“I think I’ll leave directly after breakfast,” he said to his chum. “Father will most likely hear of what is up, and he’ll be anxious about me.” “I would rather have you stay,” answered Andy, his face flushing. “Northern or not, I want folks around here to understand that they sha’n’t mistreat my guest.” “You’re a chum worth having,” laughed Louis, and they returned to the house arm in arm, never, alas, thinking of how soon the cruel war was to separate them and make them, to a certain degree, enemies! Grace Arlington had been questioning her father eagerly about the course of public events, and when Louis appeared she lost no time in pouncing down upon him. “Oh, Louis, is it true, are we going to fight you Northern people?” she burst out. “Well, I trust you won’t fight me,” he replied, with a smile, for deep down in his heart the youth thought Grace Arlington just the best and most lovable girl he had ever known. “I don’t know about that--if you join the Northerners,” she pouted. “If you fight against us I’ll think you real mean.” “You would want a fellow to stick up for what he considered his duty, wouldn’t you, Grace?” “I suppose I would, but--but--how can you think of fighting us when we are so entirely in the right?” and she bent a reproachful pair of brown eyes on him in such a manner that his heart gave a big jump, and he was forced to turn away. Luckily Andy interrupted the brief tête-à-tête at this point, and in a little while the conversation became general. Soon dinner was announced and once again Louis found Grace at his side. But now he was on his guard, and not to wound her feelings talked about everything else he could think of but the threatened war. The evening which followed, full of songs and music from Grace, who could both play on the piano and sing very well, and filled in with war anecdotes by Mr. Arlington, was one Louis never forgot. What a happy and good-natured family they were, and what a truly jolly girl Grace was! Many were the times he remembered every detail of the scene, as he lay in the trenches in the rain and darkness, in front of the enemy and, for all he knew to the contrary, in front of Andy! But the best of times must come to an end, and at eleven o’clock the gathering broke up, and Louis went off, to sleep his last sleep by Andy’s side for many a weary, perilous month to come. Six o’clock found the two boys stirring. Both walked to the dairy and then to the barn, where Louis saw to it that his horse would be ready for him immediately after breakfast. The morning meal, in honor of the departing guest, was more elaborate than usual, and during the progress of the breakfast Mr. Arlington expressed the hope that Louis would have no trouble in getting home.