more reasons than his office, a welcome guest wherever he went.
Snaffle shot a warning glance at his wife, which fell, as he said,
"unaided."

"It's Bobby Lanier, meejor, only you mustn't sp--refer--to it." Mrs.
Snaffle, when self-controlled, discreetly shunned such vowels as
betrayed her origin, a totally useless precaution, since all men knew it
and liked her none the less.

"Lanier? Oh, yes, I thought it was Bob I saw a while ago streaking it
across the parade. It's bright as day in the moonlight with the snow.
What's Bob got to do with frightening folk?" And now he was shaking
hands with all three.

"Something very unfortunate has happened, major," said Mrs. Button. "Mr.
Lanier was officer-of-the-guard and asked to attend the dance, Mr.
Trotter offering to take charge of the guard. Colonel Button felt
compelled to decline, and--he came any way. You know, of course, _that_
couldn't be overlooked."

"H'm," said Scott gravely and reflectively. "And who is so frightened?"

"Miriam Arnold; a very charming girl who is visiting the Sumters.
Indeed, it looks as though she cared for him. It's no secret that he's
in love with _her_."

"Ah, yes. Well, then, it was she I saw getting into the Fosters' sleigh
at the side door."

"Oh, I think not! I _hope_ not!" cried Mrs. Button, a flush mounting to
her face. "I wanted to say a reassuring word after a little----"

But at the moment Mrs. Sumter was seen coming forth from the
dressing-room. Half a dozen women were upon her at once with sympathetic
inquiries. To these she spoke briefly, yet courteously, and, escaping on
the arm of the regimental quartermaster, came straightway to Mrs.
Button.

"You will forgive my girls for not saying good-night," she cordially
spoke. "Miriam has been quite upset by a letter from home; and this
little--episode--this evening, which she cannot understand as we do, has
so unstrung her that Mrs. Foster offered to send them over home in her
sleigh. The side door had been barred, but Mr. Horton pried it open for
them, so they had no need to come this way, and face everybody--and
explain."

"You know how sorry I am," said Mrs. Button. "Of course they are
excusable for leaving as they did. Why, where are the others going?"

The music had suddenly stopped. There was a scurry on the part of the
men at the anteroom. Several had run to the entrance. Others were
following. Some one among the women, with startled eyes and paling face,
sprang up sa