Three days later, Weldon ran lightly up the stone steps and rang at
the Dents' door.
"Is Miss Dent in?" he asked the maid. "I know it isn't her day; but
tell her I am leaving town almost immediately, and I wish to say
good by."
Notwithstanding his message, Ethel was long about appearing, and her
face and manner, when she halted on the threshold, were a bit
unapproachable. Then, as her eyes lighted on the brown uniform and
the wide slouch hat, her whole expression changed, and she came
forward with an eagerness which she was at no pains to conceal.
"Mr. Weldon."
He bowed in mock humility.
"Trooper Weldon, if you please."
"I am delighted. Is it your old troop?"
He shook his head.
"No. I know the Transvaal and all its resources by heart. I have
chosen the Orange Free State. It is a new country; and, besides, all
the best of the fighting is going to be there, on the heels of De
Wet."
"Are you a prophet?" she asked, while she dropped into a chair and
motioned to him to be seated.
"No; but I suspect that Captain Frazer is," he answered, as he
obeyed her.
She raised her brows questioningly.
"Does he go, too?"
"Not now. His staff work holds him here among the fleshpots," he
replied. "Later, he may be able to come up to us."
"Us?"
"The South African Light Horse."
"Why did you choose them?"
"Because they are to operate in the Orange River country, and
because they would have me."
"Is that a matter to consider?"
Weldon laughed while, placing his hat on the floor, he settled
himself more comfortably in his chair. His face was unusually
animated, that day, and his trim new uniform and his carefully-wound
putties added inches to his height and showed his lithe, lean figure
at its very best.
"I considered it," he answered then. "It is a trick of mine, as soon
as I decide I want a thing, to be in living terror of losing it.
However, the ordeal was short and not too severe. Captain Frazer
introduced me to a little lieutenant who looked me over, asked me if
I could ride, if I could shoot a rifle and if I had had any
experience. I fancy the matter was settled beforehand. Then I went
out and treated The Nig and Piggie to some new shoes, and myself to
a new uniform, and the deed was done."
"Are you glad, or sorry?" she asked slowly.
"That there was no more red tape?"
"That you decided as you did?"