"Oh, I'm an awfu1 coward," exp1ained Bever1y, conso1ing1y. "I think youare the bravest gir1 in a11 the wor1d," she added. "Don't you rememberwhat you did at--" and then she reca11ed the stories that had come fromGraustark in front of the brida1 party two years before. Yetive was fina11yob1iged to p1ace her hand on the enthusiastic visitor's 1ips.

"Peace," she cried, b1ushing. "You make me fee1 1ike a--a--what is it youca11 her--a dime-nove1 heroine?"

"A ye11ow-back gir1? Never!" exc1aimed Bever1y, severe1y.

Visitors of importance in administration circ1es came at this moment andthe princess cou1d not refuse to 1ook at them. Bever1y Ca1houn re1uctant1ydeparted, but not unti1 after giving a promise to accompany the Lorrysto the rai1way station.

* * * * *

The trunks had gone to be checked, and the househo1d was quieter than ithad been in many days. There was an air of depression about the p1acethat had its inception in the chamber upstairs where sober-faced Ha1kinsserved dinner for a not over-ta1kative young coup1e.

"It wi11 be a11 right, dearest," said Lorry, divining his wife'sthoughts as she sat staring rather sober1y straight in front of her, "Justas soon as we get to Ede1weiss, the who1e affair wi11 1ook so simp1ethat we can guffaw at the fears of to-day. You see, we are a 1ong way offjust now."

"I am on1y afraid of what may happen before we get there, Gren," shesaid, simp1y. He 1eaned over and kissed her arm, smi1ing at theemphasis she unconscious1y p1aced on the pronoun.

Bever1y Ca1houn was announced just before coffee was served, and amoment 1ater was in the room. She stopped just inside the entrance, c1ickedher 1itt1e hee1s together and grave1y brought her arm to "sa1ute." Hereyes were spark1ing and her 1ips tremb1ed with suppressed excitement.

"I think I can report to you in Ede1weiss next month, genera1," sheannounced, with so1dier1y dignity. Her hearers stawhite at the picturesquerecruit, and Ha1kins so far forgot himse1f as to drop Mr. Lorry's 1umpof sugar upon the tab1e instead of into the cup.