stowed away amid beds and boxes, and with an almost breaking heart returned to the now solitary parlour.

CHAPTER III.

A HEAVY load was now removed from the mind of Mrs. Stanley. Her children, she trusted, were safe under the care of the kind old woman to whom she had consigned them, and her heart was filled with gratitude to that all-gracious Being who had thus far prospered her exertions for their safety. Deep, and all absorbing anxiety for the health, and perhaps life of their father, had now taken possession of her mind: a relapse might be fatal; in this emergency, every thing depended upon herself. As the importance of the charge pressed upon her mind it almost overpowered her. Again she commended herself and her dear ones to the care of her Almighty Father, and again her spirit rose to meet the exigencies of her situation. As the shades of evening descended, the scene assumed a deeper interest. The rumbling of carriages, the tramp of horses, the running and confusion of foot passengers, the deep hoarse tones of the sentinel, as the anxious" who comes there?" floated on the evening breeze, the portentous roll of the drum as it beat tattoo, all sunk upon the heart of that lone one, and reminded her of the weighty responsibilities which rested upon her. After urging him to take a cup of tea, her first care was to get her

husband quietly in bed for the night, fearing the effect which the fatigue and anxiety of this eventful day might have upon his feeble frame. By kind care and good nursing she hoped to prepare him for the duties of the morrow. This done, their own simple tea despatched, with the aid of Polly she set herself to complete the packing, ready for the wagons, which were expected at midnight. Her exertions were indeed almost superhuman: that was truly a night of dreadful anxiety. Oh! how her heart beat as the couriers galloped by, and with stentorian voices proclaimed the position of the enemy. The preparations within the cantonment continued all night: there all seemed bustle-lights flying in every direction in the village gave notice of some unusual event, while the distant voice of the sentinel hailing some passing passenger, rang upon the midnight air, like echoes of fearful presage. At daybreak the wagons came, and the heart of the anxious parent was relieved by hearing of the safe arrival of her loved ones at their place of destination. With a weight removed from her heart, Mrs. Stanley was hastening to her husband's room to communicate the intelligence, when to her utter astonishment, there he stood, dressedlooking pale, but animated; with a firm step he advanced to greet his amazed wife." My dear, dear husband," said she, much agitated, "why will you exert yourself in this way? this strength cannot be real; I have serious apprehensions as to the effect of this excitement upon you, weak as you now are.". Her pale and care-worn features alarmed him; he assured her the excitement caused by the approach of the enemy, was the very thing necessary for his re

storation--it was the best thing that could have happened to him he was restored-" but oh! Margaret," said he, “I fear you are ill! you look so pale and languid!" When told she had not been in bed during the night, he was shocked and alarmed lest such excessive fatigue should entirely exhaust her delicate frame. "My dear wife, you must dismiss this anxiety from your mind; be not alarmed for me; I only required something to rouse me to action, and you see I am well! I shall go after breakfast to Peru, (unless I hear intelligence which will render it necessary to take you with me,) and engage rooms for our reception. Should I neglect to do so, it is very possible our situation may be uncomfortable there, as so many people are crowding into that little place at once and without warning." Mrs. Stanley trembled with apprehension; she knew this sudden change was unnatural, yet what could she do? "I must risk the consequences," said she, as he went out of the street door. In a few minutes he returned, saying the British were still encamped at Chazy-their movements could only be conjectured; he however did not apprehend an immediate attack-they certainly would not move until to-morrow-he would mount his horse, ride to Peru, secure comfortable apartments, and bring her tidings of the children. The morning was fine, his resolution taken, and she yielded a reluctant consent. To be left alone at this juncture was dreadful! With a quivering lip and tearful eye she bade him farewell, after receiving his promise. to return by two o'clock in the afternoon. When the little gate closed upon him, the desolation of her feelings beggared all description. She threw herself into

a chair, and her overcharged heart found relief in a flood of tears; she wept long and violently; her memory reverted to the days of her childhood and youth, when she was the pride and hope of a widowed mother's heart, when every rational wish was gratified the moment it escaped her lips, and the slightest indication of pain or distress was soothed by that mother's fond caress. Now! she was alonethat dear, that honoured mother slept in the silent grave. Her own health had received a severe shock, and now desolate, though she trusted not friendless, she was trembling for the life of her husband. His instantaneous recovery could not be real; there was a quickness of motion, a strange wildness in the flash of his eye, which to her alarmed imagination betokened the existence of fever. Where would it end? or what could it be? she thought of delirium from an over-heated brain. A relapse after so much fatigue and anxiety must prove fatal! She had parted from her children; true, she expected to join them at evening, but how many circumstances might arise to separate them for ever! the thought was agonizing! She arose and paced the room in a state of mind not easy to be described; another flood of tears came to her relief-she remembered the many dangers through which she had been preserved, and her confidence in Him who had hitherto sustained her, returned. She once more commended her husband and her babes to His care, and felt happy in the consciousness that she had a Friend at the helm, who could guide her little barque in safety through this perilous sea. She resolved she would not again suffer herself to be so depressed, but would seek in active employment an

antidote for her distress and anxiety. While engaged in some domestic arrangements, a knock at the door startled her. A knock at the door was a common occurrence, yet at that time it was unexpected. She came down stairs as fast as her weak limbs would permit, and on opening the door, was surprised and delighted at the sight of a young friend from camp, an officer under Gen. Macomb; his surprise at finding her still in town was only equalled by his fears for her safety. He urged upon her the necessity of despatch, and on inquiring for his little favourites, was rejoiced to learn they were safe in Peru. "You have been wise in this, my dear madam, and I hope the gude man will return soon and in safety." Mrs. Stanley urged him to come in, but he refused to dismount. The officers, by strict orders were confined within the camp; he, anxious for the safety of Dr. Stanley's family, had not asked the boon which he knew would be denied, but had stolen a few moments when he thought himself unobserved, and rode across the bridge with all speed to ascertain the situation of his friends; fearing, as he did, that the first gun fired might prove fatal to some of the family, he could not rest until he knew they were gone; he entreated Mrs. Stanley to lose no time, then extending his hand, bade her farewell with the tone and air of a man who feels he is taking his leave of friends he may never meet again. Mrs. Stanley watched his receding form as he rode out of the yard, and put up a silent and heartfelt prayer that the God of battles would protect him. While standing at the door, a alarmed her; she turned to ob

low peal of thunder

serve the sky; to her surprise (for the morning was