Thus she partially screened the invalid from observation, and reaching the portion down to his hand, tenderly said, "Dar now, honey, yo eat dat bread." No second invitation to indulge his famished appetite was needed. The slice of "co'n pone" speedily disappeared. Strange to say, no inconvenience resulted. The food aroused the dormant vitality and the young fellow eagerly exclaimed, "Auntie, Auntie, that was so good. Give me some more." "No, honey," she said decisively, "de doctah see me do dis yah, I done go, suah." Then the invalid began to cry hysterically. The sympathy of the kind old heart was still further aroused and, spreading her great hand on his head, she said softly, "Po chile, po chile, he want ta see he muddah." "Mother, Mother!" How that word stirred his heart and aroused his memory so weakened by suffering. Physical vigor from the dark hand upon his head was surcharged with vitality that probably stimulated the depleted personality. Again the young man asked, "Aunty, aunty, give me some more," and again came the reply, "No, honey, de doctah see me do dis, he send me off for suah." Meanwhile "Olean" was pressing his face against the third-story window to see how "Michigan" was prospering in his quest for soup. A soldier nurse approached the cottage and "aunty," who seemed to be on good terms with all, interceded for her guest. "Dis ya chile done cum down fo a wok; he done tiad out, yo' help him back, won't yo', massa?" And he did. [Illustration: "Dinah, Dinah, look at dat ar po' white chile; he bleached so white as linen."] CHAPTER X. A SEQUEL. At the age of thirteen, the writer attended a series of religious meetings and became profoundly convicted of his obligation to accept Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. Lack of moral courage held him back from an open confession. He compromised by secretly pledging to become a Christian after he had entered upon his chosen profession of law. Thereupon his convictions ceased and the matter was forgotten.