retion in my answers. You do not look as if
you could do wrong yourself, or tempt another: but I have lived long
enough to know that it is not all gold that glitters, though I think
nothing but true metal can bear the stamp that is on your face."

"We are friends again then, are we? Can you tell me where the 40th
regiment is stationed now?"

"That I cannot; they have been gone from here three years this July."

"Had you any acquaintance in that regiment?"

"Indeed had I. I served with them more than twenty years."

Edward stopped, jumped at least three feet from the ground, (as the
soldier afterwards averred) clapped his hands, and exclaimed, "It must
be--it must be."

"Why, what is the matter now?" asked the soldier, amazed at his emotion.

"Tell me," continued Edward, with all the calmness he could summon, "why
you are here, if your regiment has returned?"

"I got myself transferred to this regiment, to finish my term of service
in America, in the hope of then finding my wife and little boy, who
followed me to the States when I was a prisoner."

There was no longer any room in Edward's mind for doubt that his
companion was the husband of Mrs. Barton. His natural and first impulse
was, to make known to the husband the happiness that was in store for
him. He began to speak, half laughing, half crying; then checked
himself, and considered what a beautiful surprise it would be if they
should meet without any preparation: he took the soldier's hand, and
said, "I see my friends; you need go no farther; but come in one hour to
the City Hotel, and my mother will tell you good news of your wife."

"News of my wife! are you an angel from heaven?"

"Oh, no," replied Edward, laughing; "nothing but an _American boy_."

"God bless you, my lad, tell me now--tell me now," said the soldier,
and tears of joy had already gathered in his eyes.

"No, not another word now," said Edward, bounding away from him; "in one
hour you shall know all."

The soldier gazed after Edward with an intense curiosity: vague
expectations of some good, and then more defined hopes filled his mind.
'That boy never could have deceived me,' he said, to himself: 'what did
he mean by exclaiming when he first heard my name? what, by saying he
knew another Richard Barton? Is it possible that he has seen my wife
and boy?' The result of all his deliberations was, that he would go
instantly to the Hotel--to wait an hour was impossible--an hour was an
ag