“You are tired I know, so I must not keep you up any later, for it is midnight,” said Clarice. “We breakfast at nine, you know,” and she kissed Ruth, who, hesitating an instant, replied: “Miss Carr, you have been so sweet to me, so sisterly, that I wish to make a confession to you, but in confidence. I do not wish to deceive you, and, therefore, I will tell you that Arden is not my name. True, it was my mother’s maiden name, but I assumed it, for the one I bear has been dishonored by my brother, and I did not wish to bring shame upon an honored name by letting it be known who the man you know as Silk Lasso Sam really is. “To others I am Ruth Arden, to you, in confidence, I will say that I am Ruth Leigh, and my poor brother’s real name is Arden Leigh. Good night,” and Ruth glided quickly away to her room, while Clarice murmured gently: “Poor girl, yours is a noble nature.” Ruth did not ask the favor of Colonel Dunwoody, to be allowed to see her brother daily, for it was not necessary. He anticipated her by calling the next morning and asking for her. “I have given orders, Miss Arden, that you shall be allowed to go to and from the prison where your brother is confined at your will.” “You are most kind, Colonel Dunwoody.” “No, I am only just, for you have come a long way, have you not, to see one whom your woman’s heart clings to in spite of what he may be. A mother’s love and a sister’s are to me the purest of all affections, and I can understand just how you feel toward the one who has gone to the bad as your unfortunate brother has.” “I appreciate all that you say and do for me, Colonel Dunwoody, and I make no effort to disguise my deep love for my brother, for I remember him only as he ever was toward me in the past. His nature was warped, and he went wrong when quite a young man, and just when we began to feel that he was saved, that he had seen the evil of his ways and was coming back to a life of honor, one whom he loved, whom he idolized in truth, told him that she could never be his wife, that she loved another. “That blow made a madman of him and he sought to take the life of his rival, and from that day became a fugitive and a wanderer, a hunted man, feeling that the hand of every one was against him. I do not defend him, and I ask no mercy for him; but I thank you for your goodness in allowing me to see him often the few days that I will be here.” “It would be cruel to ask you to remain longer,” said the colonel. “No, I must go my way, Colonel Dunwoody.” “And do you wish me to send any communication to you when--when--_all is over_?” “Nothing, thank you, sir. I wish no tidings of what occurs after I leave the fort.” “But surely we will see you again?” “Where and when?” She asked the question quickly, almost excitedly. “That remains alone for you to say, Miss Arden, for I do not wish you to drift out of our memories and our lives, after having crossed our paths as you have.”