The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-11-22
CHAP. MI.
The Stranger.

Christmas, with its pleasures and amuse-
m,nts, WAS over. Captain Ling, during the en-
tire continuance of the festivities, with their
eternal balls and entertainments, had, as it
we're, lost all thought of the trouble, which
otherwise was his constant companion; but af-
Ter the twentieth and concluding ball had been
danced out, and he had had a couple of days
reposc, he began to find himself haunted again
by his old plague and his anxiety and uneasi-
ness increased more and more, as the days of
Grace approached their termination.
The Merchant was immovabe with regard
70 fixing the wedding day, before the Captain
could produce written evidence of his uncle's
intentions Of providing for him. Ferdinand
knew this would never be, and, after various
plans, he concluded to open his heart to Rosa,
and appeal to her noble and womanly feelings,
to mediate between himself and the 2Rfessor ;
and with the image of such pleadef. Me Cap
tain at once united in his own mind the idea
Of perfect forgiveness of the past-that is, he
hoped the troublesome and important debt
would be paid.
une morning in the latter part of January,
he be'ook himself to Mr.. Widen's, with this
pr'isewcrhy conceit in his head. Rosa, too,
WAS m complete mesh of care and anxiety !;
;'F some days past, a quite unusual and gloomy
depression had taken complete possession of
Ter l'hcr, and he appeared so truly sorrowful
and deIec,ed. that Rosa, who observed his
every action, was cut TO the heart. The recol-
lection Of the words which her mother had
dropped some weeks previously, again came to
her mind, though in quite another light than that
an which they struck her at the time; she had
ioreboling Of some connection, some reality
an them, which made her quake and tremble
ior her parents.
H. however. ON the one hand, this cause tor
nented and panied her, there arose, on the
other, mighty and profound feelings, which
I-npes;-iike beset poor Rosa's heart. Imme-
dialrIy after that memorable New Years morn
HE, Manucrstedt had declared that he now felt
an position to undertake his journey to Lund,
and therefore would no longer postpone the
,'mpe'ion Of his academical course; and he
iai, consequently, decided upon the lst of
February for his departure from H.
In the interim, he concluded all his lessons
ceased his attendance on the family Of Mr.
Widen he alleged as his reason, that the deep
sadness Of his heart made him quite unfit for
an society, and, besides this, he was obliged to
apply all his time to his hitherto neglected
studies. Rosa suspected that Mannerstedt had
made TIE discovery that they were both hover
'Hg upon Inc brink OF a precipice, and the en-
ergy OF ms character had made him exert all his
manly strength to rescue both himself and her.
one gave him double portion of her esteem
I'7 ihis, and 1t did not inaict the least wound
"poa her wOmanly delicacy, that he had sur
missed how much she was devoted to him.
Aanuerstedt was incapable of a conviction of
she Nnd-of that she felt assured-for how
manly and noble had he shown himself at that
critical moment, when any other young man.
with equally warm feelings, and a less clear
mead and less real sense Of honor would have
seized upon the favorable opportunity, and
nave sought to turn il to his advantage.
Frank, however, acted otherwise the almost
convincing glance which he had ventured to
cast INTO the depths of Rosa's heart-the hope,
bordering on assurance, that he was dear to
hef-hlled his heart with sense of blessedness,
nal with the deep conviction that the impossi-
hiIIty OF their union had confirmed Rosa in her
resolve to give her hand to Captain Ling. Man
Aerstedt at once felt and understood that now,
%s ever, his path Of duty was remuneration.
-'e,er, no, not even to possess her, would he be
~I'y OF an unworthy action, or one that would
'o%fr hlm in her esteem.
M, he therefore firmly resolved not to visit Mr..
". " Iehs house again, or see Rosa any more un-
III The day of his departure.
Alone, and absorbed in reflection upon Man
HrrSiedis lofty example, Rosa was sitting her
c"h Feposng untouched upon her lisp, when
D"p'aih Ling entered the drawing room he
vas pale, and the sorrow and trouble which his
r'as SO evidently expressed, and which cloud
el MS usually proud brow, startled her.
-, what IS the matter, good Ferdinand "
, ,IS inquired, in tone of sympathy; "has any
ihinS happened?"
d, Not exactly already happened he replied,
DU much dread that something excessively
J5,s4s l will happen. Oh, Rosa, if only
N1I re- 10 speak openly with you'll"
he maldens thoughts Immediately required
~ her iather, and she said, with trembling
Speak, Ferdinand, am prepared for the
Ttors'-ior many days past have observed
La something must be coming; but how have
.os seen able TO learn what, since you have
''oS ~ peen here during the timer"
lie captain appeared rather astonished and
!:'V'ed' Tor this remark of Rosa's seemed to
p' NV out some new cause for uneasiness.
l really do not exactly understand what
'Ou mean, dear Rosa" said he; "but the mat