Delaware inquirer. (Wilmington, Del.) 1859-18??, 1859-07-23
SATURDAY, JULY %, 1859.

cussing the best mode of communication
with Madame Strickland on the subject of heI
new discovery. Ida is busy in arraying her
self for the intended visit. 1t is only the
next day after their return, yet they have
determined to repair Immediately to the place
of Madam Strickland's confinement and make
one more effort to restore her to conscious
ness. What hopes rose and fell as she made
the necessary preparation for the visit Who
knew but the news OF her brother being will
ling to receive her and Ida back to the scenes
of her former happiness would have oeneh-
cial effect upon her reasoning faculties.
These and many other speculations passed
rapidly through Idas mind as she made her
toilet prior to the interview with her mother.
A quarter OF an hours walk and Ida and
Samuel Irving were in Madam strickland's
apartment. She arose and grasped her
daughter nervously by the hand, and exhib-
tied much surprise at her long absence.
Save wild rolling OF the eyes and an un-
natural restlessness it would require an acute
observer to detect any alteration Of mind
whatever. Ida observed that her parent was
more rational than usual; that her mind was
more collected than had been the case for
months She hardly knew whether-under
the circumstances-to make her acquainted
with tho good news she had so recently heard
South or not.
Samuel. sensible Of the turn the CONVERSE
tion should take, spoke of their recent jour-
new. At first the old lady paid ne attention
to anything except her daughter, to whom
she directed all her dircourse.
az love the South-partieularly the Pal-
metto State-paramount to every thing earth
ly that sweet cottage of Hugh Watson's
and the noble mansion of Arthur Willis are
among the places never shall forget" OBJ
served Samuel, abstractedly.
Madam Strickland sprang to her feet, look
ing the young man directly in tho eyes, for
a few moments with bewildered gaze ana
then, in half whispered tone, enquired:
Young man have you ever seen the places
you talk about or are You only jestins with
an infirm old woman who feels very much in
terested in the inhabitants Of tho mansions
you speak ofr'
"I am wholly correct, Madam, and have
seen the places recently took occasion to ad-
mre and to give you some idea of their
beautiful appearance at the time left there
only behold this drawing 7"
Samuel spread before her gaze beautiful
drawing Of Arthur Willis and Hugh Wat
sons residences.
She gazed upon the scenes of her childhood,
and all the associations Of her early life were
vividly painted before her excited imagina-
ton. Long did she gaze upon that picture
and many times did her countensnce change
as the varied incidents of her early life pass
ed over the mirror of her mind. She ex-
claimed:
sis this dream--a hallucination OF the
brain, a chmera OF the mind, is it plain re-
atty. OF late my whole life, yes my very ex-
istence seems dream from which am slow
to wake to consciousness. But here is my
brothers. mansion on paper-the very aim-
lie of what 1t was before left it. There are
the same majestic pines beneath which have
spent SO many happy hours and the serpen-
time walks planned by myself are just as
left them except the long, lank grass which
always kept trimmed, hangs negligently over
the gravelled walks; and, Oh God what do
see The lank look-the silver locks--the
~, ,.af, nna all
tell me it is my brother. Yes It's he its he !
Speak Samuel, is it not my brother' Is it
not Arthur WillisW
The young man nodded an affirmative Ma
dam Strickland stood motionloss her eyes
drinking in every line upon the picture be-
fore her. While yet she gased gentlo voice
something between angelic and human
whispered in her ear;
"Mother, Uncle Arthur has commissioned
Samuel and myself to take you to South Car
olna."
A bright CLEAN passed over her facc-her
eyes became exceedingly brilliant and while
vet sweet snile played upon her lips she
tainted.
For three days she lay under the influence
of her swoon, exhibiting very little signs of
life. With sleepless eyes did Samuel and Ida
watch the unconscious form Of Madam strick-
land. But brighter day was dawning-a
new era was to be commenced in their exis-
tence.
AT length she awoke. The wild phrenzy
had vanished from her eyes and Samuel and
Ida saw, at a glance, that the old lady was
once more herself again. What happy mo-
ment was this to those who were SO much in
terested in her welfare. What pleasing SEN
sations were those that pervaded every
thought. Slowly did Madam Strickland re-
cover from her indisposition and as she gained
strength her mind became natural and
vigorous.
II was some time before Ida and Samuel
could venture to tell her of tho misfortune
that had befallen Ida.
CHAPTER XIV.
CONCLUSION.
A few weeks passed and the whole party