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CHAPTER XII.

I dare do all that may become a man;

Who dares do more, is none.-Macbeth.

'WHAT a confoundedly stupid thing it is that people can't do as they choose!' said Thornton, throwing down the paper one morning.

'Do you think so?' said his sister. 'Now I think that much of the confusion of the world is because people will do as they choose.'

'What else should they do?'

"That depends

reason in the choice.'

Choice is a poor reason if there be no

'Now here,' continued Thornton without heeding her, 'here has this precious court martial dismissed Capt. Lewis from the army, just because he chose to play cards.'

'Chose to gamble' said Rosalie.

'Call it what you like-' said Thornton, 'I can't for the life of me see whose concern it was but his own. Why shouldn't he gamble-if it amuses him?'

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Why shouldn't he cut throats—if it amuses him?' 'He may for what I care.'

'What are the reasons given for his dismissal?' said Rosalie,' what is the verdict?'

'Here it is, in full.

"Head Quarters, &c.

"At a general court martial, whereof Colonel Thomas Parker was president, was tried Captain Charles Lewis, of

DISMISSED THE SERVICE.

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the 29th regiment, on the following charge and specifications :

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Charge-Conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman. "Specification 1. Holding a faro-bank at his quarters near Buffalo, about the 6th Nov. 1812.

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Specif. 2. Gambling with his own waiter, and other soldiers, at faro, same time and place.

"Specif. 3. Winning and receiving money of soldiers, same time and place.

"Specif. 4. Boasting to his waiter, that he had won $60 with a pack of cards, about the same time and place.

"To which charge and specifications the prisoner pleaded not guilty of the charge-guilty of the first and third specifications, and not guilty of the fourth.

"The court, after mature deliberation, find the prisoner, Capt. Charles Lewis, guilty of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th specifications; and guilty of the charge preferred against him; and sentence him to be dismissed the service of the United States.

"The General approves the sentence; and Capt. Charles Lewis is accordingly dismissed the service of the United States.

"(By order)

"JAMES BANKHEAD, brigade major."

'Pretty specimen of impertinent and unjust interference, isn't it?' said Thornton when he had finished.

'I know too little of military law to say whether it be unjust or no; but I should sooner call it humanity than impertinence - if it makes Capt. Lewis ashamed of what does not become the gentleman and ruins the man.'

'What nonsense you do talk!' said Thornton angrily,— 'just because you know nothing about the matter—or think nothing,'

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'Just because I know and think. O Thornton, you should not defend gambling!—it has lost us too much.'

'Lost! how do you know that I ever lost anything?' 'I know of one most precious thing,-I need not seek further.'

"It will be time enough to remind me of that when I have forgotten it,' said the young man with an uneasy change of posture.

She left her seat, and kneeling down by him leant her head on his shoulder.

'Is it possible that you can remember and disregard it? What would I not do- what would I not bear, to save you from these false friends-these degrading and ruining pursuits! To see you take the part of a man and a christian in the world. To see you live for something more than the day's laugh and the night's amusement. O Thornton, is it worthy of you? while this command stands unerased, "I am the Almighty God. Walk before me and be thou verfect."

He was looking down, somewhat sullenly; and neither by word nor look did he answer her words, nor the hand that drew back the hair from his forehead as caressingly as if he had been a child, nor the earnest eyes that he knew were studying his face. In his secret mind, Thornton felt very much as if he were Captain Lewis just hearing Major Bankhead dismiss him the service,-but if Rosalie's power was strong so also was his resistance.

'And you think,' he said, 'that people's hearts are always open to the view of their fellow-creatures,—that secret good and evil do not exist.'

'But I must

'I think anything else,' said his sister. believe the words of Christ, and he says, "Whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven."

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AWAKENED MEMORIES.

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How tenderly it was spoken! and yet how gravely too. Thornton thought he had got about enough. His next effort was in a different way.

There is no doubt of your filling your place as a woman,' he said lightly. 'I will give my testimony to that effect whenever it is called for. But for the present, as you do not belong to my regiment suppose you let me repair to those that do. As to taking you for my commanding officer, I'll think about it,-it's not always safe to invest guardians with extraordinary powers. So let me go-here am I bound not neck and heels exactly, but neck and hand. You can rule enough of the lords of creation if you will only take the right way for it.'

She had not tried to interrupt his words, the drift of which she knew full well; and at last to get rid of the uneasy consciousness that her eye was upon him, Thornton turned suddenly and met it. The spark flew,-and the shock awoke all the old memories of his mother, whose look he seemed to see again in those sweet eyes, memories which were or tried to be ofttimes asleep. Putting his arm round Rosalie he drew her head down to his shoulder again.

'What has got into you to-day, pretty one?' he said. 'Cannot you be content to rule men in woman's own way, and leave them free in other respects?'

'You are not free-that is the very thing.'

'I won't fight you for that, seeing you are my sister,' said Thornton, but I must really demand an explanation.' ""Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin," -said his sister sadly.

'You are cool in your remarks, at least,' said Thornton reddening. At the next one of that sort I shall take my departure. And I really had something to say to you.'

'What?' she said, looking up at him with a most disarming face as he now stood before her.

'Are you willing, Lady Paramount, that I should bring some of my friends here some evening?'

'I do not understand you, Thornton-you have them whenever you please.'

'Of course! But I mean can I have you as well? will my canary bird please to be visible? Well?-what are you meditating ?—what sword thrust am I to have now?'

'Dear Thornton-I wish you would not talk so. I will see anybody you wish me to, of course- -if_'

'Ay-there's a world-wide difference between your of course and your if,' said her brother dryly.

'You know there is nothing in the world I would not do for you unless I thought it wrong. I will see anybody you choose to bring here, and entertain them to the best of my power, if the entertainment may be without cards or wine.'

Displeased as he was Thornton held his words in check. Hers had been spoken in so low a tone, at once so timid and so resolute, that it shamed him into gentleness. At last he spoke, but in a constrained voice.

'Why not say 'no' at once? it would be rather more frank, and save both time and trouble.'

'It would not have been what I meant. Is it quite impossible for gentlemen to spend a pleasant evening without those two things?'

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Quite impossible for me to offer it.'

'But why? One has surely a right to one's own opinions, and to the free expression of them.'

The word 'free' struck him disagreeably, and he was silent. Rosalie went on.

'I will do anything that I can to give you or your guests pleasure, Thornton,-I will lay myself out for their

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