In his interviews with
this functionary, some expressions were dropped that caused a
suspicion of the truth to pass through his mind. A series of rapidly
recurring questions addressed to the Secretary were answered in a
way that fully confirmed this suspicion. The effect of this upon the
excitable and impulsive young man will appear as our story
progresses.
It was while Mark's application was pending, and a short time before
his visit to Washington, that he came up to Fairview, the residence
of his grandfather. Mark had always been a favorite with the old
gentleman, who rather encouraged his desire to enter the navy.
"The boy will distinguish himself," Mr. Lofton would say, as he
thought over the matter. And the idea of distinction in the army or
navy, was grateful to his aristocratic feelings. "There is some of
the right blood in his veins for all."
One afternoon, some two or three days after the young man came up to
Fairview, he was returning from a ramble in the woods with his gun,
when he met a beautiful young girl, simply attired, and bearing on
her head a light bundle of grain which she had gleaned in a
neighboring field.
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