The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-04-14

had worked himself and his nearer, Mark I'm
ished the speech, and laid down the paper. II
was time-it was after eleven o'ciock-late
hours for country people, and far too late for
the aged and infrm.
"Thank you, sir Thank you You have
given me treat 1t was as good as if | had
heard it spoken" said the old man, flushing
with pride and pleasure. Soon after, he rang
for night lamps and a servant to show Mr..
Sutherland to his room.
Early the next morning Mark Sutherland
arose and left his bedroom. The family were
not yet stirring; none but the house servants
were about. And with the restlessness of a
heart i'll at case, he walked out upon the piaz-
"a to find diversion from the bitter RETROSPECT
tions of the past and gloomy forebodngs of
the future, in the novel aspect of the country
around him.
To one used to the undulating, luxurious
beauty Of Southern scenery, there was some
thing startling and inspiring in the abrupt,
stern, rugged yet vigorous and productive as
pect Of this mountainous region.
The Ashley plantation filled the whole of a
small valley shut in between two curying
spaces of the Alleghanies and watered by a
branch of the Rappahannock. The Ashley
house, an irregular but massive building of red
sandstone, was situated at the foot of the noun
tain; behind it arose hosry rocks, intermingled
or crowned by dark evergreens of pine and &C.
dar before it, at some distance, flowed the
branch; around on every side within the vale
were gardens, strawberries, orchards, wheat and
corn-felds and here and there pcturesquely
placed, or half concealed by trees or iutting
rocks, were the negro quarters; while more
conspcuously in the midst of the open fields,
stood the barns and granaries. Altogether, the
I'll tla vhp1a vail md
completely shut in by mountains was an indie
pendent, isolated little domain in itself
Now, upon tho second day of March, the
grass along the margin Of the branch was al
ready fresh and verdant, and tho wheat.fe
sprouting greenly. The morning was very
bright and fresh, and Mark walked into the
garden that lay to the left of the house. There
he found three or four negroes, under the d.
rection Of tho gardener, engaged in clearing
up beds, tying vines, trimming trees, and re-
pairing arbors and garden seats.
This place had not the luxurious beauty Of
the South, nor the fresh and vigorous life of
the West; yet there was a solid, Jolly old home
illness about it. very comfortable even in con-
trast to those other scenes. Mark felt this, |
while alternately talking with the old gardener
or contemplating the old homo.
He was interrupted by an irruption of that
Goth and VandaI, Henry and Richard Ashley
who rushing upon him, seized the one his right
hand and the other his left, and boisterously
informed him that breakfast was ready, and
had "been waiting ever so long" He returned
their vehement greeting goOd-humoredly, and
accompanied them into the house, and to the
breakfast table, which was set in the old oak
parlor where he had passed the preceding eve
ming. Two ladies, in simple, graceful, morning
dresses Of white cambria, sat near the fire, Oc-
cupied with little delicate edlework; Col.
Ashley stood with his back TO the chimney,
with the paper in his hand and talking to them
about The speech. On seeing Mr.. Sutherland, |
the old gentleman Immediately stepped forward {
welcomed him, and conducted him to the ladies' =
saying Z" My dears, this is Mr.. Sutherland; Mr.
Sutherland my -
But before another syllable was spoken, the
elder lady had lifted her face, started up with t
Il blush Of pleasure, and extended her hand c
oxclaiming- 9
MARK Sutherland Is it possible"
Mrs. Vivian Miss Vivian ~ exclaimed
Mark, extending hand to each, impulsively
"Why how strange that we should meet
here said Valoria.
"A most pleasant surprise, indeed, j" respond
ed Mark.
The surprise as we'll as the pleasure is mu-
LudI, assure you. Dut now ulu IL happen =
am sure do not know"
"Nor ]. Can yOu guess ROse?o and Mrs.
Vivian turned to her step-daughter who re-
manned silent, with her fingers in the uncon-
sciOus clasp Of Mark Sutherland's hand.
al inquired only in jest, but now really do
believe you could tell us something about this /"
persisted the lady looking intently at the
maiden.
RosNlie's pale face slightly flushed, she with
drew her hand, resumed her seat and took up
her work. Colonel Ashley, if he feh certainly
expressed no surprise at this reunion; but as
with stately courtesy, he handed his neico to
tho head Of the table, said, CAS- Mrs, Vivian
arrived only yesterday afternoon, and retired at
once to rest from the fatigue Of her journey, |
and as Mr. Sutherland reached here late last
night, there has been no time for conversation |
about our arrangements"
"Ah, yes; that's ali very well; but you'll
never make me believe that Rose ia not at the
bottom of this somehow" laughed tho widow,
shaking her jctty curls as she sat down at the
table Her eyes met those Of Rosalie for On
instant and the spirit Of mischief was queed.
she became silent on that topic, and soon after
changed tho subject, entering into gay CONVEX
sation about st. Gerald Ashley and his sudden
fame