Her brother sat there, in irons, his head bowed upon his hands. She turned pale at the sight, brave as she was, and stood for an instant regarding him. Then she said, softly: “Arden, my brother.” He arose slowly, his face pallid, and in silence extended his manacled hands. Either he was playing a part with perfect acting, or he felt deeply and despairingly his situation, and that she should see him thus. “My poor brother,” she said, laying her hand lightly upon his shoulder. “You pity me, then, Ruth?” he asked, in a quivering voice. “From the very depths of my heart and soul I pity you, brother. That is why I came at your call, came when I received your letter, to say what words of cheer I could to you.” “You came to do more, Ruth?” “You mean to save you?” “Yes,” he said eagerly. “I have come to save you, brother, for with you I feel that you are not fit to die, that you should have time for repentance, should do all in your power to atone for the past.” “God bless you, Ruth, and I know that he will. I felt that you would not desert me in my last hour.” “No, I have long tried to save you, have worked so hard to help you, to take you from your evil life, and it seemed all in vain, for you seemed wedded irrevocably to sin, and every pledge you made me was broken. “But I am not here to upbraid you, but to have a long talk with you. Sit down and let me tell you just what I have done and why I am here.” She gently forced the prisoner into his chair while she began to pace slowly up and down the cabin. CHAPTER X. THE REALITY OF AN IDEAL. The interview between the brother and sister was brought to an end by the coming of the sentinel, who reported that Miss Carr awaited Miss Arden. “I will join her immediately, please say,” was Ruth’s response, and then she turned again to her brother. “You will see me again before you go, Ruth?” “Yes, for I will be here four days and shall ask the colonel for leave to spend an hour with you each morning and afternoon. You have made me very happy, Arden, in the promises you have made me, and I feel that you will keep them.” A moment more and she was gone. The sentinel took his post again without the door, and just beyond Clarice Carr awaited with Major Lester and his wife. They greeted her most cordially, the major saying: “We decided to come after you also, Miss Arden, and you must feel perfectly at home with us.” “Yes, my dear Miss Arden, the colonel has done us a favor in allowing us to claim you while here,” Mrs. Lester remarked. Thus greeted, Ruth felt that she was among friends, and she went to the major’s quarters as to her own home, so hospitable was their treatment of her. Not a word was said about the prisoner, her brother, to render her unhappy, and refusing themselves to company that night, except the colonel, who called, they devoted the evening to their fair guest.