Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1862-06-27

Mary awoke with q 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 at its most interesting
point. She listened with imperfect con-
acionsness to two or three volleys of rap.
id knocking: at first she deemed the
noise matter Of course, like tbs breath
she drew; next it appeared thing in
which she had no concern; and hastily
she became aware that it was summons
necessary to be obeyed. Again there
was a quick peal on the street door,
Fearing that her sister would also be
disturbed, Mary wrapped herself in a
cloak and hood, took a lamp from the
hearth, and fastened to the window. BY
some accident it had been left unclasped,
and yielded easily to the hand,
Mary leaned from the window, but
did not speak.
WHO'S there? asked Mary, trembling
as she looked forth.
The storm was over, and the moon
was up it shone upon unbroken clouds
above, and below upon houses black with
moisture, and upon little lakes of rain,
curling with silver beneath the quick en-
chantment IF breeze. A young man
in sailors clothes, wet as if he had come
out of the depths of the sea, stood alone
under the window. Mary recognized
him IS one whose livelihood was gained
by short voyages on the coast, nor did
she forget that, previous to her marriage
he had been an unsuccessful wooer for
her hand.
What do you seek here, Stephen p
said she.
Cheer up, Mary, for l seek to com.
fort you, answered the rejected lover.
You must know I got home ten minutes
ago, and the first thing my mother told
me was about your husband, so, without
aging word to the old woman, clspped
on my hat and ran out of the house.
could not have slept one wink before
speaking word to you, Mary, for the
sake of old times.
Stephen, l thought better Of you :
said the widow, with gushing tears, and
preparing TO close the lattice, for she was
no whit inclined TO initiate the first wife
of Zadig.
But stop aud hear my story out cried
the young sailor. Il tell you we spoke II
brig yesterday afternoon bound in from
old Eogland-and who do you think
saw on deck, well and hearty, only he
was q Bit thinner than he was five
ago? Why it was your husband
himself, continued the generous sailor.
He and three others saved themselves
IN spar when the vessel turned bottom
lpwards. There's the comfort bring
o you, Mary. So good night
He hurried away, while Mary watch
I'd him with doubt of waking reality,
hat seemed stronger or weaker, as be
alternately entered the shade of the
houses or emerged into the broad slreak !
If moonlight. Gradually, however, a
1ood OF conviction swelled into her heart
n strength enough 10 overwhelm her
rad its strength been more. Her first
impulse was TO arouse her sister-in-law,
md communicate the newborn gladness. |
But then she remembered that Margaret
would awake TO thoughts Of death and !
woe, rendered not the less bitter by con-
rast with her felicity. She suffered the
ays of the lamp to fall on the uncon-
cious form of the bereaved ore. Mar
,aret lay in unquiet sleep, and the dra-
very was displaced around her; her
'oung cheek was rose-tinted lips half
'pened in a vivid smile an expression
# joy, debarred the passage by her seal
d eyelids, struggled forth, like incense,
rom her whole countenance.
MY poor sister, you will awaken too
Don from that happy dream thought
IIary.
Before retiring, she set down the lamp
nd endeavored TO arrange the bed
lothes, so that the chill air might do no
arm TO the feverish slumberer. But
er hand trembled against Margaret's
eek, tear fell upon her cheek, and she
awoke. Their mutual JOY was
nade known, and they wept in each 9th
RS arms.
G. An elderly lady who was handling
.