curls were knotted around a head whose beardless face was perfect as a
cameo cutting. In the close-fitting blue woolen jersey under his open
jacket the clear outlines and youthful grace of his upper figure were
revealed as clearly as in a statue. Long fishing-boots reaching to his
thighs scarcely concealed the symmetry of his lower limbs. Cricket and
lawn-tennis, knickerbockers and flannels had not at that period
familiarized the female eye to unfettered masculine outline, and Cicely
Preston, accustomed to the artificial smartness and regularity of
uniform, was perhaps the more impressed by the stranger's lawless grace.

The sentry had repeated his challenge; an angry flush was deepening on
the intruder's cheek. At this critical moment Cicely threw open the
French windows and stepped upon the veranda.

The sentry saluted the familiar little figure of his colonel's daughter
with an explanatory glance at the stranger. The young fellow looked
up--and the god became human.

"I'm looking for my sister," he said, half awkwardly, half defiantly;
"she's here, somewhere."

"Yes--and perfectly safe, Mr. Culpepper, I think," said the
arch-hypocrite with dazzling sweetness; "and we're all so delighted.
And so brave and plucky and skillful in her to come all that way--and
for such a purpose."

"Then--you know--all about it"--stammered Jim, more relieved than he
had imagined--"and that I"--

"That you were quite ignorant of your sister helping the deserter. Oh
yes, of course," said Cicely, with bewildering promptitude. "You see,
Mr. Culpepper, we girls are SO foolish. I dare say I should have done
the same thing in her place, only I should never have had the courage
to do what she did afterwards. You really must forgive her. But won't
you come in--DO." She stepped back, holding the window open with the
half-coaxing air of a spoiled child. "This way is quickest. DO come."
As he still hesitated, glancing from her to the house, she added, with
a demure little laugh, "Oh, I forget--this is Colonel Preston's
quarters, and I'm his daughter."

And this dainty little fairy, so natural in manner, so tasteful in
attire, was one of the artificial over-dressed creatures that his
sister had inveighed against so bitterly! Was Maggie really to be
trusted? This new revelation coming so soon after the episode of the
deserter staggered him. Nevertheless he hesitated, looking up with a
certain boyish timidity into Cicely's danger