I was afraid at first it was some Yankee woman who had perhaps sheltered you on your way." "Is she older than you, Vincent ?" Annie asked suddenly.

"I shouldn't like her to be older than you are." "She is between sixteen and seventeen," Vincent replied, "and she is a Southern girl, mother, and I am sure you will love her, for she saved my life at the risk of her own, besides nursing me all the time I was ill." "I have no doubt I shall love her, Vincent, for I think, my boy, that you would not make a rash choice.

I think you are young, much too young, to be engaged; still, that is a secondary matter.

Now tell us all about it.

We expected your story to be exciting, but did not dream that love-making had any share in it." Vincent accordingly told them the whole story of his adventures from the time of his first meeting Dan in prison.