nty step, and ears and tail erect, was
making a leisurely inspection of the premises, sniffing about the few
benches and chairs with which the bare room was burdened, and
reconnoitring the door leading to the hall-way with evident desire to
extend her researches in that direction. Presently that very door
opened, and in came two or three bundles of fur in masculine shape, and
with them two shaggy deer-hounds, who darted straight at the kitten.
There was a sudden flurry and scatter, a fury of spits and scratching, a
yelp of pain from one brute with lacerated nose, a sudden recoil of both
hounds, and then a fiery rush through the open door-way in pursuit of
puss. After the first gallant instinct of battle her nerve had given
out, and she had sought safety in flight.

"Oh, don't let them hurt her!" cried Miss Travers, as she darted into
the hall and gazed despairingly up the stairway to the second story,
whither the dogs had vanished like a flash. Two of the young officers
sped to the rescue and turned the wrong way. Mrs. Rayner and the captain
followed her into the hall. A rush of canine feet and an excited chorus
of barks and yelps were heard aloft; then a stern voice ordering, "Down,
you brutes!" a sudden howl as though in response to a vigorous kick, and
an instant later, bearing the kitten, ruffled, terrified, and wildly
excited, yet unharmed, there came springing lightly down the steps the
young man in civilian dress who was their fellow-traveller on the
Pullman. Without a word he gave his prize into the dainty hands
outstretched to receive it, and, never stopping an instant, never
listening to the eager words of thanks from her pretty lips, he darted
back as quickly as he came, leaving Miss Travers suddenly stricken dumb.

Captain Rayner turned sharply on his heel and stepped back into the
waiting-room. Mr. Ross nudged a brother lieutenant and whispered, "By
gad! that's awkward for Midas!" The two subalterns who had taken the
wrong turn at the top of the stairs reappeared there just as the
rescuer shot past them on his way back, and stood staring, first after
his disappearing form, and then at each other. Miss Travers, with wonder
and relief curiously mingled in her sweet face, clung to her restored
kitten and gazed vacantly up the stairs.

Mrs. Rayner looked confusedly from one to the other, quickly noting the
constraint in the manner of every officer present and the sudden
disappearance of her husband. There was