206 TRAGIC STORY. 



nance, this gave a sombre charm to her 

 otherwise engaging conversation. In her 

 temporary absence I made some observa- 

 tions to my friend, who, shaking his 

 head, said, "You will know all pre- 

 sently." And true enough I did ; for 

 her story took fast hold of my heart, 

 and awakened all its sympathy. It was 

 simply this, but told with such deep feel- 

 ing and pathos long sorrowing and dis- 

 appointed hope being its chief burden 

 as only a mother could tell it, of whose 

 acute and lengthened sufferings my pen 

 would fail to give a description. 



She had a son, "the only son of his 

 mother, and she was a widow." This son 

 entered the Navy at an early age; had 

 reached the rank of lieutenant ; was a 

 promising young officer, and bade fair to 

 be an ornament to his profession, as 

 well as a comfort to a fond and doting 

 mother, of both of which, with melan- 



