knew were fixed upon her. "I mean that both are in the
army."

"Well--I thought not--still--I didn't know. It's all rather new to me,
this dealin' with soldiers, but I suppose I'll get to know all about it
after a spell. Our society's getting much encouraged."

"Red Cross?" queried Miss Ray, with uplifted brows and evident interest,
yet a suspicion of incredulity.

"Well, same thing, only _we_ don't propose to levy contributions right
and left like they do. I am vice-president of the Society of Patriotic
Daughters of America, you know. I thought perhaps your father might
have told you. And our association is self-sustaining, at least it
will be as soon as we are formally recognized by the government. You
know the Red Cross hasn't any real standing, whereas our folks expect
the President to issue the order right away, making us part of the
regular hospital brigade. Now, your father was very encouraging, though
some officers we talked to were too stuck up to be decent. When I
called on General Drayton he just as much as up and told me we'd only
be in the way."

Just here, it must be owned, Miss Ray found it necessary to dive under
the table for a handkerchief which she had not dropped.

Mr. Stuyvesant, ignoring the teachings of his childhood and gazing over
the rim of his coffee-cup, observed that she was with difficulty
concealing her merriment. Then, all of a sudden, her face, that had been
so full of radiance, became suddenly clouded by concern and distress.
The door at the head of the car had swung suddenly open and remained so,
despite the roar and racket of the wheels and the sweep of dust and
cinders down the aisle. The steward glanced up from his cupboard
opposite the kitchen window at the rear, and quickly motioned to some
one to shut that door. A waiter sprang forward, and then came the
steward himself. The look in the girl's face was enough for Stuyvesant.
He whirled about to see what had caused it, and became instantly aware
of a stout-built soldier swaying uneasily at the entrance and in thick
tones arguing with the waiter. He saw at a glance the man had been
drinking, and divined he was there to get more liquor. He was on the
point of warning the steward to sell him none, but was saved the
trouble. The steward bent down and whispered:

"This makes the second time he's come in since six o'clock. I refused to
let him have a drop. Can't something be done to keep him out? We can't
lock the door, you know,