True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1856-09-03
q Raglan, Editor and Proprietor.

CIlhSOH COVeIS vi tlle CHdlTSj anu dmlI
the pink roses on the carpet. Uncle bid
me lay aside my wraps, and warm my
chilled limbs; and then. as if he llat
done all that was expected of him, he lef
me alone.
At last-it seemed an age to me-tht
heavy oaken door swung slowly open
and uncle Randolph apI cared, followed
by q lady robed in dark velvet.
Widred, this is the child, ZelainC
Arlington, Edith's child" and the state
ly lady took a step forward, and bad,
me come to her. Trembingly-for there
was something in her great grey eye.
that frightened mel obeyed. She push
ed back the diSorJered hair from my
forehead, and an impatien, expression
crossed her handsome face as she spoke,
Pshaw! What disagreeable counte.
nance Walburn, take her to the house
keeper, and let her be clothed more be-
fuingly. The room in the eastern tower
is to be hers " and with queenly step,
aunt Mildred withdrew. )
do not know how kept back my
tears. |, who had been always spoken tc
with the voice of love; who, at every
childish grief, had been lifted in mo:h
er's pity ing arms, and held close TO hel
gentle breast-to be treated thus indil1er-
emily! But swallowed tie great sob,
which were yelling up from my heart
and followed uncle Randolph to the
housekeeper's room. Tie housekeepel
was nat more cordial than her mistress
She gave me some warm tea and toast
and lighted me up to the room which, for
the future, was to be mine. ..,
How thankful | was when | was lef
alone ! | was not supersttious, as are
most children of my age had been So
the room in which | stood might have fill
led me with fears. 1t was room of oc
tagonGl shape, lighted by Two large win
dows, snrmounted by heavy oak carvings
The walls were black with age, and the
dark bed hangings swept the green mat
ting which covered the floor. A large
chair of antique pattern, a modern lounge
and few minor articles of comfort, com.
pleled the furniture Of the apartment.
There were two doors lea ding from the
oom, and, with a chiId's love of adven.
lures, tried the mob of the nearest, II
yielded to my touch, and, with an unhes
itaIing step, lentered long. gloomy gal.
lery, whose extreme end lay in q black
shadow. Shading the lamp with my
hand, that the strong current of air might
not exlnguisl- it, | fastened forward
and found myself in what was evidently
the picture room ofthe mansion.
Grim looking images were hung upon
the walls; bearded cavaliers ; demure, so.
ber malrons young ladies in blonde lun.
les and long ringlels, with, here and
there, landscape of rare beauty.
At The extremity Of the gallery, paus.
ed. In modern gilt frame hung pic
ture, which, young as | was, drew my
whole heart towards it. 1t was the like
ness of a boy perhaps fourteen summers
old, sitting on little hillock, by The side
of a clear stream. The features were
purely classic in their outline Eyes
large, brown, and luSlrous; the clustering
auburn bair was flung careessly back from
the broad, open brow, and round the fine
ly curved lips fingered smile of mimi.
table sweetness,
remained, spell bound, gazing on the
picture ; till the deep, sonorous tones OF
the hall-clock rung out on the dull air,
striking twelve. Reluctantly turned
away, and, seeking my room. I threw
myself on the bed, and overcome by wea-
riness, fell into a deep sumber.
When awoke, the red sunbesms were
lying on the ceiling at the foot of my bed,
and, on rising. found, 10 my surprise,
that my own garments had been taken
away, and those Of a coslier texture sub.
stituted.
dressed myself as we'll as I was able,
and combed out my long tangled tresses (;
but | missed my own dear mothers soft
hand on my forehead and her sweet kiss
on my my lips. Oh God this desola.
ton Of heart is terrible {!
Again. sought The picture gallery. l
could not resist the wish TO gaze upon
that picture, which had so deeply enchan-
ted'me.
stood enrapturcd before it. There
seemed a smile almost life like on the
warm lips, as the rosy beams Of the NOR
ming sun rested lovingly on the still feat
tures and before that picture l could
have knelt in admiration. loved it as
1 had loved nothing on earth before, ex-
cept my mother.
| was summoned to breakfast, and new
er shall | forget the gloom and bitterness
OF that morning meal. No kind words,
no smiling glances to greet me; only a
cold +" Zalaine take yonr place there,"
and with a whitening heart obeyed.
Aunt Mildred was superbly beautiful
woman. Icould not help admiring her,
Notwithstanding The hsightiness which
characterized her whole bearing. W
After breakfast, my course Of studies
was marked out, and, returning to nv
chamber, ! essayed to learn tie lesson
aunt Millard had given me. 5e1 egi