his wife had attained a certain kind of social distinction in the
army fast set. She was not especially enamoured of the prospect
ahead of her in the Philippines; but the new colonel was a strict
disciplinarian on and off the field. He expected to be a brigadier-general
if fortune and favouritism supported him long enough. Mrs. Harbin
could never be anything more than a private in the ranks, so far
as his estimation of distinction was concerned. His daughter Ethel
had, by means of no uncertain favouritism, advanced a few points
ahead of her mother, and might have ranked as sergeant in the family
corps.

Mrs. Harbin played cards, drank highballs, flirted with the younger
officers, got talked about with pleasing emphasis, and was as happy
as any subordinate could be. They had not even thought of such a
thing as divorce, and the whole army wondered and expressed disgust.
The army's appetite for scandal is surpassed only by its bravery
in war. It is even hinted that the latter is welcomed as a loophole
for the former. War brings peace.

The arrival of the Harbins and a staff of gay young cadets fresh
from the banks of the Hudson put new life into the recluses. The
regiment was to remain at the Presidio for several weeks before
sailing. One of the lieutenants was a Chicago boy and an acquaintance
of Graydon Bansmer. It was from him that Jane learned that her
sweetheart was a soldier in the service, doubtless now in Luzon.

A week before the sailing of Colonel Harbin's transport Jane
suddenly announced that she had but one desire on earth, and that
was to go to Manila with her aunt. She did not present her plea with
the usual claim that she wanted to be of service to her country;