General Buford's compliments to General Washington. General Buford
will plant that flag on ANY hill that ANY enemy holds against it."

The lad's face paled as the words, by some curious impulse, sprang to
his lips, but the unsuspecting Major saw no lurking significance in his
manner, nor in what he said, and then there was a rumble of carriage
wheels at the door.

The winter had sped swiftly. Chad had done his work in college only
fairly well, for Margaret had been a disturbing factor. The girl was an
impenetrable mystery to him, for the past between them was not only
wiped clean--it seemed quite gone. Once only had he dared to open his
lips about the old days, and the girl's flushed silence made a like
mistake forever impossible. He came and went at the Deans' as he
pleased. Always they were kind, courteous, hospitable--no more, no
less, unvaryingly. During the Christmas holidays he and Margaret had
had a foolish quarrel, and it was then that Chad took his little fling
at his little world--a fling that was foolish, but harmful, chiefly in
that it took his time and his mind and his energy from his work. He not
only neglected his studies, but he fell in with the wild young bucks of
the town, learned to play cards, took more wine than was good for him
sometimes, was on the verge of several duels, and night after night
raced home in his buggy against the coming dawn. Though Miss Lucy
looked worried, the indulgent old Major made no protest. Indeed he was
rather pleased. Chad was sowing his wild oats--it was in the blood, and
the mood would pass. It did pass, naturally enough, on the very day
that the breach between him and Margaret was partly healed; and the
heart of Caleb Hazel, whom Chad, for months, had not dared to face, was
made glad when the boy came back to him remorseful and repentant--the
old Chad once more.

They were late in getting to the dance. Every window in the old Hunt
home was brilliant with light. Chinese lanterns swung in the big yard.
The scent of early spring flowers smote the fresh night air. Music and
the murmur of nimble feet and happy laughter swept out the wide-open
doors past which white figures flitted swiftly. Scarcely anybody knew
Chad in his regimentals, and the Major, with the delight of a boy, led
him around, gravely presenting him as General Buford here and there.
Indeed, the lad made a noble figure with his superb height and bearing,
and he wore sword and spurs as though born to them. M