“No, he never insulted you, or spoke one unkind word about you in his life. Oh! this is shameful! God forgive me that I was not here!” Tears were streaming down her face. “You hold me responsible for the crazy young scamp’s career?” cried the General indignantly. “Not another word to me!” she exclaimed. “You shall not abuse him in my presence.” The General was afraid of her when she used the tone of voice in which she uttered that sentence. He had heard it but once before, and that was when she told him she was a free woman twenty-one years old, and he had broken down. He looked at her now, fearing to speak. At length he said, “I have engaged a suite of rooms for you here at the Waldorf-Astoria, my dear, for the winter. I hope you will enjoy the season. Let us change this painful subject.” “I do not want the rooms,” she firmly replied, “I am going to Asheville on the first train.” The General stormed and raged for an hour, but she made no reply. Her mother was suffering from the effects of the voyage and took no part in this storm. “But your mother will not be able to accompany you. Surely you will not disgrace me by visiting that man in jail!” “I will. And when he is released I will return. I will visit Stella Holt. I shall have ample protection.” The General was afraid to oppose her in this dangerous mood, and begged her mother to try to prevent her going. Sallie sent Gaston a telegram that she was coming. In obedience to the General’s request her mother called her into her room that night and they had a long talk and cry in each other’s arms. Mrs. Worth did not try very hard to persuade her not to go. Down in her own woman’s soul she knew what she would do under similar conditions, and she was too honest with her child to try to deceive her. She only made love to her mother-fashion. “Oh! Mama,” cried Sallie, burying her face beside her mother as she lay in bed. “I am at a great soul crisis. I don’t know what to do. I feel lonely, helpless and heart-sick. You are a woman. Put your dear arms about me and help me to know the truth and my duty. I want to ask you a question.” “What is it, darling? I ’ll answer it, if I can,” she replied stroking her dark hair tenderly. “Do you believe these stories about Charlie’s character?” “Not one word of them!” she promptly answered. An impulsive kiss and a sob!