"Oh, mother!" he exclaimed, "I did love her honestly before, but now
I adore her. I must marry her, and by a lifetime of devotion wipe
out the wrong I did not intend to inflict."
"It will all come about right yet, my boy," she whispered. "I never
understood Louise before. I fear they have been too strict and
unsympathetic in her bringing up, and so she has naturally rebelled
against all their plans. You didn't think at the time--indeed, in
our excitement we all forgot--that Aun' Jinkey was her mammy, and
you know how strong that tie is, even in your case, and you have
always had a mother's love."
"Oh, fool, fool that I was in my mad anger! Brave, grand, heroic
girl! I'd have done as much for my old mammy; or rather I'd have
struck down a general before he should harm her. Oh, mother,
mother!" concluded the much-indulged youth, "I must marry her. She
is just the bride for a soldier."
"Rather than have her fall into the hands of the enemy, we will lead
her to see that it is the only thing to be done," replied Mrs.
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