Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-12-01
Ii f II T III A.:
Or the NTother-in-Law.

With a spark of something more than mis-
chief in her dark eyes. and with lips more
compressed than the gentleman at her side
thought quite consistent with amiability,
Bertha Donaldson hummed-
arm be no Submissive teie; no. not 7; no, not ~
"Pshaw, Bertha !" said her companion.
somewhat petulantly, "dOn't he foolish |
merely mentioned it as a proposition of my
mothers, you know; and if you prefer hav-
ing the wedding at BeechwoOd and starting
from thence on our tour,I am perfectly willing.
My mother only objected to it on the score of
trouble, suppose"
y Bertha's fingers trembled so that the piece
of fine cambria which she was embroidering
received a rent as she jerked the working
floss through it, and the flushed cheek and
tapping of the little foot, and the suppressed
tones of her voice, all betrayed the excite
ment under which she labored.
"She is kind" replied Bertha, without look
ing up; "but let her rest assured that the SER
wants at Beechwood think nothing too much
trouble Tor their mistress. Ny wedding takes
place in my old home, by the sanction of my
guardian"
Cecil Hamilton looked steadily at his be-
trothed as she uttered her determination in a
firm voice, and a shade of annoyance passed
over his fine but dreamy face. as visions pro-
phetic of discord, and things which he detest-
ed. rose before him as he thought of his calm,
domineering mother and his passionate but
high-spirited bride.
And so the wedding took place at Beech
wood. The heiress wiled it so; for she was
without near relation in the world. and till
she knew Cecil Hamilton. BeechwOOd seemed
to be the only thing for her love, connected
as it was with memories of happy childhood,
and the loving eyes and voices of her pa
rents.
During visit to a school companion one
summer vacation, Bertha became acquainted
with Mr.. Hamilton, who was also a guest in
the house. She was at once fascinated by his
elegant person, his wonderful conversational
powers. his refined intellect, and above all by
the calmness of his manner, which she thought
the repose of a great mind and not as it real
ly was, the Incidence of dreamy nature.
On his side, Cecil Hamilton was CENTRALIZED
by the beauty, the wit, aud vivacity of Ber-
tina Donaldson. The light which ever flash
ed Over her face, the gay repartee which
sprung from her lips. and the sparkle of her
manner, kept him in kind of dreaming
wonder as to what she-would do or say next
but it gave him no trouble. He was not OBJ
liged TO arouse himself to exertion, for her
quaint thoughts brought out his own without
effort; and beside that, he knew of Bertha's
dream-side also for he had sometimes seen
Madonna wise. and holy quiet settle over
her face and form, and he at once recognized
in these moods the ideal which he had 50 long
sought to find realized.
The engagement was soon followed with
the appreciation of Bertha's guardian, who
being a bachelor, was glad of being SO easily
rid of what he considered to be troublesome
fiighty girl who was 10 lead him an ignus
fatuus chase through society after husband
Indeed the good man had at one time serious
ly thought of marrying her himself, in order
to escape the veXatiOn and responsibility ol
guardianship.
OF her future mOther-in-law, Bertha Don
aldson knew but little. With her sanguine
spirit and unchilled affection, she was pre-
pared to love deeply one who was so nearly
related to Cecil, and at once proposed that
his mother should live with them after their
marriage, for Cecil was an only child, and
Mrs. Hamilton's life would be very monotOn
GUS If living by herself
Little did Bertha know that, even without
this invitation, such had been Mrs. Hamilton I
intention. Her son had fortune rs large as
Bertha's, and If the heiress tCotiLd live a
Beechwood, she argued, in preference to any
other place, why then she felt under no obi
CATION at receiving her hospitality.
Mrs. Hamilton had been accustomed ali hel
life to manage for those around her. She haC
completely swayed her intellectual. but
dreaming. indolent husband, and, as a mattel
of course, she now swayed her intellectual
dreaming. indOlent son. That that sons wifi,
would rebel at such long-established authori
ty, never occurred to her. To he sure, tn,
decided stand which Bertha took about hav
ing her wedding at dear old Beechwood, ant
asking all her friends, caused Mrs. Hamilton
to raise her eyebrows for a moment, but sh,
Of
an unrestrained child, and speedily forgot il
So, as We said before, Bertha Donaldson
wedding took place at Beechwood.
Ii was a disagreeable, drizzling evening OF
| which Cecil Hamilton and his young wife re
| turned from their wedding-tonr; an evening
| that albeit June had come with the roses. anS
| all summer glories. made the fire which blazet
| In the little sitting-room lock cozy and com
| Portable To the tired, wet travellers. The fir
Was the only thing that lighted the room il
| the twilight; hut the quaintest silver tea-ser
vice. which stood on the already prepared Ia
| bic. glittering brightly in the light, as If re
ioicing in its old fashioned way. that mis-
| tress once more reigned in Beechwood.
| Bertha Hamilton was both tired and ner
vous as she approached the tempting tea Ia
BILE. The novelty OF her position as the ms
tress of the house. made her feel as awkwars
| as il was possible for one Of her frank, indie
dsndent disposition 10 feel; and with shy
half-lingering step, bat a smile breaking owe
her face as she thought how ridiculous sh
would look presiding AZ a tea-tray, she reiuc
family approached the head OF the table. Mr.
| Hamilton made her comfortable At once b
taking what should have been Bertha's plae
as quietly a. though she had EAT there, an
poured tea out OF that pot for years. III
poor. tired little wife said nothing, but va
secretly grateful for what she considered he
mothers kindness and tact ia relieving be
of such terrible duties, when she felt 80 nj
| Sous.