be sure
of that? Your own life will find a use for them, if I be not mistaken.
When I am gone, Mr. Justice Wilson will call on you, and do not let the
Pearl refuse what I shall leave for her. I have lived two lives. One of
my lives ends here in this free land. Mr. Wilson has, as it were, my
will. In Germany I shall have far more than I shall ever need. Keep my
secret. There are, there were, good reasons for it."

"It is safe with me."

"Ah, the dear life I have had here, the freedom of the wilderness, the
loves, the simple joys!" As he spoke, he gathered and let fall the
autumn leaves strewn thickly on the forest floor. "We shall meet no more
on earth, Rene, and I have loved you as few men love." Again he was long
silent.

"I go from these wonder woods to the autumn of a life with duties and,
alas! naught else. Sometimes I shall write to you; and, Rene, you will
speak of me to your children."

The younger man said little in reply. He, too, was deeply moved, and
sorrowful as never before. As they sat, Schmidt put his hand on Rene's
shoulder. "May the good God bless and keep you and yours through length
of honorable days! Let us go. Never before did the autumn woodlands seem
to me sad. Let us go." He cast down as he rose the last handful of the
red and gold leaves of the maple.

They walked down the creek, still beautiful to-day, and rode home in
silence amid the slow down-drift of the early days of the fall.

In the house Margaret met them joyous. "Oh, Rene, a letter of
congratulation to me! Think of it--to me, sir, from General Washington!
And one to thee!" These letters were to decide in far-away after days a
famous French law-suit.

* * * * *

The sun shone bright on the little party which passed among the graves
into the modest Gloria Dei, the church of the Swedes. Here were the many
kinsfolk; and Washington's secretary, Colonel Lear, Alexander Hamilton
and Gouverneur Morris, with Binghams and Morrises; Whartons and Biddles,
the forefathers of many lines of men since famous in our annals, whether
of war or peace. Women there were also. Mistress Gainor in the front pew
with Mrs. Swanwick and Lady Washington, as many called her, and the gay
Federalist dames, who smiled approval of Margaret in her radiant
loveliness.

Schmidt, grave and stately in dark velvet, gave away the bride, and the
good Swedish rector, the Reverend Nicholas Cullin, read the service of
the church.

Then