The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-09-22
For the National Era.
LIFE ON PRAIRIE DE LA FLEUR.-NO ID
BY MARY IRVING.
CHAP. III-Continued.


Returning to the parlor, they sat down to
njoy the quietness of the evening-the guests,
the children, Ada, and her elder friend. The
farmer and his hands came in with the last
cleans Of twilight, too weary for anything but
supper and repose The smallest girl had fallen
asleep on the arm of the youngest stranger
who had charmed her almost into commissions
of laughter by repeating wild, fantastic, child
stories, whirling her about like top, and toss
ling her over his head Now, she had pillowed
her pink check against his light travelling
|sas, and was breathing sweetly and softly,
while her guardian Graded her sleep tendoriy,
and moduated his clear voice, 30 as not to
break the spell.
Ada seemed frankly and unconsciously at
traeted by his winning and witty conversation
and manners. She had lived long where hui
man'ty keeps its honest, untutored roughness,
and the eyes and lips Of this new acquaint-
ance-this friend rs she already acknowledged
him IN her heart opened to her glimpse Of a
new bright, faroff world.
Ada was on of species too rare--a full
grown happy, artless girl ). the blossom still
Dathed IN the dew and fresh fragrance Of the
lud Wild as hawk, yet warm hearted as n
love, she was as unsopbisticated as either in
al that pertains to the great world of city
Aie. Never even u week of her sunny six
Teen years had been spent in large village,
much less IN city. Canadian forests and
Wild wide prairies had been the only foster
parents OF her enthusiastic spirit Full of ar
dent, buoyant life and free from al fear of
tue fank and station, whose claims she had
never learned, she had only been saved from
becoming most incorrigible hoydap, by the
%sntly Sottening influence of a most graceful
Invalid mother, and the daily precept and ex.
ample Of her beloved gouvernante; for as such
'Ae evidently looked up to her dark eyed CON-
allon But her flashing eye, de,isively curved
Nitle mouth, and finely moulded head, with it's
Almost naughty carriage, gave promise of a
magnificent woman, when she should be mould
"a and refined by time, taste and the subtle
influence of intelligent society. Her character
vs. not one to wear away under the polishing
Dlch Possessing the true diamond frmness,
would take only brighter radiance from
every benign influence
She brought out her herbarium, with all the
cTaN Of child Of eight, and less bash
S "" 'sn She opened it and began to display
ugt "ellearned treasures from grove and glen,
W. ,a many an eager explanation, and ANNA
s g. inscription. The young gentleman was at
s,'i, amused then warmly interested for he
,h. not hep catching the infection of the de-
s su' .nat sparkled in her eyes and glowed in
~, .'mPied cheeks Henley also drew near,
40 A., - sean the mummifed forms of prairie
vh;d out 10 pursue the system of espionage
rsn ,;n ne evidently kept up over all his COM
f4niOn movements.
lGat Is a splendid specimen of the Are-
lug oWboSa,D said Lewis, with animation. as
'Ds turned the last leaf; "but YOU might find
i's one IN our warm Southern woodsn
usa wouldn't 60 South, for all that!" she re-
he almost biuntly, folding up her folio a,
a 1uine hme, quite encrgeticaliy
eppny not asked her friend, in surprise.
u,o. Dg'ause you have siayes thereir she an
M M frankly and fearlcssly.
svol n'"' tgerton must have travelled exten.
Nm y III The South, to form 30 decisive an opin
arc.., unmarked Henley, in his smoothest OF
word ar ap lhted her head quickly at tho first
and i'm, ny significantly hcr fine eyebrows
fixed on henley sharp small gray eye was
udke uDon II ''o cyc VI VIC cOlu Iueao
ton an GYa =. 'ne robin it would lure to destruc-
h,ed Lr we rosy blood in her cheeks seemed
tpb 6ty,l mat glance, for it swelled into her
H. 4No US che answered, almost angr-
"A o. "r, ana ! never wiii-neverl 7 am
h..n ushsh GIRL, and free born could mo-,
"dtrs either """'
ma, oaaoabtedly, miss" returned the re,,la
m, lowing bandly, but facts hare mods al
Co., yI ,n IN older and wiser heads than yonr
ana se' they hape ~ she replied, vehementlv.
AM burning shame it is to the free half OF
So,th.a ! Will tell you what you do with the
SoutIe'nn ladies whom you vile away to your
Dem ,"'rn homes. Yon either make tigresses of
hard ~ else you break their hearts! | have
CS ,4oont q lady-
Aiy Ada, Is dearp whispered the other
ston Il" entreating tone, with evident agi-
b res,,ai Used glance TO her, but would not
arougblu' Her girlish English blood was
Noc,hern" eard Of lady who married rich
A.atati~ gentleman, and went 70 his fine
Nat Ieca," be mistress Of his slaves And
ut had" OF herr Why, her heart would
vi died - ana so It broke! She wasted away,
IL slEn. ana don't know but she deserved +
"s''e'' INTO land Of slavery!"