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"He is one of the best and dearest of all my which no man likes to utter. friends."

"You-you will not use your influence to Mr. Carlyle's disadvantage-to—”

"Nelly!"

One glance into the reproachful depths of his clear dark eyes was enough.

wrong."

I have been Warrener gazed at him in surprise, for the words had been spoken abruptly.

"In what respect?"

"About-about your being a coward. I'm sorry I ever said so, Warrener-and I have re

"I might have known it," she said, in accents gretted that foolish quarrel a thousand times. of relief; "but I was not quite sure.

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"Some day, Nelly," he said, in a very low voice, "I hope to convince you how entirely you have misunderstood me of late. Meantime I wish you and Captain Carlyle every happiness. Give me the old privilege of asking questions for just once, Nelly, will you not?"

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No one could fight by your side to-day, as I have done, without being convinced that a braver man never breathed. I am sorry from the bottom of my heart for that college affray and all its consequences. Do you forgive me?"

"Freely," was the instant reply, and the two young officers' hands were locked in a frank,

Ask, then," she said, smiling and blush- earnest clasp of reconciliation.

"Do you love Paul Carlyle truly and entirely?"

The next minute the word of command came, borne by a breathless young aid-de-camp; the brigade began to move, yet amidst all the thunin|der of battle an uneasy thought kept besieging Charles Warrener's heart in spite of his repeated efforts to avoid its recurrence.

"As my own life," was her answer, given an earnest, frank tone that left no possible margin for doubt or uncertainty.

Charles Warrener spoke his adieux calmly, as any casual friend of her childhood might have done, and passed out of Ellen Tracey's sight forever!

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If this apology-for such it might undoubtedly be considered-had been spoken months ago, might he not have retained his old place in Ellen Tracey's heart? Alas! the amende honorable had come all too late, and it was very, very hard to forgive Paul Carlyle when he thought of Nelly.

As he slowly lifted his eyes from the ground they fell upon the handsome, animated counte

distant, waiting for some expected order. The enemy had fallen back a little, as if to prepare for a fresh charge, and there was a moment of comparative calm and inactivity on both sides.

All day long the red tide of battle had ebbed and flowed upon the fated field of Gettysburg. The peaceful crests of the blue hills, looking down from the far distance like grieved silent angels, were lost in the lurid smoke from burst-nance of Carlyle himself, who stood a few feet ing shells and thundering artillery; the sweet, aromatic breath of the Pennsylvania pine forests was strangely mingled with rolling, sulphureous mist; the sun hung low in the west, and the long shadows, creeping athwart the tumultuous field, touched the clammy eyelids of dying men, who murmured incoherent words about "the evening being come," and died, all forgetful of their gory wounds, as they might have fallen asleep on their peaceful pillows at home.

Ah, welladay! to think of the rivers of tears that have been wept, and still shall be wept, for the brave men who perished on that day.

And scarce a hundred paces beyond though by what Heaven-vouchsafed instinct his eyes were impelled in that particular direction he did not know-Warrener beheld the deadly gleam of a rifle-barrel flashing through the scanty foliage of a cluster of dwarfed pine-trees that skirted the valley, with its aim directed full at Carlyle's heart.

and who could venture to say what might betide? The next was a deliberate resolution at all hazards to save the life of the man whom Ellen loved.

The first idea that shot through his brain Side by side Charles Warrener and Paul Car- with lightning rapidity was a blind, dizzy exultlyle had fought through all those terrible hours.ation. If Carlyle should fall Ellen was free, In all the weeks of their service in the Army of the Potomac they had never been thrown together so much as upon this day. Side by side they had charged, at the word of command, with set teeth and iron features-side by side they had stemmed the bloody torrents that poured down on them from the hill-side like a rain of death.

"Warrener," said Carlyle, hurriedly, as he came up to his old enemy, during a momentary pause in the conflict-"here's a pencil-note from the Colonel: you will easily infer his plans."

There was no time for warnings-none for reflection-only one brief second in which to act. For as he threw himself before the astonished and bewildered Carlyle there was a white, blinding glare from the stunted pines, and a sharp report, almost inaudible through the roar of a hundred iron-throated cannon. Warrener was conscious of a strange, agonizing sensation, as if a stream of fire had torn its way through his frame, and then a thick mist came over his

"All right," said Warrener, glancing over the note, and crushing it in his hand. "Any thing else you wish to say? We shall be wanted pres-vision. ently," he added, as he saw Carlyle lingering in an undecided sort of manner.

"Yes, there is something else," said Carlyle, with an effort. "I wish to make a confession

It lasted but for a moment; and when he again opened his dim eyes he was supported on Carlyle's knee, under the grateful shade of a copse of tall hazels, while a deadly chill seemed

66

My name is Andrew Jackson Weeks. I reside at No. 1990 Whortleberry Street, Philadel

turning his heart to ice, and the breath came in labored, shuddering gasps. He put aside the canteen of water which his companion was hold-phia, where is also my place of business. I am ing to his lips. in the retail hosiery and trimmings line. Let Drink, my boy, for the love of Heaven! me add that I am of feeble frame, of nervous Only one drop-it will revive you. Doctor, temperament, and of a timid, confiding disposilook at this wound-you must look, I tell you." tion. My health has also been poor for some "It's of no use, Carlyle," faintly murmured years. Finally, I am a widower without chilthe wounded man, as the surgeon to whom dren. On the 29th of last July I took a fortCarlyle had imperatively beckoned came un-night's holiday to recruit my exhausted system; willingly up; "it's of no use-I am dying!"

"Doctor, can't you save him?" reiterated Carlyle, wildly. "It's only a rifle-shot. I have seen men recover from worse wounds than this. He must not die-he shall not!"

"No power on earth can save him, Captain Carlyle," returned the surgeon, after one cool, professional glance. "Do you see the way that blood jets out-slow and regular, as if it was pumped up? He's past saving, poor fellow!"

And the man of healing went on his way to those to whom he might be useful by some possibility. It seemed heartless, but he had no time to waste on doomed men.

"And you have thrown away your life to save mine. Oh, Warrener, it was not worth the sacrifice!" wildly uttered Carlyle.

"Ellen would have broken her heart if you had fallen," said Warrener, speaking slowly and with difficulty. "Tell her-"

The gray, ashen shadows were creeping over his face; the cold dews that hang around the River of Death were gathering upon his brow; yet he could not die and be forgotten without one last word. And Paul Carlyle, bending low over the lips of the man whom he had so sorely wronged, caught the last accent they should ever speak. "Tell Ellen that I was not a coward!" And so he died.

and putting my head (and only) clerk in charge, left the city, by steamboat, for Cape May. Having once just escaped death by a railway collision, I always travel by steamboat where it is possible. I am aware that accidents frequently occur on the water also, but never having met with one, I feel more confidence in this mode of travel. Besides, the air does me good. We had not been more than a couple of hours "under way" when, as I was sitting alone upon the hurricane deck, gazing upon the fast receding shores of the noble Delaware, a stranger, who had been pursuing the same occupation near me for some moments, addressed me by courteously inquiring if I was going to the Cape.

I replied that I was.

"Glad of it, Sir; so am I," said he, heartily. Then seeing, no doubt, a mild expression of surprise upon my countenance at the cordiality of his remark, he added: "Certainly I am glad of it, because I shall not know any one to speak of there probably, and so I hope to make a friend and comrade of you, Sir."

"I'm very much obliged to you, Sir, I'm sure," I replied, looking more particularly at him.

a compliment, arguing from his appearance, and it was not wholly without a sentiment of respect that I told him so.

He was a large, powerful man, with a high, bald forehead, a Roman nose, and remarkably brilliant blue eyes; quite a distinguished-lookWhen that last message came to Ellen Tracey ing man, in fact, and, as I judged, about fifty in a letter from Paul Carlyle, all blotted and il-years of age. I felt his condescension as quite legible, she shut herself in her own room all the day, her only companion the bitterest remorse that human heart can know. And in the evening, when family prayers in the parlor were over, she went silently to the old red-covered Bible, and sought out one passage from its time-worn I am a man of sense. You may, if you choose, pages: see it in my eye" (as he spoke he bent his very "Greater love hath no man than this-that a bright gaze full upon me), " and so we are mates man lay down his life for his friends." at once. By-the-by, there is a terrible crush at

"Oh, no compliment at all," said he, smiling. "You are a man of sense. I see it in your eye.

For Ellen knew that Charles Warrener had the Cape. Hasn't been such a crowd these laid down his life for her sake.

I

MY FRIEND CRACKTHORPE.

AM going to write a plain statement of it just as it occurred. I don't expect sympathy from muscular, strong-minded persons. On the contrary, I expect sneers, and perhaps contempt. But I am used to such treatment from that class of my fellow-men. And to prove my indifference to this, as well as to vouch for the truth of my statement, I give my name and address in full, and am further willing, if called upon, to make affidavit to the same before any justice of the peace in the county.

A per

twenty years. Government money, Sir; Gov-
ernment money. Contractors, or, as I call them,
extractors, of Uncle Sam, aud the like.
fect jam. Garrets, cellars, outhouses, ice-houses,
dog-houses, all crammed, Sir. Not a soft plank
to be had at any price. You've taken a room
beforehand, of course?"

I was forced to confess that I had not, and added that, had I known the crowd to be so extraordinary, I should certainly have gone somewhere else.

"No use, Sir," said he: "they're all the same. Atlantic City, Newport, Long Branch, Saratoga, all jammed, crammed, rammed full. I've tried 'em all. But I'm all right this time,

and so shall you be.
a good time, Sir, and I'll tell you what we'll do.
I've got a room: telegraphed five days ago, and
sent the first week's board in advance by letter.
Well, you shall share it. We'll room together,
bathe together, eat together, walk, ride, drink,
smoke, and have a regular jolly time together.
So it's all arranged, and now let us introduce
ourselves and be friends. My name is Crack-
thorpe, Anthony Crackthorpe-Mad Anthony,'
some of my serious friends call me, because I
love to be jovial and free: no harm in that, even
if our hairs are thinning-eh, Mr.—?”

I'm resolved we shall have | ing till all the guests should be seated), Mr.
Crackthorpe strode up to him with much dignity,
and whispered for a few moments in his ear.

I gave him my name, and thanked him again for his very open-hearted and generous offer of companionship, though I ventured to make some opposition to his self-sacrificing proposal, and to hesitate accepting such unusual favors from a stranger, to whom I might not prove as agreeable or congenial on more intimate acquaintance as he was disposed to think me at first sight. But he cut me short, pooh-poohed my modesty, and was so genially peremptory and entertaining that I could do nothing but yield every thing to him, and inwardly bless my stars for having encountered such a phoenix of a watering-place chum.

We were soon on the most familiar terms, and he assumed the command of our "expedition" with a pleasant authority that was perfectly irresistible to me, and left me no will of my own whatever. I did not, however, feel the want of any, and was thoroughly contented to exert none. My late wife, in fact, used frequently to tell me that I never had a will of my own. In which assertion the life I led with her, as well as the events herein to be related, may probably go far with some of my readers to prove her cor

rect.

The first occasion on which Mr. Crackthorpe assumed and carried out his authority was at the steamboat dinner. The table was crowded, and the waiters had placed my seat at some distance from that of my friend (for so I must now call him). When we arrived in the saloon, and he saw the arrangement, he called one of the waiters, and, in a commanding tone, said to him: "Steward, this won't do. Give this gentleman a seat next to me, Sir, at once."

"Very sorry, Sir, indeed, Sir," replied the dark-skinned citizen; "but can't do it, Sir. Seats all fixed now, Sir, indeed, Sir; 'less you like to wait for de second table, Sir."

"Second table!" exclaimed my friend, annihilating the apologetic steward with his eye. "Just wait a moment, Weeks" (to me). "I'll settle this in a jiffy. Which is the captain?" (to the steward.)

The captain first slightly frowned, then relaxed his brow, looked down the room at me, smiled, and said, aloud,

"Certainly, Sir, certainly; here, steward! Place this gentleman's friend alongside him at table, as he desires. All right, Sir, he'll arrange it." And the somewhat crest-fallen steward did as he was commanded.

When we arrived at the landing, my companion, with the same authoritative kindness, took charge of the disembarkings, the luggage, the seats in the stage, and the settlement of the fares. "I'll be paymaster," said he, gayly, "and we can settle at our leisure. Leave every thing to me. I'm an old hand, Weeks, my boy, at this sort of thing."

Arrived at the hotel, Mr. Crackthorpe took me by the arm, marched into the saloon, and insisted on my sitting down and resting myself. "You're not strong, Weeks, you know," while he attended to all the business of the room and name-registering.

In a few minutes he came smiling back. "All right, Weeks!" cried he; "No. 440, left wing, fourth flight, double-bedded room; not very grand, I suspect, but better than any of our fellow-travelers will get. Baggage sent up. Come along, I'll introduce you to the proprietor."

The proprietor was standing in his office.

"My particular friend and room-mate, Mr. Weeks," said Mr. Crackthorpe, introductively. "Not very robust, Sir, but in good hands, isn't he, Mr. North? We'll make a new man of him in a week; won't we, Sir?"

Mr. North looked benevolently at me, shook hands, and said, "He hoped so."

"And now come, Weeks," continued my friend, "we'll go dress for supper."

The impression produced upon me by the brusque but kindly assumption of control on the part of my self-elected companion was, thus far, entirely pleasant; and up to the moment when, somewhat late that night, I dropped asleep in our double-bedded room, I had little reason to feel otherwise than grateful for an accidental encounter and my ready submission.

But next morning the scene began to change. At the break of day Mr. Crackthorpe awoke me, and bade me, "Come, rouse up, and have a splendid plunge in the surf before breakfast."

I demurred, and said, "I was sure it wouldn't agree with me."

"Nonsense!" cried he. "It will! it shall! It will make a new man of you! Come, are "Oh, never mind!" interrupted I, deprecat- we not going to live and enjoy every thing toingly; "it isn't really any matter. Don't-gether, you know? I sha'n't bathe without my don't have any-any trouble on my account. chum. So hurry up, and let's have a run and a This will do very well-"

"It will not do, Weeks! We are chums, and we are going to sit together. Wait here!" and the steward having pointed out the captain (who was standing at the head of the table, wait

splash!"

I still feebly begged to be excused. But he wouldn't hear of it. With the most genial tone, and laughing gayly the while, he said I wasn't half awake, and so snatched away the bed covers,

and vowed he'd "christen me sluggard from | was a decided one to sever the intimate relathe pitcher on the wash-stand if I wasn't up in tions between Mr. Crackthorpe and myself, and a jiffy." get rid of his, no doubt, most friendly but boisIn short, he forced me, in the most good-hu-terous and eccentric, if not dangerous, freedoms mored manner, to rise, dress, and accompany with my person. him to the beach. The morning was raw and blustering. My teeth chattered, and I shivered like a man with the aguc.

On our way back to the hotel I hinted this to him as delicately as possible.

"Do you

"What!" cried he, indignantly. want to desert me, Weeks, after my conduct toward you, giving you half my room, taking all the responsibilities of every thing on myself, doing every thing for us both, taking as much

"Pooh! pooh!" cried he, "a little run up and down the sands will soon fix that." And suiting the action to the word, he seized me firmly by the arm-we had both changed our clothes by this time for bathing-dresses-and ay, more care of you than myself? Where rushed me up and down the wet, pebbly margin of the sea with a speed that completely deprived me of breath.

would you have been this moment without me, Sir? Out among the sharks, Weeks, tearing you to pieces-fighting for the bloody fragments! "Now for it!" he exclaimed, stopping sud- | And you want to leave me because you swallowdenly, and before I could recover my winded a pint of salt-water! I sha'n't allow it, enough to ask, "For what?" my athletic friend | Weeks! Mind you, I shall not allow you to caught me round the waist and fairly plunged exhibit such ingratitude. You'll never get back me head foremost into a tremendous breaker that home alive without me. Pooh, pooh, Weeks, was rushing, foaming up the beach. I made a don't think of it, but come along, change your desperate effort to shriek-my mouth opened-clothes, eat a hearty breakfast, and thank your was instantly filled with salt-water-and I remember no more till I found myself again high, but not in the least dry, on the shore, with Mr. Crackthorpe rolling me forward and backward on the sand much as a baker rolls his dough, and exclaiming, "Oh, come, no possum,' Weeks! You can't humbug me, my boy; there! you're all right; have another dip?"

friend Crackthorpe-as you will thank him before long in spite of yourself—for making a new man of you!"

What could I do? As I said before, my will was never very strong, and besides, when Mr. Crackthorpe looked at me with those very bright eyes of his, they really seemed to fascinate me. The most I could and did do, was to resolve,

ingly rough acts of friendship, to quietly obtain a room at some other hotel if possible, and decamp.

I opened my eyes and sat up, feeling some-if Mr. Crackthorpe repeated any such exceedwhat as I imagine a rag, if permitted to feel, would be apt to after being thoroughly saturated, imperfectly wrung out, and left to shiver and flap in a raw, salt wind. In addition to this, I also experienced a strange sensation at the pit of my stomach which was the reverse of exhilarat-thorpe, "do you play ten-pins ?" ing.

"Come, old fellow, have one more go?" "N-no th-th-ank you. Le'ss go home!" And without waiting for Mr. Crackthorpe's consent I rose to my feet, and made a move toward the bathing shed. But my eccentric companion, whom I now inwardly thought not inaptly named "Mad Anthony" by his friends, was too quick for me. Grasping my arm once more, he said, heartily, "Not yet. It'll never do you good if you don't get used to it. I'll take care of you, and when we've had another run and another plunge you'll feel like eating a horse."

I had no means of resistance save words, and these he instantly deprived me of by the same double process as before. This time, however, I took care to keep my mouth shut when the plunge-period arrived, and with the exception of a tolerable quantity of sand in my ears and hair, and a moderately large cut on my foot from a sea-shell, I came out of this second "getting used to it" pretty well.

My stomach, however, did not manifest the least morbid inclination for horse-flesh, but, on the contrary, was evidently disposed to part with whatever of last night's cheer it might then contain. The only prominent desire I experienced

After a breakfast, which, on my part, was in no sense "hearty"-"Weeks," said Mr. Crack

"No, thank you," I replied, rather absently, for I was just then thinking that I should feel better after lying down for an hour, no doubt.

"Well, it's never too late to learn. Capital exercise! Come along, we'll go and try a few games."

“I—I think I'll lie down for a little while." "Lie down? Fiddlestick! You've just got up. You want exercise, Weeks, exercise! Roll the big balls for an hour, and you'll feel like a new man. Come on."

And putting my arm in his, he led me-"like a lamb to the slaughter," if I may so express myself-to the bowling-alley.

Under his directions I "rolled the big balls for an hour," without serious injury to myself or the pins, save that I became violently heated, and slightly sprained my right wrist. Then Mr. Crackthorpe carried me off to lunch. After lunch I again made a proposition to lie down for a little while; but my Mentor insisted that I should spoil my entire day if I did, while, on the contrary, if I drank another julep and then walked to the village with him-as of course I should, for were we not bound to stick together by the time we got back to dinner I "would feel like eating an alligator.”

The error of his former prophecy with regard

to my desire for horse-meat had considerably | first clear sensation was one of extreme loathshaken my faith in his skill as a soothsayer, but ing and fear toward Mr. Crackthorpe. My feelI did not quite dare to tell him so, and his mus-ings had undergone a complete and terrible recular arm was once more put in requisition to guide my not altogether enthusiastic steps over the hot sand, toward the spot where the village of Cape May was slowly baking in the sun. At the post-office there we met Mr. North, our landlord.

"How are you, Mr. Crackthorpe ?" said he, "and how is your friend ?" he added, looking benevolently at me.

vulsion toward that robustuous would-be renovator of my physique. I absolutely hated him! I inwardly cursed and reviled him! I would bear him no longer! No! I would leave him— I would be free! That instant I would seek another apartment, another hotel, another watering-place, if necessary, to be rid of his tyranny! I rose, struck a light, threw on my clothes, and took four steps toward my purpose. But

I was about to answer for myself, but Mr. C. only four: for the chamber-door was locked on forestalled me.

"We're all right, Sir," he replied, smilingly. "Weeks is getting used to it here, and a few days will make a new man of him, as I tell him."

"I hope it will, I'm sure!" answered Mr. North, with much kindness, and so left us.

At that moment, I confess, I could not join in the hope. The hot, long walk, added to the morning's various experiences in the "gettingused-to-it" line, and the juleps, had culminated in a number of very unpleasant sensations. My head ached, my feet-especially the cut oneseemed very hot and decidedly larger than my boots; and the fluid and solid entertainments I had partaken of were continually reminding me of their present state of digestion, by offering me a taste of their condition, which was far from being grateful or refreshing to my palate. When I insinuated these feelings to Mr. Crackthorpe, he laughed, and slapped me encouragingly on the back, saying: "It's the salt air, Weeks; you're not quite used to it yet. Come along with me, and we'll set it to rights in a jiffy." And he led me to the druggist's.

"Bicarbonate of soda, brandy, and water," said he.

The ingredients were produced, he mixed them, and handed me the tumbler. "Drink that, old fellow, and in five minutes you'll feel like another man!"

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the outside. Then the dim remembrance came
back to me of having heard him lock it, and I
sat down on the bed in despair. What should
I do? Ring the bell? I looked round: the
bell was broken off. Pound on the door?
shout? yell? I wanted to-I wanted to yell
furiously. But I was yes, I was afraid.
sides, I wished to get away quietly. I had no
nerve for a scene. I wished to avoid him-to
give him the slip; to go off, and leave a note,
politely dissolving our connection: not on any
account to irritate such a muscular, eccentric
gentleman, for he might-he might-what might
he not do? Challenge me, horsewhip me, fol-
low me up to do me some injury....... Well, at
any rate, I would pack up and get ready.
waiter might pass along the entry-or Mr. Crack-
thorpe himself; ah! yes, where was he, I won-
dered!

A

However, I began to pack my valise. In another moment I heard footsteps approaching. Oh! if it should be one of the waiters! I listened; the steps came nearer. I rushed to the door, and was about to call, when the footsteps stopped, the key rattled in the lock, the door opened, and Mr. Crackthorpe ::ood before me. He looked slightly flushed, and exhaled an odor of cigar smoke and alcoholic stimulants.

"Hello, Weeks!" cried he. "All right again, old fellow!" Then catching sight of my valise, half packed, on the bed, and some articles which I still held in my hands: "Hello!" he again exclaimed, "what are you doing, eh? What's all this, Weeks? Where the devil are you go

As I didn't think I could feel like a much more miserable one than Andrew Jackson Weeks, I was reckless of the prospect and swallowed the dose. As I did so, however, I re-ing, Sir?" solved that when I got back to the hotel this time I would lie down, and that I would, as soon as practicable, part company with Mr. Crackthorpe.

How and when I did get back I hardly know. I have a dim notion of having walked but a little way, then of being picked up by a passing carriage; of hearing Mr. Crackthorpe explain that "I was a little knocked up, but would soon get used to it, and feel like a new man;" of seeing the benevolent face of Mr. North in the carriage; of being carried up stairs and put to bed, and of hearing my companion go out and lock the door outside. After this all was oblivion.

When I awoke it was dark, but I felt better. My legs ached, my back ached, and my head ached, it is true; but I was not otherwise sickin other words, my stomach was calm. My very

"I-I was merely-I thought of—of looking for a room where I wouldn't incommode you in this way, Mr. Crackthorpe.'

"Incommode me!" cried my former chum, now my terror and aversion, fixing me with his gleaming eye; "what do you mean, Weeks, by this ungentlemanly proceeding? Did I not offer to share my room and my society with you freely, Sir? And did you not embrace my offer as freely? Did you not agree that we should be mates and comrades-that we would live, eat, drink, walk, bathe, and be, in a word, together during our stay here? Have I not kept the covenant, Sir? Have I not been a constant friend and companion? Did I not save you from the sharks this morning, and put you to bed like a brother this afternoon? Well, Sir, do you mean to insult me by sneaking off in this manner?

Do you,

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