Once more the sun is sinking in the west; again is Calhoun galloping up the road which leads to the Crawford residence. But Joyce is not standing at the gate watching for him. The little cloud of dust grows larger and larger, but it is not noticed. In the house a life is ebbing away—going out with the sun. Calhoun is met by Abe, who takes his horse, and points to the house. “Massa Crawford dyin’,” is all he said. He is met at the door by Joyce. “Come, father wants to see you,” she says, and leads him into the chamber where the dying man lies. “Father, here is Calhoun,” she sobbed. Mr. Crawford opened his eyes, stretched forth a trembling hand, and it was grasped by Calhoun. In that hour all animosity, all bitterness, was forgotten. Joyce came and stood by the side of her lover. Her father took her hand and placed it in that of Calhoun. “God bless you both, my children,” he whispered. “Forgive!” “There is nothing to forgive,” replied Calhoun, in a choking voice. A look of great contentment came over the dying man’s face. “Sit by me, Joyce,” he whispered. “Let me hold your hand in mine.” Joyce did so, her tears falling like rain. For some time she held her father’s hand, and then his mind began to wander. It was no longer Joyce’s hand he held, but the hand of her mother, who had lain in the grave for so many years. Once he opened his eyes, and seeing the face of Joyce bending over him, murmured, “Kiss me, Mary.” Brushing aside her tears, Joyce kissed him, not once, but again and again. He smiled, closed his eyes—and then fell asleep. A year has passed since the death of Mr. Crawford. Calhoun has come to claim his beautiful bride. He is making his last raid; but this time no enemy glowers upon him. Instead, flowers are scattered in his path; glad bells are ringing a joyful welcome. He is fully aware that the war has left many bitter memories; yet when the words are spoken which link his life to Joyce’s forever and forever (for true love ends not in the grave), he clasps her to his heart, and thanks God that Morgan made his raid into Ohio. THE END. PRINTED BY R. R. DONNELLEY AND SONS COMPANY, AT THE LAKESIDE PRESS, CHICAGO, ILL. FOOTNOTES 1 Calhoun did not tell Morgan the exact truth regarding his capture and release. For this see “General Nelson’s Scout.” 2 For full particulars of this see “On General Thomas’s Staff.” 3 This convention was in reality not held until June 15, 1864. TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE The author’s footnotes have been moved to the end of the volume. The following typographical errors were corrected: page 70, “wagon train” changed to “wagon-train” page 73, “orced” changed to “forced” page 86, “kulking” changed to “skulking” page 125, “way” changed to “way.” page 140, “At” changed to “As”