close to her husband, who had approached in another direction. Leaning upon the butt of the muzzle of which rested upon the withered leaves, he was apparently absorbed in the contemplation of some object at his feet. his gun, "How is this, Reuben? Have you slain the deer and fallen asleep over him?" exclaimed Dorcas, laughing cheerfully, on her first slight observation of his posture and appearance. He stirred not, neither did he turn his eyes towards her; and a cold, shuddering fear, indefinite in its source and object, began to creep into her blood. She now perceived that her husband's face was ghastly pale, and his features were rigid, as if incapable of assuming any other expression than the strong despair which had hardened upon them. He gave not the slightest evidence that he was aware of her approach. "For the love of Heaven, Reuben, speak to me!" cried Dorcas; and the strange sound of her own voice affrighted her even more than the dead silence. Her husband started, stared into her face, drew her to the front of the rock, and pointed with his finger. O, there lay the boy, asleep, but dreamless, upon the fallen forest leaves! His cheek rested upon his arm-his curled locks were thrown back from his brow-his limbs were slightly |