The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-02-03

entered, and awaited the CON-
mands of the lady.
Slowly and smilingly folding up the letter,
she said, MIR Sutherland is coming home this
evening. He brings friend a young gentle
man, with him. ! wish you TO have their cham
bers prepared and do remember to close the
wire-gauze blinds, and burn catalpa leaves in
the rooms to destroy any mosquitoes that may
remain
And at what time shall | order supper,
madam
All, yes-it will be necessary to put it back
two or three hours. You must judge of that
MIR. Sutherland may arrive at any time be-
tween this and ten O'clock"
The housekeepcr left the room, and the lady
sank into her chair again, TO reperuse her let
ter, smiling and murmuring 10 herself half
aloud, Dear boy! dearest Mark Sure no
mother eyer had son like mine Comes to nae
frst--comes to me before Fastening to see his
lady .loye--his adored India Dearest Marx,
but his devotion shall be rewarded. He shall
fud HIS India here" Add she went to wri.
ting desk, took paper, aud pen, and ink and
wrote the following note
SILEsTsHApEs, June, 1884,
DEAR INDIA: My dear neice bat dearer
daughter, just get into your carriage, and
come to me, and do not pause TO wonder why
ask you. Ii is late, | know, but the moon
shines brightly and the roads are good--your
driver is careful, and the distance is short
More than ALL dear daughter, ! consider your
coming very important. So hasten darling, TO
Your affectonate aunt and mother,
HELEN B, SUTHERLAND.
Having sealed this letter, tho lady rang the
bell and gave il in charge of u footman, urging
dispatch.
Soon a waiter entered, and lighted up the
rooms; and he had scarcely closed the blinds
and withdrawn, before the sound of carriage
wheels were heard approaching. and the lady
fastened out into the hall The carriage
paused before tho door, and in en- instant after,
Mark Sutherland had alighsed and was clasped
to the bosom of his mother
"Oh, my dear Mark am so overjoyed to
have you again !"
" Dear mother, am 30 proud and happy to
find you looking 30 well Permit me to pre-
sent my friend-Mr, Lincoln Lauderdale---
Mrs Sutherland"
low bow from the gentleman, and a deep
courtesy from the lady, and then smilingly
throwing off her habitual reserve, Mrs Suther-
land offered her hand, saying
81 am very glad to see you, Mr.. Lauderdale.
You are not a stranger, assure you. My son
has taught me to esteem you, and desire your
friendship VIII you enter now 2"
And with another smile she gave her hand
to her guest, and permitted him to lead her
into the drawing-room.
| Mr. Sutherland remained in the hall to give
some directions to the grooms, and to order the
baggage of his guest taken up to his chamber.
After which, he entered the parlor, and laying
his hand afectionately upon bis friends shout
der, said
"My dear Lauderdale, when you feel dis
posed-or, rather, If you feel disposed-to
change your dress-Flamingo will show you
your apartment Supper will be ready
Madame, when will supper be readyl"
any dear Mark, any time-in an hour--an
hour and u half
In an hour, Lincoln that will give you
ample time Flame lights here. Show Mr.
Laadords.e 10 has ROOM and consider yourself
in his exclusive service while he honOrs us with
his company. presume you will prefer Flame
my daar Lincoln, because you already know
the fellow"
Thank you, but really do not need -
"Oh, say not word, my dear boy Wher
you have been subjected to the enervating in
fluence of this climate for week, you will bet
Tor know what you need.
By this time Famingo made his appearance
with chamber lamps Lauderdale arose TO fol
low him. Sutherland accompanied him ntG
the hall
My dear Mark, said tho former, odd
understand you to say that Mrs Sutherland
was your 0wn mother 2"
| Undoubtedly my own mother What a
question Besides, my friend, pardon me but
| Tlu w 10
DO the image Of each otber"
"Well, now, although both of you are dark,
with high compilations, cannot see the like
ness to save my soul said lauderdale, mis-
chevously then adding, she is very hand
some
"Is she notip echoed Sutherland with en-
thusam and accompanying Lauderdale up
stairs the handsomest woman in the world!
Oh except one You should see India And,
more than that, she--ny mother, mean--is
the most excellent, except-none."
81 cannot think that she was so handsome
in carly youth as she is now"
"Oh, ! suppose her youth to her maturity
was us the budding to the blooming rose-that
| is all. Here is your room Make Flame sup
| ply you with anything you may need, that il
| not at hand and for your life-nay more for
your good looks, worth more than liie-do not
open the wire shutters if you do, you may look
ia the glass in ten minutes after, and fancy
yourself i'll with the eryspelas Au repoir
| When you are ready come down"
Marx Sutherland left the ROOM and instead
| of seeking his own chamber, TO refresh himself
with change of raiment, he fastened down
| tho stairs, entered the parlor, and once more
| claspcd his mother fervently in his arms, and
any dearest mother" and "My dearest
Mark we're the words exchanged between
them Z" But, oh Mark how haggard you
look, my love. You have been i'll, and never
let me know it,"
Z" No. upon my honor, mother
"Ah. but you are 80 pale and thin, and your
expression is 80 anxious--what is it, What
can it be- Mark ~
"My own dear mother, it is nothing that
should give you any uneasiness. have had a
long fatiguing ride, and have not heard
from India for more than week How is my
Pearl?p
"Ah, rogue lovers anxiety Is that tho
cause of those haggard looksi And yet, 10
come to mo first Dear Mark! But have
anticipated all your wishes Your India will
moment Hark there are her carriage
wheels !" said the lady, going to the window
then hurrying back, she exclaimed, " Pesfs
she has some one with her--that lively little
Mrs Vivian. suppose. Listen, Mark ] will
carry her of 10 a dressing room, and leave you
10 meet India. She does not know that you
mo here"
And Mrs Sutherland went 10 tho hall door,
which she reached just az Mrs Vivian, who
was the fret 10 aligbt, entered
L.,