that Royce and Foster had,
as though by tacit consent, fallen back, and, _coram publico_, Mr. Hayne
was sole claimant of the regards of her baby sister. There was but one
comfort in the situation: the train was in sight. Forgetful, reckless
for the moment, of what was going on around her, she stood gazing at the
pair. No woman could fail to read the story; no woman could see his
face, his eyes, his whole attitude and expression, and not read therein
that old, old story that grows sweeter with every century of its life.
That he should be inspired with sudden, vehement love for her exquisite
Nell was something she could readily understand; but what--what meant
_her_ downcast eyes, the flutter of color on her soft and rounded cheek,
the shy uplifting of the fringed lids from time to time as though in
response to eager question or appeal? Heavens! would that train _never_
come? The whistle was sounding in the distance, but it would take ages
to drag those heavy Pullmans up the grade from the bridge where they had
yet to stop. She could almost have darted forward, seized her sister by
the wrist, and whispered again the baleful reminder that of late had had
no mention between them,--"Thou art another's;" but in her distress her
weak blue eyes sought her husband's face. He saw it all, and shook his
head. Then there was nothing to be done.

As the train came rumbling finally into the station, she saw him once
more clasp her sister's hand; then, with one long look into the sweet
face that was hidden from her jealous eyes, he raised his forage-cap and
stepped quickly back to where his horse was held. Her husband hastened
to her side:

"Kate, I must speak to him. I don't care how he may take it; I cannot
go without it."

They all watched the tall captain as he strode across the platform.
Every man in uniform seemed to know instinctively that Rayner at last
was seeking to make open reparation for the bitter wrong he had done.
One or two strove to begin a general chat and affect an interest in
something else, for Mrs. Rayner's benefit, but she, with trembling lips,
stood gazing after her husband and seemed to beg for silence. Then all
abandoned other occupation, and every man stood still and watched them.
Hayne had quickly swung into saddle, and had turned for one more look,
when he saw his captain with ashen face striding towards him, and heard
him call his name.

"By Jove!" muttered Ross, "what command that fellow has over hi