Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1852-10-14

lying IN the depths of sleep. She arose,
glanced at her light upon the floor, and
slightly arrayed herself, trembling between
fear and eagerness as she did SO.
Heaven help me ? sighed she, have
nothing left to fear, and methnks | am ten
times more cowardly than ever
Selling the lamp from the hearth, she
FASTENED to the window that overlooked the
street door. Ii was lattice, turning upon
hinges, and having thrown il back, she
stretched her head little way in the at
mosphere. A lantern was reddening the
front OF the house, and melting its light in
to the neighborIng puddles, while deluge
OF darkness overwhelmed every object As
the window grated on its hinges, man in
a broad brimmed hat and blanket coat step
ped from under the shelter of the project
ing story, and looked upward TO discover
whom his application had aroused Mar
garet knew him as friendly nnkeeper of
the town.
What would you have good man Parker,
cried the widow.
Lack-a-day is it you, Mistress Mar
gare,f replied the innkeeper. was afraid
1t might be poor sister Mary for | hate to
see young woman in trouble, when have
not word of comfort to whisper to her.
For Heavens sake, what news do you
brlngl' screamed Margaret
Why, there has been an express through
the town this half hour said good man
Parker, travelling from the eastern iurls-
dlcilon with letters from the Governor and
Council. He tarIed at my house to refresh
himself with drop and morsel, and | ask
ed him what tidngs from the frontiers. He
told me we had the better Of the skirmlsh
You wot OF, aud that thirteen men reported
slam are well aud sound, and your husband
among them. Besides, he is appointed one
OF the escort to bring the capiyated French
efs and Indians home to the province Jail.
! judged you would not mind being broke
OF your rest and SO | stepped over to tell
YOU. Good night,
So saying, the honest man departed and
has lantern cleaned along the street bring
ing to view ndlsuuct shapes of things and
the fragment of a world, like order clim-
mef1ng through chaos, or memory roaming
over lbe past But Margaret stayed not to
watch those picturesque effects. Joy FASH
ed into her heart and lighted it up at once,
aud breathless and with winged steps she
flew TO the bedside OF her sister She paus-
ed, however, at the door of her chamber,
while "A thought OF pain broke ia upon her
Poor Mary ? said she to herself Shall
| awake her to feel her sorrow sharpcned
by my happiness! No, will keep it with.
iam my own bosom untl the morrow
She approached the bed TO discover il
Mary's sleep was peaceful. Her face was
turned partly to the pillow, aud had beer
turned there TO weep bu, look, of mo
tIonless contentment was visible upon it, a.
if her heart, like deep lake, had grown
calm, because It's lead had sunk down as fai
within Happy Is 1t, aud strange, that tbs
lighter SORROWS are those from which dream
are chiefly fabricated Margaret shruul
from disturbing her sster-n-law, and tel
as If her own better fortune had rendere
her inyountarily unlaithful, aud as If alter
ed aud diminished, affection must be th
consequence Of the disclosure she bad t
make With a Sudden step she turned a
way. But joy could not long be repressec
even by the circumstances that would hay
excited heavy grief al another moment
Her mind was thrmged with delightful
thoughts, till sleep stole on and irausiorme
them to visions, more delightful and NOR
Wild, like the breath of winter (but a col
comparison working fantastic iracery on
window
When the night was far advanced, Mar
awoke with sudden start A vivid drea,
had lately involved her in lis unreal life, q
which, however, she could only remembe
that 1t had been broken in upon Of the mo.
interesting point. For hulc time, stun
Der hung about her like morning mis-
hlndering her from perceiyIng the disunC
outline Of her situation She listened wit
imperlect consciousness to two or three 70
eys Of a rapid and eager knocking; at fr'
She deemed the noise matter OF courSC
like the breath she drew next II appeare
thing IA which she had no concern; an
lastly. she became aware that 1t was a sun
mons necessary to be obeyed, At the sam
moment. the pang Of recollection darted II
!. to her mind the pail Of sleep was throw
back from the face OF grief, the dim igl
of the chamber, aud the objects therein II
yealed, had retained all her suspended idea
and resoued them as soon as she had al
closed her eyes. Again there was quic
peal upon the street door. Fearing tn
her sister would also be disturbed, Mai
wrapped, herself in cloak and hood, toe
the lamp from the hearth, and fastened
the window BY some accident It had bee
: left unelasped, and yielded easily 10 h
hand,
Who's there p asked Mary, trembhI
as she looked forth.
The storm was over and the moon "
up 1t shone, broken clouds above aud b
low, upon houses black with moisture, al
, upon llitle lakes of the fallen ram, curu
with silver beneath the quick enchanlme
Of a breeze. A young man IN sailor
q dress, wet as if he had come out OF Il
depths OF the sea, stood alone under Il
: window. Mary recognized him as OF
whose livelihood was gained by short voy
. yes along the coast, nor dad she forget Il
= previous to her marriage he had be
o an unsuccessful wooer of her own
: What do you seek here, Stephen sa
= she.
Cheer up, Mary. for | seek to coml'
= YOU, answered the rejected lover.
must know that | got home some ten mi
II utes ago, aud the first thing my mother ia
+ me was about your husband. So w'tho
: saving word to tie old woman clapp