he remained a man, a young man, swayed by those emotions which
when at full tide sweep aside all else appertaining to life.

Just now the vision of that tantalizing girl continued to haunt his
memory, and would not down even to the glorious hope of a coming
campaign. The mystery surrounding her, her reticence, the muttered
insinuation dropping from the unguarded lips of Murphy, merely served
to render her the more attractive, while her own naive witchery of
manner, and her seemingly unconscious coquetry, had wound about him a
magic spell, the full power of which as yet remained but dimly
appreciated. His mind lingered longingly upon the marvel of the dark
eyes, while the cheery sound of that last rippling outburst of laughter
reechoed in his ears like music.

His had been a lonely life since leaving West Point and joining his
regiment--a life passed largely among rough men and upon the desolate
plains. For months at a time he had known nothing of refinement, nor
enjoyed social intercourse with the opposite sex; life had thus grown
as barren and bleak as those desert wastes across which he rode at the
command of his superiors. For years the routine of his military duties
had held him prisoner, crushing out the dreams of youth. Yet, beneath
his mask of impassibility, the heart continued to beat with fierce
desire, biding the time when it should enjoy its own sweet way.
Perhaps that hour had already dawned; certainly something new,
something inspiring, had now come to awaken an interest unfelt before,
and leave him idly dreaming of shadowed eyes and flushed, rounded
cheeks.

He was in this mood when he overtook the Rev. Howard Wynkoop and marked
the thoughtful look upon his pale face.

"I called at your camp," explained Wynkoop, after the first words of
greeting had been exchanged, "as soon as I learned you were here in
command, but only to discover your absence. The sergeant, however, was
very courteous, and assured me there would be no difficulty in
arranging a religious service for the men, unless sudden orders should
arrive. No doubt I may rely on your cooeperation."

"Most certainly," was the cordial response, "and I shall also permit
those desiring to attend your regular Sunday services so long as we are
stationed here. How is your work prospering?"

"There is much to encourage me, but spiritual progress is slow, and
there are times when my faith falters and I feel unworthy of the
service in which I a