d the daring of Donovan and Stillwell
were an inspiration to me. And now my captain was the same Pliley, who
with Donovan had made that hundred-mile dash to Fort Wallace to start a
force to the rescue of our beleaguered few in that island citadel of
sand.

The men who made up Pliley's troop were, for the most part, older than
myself, and they are coming now to the venerable years; but deep in the
heart of each surviving soldier of that company is admiration and
affection for the fearless, adroit, resourceful Captain, the modest,
generous-hearted soldier.

On the last evening of our stay in Topeka there was a gay gathering of
young people, where, as usual, the soldier boys were the lions. Brass
buttons bearing the American Eagle and the magic inscription "U. S."
have ever their social sway.

Rachel had been assigned to my care by the powers that were. After
Tillhurst's departure I had found my companions mainly elsewhere, and I
would have chosen elsewhere on this night had I done the choosing. On
the way to her aunt's home Rachel was more charming than I had ever
found her before. It was still early, and we strolled leisurely on our
way and talked of many things. At the gate she suddenly exclaimed:

"Philip, you leave to-morrow. Maybe I shall never see you again; but I'm
not going to think that." Her voice was sweet, and her manner sincere.
"May I ask you one favor?"

"Yes, a dozen," I said, rashly.

"Let's take one more walk out to our locust tree."

"Oh, blame the locust tree! What did it ever grow for?" That was my
thought but I assented with a show of pleasure, as conventionality
demands. It was a balmy night in early November, not uncommon in this
glorious climate. The moon was one quarter large, and the dim light was
pleasant. Many young people were abroad that evening. When we reached
the swell where the tree threw its lacy shadows on its fallen yellow
leaves, my companion grew silent.

"Cheer up, Rachel," I said. "We'll soon be gone and you'll be free from
the soldier nuisance. And Dick Tillhurst is sure to run up here again
soon. Besides, you have all Massachusetts waiting to be conquered."

She put her little gloved hand on my arm.

"Philip Baronet, I'm going to ask you something. You may hate me if you
want to."

"But I don't want to," I assured her.

"I had a letter from Mr. Tillhurst to-day. He does want to come up," she
went on; "he says also that the girl you introduced to me in your
father