The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, March 1, 1903, Page 4

who would have suf- tongues torn from their heads kin stripped inch by inch from sooner than betray one of their You have betrayed a your own men, and y eftain! Hell was made per trash!" »i wae duzed at first by this out- At length he sprang to his feet with rage 1 not forget this, sir!” he hissed. forget it’” Ccried the preacher, bling with passion as he ope h ~Go on and live your lie. s hills CHAPTER XXIV. N MIRACLE e doctor wants you. McLeod's footfali had A MOT “Mrs. Durham, aid Charlie when you call me wee the , why don't you love me a little A asked, tlaking me." he half up at her aret; 1 al- ink your shyly would be in my but it chokes ap aunt garet’s, s0 “All right, She passed e the preacher m and said young Mrc- wantec 2 mistake. egg. treachery. met in given his I've there's some w own way about We'll see who is right in Now I've a more pressing blem for y solution.” yne this time? everything he can get his zle."” greatest liar 1 ever saw,” she “He simply will not tell the can _think up a lie in time. I'd 3 for Char- reacher laughed. “I give it up, you've got beyond my depth don’t know whether he's got a I leave him with you. At present a domestic problem at's so encouraging.” Dick disappeared from Ham- every evening at face of Charlie- Gaston 2 the big hill to the south atching for somebody. ays take something to eat . &and when he gave up his the food under a big they had often play- the birds and ground ate it. He would slip back the . hoping to see Dick jump out of »d surprise him And then at last he gave it up, sat down under the rock and cried. He-knew Dick would grow to be a man somewhere out in the big world and never come BOOK TWO:LOVE'S DREAM. CHAPTER 1 BL EYES AND BLACK HAIR. “She’'s coming next mon Charlie,” said Mrs. Durham, looking up from a let- ter. “Who Is it now, Auntie; another divin- ity with which you are going to over- whelm me? miling as he aid book ned back in sfs chair. ‘Some one I've been telling you about for the last month.” ¥ wretch! don’t think anything except your books. I'v dinning that girl's praises into yc fully five week d_you look at that Innocent way and ask which “Honestly, Aunt Margaret, vou're al- ways telling me about some beautiful girl, I get them mixed. And then when I ses them, they don’t come up to the advance notices you've sent out. To tell you the truth, you are such a beautiful woman, got so used to yewr standard, s can't measure up to it.” flatterer. A woman of 42 a stand- erd of beauty! Well, it's sweet to hear you say it, you handsome young rascal.”” “It's the honest truth u_are one of the women who never show the addition of a_year. aye spolled my eyesight for ordinary 3 “Hush, girl like you talk to me. you're afraid of them.” “Well, I am, in a sense. appointed so many time h! you'll find her yet and when you girl sir, you don’t dare to_talk to They all I've been dis- Gol'— “What do you think will happen “I'm certain vou will be the biggest fool in the State.” “That will make it nice for the girl, won't 1t “Yes, and 1 shall enjoy your antics. You who have dissected love with your brutal German pailosophy, and found every girl's faults with such ease—it will be fun to ‘Walrh vou flounder in the meshes at ast.” ““Auntie, seriously, it will be the hap- plest day of my life. For four years my dreame have been growing more and more impossible. Who is this one?” “She is the most beautiful girl I know, and the brightest and best, and if she gets hold of you she will clip your wings and bring you down to earth. I'll watch you with interest” sald Mrs. Durham, looking over the letter again and laughing “What are you laughing at?” “J a little joke she gets off In this letter. told “But' who is she? You havea't me. _“I aid tell you—she’s General Worth's a ghter, Miss Sallle. She writes she is coming up to spend a month at the Springs, with her friend, Helen Lowell of Boston, and wants me to corral all the young men in the community and have them fed and in fine condition for work when they arrive.” Ebe evidently intends to have a good im. “Yes, and she will.” “Fortunately my law practice is not rushing me at this season. My total re- ceipts for June last year were $225. It will hardly go over two fifty this year.” “I've told her you're a rising young lawyer.’ “I have Plen!y of room to rise, Auntie. 1f you will just keep on letting me board with yoy, T hope to work my practice up to ten doliars a month in the course of time.” “Dor’t you want to about Miss Sallie? “Of course; I w hear something s just going to ask you f she's as homely as the last one you tried to get off on me.” . “I've told you shes a beauty. She made & sensation at her finishing school in Bal- timore. dt's funny that she was there the lust year you were at the Johns Hop- kins U'niversity. She's the belle of Inde- pendence, rich, petted and the only child of old General Worth, who thinks the sun rises and sets in her pretty blue eyes “So she has blue eyes?” ‘es, blue eyes and black hair.” “What a funny combination! I never with blue eyes and black “It's often seen in the far South. I ex- pect you to be drowned In those blue p They are big. round and child-like, look out of their black lashes as theugh surprised at thelr dark setting. This contrast accentuates thelr dreamy beauty, and her eves seem to swim in a dim biue mist like the point where the sca and sky meet on the horizon far out on the ocean. She is bright, witty, ro- mantic and full of coquetry.’ She is de- tcrmined to live her girl's life to its full iimit. She is fond of society and dances divineiy.” ““That's bad. in my I never even cut the pig- life—and I'm too old , queenly figure, small hands and feet, delicate wrists, a dimple one cheek only, and a mass of brown- ack hair tha curls when it's going to rain “1'hat’s fine; we wouldn't need a barom- eter_on life's ‘voyage, would we?” “No, but you will be looking for a pilot and a harbor before you've known her a month. Her upper lp is a little fuiler 1d projects slightly over the lower, and ey are both beautifully fluted and curv- ed like the petals of a flower, which makes the most tantalizing mouth a standing challenge for a kiss.” “Oh! Aunue, you're joking! You never saw such a girl. You're breaking into my lLeart, stealing glances at my ideal.” *All right, sir, wait and see for your- self. Bhe has pretty shell-like ears, her lzughter is full, contagious and like She piays divinely on the piano, ing a note, but dresses to kill. You s well wind up your affairs and ready for the first serious work of life. You will have your hands full r you see her.” But did | understand you to say she's , they say her father’s worth half miidon.” “Do you think she could be interested he poor in this county?” 1 she doesn’t geem to know she's Her father, the general, is u con in the Baptist church at Inde- pendence and hates dudes and fops with ail his old-fashioned soul. His idea of a man is one of character and the capacity ot achievement, not merely a possesssor of movey. Still, T imagine he is golng to give any man trouble who tries to take his daughter away from him.” “I'm afraid that money lets me out of the race.” “Nothing of the sort; when you see her you will never allow a little thing lke that to’ worry you.” It's pot her dollars that will worry me. Jt's the fact that she's got them and I haven't. But, anyhow, Auntie, from your description you can book me for one night at least.” “I'm going to book you for her lackey. slave, devoted to her every whim she’s here. One night—the idea!” “Auntie, you're too generous to others. I've no notion all this rigmarole about your Miss Sallie Worth Is true. But I'll nything to please you.” ery well, I'll see whom you are try- g to please later."” must go,” said Gaston, hastily ris- I have an engagement to discuss the ing_political campalign with the Hon. n McLeod, the present Repubiican s of the State.” didn’t know you hobnobbed with the “I don’t. But as far as I can under- stand him, he purposes to take me up on an exceeding high mountain and offer me the world and the fullness thereof. We all like to be tempted whether we fall or not. The doctor hates McLeod. I think he holds some grudge against him. What do you think of him, Auntie? He swears by you. I used to dislike him as a boy, but he seems a pretty decent sort of fellow now, and I can't help liking just a little anybody who loves you. I con- fess he has a fascination for me.” “Why do you ask my opinion of him?” slowly asked Mrs. Durham. “Because I'm not quite sure of his hon- esty. He talks fairly, but there's some- thing about him that casts a doubt over his fairest words. He says he has the most important proposition of my life to place before me to-day. and I'm at & loss how to meet him—whether as a wel- meaning friend or a scheming scoundrel. He’'s a puzzle to me.” *“Well, Charlle, T don’t mind telling you that he is a puzzle to me. - I've always been strangely attracted to him, even when he was a big red-headed brute of a Loy. The doctor always disliked him and 1 thought, misjndged him. He has al- ways pald me the supremest deference, and of late years the most subtle flattery, No weman who feels her life a fallure, as 1 do mine, can be indifferent to such a compliment from a man of ftrained mind and masterful character. This is a soré subject between the doctor and my- self. And when I see him shaking hands a, lttle too lingeringly with admiring sisters after his services I repay him with a chat with my devoted McLeod. Don't ask me. I like him, and I don’t like him. 1 admire him and at the same time I suspect and half fear him.” “Strange we feel g0 much alike about him. But your heart has always been close to mine, since you slipped your arm arcund me that night my mother died. I know about what he will say, and I krow about what I'll do.” He stooped and kissed his foster-mother tenderly. “Crarlie, I'm In earnest about my pret- ty girl that's coming. Don't forget it.” “Bah! You've fooled me before.” CHAPTER IL THE VOICE OF THE TEMPTER. McLeod was waiting wAth some impa- tience in his room at the hotel. “Walk in, Gaston, you're a little late. However, better late than never.” Mec- Leod plunged directly into the purpose os his visit, “‘Gaston, you're a man of brains and oratorical genius. 1 heard your speech in the last Democratic convention ir mal- eigh, and I don't say it to flatter you, that was the greatest speech made in any assembly In this State since the war.” “Thanks!” sald Gaston with a wave of his arm. “I1 mean it. You know too much to be in sympathy with the old moss-backs who eare mow running this State. For four- teen years the South has marched to the polis and struck blindly at-the Republi- can party, and three times it struck to kill. The Southern people have nothing in common with these Northern Democrats, who make your platforms and nominate your candidate. You don’t ask anything about the platform or the man. You would vote for the devil if the Democrats nominated him, and ask no questions; and what Infuriates me Is you vote to en- force platforms that mean economic ruin to the South.” 2 “‘Gaston, the time has come to shake off tkLis nightmare and face the issues of cur day and generation. We are going to win In this campaign, but I want you. 1 like you. You are the kind of man we need now to take the field and lead in this campaign.” “‘How are you going to win?" ““We are going to form a contract with the Farmers’' Alliance and break the backbone of the Bourbon Democrats of the South. The farmers have now a com- pact body of 50,000 voters, thoroughly or- ganized, and combined with the negro vote we can hold this State until Gabriel blows his trumpet.” “That's a pretty scheme. Our farmers are crazy now with all sorts of fool ideas,” sald Gaston thoughtfully. “Exactly. my boy, and we've got them by the nose. “If you can carry that programme through you've got us in a hole.” “In a hole? I should say we've got you in a bottomless pit with the lid boited down. You'll not even rise at the day of Judgment. It won't be necessary!” laugh- ed McLeod; as he laughed he changed his tone in the midst of his laughter. ““And what is the great proposition you have to make to me?” asked Gaston. “Joln with us in this new coalition and stump the State for us. Your fortune will be made, win or lose. Pil see that the National Republican Committee pays you a thousand dollars a week for your speeches, at least five a week—two hun- dred dollars aplece. If we lose you will make ten thousand dollars in the canvass, and stand in line for a good office under the national administration. If we win T'll put you in the Governor’'s palace for four years. There's a tide in the affairs , It's the flood at Gaston was silent a moment and looked thoughtfully ovt of the window. The of- fer was a tremendous temptation. A group of old fogles had dominated the Democratic party for ten years, and had kept the younger men down with their war cries and old soldler candidates, un- til he had been more than once disgusted. He felt as sure of McLeod's success as if he already saw it. It was g\‘ecllely the movement Le had warned the old pud ding-head set against in the receding campaign in which they had deliberately alicnated the Farmers’ Alllance. They pooh-poohed his warning and blundered on in their ruin. It was the dream of his life to have mouey enough to buy back his mother's old hcme, beautify it and live there in comfort with a great library of books he could gather. Tge ro!slbillly of a career at the State capital and then at Wash- ington for so young a man was one of dazzling splendor to his youthful mind. ¥For the moment It seemed almost impos- sible to say no. McLeod saw his hesitation and already ith the certainty of triumph. A ud overspread his face when Gaston at th said: 1l give you my answer to-morrow."” “All right, you're a gentlemal 1 can trust you. Our conversation is of course between you and me."” “Certainly I understand that.” All that day and night he was alone fighting out the battle in his soul.. It was &n easy solution of life that opened before him. The attainment of his proudest am- bitions lay within hig grasp almost with- out a struggle. Such a campaign, with kis nzme on the lips of surging thousands around those speakers’ stands was an idea that fascinated him with' a serpent cLarm. All that he had to do was to give up his prejudices on the negro question. His own party stood for no principle except the supremacy of the Anglo-Saxon. On the fssue of party platforms he was in sccord with the modern Republican utter- ances at almost every issue, and so were his assoclates in the Southern Democracy. The negro was the point. What was the use now of persisting in the stupid reit- eration of the old negro slogan of white supremacy? The negro had the ballot. He was st{ll the ward of the nation, and likely to be for all time, so far as he could see. The negro was the one pet svperstition of the millions who. lived where the negro dwelt. His person and his ballot were held more peculiarly sa- cred and fnviolate in the South than that of any white man elsewhere. The possibllity of the reunion in friend- ly understanding and sympathy between the masses of the North and the masses of the South seemed remote and impossi- ble in his day and generation. He asked himself the question,s could, such a revolutjon toward universal suf- frage ever go backward, no matter how base the motive which gave it birth? Why not give up Impracticable dream: accept things as they are, and succeed? He did not confer with the Rev. John Durham on this question. because he krew what his answer would be without asking. A thou: d times he had said 15 him, with the emphasis he could give to words: ° “My boy, the future American must be an Anglo-Saxon or a mulatto! We are now deciding which it shall be. The fu- ture of the world depends on the future of this republic. The republic can have no future if racial lines are broken and its proud citizenship sinks to the level of a mongrel breed of mulattoes. The South must fight this battle to a finish. Two thousand years look down upon the strug- gle and two thousand years of the future gendhlow to catch the message of life or eath!” £ He could see now his drawn face with its deep lines and his eyes flashing with gassion as he said this. These words aunted Gaston now with strange power as he walked along the silent llreell.: He walked down past his oid home, stopped and leaned on the gate and look- ed at it long and lovingly. What a flood of tender and sorrowful memories swept his soul! He lived over again the days of despair when hig mother was an in- valid. He recalled thelr awful verty, and then the last terrible day with that mob of negroes !rnmrllgnz over the lawn and overrunuing the hbuse. He saw the white face of his mother, whose memory he loved as he loved his life. And now he recalled a sentence from her dying lips. He had all but lost its meaning. “You_will grow to be a brave, stron, man. You will fight this baftle out, an win back our home, and bring/ your n bride here in the far away d: of sun- shine and success I see for yo i You will fight this battle out—he had almost lost that sentence in his hunger for that which followed. It came to his soul now ringing like a trumpet call to honor and duty. He turned on his heel and walked rapld- 1y home. He Jooked at his watch. It was 2 o'clock in the morning. ““We will fight it out on the old lines, he said to McLeod next day. “You will find me a pretty good fight- er. “Unto the death, let it be' answered Gaston, firmly setting his lips. “I admire your pluck, but I'm sorry for your judgment. You know you're beaten before you begin.” “Defeat that’s seen Ras lost its bitter- ness before it comes." “Then get ready the flowers for the funeral. 1 hoped you would have better gense. You are one of the men now I'll have to_crush first, thoroughly and forsall time. I'm not afrald of the old fools, I'll be fair enough to tell you this,” said Mcleod. “‘Not since Legree’'s day has the Repub- Yican party had such a dangerous man at its head,” sald Gaston thoughtfully to himself as McLeod strode away across the square. ‘“‘He has ten times the brains of bis old master and none of his supersti- tions. He will give me a hard fight.” CHAPTER IIL FLORA. Gaston was feeling blue from the reac- tion which followed his temptation by McLeod. His duty was clear the night betore as he walked firmly homeward, re- calling the tragedy of the past. Now in the cold light of day, the past seemed far away and unreal. e present was near, pressing, vital. He lald down a book he was_trying to read, locked his office and strolled down town to see Tom Camp. This old soldier had come to ‘be a sort of oracle to him. His affection for the son of his colonel was deep and abiding, and his extravagant tery of his talents and future were so evidently sincere they always acted a tonic. And he needed a tonic to-day. Tom was seated in a chair in his.yard under a big cedar, working on a basket, and a little goiden-haired girl was play- ing at his feet. It was his old home he had lost in Legree's day, but had got back through the help of General Worth, who came up one day and pald back Tom's gift of lightwood In gleaming yel- low metal. His long hair and full beard were white now, and his eyes had a/soft, deep look that told of sorrows borne in patience and faith beyond the ken’of the younger man. It was this look on Tom's face that held Gaston like a magnet when he was in trouble, “Tom, I'm blue and heartsick. I've come down to have you cheer me up a little," “You've got the blues? Well, that is a joke!" crled Tom. *“You, young and hanudsome, the best educated man in the county, the finest orator In the State, life all before you, and God fillin’ the world to-day with sunshine and spring flowers, ané all for you! You blue! That Is a uke.” And Tom's volce rang. in hearty avgkter. “Come here, Flora, and kiss me; you won't laugh at me, will you?" The child climbed up into his lap, elip- ed her little arms around his neck and iigged and kissed him. “Now, once .more, dearie, long and close and hard—oh! That’s worth a {-ound of candy!" Again she squeezed his neck and kissed him, looking into his face with a smile. "I love you, Charli she sald with qunt!)nt e P “Do you, dear? ell, that makes glad. il I can win the love of s Ty a_little girl as you I'm not a failu ?"AIAI;Id hhe lmol‘a‘l’hadflh!dr_;urll‘." “‘Ain’t she sweet?” cried Tom as he laid n!l!o his basket and lfl'ohkgdflgt with moistened eyes. - m. she’s the sweetest”child T ever “Yes, she's God’s last and best gift to me, t0 show me he still loved me. Taik about trouble. Man, you're a baby. You ain't cut your teeth yet. Wait till you've seen some things I've seen. Wait till you've seen the light of the worlid go out and staggerin’ in the dark met the devii face. to face, and looked him in the eye, and smelled the pit. And then feel him knock you down iIn it and the waves rgl! over you and smother you. I've been ther Tom paused and looked at Gaston. “You weren't here when I come to the end of the world, the time when that baby was bern, and Annie died with the little red bundle sleepin’ on her breast. The oldest girl was murdered by Legree’'s nigger sol- diers. Then Annie give me that little gal. Lord, I was the happlest old fool that ever lived that day! And then when 1 looked Into Annie's dead face, I went down, down, down! But I looked up from the bottom of the pit and I saw the light of them blue eyes and I heard her callin’ me to take her. How I watched her and nursed her, a mother and a father to her, day and night, through the long years. and how them little fingers of hers got hold of my heart! Now, I bless the Lord for all his goodness and mercy to me. She will make it_all right. She's geing to be a lady and such a beauty. She's goin' to school now, and me and the general's goin® to take her ter coliege by and by, and she’'s goin’ to marry some b‘f handsome feilow like you, and her crippled, gray-hailred daddy’ll live in her house in his old age. The Lord is my shepherd, 1 shall not want.” “Tom, you make me ashamed.” “You ought to be, man, a youngster like you to talk about gettin' the blues. ‘What's all your education for?” “Scmetimes I think that only men like you have ever been educated.” “‘G'long with your foolishness, boy. T a‘n’t never had a show in this world. The nigger's been on m‘y back since I first toddled into the worid, and I reckon he'll ride me into the grave. They are the only rivals now making them baskets and they always undersell me."” Gaston started as Tom uttered the last senterce. “With you, boy, it's plain_ sailin’. You're the best looking chap in the coun- ty. 1 was a dandy when I was young. It does me good to look at you if you don’t care nothin’ about fine clothes. Then you're as sharp as a razor. There ain't a man in No'th Caliny that can stand up agin you on the stump. I've heard 'em all. You'll be the jovernor of this Stat “Hush, Tom, you make me feel silly,” sald Gaston as he warmly pressed the old fellow’s hand. He went back toward his office with lighter step and more buoy- ant heart. His mind was as clear as the noonday sun that was now flooding the green fresh world with its splendor. He would stand by his own people. He would sink or swim with them. If poverty and fallure were the result, let it be so. If success came, all the better. There were things more to be desired than gold. CHAPTER IV. THE ONE WOMAN. Gaston called at the postoffice to get Lis mail. One relief the Cleveland admin- ation had brought Hambright—a de- gt citizen in charge of the postoffice. ave Haley had given place to a Demo- crat and was now scheming and working with McLeod for the ‘“‘salvation’” of the State, which, of course, meant for the old slave trader the restoration of his office under a_ Republican admin..‘ration. the South had held no other reason for hating the Republican party, the charac- ter of the men appointed to Federal of- fice wus enough to send every honest man hurrying into the opposite party without ucking any questions as to its principles. Sam Love, the new postmaster, was a jovial, honest, lazy, good-natured Demo- crat, whose ideal of luxurious life was at- talued in his office. He handed Gaston his mail with a giggle. “What's the matter with you, Sam?" “Nuthin® 'tall. 1 just thought I'd tell fcu that 1 like her handwriting,” he aughed. S “How dare you study the handwriting letters, si at's the use of being postmaster? Ther l;"! no big money in it. I just t-ke:’fl in the office,” sald Sam geni- “That's a new one, ain't it?" . It was a new one—a big square envei- cpe with a seal on the back of it, address- ed to him in the most delicate feminine band, and postmarked “Independence.’” ‘‘Great Scott, this is interesting,” he cried, breaking the seal. ‘When the postmaster saw he was go- ing to open it right there in the office, he stepped around in front and looking over nls_shoulder said: ““What is it, Charlie?’" “It's an invitation from the Ladles’ Memorial Association to deliver the Mem. orial day oration at Independence the 10th of May. That's great. No money in it, but scores of pretty girls, Lig speech, congratulations, the lion of the hour! Don't you wish you were really a man of brairs, Sam?" “No, no, I'm married. waste now.” “Sam, 1'll be there. Got the biggest speech of my life all cocked and primed, full of pathos and eloquence—been work- irg on It at odd times for four years. They'll think it a sudden inspiration.” What's the name of 1t?" “The Message of the New South to the Glorious Old.” “That sounds bully; that ought to fetch m. It would be a ‘e ‘It will, my boy, and when Dave Halev gets this postoffice away from you in the dark days coming, I'll publish the speech in a pamphlet, and you can peddle it at a quarter and make a good living for your children.” “Don't talk like that, Gaston; that isn't funny at all. You don't think' the Rad- have got any chance?” 5 ance! Between you and me, they’ll win.' Sam went back to his desk without an- othér word, a great fear suddenly dark; ening his future. McLeod had gotten off the same joke on him the day before. It sounded omincus coming from both sidcs like that. He took up his party paper, the Old Timer's Gazette, and read over again the sure prophecies of victory and felt better. Gaston accepted the invitation with fe- verish haste. He had it all ready to put in the office for the return mail to Inde- endence. But he was ashamed to appear n such a hurry, so he held the letter over until the next day. He proudly showed the invitation to Mrs. Durham. hat do you think of that, Auntie?” Tmmense. You will meet Miss Sallie sure. That, letter is In her handwriting. Ehe's the secretary of the assoclation and signed the commiitee's names.” “‘You don't say that's the great and only one’s handwriting!"” “‘Couldn’t be mistaken. It has a dell- ca}:e distinction about it. I'd know it any- where.” . “It is beautiful,” acknowledged Gaston, looking thoughtfully at the letter. “I wish you had a new suit, Charlie.,” “I wouldn’t mind it myself, if 1 had the money. But clothes don’t interest me much, just g0 I'm fairly «decent.” “I'll foan you the money if you will promise me, to devote yourself faithfully to Sallle.” “Never. I'll not sell my Interest in all those acres of pretty girls just for one [ never saw and a new suit of clothes. No thanks. I'm going down there with a pre- monition I may find her of whom TI've drgnni. They say that town is full of beaut “You're so conceited, That's ail the more reason you should look your best. “] den't care so much about looks. I'm going to do my best, whatever 1 look." +Oh, you know you're good looking and you don’t care,’” said his foster-mother with pride. 2 & On the 10th of May Independence was In ala robes. The long rows of beautiful ouses, with dark bluegrass lawns on which giant oaks spread their cool arms, were gay with bunting and with flowers, ficwers everywhere! Every urchin on the street and every man, woman and chiid wore or carried flowers. The reception committee met Gaston at the depot on the arri of the excursica tror +hat ran from Hambright. placed in an open carriage beside a hand- sume chattering society woman, and drawn by two prancing horses, was es- corted 1o the hotel, where he was intro- duced to the distinguished old soidiers of the Cenfederacy. At 10 o'clock the procession was formed. What a sight! It stretched from the ho- te! down the shaded pavements a mile toward the cemetery, two long rows of beautiful young giris holding great bou- quets of flowers. This long double line of beauty and sweetness opened and, es- ccrted gravely by the oldest general of the Confederacy present, he waked through this mile of smiling girls and flowers. Behind him tramped the veter- ans, some with one arm, some with wood- en legs. When they passed through the double line closed and two and two the hundreds of girls carried their flowers in soiemn procession. Here was the throbbing soul the South, keeping fresh the luve of her herole dead. ‘I'hey spread out over the great cemetery like a host of ministering angels. There was a bugle call. They bent low for a moment and flowers were smiling over le‘\'l'r}' grave from the greatest to the low- est. And_then to a stone altar marked “To the Unknown Dead,”™ they came and heaped up roses. 1hen a group of sad- &d women dressed In black with quaint le bonnets wreathing their brews iike nuns went silently straight in front of him, he looked into the tace of the One Woman of all his dreams! There she sat as still as death, her beautiful face tense with breathless ip- terest, her fluted red lips parted as if nait wonder, half In joy over some strange evelation and her great blue eyes swim- ming in a mist of tears. He smiled a look of recognition into her soul and she an- swered with a smile that seemed to say, “I've known you always. Why Haven't you seen me sooner?” He recognized her instantly from Mrs. Dunham's descrip- tion and his heart gave a cry of joy. From that moment every word that he uttered was spoken to her. Sometimes as he would look straight through her eyes into her soul, she would flush red to the roots of her brown-black hair, but she never lowered her gaze. He ciosed his speech in a round of applause that was renewed again and again. His old classmate, Bob St. Clair, rushed forward to greet him. - “Old fellow, you've covered yourseif with glory. By George, that was great! Come, here’s a hundred girls want to meet you.” He was Introduced to a host of beauties, who showered him with extravagant com- pliments, which he accepted without af- fectation. He knew he had outdone him- self that day, and he knew why. The One Woman he had been searching the ‘world for was there and inspired him be- yond all he had ever dared before. He was disappointed In not seeing er among the crowd who were shaking nis hand. He looked anxiously over the heads of those near by to see if she had gone. He saw her standing talking to two styl- ishly dressed young men. ‘When the erowd had melted away from the rostrum she walked straight toward hln;l, extending her hand with a graclous smile. He knew he must look like a fool, but to save him he could not help it, he was simply bubbling over with delight as he grasped her hand, and before she could say a word he sald: ““You are Miss Sallle Wort e secre- tary of the association. My f -mother has described you so accurats should know you among a thousan ““Yes, I have been looking forward with flenaure to our trip to the Springs when knew I should meet you. I am delight- ed to see you a month earlier.” She said this with a simple earnestness that gave “l a deeper meaning than a mere common- place. N “Do_you know that you nearly knocked me oft mg' feet when I first saw you ia the crowd?" “Why? How?" she asked. “You startled me.” “I hope not unpleasantly,” she sald, locking up at him with her blue eyes twinkling. “‘Oh! heavens, no! You are suth a per- fect image of the girl she described that I was so astonished I came near shout- ing at the top of my volce, ‘There she is!" And that would have ast the audi- ence, wouldn't it?"* “It would, indeed,” she replied, blushing Just a little. “But I am forgetting my mission, Mr. Gaston. Papa sent me to apologize for his absence to-day. He was called out of the city on some mill business. He told e to bring you home to dine with him. I'm the secrctary, you know, and exer- cise authority In tnese matters, so I've fixed that programme. You have no choice. The carriage is walting.” CHAPTER V. THE MORNING OF LOVE. To his dying day Gaston will never for- get that ride fo her home with Salil2 Worth by his side. It was a perfect May day. The leaves on the trees were just grown and flashed their green sa..n under the Southern sun and every flower in seemed in full bloom. A great joy filled his heart with a sense of divine restfuiness. He was unusually silent. And then she sald something that made him open his eyes in new wonder. “Don’t drive so fast, Ben, and go around the longest way; I'm enjoying this.” She aused and a mischievous look came into her e{lel as she saw his expression. “I've got the lion here by my side. I want to show all the girls in town that I'm the only one here to-day. It isn't oftea I've a great man tied down like this.” “Why dld you spoil the first part of that pretty speech with the last?” he said ‘with a frown. “It was only your vanity that made me se. ‘Could you read me like that?” 3 “Of course, all men are vain, much vainer than women.” Again there was a long silence. They had reached the outskirts of the city now and were driving slowly through the deep shadows of a great forest. ““What beautiful trees!” he excisimed. “They are fine. Do you love big trees>" “Yes, they always seem to me to have a soul. It used to make me almost cry to watch them fall beneath Nelse's ax. 1'd never have the heart to clear a plece of woods if I owned it.” “I'm glad to hear you say that. Papa laughed at me when I sald something of the sort when he wanted to cut fhese woods, He left them just to please me. They belong to our place. They hide the house till you get right up to the gate, but T love them.” Again he looked Into her eyes and was silent. “Now, I come to think of it, you're the only girl I've met to-day who hasn’t men- tioned my speech. That's strange.” “How do vou know that I'm not saving up something very pretty to say .« you later about it? *“Tell me now."” o, you've spoiled it by your vanity in asking.” |She sald this looking away carelessly. “Then I'll Interpret your silence as the highest comipliment you can pay me. When words fall, we are deaply moved.” *“Vanity of vanity, all Is vanity, saith the preacher!” she exclaimed liftlag her pretty hands. They turned through a high arched iron gateway, across which was written in gold letters, “Oakwood." On a gently rising hill on the banks of the Catawba River rose a splendid old Southern mansion, its big Greek columns gleaming thgough the green trees like pol. ished dvory. A wide porch ran across the full width of the house behind the h‘i pillars, and *smaller columns supportes the full sweep of a great balcony above. The house was bullt of brick with Port- land cement finish, and the whole painted in two shades of old lvor;. with moss- reen roof and dark, rich Pompelian red rick foundations. With its green back- ground of magnolia trees it seemei lika a huge block of soiid ivory flashing in splendor from its throne on the hill. The drive wound down a little dale, around a reat circle filled with shrubbery and g"fl'l and up to the plilared port-co- chere. “*Oh! what a beautiful home!" Gaston exclaimed with feeling THE fUNDAY CALL. “It_is beautiful, isn't {t?"" she said wit! delight “1 iove every brick in its wal every tree and flower and blade of gra “ve_always dreamed of a home ltke that. Those big columns seem to link one to the past and add dignity and meaning to life.” “Then you can understand how I love it, when 1 was born here and every nook and corner has its love message for me from the past that I have lived, as’ well as its wider meaning which you see.” ‘he old_South built beautiful homes, didn’t they? And that was one of the fin- E!{dlhinga about the proud old days,” he said. Yes, and the new Bouth, of which you spoke to-day, wili not forget this her! tuge of the old, when it comes to itself and shakes off its long suffering poverty!" Strange to hear that sort of a speech from a girl who loves society, dances di- vinely and dresses to kill. He thought of the words of his foster-mother with a jang. He hoped she was joking about those things. But he had a strong sus- picion from the consciousness of power with which she had tried once or twice to tease him that they were going to prove futally true. “Mother tells me you were in Baltimore, in that. swell girls’ school on N Crarles street when I was a student at the universit “Yes, and we gave reception after re- ception to the Hopkins men and you nev- er once honored us With your presence. “But I didn’t know you were there, Miss Sallfe.” “Of ‘course not. rpeak to you now. a recluse. That you ciety and dddn’t speak to a woman four vears.” How did they hear that?" 'Bob St. Clare told me after I came home, by way of apology for your bad manners In so shamefuily neglecting a joung woman from your own State.” “I'll make amends now.” “Oh! I'm not sufferin: from loneliness as 1 did then. You know Bob put us up Lo inviting you to deliver the address. He sald you were the only orator In North arolina.” “‘Bob's the best friend I ever had. We entered college together at 15 agnd became inseparable friends.” He helped her from the carriage and she ran lightly up the high stoop. “Now come here and look at the view ot the river before papa comes and be- gins to talk about the tremendous water power In the falis." “A glorious view ing lorg and loving tace of the river. “Do you love the water, Mr. Gaston?" “Passionately. I was born among the lijlls, but the first time I saw the ocean sweeping over five milles of sand reefs aud brezking in white thundering spray at my feet I stood there on a sand dune on our wild coast and gazed entranced for an hour without moving. Of al the things God ever made on this earth I love the waters of the sea, and all moving water suggests it to me. That river says, I must hurry to the sea!” “It is strange we should have such sim- flar tastes,” she sald seriously. But it did not seem strange to him. Somehow he expected to find her agree with every whim and fancy of hig nature. “Now we will ind mama. She Is such an invalid she rarely goes out. Papa will be home any minute.” Ve are glad to welcome you, Mr. Gas- er mother in a kindly man- ner. 'm sure you've enjoyed the drive this beautiful day, if Sallle hasn't been trying to tease you. The boys say she's very tiresome at times.” ““Why, mama, I'm surprised at you. The idea of such a thing! here’s not a_word of truth in it, is there, Mr. Gaston?” “Certainly not, Miss Sallie. I'll testify, Mrs. Worth, that your daughter has been simply charming."” She ran to meet her father at the door. There was the sound of a hearty kiss, a little whispering, and the general stepped briskly into the parlor, where she had left her guest. “Pleased tuv welcome you to our home, young man. They say down town that ou made the greatest s{»eech ever heard in Independence. Sorry | missed it. We'll have you to dinner anyway. I knew your brave father in the army. And now come to think of it, I saw you once when you were a boy. I was struck with your resemblance to your father then, as now. You showed me the way down to Tom Camp's house. Don't you remember?” “‘Certainly, general, but I didn't flatter myself that you would recall it."” “I never forget a face. I hope you have been enjc{lng yourself " ““More than I can express, sir.” “T'll join you by and by,” sald the gen- eral, taking leave. “Now isn't he a dear old papa?” she sald demurely. ‘‘He certainly knows how tosmake a timid young man feel at home. “Are you timid?"" “Hadn’t_you noticed it?” ““Well, hardly.” She shook her head and closed her eyes in the most tantaliz- irg way. “To see the cool insolence of conscious power with which you looked that great crowd in the face when you arose on that platform, I shouldn't say 1 was struck with your timidity.” % “l was really trembling from head to oot.” “I wonder how you would look if really cool!” onestly, Miss Sallie, T never speak to any crowd without the intensest nervous extitement. 1 may put on a brave front, but it's all on the surfac: “I can't believe 1t,” she sald, shaking her head. She looked at his serious face a moment and was silent. “It's queer how we run out of some- thing to say, isn't i{t?” she asked at length. *1 hadn’t thought of it.” *‘Come to the observatory and I'll show you Lord Cornwallls’ lookout when he ad his headquarters here during the rev- olution.” She lifted her soft white skirts and led the way up the winding mahogany stairs iuto the observatory, from which the sur- rounding country could be seen for miles. “‘Here Lord Cornwallls waited in vain for Colonel! Ferfluon to join him with his regiment from King’ ountain.™ “Where my great-grandfather was drawing around him his cordon of death with his flerce mountain men!" interrupt- ed Gaston. “Yes, it was fought on his land, and his two-story log house with the rifle holes cut in the ch(mnz‘ jambs still stands. “‘Then we will shake hands again, o cried with enthusiasm. ‘“‘for we are both children of the revolution!" Gaston took her beautiful hand in his and held it lingeringly. Never in all his life had the mere touch of a human hand thrilled him with such strange power. How long he held it he could not tell, but it was with a sort of surprise he felt ber gently withdraw it at last. They reached the parior again ard he slowly fell into an easy chair. Do you dance, Miss Sallle?” Why yes, don‘t you dance?" Never tried in my life." ‘Don’t you approve of daneing?" *‘I never had time to think about it. It elways seemed silly to me.” l!"js l’l:al] fun.” " “T'd take lessons if you would to teach me. and I could dance 'l!h‘% all the time and keep all the other fellows away.” ell, 1 must say that's doing fairly well for a timid "‘oung man's first day's acquaintance. What will you say when you once become fully self-possessed " he lifted her high arched evebrows and looked at him with those blue eyes of lsm;uzxgs fun u‘m ha‘ had to look down at the floor to keep from sayin, than he dared. o “‘Miss Sallia. T feel as if I've known you ever since I was born.” She blushed and made no reply. Dinrer was announced and Gaston was amazed to see Allan McLeod enter chat- tering famillarly with the general. Ha seemed on the most intimate terms with the family and his eye lingered fondly on Sallle’s face in a way that somehow Gas- ton resented as an impertinence. If_you had I wouldn't They said you were ever went into so- for said Gaston, look- at the silver sur- Continued Next Week.