"
The nurse turned away. Her lips were smiling; but her eyes clouded,
as the babbling began once more.
Twenty-four hours later, she was greeted by a white-faced, clear-
headed trooper.
"Good-morning, nurse," he said coolly. "You see I am better."
"Much better, Mr. Weldon," she assented cordially. He looked
puzzled. "I thought we fellows in hospital had no names, nothing but
numbers," he answered.
"It depends. When one meets an old friend, the number isn't quite
the right name for him."
Turning slightly, he stared up at her with the impassive curiosity
of a man just coming back from The Unknown. Then he shook his head.
"I am afraid--" he began slowly.
With a quick gesture, she took off her crisp white cap, uncovering a
heavy pile of ink-black hair. "There!" she said, with a smile. "Does
that make me look more natural, Mr. Weldon? I am Alice Mellen, Cooee
Dent's cousin."
Instantly he put out his hand, sunburned still, but curiously thin.
The smile on his lips was the boyish, frank smile which Alice had
seen and liked, that afternoon in the garden at home.
"What good angel brings you here?" he asked eagerly.
"No angel; merely the lady who rules over the household of Mars.
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