strong arms. 'It is wrong. I cannot let you. It is right that I should
fight for him--he is my father. He has been a good father to me, and I
have loved him and believed in him. It is my duty to fight for him, but
you must not, my dear love. In you it would be a wrong, a crime.'

'He is your father--I love you!

'Yes, yes, and oh, I am glad you love me; but you must leave me to do
what I can alone. It is not your duty to help him. Think of your mother,
your brother, your own honour.'

'We can save Frank now without this.'

'You cannot be sure of that, Harry--you only hope so.'

'Am I to tell the troopers, then?'

'No, no--oh, no; I am not brave enough to say that! I cannot bear to
think of you as his hunter, his bitterest foe. 'Twas that thought made my
shame and my sorrow so terrible a burden; but I can carry it better now.'

'My poor girl! my poor girl!'

He bent his lips to the white hand upon his shoulder and kissed it
tenderly.

'God bless you, Harry!' she faltered, tears springing to her eyes. 'I
know how generous you are. As a boy you had a big brave heart, and I
admired you and loved you for it; but I can take no sacrifice that might
bring more sorrow upon your mother, that might wrong your brother and