"It isn't charity," cried Jeanne hotly. "You can pay it back to my father if you like. I want you to get good and strong so that you can fight for us again." "I'll do it," exclaimed the young fellow impulsively. "A few weeks' rest would put new life in me. And I'll be your soldier, little girl." "Will you?" cried Jeanne delightedly. "That will be most as good as if I could fight myself, won't it?" "Every bit," declared the Lieutenant rising. "God bless you, child. Such warm hearts as yours make life seem worth the living after all." He raised her hand to his lips. Then as if afraid to trust himself to speak further left her abruptly. Excited and happy Jeanne ran back to the hotel where she found Mr. Huntsworth waiting for her. CHAPTER VI IN DIXIE LAND "Oh, Mr. Huntsworth," she cried, "I have something to tell you," and she rapidly related the incident of the young Lieutenant. "Are you sure the fellow was telling the truth?" queried the old man smiling at her enthusiasm. "Sometimes rascals tell all sorts of stories in order to get money." "This man was a gentleman and I know he was truthful. He didn't want to take the money at all. I had to plead with him to get him to do it. Besides he did not speak to me until I had spoken to him first. He was not strong enough for duty and he showed it." "Then, my dear, you have done a noble thing. If the young man told the truth his position is indeed a sad one. His rebel kinsmen would turn from him if he espoused the cause of the Union and his duty is doubly hard that he must fight against father, home, neighbors and friends. I am afraid that we do not appreciate all that a man gives up when, a Southerner by birth, he throws his lot in with ours. Many high-minded men have gone with the South because their state went that way, and it takes nobleness indeed to rise above the call of one's own state when the government demands the sacrifice. I should like to have seen the young fellow. Did he give his name?" "Why, I did not think to ask it," exclaimed Jeanne. "But father will know of course." "So you really believe that he will go to your father's." "Certainly I do." "Oh, for the faith of childhood," exclaimed Mr. Huntsworth. "But whether he does or not you seemed to have infused new life into him and that is what a man needs most when he is discouraged. You are a true patriot, child. But now, my little Quixote, let's go to General Wallace. I have explained everything to him, but he desires to see you personally."