how you stand affected. Now, Edmund, remember— in company, be more than guarded; for the world, don't let a breath of suspicion attach to either of us. Now let us talk of old times," and the conversation was turned into topics of home, parents, friends, and relatives, and thus the time was beguiled until the approach of the hour which was fixed for their dinner at Captain Barnum's quarters.

CHAPTER XVI.

MARGARET AND HER LOVER AT HOME.

ON the morning after the call made by Captain Blanchard on Margaret, and which had led to such important results, so far at least as the safety of those who were conspiring against the provincials was concerned, Major Burr was seated in the apartment set apart by General Putnam for the transaction of all official business and the reception of reports.

His chair was drawn up before a large circular table, filled with letters, reports, and a miscellaneous collec. tion of documents, from an application from some loyalist for permission to cross the river to Long Island, to a complaint (anonymous of course) against some one of the same stamp for some offence, either by word or deed, against the strict orders promulgated by the bluff old general, on receiving command of the city during the absence of General Washington. It was his duty to open these to note their contents on their backs (when worthy such attention), and to receive and execute the orders of the general respecting them. He knew his commander so well, he rarely waited for instructions; but, in most instances, had his replies

prepared before he made his appearance, and they were invariably signed after the briefest possible glance at their contents; such was the general's confidence in the activity, integrity, and capability of his youthful aid.

He was about commencing the duties of the morning, when a gentle tap at the door aroused him, and in answer to his gruff "Come in," uttered as if he was ordering a charge of infantry, it was opened very softly, and a voice, whose tones thrilled through every fibre of his frame, uttered quietly, "May I come

in ?"

Springing from his seat as those dear and familiar tones met his ear, he advanced toward the door, and, grasping the extended hand of the intruder, led her to a seat at the table.

It was Margaret, who, throwing herself languidly and half pettishly into a chair, said: "I really beg pardon, Major Burr; but " and here she paused as

she met his glance, for it seemed to say:

"We are alone, and why do you call me Major Burr ?"

"Aaron," she said, stretching her hand across the table, "I do beg your pardon-I did not mean to disturb you; but I was so very lonesome. Cousin Belle is in the kitchen, Cousin Martha is somewhere else, and Lady Putnam is knitting. I can't spin-I won't knit, and so I am here. May I stay?"

"Dear Margaret," replied the young soldier, his very soul beaming in his eyes, and, seizing the extended hand of his beautiful and loved visitor-" how can you ask? Stay here-only stay forever, and "

"There, Aaron," she interrupted, "that will do for Colonel Shee or his gallant officers. I don't want such language as that from you."

"Then stay as long as you choose, dear Margaret, and make me happy."

"I will do anything to make you happy, Aaron, and so I will stay," and, withdrawing her hand-not, however, until it had been awfully squeezed and several kisses imprinted upon it-she continued: "but you must not be quite so ceremonious."

"Well, I won't,” he replied, and rising, as if for the purpose of searching for some papers, he approached •her, and leaning over, imprinted a kiss upon her snowy

brow, and, encouraged by her passiveness, for she made no resistance to him, a second was implanted directly on her tempting lips.

"There, that will do, Aaron," she said, pushing him gently away, "I came here to work-may I help you?"

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Oh, yes, sit here and look at me; I want no better help than that. But Margaret, if you really wish to stay here, I must impose one condition on you. Look here," and he pointed to a mass of papers strewed over the table," these must all be opened and attended

to before the general comes, and if I am to do it, you must maintain profound silence."

"Oh, very well," she said, with a mischievous pout, which more than half tempted the young aid to repeat his salutations to her lips, "I suppose you think I can't be silent. Come, sir, give me some paper and lend me one of your pens. I can amuse myself if I can't entertain you."

"You are a tormenting little vixen,” said the major, as he pushed the paper toward her, and tendered to her a pen, whose nib he had just clipped, for steel pens were then unknown.

Margaret made no reply, but commenced writing, or seeming to write, while Major Burr, with a tremendous effort, strove to forget her presence, and resumed the duties which her entrance had interrupted.

He was soon, apparently, immersed in an examination of a mass of papers which lay before him, while Margaret, having appropriated the paper placed before her, was soon as apparently engrossed in the letter which she proposed to write.

For a few moments, either pen wandered over the paper with wonderful rapidity; at length, there seemed to be a pause, by mutual consent; the motions of the pens grew less rapid; then they ceased entirely, and as each raised their eyes to discover the cause of this remarkable unanimity of purpose, their glances encountered each other.