fred,
and on the return of his friend from his wife's chamber, he presented
him with his leave.

"You are indeed a friend," remarked Alfred, "and I can never
sufficiently repay the kindness you have shown me. But before this
furlough expires I do not suppose I shall have any wife to be with."

"Why do you speak so?" inquired Harry.

"She cannot last much longer," he replied. "Although unwillingly and
with sorrow I am compelled to acknowledge that every day she sinks
lower, and to-day her appearance denotes approaching dissolution too
plain, even for me to persuade myself that such is not the case."

"I cannot tell you I hope you are mistaken," observed his friend, "for
I feel that such language can never lighten nor remove your sorrow.
But be assured that I deeply sympathize with you in your affliction."

"I know it," he answered. "Would to heaven all in the South were like
you. It might have been different with my poor wife, and my angel girl
might have been alive this day. However, it was not their duty to
succor and protect my family, and I have no right to complain because
they lent her no helping hand. I alone must bear the weight of my
affliction, and from the misery it causes me, I devoutly trust none of
my comrades may ever know it. Here your betrothed comes," he
continued, observing Emma at the door. "I will leave you for the
present, as I suppose you wish to speak with her and I desire to be
alone for awhile."

"Do not let her presence hasten your departure," said Harry. "She will
be as happy in my company while you are here, as if no third person
was present."

Alfred smiled faintly as he replied: "Her presence alone does not
impel me to leave, but I desire to be alone for a time. My mind is
very much unsettled, and a few moments of solitary thought will
restore it to its wonted quietude."

Rising from his seat, he bade Harry adieu, and bowing to Emma, who
entered at the moment, left the house and bent his steps toward his
lodgings. Dr. Humphries had invited him to be a guest at his house,
but he politely but firmly declined the invitation, at the same time
his days were spent there with his wife, and it was only in the
evening he left, to take a few moments of rest. From the time he
discovered his wife, and she was carried to Dr. Humphries' residence,
he had never been to any other place than the doctor's or his
lodgings.

Four days after Harry's return, he was seated with Emma in the parlor
con