The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1861-03-20

|
verish in proportion as the night advanced
with its deepest and stilless hours. She lay
listening TO the drops OF rain that came
down in monoionous succession, unswayed
| by breath of wind, and nervous impulse
continually causing her 10 lift her head
from the pillow, and gaze into Mary'S
chamber, and the intermediate apartment.
The cold light of the lamp threw the shad-
ows of the furniture up against the wall,
stamping them immovable there, except
when they were shaken by sudden flicker
of the flame. Two vacant arm chairs were
in their old position on The opposite sides
of the hearth, where the brothers had been
wont to sit in young and laughing dignity,
as heads of families two humber seats
were near them, the thrones of that little
empire, where Mary and herself had exer-
cised in love power that love had won.--
The cheerful radiance of the fire had shone
upon the happy circle, and the dead giim-
mer of the lamp might have benefited
their reunion now. While Margaret groan
ed in bitterness, she heard knock al the
street door.
"How would my heart have leaped at
that sound bat yesterday" thought she re-
| membering the anxiety with which she
| had so long awaited iidings from her hus-
band. 81 care not for il now let them be-
! gone, for will not arise"
| But even while sort of childish fretful-
ness made her thus resolve, she was breath
| hor
catch repetition of the summons 1t is
| difficult TO be convinced of the death OF one
whom we have deemed another self The
knocking was now renewed in slow and
regular strokes, apparently given with the
soft end OF doubled fist, and was heard
| through several thicknesses of the wall
Margaret looked TO her sisters chamber,
and beheld her still lying in the depths of
sleep. She slightly auayed herself tremb-
| ling between fear and eagerness as she did
so.
'sHeaven help me p sighed she. 'I have
nothing lett TO fear, and methinks l am ten
times coward more than evern
Seizing the lamp from the hearth, she
fastened to the window that overlook ed
the street door; and having thrown il back,
she stretched her head little way into the
moist aimosdhere. A lantern was redden-
light in the neehb oring puddles, while a
| Geluoe OF darkness overwhelmed every ob-
ject. As The window grated on It's hinges
broad brimmed hat and blanket coat step
ped from under the shelter OF the proect-
ing story, and looked upward to discover
whom his application had aroused. Mar
garet knew him as friendly inkeeper OF
the town.
sWha, would you have, good man Par
ker 2" cried the widow.
Lack day, is it you, mistress Marga
rel ?'' cried the inn keeper. 81 was afraid
ii might be your sister Mary, for hate to
see a young woman in trouble when have
not word of comfort to whisper TO her"
"For heavens sake, what news do you
bring ?'' screamed Margaret.
There has been an express through the
towc within this half hour" said the good
man Parker, travelling from the westward
Jurisdiction, with letters from the Govern
or and Council. He iarried at my honse
10 refresh himself with a drop and a morse, ,
and | asked him what tidings on the fron
tiers He told me we had the better in the
skirmish, you wot of, and that thirteen
men, reported slain are well ard sound,
and your husband among them. Besides.
he is appointed one OF the escort TO bring
the captvated Frenchers and indians home
to Province JAIL judge you wouldn I
mind being broke o: your rest, and SO |
stepped over 20 tell you. Good night"
So saying, the honest man departed and
the lantern cleaned along the street, bring
Ing 10 view indistinct shape of things and
the fragment of world, like order glim-
mering through chaos or memory roaming
over the past. But Margaret stayed not 10
watch these picturesque effects. Joy fash.
ed into her heart, aud lighted itupat once,
and brealhIess, and with winged steps, she
few to the beside OF her sister She paused
however, at the door of her chamber, while
thought of pain broke in upon her.
'sPooF Mary p said she to herself, ''shal
/ awaken her to feel her sorrow sharppened
by my happiness? No; | will keep il
within my own bosom till the morrow
She approached the bed 10 see if Mary's
sleep was peaceful. Her face was turned
partly upward to the pillow, and had been
hidden there to weep but look a of motors
less contentment was visible upon it, if
her heart: like deep lake, had become
calm, because its grie! was sunk down so
far within. Happy ii is, and strange that
] the lighter sorrows are those from which
] dreams are fabricated. Nargaret shrank