the horrors of the then
approaching conflict, the cousins strove to cast from them the gloomy
forebodings which crept into their hearts, darkening the present and
investing the future with phantoms of terror. Mrs. Carlton and Mary
were far more hopeful than the remainder of the little circle,
and kept up the semblance of cheerfulness, which ever flies at the
approach of danger. The girls saw but little of the gentlemen, for Mr.
Carlton was ever out in search of tidings from the camp, and Frank,
in opposition to his sister's tearful entreaties, had enlisted
immediately after General Burleson's arrival. His manner, during his
brief visits, was considerate and kind; yet Mary fancied at times
that he avoided her, though, marking her declining health, he had
prescribed some simple remedy, and never failed to inquire if she were
not improving. Still there was a certain something, indescribable, yet
fully felt, which made her shrink from meeting him, and as week after
week passed, her cheek grew paler, and her step more feeble.

With an anxious heart, Mrs. Carlton watched her failing strength; but
to all inquiries and fears Mary replied that she did not suffer, save
from her cough, and for a time dispelled her apprehensions.

One evening Mary stood leaning against the window, looking earnestly,
wistfully upon the beautiful tints which ever linger in the western
sky. She stretched her arms toward the dim outline, murmuring slowly:

"Oh! that my life may fade away as gently as those tints, and that I
may at last rest on the bosom of my God."

Darkness closed around--the soft hues melted into the deep blue of the
zenith as she stood communing with her own heart, and she started when
a shawl was wrapped about her, and the window closed.

"As ministering physician, I cannot allow such neglect of injunctions.
How dare you expose yourself after my express direction to keep
close?"

"I have kept very closely all day, and did not know that star-gazing
was interdicted."

As she spoke, a violent fit of coughing succeeded; he watched her
anxiously.

"Do you suffer any acute pain?"

"Occasionally I do; but nothing troubles me so much as an unpleasant
fluttering about my heart, which I often have."

"You must be very careful, or your cough will increase as winter comes
on."

Mary repressed a sigh which struggled up from her heart, and inquired
if there was any news.

"We cannot learn exactly what is transpiring within the Al