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"Listen, Mr Renault I understand that his Excellency has certain designs upon your amiability, and he most earnestly desires you to remain here at the Blue Fox until such time as he summons you or sends you orders You are an officer of Tryon County ers, but I never have even seen their colors, much less carried thereat honor," I said war Schuyler, I think he is the bravest, noblest gentleman in County Tryon" He walked toward the door, head bowed in reflection, turned, offered his hand again with a charratitude possessed my heart that his Excellency should have foundthe words of Colonel Ha to e, over and over, until it seereat to bear alone; and I leaned close to the dividing door, calling "Elsin! Elsin! Are you awake?"

A sleepy voice bade me enter, and I opened the door and stood at the sill, while the brightly flowered curtains of her bed rustled and twitched Presently she thrust a sleepy head forth, framed in chintz roses--the flushed face of a child, drowsy eyes winking at the sunbeams, powdered hair twisted up in a heavy knot

"Goodness ry--so sleepy--" She yawned shamelessly, blinked with her blue eyes, looked at an; then a sudden consternation sobered her, and she cried, "Oh, I forgot where we are! Mercy! To think that I should wake to find myself a runaway! Carus, Carus, what in the world is to become of me now? Where are we, Carus?"

"At the Blue Fox, near North Castle," I said gaily "Why, Elsin--why, child, what on earth is the matter?"--for the tears had rushed to her eyes, and her woful little face quivered A single tear fell, then the wet lashes closed

"O Carus! Carus!" she said, "ill become of me? You did it--you made me do it! I've run aith you--why did you make me do it? Oh, hy?"

Du no word of coe, the a now in the tears which dazed me

"I don't knohy I came here with you," she whimpered, eyes closed on her wet cheeks--"I must have been mad to do so What will they say?--ill Rosamund say? Why don't you speak to me, Carus? Why don't you tell me what to do?"