CHAPTER29。MELISSAANDMARGARET
TheearlyspringsunshinelaylikeabenedictionovertheDeanhousehold，forMargaretandhermotherwerehomefromexile。OnthecorneroftheverandasatMrs。Dean，whereshealwayssat，knitting。Underthebigweepingwillowinthegardenwasherhusband'sgrave。Whenshewasnotseatednearit，shewasthereintheporch，andtoithereyesseemedalwaystostraywhensheliftedthemfromherwork。
ThemailhadjustcomeandMargaretwasreadingaletterfromDan，and，assheread，hercheeksflushed。
"Hetookmeintohisowntent，mother，andputhisownclothesonmeandnursedmelikeabrother。AndnowheisgoingtotakemetoyouandMargaret，hesays，andIshallbestrongenough，Ihope，tostartinaweek。Ishallbehisfriendforlife。"
Neithermothernordaughterspokewhenthegirlceasedreading。OnlyMargaretrosesoonandwalkeddownthegravelledwalktothestile。
Beneaththehill，thecreeksparkled。Shecouldseetheverypoolwhereherbrothersandthequeerlittlestrangerfromthemountainswerefishingthedayhecameintoherlife。Sherememberedtheindignantheart-beatwithwhichshehadheardhimcallher"littlegal，"andshesmilednow，butshecouldrecalltheverytoneofhisvoiceandthesteadylookinhiscleareyeswhenheofferedhertheperchhehadcaught。Eventhenhisspiritappealedunconsciouslytoher，whenhesturdilyrefusedtogouptothehousebecauseherbrotherwas"feelin'hardtowardshim。"Howstrangeandfarawayallthatseemednow！Upthecreekandaroundthewoodsshestrolled，deepinmemories。
Foralongwhileshesatonastonewallinthesunshine——thinkinganddreaming，anditwasgrowinglatewhenshestartedbacktothehouse。Atthestile，sheturnedforamomenttolookattheoldBufordhomeacrossthefields。Asshelooked，shesawthepike-gateopenandawoman'sfigureenter，andshekepthereyesidlyuponitasshewalkedontowardthehouse。Thewomancameslowlyandhesitatinglytowardtheyard。Whenshedrewnearer，Margaretcouldseethatsheworehomespun，home-madeshoes，andapoke-bonnet。
Onherhandswereyarnhalf-mits，and，asshewalked，shepushedherbonnetfromhereyeswithonehand，firsttooneside，thentotheother——lookingatthelocustsplantedalongtheavenue，thecedarsintheyard，thesweepoflawnoverspreadwithspringingbluegrass。Attheyardgateshestopped，leaningoverit——hereyesfixedonthestatelywhitehouse，withitsmightypillars。Margaretwasstandingonthestepsnow，motionlessandwaiting，and，knowingthatshewasseen，thewomanopenedthegateandwalkedupthegravelledpath——nevertakinghereyesfromthefigureontheporch。Straightshewalkedtothefootofthesteps，andthereshestopped，and，pushingherbonnetback，shesaid，simply：
"AreyouMar-ga-ret？"pronouncingthenameslowlyandwithgreatdistinctness。
Margaretstarted。
"Yes，"shesaid。
Thegirlmerelylookedather——longandhard。Onceherlipsmoved：
"Mar-ga-ret，"andstillshelooked。"DoyouknowwharChadis？"
Margaretflushed。
"Whoareyou？"
"Melissy。"
Melissa！Thetwogirlslookeddeepintoeachother'seyesand，foroneflashingmoment，eachsawtheother'sheart——baredandbeating——andMargaretsaw，too，astrangelightebbslowlyfromtheother'sfaceandastrangeshadowfollowslowlyafter。
"YoumeanMajorBuford？"
"ImeanChad。Ishedead？"
"No，heisbringingmybrotherhome。"
"Harry？"
"No——Dan。"
"Dan——here？"
"Yes。"
"When？"
"Assoonasmybrothergetswellenoughtotravel。Heiswounded。"
Melissaturnedherfacethen。Hermouthtwitchedandherclaspedhandswereworkinginandout。Thensheturnedagain。
"Icomeupherefromthemountains，afootjus'totellye——totellYOUthatChadain'tno"——shestoppedsuddenly，seeingMargaret'squickflush——"CHAD'S
MOTHERWASMARRIED。Ijus'founditoutlastweek。Heain'tno——"——shestartedfiercelyagainandstoppedagain。"ButIcomehereferHIM——notferYOU。YOU
oughtn'tto'a'keered。Hitwouldn't'a'beenhisfault。Heneverwasthesameafterhecomebackfromhere。Hitworriedhimmosttodeath，an'Iknowhitwasyou——YOUhewasalwaysthinkin'about。Hedidn'tkeer'ceptferyou。"
Againthatshadowcameanddeepened。"An'yououghtn'tto'a'keeredwhathewas——andthat'swhyIhateyou，"shesaid，calmly——"ferworryin'himan'bein'
sohigh-heeledthatyouwaswillin'tolethimmightynighbusthisheartaboutsomethin'thatwasn'thisfault。Icomeferhim——youunderstand——ferHIM。IhateYOU！"
Sheturnedwithoutanotherword，walkedslowlybackdownthewalkandthroughthegate。Margaretstooddazed，helpless，almostfrightened。Sheheardthegirlcoughandsawnowthatshewalkedasifweakandill。Assheturnedintotheroad，Margaretrandownthestepsandacrossthefieldstotheturnpike。
Whenshereachedtheroad-fencethegirlwascomingaroundthebendhereyesontheground，andeverynowandshewouldcoughandputherhandtoherbreast。Shelookedupquickly，hearingthenoiseaheadofher，andstoppedasMargaretclimbedthelowstonewallandsprangdown。
"Melissa，Melissa！Youmustn'thateme。Youmustn'thateME。"Margaret'seyeswerestreamingandhervoicetrembledwithkindness。Shewalkeduptothegirlandputonehandonhershoulder。"Youaresick。Iknowyouare，andyoumustcomebacktothehouse。"
Melissagavewaythen，andbreakingfromthegirl'sclaspsheleanedagainstthestonewallandsobbed，whileMargaretputherarmsaboutherandwaitedsilently。
"Comenow，"shesaid，"letmehelpyouover。Therenow。Youmustcomebackandgetsomethingtoeatandliedown。"AndMargaretledMelissabackacrossthefields。
CHAPTER30。PEACE
ItwasstrangetoChadthatheshouldbedriftingtowardanewlifedowntheriverwhichoncebeforehadcarriedhimtoanewworld。Thefuturethenwasnodarkerthannow，buthecouldhardlyconnecthimselfwiththelittlefellowincoon-skincapandmoccasinswhohadfloateddownonaraftsomanyyearsago，whenateveryturnoftheriverhiseagereyeslookedforanewandthrillingmystery。
Theytalkedofthelongfight，thetwolads，for，inspiteofthewar-wornlookofthem，bothwerestillnothingbutboys——andtheytalkedwithnobitternessofcamplife，nightattacks，surprises，escapes，imprisonment，incidentsofmarchandbattle。Bothspokelittleoftheirboyhooddaysorthefuture。ThepallofdefeatoverhungDan。Tohimtheworldseemedtobenearinganend，whiletoChadtheoutlookwaswhathehadknownallhislife——nothingtobeginwithandeverythingtobedone。OnceonlyDanvoicedhisowntrouble：
"Whatareyougoingtodo，Chad——nowthatthisinfernalwarisover？Goingintotheregulararmy？"
"No，"saidChad，decisively。AbouthisownfutureDanvolunteerednothing——heonlyturnedhisheadquicklytothepassingwoods，asthoughinfearthatChadmightasksomesimilarquestion，butChadwassilent。Andthustheyglidedbetweenhighcliffsanddownintothelowlandsuntilatlast，throughalittlegorgebetweentwoswellingriverhills，Dan'seyecaughtsightofanorchard，aleafywoodland，andapastureofbluegrass。Withacryheraisedhimselfononeelbow。
"Home！Itellyou，Chad，we'regettinghome！"Heclosedhiseyesanddrewthesweetairinasthoughheweredrinkingitdownlikewine。Hiseyesweresparklingwhenheopenedthemagainandtherewasanewcolorinhisface。Ontheydrifteduntil，towardnoon，theblackcolumnofsmokethatmeantthecapitalloomedagainstthehorizon。ThereMrs。Deanwaswaitingforthem，andChadturnedhisfaceasidewhenthemothertookhersoninherarms。WithasadsmilesheheldoutherhandtoChad。
"Youmustcomehomewithus，"Mrs。Deansaid，withquietdecision。
"WhereisMargaret，mother？"Chadalmosttrembledwhenheheardthename。
"Margaretcouldn'tcome。SheisnotverywellandsheistakingcareofHarry。"
TheverystationhadtragicmemoriestoChad。Therewasthelonghillwhichhehadtwiceclimbed——onceonalamefootandonceonflyingDixie——pastthearmoryandthegraveyard。Hehadseenenoughdeadsincehepeeredthroughthoseirongatestofilladozengraveyardsthelikeinsize。Goingupinthetrain，hecouldseethebarnwherehehadsleptinthehayloftthefirsttimehecametotheBluegrass，andthecreek-bridgewhereMajorBufordhadtakenhimintohiscarriage。MajorBufordwasdead。Hehadalmostdiedinprison，Mrs。Deansaid，andChadchokedandcouldsaynothing。Once，Danbeganaseriesofeagerquestionsaboutthehouseandfarm，andtheservantsandtheneighbors，buthismother'sanswerswerehesitantandhestoppedshort。She，too，askedbutfewquestions，andthethreewerequietwhilethetrainrolledonwithlittlemorespeedthanChadandDixiehadmadeonthatlongagonight-ridetosaveDanandRebelJerry。AboutthatrideChadhadkeptHarry'slipsandhisownclosed，forhewishednosuchappealasthattogotoMargaretDean。MargaretwasnotatthestationinLexington。ShewasnotwellRufussaid；soChadwouldnotgowiththemthatnight，butwouldcomeoutnextday。
"Iowemyson'slifetoyou，CaptainBuford，"saidMrs。Dean，withtremblinglip，"andyoumustmakeourhouseyourhomewhileyouarehere。IbringthatmessagetoyoufromHarryandMargaret。Iknowandtheyknownowallyouhavedoneforusandallyouhavetriedtodo。"
Chadcouldhardlyspeakhisthanks。HewouldbeintheBluegrassonlyafewdays，hestammered，buthewouldgoouttoseethemnextday。ThatnighthewenttotheoldinnwheretheMajorhadtakenhimtodinner。Nextdayhehiredahorsefromtheliverystablewherehehadboughttheoldbroodmare，andearlyintheafternoonherodeoutthebroadturnpikeinanervoustumultoffeelingthatmorethanoncemadehimhaltintheroad。Heworehisuniform，whichwasnew，andmadehimuncomfortable——itlookedtoomuchlikewavingavictoriousflaginthefaceofabeatenenemy——butitwastheonlystitchofclotheshehad，andthathemightnotexplain。
ItwasthefirstofMay。Justeightyearsbefore，ChadwithaburninghearthadwatchedRichardHuntgaylydancingwithMargaret，whilethedeadchieftain，Morgan，gaylyfiddledforthemerrycrowd。Nowthesunshoneasitdidthen，thebirdssang，thewindshookthehappyleavesandtrembledthroughthebuddingheadsofbluegrasstoshowthatnaturehadknownnowarandthathermoodwasneverotherthanofhopeandpeace。ButtherewerenofatcattlebrowsingintheDeanpasturesnow，noflocksofSouthdownsheepwithfriskinglambsThewormfenceshadlosttheirridersandwerebrokendownhereandthere。Thegatesaggedonitshinges；thefencesaroundyardandgardenandorchardhadknownnowhitewashforyears；thepaintonthenobleoldhousewascrackedandpeeling，theroofofthebarnwassunkenin，andthecabinsofthequarterswereclosed，forthehandofwar，thoughunclinched，stilllayheavyonthehomeoftheDeans。Snowballcametotakehishorse。Hewasrespectful，buthiswhiteteethdidnotflashthewelcomeChadoncehadknown。Anotherhorsestoodatthehitching-postandonitwasacavalrysaddleandarebelarmyblanket，andChaddidnothavetoguesswhoseitmightbe。Fromtheporch，Danshoutedandcamedowntomeethim，andHarryhurriedtothedoor，followedbyMrs。Dean。Margaretwasnottobeseen，andChadwasglad——hewouldhavealittlemoretimeforself-control。ShedidnotappearevenwhentheywereseatedintheporchuntilDanshoutedforhertowardthegarden；andthenlookingtowardthegateChadsawhercomingupthegardenwalkbare-
headed，dressedinwhite，withflowersinherhand；andwalkingbyherside，lookingintoherfaceandtalkingearnestly，wasRichardHunt。ThesightofhimnervedChadatoncetosteel。Margaretdidnotliftherfaceuntilshewashalf-waytotheporch，andthenshestoppedsuddenly。
"Why，there'sMajorBuford，"Chadheardhersay，andshecameonahead，walkingrapidly。Chadfeltthebloodinhisfaceagain，andashewatchedMargaretnearinghim——pale，sweet，frank，gracious，unconscious——itseemedthathewaslivingoveragainanothersceneinhislifewhenhehadcomefromthemountainstolivewitholdMajorBuford；and，withasuddenprayerthathispastmightnowbewipedascleanasitwasthen，heturnedfromMargaret'shand-clasptolookintothebrave，searchingeyesofRichardHuntandfeelhissinewyfingersinagripthatinallfranknesstoldChadplainlythatbetweenthem，atleast，onewarwasnotquiteoveryet。
"Iamgladtomeetyou，MajorBuford，inthesepipingtimesofpeace。"
"AndIamgladtomeetyou，GeneralHunt——onlyintimesofpeace，"Chadsaid，smiling。
Thetwomeasuredeachotherswiftly，calmly。ChadhadamightyadmirationforRichardHunt。Herewasamanwhoknewnofightbuttothefinish，whowoulddieasgamelyinadrawing-roomasonabattle-field。Tothinkofhim——abrigadier-generalattwenty-seven，asundaunted，asunbeatenaswhenheheardthefirstbulletofthewarwhistle，and，atthatmoment，asgoodanAmericanasChadwickBufordoranyUnionistwhohadgivenhislifeforhiscause！SuchafoethrilledChad，andsomehowhefeltthatMargaretwasmeasuringthemastheyweremeasuringeachother。Againstsuchamanwhatchancehadhe？
HewouldhavebeencomfortedcouldhehaveknownRichardHunt'sthoughts，forthatgentlemanhadgonebacktothepictureofaraggedmountainboyinoldMajorBuford'scarriage，onecourtdaylongago，andnowhewaslookingthatsameladoverfromthevisorofhiscapdownhissuperblengthtotheheelsofhisriding-boots。HiseyesrestedlongonChad'sface。Thechangewasincredible，butbloodhadtold。Thefacewashighlyred，clean，frank，noblyhandsome；ithadstrengthanddignity，andthescaronhischeektoldastorythatwasaswellknowntofoeastofriend。
"Ihavebeenwantingtothankyou，notonlyfortryingtokeepusoutofthatinfernalprisonaftertheOhioraid，butfortryingtogetusout。Harryheretoldme。Thatwasgenerous。"
"Thatwasnothing，"saidChad。"Youforget，youcouldhavekilledmeonceand——andyoudidn't。"Margaretwaslisteningeagerly。
"Youdidn'tgivemetime，"laughedGeneralHunt。
"Oh，yes，Idid。Isawyouliftyourpistolanddropitagain。Ihaveneverceasedtowonderwhyyoudidthat。"
RichardHuntlaughed。"PerhapsI'msorrysometimesthatIdid，"hesaid，withacertaindryness。
"Oh，no，youaren't，General，"saidMargaret。
Thustheychattedandlaughedandjokedtogetherabovethesombretideoffeelingthatshowedinthefaceofeachifitreachednothistongue，for，whenthewarwasover，thehatchetinKentuckywasburiedatonceandburieddeep。Soncamebacktofather，brothertobrother，neighbortoneighbor；
politicaldisabilitieswereremovedandthesunderedthreads，unravelledbythewar，wereknittedtogetherfast。ThatiswhythepostbellumterrorsofreconstructionwerepracticallyunknownintheState。Thenegroesscattered，tobesure，notfromdisloyaltysomuchasfromafeverishdesiretolearnwhethertheyreallycouldcomeandgoastheypleased。Whentheylearnedthattheywerereallyfree，mostofthemdriftedbacktothequarterswheretheywereborn，andmeanwhilethewhiteman'shandthathadwieldedtheswordwentjustasbravelytotheplough，andtheworkofrebuildingwar-shatteredruinsbeganatonce。OldMammyappeared，byandby，shookhandswithGeneralHuntandmadeChadacurtseyofratherdistantdignity。Shehadgoneintoexilewithher"chile"andher"oleMistis"andhadcomehomewiththemtostay，untemptedbythedoubtfulsweetsoffreedom。"OldTom，herhusband，hadremainedwithMajorBuford，waswithhimonhisdeathbed，"saidMargaret，"andwasontheplacestill，tooold，hesaid，totakerootelsewhere。"
TowardthemiddleoftheafternoonDanroseandsuggestedthattheytakeawalkabouttheplace。Margarethadgoneinforamomenttoattendtosomehouseholdduty，andasRichardHuntwasgoingawaynextdayhewouldstay，hesaid，withMrs。Dean，whowastiredandcouldnotjointhem。Thethreewalkedtowardthedismantledbarnwherethetournamenthadtakenplaceandoutintothewoods。Lookingback，ChadsawMargaretandGeneralHuntgoingslowlytowardthegarden，andheknewthatsomecrisiswasathandbetweenthetwo。
HehadhardworklisteningtoDanandHarryastheyplannedforthefuture，andrecalledtoeachotherandtohimtheincidentsoftheirboyhood。Harrymeanttostudylaw，hesaid，andpractiseinLexington；Danwouldstayathomeandrunthefarm。Neitherbrothermentionedthattheoldplacewasheavilymortgaged，butChadguessedthefactanditmadehimheartsicktothinkofthestrugglethatwasbeforethemandoftheprivationsyetinstoreforMrs。DeanandMargaret。
"Whydon'tyou，Chad？"
"Dowhat？"
"Stayhereandstudylaw，"Harrysmiled。"We'llgointopartnership。"
Chadshookhishead。"No，"hesaid，decisively。"I'vealreadymadeupmymind。
I'mgoingWest。"
"I'msorry，"saidHarry，andnomore；hehadlearnedlongagohowuselessitwastocombatanypurposeofChadwickBuford。
GeneralHuntandMargaretwerestillawaywhentheygotbacktothehouse。Infact，thesunwassinkingwhentheycameinfromthewoods，stillwalkingslowly，GeneralHunttalkingearnestlyandMargaretwithherhandsclaspedbeforeherandhereyesonthepath。Thefacesofbothlookedpale，eventhatfaraway，butwhentheynearedtheporch，theGeneralwasjokingandMargaretwassmiling，norwasanythingperceptibletoChadwhenhesaidgood-by，exceptacertaintendernessinhistoneandmannertowardMargaret，andonefleetinglookofdistressinhercleareyes。Hewasonhishorsenow，andwasliftinghiscap。
"Good-by，Major，"hesaid。"I'mgladyougotthroughthewaralive。PerhapsI'lltellyousomedaywhyIdidn'tshootyouthatmorning。"Andthenherodeaway，agallant，knightlyfigure，acrossthepasture。Atthegatehewavedhiscapandatagallopwasgone。
Aftersupper，aheaven-bornchanceledMrs。Deantostrolloutintothelovelynight。Margaretrosetogotoo，andChadfollowed。Thesamechance，perhaps，ledoldMammytocomeoutontheporchandcallMrs。Deanback。ChadandMargaretwalkedontowardthestileswherestillhungMargaret'sweather-beatenStarsandBars。Thegirlsmiledandtouchedtheflag。
"Thatwasveryniceofyoutosalutemethatmorning。IneverfeltsobitteragainstYankeesafterthatday。I'lltakeitdownnow，"andshedetacheditandrolledittenderlyabouttheslenderstaff。
"Thatwasnotmydoing，？"saidChad，"thoughifIhadbeenGrant，andtherewiththewholeUnionarmy，Iwouldhavehaditsaluteyou。Iwasunderorders，butIwentbackforhelp。MayIcarryitforyou？"
"Yes，"saidMargaret，handingittohim。Chadhadstartedtowardthegarden，butMargaretturnedhimtowardthestileandtheywalkednowdownthroughthepasturetowardthecreekthatranlikeawind-shakenribbonofsilverunderthemoon。
"Won'tyoutellmesomethingaboutMajorBuford？I'vebeenwantingtoask，butIsimplyhadn'ttheheart。Can'twegoovertheretonight？Iwanttoseetheoldplace，andImustleaveto-morrow。"
"To-morrow！"saidMargaret。"Why——I——Iwasgoingtotakeyouoverthereto-morrow，forI——but，ofcourse，youmustgoto-nightifitistobeyouronlychance。"
Andso，astheywalkedalong，MargarettoldChadoftheoldMajor'slastdays，afterhewasreleasedfromprison，andcamehometodie。Shewenttoseehimeveryday，andshewasathisbedsidewhenhebreathedhislast。HehadmortgagedhisfarmtohelptheConfederatecauseandtopayindemnityforaguerillaraid，andJeromeConnersheldhisnotesforlargeamounts。
"Thelawyertoldmethathebelievedsomeofthenoteswereforged，buthecouldn'tproveit。Hesaysitisdoubtfulifmorethanthehouseandafewacreswillbeleft。"AlightbrokeinonChad'sbrain。
"Hetoldyou？"
Margaretblushed。"Heleftallhehadtome，"shesaid，simply。
"I'msoglad，"saidChad。
"Exceptahorsewhichbelongstoyou。Theoldmareisdead。"
"DearoldMajor！"
AtthestonefenceMargaretreachedfortheflag。
"We'llleaveithereuntilwecomeback，"shesaid，droppingitinashadow。
SomehowthetalkofMajorBufordseemedtobringthemnearertogether——sonearthatonceChadstartedtocallherbyherfirstnameandstoppedwhenithadhalfpassedhislips。Margaretsmiled。
"Thewarisover，"shesaid，andChadspokeeagerly：
"Andyou'llcallme？"
"Yes，Chad。"
TheveryleavesoverChad'sheaddancedsuddenly，andyetthegirlwassosimpleandfrankandkindthatthespringinghopeinhisbreastwasasquicklychilled。
"Didheeverspeakofmeexceptaboutbusinessmatters？"
"Neveratallatfirst，"saidMargaret，blushingagainincomprehensively，"butheforgaveyoubeforehedied。"
"ThankGodforthat！"
"Andyouwillseewhathedidforyou——thelastthingofhislife。"
Theywerecrossingthefieldnow。
"IhaveseenMelissa，"saidMargaret，suddenly。Chadwassostartledthathestoppedinthepath。
"Shecameallthewayfromthemountainstoaskifyouweredead，andtotellmeabout——aboutyourmother。Shehadjustlearnedit，shesaid，andshedidnotknowthatyouknew。AndIneverletherknowthatIknew，sinceIsupposedyouhadsomereasonfornotwantinghertoknow。"
"Idid，"saidChad，sadly，buthedidnottellhisreason。MelissawouldneverhavelearnedtheonethingfromhimasMargaretwouldnotlearntheothernow。
"Shecameonfoottoaskaboutyouandtodefendyouagainst——againstme。Andshewentbackafoot。Shedisappearedonemorningbeforewegotup。Sheseemedveryill，too，andunhappy。Shewascoughingallthetime，andIwakenedonenightandheardhersobbing，butshewassosullenandfiercethatIwasalmostafraidofher。Nextmorningshewasgone。Iwouldhavetakenherpartofthewayhomemyself。Poorthing！"Chadwaswalkingwithhisheadbent。
"I'mgoingdowntoseeherbeforeIgoWest。"
"YouaregoingWest——tolive？"
"Yes。"
TheyhadreachedtheyardgatenowwhichcreakedonrustyhingeswhenChadpulleditopen。Theyardwasrunningwildwithplantains，thegravelledwalkwasovergrown，thehousewasclosed，shuttered，anddark，andthespiritofdesolationoverhungtheplace，buttheruinlookedgentleinthemoonlight。
Chad'sthroathurtandhiseyesfilled。
"Iwanttoshowyounowthelastthinghedid，"saidMargaret。Hereyeslightedwithtendernessandsheledhimwonderingdownthroughthetangledgardentotheoldfamilygraveyard。
"Climboverandlook，Chad，"shesaid，leaningoverthewall。
TherewasthegraveoftheMajor'sfatherwhichheknewsowell；nextthat，totheleft，wasanewmoundunderwhichrestedtheMajorhimself。Totherightwasastonemarked"ChadwickBuford，borninVirginia，1750，diedinKentucky"——andthenanotherstonemarkedsimply：
MaryBuford。
"Hehadbothbroughtfromthemountains，"saidMargaret，softly，"andthelasttimehewasoutofthehousewaswhenheleanedheretowatchthemburiedthere。Hesaidtherewouldalwaysbeaplacenextyourmotherforyou。'Telltheboythat，'hesaid。"Chadputhisarmsaroundthetombstoneandthensankononekneebyhismother'sgrave。Itwasstrewnwithwitheredviolets。
"You——YOUdidthat，Margaret？"
Margaretnoddedthroughhertears……
Thewonderofit！Theystoodverystill，lookingforalongtimeintoeachother'seyes。Couldtheveilofthehereafterhavebeenliftedforthematthatmomentandtheyhaveseenthemselveswalkingthatsamegardenpath，handinhand，theirfacesseamedwithagetoothereyes，butchangedinnotalinetothem，thevisionwouldnothaveaddedajottotheirperfectfaith。Theywouldhavenoddedtoeachotherandsmiled——"Yes，weknow，weknow！"Thenight，therushingearth，thestar-sweptspacesoftheinfiniteheldnogreaterwonderthanwastheirs——theyheldnowonderatall。Themoonshone，thatnight，forthem；thewindwhispered，leavesdanced，flowersnodded，andcricketschirpedfromthegrassforthem；thefartheststarkepteternallidsapartjustforthemandbeyond，theMakerhimselflookeddown，thatnight，justtoblessthem。
Backtheywentthroughtheoldgarden，handinhand。Nocaresshadeverpassedbetweenthesetwo。Thatanymancouldeverdareeventodreamoftouchinghersacredlipshadbeenbeyondtheboy'simaginings——suchwasthereverenceinhisloveforher——andhisverysoulshookwhen，atthegate，Margaret'seyesdroppedfromhistothesabrecutonhischeekandshesuddenlyliftedherface。
"Iknowhowyougotthat，Chad，"shesaid，andwithherlipsshegentlytouchedthescar。Almosttimidlytheboydrewhertohim。Againherlipswereliftedinsweetsurrender，andeverywoundthathehadknowninhislifewashealed……
"I'llshowyouyourhorse，Chad。"
TheydidnotwakenoldTom，butwentaroundtothestableandChadledoutahandsomecolt，hissatinycoatshininginthemoonlightlikesilver。Heliftedhisproudhead，whenhesawMargaret，andwhinnied。
"Heknowshismistress，Margaret——andhe'syours。"
"Oh，no，Chad。"
"Yes，"saidChad，"I'vestillgotDixie。"
"DoyoustillcallherDixie？"
"Allthroughthewar。"
Homewardtheywentthroughthedewyfields。
"IwishIcouldhaveseentheMajorbeforehedied。IfhecouldonlyhaveknownhowIsufferedatcausinghimsomuchsorrow。Andifyoucouldhaveknown"
"HedidknowandsodidI——later。Allthatisovernow。"
TheyhadreachedthestonewallandChadpickeduptheflagagain。
"ThisistheonlytimeIhaveevercarriedthisflag，unlessI——unlessithadbeencaptured。"
"Youhadcapturedit，Chad。"
"There？"ChadpointedtothestileandMargaretnodded。
"There——hereeverywhere。"
Seatedontheporch，Mrs。DeanandHarryandDansawthemcomingacrossthefieldandMrs。Deansighed。
"Fatherwouldnotsayawordagainstit，mother，"saidtheelderboy，"ifhewerehere。"
"No，"saidDan，"notaword。"
"Listen，mother，"saidHarry，andhetoldthetwoaboutChad'srideforDanfromFrankforttoLexington。"Heaskedmenottotell。HedidnotwishMargarettoknow。Andlistenagain，mother。Inaskirmishonedaywewerefightinghandtohand。IsawonemanwithhispistollevelledatmeandanotherwithhissabreliftedonChad。Hesawthemboth。Mypistolwasempty，anddoyouknowwhathedid？Heshotthemanwhowasabouttoshootmeinsteadofhisownassailant。Thatishowhegotthatscar。IdidtellMargaretthat。"
"Yes，youmustgodowninthemountainfirst，"Margaretwassaying，"andseeifthereisanythingyoucandoforthepeoplewhoweres'goodtoyou——andtoseeMelissa。Iamworriedabouther。"
"AndthenImustcomebacktoyou？"
"Yes，youmustcomebacktoseemeoncemoreifyoucan。AndthensomedayyouwillcomeagainandbuybacktheMajor'sfarm"——shestopped，blushing。"I
thinkthatwashiswishChad，thatyouandI——butIwouldneverlethimsayit。"
"Andifthatshouldtaketoolong？"
"Iwillcometoyou，Chad，"saidMargaret。
OldMammycameoutontheporchastheywereclimbingthestile。
"OleMiss，"shesaid，indignantly，"myTomsaythathecan'tgetnaryatriflin'niggertocomeouthyehtowuk，an'efthatcawnfiel'ain'tploughedmightysoon，it'sgwinetobu'nup。"
"Howmanyhorsesarethereontheplace，Mammy？"askedDan。
"Hosses！"sniffedtheoldwoman。"Theyain'tNARYahoss——nothin'buttwoolebroken-downmules。"
"Well，I'lltakeoneandstartaploughmyself，"saidHarry。
"AndI'lltaketheother，"saidDan。
Mammygroaned……
AndstillthewonderofthatnighttoChadandMargaret！
"ItwasGeneralHuntwhotaughtmetounderstand——andforgive。Doyouknowwhathesaid？Thateveryman，onbothsides，wasright——whodidhisduty。"
"Godblesshim，"saidChad。
CHAPTER31。THEWESTWARDWAY
MotherTurnerwassittingintheporchwitholdJackatherfeetwhenChadandDixiecametothegate——herbonnetoff，hereyesturnedtowardtheWest。Thestillnessofdeathlayovertheplace，andoverthestrongoldfacesomepreternaturalsorrow。ShedidnotrisewhenshesawChad，shedidnotspeakwhenhespoke。Sheturnedmerelyandlookedathimwithalookofhelplesssuffering。Sheknewthequestionthatwasonhislips，forshedumblymotionedtowardthedoorandthenputhertremblinghandsontherailingoftheporchandbentherfacedownonthem。Withsickeningfear，Chadsteppedonthethreshold——capinhand——andoldJackfollowed，whimpering。Ashiseyesgrewaccustomedtothedarkinterior，hecouldseeasheetedformonabedinthecornerand，onthepillow，awhiteface。
"Melissa！"hecalled，brokenly。Agroanfromtheporchansweredhim，and，asChaddroppedtohisknees，theoldwomansobbedaloud。
Inlowtones，asthoughinfeartheymightdisturbthedeadgirl'ssleep，thetwotalkedontheporch。Brokenly，theoldwomantoldChadhowthegirlhadsickenedandsufferedwithneverawordofcomplaint。How，allthroughthewar，shehadfoughthisbattlessofiercelythatnoonedaredattackhiminherhearing。How，sickasshewas，shehadgone，thatnight，tosavehislife。
Howshehadnearlydiedfromtheresultofcoldandexposureandwasneverthesameafterward。Howsheworkedinthehouseandinthegardentokeeptheirbodiesandsoulstogether，aftertheoldhunterwasshotdownandherboysweregonetothewar。HowshehadlearnedthestoryofChad'smotherfromoldNathanCherry'sdaughterandhow，whentheoldwomanforbadehergoingtotheBluegrass，shehadslippedawayandgoneafoottoclearhisname。AndthentheoldwomanledChadtowhereoncehadgrowntherose-bushhehadbroughtMelissafromtheBluegrass，andpointedsilentlytoaboxthatseemedtohavebeenpressedafewinchesintothesoftearth，andwhenChadliftedit，hesawunderittheimprintofahumanfoot——hisown，madethatmorningwhenheheldoutarose-leaftoherandshehadstruckitfromhishandandturnedhim，asanenemy，fromherdoor。
Chadsilentlywentinsideandthrewopenthewindowtoletthelastsunlightin：andhesatthere，withhisfaceaschangelessasthestillfaceonthepillow，satthereuntilthesunwentdownandthedarknesscameinandclosedsoftlyabouther。Shehaddied，theoldwomansaid，withhisnameonherlips……
DolphandRubehadcomebackandtheywouldtakegoodcareoftheoldmotheruntiltheendofherdays。But。Jack——whatshouldbedonewithJack？Theolddogcouldfollowhimnolonger。Hecouldlivehardlymorethananotheryear，andtheoldmotherwantedhim——toremindher，shesaid，ofChadandofMelissa，whohadlovedhim。Hepattedhisfaithfuloldfriendtenderlyand，whenhemountedDixie，latethenextafternoon，Jackstartedtofollowhim。
"No，Jack，"saidChad，andherodeon，withhiseyesblurred。Onthetopofthesteepmountainhedismounted，tolethishorserestamoment，andsatonalog，lookingtowardthesun。HecouldnotgobacktoMargaretandhappiness——notnow。Itseemedhardlyfairtothedeadgirldowninthevalley。
HewouldsendMargaretword，andshewouldunderstand。
Onceagainhewasstartinghislifeoverafresh，withhisoldcapital，astrongbodyandastoutheart。Inhisbreaststillburnedthespiritthathadledhisracetotheland，hadwrencheditfromsavageandfromking，hadmadeitthehightempleofLibertyfortheworshipoffreemen——theKingdomComefortheoppressedoftheearth——and，himselftheunconsciousShepherdofthatSpirit，hewasgoingtohelpcarryitsidealsacrossacontinentWestwardtoanotherseaandon——whoknows——tothegatesoftherisingsun。Aneaglesweptoverhishead，asherose，andthesoftpatteroffeetsoundedbehindhim。ItwasJacktrottingafterhim。Hestoopedandtooktheolddoginhisarms。
"Gobackhome，Jack！"hesaid。
Withoutawhimper，oldJackslowlywheeled，buthestoppedandturnedagainandsatonhishaunches——lookingback。
"Gohome，Jack！"Againtheolddogtrotteddownthepathandoncemoreheturned。
"Home，Jack！"saidChad。
Theeaglewasadim，blackspeckinthebandofyellowthatlayovertherimofthesinkingsun，andafteritsflight，horseandridertookthewestwardway。
End