Part 43 (2/2)

”Little novice! Do you ask a soldier such a question as that?”

There was a serious look on his face, notwithstanding his careless words, but his heart was buoyant! It was his child that was so soon to rest her beautiful head so near it! His own darling who was to drive away the last of its desolation, and how could he intrude into its bright chambers, so full of suns.h.i.+ne, the sombre shadow of another's grief? He pitied her, and would use his influence to liberate her husband and send him out of harm's way. What more could he do for her?

”She will ever have a claim on my sympathies, and every kindness I can bestow to ease her aching heart shall be cheerfully given; but Lillian, the wound must be made”; he said, after a long silence. ”Our daughter, my dear, was taken by Mrs. g.a.y.l.o.r.d for the purpose of administering to this drooping love you are speaking of, and if by her gentleness, sweetness and purity, she has succeeded in awakening the sleepy bird, it is her glory, not her debt. But when you talk about the cripple, that is quite another thing. My warlike propensities beat a retreat immediately before the power of that battalion. They were children together; and it was only love and kindness in its purest guise that has united them, and to wound such a heart is a little hard.”

Mrs. Hamilton sat a long time thinking of the prostrate form beneath the old oak tree as it first met her gaze. It was all over--the shady resorts were to be vacated forever; the path by the meadow brook would be trodden by other feet, while the little pond with all its enchantments was to be cast among the fond memories of the past.

Lillian's heart grew sad as these gloomy prospects came to her. She was aroused at length by the call, ”Kirkham--next station,” and turned to behold her husband looking intently at her.

”As fine as a panorama, my dear,” he said with a merry twinkle in his eye. ”Your face has had all the changes of the 'dissolving views,' and I have been permitted to look at them without paying the usual quarter.”

”A trifle dishonest, though, for a gentleman,” was the playful retort; then added, seriously: ”When two weeks ago I alone neared this station every nerve quivered with excitement! I was nearing my child--crossing the gulf of treachery that had so long separated me from happiness! My limbs trembled and nerves quivered! Instead of all this you are as calm and expectant as on the eve of meeting an old friend.”

”Why not, little wife? You see the banks of this terrible gulf were lowered a little, when, nearly two years ago, my Lillian came over to meet me!”

”Here we are,” interrupted the happy wife, rising from her seat; ”gulf or no gulf we are coming together!”

The coachman bowed obsequiously as the two emerged from the car.

”Is Mrs. g.a.y.l.o.r.d still at the hotel?” inquired the lady.

”She is ma'am.” And he closed the door and drove away. Not a word was spoken during the short ride, for an oppressive lull such as sometimes precedes a storm had settled down over the hearts of each, and it did not lift until the carriage stopped.

Mrs. g.a.y.l.o.r.d came into the parlor to greet the visitors with a hesitating step. She was alone! After the introductions Mrs. Hamilton asked for Lily. ”Her father is so impatient to meet her,” was the supplementary remark.

”She is spending the day with Willie, for the purpose, no doubt, of giving me a foretaste of what is to be.”

”How far away,” asked the colonel impatiently.

”Over two miles, yet she insisted upon walking there, as he had come for her before breakfast.”

”I will speak for the carriage”; and he left the room hurriedly.

”My shadows which were almost impenetrable are nevertheless thickening,”

remarked Mrs. g.a.y.l.o.r.d when alone with Mrs. Hamilton. ”News has just reached me that takes the light out of the borders of my clouds!”

”From the war?”

”Yes. Mr. g.a.y.l.o.r.d, it seems, has been taken prisoner while in citizen's dress, when out on a scouting expedition, and it is quite uncertain what will become of him. So many ties severed without time given for the healing, empties life too rapidly for the pulse to maintain its steady motion.”

”It may be I can steady it a little! Your husband is in the hands of the regiment of which Colonel Hamilton has command, and he will use his powers to secure his liberty.”

”Do you know this?”

”He has told me. Mr. g.a.y.l.o.r.d was brought in just as he was leaving for Was.h.i.+ngton. The debt of grat.i.tude we owe would, if nothing else, have this influence.”

”We are ready,” called Colonel Hamilton from the hall, and Lillian taking the hand of Mrs. g.a.y.l.o.r.d said, soothingly:

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