I said about you, and that is not all I
think, either. Would you like to hear some more."

"I don't care what you think about me. That will do me no harm. But if
you desire to retain your beauty I would advise you to keep it to
yourself. You probably know what I think of you, you cowardly assassin."
Ted spoke these words in a tone intended only for the ears of Barrows
himself.

"What do you mean?" stammered the young officer, pale as death.

"You know. You missed my heart at the beef issue by an inch or two, but
you were seen, you cur, and you can't lie out of it. If I were to tell
it, you would be drummed out of the army, and every place else where
there are square men. Keep away from me and mine in every way, and
especially with your filthy tongue. If you do not, I'll break you."

Barrows uttered an unspeakable epithet to Ted under his breath.

A loud crack sounded far enough to reach the ears of those in the
library, and bring the broncho boys to their feet. Across the white face
of Lieutenant Barrows were the crimson finger marks left by Ted Strong.

Without a word the lieutenant swung on his heel, and walked down the
steps, mounted his horse, and rode away.

In the doorway stood a young girl who looked at his going with wide
eyes. She was very pale, but as Barrows rode away without a word or a
glance backward, a flush slowly mounted to her forehead.

She turned and threw her arms around the neck of Stella, for it was
Hallie Croffut who had seen the blow delivered.

"He didn't even offer to resent the blow," sobbed Hallie. "Is it
possible that he is a coward?"

"There, dear, I wouldn't worry about him," said Stella soothingly. "It
was very wrong for Ted to do so."

Ted, who was standing near, also watching the departing lieutenant with
some surprise, heard these words and turned to look at the girls.

He smiled, however, when he heard Stella trying to comfort Hallie by
blaming him, for over the shoulder of the crying girl his girl pard
winked at him with a smile that assured him that, no matter what she
said, she thought that whatever happened he was all right.

"Say," drawled Bud to the other boys, "Ted put ther bloom o' youth on
Clarence's cheek, didn't he?"

"He certainly did," said Ben, "and probably saved Clarence from getting
a good, stout punch on the nose from me."

Ben held up for inspection a fist as big as a picnic ham, and worked it
around as if it was fitted to a toggle joint.

"He d