onth, as we said before, had rolled away, spring had come,
and with it had departed many of those who had occupied Bryan's Station
during the siege of August; but still, besides the regular garrison and
their families, a few of the individuals who had sought refuge therein,
yet remained; among whom we may mention Mrs. Younker, Ella, Isaac and
his wife, and so forth. Algernon, too--by the entreaty of his friends,
and contrary to his previous calculations, and what he considered his
duty--had been induced to defer his departure until the opening of
spring. Possibly there might have been a secret power, stronger than the
mere entreaties of others, which had prevailed over his resolution to
depart; but further the records say not. Be that as it may, the extreme
limit of time which he had set for remaining, was now nearly expired;
and he was, at the moment when we again present him to the reader,
engaged in conversation with Ella on the painful subject. Suddenly he
was startled by the information that a stranger in the court desired to
speak with him.

"A stranger!" exclaimed Algernon, in surprise; and as he spoke, his face
became very pale, his lips quivered, and his hands trembled. Turning
upon Ella a look of agony, which seemed to say, "I am an arrested
felon," he wheeled upon his heel, and followed the messenger in silence;
while she, knowing the cause of his agitation, and fearful of the worst,
sunk almost lifeless upon a seat.

As Algernon passed out of the cottage, he beheld, in the center of the
common, a well dressed, good-looking individual, who was standing on the
ground and holding by the bridle a horse, which, as well as the rider
himself, appeared both travel-stained and weary. Approaching the
stranger with a firm step, but with a pale countenance and throbbing
heart, he said:

"I understand, sir, you have business with me."

"Your name, then," returned the other, quietly, "I presume to be
Algernon Reynolds?"

"The same."

"You are, too, I infer, a native of ----, Connecticut, and son of Albert
Reynolds of that place?"

"Again right," answered Algernon, in a voice which, in spite of himself,
was a little tremulous.

"Then, sir," rejoined the stranger, with a satisfied air, "I may say
that I have business with you, and of vast importance. A long chase you
have led me, i' faith; and weeks of travel have you cost me; so you may
rest assured that I am happy in finding you at last."

"Proceed!" said Alge