of the evening
passed quickly away. Mary Douglas still retaining her gallant partner,
having secured the rubber against Mr. Howe and Miss Douglas, warmly
congratulated Sir Howard on their success. "Never despair, Miss
Douglas," said Mr. Howe, "we bide our time." The secretary's carriage
being announced, with smiles and bows he took leave, followed by Mr.
Trevelyan, who accepted the proffered invitation.

CHAPTER III.

AN EVENING IN OFFICERS' MESS-ROOM.

Many of our readers are familiar with the old building still standing,
facing on Queen Street, known as the officers' barracks. At the time
when this story opened, this was a scene of continual festivity--life in
its gayest aspect. Here were quartered the noisy, the swaggering, the
riotous, the vain, the gallant, the honourable, and all those different
qualities which help to form the make-up of the many individuals
comprising the officers of H. M. 52nd Regiment. At no period, before or
since, has Fredericton ever risen to such notoriety. Several
enterprising gentlemen of this body in connexion with a few of the
leading citizens planned and laid the first regular and circular race
course, near where the present now is situated, under the management of
J. H. Reid, Esq., and the members of York County Agricultural Society.

On the old race course it was no unusual occurrence to witness as many
as a dozen races during the space of two days. Sons of gentlemen, both
in military and private life, were the owners of thorough-bred horses,
each claiming the highest distinctions regarding full-blooded pedigree.
These were Fredericton's glorious days--days of sport; days of chivalry;
days of splendour and high life. On the evening in question, a festive
board was spread with all the eclat attending a dinner party. Some hours
previous a grand assemblage had gathered on the race course to witness a
race between Captain Douglas' mare Bess, and a celebrated racer
introduced on the course by Lieutenant-Colonel Tilden, ridden by his
groom. Much betting had arisen on both sides. Excitement ran high. Bets
were being doubled. The universal din and uproar was growing loud, noisy
and clamorous. The band played spirited music, commencing with national
airs, and, in compliment to an American officer, a guest of Sir Thomas
Tilden, finished off with Hail Columbia. Bess won the race. His
Excellency, Capt. Douglas, in the capacity of aide-de-camp, Mr. Howe and
Mr. James Douglas, with t