The New Orleans crescent., 1868-06-28

"Thank God, " he said, as he shook each by
the hand. "you have come at lsst!"
"But Warren, my brother?" eagerly in
quired Mildred.
My son-how is he?" echoed the old
man.
"He lives, replied Bartrelle; "but, grieve
to say, is sinking rapidly. His impatence to
see his father, for whom he is constantly in
quiring, is wearing upon him. am so glad
you have come. Come into the house. while
1 go and acquaint him with your arrival 1t
is best that he see you at once, said Bar
telle, leading the way into the house.
"Butis there no hope?" faltered Mildred
"Bartrelle looked as if he was receiving his
death sentence. How could he tell that fair
young sister that her brothers hours were
numbered? But it must be DONE With a
face as white as marble, and eagerly question
ing eyes that looked as if they would pene-
trate his soul, she awaited his answer. Her
father, too, had stopped and with suspended
breath, as we have seen those look who were
watching for the first clod to fall upon the
coffin, listened for the reply.
''There is none, fell in low, tremulous ac-
cents upon their ears.
"Oh, my poor brother-oh, Warren, War
rem, must you die? walled the poor girl, as
the heavy sobs shook her frame. Mute, as if
stricken with palsy, stood her father; his
frame was motionless, and his eyes glared out
from immovable lids like those of a statue,
so instantly had his hard features and strong
limbs been arrested into rigidity by the doom
which had overtaken his first born-his only
son. And in the next second he would have
fallen but for the outstretched arms of Col
Taylor, who caught him and supported him
on his feet.
"God help thee. old lfriend-but look up,
be mani "
"Ahl old comrade," he said with wintry
smile, "it is a time like this that tells us we
are men,"
But for Warren's sake compose yourself
you have not seen him yet" urged his friend.
"True, have not 60 on Dick, and let
him know that we have come, and will put
constraint upon my feelings"
'You must try to do so, sir, for it will not
do to agitate him-he could not survive it an
hour" and Bartrelle re-entered the room,
where the dying man, his attention attracted
by the murmur of voices in the hall, was
waiting impatiently for his appearance The
fever of momentary excitement had given to
his exhausted frame some little strength, and
with his head slightly elevated by the pres
sure of his elbow on. the couch, he was ex-
pecting every moment to see his father
enter. twas with a cry of disappointment,
therefore, that he saw Bartrelle enter alone.
"They haven't come, Dick, they haven't
come and was so sure heard them in the
hall"
"Be quiet, Warren! yes, they have come;
your father and sister are here-and if you
will promise not to grow excited, 1 will bring
them in at once but only on your promise of
perfect composurel"
Yes, yes, Dick, 1 promise-father and
sister, tool am SO glad, so glad!"
Bartrelle stepped to the door, and waving
back his uncle so that the sight of him Just
now might not disturb the wounded man led
the father and sister into the presence of their
son and brother. Not a word was said by
either as they stood silently around the bed,
and each grasping wan attenuated hand,
gazed into the face on which death had put
his signet
His fathers hand was smoothing the damp
locks back from his brow-his sister stopped
and pressed burning kiss on his lips; and
from every eye save the wounded mans, the
tears fell fast and blendingly
"Father, father, forgive your boy-bless
him, he is dying-let him hear his father say
forgivel"
"God knows 1 do, my SON. my Warren"
''And you, too, sister; you, too?"
"Oh! brother, brother, my heart Will break"
and wrapping her arms around her brothers
neck, she cried with passionate abandonment
of grief.
Dear Mily-lttle sister, don't cry so-it
is not much-not hard not hard to die now"
but still the tearsfel faster and the passionate
sobs grew louder. "My pet-dear Milly, do
not cry-do not cry?" said the dying man in
voice so plaintive, sad and sorrowful, that
they hushed their very breath who heard its
anguished cadence.
DtOOplDS uOWu, OdIutle unlocked tQe
chDging arms and raised the distracted sister
She had lost all control of herself-her self
possession and composure were utterly gone
"Milly, for your brothers sake be COM
posed, this excitement is killing him." whis-
pered Bartrelle as he lifted her from the bed;
and Milly, forcing back her tears, struggled
hard for composure
"Our old friend, Colonel Taylor, has come
to see you, too, Warrenl" said his father,
don't you want to see him ?"
Yes, yes, 1 should like to-"
And Bartrelle led his uncle forward into
the light
How are you, my boy? I am sorry to see
you thus, said the old man, bending above
the bed to catch the low words of the diving
man.
You are very kind to come and see me-
colonel. but haven't deserved IL 2"