ssed my feelings; but, somehow or
other, Herbert, we never came to a right understanding again. She
answered my letter affectionately enough, but she refused to accept a
home for herself and child under my roof, saying that she thanked me for
my offer, but that the house which had been closed against her husband
ought never to become the refuge of his widow. After that we never
corresponded, and I have no doubt, Herbert, that she, naturally enough,
taught you to dislike me."

"Not so, sir; indeed, you wrong her. She might have been loyal to my
father's memory without being resentful toward you. She said that you
had a noble nature, but it was often obscured by violent passions. On
her dead-bed she bade me, should I ever meet you, to say that she
repented her refusal of your offered kindness."

"And consented that it should be transferred to her orphan boy?" added
Old Hurricane, with the tears like raindrops in his stormy eyes.

"No, sir, she said not so."

"But yet she would not have disapproved a service offered to her son."

"Uncle--since you permit me to call you so--I want nothing. I have a
good berth in the Susan and a kind friend in her captain."

"You have all your dear mother's pride, Herbert."

"And all his uncle's!" put in Cap.

"Hush, Magpie! But is the merchant service agreeable to you, Herbert?"

"Not perfectly, sir; but one must be content."

"Demmy, sir, my sister's son need not be content unless he has a mind
to! And if you prefer the navy----"

"No, sir. I like the navy even less than the merchant service."

"Then what would suit you, lad? Come, you have betrayed the fact that
you are not altogether satisfied."

"On the contrary, sir, I told you distinctly that I really wanted
nothing, and that I must be satisfied."

"And I say, demmy, sir! you sha'n't be satisfied unless you like to!
Come, if you don't like the navy, what do you say to the army, eh?"

"It is a proud, aspiring profession, sir," said the young man, as his
face lighted up with enthusiasm.

"Then, demmy, if you like the army, sir, you shall enter it! Yes, sir!
Demmy, the administration, confound them, has not done me justice, but
they'll scarcely dare to refuse to send my nephew to West Point when I
demand it."

"To West Point!" exclaimed Herbert, in delight.

"Ay, youngster, to West Point. I shall see to it when I pass through
Washington on my way to Virginia. We start in the early train to-morrow
morning. In the mea