in all its phases, and every possible opinion and conjecture
offered as to the cause of his strange conduct. Insanity! how many sins
it is made to cover, and how often is it pleaded for an excuse when no
other can be found. This is especially true in the higher walks of life,
and so in Wilford's case it was put forward, cautiously at first by Mrs.
Cameron herself, who wondered at the avidity with which the suggestion
was seized and handed from one to another, some remembering little
things which tended to confirm the belief, others slyly shrugging their
shoulders as they responded: "Very probable," but all tacitly allowing
the understanding to prevail that insanity had made Wilford Cameron a
voluntary wanderer from home. They could not believe in domestic
troubles when they saw how his family clung to and defended Katy from
the least approach of censure, Juno taking up her abode with her
"afflicted sister" until such time as Wilford could be heard from or
more definite arrangements be made; Mrs. Cameron driving around each day
to see her; Bell always speaking of her with genuine affection, while
the father clung to her like a hero, the quartet forming a barrier
across which the shafts of scandal could not reach.

CHAPTER XLIII.

WHAT FOLLOWED.

And where the while was Wilford? Fortunate, indeed, is it for the
disappointed, desperate men of the present day that when their horizon
is blackest and life seems not worth preserving, they can leave the past
behind and find a refuge in the army. To Wilford it presented itself at
once as the place of all others. Anything which could divert his mind
was welcome, and ere the close of that first day of Katy's return from
Yonkers, his name was enrolled in the service of his country. He had
gone directly to Washington, stumbling accidentally upon an old college
acquaintance who was getting up a company, and whose first lieutenant
had disappointed him. Learning Wilford's wishes he offered him the post,
which was readily accepted, and ere four days were gone Lieutenant
Wilford Cameron, with no regret as yet for the past, marched away to
swell the ranks of men who, led by General McClellan, were pressing on,
as they believed, to Richmond and victory. A week of terrible suspense
went by and then there came a note to Mr. Cameron from his son,
requesting him to care for Katy, but asking no forgiveness for himself.

"I have disgraced you all," he wrote, "and I know just how you f