After his graduation he met his father’s mother, who recognized him by his resemblance to her dear, departed son.  All the mother love in her lonely heart awoke, and she was willing to overlook “the missing link of matrimony,” and adopt him as her heir, if he would ignore his identity with the colored race.

Before him loomed all the possibilities which only birth and blood can give a white man in our Democratic country.  But he was a man of too much sterling worth of character to be willing to forsake his mother’s race for the richest advantages his grandmother could bestow.

Dr. Gresham had met Dr. Latimer at the beginning of the convention, and had been attracted to him by his frank and genial manner.  One morning, when conversing with him, Dr. Gresham had learned some of the salient points of his history, which, instead of repelling him, had only deepened his admiration for the young doctor.  He was much amused when he saw the pleasant acquaintanceship between him and Dr. Latrobe, but they agreed to be silent about his racial connection until the time came when they were ready to divulge it; and they were hugely delighted at his signal blunder.

CHAPTER XXIX.

VISITORS FROM THE SOUTH.

“Mamma is not well,” said Iola to Robert.  “I spoke to her about sending for a doctor, but she objected and I did not insist.”

“I will ask Dr. Latimer, whom I met at the Concordia, to step in.  He is a splendid young fellow.  I wish we had thousands like him.”

In the evening the doctor called.  Without appearing to make a professional visit he engaged Marie in conversation, watched her carefully, and came to the conclusion that her failing health proceeded more from mental than physical causes.

“I am so uneasy about Harry,” said Mrs. Leroy.  “He is so fearless and outspoken.  I do wish the attention of the whole nation could be turned to the cruel barbarisms which are a national disgrace.  I think the term ‘bloody shirt’ is one of the most heartless phrases ever invented to divert attention from cruel wrongs and dreadful outrages.”

Just then Iola came in and was introduced by her uncle to Dr. Latimer, to whom the introduction was a sudden and unexpected pleasure.

After an interchange of courtesies, Marie resumed the conversation, saying:  “Harry wrote me only last week that a young friend of his had lost his situation because he refused to have his pupils strew flowers on the streets through which Jefferson Davis was to pass.”

“I think,” said Dr. Latimer, indignantly, “that the Israelites had just as much right to scatter flowers over the bodies of the Egyptians, when the waves threw back their corpses on the shores of the Red Sea, as these children had to strew the path of Jefferson Davis with flowers.  We want our boys to grow up manly citizens, and not cringing sycophants.  When do you expect your son, Mrs. Leroy?”