Part 50 (1/2)

”I did not wish to burden you with any remembrance of such a humble individual as myself.”

”You are too modest by half, Captain Somers. I should not have known anything about you if it hadn't been for General---- Well, no matter who,” laughed the Senator.

”Now, papa, you have cut short the most interesting story that ever was told!” interposed Emma.

”The captain must begin again, then. Of course, you will make my house your home while in the city.”

”Thank you, sir. I left my servant at the hotel”

Senator Guilford insisted on sending for the servant and the baggage; and, in half an hour, Alick was present to confirm the wonderful tale which Somers told of his captivity in Petersburg, to which Emma and her father listened with the most intense interest.

Very much to his surprise, Captain Somers found himself quite a lion in Was.h.i.+ngton. He was introduced to Senators and Representatives; and on the following evening actually took the President of the United States by the hand, just as though he had been one of the patriarchs of Pinchbrook.

In spite of all these brilliant surroundings, Somers was anxious to get home. He was too feeble to endure the excitement of the capital; and on the third day after his arrival, he started for home. When he reached Boston, by an unfortunate chance it was two hours before a train would start for Pinchbrook. As he had spent two days with a Senator in Was.h.i.+ngton, and shaken hands with the President, he deemed himself qualified to call at No. -- Rutland Street, where the carriage soon set him down.

Lilian Ashford was at home; and Captain Somers, who had faced a whole rebel brigade, trembled and blushed in the presence of the maiden like the veriest coward in the world. But it was some satisfaction to know that the other party was similarly affected. The young hero could not exactly explain how he felt. It was a different sensation from that which had come over him in the presence of Emma Guilford. He experienced a feeling of awe before her, but he could talk as fast as ever; while to Lilian he stammered, couldn't remember anything, and made woful confusion in his words and in his ideas.

When the ice was broken, he succeeded in telling her something about his adventures in Virginia, and roused a very strong desire in her mind to see the wonderful Major de Banyan. But his brief hour expired all too soon; it faded in a moment, and seemed like a tale that was told.

”I wore your socks at the battles of Savage's Station, Glendale and White Oak Swamp, Miss Ashford,” said he; ”and I shall keep them for future service of the same kind. If I am killed in battle, I shall be found with those socks on my feet.”

”Oh, I hope you won't be killed!” exclaimed she with a shudder.

”Well, I hope not; but, as soon as I am able, I shall return to my duty.”

”What a brave fellow you are! I shouldn't think you would dare to stand up before the cannons, and the muskets, and the bayonets.”

”When I feel like running away, I always think of my socks,” said Somers.