The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-05-26

very interesting relations which you once sus.
tanned towards young lady-your cousin
now the wife of my son. You were once en-
gagged to be married to Miss Sutherland.
hearth
ayes, SIR" replied the young man, seating
himself in calm, unembarrassed manner
while the old gentleman scrutinized the ex-
preston of his countenance, without finding
anything there to dsplease him.
"Will you object to informing me of the
cause of the disruption of that engagement
Certainly not sir; We differed upon the
subject of slavery. She took part with her
friends, and-we parted that is all"
"You mean, my honored young friend, that
when called to do So you made a stupendous,
an unprecedented sacrifice of fortune. family
affection, and love, for the sake of duty, Of
principfe-mistaken principle, perhaps yet
still principle. Was it not so ?n
Mark Sutherland bowed.
My dear young friend, trs differ IN opin-
ION J, but | highly respect you. l earnestly
pray that you may be set right or that mag ~
said the old gentleman, warmly, ~ he held
out his hand TO Mark, who grasped it pressed
it, and letit fall
Mr.. Sutherland, in every exigency of your
life, pray you to consider me as your friend
and father, ready always to serve you with
counsel or assistance of any kind. have fan
cied that, since the unexpected rencounter of
last evening you might have something to
propose or, rather, that you might icih to
propose, yet be withheld by some exquisite
sense of honor and delicacy | entreat you
now to waive all considerations save those Of
truth, and speak freely to me-"
81 had something to say to yeu Colonel
Ashley, and, under the circumstances, the ap-
proach of the subject was, as you rightly in
ferred, extremely difficult to me- | thank you
for having opened the way" said the young
man, totally disappointing him j; then, after
q moments hesitation, he went on to say
"You have doubtless surmised the nature of
the communication had to make to you 1t
is, that love your niece Miss Vivian have
told her as much within a few hours past, and
have her permission to entreat your sanction
of our engagement"
Colonel Ashley sprang from his chair sbov-
ing it behind him, and stood gazing with as
constituent upon the young man--with simple
establishment unmixed with regret or resent
ment. At last
Chow long has this gone on, sir, without my
knowledge?D
+" fancied it was not without your knowl-
edge, Sir Our association has been very open
| fancied, from your own words, that you ex-
pected the communication have just made"
said Mark, with surprise almost equal to his
own.
"No, sir, no my words referred to a to-
tally different matter which [ shall explain
presently, replied the old gentleman resuming
his seat, with a somewhat changed manner.
So you have addressed Miss Vivian?"
Mark bowed
"And won her consent to be yours?o
Another bow of assent
"Humph well-so 4 have been truly warn
ed after all Pray Mr.. Sutherland, have you
ever tried to instil into the minds Of my sons,
your pupils, any of your own opinions in re-
spect to slavery?"
81 have never named the subject to them
sir. | have endeavored to cultivate in them
principles of truth, justice, and mercy, and
left the application of those principles to that
subject to time and circumstances
Humph! Have you ever convened my col
ctsds people, and preachods instruction to
themsn
"Sir!D exclaimed Mark with the indignant
blood purpling his forehead.
"Nsy nay don't look So God knows, if
you had done 80, should have sought no VEN
geance, young man."
"Colonel Ashley, am neither mad nor un.
principled, however may have been misrep.
resented to you"
81 believe it, Mark quite believe it,
will not examine you upon the fourth charge
Heaven knows what demonstrations of indig
nation would meet my question, should ask
you il, poet-wise, you had endeavored to ava.
ken in Mrs Ashley's memory any sentimental
"reminiscences of the past 90
Mark smiled.
Yet, nevertheless, my dear young friend, il
was upon that subject that wished to speak to
you. Mr.. and Mrs. Ashley will make this
house their permanent home. NV sons wife
will be the mistress of the establishment, of
course. Will it DO pleasant for you to meet
them in daily, hourly, intercourse I have
seen it written, that Friendship often turns to
love, but love to friendship never A brm-
stone sentiment, admit Still, can imagine
cases and characters to which it is applicable
For instance, do not think it possible for you
and your cousin ever to be friends"
Mark was silent.
"You do not speak. Do you perchance i'm
agine that you two could live comfortably un-
der tie same roof?v
Colonel Ashley, know we could not"
" That will do; we understand each other
And leave oil the rest to yourself | will
speak with you again tomorrow In the mean
time do me the favor to let Miss Vivian know
that wish to see her."
TO BE CONTINUED.