Jot laughed a teasing laugh and said: “Well, Dave, I should not have even thought of putting such a question to you. You look more like a funeral than an engaged man just now!” And I guess I did. “Cheer up, Dave!” he teased. “The girls are going to be in a hospital near us. Who knows but that we shall both be half killed and be sent there? Perhaps you will have Miss Emily to nurse you.” “Who said anything about Miss Emily?” I replied crossly. “No one but your face, Davie. You can not hide that; it always was a telltale! I know you are blue. I am, too. I am hard hit, like some one else I know.” After this conversation we sat for a while in silence, and I thought Jot’s face grew more and more grave as we neared our destination. “What is it, Jot, what’s troubling you?” I inquired. “Is it something that Von Rucker wants you to do against your will?” “No,” he replied. “I never shall do anything contrary to my convictions, for either love or money.” “Why don’t you use the name you are entitled to?” “Mother, as I have told you, objected to it.” “Was it because he was a German?” “No,” he replied; “she married him knowing that, but there was something she didn’t know. She had very strong prejudices, or convictions you may call them; and I have the same myself. She was heart and soul a Union woman.” “Was he a Southerner?” I said. “Was that the trouble?” He did not answer me, but looked with a far-off glance as though into the future, rather than the past. We at last arrived at our destination and separated. So we left the sunshine for the clouds of war. CHAPTER XVI A STRANGE DESERTION Upon my return to the front I found that our forces had been reinforced by new regiments. American troops, we were told, were arriving in great numbers. This information was hailed with satisfaction by French soldiers as well as by ourselves; for, while we did not doubt our ability to meet any equal numbers of the enemy, we wanted the backing given by superior numbers on our side; especially as the enemy were attacking from interior lines with the advantage of quicker concentration at the point of attack. Reporting for duty, I was cordially received by my comrades. “Now, I suppose that we shall lose you?” said Corporal Sutherland. “I think not,” I said, “I have had my leave and had a good time, and it is not likely that I will get another for a good while.” “Haven’t you heard,” queried one of the sergeants, “that you have been promoted?” “Promoted!” I replied in surprise; “I hope that they have not made me a top sergeant. I am not big enough for it; and it’s a hard job.” Just then my captain came up with extended hand, saying, “I congratulate you, as well as myself and our company.” “For what, Captain?” I replied, saluting; “I don’t understand.” “On your promotion to be second lieutenant of this company,” he replied; “I thought you had received your commission.”