The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-06-20
chain to which all other ties are shreds of cobweb

al do think so, indeed, mother and yet ~
"There, you have talked enough, Louise; no
another word-not one, my daughteri you mrs
sleep now" And nipping the threatened contro
versy in the bud, Mrs. Armstrong drew the EN-
broidered curtains and retired FROM the bedside
For the next three days, csrriagesEere coming
and going to and from Mont CrystaIF Although
the county people severely censured the conduc
of the mother and daughter, and although they
had entered into sort of tacit conspiracy to NOR
tify them at the ball, yet few Of the county ladies
could resist the attraction of the newborn baby
the heiress of two such vast estates as Mont Crys
tai and the Isle of Rays, or the temptation Of call
ing upon the chilankc HotSfef fIe4 marriage hsi
been such splendid triumph as to dazzle the
county-her separation 50 sudden and unaccount
able as TO shock and stun the neighborhood Now
babe was Unexpectedly born. The Doctor had
spread the news. Doctors are great gossips; thai
is one Of their methods Of curing, especially hypo
chondriacs Now babe was born! Who would
have thought it2-she was so young-it was KEEP
so close. In fine, the county ladies wished to set
how Louise looked, and how Mrs, Armstrong de
ported herself under all these circumstances; and
so for three or four days carriages stood before
the gates Of Mont Crystal. Like all secluded
people, they wanted spectacle scene; but in
this they were disappointed. "Not at home,
Particularly engaged" were the words with
which the majority Of the visiters were received
A few privileged individuals were admitted to the
drawing room, and received by Mrs. Armstrong
But even with these she maintained a cold and
reserved manner aud, in reply to their inquiries
concerning Louise, they were told that Mrs. Stu
er Gcec' Tss stjl tee yoss tSess'sir". q .i'"T'
in her apartment.
Some certainly sympathized with the youthful
mother, and called to see her from better motive
than mere curiosity. Their reception, however,
was no more favorable than that of less deserving
neighbors
IL was about week from the day of her ac-
couchem>nt that Louise was sitting, propped up
with pillows, in delicate lace cap and rose
colored wrapper, near one of the front windows Of
her chamber. 1t was the same large, airy front
chamber called the summer room, and was fur
nished with the same white draperies. The win
dow near which Louise sat was closed, and the
muslin curtains were drawn; and near the easy
chair of Louise stood the crib Of her baby all
UTdpcu WIN "uieS. NO youhe Ahoenci oeeOh-
ton was divided between the crib and little
spy-glass she held in her hand, and with which,
after drawing aside the curtains from the window,
she would contemplate the Isle Of Rays. 1t was
while she was thus occupied that the door was
opened, and aMiss Somervillen was announced.
Susan was clothed in deep black, and very pale
and thin, yet wearing her habitual expression of
profound serenity. She entered and advanced
quietly, and taking both the hands of Louise,
kissed her with affection. Louise received Susan
with sorrowful tenderness, as she remembered
her former injustice Without speaking, only
returning her esress, she made room for Susan in
the large easy chair, big enough for both. Miss
Somerville took the seat, and again threw her
arms around Louise, and kissed her affectienate-
ly. Then she inquired
"Where is your mother, Louise?o
"Closeted with her overseer."
How long shall she remain, there Louise2"
"For two or three hours yet they are arrang-
ing about the crops. But, dear Susan you have
not been to Mont Crystal before since my return.
Why was that, susAa7n
"My love, might return the charge and the
question. You have not been at the Cragsn
uAh, Susan, am not my own mistress! Be-
sides, have been so unhappy, dear Susan!W
81 know it. my poor girl know it; and
should have come to you, but that have been
very i'll, and my illness left me very feeble; and
have no horse now, Louise, and the ten miles
between the Crags and Mont Crystal is too long
a walk for me- This is the first time have at.
tempted it,"
'sSusan! you do not say that you have walked
all this distance to see me-"
eyes, my love"
aAnd you, too, have had troubles severe
sorrows, that you do not speak Of, dear and gen.
erous Susan-strong and courageous Susan p'
A. = ct,o . l. a ob Gu
turned a shade paler, and trembled slightly.
"And Anna is dead, Susan ~
Susan bowed her head in reply.
"And poor old George and Harriet, Susan
how do they bear her deathp
"Better than they bore her life, or rather the
uncertainty of her future -
"Are they cheerful, thenW
@At last-yes, an old couple like them mar
ried in early youth, living nearly half a century
together become all in all to each other-but,
Louise, you are weeping. DO not weep, Louise, !"
said Susan, pressing her arms around her and
kissing her
aNo matter Do not mind my tears. There!
thew are gone Tell me about Zoe. She was
somehow mil ed MP in all that dread full business ~
alt was all mistake, or rather conspiracy.
Zoe is not a mulatto, never pas slave.
Brightly knows that 80 does Gertrude and Bru-
tus and they all visit her and receive her freely
now
"Then why do they not prove it-why do they
not establish it--why do they not punish those
who have belied and prosecuted herp
aAlas, you do not know what you say, child |!
She has been under the strongest circumstantial
evidence adjudged to be q slave, and has been
sold, bought, and enfranchised, as such. We
know better from conviction, but we have no
means on earth Of proving it."
@And Brutus then, cannot Harry her I"
aCertainly not, my love, until her true position
Is understood but, Louise let me say this TO you
let me force it earnestly upon you-treat Zoe
with ell the affection that Is in your heart for
her--she has claim upon you and upon me. And
Louise, my love- another favor-keep what have
said about Zoe confined to your own bosom"
III have no secrets from mother" replied Lou
ise
Miss Somerville looked troubled for an instant
| and then her couutenance cleared off as she said
to herself-aIt is we'll told her no more"
@Who is Zoe, then, Susan ?"
any dear Louise, ! have told you enough tc
| enlist your respect for Zoe. dare tell you nc
| moren :,
"You will at least inform me how our dear old
teacher Is. The dreadful shock drove him mad
for while, but his madness subsidized into hap
py dotage"
aThe schoolmsster is desdn
aDead! dead He, too Alas every one
can die but me The maiden and the old man
Every one but mel Why cannot ! dieF eI
claimed Louise, as her pallid features contracted
violently, and relaxed as she burst into tears.
This was one Of the spssmodic fits Of grief To
which she had been subject Of late
Susan Somerville had started, looked at her In
surprise; then, rising, she took the sleeping bab
from the crib, and laid it on her lap. The child
awakened, opened its eyes, and looked up. In
| moment, the quick emotions Of her childish moth
err changed. Wipipg her eyes, she looked dow'
at the babe with q new realization Of possession
and consolation. She looked In silence . lonI
time, seeming quite lost in the contemplation
her treasure, while Susan stood bending Owe
them and half embracing her. Al last, taking tn