CHAPTER TWENTY-FOURTH.
RETURN OF ALFRED WENTWORTH--A STRANGER.
After long weeks of pain and illness Alfred Wentworth became well enough to return to the Confederacy.

He was accordingly sent down by the first flag of truce that went to Vicksburg after his recovery, and two days after the committal of his wife arrived at Jackson, where he was warmly welcomed by Harry.
"I am delighted to see you, my dear friend," he exclaimed, shaking his hands warmly, "you have no idea the suspense I have been in since my escape, to learn whether you were re-captured.

It would have reproached me to the last hour of my life had you been killed by those cursed Yankees." "I came pretty near it," replied Alfred, smiling at his friend's earnestness.
"You were not hurt, were you ?" enquired his friend.
"The slight matter of a few minie balls, lodged in different parts of my body, is all the injury I received," he answered.
"I suppose that occasioned your not coming with the first lot of prisoners," Harry remarked.
"Yes," he replied, "when the cartel was arranged and orders were given for the prisoners to prepare for their departure from Camp Douglas, I was still suffering from my wound, and the doctors declared me unable to move for several days.

An excited mind soon brought on fever, which so prostrated me that the days extended to weeks before I was able to leave the hospital." "I am heartily glad to see you once more safe on Confederate soil, at any rate," observed Harry, and he added, "as I will insist upon your staying at my house while you are here, let me know where your baggage is, that I may hate it removed." "I am staying at the Burman House, but what little baggage I possess is at Vicksburg." "Then take a walk with me to the residence of Dr.Humphries," said Harry, "and I will introduce you to my betrothed." "I thank you," Alfred replied, "but the present state of my wardrobe does not admit of my appearing before ladies." "Pshaw," observed Harry, "that is the least part of the question.

Let me know what you desire and I will get it for you directly." "I have about seven hundred dollars in Confederate money with me," answered Alfred, "if you will show me some store where I can purchase a decent suit of clothes; that will be all I shall trouble you for." "Take a walk with me to Lemby's clothing store and you will find a fine outfit there." Drawing Alfred's arm in his, Harry conducted him to Lemby's clothing store, where a suit of clothing was bought.