price of the rent, which must be payable
always in advance," replied Mr. Elder.

"I tont care," answered Mr. Swartz. "I would as soon pay you in
advance as not. But vot price to you charge?"

"I charge fifty dollars per month," was the short answer.

"Vell, dat vill do; and I suppose you vill give me the shtore for von
year certain?"

"I am not decided about that," replied Mr. Elder, "as I do not like to
bind myself for any given time; for," he continued, "there is no
telling what may be the worth of a store in six months."

"I vould not take it unless I could get a lease by the year," replied
Mr. Swartz; "for the fact is, I have made a large contract with the
government, and vill have to extend by pisness."

Mr. Elder remained thoughtful for a few moments; then he replied: "As
you wont take it unless I give a lease for twelve months, I will do so
on one condition: that on your failure to pay the rent monthly in
advance, you forfeit the lease, and I am at liberty to demand your
removal without any notice."

"Shust as you like," he replied, "for I know te monish vill always pe
ready in advance."

"Well, I shall have the lease drawn out to-day and bring it to you to
sign," said Mr. Elder, rising and putting on his gloves. "Good
morning; be here at three o'clock, as I shall call round at that
hour," and with those words he left the room, and the Dutchman resumed
the counting of his money.

CHAPTER SEVENTH.

THE HUSBAND A PRISONER--EXILE OF THE SOLDIER'S WIFE.

Months rolled on, during which time Mrs. Wentworth was cheered by many
kind and affectionate letters from her husband, who had not been sick
a day since his departure from home. One of the letters received from
him stated that he had been detailed from his regiment to act as clerk
in Brigadier General Floyd's adjutant general's office, his superior
intelligence fitting him admirably for such an office; and the next
letter from him was dated at Fort Donelson, whence General Floyd had
been ordered with his brigade.

Fort Donelson fell. We need not record here the heroic defense and
stubborn fighting of the Confederate forces, and their unfortunate
capture afterwards. These are matters of history, and should be
recorded by the historian, and not the novelist. Sufficient to say,
that in the last day's fight Alfred Wentworth, having received a
severe wound in the arm, was marching to the rear, when an officer,
dressed in the garb of a lieutenant,