t--that's why I'll need
a little money. I know what to do. I want to lose myself in the
wheat country and forget the--the war. I'll not be afraid of work,
presently.... Now, Miss Burch, you've been so kind--I'm going to ask you
to lend me a little money. I'll pay it back. I can't promise just when.
But some day. Will you?"

"Assuredly I will," she replied, heartily. "I'm happy to have the
opportunity to help you. How much will you need for immediate use? Five
hundred dollars?"

"Oh no, not so much as that," he replied. "Just railroad fare home, and
then to Kansas, and to pay board while I get well, you know, and look
around."

"We'll make it five hundred, anyway," she replied, and, rising, she
went toward the library. "Excuse me a moment." She wrote the check and,
returning, gave it to him.

"You're very good," he said, rather low.

"Not at all," replied Carley. "You have no idea how much it means to me
to be permitted to help you. Before I forget, I must ask you, can you
cash that check here in New York?"

"Not unless you identify me," he said, ruefully, "I don't know anyone I
could ask."

"Well, when you leave here go at once to my bank--it's on Thirty-fourth
Street--and I'll telephone the cashier. So you'll not have any
difficulty. Will you leave New York at once?"

"I surely will. It's an awful place. Two years ago when I came here with
my company I thought it was grand. But I guess I lost something over
there. ... I want to be where it's quiet. Where I won't see many
people."

"I think I understand," returned Carley. "Then I suppose you're in a
hurry to get home? Of course you have a girl you're just dying to see?"

"No, I'm sorry to say I haven't," he replied, simply. "I was glad I
didn't have to leave a sweetheart behind, when I went to France. But it
wouldn't be so bad to have one to go back to now."

"Don't you worry!" exclaimed Carley. "You can take your choice
presently. You have the open sesame to every real American girl's
heart."

"And what is that?" he asked, with a blush.

"Your service to your country," she said, gravely.

"Well," he said, with a singular bluntness, "considering I didn't get
any medals or bonuses, I'd like to draw a nice girl."

"You will," replied Carley, and made haste to change the subject. "By
the way, did you meet Glenn Kilbourne in France?"

"Not that I remember," rejoined Burton, as he got up, rising rather
stiffly by aid of his cane. "I must go, Miss Burch.