They came in five minutes, the gentleman and Jo, and never have I seen the like of her. She was twenty-four past that day, and stood tall and erect, with glowing cheeks and eyes, in the full splendor of her young womanhood. I was ashamed to show my scarred face to her, and yet I would have travelled half my life to do it and know what she would say. She could not hide her joy, nor I mine. Our eyes filled as we greeted each other, and, somehow, I felt the truth in her little right hand--that she loved me. Pearl made me blush with praise, and when I tried to disclaim the credit which he put upon me--knowing how small a thing it was--Jo commanded me to be silent, and said that I had no right to belittle her pride in a friend. The Colonel rose and stood erect, and stroked his white imperial. “Attention!” he commanded, with that fine military manner of his. “Heron, old boy,” he went on, as he touched his forelock and swung his hand in the air, “I salute you, and apologize for all the indignities of the past; and, dear friends, while we are giving out the medals of honor, I would respectfully invite your attention to this young lady. She is the greatest of all women--the dearest daughter in the land.” He turned to me, and continued: “You will remember, sir, my fondness for the flowing bowl and my many follies, which I would blush to mention. She--she, sir, with the tenderness of true womanhood, with the love that passeth all understanding, has lifted me up and made a man of me.” The Colonel was interrupted by applause, led by the gentleman, who rose and said: “Mr. Chairman, I move that we give the young lady a vote of love and honor, and that we recommend her for promotion from daughter to wife, with the title of Mrs. and the rank of a great-hearted woman, as soon as we can find a man worthy of her. Greater than the man of the sword is the heroine of the home who has subdued its enemies with the strong hand of love.” “I second the motion,” said Pearl. “Question,” I urged. The Colonel bowed low, and in look, word, and manner rose to greatness, it seemed to me. “Those in favor will salute her with a kiss,” said the old gentleman, as he embraced his daughter. Then he led her to Pearl, who recorded his vote, after which he pinned one of his medals on her waist, and then the hand-made gentleman supported the motion. It was my turn next. She laughed and turned away from me, her cheeks red as roses. Then she ran to the corner of the room, and hid her face in her handkerchief and cried a little, and I stole up and kissed her cheek and led her back to her chair, and every man of us had wet eyes for some reason. “Now,” said the Colonel, cheerfully, as he rose and went to the fireplace, “with your kind indulgence, I will sing you a song.”