height. We can scarcely fail to have tall, good-looking children
some of these days!"

She shrugged her shoulders slightly, and looked at him in a strange
manner. "I am as strong and as healthy as you," said she, "my sight
is as sharp, my hand as sure. Were I Charles Henry Buschman, I would
be a good soldier, for I have courage--I would lot tremble at the
cannon-balls."

"But, fortunately, you are not a man," said Charles Henry, laughing.
"You are the beautiful Anna Sophia, who is this day to become my
wife to save me from being a soldier."

"No, Charles Henry; the war must be at an end, and Charles Henry
Buschman must have returned a brave soldier, before I can marry
him."

"You mean," said he, with trembling lips--"you mean I must be a
soldier?"

"As you have said, they will not let you off. You are a strong,
healthy youth--you are unmarried, and have no one to support, for
your father can take care of himself. Why, then, as the king is in
need of soldiers, should they pass you by?"

"It is too true." murmured Charles Henry, despondently. After a
slight pause, he said: "But I will not be a soldier--I cannot! For
it is true I am a coward--I have not a particle of courage! That is
born with one, it cannot be acquired; I have it not, and cannot
therefore be a soldier."