The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-03-21

see Louis first Lhave not seen hi,a for an hour
not since we returned from rowing. | do not
know where he can bem replied the bride in .
distressing tone.
Where are you going Louise y inquired the
General, walking up to his daugbtor-in-law.
"Home with motherw she murmured sinking
weeping into a chair.
I" May inquire, Mrs. Louis, II your husband
is advised Of this proceeding on yoar partf
"No, sirn
"And you leave this roof without his know
ledge or consentp
Oh sr,n murmured the poor little girl. in an
almost inaudible voice, " | cannot find him. NV
mother-alone-insu the child she has
got-how eond you % and melted into sea of
tears
"SRp address your conversation 10 ME- who
well know how to answer you-and 20 not brow
beat the child, like dastard!' exclaimed Mrs.
Armstrong, striding up, and placing herself be-
tween them, and in front of Louise.
"Then, madam, desire to know the meaning
of all thisp
at is very plain, sir. My daughter returns
with me To Mapt Crystslp -
-" And for what purpose and TO Whai end ~
ITO reside henceforth under my own roof"
Here Louise raised her fearful fsou from the
handkerchief In which it was buried, nd looked
up with surprise. General Stuart GorDn's brow
grew hard and stern, as that of the lady to whom
he spoke as he replied
"And | say, madam, that Mrs. Louis does not
stir out of this house without her husbands per-
mission being first obtainedn
ala hs we shall see. Give me your arm
my daughtcrw
Lay off your bonnet and shawl, Louise "
commanded the General, in a tone so stern and
peremptory, that the poor girl started. and in
stinctively and hurriedly obeyed.
any daughter, are you mad? VIVA, are you
doing2 Resume your bonnet, and let us 20 ~
"Do not bulge, Mrs. Louis. Do not stir
step"
"Give me your arm, Louise | command you ~
Move at your peril, Mrs. LOUISE
Am to be Obsyed Louise 2" sternly demanded
! ,SaIoh- ,.
"Do you hear me, Mrs Louis 2" thundered the
General
sob pity, Lordp prayed Louise, with elaspsd
hands and blsuched cheeks, her very tears con-
gealed with terror-looking from one antagonist
| to the other
"Ah good! here is Lpuisw exclaimed the
General, as Louis Stuart-Gordon quietly catered
| the room and stood arrested in an attitude Of
surprise, in the midst of them.
"Louis Louisp exclaimed Louise as throw
ing out her hands, she few to his arms, as bird
| to her nest-hew from the storm Of anger raging
around her, and casting her fair arms up around
his neck, and burying her head in his bosom she
hung there, FACILITATING, her pale gold locks and
white muslin drapery flowing over his black
dress. Aud Louis He stood there encirclinr
her with one arm, while with the other hand he
stroked her locks and Misunderstanding her
perturbation-and instinctively mesmerizing her
| Meanwhile the war of words ragged on.
"Sir, my daughter returns with me to M
Crystaln ~
MADAM! my sons wife abides under or
roofw And Louise shuddered, even in the shst-
| ter Of her husbands arms.
1t was now that Louis Stuart G ordon looked
up, and with gesture of the most imposing COM
mand, arrested the storm Of controversy. Then,
with silent but peremptory inquiry, he demand
ed the explanation of the scene Both antago-
nists essayed to speak at once Mrs. Armstrong
turned full upon him, and commenced
"Mr Stuart-G Gordon, circumstances hare trans
PRED, and are 0bom to transpire, that constrain
me to remove my daughter from this house.
while General Stuart Gordon was saying
"Louis, this lady designs to separate you and
| your wifer
"My dear father, let me extreat yon tn arsn'
| the htiy precedence in this explanation sale
Louis
Certainly my SON Be 50 good as to proceed
madamW
And Mrs. Armstrong, in n few curt, naughty
words, explained the motive Of her act.
So you perceive, Louis, that this good lady
wishes to separate you from your wife! OF
course you will not consent to any such measure p
decided the General.
"My daughter SHALL return with me ~ persist
ed the lady, with awful sternness.
"My sons wife SHALL abide where she is y
concluded the General
| Louise started and shuddered in the arms OF
her husband Louis pressed her closer to his
bosom, stopped and soothed her and then, erect
ing his slight but elegant form, he waved his
hand and imposed silence bya gesture full of dig.
| nifty. Aud looking from one to the other, with
something Of grave rebuke in his tone and man
ner, be said
"My bOnored father and my esteemed mother
in-law you do battle over my wife as though
she were slave in whom both of you possessed a
property-to whom both of you laid a claim !
THIS must ceaSei Shall and shall not are terms
that must not be applied to my wife. Commands
and threats are things that she must not suffer.
Louise is free free as God made all creatures /:
and she must not be deprived Of her divine birth
right! Of her own God-given freedom She
shall direct her own life, control her own destiny
No one shall compel her choice-no one shall
even 80 much as unduly influence her will
Louise shall decide in this matter as in all others,
for hcrself-and,o continued the young man,
growing little pale, and | will abide by her
decision
"Good accept the conditions said Mrs
Armstrong. "Let Louise decide for herself /
too will abide by her decisionr
"BAD! ] say it will not do You commit
an error, Louis You give this girl her own way,
and her will must succumb to the first strong will
that it encounters-must succumb to her moth
er's! She has never been accustomed to self
guidance-never will be fit for self-guidancep
"Never, unless she Is permitted to guide her
self my father Enough We will have the
decision Of Louise, and accept itp
"And abide by it, chimed In Mrs Armstrong,
who felt no doubt in her mind as 10 the favorable
for her plan) decision Of her daughter
"Zounds can there be two sides to this ques-
ton ~ exclaimed General Stuart. Gordon, put
past his gallantry..
Look up, Louise. Look up, my ownp muir
INJURED Louis, bending over her until his lips were
at her ear. "Look up, Louise, and set this vexed
question at rest. No one shall constrain your
will Look up and tell us-will you remain with
me or depart with your motherr
She pressed closer to him. weeping
"Say, my darling-will you remain with
"With you, Louis-with you, angel, Louis
you-you," murmured Louise, dropping words
and tears both in his bosom :
"What does she say You are not to coax
her - exclaimed the mother.
" She says that she will remain with me-" said
Louis.
Mrs Armstrong turned pale strobe up to her
daughter, and exclaimed bitterly and sorrow.
fully
"My child mine only child do you abandon
me thus me in my age me in my w,dorhoodl
me to endless, cbldless solitude oh, Louisen
Smother no! no exclaimed the poor bride,
suddenly starting from the gentle arms OF Louis,
and throwing herself upon the bosom Of her moth
err. Mother, mol | will 20 with youW
"Come, then yoor shawl and bonnet-where