Year: 1878

| ~~>'~~~ -~ point flashed out the brilliant beauty ot the little box.

 "Still it must be here," insisted the Commandant, "and surely no gentleman will think his honor infringed if each in turn is asked to empty the contents of his pockets upon the table. l myself will be the first to do 50. And the ser wants shall be the last"

 Nobody could be expected to demur at so simple and sensible proposal, backed as it was by the honest old off cer instantly rettling out some crown pieces and tobacco pouch, half-pence, and an old pipe. One after the other, the gentlemen on either side of the table 1 followed his example, while sharp but not unfriendly eyes took eager note of strange pieces of personal property, and of dainty three-cornered notes, which might serve in the future as material for bandinage and quizzing.

 But one drew back when the Com mandant made his proposal. That young man who had walked in from the eastern end of the town dropped sudden ly into his seat, whence he had risen in the first eagerness of the search. He passed his hand once or twice, nervous ly, through his hair, leaving it wild and struggling. And then he watched blankly, as the fruitless search drew nearer and nearer to himself. Within five minutes later, one or two of the of- ficers were whispering to each other that any simpleton might have seen he did not expect it could be found.

 His turn was the very last. "Ensign Ranson," said the Commandant steadily. Ensign Ranson was certainly the first who had required to be called upon by name.

 The youth arose. And though the rest of his face was of deadly white ness, there was 8 spot of burning red on each cheek.

 "I don't think any gentleman should be asked to do this," he said. "I will give my word of honor that the box is not upon my person. did not even keep it in my hands for moment, merely took it and passed it on."

 "Too high-minded even to look at such gew-gaws, sneered a spiteful old Major under his breath.

 "What men high in the service and old enough to be his father have already done, Ensign Ranson may safely do also," said the Commandant, with a severity which was not unkindly, for young Ranson looked such a boy among the crowd of men, mostly stout and middle-aged; and the very suspicion suddenly lowering over him made the old officer think of his own lads, grow ing up, and not quite sure to do we'll for themselves after all.

 "I would never have asked it for the sake of my box," observed the General, leaning back in his chair, and inwardly wondering what Lady Elizabeth would say of his carelessness.

 "But we ask it for the sake of ou1 honor, General" said the Commandant testify.

 "And we do not seem to have asked it needlessly," whispered the spiteful Major.

 "I will not do this thing P cried the young Ensign passionately, and he looked wildly round the group as if he sought for one face that would com.

 prehend and compassionate his misery

 The face which looked the kindest wal

 that of the old General himself, partly

 because it was not his hospitality whicl

 was outraged, partly because his genia

 nature was terribly shocked at finding anything of his the cause of such , wretched act of dishonor.

 eff the General will come with m,

 to the ante-room," said the young man "I will convince him that I have no touched his box. But this public ex posture will not submit to our con sent was not asked, and"

 Certainly not!" "Out upon you 1! "General, you must not think of in dulging his insolent request" were tn , only sentences audible in the genera hubbub that arose on every side. But the General rose. Gentlemen, he said quietly, "I have never yet re fused to listen to an enemy's petition If you can satisfy me, Sir, perhaps you

 comrades will take my word for you." There was murmur of very reluctar 6 acquiescence, as the Ensign bowed an F. waited respectfully to follow the Geners n to the ante-chamber. They had nc |. disappeared behind the heavy curtain r before all sorts of surmises wei 'f whispered round the table, guesses an @ hints so wild and 50 sinister as to }. credit neither to the heads nor th '- hearts which originated them. I'll }, General and the Ensign staid long. l. time in the ante-room than would ha, 10 suficed to search the Ensign's pocke l. twice and thrice over. Not sound coul of be heard. If any conversation WI

 going forward, it must have been in 70 very low voice. The two gentlems d were away for nearly half an hour. ts the military servants had been subject, q, to the Commandant's rigid scrutiny, al

 then dismissed. It might be as we d that none but the "gentlemen of u

 regiment should know exactly wh at the end was. The delay grew fiji v. awkward and then awful. Even t 7n whispers and rumors Jagged into { ok intent and excited watching. ut At last the General and the Ensi, he came out. The Ensign's face was st He very pale; what flush remained upon se had now mounted to the eyes. The c