Year: 1868

deaths in one Can you not have the poor child
moved out of sight and hearing, before the de-
tachment fres?


"Do you heartily repent, Brack, Of the offence
for which you were condemned?' asked Nc
Gregor.


s'From my heart, Lieutenant, regret my crime
more than do the death am to suffer" replied
Bfack. '..


II have not misjudged you, then," replied Nc
Gregor, with emotion. II have pledged my hon.
or that if spared, you would never prove false a.
gain. You are free, Brack; ut the last moment
your pardon has been granted; but remain where
you are, and await the reading of the order.


McGregor made gesture of the hand to the
officer in command of the detachment, who STEP
ping forward read in clear voice the order re-
mitting the penalty denounced against Nicholas
Bfack, and remanding him to his company.


Avid shout arose spontaneously from thet etroops,
testifyipg their joy at the reprieve which spared
father to his child The band struck up its nspir-
iting strains, and the soldiers marched from the
spot with loud huzzas, rejoicing that the sod was
unstained with soldiers blood.


Before the officer had ended the reading Of the
brief order, Brack had sunk upon his knees and
vowed, with acontrite and grateful heart to devote
himself to the service of his native land.


"You may swear it with safe conscience, Lieu
tenant" said Brack, as with one arm he supported
poor Nellie, who sobbed hysterically upon his
bosom-'and here, in the presence of my Maker,
/ take upon me solemn VOW never again to fail
my country, but to devote myself to her to the
DEATH"


"fou have been brave and good soldier,
Brack, rejoined the lieutenant. IL do not forget
your conduct at Sharpsburg. Many other such
days lie before those ofus who live tofght through
this war. Be true to yourself and your country,
and despite this day, you will enjoy your own re-
spect and that Of every man whose good opinion is
worth having. Farewell, Brack; here is my
hand"


"And your forgiveness, Lieutenant asked the
unhappy man.


"Ayel and my friendship, too, if you will only
be what you have been. Farewell, and may Heav-
en- bless you and Nellie" The lieutenant sprung
upon his horse, and was off in a twinkling.


Victor made his way to Miss DeVere to apollo
gize to her for his protracted absence. She was
sitting in her carriage ready to set out on her re-
turn to the city, but was delayed by the *th reg-
ment Ito which Victor belonged) which was drawn
up in line across the carriage road.


Let it be remembered, that up to this time, this
regiment had been detained on the coast Of caro-
lima, doing indeed noble service, yet painting 10
gather greener laurels on the great battleheds OF
the country. This was proud day tor them.
Their noble general had just reviewed them.-
They were still under his eagle eye, kept drawn up
in line to attend to the reading of an order. 1t
was tersely written and spirit-stirring order.
Cheer after cheer, and shout after shout went up,
when the order was read, enjoining the regiment,
forthwith, to break up its camp and march to en-
bark upon the cars for the scene Of active hosti-
ties. None among them doubted that their desti-
nation was to fight against the hordes Of the enc
my pressing their way through Virginia. A bloody
and terrible campaign lay before them, but every
spirit was aroused and animated; for now, indeed,
they would find the place, which they had 50 ar
dently longed for, near the flashing of the enemy
guns, and meet the enemy foot to foot and eye to
eye.


A few spirit-stirring words followed from their
commander, and the soldiers were dismissed to
gather their baggage together, and take their way
to the railroad


A couple of hours later-when the regiment was
passing through the city to take its place upon the
tran-before of the most fashionable residences
in the city carriage was drawn up in waiting, and
on the portico ready accoutred for the field, stood
handsome youth taking his leave Of beautiful
and winning woman.


Victor and Isolette were about to part, and who
knows whether they shall ever meet again3 Let
her own heart utter her own presentiment.


Farewell, my own friend, Victor, said Isolette,
whose face wore troubled look at parting. Tits
painful to part with you thus yet even now, when
destiny seems pointing us to paths that lead asun-
der, feel conviction that We shall meet again,
not casually or as strangers, but as friends who
will have need one of the other. Forget all OF my
history that may pain you, and when your heart
would accuse me, remember it was my misfortune
to be trained up under other skies than those where
I was born. shall never again, even in thought,
do scaith or injustice to the cause for which you
are fighting. Since my interview with the Gener,
al, to-day, I think I may remain here. II you
are sick or wounded write to me, and shall hasten
to you, as I would to the side Of brother-had
fate blessed me with one. Remember me kindly,
as friend, and let IsoLErTE THE SPY-as men
may call me-be forgottenl Victor, farewell y


Giving him no time for reply, Isolette, who was
overcome with emotion, pressed his hand warmly
and was gone. The carriage stood ready to con-
vey him to the cars and in ten minutes after the
above conversation, he was entering the cars before
which the iron horse stood painting, as if it were
some terrible demon, eagerto rush with the thous-
and human hearts that were beating behind it, to
|horrid fields of carnage and Of death.


One phase of Victors life was past; another was
to begin, amid scenes of the most startling and ex,
citing character. If our kind and gentle readers
have not grown weary of our pencillings by the
way, we propose to follow and renew our acquaint
ance with the chief personages Of this story in
their biyouacs in the very presence OF the enemy,
lin theatre of action far more full Of adventure
and startling incident than could be found in their
quarters near the city.


As the cars rolled off amid the loud and long
continued cheering of the gallant regiment which
they bore to the battlefelds of Virginia, Victor
looked back towards the city with sigh. We
need not say he was thinking only of Ioslette whose
heart his hand had already twice contributed to
wiring with the keenest sorrow; and whom he, nev-
theless would gladly have shielded with brother
tenderness from every shaft Of fate. Others might
see only cause for censure and blame and detrac-
ton, yet he could only pity and forgive the fair and