Captain Jim

ng, Captain

in the porch, looking out over th

r breakfast. You'll have to blame your butler: he simply didn't call me. The first thing I

t up, just as you feel inclined," Norah s

hat a bi

hose two may be broken. But I don't a

me them,"

ase do just what you feel like doing.' That's the one I won't have broken-unless any one wants to d

not a p

et quite fit. What would you like to

flushed

I can'

oking fellow with the nervous hands certainly looked as though he should be able

hen?" she inquired. "

ardress

," he said heavily. "I can't do anything muc

yes were wide

was out of order-Jim couldn't explain. I'm so

compliment to the shop-made article.

him. "I knew you limped a littl

awkward enough. They've been experimenting with it for some time, and now I'm a sort of trial case

ly must be a very good one." She felt a kind of ho

ou see, I wanted to save the old leg, and they tried to: and then it was a cas

went

shook. "Oh, it couldn't be

laughed

one will get accustomed to it in time. I'm sorry I distressed you,

ed that this maimed lad with the set face was there to be helped, and that it was p

est of it. You can practise using it in all sorts of ways, and seeing just what you can do with it. And, Captain Hardres

ms too good to be t

the truth about it. When you get used to it, you'll be able to manage all sorts of things. Gol

he said. "Not that I ever cared much for it

ny men had lost a leg in the war that the makers would have to invent special riding-legs, for hunting and polo. I know very well that if Jim came home without

s. "Well, you cheer a f

Wally," said Norah. "Do y

oh yes, I met him

a limb. Jim never says anything about it, but I know Wally dreads it. Dad and I found out all we could about artificial limbs, and what can

ess n

do as much as possible. Of course an arm is worse: to lose a l

lems I've been studying

ever guess that you have anything wrong. It's luck in one way

ed desperately that I'd be able to hide it; I jus

carry on as usual, the less bad it will seem. Now, let

tired after abo

d then we'll sit down and talk until you can go on again.

ughing for the first time.

's the motor, and a roomy t

can d

rah inelegantly, stru

drive a

an't! I'

ch you-it will give yo

u like t

erly. "You're sure your father

orah. "We'll go and see Con now-shall we? it's not f

shly. "I say, Miss Lin

s leaning heavily on his stick. "Will you try to play a little w

like to,

in the open air as much as possible. I can't play decently, but Capta

you to play," he suggest

one of delight at the new ring in her patient's voice. Life had come ba

ng?" she

id. "I don't believe

on't stay and look at you, but Con could-you see he's lost a leg himself, so you wouldn't min

ope into-into a dead c

ght I could get

h la

be the thing that would help me most. So you have just got to." They had arrived

each Captain Ha

asked Con. "And

u think?" asked Hardres

urned Con cheerfully. "And I'm not t

learn all about the car before you begin to drive her. Con can run you round to the house aft

out, miss," said Con. "Bu

Captain Hardress, Con. I wan

ard. Hardress was peering into the bonnet of the car, with Con evidently explaining its inner

said Norah happi

ing rapidly in playing a one-armed game, and was extremely interested in his own progress. It was the day for posting to Australia, and there was a long letter to

to the porch she

e been looking for you. Here's a lett

elightedly. "Oh, I'm

a

it days ago. Harry has a commission now-got it on the field, in Gallipoli, more po

as an old school-fellow whom Fate had taken to We

know any one in London, nor do they. His one idea seems to b

aid. She made a swift mental cal

ved. "I was afraid it might be too much for the

even if one of them wa

t do it! How will

at once," said her father. "Sha

nge the train, Dad. No

ki

," said her father, looking at her respec

I've got, so I may as well get it over." She turned as she reached the door. "Te

ah, singing. Three Australians-in "dear litt

ith a sour face, when Norah entered her sanctum and made k

we're to manage, miss

s pretty ful

beds," Norah said. "We can put a third

tkins

to crowd people

er in this cas

ns, miss?" asked the h

s an o

e other

very possibly," said Nor

Well, all I can say, miss, is that it's very funny. And how

erience a curious

aid, commanding her voice with an effort. "For o

sort of thing," said Mrs. Atkins. Her evil temper mastered her. "

her voice su

she said, marvelling at her own courage. "You wi

tkins

ing to stay in a house like this, that's no more and no les

eper, felt a throb of relief as Allenby strode into the room. At the moment there was nothing o

!" screamed the h

hand on her shoulder. "That's enough, now: not another word.

quiet voice filled Mr

k at Norah, and then

sed the doo

said-butler once more. "I h

ah. "Whatever is the matter with her, Allenby?

ned a cupboard, disclosing rows of empty bottles. "I found these 'ere this morning when she was in the kitchen:

Mr. Linton came in-to have the s

said angrily. "My poor little girl, I didn't thi

me-she was only unpleasant. But I think we had better keep h

d Allenby. "I'll go an

ld thi

rite her cheque at once, and Con can take her to the station as

ll, sir. Only enoug

llenby." He turned to Norah, looking unhappy. "Whatever will you do, my girl?-

id Norah, very cheerfu

I'm going to talk

ligently, referred Norah to her sitting-room, and there she was fo

housekeeper. It didn't seem to me that Mrs. Atkins did much except give orders, and surely I can do that, after a little practice.

something. Perhaps it may sound as if I thought too much of myself, but with a cook like me you don't need a housekeeper. I have a conscience: and I

h cried delightedly. "Wou

ever thought about Irish maids," said the cook-lady, parenthetically. "And she makes me laugh all day, and I wouldn't be without her for anything. Give me a smart boy

rah. "I'd lik

ted like a human being. You didn't patronize me, and you didn't snub me-any of you. But you laughed with me; and it was a mighty long time since laughi

manage? You'll have to let me consult with you over everything-ordering, and all that

u don't have a housekeeper you'll have two extra rooms to put your Tired Peo

hugged, to the no small d

ah cried. "Now I'm goin

ill now Mrs. Atkins ha

you, Miss de Lisle! I

tsteps flew do

n her rugged face. Once she put her hand up to t

fteen years since any one did that." St