"And prove a good soldier," added Iola, smiling, "when there is no battle to fight."
"Iola, I am in earnest," said Dr. Latimer, passionately. "In the work to which I am devoted every burden will be lighter, every path smoother, if brightened and blessed with your companionship."
A sober expression swept over Iola's face, and, dropping her eyes, she said: "I must have time to think."
Quietly they rode along the river bank until Dr. Latimer broke the silence by saying:—
"Miss Iola, I think that you brood too much over the condition of our people."
"Perhaps I do," she replied, "but they never burn a man in the South that they do not kindle a fire around my soul."
"I am afraid," replied Dr. Latimer, "that you will grow morbid and nervous. Most of our people take life easily—why shouldn't you?"
"Because," she answered, "I can see breakers ahead which they do not."
"Oh, give yourself no uneasiness. They will catch the fret and fever of the nineteenth century soon enough. I have heard several of our ministers say that it is chiefly men of disreputable characters who are made the subjects of violence and lynch-law."
"Suppose it is so," responded Iola, feelingly. "If these men believe in eternal punishment they ought to feel a greater concern for the wretched sinner who is hurried out of time with all his sins upon his head, than for the godly man who passes through violence to endless rest."
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