Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1843-09-15

rltaDle temperament, anu Tue HTSt. pangS Ol
her sorrow had been expressed by shrieks
and passionate lamentation. She now
shrunk from Marys words, like wounded
sufferer from hand that revives the throb
"There is no blessing left for me, neither
will ask it," cried Margaret with fresh
burst of tears. "Would it were His will
that might never taste food more %
Yet she trembIed at these rebellious ex-
pressions, almost as soon as they were ut
tered, and, by degrees, Mary succeeded in
bringing her sisters mind nearer TO the
situation of her own. Time went on, and
their usual hour Of repose arrived. The
brothers and their brides, entering the mar
ried state with no more than the slender
means which then sanctioned such step,
and confederated themselves in one house
hold, with equal rights to the parlor, aud
claiming exclusive privileges in two sleeping
rooms contiguous to it. Thither the widow
ed ones retired, after heaping ashes upon
the dying embers of the fire, and placing
lighted lamp upon the hearth. The doors
of both chambers were left open, so that
part of the interior of each, and the beds
with their Enclosed curtains, were recipro-
caly visible. Sleep did not steal upon the
sisters at one and the same time. Mary ex-
perienced the effect often consequent upon
grief quietly borne, and soon sunk into
temporary forgetfulness, while Margaret be-
came mo:e disturbed and leverish in pro-
portion as the night advanced with its deep
est and stilest hour. She lay listening TO
the drops of rain, that came down in mo-
noionous succession, unswayed by breath
of wind and a nervous impulse continually
caused her to lift her head from the pillow,
and gaze into Mary's chamber and the in
termediate apartment. The cold light Of
the lamp threw the shadows Of the furniture
up against the wall, stamping them immov-
able there, except when they were shaken
by sudden flicker Of the flame. Two vacant
arm-chairs were in their old positions on OPP
posiie sides of the hearth, where the broth
ers had been wont 10 sit in young and laugh
ing dignity, as heads of families Two
humber seats were near them, the true
thrones of tina. little empire, where Mary
and herself had exercised in love, a power
that love had won. The cheerful radiance
Of the fire had shone upon the happy circle,
aud the dead glimmer Of the lamp might
have beftted their reunion now. While
Margaret groaned in bitterness, she heard
knock at the street door.
"lIow would my heart have leapt at that
sound but yesterdayW thought she, remem-
herring the anxiety with which she had long
awaited tidings from her husband. 81 care
not for il now; let them begone, for will
not arise"
But even while a sort Of childish fretful-
ness made her thus resolve, she was breath
ing hurliedly, and straining her ears to
catch repetition of the summons Ii is
difficult TO be convinced of the death Of one
whom we have deemed another self The
knocking was now renewed in slow and
regular strokes, apparently given with the
soft end of doubled fist, and was accompa-
MED by words family heard through several
thcknesses of the wall Margaret looked
to her sisters chamber, and beheld her still
lying in the depths of sleep. She arose,
placed her foot upon the floor, and slightly
arrayed herself, trembling between fear and
eagerness as she did so.
"Heaven help me p sighed she. 81 have
nothing left to fear, aud methinks | am ten
| times more coward than ever"
, Selling the lamp from the hearth, she
fastened to the window that overlooked the
t street door II was a lattice, turning upon
{ hinges and having throwed il back, she
stretched her head little way into the moist
5 atmosphere A lantern was reddening the
) front of the house, and melting It's light in
: the neighboring puddles, while deluge o.
: darkness overwhelmed every other object
: As the window grated on its hinges, amar
/ in a broad-brimmed hat and banke;-coat
J stepped from under the shelter of the pro-
: iecting story, and looked upward to discover
: whom his application had aroused. Marga
. rel knew him as friendly inkeeper of the
0 town.
What would you have, Goodman Parkerl'
. cried the widow.
LACK. a-day, sit you, mistress Margaret
replied the inkeeper. Il was afraid it nigh
: be your sister Mary for l hate to see
: young woman in trouble, when haven't
: word Of comfort to whisper her."
. "For Heavens sake, what news do yol
4 bring n screamed Margaret.
r "Why, there has been an express through
r the town within this half hour" said Good
!. man Parker, travelling from the eastern
d jurisdiction with letters 10 the Governor ant
V Council. He tarred at my houset 10 relresl
!. himself with drop and a morsel, and
e asked him what tidings on the frontiers. =
n He tells me we had the better in the skirm
e ish you wot Of, and that thirteen men re
If ported slain, are well and sound, and you
E husband among them. Besides, he is aF
e pointed Of the escort to bring the captivate
d Frenchers and Indians home TO the PROVING
r jail judged you wouldn't mind bein
N broke of your rest, and so / slept over to tie
+. you. Good night" yq4 nl
II CO snuinn the honest man dennrted an