tain. "Mr. Bryce, the British consul has full
information about me. I am a captain in the ---- Regiment. I am on sick
leave, wounded at Ypres."

Wally put out his hand and grasped O'Leary's.

"I'll have a talk with the Consul this afternoon, but if Isabelle likes
you as well as I do, your case is safe right now."

Isabelle fell upon Wally and hugged him. The next victim was Miss Watts.

"I know you'll be happy, my dear. You know how to take care of her,
Captain O'Leary."

"Trust me," he said.

Isabelle went and stood in front of her mother.

"Well?" said Isabelle.

"I think you ought to kiss me, don't you?"

She did.

"It is ridiculous for you to be engaged before you're out," remarked
Mrs. Bryce.

"Max, I never intended to come out. I made up my mind about that long
ago."

Max shrugged her shoulders and held out a hand to Larry.

"I'm glad we are going to have such a handsome person in the family,"
she said.

He bowed over the hand.

"Ye're remindin' me that 'handsome is as handsome does.' I invite ye to
watch me."

She laughed.

"Don't talk any nonsense about getting married, for this child is only
eighteen."

"I'm expectin' my orders any day," he said, turning to the girl.

"To go back--there?" she cried.

He nodded. She went to stand in the circle of his arm.

"Max, when Larry goes, I go with him, if it is to-morrow," she
said--quietly, firmly.

* * * * *

No more was said about it at that time, but it was an issue that had to
be faced very shortly. Two halcyon weeks followed for the lovers, and
then for Larry a summons came. He brought the news to her one afternoon.
When he came into the room she knew. She went into his arms with a
little cry--

"Dearest, when?"

He held her close for a moment.

"I must sail on Saturday, belovedest."

He felt the shiver that went through her, but she made no protest.

"I can be ready," she said.

"Little love, I've been thinkin', maybe ye'd better not go. Maybe ye'd
better stay here and wait for me."

"I'll wait for you, just as close to those dreadful trenches as they'll
let me come!" she said, fiercely.

She summoned the family and told them the news. She wished to be
married on the morrow and sail with her boy on Saturday.

"But you've got no clothes!" protested Max.

"We'll be married to-morrow at five, Max; here or in a church, whichever
you say."

"Here, of course," said Wally.

"We