"I suppose that, of
course."

"This is a terrible thing! I don't believe I can make you change."

"No, I suppose not," said she. "My brother went to France, crippled as
he was. Do you suppose my duty's going to frighten me? You were in
the army?"

"Yes," said he. "Mustered out a major. Medical Corps. In over a
year--I saw the last days--before Metz and the armistice. I'm a
doctor, but they crowd me into the service again now, because they
think I'll be safe and useful here. But from what you know about
things going on in this country, you know there's danger for any big
public work like that plant. Our country's not mopped up, yet--though
it's going to be! There must be some reason for suspicion at
Headquarters--I think we all might guess why from the doings of the
last day or so in here.

"I'm glad," said she. "That makes me feel much better. I shall be
sorry to have you go away. But you'll not be so far. And you were in
the war?"

"A little." He laughed, and Mary Warren tried to laugh. Then, hands
in pockets, and frowning, he left her, and walked apart in the yard for
a time.

Sim Gage, his face puckered up, was wandering aimlessly, shovel in
hand, in the vicinity of the burned barn, engaged in burying his dead
cattle. He had relapsed as to his clothing, and was clad once more in
his ancient nether garments. His arms were bare, his brick-red
shoulders showed above a collarless and ragged flannel shirt. His
face, unreaped, was not lovable to look on. When Doctor Allen Barnes
saw him, he walked away, his head forward and shaking from side to
side. He did not want to talk with Sim Gage or any one else.

CHAPTER XIX

THE PLEDGE

Wid Gardner, by some miracle of self-confidence, did prove able to
drive a car in some fashion, for he made the round trip to the dam in
good enough time. But he had had his trip for nothing; for Doctor
Barnes now made sudden and unexplained resolution not to remain longer
at Sim Gage's ranch. After his departure in his own car, Wid Gardner
approached Sim as he stood, hands in pockets, in his door yard.

"Well," said he. And Sim, in the succinct fashion of the land, replied
likewise, "Well"; which left honors even conversationally.

"How's things down below?" asked Sim presently.

"Sort of uneasylike," replied Wid. "News had got down there that
something's wrong. Company of soldiers is expected any day from
Kansas. This here Doc Barnes is the mai