“I appreciate all that you say and do for me, Colonel Dunwoody, and I make no effort to disguise my deep love for my brother, for I remember him only as he ever was toward me in the past. His nature was warped, and he went wrong when quite a young man, and just when we began to feel that he was saved, that he had seen the evil of his ways and was coming back to a life of honor, one whom he loved, whom he idolized in truth, told him that she could never be his wife, that she loved another.
“That blow made a madman of him and he sought to take the life of his rival, and from that day became a fugitive and a wanderer, a hunted man, feeling that the hand of every one was against him. I do not defend him, and I ask no mercy for him; but I thank you for your goodness in allowing me to see him often the few days that I will be here.”
“It would be cruel to ask you to remain longer,” said the colonel.
“No, I must go my way, Colonel Dunwoody.”
“And do you wish me to send any communication to you when—when—all is over?”
“Nothing, thank you, sir. I wish no tidings of what occurs after I leave the fort.”
“But surely we will see you again?”
“Where and when?”
She asked the question quickly, almost excitedly.
“That remains alone for you to say, Miss Arden, for I do not wish you to drift out of our memories and our lives, after having crossed our paths as you have.”