Undecided as yet how to proceed, Vernon returned his salutations with an
appearance of equal cordiality.
"My dear fellow," said Maxwell, "I am rejoiced to see you in town again.
I was afraid you would quite desert us."
This language was new and strange to Vernon. It sounded like the days in
which he had been respectable--before his vices had found him out.
"Indeed! why did you think so?" replied Vernon.
"Why, Vernon, there was some kind of a ridiculous story current at
Vicksburg, to the effect that you had joined the church, or something of
that sort."
"Ha, ha! funny!" said Vernon, adopting the free and easy style, which
had formerly distinguished his colloquial efforts. "Where did you pick
up the story?"
"O, it was quite current when I left Vicksburg."
"A good joke, hey?" said Vernon, musing.
When Maxwell left Vicksburg, it was impossible that any such story could
have been extant. Of his reformation no one but the people of Cottage
Island could have known anything. It seemed a little mysterious that
Maxwell should know of it; but the fact of De Guy's visit to the house
of his father came to his assistance, and the mystery was solved.
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