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act
of God. This is being robbed of the savings of years by organized,
legalized swindlers, men who claimed to be our friends. It's that--and
my helplessness--that hurts."
The boys had remained without, talking in low, grave tones, Bud's
boisterous spirits suddenly quenched. Presently the sound of their
murmuring died away. There was no answer when Mrs. Graham called.
Going to the door she looked anxiously about her. From up the
roadway to the north came the sound of merry voices and the shuffle of
many feet--the battalion hurrying down the broad stone steps of Grant
Hall and forming for the march back to camp. The young "first captain"
called them to attention and gave the commands that swung them into
column of platoons and striding away under the leafy arch to the open
plain. Oh, with what pride had she not listened, night after night, from
September to mid-June, to Geordie's ringing, masterful tones, her
Geordie, foremost officer of the Corps! And now all that was ended
with the graduation to which he had so long looked forward, and now,
when but half an hour ago he had so rejoiced in his assignment to the
regiment of his choice--now must come this cloud upon his young life,
his and blithe-hearted Bud, who so adored him. She knew well that his
first act would be to set aside a certain portion of his scanty pay for her
use, and for her own part she would not so have it.
But where were the boys, and why had they gone? It was some minutes
before Bud returned, alone.
"Where is Geordie?" she asked.
Bud dropped his cap on the hall table, looking dispirited and troubled.
"Gone to the hotel, mother--wants to see"--with a gulp--"McCrea--and
I'm of no use to anybody."

"You can be and will be," was the gentle answer, as the mother wound
an arm about and led him within. There in silence and semi-darkness
they sat awhile. The doctor had gone into his little library to look over
memoranda and accounts. It was nine o'clock when Geordie's quick,
soldierly step was heard on the walk without. He came bounding up
and in, alert, virile, and vigorous.
"You saw Mr. McCrea, Geordie?"
"Yes, mother. He's going to Newburg to catch the Pacific express on
the Central, and, mother--I'm going with him."
CHAPTER III
AWAY TO THE WEST
By the general regulations of the United States army there is granted
three months' leave of absence to graduated cadets of the Military
Academy, to be taken advantage of immediately after graduation. It is
given to these young men after their four years of rigorous discipline
and hard study, that they may have abundant time to visit home and
friends, and to enjoy a period of rest before reporting for duty again to
begin their careers as officers of the army.
For nearly two weeks since Graham's graduation day the mother had
had him for her very own, busying herself in the choice of his modest
outfit, and taking it not a little to heart that he declined to order his
uniform and equipment until, as he said, he knew where he was going.
She longed to see him in his "regimentals," yet shrank from it as a
reminder that all too soon he would be taken from her side to wear it
day after day with his comrades in arms. She could not think of that
parting to come late in September. She would think only of the glory
that was hers in having him here, having him now, with no bugle-call
to tear him from her side. She was just beginning to realize her
possession, her happiness, when that hateful telegram told of disaster at
the mines, and urged her husband to have a representative at the spot.
Within one hour of its receipt, George had come to say that he would
be that representative, and within two hours, with at least his father's

full consent, her dream was at an end and her boy was gone.
That night toward ten he and McCrea were spinning away up the west
shore under the lofty, rock-ribbed scarp of Crow Nest and Storm King,
to ferry over to Fishkill from Newburg, and there take the Pacific
express, making its first stop out of New York City. Each had hurriedly
packed such store of clothing as seemed most appropriate to the region
and the business to which he was bound. There was no vestige of
uniform or badge of rank and station. Geordie took with him his
favorite rifle, and in his valise, to be exhumed when they reached the
Rockies, was a revolver he knew, rather better than his classmates, how
to use, for he had learned as a lad on the plains. Each had