CHAPTER XXXIX.
THE HAZY MISTS ARE LIFTING.
Colonel and Mrs. Hamilton arrived in Boston in due time. There had been long talks by the way, much questioning and wondering, but true to the dictates of a noble, generous soul, he had said, "Notwithstanding all, I will forgive."
When the train left the station for Kirkham on the following morning, many eyes were turned on the glittering colonel who, with his wife, entered the car and took a seat near the door.
"Let us go farther on;" requested Lillian, as he stepped back for her to enter. "There is a seat yonder."
"Yes, but twelve steps farther away from her;" and he laughed at the absurdities of his own heart.
"Do you know," she said at last, "there is a greater conflict before you than any in which you have engaged during the war? Mrs. Gaylord is no enemy, yet I believe you will be hardly able to resist her pleadings."
"Shall I remove my regimental straps now, or wait to lay my sword at her feet?"