travelling without escort, as we are. The commonest civility should
prompt it; and officers always send their cards by the porter the moment
they find army ladies are on the train. I don't understand this one at
all,--especially--" But here she broke off abruptly.

"Especially what?" asked Miss Nell, with an inspiration of maidenly
curiosity.

"Especially nothing. Never mind now." And here the baby began to fidget,
and stir about, and stretch forth his chubby hands, and thrust his
knuckles in his eyes, and pucker up his face in alarming contortions
preparatory to a wail, and, after one or two soothing and tentative
sounds of "sh--sh--sh--sh" from the maternal lips, the matron abandoned
the attempt to induce a second nap, and picked him up in her arms, where
he presently began to take gracious notice of his pretty aunt and the
kitten.

Two hours later, just as the porter had notified them that Warrener
Station would be in sight in five minutes, the young man of the
opposite section returned to the car. He looked tired, very anxious,
and his face was paler and the sad expression more pronounced than
before. The train-conductor stopped him to speak of some telegrams that
had been sent, and both ladies noted the respect which the railway
official threw into the tone in which he spoke. The card-players stopped
their game and went up to ask after the frozen men. It was not until the
whistle was sounding for the station that he stood before them and with
a grave and courteous bow held forth Mrs. Rayner's silver flask.

"It was a blessing to one poor fellow at least, and I thank you for him,
madame," he said.