Mrs. Wilson stood among a group of boys chatting and joking. She belonged to the type of widows, fair, fat and frivolous. Time had dealt gently with her. She was still handsome in spite of her weight, and intensely jealous lest her serious daughter supplant her in the affections of the youth of Independence. She greeted Billy with just the words to heal his wounded vanity. “My! Billy, but you look serious and manly! I’d kiss you if the other boys were not here. You ought to be at the head of that line of white raiders to-night”--she dropped her voice to a whisper--“I’ll be making your disguise before long.” Billy turned from Susie and devoted himself with dignity to her mother. The widow lifted her hand in sudden warning. “Sh! Billy, the enemy! There goes Stella Butler with that fat little detective whom the Judge has imported with the troops.” “Captain” Suggs of the Secret Service was more than duly impressed with his importance as he forced his pudgy figure through the throng on the sidewalk, ostentatiously protecting Stella from the touch of the crowd. “It’s arrant nonsense, Miss Stella,” he was saying, as they passed. “These Southern people are savages, I know----” “Why, Captain, I’m a Southerner too,” said the girl archly. “I mean the disloyal traitors of the South--not the broad-minded patriots like your father,” Suggs hastened to explain. “I say it’s arrant nonsense this talk of such a parade by these traitors. I credit them with too much cunning to dare to flaunt their treason in the streets here to-night with a regiment of troops and the head of the Secret Service on the spot.” The little fellow expanded his chest and puffed his cheeks. Billy doubled his fist, and made a dash for him. With a suppressed scream, Mrs. Wilson caught him. “Billy! for heaven’s sake, are you crazy!” They passed on down the street toward the Judge’s house. “I’m not so sure they will not parade, Mr. Suggs,” Stella replied. “Don’t be alarmed, Miss Stella!” he urged soothingly. “I’ve taken ample means to protect you and your father from any attack of these assassins and desperadoes if they dare enter the town.” “I’m not afraid of them, Captain, she answered lightly. “Of course not--we’re here and ready for them. The very audacity of their manner is an insult to the Government.” “I like audacity. It stirs your blood,” Stella cried, her brown eyes twinkling. Suggs leaned nearer and said in his deepest voice: “Let them dare this insult to authority to-night and you’ll see audacity come to sudden grief in front of your father’s house.” “Have you prepared an ambush?” Stella asked eagerly.