The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-07-28
NO. 343.

by the entrance of another figure. 1t was In
dia. And prepared as he had been, to meet
great change in the " Pearl Of Pearl River,
he scarcely recognised her. The superficial il
ever the first TO strike us. He noticed that the
gorgeous and flowing drapery which had once
graced her form, was now replaced by plain
black dress. The rich, warm, olive bloom Of
her complexion had given place to the pale
ness of ivory Naught remained Of her gle
rious beauty but the luxuriant amber-hued
ringlets and the large, dark, mournful, soul
thrilling eyes More of zeal selfpossesson she
exhibited now than she had ever shown in for
mer times She advanced towards Mark, hold
ing out her hand, and welcomed him with these
words:
al happy to see you again at Cashmere
after so many years-my dear cousn-why
could we not be friends!D
Her voice faltered slightly and when she
paused, Mr.. Sutherland cordially grasped her
outstretched hands, and said, while he pressed
them
ave are friends, my dearest India at least,
| can speak for myself and for one who loves
you not less than do-my wife Rosalie"
With spasmodic catch India snatched
away her hands and, quiyering through every
nerve, sat down, and yelled her face with her
hands, cit il a trying world !"-burst
from her quiyering lips.
| Raising his eyebrows in painful surprise,
| Mark Sutherland gazed earnestly at her for
an instant and then turned away his eyes >,
waiting reverently for her selfrecoyery. Soon
she looked up, and, family smiling, said
| al have had much, oh very much indeed
to try me of late, my cousin. Everything is
going to ruin with us-everything, everything"
| {" trust not Your father is embarrassed,
but with the advice and assistance of his friends
all hope, will be brought to happy issue"
| "Ah, no. but it is not of our desperate al
fairs wished to speak. Tell me of your own.
| You have been successful in life ?'
Eyes, have been successful, thanks under
Divine Providence to the constant sympathy
and cooperation of my faithful Rosalie"
Again India hastily raised her hands, to
screen the spasm Of pain that traversed her
countenance; and" Why will he stab me
with that name?" she thought; but she an
grered calmly" Rosalie is an amiable woman
now is she? 90
"Well and very busy
"And your family"
awe have no family We are all the world
to each other"
"TeIl me how you have got on since saw
you las"
Mr. Sutherland began, and told her the
principal circumstances of his life since their
last parting-dwelling frequently upon his Ro-
salie's hope and faith and persevering energy.
"And so Rosalie has been the angel of his
life," she muttered inaudibly between her white
lips.
pause ensued, which was broken at last
by India.
"All is sadly changed here; my father has
c. DO NJ AuhI
cannot comprehend it see ruin gathering
dsrkly around us all, without the power-yes,
| and without the will--to avert it, any more
than could avert an earthquake, whose pre-
monitory Jars were shaking us ~ she said, in
despairing tone.
Mark Sutherland made no comment What
could he have said to console her, that would
not have been false He thought that not 80
would Rosalie have met INTERCHANGEABLE inert
despair. And then he remembered that much
of this impending ruin the beautiful India had
drawn upon her own head, and tho heads OF
those who loved her, but whom, alas she loved
not He felt relieved when, at this point, a
summons to the breakfast room terminated
the interview.
At the breakfast table appeared India, Marx
Sutherland, St Gerald Ashley, and MIR. Billy
Boiling 0riole served tea and coffee from 9
: side-table. Clement Sutherland had not come
home Mr.. Ashleys face was bloated, and hi
eyes bloodshot-the effects of the preceding
. evenings excess were but too plain. He ga
silent and morosc and ate but little. India
maintained cold, severe aspect, never speak
ing to or looking at him. Mark Sutherland
felt himself de trOp and uncomfortable, but for
Uncle Billy, who kept up an incessant mono
logue--asking score of questions about the
1 x,nt,, ~
Mr. Sutherland WAS reioiced when the gloomy
meal was over, and earnestly wished that the
master of the house might soon return, and
bis business and his visit be concluded at once,
He expressed this wish to Mr.. Boiling, who
fastened to reply
"And so do |, nephew and 30 do For
this is the case every day. Each night that
fellow goes to bed tipsy, and each morning APP
pears at the brea kfast table in state of bloat-
| cd torpor! Yes Lord knowS do | wish that
Glenn Sutherland would come and we could
finish our business and leave-for you know
I'm going home with you, Mark. intend to
stick TO you. admire your principles-ai-
ways did-Pm your man,
The day advanced, and still Clement Suther-
land did not make bis appearance The late
dinner was served and passed as gloomily as
the breakfast, and still he came not The
house was growing ntolerable to Mark, who
summoned one Of the servants, and inquired
where he should be likely to find his master !;
and was informed that he might be found at
the Planters Rest, where he usually stopped
when business took him to the village. Mr.
Sutherland then ordered his horse, and, while
waiting for him 10 be saddled and brought to
the door, went and took leave Of MIR Boiling
leaving his compliments and adeus to Mrs.
Ashley, who had retired to her room, to take
her afternoon rest Then he mounted his
horse, and took the road to the village, intend
| ing, If possible, TO have an interview and a
settlement with his uncle, and TO make his
headquarters at the village inn, as long as he
should be obliged to remain
CHAP. XIV
"0h cursed lust of gold how for thy sake
The fool throws up his interests in both worlds
First lost In this--then damned In that TO come