salmsinger's tent.

Suddenly, two or three scores of men struck various attitudes, as if to
be photographed, and exclaimed in unison:

"There she is!"

From the tent of old Psalmsinger there had emerged the only member of
the gentler sex who had reached Happy Rest.

For only a moment she stood still and looked about her, as if uncertain
which way to go; but before she had taken a step, old Psalmsinger raised
his voice, and said:

"I thort it last night, when I only seed her in the moonlight, but I
_know_ it now--she's a lady, an' no mistake. Ef I was a bettin' man, I'd
bet all my dust on it, an' my farm to hum besides!"

A number of men immediately announced that they would bet, in the
speaker's place, to any amount, and in almost any odds. For, though old
Psalm, by reason of non-participation in any of the drinks, fights, or
games with which the camp refreshed itself, was considered a mere
nonentity, it was generally admitted that men of his style could tell a
lady or a preacher at sight.

The gentle unknown finally started toward the largest group of men,
seeing which, several smaller groups massed themselves on the larger
with alacrity.

As she neared them, the men could see that she was plainly dressed, but
that every article of attire was not only neat but tasteful, and that
she had enough grace of form and carriage to display everything to
advantage. A few steps nearer, and she displayed a set of sad but
refined features, marred only by an irresolute, purposeless mouth.

Then an ex-reporter from New York turned suddenly to a graceless young
scamp who had once been a regular ornament to Broadway, and exclaimed:

"Louise Mattray, isn't it?"

"'Tis, by thunder!" replied the young man. "I knew I'd seen her
somewhere. Wonder what she's doing here?"

The reporter shrugged his shoulders.

"Some wild-goose speculation, I suppose. Smart and gritty--if _I_ had
her stick I shouldn't be here--but she always slips up--can't keep all
her wires well in hand. Was an advertising agent when I left the
East--picked up a good many ads, too, and made folks treat her
respectfully, when they'd have kicked a man out of doors if he'd come on
the same errand."

"Say she's been asking for Axel," remarked the young man.

"That so!" queried the reporter, wrinkling his brow, and hurrying
through his mental notebook. "Oh, yes--there was some talk about them at
one time. Some said they were married--_she_ said so, but she neve