The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-07-04

love- yet plainly visible to the solcitous love OF
her mother. Yet she feared that Louise, in her
religious attachment to a mere memory, might re-
nounee the happiness within her reach in fne,
she requested time to ascertain her daughters
sentiments upon this projected marriage, before
presenting Mr.. Frobisher to her as sutton
Forced to accept this for present answer, Mr.
Frobisher bowed and took his leave, his rather
moderate inclination for the pale young widow
somewhat increased by the prospect OF little
opposition.
The reader knows, as well as | do, that she
only wished an opportunity of laying her despouc
commands upon Louise. The reader knows, as
well, how this interview was likely to terminate
pable of opposing any one, much less her impe-
rious mother and quite in despair, Louise yielded
though her whole nature revolted at the projected
marriage. 1t was some relief to her to know that
Frobisher was going to England, to remain for at
least twelve months before he returned to claim
her hand. aWho knows ~ she said to herself
"perhaps may die before he comes back, or he
may be shipwrecked ~ for she almost loathed the
YUM Vhou, pIcVlouS W tuis cuRdkcDSutj oAc uou
loved with sisterly affection
As for Frobsher, he went away completely de.
ceived-entirely believing his betrothed to be q
widow Once, indeed, he had casually inquired
il the late Mr.. Stuart Gordon was not a connec-
ton of the Stuart-G ordons of the Isle of Rays
Mrs. Armstrong replied, quietly, that her late sou
in-lsw mas connection OF that family. And the
subject was dropped.
Perhaps nothing ON earth but the prospect of a
title and coronet would have induced Mrs. Arm.
strong to compel her daughter to renounce, by a
divorce, her claim upon the immense island estate
Nothing but two such powerful passions as ambi-
ton and hatred, coupled with desire for revenge,
and acting upon the mind of a supremely naughty
and INSCRIPTIONS woman, could have impelled her
80 ths. 3ssing. career of crime into which she at
once entered. To have her daughter once legally
-S.A;2--z3, -! isslsS SCI :Erentir -As,gon1
ried-to have that once accomplished, she was au-
dacious enough to defy all evil consequences to
herself. There is nothing more wonderful in the
history of crime than the faulty with which a
criminal dares almost certain detection and die
grace It was in this frame of mind that she went
to Richmond, Virginia, where the Legislature was
still in session, and where she forced Louise to
memoralze that body for divorce
We have seen how the shallow petition was at
once rejected. Mortified and alarmed at this fail
ure, Mrs. Armstrong determined TO act upon the
other party-to induce Louis Stuart Gordon if
possible to petition the Legislature himself. HIS
petition, she felt sure, would be received
There are few secrets in family where there
are many servants. Mrs Armstrong had another
line of communication with the Isle of Rays be-
sides that of Louiss occasional notes, which she
invariably read and put in the Are without COM
municating them TO Louise. She had left her
faithful coadjutor, Kate, in the neghborhood, and
it was rather through the gossiping propensities
of poor old Sorry, than from the treachery Of any
of the servants, that the conversation Of Louis
with the General, in which the former expressed
his determination Of taking no step that should
affect the future happiness Of his daughter, was
reported in triumph to Kate, and conveyed to
Mrs Armstrong at Richmond.
1t was then that Mrs Armstrong put In practice
the most daring and adroit deception that ever
Satan suggested to self It was now late in July,
and under pretence Of relieving Louise from the
care of her child, she sent the former othe sea-
shore for change Of air, and kept the latter at
home. Ii was while lingering out her weary days
at Old Point Comfort that Louise received letter
from her mother, recalling her to the sick-bed of
her child, who, she said, was lying dangerously i'll
of scarlet fever. Louise hurried at once to Rich
mond but was told on her arrival that the babe
was dead and buried; that the danger of infection
had induced the necessity of a speedy interment.
Shock after shock had nearly paralyzed the sensi-
bilities of the poor young woman, 30 that the i'm
preston made by this last blow was not SO deep
as in other circumstances it might have been.
ooh! shall soon follow" was all she said,
with fearless eye, and wan smile.
She was conveyed to her bed in o state of ner-
vous exhaustion, that Frustrated her for many
weeks. 1t was during her illness that Mrs Arm
strong wrote to Louis, announcing the death Of
his daughter, and assuring him that the peace OF
Louise depended upon her freedom from marriage
ties. The reader remembers that the answer OF
Louis requested TO see this wish expressed in the
handwriting Of Louise herself, before he would
consent to act upon it. Mrs. Armstrong smiled
grimly to herself and sitting down. wrote the let
ter describing the exhausted state of her daugh-
ters health, and reterating the assurance that not
only the peace of mind and health of body but that
the very life of her daughter hung upon his answer.
This letter she took to the bedside of Louise.
Louise was lying with her two emsciated hands
upon her palid brow, shutting out the light from
her eyes. Sitting down by her side, she laid her
own cold hand over those Of her daughter, and
said, I" How are you now, my love2"
III don't know, mother,n heavily sighed the in
valid, without unoovering her eyes.
Louise, my love, would you like to see Lou
Is2n
The effect of this question upon the poor girl
was like that Of q galvanic battery on corpse.
She started up with spasmodic motion, and
looked intently into the face of her mother.
81 inquired if you would like to see Louis, my
loven
"Like to see Louis! Oh, mother!"
aWell, my child, in consideration Of our late
and common bereavement, and Of your precarious
state of health, have written to Louis to come
and visit usD
ooh, mother, have you2 May the Lord Of
Mercy bless you bless you bless you my own
good motherp cried Louise throwing herself from
the pillow upon her bosom
"Cam yourself, my child, calm YOURSELF said
the mother, reaching cordial from table at
hand, and holding it to the lips Of her daughter.
Then she laid her back upon the pillow Her
eyes were shining like stars, and there was a
bright hectic spot on each cheek as she smilingly
| sad-"I see how it is, mother; you know that
am dying, and you are willing for me TO take leave
| of Louis before 90. Heaven bless you, mother
| Look out the window, mother. Ii has been cloudy
| all day long. Look at the wet, where the heavy
dark blue clouds lower almost to the verge OF the
| horizon but not quite for see, the shining sun
| iluminates the lower edge Of this cloud, and
shoots out direct rays of glorious light ssant the
| ear.h-and now IL has sunk below the horizon
! Even 80, mother. My life resembles this day
| but you are willing to provide for me ray OF
sunlight before the night Of death falls on me Tor
ever. God bless you, mother"
Her eyes and cheeks blazed with the fire OF fever
while she spoke.
any love, you must not talk 80. You are ut.
| terly mistaken. You are young and sound, and
only suffering from alternate nervous excitement
and exhaustion. You will recover your health
But now, Louise, we must attend to this matter In
hand. have written to Louis, requesting him e
lose no time in coming to see MS, But, aner al
that has passed, Louis may not be persuaded tt
come by me. You must add your request. know
that you can scarcely hold pen, my dear, but you
can write one line, to endorse what have written
Just write, Louis my happiness, my repose
depend upon your granting the request contained