vy of our own pretty soon, and then, if the Yankees declare war
against us, every ship that floats the old flag will have to watch out.
We'll light bonfires on every part of the ocean. If your State secedes,
you will go with her, of course?"

"Of course I'll not do any such thing."

"Marcy Gray, are you really a traitor? Be honest, now."

"Not much. I am true to my colors--the same colors that your grandfather
and mine died under."

"But grandfather never dreamed, when he fought under that flag, that it
was going to be turned into an emblem of tyranny," answered Rodney
impatiently. "I'll bet you he would not fight under it now; and neither
would Washington. But how will you fare when you get home? There are
plenty of secessionists in your county, and they will have not the first
thing to do with you."

"I don't care whether they do or not," replied Marcy, hardly realizing
how much meaning there was in his cousin's last words. "Mother will have
something to do with me, I reckon; and so will Jack when he returns; and
if the neighbors choose to cut me because I am true to my colors, why I
don't see that I can help it."

"Will you fight for the Union?"

"I hope I shall not be called upon to choose sides; but you may be sure
I shall not fight against it."

"Well, go your road, and I will go mine; but you will yet see the day
when you will wish you had done differently. By the way," added Rodney
carelessly; "those Taylor girls hinted that they would be pleased to see
you at their house; but you don't want to air any of your disloyal
sentiments in their presence, for if you do, they will be likely to tell
you that you needn't come again. My paper says that is what the Richmond
girls are doing, and our Barrington girls are following suit. And,
Marcy, you had better haul in a little, for if you do not, you will get
into trouble. The citizens are waking up, and there has been a Committee
of Safety appointed to look out for all disturbers of the peace."

"I think such a committee is needed," was Marcy's quiet rejoinder. "The
disturbers of the peace are secessionists without exception, and if the
committee will shut up every one of that sort they can get their hands
on, they will do the public a service. But as I don't care to be
snubbed, I don't think I shall go out of my way to call upon those
Taylor girls."

"Of course you will do as you please about that. I have simply delivered
their message," said Rodney, as he pa