The broken talk had interested Doctor Bell so much that now, when the tale was ended he drew a long sigh of relief. His thoughts were becoming burdensome. Strange relationships between British and American families were not as uncommon to his experience as to simple Debby’s. He saw in the girl before him a heroine of no every day romance, and he meant to see the end of it. She had become an object of absorbing concern to him during the last few weeks, and he did not intend to let her slip out of his life without an effort to restrain her. “I will write a full explanation, Debby,” he said, “we can trust General Washington’s good heart. After you have seen him, come back to me. I am going to take you to my mother, she is expecting you; and then we will write to England.” CHAPTER X. DEBBY COMES INTO HER OWN AT LAST. Never while life lasted did Debby forget how she felt, when weak from recent illness and present fear, she was shown into the presence of Washington. She wore—for the last time—her continental uniform. It was mud stained, blood stained and ragged, but even so it was dear to her heart. In her hand she bore Doctor Bell’s letter. The contents she did not know, but she trusted the man who had befriended her—and she was ready to take the consequences of her wrong act. Tremblingly she raised her eyes to the calm, clear ones searchingly gazing into her face. “You have been ill, my boy?” “Yes, sir.” “Your bravery is greater than your strength. Before I tell you what I wish to do for you in return for your services, I will read the message you bring. In the meantime go outside, my servant will give you wine.” Thankful for this respite, Debby stumbled from the room. The minutes seemed hours, and the wine choked her; at last the summons came. With down cast head she entered the room to hear her doom. Washington was standing with a folded paper in his hand. “Here is your honorable discharge from the army,” he said, and something in the low voice, caused Debby to look up. A tear was glistening in the great man’s eyes; “I have added to it a sum which will enable you to make a start in life. For your bravery I honor you, for your service your country thanks you, and my heartfelt wish for you is that God may bless you with sons as noble as their mother. May heaven’s blessing go with you. Farewell my child.” It was over, and with a heart bursting with gratitude and worship poor lonely Debby Mason turned away to begin life. * * * * * A week later in the home of Doctor Bell’s mother a tall, slim girl with short curls of brown, framing in a strong earnest face, stood listening to a dear, prim little Quaker woman, who was divulging a wonderful plan. “Now thee looks sweet and womanly, Deborah. Thy locks will grow and thee must try to brush out some of the curl.” “Oh! mother,” laughed her son coming in the room, “can you not spare the curl?”