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- V ^ * V { ^ '4' * .* :$ ' VrtBlflflM r^lUAillQfD W/ 1 I l_ r illJI II 1* I II fl J |1| || i?^ 15/ La mill fafssl Mii^l ^ ^in^j gf| ^?j g H Bo B B 1^Wlf^;,o?.RI3T'l Sg jfnbtgttfttirf Jamil; jtlpspptr: jfmr % |)ro8toticit of % |cliM Scori, ^pitnltoal ari> CmmmrtM jittmafc rf % Smrtj;. VOL. 14. YORKYILLE, S. C., THTTRSlD^Y, SEPTEMBER 3, 1868. . NO. 36. m i . . . 1 j ' .... i ; , ... . . , \ fekrtrd ?ertrg. WHICH T The foil owing tells its own story, end a beautiful one it is too?to be read best and sounding sweeter when the family circle have gathered around the evening lamD, D6rh&DS: -Which Shan it bet which shall it be?" . , I loqked at John?John looked at me, (Dear, patient John, who loves me yet As woll as tho' mv locks were jet.)* And when I found that I most apeak, My voice seemed strangely low and weak, "Tellme wain what Robert said?" And then I llst'niug bent my head. This Is his letter. ... "I will give A boose and land while yoashaU live, . If, In return, from out your seven, One child to me for aye is given/' I looked at John's old garments worn, I thought of all that John bad borne Of poverty and work and care. Which I, though willing, could not spare, I thought of seven months to feed, Uiil V11J ^iwul VI KJVCI1 UMIO uinuroa a xirouf - ?And then of this. "Come, John," said I, "We'll choose Among them as they Ue Asleep;" so walkingnand in hand, Dear John and I surveyed oar band. First to the cradle lightly stepped Where Lilian, the baby, slept, A glory 'gainst the pillow white, Softly her father stooped tq lay His rough hand down in loving way, When dream or whisper made her stir, And huskily he said, "Not her?not her." We stooped beside the trundle-bed And one long ray of lamp light shed . Athwart the boyish faces there In Bleep so pitiful and fair; ' I saw on Jamie's rough, red cheek A tear undried. Ere John oould speak, "He's but a baby too," said I, And kissed him as we harried by, Pale, patient Robbie's angel face, Still in his sleeping bore suffering trace. "No, for a thousand crowns not him," He whispered, while our eyes were dim. Poor Dick! bad Dick! our wayward son, Turbulent, reckless, idle one?* Could he be spared? "Nay, he who gave, Bids us befriend him to the grave; Only a mother's heart can be Patient enough for snch as he; And so " sal a John, "I would not dare To sena him from her bedside prayer," Then stole we softly up above " And knelt by Mary, child of love. "Perhaps for her 'twould better be," I said to John. Quite silently He lifted up a curl that lay Across her cheek in wilfUl way, And shook his head. "Nay, love, not thee," The while my heart beat audibly, ' Only one more, our eldest lad. Trusty and truthful, good and glad? So like his father. "No, John, no? I cannot, will not let hiin go." And so we wrote in oourteons way We could not drive onr child awav; And afterward toil lighter seemed, Thinking of that of which we dreamed, Happy in truth that not one face Wo missed from its accustomed place; Thankful to work for all the seven, Trusting the rest to One in Heaven t JU Original Written for the YorkVille Enquirer. VICTOR: % jiqudl to %g. BY J. WITHERSFOON ERVIN. CHAPTER VII?Continued. The wounded man gave a sigh of impatience and weariness, and suffered his head to sink back languidly upon his pillow, whilo his sad and weary gaxe rested upon the ceiling overhead. He was disquieted at the turn of affairs, and with sad forebodings, speculated upon the result of the inevitable search to which his house would be subjeoted. He read the murderous and truculent nature of Walsh at the first glance, and trembled for the fate of his young compatriot, should he fall into the hands of so blood-thirsty a savage. When that worthy left his presence and disappeared through the doorway, ho felt as though some demon, in human shape, had withdrawn and freed the atmosphere he breathed from his polluting presence. But when, after a few minutes, his beautiful daughter came gliding in, even though her face bore more than a trace of anxiety and sorrow, it was as if an angel approached his bedside. If there was sorrow in his eye, it was such sorrow as an angel of light might feel She told him of the search that was about to be instituted for the young soldiers, and of the threat to burn down the old mansion in case it was made in vain. "Well, JNellie, be it so! vv e snail not De so Dase as to betray him, or seek to save an old house from the torch, by asking him to place himself in the hands of enemies who will use him roughly. Captain Train and his angels have no touch of humanity, and no sense of the courtesy of civilized warfare. I will not have this gallant young fellow put himself in the hands of these savages. Besides, he has, at least, one personal enemy among them; a low vindictive renegade, who is thirsting for his blood. Let them burn it if they will. We will risk that No countryman of mine shall, by my consent, fall into the hands of such wretches, could it purchase immunity for all that I have. Keep cool and trust in Providence. If the old house must go, we have our honor, our good faith, and an untarnished name left" The troubled heart of Nellie was partly relieved of its burden of anxiety, by the prom ot and cheerful decision of her father, which accorded so well with the dictates of her own feelings. The search was, in the meantime, vigorously prosecuted. Every chest or trunk that might conceal a fugitive was forced open; every closet was carefully examined, and sword blades were thrust into beds in the hope of somewhere starting the objects of their search. Parties, with torches in their hands, were in the yard, subjecting the various outbuildings to the same rigorous examination. From the disorderly manner in which the contents of closets and chests were thrown about the building, it presented a scene of confusion which neither pen nor pencil can depict At the end of about an hour, after a tiresome and fruitless search, Captain Train, with several of his followers, again repaired to the chamber of Colonel Danvers, who wisely concealing his indignation and anger, lay with a grim smile upon his face. Nellie had, for a few minutes, been absent from the chamber during this interval, but the visit of Captain Train found her at her poet by her father's side, leaning against the bed, with one arm lying along his pillow, like a dove, that partly covers in her nest from the hand of the hunter, and . ? j? i? ?? Aomo yet aenariuy guaius uci jruuug. uu?i v?u<~ and went on her cheek, now and then lighted up by a smile that seemed irrepressible. Her eye, full of a strange light, now turned inquiringly to the doorway, and now modestly fell to the cluster of early spring flowers on the ooverlet, with which her hand was nervously tofing. Captain Train seemed flushed and heated by his vain search for the fugitives, whom, with some - show of reason, he suspected to be concealed about the premises. His baffled cruelty was converted into rage, and he only wanted some object on which to vent his wrath. Approaching the bedside of the sufferer, he addres&d him in a tone that sufficiently showed his irritation. "You must come out here, sir, unless you want to be roasted alive. You have had your chance to save your house, but you prefer making it a hidingplace for rebels. Get up, at once. I am going to burn up your house." "My good, sir," replied Colonel Danvers, quite calmly, "have you not sufficiently assured yourself, by a thorough search, that there is no one concealed in my house? I would think from the noise i and uproar that has reached my ears, that you have j rummaged every oorner so thoroughly as to satisfy j yourselves that even a mouse would fail to find a i hiding-place here. What more would you have ? ] I cannot create 'rebels,'*as you call them, to deliv- ] er into your bauds to purchase safety for myself." "If they are not here, you can, at least, tell me j where they have gone," replied Captain Tram, 1 sullenly. > "I can suggest this much for your information? or for your warning?if you will take it as such," < responded Colonot Danvers, with a twinkle in his i I eye; "soldiers are not likely to straggle far from their command in a country bo beset by enemies as < this now is, and if they have had but a brief run of 1 it to rejoin their regiment?you understand me, I I hope?it renders your situation here very critical.'' < [ The face of the Captain fell, and for a moment, t he stood irresolutely playing with his sword knot c "What 1 is there a rebel regiment lying near i here?" said he, glancing around in dismay. "I do not assert that," replied Colonel Danvers, 8 "for I have ho information of any such fact A i shrewd soldier might however, wisely suspect he is near the fire when he sees sparks pouring from ? the chimney. Soldiers will not straggle far from } their regiments after such a day's work, and in such a country as this. You may rest assured that no Confederate soldier would straggle from Wal- c thall Junction into the very jaws of the'enemy. 8 After driving your forocS back, you may expect the J Confederates will speedily and promptly advance. If you find stragglers, you will reason well in concluding they are from regiments that have been ' poshed forward to begin to-morrow's fight by a s surprise. If you are enveloped and cut off tonight, it will be your own fault; bat pardon me for J thisfiriendly oonnsel?your pickets, I presume, will give you timely notioe of any advance.'' * The dismayed Captain cast an alarmed and &p- J prehensive glance around him. "Pickets!?the devil! I neglected to put out pickets. An ambush to-night would play the devil with us," muttered Captain Train, to himself r "And you think, sir, the rebels intend to advance on us?" continued he aloud. "I thought their force was too small for that" "Pardon me, |sir," said Colonel Danvers, aus- 1 terely, "I am Dot accustomed to hear such a term ^ as 'rebel' applied to my countrymen. The result ^ of to-day's fight ought to have undeceived you as to their numbers. Your leaders will certainly discover their mistake, if they tarry till the sun is up tomorrow." y "And what information can you giv$ me as to the numbers of the rebels, or 'Confeds' if you will a Viova if an ?" neok writhing under my heel." A wild laugh from the horde of ruffians greeted this savage speech from Walsh, as he let himself down, feet foremost, into the opening. The candle was handed him by the soldier called Jonas, and he began carefully to explore every corner of the gloomy recess into which he had descended. The group gathered closely around the opeuing into which he had disappeared, and one or two, kneeling down and thrusting their heads forward, peered eagerly into the dim loft, desirous to witness the result of the affair. The group of soldiers were so absorbed in the result of Walsh's explorations, that they noticed not, at the time, the addition made to the party in the chamber. A young being, seemingly scarce older than Nel- 1 lie, plainly, yet neany aressea in a cauco gown, ana i with a face crimsoned with confusion, came to the ( threshold of the door and paused, as though a- i larmed at the presence of so many rude aud bois- ] terous men. The quick eye of Colonel Danvers at < once caught the figure of this hesitating and blush- 1 ing being, and beckoned her to his side. Nellie at ] once made way for her, and with a kindly smile in- i viting her to the place she had oocupied, herself < moved to the other side, between the bedstead and < the wall, to make room for her companion. j "Do you see any one, Walsh?" shouted Captain i Train impatiently, to Walsh, who, by the light of < "None, whatever, sir," answered Colonel Dan- a vers. "I have already said more than I designed J saying. I will, of ooorse, give no information that can compromise my countrymen. You should be . aware of that" "We'll have the truth out of you," exclaimed s Train, with a ferocious frown, "if we have to force , it out You shall not harbor rebels and hold communication with the enemy, and then defy us. I will carry you to headquarters iu a jolting cart but * I make you speak." f What reply the wounded and badgered, but high spirited man, would have made to this truculent * threat is unknown. At this juncture, an exclamation from one of the soldiers broke off the collo- ^ quy, and attracted the attention of the party. The soldiers were behaving in a disorderly and boisterous manner. One had drawn his sword and was . wantonly thrusting, with the point, at the various 1 articles of furniture within his reach. The knot hole in the panneling through which Victor had ? established a lookout, attracted his attention, and , in mere wantonness, he made a lunge at it with ' his sabre. The point caught in the aperture, and to the surprise of the soldier, the pannel slided from its place, leaving an opening large enough to ad- v mit the body of a portly man. "Why?just?see?here, Captain!" exclaimed 1 he, with an oath, giving an emphasis to every word?"here's a hiding-place now, where you might put a whole company! We'll have the rascals yet! To my thinking they be in here.'' "All is lost!" muttered Colonel Dan vers, with a ' moan of despair, and in a tone so low as to reach . ?1_ v:_ j I, >? ; UUiy uia uuuguier a cat a. Nellie bowed her head and whispered a few words into his ear, when he raised his glance to hers and gave a smile of gladness. This little by-play passed unobserved, for it occupied but a moment, and the attention of all, whose suspicions it might have excited, was attracted to the trooper, who stood exultingly regarding the opening into the dark recess which a fortuitous thrust of his sabre had laid open. "Well, this is a discovery!" ejaculated their Captain. You have been d?d careless in the search, boys, or we would have found this hiding place long ago. Hand a candle here, Jonas, and let us bag the foxes and go, before some accursed ambuscade is laid to send half of you to the devil. In with you, Jonas, and we'll fire the concern and ride." These words were addressed to private Jonas, a lithe, active man, belonging to the troop, who was about to descend into the dark recess that yawned before him, but Michael Walsh, who had been j standing near the side of the Captain, a deeply interested observer of all that occurred, strode forward at this juncture. "Let me in," said he ; "I'll make short work of one*of them." a "You have a heart for the work, Mike," said ( Captain Train, motioning his follower to give place s to the eager volunteer. 1 "Yes, blast him!" cried Walsh, whose thoughts t were intent on vengeanoe; "I'shall not sleep well, t until my knife is red with his blood, and I feel his <j the candle, had made his way to the farther end of the loft The voice of Walsh was faintly heard in the chamber, shouting back in reply, that he had discovered a musket and a cartridge box. "Bring them on," cried the excited Captain ; "we have no time to lose. We will fire this cursed establishment and return into camp before we fall Into an ambuscade. I think we have given the boose a thorough search. They cannot be here now, and I will see to it rebels shall never harbor here again. Horry out, Mike, or you will be singed like a rat in his bole." At this moment, there was an alarm given, and i soldier of the troop rushing into the chamber, brought word that, by the flash of a falling meteor, man xooro coon m run nor tAWRfdn thl> hnnSA "To horse, men, and ride for your lives I" shoutjd the excited and panic-stricken Capt&icu "The ebels are upon us, mount and ride for your lives." In an instant, the chamber was cleared, and the jlatter of boots and the jangle of spurs rung upon be stair-case, as the troopers rushed dovrn to put bemselves in a position to meet the enemy or to jscape. Walsh, hearing the hurrying to and fro, toon made his appearance, emerging into the ihamber?now deserted by all, save the wounded nan and the two girls who watched by his side. "See, bere I" said he. advancing near ibe bed, Lnd thrusting the butt of the musket he had found, jefore the astonished eyes of the wounded man? 'Look at them two letters, 'V. G.' cut into the itock I You may feather Captain Train's eye, hut i kuow as well as if I had laid eyes on liim, that Victor Garnett was in that loft when we came up. ilood I must have, and blood I will have. If you lo not tell me where you have hidden him, you ball die where you he, and I shall make your laughters beggars?and worse than beg/jars?beore morning." "And if I tell you?what then ?" demanded the rounded man, fixing his eye sternly upon the half avage befere him. "His blood will satisfy all. Speak quick, for our life depends upon it I have sworn to slay lim and all who stand between him and my ven;eance. You need not ask why I hate him, and chy I have sworn to bury my knife in his heart t is enough, I swear you shall die unless you give lim up." Colonel Hanvers lay silent and meditating. The uffian before him fancied he was intimidated and >n the point of yielding to the influence of his hreat; hut his senses were busied with the move * * rr 1 im aents that were goiog on oeiow. ne lay lize one icrplexed and hesitating, antil he heard l>he troop nount and the command given to march, and as be tramp of the horses announced that i:he troop tad taken up the line of march, his eye lighted up nd he faced the ruffian with an air of commands "Down scoundrel and renegade! and beg for aercy, or I shoot you where you stand!" shouted le, drawing from under his pillow and presenting , repeater. Walsh cowered for a moment, before the calm nd determined eye that met his own. His knife ras half drawn from its sheath, and he crouched iack like a tiger suddenly affrighted, whole about 0 make his leap. His eye fell, yet it glared with he fury of a discomfitted fiend. His left hand till held the muzzle of the musket, the butt of rtiicli rested upon the floor.* He dared not make he attempt to raise it or to shilt his hand to liis wn pistol, in the belt by his side, whilst the releater of the invalid met his eye. The determined ye and the tone of command of his antagonist, iclpless as be was from his wound, hacl a moral K)wcr that more than compensated for his physic1 helplessness and disadvantages. Nellie shriekd aloud, and her companion, who was at the right land of Colonel Danvera, and within a sabre's sngth of Walsh, rose, as if in affright, and stood vith one hand, resting on the the chair behind, as f for support. "There are but two frightened girls aod a woundd man," was the reflection that passed through he mind of Walsh. "They are weak and helpjss. Only a disabled man is in my way. Let me tut overpower or disarm him, acf all is safe." With all his ferocity and ill blocd, Walsh was a rily and wary antagonist Suddenly stooping, to .void the pistol shot of his antagonist, and dartng forward, he thought to cast himself upon the rounded man who would then lie at his mercy, but s he made his spring, the female who stood at the iglit of the sufferer, made a half step backward, nd the hand that seemed resting so lightly for upport on the chair, lifted it like a toy and crushd Walsh to the floor, with a blow that fell like a hunderbolt His knife flew from his hand, and lis musket fell to the floor. Before he could reaver from the stunning effect of the blow, the on/1 mneW roar p. nln(v>H nnt. of his reach. and I he strong hand that had stricken him down, renoving the repeater from his belt, stood threatenngly over him, one foot upon his breast, forbidding lim to rise. The veil, which partially shaded the ace of Walsh's feminine antagonist in the strug;le, had fallen to the floor. Walsh writhed under he foot that was pressed down upon him, and hrowing his head back, he gazed up in surprise, lot unmingled with terror, into the face of bis anagonist. As he gazed he seemed to shrink up efore the stern eye that gazed upon him. Des>ite all disguise, he recognized, in his captor, the 'outh for whose blood he was thirsting and whom le had vowed to slay, and it added bitterness to lis fear of death, to know it was Victor's hand hat held the pistol threateningly pointed at his orm, and Victor's foot that spurned his breast "Be quiet!" said Victor, in a low voice; "there s not a hair's breadth between you and death !" CHAPTE& VTIL While Victor was in his hiding place, standing it the knot hole that looked into the chamber of Colonel Danvers, he was an attentive observer of ill that occurred before him. No sooner had he earned it was the intention of the enemy to fire he building, than he felt the necessity of extricamg himself from his dilemma without delay, silently leaving his post of observation, he made lis way to the other end of the huge loft with the lesign of effecting an entrance into the chamber, hrough which he had entered it. Knowing the vindictive character of Walsh and his tiger-like hirst for blood when his evil passions were nrous:d, he could not, for a moment, entertain the bought of surrendering himself a prisoner to a >and of maurauders from whom he could expect 10 nrotection for his life from the hand of the as assin. He knew that the search for him would be prosecuted with unremitting zeal and ardor, by a peing, actuated as Walsh was, by the bitterest feelings of personal hatred, and having pretty itrong reasons for the inference that he was even hen concealed in the house. Hatred, with many men, is a species of mononania, showing depravity both of heart and intelect. With Walsh, it was a passion that swallowid up every other. He had never forgotten the nformation which Victor had volunteered as to lis character and history, at their first encounter pn James Island, but a few weeks previously, and lowever inadequate such a cause might seem to produce feelings of lasting and implacable resentiient in an ordinary nature, yet the hatred of this ivil man had increased day by day until it had bejorao an insane and all-absorbing passion. The fouth of Victor, his handsome and happy face, ind his supercilious scorn of the red-handed murierer, all entered into the account and aggravated ? his rancorous hate and en#. Victor was now falIy aware of the inurderon passion of the being who sought his life, and it needed not Walsh's sanguinary outburst of ravengefid passion, to convince him, that as a prisoner in the hands of the band at present wound him, there would be do security for him against the digger of the assassin. The threats of Walsh, V&oh he overheard from his hiding-place, after tbqfe worthy had acquired strong presumptive evidence of his concealment on the premises, did not strike that terror to his heart which would have cowed the energies of a weaker nature. It onjy caused Km fully to realize bu danger, and a situation which, up to this tiqgsJR simply the features of mi exciting adventure, began to assume quite a serioas ?pee& ti did not ooour to him that his danger was such as to oocarion any very vivid sensations of aUrai. His hiding-place, he flattered himself, wasjgourtfomi any ordinary search, and might easily^CSSMiscovered. With nerves pretty well composed^ he proposed to himself to remain quietly in his hidiog-pkee, and keeping a good lookout, to be glided by circumstances. But when Nellie Danven re-entered her' father's chamber, and he learned irom the conversation between them, which he heard but indistinctly and I iL.i'i A- -J A A ill part, tuat it was uie purpose ui tue cuemy w fire the dwelling, he felt the necessity of at onoe making an exertion to escape before it should be too late. Had he known that his capture would have saved the hospitable dwelling in which he had found a refuge, die generosity of his nature would have led him promptly to sacrifice his own liberty in order to avert calamity and loss from those who had so generously offered him a refuge. In order to overhear the conversation which passed in the apartment, he was under the necessity of applying his ear to the aperture in the pannel, and he was still unaware thaSit was the voice of Nellie Danvers that readied his' ears. Her fitoe?though he strove to catch a glimpse of itwas turned away from him, and he was still ignorant that the same roof covered her to whom, in this moment of extremity, his thoughts reverted, as our thoughts will turn to those most loved and cherished when danger threatens to sunder us from them forever. The conversation which he partly overheard, was enough to oonvinoe him it was high time for him to put forth all his energies to escape from the toils that were gathering more closely around him. He was not of a temperament to mt quietly down until fate should press him to the waB. He gently mode his way to the farther end of the loft and, laying aside his musket and cartridge box, after some little difficulty, found the sliding pannel which closed the aperture through which he had entered. Sliding it cautiously along in its grooves, he had the satisfaction of finding that the chamber into which it opened was untenanted. He had not as yet formed his plan of escape, hut intended to make hb way into the chamber, and then watching his opportunity, to be guided by circumstances. He was just clambering out of the loft, wheu some one, with a light step, entered into the chamber, and then seemed to be suddenly retiring, alarmed by the sounds within. "You need not fear," said Victor, in alow tone, "It b L I have overheard the threats of the enemy, and I must make py escape eonte qui I conte. I would not be carbooadoej alive if I can help it" "I foar you cannot escape now," said the same soft low voice, that v ictor naa heard Deiore; the house is thronged with the enemy and they have set out guards on every side." "It is far better* to be shot or bayonetted than to be roasted," responded Victor, as he reached the floor of the chamber and stood upright "If I could only make my wiy down the staircase?" "That is impossible," replied the voice; the foot of the stairway is guarded by a sentinel. "Still, you are suffered to pass?" interrogated Victor. "Yes, they do not fear me, I am but a woman; they would assuredly arrest you, were you to make the attempt" "I must do something," replied Victor, with firmness; "if no other plan will answer, I must fight my way through with my musket and bayonet" "Oh I that would be horrible I" replied Victor's companion, with a shudder?"dreadful; there are too many of them and they are all on the watch. You would certainly be sJain." 'That would, at least, be a soldier's death," rejoined Victor, "and that is what I count upon at the last To my thinking, it is far better to fall into the hands of Captain Train's "angels" dead than alive. They are a dastardly set of Mohawks, and I have one bitter enemy among them who would certainly assassinate me. If there were any means of disguising myself?" added he, hesitatingly. "And what hinders ?" asked Victor's companion, quickly. Here are dresses all around the chamber; you have only to choose and effect a complete disguise." I thank you," replied Victor, feeling his face redden in the dark?"but the humiliation of such a disguise is unendurable. Death is less bitter than the shame of so unmanly a disguise." "You are exceedingly complimentary to my sex !' ' replied the lady, piquantly. "Achilles?although he was not born on the Sanlee? had some reputation as a soldier?if the IUiad is not a fable? and he did not scorn a disguise which you shrink from adopting when it p&ents the only means of escape." "It is very humiliating to a soldier," persisted Victor. "But, remember, there is no other way of escape," rejoined theJad^^pqgtept this and you are lost ^ "Think of it?if ? ahouldonly be taken prisoner in such a disguise, what jeers?what laughter? what scorn?what bitter humiliation to myself! What a figure I would out among Captain Train's "Angels!" Even my fair country-women would shrug their dimpled shoulders and join in the laugh against me. I would be content to be the hero and sufferer in a bloody tradgedy, but to be the victim in a force?Oh! never." "There is no need of eiiaer farce or tragedy, and time is pressing. Here is a lady's dress that will fit you for the part of an actor, in genteel comedy if you will," rejoined the lady, playfully. "But do not hesitate or delay one moment. Put on the disguise at once. One minute's delay may undo all." "A thousand thanks to you," replied Victor, in a tone of deep sadness, "but I cannot humiliate myself so far. If my mother should have to weep for me, let her tears fall for my death and not for mv discrace." "Oh! Victor?Victor! if you will not, you are ruined and undone!" was the exclamation of grief that burst from the lips of the agonixed girl. "What! you know me then!" exclaimed Victor, surprised at being so familiary addressed and feeling as if an electric shock had passed along his nerves. "And we have met before ?" "And have you forgotten me?" said the voice, in a tone almost of reproach. There was something in the voice, now that his attention was excited, that fell upon the ears of Victor as not unfamiliar to him. He hesitated a moment and the truth broke upon him. "Pardon me, dear Nellie," exclaimed Victor in surprise, "I am a dolt not to have recognised your voice before, when you were oontinually in my thoughts. I did not dream of finding you here." Victor made a step forward, and their hands \ met In the darkness, with a gentle clasp that mad his heat leap wildly. "Oh! Victor!" exclaimed die, with the nun serve which the time and the oocasdon inspired "let me entreat-yon to lose no time! Make uae< this disguise promptly. Save yourself at ono The enemy may soon make their way into thi chamber and prevent your escape. There is lamp upon the mantel board and matches ready i hand. Secure the door and pot on this disgnis before it iMpo late." . "EvaTyew; Nellie, I fear, will despise me ft 0?ffig what you counsel me to do," mormnrre Victor. "I shall, however, do as yon bid me. ] the enemy penetrates my disguise, I shall giv them cause for seriousness more than for langhtei If I fiul in oomedy, they shall have tragedy rathe thanfaroe." "The curtain will soon rise," said Nellie playful ly, as she disengaged her hand and retired toward die door. "Be ready to act your part when tb bell rings; Fate strikes his call" The door dosei behind her and she was gone. Victor locked the door of the apartment, and striking a light, proceeded with a perplexed an* sad countenance to don the disguise. It require* but a very few minutes to effect the desired trans formation. A veil thrown over his well balance* head, partially oonoealed his features and addei to the completeness of the disguise. To hav glanoed in the chamber, one would have' recogni sed in its occupant only a comely and fair girl wit! the freshness of youth npon her cheek. The die guise was so complete that it would have been i shrewd physiognomist who would have suspeote* the truth. Blushing with shame and ooi fusion Victor hesitatingly entered the chamber of th wounded officer, while it was still thronged wit! those who sought him, and silently seatiug him self, sat quietly regarding everything around hin until the time came when disguise was no longe decessary. Our readers have seen how prompt!, he felled the murderous outlaw, Walsh, to th floor, when he was about to bury his knife in th bosom of the wounded and defenceless officer. "And so it is you I" exclaimed Walsh, recogniz ing the features of the youth whom he hated wit) an animosity so bitter. - "It is I," returned Victor; "you sought mi diligently and you have found me quite unexpect edly." "Bravo! my young friend," exclaimed Colons Danvers, with admiration for the gallant youtl beaming from his eyes. You have made a quid and a dean thing of it You would handle a sabr* __ 1 1 . _ It T !.L Tt. J 1 J i 00 noraemcK weu. x wisa x oaa one aunurea buoj fellows in my regiment, to show the d?d yankee how swords can flash out when men are in earnest Don't shoot the villain?his blood is too base to h shed by your hand. If it were nqt for fear of see ing you tripped np by your petticoats, I woulc beg you to kick the rascal down stairs and let hin >? go. "Shoot if you will?curse you!" growled thi prostrato-juan. "I don't ask you to spare m; Hfel" "I soaroely think you were bom to be killed b; a bullet," quietly remarked Victor?"at all event 1 have no thought of cheating the hangman of hi fee." "Do you mean I am to get up and go?" aske Walah-sulktnl^.and with a soowlinjLface. T "No I if you attempt that," replied Victor, "th hangman will certainly lose his due. You are b go with me to camp. There are some old score against you there which are not settled." "Is the fellow a deserter?" asked Colonel Dan vers. "He is not only a deserter but a spy," replie< Victor. "Pshaw! in that case, don't trouble the cam] with him; shoot him down by the way as yoi would a wolf or a hyena. You are out scouting,! suppose ?" "There are only five of us, all on foot, sent ou to gather information,'' replied Victor. ' 'The res of the party arc lying at the head of your avenui awaiting my return. As soon as they find th< coast clear they will venture up to see what ha become of me. I shall have to remain until the] come and keep guard upon this renegade." "It would be a pretty game to play, if there ha< been some twenty or thirty of you along," sai< Colonel Dan vers. "That fellow Train was so fright ened at the report of armed men approaching th< house, that he left in too great a panic to put hi threat of burning into execution. If the enenr rely on the report which he carries bock to camp they will look out for an attack until a late hou n - -. i j /? ii 1 l. to-morrow, i would not DO surprised 11 mey huuuii halt and entrench themselves. I would not rel; on that fellow's report from a camp of disable( horses. His jacket 1 how resplendent with but tons! He is only fit for a circus, or to make on of a menagerie of monkeys. I had rather chargi the enemy blind-fold than to make a movemen relying on information brought me by an offioe wearing such a jacket?and so demoralised, too Nellie, do give me my snuff box 1" Just as the Colonel spoke, there were some fiv< or six musket shots fired in rapid succession, nea the head of the avenue, followed by yells of agon; and pain, and then a feeble volley of pistol shots as the retiring troop of Captain Train broke into i hard gallop along the highway. "By Jesu! exclaimed the Colonel, with fiashinj eyes, ' 'I think I can understand that game! Cap tain Train and his "Angels," have fallen into ai ambuscade, and are seeing the devil. Listen what cravens I after answering with that feebl fire, they are off at full speed for camp, to tell hov they fought a whole regiment an hour, by th< Shrewsbury clock, and cut their way through a last! A half dozen brave scouts have route* them. Hurrah for the brave fellows!" In the excitement of the moment, Colonel Dan vers had raised his head from his pillow, and sup Porting it on his hand, listened with intense inter est to the sounds of the melee, which roused hi blood and made him thirst, with a soldier's long ing, for a part in the strife. His daughter inter fered to warn him against suffering his mind t< dwell upon affairs which disturbed its repose. Hi wound required absolute rest from every excitini subject for a few days longer. "Pshaw, Nellie! you women are ever busy wit! your sage counsel, that is only one whit less palata 1 . .1 3 , t ble than the villainous drugs mat me doctors tor raent us with. Don't you know, yet, that nothinj keeps a sick man's mind more qniet than letting him have his own way; and that nothing chafe him so much as trying to keep him quiet, when he i struggling to let out the impatience that is consum ing him? Stop up tho muzzle of a loaded gun, o tie down the safety valve of an engine, and then is ruin; 'let them rip' as they say in camp, an( their action is normal." "You have had a very disquieting time of it, in deed, for a wounded man," interposed Victor "The annoyance and anxiety you have been sub jected to to-night is enough to induoe fever." "You quite mistake my temperament," rejoinec Colonel Danvers. "I have enjoyed the sight fine ly. Captain Train and his 'angels,' will no doub put my old housekeeper to some trouble in putting matters to rights in the morning, but what of that' It was equal to a fane to see the dirty fellow strut ting about in his stolen linen, attempting to ap< the soldier whilst his rouges from Blackwell's Is land and live Points were distracted between theii hope of booty and their dread of bushwhackers an( an ambuscade. They rummaged the old housi Le with a will, Dot it was an enujrwiuiu* iww iur iu?, who haye bad so lonely a time of it here. On my j- word, it has been a rich scene 1 and, while I think ; of it, yonng comrade, not the least entertaining >f part of the performanoe is to see yon trigged ont s. b petticoats and standing guard over that fallen is 'angel I" a Victor was forced to laogh in spite of himself ] it "I know it is rather a ridiculous figure I present, e Colonel," replied he, with a good humored lanah, "and I am desirous of appearing before you in it propriapertona.'' d "I understand you," replied Colonel Danrers, [f gaily; "you wish the soene to be?hiAed, because e you dislike so oonfbundedly to be shifted yourself. You can, however, console yourselfwith the thought x that, if you had been a ihifiUss fellow, the 'angels' would have had you b 'their keeping.' " 1. Nellie, with the ready tact of a woman, discerned lg what was needed, and strugglbg to oonoeal a smile e that, despite herself, flashed oat merrily on ehee&S J and eyes, glided from the apartment, and b a short fima Aa nU tinnaA-lnwiwr tnnMrml. vith avm I, wide opened in astonishment, as her fiance fell j upon Victor. She had evidently been instructed j by Nellie, as to the services required of her, for h she walked directly np towards Victor, with an air j and manner that told more plainly than watds, 4h0 j errand upon which she had been dispatohed. e Pausing in front of Victor, she dropped a profound courtesy. [j "Can I help you, young massa ?" asked the old r woman.. , . ,, . ,.? a Victor looked pouled for a moment, and before j he ooold weD divine her 'mission,' Colonel Binvera spoke., -V, g "Yes, maum Hannah, help him -off with that Ij toggery as soon as you can. It has served his tarn _ quite well for this boat Have it off before he a acquires a fondness for petticoats. And that 'angel' who lies there, will?if he has the grace of gratitude?thank yon for relieving him of petticoat e government" e The hands of tnaum Hannah soon relieved Viotor of his disguise, and the critical eyes of Colonel Danvera, who knew the good points of a man or hone, were evidently satisfied as they rested upon 1 the Apollo-like form of the young soldier, who, despite his .rough garb, stood beford him the em8 bodiment of manliness and grace. < r ' The exit of maum Hannah was the stgoaL&r , Nellie's return, who, as she modestly lifted her glance to Victor's face as she passed, felt a deeper 1 hue stealing over her face as she encountered his ? admiring eye. Their paths had strangely oome to3 gether, when the most critioal events of Hfe lay *1 round them, and the hand of fate seemed busy iq 8 interweaving their destinies when great issues w#re ' at stake. The chcumstaoces under which they 3 had twice met, were such as oontribate to bind " tbem together, more than a lifetime of ordinary intercourse. * . 1 The Colonel saw the blush of eonapousness rise to the cheeks of these two young beings, who stood 3 before him in the pride and attractiveness of in7 genuous youth. He- divined the secret of their hearts, which as yet they scarcely acknowledged to 7 themselves. - 8 "Poor Nellie!" murmured he to himself, while 8 his eye wore a saddened expression, and fields red , with future carnage rose up before his mind's eye. Maidens should bear, in their bosoms, hearts stashed against love, while war is hlling up with his 6 mangled victims, the hospital and the grave. "It 0 is folly?it is more?it is madness to dream of love 8 at a time like this!" The shrewd and thoughtful soldier was forgetful that it is in precisely such circumstances, when danger rides the gale and lives , are as cheap as the leaves of autumn shaken down by every breeze, that the sympathies of the heart are quickened and enlarged. What generous mai2 den will bar up the portals of her heart against die | noble yonth devoted to his country's service, whose mangled form, before a day has fled, may lie cold and stark on the battle-field, or be covered np forever from sight in a nameless grave. He is passing on generously and devotedly with his young life, 3 challenging the terrors of battle; he is passing on to 3 the fri? where shadows and darkness rest; the don 8 canopy of war is his covering by day, and the fire 7 of blazing batteries is his light by night. If he smiles, there is in his eye the mysterious light of ^ some sad fate, that makes the heart of woman yeum * over him with the tenderness of a mother's or a " sister's love. With the inspiration of a martyr or s a hero beaming from eyes that have daily, disdain9 fully looked on death, woman but looks upon him 7 to pity, to admire, and to love, eyen as angels love ' when they look upon man straggling heroically r against fate. ? * Victor's cheek, too, reddened aa.rhe met the 7 glance of Nellie; but unaware that die observant * eves of Col. Danvers had seen the tell-tale blush, * be imagined that his secret was hidden in his own 8 breast from all eyes. Not even the sigh of pity e from the breast of the fond and anxious father, t awoke a passing suspicion that another was aware J of the thoughts passing in his mind. 1 "You can rise and seat yourself," said Victor, placing a chair against the wall, on the farther 8 side of the room, for his prisoner; "but I warn you c to be quiet. I will not hesitate to shoot you, if 1 you attempt to escape or resist." ) The crest-fallen prisoner roee like a baffled beast 1 of prey, and moiodily took the seat assigned him, while Victor again seated himself by the side of I Colonel Danvers. "I am impatient to learn the result of that ama buscade into which the enemy fell," remarked Col. ! Danvers. "Train went off in rapid style, and I B judge he will be in no hurry to try conclusions with 7 them again. I fear, after giving him a round, e your scouts will be off to camp. What think you?'' 1 Victor briefly stated the .circumstances under i which Presoott and himself had left the scouting party, and expressed his conviction that they would * i? a i? :.i. v: c.,. SOOD Visit me amusiuu iu euquire uiui ma uwu iuc, " and to gather whatever information the enemy may '* have let fall, in regard to the number, movements, 8 and position of their forces. It was very oertain - they would not return and omit the opportunity of ~ availing themselves of such information as (bight 9 be gathered from those who had so lately been in 8 communication with the enemy. I "And how went the fight to-day?" asked Colo nel Danvers. "Tell me all the particulars, so far 1 as -they came under your own observation. I know * you were successful in beating the enemy back. '* You had a pretty strong force?hey?" I With a glance at his prisoner, Victor bent over ? the bed, that he might not be overheard by him, 8 and in Ipw tones?so low that they barely reached 3 the ears of Nellie, who sat on the other side of the * bed?repeated the astounding story how six hnnr dred brave Carolinians beat back, in a shameful 8 rout, many thousands of the enemy who had as1 sanlted their unfortified position in Vain. The eye of the wounded soldier was lighted up with patri* otic pride as he listened to the stirring recital, and a deeper flush of patriotic emotion warmed the ' cheeks of the maiden, as she leaned over the coach of the stricken veteran and listened to the plain and i simple narrative of her lover. "It was a well fought field," exclaimed Colonel t Danvers with animation. ' 'By Jove 1 it mnst have I been a splendid sight to see six handled ragged } Confederates holding thousands of the enemy at - bay for hours, and routing them it the hilt by mare i pluck and hardihood. But your loan?that must - have been large?" r "Our Ion was not small," answered Victor; 1 "but the enemy loet more than ten for one." s "And what of to-morrow?" asked Col Danvers, ? in u?4W? WM-t mm ma ww ? rmwu| yww on Victor, mi if to rdrfhis'SoaL ' We have no to-morrow in the army, Cobnrf," replied Victor gaily; "we here only to-day F' 'Hurt ie right," replied Coiood Dtnvw eery oualy sad solemnly; "that is right 1 The soldier who gives himaelf to (he eerrioe Of hia eoantry, mnst blot 'to-morrow* float his vocabchny. Torn onow's ho pee?tcwnorrow'e enjoyments?1st him fling their thoaghts fax ftom him. Xhey era dreams, Tau^riaoaaqr dreams, that cheat him and all who duse them with. him. Bemmaber?however Fancy may delude the soldier?to-nwrrow promises him nothing hot a grave hencsth the tarf, reddened with his hlood" "We shall have a tryiflg time beftn a to-morrow," observed Victor, who (Ml lie knew not why?strangely dulled by the aariooatoaeef CMto nel Danvers. It was like the doffing brseth at Winter upon the flowers sod bode ?f Spring. "VIM " ir faniJ AU1toM< "ih-i. jjlmill iCB| nyvim UUMW ynvuri miMui/ wiD renew the flght ooUwar^mw with eS hie fbr 068. Many a poor feflow, on ertheraide, is dreaming, to-night, bin tat dram of lot* and km To-night he deeps on the sod?to-morrow, he wiH sleep below k. If ocr fbeom attempt to held their ground to-morrow, it wiBfaring on ooa of thaforoataDdbloodieitingghitftkMr$MmAi i. ? i " . j*- . ,ir* . MWI aOQDttOk u We had heavy odds against a today/'tammted Tieter. "Aye! bat they wfl fewmoh heavta teHnarrow," HooinedOokmdPmmm w 'IBmmmtjwffl have time to bring ap all hia fines, and iftaaa or twenty to one is heavy odda,er?n to men who fight with the ?oniage of detention. Ah! indeed,the soldier has no to-morrow I" Nellie had not tat award of the eommmtim; it had strangely addaoad her. 8ha, too, had bar pare dreana of the ftxtare bothalf admoehdtad . even to haxa^ and a cloud eame upon her fhir face as she thOaght of the morrow tfaesetfar'a morrow?that would light many a proud and manlylbenitothe pave. Ite morning Bghi may feed it a a .::4 .t . ej a .ti ti-down ?iuujf cvoujrf swwtiy^ nui ok ttnvj dupeedaeaa and proaae npon many a yonth whom brow beams with hope and heehh, dec?A? u'b* nvni|iin.i?wmm O^K wUck tb* vwnn jlsas Mi efaa" Her eye neltdi^Talo^tftwpmnMBht and with an expteowowef ofioitemmdeam Aa realised that the invidble bondswidth mated Awn, were as frail as the gossamer web thatpazts befiwt the iephyr'8 breath. .Theft next porting might be as that of strangers who smile gad pes* never to again. The words of her &thar had awakan-. od painful thoughts ofthe nmiyef mortal tae at a time when lifb?daily imperilled?is so encertmn. The next day, the wood end manly yonth befcea her might be covered ap from light, tad the sweet dreams that stole unbidden into her heart, mart bo broken. CoL Danvers bed designed te impress this idea upon the lorers, into whose heart he had look- ed more deeply than they thenmfas had dared to ? * look. - * -< *. Vain and fatilephiloaophy I Their heart* dung but the more fondly and tenderly together, as they the more folly reafixed bow evanescent and flail were their hopes of realising the dreams that beguiled and delighted them. It it to the flail and beaten bark that we ever ding the mora closely when the-tempeet is azoaad aa; sad it if whan the holds to the bough where it perches itself Teach the maiden that he who baa found a phee ia her heart, is daily imperiling his life in a noble cause, and that his breast is daily bared to danger, all the sympathies of her nature an awakened, and her heart follows him with a sofidtous We that never wearies, never wavers, never draws cold,hut is content?if it must be so?to let its affections linger a* round the grave, and hang cold garlands over thfl^ spot where the hopes of a life He buried. Nellie was unconscious that her gate wis resting oh Victor in that moment, when she realised, for the first time, how dear he was to her heart The concluding words of Colonel Danvers had impofid upon the party the silence of sad thoughtfulness. The father was hopeful of turning aside the affections of his daughter, that they might not end in blight and brokeoness of heart Victor and Nellie were thinking how defightfhl it was to meet, and how sad it was to part, when their porting might be forever. They aH had lost themselves in a rewruv froBMrbich they were aroused by the voice of old Hanuah, who appeared at the door in a state of trepidation and excitement There was an air of triumph, too, upon her face, but it was quite evident that she was terrified at her own tri omph. lira mingled terror end joy on her sable face ooold not hare been understood, but for her own explanation of the oanse. She advanced a step or two into the room in a state of excitement, and straggled a moment for utterance before she could find words to expreos herself "Praise de Lord, mass Tom, I tek one of'em, sure I" was all she could suoaecd In firing utterance to in[ her present condition of wMwateaaut "What ia H, Hannah?" enquired Col Danrm, who, under all eircuostanoea, preserved the utmost coolness of head. v--. . "De Yankees, again! mossa," ejaculated Han- ? Victor lygan frJ jf?pintrii itihMipw"er, Walsh, raised his head and began to look about him, as though for 'a good tune coming,' in the shape of a squad of bhxe ooat& "What are the Yankees about, Hannah t" asked Colonel Danvers. "You are speaking in riddles?what are the Yankees doing?" "Oh I nothing, mass Tom, only I got ons Mow that come phderin' about, locked up bard and fast in. the pantry. I'll make higijnmw, bcfixe he leave here. Its that ssnuAflow, Setk Hobinaoo, that cheat us so bad when be come peddhn' thro' the oountry. I've got him safe enough in the pani,n try. 4 The deoceyou hare I" esehumed the Colonel? "that's'a fine place for a prisoner; and what are yon going to do with him?' "I don't.know, mossa; but it won't do frr him to stay in dere," replied Hannah; "he'll sat ebery ting up before morning If young mossa here, would come down and take him in hand?" ana Hann&h looked towards Vietar and hesitated. "After awhile, Hannah?after awhile," said the Colonel. "Let nim eat his fill before we take hfan out In the meantime, go and ketm guard at the door, and. if he tries to eseaps, give the alarm. Take the poker and tongs?they are the weapons you are moet accustomed to?and if he breaks out, do your devoirs upon him, and St GttBah be your help I I will back you, ten to one, for the victory, if it oome to blows. You have a pretty strong arm, and you ean.lay H on to him with a heavy hand. Now go and mount guard until you are raiarod." Lying helpless upon his bed, the soldier, with a cheerful heart, gaily mocked at the ills offifc which he eould not retoafr. It was not from a spirit of levity that he laughed and jerted whet* other* would have desponded end wept, hot because e brave heart, an exuberant flow ?t siiinaf spirits, and a soul not easily d^uyed, bene him up through Itah a wdl-ba^Ed^eSSnStiSonea S3 the fuB n??gnifrHft of every danger and drfioulty; and while seeing, at a gianoe, afl its resources, wisely, aa well as bravely bows with composure and iwngiiatiou to that which is inevitable and irremediable. . . ' .. CHd Hannah looked at the tmAm ilh a pondering and doubting gase, m if ?e thought he had but spoken in jest; but failing to find m his an any expression that belied hia words, she slowly and reluctantly withdrew to the lower story, to mount guard over the unfortunate wight who had tiptop iato her hands. ????^