Year: 1863

70 she to find herself so easily forgetting her a
d sumed naughty dignity when near him. 81
:. could not but admire his manly bearing az
" graceful manner, and something kept drawib
: her thoughts toward him in spite of her effor


to the contrary.


d He seemed to have forgotten that he ha
. asked her to dance, and still continued the
e walk, till the bell rung warning them that th
r evenings entertainment was over, and all mus
seek their own rooms. Bernerd apologize
e for his forgetfulness, saying with smile, IN
E wonder I should forget with so agreeable com
panion," and with kind ''good night" ne lef
: her at her own door.


, Lizzie was already in her room, and Laur'


poutingly asked why she allowed that fellow
; to follow her around so. Lizzie looked up ii
surprise asa asked:


''What fellow. Laura? don't understand
; you"


"That Bernerd, 1 mean. Oh, Lizzie and
she laughed nerrily.


"Why, child, what aiIs your" and Lizzie
gazed at the little witch in astonishment.


"Nothing, nothing -only-well Lizzie I'm
finely trapped, in for Irritation, but he will
have himself to blame. I'm sure 1 did not
seek his favor"


"You wicked creature; you are playing with
edged tools; be careful" laughed Lizzie at the
same time kissing her playfully.


AS Laura's curly head pressed the pillow
that night it was full of the gallant speeches
to which she had listened from Edmund, and
it is to be feared her prayer for the soldier far
away was less earnest and heartfelt than usual.
The next day she received loving and trust
| ing letter from Earnest, and she felt a little
troubled, that even for moment she had for
fgotten him, while listening to another. So
she wrote long sweet letter in reply, that
would cheer his heart and give him new cour-
age to bear the tolls and hardships Of war still
another year.


Days and weeks passed. A spell was being
woven around Laura which she would have
found hard to break, had she tried to do So
Bernerd had thrown aside his cold politeness,
and was very kind and attentive; always beside
her; her constant companion in all their walks
and other pleasures Pleased and flattered
she led him on, till she saw the lovelig ht beam
| ing in his eyes, and knew that she had won
| his heart Tumultuous emotions thrilled her
whenever those dark eyes rested tenderly upon
her, and when her hand touched his, she caught
her breath to still the throbbing of her heart.
She was growing strangely SILENT and moved
about with an absent, dreamy expression in
her eyes, & @


The term was drawing to close. She sell
dom thought of Earnest belmont now Her
every thought was for Edmund. She thought
that the time had nearly come when she should
| hear, from his own lips, the words of love she
so longed for, yet knew she had no right to
/ hear Still he was ever near, and the sick
soldier in camp looked long and patiently for
a letter, and as days grew into weeks and none
came, he turned his head wearily upon the pill
low wondering, as a tear forced its way beneath
the closed lids and down the wasted cheek, if
Laura had forgotten him. For weeks he had
lain there waiting. She knew not of his i'll
ness; knew not that her cruel silence was kill
ing him; when few cheering words from her
| pen would have given him new life ndstrength


1t was the last Friday night of the session.
Edmund aud Laura were as usual, walking on
the varandah, when he drew her away to the
arbor, where they sat down. Well did Laura
know what he was about to say. But still
and white she sat waiting till he should speak.
Bitterly did she lament her folly in that time
of anguish, as she realized what it would be
to give up bis love. There were two paths
before her-duty, truth and honor on the one
hand; love which she knew to be sinful on
the other. The struggle was hard, though
brief, which would conquer.


'Laura, may say it now May tell you
how much l love you ?"


"Hush Edmund, say no MORE" she cried,
springing to her feet. "I must not listen. I
have no right to hear such words" Then
with passionate vehemence she told him ALL
As she ended her voice fell to half whisper,
Edmond have learned to love you as never
loved Earnest, but awoke to this truth only
to know that it brought me unutterable grief"


Teuderly he drew her back beside him,
smoothing the hair from her temples, and gaz-
! ing upon her face, now ghastly pale, as the
white moonlight rested upon it.


Laura" he said slowly and mournfully sour
| bright dream is ever. We have both sinned.
| Your error is not so great as mine. In my
home far away is a gentle, blue-eyed girl, to
whom my hand was plighted long ago. She
loves and trusts me, and till met you l thought
I loved her. There is but one way for US now.
/ We must forget our mad folly and go back
to the path of duty, even though the flowers
of life are faded for US. We must not blight
those other hearts. All may yet be well if we
do rightly. I see my wicked folly, but, Lau-
ra. you will forgive me, say that you will


81 have nothing to forgive Edmund; if
had would freely do so. Take me in now,
and forget the events of tonight as l shall
endeavor to Danish them from my own memo
ry. Let US bury them deeply in our own bo-
SONS, SO deeply that they will never be resur-
rected."


He gave her his arm and together they en-
tered the parlor. A friend grasped Laura's
hand, entreating her for just one song, saying
they had been searching for her. Edmund
whispered to her to comply, and she allowed
herself to be seated at the piano. She played
song after song, as they were called for by her
delighted friends, without the slightest hesita-
ton, till Lizzie who had been watching her..
noticed her unnatural manner, aud diViniUg
the cause, determined to carry her off to their
room. AS she finished a song, and paused,
Lizzie stepped to her side and wished her to
go up with her if she had done playing. Lau-
ra started slightly. then rising turned away
with Lizzie. Bernerd gave an arm to each of
them as usual, to escort them from the room,
and none from their quiet exterior, would have
suspected anything wrong. Laura's laugh
rang out merrily at some witticism of Lizzie 6,
but that true friend detected the false merri-
ment. When they reached the door Lizzie
went in, but Laura fingered moment to gay
good night, and Edmund could not resist the
impulse to draw her to his heart and press
bis lips to hers, even though he knew that
heRceforth they were to be as strangers. Slow
ly Laura entered the room, and sinking beside
Lizzie, wound her arms around her and gazed
a moment into her face, then dropped her