and thorough cleansing of both carpet and veranda.

"Dere's hot water in de kitchen," said Aunt Phillis. "You, Sal an' Bet,
hurry up yah wid a big basin full, an' soap an' sand an' house-cloths.
Glad 'nuff dat massa shot dat ole debbil, but Miss Elsie's house not to be
defiled wid his dirty blood."

"Cold watah fust, Aunt Phillis," interposed Chloe, "cold watah fust to
take out blood-stain, den de hot after dat."

"Mammy knows; do as she directs," said Elsie, hastily retreating into her
dressing-room.

"My darling, this has been too much for you," her husband said tenderly,
helping her to lie down on a sofa.

Chloe came hurrying in with a tumbler of cold water in one hand, a bottle
of smelling salts in the other, her dusky face full of concern.

Mr. Travilla took the articles from her. "That is right, but I will attend
to your mistress," he said in a kindly tone; "and do you go and prepare a
bed for her in one of the rooms on the other side of the hall."

"It is hardly worth while, dear," said Elsie; "I don't think I can sleep
again to-night."

"Yet perhaps you may; it is only two o'clock," he said, as the timepiece
on the mantle struck the hour, "and at least you may rest a little better
than you could here."

"And perhaps you may sleep. Yes, mammy, get the bed ready as soon as you
can."

"My darling, how pale you are!" Mr. Travilla said with concern, as he
knelt by her side, applying the restoratives. "Do not be alarmed; I am
quite sure the man's right arm is disabled, and therefore the danger is
past, for the present at least."

She put her arm about his neck and relieved her full heart with a burst of
tears. "Pray, praise," she whispered; "oh, thank the Lord for your narrow
escape; the ball must have passed very near your head; I heard it whiz
over mine and strike the opposite wall."

"Yes, it just grazed my hair and carried away a lock, I think. Yes, let us
thank the Lord." And he poured out a short but fervent thanksgiving, to
every word of which her heart said "Amen!"

"Yes, there is a lock gone, sure enough," she said, stroking his hair
caressingly as he bent over her. "Ah, if we had not lingered so long here,
this would not have happened."

"Not here, but elsewhere perhaps."

"That is true, and no doubt all has been ordered for the best."

Aunt Chloe presently returned, with the announcement that the bed was
ready; and they retired for the second time, leaving the house in the care
of Uncle