K:

I hope you have thought over what I said to you and haven't
planned to do anything foolish. Because, honestly, it can't do
any good. The old people are gone and with them the old
cause. But I have heard rumors on all sides until I am nearly
frightened to death about what you may have stirred up. When
General Otaballo stole in this morning and showed me beneath
his coat that old uniform I knew something serious was meant.

And, Dicky, I don't want to be a queen--even to get revenge
upon the cads who haven't been nice. I don't want to rule;
it's more bother than it's worth; I'm afraid the royal blood
has got pretty well thinned out in me, for I don't feel any
thrill stirring within at the war-cry,--only trembles. I want
to jog along the same old peaceful path and I want you to come
and see me like the dear good friend you've always been. And
if you've got your pockets full of pistols, and your hands
full of swords, throw them away, Dicky, and just jump into a
carriage and come up and have supper with me. I've really been
lonesome for you,--more, to be honest, than I thought I'd be
or than I like to be. It's the woman and not the queen who has
been lonesome, too. So be a good boy and don't get either of
us into trouble, but bring the general to tea with you. We can
fight it all out just as well over the cakes and no one the
wiser.

Yours,
BEATRICE."

Wilson smiled.

"I should think," he said, "that it might be pleasant to--take supper
with her."

Danbury spoke earnestly.

"But a man can't sit and eat cakes while such as she is insulted on
her own streets. A man can't drink tea with her--he must be up and
doing for her. I shall take supper with her when she is a queen in her
own kingdom."

"She doesn't seem to want to be queen."

"But she shall," he exclaimed, "by the grace of God, she shall, within
two days!"

He tore open the missive from General Otaballo, and read aloud the
instructions. But not until the last paragraph did Wilson learn
anything of moment. Then, in a second his whole attitude towards the
campaign was changed.

"In addition to your present interest in this movement, I have news
that ought to spur your men on to added effort; the dogs of
Republicans have arrested and imprisoned an Americ