speech really lifted me off my feet, but while I was
thinking what response to make, I came down to earth with a
bounce.

"Since the telegram's done," said Lord Ralles to Miss Cullen, in
a cool, almost commanding tone, "suppose we take a walk."

"I don't think I care to this morning," answered Madge.

"I think you had better," insisted his lordship, with such a
manner that I felt inclined to knock him down.

To my surprise, Madge seemed to hesitate, and finally said,
"I'll walk up and down the platform, if you wish."

Lord Ralles nodded, and they went out, leaving me in a state of
mingled amazement and rage at the way he had cut me out. Try as I
would, I wasn't able to hit upon any theory that supplied a
solution to the conduct of either Lord Ralles or Miss Cullen,
unless they were engaged and Miss Cullen displeased him by her
behavior to me. But Madge seemed such an honest, frank girl that
I'd have believed anything sooner than that she was only playing
with me.

If I was perplexed, I wasn't going to give Lord Ralles the right
of way, and as soon as I had made certain that the telegram was
safely started I joined the walkers. I don't think any of us
enjoyed the hour that followed, but I didn't care how miserable I
was myself, so long as I was certain that I was blocking Lord
Ralles; and his grumpiness showed very clearly that my presence
did that. As for Madge, I couldn't make her out. I had always
thought I understood women a little, but her conduct was beyond
understanding.

Apparently Miss Cullen didn't altogether relish her position, for
presently she said she was going to the car. "I'm sure you and
Lord Ralles will be company enough for each other," she
predicted, giving me a flash of her eyes which showed them full
of suppressed merriment, even while her face was grave.

In spite of her prediction, the moment she was gone Lord Ralles
and I pulled apart about as quickly as a yard-engine can split a
couple of cars.

I moped around for an hour, too unsettled mentally to do anything
but smoke, and only waiting for an invitation or for some excuse
to go into 218. About eleven o'clock I obtained the latter in
another telegram, and went into the car at once.

"Telegram received," I read triumphantly. "A detail of two
companies of the Twelfth Cavalry, under the command of Captain
Singer, is ordered to Ash Forks, and will start within an hour,
arriving at five o'clock. C. D. OLMSTEAD, Adjutant."

"That w