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The regimental letter-writer chronicled this promotion in the Hillaton "Courier" with evident satisfaction

"Lieut-Col Haldane," he wrote, "is respected by all and liked by the idly to our duty, but is kind and considerate nevertheless He is the ain he is surgeon He coaxes the money away from the men and sends it hoa Many a mother and wife in Hillaton hears froes the boys to write, and writes for those who are unable To give you a sao The roads were horrible as usual, and so played out on theI knew a sick man was on the Major's horse (he was Major then), and he was trudging along in thethe muskets of three other men ere badly used up [Footnote: I cannot refrain here fro a tribute to my old schoolmate and friend, Major James Cromwell, of the 124th New York Volunteers, who in thehis horse, while he carried the accoutre out froe at the battle of Gettysburg ] We want the people of Hillaton to understand, that if any of us get back on't hear anything ainst Haldane Nice, pretty felloho don't like to get their boots muddy, as our ex-Colonel, for instance, may be more to their taste, but they ain't to ours"

Laura read this letter with cheeks that reddened with sha it to Mrs Arnot, "I cannot marry that man I would rather die first"

"I do not wonder that you feel so," replied Mrs Arnot emphatically "With all his wealth and culture I neither would nor could marry him, and would tell him so I have felt sure that you would come to this conclusion, but I wished your own heart and conscience to decide the matter"

But before Laura could say to Mr Beaumont that which she felt she must, and yet which she dreaded, for his sake, to speak, a social earthquake took place in Hillaton

Mr Arnot was arrested! But for the proive bail for his appearance, he would have been taken from his private office to prison as poor Haldane had been years before