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

gazed upon that portrait in silence. Ht
seemed wholly wrapt in the lineaments oil the
pictured face before him. Could it be posi-
BILE that this was an hallucination of the fancy
or mere the facts OF the case revealed. Tremp'
ling with emotion he turned to Samuel and
asked the name OF the person the portrait be-
fore him represented; but ere the young ar
tist could reply to the inquiry Ida uttered,
almost unconsciously, "my mother!'
The old man gasped for breath-a trembling
seized his limbs and he sank upon sofa.
Recovering strength, once more, he yentured
to inquire her name: Ida replied "Strick-
land,n and her christian name? Ida" was
the reply.
e'Tis she!'' hysterically screamed the old
man, "my long lost sister-the name, the
face and the time all correspond; it is GER
tainly my sister; and the daughter is the
very image of her mother"
Ida could hardly comprehend the meaning
of the old mans utterings. But an indistinc'
recollection of her father, and a remembrance
of some of his discourses about by-gone days
and the happy hours he had spent South, and
what sacrifice il was to leave the beautiful
Palmetto State-rare beauties which his pride
would never let him enjoy again, partly un-
ravelled the mystery. Probably her mother
might be the identical person spoken of by
Mr.. Willis, and the chances were in favor Of
the hypothesis. After gazing at the portrait
until his eyes, wet with pure tears OF affec-
tion saw its lineaments perfectly confused he
muttered to himself.
"It is she--the more look upon that pic
ture the more | am convinced of the fact.
OH could but hear from her own lips the
pleasing truth would be twice blest in the
restoration of friends. My measure Of hap
pness would be full"
"Alas. venerable friend'-while the tears
tricked down her cheeks-pursued Ida"
fear you will never have that qualification
she is" dead !" Interrupted Mr.. Willis.
"No, sir" replied Ida, she is not dead,
but her reason sleeps in the tomb-she is in
sane"
'Oh! merciful Heaven, what catastrophy
Can no human aid restore her to conciousnessl
can no medical assistance build up that fab
ric of reason which has become too strong
for its earthly tenement to confine it; letting
the soul loose ungarbed in the immensity OF
space without any power to guide it. fear
human aid will avail her little, for the best
physicians in Delaware have said nothing
short of IA miracle can restore her." Sobbed
| Ida.
aThat miracle shall be performed if wealth,
influence and professional aid can accomplish
any thing p thundered the old man, in Q
voice that made the venerable mansion almost
tremble to its centre.
| The intelligence OF Mrs. Strickland's rela-
tionship with Mr.. Willis surprised both Sam
| uel and Ida no little. A hundred little in
stances arose to the young girls mind to con-
| firm the supposition, which were all related
| to Mr.. Willis with such accuracy that he
would have to doubt his senses if he doubted
the identity of his sister.
| His first inquiries were to know where she
was to be found and il he could see her, if he
should take the trouble to go to Delaware
These inquiries were answered in the afir-
NATIVE.
That evening was passed in deep reflection
and mutual congratulations. Ida had found
an uncle and Mr.. Willis sister and niece by
their trip south.
That accidental circumstances sometimes
unravels the deepest plots and most intricate
mysteries no one can doubt. Their visit to
Arthur Willis beautiful mansion was indeed
an event in the life of the individuals con
cerned that deeply interested them. 1t pro-
duced many happy hours in lifetimes that
would otherwise probably have been immersed
| in penury and want. With the exception Of
the old man-whose mind was with his. sister
--gaity began to assume the supremacy
Many happy evenings were spent in social
parties among spirits as beautiful as day.
But the history of Ida and the adventures OF
Rosa were little known among their associates
It was subject never spoken of-not even
among themselves.
DAYS, weeks and months passed away ere
the happy friends were aware that the time
had arrived when Saluuel Irving and Ida were
to return to Delaware Although they were
re. 'ri,,s to the scenes of their childhood-the
scenes Of many happy hours-they became
sad and detected as the time for their depar
ture drew nigh
But there was one among the little family
groupe who grieved more deeply the depar
ture of her friends than all the rest it wal
Rosa Willis. The sillsen cords that unite
genial spirits particularly when those cords
are spun in adversity-had twned arount
her warmest affections and made her dreat
. the hour when they should part.