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"Good-by, my dear, kind friend," said Haldane cheerily to Mrs Arnot while Laura riting; "you overrate the danger I feel that I shall return again, and if I do not, there are "

"Your mother," said Mrs Arnot, with a low sob

"I shall write to her a long letter on the way and explain everything"

"She will feel that it never can be explained"

"I cannot help it," replied the young ht, or my conscience is of no use to me whatever"

Mrs Arnot put her arms around his neck as if she were his o with you, ht; nay, let me call you my own dear son this once I will thank you in heaven for all this, if not here," and then she kissed hiain

"You have now repaid me a thousand-fold," he faltered, and then broke away

"Mr Haldane," said Laura tearfully, as he turned to her, "Cousin Amy and I have been the closest friends from childhood, and I cannot tell you how deeply I appreciate your going to her aid I could not expect a brother to take such a risk"

Haldane felt that his present chance to look into Laura's face ain, before he are, he let his eyes reveal all his heart She saw as if written in the to take the risk, but I am"

"Do I then render you a special service?" he asked, in a low tone

"You could not render ht," he said "How fortunate I was in co! There, please do not look so distressed A soldier takes such risks as these every day, and never thinks of them You have before you a happy life, Miss Laura, and I aood-by," and his manner noas frank, cheerful, and brotherly

She partly obeyed an ily bent her head; but the pressure she gave his hand meant more than he or even she herself understood at the time

"Good-by, Mr Beaumont," he said, hurriedly "I need not wish you happiness, since you already possess it;" and he hastened fro back

Afrom the stony pavement, but it speedily died away

Laura listened breathlessly at theuntil the faintest sound ceased She had had her wish She had seen a er to which he felt impelled by a chivalric sense of duty She had seen a htly an expedition as any of which she had ever read, but it was not her knight