The Wounded Captain.

helped each other , ancl now father is not here to ask you to help him , so I came to ask for him . Mother don ' t know I have come . You will send for my father , won ' t you . " " Yes , " replied the judge , " God will not

permit the father of such a child to die in prison . If your father survives he shall be brought home . " Eda clasped her arms around the judge ' s neck , kissed his cheek , aud burying her face in his bosom , sobbed aloud , while the big tears stole down the cheeks of the judge and bid away in his iron-gray whiskers . "

On that night Charity Lodge of Free and Accepted Msisons was opened in due form , the members of which having been summoned for a special communication . The business especially claiming the attention of the Lodge was presented by Judge

B , by producing the short letter from the army of the Potomac in relation to Captain Arthur . The impossibility of obtaining passports into the confederate army , with the danger attending such au enterpriseeven with passportswere full

, , y discussed . The improbability of Captain Arthur still being a survivor , the difficult y attending his exchange , the danger to him on account of his wounds , if still surviving , attending his removal , if removal Avere permitted , the danger of his

remaining without proper attention and medical treatment in the enemy ' s hospital , Avere discussed . Another important question arose : Who will go . A thousand dollars had been raised to defray the expenses of the journey ancl the removal of the invalid or his mortal remains—but

who shall go ? there were enough to go ; many had offered to assume the responsibility of the task , but the ardour and impulsiveness of youth were the obstacles in the way of settling upon several of the younger brethren , while the Lodge Avas slow to select one from several who held the responsible positions of heads of families at home .

" I will go , " said Brother IT , rising in his place . He was a venerable old man . He Avas tall and straight . His hair and long flowing beard were white as snow . Although old , his brow was well knit , his cheek ivas as fresh as youth , while in his deep , keen eye could be read the ex-

The Wounded Captain.

perience of many years . " I AVIII go , said he . " Should I not return , there are none but yon , my brethren , to mourn my loss . I stand alone in the Avorld ; I haA'e seen the loved ones perish around me , and , like a blighted tree , I stand alone . I have

encountered many dangers in my time in foreign lands and amid the hordes of savages in our northern wilds ; in every exigency of danger I have found our beloved Order and its nvystic language sufficient for each emergency . I Avill go and

bring our brother home , if living ; if not , I Avill bring his remains to his Avife and child . "

Every eye in the Lodge moistened as this venerable old man resumed his seat . There he sat , the minister of mercy . The light rested softly upon his quiet and placid features , while a halo appeared to encircle his venerable brow . How grandly beautiful—how like an

angel of light towers before us the minister of charity ! How like the pitying angel of humanity he bends over the afflicted , and pours in the oil ancl wine of healing . Here let us draw the veil over the

deliberations of this . secret Order , as it plans ways ancl means in behalf of suffering humanity . ( To be Continued . )

The Secret Of Love.

THE SECRET OF LOVE .

THE burning sun had sot , And floods of crimson light Had decked tho Western Hemisphere ' s Descent to night . Across an ancient park

, 'Neath trees antique and grim , A gontlo maiden ivandoring came Through twilight dim . And on , and on , she sped , 'Till in th' increasing gloom , With eager eyes she plain discerned

The lights of home . While , as she gazed , she mused In twilight's solemn hour , Upon a certain favoured swain And Love ' s great power .