y directed his attention with meaning looks to the
counter-proclamation of the Americans. They made him understand by the
pressure of their hands that they also were on the side of liberty.

As he did not hurry, he met several officers, but they wisely affected
not to see what they did not wish to see. For Doctor Worth was a person
to whom very wide latitude might be given. To both the military and
the civilians his skill was a necessity. The attitude he had taken was
privately discussed, but no one publicly acted or even commented upon
it. Perhaps he was a little disappointed at this. He had come to a point
when a frank avowal of his opinions would be a genuine satisfaction;
when, in fact, his long-repressed national feeling was imperious.

On the third morning, as he crossed the Plaza, some one called him. The
voice made his heart leap; his whole nature responded to it like the
strings of a harp to the sweep of a skilful hand. He turned quickly,
and saw two young men galloping towards him. The foremost figure was his
son--his beloved youngest son--whom he had just been thinking of as well
out of danger, safe and happy in the peaceful halls of Columbia. And lo!
here he was in the very home of the enemy; and he was glad of it.

"Why, Jack!" he cried; "Why, Jack, my boy! I never thought of you here."
He had his hand on the lad's shoulder, and was gazing into his bright
face with tears and smiles and happy wonder.

"Father, I had to come. And there are plenty more coming. And here is
my other self--the best fellow that ever lived: Darius Grant. 'Dare'
we call him, father, for there is not anything he won't venture if he
thinks it worth the winning. And how is mi madre and Antonia, and Iza?
And isn't it jolly to see you with a rifle?"

"Well, Dare; well, Jack; you are both welcome; never so welcome to Texas
as at this hour. Come home at once and, refresh yourselves."

There was so much to tell that at first the conversation was in
fragments and exclamations, and the voices of the two young men, pitched
high and clear in their excitement, went far before them as if impatient
of their welcome. Antonia heard them first. She was on the balcony,
standing thoughtful and attent. It seemed to her as if in those days she
was always listening. Jack's voice was the loudest, but she heard Dare's
first. It vibrated in midair and fell upon her consciousness, clear and
sweet as a far-away bell.

"That is Dare's voice--HERE."

She