her; but the idea
of her dying--it is that which saddens me and almost makes me curse
the hour I left her. My poor, darling wife!"

The last words were uttered as if he were speaking to himself, and the
tone of sorrow in which he spoke touched Dr. Humphries deeply.

"Bear with fortitude the dispensations of a Divine Providence," said
the old gentleman. "If He has willed that your wife shall die, you
must bow humbly to the decree. Time will assuage your grief and remove
from your mind, this sad--too sad fate that has befallen her."

"If you think that time can assuage my grief," replied Alfred, "you
greatly underrate the strength of my affection. When a mere stripling,
I first met my wife, and from that hour all the affection I possessed
was hers. Each day it grew stronger, and at the time I left New
Orleans with my regiment, the love I bore my wife, and for her, my
children, could not have been bartered for the wealth of California.
She was to me a dearer object than all else on earth, and more--"

He could speak no longer, so overcome was he with emotion. Once more
wringing the doctor's hand, he left the room and entered the chamber
of his wife.

"Unhappy man," exclaimed the doctor, when he was alone, "his is,
indeed, a bitter grief, and one not easily obliterated."

With these words the kind-hearted old gentleman retired to his study,
greatly moved at the misfortunes of the family he had been brought in
contact with.

The furloughs granted to Alfred and Harry had been renewed on the
expiration of the time they had been granted for, but on the
representation of Dr. Humphries, had been renewed. At the time the
above conversation took place, they were again nearly expired and
Harry determined to appeal to the government once more for a second
renewal. Accordingly he took the cars for Richmond and obtaining an
interview with the Secretary of War, he represented the condition of
Mrs. Wentworth, and exhibited the certificates of several doctors that
she could not survive two months longer. For himself, he requested a
further renewal of his furlough on the ground of his approaching
marriage. With that kindness and consideration which distinguished
Gen. Randolph, his applications were granted, and leaves of absence
for Alfred and himself for sixty days longer were cordially granted.

With the furloughs, he arrived from Richmond the same evening that the
conversation related above took place between the doctor and Al