The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1854-11-22
PIight.ed Troth.

| consecrated from time immemorial, to an espe-
cial cleansing, which, though nearly useless, is
nevertheless accomplished with singular punc
tuality and fidelity. Floods Of water deluge
| the red slabs Of baked earth that compose the
paving of the apartments, and the busy house
wives cease at length to lash the water with
their brooms, considering that they have done
their duty by the floors. They then fall upon
the furniture and utensils. Bath brick replaces
water, and with the aid of a few soft rags, every
door handle and copper saucepan assumes the
appearance and brllllancy OF the most precious
metal.
It was in such labors that old Brigitta, who
had been in the service Of Schaurmans' family
thirty years, occupied herself one Saturday
with unrelaxed solicitude and perseverance.
| The object of her especial care was an enor-
nous skuttle Of fine copper, in which, so bright
was it with incessant polishing, were reflected
the smallest details of the court in which Bri-
gitta was engaged at her task. What does the
active servant behold in her copper mirror
that can cause her to start so vehemently, and
gaze upon it with SO blank countenance?
The reason of her dismay was this at one of
! the windows to the house her back was turned,
but which was clearly reflected upon the scut-
tie, she observed her young mistress in the act
of leaning towards a young man and allowing
him to kiss her forehead. Then the indiscreet
mirror showed the thoughtless couple exchang-
ing rings, kneeling side by side and holding
their hands towards heaven
What would people say if it ever got to be
known in the town Of Swal? The daughter of
the richest citizen Of the province of Overyssel
to love a poor painter without fortune and
without reputation. What was to be done?
Ought not Brigtta herself, like faithful and
devoted servant, acquaint her master with
what she had discovered? But this would be to
betray secret she had arrived at accidentally
"a secret, too, whose revelation would entail
tears and endless despair upon her dear young
mistress. The old merchant, her father, would
doubtless be pitiless and conduct himself with
the utmost rigor towards her.
| Brigitta's tears fell upon the brilliant scut-
tie, where they glittered like priceless pearls
The good woman wiped them away, reGntered
the house, and busted herself in preparing the
family supper. While thus occupied, her mind
increasingly dwelt upon the scene of which she
had been the involuntary witness. Nightfal
came at length, and she assembled to Marie's
chamber, where she found her young mistress
without a light, and sobbing violently
"What is the matter, dear child?" asked
, Brigitta, compassionately, pressing the pool
girls hand.
"Oh, my dearest nurse. it is a very sad Sc
; cret that dare not confde even to your ten
r derness. Brigitta, listen-O no! no! dare not.
? And Marie hid her face on the bosom of the ole
domestic.
e 'Well, to save you the pain of confessin!
/ your secret and your fault, dear, will tell 70,
that accident has discovered to me the love will
which you have inspired the young painter.
f saw you this morning allow him to take a kiss
), then you exchanged rings, lastly, you praye
and wept together .=...,..
! "You know all, Brigitta! How is this? Neve
has single word of tenderness escaped the lip
of Gerard Terburg, only for some time he ha
been exceedingly absent and melancholy. To
day he said to me, Il depart to morrow TO
Spain, there to make myself name, to becom
rich and then return to Flanders for wife.
At these words nearly tainted. He continued
y "For all this, four years are necessary. Ifyo'
were the young girl whom love, would yo
have confidence in the success of the poor pain
ter? Would you wait four years to become hi
wife," Then learned towards him, Brigitta
y he kissed my forehead, we exchanged rings, W
prayed and weps together . --s
"And messire, your father, mademoiselle
4 what will he say to all this?"
: 81 shall hide my secret until Gerard's re
turn
"Butifyour father should decide upon marry
ing you?'' n
Il shall refuse all proposals of the kind
3ut If he insists unOn Ohedlence?''
" Il shall die!" cried the young girl with tn
: resolution Of despair.
Brigtta, as might have been expected, be
came from this time the consoler and confdant
of her youthful mistress. 1t was to Bright
: that Marie related all her inquetudes, it was t
; Brigitta she would sometimes say: ''My fathe
has this evening proposed another lover.
: have refused, and | have had to endure hi
S anger and his complaints The good servan
was not merely passive recipient of Marie
confidence, she had likewise become the accom-
0 plice of her love and resistance. She even par
took of the affection of the young enthuslas
for her absent lover, whom they now expected
e daily, for the four years had at length expired
But, alas! Terdurg did not reappear. Mari
4 was at first devoured by anxiety, then resigned
herself to despair for thus to fail in the sacre'
promise he had given, her lover must be dead
Brigitta endeavored to combat this belief,whll
adopting it as the sole probability, for the ide
of treason OF forgetfulness on the part of Ter
; burg could not occur to the pure and uprigh
imagination of these two simple hearted wo
men.
However the case might really stand, Marie
despair merged by little and little into specie
: of gentle and resigned melancholy, which
nevertheless, totally precluded the idea of he
forming any other engagement. She dlsmlsse
all suitors for her hand as she had formerly re
t fused the lovers presented by her father, 70
the old gentleman had died five years after tn
departure Of Terburg. Free to please herse'
she resolved to devote to the happiness of hir
whom she yet loved, and whom she believed
be in heaven with her father. Like all tender
deceived or isolated souls, she found in religio
mysterious solace for her woes. Her I'M
mense fortune was devoted to charity, in whic
l. she had Jealous eoadjutor in Bngitta, VIII
grew old without becoming inirm. Togethe
they visited the poor and spread around ther