unexampled excitement throughout
the Southern States. The discharge of the first gun from Fort Moultrie
crushed the last lingering vestiges of "Unionism," and welded the entire
Confederacy in one huge homogeneous mass of stubborn resistance to
despotism. With the explosion of the first shell aimed by General
Beauregard against Fort Sumter burst the frail painted bubble of
"Reconstruction," which had danced alluringly upon the dark, surging
billows of revolution. W---- was almost wild with anxiety; and in the
afternoon of the second day of the bombardment, as Irene watched the
avenue, she saw her father driving rapidly homeward. Descending the steps,
she met him at the buggy.

"Beauregard has taken Sumter. Anderson surrendered unconditionally. No
lives lost."

"Thank God!"

They sat down on the steps, and a moment after the roar of guns shook the
atmosphere, and cheer after cheer went up the evening sky.

"Act I, of a long and bloody civil war," said Mr. Huntingdon gravely.
"To-day I have come to a determination which will doubtless surprise you."

He paused, and eyed her a moment.

"No, father; I am not surprised that you have determined to do your duty."

"How, Irene? What do you suppose that it is?"

"To use Nelson's words, the Confederacy 'expects that every man will do his
duty'; and you are going into the army."

"Who told you that?"

"My own heart, father; which tells me what I should do were I in your
place."

"Well, I have written to Montgomery, to Clapham, to tender my services. We
were at West Point together; I served under him at Contreras and
Chapultepec, and he will no doubt press matters through promptly. The fact
is, I could not possibly stay at home now. My blood has been at boiling
heat since yesterday morning, when I read Beauregard's first dispatch."

"Did you specify any branch of the service?"

"Yes; told him I preferred artillery. What is the matter? Your lips are as
white as cotton. By the way what shall I do with you? It won't do to leave
you here all alone."

"Why not, father? Home is certainly the proper place for me, if you cannot
take me with you."

"What! with nobody but the servants?"

"They will take better care of me than anybody else. Nellie, and Andrew,
and John are the only guardians I want in your absence. They have watched
over me all my life, and they will do it to the end. Give yourself no
trouble, sir, on my account."

"I suppose your Uncle Eric will be home