Year: 1868

faith in his fidelity. - 49, .--...- .s5,..gs,


She went to her table and wrote Her brow
throbbed and her heart ached yet she Sat like Q
cold statue, fearless, and with sad smile upon hel
lips. There was strength in her feminine nature
and self control which but few, even among men,
possess; yet when her work. was done and laid
aside, ready for the hands of Brack when he
pressing her fingers upon her aching eyes, lay
like statue, while her tears flowed silently but
bitterly. ..-. ...'


...s.:.. CHAPTER x.


By the side of the causeway leading to the Long
Bridge-as believe the structure across the Ash
ley is caled-and at the very entrance of the
bridge, stands small house of three orfour rooms
which, in ordinary times was occupied by the toll
keeper and his family. Now, however, when the
bridge was used almost exclusively by the military
authorities, this house served as the quarters Of
the guard stationed there for the protection of the
bridge. A few soldiers might at almost any time,
be seen lounging about the house, or squatted on
the floor of the stoop, playing whstor all fours,
and sometimes, the more dangerous games Of po.
ker and viingt ct nm.


As the Lieutenant and Victor stepped from the
road into the stoop, the lively voice Of Harvey Ha-
ley was heard from back-room exclaiming:


ssThere, boys; you may as well quit; we made
four, last hand, and now we have high, low, Jack,
which will put US out-four straight games upon
you'll I'm tired of such easy work, and most con-
foundey tired of waiting here with nothing to do.


"What are we waiting here for, any way, Ser
geant?" asked one of the men.


s.All I can tell you, Dan, is that We are waiting
ORDERS" replied Harvey, "and that is very nearly
all do really know about the matter. We shall
soon find out everything, however, and a soldier
never loses anything by waiting patiently; But
do SO. As for myself, I'm tired and want to stretch
my legs. ,. ... r... .. -


As Harvey spoke, he yawned lazily, rose from
the table, and picked up his hat. AS he did so,
he caught the eye of the Lieutenant waiting for
him at the door.


Come" said the Lieutenant, when he had
drawn him aside; 'we have discovered all that
we desired to do, and all that remains to be done
is to conduct you to the house. and you can return
with your detachment, at the proper hour, and
post them" ,.-.' ..r


Lieutenant McGregor gave Sergeant Haley full
information in regard to the important discoveries
that had been made, and minute directions for his
conduct. What those directions were, will appear
from the sequel. Accompanied by Victor, they
proceeded to the stables where the horses had been
left, and, procuring another from livery stable,
they all mounted and proceeding to the various 10.
calities with which it was necessary that Harvey
should be well acquainted, they rode back past the
shop of Matte Meyer, and by the house, where
Nellie, longing for the return Of her father from
camp sat upon the stoop, singing blithe song
and industriously plying her needle. 1t was with
an aching heart that Victor now conducted them
to that sumptuously furnished mansion where Iso-
lette DeVere sat with sad and thoughtful brow,
awaiting the coming of twilight and of the messen-
ger who was to bear to the enemy such informa-
ton as would enable him to strike blow that
would be felt keeny by those stern thoughtful men
who regardless of toll or the evil tongue of detrac
ton and SANDER, were spending toisome days and
sleepless nights to secure the independence and
prosperity Of the land that gave her birth.


. As the party rode .leisurely along, Sergeant Ha-
ley-as he was proud to be called-had ample time
to observe the house, and to fix in his mind the
proper points for stationing his men, that Bracl
might by no means escape their hands. Not Tar
from the mansion of Miss DeVere, stood an unoc-
windows of which overlooked the gateway by which
Brack must enter to receive the dispatches which
it was necessary to intercept. During the dsor-
ders which were almost necessarily incident to q
time of war and violence the door had been forced
and now stood ajar, and here Sergeant Haley de-
signed placing his men, while he himself should go
to watch the motions of Brack and follow him up
until he should fall into the snare set for him. The
party had soon gone their rounds, and, leaving
Victor to spend his time as should be most agree
able to him, and Sergeant. Haley to attend to the
business in hand Lieutenant McGregor hastened
back to camp to release Brack and give him leave
of absence.


It wanted quite two hours to sunset when Brack
was brought into the tent of McGregor, and the
two were left alone, the sentinel being ordered to


Brack was sullen, and the punishment which he
had received, operating to prouduce In his mind a
sense of injury and wrong, made him glare some
what savagely upon his officer, when they were
left face to face. But the eye Of McGregor had
that quiet and infexibe look of authority, before
which even the most stubborn and insolent offen-
der must find his courage give way. After glance
or two at that naexible blue eye, Brack was ready
to come to an accommodation with his superior on
equal terms, Notwithstanding the sense of injury
and wrong that was burning in his bosom; and
when his eye reverted to it, again and again, he
would have gladly submitted to q reprimand, SO
that he might be dismissed from the presence of
his superior, and be relieved from the searching
gaze of those sadly accusing eyes that seemed to
read the very secrets Of his guilty heart.


'Brack, " said his Lieutenant, at length, q! fear
you have commenced some evil course and l think
it my duty to warn you in time; tomorrow may be
too late / warn you now, Brack-consder we'll
what your duties are, and cleaye to them like a
man. You can promise yourself no ease OF con-
science and no security from DANGER if you persist
in course that your reason and your heart tell
you is bad"


"Bless you, Leutenant!' said Brack, who real
ly began to be seriously disquieted at the serious
words and the grave manner of his commander,
lit was only JEST very foolish one, l know; but
its wise man whose tongue never gets the better
of his Judgment; and | think, Lieutenant, you
might forgive and forget, for the whole camp knows
you got the better of me in jesting, this time, and
the unfortunate fellow gave faint laugh which
died away in his throat.


II never jest Brack," replied the Lieutenant,
with the same grave air, especially with those
whom it is my duty to command and think it
is my duty to be especially serious and plain with
you. Do your duty and you will never have cause
to complain of me. l am going to dismiss you
now, and am even going to give you leave of abb
sence for fortyeight hours. Endeavor not to abuse
the license give you. fyou. do, it will be your
own fault; and if your acts bring shame and dis
grace upon your head, remember, Brack, entreat
YOU, that there are others dependent upon you,
whose pain will be tenfold that which you will sui.
fer. Here is your leave of absence. Take it and
60; but, remember, you have been faithfully warn


With softened manner, the unfortunate man,
received the paper from his commander, and, mur,
muring his thanks, withdrew. MeGregor watched
him narrowly, and seeing the smile of satisfaction
with which he received his leave Of absence, he
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