t upon
the hearth, placing, at the same time, two or three turf about in a
hurried manner, but still in a way that argued great presence of mind,
amid all her distraction. On going out again, however, the first object
she saw was one of the soldiers supporting the body of poor Mary, who
had sunk under the intelligence. Mrs. Dalton having entered the
cabin, and laid down the miserable pittance of food which she had been
carrying, now waved her hand with authority and singular calmness, but
at the same time with a face as pallid as death itself.

"This is a solemn hour," said she, "an' a woful sight in this place of
misery. Keep quiet, all of you. I know what this is about, dear Condy,"
she said; "I know it; but what is the value of our faith, if it doesn't
teach us obedience? Kiss your child, here," said she, "an' go--or come,
I ought to say, for I will go with you. It's not to be wondhered at that
she couldn't bear it, weak, and worn, and nearly heartbroken as she is.
Bless her, too, before you go. An' this girl," she said, pointing at
Mary, and addressing Sarah, "you will spake to her, an' support her as
well as you can, and stay with them all for an hour or two. I can't lave
him."

Dalton, while she spoke, had taken Mary in his arms, kissed her, and, as
in the case of the others, blessed her with a fervor only surpassed by
his sorrow and utter despair.

"I will stay with them," said Sarah; "don't doubt that--not for an hour
or two, but till they come to either life or death; so I tould him."

"It's a bitther case," said Mrs. Dalton; "a bitther case; but then it's
God's gracious will, an' them that He loves He chastises. Blessed be His
name for all He does, and blessed be His name ever for this!"

Mary now recovered in her father's arms; and her mother, in a low but
energetic voice, pointing to the beds, said:

"Think of them, darlin'. There now, part with him. This world, I often
tould you dear, Mary, is not our place, but our passage; an' although
it's painful let us not forget that it is God Himself that is guidin'
and directin' us through it. Come, Con dear, come."

A long mournful embrace, and another sorrowful but fervent blessing,
and with a feeble effort at consolation, Dalton parted with the weeping
girl; and placing his hat on his white head, he gave one long look--one
indescribable look--upon all that was so dear to him in this scene of
unutterable misery, and departed. He had not gone far, however, w