Year: 1862

been to most men-he was able to steer
clear of any false pride or embarrassment.


''Miss Barclay" he said, bowling, Il
am told that by way of doing your part
toward the war you wish to hire me as
substitute, to fight your battles for you.
My terms are easily stated. All ask is a
security that my sisters education shall be
carried on as have commenced it, until
she is able to support herself by teaching.


81 am ready to provide for all her ex-
penses, and to charge myself with the care
of the future, should there be need of my
protection.


$50 much as that is not necessary
While l live l could not allow you to un-
dertake all her expenses. So far as my
pay as soldier can 60 it must be applied
to her support For the rest, 1 accept
your offer in the spirit in which it is made.
| will remember you when / fight, and
Heaven helping me, you shall not be
ashamed of your substitute.


Kate's eyes grew misty. He was so
calm in his resolve to dare danger and
death-seemedt to consider himselfso little.
She longed to beg him, as a sister might
have done, not to be too rash-not to
court unnecessary peril, but something re-
strained her. She only asked, "When
will you take me to see your sister? It is
better I should be introduced to her by
you. She will feel more that she belongs
to me when you have confided her to my
protection"


"You are right. will take you now
if you please. wish to march with the
28th tomorrow, and there is no time to
lose. Poor Emily, it will be very hard
upon her."


In five minutes more Miss Barclay was
walking towards Gramercy Park with her
soldier by her side. She stole look, now
and then, at his face. 1t was calm and
frm-no marks there Of weakness or ire
solution. She began to be proud of him.
Soon they sat in Mrs. Duponts front par
lor waiting for Emily. AS she came
through the door, her brother met her,
and drew her with him into the back
room. He had said to Miss Barclay that
it was better he should speak to her quite
alone.


Waiting there, Kate heard the sound Of
earnest, manly talk; then few words in
a voice full of tears; then again the low,
manly tones; and then after Il while, Mr..
Keene led his sister in.


"Miss Barclay" he said, ''here is your
protege. She quite understands your po-
sition as regards her, and l hope she will
exact little, and not make you much
trouble"


Kate'S warm heart overhowed instantly.
She put her arm around the shy, tremb
ling girl, and drew her to her side. She
whispered, 81 nave no mother, dear, and
no sister, | shall need you as much as
you need me. Let us love one another. ;"


Mr. Keene did not hear the whisper, but
he saw the quick blush of pleasure flush
his sisters cheek, and the contiding gesture
with which her hand stole into her new
friends, and he was satisfied.


eve need not dctain Miss Barclay any
longer" he said, gently. Il will walk
home with her now. This afternoon |
shall be busy, but will come to You again
this evening"


There were few words spoken during the
short walk, but when they We're parting OH
Miss Barclays doorstep, she gave her
hand to Richard Keene and said ear
nestly, :" Dc not doubt that all | can do for
your sister will be labor of love. There
has been vacant place III my heart, Il
lonely longing for some one to care for,
and she will fill it. "If," her eyes filled
with tears, ii anything should happen,
she shall be H. near to me as She would
have been to YOU"


Richard kcene pressed the hand he held.


- | believe YOU, he said. Emily is q
good child. You will not find in her cold
ness or ingratitude."


That evening Kate Barclay sat alone,
living over in thought the parting which
she knew Was taking place, tancying how
these two, who were all the World/to each
other, would say good-by, which might,
all too possibly, be forever. She almost
repentel of her own doing-not Quite-tor
She knew her soldiers heart was in his
work, and she felt that if he had been her
own brother she could have sent him forth
as cheertully She was not dealing to an
other such measure as she would not have
borne to have dealt to herself.


1t was Il little past nine O'Clock When the
bell rang, and the servant announced Mr.
Keene. She had not expected after their


argain was made to see him again. but
she was glad after ali that he should have
reckonel her among the number of those
to whom it became him to say farewell.
He came in as calm and self-possessed as
ever


81 have been bidding Emily good-by, "
he said, as he sat down. 81 had to leave
her at nine O'Clock, and | thought I might
venture to come to you. After all, it is by
your means that | go, and that makes a
sort OF tie between us; bond which it
would be presumption to call friendship,
and yet which will make me think of you
when l am gone"


Kate had not the courage to tell him
that his young sisters thoughts would
scarcely follow him with a more constant