Elsie understood it when, an hour later, the elder Mr. Allison entered the
parlor, where she and Adelaide were chatting together, with Harold leaning
on his arm.
They both shook hands with her, the old gentleman saying, "My dear, I am
rejoiced to have you among us again;" Harold silently, but with a sad,
wistful, yearning look out of his large bright eyes, that filled hers with
tears.
His father and Adelaide helped him to an easy chair, and as he sank back
pantingly upon its cushions, Elsie--completely overcome at sight of the
feeble, wasted frame, and wan, sunken features--stole quickly from the
room.
Adelaide followed, to find her in the sitting-room on the opposite side of
the hall, weeping bitterly.
"Oh, Aunt Adie," she sobbed; "he's dying!"
"Yes," Adelaide answered, with the tears coursing down her own cheeks, "we
all know it now; all but father and mother, who will not give up hope.
Poor May! hers will be but a sad wedding. She would have put it off, but
he begged her not, saying he wanted to be present and to greet Duncan as
his brother--Duncan, to whom he owed so much. But for him, you know,
Harold would have perished at Andersonville; where, indeed, he got his
death."
"No, I have heard very little about it."
"Then Harold will tell you the story of their escape.
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