"I don't care what you think about me. That will do me no harm. But if you desire to retain your beauty I would advise you to keep it to yourself. You probably know what I think of you, you cowardly assassin." Ted spoke these words in a tone intended only for the ears of Barrows himself. "What do you mean?" stammered the young officer, pale as death. "You know. You missed my heart at the beef issue by an inch or two, but you were seen, you cur, and you can't lie out of it. If I were to tell it, you would be drummed out of the army, and every place else where there are square men. Keep away from me and mine in every way, and especially with your filthy tongue. If you do not, I'll break you." Barrows uttered an unspeakable epithet to Ted under his breath. A loud crack sounded far enough to reach the ears of those in the library, and bring the broncho boys to their feet. Across the white face of Lieutenant Barrows were the crimson finger marks left by Ted Strong. Without a word the lieutenant swung on his heel, and walked down the steps, mounted his horse, and rode away. In the doorway stood a young girl who looked at his going with wide eyes. She was very pale, but as Barrows rode away without a word or a glance backward, a flush slowly mounted to her forehead. She turned and threw her arms around the neck of Stella, for it was Hallie Croffut who had seen the blow delivered. "He didn't even offer to resent the blow," sobbed Hallie. "Is it possible that he is a coward?" "There, dear, I wouldn't worry about him," said Stella soothingly. "It was very wrong for Ted to do so." Ted, who was standing near, also watching the departing lieutenant with some surprise, heard these words and turned to look at the girls. He smiled, however, when he heard Stella trying to comfort Hallie by blaming him, for over the shoulder of the crying girl his girl pard winked at him with a smile that assured him that, no matter what she said, she thought that whatever happened he was all right. "Say," drawled Bud to the other boys, "Ted put ther bloom o' youth on Clarence's cheek, didn't he?" "He certainly did," said Ben, "and probably saved Clarence from getting a good, stout punch on the nose from me." Ben held up for inspection a fist as big as a picnic ham, and worked it around as if it was fitted to a toggle joint. "He didn't get all that was coming to him, either," said Kit. "If ever there was a cad he's got the job." "And seems to be swelled up over it, too," said Clay. "Ach, yes, dot iss der vay mit dem army offichers," sighed Carl. "Dey vas so conspicuousness in deir uniforms dot dey vos ridiculousness." "Say, Dutch, you want ter look out or you'll blow out all o' yer teeth some o' these days sayin' them words," warned Bud.