The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-06-24

cried, as soon as Matiat's embraces would let
her speak. -,
| Marian. "You knosy,t can't marry him my
self now, so Why shoutSd wish to prevent your
doing so3 think tlssswould BE- so wrong, 80
selfish" Sci 49, tag vi r.. r.. 1--ta
bot don't wish 50 garry him." said Rosa.
almost angrily. IL eeat love Mr. Rawlinson,
Marian, and never go have loved him.
hone / shall never fss,Ehim again and all
wish now is to leave u place, for feel that
must be painful &C "a sanion to you all.
painful, Rosa dsaf3 Leave us? Why
What should we do ssjt1out you il you went
And why should you ka5 Because you are too
much loved 2" Aed Marian mumbled al
Roea's hand, Dom sws all love you like the
very pearl of our hS,sp5; and what should
do without you, and Ms Rawlinson, too? Oh,
Rosa dear, you mus's. ak of leaving us."
leave MS Z" chinis d 10 Mrs. Devotion, com
ing crying through TIN Socr; why should you
make US more miss ;lIe than we are, pet ;"
And she folded pc Rosa to her mstronly
poor R,sa's chest eefe all know that it is no
fault of yours that NJ f:awliusou came to love
you, so why should yor leave US? Aud che,
too, kissed Rosa and as she was stout,
motherly little body, who, dressed in rusty black,
! and had q supersitioa against cold water and
soap, an embrace for her was no laughing
matter. Indeed, it .as ked as one of Rcsa's
most painful penan -sss and more than all else
in her daily life emil saed her daily bread.
"You are very gee she said, tears Of dis
gust in her eyes. l,5s poor simple woman
thought they were Ny9s of gratitude and at
lection "but indeed p eel uncomfortable now,
and no longer able to q main" :,
cob, yes, can fsrs srstaud all that" said
Mrs. Devotion, with ri(iher hug !" but that'll
soor 60 eff, pet an vaen you see that We all
love you more than ssee, you'll come round TO
be yourself again"
"Oh, yes, Rosa" sooi bed Marian, "we'll do
all we can now to maize you comfortable, for
you must be wretchsd1 mustn't she, mother
Poor thing poor ltties Rosa +" And Marian
wept again-sbe bsliss ed in pity for Rosa's
misfortune at having @anwittingly stolen her
lover. IS
They said much mset in the same strain, till
they fairly cverpowere5. Rosa, who had had a
gmmer of liberty ard lepose in her half hours
musing. And by ths.r love and their caresses,
and their vociferous rtotestations, they wearied
her out of her unuk 81 fit of energy, till she
sank back into her. primal state of passive
bored Incidence, and.s herself drift down the
tide at their peasuS ! And then she went
down stairs again, s sog her netting in her
hand, and gliding to'hse accustomed place On
the sofa, just as if noting had happened, and
there had been no Il w, Ason coup d'etat which
had failed, and no Ii house Dale insurrec
ton at all. Ley
But in spite Of their love for Rosa and their
unsefsh consideratenees towards her, the Dove
tons were excessively miserable. They were
scared at the awful wickedness of Mr.. Rawlin.
sons infdslity, and they were unhappy about
their Marian's future. For they had not made
any provision for her, and they knew that
husbands for portioniess girls were scarce. Now
that Mr.. Rswlnson had proved a defaulter,
there was not much chance of any one else for
their daughter; and if they died, and left her
unmarried, what would become of her? She
was not fitted for anything. Now, Rosa, there,
could be anything she chose besides, hundreds
of people would be glad enough, like them, TO
have her live with them for the sake of her
sweet face and lady-iike manners. AS for
Marian, poor girl, though their own child, and
they shouldn't say it, she had nothing bur
honesty and truth to recommend her; and who
cares for those? So the Dovetons fretted, and
Marian pinned, and Rosa was more than ever
belanded and bepraised, as kind of .eparation
for the unintentional reproach which they felt
their sadness cast on her.
Since that eventful scene, Captain Morris was
amongst the number OF missing friends"
He had not left Lone-house Dale, that was GER
tain for Marian, whose daily habits were only
Swallowed, not changed, espied him long after
sunset one evening, lettering down the paved
road, looking frequently at the Lone-house.
But days passed, and 70 Captain Morris thun-
dered at the grass green door, or strode into the
turpentne and apple.smelling parlor, like a
Jupiter or q Lord at the very least. And
Rosa was astonished to find how much she
missed him, and how often she asked herself,
"Where is Captain Morris, and when is he
coming here again." So that, what with the
absence of the future son.in-law on Marian's
side, and of the handsome London man on
Rosa's, the parsonage was very dull and
monotonous, compared to the life and move.
ment of former days.
At last the Captain called, and Rosa was
alone as usual. For the FIRST time in her life,
pleasure made her heart beat perceptibly quick
er than usual, and her hands trembled as she
laid them in her visitors. His were burning,
hers icy cold. The Captains manner was con.
strained and cold-sometimes almost naughty,
and yet not unkind. He asked after Mr.. and
Mrs. Devotion, and pointedly omitted Marian.
He avoided every subject that might lead in
any way to Mr.. Rawlinson and the ostentation
OF his reticence panied Rosa more than the
most open discussion would have done, for it
was 80 terribly significant of active memories.
AT last she said, with desperate courage,
"You have been absent from Lone house Dale,
| have you not, Captaia Morris?"
: Absent? No, Miss Arden, not a day.
What makes you think SOP"
"Oh, nothing-only your ceasing so sudden.
ly to call" said Rosa, with look of forced
uLc Consciousness.
81 had other reasons than what you sup
posed" replied the Captain, in low voice,
looking 6xedly at her.
J voked the conversation, she dreaded its direc-
ton, for she was afraid to learn the view which
her London friend took of that memorable
occurrence, wishing all the time to know it.
After long pause, Captain Morris sudden
ly said, Miss Arden, ias your only fitting as
sociate here" with emphasis on the adjective,
? "and as former friend, may presume on
these privileges, and ask you an important
: question? Will you answer me if do ask it ?
and will you prom ise not to think me bold Of
u presumptuous2"
: That depends Oh the question:" said Rosa.
J. with a vain attempt to preserve her natural i'm.
l. passivty.
Tell me, then, the meaning of that extra.
ordinary scene of the other day. What has
!, become of Mr.. Rawlinson, and how is Miss
q Devotion? What ID she doing now?"
> She has broken off her engagement, o,
y course" said Rosa, eoldly.
, "And you, Miss Lrden?"
"Ii-what of me? What do you want to
know ?"-here that friendly netting became
entangled again" what do you want to know
} OF me 7" she repeated, her pale face bent evet
o her hands. .E
o "What is your position 2" he said, hesta