was hard to have to tell
her he must go again and at once, hard to have to bid her help him in
his hurried preparations, when she longed to throw herself in his arms
and be comforted. He tried to smile as he entered the gate, and thereby
cracked the brittle, sun-dried court plaster with which a sergeant had
patched his cheek at the stables. The would-be glad-some grin started
the blood again, and it trickled down and splashed on his breast where
poor Nan longed to pillow her bonny head, and the sight of it, despite
her years of frontier training, made her sick and faint. He caught her
in his left arm, laughing gayly, and drew her to the other side. "Got
the mate to that scoop of Billy's," he cried, holding forth his other
hand to Mrs. Ray. "'Tisn't so deep, perhaps, but 'twill serve, 'twill
do, and I'll crow over him to-night. Come in with us, Mrs. Ray. I--I've
something to show you."

"One minute," said that wise young matron. "Let me tell the children
where to find me. Sandy and Billy are on post at the telescope. They
wouldn't leave it even for luncheon." With that she vanished, and
husband and wife were alone.

"You must go, Gerald," she sobbed--"I know it, but--isn't there _some_
way?--Won't Captain Dade send more men with you?"

"If he did, Nan, they'd only hamper me with horses that drag behind. Be
brave, little woman. Webb has swept the way clear by this time! Come, I
need your help."

And the door closed on the soldier and his young wife. They never saw
that Nanette Flower, in saddle, was riding swiftly up the row, and, for
the first time since her coming to Frayne, without an escort. Dade
reappeared upon his front gallery in time to greet her, but Esther,
after one quick glance, had darted again within. Dade saw unerringly
that Miss Flower was in no placid frame of mind. Her cheeks were pale;
her mouth had that livid look that robbed her face of all beauty; but
her eyes were full and flashing with excitement.

"What news, captain?" she hailed, and the joyous, silvery ring had gone
from her voice. "They tell me Captain Blake is back--two horses
crippled, two men hit, including himself."

"His own share is a scratch he wouldn't think of mentioning outside the
family, Miss Flower," answered Dade, with grim civility. He had his
reasons for disapproving of the young woman; yet they were not such as
warranted him in showing her the least discourtesy. He walked to his
gate and met her at the curb beyond and s