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piteously that her second son might be spared.

But it was too late now to withdraw. Besides, had not he himself gone forth from the nest at the same tender age to try the strength of his wings? Why anticipate evil? The major hoped for the best, and by way of farewell, spoke a short sharp common-place word.

Be sure

"Good-bye, now, my dear boy. you ask for hot water things if you feel the cold; and you'll write, won't you, from Dublin, or wherever you can first? Now" and there was a short pause, during which each looked in the other's eyes, a long unflinching gaze-"Alured; good-bye, God bless you. I know you will do well." A warm pressure of the hand was all Alured's reply; for there was a great lump in his throat, which, with all his bravery, he could not gulp down. No more was said. The bell was ringing, there was a banging of doors, the guard's whistle was blown shrilly above the din, and the train began to move slowly off leaving Major Frere, to Alured's eyes, a dim figure on the platform, scarce recognisable for the mist

that obscured-well, let us say the carriage window.

Then the engine gave a fierce snort, and taking the bit between its teeth, rattled off at lightning speed, forth from the gas-lit station out into the dark cheerless night.

CHAPTER V.

Enter Pistol.

Pistol. Qui va là.

FAIRLY OFF.

K. Henry. A friend.

Pistol. Discuss unto me-Art thou an officer, or art thou base, common, and popular?

K. Henry. I am a gentleman of a company.

Henry V.

"LIKE a young bear, eh?" said a voice by

and-by at Alured's elbow.

But the remark

had to be repeated before it roused the lad

from his thoughts.

"Like a young bear, eh? wid all your troubles beforr you."

"I beg your pardon," said Alured abstractedly. 'Did you speak to me?"

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"I did that, me bhoy. And whhere might you be bound forr ?"

Alured did not like this cross-examination. He had been particularly cautioned against making friends with strangers. Stories of card-sharpers and decoys crossed his mind at

once, so he answered as he thought stiffly and with dignity.

"I am going to join my regiment."

"Och_murther! and would they be sending a wee slip of a chap like you to the bloody wars? What a cruel shame."

A hot flush passed over the lad's face as he replied, indignantly,—

"That's my business.

Besides, my father was younger by two years than I am when he entered the service."

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Mighty useful you'll be out yonder. For you'll be going to the Crimay, of coorse?" "Yes; my regiment is there. I hope to get out before the war is over.'

His interlocutor burst into a loud laugh, which made Alured angrier than ever. But the first speaker was immediately checked by another passenger, evidently his companion— there were only the three people in the carriage.

"Leave the young gentleman alone, Shamus. Where the divil are yer manners. I hope, sir," went on the new voice to Alured, "you won't mind him. He was brought up in a

hedge school, and his father wouldn't pay the extra sod of turf for good breeding. He's always full of his jokes, though they're bad at the best. Might I ask whether yer going over to ould Ireland? ye are ?"

"Yes; to Ballybanagher."

66

I dare say yer strange to this line. I shall be very glad to be of any use with your baggage and all that."

Alured hugged his ticket close, and looked anxiously up to the rack to see if his hat-box and sword-case were safe. This was another and a more insidious attack he thought upon himself and his belongings.

"We're going as far as Westland RowDublin I mean-and we'll be proud to do the honours for you to the ould country."

"Thank you very much," replied Alured coldly-after which there was a pause in the conversation. Presently the others began to talk about butter, bacon, and pigs, thereby revealing themselves and their calling. From this they diverged to a discussion about accents and brogues. The last of which Alured remembered was a remark from Shamus, a

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