ther had said, quite enough to
make her comfortable for an ordinary life, ranging closely upon fifty
thousand dollars. He procured her some checks, and she filled up one in
a hand of crow-quill lightness, which looked indescribably like herself,
but with a readiness which showed that she must have been before
familiar with banking business. He presented the check, and it was
honored without enquiry, this fact proving that her signature was known;
and thus all anxiety on the pecuniary question was set at rest.

The young girl had said, in that dreadful hour by the death-couch, when
speaking of her grandfather's fervent Union sentiments, "I do not know
anything about politics, myself!" The truth that she had no knowledge or
no feeling on the subject of the struggle between the two sections, was
made manifest before she had been twenty-four hours an inmate of Richard
Crawford's house. John continued to fight, mentally, though wounded and
absent from the army. Richard was an ardent loyalist, as we have seen.
The brothers naturally ran into warm denunciations of rebellion, and
confident prophecies of the success of the Union cause, in spite of all
past disasters. Bell and Marion were both present when they launched
into the first of these; but before the conversation had lasted many
minutes, the young Virginian girl rose and left the room with a word of
apology. Both the brothers noticed the act and her manner. It did not
indicate anger or dissatisfaction--simply a total want of interest.

The next morning something still more conclusive on this subject
occurred. Richard Crawford had been much in the habit, during his
illness, of being read to by his sister, Joe Harris, or any other friend
who would take the trouble to amuse him in that manner. As he began to
recover, he did not lose the relish for that description of lazy luxury.
On the morning in question, John had gone out, Bell was busy, and Marion
and her host happened to be alone in the room, when the morning papers
were brought in.

"Miss Hobart, will you be so kind as to read the news to me?" suggested
the invalid.

"If you wish, Mr. Crawford," she said at once. "I do not read very well
aloud. But I will do my best." She picked up one of the papers and
commenced reading. European news--news from Central and South
America--railroad accidents--dramatic notices--everything except the
news from Washington and the war, which happened to be all that he cared
to hear at