The Van Buren press., 1869-09-21

is suffering from frightfui depression anu
weakness, after an attack of brain fever.
| got him here as soon as ! could, for
change Of air. His is rather romantic
story"
Like to hear it--aw,' murmurcd the
major, indefatigably smoothing his nous
tache.
"Before he went out to India said
Mrs. Lane, :. his mother told mo he met,
at friends house in London, young
lady, she did not mention the NAME
to whom he became attached, and, In
course Of time engaged. The wedding
day was fixed, and everything arranged,
when suddenly, to the surprise OF oil, the
engagement was broken off. The young
lady went to Brighton, and Charlie Chal'
loner to India. No one knew exactly
how it was, but Mrs. Chaloncr thinks II
was because the girl firted with other ad-
lnirers, and Captain Challoner grew jeal-
Gus; so they quarrelcd, and however the
girl may have ielt after it, | know he has
never got over it, and it is jnst that which
is keeping him weak and depressed, and
| much fear he will never be any better
He has only been away from England 6
year, and here he is perfect wreck II
is miserable to see fine, handsome young
fellow like that, as weak as an infant
hardly able to move from the sofa, and
so listess and Indifferent" sighed the
kind hearted Mrs. Lane.
"He is such downright good felew
| don't know how any girl could have
quarrelled with him." exclaimed Carry,
enthusiastically.
The curate looked round somewhat
quickly. Was he growing supicous
Carry pretended not to see the look he
bent upon her; but she did see it, and fell
rather pleased than otherwise,
THE girl must have been heartlcs'
coquctte, for do not believe he would
have given up on any slightprovocatien,'
continued Mrs. Lane. "Yet think she
could not but reproach herself for hel
conduct if she saw him now"
"Aw,' said the major, "quite roman
tic. Shall we--aw--see this hero this -
Don't laugh at him, Major Wardor,
cried Garry you would give your eyes
| to be half as handsome"
Again the curate looked uncomfortable
but Carry relieved him somewhat whel
she added, " have an idea that he is still
devoted to this girl, whoever she may be
l have watched him gazing out OF the
window with such far away look in hi:
eyes, as if he were thinking of her ant
other days"
Aw--shall we---aw--see him to
night?' asked the major, again.
Perhaps we may induce him to COM
into the drawing-room after tea sai'
Carry.
Don't you feel interested--aw--an!
curious, Miss Holroyd p asked the majo
going up to where she stood,
She was pale at all times, but at tha
moment Clare Holreyds face was ghast
ly.
| My dear, you are cold,' said Mrs
Lane. Carry, you must leave the gam
and como into the dining room; there Il
a small fire there, and we will have SOM
tea. Come Clare l cannot let You catcl
cold on my lawn, or you will not be al
lowed to come here again"
Mrs. Lane rose, took the young girl
arm, and led her to the house, the Others
following slowly.
An hour afterward, when the twiligh
mingled with moonlight and cast shad
ows upon the stone balcony outside th'
library window, Captain Challoner ros,
up from the sofa, where he had been lay
ing all the afternoon, and With a weak
wavering step, he strove to pace the room
He was growing weary of that tedious
confinement, day after day, and he strug
glcd hard against the weakness that over
came him. His left arm was bound NJ
in sling, with the right he steadied him
self in his walk, holding ON by the book
case, the table and chairs.
Mrs. Lane had called Charles Challone
handsome; but, strictly speaking he wa
not so--never had been. 1t was fine, a no
BILE face,e-opc you could trust in, on
you might like to have near you in tim
of danger, doubt, difficulty or trial
There was intellect in the broad, hig
brow; there was tenderness and truthful
ness in the large, sad, brown eyes, whic
at times seemed to be looking " ia
away as Carry Lane said, and 'ther
was bravo frmness in the mouth an
the massive chin. t.....
Presently Captain Challoncr stoppe,
in the middle of his walk. His ear caugl
the sound of music in the drawing
across the hall. He stood moment I
listen. Young, sweet voices sang, "An
ME Laurie" Slowly he staggered bac
to his sofa again, carrying q horde Q
halt. forgotten memories with him.
memories which had gone to India yea
ago with him, following him all throug
the scenes Of war and death, and return
ing home again, only to be banished b
fever and Inconsistencies. Back the
flowed with double force, as "Anni
Laurie" broke on the stiffness around.
I" Her song! Her song" he murmur
ed 81 hoped was forgetting herr
The poor wounded hand struggle
hard TO cover his face, but only the righ
arm was able to do its work, and the ma
who had once been SO strong and bray
groaned in anguish, perhaps for his help
less state, but methnks it was more a
tho memories which that old song recall
ed,
81 could havo borne it all, had she no
married hin--that frllow--that fool !!
be groaned.
All, there was a wound in Charlie
Challoner's heart far deeper than that i
! his arm--a wound which time did no