in many ways that they were considered as invaders by the people of Maryland, and that their presence was obnoxious and hateful.  They, on the other hand, considered all Southern sympathizers as traitors to their flag and their country.  Every open expression of such feelings was severely punished.  Had it been known that any Confederate soldier was harbored or concealed in any house within the Federal lines, the owners would have been arrested together with the soldier they had hidden, their house would probably have been burned.  So it was necessary in the case of Mr. Grey to observe great secrecy and to plan carefully his removal.

My readers will remember that Nelly was suddenly sent off to stay at the farm-house.  Then Maum Winnie took occasion to pick a quarrel with the white servants, in which she succeeded so well that they both left in high displeasure.  Shortly afterward, one dark night, Farmer Dale drove up to the carriage gate with a high-piled load of hay.  There was a great deal of “geeing” and “hawing” and fuss, and then, instead of getting down, the farmer called out,—­

“Say, are you all asleep?”

At once Maum Winnie’s voice was heard inquiring,—­

“Who dat?”

“Hey, old girl, come down here and open the gate.  I’ve brought your hay, but I got stalled on the way, and it’s too late to put it up to-night.  I’ll have to drive the wagon in and leave it.  I’ll unload it in the morning.”

Maum Winnie shut the window, and soon was heard shuffling along the carriage-road, grumbling to herself.

“‘Fore do Lawd, I is plum wore out.  I dun wuk sence sun-up, an’ dere dat ar fodder fotch here jes’ es I gwine ter lie down.”

This pretence of ill-humor was kept up until the wagon was well out of sight from the street and driven up under a shed close by the kitchen-door, when poor old Maum Winnie came up close and whispered,—­

“Is you brung Mars Ned shure ’nuff?  Oh, whar he? tell Winnie whar he!”

Just then the two ladies stole out from the house and came close to the wagon.  Both seemed calm and self-possessed, save that the hurried breathing of Mrs. Grey showed her excitement.  A light might have betrayed them, and they dared not run any risks.  No time was now to be lost.  Mr. Grey was, indeed, concealed among the hay, and needed immediate attention, for the long ride had greatly increased the pain and fever of his wound.

Slowly he crept out from his hiding-place, and, with the assistance of the farmer and Winnie, managed to reach an upper room, where he sank exhausted, yet with a contented sigh, on the comfortable bed which had been for days awaiting him.

Under the loving care of the ladies and Maum Winnie he slowly improved.  No one had suspected his presence in the house until Nelly discovered him, as above related.

Mr. Grey scarcely dared to hope that the little girl would be able to keep the secret, but all was explained to her.  She was made to understand the extreme danger to all concerned in case of discovery.  The trust reposed in her made the child feel quite womanly.  Every day she became more helpful, a greater comfort to her anxious mamma, better able to assist in nursing.