The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-03-07

She then conducted Brightly into large room
in which was a tall tent bedstesd in an archie
slcove, and near it cot bed This room ha
neither carpet nor curtains, but the walls WEI
literally covered with old family portraits, all
them faded, furnished, and unfit to be seen--thf
is, all were so, with the exception of one, whic
looked fresh and modern.
All! you are looking at my pictures, Brightly
Well, they too are wrecks, but | have not tn
heart to throw them away. They are unpreseut
able-therefore keep them in my chamber p
Brightly was, in fact, going from one picture I
the other, examining them with an artists inter
est. She paused before one it was the fresh an
modern looking portrait of which we spoke
was the portrait Of young, beautiful girl, with
dark bright complexion, large, soft, dark eyes
and ripping black hair, flowing down in wave
lets on her neck and bosom. Brightly gazed o.
this picture with surprise, with deep interest.
"liere is portrait, at least, that would grac
your sitting-room, Susanp
That yes-but-"
"Well ~
Nothing" replied Susan, with some embar
RI sment.
Britannia was suddenly silent, fearing that sh
had committed she knew not what indiscretiou
by asking questions. Susan perceived this, an,
fastened to say
alt is the portrait of Genevieve my father
youngest sister. She died young, and her dealt
was sudden-tragicaL My grandfather canno
bear to hear her name mentioned. He has no
seen her picture for fifteen years"
IL am sorry, Susan, that recalled this crcum
stance to your recollection said Brightly, with
interest. "And yet, what a strangely beautiful
face it Is a study. should like to copy itn
81 remember her-no,hing like that portrait
remember her, as one recollects bad dream. Sh,
y. ~ - -.
died at sixteen, when | was three years old
Now, Brightly, you are welcome to copy the por
trait, but on these conditions, that you do it in
this room, that you never show the copy to any one
in the State, and that you never mention her name
UraiIute 10 her Sats se,s-ao-Say.n e.,
II promise, with all my heart"
This was Der ROOM, eoptinued Susan. throw.
ing enen a second door. :" But who would have
thought of such picture and such story in this
house, Susan I" asked Brightly
Every house has its skeleton, Britannia and
| fear no house ever stood fifty years without its
tragedy! and Susan shuddered
3" You are cold, Susan. have been selfish in
dragging you through all these passages and
staircases, full of draughts. Come, we will 20
down. And the girls descended to the sitting
room.
Faithfully determined to persevere in drawing
Susan from her abstraction, and forcing her to
occupy herself even when seemingly seeking only
her own selfish amusement, Britannia adhered to
her plans for their evenings
As soon as the cloth was removed from the sup
per table, Brightly, making herself at home, or
dered a liberal supply of the heaviest hickory
logs, and herself superintended the piling upon
the great iron fre-dogs. Oh! Brightly was an
artist in the smallest matter, and she perfectly
subscribed to the Virginian adage, that "a good
fire is a handsome piece of furniture" And a
wonderful fire soon orackled blazed and roared
up the chimney. And then the old sofa was
drawn up on one side of the fireplace, and two or
three chairs the other side, and the table with
the lamp on it wheeled to the middle. And then
Brightly, fixing Susan with her knotting on the
end Of the sofa, nesred the table, seated herself
by her side, and sent Anna to summon George to
bring in his fagwork and his legendary learn
ing. George soon appeared, bringing in his hands
a half-6nished basket and bundle of flags, and,
! -.w;n~ N .tool A.. .L---..--,7.ss Sho 49,
place from the sofa, sat down and prepared to
commence.
And thus the group around the hearth sat
On the old sofa on the left sat Susan and Brit
ANNA, Anna occupying low seat by the side Of
Miss Somervile, with her hand resting affection
ately on her lap. On the opposite side old Har'
ret sat, with a reel by her side, winding yarn !;
George by her on a low cricket, singing out his
strip Of flags. The table with the lamp dividing
the two little groups.
"Well, we are all ready" said Brightly. Come,
begin"
ing away his white felt hat. " IIem-m-m you
see, Miss, when this part Of the country was fust
settled D
"IIush !"
aMa'am?n
"Some one raped ~ said Brightly.
at was the wind" said Anna.
at WAS the rats,D said Harriet.
"You must expect to hear strange noises about
this house, Brighty-not that it is haunted hut
that it is old, and filled with rats and MICE and
exposed to the winds"
aGo on, George commanded Brightly.
"IIem-m m! Well, you see, Miss, when this
part of the country was fust settled, the In
jins -
"Rat-tat- -tat-ta-r-r-r.
There was no doubt upon the subject now. The
sharp rasping rap of the metal head OF a
riding whip against the door arrested Georges
legend, and startled everybody. George laid
aside his baskets and went to the door.
"Who can it be, this time of night Z" asked
Brightly.
awe are just about to see replied Susan.
George opened the door, threw it wide open,
and announced
General Stuart Gordon"
All arose to their feet Britannia crmsoned-
with pleasure, fancy. Miss Somervlle advanced
with quiet courtesy to welcome her vsiter-whle
George gathering up his flags, and Harriet TAX
ing up her reel, withdrew with Anna from the
room.
g Have you supped, General % inquired Miss
Somervile as soon as her guest was seated
General Stuart G ordon was about to reply in
the affirmative, and to beg that his young hostess
would not give herself any troube-but, impelled
by second thought, he replied
81 have not, Miss Somerville; and, as | have
had rather long and cold ride, will feel par
ticularly obliged for cup Of your excellent tea
And, Susan, my dear! prepare it yourself
have lively and grateful recollection OF the tea
YOU made for us at the lsle.D
Smiling family at the Renaissance, Susan arose
and left the room.
Ceneral Stuart G ordon Immediately left his,
sea, and. crossing before the fire, took that next
TO Brightly on the sofa took her hands in both his,
and bending forward sought TO meet her eyes Al
last she raised Der eyes and met his glance
"Well, Britannisp
DWELL, General"
at is clustering night"
Eyes, sirn
aMyre like the middle OF March than the mid
die Of April" :.
81 agree with you, General"
Britannia, have had very cold ride facing
the wind up this bleak ascent"
al regret it, sir"
"Then prevent its frequent recurrence
Brightly
She was silent.
"How many more such rides shall ! have 70
take Brightly
She did not reply.
Britannia, am more desolate than ever. In.
stead Of gaining a daughter by the marriage o.
Louis have lost a son once had the company
of Louis Now my son and daughter-in-law, ALB
sorbed in their own loves and joys-the ego
lists forget my very existence. They spend
long hours in their own apartments, or, coming
out, wander hand in hand like two children al
over the Isle. The ,rdener and his hands are
breaking NJ the soil and trimming rose pasne'
AL - L. Inc ~ ba Uaripna and Louis