And so

CAPTAIN R. (looks around curiously.) this is Argentopolis. Back again after so many years. (Pause.) I wonder how my comrades like Fort Ranis. It used to be lively when I was last stationed here. (Bell rings. Childrens' voices heard in a murmur without. Captain R. turns and looks toward School-house.) This is the School-house evidently. There was no such institution in the town ten years ago. (Moves forward a few paces.) Well, well, how those places change in a few years under the magic influence of railroads and that much-abused factor, Capital. (Earnestly.) But I have been trying to forget that it was here I lost my heart years ago. Oh, what nonsense, (makes effort to regain self-poise.) the past has past. She has forgotten me completely. (Decisively.) It is the way of things. (Looks to R.) Ha, there are uniforms. Some of the infantry from the Fort, probably. (Bell rings. Captain R. turns.)

(School-house door opens; Children rush out shouting joyfully. They observe Captain R, and flock around him, shouting Captain Santa Claus. Welcome! Welcome! They catch at his legs and coat-tails, dancing around him.

So you

CAPTAIN R. Oh, bless me; Why, all my little children, do you know old Uncle Hal? are glad to see me, eh? (Lifts up little girlkisses her.) Oh, little Nell, so you know me too. (Puts her down; lifts up a little boy.) So, Jack, you are glad, too. (Puts him down. Pats the little children's heads in fatherly manner. To one:) Who are you, my little lad? What's your name?

CHILDREN (in chorus.) Oh, he's infantry. CAPTAIN R. (Takes little fellow by the arms and swings him up and down.) So you belong to the infantry? (Puts him down. Addresses children in a serious manner.) Now, don't be selfish. This little lad is your brother, although, his father isn't cavalry. All little boys' and girls' fathers can't belong to the cavalry, you know. (Enter a soldier in infantry uniform, followed by civilian, R. They stand and observe Captain R. intently.)

Philly Carlton and Maud emerge from Schooldoor, and look on C.

CAPTAIN R. (addressing another lad.) I don't know your face. What's your name, my little man?

CHILDREN (in chorus.) His' a "Townie," He ain't one of us.

CAPTAIN R. (lauging.) Come now, little ones, don't be getting selfish again. This little lad may be a soldier when he grows big too. But come on, boys and girls. (Moves forward, catches a little girl and a little boy with each hand.) Come on, I know you all like goodies.

CHILDREN. Yes, yes, captain. (They catch at Captain R.'s coat-tails and legs. He moves to R followed by all the children except Philly and Maud, who look on C.) [They all exeunt R. Soldier and Civilian move forward.

CIVILIAN. Who in thunder 's that?

SOLDIER. Why that's Captain Ransom It's good times the children 'll be havin' now.

CIVILIAN. (carelessly.) B'long to your regiment? Soldier. Captain of B troop. 'Been away ever since we got here.

CIVILIAN. (Reflectively.) Seems fond of children. Got any of his own?

SOLDIER. Nary. He b'longs to the whole crowd; he does. (Impressively.) The B fellows 'll be glad he's back. They think as much of him

as the youngsters do.

CIVILIAN. Good officer, eh?

Soldier. (Seriously.) You bet, thar' ain't no better in the service. Brave as a lion, and tender as a baby, that's what I says. (Moves away to L with civilian, who makes first motion to go.)

[They exeunt L. Enter Captain R. leading two children. The little ones all follow, shouting and gamboling. All the children have papers of candies, or some form of children's pastry. He moves to front of stage; turns and observes Maud and Philly. Crosses to them.

CAPTAIN R. Why, little snow-drop, what's your name? And you, my little fellow, who are you?

CHILDREN (in chorus.) She's infantry. He's her brother. They ain't none of us.

CAPTAIN R. (stoops down: pats Maud under the chin.) Won't you tell me, little pet? (To Philly.) Perhaps you will? Come now. Why didn't you both come in and have some tarts and turnovers with your playmates? (Puls hand in pocket. Holds forth a coin.) Here, you little one, take this half dollar, and go in and eat all you can, and pay for it for me.

PHILLY AND MAUD (hold back, and refuse to accept it.)

CAPTAIN R. (Coaxingly.) Come now, Jack, come, why not? Papa won't mind when you say it was old Uncle Hal; he'll know me.

PHILLY. (Stammeringly.) Please, sir, it isn't pa, pa is dead. It's ma, she won't like it. (Galloping of horses heard without. They come nearer, and appear to draw up.)

Enter Captain Dixon and Lieutenant Murray, Cavalry Officers, U. S. A., pause at L.

DIXON. (Surprised voice.) Why, the stage has arrived, Murray, and there's the old fellow Ransom over there in the embraces of the children.

MURRAY. Yes, by George, wer'e behind time. (Moves toward Captain R., followed by Dixon.) Halloa, Ransom, old man, why, how are you? (Catches his hand, and shakes warmly.)

DIXON. (Takes Ransom's left hand (shakes vigorously). Welcome Ransom; you have arrived promptly.

CAPTAIN R. (Laughingly; with earnestness.) Thanks, thanks, fellows. I am pleased to meet you both again. You see (looks at children), I happened to pass by just after landing from the stage, and came across the little ones of our troop, as they rushed out to play, and as you see I got surrounded and captured.

DIXON. Why, Hal, you are to be envied; but there are many little strange faces here. You know the children of the Infantrymen from the Fort are looked upon as aliens by the Cavalry side; that is our soldier's little ones (laughing.) It is quite a joke (Captain R. smiles significantly.)

DIXON. Oh, then, you have been initiated? MURRAY. Say, Ransom, think you will like it here ?

LITTLE BOY (rushes forward.) Please, captain, Maudie Carlton is crying because Phil won't take the money and get her some goodies.

RAPTAIN R. (starts; indicates surprise and deep emotion; turns to his friends.) What! What was that the little fellow said-Carlton?

DIXON. Those are poor Phil Carlton's little ones, Ransom. Poor children! they know very few of the pleasures little ones love, since their father was killed.

CAPTAIN R. (looks intently at Philly and Maud; pauses; then addresses his companions.) I will meet you two at the office. I'll be along in a few minutes. (Bell rings.)

DIXON. All right; we shall be on hand. Children all rush back to school, shouting good-by. Captain R. moves over and takes Phil and Maud Ito school door. Exit, R.

DIXON (watches Ransom; turns.) Say, Murray, did you notice poor Ransom's agitation when I mentioned that those children were Phil Carleton's?

MURRAY (reflectively.) I think I did observe something curious in his manner. But

DIXON (interjects.) Then you don't know the story of his love for the mother of those little ones? (decisively.) Oh, to be sure not.

It was

before your time. You see, Kate Perry, old colonel's daughter, was the beauty and pride of the regiment. Ransom loved her permanently, We were stationed right here at the time. Perry commanded the Infantry, then. But, about his daughter? Well, it is pretty much the old kind of story. She fell in love with Phil Carlton, a handsome, dashing scapegrace of the subalterns. It was hard "lines" for Colonel Perry, but he gave his consent, and the marriage passed off in a glitter of gold lace, champagne glasses, and tears. Well, Murray, we all wished them happiness, but dreaded the future. You know pretty much the rest.

MURRAY. Yes, I know that Carlton located his wife shamefully. I have heard so.

DIXON. Wed, Carlton met a soldier's death in the Sioux war; he was fortunate so far, poor devil. After the marriage, our regiment got moved around to the Pacific, and now of all the stations in the states back to Fort Rains. But good old Colonel Perry, after Carleton's death, took the widow and her little orphans back to his roof and heart, and died in her arms.

MURRAY. That is the Mrs. Carleton, who teaches music to the young Vanes.

DIXON (nods affirmatively.)

MURRAY. She is even now a beautiful woman, but so sensitive and shrinking as to almost repel friendship. But how did Ransom take her marriage?

DIXON. Oh, he felt it terrible, but stifled it down deep in his great big sympathetic heart. You know what his nature is like? I never met a finer fellow. He can fight like a hero, and love like a child.

MURRAY, (warmly.) Yes, he is indeed a whole man (moves forward.) We had better go over to the office.

Scene II. Mrs. Carlton's parlor-furniture and piano, elegant, though well worn; effects conceived so as to indicate culture and refinement. Mrs. C. discovered mending a child's toy at table. MRS. C. Ah! there the glue will dry soon; won't Maud be pleased (lays it down.) Poor little pet, I should like to buy her some nice toys, but (sighs) "beggars can't be choosers," as the saying has it. Little Phil is so manly; he never utters a complaint, knowing that I feel keenly this deprivation, and seems to realize the whole situation fully (voices heard without. (Mrs. C. listens.)

MOLLOY. (1st voice.) It's as thrue as that I'm here, and that's no lie, shure, Bridgey, me darlint. I saw the capting wid me two eyes.

MRS. C. Oh, only Bridget and Molloy. They think I haven't returned yet.

BRIDGET (2d voice.) Well, well, to be shure, but it's glad the misthress will be shure, 'twixt you an' me.

MOLLOY. (Ist voice.) He passed upon the stage only two hours ago, and I knew him whin I

clapt me eyes on him. Oh, bedad, but it's moighty glad he'll be to see me, too.

MRS. C. (Rises, move toward R.) I wonder who this captain they speak about is. Perhaps some officer Molloy has served under (takes up music roll.) I must leave Bridget to do some dusting. (Exit R.)

new one.

Enter Bridget.

Bridget (crosses to table.) So here's Maud's little dolly. Why, the deuce take me af it ain't a bran (Looks suspiciously, but doesn't touch.) Well, well. No, tis (looks.) No, tis'nt. Well, as Malloy sez, investigayshun is the shurest way to dishcover anything. (Takes it up.) Well, to be shure; now (it falls apart.) Oh, the dickens take me, but it was only glued. I must call in Terry, he'll help fix it, for he's the nate mekanic, be jabers. (Moves to front.) Ha! won t Mrs. Carlton be the plaised woman when she hears av the bould captings return to the Fort, alf she had taken my blissid advice, she would have saved herself this-(checks herself.) I have no right to spake so, God forgive me. Oh, but the poor darlint that I have known since a babby (passionately), actually obliged to suffer the schnubs of the colonel's wife and those other people (reflectively). Now, there's Philly and Maudie wantin' clothes, and Philly's birthday comin' in a few days, and it'll brake her lovin' heart to have nothin' for the little man, the Lord spare him, and she to promise it, shure. A bran new shuit of clothes from Chicagy, too (in voice emplying resolution.) I'll go the capting, the blessid man that he is, and tell him all, but (pauses), she'll discharge me, shure; och, but she's so proud.

Enter Mrs. C. R.

MRS. C. Well, Bridget, have you seen how neatly Maud's doll is repaired?

BRIDGET (in apologetic voice.) The Lord forgive me, ma'am, but I broke it. I suppose he punisht me for me inquisituvness.

MRS. C. (laughingly.) Oh, that'so, all right, but

BRIDGET (interjectng.) Ah, (coughs), by your parding Miss Nelly, but Molloy tould me that(pauses.)

MRS. C. (inquiringly.) What is it, Bridget? You seem very mysterious! What is the secret ? BRIDGET. Well, ma'am, but it's Capting (coughs.) Santy Claws, himself that came this mornin' to Fort Rains. Guess who it is, Miss Nelly? Why, Capting Ransom himself, the blessed man, shure (enthusiastically), alive and sthrong, too. God spare him.

MRS C. (starts; betrays agitation. Turns face away.)

BRIDGET (aside.) That's what I call workin' it nately upon her. I musht see how she regards him, the cratur.

MRS C. (mock carelessness.) So, Captain Ransom is back again here after all these years. Why, I thought he had (takes seat; takes up book from table), resigned his commission or something of the kind. Didn't Malloy tell me so some time ago?

BRIDGET. Faith. I think so, Miss Nelly, but anyway it's the childre' that'll have the daisy times now, Mrs. Remsen, at the Fort, siz, that every one adores him, 'specially the little craturs, Bless him,

he was always (looking sideways at Mrs. C.), the foine gentleman.

MRS. C. (feigns interest in book.)

BRIDGET (disappointedly aside.) It was no go this time. Oh, she can't come the ould sojer over me, begarre (to Mrs. C.) Say, Miss Nelly, you know that Philly's birthday falls upon Thursday week.

MRS. C. (puts book away; rises.) Now then, Bridget, that's enough. It is too bad. I am afraid I can't fulfill my promise to the little ones. But it's all right. The dear little man is so sympathetic. He seems to understand everything. and will be content to wait.

BRIDGET (earnestly.) I have known ye, babby, girl, and woman, Miss Nelly, and have claims upon ye at that, seeing also that Molloy was the poor Colonel's body-guard for years. (Takes out purse.) I implore ye, take this (reaches it out) and get the little ones what they want, ma'am. It was earned in yer sarvice. (Mrs. C. turns away.) Oh, ye hurt me more by refusin'. Believe me,

MRS. C. There, there, Bridget.

I appreciate your goodness and affection, but I cannot accept your hard-earned savings. (Decisively.) There, now, that's sufficient. I'll send Molloy over and get some money from Mrs. Vane or Mrs. Potts, in advance, and so have a glad surprise for the little ones. (Moves to R. Enter Phil and Maud (L.) They rush to mother.)

MRS. C. (turns.) Ah, my little darlings, (kisses both in turn) back so early from school? (Takes seat.) Philly, my boy, you haven't been running now?

PHILLY. Ma, don't be angry; we got a sleighride home. It was grand! (Bridget fusses around little Maud.) It was Santa Claus, ma. MRS. C. (in surprised voice.) What, my dears, was he a soldier?

PHILLY. He's cavalry, ma. He's an officer, like pa was. Oh, he's so good and noble-looking, ma. The boys all call him Santa Claus.

MAUD. Because he brings them nice things. (Bridget smiles aside mysteriously.)

(MRS. C. indicates her feelings; tries to regain self-control.)

PHILLY. Oh, it was jolly fun coming home, too, ma, dear; the boys were all clinging around the sleigh.

MAUD. And the officers took lots of them up on their horses and gave them rides.

MRS. C. (kisses both; draws them to her.) He was very good to you two, but (reprovingly) my dears, be careful and don't be too forward with strangers.

PHILLY (places hand around mother's neck.) Indeed, ma, he was so good, and looked so kind, that I couldn't refuse coming on the sleigh. Maud, too, was very tired, for we lost our lunch, and were hungry.

(To be continued.)