colonial door, and stood
aside as his guests entered the beautiful old family room. A back-log
blazed cheerfully in the open fireplace.

Over the fireplace was the mantel, with its rich hand-carving of the
French coat of arms. On the walls of the room were family portraits,
some of them brought from the provinces of old France. Doctor Hissong
stood before one portrait, a face sweet in its Madonna-like innocence
and purity. A tear-drop stole down the Major's cheek.

Leading Doctor Hissong over to the window, he pointed to the family
burying-ground, and said, "The dear wife sleeps under that tallest
pine." The snow had covered the mound, but again the Major could see
April days out there, and the heavy bloom of the orchard--the redbird
and the catbird were pouring out symphonies of melody; the silver-winged
pigeons were bending through the golden skies, and again he could hear a
mother's voice calling in happiest tones to her children.

"Horton, call Lallite," said Major LeCroix.

Shawn turned suddenly to see a young girl come into the room. She came
up coyly, greeting Doctor Hissong, and when she came over toward Shawn,
he felt a hot flush coming to his cheek. He had seen this young girl
before, with her father in town, but now as she came before him, with
her merry, flashing eyes and radiant color, he stood with downcast eyes,
and the old desire to run off to the woods came over him again. She gave
him her soft hand as her musical voice said, "I am so glad you came with
the doctor." He stood as one entranced before this girl of such sweet
and simple beauty, and unconsciously, he was led into an easy attitude
and relieved from his painful embarrassment.

Horton came into the room, bearing a tray and glasses. He turned to the
Major and asked, "De white er de red, Major?"

"Both, Horton."

Horton took the keys which hung at the end of the mantel. Returning, he
placed two bottles of grape wine on the tray. He filled the glasses, but
the Major observed that Shawn did not take his glass.

"Do you want the wine, boy?"

"No, sir, I thank you," said Shawn, hesitatingly.

"It's all right, Major," said Doctor Hissong, "Mrs. Alden is looking
after him, you know."

Raising his glass, Major LeCroix said, "Welcome to Old Meadows, and a
health to pleasant memories. You find things sadly changed--my dear
companion gone; my boy a soldier in a distant land, Louise long married
and never returning until she comes with the chi