The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-10-30

hearted gentleman, as he was. L would not
have left him, even dead, bat saw the officers
approaching, and knew all further aid was
vain. l feel the impossibility of adding any
thing to that which your love has ever appre-
cisted. Yours, with respect,
vIcToR OHALLoRAN
The packet contained letter from Albert,
written at midnight, in anticipation of a duel !;
and from all Margaret gathered the fearful in
teiligence that such a rencontre had taken
place, and her brother left dead upon the field.
" You are i'll, my dear friend" exclaimed
Juliet, as Margaret, after silently reading the
note, crushed it in her hand and stood mute
for a moment, pale and Gfeiess as statue.
Margaret returned no answer; she did not
seem to hear There was a change in the ex-
preston of her eyes, that said more than words,
as she turned hastily from Juliet, and descend
ed to her ROOM aud sent for John, her broth
er's servant He came-a small, close-knit,
round headed Englishman.
"John, bring my brothers phaeton, and
drive me TO where you left him early this morn
ing"
Now, Miss Margaret"
" Yes, Immediately"
"Does Miss know that it is stormng?"
I" Do as | request. l know"
The quick servant, accustomed to unques-
toned obedience, fastened away. In few
minutes the phaeton was at the door; and
Margaret, throwing cloak about her, seated
herself beside the driver. Few loungers no.
ticed the singular departure and those few
accounted it another eccentric act of the beau
tiful Miss Pinckuey. The rain in large drops
began TO fall, as the thoroughbred horse hast
ened gallantly away. He was reputed the
fastest trotter in America; and although never
used upon the racecOurse, was IN hne train
ing, under the superintendent of John. The
delicate and beautiful carriage so exquisie!y
wrought that one felt as if he had been caught
up and held by magic in the easy support of
twigs and spider webs, rolled along, pulled by
the swift trotter--the route for miles along
the hard, smooth beach, running for short
distance only through a piece of wood, then
turning again upon the sands, until it termi-
mated in retired spot, kEown as the Cove.
Margaret gathered the cloak close about her,
as the wind dashed the rain the heavy thun-
der seemed rolling upon the huge waves, so
increasing was it, and her spirit would have
revealed in the tumult, but that her soul was
dark, for upon the heart the loved brother lay
dead. Gone, gone forever. Oh! the bitter
ness of such moments What sin is there
which may not be- washed out by suffering
such as this u The loved brother, more than
brother--the father to the little one, who,
bright-eyed and trusting for so many years,
had looked up to his smiles, and listened to
his kind voice, now gone, and she alone in the
world The sad walk to the grave would be
followed by one mourner. Back came the
sunny childhood, the troubles of later years,
SO trihing seemed they now-the long years
of exchanging love and devotion back came
they, to be wept over now, that he, the best,
was gone. Died in the arms of strangers, he,
whose brave, gentle spirit should have been
clasped to the heart OF mother or sister. Oh!
my brother, with thee sank forever from earth
my souls dearest light, with the brave heart
throbbed out life's brightest hopes.
1t was quite dark when Margaret reached
the designated spot, and with some difficulty
found poor Albert. Indeed, John almost STUN
bled over the PROSTATE form which vivid
fash of lightning revealed 10 Margarets eyes.
In the drenching rain, blinded by lightning,
aud almost stunned by the thunder of the fear
full storm, the brave girl bent over her brothers
evidence of lingering animation. N'>'''''
ooh he is gone, he is dead |" she ex-
claimed, passonstey, ss she lifted his head
! from the ground.
"He's warm yet, Miss Margaret, and, in
| deed, think feel his heart beat"
| 1t might be Imagination, but Margaret be-
lieved she felt throb--so faint though, it
seemed like the last dim ray of departing day,
when one rather feels than sees the light.
"Quick, John, help me he may live "-and
the two placed the brother in the carriage.
u GU are the stronger, John-hold him gently in
your arms. will drive"
Margaret, though schooled from early child
hood to driving AIbert's horses, found this at
tempt hazardous in the extreme. TIE wind
blew in perfect tempest-the dark MI ht was
made yet more blind by the vidid flashes OF
lightning, which followed one after another--
so continuously, at times, it seemed as if the
very night were in blaze. UDmindfui of the
risk, and only anxious to get her brother to
shelter and assistance, she drove furiously to.
wards the town. The storm seemed in pity TO
abate-the lightning glared only at intervais-
and each roll of thunder came like the cannon
of retreating hosts, 6ercely battling as they
fled. Still the rain fell, OF rather was furiously
driven by wind along the earth. Margaret
drove rapidly on. The road, as [ have said,
lay for short distance through wood, then
came upon the beach. She could not see to
guide her horse, but the noble animal kept the
path. The increased din of wind and waves
told OF near approach to the sea. The road
seemed flooded, while heavier quantities OF
water were flung over them than the rain could
give. A binding fash explained the oapse.
The violent storm had driven the sea far upon
the beach and in the brief glance, Margaret
saw world of angry waters tossing their snowy
crests, frequently plunging round their car
riage, and HiugiDg their spray over her. She
bent her head to Albert, expecting each mo-
ment to be swallowed up; and as she did, her
ear caught deep groan, which seemed to feel
its way into her heart.
my poor brother" she whispered, ave will
die together" But the noble horse struggled
on--now plunging girth deep in the waves,
aud again hinging the water from his strong,
quick feet. The danger was past, the town
gained, where sister and brother were lifted
into the house by the astonnded inmates.
For many, many days, the sufferer lay be-
tween life and death but, thanks to an iron
constitution and careful nursing, he at last be-
came convaiescent. Strange to say, his physi-
clans found Two wounds-oas of ball, that
| had entered his shoulder; the other, which had
barely grazed his head. How this could occur,
under the circumstances, is difficult to say
but 1t was evidence Conclusive of unfair con.
duct. The convalescence was long and te-
dious; the season wore away; the first swift
couriers of winter chased the fashionable birds
| from their summer resort; and when Albert
was again able to leave his room, the Ocean
House was quite deserted.
KANSAS.
| In PRIsoY AT LEcogPTON,