mised herself in marriage to
Mr. Clement Lindsay. But her friends hardly knew how to congratulate her
on this last event. Her lover was gone, to risk his life, not improbably
to lose it, or to come home a wreck, crippled by wounds, or worn out
with disease.

Some of them wondered to see her so cheerful in such a moment of trial.
They could not know how the manly strength of Clement's determination
had nerved her for womanly endurance. They had not learned that a great
cause makes great souls, or reveals them to themselves,--a lesson taught
by so many noble examples in the times that followed. Myrtle's only
desire seemed to be to labor in some way to help the soldiers and their
families. She appeared to have forgotten everything for this duty; she
had no time for regrets, if she were disposed to indulge them, and she
hardly asked a question as to the extent of the fortune which had fallen
to her.

The next number of the "Banner and Oracle" contained two announcements
which she read with some interest when her attention was called to them.
They were as follows:

"A fair and accomplished daughter of this village comes, by the late
decision of the Supreme Court, into possession of a property estimated
at a million of dollars or more. It consists of a large tract of land
purchased many years ago by the late Malachi Withers, now become of
immense value by the growth of a city in its neighborhood, the opening
of mines, etc., etc. It is rumored that the lovely and highly educated
heiress has formed a connection looking towards matrimony with a certain
distinguished artist."

"Our distinguished young townsman, William Murray Bradshaw, Esq., has
been among the first to respond to the call of the country for champions
to defend her from traitors. We understand that he has obtained a
captaincy in the __th regiment, about to march to the threatened seat of
war. May victory perch on his banners!"

The two lovers, parted by their own self-sacrificing choice in the very
hour that promised to bring them so much happiness, labored for the
common cause during all the terrible years of warfare, one in the camp
and the field, the other in the not less needful work which the good
women carried on at home, or wherever their services were needed.
Clement--now Captain Lindsay--returned at the end of his first campaign
charged with a special office. Some months later, after one of the great
battles, he was sent home wounded. He wore the le