ne, two, three struck on the old clock, and
still sleep did not come to soothe her disturbed brain. Whether in a
sleeping or waking state she could not tell, but a regiment of armed
men, with the recruiting sergeant at their head, seemed to pass before
her, while in the distance there appeared ships at anchor in a large
commodious bay. At four o'clock the lady stood at her window admiring
the beautiful scenery. Retiring again to rest, she fell asleep, and
did not waken before her accustomed time of rising.

After breakfast Miss Bloomer went out, as usual, to follow the bent of
her mind. She had not gone far, before Sergeant Campbell approached
her in a most respectful manner, and inquired if she had found a ring
the previous day. It was scarcely necessary for her to return an
answer, because there before him, on her ungloved hand, the ring
appeared. As she handed it to him, an indescribable sensation ran
through her whole frame. They entered into conversation; and how long
they walked and chatted together, and what were the subjects of their
conversation, we shall not pause to mention: sufficient to say that,
before they parted, an early meeting was arranged. In due time, and
quickly after each other, other meetings took place.

In course of time, old dames hinted that if the lady continued to keep
tryst in the romantic secluded spots of her father's domains with such
a fine-looking soldier as Campbell, she would provoke the goddess
supposed to preside over love affairs, and most likely entitle herself
to a rush-ring only on her wedding-day, instead of the customary gold
one. But the evil prophetesses were wrong for once. Seldom did a
recruiting party forward more stalwart soldiers to headquarters than
Sergeant Campbell and his subordinates did. Indeed he owed much of his
success to Miss Bloomer's exertions. She proved a valuable assistant;
for, through her persuasion, a large number of young men on her
father's estate were induced to enlist, and leave the homes of their
youth for ever.

Happy days of single bliss cannot last for ever. Before three short
months had passed, Sergeant Campbell and Miss Bloomer observed more
than once the finger of scorn pointed at them. Threats were made by
the parents of certain young men who had enlisted, to make known the
conduct of the young lady and her lover to Captain Bloomer. What was
to be done? Miss Bloomer's reputation was at stake, and the sergeant's
life endangered, as will