The Westerly echo, & Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1854-1858, 1856-04-10

sewing on hand which she was obliged
to finish, it would be impossible for her
to 90 sooner
Two days before the one Mrs. Mans
field had set for her journey, Mrs. SIN
clair again called on her.
Il have been thinking said she, that
| should like to accompany you on your
visit to the Harden's, if it will be agreea-
bic to YOURSELF
1t certainly will be- replied Mrs.
Mansfield, but should they not bo ap-
pris ed OF your intended visit ?
1T would have been proper, but if I
90 with you it is now to late as they
are people Of wealth and fashion, it can
certainly be no inconvenieace to them
to receive two visitors instead of one
1t was 6aally arranged that as Mrs.
Mansfield lived entirely alone, and
would have no one to prepare her break
fast, she should spend the night previous
to her departure with Mrs. Sinelair.-
Her trunks were therefore conveyed to
the SPLENDID mansion of the rich widow
and placed In the hall, and after care
fully cxtinguishing the fire and locking
tho door, she followed.
The next morning, they had just ris.
en- from the breakfast table when Mrs.
Mansfield, in running up stairs 70 pro-
cure something she had left in her
chamber, slipped and sprained her
ancle. A first the injury seemed to DC
but slight, but the ancle soon became so
swollen aud grew so painful, that she
must give up all idea of the proposed
Journey. Mrs. Sinclair said that she
would also remain, but against this Mrs.
Mansfield had urged so many objections
that she concluded to go, provided she
would promise to remain at her home
where she would receive every attention
till she had recovered from the effects
of the accident. This point was scarce
ly settled when the stage coach drove
up before the door. In the hurry and
bustle Of the moment, Mrs. Sinclair did
not observe that Mrs. Mansficld's trunk
in the room of hers, was transferred
from the hall to the back of tho coach.
1t was not until they had arrived at the
hotel where she was going to stop for
the night, that she discovered the mis-
take, and she then concluded not to re-
turn it, as Mrs. Mansfield might pos
sibly be able to come herself in the
coure of u few days.
1t was about half an hour before
sunset the following day, that the driver,
stopping his horses in front of large
house, half embowcred in shrubbery
and trees, opened the coach door, and
said
This is where Mrs. Harden lives
As soon as Mrs Sinclair had alighted
} she saw a beautiful girl fastening dowl
the gravel walk to welcome her.
My dear Aunt Mansfield, said she
holding out her hand, aow glad an
that you have not disappointed me-
Shall | set your trunk just inside th'
gate, ma IN ? said tho driver, befor,
D she had time to inform Florence tha
> her name was Sinclair
IF you please, she replied, in answo
to the driver, and, again turning t
: Florence, was about to make explana
} ton but at the moment she was goin
to commence, Florence again addressed
her as Aunt Mansfield, and expresse,
her regret that her father had beel
obliged to leave town few days pre-
: vious on account of business, and woul'
} bo detained several days. The infor
nation suddenly suggested the plan o
suffering the family to take her in a
: Mrs. Mansfield ; as from her they ha,
: nothing to hope, she imagined the,
: would not be likely to assume virtue
which they did not possess. She die
: not repent the plan which she had deci
: ded upon when she entered the parlor
she received very cool welcome from
: Mrs. Harden and her daughter Melissa
Have you dined to-day, Aunt ? sal,
: Florence, finding that her mother di,
not seem likely to make any inquiry o
the kind.
Il have not, she replied. 'On &C
: count Of being overloaded, we arrived s,
J late at the hotel where passengers usual