enance, his little book in his hand. She was on the
veranda looking out for him to ask if he was ready for his tea. He met her
with a smile.

"Is it gude news, Mr. Walter?" she asked, thinking of the distracted state
of the country.

"Yes, Mrs. Murray, I think you will call it so. I have been searching
here," and he held up the little volume, "for the pearl of great price;
and I have found it."

"Dear bairn, I thank God for ye!" she exclaimed with emotion. "It's gude
news indeed!"

"I cannot think how I've been so blind," he went on in earnest tones; "it
seems now so simple and easy--just to believe in Jesus Christ, receive His
offered pardon, His righteousness put upon me, the cleansing of His blood
shed for the remission of sins, and trust my all to Him for time and
eternity. Now I am ready to meet death on the battle-field, if so it must
be."

"But, O Mr. Walter, I hope you'll be spared that, and live to be a good
soldier of Christ these many years."

They were startled by the furious galloping of a horse coming up the
drive; and the next moment Arthur drew rein before the door.

"Walter; so you're here, as I thought! I've come for you. Lincoln has
called for seventy-five thousand troops to defend the capital; but we all
know what that means--an invasion of the South. The North's a unit now,
and so is the South. Davis has called for volunteers, and the war-cry is
resounding all over the land. We're raising a company: I'm appointed
captain, and you lieutenant. Come; if you hesitate now--you'll repent it:
father says he'll disown you forever."

Arthur's utterance was fierce and rapid, but now he was compelled to pause
for a breath, and Walter answered with excitement in his tones also.

"Of course if it has come to that, I will not hesitate to defend my native
soil, my home, my parents."

"All right; come on then; we leave to-night."

Walter's horse was ordered at once, and in a few moments the brothers were
galloping away side by side. Mrs. Murray looked after them with a sigh.

"Ah me! the poor laddies! will they die on the battle field? Ah, wae's me,
but war's an awfu' thing!"

At Roselands all was bustle and excitement, every one eager, as it seemed,
to hasten the departure of the young men.

But when everything was ready and the final adieus must be spoken, the
mother embraced them with tears and sobs, and even Enna's voice faltered
and her eyes grew moist.

Mounting, they rode rapidly down the