ied, catching her hands in his, and speaking excitedly
and fast--"saying things that are sending him to his death! What do I
offer you? Love, devotion, all that man can give. He would, if asked
now, give up all for his life; and yet you, who profess to love him so
dearly, refuse to make that sacrifice for his sake! You cannot love
him. If he could hear now, he would implore you to do it. Think. I
risk all. Most likely, my life will be given for his; perhaps we shall
both fall. But you refuse. Enough: I must go; I cannot stay. There
are many lives here under my charge; they must not be neglected for the
sake of one. As I said before, it is the fortune of war; and, poor
fellow, he has but a quarter of an hour or so to live, unless help
comes."

"Unless help comes," groaned Miss Ross frantically, when, as Lieutenant
Leigh reached the door, watching me over his shoulder the while, Miss
Ross went down on her knees, stretched out her hands towards where
Captain Dyer was bound to the gun, and then she rose, cold, and hard,
and stern, and turned to Lieutenant Leigh, holding out her hand. "I
promise," she said hoarsely.

"On your oath, before God?" he exclaimed joyfully, as he caught her in
his arms.

"As God is my judge," she faltered with her eyes upturned; and then, as
he held her to his breast, kissing her passionately, she shivered and
shuddered, and, as he released her, sank in a heap on the floor.

"Smith," cried Lieutenant Leigh; "right face--forward!" and as I passed
Miss Ross, I heard her sob in a tone I shall never forget: "O Lawrence,
Lawrence!" and then a groan rose from her breast, and I heard no more.

STORY ONE, CHAPTER FIFTEEN.

"This is contrary to rule. As commandant, I ought to stay in the fort;
but I've no one to give the leadership to, so I take it myself," said
Lieutenant Leigh; "and now, my lads, make ready--present! That's well.
Are all ready? At the word `Fire!' Privates Bigley and Smith fire at
the two gunners. If they miss, I cry fire again, and Privates Bantem
and Grainger try their skill; then, at the double, down on the guns.
Smith and I spike them, while Bantem and Grainger cut the cords. Mind
this: those guns must be spiked, and those two prisoners brought in; and
if the sortie is well managed, it is easy, for they will be taken by
surprise. Hush! Confound it, men; no cheering."

He only spoke in time, for in the excitement the men were about to
hurray.

"Now, t