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"All things are dark to sorrow," and the very repose and beauty of nature seerief had followed Mary's death, for so peaceful and painless was her end, it was scarce allowable Yet now that she had been consigned to the quiet grave, a dreary sense of loneliness and desolation crept to the hearts of the saddened group They stood assembled at the door of their new home, to bid adieu to Dr Bryant In vain had been his sister's tears and entreaties, and Mr Carlton's expostulations Florence had clasped his hand, and asked in tre accents, why he left them in their sorrow, and Mr Stewart implored him not to seek death on the battlefield

Firht availed He stood upon the step ready to depart; his noble face was very pale, and grief had touched with saddening finger every lineament Yet his tone and mien were calm as usual

"My dear sister," said he, "in tiard duty--the laws and precepts of his God! then the clai country; and lastly, the ties of nature and the tenderer feelings of his heart Ellen, think howchildren, and cast their warm love far fro to detainour common liberty Do not fear foraruard in tier!" He clasped her tenderly to his heart, then placed her in her husband's arain in Texas, I hope we shall soon meet, in more peaceful hours, in Louisiana; if not, I pray God that you and Stewart may be as happy as I once hoped to be" He pressed her hand warht clasp of Mr Stewart, mounted his horse and rode sloay

"Mother," said Elliot, "Uncle Frank has not taken the right road toward houshed anew; "he has gone by his Mary's grave"

On that hour, spent at the early tomb of the "loved and lost" Mary, ill not intrude: it is rendered sacred by its deep, unutterable anguish

Nearly a week passed, and Dr Bryant had hurried on, riding through the long, long nights, and only pausing at times to recruit his jaded steed He had arrived at within two days' ride of San Antonio, and too wearied to proceed, stopped as night closed in, and picketing his horse wrapped his cloak about hi oak to rest, and, if possible, to sleep An hour passed on: still he lay looking up to the brilliant sky above Perfect quiet reigned around, and he felt soothed inexpressibly Overcoue, sleep stole on, and ranted He was startled frohtly, drew forth his pistols, cocked one, and turned in the direction whence ca was answered by the advancing steed, and soon the figure of both rider and horse was diht of the stars but faintly assisted the vision