ted to him. I
have had a conversation with the doctor here, who advises me to
recommend that, if your friend has no other summer residence in view,
he should spend part of his time in Red River settlement. In the
event of his agreeing to this, I would suggest that he should leave
Stoney Creek with the first brigade in spring, or by express canoe if
you think it advisable. I am, etcetera.

"Short but sweet--uncommonly sweet!" said Harry, as a deep flush of joy
crimsoned his pale cheeks, while his own merry smile, that had been
absent for many a weary day, returned once more to its old haunt, and
danced round its accustomed dimples like a repentant wanderer who has
been long absent from and has at last returned to his native home.

"Sweet indeed!" echoed Charley. "But that's not all; here's another
lump of sugar for you." So saying, he pulled a letter from his pocket,
unfolded it slowly, spread it out on his knee, and, looking up at his
expectant friend, winked.

"Go on, Charley; pray, don't tantalise me."

"Tantalise you! My dear fellow, nothing is farther from my thoughts.
Listen to this paragraph in my dear old father's letter:--

"`So you see, my dear Charley, that we have managed to get you
appointed to the charge of Lower Fort Garry; and as I hear that poor
Harry Somerville is to get leave of absence, you had better bring him
along with you. I need not add that my house is at his service as
long as he may wish to remain in it.'

"There! what think ye of that, my boy?" said Charley, as he folded the
letter and returned it to his pocket.

"I think," replied Harry, "that your father is a dear old gentleman, and
I hope that you'll only be half as good when you come to his time of
life; and I think I'm so happy to-day that I'll be able to walk without
the assistance of your arm to-morrow; and I think we had better go beck
to the house now, for I feel, oddly enough, as tired as if I had had a
long walk. Ah, Charley, my dear fellow, that letter will prove to be
the best doctor I have had yet. But now tell me what you intend to do."

Charley assisted his friend to rise, and led him slowly back to the
house, as he replied--

"Do, my boy? That's soon said. I'll make things square and straight at
Stoney Creek. I'll send for Hamilton, and make him interim
commander-in-chief. I'll write two letters--one to the gentleman in
charge of the district, telling him of my movements; the other