She turned slightly pale, and asked, ‘when?’

‘To-night, I join the army for Mexico,’ I firmly replied.

A deep flush passed haughtily across her brow, and then waving her hand gracefully, she replied, ‘Go,’ and glided through the mazes of the dance.

I rushed from the spot, and never paused until I had entered the recruiting office, and offered myself a candidate for the army.

‘Are you a good, moral man, of well-regulated habits?’ asked the sergeant.

’Can give a hundred certificates, if necessary, I hastily replied.

‘I rather think you’ll do,’ said the officer with a smile, and he enrolled me as a soldier.  ‘When do you wish to leave?’

‘Now—­to-night—­to-morrow—­any time,’ I eagerly answered.

’Promptness is a good quality, you will make a good soldier.  Get ready to start at eight o’clock in the morning, for Newport, Ky.’

‘I will be ready,’ and, rushing from the room, I hastened home, packed up my things, and threw myself down on the bed to sleep.  But it was impossible.  Heavy thoughts were crowding my mind with lightning speed, and I resolved to depart the next day, without bidding adieu to father or mother, sister or brother; but feeling a deep respect, which I held for my father’s advice, would prevail and I should be induced to remain at home.  I made the resolve and carried it out.  The next morning I was at the office by seven o’clock, was furnished with a suit of regimentals, and departed for the railroad depot to start for Wheeling.  As I hurried along, who should turn the corner of the street but Eveline, and we met for the last time on earth.  I informed her of my intentions, and, without manifesting any disposition of regret at my departure, she gaily said:  “‘Good bye, and may good luck attend you,’ and she glided away.

“A new fuel was added to my desire to hasten from such scenes; and I had soon left the town for the Ohio.  I will not weary you with further details, as my breath is failing fast.  Suffice it to say I arrived in Mexico, and, here I am, perishing by inches upon the battle-field.

“Here,” he continued, “is a ring,” taking one from his finger, and presenting it to me, “which was given me by Eveline as a bond of our marriage contract.  I have worn it ever since, and, as I told her then, ‘it shall leave me but with my death,’ Take it to her, when you get back, and, if she be not married, give it to her, and tell her he who sent it never forgot her for a single moment, even in his dying hour, and is lying beneath the clods of a foreign soil.  This Bible, give back to my father, and tell him I have studied its precepts:  to my mother and sisters, say that I have sent them a son’s and brother’s dying love; tell my brothers to beware of human strife.”

He faltered in his speech, and then murmuring, “I am going,” pressed my hand feebly and expired.  I dug a lone grave upon the field, and laid him to “sleep his last sleep,” until that day when all shall be summoned to a final account.