u rest;' yes, that is what I want.
O, if only I could come!"

The surgeon watched him through the delirium, and said,--

"Madam, it is not the bullet of the savage that's killing your
husband, but some more deadly sore. He needs medicine for the mind,
rather than the body; and when he is himself, you had better call in
the chaplain to converse with him."

An hour later, when Mr. Jones had an easy interval, she gently
said,--

"Husband, you are very sick. Don't you think it might do you good to
have a little talk with the minister?"

"Minister!" he feebly answered; "what minister?"

"The minister that belongs to the fort."

"I don't know him," replied the sick man, suspiciously. "But there is
_one_ minister that I do know," he added, after a moment's pause.

"Who?" she inquired.

"Why, _him_!" he answered, impatiently, as if he thought she ought to
understand.

"You mean the missionary," she returned.

"Yes; if I could talk with him, I would like to."

The wife mentioned his remarks to the surgeon, and General McElroy
sent for the missionary.

It was evening, of a lowering, rainy day, when the messenger returned
with Mr. Payson. It had been drizzling and dripping all day, but
towards night the clouds grew black and wild, and a furious wind
dashed the big rain-drops violently against the window. The air was
raw, and seemed to pierce to the bones. The old fort buildings were
delightful in fair weather, but now were damp and chilly. Mrs. Jones
feared for the effect of the storm on her husband, whose frame, since
his wound, had been extremely sensitive to atmospheric changes; and
dreading that, if he was disturbed, he would relapse into delirium,
she concluded not to invite the missionary in to see him until
morning. She had disposed everything as comfortably as possible about
the bed, and had a nourishing broth and his medicines handy, when Mrs.
McElroy entered, and said,--

"You look worn out. Go and take a nap now, and if you are needed I
will call you. You know the missionary is here, and will wish to be
with him in the morning; and it is desirable that you should feel as
well as you can, to encourage your husband."

Mrs. Jones, thus charged, retired to an adjoining room, thinking to
rest herself for a short time, and then return. She felt that a great
event was impending, and thought it impossible for her to close her
eyes; but so utterly exhausted was she, that she immediately fell into
a sound sle