He rushed to the Barton house.
Jennie saw before he spoke that he bore a message of tragic import.
"What is it, Dick?" she asked under her breath. "Why do you look at me
so?"
"Jennie," he began seriously, "you are sure that you love the South?"
"Don't ask me idiotic questions," she answered sternly; "what are you
driving at?"
"If I prove to you that the man to whom you have pledged your love is an
impostor--"
She lifted her head in a gesture of cold protest.
"I thought we had settled that question."
"But you must listen to me," he went on with calm persistence. "If I
prove to you that this man is a Federal spy--"
Jennie broke into a laugh.
"I can't get mad at you--you're such a big clumsy goose--"
"I said if I _prove_ it--"
There was no mistaking the fact that he was in dead earnest.
The girl's face went white and her eyes took on a hard glitter.
"Now, Dick Welford, that you've said it--you've _got_ to prove it--"
The Captain lifted his hand solemnly.
"I'll prove it. You know Miss Van Lew, the old abolitionist on Church
Hill?--"
"I don't know that such a creature walks the earth."
"You've heard of her?"
"Yes."
"You know that she is a traitor to her own people?"
"I've heard it.
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