Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-03-14

Charlie Fulton so tenderly? With these reflections, he descended the staircase, and following the sound of voices, en- tered the dining-room.
 Yes, there she was, flashing in the superb beauty that had set his heart ahame so many months ago-she and another girl about her own age arm in arm, while the old man stood slightly drowning at the unavoidable delay.
 Mary Lascelles recognized him in an instant. Without the slightest sign of embarrassment, she stepped forward with outstretched hand Every tiny and delicate it was, too, Frank noticed) to welcome him.
 "Why, Mir. Besant," '" she said, sHeetly. '"This is indeed an unexpected pleas ure."
 Then turning to the old gentlemen she added, with demure assurance: 'I had the qualification of making MT. Besant's acquaintance during my stay in St. Louis last fall, grandfather"
 MT. Lascelles did not speak, but scarcely perceptible movement of his eyebrows expressed his surprise.
 'tAnd now," continued the charming girl to Frank, '.let me introduce you to my cousin, Mabel Carter. There, you know us all now, so let us get to sup per-"
 Conversation at the table flowed freely, but Besant could not but observe that when brief allusion was made to the fall of Fort Donelson-not by Frank, you may be sure-her proud nostrils seemed to dilate and decidedly danger ous expression glittered in Miss Las celles' splendid dark eyes. Would that glance ever soften, he thought, if Charlie Fulton whispered in those ex- quisite ears tale of sweet devotion? There must be some dove-lilze softness in a nature like herB, Frank unused, notwithstanding that quivering lip and proud disdain.
 But Franks nerves were not of steel nor his youthful vigor unconquerable by fatigue and suffering, so as soon as the repast was ended he begged to be per mitted to retire, as his journey must be resumed at early dawn.
 Utterly wornout, he Esanlx on his bed, without removing more of his clothes than his borrowed coat, and fell into a profound slumber.
 For hours he slept.
 Was 1t dream that Mary Lasce1les, with her rustdinG dress of scarlet trimmed with snowy miniver, was standing over him7
 He started htfuIly, and woke.
 No, it was no dream. In reality she stood beside him, holding lamp in her hand which threw its rays across the spacious room.
 "You must go," she said, speaking in anxious haste. ''Go at once, without one word of explanation. Your uniform and arms are here. Dress as quickly as you can, for moments are precious. You will find me in the garden below await ing you"
 And before he could speak one word of reply, the fair vision had glided from the room.
 Had these been less stirring times, he might have thought the whole scene the phantasy of over-tired brain, but a soldiers life had rendered him quiclH to cast off the lethargy of sleep, and in; an instant he had his faculties about him.
 "I am here" came the silvery tones of O woman's voice, as he stepped from the broad porch to the garden walk.
 ''This Is sudden alarm, Miss Las7 celles," he said, as he joined her under the gloomy shadow of big magnolia. :,
 "But none the less necessitous," she replied; task me not how know it, Frank Besant, but already your ene- mics and my friends-alas, the cruel bitterness ofit-are closing around you" !"
 ''But, surely, when he remembers the l humane errand I came on your grand fathers protection would be afforded me-"
 "Yss, and he thinks fs would be a1l- sufficient, but knew botter." "You are very, very good to me-" the young man sighed, softly.
 'Ah, you have found that out. It is hard for a woman to keep . secret like mine"
 Her vodee tRenbled = she spoke, while Frank felt . dui1 seRso of shame and dread creep over him. Surely there could be but one meaning to her words. Hs knew not what to reply.
 's1 shall never be able to do enough to show my gratitude" " he said, lane1J.
 sNeverr' was the passionate reply.
 ''Who lnowsr" the young soldier ven- tured. 'sIhe fortunes of war are vari- o,s, and it may be my turn to help you when next we meet"
 '.Help mel You help me! God keep me from your helpi You have helped me now, Frank Besanh to forget the holy cause that should absorb my very soul, to barter my ssnso of duty to my | fatherland for an unwomanly interest in one who comes with sword and fro to waste my country. But harkP she cried, suddenly seiztng his hand in both of hers, ''surely that is the sound of horses hoofse Away, down wonder path among the apple-treesl 1t will bring you to the Nashville pike. Here in this basket fs food and wine: take it, and hurry: but, oh, one word before you 20. If in the time to come"
 But horsemen wero coming a& furious speed along the shodowed avenue, and the girls injunction was never uttered; for, with bound, Frank dashed to the path of freedom, and ran stumbling 1 fhrn1luh the darlnaaa to the distant