man ever made before for a man--for a man she
did not know! And my life--whatever it is worth, every hour and second of
it, I lay down before you, and it is yours to keep or throw away. I
followed you half-way round the world and I shall follow you again and as
long as I live. And to-morrow--or the day after--I shall justify these
great kindnesses--this generous confidence; but to-night I have a work to
do!"

As they stood on the verge of the defile, by the bridge that swung out
from the cliff like a fairy structure, they heard far and faint the
whistle and low rumble of the night train south-bound from Washington;
and to both of them the sound urged the very real and practical world
from which for a little time they had stolen away.

"I must go back," said Shirley, and turned to the bridge and put her hand
on its slight iron frame; but he seized her wrists and held them tight.

"You have risked much for me, but you shall not risk your life again, in
my cause. You can not venture cross that bridge again."

She yielded without further parley and he dropped her wrists at once.

"Please say no more. You must not make me sorry I came. I must go,--I
should have gone back instantly."

"But not across that spider's web. You must go by the long road. I will
give you a horse and ride with you into the valley."

"It is much nearer by the bridge,--and I have my horse over there."

"We shall get the horse without trouble," he said, and she walked beside
him through the starlighted wood. As they crossed the open tract she
said:

"This is the Port of Missing Men."

"Yes, here the lost legion made its last stand. There lie the graves of
some of them. It's a pretty story; I hope some day to know more of it
from some such authority as yourself."

"I used to ride here on my pony when I was a little girl, and dream about
the gray soldiers who would not surrender. It was as beautiful as an old
ballad. I'll wait here. Fetch the horse," she said, "and hurry, please."

"If there are explanations to make," he began, looking at her gravely.

"I am not a person who makes explanations, Mr. Armitage. You may meet me
at the gate."

As he ran toward the house he met Oscar, who had become alarmed at his
absence and was setting forth in search of him.

"Come; saddle both the horses, Oscar," Armitage commanded.

They went together to the barn and quickly brought out the horses.

"You are not to come with me, Oscar."

"A captain do