Year: 1867




wept as il her heart was breaking, while
the words


"Oh, John, John, the only one / ever
loved, has it come to this !? had hoped
that, though we were separated you
would have long and happy life, but
now" and burying her face in her
hands she remained so until Mr.. Wal
don returned TO conduct her again to-
the parlor. She went laughingly, as
sured him that her ,trifling indisposition
was all passed, and none could read
under the smiles with which her lips
were dressed that her heart was almost
breaking under iss weight of unforgiven
wrong doing.


Let us now follow JOHN Edmunds.
During the height of the battle of Chan
cellorsville he was wounded in the arm,
and shortly after in the leg. He man.
aged through great exertion, to crawl q
little off from the battlefield, where,
overcome by the effort, he tainted and
lay for q long time insensible. When
consciousness returned he knew by the
silence that the battle was over.


The evening wind lifted the damp
hair from his forehead, and cooled the
fever in his veins. He attempted to
rise, and succeeded in dragging himself
q short distance till he reached shaded
lane, leading he knew not whittier, but
the exertion started his wounds to bleed
ing afresh, and he fell exhausted and
senseless. When he awoke he found
himself in neatly furnished room, on
a comfortable bed and overheard voice
in another room. Listening he heard


" He will live then, Doctor ?"


EYES," returned another voice, with
careful nursing he will; but his great
loss of blood has rendered him as a
child Iti great pity that Margaret
is not here to nurse him; ! think she
has a gift in that line with her quiet
way


She will be here next week. said a
woman's voice, and then he heard no
more, but his fancy busted itself in
forming images Of the unknown Mar
garet, wondering if she were like his
lost Mary, and whether she would scorn
him becaase he wore a suit Of army blue.
room, and taking his hand, said kind
ly--


"Well. my friend, how are you p
How do you like your change of quar-
ters2 found you out in my lane, and
thinking that but poor accommodations
for one in your fix, brought you here"


John thanked him for his trouble, and
said he would pay him for any expenses
be might be on his account.


mot q word more," said the old man
hastily love the sight Of your uni
form too we'll to begrudge penny in
behalf of one that wears it; ! only wish
l could wear it myself. have one son
who wears ii, and only do to you as l
wish some one to act towards him.
should he ever need help as you do
What is your name ?' he asked abrupt
ly, changing the conversation, your
countenance seems familiar"


John Edmunds."


"Not son Of Charles V. Edmunds,
of B2"


"Yes."


Then 1 am doubly bound to care
for you. Why, man, your father made
me all / am. / came from Scotland
with my wife and boy. Is years ago, aud
when only fairly landed, was taken sick
and unable for months to lift my hand
in their behalf. My little stock of mon.
ey was soon exhausted. and my wife
was obliged to go and work out She
was doing odd jobs in your fathers fam
lily when he saw her and. enquired her
story. He became interested in us, and
helped to support US until I was we'll,
and then he got me a good situation.
So do not say another word about pay
ing me. l am only too glad to repay
some of my own debts. But you look
tired, cannot talk any more to you
Days passed, and Margaret came
John smiled as he saw how unlike all
he had fancied her. No beauty; only
a tall slender woman, in the depths Of
| whose brown eyes seemed to lie the Ca
pacity for great tenderness and selfsac
rifices and as he watched her moving
softly about the house, busted in her
household tasks. or listened to her sweet
voice reading to him, it was strange
how silently she crept into the place
once occupied by Mary Walton.
Weeks passed, and though his wounds
healed. his strength did not return, and
surgeon advised return North and
one evening when lis discharge wa,
brought to him, he went out and sal
down by Margaret Gray, and told her