The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-09-01
For the National Era.
LIFE ON PRAIRIE DE LA FLEUR.-NO. Is.
BY MARY IRWIN
CHAP. 1-Continued.

CHAP. I-Continued.
Milly stood watching, in kind of shudder-
ing foreboding, that she dared not yet turn in
to certainty. The breath ebbed away SO grad
ually that she knew not when it ceased; and
the thought, "perhaps she sleeps" held her, as
if spell bound gazing on the. still face. Car
riage wheels rumbled up the macadamized ave.
nue., but she heard them not-a mysterious
sense OF awe had deadened her bodily senses
The door of the great hall swung open, a
gentleman sprang over the steps, threw his
macintosh and riding-cap upon the arm # e
servant and, at low message from the porter,
bounded up the broad staircase, and opened
the door of the chamber
"Well, how are you tonight" he exclaim-
ed, in loud whisper as he stepped quickly
and carelessly toward the bedside.
"Hush Oh! but she can't arake ~ cried
Milly, first lifting her finger in warning, and
then, breaking from the spell of suspense, sink.
ing down at his feet in agony and terror.
" What! Amy, speak rake !"
Mlly forgot herself in looking on his blanch.
ed face
"Dead, dead! and I Oh heaven!u
He dropped the ice-cold hand, and staggered
against the wall. Then, with sudden i'm
pulse, he sprang again to the side of the wifi,
he had neglected for years. and bathed hel
white face in mad passionate tears, that could
not call back the life his reckessness ha(
quenched
Amy Lewis was bride six years before.
gay, dashing Southerner stole her heart away
from her own dear New England cottagt
home-her paradise of a home "-as she call
ed it all her life long, even when she sat as
= A. =. md rtrIad
her throng of menials.
Milly had distinct recollection of beau.
tiful, angel-like being, who hoated before her
sight in the most miserable moment her short
life had known She had been torn from a
collie that was passing through to Southern
market-Mr Lewis's keen eye noting the light
complexion of the child The young planter
had not yet outhved his honey moon and
though he had laughed at his brides "North.
ern prejudices" shown in shrinking from close
contact with her half breed femme de chdmbre
he was willing to humOr her fancies at tri.
fling cost, and give her, as he told her, laugh.
iugly, "a girl she never need know from white
slave or no slave"
Mlly's mother was in that collie, and as she
saw her daughter torn away to she knew not
what destiny, the bereayed woman raised q
piercing cry that frightened the child almost
into paralysis of grief and terror She sal
like one stupefed in the kitchen, while the
house servants clustered about her. making
merry over their masters newly-bought "pale-
faced picaninny;" or stood aloof to watch her
first motions At last, the cook, in we'll meant
roughness snatched of the check handkerchief
she had worn as as a bonnet, to peep at the
WOOL The child stretched up her hands con.
vulsvely, and with sharp scream, burst Out
into loud wailing.
Then, of sudden, the negroes parted away
from her, to the right and left, and that fash
of light and hope--that sun-drifted cloud--fioat
ed down before her, she never knew how.
Amy Lewis-thc planters beautiful BRIDE.
with her glistening robe of white satin, hei
mist-like scarf and her long "sunny hair rip
ping in soft sivcry curls over her velvet should
ers to her waist-Amy Lewis, her mistress
foated to her side, and clasping her quiyerine
fingers in one white jewelled hand, wiped away
her tears with her own costly 'kerchief before
them all
"Poor child" she exclaimed, compassion.
ately, the tear drops trimming in her own
bright free-born eyes. "There, child, don't
cry! Nobody shall hurt you--you shall be my
own little waiting maid so, there's dear
girln
There was moro than one shrug Of the
shoulder, and low, contemptuous mutter, as
Mrs. Lewis led the girl up from the servants
quarter TO the hall. And young Lewis, that
evening, playfully cautioned his wife against
making enemies to herself and her protsgee
Bat Amy, alas had already shown herself
warm-hearted, indiscreet and wilful; and she
was not to be turned from her plans.
81 never could fancy mulatto about my
room, Pm sure" she returned, with pretty
petulance sand now you've given me thit
charming little girl TO train exactly a. | like,
know you have; it is so good Of you'll
: "Why yes;p returned the gay bridegroom
laughing, q suppose you must spoil her, If the
fancy takes you! But keep it to yourself, WIFE, y
he added half contracting his brows.
Amy lay awake through half the hours Of
that night dreaming plans which the following
i've years ripened into realities.
She began by teaching her nimble little
Milly all the services Of ohambermAid. Find
ing her graceful and expert she taught her to
wreathe her small fingers in the long beautiful
hair which had seemed to her such Q sacred
mystery, and to dress and curl il every day.
Then the bright, inquiring eyes Of the little
girl tempted her, and she taught her the alpha
bet; though by this time she had learned to
fear her husband, and to keep secret from him
whatever she wished him not to know. SO she
went on, secretly and quietly educating her lit