Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1852-04-23

chamber, and the objects therein revealed, had
retained all her suspended ideas, and restored
them as soon as she Enclosed her eyes. Again
there was quick peal upon the street door
Fearing that her sister would also be disturbed.
Mary wrapped herself in a cloak and hood,
took the lamp from the hearth and hastencd to
the window. BY some accident it had been
left uuciasped, and yielded easily to her hand.
'Whos there ? asked Mary, trembling as she
looked forth.
The storm was over and the moon was up. it
shone upon b.oken clouds above and below
upon houses back with moisture, ard upon llt-
tie lakes of the fallen rain, curling with SILVER
beneath the quick enchantment Of q breeze
A young man in a sailors dress, wet as if he
had come out of the depths of the sea, stood
alone under the window. Mary recognized
him as one whose livelihood was gained by
short voyages along the coast NOR did she fer
pet that previous to her marriage, he had been
an unsuccessful wooor Of her own.
what do you seek here, Stephens" said
she.
Cheer up, Mary, for | seek to comfort YOU
answered the rejected lover you must know
that | got home ten minutes ago, and the first
thing mother told inc about was your husband.
SO, without saying q word to the old woman. /
capped on nv hat, and ran out of the house.
couldn't have slept wink before speaking
to you, Mary, for the sake Of old times
stephen, thought better of your exclalm-
ed the widow, with gushing tears, and prcpar-
inc to close the lattice; for she was no whit
inclined to initiate the first wife of Zadq.
But stop and hear my story out cried the
Young sailor. 8 | tell you we spoke a brig yes
terdav afternoon, bound in from old England.
And who 90 do you think saw on deck well
and hearty, only bit thinner than he was five
month ago.
Mary leaned from the window, but could not
speak.
why, it was your husband HIMSELF conti-
nued the generous seaman. lie and three
others saved themselves on spar, when the
vessel turned bottom upward. The brig will
beat into the bay by daylight. with this wind,
and you'll sec him here Tomorrow. There $
the comfort | bring to you, Mary, so good
night
lie hurried away, whilst Mary watched him
with doubt of waking reality, th1t seemed
stronger or weaker as he alternately entered
the shade of the houses, or emerged into the
broad streaks of moonlight. Gradually, how
ever, Il flood of conviction swclled Ito her
heart, strong enough to ovcrw helm her, had its
increase been more. Her first impulse was to
arouse her sister-in-law, and commun cate the
newborn gladncs-. she opened the chamber
| door, which had been closed in the course of
the night, though not latched, advanced to the
bedside, and was about to lay her hand on the
slumberers shoulder. But then she remem-
bcred that Margaret would awake to thoughts
of death and wo, rendered net the less bitter
by the contrast with her own felicity. She
suffered the rays of the lamp TO fall upon the
unconscious form of tho bereavcd one. Mar
garet lay in ri.quict sleep, aad the drapery
was displaced around her; her young cheek
was rosy tinted, and lips half open in a vivid
smile; an expression of JOY, debarred its pas
sage by her sealed eyaids, struggled forth likI
incense from the whole countenancc.
My poor sister! You will awaken too soci
from that happy drepmn thought Mary.
Before retiring, she set down the lamp anJ
endcavored to arrange the bed clothes so thq
the chill might do no harm to the teverisE
sumbercr. But her hand trembled Ggains
Margarets neck, tear also fell urcn he
cheek, and she suddenly awoHe. Thoir
mutual joy vas made known, and they wept Ii
each others arms.