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With an anxious heart, Mrs Carlton watched her failing strength; but to all inquiries and fears Mary replied that she did not suffer, save froh, and for a ti Mary stood leaning against the , looking earnestly, wistfully upon the beautiful tints which ever linger in the western sky She stretched her ar slowly: "Oh! that ently as those tints, and that I may at last rest on the bosom of my God"

Darkness closed around--the soft hueswith her own heart, and she started when a sharapped about her, and theclosed

"As lect of injunctions How dare you expose yourself after my express direction to keep close?"

"I have kept very closely all day, and did not know that star-gazing was interdicted"

As she spoke, a violent fit of coughing succeeded; he watched her anxiously

"Do you suffer any acute pain?"

"Occasionally I do; but nothing troublesabout my heart, which I often have"

"You h will increase as winter coled up from her heart, and inquired if there was any news

"We cannot learn exactly what is transpiring within the Alamo, but feel assured the crisis is at hand; soarrison all day, and it is confidently expected in our camp that the assault will soon bestrife, and adjudge victory to the side of justice and liberty"

"Apparently the chances are against us, Miss Irving; yet I regard the future without apprehension, for the Texans are fearless, and General Burleson in every respect worthy the confidence reposed in his no room in your heart, but, like myself anticipate a speedy termination of the war"

"Yet your situation is perilous in the extreer, and each day may be your last Oh! ill you hazard your life, and cause your sister such bitter anguish?" Mary replied, with quivering lips, while the tone faltered, despite her efforts to seem calm

"At least, I could not die in a better cause; and, as the price of independence, I would willingly yield up my life Yet Ellen's tears are difficult to bear; I bade her adieu a few ain till all is decided So good-by, Miss Irving"