Worcester daily spy., 1854-05-09

iNsa La ,nJ NJ with winged steps, she flew to the
bedside Of her sister. She paused however,
~ a. door Of her chamber, while thought
of pain broke in upon her ,,cb.u
- Poor Mary !" said she to herself. "ShaH
FoNalen ner TO feel her sorrow sharpened by
NV bonninnessi No; II will keep 1t within
nv own bosom till the morrow" -
Sho approached the bed to see II Mary sleep
,vos ncaceful. Her face was turned partly
,,s,,.ard "ss 10 the pillow, and had been hidden
tbere 10 weep but look of motionless con-
tentment was visible upon it, as if her heart,
like 4 deep lake, had grown calm because its
hood had sunk down so far within. Happy it
i. and strange, that the lighter sorrows are
those from which dreams are chiefly fabricated.
Maruarent shrunk from disturbing her sieter-
in-le,y, and felt as if her own better fortune
had rendered her involuntary unfaithful, and
as if alterd and diminished affection must be
the consequence of the disclosure she had to
make. With sudden step she turned away.
But Joy could not be repressed, even by the
circumstance that would have excited heavy
grief at another 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 lbut cold comparison) working fan
tastic tracery on the window.
woke with sudden start. a vivid dream
had latterly involved her in its unreal life, of
which, however, he could only remember
that it had been broken is upon at the most
interestering point. For little time slumber
hung about her like amorning mist, hindering
her from perceiying the distinct outline of her
situation. She listened with imperfect con-
sciousness to two or three volleys oS rapid
and eager knocking; and first she deemed the
noise matter of course, like the breath she
drew next, it appeared thing in which she
had no concern; and hastily, she became aware
that it was a summons necessary to be obeyed.
At the same moment, the pang of recollection
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 suspended ideas,
and restored them as soon as she unclosed 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 FASTENED to the window. By some acci-
dent it had been left unclasped and yielded
easily to the hand. M ~
= Who's there y asked Mary, trembling as
she looked forth. 80 a
The storm was ever, and the moon was up
it shone upon broken clouds above, and below
upon houses black with moisture, and upon
little lakes of the fallen rain, curling with
silver beneath the quick enchantment of a
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 forget that, previous to her marsiage,
he had been an unsuccessful wooer of her
heart.
What do you seek here, Stepheni" said
she.
Cheer up, Mary, for I seek to comfort
you," answered the rejected lover. !" You
must know that got home ten minutes ago,
and the first thing my mother told me about
was your husband, so without saying word
to the old woman, slapped on my hat, and
ran out of the house. couldn't have slept
wink before speaking to you, Mary, for the
sake of old times"
stephen, l thought better of you y ex-
claimed the widow, with gushing tears, and
preparing to close the lattice; for she was no
whit inclined to initiate the first wife Of Ia
dig.
- But stop and hear my story out" cried
the young sailor. I" tell you, we spoke
brig yesterday afternoon, bound in from old
Engand-and who do you think saw on
deck, well and hearty, only bit thinner than
he was five months ago."
Mary leaned from the widow, but could
not speak. an ss
"Why, it was your husband himself" con-
tinued the generous seaman. g He and three
Others saved themselves on a spar, when the
vessel turned bottom upwards. The brig will
beat into the bay by daylight, with this wind,
and.you viii see him here tomorrow. There's
the comfort | bring to you, Mary, SO good
night"
lie hurried away, while Mary watched him
with doubt of waking reality, that seemed
stronger or weaker as he alternately entered
the shade of the houses, or emerged into the
broad streaks of moonlight. Gradually, how
ever, q flood of conviction swelled into her
heart, in strength enough to overwhelm her,
had its increase been more. Her first impulse
was to arouse her sister in-law, and commu-
nicate the new born gladness. She opened
the chamber door, which had been closed in
the course of the night, though not latched,
advanced to the bed side and was about to Law
her hand on the slumberers shoulder. But
then she remembered that Margaret would
awake to thoughts of death and woe rendered
not the less bitter by the contrast with her
own felicity. She suffered the rays of the
lamp to fall upon the unconscious form of the
bereaved one. Margaret lay in unquiet sleep,
and the drapery was displaced around her;
her young cheek was rosy-tinted, lips half
opened in vivid smile; an expression of joy
dobarred its passage by her sealed eyelids,
struggled forth like incense from her whole
countenance.
Ny poor sister you will awaken too
soon from that happy dream r thought
Mary.
Before retiring, she set down the lamp and
endeayored to arrange the bed clothes SO that
the chill air might do no harm to the feverish
slumberer. But her hand trembled against
Margaret's neck, tear also fell upon her
cheak, and she suddenly awoke. Their mu-
taal Joy was made known, and they wept in
each others arms.