ered a cry of anguish.

"I'll never see you again, Clifford," she cried. "And father will be
broken-hearted. He helped me in this."

"Harriet!" he cried. "Do not ask me to believe that Colonel Owen
prefers his son's life to his son's honor? I'll not believe it."

"Believe what you will, my brother, only come with me," and she clung
to him pleadingly. "I'll call those men, Clifford."

"You shall not, Harriet," he answered putting her aside. "Instead get
your own horse and come back with us."

"I cannot, Clifford. I must see our father. Aren't you going to kiss
me?"

But Clifford turned from her, saying coldly:

"You have wounded me too deeply, my sister."

"Clifford, thee must not leave thy sister so," interposed Peggy.
"Mistaken she may be in her efforts for thy liberty, but 'tis done
through love for thee. 'Twould be monstrous to leave her unkindly!"

"I mean not to be unkind, my cousin," he returned. "But consider my
feelings when my own sister hath tried to put me in a position that
would reflect upon mine honor."

"Thee must not be too hard on her, Clifford. Women do not regard such
things as men do. When their affections are bestowed all else is
subordinated to them. Doth a mother, a sister, a wife cease to love
when man hath lost his honor? I tell thee such things seem different
to us. Thy sister hath intended thee no wrong. 'Tis because of her
love for thee that she hath done this."

"True, Peggy," came from Harriet brokenly. "True."

"Peggy," cried Clifford in astonishment. "Such words from you who are
the soul of honor? You would not ask me to do this."

"No; but 'tis because of my upbringing, Clifford. I have been taught
that a word once passed must be kept. That a promise must not be
broken. Therefore, I understand why thee would prefer death to the
breaking of thy parole. I am proud that thee feels as thee does about
it. I am prouder still that even thy sister cannot tempt thee to break
thy word great as is thy love for her. Yet underneath it all I have a
heart of a woman, and that heart aches for thy sister."

"'Fore George!" murmured the youth gazing from one to the other in
perplexity. "I never dreamed of this. I thought of course that such
things were regarded alike by both sexes. I----" He passed his hand
over his brow thoughtfully. Then his expression softened. "I have much
to learn. Harriet!" And he opened his arms.

"My brother," she cried. "My wonderful brother! And you will go wit