single cloud, and the moon, almost at the full, shone abroad with
more than common brightness. I had not been sitting long in the
porch, when the same lady, whose movements had attracted my
attention, came in sight, walking very slowly--the deliberate pace
assumed, evidently, for the purpose of better observation. On
coming opposite the tavern, she slightly paused, as on the evening
before, and then kept on, passing down the street until she was
beyond observation.

"Poor mother!" I was still repeating to myself, when her form
again met my eyes. Slowly she advanced, and now came in nearer to
the house. The interest excited in my mind was so strong, that I
could not repress the desire I felt to address her, and so stepped
from the shadow of the porch. She seemed startled, and retreated
backward several paces.

"Are you in search of any one?" I inquired, respectfully.

The woman now stood in a position that let the moon shine full
upon her face, revealing every feature. She was far past the
meridian of life; and there were lines of suffering and sorrow on
her fine countenance. I saw that her lips moved, but it was some
time before I distinguished the words.

"Have you seen my son to-night? They say he comes here."

The manner in which this was said caused a cold thrill to run over
me. I perceived that the woman's mind wandered. I answered:

"No, ma'am; I haven't seen any thing of him."