ed for the court was seriously ill, and directing Major
Waldron to take his place. So it resulted in the post being left to the
command of the senior captain present for duty; and that man was Captain
Buxton. He had never had so big a command before in all his life.

Major Waldron of course had to go home and make his preparations. Mr.
Hayne, therefore, had brief opportunity to speak with him. It was seen,
however, that they had a short talk together on the major's piazza, and
that when they parted the major shook him warmly and cordially by the
hand. Rayner, Buxton, Ross, and some juniors happened to be coming down
along the walk at the moment, and, seeing them, as though with pointed
meaning the major called out, so that all could hear,--

"By the way, Hayne, I wish you would drop in occasionally while I'm gone
and take Mrs. Waldron out for a walk or drive: my horses are always at
your service. And--a--I'll write to you about that matter the moment
I've had a chance to talk with the colonel,--to-morrow, probably."

And Hayne touched his cap in parting salute, and went blithely off with
brightened eye and rising color.

Buxton glowered after him a moment, and conversation suddenly ceased in
their party. Finally he blurted out,--

"Strikes me your major might do a good deal better by himself and his
regiment by standing up for its _morale_ and discipline than by openly
flaunting his favoritism for convicts in our faces. If I were in your
regiment I'd cut _him_."

"You wouldn't have to," muttered one of the group to his neighbor: "the
cut would have been on the other side long ago." And the speaker was
Buxton's own subaltern.

Rayner said nothing. His eyes were troubled and anxious, and he looked
after Hayne with an expression far more wearied than vindictive.

"The major is fond of music, captain," said Mr. Ross, with mischievous
intent. "He hasn't been to the club since the night you sang 'Eileen
Alanna.' That was about the time Hayne's piano came."

"Yes," put in Foster, "Mrs. Waldron says he goes and owls Hayne now
night after night just to hear him play."

"It would be well for him, then, if he kept a better guard on Mr.
Hayne's _other_ visitors," said Buxton, with a black scowl. "I don't
know how you gentlemen in the Riflers look upon such matters, but in the
----th the man who dared to introduce a woman of the town into his
quarters would be kicked out in short order."

"You don't mean to say that anyb