Her eyes fell, shaded by the long lashes. "Yes; once, do you remember I almost began a confession, when you spoke of your old-fashioned mother, and her conception of womanhood. How could I tell you then that I had dressed as a man, and played the part of a spy? I--I thought you might despise me, and--and I wished so to retain your respect. It was an accident we were with Delavan that night. We were endeavoring to waylay a courier, and rode suddenly into his party. I had to invent a tale on the spur of the moment. Major Lawrence, now that you know all, tell me the one thing I must know before we join the others--would you wish your own sister to do as I have done?" "Not to pass through the dangers, surely," I returned eagerly, "but I should rejoice at her loyalty, and be proud of her. Claire, Claire, there has never been in my heart aught but love for you. As Lady of the Blended Rose, as daughter of a Colonel of Queen's Rangers, even in the disguise of a Dragoon, I have never questioned the depth of your womanhood. Once I guessed you a British spy, yet ceased not to love you. Am I to have my reward? You know little of me, as you say, but as an officer and a gentleman, I ask you to repeat again what you whispered to me once out yonder under the stars--do you remember, dear?" "It was only to compel you to leave me." "And now it is an invitation to remain." Her eyes were uplifted to mine. Slowly I drew her toward me, her arms were upon my shoulders, and our lips met. "I love you," she said slowly. "Yes, dear, I love you." Above us, his head thrust through the opening, Farrell called: "Have you found her, Major? Shall I come down?" "It's not necessary." "The Colonel is half crazy, and the boy is getting back his senses." We went up together, I bearing the candle in one hand, and helping her along the circular stairs with the other. In the upper hall I glanced below, but the bodies of the dead had been removed. Farrell stood bareheaded, a great figure on his short legs. "This has been a fine night's work," he said steadily, "the last of Fagin's gang." "Dead?" "Ay, and Grant with him--begging your pardon, mistress." Her eyes glanced from his face into mine, and my hand-clasp tightened. It was thus we went in together, and stood beside the Colonel's bed. THE END ------------------------------------------------------------------------- By MR. PARRISH Love Under Fire: With Five Illustrations in Full Color and a Full-Color Wrap, by Alonzo Kimball. _Net $1.35._ Keith of the Border: A Tale of the Plains. With Four Illustrations in Full Color and a Full-Color Wrap, by W. Herbert Dunton. _Net $1.35._ ---------------------------------- When Wilderness Was King: A Tale of the Illinois Country. Illustrated by the Kinneys. My Lady of the North: The Love Story of a Gray-Jacket. Illustrated by E. M. Ashe. A Sword of the Old Frontier: A Romance of the Time of Pontiac's Conspiracy. Illustrated by F. C. Yohn.