OUR ORDER OF NOBILITY 
Our visitor was dressed In a dark-brown trav¬ 
eling dress, in fashionable style; her gloves, 
which were quite new, matching to a tint. On 
her head was a round hat, with simple trim¬ 
ming. Venus endeavored to assist her in tak¬ 
ing off her things, but without aid Miss Gil¬ 
lingham divested herself of her wrappings and 
then, with the quiet air of polite self-possession 
that comes of good breeding, took a seat. 
I had never seen such a typo of womanhood. 
There was a suggestion of strengt h about her 
although her complexion was fair, and her full 
I was glad of this, for t needed time to com¬ 
pose myself before l spoke with her—with him. 
MttLY brought up my breakfast, hut L tried 
In vain to eat. The coffee l drank, and on the 
strength of it began to say to myself that we 
wore not killed In the night. If a band of ma¬ 
rauders did come ; and as for M A Urlle being 
a man—haw ridiculous! - just because she had 
put on man’s dress, and because she was largo 
and strong, as all the Northern Indies probably 
were. More than once T rose to go down stairs, 
but sank back In my chair with my sense of 
bewilderment. 
MintiY came to carry down the breakfast; 
she was reticent as before, only .‘■•eying, “ Bress 
de Lord, Miss MA Belle was here to 'fend us 
from de thieving robbers." 
Scarcely had Millv left iny room two min¬ 
utes, before the door burst open and she rushed 
in again, Hector and little Jim at her heels. 
“Oh, Miss Nina, Miss Nina, do Loud help 
us! dey’se coming, dey'se coining! de bosses 
an' de ginorals to catch Miss Ma Bell“.” 
Helpless terror was on every face and l had 
uo courage of icy own; again the sense of 
blackness fell upon mo, but.Minor's arm held 
me up. Site brought a howl of water and splash¬ 
ed it upon my forehead. 1 remembered a con¬ 
versation with my dear Ma Belle a few days 
before; bow she bad said, when it was “ neces¬ 
sary to perform a difficult task, one should 
nerve oneself to do It,” Oh, Hint who were only 
here, when i needed her so much 1" 
Several more of the servants wore in my room 
by this time, but I was getting more composed, 
and MiL.i.v had already taken down a white 
muslin morning dross, when the sound of 
horses’ hoofs was heard on the gravel walk,ancl 
in a fow moments old Pete appeared, bringing 
on a "liver salvor a card—” General Gillie.” 
Pete gave, on his own uutborPy, the opinion 
that the gentlemen Were ill no hurry; indeed, 
from his earnestness, it would almost appear 
that the longer I delayed making my appear¬ 
ance, the more agreeable it would bo to them. 
It was not difficult tu understand. Pete had 
almost worshipped Ma Belle, and I knew ho 
was thin king that every moment ol' delay was 
gain to her; so slowly tying my sash, I said, 
“ Pete, whore la the young lady?” 
“ No one knows. Miss Nina, whore any young 
lady am, any minute; but ’specs do Loud will 
bress her.” 
MlM.Y placed her finger on her lip, pointing 
through the open window. In the distance I 
saw the figures; ouo I knew was Venus; the 
other also was in woman’s dress, and 1 knew it 
wasMA If ei.ee. Entering the parlor General 
fti EEi r introduced his throe companions, and 
said, “ Excuse me, Miss Aihuance, for troub¬ 
ling you,.but we are after a Yankee spy. Last 
night I understand you had li fright; I am ex¬ 
tremely sorry to hear it, but must say, by way 
Of excuse for the scamps, that they made a 
mistake. It was a house on the lower road they 
were after, where a man settled a year ago. 
Very suspicious he Is too; but the fellows 
brought a report of some one that answers to 
the description of the blasted sneak we are 
after.” 
“ Oh, wo were terribly frightened,” I replied ; 
“ but who pan you mean is a spy I There is no 
one here at all but my mother who is too ill to 
come down stairs—and myself, and the negroes. 
I don’t know what we should havedonebut for 
our dogs. Yes, tills was our defender, our 
hero,” and l began caressing “ Itnino,” who at 
sight of “ the buttons” had followed me into 
the parlor. “ ‘ Bruno,’ arc you a Yankee spy ?” 
Col. ftiEEre bail extended his hand and • Bruno’ 
uttered a low growl. 
“ There, gentlemen, you are answered. ‘ Bru¬ 
no’ repudiates the very Idea.” 
Then followed a little complimentary talk, 
and at last the party rose to go, but I sent for 
wine and fruit. 
“ Undoubtedly, ” said Col. Gieeie, seating 
himself leisurely, ” the mistake is all one with 
the blunder that brought those fellows here 
last night; and of course the party who have 
taken the lower road arc perfectly sure to spot 
the game.” 
They sat an hour longer, and when they again 
rose L insisted they should see our army of 
dogs. “They must be reviewed,” laaid ; but to 
myself 1 thought more time for MA Belle. 
Another half hour and they mounted their 
horses and rode away. They were gone, and my 
strength was gone too. t threw myself on the 
sofa and burst Into tears. 
The followlug day I found a letter on my toi¬ 
let. How it came there I never knew, but it 
contained the seal ring and a few lines in Ma 
Brel's writing “I have no right to keep this 
ring, my darling Nina,” the note ran. “ It was 
given as a pledge of love, and if it is again re¬ 
ceived bow precious will It he. Should it be 
left in the jasmine bower it will find its way to 
me. With love always for you, Ma Belle.” 
Oh, joy of joya! J could then write to ray 
dear friends; quickly my desk was opened,but 
what should Isay? It was Indeed a dear friend 
to whom my heart was reaching, but then the 
change—such a change! My cheek suffused 
with blushes every time l recalled that conver¬ 
sation in the jasmine bower. I tried to write a 
Commonplace note, but this would not do. 
Note after note was destroyed- At last ail I could 
say was, “The ring is yours— Nina.” No, let 
me write, “The ring Is yours, with love, Nina.” 
My own hand left it in the jasmine bower. 
Three months after, again a note was found 
on my toilet from?—yes, from my dearest 
friend. That letter must not be transcribed ; 
it was brimming with love, and was written to 
my own heart. It asked would I wait; and 
ten; but mamma every time said it was not'a 
good match aud sent them away, and I was 
rather glad ; but, dear Ma Belle, If you would 
stay here and be always my friend and love me, 
I never should want a lover or to bo married." 
“ Dear, dear NtNA," Ma Belle said, bending 
down and kissing me, “ wo will bo friends ; in¬ 
deed, I do dearly, dearly Jove you.” 
J took a small seal ring from my finger and 
put it on her little finger where It just fitted. 
,She smiled, and putting lier arm arouud my 
waist, kissed ine again. 
THE patent of nobility 
Dates further back than history, 
Or any parchment scroll. 
Or coats of arms of ancient lords. 
Or mystic signs, or delphic words— 
’Tis written in the soul. 
Good blood is that which never pales. 
When error's sword the right assails; 
It flashes like a flame 
When innocence Is trodden down; 
It whitens not before the crown 
Of laurel worn by fame. 
Royal is the blood, when hearts are true: 
To prove the pulsing current blue. 
By name, and date, and birth, 
Will not suffice when left alone; 
He Is the king upon the throne 
Who has true moral worth. 
No glided coat of arms ho needs. 
Whose title springs from pplendid deeds ; 
Self-poised, star-crowned and tall. 
He stands, like some high tower that flings 
A shadow on the potty kings, 
Like the anointed Saul. 
A crown may he a vacant show, 
A scarf of stars a blinding glow, 
Cold the embroidered zone; 
A title, not. n title deed, 
The scepter, but a broken reed, 
A dunce’s block the throne. 
At home, in school, let youth he taught 
To win nobillly of thought; 
Thoughts are the fruitful seeds, 
Sown broadcast In our daily walk, 
They bud and blossom on the stalk 
Of daily life in deeds. 
[Oco. TV. Hun gay 
BY MRS. GEORGE BARTLETT 
I was In my seventeenth year when the war 
of the Southern Confederacy broke out, and a 
sense of agitation interrupted the extreme quiet 
of our old plantation home in Georgia. A very 
secluded home Indeed it was, nearly surround" 
ed by a swamp, which might well lie called Dis¬ 
mal ; while Coosaw, the nearest village, was six 
miles off. 
My mother and myself, with about forty ne¬ 
groes, constituted the family. It is true I was 
somewhat accustomed to this life of solitude, 
ami since my governess had left mo two years 
before, had contrived to amuse myself witli my 
pets, my music, my embroidery, and the books 
sent by my friends at the North. 
My mother had boon for some time an inva¬ 
lid, and was often ill for days together ; accord¬ 
ingly, I was not surprised one morning when 
she sent for me to come to her dressing-room 
to find her lying on the sofa pale and weak; 
but Bhe held in her hand an open letter and told 
me It was from her old friend and relative, Dr. 
Frrznuou, who wrote desiring to Introduce a 
young lady of his acquaintance who wished to 
spend a few weeks in a milder climate. Dr. 
Fitzhugh went on to say that ho should take 
it a* a personal favor if my mother would re¬ 
ceive Mibs Gillingham into our family. If 
this was not convenient, ho felt sure she would 
make her acquaintance and suggest a place of 
abode for her in the neighborhood. 
“Nina,” said my mother, “ my first thdught 
on reading this was how impossible it would be 
to accede to Dr. Fitzhugh 's proposal so far as 
toiniite this young lady to make one of our 
family, but I am not quite sure what to think. 
It certainly was very kind In the Doctor to 
write me 3uch a pleasant, complimentary letter, 
and I should like to oblige him. I am not able 
to entertain a visitor, but if you can amuse her, 
you might perhaps flud it pleasant to have a 
companion.” 
“ Oh, dear, dear mamma, how pleasant it will 
be," I exclaimed ; “ how glad I shall be to have 
her come 1” 
“ Well,” continued my mother, “ as I under¬ 
stand—let me see, where is It ?—she will start 
about the time this letter is mailed, so we may 
expect her any moment.” 
“The Doctor says she completed her growth 
several years ago, but grew so very tall aud 
large and at the time so rapidly, that her health 
was Impaired, and now she needs this change 
of climate.” 
With this anticipation of delight I thought of 
the oomtog of this lady, and went to my room 
to look with fresh pleasure over my patterns 
for embroidery and get out my half-finished 
crayonB. 
The evening of the following day, glancing 
out of the window the hundredth time, I saw a 
carriage coming up the grass-grown drive. Miss 
Gillingham had come, and I received her on 
the porch ; but oh, my—was that the young 
lady! Venus, my old nurse, was;at the thresh¬ 
old, and I saw the surprise that was In her 
mind making Itself visible In her shiny face. 
Dr. Fitzhugh had w ritten that Miss Gilling¬ 
ham had outgrown her strength ; but how very 
tall she was! and at the same time proportion¬ 
ately large. Already her veil was removed, and 
she smiled very charmingly as she met my prof¬ 
fered hand. I felt impressed at tnat first mo¬ 
ment. There was no air of superiority, at the 
same time something to me almost Imposing, 
as she entered our sitting parlor, and I saw that 
my mother was impressed as myself. 
blue eye very soft in its expression ; her hair — 
which site afterward told me had been cut in 
her illness—was Light, and sufficiently Jong to 
lie in pretty waves over her head. 
Tea waa ready and wo sat down, my dear 
mother and I looking anxious and oppressed. 
Before we rose from the table, however, T no¬ 
ticed that look was quite gone and L did see a 
sparkle in her oye. As for mo,I was dreadfully 
shy at first, but by the time we returned to the 
parlor I felt ready to put my arm around ray 
new friend's waist and tell her how glad I was 
Bhe had come. 
Soon w'o wont to the piano and I sat down to 
play. My mother was proud of my musical 
proficiency and f, myself, waa perhaps a little 
vaiD, I played several waltzes which Miss Gil¬ 
lingham complimented. Then I bogged to 
hear her,and she gave the overture to “'William 
Tell.” I had never heard such music. Her 
hands were largo, hut white and very shapely, 
and that beautifully pronounced touch was 
something wonderful. When she had finished, 
I could not but exclaim, “Oh, Miss Gilling¬ 
ham, how charmingly you play!—how could I 
ever let you hear me I” 
That night, going up to niv room, I smiled at 
the sight of the patterns, laid out to amuse the 
Northern lady; those patterns went speedily 
to the top 9heif of my closet, and I went to bed 
to dream that a new path flooded with light 
was opening before me. 
The next day, and the next, passed. We prac¬ 
ticed piano music; we read, wo talked, we took 
long drives or horseback rides together, I 
laughed one day and called her my Northern 
Light. Miss Gillingham was much interested 
in the political state of the country and very 
often asked questions of the persons we met in 
our excursions. My mother and myself were 
greatly terrified at the prospect before our be¬ 
loved South, arid oh, what a comfort it was now 
to have tills new friend!—although she was 
only a woman. She had told me she was named 
Henri— or Henrietta, after an uncle, but f 
had begun to call her Ma Belle, and would 
not drop It. 
About, two weeks after her arrival, we went 
one evening to the jasmine bower—a quarter of 
a mile perhaps from the house. The vine, golden 
with its mass of flowers, wan of wonderful 
growth, forming a beautiful arbor, and we sat 
on the rustic seat beneath It. 
“Oh, Ma Belle!’ T exclaimed, “ how did I 
ever enjoy myself before you came? I love 
mamma, but next to her, you are dearer than 
all the world beside. S jmetimes I used to wish 
for a lover; not to he romantic, you know, but 
because—because—well, bo that I might love 
him.” 
“Oh, I half suspect my dear little Nina has 
a lover." 
“No, indeed, not now; three times some one 
came to make love—four times—I had forgo 
“Ma Belle, tell mo about yourself; are you 
in love ?” 
She hesitated and blushed, casting a quick, 
perplexed glance at mo. “One’s affaira du 
emur cannot always be spoken of, you know, 
dear,” she said. “ F should tell my secret to 
you, if f might tell It to any one ; but come, the 
dew Is falling; let us go back.” 
That night my mother was ill and asked for a 
powder to induce sleep. At two o’clock she 
was In a profound slumber, and I returned to 
my room, sitting down by the window In the 
deep hush of the night, to watch the moon 
struggling through the clouds. Suddenly old 
“ Bruno" ran past with a low, prolonged growl. 
In a moment “Victor" joined him, and the 
other dogs harked in chorus from the negro 
quarter. What oouhl i>e the matter? In a 
moment more several men were discernible, 
moving stealthily behind the hushes. Trem¬ 
bling from head to foot I drew hack from the 
window. The footsteps became more distinct; 
they were on thegravel walk ami passing round 
the house. 
The dogs were now barking furiously. T could 
hear, too. the sound or ascnflle. and I knew the 
negroes were there. My II mbs shook under me, 
but I reached the side of rny bed and sat down, 
the perspiration starting from every pore. Oh, 
horror! the sounds now were upon the piazza, 
and the entrance door was violently shaken; 
there was a sense of crushing blackness, and I 
knew no more. 
The morning sun was shining when I came to 
and recollected, as a dreadful dream, the hor¬ 
ror of the night. Cautiously opening the door 
into my mother’s room, l was glad to find tier 
sleeping tranquilly. T dressed myself, scarcely 
daring to open the door to call Millv to assist 
me; butthen, growing courageous, I went df wn 
stairs. Venue met me in the ball below. “ Oh, 
Miss Nina, Miss Nina," she said, hurriedly and 
under her breath, “don’t come dis way!" 
“What la the matter, Venus ? What has hap¬ 
pened? Where is-" 
T bad already caught sight of a young man 
sitting on the piazza in one oi the easy chairs, 
his feet supported by another, making a sort of 
couch. A blanket was folded about him and 
his head, which had a bandage about it, rested 
on a pillow. The head turned slightly, and I 
saw a trace of blood on the side of the face. 
One glance revealed all this, and in amazement 
I stood transfixed. Venus again extended her 
arms and said, “ Don’t come dis ere way; don’t, 
Miss Nina— don’t!” 
Then she whispered—her eyes rolling—” Miss 
Nina, dat ar dear girl am a boy!-Miss MA 
Belli: am a boy!” 
I had recognized that face, notwithstanding 
the bandage, the pallor, and the trace of blood. 
I saw it was Ma Belle. “ Venus, Is she hurt 
very badly? Will she die?" 
“ No, chile, no; but she just dun gone asleep.’ 
