Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-05-13

|soll' HoIuOHug OeLWeeu tSot anu edg6FDeSS as
she did sO.
Heaven help me I" sighed she. 81 have
nothing left to fear, and methinks am ten
times more coward than ever"
Selling the lamp from the hearth, she hastenad
to the window that overlooked the street door,
1t was lattice, turning upon hinges and,
little way into the moist atmosp phere A lantern
was reddening the front Of the house, and melt.
ing its light in the neighbcrng puddles, while
deluge of darkness overwhelmed every object -
As the window grated on is hinges, man with
broad-hrimmed hsA. ass blanket coat stepped
from under the shelter OftAe projecting story,
and looked upward to discover whom his appl-
cation had aroused. Margaret knew him as
friendly innkeeper of the town.
"What would you have, goodman Parker?"
cried the widow.
"Lack day is it you, mistress Margaret"
replied the innkeeper. 81 was afraid it might be
poor sister Mary for hate TO see young wo.
man in trouble, when haven't word Of conso-
lation to whisper TO her,"
"For heavens sake, what news do you bring ?"
screamed Margaret.
"Why, there has been an express through the
town this half hour" said goodman Parker, "trav-
eling from the eastward jurisdiction with letters
from the Governor and council. He tarried at
my house to refresh himself with drop and
morsel, and asked him VIA; tidlngs on the from.
tiers He tells me we had the better III the skir.
msh you wot of and that thirteen men reported
slain, are well and sound, and your husband
among them.-Besides he is appointed one of the
escort to bring the captvated Frenchers and
Indians home to the province Jail. judged you
wouldn't mind being broke Of your rest, SO
stepped over to tell you. Good night"
So saying, the honest man departed and his
lantern cleaned along the street, bringing to
view lndshnct shapes Of things, and the frag-
ment Of q world, like order cleaning through
chaos, or memory roaming over the past But
Margaret stayed not to watch these picturesque
effects. Joy flashed into her heart and lighted
it up at once, and breathless, and with winged
steps, she few to the bedside of her sister. She
paused, however, at the door of her chamber,
while thought Of pain broke in upon her.
Poor Mary said she, to herself" Shall
1awaken her to feel her sorrow sharpened by my
own happiness No !; ! will keep it within my
own bosom till morrow X
She approached the bed to discover if sfssv's
sleep was peaceful. Her Rse was turned partly
upward to the pillow, and had been hidden there
to weep but look OF motionIess contenment
was visible upon 1t, as if her heart, like deep
lake, had grown calm because its dead had sunk
down as far within. Happy is it, and strange
that the light sorrows are those from which
dreams are chiefly fabricated. Margaret shrunk
from disturbing her sister.in.law, and felt as if
her own better fortune had rendered her nvol.
unfairly unfaithfnl, and as if altered and dimin.
ished affection must be the consequence OF the
disclosure she had TO make. With sudden
step she turned away. But joy could not long
be repressed, even by the circumstances that
would have excited heavy grief at another mo
ment Her mind was thronged with delightful
thoughts, till slesp stole on, and transformed them
to visions, more delightful snd more wild, like
the breath of winter (but cold comparison)
working fantastic tracery sa window.
When the night was far advanced, Mary
awoke with sudden start. A vivid dream had
lattery involved her in its unreal life, of which,
however. she could only remember that it had
been broken in upon at the most interesting
point. For little time, slumber hung about her
like morning mist, hiudedng her from perceiv-
ing the distinct outline Of her situation. She
listened with imperfect Consciousness TO two or
three voeys Of rapid and eager knocking
and first she deemed the noise matter OF course
like the breath she drew next, it appeared a
thing in which she had no concern and, lastly
she became aware that it was a summons nee
essary to be obeyed. At the same moment, the
pang of recollection dared into her mind the
pail of sleep was thrown back from the face o
grief the dim light Of the chamber, and the OBJ
jects therein revealed, had retained all her sus-
pended ideas, and restored them as soon as she
unclosed her eyes. Again there was quick
peal upon the street door--Fearng that her sis
ter would also be distssbsd; Mary wrapped her
self In cloak and hood, took the lamp from the
hearth, and hastened to tho window. BY somt
accident it had been left uncasped, and yielded
easily TO her hand.
"Whos there ?" asked Mary, trembling al
she looked forth.
The storm was over and the moon was up i
shone upon broken clouds above, and below upol
houses black with moisture, and upon little lake
of the fallen rain, curling like silver beneath tn
quick enchantment of breeze. A young ma
I in sailors dress, vet as if he had come out {
e the depths Of the sea, stood under the window
Mary recognized him as one whose livelhoo
was gained by short VOYAGES along the coast
nor did she forget, that previous to her marrag,
9 he had been an unsuccessful wooer Of her owl
r What do you seek here. Stephen ?" said sh
u Cheer up, Mary, for seek to comfort you
. answered the rejected loVef "YOu must kno
q tSat got home ten minutes ago, and the fir
IN thing my unOthertOld me about was your husban
: So, without saying word to the old woman,
at clappsd on my hat, and ran out of the house.
g couldn't have slept wink before speaking to Y,
l. Mary, for the sake of old times"
v: Stephen, thought better of you exclair
. ed the widow, with gushing tears, and preparil
IS to close the lattice for she was no whit nclin
r. to initiate the first vile Of Zadig.
IN " But stop, and hear NY story out" cried t
ed young sailor. 81 tell you we spoke brig y
ed terday afternoon, bound in from Old Englar
ed And what do you think saw on deck, we'll a
en- hearty, only bit thinner than he was FIVE monl