no further use."

As he said this he tore into shreds the old commission and threw them
into the ancient cellar.

* * * * *

ELIZABETH.[5]

A ROMANCE OF COLONIAL DAYS.

By Frances C. Sparhawk, Author of "A Lazy Man's Work."

CHAPTER XXII.

THE ARMY SAILS.

Winter was over by the calendar. But neither the skies nor the
thermometer agreed with that. Spring could not bring forward evidences
of her reign while her predecessor's snowy foot was still planted upon
the earth, and showed no haste to get under it. The season had been
unusually mild, but it lingered, fighting the battle with its last
reserve forces, the breath of the icebergs that came rushing up the
harbor like the charge of ten thousand bayonets. Military comparisons
were frequent at that time, for the thoughts of New England were bent
upon war. Governor Shirley had pressed his measure well. Defeated in the
secret conclave of the General Court, he had attacked the Legislature
through a petition signed by merchants in Boston and Salem who urged
re-consideration. Before February the measure had passed by a majority
of one. No student of history can ever despair of the power of one voice
or one will. The measure had not passed until the end of January. But
public enthusiasm had mounted high, and now while March had still a week
to run, the last transports were ready to sail out of the harbor to meet
the others at Nantasket Roads, and thence proceed to Canso, where they
were to remain and receive supplies until the ice should clear from the
harbor. Then to Louisburg.

It might be said that the troops had tiptoed through the state to the
music of muffled drums, so much stress had been laid upon secrecy, and
so much the success of the expedition depended upon it. No vessels were
permitted to sail toward Louisburg, lest they should carry the news of
the intended attack. Government and people united their efforts to give
the expedition every chance. It was well that telegraph and telephone
were not to the front then.

But the pressure of public affairs could not keep hearts from being
heavy over private griefs. Archdale was wounded both in his affection
and his pride, for Katie had refused to marry him on the anniversary of
that frustrated wedding, or, indeed, at all, at present. She said that
it would be too sudden, that she must first have a little time to regard
Stephen as a lover. "But I've never been anything