CHAPTER X.
CUPID AGAIN AT WORK.
Belton, after graduating from Stowe University, returned with his mother to their humble home at Winchester.

He had been away at school for four years and now desired to see his home again before going forth into the world.
He remained at Winchester several days visiting all the spots where he had toiled or played, mourned or sung, wept or laughed as a child.
He entered the old school house and gazed with eyes of love on its twisting walls, decaying floor and benches sadly in need of repair.
A somewhat mournful smile played upon his lips as he thought of the revengeful act that he had perpetrated upon his first teacher, Mr.
Leonard, and this smile died away into a more sober expression as he remembered how his act of revenge had, like chickens, come home to roost, when those dirty socks had made him an object of laughter at Stowe University on commencement day.
Revenge was dead in his bosom.

And it was well for the world that this young negro had been trained in a school where there was a friendly lance to open his veins and let out this most virulent of poisons.
Belton lingered about home, thinking of the great problem of human life.

He would walk out of town near sunset and, taking his seat on some grassy knoll would gaze on the Blue Ridge mountains.

The light would fade out of the sky and the gloom of evening gather, but the mountains would maintain their same bold appearance.