since that
afternoon," said Mrs. Newville.

"I would not tell you then that I had been insulted by ruffian
soldiers, that a stranger had rescued me from their clutches, for I
knew it would trouble you. Who the gentleman was I did not know. I
only saw he was noble and manly. I thanked him and hastened away.
Right after that we had our last garden party, to which 'Rinthia
brought her cousin, Mr. Walden, when I discovered it was he who
rescued me."

"Mr. Walden!" Mrs. Newville exclaimed.

"A noble young man! I always liked his appearance," said Mr. Newville.

"Why didn't you tell us about it, Ruth, so we could have shown him
some attention?" Mrs. Newville asked.

"It is not too late to do it now, mother."

She told the story, that he was a lieutenant, a prisoner, wounded,
hovering between life and death; how she had brought about his removal
from the jail to the Brandon home, watched over him during the night,
wondering if the next moment would not be the last; that just before
sunrise the tide had turned and he was going to live.

"You saving him! Wonderful!" Mrs. Newville exclaimed.

"It is just like you, daughter," said the father, clasping his arms
around her and kissing her lips.

"I will go and help care for him, even if he is a rebel," said Mrs.
Newville.

"Ruth, daughter," said the father, when they were alone, "did you keep
that to yourself because you thought it would trouble us to hear that
the soldiers of King George were vile ruffians?"

"Yes, father; I knew your loyalty to the king, and I would not disturb
it. I did not want to pain you. And do you wonder I have hated the
sight of a redcoat ever since? But, father dear, it was not the
assault of the villains that led me to sympathize with the
provincials, as you know I have done, but the conviction that they
were in the right and the king and his ministers in the wrong. I can
understand why you and mother do not see the conflict as I see it.
Your high sense of honor, your oath of allegiance to the king, your
position as an official, have made you loyal and true to King George,
and you cannot see the side espoused by the people. This attempt of
the ministry and king to subdue them by force of arms, by burning
their houses, by treating them as felons, as they have Robert Walden,
thrusting them into jail, allowing them to die uncared for, will fail;
justice and right are on their side. I know it pains you, father dear,
to have me say this, but I c