ype of man to hold the
interest of most girls. His eyes were wonderful; his cheek as clear
and almost as soft as a woman's; he wore his uniform with an air
scarcely to be expressed in ordinary words.

Henriette immediately became tongue-tied. Ruth's experience had,
however, given her ease in any company. The wonderful Major Marchand
made little impression upon her. It was plain that he wished to
interest the Americaine Mademoiselle.

The little tea party was interrupted by the appearance of Dolge at the
library door.

"A young American in an ambulance inquires for Mademoiselle Fielding at
the gate," said Dolge, cap in hand. "She is needed in haste, below
there at the hospital."

CHAPTER III

A PERILOUS PROJECT

"That can be no other than Charlie Bragg," announced Ruth, getting up
in haste, and naming a young friend of hers from the States who had
been an ambulance driver for some months. "Something must have
happened."

"I fear something is happening," Major Marchand said softly. "The
sudden activity along this front must be significant, don't you think,
Mademoiselle Fielding?"

Ruth's lips were pressed together for a moment in thought, and she eyed
the major shrewdly.

"I really could not say," she observed coldly. Then she turned from
him to take the hand of the countess.

"I'm sorry our little tea must be broken in upon," the American girl
said.

She could not help loving the countess, no matter what some of the
neighbors believed regarding her. But Ruth had her doubts about this
son who was always in Paris and never at the front.

Henriette was too bashful to remain longer than Ruth, so she rose to go
as well. The countess kissed her little neighbor and sent her favor to
the girl's father and mother. Major Marchand accompanied the two
visitors out of the chateau and toward the entrance gate, which Dolge
had not opened.

"I sincerely hope we may meet again, Mademoiselle Fielding," the major
said softly.

"That is not likely," she responded with soberness.

"No? Do you expect to leave Clair soon?"

"No," she said, and there was sharpness in her voice. "But I am much
engaged in our hospital work--and you are not likely to be brought
there, are you?"

Evidently he felt the bite in her question. He flushed and dropped his
gaze. Her intimation was not to be mistaken. He seemed unlikely to be
brought wounded to the hospital.

Before he could recover himself they were at the