re the war has closed? I had
not thought to ask you so soon; but year after year passes by, and
though nearer and ever nearer to the goal of peace, the clouds
still hang in the sky, and there is still stern work for the
soldier to do. But we seem now to see the end of the long, long
war, and that a happy end; and so I ask if you can marry me, even
with the chances of one of those separations which wring the heart
and entail so much anxiety and sorrow upon the wife left at home."

She was clinging to him even before he had done, shedding tears,
and yet half laughing as she looked with dewy eyes into his face.

"O Fritz, Fritz, don't you understand yet what a woman's love is
like? As though I would not rather a hundred thousand times be your
wife, come what may in the future, than live the safest and most
sheltered life without you! As though I should not glory and
delight to share the perils and hardships you are called upon to
endure! As though being together would not make up a hundredfold
for everything else!"

When Benjamin Ashley, together with Humphrey and John Stark, came
in search of the others, they all saw at a glance what had taken
place. Susanna's blushing face and Fritz's expression of proud,
glad happiness told the tale all too plainly. But all had been
prepared for it; and Ashley laughed as he took his daughter's face
between his hands and kissed it, though he heaved a quick sigh,
too.

"Ah me! so all the birds leave the nest at last. And nothing but a
red-coat would serve your turn, my maid! That I have known for long
enough. Well, well, I cannot blame you. We owe a debt of gratitude
to our brave soldiers which we must all be willing to pay.

"Take her, Fritz my boy; take her, and her father's blessing with
her. She will not come to you empty handed; she has a snug little
fortune from her mother ready for her dowry. But you have wooed her
and won her like a man; and her love will be, if I mistake not, the
crown of your manhood and of your life."

"Indeed it will, sir," answered Fritz fervently, and possessed
himself of Susanna's hand once more.

Barely a week later, and the party stood upon the quay to say
farewell to their friends and comrades who were sailing away for
England. October was waning. The departure of the ships could no
longer be delayed. Many had already gone; but today the mortal
remains of the gallant Wolfe had been conveyed on board the Royal
William, and all the town had come