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