n to criticise the uniform
of a guard standing at a boat-landing, with shoulders erect and a
military air.

'And you, Mr. Lossing, are really one of those superb personages! and
to think that I have never seen you in your panoply of war.'

'Shall I resume it to-morrow?' he asked earnestly.

'For duty? You are not able.'

'But when I am able? When I donned that uniform I was in search of a
new experience; something to take the staleness out of life. I thought
it would give me a view of this great enterprise not to be had by the
cash-paying outsider. But, June, I am willing to dispense with my
panoply of war, and to be a common citizen once more; shall I?'

'Do you wish to?'

'Your will in this matter is my law.'

She laughed musically. '"In this matter?" I am so glad you qualified
that speech. But now, seriously, let me say to you that if you choose
to retain the place you have taken I shall honour you for it. What can
you or any man, in time of peace, do more or better than the work of
these young men? Their work can only be well done by gentlemen.
Courtesy, watchfulness, care for others; help to the old, the weak,
the children; guiding, informing, protecting; making this great
beautiful labyrinth of wonders, that might be so puzzling, so
wearisome, so dangerous, a place of comfort, of safety, of delight. My
friend, when I think what a Babel this place would be without the
Columbian Guard, I am proud of--your uniform.'

'Then you do believe that "a man's a man for a' that?" Thank you,
June.'

'I do, assuredly.'

'And if I tell you that I am a poor man, with only a little money and
just a newly fledged literary knack to stand between me and the sunny
side of life--what then, Princess June?'

'Don't expect to extract one grain of sympathy from me because of any
tale of poverty you may tell, sir. You don't impress me as a young man
who has been ill-used by the world. But that literary knack--do let me
hear more about that;' and her smile changed to a look of eager
interest.

'It's a short tale. About a year ago I made my first attempt as a
journalist--newspaper hack would sound more modest--and I am
succeeding fairly.'

'Then I congratulate you. Anyone can be a millionaire, but a
journalist who succeeds--he wields a power beyond price.'

* * * * *

There was one thing that bade fair to grow troublesome, as I found
myself giving some small portion of almost every day to th