The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-06-27

had attached herself, liehen-like, TO Britannia
and the General. Zoe sat there with little
Brightly, carefully peeling ripe grapes for her,
until old Sorry had carried away the basket and
returned.
Wanting an excuse to remain in the room, old
Sorry went up to Zoe, and saying, "Gim me de
chile Miss Zoen took the little one away and
sat down with her near the window
Where is Louis9n asked Gertrude, pairing
her peach, +" never see anything of him lately
al have not seen him since breakfast" replied
the General
81 hab,n said Sorry, putting in her word with
the freedom Of an old Virginia domestic, I" hat
seen Marse Louis dis mornin'. You see, Miss
Drertrude, Marse Louis, he never let me put
Miss Louise's rooms to rights-never. Won't
let me 'sturb single thing no more an nothin
at all. Dat room is q scanlous sight Dere's
Miss Louise's workstan' jes' as she done left
it-drawers all out things all strowed all over de
top, and even 80 much as her needle a stickin' in
her sowin', jes as she got up an left it de day
she went home wild her ma OH my blessed
Heavenly Msrser, don't pray for dat oman.
'verson--three times down on my knees ev'
cry day, regular as the day comes 'Taint nc
use dough-not a single bit. goin' TO STOP
Of it | goin' to stop botherin' my Heavenly
Marser about her, cause you see, Miss Drertrude
can't do nothing It all wild her; he done let hel
alone; he done glib her right up to de debbil p
"But where is Louis, AuntyW reminded
Gertrude.
"Oh, yes-where is Louis 2' asked Zoe.
"Well, gwine tell you. see Miss Louise'i
rooms open, an thinks now | take dis chance
and 90 in dere and clean up. Bless you, | ain'
done gone in dere more an year, so | gone in
an, as tell you, dere work all strow over floor
dere wresf OF roses hung over de glass all done
gone 'cept the stems and de string, an leaves ali
dry as powder all strow over de toilet clof-an
Miss Lssiss's loose wrapper, all lying over de
side ab IS bid -sRd LEXIS. be kBeelin, down
by de side OBJ d0bed, all whi4e, WA mis- curls
tangled, and his face on de wrapper, and his
arms stretched up over it. So jes' looks in, an
saw dat, an jes' pulls de door too softly, an
comes away was hurried to the heart-and soon
after sees him get on his horse and ride away
Dere! dere's where he been all day takin' on in
Miss Louise's room. Now he done, lock it up
agin, and gone away All, Lord, like TO see the
oman as would part me from my ole Apple Dere!
derel dere dere its Aunty amt forgot de baby
its Aunty will peel another peach for de baby
bunton" And the old lady gave her attention to
her little charge.
"But do you never hear from Louise 2" ques-
toned Gertrude of Britannia.
"Neoer We have discovered that they are
living at New Orleans, in great splendor; that
they are very much in society, and give large
parties"-
"Does Louis never write p
"Neuer All his first letters seemed dropped
into a bottomless well, for any response they
called forth -
Nothing will be done with Mrs. Armstrong
until take her in hand and shall do 1t eventual
ly,n said Gertrude, with determined look
aThere is no particular hurry. Louis and Louise
are young enough yet--desr me, yes Louis Is
but twenty, and Louise but eighteen. Bide bit
Mrs. Armstrong;
"Ah, Lor'! l wonders, does, eff she nebber
think of her end-when that shet-up-eye come
Don't she memorize dat Louis is got mother up
in Heaven--an angel always q standin' ia de
presence Of the Lord who can say to him, Lord
look down through de slopes OBJ space, on earth,
and see what is goin' on there see how wicked
oman is sarvin' out my son, dat | love-
wonder she don't think OBJ dat wonder she amt
afeard to injure q youth as has mother standin'
In de presence oh de Lord, night aud day. Good
ness here comes marsa Louis now!n exclaimed
the old womsn "a herse's feet clattcred up TO the
door; and Louis, throwing himself from the sad.
die, hurried, pale and sgitated, into the room.
All were struck with surprise and dismay at
his extreme perturbation. He sank into chair
grasping in his hand paper. Susan Somerville
poured out glass of water, and handed him he
drank it-pressed the kind hand that offered it.
as he thanked her with his eyes. Then turning
to his father, he said, e" wish to speak with you,
sir - and, rising, he left the room.
General Stuart Gordon followed.
When they had reached the study, and were
both seated
"There, sir,n said Louis, "there are the hopes
Of life destroyed"
And he laid the Virginian Republican upon the
table between them, pointing out paragraph. IL
was under the head of Proceedings Of the Legis-
lature," and was as follows:
"Hon. J. c. La Compile, from the Committee
of the Judiciary, reported bill for the divorce of
Louis Stuart. Gordon from his wife, Louise III. A.
Stuart. Gordon; which was read, and laid upon
the table,
"There was some foul work here, Louisl
"Upon what pretence could this have been
claimed - upon what trumped-up story - what
perjury!n
aHeaven knows, sir only see the conduct
of-of-L Louise, in this. ! only feel that have
grossly deceived myself in my estimate of that
young LADY,
Exactly Precisely Compare her with Miss
Somerville, Zoe, Gertrude-with my own queenly
lady-with any right-minded, right-headed girl
or woman--and then Judge her"
Louis was very pale and thin, and he seemed
dropping with q general lassitude as he leaned
back in the high backed chair his paleness thrown
out into ghostly relief by the black leather Of its
covering and the black cloth of his dress and his
very voice, when he spoke, seemed faint and bro
ken, from physical debility or mental despair
General Stuart-G Gordon looked at him for some
moments in silence. Then he said
@You are Stuart, Louisa genuine Stuart
IL is curious to observe in you the very same
traits of character, with the same cast Of features
that ruined your ancestors-the same tenderness
of heart, the same infirmity Of purpose, the same
infatuated attachment to the one object Of idola-
try. whatever that may be. OH Louis, be a
man-rouse yourself POUNDS, boy 1t is very
lackadaisica thing to pine away and die OF a bro
ken heart for any woman, even your fugitive
wife,
Louis did not reply. There was weight upon
his bosom, general sinking, that made it diihcuit
to sustain his part of the conversation.
aListep to me now, Louis. think Am rather
healthier in mind and body than yourself will
volunteer my counsel; you will accept II or not,
as you see ft First, then, you know, or course,
that Louise can never obtain divorce, however
much she may wish IT, since nothing can be
brought against you - since she herself il the
faithless party, while you are guiluess towarus
her. II is only the bismeless and the injured
party with whom remains the privilege Of divorc'
ing; and certainly in justice IT should be 80
Therefore, no power on earth can free Louise from
her matrimonial bondage, but your own. Are
you needing me, Louis2"
Yes sir, / listen"
any advice to you, then, is, to write to Lou
isen
"Of what avail were that, sir They take nc
notice Of my letters do not know that they even
open and read Them
"Ahl you may be very sure that Mrs Arm
strong reads every letter you address to Louise
or to herself, though presume that Louise never
sees them, and that Mrs. Armstrong would Ger
tsinly not lose the advantage over US Of gaining .
knowledge Of our sentiments and wishes, by read
ing letters, while she studiously avoids reveal
ing or committing herself by replying to any one
Of them. Nevertheless, | am sure she would re
a a a