ROGER. Hush, Ruth is coming. I will tell you both together. (_Enter_ RUTH.) RUTH. Roger, my dear brother. (_Embrace._) Why this long silence? this uniform? What does it all mean? (RUTH _and_ DOROTHY _both seated_. ROGER'S _hand on_ RUTH'S _shoulder, the other holding_ DOROTHY'S _hand_.) ROGER. It means, dear sister, that my heart responded to my country's call, and I could not stay away. RUTH. But why did you not confide in us? we all believed in your innocence. ROGER. All? RUTH (_looks down_). Yes, all; for at heart the colonel believes in your honor. He must, but his friend Newcomb has so woven his influence about him, that the poison has done its work. Oh, Roger, that man, how I despise and fear him. ROGER. And well you may. Never mind, Ruth, some day my name will stand without a blemish, and the colonel will be made to forget his doubts. Now, I shall serve my country with my heart and soul, believing and trusting that justice in good time will right my wrongs. COLONEL (_outside_). Yes, major, a capital plan. RUTH. The colonel! he must not see you. I fear he may forget that you are my brother. ROGER. Never mind, Ruth, his words cannot hurt me. (_Enter_ COLONEL _leaning upon arm of_ POTTS, _who carries the_ COLONEL'S _cloak and hat_.) COL. Ruth, dear, I am quite myself again. The major's active brain has helped to clear my cobwebbed intellect, and our united forces have conceived a most brilliant scheme. (_Turns; sees_ ROGER; _sternly_.) Roger Carruth, what are you doing here? ROGER. Calling upon my sister and my fiancée. COL. And do you think, sir, that I, their only protector, will allow one whose name is sullied to hold an interview with them? RUTH (_goes to_ COLONEL). Gordon, you forget that you are speaking to my brother. DOR. (_goes to_ ROGER). And please remember, Gordon, that this man I love and honor above all others. COL. Stop, I say. In my own house, I will speak my mind. Roger Carruth, leave this house. All here bear honored names. We do not associate with dishonest men. RUTH (_sobbing_). Gordon, how can you be so cruel? ROGER. Colonel Graham, you forget to whom you are speaking. We once called ourselves brothers; that tie remains. We shall both fight for our country's honor. Mine will be a double duty. My good name shall stand again, and you, who spurn me now, shall live to crave my pardon. Farewell, Dorothy. (_Exit_ ROGER, C.) RUTH. Gordon, you have broken my heart. DOR. You call yourself a soldier. If I were your country, I would disown you. COL. Hush, Ruth, don't condemn me. Dorothy, I have done what seemed my duty. DOR. There are some duties it is wiser to overlook. (COLONEL _and_ RUTH _stand talking together_; DOROTHY _drags_ POTTS _down front_.) DOR. Pinky, what do you think of all this? POTTS. A downright dirty piece of business, but don't blame the colonel. Newcomb is at the bottom of this.