The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-05-30
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THE M0THER-IN-LAW.
A STORY OF THE ISLAND ESTATE.
BY MRS. EMMA H. E. soUTHwoRTH.
BOOK SECOND
THE THUNDERBOLT

THE THUNDERBoLT
As wretches that doubtful Of hereafter
Part with their lves-nnwilling, oath, and fearful
And trembling az futurity.-ROtce.
| Louis Stuart Gordon had hurried to Alexan-
dria as fast as his horse could take him thther
had reached the city in season. and had been SO
fortunate as to re-purchase, at a small advance,
the two old people. Giving them pass and
money to bear their expenses, he had left them to
follow him, and set out for home Blithely Louis
started on his return. He WAS far too young not
to feel keen delight in making others happy,
| lie was very happy just now "rheSunsnlne was
so bright; the air so fresh; the landscape so
beautiful the song Of the birds so thrllingly
rapturous the voice OF the waterfalls so glad
his own physical organization so harmoniously
attuned to all this beauty and joy, that it no
wonder the heart Of Louis beat in response
to all this glory of nature. Then all the past was
so delightful to recall the future blissful to
anticipate. Had he not just made whole family
happy7 Was he not about to be supremacy happy
himself, in meeting Louise? Was he not in the
very morning of life-just eighteen-with beau
tiful and beloved wife two years younger; with
an Eden home; with congenial friends with
immense wealth; with a heart and mind capable
of enjoying his position in the highest degree
with every blessing himself-with great facilities
| of blessing others Never had Louis so keeny
appreciated the bessedness of his life, as very
late, on the evening of his return, when approach
ing the river, the white walls of Mont Crystal
between the divided forest that crowned the
HILL doomed up in his sight, just dscernible in
the bright starlight He would 90 there first,
and defer bis visit to the Crags and his return to
the Isle until the next day He spurred his horse
into q galop, and rode rapidly up to the outer
gate and, finging hiinself from the saddle he
Attempted 10 nnan it. 1t was locked on the inside
IL was q heavy oak gate, painted s.esn, and
fastened with strong chain and paddock. III
raped loudly with the loaded end Of his riding
whip, The noise of his rap dying away in echo
left silence. He listened. Nothing was heart
but the chrping Of those little insects that wax
at night, and the slight rustic of the leaves anc
the low murmur of the waters. lie waited. M
one replied. A vague fear passed over his mind
avenue at the house, some hundred yards back
Il was closed up-but then it was always 80 after
dark. lie raped again, loudly and long; watched
listened Again the sound died away in silence
leaving nothing but the low rural night sounds
audible. lie raped third time, as loudly rs
possible, and shouted, "The house, the house,
there!" Again he watched, listened, watched
This time he perceived figure approaching down
the shaded avenue. 1t was Kate Jumper, who
stood now at the gate
ala, Kate, how do you do? How is Mrs.
Louis and your mistress You kept me waiting
here long time, my good Kate. Where is the
porter Come Kate, my good woman, unfasten
the gate; am little impatient; be quick"
"The ladies are not at home, sirn replied the
mulatto stolidly.
Not at home! Oh, am sorry for that !
Where have they been spending the day! They
are late on their visit. However, admit me, Kate;
will await their return"
"The ladies will not be back tonight, sirD
"Not to night7 How singular! Where have
they gomez"
| 81 do not know sir"
"When are they coming back7o
al do not know sirD
"When did they go?"
81 do not know, sir" said the mulatto, still
guarding the gate.
"You do not know when they went9-you,
who we're here all the time Kate what does
all this meant exclaimed the young man, in
surprise.
"Ido not knom, SIR
"You do not know still Explain yourself,
woman" commanded Mr.. Stusrt-Gordon, looking
severely at her logged countenance
She paused in silence.
"Speak ~
"What must say, sir7o
"Where are your ladies ~
~ do not know, sir"
"Tut, an a fool to grow impatient at a sulky
negro" thought Louis.
Then his oountenance lighted up, and he ex-
claimed
ooh, I have i'll They are at the Isle Of Rays,
Yes, certainly they nre at the Isle of Rays
Strange did not think Of 1t at once. Say, Kate,
are they not at the Isle7n
81 do not know, sir"
"Tchati" exclaimed Louis, between impa-
tience and amazemcnt at the woman's sullenness,
as he hoped into his saddle and turned his
horses head towards the Isle.
so best expecting me to go home first.
Louise has gone home to receive me-that dear,
gentle Louseo And Louis quickened his horses
pace into gallop, and in half an hour reached
the Isle, fully expecting to find the drawing-room
lighted up aud wearing festive appearances for
his reception He galloped rapidly up to the
door There was no unusual brilliancy about
the front entrance. lie threw himself from the
saddle, gave the bride to Apollo, who stood to
take 1t, and with hasiy question Of" All well at
home, Apolloip to which Apollo replied, ayes, sirD
he fastened into the house, through the hall, and
entered the oak parlor. His father and his belle
meye, as he fondly termed Britannia, were at sup
per together and third cover WAS laid for him
self, a. though they had expected him, but finally
sat down without him.
Louis started, looked arouEd with surprise
then, having hastily shaken hands with his
father, and kissed the cheek Of his step.mother,
Louis. again looking rapidly around, exclaimed