let, through the
gathering dusk, unlatched for herself the garden gate and passed into
the shadow of the box. A few moments later he, too, entered the scented
alley and saw her waiting for him at the gate that gave upon the lawn.
He joined her, and they moved without speaking to the house.

They found the family gathered on the porch, an old horse waiting on the
gravel below, and an elderly, plain man, a neighbouring farmer, standing
halfway up the steps. He was speaking excitedly. Molly beckoned from
above. "Oh, Judith, it's news of the battle--"

"Yes'm," said the farmer. "Straight from Staunton--telegram to the
colonel in Charlottesville. '_Big fighting at Port Republic. Jackson
whipped Shields. Stonewall Brigade suffered heavily._'--No'm--That was
all. We won't hear details till to-morrow.--My boy John's in the
Stonewall, you know--but Lord! John always was a keerful fellow! I
reckon he's safe enough--but I ain't going to tell his mother about the
battle till to-morrow; she might as well have her sleep.--War's
pernicious hard on mothers. I reckon we'll see the bulletin to-morrow."

He was gone, riding in a sturdy, elderly fashion toward his home in a
cleft of the hills. "Major Stafford cannot stay to supper, Aunt Lucy,"
said Judith clearly. "Is that Julius in the hall? Tell one of the boys
to bring Major Stafford's horse around."

As she spoke she turned and went into the house. The group upon the
porch heard her step upon the polished stair. Unity proceeded to make
conversation. A negro brought the horse around. Judith did not return.
Stafford, still and handsome, courteous and self-possessed, left
farewell for her, said good-bye to the other Greenwood ladies, mounted
and rode away. Unity, sitting watching him unlatch the lower gate and
pass out upon the road, hummed a line--

"Nita! Juanita! Ask thy soul if we should part!"

"I have a curious feeling about that man," said Miss Lucy, "and yet it
is the rarest thing that I distrust anybody!--What is it, Molly?"

"It's no use saying that I romance," said Molly, "for I don't. And when
Mr. Hodge said 'the Stonewall Brigade suffered heavily' he looked
_glad_--"

"Who looked glad?"

"Major Stafford. It's no use looking incredulous, for he did! There was
the most curious light came into his face. And Judith saw it--"

"Molly--Molly--"

"She did! You know how Edward looks when he's white-hot angry--still and
Greek looking? Well, Judith looked like