ay that
made it seem ridiculous that he should be grown-up and in uniform.

"They can't both be dukes," said Jim literally. "Can't grow more than
one in a family; at least not at the same time, I believe."

"Oh, well, it doesn't matter--and anyhow, the one in the pram's a
duchess," returned Wally. "I say, the duke's fallen in love with you,
Jim."

"The duke," a curly-haired person in a white coat, hesitated on the
footpath near the two subalterns, then mustering his courage, came
close to Jim and gravely presented him with his Teddy-bear. Jim
received the gift as gravely, and shook hands with the small boy, to
his great delight.

"Thanks, awfully," he said. "It's a splendid Teddy, isn't it?"

The nurse, greatly scandalized, swooped down upon her charge,
exhorting him to be ashamed, now, and not worry the gentleman. But
the "duke" showed such distress when Jim attempted to return the
Teddy-bear that the matter had to be adjusted by distracting his
attention in the direction of some drilling soldiers, while Wally
concealed the toy under the embroidered rug which protected the plump
legs of the "duchess"--who submitted with delighted gurgles to being
tickled under the chin. They withdrew reluctantly, urged by the still
horrified nurse.

"See what it is to be beautiful and have the glad eye!" jeered Wally.
"Dukes never give _me_ Teddy-bears!"

"It's my look of benevolent age," Jim said, grinning. "Anyhow, young
Wally, if you'll stop beguiling the infant peerage, and attend to
business, I'll be glad. We'll have Norah and Dad here presently."

"I'm all attention," said his friend. "But there's nothing more to be
said than that it _is_ rum, is there? And we said that."

"Norah gave me a letter from poor old O'Neill to show you," Jim said.
"I'll read it, if you like."

The merriment that was never very far from Wally Meadows' eyes died
out as his chum unfolded a sheet of paper, closely written.

"He wrote it in the hotel in Carrignarone, I suppose?" he asked
gently.

"Yes; just after dinner on the night of the fight. You see, he was
certain he wasn't coming back. Anyhow, this is what he says:

*****

"My Dear Norah,--

"If I am alive after to-night you will not get this letter: it is
only to come to you if I shall have 'gone West.' And please don't
worry if I do go West. You see, between you all you have managed
almost to make me forget that I am just an apology for a man. I did
not think it