ravely up in his eyes.

"No; I'll bear it best here, Jack. I won't----Read it, dear."

"My brave girlie!" was all he said, as his eyes moistened suspiciously
and his hand lingered in its caress upon her soft cheek.

"It's from Billings, you know."

"Yes, Jack; go on."

And then he read to her:

"FORT HAYS, KANSAS, June 6, '76.

"DEAR TRUSCOTT,--Stannard showed me your letter and bade me
answer it. There was no time for him to do it, and I myself am
writing 'on the jump.' You sized up the situation about as
comprehensively as Crook himself could have done it, and your
predictions have come true. Eight troops of the regiment left
night before last by rail for Cheyenne _via_ Denver, and by
this time headquarters and most of the --th are tenting
somewhere near Fort Russell, where we are all to take station
and wait further developments. The band follows as fast as we
can pack up plunder and be off. It means, of course, a
permanent transfer of the regiment to the Department of the
Platte, and from the mere fact that the colonel and eight
companies were hurried ahead, there can be no question but that
we are destined to take part in the campaign against Sitting
Bull, Crazy Horse, etc., and for myself, I'm glad of it.

"But I'm glad you weren't here, Jack. There was weeping and
wailing and gnashing of teeth among the women-folks, and some
two or three Benedicts looked bluer than brimstone. You know
they had counted on a peaceful summer and a good time, and it's
particularly rough on those who had fitted up their quarters so
handsomely and had young ladies to visit them, like the
Raymonds and others. Most of them have to break up and go East,
but as six troops are to take permanent station at Russell,
yours among them, those who are ordered there will simply move
from Hays to Russell with us, as the officers can choose
quarters on the way up; for up we are going, and I'll bet a
farm we water our horses in the Yellowstone before we see
Russell a second time. As soon as packed I shall move all
baggage to Russell, public and personal, escort the ladies
thither and see them comfortably settled in their new quarters.
Mrs. Stannard, Mrs. Turner, and Mrs. Wilkins (of course) go to
Russell with us. Old Whaling of the Infantry is to remain in
c