The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1858-06-11
RICH AND roo *.
A MOTHERS STORY.
ny ELLEN L. CHAN SDL = r..


"Come hither, Hanna, my poor, proud
child." !"
There was world Of music IN my
mothers deep, sorrowful voice, and
crossed the room in twilight, and threw
myself on low stool at her feet. The
coal fire was smouldering i'll the grate.-
The carpet, with its dark, rich colors,
/ looked warm and comfortable in the dim
light, but outside the wind hurried howl
ing by, aud unquiet feet in the cold No
vember rain paced around the house like
a sentinel.
had been long time loved by one good
and noble, and more than worthy. lie
was like some poet artists conception OF
morning with his calm high brow, his clear
blue eyes, and golden tresSes. There was
an expression Of bold and fearless truth
in his handsome features, and look OF
loving tenderness about his pleasant mouth.
He was all sunshine, and he shone his
way into my heart loved him, though
| hardly acknowledged it to myself. lie
and II had but my proud old name,
and the ruined old manion and the wasted
patrimony of the proud race Of Stuorts.
Another lover came, and this one was
rich, The gold lay deep in his iron cof-
fors. and the broad lands that called him
master, all were green and fair. II Nor
can Phillips was radiant with the beauty
Of morning, the other one, Hunt HeneS-
lev, was the personifcation Of stormy
nioht. not wet with the rain Of tears; but
black, darkencd and terrible with heavy
tempest clouds, with now and then, a
star sparkling through them, like the
gleam Of a giants FURNISHED armor. /
loved Morgan Phillips, but Hunt Henes-
ley's wilder nature possessed strong
charm for my adventurous imagination =
With him | could realize every dream OF
my youth---I could cross the Eastern des-
crt.--bivouac amol X the Bcdouins----stand
, among the ruins Of Jcru>alem--and weep
over the fallen grandeur Of Greece and
Rome. With him | could float down the
castled Rhine----look out on the stormy
Hebrides---and follow the track of the
old Norsemen across the northern sea.
With Morgan Phillips what should
share? Love" answered trembingly
the low voice in my heart, and | saw a
vision of peaceful home, where my pres.
ence would make sunshine. | twlned the
roses over the cottage walls, and rocked
the Lluo-cyed children, bright with the
golden hair of my husband; but the cozy
table, with its visions of washing dishes
and securing knives; the blue-cycd little
ones of my rocking, however fast the
cradle logged, would cry, and arrant fan
cy turned with sigh Of relief to the
other pioture----tho lullaby Of the peaceful
Mediterranean, the summer isle upon her
breast Unconsciously said aloud
Il shall be Hunt IIcnesloy's," and
then my mother called me to her side
thought, as sat down at her feet,
bow beautiful she had been in years past,
how beautiful she still was, with her great
sorrowful black eyes. She looked at me
stcadfastly for a moment, and then she
said, half sorrowfuly:
My child, you have promised to be
Morgan Phillips's wife,
Nc, mamma, am young yet"
Yes, very young; but ii you have not
promised, you have let him know toI
these many months that you loved hun
that his presence at your side was wei.
come. Now, Hanna, if you did not mean
to wed him, was this right p
blushed, and was silent, and she con.
tinucd
"I know Hunt Henesley loves you
also. and | will not counsel YOU. Yodl
own heart will be your safest guide, if you
will only follow it. Only, Hanna Stuart
my child, do not let ambition, power, lux
ury, or ANYTHING tempt you to marry
without love. The retribution viii be
terrible" and my mother drew her shaw
about her and shuddered, albeit the room
was warm. Her voice was low and husky
as she went on
al will tell you, my poor girl, story
of my own youth. You need the lesson
and YOU shall have it."
81 was motionless | have the picture
of the beautiful being who died that
might live, but she passed from earth ere
she had claspcd me to her breast. was
nv fathers idol, but at fifteen he died
and left me poor. He had been wealthy,
but alter my mother uedVh ~ 'au :" "'',
cd his fortune to a faithlcss steward, and
| was scarcely above want
Il was beautiful, the world said, and
knew it we'll The face that met my gaze
as | stood before the morror, was bright
and bewldcringly lovely. | had beer
educated in conventional retirement anc
my heart was fresh and pure. | loved
| Hanna, you have never known sueA
, passion. 1t was worship lit was idolatrl
it was the life Of my life. Ard he
loved was poor Alien Greamo was faith
! erless like myself, but J was an inmate 0
his mothers cottage Very tand2rly Che,
cherished the orphan commit.s to thci
y charge. knew that Allen loved me-