“He married and settled out West upon a large ranch. Now and then Rebecca’s daughter has a letter from him, giving news of his children or the grandchildren.”
“Oh, then, Rebecca married too. Did you know who it was?” asked several curious voices.
“Yes,” smiled Aunt Selina. “She married the very beau she had selected for me.”
“I am so anxious to know if that fine old house is still there and if we could find the cave and underground store-rooms if we ever went there?” asked Norma.
“No, dear; the beautiful old mansion was entirely destroyed by fire started from a shell during the time the battle line closed about Nashville. I was not there at the time, but Rebecca wrote and told me of the dreadful scenes. Almost every family for miles about was left homeless and destitute. The Pines, Rebecca’s home, stood as long as any and sheltered every homeless Southerner round about.”
“I guess Rebecca liked to remember that, didn’t she?” said Ruth.
“Yes, indeed, Fluff.”
“Aunt Selina, you didn’t tell us what became of Imp and Rebecca that day she rode up to the house,” reminded Ned.
“Rebecca laughed at the servants’ fear and rode Imp over to the steps of the piazza. We stood watching her as she jumped off and led Imp right up to the rail. ‘Lady,’ said she to me, ‘this horse just told me that he was going North on a little visit. As there is no one here but you who can take him there, I believe he intends taking you home.’ Although Rebecca’s eyes filled with tears and her voice trembled, we all laughed and made a great fuss over Imp.
“Later, she confided to me that she had entrusted Vernon with the request to secure a passport for Selina Talmage and her horse, Imp, going home to Happy Hills, Pennsylvania. The passport came that day in a letter for Rebecca explaining how I was to go and to whom I was to entrust myself. A note for me was inclosed in the letter, and I read it with a smile. Vernon said he would demand payment for the favor given me as soon as he reached Happy Hills. Rebecca teased me about that note and said that she knew what the favor would be, for Vernon was in love with me. I pooh-poohed the suggestion but felt very glad to pack my clothes for home. In a few days word came that I was to ride to a certain town where an escort would meet me and conduct me to the nearest railroad. And so Imp and I went home.”