A few of the many slaves once owned by Colonel Morland were left at the old plantation and these shed genuine tears of sorrow. He had been a kind master. Two of the negroes called Pete and Dinah were very thoughtful to Mara in her bereavement. Boyd Wyman’s wounds were growing more painful. Inflammation had set in so that his case was becoming critical. Mara was a brave girl and controlling her grief to a wonderful extent she did all in her power for the wounded scout. The shifting scenes of war move rapidly. A few hours after the simple funeral of Colonel Morland, two horsemen appeared in front of the house. The leader was Lieutenant Logan. “I must see the prisoner,” he said. “I bear an order and a message from General B----.” The sight of the gallant soldier was a relief to Mara. Perhaps he came with good tidings. But as he stopped to speak to one of the guards and listened to his speech, the officer’s face grew dark. He came into the house a minute later. “I am pained to find you in such a sorry plight, Miss Morland,” was his greeting. “Only say that you have come to end this terrible farce and I will not complain,” she replied. “I have,” he said, quickly. “I have interceded for you and at the first opportunity have come to offer you your release.” She failed to understand his meaning. “You have been ordered to be brought to Dalton upon the charge of treason.” “Treason;” she repeated, with quivering lips, “who dares to accuse me of that?” “Alas! Mara, circumstances are against you. Your grandfather’s dying words have a terrible signification. I fear it will go hard with you.” “But Harry will intercede for me. I will go to him.” “Stop, Mara; that is the worst feature in your case. I am sorry to tell you, but the truth must be told.” “What is it?” she cried, catching him by the arm as he paused. He turned aside to escape her piercing gaze. “Must I tell you,” he stammered. “Harry has been dishonored. His commission has been taken from him and he has returned to the ranks under probation.” “Harry in dishonor!” she cried, clasping her hands. “You cannot mean it, Lieutenant Logan.” “It was a hard blow for me, Mara, for Harry is a fine fellow, and his disgrace came like a thunder-clap. Upon his return from Buzzard’s Roost Gap he was arrested for being accessory to the escape of Cavalry Curt and----” “It is not so!” she cried, wildly. “I will go to Dalton at once. I can and will save him.” “Nay, Mara, you let your grief run away with your reason. He is safe at present.” “But I must see him.” “You do not realize how impossible that is, could you do him any good. He has gone to Reseca with a body of troops ordered there to its defense.” “Gone to Reseca,” she repeated; “and as a common soldier--ay, more than that, a soldier in disgrace!” “Be brave, Mara, and it shall end well. Your own welfare claims our attention now. You must leave this place at once if you value your life.” “And yet you just said that I could not.”