the front seat.

"'Why, father! Surely we are not going home in _this_!' cried Rebecca
with deep chagrin.

"'Sorry, daughter, but it must be so,' returned her father in a grieved
voice. 'You will find many changes here since the fightin' began.'

"'Selina, I'm awful sorry you have to ride this way, and I can't
understand why it is. Father seems to know,' said Becky, in an
apologetic tone.

"'I don't mind, Becky. Really and truly, I don't. I love the country so,
that I would just as soon ride a plow if we had to, to get to your
home.'

"'Well, I'm glad your little friend is so sensible, Rebecca,' commended
Mr. Crudup.

"We climbed into the back seat after the baggage had been stowed away,
and the horses started off.

"'Father, why didn't you drive Jerry and Jim?' asked Rebecca,
wonderingly.

"'Becky, your brothers, I trust, are astride them, showin' the Yankees
how to fight!'

"'Daddy!' cried Rebecca in dismay.

"Mr. Crudup looked dreadfully sorry, but said nothing.

"'Daddy, have Newell and Ed left home?'

"'Yes, child. And I'm mighty sorry to say that most of your friends and
cousins are with them. Some will nevah return--but we are prayin'
constant, that our boys will win honahs for the South--and come home to
enjoy them.'

"Becky and I sat as stiff as sticks as we realized what this meant.

"'Still, I don't see why _some_ of our carriage horses couldn't have
come for us!' insisted Rebecca.

"'The horses have been used by some of the boys who had none, and the
spring wagon has to come in often with supplies for the troops. This
happened to be one of the days. So mothaw thought her girl would not
mind, particularly as we believed you received the telegram,' explained
Mr. Crudup.

"I was almost sorry I had come, so unexpected did my appearance seem to
be, but Becky cheered up when she saw me grow uncomfortable, and tried
to amuse me by pointing out neighboring plantations.

"As we drove about a bend in the road, Rebecca's beautiful old home
could be seen situated upon a knoll that commanded a view of the
surrounding country. We entered the grounds by a road that ran through a
dense wood, and then ascended gradually until we reached the
porte-cochere. The house itself, large, solid and in perfect condition,
was a landmark from every point of view round-about.

"Mrs. Crudup and her two older daughters welcomed me to their home and
made me feel more at ease. Rebecca, being the youngest member of t