is not. He is a mere upstart, and he will prove a snake
in the grass unless you watch him. Your mother made a big mistake when
she adopted him."

"There may be two opinions upon that point."

"He knows your mother is rich. Mark my word, he will do all he can,
sooner or later, to get her property away from her."

"I will not believe evil of Jack."

"You evidently think more of him than you do of me!" sneered the
spendthrift, seeing that he was making no headway in his suit.

"I do not deny that I think the world and all of Jack. He is my brother
in heart, if not in blood--and I will thank you to remember that after
this," went on Marion in a decided tone.

"You will learn of your mistake some time--perhaps when it is too late."

"Jack is true to the core, and as brave as he is true. Why, he would go
to the war if mamma would give her consent."

At this St. John Ruthven winced.

"Well--er--I would go myself if my mother did not need me at home," he
stammered. "She must have somebody to look after the plantation. We
can't trust the niggers."

"Many men have gone to the front and allowed their plantations to take
care of themselves. They place the honor of their glorious country over
everything else."

"Well, my mother will not allow me to go--she has positively forbidden
it," insisted St. John, anxious to clear his character.

This statement was untrue; he had never spoken to his mother on the
subject, thinking she might urge him to go to the front. His plea that
he must look after the plantation was entirely of his own making.

"Supposing we should lose in this struggle--what will become of your
plantation then?"

At this St. John grew pale.

"I--I hardly think we will lose," he stammered. "We have plenty of
soldiers."

"But not as many as the North has. General Lee could use fifty thousand
more men, if he could get them."

"Well, I shall go to the front when I am actually needed, Marion; you
can take my word on that. But won't you listen to what I have told you
about my feeling for you?"

"No, St. John; I am too young to fall in love with anybody. I shall at
least wait until this cruel war is over."

"But I can hope?"

She shook her head. Then she picked up her bouquet.

"Will you come up to the house with me?"

"Not now, Marion. Give my respects to my aunt and tell her I will call
in a day or two again. And, by the way, Marion, don't let her think hard
of me because of Jack. I desire only t