The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1852-06-24
WHOLE NUMBER e5.

been hidden there to weep; but lock
of motionless 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,
aud strange, that the lighter sorrows are
those from which dreams are chiefly fab
ricated. Margaret shrunk from disturb
ing her sister-in-law, and felt as if her
own better fortune had rendered her in
voluntarily unfaithful, and as if altered
and diminished affection must be the
consequence of the disclosure she had to
make. With sudden step she turned
away. But joy could not long be re-
pressed, even by circumstances that
would have excited heavy grief at anoth-
er moment Her mind was thronged
with delightful thoughts, till sleep stole
on, and transformed them to visions,
more delightful and more wild, like the
breath of winter (but cold comparison)
working fantastic tracery on a window.
When the night was far advanced,
Mary awoke with sudden start. A
vivid dream had latterly involved her in
Its unreal life, of which, however, she
could only remember that it had been
broken in upon its most interesting point.
For little time, slumber hung about
her like morning mist, hindering her
from perceiving the distinct outlines of
her situation. She listened with imper-
feet conciousness to two or three volleys
of rapid and eager knocking at first
she deemed the noise matter Of course;
like the breath she drew; next, it ap-
peared a thing in which she had no con-
cern; and lastly, she became aware that
it was a summons necessary to be
obeyed. At the same moment, the
pang of reccollection darted into her
mind the pail Of sleep was thrown back
from the face Of grief; the dim light Of
the 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 a
quick peal upon the street door, Fear
ing that her sister would also be disturb
ed, Mary wrapped herself IN cloak and
hood, took the lamp from the hearth,
and fastened to the window. BY some
accident it had been left unclasped, and
yielded easily to her hand.
"Who's there 7" asked Mary, trembl-
ing as she looked forth.
The storm was over, and the moon
was up it shone upon the broken clouds
above, and below upon houses black with
moisture, and upon little lakes of the
fallen rain, curling like silver beneath
the quick enchantment of breeze. A
young man in sailors dress, wet as if
he had come out of the depths of the
sea, stood under the window. Mary re-
cognized him as one whose livelihood
was gained by short voyages along the
coast nor did she forget, that previous
to her marriage, he had been an unsuc-
cessful wooer to her heart.
"What do you seek here, Stephen :"
said she.
] "Cheer up, Mary, for I seek to COM
fort you," answered the rejected lover.
I" Y ou must know that I got home ten
minutes ago, and the first thing my
mother, told me was about your husband.
So, without saying a word to the old
woman, I clapt on my hat and ran out
of the house. I couldn't have slept
wink before speaking to you, Mary, for
the sake of old times"
Stephen, thought better of you %
exclaimed the widow, with gushing tears
md preparing to close the lattice for
,he was not whit inclined to initiate
the first wife of Zadig. iaei eas li
"But stop, and hear my story" cried
the young sailor. ~ tell you, we spoke
\ brig yesterday afternoon, bound in
from Old England. And whs do you
think saw on deck, well and hearty,
,nly a bit thinner than he was five
months ago ?"
Mary leaned from the window but
,ould not speak. -.
"Why it was your husband HIMSELF"
continued the generous seaman. He
md three others saved themselves on,a
mar. when the vessel turned bottom up
Yards. The brig will beat into the bay
" daylight, with this wind, and you'll
ee him here tomorrow. There's the
omfort I bring to you, Mary, 50 good
ight." si,i ~ So /.
He hurried away, whilst Mary watch-
a him with doubt Of walking reality,
hat seemed stronger or weaker as he
entered the shade Of the
,ouscs, or emerged into the broad streaks
4 the moonlight Gradually, however,
food of conviction swslled into her
..rx. st,onc epm,oh Ia overvhelm her.,