They talked of their school and college days, of the books they had read, of anything in fact except of the experiences of the past twenty-four hours.  Even when they entered the valley no shadow crossed Adelaide’s face; but as they neared the station her voice changed, and as Percy looked into her winsome, frankly upturned face, she said: 

“Have I truly been pardoned for my cruel words last evening?  I am sure you were as manly and noble as any man could have been.”

“And I am sure you were the bravest little woman I have ever known,” replied Percy, “and I admire you the more for calling me a coward when you thought I was running away; so there is nothing to pardon I am sure.”

She gave him her hand as a child at parting, but he thought as he looked into her eyes that he saw the soul of a woman.

CHAPTER XII

THE RESTORATION

Percy carried with him a most interesting and attractive circular of information concerning the rapid restoration of the farm lands of the South.  It also stated that further information could be secured from a certain real estate agent in Richmond, who was found to be still in his office when Percy arrived in the city late in the afternoon.

The agent was delighted to receive a call from the Western man, and assured him that he would gladly show him several plantations not far from the city which could be purchased at very reasonable prices.  Indeed he could have his choice of these old southern homesteads for the very low price of forty dollars an acre.  A map of an adjoining county showed the exact location of several such farms, some of which were of great historical interest.  At what time in the morning could he be ready to be shown one of these rare bargains?

“What treatment do these lands require to restore their productiveness?” asked Percy.

“No treatment at all, Sir, except the adoption of your western methods of farming and your system of crop rotation.  I tell you the results are marvelous when western farmers get hold of these famous old plantations.  Just good farming and a change of crops, that’s all they need.”

“Does clover grow well?” asked Percy.  “We grow that a good deal in the West.”

“Oh, yes, clover will grow very well, indeed, but cowpeas is a much better crop than clover.  Our best farmers prefer the cowpea; and after a crop of cowpeas, you can raise large crops of any kind.”

“Of course you know of those who have been successful in restoring some of these old farms,” Percy suggested.

“Oh, yes, Sir, many of them, and they are making money hand over fist, and their lands are increasing in value, and no doubt will continue to increase just as your western lands have done.  Yes, Sir, the greatest opportunity for investment in land is right here and now, and these old plantations are being snapped up very rapidly.”