The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-01-31

merry sounds, happy surroundings, were sudden
~ IN dlscord with her-jarring, grating torturine
her nerves. She did not fhiHk she only feT
III Is at long distance that one can look back and
anaiyle emotion-reason upon feeling Instinc-
lively and mechanically she closed the window
shutters Of her room, laid down upon her bed,
and doubled the pillow around her head, and in
the deep darkness and profound silence of Ter
ohamoer, her whole consciousness Of existence
merged into one absorbing sense of loss The
aarum OF the breakfast bell did not arouse her
Italf an hour after il sounded a soft hand laid
apon her hand that clssped the pillow over her
ears, soft voice murmurng close by her side
caused her to put aside the smothering pillow,
and look mp. Her maid Anna, who had attended
her 70 Mont Crystal was standing by her side
now looking with sad surprise at the disordered
dress, dishevelled hair, and pale face of her mis-
tress
e You are ill., Miss Susan" said she, taking her
hand, and looking with earnest affection at her
fallen features.
"No, Anna" replied Miss Somerville, rising
upon her elbow. Anna looked at her keenly, 10.
credulously, then in her turn growing very pale
she inquired, hurredly, earnestly
Haze you heard from The Gags? Has any
thing happened there, Miss Susan27
No, Anna, nothing And now, Anna, do not
question me further. Don't look distressed
Anna; | am not displeased with you, my dear
Anna-and but am very, very, very tired of
everything, and almost of everybody And Su-
san SomerVille slowly arose, gathered up her
long hair in her hands, let it fall again heavily
with deep sigh, and finally resigned herself into
Annas hands, to have her toilet rearranged for
breakfast. Immediately after breakfast, Susan
SomerVille intimated to her grandfather her de-
sire TO return home; and, on receiving his con-
sent to the proposal, announced to her hostess
their intention Of returning to the Crags
Through the delay of Major SOmerville their
departure was deferred till after dinner so that
1t Was nightfsl before they found themselves
cending the rocky ACTIVITY leading to the Crags,
and 1t was pitch dark when they alighted at the
door. Susan went at once to her room, to
change her dress; and Anna, after helping her
aged master to disencnmber himself of his great
coat and leggings, and after handing him his
dressing-gown and slippers, and settling him in
his DOING chair, went out into the kitchen, and
taking her mother aside, said
Mother, Miss Susan is very unhappy about
something. Some sudden grief has fallen upon
her. Mother, what is it, and what can we do to
relieve her? Miss Susan is wretched Indeed
she is
Gamma, perhaps she has discovered the ruin
that threatens US every hour
No indeed she has not far wide of it, She
knows her father il in debt, at the mercy of his
creditors; hut she does not know how near, how
imminent, how inevitable, our ruin is No, thank
God she does not yet know; for even when | |
forget 10 guard myself when | manifest anxiety |
or grief the dear girl ascribes it TO my coadHlon,
- . .---N' - - W
thinks am selEseeking and ambitious. She does
sorrow preys upon Miss Somervilles mind; and |
it Is you mother, who must tell me how to com
fort her. for you have lived long, and know every
thing know nothing
Harriet was kneading dough. She paused in |
her occupation, and seemed to reflect then she 7
asked
"Is Mr.. Stuart Gordon at Mont Crystal ~
"Was he attentive to Miss Susan ~
"Yesn
What do they say about him there? p
THAT he has long been engaged to Miss Arm
strong, and that this Christmas party is in honor
of their renewed betrohal"
- | feared 50 Miss Somerve needed mother
10 watch over her After all a nurse-one
in my position-cannot meet every want in a
young lady's daily life. But now listen, Anna
Venus keep our young lady quiet, comfortable, |
and occupied. Sub1ue everything to soothe her |
excited nerves. Let no sunlight into her room |
Do not let the FIRE blaze too brightly-keep all |
loud noises far from her-Temper even your own |
services for her 80 that they DO not become OBJ /
trusiye. And now 60 and set the table, and make !
all things comfortable my child
The woman who gave this advice was no COM
mon, minded mental. The reader need
not be surprised at this Delicacy in perception
of character and emotion, and in adaptation and
manifestation of sympathy is the result of Guilt
waited affections rather than Of educated intel !
lect. And Harriet possessed the first in large
degree.
The Christmas party lasted fortnight at
Mont Crystal At the end of that time Louis
Stuart Gordon and Louise Hector Armstrong
were afiianced Upon the strength Of the new
relations, Mrs. Armstrong induced TO accept
the earnest invitation extended by General Stu
art-GOrdon to herself Miss Armstrong, and Miss
O'Riley to pass a few days at The Isle of Rays.
1t was while the family of Mont Crystal were
staying at the Island palace that the marriage
day Of the youthful couple fixed for the TWEEN
- ty-secend of the next month, February, the an
niversary of their birth, when Louis should
complete his eighteenth, and Louise her six
teenth year.
TO BE CONTINUED