a most impossible person."

The young French officer laughed. As he recalled their last meeting and
this one his benefactress struck him as a person who had the gift of
provoking laughter.

"I think this a good deal to require of me," he returned. "I will do
what you ask only on condition that you-----"

"That I promise to allow you to do a favor for me some day?" Sally
completed the unfinished sentence. "I suppose that is what you were
about to say, wasn't it? Of course you can do whatever kindness you like
if you have the chance. But it does not seem probable. After you go away
from the farm I can't imagine any reason why we should ever see each
other again. Besides, you would do whatever you could for me whether I
gave you permission or not." Here Sally smiled a second time.

For an instant the French officer stared, nonplussed.

But he was not the first person whom Sally had puzzled. She was so
matter of fact and so sure of herself one could not tell whether she was
extremely simple or correspondingly subtle.

Since her companion regarded her as a child, he could have but one
impression.

When finally he held out his hand, Sally hesitated an instant before
placing her own inside his. His exhibition of French courtesy and
gratitude at their last meeting had been slightly embarrassing. But this
time the lieutenant only held her hand gravely.

"You are right, Miss Ashton, whatever was possible to show my gratitude
to you I should do, with or without your permission. If I am spared when
the war is over I may even create the opportunity which you seem to
doubt my ever having. When the war began I had a sister who was, I think
perhaps only a few years older than you. If you can ever make up your
mind to regard me as she would have done, it would mean a great real to
me."

Sally was beginning to feel bored. She thought her companion was very
conventional and a little stupid.

She had not the faintest desire to adopt an unknown young man as a
brother. Sally knew herself sufficiently well to realize that the
sisterly attitude would make but little appeal to her as long as she
lived. And she hoped that her interview with the rescued officer might
be entertaining. Life was dull now at the farm with Mrs. Burton away and
her own occupation, which had been exciting even if fatiguing,
withdrawn.

"What happened to your sister?" Sally inquired politely, although
intending to make her escape as soon as possible should