Confederation? They know how to farm intensively over there, and get
their fertilizer, as they have already been getting their fats--from
their own dead. These are but the beginnings of other things our common
sense would teach us, were we not hypnotized with a morbid craving to
swallow their neatly prepared fairy-tales!"

"Roger," Mr. Strong sprang to his feet, "by the eternal, you speak
inspired words! They _have_ poisoned us with lies of a starving Imperial
Government; they'll continue to poison us with lies of an early
peace--and then prepare fresh blows while we wallow in our
self-complaisance! Open my columns? They'll blaze as columns of
righteous fire!" Leaning forward, he added: "Why shouldn't we be getting
ready here in Hillsdale? There's fine material for a company of militia!
Will you join with me in equipping one?"

The Colonel banged his hand down on the table.

"Done!" he cried.

"And there," the editor continued, pointing out of the window, "is the
captain for it!"

In an instant the Colonel was upon his feet, looking across the street
to where his old friend pointed.

"Jeb!--and Marian!" he added, his voice ringing with delight. "Which is
going to be the captain, Amos?" he chuckled. "By Gad, they're coming up!
He'll make a fine officer!"

But Amos Strong was looking tenderly at the girl; then he turned and
caught the Colonel's hand, crying:

"Roger, we'll set the pace for every city and town throughout our
country. We'll equip the company, so it'll be ready to go at the first
crack--and Jeb will be a credit!"

"One who'll capture hearts as well as Huns, I'll warrant--if he's not
already a helpless prisoner!"

The two old men looked at each other and smiled, and it was while they
were in this attitude that Marian and Jeb entered.

She stopped on the threshold, scarcely believing her eyes; and Jeb,
looking over her head, was no less mystified. That these two sworn
enemies should be standing there, holding hands in all friendliness,
surpassed the miraculous.

The men had turned cordially to welcome her, but hesitated at the
amazement that was pictured in her face. Their reconciliation had been
so spontaneously genuine that it seemed already to be a thing of long
standing, and they did not penetrate Marian's embarrassment until she
timidly advanced, asking:

"Is it all right for us to come in, Daddy? Were you and Colonel Hampton
really shaking hands?"

He approached swiftly and took her in