Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-01-24

hood. .CUl the lamp from Ii" l.aEth. a. 'A--
tened 10 the window. BY some accident II hsi
been left unclasped, and yielded easily TO he
hand.
"Whos therel'' asked Mary, trembling as she
looked forth.
The storm wa. over and the moon was IN: IL
shone uron unhrokrn Slouds above and below,
upon houses black with moisture, and upon
little lakes of fallen rain, curling With silver
beneath the quick enchantment of a brpeze A
young nsn, in sailor's dress, wet rs 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
voyage. on the coast; nor did she forget that
previous TO her marriage he had been an un-
successful woper Tor her hand.
VIVA. do you seeLL llerc, Stephen!'' 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 hrst
thing nay mother told me about your hus-
band so, without saying a word 70 the old vo-
man, clapped on my hat and ran out of the
house. 1 couldn't have slept wink before
speaking to you, Mary, for the sake OF Old
times"
The widow, with gushing tears, and preparing
TO close the lattice, for she as not inclined to
initiate the first " life of Iadig.
{" But stop and hear my story out" cried the
young sailor. al tell you we spoke q brig, yes.
taTday afternoon, bo1nd In from Old England,
and whom do You think l saw on deck well
and hearty, only bit thinner man he was five
months ago -
Mary leaned from the window, but did not
speak.
why, il was your husband himself" con-
tinGPd the generous seaman. " He and three
others saved themselves a spar when the
vessel turned bottom upwards. The brig will
beat into the bay by daylight, with this wind,
and you will see HIM here before tomorrow.
There's the comfort l bring You, Mary. So,
seod night"
He hurried away, while Mary watched him
with doubt OF waking reality, that seemed
stronger or weaker as ne. alternately entered the
shade Of the houses, or emerged into the broad
strraks of moonlight Gradually. however, a
flood OF conviction sweiled into her heart, In
strength enosgh TO overwheln her. had its in
crease bSen more. Her first impulse WAS to
arouse Ger sister in law and communicate the
newborn giaGness- She opened the chamber
door, which had been cl osed in the course Of
tflc night, though not latched, advanced TO the
bedside, and was about 10 lay her hand on the
sluUberers 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 10 fall upon the unconscious form
Of the bereaNed one. Margaret lay in unqulet
sleep, and TIL drapsry WAS displaced around
her; her young cheek was rose tinted, lips h lf
deharrfd lis passage by her sealed eyelids,
struggled forth like Incense from her whole
countenance.
My poor sister, you will awaken too soon
from that happy dream" 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
h2Tgaret's neck, a tear also fell upon her cheek,
and she suddenly awoke. Their mutual ioy
vas made known, and they wept N each 9TH
ers arms.