fore her; perhaps, a hundred things; but certain it is, the rich blood mantled her cheeks, and added, if possible, new lustre to charms almost perfect.

"You are young enough to make me wish you were older, and old enough to make me wish that I was older," was the gallant reply, and as it was uttered, a bright smile mantled her beautiful face, and raising her eyes to his own, she gave him a glance which sent the

hot blood coursing through his veins with marvellous rapidity. She had understood and appreciated the compliment so delicately conveyed.

"Well, we won't talk about that," she said, with a bright smile, at the same time extending her hand, which was grasped with marvellous alacrity by the gallant officer. "Now, how much time can you give me to prepare for my journey ?"

"Not very much of a journey, Miss Moncrieffe."

"I think your memory is very treacherous," she interrupted, with an arch look.

"Well, Miss Margaret, then; it is only a ride of about sixteen miles, and any of our horses can go that distance in a couple of hours; but it would be rather hard riding for a lady."

"I'll wager my pistols against yours, that Selim will do it in less time than that, and not draw a long breath."

"Pistols-Selim-I don't understand what you are talking about," exclaimed the major, really confounded by her words.

"Why, don't you carry pistols? I thought all the rebel officers-I beg your pardon," she interrupted, seeing that the countenance of the officer grew dark at the word "you must not mind what I say-I am a foolish girl, and even my father says I am not more than half witted; I certainly did not mean to offend or insult."

"How about Selim ?" said the major, his countenance again brightening as he met the gaze of those lustrous eyes, at once forgetting the slur she had cast upon him and the cause he had espoused.

66

Oh, he is my pet horse; father brought him from England for my use, and oh, he is such a beauty !"

"I wonder if he is as handsome as his mistress," mentally exclaimed the young officer, as he gazed upon her glowing face; but he did not say so in as many words, though he looked it, and Margaret understood his thoughts, for she blushed and smiled at his expression.

"But come, Mr.". and pausing, she looked inquiringly at him.

"I am called Major Burr in New York. Here, Patsy calls me Aaron."

"And are you the Aaron Burr who ".

"There, Miss Moncrieffe-Margaret, I mean," said the major, laughing, "that will do; I have not the time to receive or pay compliments now. I must be in New York to-night, and, if you consent to accept

General Putnam's invitation, you must be there also."

"I shall be ready-let me see-thirty minutes-will that do ?" she said, after a momentary pause; 66 a soldier's daughter is not troubled with an excess of baggage, and what little I have, can be carried in my valise, strapped to my saddle."

"General Putnam has a pillion prepared for you, and "

"General Putnam did not know Major Moncrieffe's daughter or he would not have taken that trouble, for which, however, I shall gladly thank him. But come, Major Burr, I am delaying you—I see you look impatient, and I won't detain you;" so saying, she moved toward the house, walking side by side with the young officer, who, as they conversed, gazed upon her with looks of undisguised admiration, and listened to her remarks with an appearance of the deepest interest.

"My father has been fortunate in providing a home for me in such an excellent family," she said; "for it has been very lonesome here, and I don't know what I should have done without Patsy. She is such a dear, good girl one can't help loving her; don't you think so, Major Burr ?" and she gave him another glance of those large, liquid eyes, which brought the hot blood to his face, at which his companion smiled archly; for she thought she read in that blush a secret. The major, however, made no reply, and they walked on in silence.

As they approached the fence at which the horses of the escort were fastened, Margaret caught sight of the trooper on guard, and a singular expression crossed her face, which was not, however, observed by the major. When within two or three paces of him, she pointed to some object in another direction, and, as Major Burr turned his head to observe it, she looked full in the face of the sentry, and a glance full of meaning was exchanged between them unobserved. That glance, brief as it was, spoke volumes, and had it been noticed by the young officer, might have saved trouble, sorrow, and misery, and prevented the effusion of much precious blood.

"Now, then, major," she continued, as they entered the house, "I see Mrs. Adams has been preparing refreshments for you, and while you are enjoying her hospitality, I will pack up my small wardrobe and saddle Selim."

"One of my men will get your horse ready, Miss Moncrieffe."

"I would like to see one of your men attempt it," she said, with a merry laugh, and, as she spoke, she cast a hurried, but searching glance around the group of hardy troopers, who, with their heavy swords trailing on the floor, were standing around the table on which Mrs. Adams had placed the homely refreshments, so welcome to them after their hot and dusty ride. "He does not know anybody but his mistress.

I take entire charge of him myself, and he follows me about like a dog."

While thus speaking they entered the best room, honored by the appellation of parlor, simply because it was not appropriated to culinary purposes; for the furniture was of the most ordinary and homely description-rush-bottomed chairs, with high, straight backs; a small, but very substantial mahogany table with two leaves, stood between the windows, which looked out upon the road, and above it was a small looking-glass in a plain gilt frame. Around the room were hung three or four coarse engravings on Scriptural subjects; while the white floor, scrubbed and cleaned until it was almost of the whiteness of snow, was destitute of a carpet.

On the table between the windows, Patsy had set forth the refreshments for the young officer, and, as he approached, drawing with him one of the high-backed chairs, he met her gaze fixed on him with an inquiring expression, as if she had intended to ask: "What do you think of her ?”

If the major read her glance aright, he made no reply, but seated himself abstractedly, and for a few moments leaned his head upon his hands.

"Well, major-I mean Aaron," she hastily said, correcting herself, "you seem in low spirits."

"No, Patsy," he said, raising his head, and looking affectionately on her open, ingenuous, and really hand