He had turned away to pause at one of the windows--turned away purposely that he might speak without being heard by Boyd Wyman. Mechanically she followed him. “Mara,” he said, in a low tone, “I have come up here on a trumped up errand that I might see you. I have come to save you, even at great risk to myself, if you will accept my terms.” “Explain yourself, Lieutenant Logan.” “Do you not understand how much I love you? I cannot tell you----” She stopped him with a wave of her hand. “If you have nothing else to say, Lieutenant Logan, this interview might as well come to an end. I respect you as a friend, but I do not love you.” “But you would learn to, Mara. Promise to be my wife as soon as this war is over, and I will have you taken to a place of safety this very night. Do you promise?” he asked, earnestly. “If you really loved me you would do so without exacting a promise that you know would break my heart.” “You do not quite understand me. Were it not for that Yankee----” Something in her looks caused him to stop. “You refuse?” he continued with a look that she would never forget. “Yes; I would not purchase life upon such conditions.” “I am sorry. I hope you will never regret this course. I must go now. Do not blame me when the worst comes. If you change your mind I will fly to your rescue the moment you send for me. I am not so bad at heart as you think, only I had rather die than yield to a Yankee. Good-day.” With a few parting words of encouragement to Boyd Wyman he went out of the house and mounting his horse rode away. “Did he give you any reason for hope?” asked Wyman, as Mara returned to the side of his couch. “None.” “It is infamous!” exclaimed the scout, fiercely. “He told you of your brother?” “Yes.” “Poor boy; in his present state of mind, I tremble for his safety.” CHAPTER XVII. A FRIEND IN NEED. A little before sunset on the same afternoon as Mara was watching by the side of the wounded scout, Black Dinah entered the room and glancing cautiously around went up to her. “Please, missus, come inter t’other room,” she whispered. “You’re wanted bad.” The speaker was greatly agitated, and she rolled her eyes and pulled her apron and clasped and unclasped her hands in a way that told of more than she dared or could tell. Mara hesitated. “Be spry ’fore sojers see.” Wondering what she could want, Mara followed her out of the room. As they were allowed to go about the lower story of the house at liberty, the soldiers if they saw them thought nothing strange. Dinah’s teeth chattered and her eyes showed their whites in a startling way. Mara came near uttering a cry of surprise as she entered the apartment to find a stranger standing in the center of the floor. His hand was upraised enjoining silence. “I am a friend,” he said quickly, in a low tone. “’Fore de lawd, he mus’ be a sperit,” chattered Dinah, “No immortal man c’u’d a got hyer and not a bref uv a soul to see ’im--” “Hush!” warned the man.