told you that I had
no difficulty in being taken for a Mexican. I can speak the language and
I don't look unlike one. This isn't an entirely new idea on my part, for
I have been thinking and planning what I should do if my exemption claim
were refused. I tell you I can not endure a soldier's existence, the
dirt and the hard work and the discipline and then worse, blood and
suffering and death. For even if all this does not come to me, I must
see it. Oh, I know I am not a _man_, Gerry, and you probably despise me
for feeling like this. But I can not help it. I was born for beauty and
happiness, for music and--well, we are not all made alike."

"No, Felipe, I don't despise you; I think I understand," Gerry replied
instantly. But there was no question with her of understanding. She was
thinking of Felipe's happiness, of his safety. "Isn't it pretty
dangerous what you are planning to do? If you are caught won't you be
imprisoned?" she asked.

Felipe nodded. "Yes, but I am going to take the chance. It is worth the
danger to me."

"You are intending to say good-by to me tonight then?" Gerry questioned.
"I am glad you told me. No one in the world will ever be able to force
your secret from me."

"Then you could be brave for my sake?" Felipe demanded.

But when Gerry did not answer, he began walking impatiently up and down
within a few feet of her.

"I don't know what to say or do, Gerry," he continued after a moment. "I
am not a rogue and I do not want to do you an injustice. But you told me
once that you had no people of your own, that your father is dead and
that your mother always has left you in common boarding houses, with no
one to look after you, since you were a tiny girl. You told me that you
had no real friend until Mrs. Burton took a fancy to you and has tried
to give you some happiness. Now I can't bear the thought of your going
so far away to live by yourself when I care for you so much. After
tonight we may never even be able to see each other again in many years.
Still I realize that you are very young, Gerry, and the fact that I am
four or five years older makes the whole thing much more my
responsibility than yours. Besides there is the danger of your crossing
into Mexico with me and being forced to live there, one cannot say how
long."

Gerry appeared utterly bewildered and unhappy. "But what do you mean,
Felipe? I don't think I understand you."

"I mean I am asking you to marry me, Gerry." Felipe