s
come. They said nothing of the fears in their hearts; and on Antonia's
lifted face there was only the light of love and of hope.

"The fight will soon be over, darling, and then!"

"And then? We shall be so happy."

CHAPTER VI. ROBERT WORTH IS DISARMED.

"Strange sons of Mexico, and strange her fate;
They fight for freedom who were never free;
A kingless people for a nerveless state."

* * * * *

"Not all the threats or favors of a crown,
A Prince's whisper, or a tyrant's frown,
Can awe the spirit or allure the mind
Of him, who to strict Honor is inclined.
Though all the pomp and pleasure that does wait
On public places, and affairs of state;
Though all the storms and tempests should arise,
That Church magicians in their cells devise,
And from their settled basis nations tear:
He would, unmoved, the mighty ruin bear.
Secure in innocence, contemn them all,
And, decently arrayed, in honor fall."

* * * * *

"Say, what is honor? 'Tis the finest sense
Of justice which the human mind can frame."

The keenest sufferings entailed by war are not on the battle-field,
nor in the hospital. They are in the household. There are the maimed
affections, the slain hopes, the broken ties of love. And before a shot
had been fired in the war of Texan independence, the battle had begun in
Robert Worth's household.

The young men lay down to rest, but he sat watching the night away.
There was a melancholy sleepiness in it; the mockingbirds had ceased
singing; the chirping insects had become weary. Only the clock, with its
regular "tick, tick," kept the watch with him.

When it was near dawn, he lifted a candle and went into the room where
Jack and Dare were sleeping. Dare did not move; Jack opened his eyes
wide, and smiled brightly at the intruder.

"Well, father?"

"It is time to get up, Jack. Tell Dare."

In a few minutes both came to him. A bottle of wine, some preserved
bears' paws, and biscuits were on the table. They ate standing, speaking
very little and almost in whispers; and then the doctor went with
them to the stable. He helped Jack to saddle his horse. He found a sad
pleasure in coming so close to him. Once their cheeks touched, and the
touch brought the tears to his eyes and sent he blood to his heart.

With his hand on the saddle, Jack paused and said, softly, "Father,