n his hand. As he looked up, he became conscious of
the silence in the room, and of the concentrated gaze of fifty pairs
of eyes bent upon him. A little color returned to his cheeks, and his
hands ceased to tremble. He stood up, took the letter from his pocket,
and opened it again.

Dr. Russell was a striking figure, belonging to a classic type found
at its best in the border states. A tall man, he held himself erect,
despite his years, and the color continued to flow back into the face,
which was shaped in a fine strong mold.

"Boys," he said, in a firm, full voice, although it showed emotion,
"I have received news which I must announce to you. As I tell it,
I beg that you will restrain yourselves, and make little comment here.
Its character is such that you are not likely ever to hear anything of
more importance."

No one spoke, but a thrill of excitement ran through the room. Harry
became conscious that the strange and subtle influence had increased.
The pulses in both temples were beating hard. He and Dick leaned
forward, their elbows upon the desk, their lips parted a little in
attention.

"You know," continued Dr. Russell in the full voice that trembled
slightly, "of the troubles that have arisen between the states, North
and South, troubles that the best Americans, with our own great Henry
Clay at the head, have striven to avert. You know of the election of
Lincoln, and how this beloved state of ours, seeking peace, voted for
neither Lincoln nor Breckinridge, both of whom are its sons."

The trembling of his voice increased and he paused again. It was
obvious that he was stirred by deep emotion and it communicated itself
to the boys. Harry was conscious that the thrill, longer and stronger
than before, ran again through the room.

"I have just received a letter from an old friend in Charleston,"
continued Dr. Russell in a shaking voice, "and he tells me that on the
twentieth, three days ago, the state of South Carolina seceded from the
Union. He also sends me copies of two of the Charleston newspapers of
the day following. In both of these papers all despatches from the
other states are put under the head, 'Foreign News.' With the
Abolitionists of New England pouring abuse upon all who do not agree
with them, and the hot heads of South Carolina rushing into violence,
God alone knows what will happen to this distracted country that all
of us love so well."

He turned anew to his correspondenc