Year: 1868

S.


in few minutes was heard fastening along tn
street on his mission.


Victor slowly recovered his strength. It wa
many days before he was able to rise from his bet
and take an easy chair by the open window, to en-
joy the balmy breath of Spring. The days which
he spent upon bis couch were not simply days o
physical suffering, but of painful anxiety. Th'
military movements in progress prevented the Wis
its Of any Of his comrades. The day after the bat
tie at Swift Greek, the Confederate army, nov
strongly reinforced pressed on in pursuit of the dis
pirited enemy, whs after the hard fighting be hat
encountered, no longer dared to make a bold stand
The regiment TO which Victor belonged took ~
their line of march, with the rest of the army, ant
were for many days engaged in series Of brilliant
combats in which they lost heaYily, but gained fol
themselves imperishable renown. :h... ...,


The army of the enemy disappeared from befort
the brave old city, upon which they had swooped
down with the full confidence Of success as an easy
spoil They came down like lions ravening fol
their prey they went up like wolves rejoiced te
escape from the tolls of the hunter. The clouds o.
war rolled away from the walls of the imperilled
city, saved once and again by handful of brave
and determined men, fighting against host. The
prineely Paladin of the South, with a few regi
ments of brave men, animated with courage and
chivaly worthy of their leader rolled back the tide
of war and the city was once more free. 1t rs MOI
our purpose to follow them through all the Incl
dents of one of the most arduous and heroic cam
paigns on record Of the nobleregimept whose for
tunes we have thus far followed, we take eour leave
while its war-rent banner is still floating proudly
and defandy in theface Of an enemy, before whom
to the very close of the contest they never quaiied
or bowed. To such men Fate may bring disaster
and loss, but never dishonor, shame, or humilia
ton. . .....:...s.: ...f F.. g. ...5 .cv.
Pleasant Spring breezes, laden with the perfume
of early flowers, famed the cheek of Victor, du
ring the hours of oonvalescence as he sat by the
open window of his chamber, daily gathering
strength His comrades in arms were achieving
victories in which he could have no share. Let
ten written in the bivouac, by the way-side foun
tain, or in trenches under the fire Of the enemy
brought him almost daily accounts from the battle
field. Prescott, Harvey Haley and others Of BIZ
regiment, gave him all the gossip Of the camp and
events Of the field. He could, too look out int
streets of the city of noble men and fair women
and ike an idle observer interest himself with al
that he saw.


But sweeter and dearer far, were those hour
when Nellie Danvers glided into his chamber with
smile on her cheek, seeming to bring with her
the sunlight Of the happy world without What
is life without lovs2 What would fame or wealth
or honor be, were there not some one dearer fal
than all these, at whose feet we could lay all the
achievements, all the honors and rewards Of life, a.
amulets upon an altar, to be blessed, that they
might be worth the wearing2 All that mere life
has to offer, all its gains and triumph, are mere
vanity and dross, if We cannot bear them to glad
den some heart that we have chosen out from oil
the world, to bless what the world has given, Of
what the labors of life have won. 1t is wise tc
love well. Weary are the feet that tread the path
way of life alone.


Victor found time and opportunity to tell hi'
story Of love- 1t fell upon ears that drank in eve
ry syllable Of the tale, as something new and pleas
ant in life. Victor told of his poverty yet she
loved him but the more, and rejoiced that in Civ
ing him her hand, she would confer comparative
wealth upon him. She dreamed not Of the darI
days coming, when stout heart and a strong arm
to lean upon, would be all of wealth left to the fail
daughters of an impoverished land {; and when tt
mate for wealth. instead of marrying for love- woulc
visit with lifelong WEAKNESS and curse, those
who sought blessing from Mammon's altar while
they professed to invoke blessing at the altar
of Isaels God. ... ...:. e


Day after day passed, and Victor's health wa
so far restored that he was enabled to make tht
journey towards home. Colonel Danvers had il
the meantime, also recovered from his wound suit
6ciently to walk about the house on his crutches
He and Victor found themselves frequently alone
and in one of these interviews Vic:or blushingly
ventured upon the subject of his relations with
Nellie. The Colonel heard him patiently through


"Ah you young men will make a tomorrow
for yourselves! Have you forgotten then that the
soldier has no tomorrow? And, poor Nellie; wha
will become Of her, if in this wreck of all things, he
hopes perish in the grave? But the young vii
trust tomorrow. Young comrade, before this day
twelve month 8, we may both find rest in soldier
grave; but if we. survive, shall not say nay II
your suit You have been good son and gal
liant soldier, and to such, a daughter of the Dan
yers can be well trusted. Come let us 90 dowr
and get glass of Roberts old Madeira. Dom
drink any more of these thin broths. They art
good enough in their way-they will do very vel
for bed ridden old woman but it is time for us tt
quit such sops and try little generous wine every
day.
Victor assisted Colonel Danvers down to the side
board below, and Joined him in a glass Of wine
The two had long conference in regard to the tu
ture. Nellie came, in the meantime, and the Col
onel had the discretion to remember, just then
that he had been overtaxing his wounded limb ant
retired to rest himself


Victor had long talk with Nellie alone. Th'
next day he was on his way to gladden. his moth
er's heart.


CHAPTER XIV.


Spring had gone and come again. The leave
of the past year, touched by the icy breath of Win
ter, had whirled down in eddies and crumbled int
the dust whence they came and the silent bud
had wakened into life, and new beauty was onc'
,,,ora ,oo, tbo aor+b Flouoro had narishod hn