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“Confound the young rogue!” growled the major, in her ear. “I haven’t an officer on my staff that can equal him. You’re a lucky girl. Yes, confound him, I say!”

“Bless you, child,” said the clergyman’s wife. “I think he’ll make you happy. Be very sure that you make him happy.”

And to all these whole-hearted wishes and comments, Lydia replied with smiles and care-free words. Then came the major, watch in hand, military precision and promptitude in his very tone.

“Time’s up, everybody! There’s a bite to eat at the barracks, then these youngsters must be gone. The boat is due at one o’clock–time’s up.”

As the little party drove past the cathedral they observed a huge crowd outside, waiting for the doors to be opened. Lydia laughed like a child as George told her of his duplicity of the morning, when he had misled the inquiring stranger into thinking the Indian chief was to be married there. The little tale furnished fun for all at the pretty breakfast in the major’s quarters.

“Nice way to begin your wedding morning, young man!” scowled the major, fiercely. “Starting this great day with a network of falsehoods.”

“Not at all,” smiled the Indian. “It was arranged for the cathedral, and I did attend the ceremony.”

“No excuses, you bare-faced scoundrel! I won’t listen to them. Here you are happily married and all those poor would-be sight-seers sizzling out there in this glaring August sun. I’m ashamed of you!” But his arm was about George’s shoulders, and he was wringing the dark, slender hand with a genuine good fellowship that was pleasant to see. “Bless my soul, I love you, boy!” he added, sincerely. “Love you through and through; and remember, I’m your white father from this day forth.”

“And I am your white mother,” said the major’s wife, placing her hands on his shoulders.

For a second the bridegroom’s face sobered. Before him flashed a picture of a little old Indian woman with a broadcloth folded about her shoulders, a small carven pipe between her lips, a world of sorrow in her deep eyes–sorrow that he had brought there. He bent suddenly and kissed Mrs. Harold’s fingers with a grave and courtly deference. “Thank you,” he said simply.

But motherlike, she knew that his heart was bleeding. Lydia had told of his parents’ antagonism, of the lost Mansion title. So the good lady just gave his hand a little extra, understanding squeeze, and the good-byes began.

“Be off with you, youngsters!” growled the major. “The boat is in–post haste now, or you’ll miss it. Begone, both of you!”

And presently they found themselves once more in the carriage, the horses galloping down to the wharf. And almost before they realized it they were aboard, with the hearty “God bless you’s” of the splendid old major and his lovable wife still echoing in their happy young hearts.

* * * * *

It was evening, five days later, when they arrived at their new home. All about the hills, and the woods, above the winding river, and along the edge of the distant forest, brooded that purple smokiness that haunts the late days of August–the smokiness that was born of distant fires, where the Indians and pioneers were “clearing” their lands. The air was like amethyst, the setting sun a fire opal. As on the day when she first had come into his life, George helped her to alight from the carriage, and they stood a moment, hand in hand, and looked over the ample acres that composed their estate. The young Indian had worked hard to have most of the land cleared, leaving here and there vast stretches of walnut groves, and long lines of majestic elms, groups of sturdy oaks, and occasionally a single regal pine tree. Many a time in later years his utilitarian friends would say, “Chief, these trees you are preserving so jealously are eating up a great deal of your land. Why not cut away and grow wheat?” But he would always resent the suggestion, saying that his wheat lands lay back from the river. They were for his body, doubtless, but here, by the river, the trees must be–they were for his soul. And Lydia would champion him immediately with, “Yes, they were there to welcome me as a bride, those grand old trees, and they will remain there, I think, as long as we both shall live.” So, that first evening at home they stood and watched the imperial trees, the long, open flats bordering the river, the nearby lawns which he had taken such pains to woo from the wilderness; stood palm to palm, and that moment seemed to govern all their after life.