The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-10-20
From the National Era.
CONsCIRNCB's TABLKAUX.
A sketch.
BIT AARTHA RUSSELL.

BIT MARTHA RUSSELL.
la large apartment Of one Of the most
ancient and aristocrstic- looking houses in
Boston, sat the dame Rachel Dudley. The
heavy mahogany tables, the high-backed
chairs, with their elaborate carving and rich
ly embroidered cushions, the square mirror
with its MASSIVE frame, would have been
sufficient indications of The rank and wealth
Of the owner, even if the rich service of
plate, bearing the crest OF that arch foe OF
the Colonies, Edward Dudley, had been
wanting.
The appearance Of the ancient dame
was in perfect keeping with the room
Even at the advanced age of fourscore
years, her face retained traces OF great
beauty, but not that serene and hallowed
LONELINESS that so often transfgures. as il
were, old age-lor the expression was
proud, naughty, and disdainful. II was
very evident that fierce and ungovernabIe
passions had done FAR more to mar the su.
perb beauty of that face than the hand of
Time. The high but somewhat narrow
forehead, the sharp, keen eye, the promi-
nent nose, end well-cut but determined,
naughty looking mouth, indicated that she
had not failed to inherit full share of the
Distinguishing characteristics OF her race
pride, self-will, and ambition.
Her hair, white with age, was turned
back from her brow, and hidden beneath a
cap Of muslin, edged with frill OF beauti-
ful point lace; full skirt Of rich gray silk,
over which was worn gown Of the same
material. open in front, the corsage fitting
tightly over the stays; a neckerchief OF
snowy muslin brought in plaits across the
bosom, and edged with lace TO match the
cap, a necklace of heavy gold beads,
clasPed by splendid topaz; shoes of gray
satin, with heels that would have stirred the
anger of the early Puritans, as a plain in.
fringement Of Scripture, so much did they
add to her stature-completed her attire
twas the eve Of Christmas, 49,, and
the anniversary Of her marriage. More
than half a century before she had pledged
her faith 10 her cousin, Randolph Dudley.
Yet as she raised her eyes to his portrait,
that filled one Of the panels above the wide,
erched fireplace, there was little in their
expression that betokened either her heart
or its hopes had been buried in his grave.
Why should they? The match had been
wholly one of interest. He was the head
of the transatlantic branch Of the family.
He had given her wealth, and she had main
tanned the interest and honor Of the family,
even at the sacrifice Of all that was woman.
ly in her nature, aye, at a sacrifice from
which she felt that his weaker nature might
have shrunk, had he been living. But as
her eye wandered from his portrait to one
which filled the adjacen, panel, her calm,
cold glance changed TO one Of unmingled
pride and qualification. That was the face
OF her proud daughter Isabel. who, Judging
from the portrait, inherited not only her
mothers beauty, but her indomitsble pride |
and ambition. During the Revolution, or,
what the OLD lady had always termed "the
rebellion of TO-" she had resided in Eng.
land with her family; and her consummate
diplomacy, aided by lssbel's rare beauty,
had succeeded in winning The latter an es- |
Enlistment equal to their proudest wishes. |
She became the wife OF Sir Frederick |
W, prospective heir to rich earldom Of
A.; and now, as the old dame with |
drew her eyes from the proud features Of
her daughter, and fixed them on the bed of
cleaning Goals that filled the wide fire.
place, triumphant smile broke round her
withefed lips. "Dut one life in the way"
she muttered, land that poor, puny, sick. |
ly boy" Then, as she recalled the con.
tents Of her daughters letter, and though
OF the declining health Of the young Earl
Of A, her face grew still more alive
with the workings Of ambition, until, with
the ftful glow Of the dying fire Lighting up
her naughty features, she might have well
been taken for one of those fearful bel
danes whose curses, only few years be-
fore, had been thought to possess the power
to wither and destroy.
For some moments she sat thus: then
ringing small hand bell that stood on a
waiter at her side. demure-looking servant
maid made her appearance. "Bring me
the small ebony casket, that stands on the
Tight-hand side OF the bureau in my dress
ing-room," she said, scarcely raising her
eyes from the fire. The servant obeyed,
and, placing the richly inlaid casket on the
table, left the old lady once more alone
At least, so the maiden would have sworn,
but she was mistaken. Conscience, whose
voice she had struggled for so many years
to stife, now stood at her side, supported
BY Memory, waiting the hour OF her pow
en-.
al must read my Isabels letter once
more" murmured tho old dame, as she
drew from her pocket bunch of keys,
and selecting one, applied il to the lock-
Let me but live to see my plans for her
realized, and then"
What was there in that small casket 10
cause such sudden and CHASTITY change ia
that stern woman's face? Why did than
hand, that had seldom shrunk from any |,