hee,
Come, with a trust still unshaken,
Come back a captive to me.
Come back in sadness or sorrow,
Once more my darling to be.

Come as of old, love, to borrow
Glimpses of sunlight from me.
Love shall resume her dominion,
Striving no more to be free,
When on her world-weary pinion,
Flies back my lost love to me.

"Good, Major, good," exclaimed Tucker heartily, as the applause rang
out. "Do sing again, Miss Newton?"

Miss Metoaca answered for Nancy. "Not to-night, Captain Tucker. We have
had a trying day and are completely worn out. With your permission we
will go to our tent."

"Of course, Miss Newton," exclaimed Tucker, springing to his feet. "You
and your niece are at liberty to walk about the camp, provided you do
not approach the picket line."

"Thanks," Miss Metoaca's tone was dry. "Coming, Nancy? Good night,
gentlemen," and she stalked to her temporary shelter with as much
dignity as the uneven ground permitted.

Nancy rose, bade Tucker a courteous good night and, accompanied by
Goddard, followed her aunt.

"Good night, Major," she said, and turned to enter the canvas shelter.

Goddard took her half extended hand in both of his.

"One moment," he implored, in so low a tone that she barely heard the
words. "Did you intend that song to have an especial meaning for me?
_Did you?_"

Nancy simply bowed her head in an affirmative.

Goddard drew a deep breath. His eyes scanned her face yearningly.

"No man or circumstance shall part us," he said grimly.

"You forget, sir, that it is my privilege to choose my friends and
acquaintances."

The accent on the last word was unmistakable. Goddard paled under his
tan.

"Do you dislike me?" he demanded.

"Yes."

Goddard could not see the effort the monosyllable cost her. In bitter
disappointment he dropped her hand. As Nancy turned abruptly away she
tripped over the root of a tree. Instantly Goddard caught and steadied
her. Her soft hair brushed his cheek ... one breathless moment ... he
clasped her in his arms and showered kisses on the face pressed against
his shoulder. Desperately Nancy wrenched herself free and disappeared
inside the tent. With shining eyes and bounding pulse he rejoined
Tucker and Lloyd by the camp fire.

Some hours later Goddard awoke from an uneasy sleep. At first,
bewildered by his surroundings, he lay without moving; then gradually
the occurrences of that day recurred to him.