The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-09-20
D. G..
For the National Era.
ELEANOR S0UTHMAYD'S WARDSHlP.
BY MARTHA RUSSELL.

leaned Won could think that, Margaret. L
wish Won had not SAID those words; they haunt
,,a. and they are not true-cannot be true. L
~, too selfish to love anybody; and it is that
,,licb makes me feel so disturbed about this
,-nort of his engagement to Miss C. We
Lol crown to be such good friends he has &C.
cgoicl himself so much with me of late, read
IN, 70 me and with me, striving to draw out
aid rive clearness to my unframed thoughts,
,;,t even while DO not mistake the motive,
a,n 80 selfish that cannot bear TO think of him
q. Miss G--'s lover; indeed, do not like TO
think of him as belonging to anybody. am
,borou1bly miserable, and ashamed of myself;
hut this "knot grass is here; and Aunt HUI
dah may say what she chooses, grace cannot
eradicate nature. Then, / am learning to be a
h.oocrite; they are SO happy, here, in Susan
and Mr.. Fletcher's happiness, that pretend to
be happy too and occupy myself cheerfully with
little Juliet. who is already the pet Of the house
hold. II is well for me that the presence of Mr..
Fletcher and little Juliet has so completely
lr,ken IN upon the quiet routine of our usual
lie. for il makes it easier for me to withdraw
into nv old silent mood.
Next week, Mr.. F. goes down to Oldfield,
g. see some old friends there, and | shall con-
triyc to accept the invitation Of Judge B
aud his wife, to spend some days with them.
Ociob.r viii bring Susan Summerfeld's mar
rage day, and my birthday. Mr.. Summerfield
-agge,i5 that the wedding take place on the
10Th, the day his guardianship ceases, as we
c.n then celebrate both events at once / sup
pose it will indeed be a happy day with him.
bat The independence for which sighed year
a1o has lost its charms; there seems little hap
Iness now in being free to go out and tread the
path Of life alone.
HgFsiay, Sept l4.-You have heard the
news before this, Margaret? You know that |
am rril nigh penniless; for your father, too, if
! mistake not, had some interes. in the house
Of Hamilton * Brown. | think as yet / have
suffered less from this change than my guard
iather placed his property in that house, and it
was MS wish that it should remain there until |
attained my majority.
! was at Judge BIS when the news of the
failure reached Mr.. Summerfield. After ascer-
tanning that it was but too true, he came imme-
diatcly to me. l think he must grow nervous
Of late, for he was very much agitated. Beg
-ing to see me alone, | led the way into the
library, and gently as possible he broke to me
the truth. was poor; the wealth which had
enjoyed from my cradle had suddenly vanished.
But could not realize it then; l do not now /:
nor shall !, until take up the burden of life
alone. How should {? / had never earned
that money; | had never even asked or cared
how it had been earned. | had simply put out
my hand, and il had been filled. But one thing
osDH comprehend, for it flashed like light
ming on my mind-all that | had failed to do
With that money while it was mine and it was
this that brought the tears to my eyes, as muir
murel-
"oh, if it happened year hence!"
' lou need apprehend no change in those
yoa love, Eleanor, or in those who love you
trails" said my guardian, sadly, as he laid an
4u;eaed note upon my knee, and turned away.
The address was in Eliott's hand, and needed
BOO clairvoyant to tell me its contents. There
are moments in which every soul is clairvoyant.
4" / wish to speak with Judge B mo-
ment, Eleanor; in an hour l will call again.
We wish you to come home; indeed, Mr.. Bige-
low babe me not come without you," he added,
with smile; "and little Juliet had already
climbed 10 the window to watch for you, when
left"
81 will go: but stay, Mr.. Summerfeld. You
are aware Of the contents of this letter."
II am; Mr.. Elliott said he felt himself bound
iu honor TO make his wishes known to me be-
fore speaking with you. 1t was, of course, a
mrc matter Of form, yet it shows him to be
perfectly sincere and honorable"
lid he know of this failure when he wrote
tins lell4r?r
" He lid not; but met him accidentally an
hour ago. and he expressed regret only for
Foa7 sake. 1t would make no change in his
irriin,s toward you, he said. He had enough
both"
God bless him!" exclaimed, sand you
aFr5,e"-
! have nothing to say but this, Eleanor"
ne interrupted hastily, (which may be alto
selher needless, if not impertinent. Do not let
'HiS change IN your circumstances influence
your decision; put it wholly aside, and answer
IS your heart dictates then, shall feel bound
% approve; and again he turned to leave me.
hen take back this letter. | said, rising,
and tell Mr.. Elliott that l fully appreciate his
noble conducts that / shall think higher of hui
mainly, for his sake but it is only another rea-
Jn why | should not become his wife, for
'aFe no love To give him."
Then you do not love him, Eleanor?" He
hai turned back, and surprise brought the
eli ar red blood to his cheek and lip.
"No!' ! said, firmly. :" | am poor, you say:
can work; you have taught me that is no dis
grace, sir: but cannot make my whole life
lie
tie leaned towards me, and seemed about to
speak, but he diGt not, only took my two hands
In his, while strange light sparkled in his eye
ana quyered on his face.
lou will fell him, sir ?''
- No, Eleanor; he will hardly be satisfied
WIN GUARDIANS word. You must answer that
''ler yourself. | will come for you tonight !;
and some day, we will talk over your affairs !;
ms failure may not be so bad as it is repre-
s'n,ed. But you need rest now ; | will explain
F" Nrs. 81" and he arranged the sofa pill
""S ioF me, and drew the heavy curtains, to shut
my me wakeful sunbeams, as carefully as if l
law been his sister, or any one else that he
loved, even Miss Ada c.
= ne uld not come until after tea; but Mrs.
=, with fine, motherly tact, forbore to talk
ou' my altered circumstances; only, when |
gong away that night, she kissed me on
-! ,orehead-a strange thing for her and the
urge said, as he shook hands
DON'T be down-hearted, Eleanor; and re-
.+slnoer, that my wife and like to see young
,1Ces about Us, and there will be room and
Ion. re,eome Tor you, whenever you choose to
90 you wonder that 1 did not realize my
p9vel7Y, Aargaret? or, even an half konr later,
1aen LILLE Juliet sprang from behind the door,
WIN her -&nnt LelIenor's tum!" and, with her
a. arms about nv neck, met Mr.. Bigelow's vice
nae grasp, and heard his halfscolding--
And it's high time, Juliet; next, you'll be
inning away, and leaving the old man alone.