which was now filling up with strings of carriages
from the city. We could see men now putting down the dancing floor. The
sun was sinking. From somewhere came the faint sound of band music,
muffled behind the buildings.

"Evening gun!" said Stevenson presently, and we arose and saluted as the
jet of smoke burst from a field piece and the roar of the report brought
the flag fluttering down. Then came strains of a regimental band,
breaking out into the national air; after which the music slid into a
hurrying medley, and presently closed in the sweet refrain of "Robin
Adair," crooning in brass and reeds as though miles away. Twilight began
to fall, and the lamps winked out here and there. The sound of wheels
and hoofs upon the gravel came more often. Here and there a bird
twittered gently in the trees along the walks; and after a time music
came again and again, for four bands now were stationed at the four
corners of the Parade. (And always the music began of war and deeds, and
always it ended in some soft love strain.) Groups gathered now upon the
balconies near the marquees which rose upon the Parade. Couples strolled
arm in arm. The scene spoke little enough of war's alarms or of life's
battles and its sadness.

A carriage passed with two gentlemen, and drew up at the Officers' Club.
"Billy Williams, adjutant," commented Captain Stevenson lazily. "Who's
the other?"

"Yes, who's the tall one?" asked Kitty, as the gentlemen descended from
the carriage. "Good figure, anyhow; wonder if he dances."

"Coming over, I believe," said Stevenson, for now the two turned our
way. Stevenson rose to greet his fellow officer, and as the latter
approached our stoop, I caught a glance at his companion.

It was Gordon Orme!

Orme was as much surprised on his own part. After the presentations all
around he turned to me with Kitty Stevenson. "My dear Madam," he said,
"you have given me the great pleasure of meeting again my shadow, Mr.
Cowles, of Virginia. There is where I supposed him now, back home in
Virginia."

"I should expect to meet Mr. Orme if I landed on the moon," I replied.

"Er--Captain Orme," murmured Adjutant Williams to me gently.

So then my preacher had turned captain since I saw him last!

"You see, Stevenson," went on Williams easily, "Captain Orme was
formerly with the British Army. He is traveling in this country for a
little sport, but the old ways hang to him. He brings letters to our
Colonel, who's off