"I'm going home because he won't marry me unless Father consents," she said, "and he doesn't seem to think a consent by wire is legal. But I'm coming back." "Well, I wish you good luck, I'm sure." Mrs. Van Zandt leaned over and kissed Polly impulsively. "He'll browbeat you a bit but he'll stick by you. Guess I'll make some more coffee," and she bounced into the kitchen. "Gracious! Would you call that a congratulation?" gasped Polly. "Here's a bona-fide one, my dear," said Clara, gently. "I am sure you'll be happy." The others laughed and joked while Clara and Hard kept their secret to themselves. Scott followed Mrs. Van Zandt into the kitchen with some empty cups and their voices could be heard talking earnestly. "Well," said the latter, as she returned, "I'll say I think Mr. Scott's idea a good one." By a psychological process quite her own and quite unconsciously followed, Mrs. Van had promoted Scott to the dignity of the prefix upon hearing that he was engaged to the superintendent's sister. "He's hired Mendoza and that junk-pile of his to take you all to the border so's you can get a train East without traveling on the Mexican railroads." "It's like this," Scott explained. "Tom says they told him at Conejo that the revolutionary government had taken over all the railroads, both Mexican and American, and is operating them. Now, we might make the trip all right--they say lots of refugees are coming North; but what's the use? I'll run over to Conejo and get them to let us keep Mendoza for a few days and perhaps we can get some sort of a safe conduct for the road from that military guy over there. "I'd rather have old Villa's safe conduct than any of the rest of them; I think it cuts more ice with the population at large. But perhaps this chap can do something for us. We'll try to hit the border at Chula Vista--the roads that way are pretty fair. Now, Hard, suppose you and I take a turn down the road and have a look at Jimmy before he goes to sleep." "Scotty," they were outside and Hard spoke frankly, "I didn't want to speak of it before the others, but Mrs. Conrad and I have made up our minds to undo an old mistake. We've going to try life together instead of apart." "I hoped you would, Hard. She's a fine woman." "When I say an old mistake, don't misunderstand me," continued Hard, soberly. "She and Dick Conrad were happy together. She loved him when she married him--and she didn't love me. The mistake was mine, in not making her love me when I had the chance. I've got the chance again and I'm going to make good this time." "You're very lucky, Hard. Most fellows don't get a second chance--with the same woman. Will she come back here with you?"