Year: 1864

SIHittcH- IHree UreauIuI uayS VI uuulD
! agony to Hildred passed, and on the
morning Of the fourth she held her dead
sister in her arms. And when they
buried the sweet girl, Hildred's human
love was laid to rest in her grave.
Thenceforward for the dark-eyed, lonely
woman at Red Rock, the world held not
solitary charm


Once only since her banishment Of
him, had she seen Paul Lancaster. The
day her sister was buried, he had thrown
a snow-drop into the grave; and, as he
turned away, the two met face to face.
There was wild, imploring, passionate
ly tender look in his eyes-a steady,
immovable look in hers, and not word
was spoken. He understood her.


He went away into the world shortly
afterward; the half passed out of the
hands of his father, who removed to a
distant state, and Hildred knew nothing
more of the family. No one ever men
toned them to her: she made no inqui-
ries she said to herself that she did not
care to know.


Life passed on monotonously enough.
She hardly noted the change of seasons,
except as agricultural interests COM
PEELED her to do so. She took
little thought for the morrow; she
never looked forward it was doubtful
even if she realized the present. She
might have interested herself in the
poor, but she did not. She gave moth
ing to beggars sat in no sanctuary, and
lived life hidden from the view of
all.


That November night Hildred, for
the first time for many years, was look
ing over her past life. Somehow her
heart felt softer-there were tender
memories at work the spirit of mercy
pleaded with iron breasted justice; she
almost felt that she could forgive Paul
Lancaster all he had made her suffer
A rap at the door aroused her. She
waited expecting old Francis or his
wife to answer the call but evidently
they did not hear, and taking up the
lamp she went herself. The air was
thick with snow and on the doorstep,
his blue overcoat gray with feathery
flakes, stood man in the federal uni
form. He lifted his hat and spoke with
courtesy.


"Is this the residence of Miss Hildred
Hayne?"


ut is,' she answered coldly, "what is
your business ?"


| The young officers bronzed cheek
flushed at her naughty tone, but he re-
piled with feeling MADAM | have in
my charge wounded officer, who was
given over to die by our regimental
surgeon and on his discharge from the
hospital, he made one solemn request,
probably his last one. He asked to be
brought here, that his dying breath
might be drawn in the place where the
only happiness of his life had come to
him. [, as his friend and subordinate,
have complied with his request. Shall l
bring him in ?'


Miss Haynes cool hand trembled
slightly, faint quiver Of scarlet shot
up her forehead.


"What is the gentleman's s name?" she
asked


"Col. Paul Lancaster"
| She made movement as if to close
the door, but the soldier put himself in
her way.


Madam, you may be refusing shell
ter to dying man. Reflect before you
decide. Col. Lancaster was once your
friend will you shut the door of your
house upon him when he asks with
his expiring breath the cover Of its
roof"


Miss Hayne underwent struggle,
but it was momentary. She drew open
the door and called old Francis.


"Carry him there she said, point
ing to the warm parlor, 81 will come
to him directly She went up to her
chamber and locked herself in. Wha,
a fearful struggle she went through is
known only to God.


In little while she came down, pale
and quiet, and entered the room where
they had taken her guest. The sofa


was drawn up before the fire, and the
pale, wan face that was lifted to meet
her eyes was hardly recognizable as that
of the Paul Lancaster she had once
!; known.


A slight tinge of color swept the
ashen white on his cheek he held out
his hand-the other he had lost.
"Hildred," he said feebly, "at las
have dared to return to you.
She took his hand her face softened
there was little tremor in her voice
II am pleased to welcome you, Colone
Lancaster" P"


"By the memory of the sweet past


@, Hildred, let me stay where / car
sometimes look at youl I only asked
God to let me live until I could come
here to die until, dying, | could plead
: for and obtain your forgiveness Yor
. will not refuse me, Hildred?"
u II have buried all enmity," she said