m, in this war."

Zaidos saw that she was deep in one of the black moods that sometimes
comes over the sunniest natures.

"Well, never mind," he said. "You are going to tell me who you are,
and all about things, and we are going to have the nicest sort of a
visit, if we sit up all night."

"I shall have to sit up anyway," said Helen. "I'm on night duty."

"Well, then so am I," said Zaidos, "so begin!"

"Our home is in Devonshire," said Helen. "My father is rector of a
large parish there. Everything for miles and miles around belongs to
the Earl of Hazelden. He has three children, a girl and two boys, and
we grew up together. We liked the same sports, and enjoyed the same
pleasures. The daughter, Marion, who is only a year younger than I am,
went to school with me near London, and afterwards to France where we
were perfected in languages. My sister is four years younger than I,
so in those days she did not really count. I forgot to say that my
mother was well born, and had a large fortune in her own name, so we
were able to live better and have more luxuries than a clergyman can
usually provide. Of course we lived simply, but we could afford the
best and most exclusive schools, and I had horses to ride that were
exactly as good as the Hazelden children's.

"At last Marion and I returned from school, our education finished.
Ellston Hazelden, the eldest son, was in the army, of course, and
Frank, the second, was in London studying law. At Christmas Ellston
came home on leave, and Frank came down from London. Oh, John, I wish
you knew Ellston! He is the finest--there is _no_ one like him! Of
course _any_ girl would have fallen in love with him. I did. Oh, I
did indeed! I shall never see him again, John, and I am not ashamed to
tell you how I loved him and how I will always love him."

"Well, then--" interrupted Zaidos.

She silenced him. "Let me tell you the rest. I loved him, and when he
told me that he loved me and wanted me to marry him, it seemed the
sweetest, most natural thing in the world. I suppose here you think
will come in the dark plot of the simple rector's daughter, and the
haughty Earl who thinks she is not good enough for his son and heir.
It was not a _bit_ like that. Lord and Lady Hazelden were adorable.
They came and welcomed me with open arms, and Lord Hazelden said he had
been planning it ever since we were little tots!

"John, it just seemed as though they could not do en