“I remember it well,” said Marie, “she must, indeed, be my mother.  Now, all that is needed to complete my happiness is her presence, and my brother’s.  And I intend, if I live long enough, to see them both.”

Iola wrote Robert that her mother remembered the incident of the handkerchief, and was anxious to see them.

In the early fall Robert started for the South in order to clear up all doubts with respect to their relationship.  He found Iola, Harry, and their mother living cosily together.  Harry was teaching and was a leader among the rising young men of the State.  His Northern education and later experience had done much toward adapting him to the work of the new era which had dawned upon the South.

Marie was very glad to welcome Robert to her home, but it was almost impossible to recognize her brother in that tall, handsome man, with dark-brown eyes and wealth of chestnut-colored hair, which he readily lifted to show the crimson spot which lay beneath it.

But as they sat together, and recalled the long-forgotten scenes of their childhood, they concluded that they were brother and sister.

“Marie,” said Robert, “how would you like to leave the South?”

“I should like to go North, but I hate to leave Harry.  He’s a splendid young fellow, although I say it myself.  He is so fearless and outspoken that I am constantly anxious about him, especially at election time.”

Harry then entered the room, and, being introduced to Robert, gave him a cordial welcome.  He had just returned from school.

“We were talking of you, my son,” said Marie.

“What were you saying?  Nothing of the absent but good?” asked Harry.

“I was telling your uncle, who wants me to come North, that I would go, but I am afraid that you will get into trouble and be murdered, as many others have been.”

“Oh, well, mother, I shall not die till my time comes.  And if I die helping the poor and needy, I shall die at my post.  Could a man choose a better place to die?”

“Were you aware of the virulence of caste prejudice and the disabilities which surround the colored people when you cast your lot with them?” asked Robert.

“Not fully,” replied Harry; “but after I found out that I was colored, I consulted the principal of the school, where I was studying, in reference to the future.  He said that if I stayed in the North, he had friends whom he believed would give me any situation I could fill, and I could simply take my place in the rank of workers, the same as any other man.  Then he told me of the army, and I made up my mind to enter it, actuated by a desire to find my mother and sister; and at any rate I wanted to avenge their wrongs.  I do not feel so now.  Since I have seen the fearful ravages of war, I have learned to pity and forgive.  The principal said he thought I would be more apt to find my family if I joined a colored regiment in the West than if I joined one of the Maine companies.  I confess at first I felt a shrinking from taking the step, but love for my mother overcame all repugnance on my part.  Now that I have linked my fortunes to the race I intend to do all I can for its elevation.”