efore you go? Then come
to meet the prettiest girl in Cape Town."

For an instant, Weldon hesitated. Then, reassured by the direction
taken by his guide, he followed, while the strains of the waltz came
ever more distinctly to his ears. His companion craned his neck to
reconnoitre.

"She is dancing now; but she will be through in a moment. There," he
added, as the music rose to a crashing finale; "that is over, and,
by George, here she is! Miss Dent, may I introduce another war-worn
veteran, Mr. Weldon?"

The shock came so suddenly that neither of them had an opportunity
to prepare to resist it. It was Weldon who spoke first, however, and
his voice was level, for he was generous enough to take none of the
advantage which so plainly was all upon his side.

"Miss Dent and I are old acquaintances," he said quietly.

Fortunately the captain was garrulous.

"Another proof of the smallness of the world," he said jovially. "In
time, I shall learn the futility of introductions. One is always
pointing out next-door neighbors to each other's notice. By the way,
Weldon, didn't you know Frazer rather well? I used to meet him at
your house so often, Miss Dent."

Ethel's fingers shut upon the sticks of her fan.

"Yes," she assented. "Captain Frazer was one of our best friends."

All at once, the face of the young captain grew grave.

"I remember now," he said quite slowly. "But his loss was a sorrow
to us all. His place can never be entirely filled."

There came a momentary pause. Then, as the captain's broad shoulders
vanished in the heart of the crowd, Weldon turned and looked Ethel
squarely between the eyes.

"Believe me, Miss Dent," he said simply; "this is none of my doing."

She made no pretence of misunderstanding him. Instead of that, her
quiet voice was full of bitterness, as she gave brief answer,--

"Quite obviously, Mr. Weldon."

"Thank you for doing me that justice," he said, after an instant
when their meeting eyes flashed like meeting blades of steel.
"Stuart had no notion that he was making a mess of things."

She faced him a little proudly.

"I am unable to see what mess he can have made, Mr. Weldon. It is
always a pleasure to meet an old acquaintance."

Few things could have hurt him more than the icy conventionality of
her words. All the gentler side of his nature was crying out for
mercy; but he smothered its cries and faced her bravely, praying the
while for some one to come to them and end