The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-05-15
CHAPTER IL.

LIS Ohly Wheh they spring 10 heaven that angels
Reveal themselves to you" BrOvRng.
From that time the voyages Of Captain Preston
were not so long as formerly, and be often spent
many months, sometimes year or two, with his
family. He frequently spoke Of resignins his sea-
fsring life altogether but ever concluding that
he was not yet in situation to render the step a
prudent one for his business interests Finally,
when he had been about fifteen years married, he
set out on what he intended aud promised his
family should be his last voyage. He was at this
time the father of three children the son of whom
we have spoken, q healthful high-spirited boy
and two daughters Pauline and Louise-tbe first
greatly resembling her father, the second very
like the mother
Captain Preston was panied to leave his gentle
wife looking paler and more thin than usual, and to
observe, for she said nothing Of it, that she was
troubled with a slight cough Yet he was of a
most hopeful spirit, and even as he heard her
low voice, and saw her faint smile, 80 much sad
der than tears, he trusted that the coming sum-
mer would bring her health and more cheerful
spirits
Mrs Preston had usually a remarkable control
over her painful emotions, and was peculiarly
calm in all seasons Of trial but at this parting
she chung long and closely about her husbands
neck-it seemed that she could not let him GO She
buried her face in bis bosom, and wept and sobbed
in irrepressibe anguish.
At last, unwinding her fond arms he resigned
her. hafainting, to the care of her sister, hastily
embraced his children, and rushed from the house
He heard his name called in wild pleading
voice, yet he dared not look back, but ran down
the long garden walk, and paused not till he had
reached the road. He lifted his eyes to that pleas
ant window looking out on the sea- and there stood
ii bar IL
hand He drew his cap over his eyes, turned
again, and FASTENED down to the hsrbor
During this last absence, Captain Preston re-
ceived but one letter from his wife-but this WA,
very long-a sort of Journal kept through the
spring and summer succeeding his departure. In
all this, though Dora wrote most pleasantly oil
home affairs, and very particularly Of the children
she made no mention of the state of her owr
health, and this he knew not whether to regard a,
matter Of assurance or apprehension.
At length he was on his homeward voyage
was fast approaching his native shores. Never
had he looked forward to reaching port with
such eager, boyish impotence - never had hi
weary heart SO longsd for the rest and joy o
home. ~
Bu. q severe storm carne up, NIove thea OF
their course, and kept them beating about, 30 tina
for some days they made no Roadway. One night
it WAS q Sabbath night-Captain Preston CON
pletely exhausted flung his cloak around him, an
threw himself down on the cabin.foor for littl
rest, for he could not lie in bis berth 1t was fu
midnight-hs eyes closed heavily at onoe--h
was fast falling into sleep, when he thought
heard his name called very softly, but in a ton
which pierced to the deeps Of his heart He lool
ed up, half raising himself, and Dora was bsjo'
him Yes, his own Dora, it seemed, with her ow
familiar fsoe, still sweet and loving in its look
though it seemed strangely glorifed by the shin
ing forth of soft, inward light Again she spok
his name, drew nearer and bent down, as thong
to kiss his forehead. He did not feel the pres
sure of her lips, but he looked into the eyes abov
him-her own dear eyes, and read there mourn
full, unspeaksble tenderness--a divine intensity
an eternity of love. He reached out his arm
and called her name aloud but she glided, fain
smiling, from his fond embrace-the blessed visio
faded, and he was alone-alone in the dim cab
Of storm. rocked vessel, with the tempest shrek
ing through the oordage, with the black height
of midnight heaven above, and the blacke
depths of boiling sea below.
Frederic Preston did not sleep that night Ii
spite of all the efforts Of his reason his heart wa
racked with anxiety, or oppressed with q morta
hesviness.
In the course Of the following day the storm
abated, and they afterwards crowded all sail fol
land; yet 1t was week ere they cast anchor il
- harbor. 1t was ten O'Clock at night, and
Captain Preston was Immediately rowed to shore
Without waiting to speak to any one, he hurried
up the road towards his cottage. As he drew
near the bend in the road, by the clump Of pines
he said to himself that IL all were well at home
there would surely be light shining from tina
window of Dorss chamber looking out on the sea
But as he came In full view, he paused, and dared
not look up, while the thick high beating Of hi
heart seemed almost to suffocste him. At last
Gliding himself for this womanish weakness, h
raised his eyes-and all ,vas dark,
He hardly knew how after this he made hi
way up the garden walk, to the cottage, nor how
when finding 1t all closed, he still had strength t
20 on to his fathers house, where he was received
with many tears, BY bis parents, his sisters, anc
his children. The deep mourning dress of thu
whole sad group told Of itself the story Of hi
desolstion. For some time, he neither spoke mol
wept, but supported by his father, and leaning hi
head on his mothers breast, he swayed back and
strong frame, and burdened all the air about him
Finally, in scarce audible voice, he asked
"When did she 60, mother ~
"Last Sunday, near midnight, my SOM
"Thank God, il was she, then saw her last
She came TO me--her blessed angel came to bid
me farewell. Oh, that divine love which could
not die with thee, Dora, Dora
Then with q light over his face, which was
almost q smile, he turned 10 his poor children,
gathered them to his embrace, and wept with
them.
Mrs Preston, who, as we have said, had ever
been fragile and delicate, had at last died Of q
rapid decline. She had been confined to her
room but few weeks, and to her bed scarcely a
day. She passed away with great tranquility OF
spirit, though suffering much physical pain Her
children were with her at the last ana her pa
thence, serenity, and holy resignation, seemed TO
repress the passionate outbursts OF their childish
grief till all was over.
IL was not until some time had passed that Cap
tain Preston felt himself able 10 open large
package placed In his hands by his mother, and
which Dora had left for him-sealed up and d.
rected with her own hand, the very day before
she died
At length, seeking his own now desolate home,
and shutting himself up In that dear familiar
chamber, with the pleasant window looking out
on the sea--there where he had seen her last
where she had breathed out her pure spirit
where her form had lain In death-there he lifted
his heart 10 God for strength kissed the seal and
broke II. Before him lay rich mass Of dark au-
burn hair-Dors,s beautiful hair With Q low
cry, half joy, half pain, be caught It pressed II
TO his lips and heart, and believed II with his
abundant tears Suddenly he observed that those
long, bright tresses were wound about letter
q letter addressed to him in Dora's own familiar
hand. lie sank into seat, unfolded the precious
missive, and read--what we will give in the chap
tor following
CHAPTER Ill
"Earth on my soul Ia strong-too strong
Too precious Ii les chsin,
All woven VI Thy love, dear friend
~. ..ialtv-g.ul