tell her of my gratitude, but it cannot be.'

That it can,' said Sally,

and off she goes to her missus, ma'am, who wrote direct to you.' "But you're too late,' broke in Sally, the poor dear died this morning early, she went off like a lamb while the clergyman was by her side. Would you like to see her, ma'am ?' I nodded an assent, I could not speak, and my mother and I walked after Sally up the narrow stairs, and into the chamber of death. We gazed with reverence on the departed, and left the room to rejoin those below, when Sally drew me on one side, ‘I've something here, ma'am, her weddin' ring; take it and keep it for Master Walter.' I thanked Sally, taking possession of the portrait, and the marriage certificate, both of which I send you. On the following Sunday afternoon, your uncle, Maud, and myself joined the mourners at the grave, and committed your mother's remains to their final resting-place, a bunch of immortelles was placed by my darling on the lid of the coffin; and Mr. Pye desires to be allowed to place a stone to her memory. There is no relation of whom you have need to be ashamed on your mother's side, dear Walter ; on your father's,—well, never mind. My husband was deeply touched when he saw his brother's portrait, and he took a journey to Portsmouth, where he has erected a stone to his memory. He talks very much about him, and has related many anecdotes of his early life which remind me of you; you also resemble him in personal appearance, and your brother's passion for the military profession is quite accounted for. Your search so far is over, and when you have found your brother you can return with him as soon as circumstances shall permit; until then we shall try to be patient, while anxiously awaiting letters from each of you. We were already related, and how mysterious were the dealings of the LORD, in placing you each with your own kindred, and in making all clear for you, and us, in this wonderful way. Good-bye, my dearest boy, the best love of your affectionate aunt and mother,

"ANNETTE EVANS."

Walter had read to the end of the letter. He now took up the portrait case, and looked long at the face of the miniature: it was very like his own, but taken at an earlier period of life. His heart was full of a deep, wild joy, which overcame his sorrows, of which he felt ashamed, as if it were robbing the dead of the just portion of grief which should be felt for them. But no shame would cling to him now, and he could go boldly and claim his prize. He resolved to commence with

renewed energy the search for his brother, which he had for the time abandoned; and as if to aid him in this step, came the order for the immediate embarkation of the troops for the Crimea, and Walter was soon busy packing. Then came the voyage-a short one-and after a rough march of seven days, they joined the camp before Sebastopol.

And now his work began in earnest. Surrounded by the dead, the dying, and the wounded, he knew not how to afford the help at his command quickly enough, and he worked night and day. The cold was fearful; hundreds perished in the trenches and from cholera, and Walter began to lose hope; his strength failed, and he feared he should fall a victim to this remorseless enemy just as life seemed to be opening its bright vista before him. He was going his round in the rough tents which served as hospitals for the wounded, when at the side of a mattress he knelt down, looking with unflinching gaze into the white face of the soldier before him; his eyes were closed, but he felt sure it was his brother-yes, there was no mistaking the face, so like his own, or the fine proportions of the manly form stretched out apparently in death! It was too much for Walter's nerves, already overtaxed; with a wild cry he stretched out his arms, and in a voice that roused even the dying from their lethargy, he cried, "My brother Israel, oh! my brother!"

The sound caused the heavy eyes to open, and they turned upon Walter, who, recovering his self-command, hastened to ascertain the amount of injury his brother had sustained. His examination was sad in its results he found he could only live a day or two, and his grief had full vent. He ministered to his wants, and with a cordial revived him. Then after a little time he knelt down and asked him,

do

you know me ?"

The reply was immediate.

"You are Mr. Walter Evans."

Israel,

"No," said Walter, "I am your brother-listen, Israel, I am your brother! I have found our father and mother, and you are my twin brother, which I now proclaim."

Just then a priest advanced, to whom Walter addressed himself.

"Reverend sir, I beg you to witness that I declare this man lying here to be my brother, whom I have long sought for in vain, and therefore I desire to pass the short time which remains to him on earth by his side. Can any one supply my place? Oh! my brother! I shall lose you as soon as I have found you!"

"Not lost," said the priest, "you will go to him, but he shall not

return to you. I will supply your place as far as lies in my power, and if you should be obliged to leave I will take your seat while you are absent. Willis and I have been good friends, and very much shall I deplore the loss of so brave a soldier and so good a man. But now I will leave you alone with your newly found relative, and may your intercourse, which I fear will soon be over, prove one of the blessed and happy remembrances of your life."

The clergyman then retraced his steps, and left the brothers together. Israel slept on the rough couch the sleep of exhaustion consequent upon loss of blood, and Walter knelt by his side on the mud floor of the hospital tent, watchful and earnest in prayer. Then he rose and spoke to some of the soldiers and their attendants, who were noiselessly attending to their wants. After that he wrapped himself in his rug, and laid himself down by the side of his brother, and he slept. Thus the two who had not rested side by side since infancy, once more reposed together, one strong in health, the other near the eternal shore.

So the night wore away, and as the daylight broke into the tent and the lamps were extinguished, Israel awoke. In a moment Walter sat up and took his hand, holding up his own to ensure silence. Then he raised him and gave him such refreshment as he could take, after which he once more put the question,—“ Israel, do you know me?” “You are my brother? is it so, or have I dreamed the dream tonight?"

“It is no dream. We are twin brothers, and as long as you live I will not leave you. I have been seeking for you many months, but oh! my GOD, that now I find you thus!" and Walter bowed his head upon his hands and wept bitterly.

The tears of a man have a sad pathos in them, yet surely no shame, although they would fain hide them from the gaze of the world. Did not our SAVIOUR weep at the grave of Lazarus? Then let not my readers think Walter impulsive and unreal in shedding tears for that brother whom he had all his life regarded as a stranger. Instinct and the voice of nature asserted their sway, and a wild cry went up to heaven that his brother might be spared to him. Israel put out his hand and touched him on the arm.

“My brother,” he said, “do not weep for me. what I feel in words, only that

I cannot tell you the whole love of my heart is given, next to my SAVIOUR, to you. He claims it first, for He has saved me through His precious Blood. Sit by me, Walter, and tell me all the story while I can listen and understand.”

Walter took his brother's hand, and sat by him, telling him all the history of their lives. Then he showed him their father's portrait, and the marriage certificate. All this he did very quietly, fearing to shorten the hours already numbered; but Israel listened with a bright, glad smile, never interrupting, and finally he heard of Maud and her parents. Walter then showed him the locket, and waited for him to speak.

"My joy is almost too much for me," he said; "do not think me slow to speak. I feel as if I was once more before Sebastopol, when the gallant 97th scaled the ramparts, and we shouted On to victory!' Then I knew no more until I found myself lying here, and heard your well-remembered voice, my brother." He dwelt with loving emphasis upon the word, and after a pause he said :-"That holy man who spoke to you is our chaplain; he has been a true friend to me, and through him I have been led to CHRIST, under Whose banner I have fought, the meanest of His soldiers, yet trusting in Him, and I would know whether you, too, fight under the banner of the Cross ?"

"Yes," said Walter, "very unworthily, very weakly, yet striving to follow in the steps of our Divine Redeemer."

"Then now, dear Walter, take my farewell blessing: may much earthly joy be yours, and hereafter the everlasting joy of the redeemed in heaven. Join me in praise to our gracious LORD, Who has sent us this wonderful token of His love and care. I have sung many hymns in dear old England, but never thought to sing them here with you. In my pocket are my Bible and Hymn-book; when you go back give the Bible to Jacob-he gave it to me-with my dying love, and let Sally have my purse. If you would like my Hymn-book, take it, and anything else you may find in my kit. I am a poor man, but I have three medals—take them, too, but bury my sword with me as a soldier should be buried. You will promise me this ?"

This he said with earnestness, and Walter promised. Then he insisted on rest; the chaplain coming up took his place beside the dying man, and he went his rounds, hearing many delirious murmurings of home and fatherland. Feeling faint, and weary in mind and body, after a short interval he returned to his brother, and finding he still slept, he narrated their history to the kindly priest, who at the conclusion replied: "I congratulate you on finding a brother so worthy the name of a Christian and a soldier. Willis-or, as I should rather say, Evansis a bright example of what a soldier ought to be. I wish there were more like him in the ranks, and I trust our friendship, begun by the side of this dying bed, may continue as long as we shall be in life."

Walter heartily responded, for Ernest Wood was a man whom it was an honour to know, and there would always be this remembrance of the war to link them together. And now, when his brother requested him a second time, Walter joined him in singing some of their much loved hymns, and Israel's voice rose strong and clear in the wellknown and beautiful words:

and again in,

"Soldiers of CHRIST, arise,

And put your armour on,

Strong in the strength which God supplies
Through His eternal Son;"

"Sweet the moments rich in blessing

Which before the Cross we spend," &c.

The sick and dying soldiers who surrounded them listened with rapt attention, and one or two tried to join; dear memories of England's Church and their distant homes, perhaps of village choirs or Sunday schools, filled many a heart, as the harmony rose in the tent. Israel sang as one inspired, and Walter's soul seemed borne on beyond earthly suffering and sin, by the strong faith which filled his brother's soul during these last hours of his earthly life.

Just then the lifeless form of Lieutenant Merton was borne in. Walter went to meet it, and saw at once that life had fled. When Israel heard who it was, he said, "He was a good man, lay me beside him," and the promise was given.

Early the next morning Walter perceived a great change approaching; a celebration of the Holy Sacrament took place, in which several of those present joined, and after it was over, Israel lay back in his brother's arms calmly waiting for the end. Softly Walter sang the

beautiful verses,

cr

"As now the sun's declining rays

Towards eventide descend,

E'en so our years are sinking down

To their appointed end.

"LORD, on the Cross Thine arms were stretched,

To draw us to the sky,

O, grant us then that Cross to love,

And in those arms to die."

Yes," answered his brother, "underneath are the everlasting arms. Every-blessing for-all I love, do-not forget-say that, I remembered all, I—know you will. Thanks be to GOD-for His unspeakable gift to me-the greatest of all sinners."