Year: 1864

head, brown hair blowing in the wind,
thoughtful eyes best on the ground, and lips
still softly singing as he walked. This brother
always just and gentle, always ready with
sympathy and with counsel, now seemed doub-
ly dear to the sore heart of Robert, as, hur-
rying to him. he grasped his arm as drown
ing man might clutch at sudden help; for,
though the victory seemed won, he dared not
trust himself alone, with that great longing
tugging at his heart.


"Why, Rob, what is it?" asked his brother,
pausng to wonder at the change which had
bcfallen him since they parted but little
while ago


ASK no questions Richard; but sing on,
sing on, and, if you love me, keep me fast
till we get home, answered Robert, excited
ly.


Something in his manner and the glance he
cast over his shoulder seemed to enlghten his
brother Richards face darkened ominously
for moment, then sortened with sincerest
pity as he drew the hand closer through his
arm, and answered. with an almost womanly
compassion,-.-


Dear lad, knew it would be so; but |
had no fear that you would become slave to
that beautiful tyrunt The bitter draught is
often more wholesome than the sweet, and
you are wise to irt her 60 before it is too late.
Tell me your trouble, Rob and let me help
you bear it,"


Not now. not here! Sing. Rick, if you
would not have ne break away and go back
to her again"


His brother obeyed him, not with the war;
song, but with the simpler air their mothers
voice had made lullaby, beloved by them as
babies, boys and men. Now, as of old, it
s)othcd and comforted, and though poor
Robert turned his face away and let his bro
ther lead him where he would the first sharp
ness of his pain was essed by recollection
born of the song; for he remembered that
though one woman had failed him, there still
! remained another whose faithful love would
know 10 shadow of change


As they came into the familiar room where
every object spoke of the dear household league
lasting unbroken for so many years, softer
mood replaced the pain and passion that had
struggled in the lovers heart and throwing
himself into the ancient chair where so many
boyish griefs had Lecn consoled, he laid his
head upon his arms, and forgot his nauhoud
for little while Richard stood beside him
with a kind hand on his shoulder to assure
him of a sympathy too deep and wise for words,
till the fitting moment should appear. 1t soon
came and when the younger brother had
made known his trouble, and the elder given
what cheer he could, he tried to lead Roberts
thoughts to other things, that he might forget
disappointment ia action.


"Noihhg need detan you now, fob," he
said " for the loss # one hope opens the way
to the attainment Of another. You shall en-
list at once, and march away to fight the good
fight "


And you, Rick =? We have both longed
to 60, but could not decide which it should
be- Why should not you march away and
let me stay with mother till my turn comes ?


Need | tell you why? We did delay at
first, because we could not choose which should
stay with the dear oil lady who has only left
US now. But lately you have fingered be-
cause of Rose, ard / because would not
leave you till knew how you Jared. That
is all over all now and surely it is best for
you to put States between you, and let abb
sence teach you to forget"


You are right, and am weak fool to
dream of staying. ought to go but the
easy has deserted me. Richard, | have lost
faith in myself, and am afraid to 60 alone.
Come with me. to comfort and keep me steady,
as you have done all my life"


Il wish | could. Never doubt nor de-
spond, lad but remember that uc trust you
~e expect great things of you, and are sure
you will never disgrace the name father gave
into our keeping


"I'll do my best, Rick but shall need
you more than ever; and if mother only knew |
how it is with ne, | think she would say, |
CO."


"Mother does ,ay it. heartily"


Both started, and turned to see their moth |
er watching them with untroubled face. A
right noble old woman, carrying her sixty
years gracefully and well for her tall figure
was unbent; below the gray hair shone eyes
clear as any girls and her voice had cheery |
ring to it that reused energy and hope in those
that heard it; while the benignant power of
her glance, the motherly compassion of her
touch brought confirmation to the wavering |
resolve and comfort to the wounded heart.


With the flial instinct which outlives child
hood, Robert leaned against her as she drew
his head to the bosom that could always give |
it rest and told his sorrow in one broken cx.
clamation,-


"Oh, mother, I loved her so ~


81 know it, dear | saw it, and [ warhed
you. But you thought me unjust. L de-
sired to be proved SO, and it has ended here.
You have loved like man, have withstood |
temptation like man now bear your loss
ike one, and do not mar your sacrifice to
principle by any vain regrets"