my fate, that her interest was not dead; and she had sent the message to me by the only man she could trust to rightly deliver it. But she would want me to decide right, for it was not in the character of Noreen Harwood to compromise with duty—better to die a death of disgrace than to live, and read the scorn in her eyes. My heart lightened, and my lips smiled.
"I thank you for your message, Captain Fox," I said sincerely, clasping his hand. "Tell her how glad it made me. But it cannot change my decision; I will answer no questions."
"This is your final reply, Sergeant?" the Colonel's voice had hardened; his eyes had lost their friendliness.
"It is, sir."
"Very well, then; there is nothing more for us to accomplish here, Fox. I think, young man, you will come to your senses too late. Good day, sir."
The door opened to the rap of his knuckles, and the two men passed out, neither one glancing back at me. The sentry asked a question, and I heard Pickney answer:
"Yes, set the food within, but let no one communicate with the prisoner except on my written order. I will have another sentry posted above."
A soldier entered bearing a camp ration, and a pannikin of water, and placed these on the box. He
