"I am ashamed to tell you, my unselfish sister, that I have done sucha grievous wrong. I, too, loved Walter Ryder. Do not start. I wasinfatuated, and when he asked our dear father's permission to addressyou, I hated him, and from that hour I lost no chance of ruining himin his estimation. He went into the Northern army, and that helped mycause. Father swore that no daughter of his should marry a man who wouldtake up arms against the South. I played a double part. I told Walterof our father's objections, and also persuaded him that you were halfpromised to a colonel in our army. He went away, {283}and was killed atChattanooga." And the stately Helen broke into a passion of weeping.

  "Sister, who told you that he was killed?"

  "I have letters from cousin Will, telling me so, and lamenting hisdeath, for he was much attached to him."

  "Did you not hear the soldier to-day charge Walter with being a spy?"

  "I did not hear the name of the man they were looking for--it surely wasnot Walter?"

  The rosy flush that rose to her cheeks made Marie turn faint. Could itbe that her sister cared for him yet?

  "Do not look at me as if you doubted me. That foolish passion has burneditself out. My only hope is that he lives, so that I may repair, in ameasure, the wrong I have done you both. When I have seen you pining, myheart has ached for you."

  "Oh, Helen dear, how good you are!"

  The twilight deepened, as they sat there, and a shot was heard, whichbrought them both to their feet. Another rang out, and with a wild cryof alarm the girls fled from the house, toward the spot from whence theycame. Marie saw a form fleeing into the darkening woods, and heard thecommand "Halt!" It never paused, and as the soldiers raised their riflesto fire, she sprang almost in front of their weapons, and cried--"Do notfire again. You have killed him."

  "We have not fired at all. It was not our shot that struck him, but wewere about to fire on the man who wounded him, and whom you saw runningaway," Sergeant Hughes said, respectfully.

  At a short distance they found Walter Ryder, who was wounded in theside, and as they carried him back to camp, he said--

  "Take me to the Lieutenant. I can prove my innocence." Marie and Helenthrew themselves into each other's arms. Old Lois wrung her hands indespair.

  "I tole you no good wud cum outen dat man's comin' round here," she saidto old Dan.

  "I {284}doant know why not," he said. "Wat you got agin him?"

  "He ain't our sort," she said, contemptuously. "Nordern men am diffuntfrom Soudern--doan yo' sense it?"

  "Dat's not for me to explaticate. But who was it gib'd us our freedombut dem same Nordern men; and isn't it worf sumfing to own yo'self?Dat's wat de Nordern 'trash,' as you call 'em, has done for you and me."

  "I neber could talk wif you, old man, for youse always on de contraryside," and she left the partner of her joys and sorrows with what wasintended for a very lofty step.

  "De old gal doant like my plain speaking," Dan chuckled. "But Ise on deright side always."

  Next morning dawned brightly. As the birds sang their welcome to earlyday, a young girl left the house and walked rapidly toward the camp,a quarter of a mile distant. No one would have recognized the elegantHelen in her disguise. She wore a calico dress, much faded and too largefor her, pinned in folds about her form. A sunbonnet hid her lovelyface, and an old black cape completed the outfit. She carried a basketof fruit, and to all appearances was a country lassie seeking a marketfor her goods.

  No challenge was given her. The customary "Halt!" was replaced by agracious smile from the guard, and permission was given her to enter.

  "I want to see the General who has charge here," she said. A broad smilewas on the soldier's face. "The General is out on business just now,Miss. Indeed, I haven't seen him for some time. Won't the Lieutenant doas well?"

  The haughty look she gave him brought the flippant fellow to his senses.

  "Miss," he stammered, in an apologetic tone, "if you've got anything tosell, why you'd do better to see the cook. He buys all our provender,and will take your fruit, I'm certain."

  "I wish to see the officer who is in command here," she continued.

  "Bob," {285}the guard said, "go tell the officer of the day that a ladywishes to see him."

  "The Lieutenant will see the lady at once," the man said, on his return.Conducting her to a tent, she entered, and saw a very handsome youngman, "far handsomer," she thought, "than Walter." His brown eyes restedinquiringly upon her as he arose and politely handed her a camp stool.She seated herself, but remained silent. He kindly said--

  "Did you wish to see me on any particular matter? I am at your service."

  Helen's heart beat fast. She knew that she was placed in a strangeposition, but she felt she could endure any unjust comment, so that shecould undo the wrong she had done her sister and Walter Ryder.

  "Sir, I came to ask you if the young man who was shot yesterday, waskilled?" and her voice faltered.

  "Ah," Lieutenant Gordon thought, "she is no simple country girl. Why isshe interested in a Union soldier?" The query gave his voice a tinge ofbitterness as he made reply--

  "He was not, though he deserved death, for he is a Confederate spy."

  "Oh, sir, you are wrong. Believe me, he is no spy, and I will prove itto you, if you will only listen."

  In her excitement she had risen to her feet, and her sun-bonnet hadfallen off, while her long dark hair rippled over her face, which wasflushed and eager. Again that bitter feeling crossed the officer'smind as he gazed at her, half forgetting that she was waiting for hispermission to explain.

  "You will not shoot him as a spy--you cannot be so cruel!"

  "Miss, it does not rest with me to decide the fate of the young man. Hewill be tried on the charge of being a spy, and if guilty--why, you knowthe rules of war."

  She looked at him steadily, and as their gaze met he felt there was somepowerful reason for the feeling she showed. He waited courteously forher to speak, but her lips trembled and her voice failed her.

  "Have {286}you any reason to give why he should not be punished?"

  "I have--he is innocent, and I come to you to ask for his life. I musttell you the truth, and leave it to your honor to conceal as much of thefacts as you can, consistent with his safety. My twin sister and I aredeeply interested in him."

  "And so you are yet," he thought, with a jealous pang. "He asked myfather's consent to address her, but was refused because he joined theNorthern army. I did not like the thought of her marrying him, and I didall I could to prevent it. He went away a long time ago, and we heardof him now and then, but at last we learned that he was killed atChattanooga. Then my heart turned to fire, for I had driven him awaywithout giving him a chance to hear my sister's promises of fidelity.I learned quite lately that he was not dead, but that his company wasdoing guard duty at this place. I was so thankful to know that he wasalive, that I resolved to see him and tell him the truth. I wrote him,begging him to come to our house, and at a signal agreed upon I wouldsee him and all would be made right. I signed my sister's name, for Iwanted to be sure he would come. He was just outside my window, and Ihad begun to explain, when your soldiers burst into my room, and he hidin old Dan's quarters."

  "I trust the men were not rude to you," Lieutenant Gordon said, alarmed.

  "Oh, no, they treated us as all true soldiers will, with respect. Butoh, if Walter is shot, I shall be a murderess!" The look of distressupon her beautiful face made her still more lovely, so the Lieutenantthought.

  "I believe your story, Miss," he said, "and will investigate at once.He had no right to be absent from his post without leave, but I suppose'the end justifies the means,'" smiling into her inquiring face."Meanwhile I will send a guard with you to insure your safety."

  "Please do not. I came here disguised as a fruit peddler, so as toexcite no remarks, and I can go back the same way."

  "But {287}you have not told me what you have done with the young man?"

  "He has been placed in the hospital. His wound is
quite severe, butnot fatal. The strangest part of the affair is, that not one of our menfired a shot. He was wounded by some one unknown to us."

  "Who could have done it?"

  "I have no idea--possibly he has some enemy; most of us have."

  "I must hurry away. Breakfast will be ready, and my absence will makethem wonder. Good-morning, sir, and many thanks for your kindness."

  "Good-morning, Miss--"

  "Mason. I live but a half mile away, and I hope, if you are ever nearus, you will call and tell us how Walter is. Or, rather, I had bettersend old Dan, our servant, here every day to inquire."

  "Do not trouble yourself to do that. I will do myself the honor ofcalling, to inform you how his wound progresses."

  It was strange how long it took Walter to recover, or at least how manycalls Lieutenant Gordon was compelled to make, ere he deemed Marie'snerves would endure the shock of seeing him. Helen always had a brightwelcome for the Lieutenant, and when she requested him to allow Marieand herself to visit Walter, the officer shook his head wisely andpromised to help the wounded soldier over at a very early day. Thelatter had been chafing at the delay. Lieutenant Gordon had long sincereceived proofs of his innocence as a spy, and was satisfied that hispunishment had been severe enough, but his own case perplexed him. Washe pleasing in her sight; could she care for him; and how dared he tellher his own feelings?

  Old Lois was always shaking her head in solemn disapproval. "What hasdun got into dem two chilien?" she often asked old Dan. "Dey seems to begitting 'witched wif dem couple Norvern men. Dey cahnt eider ob 'em holda candle to Massa Colonel Allison, who's dun gone, on Miss Marie.Why, he's de man {288}after my own mind. His big black eyes flash likediamonds, and dat booful beard falls over his mouf like a willow tree.Doan know what young gals is tinking of nowadays." Another shake of thehead and a puckering up of the thick lips. "But here cums Dan; he neverdid like Massa Allison, so I won't 'spute wid him, for I 'spises familyquarrels."

  Old Dan walked slowly and as if thinking deeply, up the path to thekitchen door, and stood there, looking in. Aunt Lois at first thoughtshe would ignore his presence entirely, but curiosity triumphed, and ashe showed no desire to talk, but turned off into the woods, she unbentfrom her dignity, and called loudly--"Dan--ole man!"

  He turned impatiently, and said--"Let me alone, Ise engaged onparticular business, dat wimmen don't know nufhn about conducting."

  Lois' nose went up into the air, or rather would have gone, were it notso flat and heavy she could not elevate it.

  "How high and mighty old niggers can be!" was her retort. For a day ortwo there was an air of mystery about Dan which offended Lois deeply,but she wouldn't ask any questions. "If my ole man has any secretsfrom me now at his time of life, well, I'll find 'em out," she said toherself. One forenoon he astonished her by saying--

  "Does yo' like Massa Allison?"

  "I dus. He's de kind of a gemman dat I likes to see 'roun. Whar's MissMarie's eyes when she cahnt see how far s'perior he is to dose Norvernsogers who am jess libin' here now."

  "Yer wouldn't like him so well if yer knew he was a 'sassin, would yer?"

  The old negress was all attention. "A 'sassin, what's dat?"

  "A wicked man what tries to murder anuder jess becase he lubs de samegal dat he does."

  "Whose de man? Whar am he?"

  "I'll tell yer sumfing, but yer musn't tell. Ise had de secret a longtime, but I cahnt keep it any longer."

  "Perceed, {289}old man."

  "Massa Allison lubs our sweet mistis."

  "Which one?"

  "Why, Miss Marie, ob course. I 'lows Miss Helen is all right, but shecahnt--"

  "Dar yo' go, way off from de subjict. What did he do?" Dan tiptoednearer to his spouse. "Yer 'members de day Massa Walter was shot. Iwas in dem woods after rabbits, when I seed Massa Allison wid a musket,lying flat on his face in some high bushes. I felt it was kind o' queer;yo' know he's home on leab ob absence, and so I watched him. Quick Iheard de report, and saw Massa Walter fall right down, and Massa Allisonrund away fast as a deer. I picked up his hankcher and his name isprinted right on it, and I've kep' it in my bussum ever since."

  "You telling de troof? If yo' is, my symperthies go right ober to dat arwounded boy."

  "Ise telling de troof, ole woman. And now yo' see why Ise got no lub forMassa Allison."

  "Well, we'd best keep dis yere news to ourselves. Yo' know a nigger'sword never'd go before a white man's down here, so we'll jess keep ourmoufs shut."

  But Aunt Lois' prejudices were strong yet, and it took some littlepersuasion on the part of Dan before she would acknowledge that MassaWalter was as nice as one ob deir "own Soudern men were."

  Lieutenant Gordon had at first, when the company was assigned to provostduty, chafed restlessly, for he preferred being at the front, but as theweeks rolled on he became wonderfully resigned to his orders, and soone day he assumed a fierce martial look, and stormed the fortressof Helen's affections. It was a singularly easy victory, for shecapitulated at once.

  Walter's recovery was slow. When he first met Marie, his joy was almostovershadowed by timidity. He could scarce credit the assurance that sheloved him. He never alluded to her sister's part in their separation,and this delicacy won for him {290}the gratitude of that young girl.The old slave, Dan, was jubilant. It had been arranged that Lois andhe should accompany the two sisters to their Northern homes, where theparents of both the bridegrooms were awaiting them, eager to receivethem. The dear old home was to be occupied by their cousin Will and hiswife, a sweet-faced Southern girl, who assured them that it would everbe a home for them as well.

  One fine morning in May a double solemn ceremony was performed whichbound Marie and Walter and Helen and Lieutenant Harry Gordon together,for life. A few chosen friends were there, and Lois and Dan weredecked out in all the colors of the rainbow. Dan chuckled audibly as heinformed Lois that "dat ar Union was what de whole Souf and Norf oughtto celebrate--a Union forever."

  Walters period of service had expired, and he was free to go. LieutenantGordon was to remain behind until the boys were discharged from theservice.

  "It will not be long before we shall be together again, dear sister,"Helen said. "General Lee has surrendered, the armies of both sidesare being disbanded, and the time will pass quickly." They sat on theveranda, where they had so often sat, and talked over their dreams andhopes.

  The Colonel, whose shot came near ending a life, had disappeared afterhis murderous attempt. They never heard from him again, and in theirluxurious homes the sisters dwell, loving and beloved.

  ROBERT ANDERSON.

  9300]

  HIS {291}brave and loyal officer was born at "Soldiers' Retreat," nearLouisville, Kentucky, on June 14, 1805. His early days were pleasantlysituated, his surroundings and companions being of the best. He was agraduate of West Point, leaving that school in 1825, when only twentyyears of age. He was a very apt pupil. He entered the third Artillery,and saw considerable fighting in the Black Hawk War in 1832. He wasappointed instructor of artillery tactics at West Point from 1835 to1837, when he served in the Florida War, and in May, 1838, wasmade assistant adjutant-general to General Scott. He resigned thisappointment upon being made captain, and accompanied Scott to Mexico in1847.

  He was wounded very severely at Molino del Rey, and for a time his lifewas despaired of. In 1857 he was lieutenant in the First Artillery;November 20, 1860, he assumed command of Charleston Harbor.

  His loyalty to the old flag was proven at Forts Moultrie and Sumter.When he took command of the former he determined to place it in goodcondition, and he asked for money to make both forts more secure; largesums were allowed him for this purpose.

  Fort Moultrie was far from being impregnable. Indeed, the land side wasa good point for attack, so he concluded to remove to Fort Sumter, whichwas built on a rock at the entrance to {292}the bay, and could only bereached by boats. He made all his preparations with such secrecy that noone suspected his design, not even his s
econd in command, Captain AbnerDoubleday. The first intimation that the latter received was an order togo to Fort Sumter in twenty minutes. The families of the officers weresent to Fort Johnson, opposite Charleston, and afterward taken North.

  9301]

  The clever manner in which Major Anderson deceived the Confederatesinto believing that the troops which silently marched through the littlevillage of Moultrieville that cold December eve, just after sunset, wereonly laborers going to Fort Sumter, is worthy of the cool and resolutecommander. When they reached Sumter, the laborers who were at workin the interests of the Confederates, putting it in shape for theiroccupancy, opposed the landing of the Union soldiers, but were driveninto the fort at the point of the bayonet. Major Anderson afterward sentthem ashore, in the supply boats.

  At noon of the next day, Major Anderson celebrated his possession ofFort Sumter by raising the Stars and Stripes and by prayer and militaryceremonies.

  His slender garrison, all told, comprised but sixty-one artillerymen andthirteen musicians. After he had thus taken possession of Fort Sumter,they did not have a very enjoyable time, for provisions were growingscarce, and the markets of Charleston would sell them nothing. Fuelwas scarce, and the cold was severe. Besides, they had to resort toall sorts of stratagems to {293}keep up the appearance of being amplyprovided with ammunition and munitions of war, one of which was thefilling of barrels with broken stone, with a heavy charge of powder inthe center, which they would roll down to the water's edge, and burst,giving their watchful enemies the impression that the fort was filledwith "infernal machines." The garrison were in no very robust conditionfor fighting, for salt pork was nearly their sum total in the meat line.