`` So you seceded from Secession right away , to pay for that lip-service , hey ? '' `` No , Thorn , not right away , -- to my shame be it spoken . I 'll tell you how it came about . Margaret was not old Bent 's daughter , but a Massachusetts girl on a visit , and a long one it proved , for she could n't go till things were quieter . While she waited , she helped take care of me ; for the good souls petted me like a baby when they found that a Rebel could be a gentleman . I held my tongue , and behaved my best to prove my gratitude , you know . Of course , I loved Margaret very soon . How could I help it ? She was the sweetest woman I had ever seen , tender , frank , and spirited ; all I had ever dreamed of and longed for . I did not speak of this , nor hope for a return , because I knew she was a hearty Unionist , and thought she only tended me from pity . But suddenly she decided to go home , and when I ventured to wish she would stay longer , she would not listen , and said , ' I must not stay ; I should have gone before . ' `` The words were nothing , but as she uttered them the color came up beautifully over all her face , and her eyes filled as they looked away from mine . Then I knew that she loved me , and my secret broke out against my will . Margaret was forced to listen , for I would not let her go , but she seemed to harden herself against me , growing colder , stiller , statelier , as I went on , and when I said in my desperate way , -- '' ` You should love me , for we are bid to love our enemies , ' she flashed an indignant look at me and said , -- '' ' I will not love what I can not respect ! Come to me a loyal man , and see what answer I shall give you . ' `` Then she went away . It was the wisest thing she could have done , for absence did more to change me than an ocean of tears , a year of exhortations . Lying there , I missed her every hour of the day , recalled every gentle act , kind word , and fair example she had given me . I contrasted my own belief with hers , and found a new significance in the words honesty and honor , and , remembering her fidelity to principle , was ashamed of my own treason to God and to herself . Education , prejudice , and interest , are difficult things to overcome , and that was the hottest fight I ever passed through , for as I tell you , I was a coward .
But love and loyalty won the day , and , asking no quarter , the XXXXX surrendered . ''
Margaret Massachusetts Rebel Thorn Unionist day lip-service right stiller year