“Here is your honorable discharge from the army,” he said, and something in the low voice, caused Debby to look up. A tear was glistening in the great man’s eyes; “I have added to it a sum which will enable you to make a start in life. For your bravery I honor you, for your service your country thanks you, and my heartfelt wish for you is that God may bless you with sons as noble as their mother. May heaven’s blessing go with you. Farewell my child.”
It was over, and with a heart bursting with gratitude and worship poor lonely Debby Mason turned away to begin life.
A week later in the home of Doctor Bell’s mother a tall, slim girl with short curls of brown, framing in a strong earnest face, stood listening to a dear, prim little Quaker woman, who was divulging a wonderful plan.
“Now thee looks sweet and womanly, Deborah. Thy locks will grow and thee must try to brush out some of the curl.”
“Oh! mother,” laughed her son coming in the room, “can you not spare the curl?”
“Nay, son, Deborah will be a happier woman, if her looks are not so unusual. And in a fortnight thee and I will go to thy people in England, the Spirit tells me that there thee will find peace and rest.”
“But I will come back to my own land, my own dear country!” Debby’s clear voice had not been toned down as much as her appearance; “I will come back to America. What was all the good of—of my suffering—and fighting—if I go away just as the glory is beginning?”
“Three cheers!” cried the doctor.
“Deborah, my son,” the mother broke in.