"You're a sad flirt, Bee," remarked Mrs. Howard, as Forsyth went out of the Fort. "I am not," retorted Beatrice, with spirit. "Why shouldn't he go after my sewing?" "There's no reason why he shouldn't, if he wants to." "Well, he wants to," replied Beatrice, "otherwise he wouldn't. That's the man of it." "It seems strange," observed the other, meditatively, "that in a little place like this, on the very edge of the frontier, one girl can keep two men working hard all the time without half trying. On the face of it, there wouldn't seem to be enough to do." "It requires talent," admitted Beatrice, modestly, "if not genius. Mr. Ronald!" she called. The Ensign did not seem to hear. "Mr. Ronald!" she called again. There was no answer, though he must have heard. "He's in the sulks," explained Beatrice, "and if he wants to stay there, he can." "I wish you wouldn't do so, Bee," said Katherine, kindly. "Do what?" demanded Beatrice, with her violet eyes wide open. "You know what you're doing, and you needn't pretend that you don't." There was a long silence, then Beatrice sighed heavily. "I think I'll move," she said. "I can go to Detroit, or Fort Mackinac, or back East." Katherine's heart sank within her, for she knew she would miss the girl more than words could express. "You can't go," she said; "no one would go with you." "I should hope not. Queen and I could make the trip alone. If I decide to go, why, I'll go--that's all there is about it, war or no war. I know where the pickets are and I could get through the lines without any trouble. If you miss me some morning, you'll know that I've made my escape to some peaceful spot where there is no lecturing." She spoke with such calm assurance that Katherine was troubled. She swiftly determined to ask Captain Franklin to put an extra guard at the stables, then Beatrice laughed. "Poor Kit," she said affectionately, "why, you look as solemn as a priest! You don't think I'd go away and leave you, do you? You're too sweet," she cooed, rubbing her soft cheek against her cousin's. Forsyth, coming back with the sewing, was transfixed with sudden envy of Mrs. Howard. "I thought you were never coming," said the girl, smiling. "Did it seem long?" he asked, dazed by the implied compliment, for he had been in great haste. "Yes," said Beatrice; "but it wasn't your fault. It was because I was being lectured." Katherine's face grew delicately pink, and she looked at Beatrice imploringly. "Lectured!" repeated Forsyth. "Why, what for?" "She said I flirted--with you and Mr. Ronald." "When?" "Oh, you goose," laughed Beatrice. "She meant I did it all the time; but you don't care, do you?" "I don't know just what it is," said Robert, truthfully; "but if it's anything you do, I like it." "There!" said the girl, in a tone of great satisfaction; "you see, don't you, Kit?" "Yes," answered Mrs. Howard, "I see that you are incorrigible."