med
to him a sort of treason to talk of his regiment before the man who was
so soon to be in the ranks against them. "Oh, I can't tell our secrets
before the enemy," he ended, jocosely. The word went to Vincent's heart
like the prod of sharp steel. He gave Olympia one pathetic glance, and,
without a word, hastened from the room. In spite of a great many adroit
efforts, Vincent could get no further speech with Olympia alone that
night. Early in the morning he was driven, with Mrs. Sprague and Jack to
the station. Olympia sent down excuses and adieus, alleging some not
incredible ailing of the sort that is always gallantly at the disposal
of damsels not minded to do things people expect.

Presently, when the lorn lover had been gone three days, a letter came
from Washington to Olympia, and, though it was handed to her by her
mother, the maiden made no proffer to confide its contents to the
naturally curious parent. But we, who can look over the reader's
shoulder, need not be kept in the dark.

"Dear Olympia" (the letter said), "it was hard to leave
without a last word. All the way here I have been thinking
of our little talk--if that can be called a talk where one
side has lost his senses and the other is trifling or mystifying.
I told you that I loved you. I thrill even yet with
the joy of that. You are so wayward and capricious, so
coy, that I began to fear that I never could get your car long
enough to tell you what I felt you must have long known. You
didn't say that you loved me; but, dear Olympia, neither did
you say that you did not. The rose has fallen on the hem
of your robe. When its fragrance steals into your senses,
you will stoop and put the blossom in your bosom. It is the
war that divides us, you say. It will soon pass. And who
knows what may happen to make you glad that, since there
must be strife, I am one of the enemy rather than a stranger?
I feel that we shall be brought together in danger, when it
may be my happiness to serve you or yours. But, even if I
am not so favored, I shall still ask your love. You know
our Southern ways. Whom I love my mother loves. But
my mother and sister Rosa have loved you long and dearly.
They have known you as long as I have, and when you consent
to come to us you will take no stranger's place in the
heart and home of the family. Remember the motto you
gave me. You are a w