the quizzical smile on her sister's face. "You know I _always_ carry it
in travelling, Nellie,--in case of accident or illness; and I'm most
thankful I have it now."

"Ever so much obliged, ma'am," said the porter, "but this would be only
a thimbleful, and I can get a quart bottle of this gentleman."

"Where are they?" said the person thus referred to, as he came down the
aisle with a big brown bottle in his hand. "Come, Jim, let's go and see
what we can do. One of you gentlemen take my place in the game," he
continued, indicating the commercial gents, two of whom, nothing loath,
dropped into the vacated seats, while the others pushed on to the front
of the train. The porter hesitated one moment.

"Yes, take my flask: I shouldn't feel satisfied without doing something.
And please say to the officer that I'm Mrs. Rayner,--Mrs. Captain
Rayner, of the infantry,--and ask if there isn't something I can do to
help."

"Yes, ma'am; I will, ma'am. Oh, he knows who you are: I done told him
last night. He's goin' to Fort Warrener, too." And, touching his cap,
away went the porter.

"There! He _did_ know all along," said Mrs. Rayner, triumphantly. "It is
most extraordinary!"

"Well, is it the proper thing for people in the army to introduce
themselves when travelling? How are they to know it will be agreeable?"

"Agreeable! Why, Nellie, it's _always_ done,--especially when ladies are