Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1844-11-08
THE PRO MISE.
BY MISS NJ. STIEES.

Il was tho midnight hour, but still was the sound
Of revelry hoard in tho proud halls OF Clanmouth
House. The splendid mansion of one OF Eng
lands haughtiest mobiles was in blaze OF light,
and the good tho high born and beautiful, were
there gathered 10 while away tho passing hours.
Lady Clanmouth, in all the pride and beauty of
rank, standing in conspicuous situation,
dispensing around her boaming smiles. Her
daughter, with the sgnet of loneliness impressed
upon somewhat pensive brow, was beside her
md yet it seemed that Alice Cianmouth's thoughts
were far away from the garlsh scene, for she
sunk in deep and apparently painful rcVerie.-
A gay voice started her.
Come, Miss Clnnmnnth. do take compassion on,
me. have been asking the favor this half hour
My dear Alico, whero your thoughlst-
said her mother; do you not SOC Lord Glenborn;
pray obIige him. my love-
Alice suffered the young noble to lead her 10
the donce-but she had trod gay meas
ure, a servant hastily entered, md presented her
n note. She glanced at tho writing, and, hastily
breaking tho seal, read line. She became
very pate. Excuse me, my Lord said she, and
with quick step left the ball room.
In tho same street, and but door two from
CIanmouth House, another mansion equally
splendid and aristocratcal; bat i. was shrouded
in deep gloom. In ono gorgeous and stately cham
Der, Mrs. Tracy, the mistress of all this splcn-
dor, lay upon her death bed. Pale and cmaciated
as she was, there yet ling cred her face the
mains Of great beauty. Servants were gathered
round that couch with looks Of deep Sriof, for
dearly they loved her who had boon gentle and
kind to all. But there kindred hand TO
wipe the death damps from the sufferers brow!-
No kindred voice to whisper hopo 10 tho flaming
soul! There none Sho had como from the
bright Italian land to dwell far from them in her
husbands house. He had died and left her alone
with two sweet Children on whom s'lo had poured
out all tho ovcrflowing love of her warm hcart.-
Her son, q gifted being, had boon for :wo years
hs,-n I'd her dacino lad
bacn rapid that tho news had not reached aim.
rs they suppo3 od. ~ tho foot of the bed knclt
her daughter a child Of ten years old, whore sh3
had so5Lod herself to sleep, overcome with the
first strange grief Of childhood. The door softly
opcncd-a light step approached tho bod aud Al
ice Clanmouth clad in her fastal robes, was BY
tho sufferers side. radiant sniIo broke over
that pao face. Her voice. thrilling and sweet,
broke the dead Stiffness:
NV a leo, oh! this Is kind indeed.
+ .Doar, dear, Mrs. Tracy exclaimed tho now
weeping girl why did you not let me know before.
that YOU were more III AMI sho held reviving
cordial 10 Tic pale lip. kissed tho wasted check,
now dcathkc in It's color
Mrs. Tracy raised her head. and resting it on
Acc's bosom, spoke in low, faint tone. The
sands arc almost run out, Alice. Would could
SEQ my boy once again! But HIS Will be donci
she nlurnurcd, raising her eyes TO hcavon then,
gathering all her strength, she sad, Alice. my
sweet Alice, let say all world whilst time IS
given me on Garth. lou love my Waller, and |
firmly beiovo that YOU have been the idol Of
his youthful dreams; but, Alice, gifted, and win
ming as know he s. thoro has often a misgiving
como ovor my fearful heart. fear from his last
letters to me- that the world has held forth too fls-
cinnting draught to his lip; that tho cup his
been wrcatied with flowers, aud he has quaied it.
uumindful of tho poison within. Alice, fear he
has forsaken his God. OH YOU know not the ago
ny that has bowed down my spirit, when that
thought me- Ovorpowcred by her
feelings shc sank back her pillow. Pale "a
marble, but with hand that trcmbed not. Al
ice Clanmouth bathod hcr brow. and turning out
some drops that stood by the bedside, persuaded
her to swallow them. Again sho reused herself
and with starting enorgy grasped the arm of the
fair girl. whist her glaring eye was fixed full on
her face. 'Al;co PROMISE me. my dying bed.
never to forsako Walter: to try, when all others
cast him off, to win him back to heaven And
Alice Clanmouth in the docp stiffness Of that hush
cd sound. mado that solemn promise, and the
mothers blessing was the last word that met her
Mrs. Tracy sunk into deep sloop. and the
faint light ofthe sick chamber made her countc-
nance SOON CHASTITY that Alice felt her forti-
tude torsakng her. She had sent the little Udo-
ra from the room, IN charge of tho nurse, and
now alone with the dying. She bent above
her, and watched the deep shadows stealing over
face made perfect in its beauty. She hastily
wrote on slip of paper and stepping lightly into
the anteroom gave it to of tho servants and
again resumed her place by the couch
Lady Clanmouth's last guest departing.
and wenried with tho evenings rcvelry. she flung
herself upon an ottoman. musing upon Ahco,s
continued absence, for she we'll knew that it was
to Mrs. Tracy's sho had gone. An hour passed
on, and she was beginning to feel alarmed. when
her husband entered.
Hero is line from Alice. Fanny. She bccs
us to come to her, Mrs. Tracy is diving. and
Walter has not returned. Ny swcc; child, she
will need our support in such a scene, for she
will not leave her.
Wcared. sho was. the lady Immediately
rose. So i'll! know it motor nv place should
have been by her side, instead of this scense of
mirth. Come Let us 60 to Alice.
The first gleam of the rising san crept into tho
sick room. when those who had kept sad vigil