The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-01-06
BY EDWARD SPENCER.
Ho,o Ruth put on Mourning.

Hoo Rnth put on Mourning.
Mrs Fleming has been in the city for week,
and in week more the ball is to come Off 1t
is to be great bal we acknowledge; but Mrs.
Fleming is used to such surely, she does not
worry about the ball. Yet, that she is worried
about something, it is easy to see, as she sits
there alone in her hotel parlor; very mucis
worried, much indeed, for woman of her habit
ual composure and serenity. One might even
fancy from her expression that she is apprehen-
sive of some impending evil, without being able
toguess its character, or the direction from which
it will come. She has heard the thunder NUT
ter, but knows not in which way to look for the
storm cloud.
1t is seldom that Mrs. Fleming soliloquizes
She is not one of those who are used to let the
workings of thought and emotion flow out over
the lips. No matter how diseased her mind
may be, it rarely betrays its condition by any
verbal hemorrhage And this fact shall be our
excuse for listening to her just now.
I" 1t is strange, very strange. There is some
thing wrong. l have been here during week,
and yet not a soul has called, excepting Mr.
Chnquant, and his manner left o halfimpres-
sion upon my mind of covert insolencs and in,
tended impertinence. Better not Astute though
he be, and he is more so than l imagined when
first knew him, he will fail if he dares to play
at countercheck with me. And yet begin to
fear him, the only man 1 ever did fear, except
-. He has power, and will not scruple to
use it in any way his interests or prejudices
may suggest. All, but too have power. What
does this mean, this strange neglect? Can any.
thing have happened to - to Jasper-so ter
rible that they dare not tell me? Ny God ! no.
1t cannot, must not be. Oh my son, my lost,
longed-for son. j, if you could only know
only for a moment know how deep my love is for
you How pine for your dear presence!
am alone-my heart was carved to be alone
But why these thoughts? Jasper shall be safe
What meant CGnquant by his familiarity? All,
if it be true that neblesse oblige it is equally
true, firmly believe, that snobbery is bone
bred something, that elegantest and longest
persevered-in culture cannot eradicate. Yet,
too am the mounted beggar, sores under my
doublet, dust and askes in my wallet. Faughi
my fancies run dung-hill-ward to-day. Give
Mrs. Fleming an 'ounce of civet good apothe-
such unwonted words All me- my Jasper,
used not to be So
The door was burst open by an impetuous
hand, and Richard, the gardener, hurried into
the room with single stride
Mrs. Fleming sprang to her feet pale as mar
bic, and, steadying herself by resting her hand
upon the table, near which she had been sit
ting, said, in hollow voice:
Keep me not in suspense, Richard. Tell
me your news. You have bad tidings of JAS
per 2"
She trembled in spite of herself
do not alarm yourself unnecessarily
madam. l have no news of Mr.. Jasper"
An angry flush came over her face as she re-
sumed her seat. "Why, then, do you intrude
upon me in this unseemly fashion? Your
abruptness of course frightened me-
" am sorry, madam" said the gardener
humbly, but am nearly beside myself, in
Decd
" You seem quite SO. Take seat, and l will
hear what you have to say"
She poured out glass of water with hand
that shook little and drank it off leisurely, as
if the action helped to restore her composure.
Now, Richard, tell me what brought you to
the city, and why you came in here unan-
nounced 2"
II came because of plot, madam"
=" A plot! said Mrs. Fleming looking at
him wonderingly for moment out of her dark
eyes, as if she half suspected he was out of his
mind. But instantly she seemed to recolect,
to reason, and a glance of intelligence, mingled
with painful anxiety, fitted across her face
only fitted, and was gone, leaving her impas-
sive as before.
I" A plot, madam conspiracy against you"
"Why, Richard, these are not the times for
plots and conspiraces, nor this the land. You
are as mysterious as if yonder shadow was cast
on you by the Rialto, and these were the palmy
days of Venice. Speak out. No Council Of
Ten is here to seize you. Wake up; you are
dreaming. hold no power. have no enc
mics. Why should any conspire against me?"
Madam" said Richard, sadly, no land is
so blest but there are conspiracies going on in
it-against regulations, for instance.r
Mrs. Fleming started, and sat upright. A
dark flush chased the pallor from her cheeks,
and the veins in her temples sweled.l
Richard said she, in her clear ringing
tones, speak out fully what you came to say.
/ wish to hear all, and plainly. Speak out I"
4" Mrs. Fleming, you have received invitations
to ball next week !?
Eyes"
"Are you going to be present ?"
" Yes of course.
+" Yon must not
r" Must not, sir! You use strange language.
Proceed, proceed" added she, stamping. her
foot with impotence | am dnrioais to hear
what you have to tell me"
MADAM, have been in your service for
long time-so long, indeed, that l have come
to regard you as friend as well as an employ
err. Perhaps know you better than any other
person, as ought to, for -
Never mind that, Richard" interrupted
Mrs. Fleming, sickly pallor coming over her
face / am not so strong as l was, and can.
not afford to have old wounds opened now.