The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-06-14

MS eyes.
Describe her-why couldn't until | had
seen her!" Laura was not good at idealltles.)
never made match in my life they al
ways make themselves where they are forces
tablished! But, let me see you must certainly
light upon one that knows how to laugh :"
Hamilton cast quick, furtive glance from
under bis hand, to see how much meaning her
countenance lent to her words. But she! good,
unsuspicious woman, had never less thought of
what had long been nearest his heart.
"You are making a miserable breakfast +"
said she, at last, as she arose to go.
81 have breakfasted on your crumbs Of coun
sell my dear madam; and hope sometime to
show you how they have nourished me he an
swered, gently.
Kitty sat at her piano, in the twilight of an
Indian summer day. The misty NOTED light
of the SLOW westering sun foated in through
one half-opened blind, flooding the room with
| a radiance like gloriied moonlight. Her head
had dropped into its old position, upon her
arms. at her feet lay letter, which had fall
en- from her lap. 1t was in Lauras handwri-
ting told of Hamilton Grey's continued con.
valescence and of the sudden determination
| of the whole party, owing to news from Florida,
| to leave on the next mornings steamer for
their Southern home.
"Be still, my heart" murmured Kitty, in
the loneliness and silence that so strangely OPP
pressed and bewildered her. 81 only prayed
that he might lire aud / said, Gods will be
/ done!' Yet-strange- strange mystery; where
! is the light heart that bounded here two months
| ago, so wild, so free? | would not have it
! back again but where shall | look -
Look up, Kitty spoke voice in tune
with her hearts throbbing, low and deep. She
started in every nerve, pale and trembling; but
the next instant, her eye dropped under that
gaze, and tide of rosy light surged over her
/ cheeks and forehead.
| If we may count time by heart-throbs,"
that hour was q lifetime to Hamilton and Kit
/ ty!
| 1t passed, and still they sat in the gathering
! twilight. But they had found a thought for
something beyond themselves. A miniature
! the miniature-lay in Kitty's hand, enclosed
within its owners. He told her of that mother,
more beautiful than her pictured semblance !;
and of the devotion that had bound her children
to her. He unfolded her pure character, dwell
! ing lightly on the one blemish that stained its
| brightness-the family pride which she had
! left to his morbid spiiit-such woful inherit
/ ance
! Music was my mothers daily BREATH said
| he. ~ shall never forget the hour of her pass
ing away. 1t was so unlike DEATH that it can
never be linked with her grave in my thoughts.
| 1t was a triumph-a TRANSPORTATION.
"She had been sitting, pillowed easily, in her
armchair, asserting carelessly, as was her wont,
the rarest flowers which ] could procure for her.
l sat on an ottoman at her feet, where | had
been reading to her, first from the best of books,
and then that most exquisite of Elizabeth
Browning's poems, He giveth his beloved
sleep
r {" And l should love to sleep now, she said,
smiling, oh, so sweetly! Take your flute, my
boy, and lull me with the air love best!
II need not tell you, who know it so well, it
was that sacred strain of the poor exile mar
! tyr!
She lay with halfc closed eyes, and a sweet
smile on her face the flowers falling about her
white robe and pillows, while slowly, solemn
", breathed out the blessed tones. Her face
was to the west it grew brighter and brighter,
bat thought It was the setting sun! 1t was
the rising of that Sun which goeth not down
forever
AS ceased, her lips moved, her eyeids
lifted, with flash of unutterable things-a
revelation of the dawning day-then dropped
forever. | lSnclt down at her side. She breath
ed still, but she never spoke never woke
again!"
! For moments the silence noated about the
! dreamers like incense from the skies, borne on
the breath of that angel mothers blessing. Kit
! ty the first to break its soft spell.
DO you 90 tomorrow" she asked, with
| timid up-looking of the eyes, lest they should
say too much.
q must, Kitty!" he answered, regretfully.
Circumstances demand It'll" Hesitating
moment, he went on " / was going to add
! when shall | come for you my best blessing
But ought to ask you to share poor mans
/ perplexities Decide for me-for US, Kitty
! Will you come into the shadow of my life or
waltz"
II don't know about the shGdosc," answered
Kitty, with touch ofher old archness, struggling
/ between smiles and tears. " | am quite too sub
stantial to 'bide with shadows! And as to the
| perplexities, if you will let me laugh them out
or" she added, changing her tone, "we will
| look together for help where we cannot-we
hare not looked in vain!"
any ownl"
But Kitty sprang like frightened fawn from
his EMBEDDING arms-too late, however, to escape
! the incursion! The street door had been left
| aar; and-here they come-Laura and Chris
! tie, Mr.. Grey and Oriana-rushing into the dim
! parlor twilight as though it were meant for any
| but lover-dreamers
"Kitty! Hey-what's this 2" cried Master
Kit, catching her by the arm as she would have
brushed past him. A light suddenly ilumined
his perceptions of the past and present. Come
back, young lady, and answer for yourselfl"
"What's the matter, brother?" queried the
mystiGed Laura.
.'Matter? Enough Tell me of the deceit
| funess of womanl There, miss, sit downright
there, in that higk.backed chair, where you sat
exactly seven weeks ago! 'Iiifing-with hint!
was it not a capital stroke of hypocrisy"
"Brother, l congratulate you he exclaimed,
suddenly turning to Hamilton-much to the re-
| lief of poor Kitty, who bounded from the room.
"You have found out that wild girls heart and
/ you're the only man | would trust to take care
/ of it'll"
II too give you all the congratulations IN my
heart, Hamilton!" cried Oriana, snatching his
hand in hers and kissing it.
! "Why-what an the ,corld are you all talking
about?' cried Laura, now thoroughly aroused
to curiosity.
any dear Mrs. Hope!" exclaimed Hamilton,
arising and laying both hands upon her arms,
"pardon me if | have prematurely acted upon
/ your very excellent advice"
any advice? Why-what? YOU don't mean
KittyP That child! Why "
"a child at heart may she ever be woman
in all that is worthy she is now my sister. Will
you not give me right to call you so?'
Laura frankly extended both her hands.
"Hamilton, you have taken me by surprise
But there - rot one in the world to whom |
would give her one half 50 gladly "
my son |" spoke the father; ana his moist
eye and warm hand grasp completed the circle
of his hopes.
But where was Eitty2 Laura bounded away,
with a step very unlike her usual sedate gait,
in search of the truant. Out in the twilight,