d not tell Mike when he got home. He was so jealous of
her.

To this part of her statement Mrs. Clancy stoutly adhered; but the
officers believed Kate.

One other thing she told. Kate had declared he wore a heavy patch on his
right cheek and temple. Yes, Mrs. Clancy remembered it. Some scoundrels
had sought to rob him in Denver. He had to fight for life and money
both, and his share of the honors of the fray was a deep and clean cut
extending across the cheek-bone and up above the right ear.

As these family revelations were told throughout the garrison and
comment of every kind was made thereon, there is reason for the belief
that Mrs. Buxton found no difficulty in filling her letters with
particulars of deep interest to her readers, who by this time had
carried out the programme indicated by Captain Rayner. Mid-June had
come; the ladies, apparently benefited by the sea-voyage, had landed in
New York and were speedily driven to their old quarters at the
Westminster; and while the captain went to head-quarters of the
department to report his arrival on leave and get his letters, a card
was sent up to Miss Travers which she read with cheeks that slightly
paled:

"He is here, Kate."

"Nellie, you--you won't throw him over, after all he has done and borne
for you?"

"I shall keep my promise," was the answer.

XX.

"And so she's really going to marry Mr. Van Antwerp", said Mrs. Buxton
to Mrs. Waldron a few days later in the month of sunshine and roses.

"I did not think it possible when she left," was the reply. "Why do you
say so now?"

"Oh, Mrs. Rayner writes that the captain had to go to Washington on
some important family matters, and that she and Nellie were at the
sea-shore again, and Mr. Van Antwerp was with them from morning till
night. He looked so worn and haggard, she said, that Nellie could not
but take pity on him. Heavens! think of having five hundred thousand
dollars sighing its life away for you!--especially when he's handsome.
Mrs. Rayner made me promise to send it right back, because he would
never give her one before, but she sent his picture. It's splendid.
Wait, and I'll show you." And Mrs. Buxton darted into the house.

When she reappeared, three or four young cavalrymen were at the gate,
chatting with Mrs. Waldron, and the picture was passed from hand to
hand, exciting varied comment. It was a simple _carte de visite_, of the
style once spoken of as vignette,--only the head and