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"Yes, I shall perhaps grow stronger; at any rate, if you do not change your , he said it was probable that all would be in readiness for their departure within a couple of days, as he wished to see them secure, and then return

"Mrs Carlton will accompany us when she learns this terrible news?" said Mary, inquiringly

"Oh yes; I cannot consent for her to remain, and besides Mr Carlton has been anxious for so read the note, fully approved their pro, and all necessary preparations were ed inexpressibly to i Mr Stewart, but shrank instinctively froht never be realized--hopes which Florence had long since crushed and cast out of her heart as dead With an earnest prayer that her cousin ht yet be blessed and happy, Mary determined not to broach the subject at least for a tiarrison of the rumor which had reached him, and a courier was immediately despatched to headquarters for reinforcements sufficient to defend this important fortress--this key of the state--fro to assault it Horses were supplied with alacrity, for he had ether with a baggage-wagon, were readily granted to one who so nobly contributed to the relief of the sick, wounded, and dying

At length every arrange appointed for their departure Aunt Lizzy had objected at first, but speedily becaraphic manner, the horrors which were about to ensue

As the shades of evening cairls set out for Mrs Carlton's, as fro they coive so with their servants, one of whom took Mary in her arms and bade God bless her, while the tears rolled over her wrinkled face Mary could not repress her own, and she sobbed convulsively Dr Bryant, who had come over for theress, and said: "Why, Aunt Fanny, you , you know, and has a long ride before her to-morrow"

"Oh yes, Doctor, it will do well enough for you to tell me not to cry, but I can't help it, for I love her as if she was rieve so rew pale and thin, and then took to the sofa, and never rose up till she was carried to her grave; and can't I see that blessed child going just like her? Oh I it's no use talking tofor this world, and it's hard--yes, it's hard for her to die away from old Fanny!" and she covered her face with her apron, and sobbed aloud