aids and matrons
both, in the little sisterhood, but somehow "the boys" did not show such
avidity to walk or chat with them as they did with Miss Ray. She sorely
wanted a talk with Sandy that evening, but the Belgic had come in from
'Frisco only six hours before they sailed and huge bags of letters and
papers were transferred from her to the Sacramento.

There were letters for Maidie and Sandy both,--several,--but there was
one bulky missive for him that she knew to be from her father, from
far-away Tampa, and the boy had come down late to dinner. They had seats
at the table of the commanding officer, a thing Maidie had really tried
to avoid, as she felt that it discriminated, somehow, against the other
nurses, who, except Mrs. Doctor Wells, their official head, were
distributed about the other tables, but the major had long known and
loved her father, and would have it so. This night, their first out from
Honolulu, he had ordered wine-glasses on the long table and champagne
served, and when dinner was well-nigh over, noticed for the first time
that Ray had turned his glass down.

"Why, Sandy," he cried impulsively, "it is just twenty-two years ago
this summer that your father made the ride of his life through the
Indian lines to save Wayne's command on the Cheyenne. Now, there are
just twenty-two of us here at table, and I wanted to propose his health
and promotion. Won't you join us?"

The boy colored to the roots of his dark hair. His eyes half filled. He
choked and stammered a moment and then--back went the head with the old
familiar toss that was so like his father, and through his set lips
Sandy bravely spoke:

"Can't, major. I swore off--to-day!"

"All right, my boy, that ends it!" answered the major heartily, while
Marion, her eyes brimming, barely touched her lips to the glass, and
longed to be on Sandy's side of the table that she might steal a hand to
him in love and sympathy and sisterly pride. But he avoided even her
when dinner was over, and was busy, he sent word, with troop papers down
between-decks, and she felt, somehow, that that letter was at the bottom
of his sudden resolution and longed to see it, yet could not ask.

At three bells, half-past nine, she saw him coming quickly along the
promenade-deck, and she stopped her escort and held out a detaining
hand.

"You'll come and have a little talk with me, won't you, Sandy?" she
pleaded. "I'll wait for you as long as you like."

"After I've s