they entered together. The room was lighted, for the | to undertake. My womanly modesty I was forced to outguests had freely been passing in and out. The major rage. You compelled me to stoop to things which I abrather roughly shook himself from his companion, and horred. But I have a brother who is an English officer; turned to leave the room. Rose glided before him, a husband who is an American one. Be careful, sir, in closing the door as she did so, and stood facing him what way you use my name in connection with this with her back to the door. night's work, for, be assured, they will not fail to punish a ribald, a slanderous, or a libertine tongue. Release Captain Armstrong, and your discomfiture remains a secret. None need know it, for the marriage I shall require to be publicly solemnized before consenting to bear his name. But refuse, and with one word I'll have all our guests on this spot, and a public confession."

"What do you mean?" exclaimed he, impatiently. I mustn't be seen here with you. What do you mean, I say?"

Rose threw off her veil.

"It means, Major Cleveland," exclaimed she, "that I had the trump card, and have taken the trick!"

The major started back with the most bewildering and unconcealed amazement, as the clear ringing laugh of Rose Elsworth burst upon his astounded senses. Rose, with her lightning eye, her cheek glowing with a splendid carnation, stood looking at him, the impersonation of exultant triumph.

The major could not speak. He was a picture of rage, mortification, and foaming fury.

Major Cleveland walked the floor during these remarks, gnawing his lips, and muttering fierce impre cations.

"Madam, I'll not abandon the field so easily." "You are conquered, sir, and must do so or yield.” "It's absurd to suppose that I'm to be bound by such figments as you have woven. The thing is too ridicu

"I'll thank you, sir," said she, pointing to the wed-lous." ding-ring upon her finger, "for an order for Captain Armstrong's release."

"You acknowledged the binding nature of your promise, when you attempted, with such heartless cruelty, "Miss Elsworth!" at last exclaimed he, between his to entrap the captain into a marriage with an Irish teeth. servant. How would that story sound, think you? "Your pardon, sir. Mrs. Armstrong-by your kind And what would be said of the sagacity and discernassistance." ment of an officer who could allow such a deceit to be practised upon him as I practised upon you? Dear me, Major Cleveland, I think that you are in a quandary— a very awkward one. There is only one retreat-let the captain go."

"By !" The major choked down the oath, but he shook his fist in the air. "Caught! tricked! Fool, miserable fool!" He beat his brow and foamed like a maniac.

"It was too bad, I know, Major Cleveland, to make you pay so dearly for your own discomfiture, but really, the trouble you gave me entitles me to the hundred pounds. I'll keep them, sir, as a memento of the occasion."

"The wench betrayed me, then. I'll -"

Rose took a seat with smiling unconcern.

"I shall wait for your decision, my dear major. But pray recollect, the guests are wondering where we are all this time."

The major ground his teeth together. To give up the captain was a sacrifice he could not bring himself

"Not at all, sir. You never spoke a word to Bridget. to think of-to refuse was to entail consequences disI was the only person you saw."

"Ha! Then Arbald is a traitor -"

"He is innocent as a lamb. The guilt, sir, lies wholly on me. Shall I send for Arbald that you may commission him to release Captain Armstrong ?" "Madam, this is a farce!"

agreeable and vexatious beyond endurance. He tried to think of a loop-hole through which he might escape. Nothing suggested itself. He was hemmed in on all sides. He walked the floor with ill-concealed rage, while Rose, with a provoking good-humor, toyed with her fan, and shot glances of triumphant mischief at

"Sir, I know it. But it has been played out, and him. At last he stopped before her. you, unwittingly, have acted the clown."

"The end is not yet. I refuse to release Captain Armstrong. I refuse to be governed by a forced construction to a promise which I meant to apply differently. He is still my prisoner, madam, and your proceeding shall only hasten his condemnation and punishment. By heavens, I have a mind to go at once, and shoot him like a dog!"

"If your promise," said Rose, calmly, "is not observed to the letter, I'll proclaim you through the army. I'll degrade you in the eyes of every English officer and gentleman in the land. You disgrace your sword, sir, by this very hesitation. Your bitter, unsoldierly and dishonorable hatred and persecution of an honorable prisoner, drove me to an extremity which nothing but a question of life or death could have permitted me

"Miss Elsworth!"

"Excuse me, sir, if I assist your memory. Mrs. Armstrong!"

"Mrs. Armstrong, then —"

He was interrupted by the quick, clear crack of a rifle. The major started, and turned his head to listen. It was followed immediately by a dozen rapid discharges and a faint, distant shout. He drew his sword, and throwing open the door, hurried into the hall. Rose darted from the room by another way, which ushered her into the drawing-room. Here all was terror and confusion. The officers, at the first alarm, had left their partners, and hastened without to learn the danger. Some of the ladies were screaming, all were pale, but the largest number remained calm and collected. They were used to such scenes.

A

The firing was becoming distant, scattered, and faint. It soon ceased altogether. In a few moments, Major Cleveland and his troop came galloping up. The major leaped from his horse, and entered the drawing-room.

"The danger is over, ladies. The enemy is put to flight. I hope you will resume your dancing without fear. I shall guard more carefully against a repetition of such an alarm."

Meanwhile, confusion and uncertainty prevailed with- | safe then. A thanksgiving went up to Heaven from out. The discharges still continued. Major Cleveland the depths of Rose's heart. took his stand upon the piazza, and rapidly gave his orders. Officers rushed hither and thither, and the troops, many of them aroused from slumber, began rapidly to assemble, and form upon the lawn. A sentinel was brought up, badly wounded, who explained that he had been fired on from an ambuscade. young officer, a moment afterwards, came up, and hurriedly informed the commandant that they were beset on all sides by a party whose number it was impossible to ascertain. The moon by this time was near its setting, and for the moment, obscured by a cloud. This of course confused and embarrassed the movements of the loyalists, but they were soon mounted, and, headed by Major Cleveland, dashed towards the scene of attack.

The ladies, huddled together, listened to the clamor with the courage which so distinguished the women of that period, but with anxious and painful suspense. Several of the troop had been detailed and left to protect them for Major Cleveland would rather lose a battle than his reputation for gallantry.

Rose was pale and calm. If she secretly experienced more fear and anxiety than the rest, it was because she had so much more at stake. She could not conceal from her fears the likelihood that Major Cleveland might attempt to sever the gordian knot of his perplexity by the death of Walter-so easily accomplished in the midst of a melee like this, without a chance of the deed being traced home to its actor.

Captain Arbald burst into the room, and whispered a word to his commander.

แ

Escaped! We've been tricked."

"It was all a ruse, sir, to effect a rescue of the prisoner."

"Are you the victors, gentlemen ?" said Rose, rising, and smiling with a quiet sarcasm that stirred up all the major's rage.

"Your precious lover

"It was adroitly planned, sir. We followed a will-o'the-wisp, while the real enemy was near at home. The whole party probably did not number twenty men. A half a dozen lured us from the spot, the rest made a rush for the prisoner. Both of the guard were struck down, but, though wounded, they recount with clearness the whole affair."

As Rose listened, she thought the firing became narrowed and more concentrated to one point. This point appeared to shift, and to grow more remote. Suddenly, even while this continued, her quick ear detected Captain Arbald's surmises were mainly true. Wala struggle, an occasional shot, and the bustle of some ter's companions, whom he had left in the forest, findmovement nearer the house. Was an attack pendinging that he had fallen into the enemy's hands, roused up against them? She walked to the window with the the neighbors and effected his rescue in the manner we intention, if possible, of learning the cause of this sin- have seen. gular movement. Kate rushed before her, and threw her arms around her neck.

"Don't, sister, don't expose yourself."

Suddenly a rapid discharge of pistols, musketry, &c., took place apparently very near the house. Rose, alive to the situation of her lover, detected that it was in the direction and certainly near the outhouse, in which Walter was confined. She shuddered, and covered her face with her hands. The discharge was followed by the tramp of horses' feet, the clash of steel, a shriek, then a loud cheer and a furious rush of horsemen galloping through the grounds. Rose darted to the window, and threw open the shutters. A party of horsemen were crushing through the shrubbery, but making for the spur of the forest. Was she mistaken? Did she not for a single instant catch a glimpse of one form towering high and nobly, which could belong to no other than Walter Armstrong? Had he escaped? A thrill of joy ran through her veins. Hope was more than fear, and she staggered to a chair. As she did so, she saw the face of Mr. Metcalf looking at her through the doorway, beaming and delighted. He was

Major Cleveland took a turn up and down the piazza, after listening to the account of the affair from Arbald. "Humph!" muttered he at last, "I believe it is fortunate, after all. I was in a perplexity. Fate has decided for me."

He had spoken aloud. Rose was on the piazza unseen by him, and overheard him. "Magnanimously said, my dear major. The battle is over, and let us be friends. Will you dance?"

Oho," said she, "then you've been making love under the rose all this time !"

The consent was freely given.

Six months after the events above related, the mar

When all were gone, Rose went to her father's library, seated herself at his feet, and confessed all. He was astounded. The perfidious scheme of Cleveland's aroused his indignation—for he was a man of the nicest honor-riage between Walter and Rose was re-solemnized, puband entirely justified, in his eyes, the extreme measures of his daughter.

"I designed it otherwise, Rose, but you have shown me the extent of your devotion to Walter. I will hope that time will open his senses to the wrong he is doing, and thus remove the only obstacle that ever existed to your union."

licly. Walter continued in the service during the war, got to be a colonel, and lived for many years after the war-the reader knows how-in peace and plenty of course.

Now that I am at the end of my story, I find its title is a misnomer, for what difference after all is there between love to-day (or any other period) and Love

That very day Mr. Metcalf came to Rose, and after in '76?

THE MIDNIGHT FRIGHT.

The gardens about it were black and loamy, rank with the growth of shrubbery and weeds. Now the earth carries it around on its bosom no more. First, one of the avenues came, thrusting forward its huge body, crushing through the old trees, trampling under foot the garden growths, and even nipping off an intruding angle; then from another point came a younger, but no less insatiable and relentless highway, tearing through the parlors, the wainscot walls, the lordly old halls, and setting itself down upon the very foundations of the old structure. Thus was the mansion of my once Amanda blotted from sight. A green-grocer now holds forth upon the once treasured spot. I will pause sometimes upon the curb-stone at the intersecting highway, and drop a tear to the memory of the old place—a tear to see the old ground so desecrated.

Ar twenty years of age I was in love. It does not | ness. Some old trees shaded it thickly-so thickly, the matter to the reader how I came to be in love. It is sun rarely brightened up its dark, time-discolored walls. but of little importance to him, and none at all to this story, when I first met my dear Amanda or who, indeed, my dear Amanda was. It is quite sufficient for me to say that my Amanda was the dearest creature; that she had blue eyes; great long golden locks, which she would shake at me in the most bewitching manner; nice, pearly teeth; a dimple in her chin; blooming cheeks (alas! I afterwards discovered that her bloom was imported) and as pretty a little hand as one would wish to see. My youthful susceptibility was easily impressed with charms like these. I had read a great many love tales, and was looking about for some one for whom I could experience that rapturous passion, which they so warmly describe, when accident threw me in the way of Amanda. I went to work at once. I began to love with all the fervor, devotion, and intensity I could command. I will not stop to confess that a suspicion continually preyed upon me, that my raptures were in some degree manufactured; nor will I pause to cast back, with the disdain and contempt they so richly deserve, the insinuations of mercenary motives, which were uttered against me. Could I help the fact that my Amanda was the only daughter of a rich widow? or that she had a large expectancy from a wealthy maiden aunt? These things were accidents. Amanda and I often confessed to each other how happy we should be in a cottage, or in some lone isle, where only our two hearts beat (and all that sort of thing), and I assert with confidence, that Amanda at any moment would have abandoned friends, rank, and fortune for my sake-had I permitted it. Are my detractors convinced? But this is all foreign to my purpose. It is a ghost and not a love story that I am going to relate.

My Amanda and her mother resided in the suburbs of the town. It was an old-fashioned, square brick mansion, built soon after the Revolution, ponderous, gloomy, and, at the time of my story, of a green damp

Regularly, as the clock struck seven, I was wont to present myself at the old mansion. The door always opened as I placed my foot upon the front door-step. Amanda always came out of the shadows in the parlor (never lighted until my arrival), and put her two hands in mine; then my arm would always wind around her waist; then we would saunter in together, and if our lips met in the darkness, what was it to any one?-what was it even to the domestic, whom I would sometimes hear smothering a laugh in the passage? When ten o'clock came-for Amanda and her mother were precise and methodical-I would invariably rise, and, after a tearful parting, depart on my way to my lodg ings, some two miles distant.

But upon one occasion-and now I am coming to my story-there was a terrible storm, which increased so much in violence, hour by hour, that when the inexorable mantel clock struck the hour of ten, both Amanda and her mother insisted upon my acceptance of their hospitality for the night.

"Conduct Mr. Dove to the crimson chamber," said

the senior lady to the elderly servant who presented | shoulder, to see if I were following. When he reached himself, candle in hand. I followed my guide up a steep, the apartment, he fairly backed into it, placed the light narrow, and lengthened staircase, and through a series of roomy, deserted apartments, where articles not in frequent use were stowed away. The servant, I observed, stamped heavily as he approached the chamber, hemmed londly, and looked frequently back over his

hastily on a table near the door, and giving a furtive glance around, rushed hurriedly, and with undisguised terror from the room. I called him back. He came unwillingly.

"What's the matter, Joe ?" said I.

"I should think there was. What are you alarmed son curtains looming up grimly and awfully in the cenat? Is the room haunted?"

tre of the apartment; the dense shadows piled up "Ye-yes, that's it, sir. It be haunted." The poor behind the bedstead, within the folds of the curtains, fellow fairly trembled. I laughed, but as I turned to and flickering strangely and grotesquely upon the walls look within the apartment, a sensation of awe invol- and ceiling, the dismal howl cf the storm without, as untarily thrilled me. The walls, though of crimson, the old trees beat against the window shutters, and the were of so deep and sombre a hue, they might have rushing of the wind, with shrill, human-like cries passed for black. The dark wainscot; the heavy win-through the halls and empty rooms-all these things

combined, and no wonder, to produce sensations of | leap towards the door. There was a howling and tearindescribable terror and awe.