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

y
understanding with more than the literal CON-
mandn
Another glance at Louise found her gentle
eyes now open, and calmly turned on her mother
1t is time to rise, my daughter. Iou are to
take ride this morning, directly after breakfast
Kate will dress you" said the lady; "and,
Louise, insist upon your paying more attention
TO your personal appearance Kate has my or
ders" And the lady, whose turban was now ar
ranged took up her bunch of keys, and marched
from the room.
One thing Mrs. Armstrong wished to avoid in
these rides-that was, the possibility Of a rem
counter with Louis, or, what was worse, with that
old Island Seal rs she called the General To
avoid such rencounter by keen vigilance, aud,
in the event Of chance meeting to prevent Louise
from "falling into the hands Of the enemy Mrs.
| Armstrong, who was an excellent equestrian, de-
termined to accompany her daughter
awe will 60 down to see Zoe Since the girl
knows her place, and does not presume on our
! former notice of her to appear at Mont Crystal,
we can show her some kindness-can engage her
to do some work for us"-said the lady, rs soon
as she and her daughter were in their saddles
And whipping her horse into a smart trot, she
set out for the Dovecote attended by mounted
! servant. to open the gates. Arrived at the gum
, >,,>~ ~ Nl.,l >sv4ol y,S.>.>,.A
the narrow bride path leading down into the
glen where was situated the Doyecote, Mrs
Armstrong took out her glass and threw sweep
ing glance over the ground that lay stretched
down before them. Apparently satisfied by hei
survey, they began to descend the path. They
arrived at the cottage without meeting with any
one.
The external appearance Of the Dovecote was
certainly improved The yard was wilderness
of roses. The windowswere open, and rare and
beautiful eKotics in hower-pots sat upon the sils
they filed the air with their fragrance Mrs
Armstrong looked around with surprise, and
Louise with delight, as they alighted from their
saddles and passed through the little wicket up
the walk.
The inside of the cot as mmch improved
as the exterior Pale pink gingham curtains at
the windows shed a delicate rose-colored light
through the room Zoe's own carpet, fresh as
ever. was upon the floor. few choice pictures,
all of cheerful or Of loving subjects, were on the
wall small mahogany bookcase filled with
books, and surmounted by a little plaster cast
statuette, stood between the rose-curtained flow
er.flled windows. More than all-the idol of the
! little housewives nice mahogany workstand,
with two folding leaves and two drawers, and
surmOunted by workbox, completely furnished,
stood near the corner of the hearth. Zoe, neatly
dressed in white muslin, sat at this workstand in
little rocking -chair without arms her feet rest
ing upon little embroidered footstool On her
! lap lay piece of work, in which she seemed to
take great delight. IL was an Infants slip she
was embroidering. Zoe was humming lullaby
tune to some imaginary baby, and looking the
picture of content
Did you expect that Zoe was heart broken
Zoe was too much of q child and housewife to
break her heart for what had happened to her,
after her first fit of crying. There was not a
single capillary vein of tragedy in all Zoe's
hop hn tlu md md
that the cOffee-pot must boil through all sorts of
troubles. Governments might be subverted, but
sVpper must be got Kings might be decaptated,
but clothes must be cut, and so Zoe nnconsciously
sung the imaginary baby to sleep, while she
wrought mimic heartsease and rosebuds in the
border of the cambria slip.
On the opposite side of the workable, in a
large easy chair, sat the old schoolmaster. He
had grown fat, and was clothed in cool, loose
| white linen jacket and trousers and his face
wore an air of celestial calmness. He was play
ing with two beautiful, frolicksome tortose-shell
kittens, that continually leaped about him, or,
climbing upon his shoulders, licking his hands,
or nesting in his bosom. 1t was plain that the
old man had reached his second childhood, and
that it was as innocent and as happy as his first.
| There was not single care or fear, or doubt,
on that divinely serene countenance-divinely
serene except when changed by laugh, as glad
as ever rang from his boyhoods lips. Such
laugh had just rung out. The tortoise-shell kit
| tens mad made simultaneous spring tn reach
his back, and, tumbling over each other, had
rolled upon the floor, and the old man had just
laughed aloud-when the door opened, and Mrs.
Armstrong and Louise appeared.
Zoe laid down her little slip upon the stand,
and came forward, curtesying and setting chairs
Mrs Armstrong, with condesceudiug nod to the
schoolmaster, seated herself But Louise turned
and tenderly embraced Zoe, while she said, with
O gentle smile
Why, Zoe, have you not been to Mont Crys-
tai of late Didn't you know, Zoe, that nothing
that could happen to you, without your own fault
could make any change in my feelings towards
you? Oh Zoe ~ she said sinking her voice 10
a low whisper, don't you know that would
have FASTENED to you rs soon as ever got home
# Ihad been permItedW
know you would have done so, Mrs. Stuart
Gordon" said Zoe, pressing her hand.
Z" Why don't you call me LouiseY
Circumstances have 30 changed with me
young lady, that must remember my own posi-
ton, lest others should be obliged to remind me
of it, said Zoe, with something of gentle dignity
in her manner Then, still holding the hand OF
Louise, with the other hand she gracefully indi-
Gated the chair, and seated her in it,
Mrs Armstrong was endeavoring to converse
with the old schoolmaster. Louise and Zoe were
seated at the workable.
a am so glad to see you looking so happy and
well dear Xoen
Why should not be- What is changed, ex-
cept in name? Oh! | cried at first, though
oh | cried my eyes out nearly! | thought |
should be cast out thought that all my friends,
whom loved so dearly, would abandon me. But
ali iC has been so different! My friends have
changed indeed-but TO greater kindness Ger
trude-Miss Lion, should say-who used to
treat me very caprciousy sometimes petting,
sometimes abusing me-Miss Lion treats me with
the affection Of sister; and Brightly mean
Mrs General Stuart-G ordon-oh she has been
an angel to me and to my adopted father, there
Look around upon this room madam all this
cheerful beauty is her work-her bounty-al-
though she conceals it all under the veil Of lbe-
raj pay for the sewing do for her. All surely
never prosperity blessed worthier one than that
LADY,
Louise was turning over and examining the
baby-slip with curiosity and interest
"Do you sew for any other family except that
of the Isle. Zoep
ono; Mrs Stuart Gordon gives me as much
sewing as ! can possibly do, and pays me most
literally. Then she also sires me great deal
and with her trae native delicacy, gives me only
the work of her own hands, or the produce OF her
own garden or conservatory, Look at those
pictures on the walls; they were painted by her
This little ottoman use when sewing was worked
by her. Look at those tea roses and heiotropes
in the pretty porcelain flower-pots in the win
dow-they were sent from her conservatory. And
the variety Of roses in the yard were oil sent
from her garden of at the back of the Island
breakfast. roomp
Dear Brightly she is an angel; but, indeed
dear Zoe, my mW to serve you was as good as
herso
{" | know it, my dear young lady"
Louise was still turning over the little slip
measuring the little waist-running her fingers
into the little sleeves Zoe now observed her
occupation, and forgetting her purposed reserve
and smiling and blushipg, she bent her head to