n unjust accusation, and her desire
to shield her brother's pride from ridicule, is altogether praiseworthy
and extraordinary. And the moral influence of her kindness was strong
enough to make that scamp refuse to tell the plain truth that might
implicate her in an indiscretion, though it saved him from state
prison."

"He knew you wouldn't believe him if he had said the clothes were given
to him," retorted Miss Cicely, "so I don't see where the moral
influence comes in. As to her periling her life, those Marsh people
are amphibious anyway, or would be in those clothes. And as to her
motive, why, papa, I heard you say in this very room, and afterwards to
Mr. Calvert, when you gave him instructions, that you believed those
Culpeppers were capable of enticing away deserters; and you forget the
fuss you had with her savage brother's lawyer about that water front,
and how you said it was such people who kept up the irritation between
the Civil and Federal power."

The colonel coughed hurriedly. It is the fate of all great organizers,
military as well as civil, to occasionally suffer defeat in the family
circle.

"The more reason," he said, soothingly, "why we should correct harsh
judgments that spring from mere rumors. You should give yourself at
least the chance of overcoming your prejudices, my child. Remember,
too, that she is now the guest of the Fort."

"And she chooses to stay with Mrs. Bromley! I'm sure it's quite enough
for you and mamma to do duty--and Emily, who wants to know why Mr.
Calvert raves so about her--without MY going over there to stare."

Colonel Preston shook his head reproachfully, but eventually retired,
leaving the field to the enemy. The enemy, a little pink in the
cheeks, slightly tossed the delicate rings of its blonde crest, settled
its skirts again at the piano, but after turning over the leaves of its
music book, rose, and walked pettishly to the window.

But here a spectacle presented itself that for a moment dismissed all
other thoughts from the girl's rebellious mind.

Not a dozen yards away, on the wind-swept parade, a handsome young
fellow, apparently halted by the sentry, had impetuously turned upon
him in an attitude of indignant and haughty surprise. To the quick
fancy of the girl it seemed as if some disguised rustic god had been
startled by the challenge of a mortal. Under an oilskin hat, like the
petasus of Hermes, pushed back from his white forehead, crisp black