* * * * *

At the end of ten days, Henry’s baggage was sent out to Hiccox’s for the stage, and he took leave of his mother, Morris, Edward, and George, and, accompanied by Bart, walked out to the State road, to take the stage for Painesville, where his work was to begin.  He was in bright spirits; his hopes were high; he was much nearer home; his communication was easier, and his absences would be shorter.

Bart, for some reason, was more depressed than usual.  On their way down, Henry asked him about a Mr. Greer whom he first saw at the sugar party, and afterwards at Parker’s, and who had seemed to take much interest in Bart.  Bart had met him only once or twice, and was not favorably impressed by him.  Henry said that he had talked of seeing Bart, and that he (Henry) rather liked him.

It had been already talked over and understood that Bart should go to Painesville in the Fall, and enter fully upon the study of the law.  As they reached the stage-road, Bart’s depression had been remarked by Henry, who made an ineffectual effort to arouse him.  Finally the stage came rattling down the hill, and drew up.  The brothers shook hands.  Henry got in, and the stage was about to move away, when Bart sprang upon the step, and called out “Henry!” who leaned his face forward, and received Barton’s lips fully on his mouth.  Men of the Yankee nation never kiss each other, and the impression produced upon Henry was great.  Tears fell upon his face as their lips met, and from his eyes, as the heavy coach rolled into the darkness of the night.

Are there really such things as actual presentiments?  God alone knows.  Is the subtle soul-atmosphere capable of a vibration at the approach and in advance of an event?  And are some spirits so acutely attuned as to be over-sensible of this vibration?  God knows.  Or was the act of Bart, like many of his, due to sudden impulse?  Perhaps he could not tell.  If the faculty was his, don’t envy him.

Barton had already resumed his connection with Gen. Ford’s office.  The General had returned full of his winter’s labors, and found an intelligent and sympathizing listener in Bart, who had a relish for politics and the excitements of political life, although he was resolved to owe no consideration that he might ever win to political position.

Under the stimulus from his intercourse with his brother and Ranney, and profiting by their hints and suggestions, he plunged more eagerly into law-books than ever.  He constructed a light boat, with a pair of sculls, and rigged also with a spar and sail, with which to traverse the pond, with places to secure it on the opposite shores; and early passers along the State road, that overlooked the placid waters, often marked a solitary boatman pulling a little skiff towards the eastern shore.

And once, a belated picnic party, returning from Barker’s landing, discovered a phantom sail flitting slowly in the night breeze over the dark waters to the west.  They lingered on the brow of the hill, until it disappeared under the shadow of the western wooded shore, wondering and questioning much as to who and what it was.  One, the loveliest, knew, but said nothing.