the war, or rather the conditions preceding that
outbreak, finally fixed forever the gulf between the two families. Judge
Hampden was an ardent follower of Calhoun and "stumped" the State in
behalf of Secession, whereas Major Drayton, as the cloud that had been
gathering so long rolled nearer, emerged from his seclusion and became
one of the sternest opponents of a step which he declared was not merely
revolution, but actual rebellion. So earnest was he, that believing that
slavery was the ultimate bone of contention, he emancipated his slaves
on a system which he thought would secure their welfare. Nothing could
have more deeply stirred Judge Hampden's wrath. He declared that such a
measure at such a crisis was a blow at every Southern man. He denounced
Major Drayton as "worse than Garrison, Phillips, and Greeley all put
together."

They at last met in debate at the Court House. Major Drayton exasperated
the Judge by his coolness, until the latter lost his temper and the
crowd laughed.

"I do not get as hot as you do," said the Major, blandly. He looked as
cool as a cucumber, but his voice betrayed him.

"Oh, yes, you do," snorted the Judge. "A mule gets as hot as a horse,
but he does not sweat."

This saved him.

There came near being a duel. Everyone expected it. Only the
interposition of friends prevented their meeting on the field. Only this
and one other thing.

Though no one in the neighborhood knew it until long afterward--and then
only in a conjectural way by piecing together fragments of rumors that
floated about--young Oliver Hampden really prevented the duel. He told
his father that he loved Lucy Drayton. There was a fierce outbreak on
the Judge's part.

"Marry that girl!--the daughter of Wilmer Drayton! I will disinherit you
if you but so much as----"

"Stop!" The younger man faced him and held up his hand with an imperious
gesture. "Stop! Do not say a word against her or I may never forget it."

The father paused with his sentence unfinished, for his son stood before
him suddenly revealed in a strength for which the Judge had never given
him credit, and he recognized in his level eyes, tense features, and the
sudden set of the square jaw, the Hampden firmness at its best or worst.

"I have nothing to say against her," said the Judge, with a sudden rush
of recollection of Lucy Fielding. "I have no doubt she is in one way all
you think her; but she is Wilmer Drayton 's daughter. You will never wi