of Judgment.

McGillicuddy, standing in the moonlight among the riderless horses and
grinning troopers, forestalled criticism by handing out a card on which
a legend was inscribed in large letters.

"Boys," said the Sergeant, solemnly, "there's my rule for all married
men in the service and out av it. It's the Golden Rule of married
life, boys, and it ought to be added to the Articles of War and the
Regulations. Here it is, boys, 'Doant munkey with the buzz saw.'"

Meanwhile, within the vast riding hall the splendid pageant was taking
place. The lofty roof was hung with flags of all nations entwined with
ropes and wreaths of Christmas greens and crimson and gold electric
lights. In the middle of the roof, dark and high, hung a great silken
flag of the United States, with the electric lights so arranged as to
throw a halo of glory upon it. The galleries were full of officers and
ladies in brilliant ball costumes for the ball that was to follow.
Under the galleries the soldiers and their families were massed. Over
the wide entrance door was the musicians' gallery, where the regimental
band, and Neroda, their leader, a handsome Italian, with their gleaming
instruments, made a great splash of vivid color against the sombre
wall. Opposite the entrance was the Commanding Officer's box,
beautifully draped with flags and wreaths of holly. In the box sat the
Colonel and Mrs. Fortescue, both looking wonderfully young and
handsome. The Colonel caught sight of the chaplain peering in at a
window below; the chaplain knew a horse from an automobile, and loved
horses too much for the good of his soul, so he thought. In a moment a
messenger came with the Colonel's compliments and the request for the
chaplain's company, and the chaplain obeyed with alacrity and a joy
almost unholy.

Above the murmur of conversation and laughter the band dominated,
playing soft Italian music. Suddenly and silently, as if in a dream,
the great entrance doors drew apart, the band changed into a great
military fanfare, and a splendid troop of cavalry charged in, the lithe
young troopers and the sleek horses with muscles of steel under their
satin skins, horse and man moving as one. After a dash around the
hall, they proceeded to show what troopers and horses could do. The
soldiers rode bareback and upside down, got on and off the horses in
ways incredible, made pyramids of troopers, the horses galloping at
full speed, stopped like machin