Oleah, rash, hot-headed, fiery Oleah, had a tender heart in his bosom, and now he was trembling with emotion, although he made an effort to appear calm.
"How do you know that we are to part to-night?" he asked.
"We are both going from our home, and going in different directions. We are standing on opposite sides of a gulf momentarily growing wider."
A fearful suspicion crossed Oleah's mind. "Do you leave home to-night?"
"Yes."
"Where are you going?"
"To join the army of my country and the Union."
Oleah started back as if he had received a stunning blow in the face. Abner was aware that Oleah had enlisted in the Confederate army, but Oleah did not dream that his brother would enter the army of the North.
"Abner, Abner," he cried, hurriedly dismounting from his horse and coming to his brother's side, "for heaven's sake say that it is not true!"
"But it is true," said Abner sadly. "To-night we separate, you to fight for the cause of the South, I for the preservation of the Union."