The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1851-08-01
From Graham's Magazine.
A PEEP WITHIN DOORS.
BY FANNY FORESTER.
(Concluded

WioNh' hoI oUn'-Wiu all HtT care
and with all her love Oh ifthey had bu
given me coffin for cradle! A grave
. then would have been blessed thing
but il is too late now, TOO laiep'
Mrs Lane was awakened by the warn
tears raining upon her face; and siartin,
up wildly, she enlreated him to begone
"Every moment is precious," she exclaim
ed gasping. "You may not make you
escape ifyou do not go now. Oh, Rob
erl! promise Neon your knees, before
your mother, and in the sight Of your God
promise my poorboy, that you will forsake
the ways Of vice, that you will become ar
honorable and useful man-promise this
Robert, and then go! Your mother, who
has gloried, who has dotted on you, en-.
treats you 10 begone from her forever!'
81 cannot 60 to night, mother. l wal.
ted to see you, and so lost the opportu-
nifty; but there is no danger. II lis too late
TO take boat now. shall 60 to some
of the landings above when leave here,
and in the morning go aboard the first
beat that passes"
Again the mother required the promise
Of reformation, and it was given earnestly
and solemnly. Then he again sat down
on The ottoman at her feet; and, with one
band laid lovingly upon his head, and the
other clasped in both of his, she spent an
hour in soothing, counselling and admon,
ishing him. So deeply were both enga-
ged that neither the merry voice of Ella in
the doorway, nor her step along the hall
reached them.
"Has my mother rctiredwLwas her first
inquiry.
"No, miss, she is in the back sitting
room," and before the girl could add that
she was engaged with straner, Ella
had bounded to the door, and flung it,wide
open.
"Robert!-you here Robert! If I had
only known it | should have been home
long ago. So you are sorry you quar-
relied with papa, and have come back TO
be good boy, and go ou,cwilh me when
l want nice beau, and all that. Well
Il does look natural 10 see you here"
As The young girl spoke she cast her
hood and shawl upon the floor, and with
one barred ann thrown carelessly over
her brothers. shoulder, she crouched at
her mothers feet, looking into her eyes
with an expression that seemed to say
"Now tell me all about it-.you must
have had strange doings this evening"
But neither Mrs. Lane nor Robert
spoke. The boy only strained her con.
vulsively to his heart; while the poor
mother covered her own face with her
hands to hide the tears which, neverthe-
less, found their way between her jewel.
led fingers.
The eyes of the fair girl turned from
one 10 another in amaze ment; then press.
ing her lips 10 the cheek of her brother,
she whispered
"What is It Robin? Has papa refused to
let you cone backa will ask him; | will
tell him you must come, and then you
will, for he never refused me anything.
Don't cry mamma; l will go up stairs now
and have it settled. Papa cannot say no
to me, forI have on the very dress he Sc
lected himself, and he said that l should
be irresistible in it. / will remind him of
that"
"Alas! my poor Ellam sobbed Mrs
Lane, "lhis trouble is too great for you 10
settle. Our Robert has come home now
for the last time-we part from him TO-
night forever"
"Forever!' and Elias cheek turned as
pale as the white glove which she raised
10 push back the curls from her FORE
head.
"Yes, forever!'' answered Robert
calmly. ~ will tell you all about i, Ella.
You seem not TO know that it was some
thing worse than quarrel which lost mo
my home. had contracted debts i'm
properly, wickedly--and my father refu-
sed 10 pay them. ! obtained the money
for the purpose, and now Ella, must es-
cape, or-or-"
"How did you get the money, Rob-
ert?"
The boy answered in whisper.
"Youw exclaimed Ella, springng 10
her feet, and speaking sconfully; YOU,
Rober Lane my brother! Is it SO NAM
mar Is my brother villain, a forger, is
he" @
"Hush, Ella, hush," interrupted Mrs.
Lane. "It is for those who have hard
hearts, to condemn--n not for thee, my
daughter. There will be insults enough |
heaped upon his poor head Tomorrow
let him at least have love and pity here. .
"Pity!who did he pity or love when he
deliberately"
"Ella! Ella" again interposed Mrs.
Lane, almost sternly.
SHAY, moher, ,"said the boy in tone
of touching mournfulness, "do NOT blame
poor Ella. She does right TO despise me.
l have outraged her feelings, and dsgra-
ced her name. She deserves pity, and
she will need it, when people point q! her |