itude is not altogether satisfactory." He hesitated.
"It is hard to explain just what I mean to you, for you do not realize
the life we lead out here--the loneliness of it. Even a man in the
ranks may possess the desires of a human being. I--well, I 'm hungry
for the companionship of a good woman. Don't misunderstand, Miss
McDonald. I am not presuming, nor taking advantage of the accident
which has placed us in this peculiar position, but I have been a
trooper out here now a long while, stationed at little isolated
frontier posts, riding the great plains, doing the little routine
duties of soldiering. I have n't spoken to a decent woman on terms of
social equality for two years; I 've looked at a few from a distance
and taken orders from them. But they have glanced through me as though
I were something inanimate instead of a man. I saved an officer's life
once down there," and he pointed into the southeast, "and his wife
thanked me as though it were a disagreeable duty. I reckon you don't
understand, but I don't like the word gratitude."

"But I do understand," and she stretched out her hand to him across the
opened haversack. "I 'm not so dull, and it must be awful to feel
alone like that, I told you I--I liked you, and--I do. Now remember
that, please, and be good. From now on I am not Major McDonald's
daughter, not even Miss McDonald--I 'm just Molly McDonald."

The gray eyes laughed.

"You are assuming a great risk."

"I don't believe it," her forehead wrinkling a little, but her eyes
bright. "You and I can be friends--can't we?"

"We 'll try, out here, at least. Even if the dream does n't last long,
it will be pleasant to remember."

"You do not think it will last, then?"

He shook his head.

"I would be a fool to hope; I have been in the army too long."

They were still for a minute, the girl's fingers toying with the flap
of the haversack, her eyes gazing across the river. He thought they
were misty.

"I am sorry you are so prejudiced," she said at last slowly, "for I am
not like that at all. I am not going to be ashamed of a friend because
he--he is in the ranks. I shall be only the more proud. What is your
full name?"

He passed his hand over his hair, and laughed.

"They call me 'Brick' Hamlin--a subtle reference to this crown of
glory."

"But it is n't red," she insisted swiftly. "Only it shows a little
bright with the sun on it, and I am not going to call you that. I
don