The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-01-13

'eyck. Mrs. Fleming then waited, TALL this took
AIT minute in action, but il nevertheless in
vtlved the passion and tension of years of ordi.
tgry life, therefore we have to be slow in setting
&c all forth,) a well-feigned smile on her lip as
| they drew near-the Morninglory sailing down
4 e room, "bedecked, ornate, and gay"
| ? Like stately ship
or farsus, bound for tn isles
OF Javan or Gadire,
With all her bravery on, and tackle trim,
sails hlied, and streamefs waving,
: Coprted by all the winds that hold item play
An ar Der scent OF odorons perfume
Her harbinger, damsel train behind :"
oli she came, conveyed by the Clinquant, whose
ntstrils were distended like wolf who scents
his prey from afar. On they came by that calm,
peasant smile enticed on further than they
hid meant to go-what a sorceress-power was
il that smile of Gree land them Just as they
w're pausing, and setting their faces for the
ct7np-de9rdce, while all the room looked on with
ried emotions, Mrs. Fleming, still smiling,
deliberately wheeled short around and turned
her back upon them
p Brapa! hdrd! encore, bis :" cried old Di-
gsst, clapping his hands as if he had Just been
| witnessing some splendid theatrical coup de
as5it,e, while murmuf of surprise succeeded
b.; half-laugh ran around the hail. as the dis
c.snhted conspirators passed on. None of this
WIS heard by Mrs. Fleming. Her ears were
filed with the sound of voice, oh, how famil
ifi once a calm measured voice, and not un-
IL lodious, voice that said, not loudly, nor yet
IL a whisper, not exultingly, but in tone OF
| q let approval:
| 20 Well done I"
.Only those words; hut they struck chord
il Mrs Flemings breast that had been long,
log untouched, and its vibrations so thrilled
h.f, that she gasped convulsively, with face for
moment CHASTITY pale, as she turned slightly,
a ID saw Gilbert Congreve at her elbow, with his
laughter clinging to his arm Whatever emo
tfns stormed through her soul then, she gave no
o. tward expression to them beyond that mo.
nientary pallor, but stood still Queen before the
room and before Gilbert Congreve. Ruth's
ia her must have envied the woman's wondrous
mastery of self, then, for even las voice trem
bhd, as he said, trying to affect the tones of al
ordinary salutation, and holding out his hanc
to her:
!" Mrs. Fleming, it is long since we met.
an glad to see you looking so well. Allow me
to present my daughter to you, ard to ask fol
her the kindly notice Of so distinguished leader
liz. society" His tone of voice was intention
ally loud enough TO be heard by those around
them.
Peace, bounding heart Be still
AYE, she knew it all, now. He had come to
save her, not to see her crushed. He had sac
riaced his pride, and for her sake, when she
would have died, rather Peace. throbbing
heart Back, tears-back yet, awhile Not
hste, oh-but with what relieving gush, pres
el;y, when the proud head, ali humbled now
shall rest upon the pillow and ache with Joy
AID love. Peace
She laid her white hand in his for moment
wAile gazing into his eyes. Did he read there
the emotions that heaved her ruby-crowneC
bfeast-the pain that throbbed behind tina
w.iite brow-the telltale tears that hardly woul(
ss1y back? If not, why did he say, with kindlr
significance
:" The room seems very warm do you no
feel it so, Mrs. Fleming?'''
oh, he must have known her well
With another glance Of her eye, she thanked
ard rewarded him then turned TO Ruth, anC
to9k her hand again-to Ruth, whose face haC
crimsoned at mention of that name-whose ey,
feared to look up Once-who trembled as if il
al ague.
e have never seen you before, Miss Con
grove" said the Queen, z" but one cannot easill
fofget that face. We shall be friends-that is
if sou can admit an old woman into your friend
ship"
Ruth dared to look up now, her face enliveneC
with eloquent thanks, willing to make much o.
these words, but she made no distinct reply
" Ruth is not used to being fattered, Mrs
Fleming" said Mr. Congreve. This is hel
first ball, and she is very timid, having no ex
perience in society. You will have to teach hel
some of your selfpossession and insouciance
Who else could have done what you have done
this EVENING"" added he, in lower tone.
Mrs. Flemings look was worth kings ran
som, as she replied in the same low tone, muir
muringly-
Who else acould have done what you have
done, this evening""
Well, put my daughter in your charge
Mrs. Fleming. / see several ladies anxious tC
speak with you, as well as une grande .foule de,
MeSsiearS, who will never forgive me if l mo
nopolize their guiding star. l will presently
return, said he, moving away, and taking off thu
embarrassed Classic with him.
TO BE CONTINUED.