"No, she is the first," persisted Jefferson.

That evening Donald sought Rose Atkinson, and told her the news of the engagement of Florence and Jeffer

son.

"I saw Florence for a moment at the hospital," said Rose, "and I guessed that Jefferson had at last won his suit. She is like a new girl altogether since our tragedy."

"Jefferson thinks that she can relieve you of your work at Harbison," suggested Donald, slowly.

"We will have to wait and see about that," Rose answered, but she smiled so graciously that Donald was content to wait.

"I hear you are to speak at the caucus to-morrow night," she said, as they parted. "The gallery has been reserved for the women, and Mrs. Furber and I will be present."

"I shall remember you are present when I make my speech," said Donald. "It will be the opportunity of my life."

CHAPTER XXVIII

A SPEECH THAT MADE HISTORY

THE citizens' caucus of Dothan was held the next evening. By a strange coincidence it had happened that this general meeting of the white citizens was to be held at this time to arrange for the coming election of city officials. Formerly Peter Legree had dominated these caucuses from beginning to end but from the start it was evident that night that Legree's reign was over in Dothan for all time. The minds of the people were still filled with the Harbison catastrophe, and there was a spirit manifest on all sides that Legreeism in any form was intolerable. Legree himself and his closest henchmen had all disappeared, and the way was clear for a complete political renovation. Deacon Leavitt was made the chairman of the meeting, and his introductory speech emphasized the crisis of the hour. "Dothan's new day has been dawning for some time. It is now upon us," he exclaimed.

Before the regular business of the caucus was taken up, Dr. Furber was invited to address the meeting in regard to the future plans of the institution over which he presided. He spoke briefly, but the hearty applause which greeted his statement that the fire meant only a greater and better Harbison showed that the policy of Rose Atkinson had at last been crowned with complete success, and that the white citizens were now unanimous in their

support of the institution for the education and uplift of

the negro race.

Following the speech of Dr. Furber, Rev. William Durham came to the platform. He was greeted with a round of applause, and his address was listened to with the closest attention.

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My brethren," he began, in a conversational tone, "it is with much pleasure that I am here to-night. I believe we see the beginning of a new era in our beautiful city. We are following in the footsteps of the angel of progress which has been leading our beloved South out of darkness and into light for the past fifty years. I confess that Dothan has lagged behind the procession. We have allowed our fellow-Southerners of other places to lead far in advance. But now our marching orders have come."

When he spoke these words, Mr. Durham stepped forward, and raised his voice until it resounded through the large building. One thousand men leaned forward as he continued, "In ancient days when God's people were directed from heaven to advance, the pillar of fire by night lit up their pathway and they marched forward after God. We, too, are God's people, and we have seen God's pillar of fire by night. The flames of Harbison have lit up our pathway and to-night we are following God. We are marching to freedom. We have been in the bondage of race prejudice, the most degrading serfdom that ever chained a nation or a community. To-night we are free."

The last word was shouted by the old minister in his loudest tone. The effect was electrical. The great audience of white men rose to their feet, tears were in their eyes, and they shouted "hurrah, hurrah," until the rafters rang, and Mr. Durham had to motion again and

again for silence. When he could again make himself heard, the minister referred touchingly to the tragic death of Nafti Thomas. He told how the negro youth had saved his own life shortly before. "He risked his life that day to save me," said Mr. Durham with emotion, "and now he has given his life for the good of his race. We are planning a monument to his memory. It is well; but we can honor Nafti Thomas best by doing our part to make Harbison Institute the pride of our city. Let a greater and grander Harbison, supported by our united sympathy, be the abiding monument to this noble youth."

Mr. Durham then told of the attack on his own home on the night that the school was burned. The wretched hireling who had sold himself to do the diabolical deed confessed to me fully. He was a mere tool. He told of the conspiracy to blot out Harbison, engineered by that viper which we nursed in our bosom so long, Peter Legree."

The speaker hissed out this last sentence amid a tense silence. For a moment there was no response, as Legree's name had been one of power and dread so long that it was difficult to think that he was at last utterly vanquished. But in a moment the audience realized the situation, and led by Donald Shelby, they were shouting themselves hoarse over the victory which manhood had achieved.

After the minister had finished his address, a series of resolutions in regard to the burning of Harbison were read. They were strong and pointed, condemning the perpetrators of the vile crime, urging every effort possible in order that Peter Legree and his accomplices be brought to justice, and promising complete support and sympathy to the institution.

"Be it resolved," read one of the resolutions, "that we ask the Governor of Alabama to offer a reward of $5,000 for the arrest, living or dead, of this incendiary fiend, whose awful crime is almost without parallel in the history of our State."

The resolutions were passed unanimously amid intense enthusiasm, after which Dr. Furber arose to express his appreciation of the action. "I confess I have not understood the deep sympathy which I had in my work until this calamity has shown me the real spirit of the white man in Dothan. I ask you to forgive me for some unkindly thoughts I have had towards some of you. During the past few days there has been a constant stream of white men and white women coming out to Harbison bringing clothes and provisions, and I am overwhelmed with your goodness. May God bless you." The President of Harbison sat down in tears, and a thrill went through the audience as Donald Shelby was noticed making his way to the front. The gallery of the Academy of Music, where the caucus was held, was filled with ladies, who had looked on in silence and wonder at the scene below. When Donald mounted the platform, and the men greeted him with a rousing cheer, the ladies joined, for the first time, in the demonstration. Donald glanced upwards, and noticed a fair face on the front row of the gallery almost in front of him. He recognized Rose Atkinson at once, and her presence filled his soul with gladness. Amid tense silence he began, “I am for the square deal." As he shouted out these words he raised his clenched fist. In a moment pandemonium had broken loose. Men shouted and applauded. They stood up on their seats. They waved their hats. They shouted again and again. Donald Shelby had touched