The national whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1847, 1847-07-30

ere you !" !,
ii have put the question 10 myself, said
ydith. ashy pale, and pointing 10 the win
dow. amore than once when ] have been
sitting there, and something in the faded
likeness Of nv sex has wandered past out
aide. and God knows have met with my
renly. Oh, mother mother If you had
but left me to my natural heart when too
was q girI-a younger girl than Florence
how different / might have been!"
Sensible that any show OF anger was
u.eless here, her mother restrained herself,
and fell whimpering, and bewailed> tina,
.he had lived two long, and that her only
child had cast her of, and that duty towards
parents was forgotten in these evil days,
and that she had heard unnatural taunts,
and cares for life no longer.
"If one is to 60 on living through con.
tinual scenes like this" she whined, 81 am
sure il would be much better for me to
think of some means OF putting an end to
my existence. Oh! the idea Of you being
my daughter, Edith, and addressing me in
such strain !"
ssBetween us, mother" returned Edith,
mournfully, "the time for mutual reproaches
apss!." J. ), LII.
pered her mother. @You know that you
. are decorating me in the cruelest manner.
You know how sensitive am to unkind-
ness. AT such moment too, when have
90 much to think Of, and am naturally anx-
ious to appear to the best advantage!
wonder at you, Edith. To make your mo-
ther fright upon your wedding-day !"
Edith bent the same fixed look upon her,
as she sobbed and rubbed her eyes; and
said in the same low steady voice, whic h
had neither risen nor fallen since first ad-
dressed her, 81 have said that Florence
must 60 home"
ssLet her gop' cried the afflicted and af-
frighted parent, hastily. 81 am sure am
willing she should 60. What is the girl &c
me 7"
ssShe is SO much to me, that rather thar
communicate, or suffer to be communicated
TO her, one grain Of the evil that is in my
breast, mother, would renounce you, as
would (if you gave me cause renounce
him in the church Tomorrow" replied Ed
ith. "Leave fer alone. She shall not
while can interpose, be tempered will
and tainted by the lessons have learned
This is no hard condition on this bite
night"
off you had proposed il in filial man
ner, Edith" whined her mother, stperhap
not; very likely not. But such extremel
cutting words"
"They are past and at an end between u,
now, p said Edith. "Take your own way
mother; share as you please in what 20
have gained; spend, enjoy, make much {
i; and be as happy as you will. The oh
Ject Of our lives is won. Henceforth let u
wear It silently. My lips are closed upo
the past, from this hour. i forgive yo
your part in to-morrow's wiSkedness. Ma
God forgive my owno'
Without tremor in her voice or fran
and passing onward with foot that set
self upon the neck Of every soft emotion
she babe her mother goodnight and repai
ed TO her own room.
But not to rest; for there was no rest
the tumult Of her agitation when alone. 7
and fro, and to and fro, and to and fro agail
preparations for adornment on the morrow
with her dark hair shaken down, her dar
eyes flashing with raging light, her broa
white bosom red with the cruel grasp {
The relentless hand which she spurned
from her, pacing up and down with an aver
ted head, as she would avoid the sight {
her own fair person, and divorce herse
from It's companionship. Thus, 10 the dea
time of the night before her bridal, Edit
Granger wrestled with her unquiet spir
fearless, friendless, SILENT proud, and un
complaining.
At length it happened that she touche
tbs open door which led into the roor
whore Florence lay.
She started, stopped, and looked in.
A light was burning there, and shove
her Florence in her bloom Of innocence an
beauty, fast asleep. Edith held her breath
and felt herself drawn on towards her.
Drawn nearer, nearer, nearer yet; at last
drawn so near, that STOPPING down, sh
pressed her lips to the gentle hand that la,
outside the bed, and put it softly to he
neck. Its touch was like the prophets ro
Of old, upon the rock. Her tears spran,
forth beneath it, as she sank upon her knees
and laid her aching head and streaming hal
upon the pillow by its side.
Thus Edith Granger passed the night be
fore bridal. Thus the sun found her q
her bridal morn.
CHAPTER XXI.