secession, my dear Fred. But the condition of the country appals me!
I-whom duty calls to one place, and whom ties of affection bind to
another-I am placed in no enviable position. Yet I still hope the
trouble will soon clear up, and all will yet be bright."

"Your duty is plain before you, Marshall. It's for or against us
now, and no equivocation."

"Well, we'll not fall out about our country's troubles. They may be
better and they may be worse than we anticipate. I'll hope for the
best, though evil come. Let's talk of Melrose, and the fair flower
that blooms there. Eh, Fred?"

Fred replied smiling, "So we will, dear boy; here, take this cigar.
Let's have a smoke, and if you like we'll stroll down to the Battery
and see the encampment."






CHAPTER XXVIII.





THE rosy month of May succeeded the chilly April in that memorable
year when the war-cloud of civil contest overshadowed the land so