The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-01-20
downright secured according to la,o. ]
For The National Era.
JASPER: A ROM NEE.
Ho'o Ruth put on Mourning.
[CHAP. BR NINTH CONCLUDED
BY EDWARD SPENCER.

Hoo Ruth put on Mourning.
[CHAP. NINTH CONCLUDED
With an unspeakable Joy at her heart, Mrs.
Fleming made Ruth stand beside her, while she
received the crowded attentions of the greater
portion of those present in her usual graceful
way, as if nothing had happened to disturb her
equanimity. To Ruth she was the motherly
chaperone, finding her. plenty of partners, and
in every way showing that her power was not
shaken, nor her queenly selfreliance in any way
undermined. |
Her intuitions were correct when she had
given Mr.. Congreve the credit of having saved
her. He was man of much influence and
great tact. He saw the precise state of affairs
Immediately, read the tactics of the conspira-
tors, and forthwith exposed the scheme to the
most prominent gentlemen present, guarantee
ing the correctness of his statements by the
simple act of introducing his daughter to the
one so maligned. The reaction was rapid ;
the more SO, because people felt they had in
jured Mrs. Fleming by indulging any sus-
picions, even in regard to ono of so high a
character, and, consequently, that they owed
her some PREPARATION. From this moment the
Queens triumph was complete, and the con-
spirators overthrown. They felt that their an
inhalation was perfected when they saw the
Distinguished Celebrity marched down the hall
in pomports state, and introduced to Mrs. Elem
ing and Ruth, at his special and marked re-
quest. Scattered and broken, they separated
IN sauce gu peod style; and, gnawed with rage,
envy, chagrin, and modification, sought to
amuse themselves elsewhere
"What do you mean to do nOtc2" asked Mrs.
Morninglory, of Clinquant, her face distorted
with rage, after she had witnessed the irretrev-
able overthrow of her forces and subversion OF
her schemes.
Who? l?' said the man Of tact, finding
her seat, and preparing to withdraw. q?
Follow the crowd, of course and renew my
court 10 tho Queen. Is not my name Aulicus %
AYE, but your courtshp will have to be
more successful than hitherto, if you wish it to
become remunera;iyc, mon ann, said Mrs. Morn
inglory, m liciously.
ClinQuant Redeemed, and there was curse
half on his lips, but he restrained himself say
ing, in cold calm words, NY dear, dear Con-
vovulus, it does not look like us to quarrel
among ourselves, because we have been de-
feated from without. We ought to be above
such ruinous practices. So spare your sar-
caSms, or | may be tempted to alter my Sub
Rosa into Sab Convolvulo, that might not suit
your tastes very well re,J. sap. will go and
see the Queen now. You know Gilbert Con-
greve has announced that it is all lie, this
report, which Of course we never knew before,
no indeed. And you are perfectly aware, that if
there Is anything deSpise, it is scandal. At
rerOr ;"
As he went off, he thought within himself,
Too much of rat not TO know when ship
is sinking. Sizes done for, and also, almost.
Ny DAYS Of success are over. What chain of
mishaps one little mistake draws with it. That
cursed Digest! And she--am | never to
have my revenge? What a Queen it is, to be
sure Jovc, twas splendidly done, though
rue the feat. | never saw such contempt as
she gave expression to. Twas foolish move
of ours, any how. But could we have sus-
pected such strength on her part, and such a
cOntretemps as this coming to the rescue by
Congreve? No. Darius Satm: non QJdipus.
Yes, and my back Is as sore with these repeat
ed lashings as if ! were thrice Davus. He
ben, What's done's done, as the darkey
said. What next? Shall / speak to her? Old
Digest has not told her, | am certain, and she
will not turn her back on me again, because
she thinks that would be showing too much in
terest in me. I'll risk it, any how, presently,
and if / am defeated again, why, have the
Parthian's art, and can shoot my deadliest ar
rows flying. 1es-et pour la reUanche-l can
wait. ! rather dished the little Convolvulus,
l think, added he, consohng himself
Ruth was rather afraid of Mrs. Fleming, and
completely bewildered at the events she had
seen transpire around her, without possessing
any clue to the actuating motif. Why this
sudden change on the part of her father? Why
this eager cordiality on the part of Mrs. Flem-
ing? Why this agitation in the crowd, those
sneers, and that sudden food of attention and
solicitious inquiry? She could make nothing
out of it at all, and was puzzling her brains to
understand it, when Mrs. Fleming observed her
embarrassment, and suspected its cause. And
no one could soothe it better. Without keep
ing Ruth at her side all the time, or seeming to
wish to separate her from the company, she
managed to make her feel as if she were con-
stantly near her, ready to help and protect her
in every way, to prompt her wherein she was
ignorant, and to shield her from displaying too
much maucdise hOute. Inexpressibly delicious
was this magnetic charm to Ruth it filled her
heart with joy, and enabled her to enter into
the pleasures of the evening with a zest, that
had one prophesied it before she went there,
she would have laughed at him. And when,
escaping as well as she could from the atten-
tons lavished on her, she resumed her place by
Mrs. Fleming's side, the whispered word of that
lady, the gentle touch of the hand rested for a
moment on hers, the smile that went from those
deep tender eyes to meet hers while filling her
with wonder, made her forget all preconceived
ideas in regard to the Queen and only feel love
towards her, love and devotion.
The evening flew rapidly by.
Gilbert Congreve had stood beside them fire.
quently, conyersing with them in his own calm
measured tones. 1t was growing late now, the
company was beginning to thin and Mr.. Con-
greve had Just reminded Ruth that it was time
for countrybred girls to be abed, when Mr..
Clinquant came up, with his most assured
manner, and began to address Mrs. Fleming.
Gilbert Congreve eyed both without other
tokens of interest than calm attention, while