The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-07-14

just as, with noseiess footsleps, we en- |
tered the silent death-chamber, the last rays
of the setting sun were falling upon the
figure of Ellen Amitage--who knelt in
speeches. agony by the bedside Of her ex-
piring parent-and family lighting up the
pale, emacialed, sunken features of the so
lately brilliant, courted Mrs. Armitage!
Bot for the ineAaceable splendor of her
deep-blue eyes, should scarcely have re-
cognised her. Standing in the shadow, as
thrown by the heavy bed-drapery, we gazed
and listened unperceived.
Ellen murmured the dying lady, come
nearer to me. 1t is growing dark, and |
cannot see you plainly. Now, then, read
to ME, beginning at the verse you finished
with as good DR.. Curteis entered. Ay,
she faintedly whispered, 'it is thus, Ellen,
with thy hand clasped in mine, and with
the words of the holy book sounding from
thy dear lips, that would pass away
Ellen, interrupted only by her binding
tears, making sad stops, complied. Twi.
light stole on, and threw its shadow over
the solemn scene, dispensing its holiness Of
sorrow. Night came with all her train;
and the silver radiance kissed into ethereal
beauty the pale face Of the weeping, gIl,
still pursuing her sad and sacred task
We hesitated to disturb, by the slightest
movement, the repose of deathbed over
which belief and hope, those only potent
ministers, shed light and calm! At length
DIR. Curteis advanced gently towards the
] bed, and taking the daughters hand, said
in low voice, Had you not better retire,
any dear young lady, for few moments!'
She understood him, and rising from her
knees, threw herself in an ecstacy of grief
upon the corpse, from which the spirit had
lust passed away. Assistance sum
moned, and the sobbing gin was borne from
the chamber.
| descended, full OF emotion, to the Ii
brary, where DR.. Curteis promised shortly
to Join me. Noiselessly entering the room
came suddenly upon the housekeeper anC
a tall young man, standing with their backs
towards me in the recesses Of one Of tht
windows, and partly shrouced by the heavy
cloth curtains. They were evidently il
earnest conference, and several words, th,
significance Of which did not at the mo
ment strike me, reached my ears before the,
perceived my approach. The instant the,
did so, they turned hastily round, and eye
me with an expression OF Hurried alarm
which at the time surprised NE not little
All is over, Mrs. Bourbon, said |, fndin
she did not speak; and your presence i
probably needed by Miss Armitaee.'
fash Of intelligence, as / spoke, passed b.
!. tween the pair; but whether indicative c
grief or Joy, so momentary was the glance
should have been puzzled to determine
The hOusekeeper Immediately left III
room, keeping her eyes, as she passed, hxe
upon me with the same nervous appetizer
sive look which had before irritatsd D
. Curteis. The young man followed moi
n slowly. He was a tall and rather han,
some youth, apparently about one Or tw,
and-twenty years Of age. His hair W,
black as jei, and his dark eyes were Of sill
gular brilliancy; but the expression,
thought, was scarcely refined or highl,
intellectual one. His resemblance 10 Mr.
! Bourbon, whose son indeed he was. WI
!, very striking. He bowed slightly but cou
e teously, as 10 an equal, as he closed Ii
: door, and | was left 10 the undisturhed eI
: ljoyment Of my own reflections, which, il
: defined and indistinct as they were. wei
anything but pleasant company. NJ
-. reverie was at length interrupted by the Ell
: trance Of the doctor, with the announc,
ment that the carriage was in waiting
re-convey us to town.
We had jouTnuyed several miles on OF
: return before word was spoken by either
: US. My companion was apparently eve
> more painfully preoccupied than mysel
He was, however, the first to break silenc,
: The emaciated corpse we have just lie
little resembles the gay beautiful girl f
: : whose smiles you and were once dispose
TO shoot each olher' The doctors voic
trembled with emotion, and his face, pc
ceived, was pale as marble.
Mary RawdOn, remarked, lives agai
in her daughter
Yes; her very image. DO you know
continued he, speaking with rapid energy
Il suspect Mary Rawdon-Mrs. Armitags
| would say-has been foully, treacherousl
dealt with ...
started with amazement; and yet tn
announcement but embodied and gave form
and color 30 my own ill-defned and shadow
suspicious.
Good heavens How? By whom!'
'Unless ! am greatly mistaken, she ha
been poisoned by an adept in the use @
such destructive agents.
Mrs. Bourbon
No; by her son. At least my suspi
clons point that~Vay. She is probably cog
nisant OF the crime. But in order that yo
should understand the grounds upon whicI
my conlectures are principally founded,
must enter into short explanation. Mrs
Bourbon, woman Of Spanish extraction
and who formerly occupied much highe
position than she does now, has lived viii
Mrs. Armitage from the period of her hus
bands death, now about sixteen years ago
Mrs. Bourbon has a son, a tall, cookbook
ing fellow enough, whom You may hsv,
SEEM
HE was with his mother in the library
as entered it after leaving you
'Ah! Well, hem This BOY. in hi
mothers opinion-but that perhaps is some
what xcusable--exhibited early indication,
Of having been genius Mrs. Armitage