“And they shall receive it. But the wonder to me is, Wing, that you were not hurt, leading the men as you did to that terrible charge. You were not even slightly wounded, were you?” “Not even scratched, Colonel.” “Pray do you wear a magic armor under your uniform, Wing?” “Not that I know of, Colonel,” laughed the young officer. “You have been in at least half a dozen battles, and never once been wounded.” “Never yet, Colonel. But I have a presentiment that if I ever am struck, I shall not be wounded but killed,” said the boy officer gravely. “Nonsense, Wing, I don’t believe in presentiments. I never had a presentiment fulfilled in my life,” laughed the colonel. At that moment an orderly entered the quarters, saluted, and handed a small sealed packet to his colonel. Colonel Rosenthal broke it open and read it hastily, changed color as he never had done on the most fiercely fought battle-field, and then he passed the paper to Wing, saying: “You see it is a telegram summoning me immediately to Washington, and it must be acted upon without delay.” Wing also grew very pale as he read the dispatch. He returned it without a word. Colonel Rosenthal immediately put himself in communication with the general commanding his division, and the next day, having obtained a short furlough, left for Washington. A very few hours after the departure of Colonel Rosenthal, Captain Wing applied for ten days’ leave of absence for the purpose of visiting a dear friend supposed to be at the point of death. As this was the first occasion upon which the brave young officer had made an application of the sort, and as he had so recently rendered a distinguished service, it was promptly granted him. And the next morning Wing also left for Washington. CHAPTER XXXV. DEATH LIGHTS. Thy cheek too quickly flushes, o’er thine eye The shadows come and go too fast; Thy tears gush forth too soon, and in thy voice Are sounds of tenderness too passionate For peace on earth! Oh, therefore, child of song, ’Tis well thou should’st depart.—HEMANS. In the months that had elapsed since Albert Goldsborough’s death, and in the steady performance of every duty, Elfie had recovered her serenity and cheerfulness. The idea of atonement was very strong in Elfie, and under its influence, she devoted herself to the service of the sick and wounded soldiers in the hospitals with a zeal equal to that of Erminie.