THE SISTERS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 186, 31 August 1871, Page 7

THE SISTERS.

BY JOHN G. WITHEB.

(From the "Atlantic Monthly.") Anna :vnd Rhoda, sisters twain, Woke in the night to the sound of rain.

The rush of wind, the ramp and roar Of great waves climbing a rocky shore. " Hush, and hearken P ahe cries in fear, " Hearest thou nothing, sister dear ?" "I hoar the sea, and the plash of rain, ' And the roar of the north-east hurricane. " Get thee back to the bed so warm, No goutl comes of watching a storm. " Wbtf is it to thee, I fain would know, Thtit waves are roaring and wild winds blow? " No lover of thine's afloat to miss The harbour-lights on a night like this." " But I heard a voice cry out my name, Up from the sea on the wind it came i "Twice and thrice have I heard it call, And the voice is the voice of Estwick Hall!" On her pillow the sister tossed her head, " Hall of the Heron is safe she said. " In the tauntest schooner that ever swam He rides at anchor in Auisquam. " And, if in peril from swamping sea Or lee shore rocks, would he call on thee ?" But the girl heard only the wind and tide, And wringing her small, white hands, she cried ; "Oh v Sister Rhoda, there's something

wrong ; I heur it again, bo lovul awl long. " ' Annie ! Annie !' I keav it call, And the voice is the voice of Estwick Hall J" Up sprang the elder with eyes aflame, "Thou liest ; he never would call thy name ! " If he did, I would pray the wind and sea To keep him for ever from thee and me JMJ M Then out of the sea blew a dreadful blast ; Like theory of a dying man it passed. The young girl hushed on her lips a groan, But through her tears a strange light shone— The solemn joy.of ber heart's release To own and cherish its love in peace. " Dearest I" she whispered under breath, " Life was a lie, but true is death. " The love I had hid from myself away Shall crown me now in the light of day. *' My ears shall never to wooer list, Never by lover my lips be kissed. "Sacred to thee am I henceforth, Thou in heaven, and I on earth !" She came and stood by her sister's bed : " Hall of the Heron is dead !" she said. ■" The wind and the waves their work have done, We shall see no moie beneath the sun. *' Little will reck that heart of thine, It lov«d him not with a love like mine.

*" I for his sake, %v«ie h« but here,

Could heui and 'broider thy bridal gear. •"Though hands should tremble and eyes be web. And stich for sfcich in my heart be set. But now my soul with his soul I wed ; Thine the living and mine the dead !'"