The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-06-13

10 address her, or that she feared her mother, or
mad lost for the time the power of speeoh-who
could tell Mrs. Armstrong and her daughter
had no sooner seated themselves than the ef-
fccts Of the coffee assisted by the glare Of lights
the sound of music, the brilliant company, began
to show itself in the appearance of Louise Be-
tween the effects of the rouge, the stimulant, and
the scene, her complexion had assumed beauti-
full but always delicate glow; her eye, strange,
clear brilliancy and her expression and manners,
a fascinating gaiety that ~ - notn
known her before could y
raj that no one who had
Of the last hour could hSV
nearly delirious! Her
drew around her q circle
were either not so particulafS00y
piazza, or else having seen her attend0o
husband, drew the most favorable infere0Cl
Louise had never been witty before, but now ref
artee, quick and brilliant as lightning, flashed
from her glowing lips She bewitched the circle
around her STILL not one among the youth took
her out to dance, until, at last, young gentle
man from distant county, looking at her from
across the ROOM seeing her surrounded, and be-
lieving her to be some celebrated belle-as, I'M
married, she mould have been-and wishing a
presentation TO her, went up to one of the mana
gers and requested an introduction. The mana
ger Immediately took him up, and begged leave
to present Captain Fairfax of Jefferson county,
to Mrs Stuart-Gordon.n
ooh! youthful widow thought the Cap
tain, and, making graceful bow, he begged the
honor Of Mrs. Stuart-Gordon's hand in the set
that was forming At a sign from her mother,
Louise arose. gave him her hand, and was led to
the head of qusdrille.
any daughter is in high beauty-in fine spir-
its-greatly admired-she will dance We will
IL. IL Il.
themselves with the idea that her heart is break
ing exclaimed the lady, in low voice, rs she
gazed in triumph upon Louise upon the arm of
Captain Farfax-Captain Fairfax being the lion
of the evening Soon her triumph was turned
to humiliation. Captain Fairfax had led his
beautiful partner off to the head of the set, ad-
miriDg her with enthusiasm, wondering what the
young gentlemen could have been thinking of,
not to have secured the honor he was now enjoy
ing, and heartily congratulating himself upon
his singular good fortune. He perceived that all
eyes were turned upon himself and partner, he
heard all lips whisper about them, and he flushed
with gratifed vanity, for he verify thought it
was in admiration OF bis partner, and envy of
1919 ~ txss.si - - ~ = g. Y > - = = ,
retired from the set, that was not yet completely
formed, that he began to perceive that the unu-
sual buzz was one Of surprise and disapprobation.
Now the light broke on him, and he understood
that he had committed himself in some ridiculous
way. The perspiration started from his brow
There are some vain men who would rather COM
NIT crime than a faur pas He was one of them.
Wiping his brow, he turned to his partner and
said
The room is very close-orowded-Mrs. Stu
art-Gordon, had we not better sit down2~
Louise raised her eyes steadily to his face, and
said, with strange smile, ooh, sir! | am a very
yyo but Iitfla Of fill lint III
tie space is it not strange, then, that as soon as
| appear, the atmosphere should grow SO close
the set be found 80 crowded ~
Captain Fairfax only replied by grave bow,
as he led her back to her seat The artificial
gaiety Of Louise was over for that evening. De-
feated, mortified, and enraged, Mrs Armstrong
soon arose to retire from the saloon Again Lou
is Stuart-Gordon suddenly appeared, and walking
by the side Of Louise, attended them from
the room, waited for them at the foot Of the
stairs, aud when they came down, oloaked and
bonneted, still walking by the side of Louise, he
attended them to the carriage. Mrs. Armstrong
drew herself up haughtily on one side. Louis
handed his wife in, saying, as he pressed her
hand
Do not appear in public again, Louise" and
ooh! will mott will not y replied Louise
sinking, sobbing, in one corner of the carriage
Mrs Armstrong could have strangled him on
the spot Repelling his proffer of assistance with
a naughty gesture she stepped proudly into her
carriage, which was Immediately driven off. The
darkness Of the winters night, the aarknea. Of
seeing the face of Louise. She heard her stifed
and convulsve sobbing, but, feeling dsinclined to
converse, she was silent during the whole drive.
Arrived at Mount Crystal, they alighted. She
drew the arm Of Louise through her own, and
led her up into their sleeping apartment. 1t
was now between three and four o'clock in the
morning The room was well warmed and light
ed, and every way comfortably prepared for their
reception Mrs Armstrong threw herself into
easy chair by the fire, and called Kate TO assist
her in undressing Without removing any of
her clothes, Louise paced in a nervous and excl
ted manner up and down the floor.
"Come to the fire and warm yourself, my
daughter" said the lady
"No! mol ] am not cold"
"Undress and retire to rest then, my dear"
81 cannot! | cannot | cannot rest any
where!
Mrs Armstrong now turned around in her
chair, and noticed the frightful pallor of her
daughters countenance as she walked wildly up
and down the floor, wringing her hands
"Louise sit down and compose yourself in
sst upon it!o
Still Louise with pallid brow and bloodshot
eyes paced distracedly up and down the floor
Kate, leave me. | Can undress myself Go
and prepare your young lady for bed"
Kate left her mistress, and went to Louise.
She turned away from her, wildly exclaiming-
"No, no! no, no! | cannot! | will neither
sleep nor eat until have rejoined Louis ~
What does she say2n exclaimed Mrs. Arm
strong rising to her feet and gazing in astonish-
ment upon the strangely excited girl "What
does she say?
81 say, motherln exclaimed the half.delirious
girl, walking rapidly Up to the lady, and standing
before her with her thin hands writhing together,
and her haggard eyes strained half out her head
:" say, mother, that this separation is cruel mon
strous insupportable! II is killing ms-that is
of no consequences but it is killing Louis too
that noble Louis, whose only weakness is to love
weak and worthless fool like | am! | say,
mother, that Louis is so noble! so generous! 80
magnanimous | say, | love and admire him
more and more every day live say do not
believe One-no, not one of the base calumnies that
you have heard of him-and from my heart beg
his pardon for moments doubt Of his immacu-
late honor say mother, that no one can look
upon his face, hear his voice, and doubt his pro-
bity and say, mother, that must, must rejoin
Louis, if indeed he will forgive and receive me
again Must! mother, do you hear! Oh
nave treated MIN shametuily, anu ne mas Denaved
like an angel to mel Yes, you may curse me-
mother, as you have often thr, atenedl You may
kill met but viii not eat, drink, or sleep, until
have sought the feet Of Louis, and obtained his
forgiveness!o
ooh, she is crazy frantic.n exclaimed the
lady, taking the hands of Louise, and forcing her
into chair. chinook her Dress Kate, and then
60 and get me some opium. She is nervous, hys-
terical, derious!n
And 80 she was. Mrs. Armstrong heard ali
her raving without alarm, confident in her own
confirmed power over her daughter, and knowing
full well that when all this nervous excitement
was over she would relapse into state of more
complete feebleness than before. Aud she judged
rightly Louise fell asleep under the influence
of the opiate, and slept till late hour the next
daY then she aWoke feeble In body and mind de-