Sometimes I think Bryan has never married because he has never seen any woman as attractive as you are. He has almost said as much to me."

[95]

Jack shook her head almost angrily. "That is nonsense, Frank. After all, you know Bryan is pretty young; there is no use talking as if he were a confirmed old bachelor."

After lunch that same afternoon Captain MacDonnell rode over to Kent House. He was wearing his service uniform of khaki—the short military coat, the full trousers drawn close at the knees and the high boots. He also wore the British officer's cap with the small visor and the other marks of his rank.

Hearing the sound of his horse approaching, Jack went out on the veranda to greet him. Frieda was upstairs in her room and Olive was writing letters to Ruth Colter and Jean at the Rainbow Ranch.

In her arms Jack carried her baby, with whom she had been playing. Indeed, ever[96] since the news of war, some member of the family had seemed to wish to hold Vive, for her baby softness and sweetness was in some way a consolation.

[96]

Jack had her baby's little yellow head pressed close against her bronze colored hair and made the baby wave its hand to the young officer as he drew nearer.

When he came up to them on the veranda he kissed Vive's tiny hand.

"May I have one of Vive's blue ribbons to tie in my buttonhole, please, Lady Jacqueline?" he asked. "Lady Jacqueline" being a title which Captain MacDonnell had originated for Jack, but which many other people also used. "Every knight, when he went off to the wars in the old days, wore his lady's colors. I should like to have Vive for my lady."

Jack felt her fingers trembling a little as she unfastened the ribbon from her baby's sleeve and gave it to her friend.

"Won't you take a farewell ride with me this afternoon, Jack?" Captain MacDonnell asked the next instant. "It will be the best way to manage our good-bye."

For just the fraction of a second Jack hesitated. Yet, in that time, she had a sufficient[97] opportunity to think over the entire situation. Captain MacDonnell had not asked her to ride with him since the afternoon, when her recklessness had displeased Frank. Since then she had never attempted to persuade Frank that his 

 Prev. P 45/116 next