Part 10 (1/2)

'Can give a hundred certificates, if necessary, I hastily replied

'I rather think you'll do,' said the officer with a smile, and he enrolled me as a soldier 'When do you wish to leave?'

'Now--to-night--to-erly answered

'Proood soldier Get ready to start at eight o'clock in the , for Newport, Ky'

'I will be ready,' and, rushi+ng fros, and threw myself down on the bed to sleep But it was i speed, and I resolved to depart the next day, without bidding adieu to father ora deep respect, which I held for my father's advice, would prevail and I should be induced to remain at ho I was at the office by seven o'clock, was furnished with a suit of regimentals, and departed for the railroad depot to start for Wheeling

As I hurried along, who should turn the corner of the street but Eveline, and we met for the last time on earth I infor any disposition of regret at ood luck attend you,'

and she glided away

”A new fuel was added to my desire to hasten from such scenes; and I had soon left the town for the Ohio I will not weary you with further details, asfast Suffice it to say I arrived in Mexico, and, here I a by inches upon the battle-field

”Here,” he continued, ”is a ring,” taking one froiven e contract I have worn it ever since, and, as I told her then, 'it shall leave et back, and, if she be not ive it to her, and tell her he who sent it never forgot her for a singlebeneath the clods of a foreign soil This Bible, give back to my father, and tell him I have studied its precepts: to my mother and sisters, say that I have sent the love; tell my brothers to beware of human strife”

He faltered in his speech, and then ,” pressed rave upon the field, and laid him to ”sleep his last sleep,” until that day when all shall be summoned to a final account

One year rolled on, and how chequered by passing events! Chapultepec had fallen, the city of Mexico was taken, and peace, thrice glorious peace, had waved her pinions over the land of war The volunteers were joyfully hastening to their ho the rest, I once ain in heart and soul A spell of sickness at first confined th I rose wearied and feeble froe of air I traveled into Virginia, and one evening I entered the town of G----h I inquired for the fa upon the principal street I advanced and rang the bell, and anxiously waited an answer At length the door opened, and an old grey-headed man stood before me, the lines of his face marked by care, and his whole appearance betokened one who had a deep grief at heart

”Mr ----, I presu

”The same, sir; won't you walk in?” replied the old man, politely

I entered the house, and was soon seated in the parlor, when the oldof importance for your private ear,” said I, hastily

He turned towardsthe Bible froht, the aged father sprang forward, caught the book in his hand, and ed cheeks:

”My son,news of him”

”I do, but it is very bad,” I answered,as I spoke, and I retold to him the scenes upon the battle-field

When I had finished, the oldhis eyes toward the ceiling, exclaimed, in deep and fervent tones, ”God's will be done!”

At thislady of pale, care-worn countenance entered the parlor, and, rising, I said, ”Miss Eveline ----, I believe?”

”The sa, which I silently presented, she stretched forth her hand, grasped it convulsively, then fell suddenly forward upon the carpet, the blood oozing rapidly from her mouth The terrible ordeal had broken a blood-vessel, and her spirit passed unchecked to another world

A plain, raveyard of the town of G----h, upon which is engraved the lone word, ”Eveline,”Volunteer

ESCAPE FROM A MEXICAN QUICKSAND