The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-12-20

trouble; as becomes CnrlStlan, TOO, whose
duty it is, under every trial, to share her faith,
and hope and submission. Oh, dearest father,
be assured; beseech you, be assured of this,
and lay not an additional pang to your heart"
The father kindly patted his daughters cheek.
"You were always good, kind, sensible
girl, Rosa and in these days of trouble you
shall be my comfort. Go now, my dear child,
to your mother, endeavor to console her if you
can. My fate will principally depend upon Mr..
Garben, and some few other creditors; but my
chief anxiety is for my children"
"They are not without protection, dearest
father" said Rosa, interrupting him, in a tone
of calm conviction eve will not despair. How
ever, must go now; will you not let me bring
you some refreshments before these gentlemen
Gomez"
"No, my dear child, not the least thing; l
cannot touch anything"
Rosa would have urged kindly objection,
but her father quickly kissed her, and gave her
a renewed though gentle sign that he would be
left alone; and she Obeyed and withdrew:
In Professor Lings little dining room, three
persons were seated around the simply covered
table. They consisted of the host himself, his
nephew Ferdinand, and Frank Mannerstedt,
who was taking his last dinner at H with
his old friend. At six o'clock he was to start !;
the nights were moonlight, and the Professor
thought that, though the departure had already
been postponed from morning until evening, it
was better to make start at once, instead of
waiting until the next morning. Our good
| Professor had nearly all the talk to himself;
the report of Mr.. Widen's failure had already
been discussed, and pause ensued, which
obliged the host to start fresh subject.
"What the deuce is Mr. Mannerstedt looking
! so hard at? I do believe it is Ferdinand's left
hand. Ha, ha, ha now l understand; he
misses the ring: SO will tell him what has oc-
Cured. You see that last week the Merchant
/ Widen had visit from one of his principal
! creditors, a Mr.. Garden, from Denmark; upon
this person the specializing eyes of Madame Wi
den and her husband fell, as good catch for
Rosa and as Ferdinand must be got rid of, Wi
den took advantage of his absence, to address
himself to me upon the subject You may sup
pose that / answered him pretty short and the
matter ended by the young peoples restoring
their rings in regular form. However, the bust
ness took quite different turn, as regarded Mr..
Widen and his wife, upon Mr.. GARDEN acquaint-
ing them that he was soon to be married. All
| hope in that quarter was at an end. Mr.. Widen
was taken seriously ILL., and Mr.. GARDEN left for
Stockholm. Meanwhile, our friend, Mr.. Widen,
made the best use of his time; for the sake of
the family, it might be desirable that Mr.. Gar
ben should not be too hard upon him-but
empty your glass, Mr.. Mannerstedt, and do not
sit there and dream about it. Here is to Rosa
happiness. The maiden is the apple of my eye,
and shall never know what it is to want, as long
as old Ling lives"
The gentlemen drank the toast; each of them
was interested in the object of it; but Manner
stedt's heart was full, even to bursting, and it
was a severe effort for him to sit upon his
chair-he felt desire to rush out, and be alone
with the infinite sense of bliss that quivered
through his whole frame. Rosa was free-free
by her fathers willard, moreover, she was
now poor; there was no other rival in the field,
aAd-Rosa's heart and Rosa's warmest feelings,
had they not long been all his own? All these
sweet reflections ightened up the dark mid
night which had spread its veil over his heart
his head grew confused-there was a singing in
his ears-everything seemed to be going round
the room-he scarce knew where he
"Mr. Mannerstedt," said the Professor, after
silently regarding his guest for a while, "what
the deuce is the matter with you? Are you on
the road to heaven, or going under the table 2"
MannerStedt collected himself, with power
full effort "Pray forgive me-" he begged, in a
low voice, " / was so astonished-for some days
past l have not been out, and / had heard
nothing whatever of this"
$50 it seems, indeed" limited the Professor,
with significant smile; Mr.. Mannerstedt has
not then, suppose, made his farewell visit at
Mr.. Widen's?"
"Ah no indeed, had left it until the last
moment; now, however, / can hardly hope to
be fortunate enough to meet any of the family
really, regret it very much, for / have enjoy
ed so many tokens of kindness and good will
in their house."
"The ladies, / dare say you may seat
least Rosa," said the Professor, with an air of
indifference. 81 must have very much deceived
myself in her, if she gives way upon the occur
renee of blow like this"
The Captain and Mannerstedt sat silent and
thoughtful the first, because, spite of all his
feelings of compassion for the ladies of the Wi
den family, his thoughts were with Hilda, who
had hitherto pitilessly frustrated all his exer-
tons to meet her alone; Mannerstedt, because
his heart was filled with such wealth of feel
ings, that he dreaded to betray them, should he
utter one word regarding her whose name he
could not listen to without a most agitating
state of affairs under the left breast of his coat.
AS no new subject of conversation seemed
likely to arise, the Professor pushed back his
chair, and they returned to the parlor, where
coffee and pipes were in readiness the Cap
tain shortly withdrew, under the plea of en-.
gagements, and Frank at sign from the Pro-
fessor, took the vacant place on the sofa. AZ
his meerschaum, he at length began to speak
very quick
snow, then, my dear Mannerstedt, do you
recollect the subject of our discourse on the
morning of New Years day? / think then
said that / should rejoice if the alliance on
foot between my nephew and Miss Widen
should end in smoke; and, now that it is really
broken of, / repeat it so much the more glad
ly. Has the gentleman the heart to say the
same?"
This was rather direct question, and Frank
felt little confused-a yes appeared to him
too bold answer, would have polluted
his lips with an untruth. He took courage,
and, with blushing cheeks, and in a tone rem
dered tremulous by contending sensations, re-
Piled
"Yes, do thank God that it has come to
nought, because it was not Rosa who broke her
phShted word, and because but here he
hesltated, and, after one or two vain efforts to
complete the sentence, was silent.
Now, then, because-why p" said the Pro-
lessor, catching up his broken words; let us
hear what the text says further
: MY kind Professor Ling, lin truth-no."
My very good Mr.. Mannerstedt, it is really
: and truly very pitiable to see e young man be-
have SO very awkwardly-becauseS gen.
tleman was pleased to observe-becausen
Because, as Rosa is now perfectly free, and
J her feelings never have belonged to Captain
. Ferdinand in any degree to justify such an i'm
: portant engagement may, possibly, in flu
ture-but no, Professor Ling will laugh at me.
: and no harm done; but they would be deserv.
ing the ridicule of any sensible man, should
they take the form of words"
do of louo orb Mt Mr. Mannarstadt'c draa uoS