“Permit me to say that my friends, Major and Mrs. Lester, will be, I know, most happy to entertain you while here, and you will find at their house a relative, Miss Clarice Carr, who I know will extend you the warmest of welcomes also, for she is a true woman.” “Perhaps, sir, it would be best for me to remain at the sutler’s, for you know that, no matter what I may myself be, I am the sister of the condemned outlaw.” “Through no act of your own; your misfortune, not your fault, Miss Arden, and my friends will regard you and your position as I do.” “You are most kind, sir.” “Then shall we go first to Major Lester’s quarters?” “You know best, Colonel Dunwoody, only I do not wish to be an intruder and----” “Come, Miss Arden, for such a thing as your intruding is not to be thought of. Though our trade is war, we soldiers are yet not wholly heartless,” and the colonel led the way from his quarters. The home of Major Lester was one of the best in the fort, and situated slightly apart from the others. Clarice Carr was seated upon the piazza as they approached, a book in hand, but she arose and met the colonel cordially, and cast a quick glance at the beautiful girl accompanying him. There was something in the face of Ruth Arden which seemed to win her at once. “Miss Carr, let me present to you Miss Ruth Arden, a young lady who is here on the sad mission of visiting her unfortunate brother and bidding him farewell, for I refer to the outlaw chief, now under sentence of death.” Instantly Clarice Carr stepped up to Ruth and kissed her, while she said quickly, with an intuitive knowledge of why the colonel had brought her there: “And you will be my guest, will you not, while you are here, for you will need me to cheer you up, I know?” The tears came into the beautiful eyes of Ruth, and she said in a voice that quivered: “Yes, for your sympathy and friendship will be so dear to me.” “You did just what I was going to request of you, Miss Clarice, for Miss Arden is at the sutler’s, but I will have her things sent here, as I know that Lester and that sweet wife of his will do as you have, ask Miss Arden to be your guest.” “They will, indeed, Colonel Dunwoody, but they are not at home just now.” “Well, Miss Arden will return here when she has seen her brother.” “I will come within an hour, Miss Arden, to fetch you back with me,” was the prompt reply of Clarice, and both Ruth and the colonel gave her a look of gratitude for her thoughtfulness. All wondered as they saw Colonel Dunwoody escorting a veiled lady in the direction of the cabin where Silk Lasso Sam was held a prisoner.