He was brought here, and that was why I left you.
He had a letter for me, and authority to conduct me back to the general's headquarters.

Was not that thoughtful of them ?" "Yes," I answered wearily, clinging to her hand, "and--and you are going now?
You came to say good-bye ?" "You poor boy, do you really think that?
Shall I tell you what message I sent back ?" My face must have answered, for she lowered her head until her cheek rested against mine, her eyes hidden.
"I--I said I would stay here with my soldier." I was still a long while it seemed to me, our hands clasped, our cheeks pressing.

I could feel her soft breath, and the strands of her hair.
"Billie, there is no regret, no doubt any more ?" I asked falteringly.
"It is all love for me ?" "All love," she answered, moving just enough so that our eyes met.

"You are my world forever." "And that uniform yonder--it is no barrier, dear?
I am still a Federal officer." She glanced at the rags, and then back into my face.
"Sweetheart," she whispered gently, "I can be loyal to the South, and to you also--you must be content with that." Content! It was as though everything else had been forgotten, blotted out.

It was almost dark now, and far away the camp-fires blazed red and yellow among the trees.