Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1852-05-12

ciprocally visible.
Sleep did not steal upon the sisters at one
and the same time. Mary experienced the eff
feet often consequent upon grief quietly borne,
and soon sunk into utter forgetfulness, while
Margaret became more disturbed and feverish in
proportion as the night advanced with its deep
est and stllest hours. She lay listening to the
drops of rain that came down in monotonous
succession, unswayed by breath or wind, and n
nervous impulse continually causing her to lift
her head from her pillow, and gaze into Mary's
chamber and the intermediate apartment. The
cold light of the lamp threw the shadows of the
furniture up against the wall, stamping them i'm
movably there, except when they were shaken
by sudden flicker of the flame. Two vacant
arm-chairs were in their old position on opposite
sides of the hearth, where the brothers had been
won't to sit in young and laughing dignity as
heads of families two humber seats were near
them, the two shrnes of that little empire,
where Mary had exercised in love power that
love had won. The cheerful radiance had shone
upon the happy circle, and then the dead glim-
mer Of the lamp might have befitted their reun-
ion now While Margaret groaned in bitter
ness, she heard Il knock at the street door,
"How would my heart have eapt at that
sound but yesterdayw thought she, remember
ing the anxiety'with which she had long awaited
tidings from her husband. 81 care not for it
now; let them begone, for will not arise"
But even while a sort Of childish fretfulness
made her thus resolve, she was breathing hurri-
edly and straining her ears to catch repetition
of the summons. 1t is difficult to be convinced
of the death of one whom we have deemed an
other-self. The knocking was now renewed in
slow and regular strokes, apparently given with
4 thn onft nd of, 40 lo1 Got nd
MED by words family heard through several
her sisters chamber, and beheld her still lying
in the depths of sleep. She arose, placed her
feet upon the floor, and slightly arrayed herself,
trembling between fear and eagerness as she
did so.
"Heaven help me" sighed she. 81 have moth
ing left to fear, and methinks | am ten times
more coward than ever"
Selling the lamp from the hearth, she hasten
ed to the window that overlooked the street
door. 1t was n lattice, turning upon hinges;
and, having thrown it back, she stretched her
head little way into the moist atmosphere. A
lantern was reddening the front of the house,
and melting its light in the neighboring puddes,
while deuge of darkness overwhelmed every
object. AS the window grated on its hinges,
man in a broad -brimmed hat and blanket coat
stepped from under the shelter of the projecting
story, and looked upward to discover whom his
application had aroused. Margaret knew him
as friendly innkeeper of the town.
"What would you have, good man Parker?"
cried the widow.
"Lack-a.day! is it you, mistress Margaret"
replied the innkeeper. 81 was afraid it might
be poor sister Mary; for | hate to see a young
woman in trouble, when have not u word of
comfort to whisper to her."
"For Heavens ke,what news do you bring!"
screamed Margaret.
"Why there has been an express through the
town this half hour" said good man Parker,
" travelling from the eastward jurisdiction with
letters from the Governor and Council. He tar
ried at my house to refresh himself with drop
and morsel and asked him what tidings on the
frontiers. He told me we had the better in the
skirmish you wot of, and that thirteen men re-
ported slain, are well and sound, and your hus-
band among them. Besides he is appointed one
Of the escort to bring the captivated Frenchers
and Indians home to the province Jail. judg-
ed you wouldn't mind being broke of your rest,
and so | stepped over to tell you. Good night"
So saying, the honest man departed; and his
lantern cleaned along the street, bringing to
'icW llulSLlnCI SndpcS Vi LullBS, dllu Ille lTaB-
ment of world, like order gimmering 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 flew 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 l
awaken her to feel her sorrow sharpened BY my
happiness! No; will keep it within my own
bosom till the morrow"
She approached the bed to discover if Mary's
sleep was peaceful. Her face was turned part
ly up to the pillow, and had been hidden there
to weep; but look of motonless contentment
was visible upon it, 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 lighter 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 invol-
unfairly unfaithful, 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 sleep stole On and transformed
them 20 visions, more delightful and more wild,
like the breath of winter (but cold compari-