ith a vague
little smile that would have told him volumes if he had been able to
read the feminine mind.

Major Jimmy Bass was a wiser man than Walthall, and he remarked long
afterward that he knew by the way the poor girl looked that she was in
trouble, and it is not to be denied, at least, it is not to be denied in
Hillsborough, where he was known and respected, that Major Bass's
impressions were as important as the average man's convictions. This is
what Captain Jack Walthall read:

"DEAR MISS FAIRLEIGH--When you see this I shall be
on my way home. My eyes have recently been opened
to the fact that there is to be a war for and
against the Union. I have strong friendships here,
but I feel that I owe a duty to the old flag. When
I bade you good-by last night, it was good-by
forever. I had hoped--I had desired--to say more
than I did; but perhaps it is better so. Perhaps
it is better that I should carry with me a fond
dream of what might have been than to have been
told by you that such a dream could never come
true. I had intended to give you the highest
evidence of my respect and esteem that man can
give to woman, but I have been overruled by fate
or circumstance. I shall love you as long as I
live. One thing more: should you ever find
yourself in need of the services of a friend--a
friend in whom you may place the most implicit
confidence--send for Mr. Jack Walthall. Say to him
that Little Compton commended you to his care and
attention, and give him my love."

Walthall drew a long breath and threw his head back as he finished
reading this. Whatever emotion he may have felt, he managed to conceal,
but there was a little color in his usually pale face, and his dark eyes
shone with a new light.

"This is a very unfortunate mistake," he exclaimed. "What is to be
done?"

Miss Fairleigh smiled.

"There is no mistake, Mr. Walthall," she replied. "Mr. Compton is a
Northern man, and he has gone to join the Northern army. I think he is
right."

"Well," said Walthall, "he will do what he thinks is right, but I wish
he was here to-night."

"Oh, so do I!" exclaimed Miss Fairleigh, and then she blushed; seeing
which, Mr. Jack Walthall drew his own conclusions.

"If I could get through the lines," she went on