when he volunteered recently for a certain hazardous duty. He knew, too,
how quickly his dear wife would know the full extent of the peril with
which he felt himself surrounded. And so his reply was short and
seemingly gruff, as many another man's has been under too heavy
circumstances.

"Scouting duty. I've been on it for the past two months."

Mrs. Cary's hand went to her heart.

"A _scout_, Herbert! But, darling, why? It's so dangerous--so
horrible--so--"

He put up his hand, with a forced smile, to check her, and broke in
gayly.

"Ah, but think of the fun in it. It's like playing hide-and-go-seek with
Virgie."

But his wife was not to be put off so lightly and she put her impelling
hands on his arm.

Gary changed his tone. His voice deepened.

"They need me, dear," he said earnestly. "What does danger to one man
mean when Dixie calls us all? And I'm doing work--good work. I've
already given one battle to General Lee and now I have information that
will give him another and a bigger one. Two nights ago I came through
the Union lines. I ..."