tain peered excitedly around from under his shaggy cap. Oddly, too,
his face was paling.

"He left as soon as I took charge. I don't know where he's gone; but
it's God's mercy he was with these poor fellows. His skill and care have
done everything for them. Where did he get his knowledge?"

"I've no idea," said Captain Rayner, gruffly, and in evident ill humor.
"He is the last man I expected to see this day or for days to come. Is
there anything else I can do, doctor?"

"Nothing, thank you, captain." And the little surgeon hastened back to
his charges, followed by some of the younger officers, eager to be of
assistance in caring for their disabled comrades. Rayner himself
hesitated a moment, then turned about and trudged heavily back along the
wind-swept platform. The train had pulled away, and was out of sight in
the whirl of snow over the Western prairies. He went to his own
substantial wagon, and shouted to the driver, who sat muffled in buffalo
fur on the box,--

"Get around there to the freight-house and report to the doctor. There
are a lot of frozen cavalrymen to be taken out to the hospital. Don't
try to come back for us to-night: we'll stay here in town. Send the
quartermaster's team in for the trunks as soon as the storm is over and
the road clear. That's all."

Then he rejoined the party at the waiting-room of the station, and Mrs.
Rayner noted instantly that all the cheeriness had gone and that a cloud
had settled on his face. She was a shrewd observer, and she knew him
well. Something more serious than a mishap to a squad of soldiers had
brought about the sudden change. He was all gladness, all rejoicing and
delight, when he clasped her and his baby boy in his arms but ten
minutes before, and now--something had occurred to bring him serious
discomfort. She rested her hand on his arm and looked questioningly in
his face. He avoided her glance, and quickly began to talk. She saw
that he desired to answer no questions just then, and wisely refrained.

Meantime, Miss Travers was chatting blithely with two young gallants who
had returned to her side, and who had thrown off their heavy furs and
now stood revealed in their becoming undress uniforms. Mr. Ross had gone
to look over the rooms which the host of the railway hotel had offered
for the use of the party; the baby was yielding to the inevitable and
gradually condescending to notice the efforts of Mr. Foster to scrape
acquaintance; the kitten, with dai