He went out, slowly, with the Colonel.

“Madge, he’s right,” said Frank, “this little hand is mine.”

He would have clasped her in his arms, but, finally, she held him off.

“No, no,” said she, “not till you know my secret.  It was I who rode Queen Bess,”

“You rode Queen Bess!”

The Colonel was re-entering the room.  “But the world will never know it,” he said gallantly, “on the honor of a Kentuckian.”

Frank’s smile was radiant.  “If it did, I should say:  ’Here, Madge, in my arms, is your shelter from the world.’” He drew her to him gently.  “Madge, my little wife!”