"What is it you wish to know?" was the short query, as snappy as her first greeting had been. "I am a bit mixed on the roads. There is a split about an eighth of a mile above here, and I would like to know if this is the regular road, or if the other road is." "You're a Yankee officer, I take it." "I am, madam." "What company do you belong to?" "I am captain of the fourth company of the Riverlawn Cavalry, of Kentucky." "The Riverlawns!" came in something like a gasp. "Well, I never! Dick! Dick!" "Well, Martha, what?" growled the colonel, from an inner room. "Send him about his business." "He belongs to the Riverlawns, Dick,--that cavalry--" "Hush, Martha." There was the stumping of a wooden leg, and Colonel Bradner appeared. "So you belong to the Riverlawns, Captain? Come in, I would like to talk to you." "I haven't much time to talk, sir," answered Artie. "I must be on my way. If you will tell me about the roads--" "In a minute, Captain, in a minute. But I would like a little information myself--about the Riverlawns." "Yes, we want to know all about them," put in Mrs. Bradner. "My brother--" "Martha, do let me do the talking," interrupted the colonel, with a significant look behind Artie's back which the captain failed to catch. "Walk into the sitting room, where there is a small fire. I can't go without some fire on a damp day, even in June. The rheumatism is too bad in my poor stumps. Come in." The colonel led the way, and Artie followed, although the delay was not to his taste. Yet he was curious to learn what his host wanted to know concerning the cavalry his father (so called) commanded. Perhaps the lady's brother belonged to one of the companies, despite the fact that she was a Tennesseean. The sitting room was a cheerful place, and the fire felt decidedly comfortable, and Artie wished he was not in a hurry. Colonel Bradner shoved a cane rocker toward him, and sank down on a lounge. Feeling that his wet clothing would not hurt a cane rocker, Artie sat down. "By the way, Martha, tell Joe and Sam to come in," said the colonel, in an off-handed way. "They must clean up that cellar before the rain ruins everything. Tell them to clean out that back pantry the first thing." "But, Dick--" "Never mind, my dear, tell them;" and the head of the house waved his wife off, winking at her when Artie was not looking. The wink satisfied the lady more than did her husband's words, and she moved off in deep thought. "So you belong to the Riverlawns, Captain. What company, if I may ask?" "I am captain of the fourth company, Mr. ----" "Excuse me, I should have introduced myself and my wife. Colonel Dick Bradner, at your service." "You are not in active service, Colonel," and Artie smiled faintly. "Do I look as if I was? But I have seen service, young man, having gone all through the Mexican War." "Indeed! I am glad to meet you, sir. But about the Riverlawns and Mrs. Bradner's brother--"