tions which
indicated vigour and activity. He walked now with the long, easy
hip-stride of the man whose sides and back are not weak, but strong and
hardened. His head, well set upon the neck, was carried with the chin
unconsciously correct, easily, not stiffly. His shoulders were broad
enough to hang nicely over the hips, and they kept still the setting-up
of the army drill. Dressed in the full uniform of a captain, he looked
the picture of the young army officer of the United States, though
lacking any of the arrogance which might come from the purely military
life. Simply, easily, much as had the little group that immediately
preceded himself and friend, Franklin passed on up into the hall,
between the batteries which lined the walls.

Any emergency brings forward its own remedy. The times produce the
man, each war bringing forth its own generals, its heroes, its solvers
of great problems. Thus there came now to these persons assembled,
deadlocked, unguided, unhappy, who might else have sat forever rooted
to this spot, the man who was to save them, to lead them forth out of
their wilderness of incertitude.

None had chosen Battersleigh to the leadership. He came as mere guest,
invited as were the others. There had been no election for master of
ceremonies, nor had Battersleigh yet had time to fully realize how
desperate was this strait in which these folk had fallen. It appeared
to him merely that, himself having arrived, there was naught else to
cause delay. At the centre of the room he stopped, near by the head of
the stern column of womanhood which held the position on the right as
one entered the hall. Here Battersleigh paused, making a deep and
sweeping bow, and uttered the first open speech which had been heard
that evening.

"Ladies and gintlemen," he said in tones easily distinguishable at all
parts of the room, "I'm pleased to meet ye all this evenin'. Perhaps
ye all know Battersleigh, and I hope ye'll all meet me friend Captain
Franklin, at me side. We claim the inthroduction of this roof, me good
friends, and we welcome everybody to the first dance at Ellisville.
Ladies, yer very dutiful servant! It's well ye're lookin', Mrs.
McDermott; and Nora, gyurl, sure ye're charmin' the night. Kittie,
darlin', how do ye do? Do ye remember Captain Franklin, all of ye?
Pipe up, ye naygurs--that's right. Now, thin, all hands, choose yer
partners fer the gr-rand march. Mrs. McDermott, darlin', we'l