as you supposed, Miss Carden," said Harry,
feeling gently his sore and swollen chin.

"I half led and half dragged you into my house--there was nowhere else
I could take you--and, as you were sinking into a stupor, I managed to
make you lie down on my bed. I bound up your wound, while you were
unconscious, and then I went for Lieutenant Dalton."

"And she saved your life, too, you young wanderer. No doubt of that,"
said Dalton reprovingly. "This is what you get for roaming away from my
care. Lucky you were that an angel like Miss Carden saved you from dying
of exposure. If I didn't know you so well, Harry, I should say that you
had been in some drunken row."

"Oh, no! not that!" exclaimed Miss Carden. "There was no odor of liquor
on his breath."

"I was merely joking, Miss Carden," said Dalton. "Old Harry here is one
of the best of boys, and I'm grateful to you for saving him and coming to
me. If there is any way we can repay you we'll do it."

"I don't want any repayment. We must all help in these times."

"But we won't forget it. We can't. How are you feeling, Harry?"

"My head doesn't throb so hard. The jarred works inside are gradually
getting into place, and I think that in a half-hour I can walk again,
that is, resting upon that stout right arm of yours, George."

"Then we'll go. I've brought an extra coat that will protect you from
the rain."

"You are welcome to stay here!" exclaimed Miss Carden. "Perhaps you'd be
wiser to do so."

"We thank you for such generous hospitality," said Dalton gallantly,
"but it will be best for many reasons that we go back to Mrs. Lanham's
as soon as we can. But first can we ask one favor of you, Miss Carden?"

"Of course."

"That you say nothing of Mr. Kenton's accident. Remember that he was on
military duty and that in the darkness and rain he fell, striking upon
his jaw."

"I'll remember it. Our first impression that he had been struck by
somebody was a mistake, of course. You can depend upon me, both of you.
Neither of you was ever in my house. The incident never occurred."

"But we're just as grateful to you as if it had happened."

A half-hour later they left the cottage, Miss Carden holding open the
door a little to watch them until they were out of sight. But Harry
had recovered his strength and he was able to walk without Dalton's
assistance, although the Virginian kept close by his side in case of
necessity.

"Harry," said Dalton, w