Year: 1864

She smiled then. and the color deepened
beautifully in the half-avertcd face, but she
did not speak, and Robert took heart from the
sign.


:" I never meant to tell you this, fearing
what has now happened, and resolved to
60 away. But, coming here to say goodbye,
your grief melted my resolve, and told you
what I could no longer hide. Have been
ungenerous and unjust? If you believe so,
tell me what reparation I can make, and, if
it is anything an honest man may do, I will
do it,"


She knew that, was glad to know it !; yet,
with the exacting affection of a selfish woman,
she felt jealous fear that she loved more
than she was beloved, and must assure her
self by some trial that she was all in all to
her young lover He waited for her answer
with such keen anxiety, such wistfSl tender
ness, that she felt confident of success, and,
yielding to the love of power so strong within
her, she could not resist the desire of cxor.
cising it over this new subject, finding her
excuse in the fond yet wayward wish to keep
from danger that which was now so dear to
her


Il have lost enough by this costly war:
will lose no more, she said. I" 1t is easier to
part at once than later, when time has more
cndearcd us to each other. Choose between
the country which you love and the woman
who loves you, and by that choice we will
both abide"


Rose, this is cruel, this is hard. Let me
choose both, and be the better man for that
double service"


1t is impossible. No one can serve two
mistrcsses. | will have all or nething,"


AS she spoke she gently, but decidedly,
freed herself from his detaining hold, and
stood away from him, as if to prove both her
strength and her sincerity The act changed
the words of separation trembling on Roberts
lips to words of entreaty; for, though his up
right nature owned the hard duty, his heart
clung to its idol, feeling that it must be
wrenchcd away.


"Wait little, Rose. Give me time to
think. Let me prove that am no coward
then | will serve you, and you alone.


"No, Robert; if you truly loved me, you
would be eager and glad to make any sacri-
fee for me. | would willingly make many
for you but this one | cannot, because it robs
me of you in double scs,se. If you fall, l
lose You if you come back alive, lose you
no less; for how can | accept hand redeemed
with the blood of those love2


He had no answer and stood silent She
saw that this moment of keen suffering and
conflicting passions was the turning point in
the young mans life, yet, nothing doubling
her power, she hardened herself to his pain
that she might gain her point now and repay
his submission by greater affection hereafter
Her voice broke the brief silence, steady
sweet, and sad


Il see that you have chosen; 1 submit
But 60 at once while | can part as should
and, remember we must never meet again


He had dropped his face into his hands,
struggling dumbly with honest conscience
and rebellious heart. Standing So he felt
light touch on his bent head, heard the sotnd
of a departing step, and looked up to see
Rose passing from his sight, perhaps forever.
An exclamation of love and longing broke
from his lips at the sound she paused, and
turning, let him see that her face was bathed
with tears. At that sight duty seemed doub-
ly stern and cruel, the sacrifice of integrity
grew an easy thing, and separation an impos-
sibility. The tender eyes were on him, the
imploring bands outstretched to him, and the
beloved voice cried brokenly,-


"Oh, Robert, stay!'


Il will |"


He spoke out defantly, as if to silence the
inward monitor that would not yield consent
he offered his hand to seal the promise, and
took one step toward the fair temptation
more for, at the instant, up from below rose
!. voice, clear and mellow as a silver horn,
singing


ale has sounded forth the trumpet


That shall never call retreat;


lie is sitting out the hearts Of men


Before his judgment seat;


Oh, be swift my sopli to ahswer him;


BE jubilant, my feet


For God is martliing ON


The song broke the troubled silence with
martial ring that, to one listener, sounded
like a bugle-call, banishing with its magic
breath the weakness that had nearly made a
rccreant of him j; for the opportune outbreak
If the familiar voice, the memories it woke,
he noblcr spirit it recalled, all made that
,wcct and stirring strain the young mans sal
yation. Both stood motionless, aud SO still |
that every word came clearly through the
SUNNY hush that filled the reom. Roses face
grew anxious, fash of anger dried the tears,
and the expression which had been 80 tender
changed to one of petulant annoyance. Bet
Robert did not see it, he no longer watched
her he had turned towards the open window,
and was looking far away into the distance,
where seemed to lie the future this moment
was to make or mar, while his own aspect
rrey calm and steady, as if with the sense of
,elf. control came the power of self-sacrlfce'


As the song ended. he turned, gave one
nar.inp look at the woman whom he loved, |
,aid. /" have chosen Rose, goodbye" and
was gone. ~.


=, t..r.t 40 rro.tJ he wopf, |