The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-09-29

ut last, with living IN perpetual tremor, she
had sought shelter under the folds OF the Brit
ish banner. She went to Canada as a teacher
among her degraded and ignorant countrymen.
Life among the refugees was new and sad
chapter to her. who had never been Injured by
hard toll to bodily strength, and her health
sunk under hardships. Then the kind Eyer
tons, in their English freedom from prejudice,
had taken her as their ohildren's goyerness.
More like a sister and aunt was She now, to
the hearts that had twined 80 closely around
her, as to deem her an essential part of their
home Only to the invalid Mrs. Egerton, how
ever who delegated TO her the whole RESPONSE
bility of her household did Milly intrust her
whole story. The children, even to Ada, had
gathered only brief hints here and there.
She had emigated with her friends from
their Canadian to their prairie home. For two
summers she had presided in the pretty school
house, two miles away whose inmates were in
nocently and delightfully."- unconscious of the
one drop Of degrading blood that weighed like
of schcolmistresses.
Frank, Master Frank, you will not betray
me F" she concluded, her voice trembling to
weakness.
GHush, Milly not word of it, What do
you take me for | don't believe you were
ever rightfully slave and, at any rate, you
shall be FREE" he exclaimed, lifting his buoy
ant face into the moon-beams.
She shook her head doubtingly. No one
was ever rightly slave believe il, Master
Frank You're wanting three years yet Of
your majority, come next -; and God
knows what may happen between this and
then. Oh | tremble under that Henley's
eye Is he not the son of Colonel Lathrop
Henley 90
=" Colonel Henley Yes; he is my guardian"
:" feared it, She clasped her hands, and
dropped her face upon them. Then starting
up she exclaimed, ave must not stay That
man has the power of life and death over me- "
"Why?" urged Lewis. "Henley is not the
the man to harm you in any way. He should
not if he would"
:" All. Master Frank you don't know has
heart yet Trouble has made me sharper
sighted than used to be. Listen That man
could sell me into Louisiana, for the money
that would richly pay his gaming debts. |
say, could do it in spite of your utmost strength
of will; and he wiH do it, if he knows me.
Come, we lingern
"What do you know about his gaming
debts!" exclaimed Frank, in fresh surprise.
81 have read them on his forehead, and ON
his fingers, when he was shutting that pack of
cards on the little table. Oh Master Frank,
beware Of Henley He may veil the black
ness of his heart in friendship to you, but he's
his own fathers true sOn-a lawless enticer to
villany By your mothers memory, by your
hopes for time and for eternity I conjure you,
have little to do with Henley Break the net
he is weaving, spiderike about you"
Be calm, be safe; will never name you to
him; for | half believe you can read the hearts
deepest secrets. Believe me, you may trust
me, my own best nurse, my childhood's mother
as you were, whom my own angel-mother loved
and trusted. mil beware of Henley" And
they replunged into the wood path
81 will not forget you" said Frank "if |
cannot yet free you. | can make you comfort
able and happy. Tell me- frankly; what | can
do for you"
Oh nothing want nothing dear, gen
erous young master; My lifes only wish is
to see you walking in the path your mother
trod to heaven ~
The clock rang twelve, as they re-entered
the shadow of the door. O
We'll, my fine fellow y exclaimed Henley,
rousing himself out Of DOING dream, and
raising himself upon his elbow, Care you turn
ing poet, metaphysician, or maniac, to be stray
Either-or all y Frank replied, confusedly
trying to evade his question and his glance.
Henley fixed his eye on him, almost sternly
"Speak truth to me, youngster have you
seen Ada Egerton?"
Nonsense, Henley; no ~ exclaimed Frank
almost irritated from his equanmity by the
insinuatiOn. Let me alone will you / am
not in mood to be questioned tonight"
Lewis, you are making fool of YOURSELF
rstorted Henley, emphatioally, turning away
Frank shut out the friendly moonlight and
flung himself upon his pillow, but not to sleep. |
His eyes had opened upon new world of obi |
cation to himself and to others. The right he |
had inherited had never risen before his mind |
as questionable, by any other than blind IA |
matte. But here the very foundation of his |
slaveholdng had been shaken.
In the early morning the travellers arose to |
renew their journey. Henley with bland civ |
lity, offered the price of the hospitality which |
had been 80 generously rendered. 1t was al |
most haughtily refused and Henley whistled |
lightly to himself as he turned upon his heel |
toward The gate.
Lewis fingered one step behind, apparently |
to shake hands with Ada but really to whisper |
a word, which he dared not speak aloud, in an
other ear than hers. He feared even to glance |
into the eye whose trembling lashes yelled
world of unutterable wishes; but he pressed |
the cold, quivering fingers in sacred pledge |
and Whispered Do not fear will come |
again-and alone"
He looked up. Ada's child-face, softened |
to something more like sadness than it had |
ever worn before, met his glance. He extend |
ed his hand, with more awkward attempt at
a bow than he had ever perpetrated before,
as he remarked, GOOD morning, Miss Eyer |
ton shall not forget our pleasant evening ~ |
Ada had painful consciousness OF the rosy |
tide that tinted her temples, as she returned |
that parting pressure. For her life the girl |
could not have spoken, without unlocking tears
from her eyes ut that instant but angry at
hor own speechlessness, she shrunk back, and
began to pull the prettiest blossoms of the
eglantine to fragments.
"Lewis what laggard you are growing!"
Henley called out impatiently. Are you un-
der spell, to stand palavering till the sun is
three hours high"
Frank caught up little Nora for one more
kiss, and then, with graceful wave of the
hand, sprang lightly " his seat. Away over
the prairie they swiftly sped. Ada almost IN
consciously followed her friend to the little
receding carriage It was sad-dreamy-de-
lightful all at once. Ada knew not why, nor
did she try TO analyze her impulses. 1t only
seemed, one moment as though her heart had
nysteriously received new sense Of the beauty
Of the earth-the glory of the sky but tho
next when she lifted her eye to that receding
speck in the distance, that heart sank in her
bodice as though it could never bound again.
One at her side watched yet more intently,
with breath firmly held and lips compressed.
Afar on the green horizon the wagon lowered,
q dim dot, for an instant 1t vanished. Tho
nightmare of fear was lifted from the heart Of
the fugitive.
Thank Godln she calculated, in the low,