s to an assault from any direction. The advent of
the tattered stranger was a new cause for alarm, and he at once became
very anxious to beat a retreat.

There is no night without some ray of light to gladden it. His first
impression was that the visitor belonged to the Fourth Alabama, and would
readily recognize him as an impostor; but he was in a measure relieved to
find that none of the family gave the soldier more than a friendly
greeting, which proved him to be a stranger to them as well as to
himself. Yet he might belong to the Fourth Alabama; and then it occurred
to him that the man had come to inform Mr. Raynes of the death of his son
while on picket duty.

In the brief period which elapsed between the advent of the stranger, and
the statement of the object of his visit, Somers was disturbed by a dozen
fearful theories; all of which seemed to end in a rebel prison at
Richmond, and even in a rebel gallows--the fate of the spy. The minutes
were fearfully long; and, before the momentous question of the object of
the stranger's visit could be introduced, he decided to make an abrupt
retreat.

"Well, Mr. Raynes," said he, approaching the old man as he put on his
cap, "I have already run a great risk in stopping here so long; and, with
many thanks to you for your kindness and for your generous hospitality, I
must take my departure."

"I suppose we cannot keep you any longer, Allan; but you must promise to
call again at the first convenient opportunity."

"I promise you that I will the first time I can safely do so," responded
Somers warmly, and with the fullest intention of redeeming his promise.
"Good-by, sir!"

"Good-by, my dear boy! May you be spared in the hour when the strong men
bite the dust!" said Mr. Raynes solemnly, as he gave his hand to Somers.

"Good-by, Sue!" added the young lieutenant, taking the hand of the
Virginia damsel.

"Adieu, my brave soldier-boy!" she replied.

"You are a soldier, I see," said the stranger, as Somers approached him
on his way out of the house.

"Yes, sir," answered the latter nervously; for he would gladly have
escaped any communication with the newcomer.

"What regiment do you belong to?" persisted the dilapidated soldier.

What business was that to him? Why should he trouble himself about other
people's affairs? It sounded like a very impertinent question to the
excited lieutenant, and he was tempted to inform the busy-body that it
was none of his business; but