t of
view, it's quite easy."

Flora Schuyler smiled satirically. "I fancy I do, though I may be
mistaken. Subtleties of this kind are, as you suggest, beyond the average
woman."

"You are laughing at me, and it's quite likely I deserve it. We will talk
of something else. I was telling you about the cavalry officer."

"No," said Hetty, "I don't think you were."

"Then I meant to. He has just come up from the Apache country--a kind of
quiet man, with a good deal in him and a way of making you listen when you
once start him talking. We half expect him here this evening, and if he
comes, I want you to be nice to him. You could make him believe we are in
the right quite easily."

"From the Apache country?" and Flora Schuyler glanced at Hetty.

Allonby nodded. "New Mexico, Arizona, or somewhere there. Now, just when
you were beginning to listen, there's Mr. Torrance wanting me."

He rose with evident reluctance, and Miss Schuyler sat reflectively silent
when he moved away.

"What are you thinking of?" asked Hetty sharply.

"That the United States is not after all such a very big country. One is
apt to run across a friend everywhere."

Hetty did not answer, but Miss Schuyler knew that she was also wondering
about the cavalry officer, when half an hour later it became evident, from
the sounds outside, that a sleigh had reached the door, and when a little
further time had passed Allonby ushered a man in blue uniform into the
room. Hetty set her lips when she saw him.

"Oh!" said Miss Schuyler. "I felt quite sure of it. This is the kind of
thing that not infrequently happens, and it is only the natural sequence
that he should turn up on the opposite side to Larry."

"Flo," said Hetty sharply, "what do you mean?"

"Well," she said lazily, "I fancy that you should know better than I do. I
have only my suspicions and some little knowledge of human nature to guide
me. Now, of course, you convinced us that you didn't care for Cheyne, but
we have only your word to go upon in regard to Larry."

Hetty turned upon her with a flash in her eyes. "Don't try to make me
angry, Flo. It's going to be difficult to meet him as it is."

"I don't think you need worry," and Flora Schuyler laughed. "He is
probably cured by this time, and has found somebody else. They usually do.
That ought to please you."

In the meantime, Allonby and the man he was presenting to his friends were
drawing nearer. Hetty rose when the pair stopped in f