Before she knew it he was beside her, his eyes shining with excitement.  “There,” he said, putting into the hand he pressed a ten-dollar bill, “I’ll see you again, and you won’t be sorry.  Good-by,” and with a swift glance around he strode away toward the run.  A moment or two later he was mounted on the bare back of Mad Whately’s horse, following Chunk down the stream so that the flowing water might obliterate the hoof-prints.  They soon left the water and put their horses to a gallop toward the forest, within whose shades they disappeared.  Both had deemed best not to tell Aun’ Jinkey of their departure, so that she might honestly plead ignorance.

With the unerring instinct of a scout the soldier led the way hour after hour toward the point where he expected to find the Union cavalry force.  On the way he and Chunk compared notes, and thus Scoville more truly understood Miss Lou’s position.  “We must be back to-morrow afternoon,” he said, “in time to prevent this marriage.  So, Chunk, be careful.  You must not get sleepy or let your horse stumble.”

Leaving them to pursue their way to the northwest, we can return to The Oaks.  Miss Lou followed her aunt into the house, burdened for the moment with a new and pressing anxiety.  Did the resolute old lady suspect that one of the class which she most detested had been concealed within earshot of her voice, and would a search be instituted?  The girl’s sympathies had gone out to the stranger, and the fact that he so trusted her appealed strongly to her woman’s nature.  In her alienation from her relatives she was peculiarly isolated and lonely at just the period in life when she most craved appreciative understanding, and her intuitions led her to believe that this stranger could both understand and respect her feelings.  His genial, kindly smile warmed her sore, lonely heart, and convinced her that there was a world of human affections and simple faith as well as of imperious wills and formal beliefs.  His words in regard to himself and the North was another shock to her confidence in her uncle and aunt, and another proof that there was no good reason for the marriage they were forcing upon her.

For a brief time she watched with keen-eyed interest to see if her aunt would take any steps to have Aun’ Jinkey’s cabin searched.  Her mind was soon relieved on this score, for she became convinced that her uncle was distracted by various anxieties; while Mrs. Baron, from force of habit and with the purpose of diverting her mind from all she feared, was pursuing her preparations with restless energy, keeping every one in her employ as busy as herself.  It was evident that her niece’s idle hands and perturbed wanderings to and fro annoyed her, and at last she broke out:  “Louise, it would be much more becoming in you to unite with me in my efforts.  The idea of your sitting and idly bemoaning your case in that foolish old woman’s cabin!  I’m glad you had the grace to show obedience to me before her, for