Year: 1872

explain the different characters Of these
two men and, and their attitude toward
each other. Norval was q man Of mark
although be could hardly be said to be
a popular man. Ibdeed. natural readi.
ness to help land his position as an engip-
eer officer in the cantonments gave him
many opportunities Of helping). and bis
gentle, thoughtful bearing commanded re.
gard and respect while Wilson's more
genial manner-fnr be was a 6rst-rate
companion and the very life Of the mess
made him more general favorite among
the youngsters. But unhappiiy Wilson's
early training had been very different
from Norval's. That Of the latter had
been precisely that from which the con.
sistent aud practical christian is most
likely to be developed; for in his early
home religion had been a quiet, unpre-
tending principle Of daily life. Wilson,
on the other hand, had been accustomed
from childhood to the most rigid obser-
vance OF religious forms, and had seen in
the inner life of his home so much that
was unreal and untrue. that his naturally
quick, discriminating mind had grown to
regard the profession Of religion as an i'm
posture. He remembered bitterly how
many hard, ungraieiul task had been i'm
posed in the name Of religion. He held
in contempt-and he made no secret Of it
all those who were supposed to be in-
fuenced by religious motives. He had
the character, among his acquaintanccs,
Of being Scoffcr; yet he was so clever,
so able to hold his own in argument, and
so amusing tina; in spite Of what they dis.
approved he was very popular among his
brother officers, especially the younger
ones, and to be popular was the great aim
of his life. Norval recognized his .abili.
ties but shrunk from the man who so per
verted them. Wilson was so utterly in.
capable of appreciatiug Norval that he
lost no opportunity Of showing his dislike
toward him. Norval was first rate
crcketer aud ever ready to join in q
match a more than average billiard
player aud keen sportsman; but the very
fact that bet on any game and still more
an oath was hateful to him, that he wa


always in his place in church, and knowr


70 take an interest in the spiritual need


of the men under hin, was enough t


brand him in Wilson's mind as ahypocrlt'


and to draw forth, whenever opportunity


offered the cutting sneer. 1t was Viii


sens bette notr.


Hence arose that remark after mess oil
the evening already referred to. 1t hap
pcned that the rebuke of the old chic
applied least Of all to Norval; for he ha'
only few days before joined the camp


and had plenty to do in learning the du
ties of his own post, and had neve
thought Of inquiring what his senior
knew or did not know regarding the stat
OF the siege.


Nevertheless, from the moment III
brigadier's words were uttered, Nova
made up his mind. He would wipe O


the reproach. AS he left the mess.tent
little needing Wilson's words, or perhap


exulting in the thought thathe would YER
: soon yive him cause to regret them, b
3 crossed over to the lines Of the Europea
, regiment which lay beyond the artillery
f and picking his way between tent-rope


or over insidious tent-pegs, to the tent o
the extreme left, he found the man b


wanted. Captain Parker, who commando
e the Light Company Of the 10th Reg
. ment.


Parker" he said, Il am bent on
D little spree tonight, and l want you
5 join me-"


Whats W now? You out on a spree


Well yes, I'll join you; for ! am yer
3 sure friend Norval will 60 in for no spre
' in which should be ashamed to joi
G him."


"Well. look here old fellow, just now
a at mess, the old brigadicr sta rtled us a
G by asking us, as we were crying so lou
t for an assault on the fort, whether "


knew the exact depth on that side. An
to our shame be it said, not man ha
I ever thought of it. l cant take mue


blame to myself. because | have SO latel
! joired but l should like for the fun
II the thing, to 60 and take souniings,
s my old father the commodore would sa
d and present it to the old boy before
It turns in for the night. Will you CON
i and help me Z"


"Will not ? When do you got"
g "Well, we ought to have some fello'
l with US. in case Of a scrimmage, for '


may have to fight our way back. So
! you can bring half.a-dozen Of your be


..Liphts" [ should be glad. / needI