n had meant to express, only to succeed in reading fifty different meanings into her parting six words. I wanted to think that it was her way of suggesting that I deceived my

coquette; I became angry and hot with

t my cleverness in what had really been pure luck, and seemed to think I had sat up all night in order to hear that telegram. The person for whose opinion I cared the most-Miss Cullen-didn't say anything, but she gave me a look that set my heart beating like a trip-h

ach any definite conclusion till the station-agent brought me a te

*

etary of War has directed the commanding officer at Fort Whipple to furnish you with military protection, and you will call upon him at once

*

cried Madge, cla

ple can give surprise parties as w

ph at once?" as

and added, "Don't you want to

" she cried, jum

d as he said, "Yes

ndent has

that wasn't an unpleasant thought. Whatever his motive, he was a third party in the writing of that telegram, and had to stand by while Miss Cullen and I discussed and draughted it

self," laughed Madge.

," I offered. "How much is it, Welply?" I a

lady," said W

sked, "does the East come

no charge?" demanded Madge, incred

ze of it," sai

ied Madge. "I know you are only dec

railroad superintendents can s

rked, "How nice it is to be a railroad superinten

but while I was thinking what response t

alles to Miss Cullen, in a cool, almost

are to this mornin

his lordship, with such a manner th

tate, and finally said, "I'll walk u

to hit upon any theory that supplied a solution to the conduct of either Lord Ralles or Miss Cullen, unless they were engaged and Miss Cullen displease

think any of us enjoyed the hour that followed, but I didn't care how miserable I was myself, so long as I was certain that I was blocking Lord Ralles; and his grumpiness sho

the car. "I'm sure you and Lord Ralles will be company enough for each other," she predicted, giving

one Lord Ralles and I pulled apart about as quic

only waiting for an invitation or for some excuse to go into 218. About eleven

elfth Cavalry, under the command of Captain Singer, is ordered to Ash Fork, an

ied Mr. Cullen. "The mandam

is something more w

run while there is s

, anxi

y about running

nce," Madge begged. "We kno

bjecting, in truth, to the running aw

meant, without my using any emphasis, "but I don't see any need of making myself uncomfortab

I told the operator to call

rival at Rock Butte to hold it there till fu

," I laughed; "though I'm afraid a long wait

ither of us succeeding. I was so engrossed with the contest that I forgot all about the passage of time, and only when the sheriff strolled up to the station did I realize that the climax was at hand. As a joke I introduced him to the C

are the stars and stripes! I don't th

ns will have to take

he answered me with a

to put a value

very quickly,"

r," I said, and then asked the sher

le-drive?" he asked

ing that distances are deceptive in Arizona was wonderful. I sometimes

o. 3, just as we were called to luncheon; and this ti

e end I took to looking at my watch, wonderi

of the train arriving fir

for an hour, and the cavalry had only five miles to cover for

are now!"

nd went to the windows, to see the arrival. Our feelings can be judged when across the t

aiming, in my surprise. "Are you

red. "I saw something red,

afraid; but we are still in good shape, for the train can't possibly be here unde

ed by the entrance of t