The delicate green of the trees
had lost something of its brightness. Already the distance was taking on
that softened hue which denotes the dying efforts of daylight.

Nita was passing rapidly over the footpath which would take her to her
new home. She was alone with her child in her arms, and carrying a small
bundle. Her