door.

"What do you intend doing?" asked Mr. Travilla.

"Inclination says, 'Stay and brave it out;' but I have not yet fully
decided. I have invested all my means in this enterprise, and have a
wife and family of helpless little ones to support."

"That makes it hard indeed; yet I fear your life is in great danger. But
come what may, Leland, I stand your friend. If you should be attacked,
fly to Ion; you will find an open door, a hearty welcome, and such
protection as I am able to give. I think we could conceal you so that
it would be a matter of difficulty for your foes to find you."

"A thousand thanks! God bless you for your kindness, sir!" exclaimed
Leland, with emotion, warmly grasping the hand held out to him; and the
two parted, each wending his homeward way.

Chapter Thirteenth.

"Humble love,
And not proud reason, keeps the door of heaven;
Love finds admission, where proud science fails."
--Young

Elsie was on the veranda looking for her husband's return to breakfast;
for it was already past the usual hour.

"All alone, little wife?" he asked as he dismounted and came up the
steps.

"Not now," she answered, putting her arms about his neck and looking up
at him with her own fond, beautiful smile. "But your face is sad, my
husband! What news?"

"Sad enough, my little friend; poor old Uncle Mose has been so
barbarously handled that he cannot live through the day, Dr. Barton
says: and two of the others are suffering very much."

Elsie's eyes were full. "Does Uncle Mose know it?" she asked.

"Yes, I told him, as tenderly as I could, and asked if he was ready to
go. 'Yes, Mars Edard,' he said, with a triumphant smile, 'for I'se
got fast hold ob Jesus.'"

Elsie's head was laid on her husband's shoulder, the bright drops were
coming fast down her cheeks.

"I have sent word to Mr. Wood," he went on, "the poor old fellow is
anxious to see him; and you also."

"Yes, yes, I will go down directly after prayers," she said.

Then he told her of the coffin laid at the door of Fairview, and the
threatening words on its lid.

She heard it with a shudder and a sigh. "Oh poor Mr. Leland! Edward,
don't you think it would be wise in him to leave for the present?"

"Perhaps so. I fear they will really attempt his life if he stays; but
all his means being invested in Fairview makes it very hard. Where are
our children?"

"They went to deck the corpse of Baby Ben with flowers. Ah, here they
come, the