"And I am afraid I have lost my little girl," said Lawrence, as he took her hand, and gallantly raised it to his lips. "You have grown to almost a young lady." "I don't know whether I like it or not," said Lola. "I sometimes think I had rather remain a little girl." "I believe I am of your opinion," replied Lawrence, looking at her admiringly. "Why, am I growing homely?" pouted Lola. "That's not it. If you were still a little girl, I--I might have been permitted to kiss your cheek, instead of just your hand. Remember----" "Stop! You mean thing!" commanded Lola, blushing furiously. Lawrence gazed on her with admiration. She was certainly budding into a most beautiful girl. "Lola, you are splendid!" he cried, "I wouldn't have you a little girl again. You are far ahead of any girl I know." "How about Dorothy Hamilton?" she asked, mockingly. "Dorothy Hamilton be hanged! How did you and she part?" "Good friends. She and I correspond. After I saved Randolph, she could not do enough for me." "Then she has some heart. I am glad to hear it," answered Lawrence, bitterly. "When I saved her from being crushed beneath the horse's feet, she rewarded me by calling me a miserable Yankee." "Maybe she will be good to you some time," said Lola. "Remember how she used to cut me." "I reckon I do," said Lawrence, "and it used to make me tearing mad. Lola, of all the girls I used to associate with, you are the only one who does not pass me with looks of contempt; but your friendship and sympathy are worth all I have lost--yes, a thousand times more." "Don't magnify my importance; but I shall always be your friend, Lawrence," she said, simply. They then fell to talking of other things, and Lawrence had to tell her of all his experiences. When he told her of his capture by the guerrillas, and how he had been ordered to be put to death, she shuddered and turned so pale he thought she was going to faint. "Stop! Stop!" she gasped. "It was awful--awful! I cannot bear it." "Wait and let me tell you how I escaped death," said Lawrence. When he had finished, her eyes, though bedewed with tears, were shining with joy and pride. "Lawrence," she cried, "I am prouder of you than ever. You were shown mercy, because you were merciful; and I would have my knight-errant as merciful as he is brave." "How can he be otherwise, when she whose colors he wears is so kind and merciful?" gallantly replied Lawrence, and, taking her little hand in his, he raised it and pressed his lips against her trembling fingers. "A true knight can always kiss the hand of the lady he serves," said Lawrence. He then bade her good-bye, with the promise of coming again before he went to the front.