"And did he succeed?" cried Peter breathlessly.
"Oh, it was splendid! Think of a boy's doing a thing like that for his country!"
"And a boy not much older than you either, Peter," added Mrs. Jackson eagerly.
"Why--why--how did you know?" queried Peter, bewildered.
Instantly Mrs. Jackson was all confusion; but she did not explain her impulsive words.
"That Northern soldier, Peter, was your grandfather," declared Mr. Coddington quickly. "He all but died in the fulfilment of his task and had it not been for the nursing he received in that Southern home he undoubtedly would have done so. His family owed his life, his honor, and the success of the cause they prized so dearly to those brave friends who risked everything they possessed to serve their country and a fellow creature. And now if you will ask Mrs. Jackson perhaps she can tell you who the boy was who carried the dispatch through the Southern lines."
"It was my brother--Nat's uncle, Peter," whispered Mrs. Jackson.
"Why, mother," Nat ejaculated, "you never told me it was these Coddingtons!"
"And not until the day I came to see you at the hospital, Nat, did I find out that it was these Jacksons," said Mr. Coddington. Then turning to Nat's mother he said: "Now you must certainly admit that the Coddingtons, Mrs. Jackson, owe a good deal to the Jacksons--life, honor, their country's success. Between your family and mine on which side lies the obligation?"
"But one that cost your family dear. Oh, I have discovered, you see, how the incident came to the knowledge of your Southern neighbors and how, in rage, they burned your father's plantation driving you all from it. I have looked up all the facts. Your father came North in the hope of recovering his fortunes; he died; you married, strangely enough, another Jackson; your husband was unfortunate and before he won a place in life he, too, was taken from you and you were left with this boy. You strayed into Milburn--it is needless to go on; you see I know all your story. I wished, my dear madam, to verify my suspicions. I have verified them. You and Nat unconsciously came to a haven where you never again shall have cause to worry. Your son shall be trained to share my son's fortunes. The Coddingtons can never cancel their debt to the Jacksons, but at least they shall repay a part of it. You who know so well what pride is will not, I am sure, deny me this pleasure and satisfaction."