Romney
Lee is just the last man to let her drive on unescorted. She can hold
him ten or fifteen minutes, at least, and by that time if the reckless
boy down the road has taken warning and scurried back he can reach the
barracks before inspection is made.

"Indeed, Miss Miriam, I'm not to be disposed of so summarily," he
promptly answers. "I'll see you safely to the hotel. You'll excuse me,
colonel?"

"Certainly, certainly, Lee. I suppose I'll see you later," responds the
veteran. They leave him at the Mess and resume their way, and Lee takes
the vacated seat by her side. There is something he longs to say to
her,--something that has been quivering on his lips and throbbing at his
heart for many a long day. She is a queenly woman,--this dark-eyed,
stately army girl. It is only two years since, her school-days finished,
she has returned to her father's roof on the far frontier and resumed
the gay garrison life that so charmed her when a child. _Then_ a loving
mother had been her guide, but during her long sojourn at school the
blow had fallen that so wrenched her father's heart and left her
motherless. Since her graduation she alone has been the joy of the old
soldier's home, and sunshine and beauty have again gladdened his life.
She would be less than woman did she not know that here now was another
soldier, brave, courteous, and gentle, who longed to win her from that
home to his own,--to call her by the sacred name of wife. She knew how
her father trusted and Phil looked up to him. She knew that down in her
own heart of hearts there was pleading for him even now, but as yet no
word has been spoken. She is not the girl to signal, "speak, and the
prize is yours." He has looked in vain for a symptom that bids him hope
for more than loyal friendship.

But to-night as they reach the brightly-lighted piazza at Craney's it is
she who bids him stay.

"Don't go just yet," she falters.

"I feared you were tired and wished to go to your room," he answers,
gently.

"Would you mind asking if there are letters for me?" she says. It is
anything to gain time, and he goes at her behest, but--oh, luckless
fate!--'tis a false move.

She sees him stride away through the groups on the piazza; sees the
commandant meet him with one of his assistants; sees that there is
earnest consultation in low tone, and that then the others hasten down
the steps and disappear in the darkness. She hears him say, "I'll follow
in a moment, sir," a