One day he deemed her but an idle coquette; the next, a warm-hearted woman, doing her duty bravely.

Yet through it all her power over him never slackened.

Twice he walked with Miss Spencer as far as the Herndon house, hopeful that that vivacious young lady might chance to let fall some unguarded hint of guidance.

But Miss Spencer was then too deeply immersed in her own affairs of the heart to waste either time or thought upon others.
The end to this nervous strain came in the form of an urgent despatch recalling N Troop to Fort Abraham Lincoln by forced marches.

The commander felt no doubt as to the full meaning of this message, and the soldier in him made prompt and joyful response.