The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-05-19
WASHINGTON, ID. c.
For the National Era.
tcoPYRIsHr SECURED BY THE AUTHoR.l
MARK SUTHERLAND:
OR,
POWER AND PRIN
CHAP. XII-Conttnued.
BY EMMA D. r. N. soUrHwoRTH.

N.
CHAP. XII Continued.
IA an instant, all was confusion. Raised in
the arms of her father, Clement Sutherland
'rho until that moment, had remained Obscure
in the background-the swooning bride was
horns into the adjoining room, and laid upon
the sofa, while restoratives were anxiously
sought for, to be administered.
In the meantime, in the saloon she had left,
onlv two persons-Mark Sutherland and Mrs.
V;y;an-uuderst0od the cause of her fainting.
Various innocent conjectures prevailed, fur
from the truth at was the heat of the room, y
,houvbt one: "Oyer-excitement,o opined an
olh4r: Standing so long" fancied third
the fatigue of her journey" imagined a
fourth Really, it was too inconsiderate in
Colonel Ashley to oblige his daughter to re-
ceiye company upon the very evening OF her
arrival, complained Mrs. Chief Justice NJ,
a large, heavy person, tanning herself slowly.
81 noticed her face was very pale said a
sympathetic lady, drawing upon her magma
ton for her facts. "Indeed! but | thought it
was very flushed, J" interrupted a matter-of- fact
Individual.
All these various conjectures were expressed
in low, almost inaudible, tones; while, undis-
turbed and smiling, Mrs Vivian passed among
the company, and, rs it were, moved upon the
troubled waters of their halfsuppressed excite
ment and, with her mere smile of sell. posses
sion, restoring calmness and order.
Presently the door of the inner room opened
and the bride re-appeared, leaning lightly upon
the arm of her father, and attended by her
husband and bridesmaids, She entered, and
passed Up the saloon to her former position
Several country gentlemen zealously drew for
ward a cushioned chair, and several sympa-
thetic old-fashioned ladies approached with
inquiries and expressions Of coincidence.
Pale and weary, but smiling and selcpos-
scssed, Mrs. Ashley gracefully accepted the
services Of the former, and replied to the inter
ested questions and comments of the latter.
al was very ill.judged on the part of the
Colonel, my dear, to subject you to the fatigue
Of reception, just off your journey-yery, in
deed said Mrs Chief Justice M.
:" do really think we ought to exercise the
good taste of retiring" whispered another.
Whether India heard this remark or not, she
answered.
81 am not fatigued We made but very
short stage to-day, and rested several hours at
the next village. No; it was the warmth and
closeness of the room. The windows are open
now, and the effect has gone with the cause"
she added, smiling brightly, while at the same
moment the consciousness of the first falsehOOd
she had ever uttered in her life, brought a
warm, though transient, blush to her cheek
that resembled the returning glow of strength,
and treasured all doubt
After a little the musicians began to touch
their instruments, and soon struck up lively
quadrille air. The younger portion of the COM
pany gave signs of restlessness Gentlemen
hestated, and then chose their partners for the
set and remained awaiting the motions of Mrs
Ashley. AS hostess, it was her right to select
any gentleman present, to honor with her
hand for the quadrille; and as bride, it was
her privilege to lead off the dance.
When India became aware that all were
waiting for her, she threw her eyes over the
assembly; and the aspiring heart of many
youth beat faster when their beams fingered
for an instant on him. But he for whom she
looked was nowhere to be SEEN At last,
smlie OF scorn and seJ-seorn writhed swiftly
athwart her lips and her eyes suddenly blazed
as their light kindled upon the form of one
VINO came IN at the farthest door. Quick as
lightning flashed and fled the spasm of that
lace leaving 1T serene and smiling, as she arose
ana met the new conner, and said, sweetly-
My cousin Mark, will you honor me-"
And before the astonished man could bow
She had placed her hand in his, and he found
himself by her side, at the head of set, that
Instantly formed around them.
India spoke and smiled with her usual
charming ease, and danced with her usual
grace and dignity
And after the dance was finished, and her
partner had led her to her seat, she detained
nun near her, toying with her fan or bouquet
taking OF thousand nothings. She presented
HIM to her husband and Mark Sutherland, Of
course, politely expressed himself pleased to
Nlih the personal acquaintance of one with
whose public life and services he had been so
long familiar. etc.
-: hloughout the long evening, India main
S sa'nea regnant selfcontrol. And Mark
sutherland wondered at the seeming inconsist-
Sncy Oh her conduct. He did not know, or he
VI? not reflect, that in the fret instance of sur.
PRISE her nerueS had-so to speak-got the
st c OF her w'H, and so betrayed her but that
al,er once the will had regained the ascendancy
over the nerves, it was abIc In control them.
g. NO. again that evening did Mark Sutherland
IaI al opportunity to speak with Rosalie.
" ue'aned him at her side, smiling, chat
u, ung ana IN her daring audacity, carrying back
sI i recoiiections INTO scenes and times and
PAGES that suggested the parallel of taking
ngn'ed candles among open casks of camphine
=. guhpowder Her Indifference was too well
a'es'ed 70 be genuine But Mark Sutherlands
perfect calmness-real and thorough as hers
was ~ assumed and superficial her.
T, Inc drama OF tho evening was at last over.
cue ue company had departed, the lights were
Uus ana India found herself for a few mo-
ana alone In hcr chamber. She had smiled,
e,a sahced, and chatted, and charmed all
nr;va -ua ears to the last She had gained the
fercaIy VI her chamber-she had angrily, then
AMI ,y, icleeted the services of her attendant
tho n'" 'ned her from the room. And now, for
in, a., cnt she was alone and free--the act
a.,Sa was over - the mask might be laid
saeTo ~ INC miserable victim of pride might
a. Tue wretch she really was
thu, ba On the fearful change that came over
oS s.og .au.,i1i but agonized face when the mask
az 5nnes ie,l! She threw herself all robed
scmmed, and wreathed as abe was nros'
nae upon the bed-hcr form convulsed her
NJ: om heaving with the sufIocating ancnish
v "n,on, from its very excess, could not be
% , raise ! false false ~ she walled. 0False
ALI A' false to my husband falser than TO
81 !" myself! Lost! lost lost Lost bodv
ana spirit! Would that could die ~
lovr.tnIsan1 gay iootstep on the stairs, low,
and 8, "ea voice near the door and it opened,
consJ;. Gerald Ashley entered, with smile Of
HUI affection ON his noble face
now Will that erring woman meet his manly.
trusting love "'"'' "''' ''' ''"'''
49,, CHAP. XIII.
Sun "'essed, TO my mind Il. IL. BT0rniag.