New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-05-12

with cust 10 her aotence coarse ca pet covered the
| foor-aeh cheap musin vailed tie only window A Tent
| bedstead with faded curtains stood IN the fs,,sns
corner. Opposite this stood mangle another oorns,
was filed up with stare ase, having closet under n
| and the fourth corner adorned with a eanl<..S
| through tie glass doors Of which little store ~
earihenware shone There was a srnolderng 6rs Z,
the CRATE and beside this fire. in old ar1a-chai, "a,
| woman, whom no one would have passed without
second look. She was woman Of COMMANDING
presente. Her form was tall, and must once ba,s
| been finely rounded; but i was worn On
aimct 10 ekeletOn DeageTpess Her features Nc,
nobly chi.eled, and might once have been 0ranSiv
beautiful but now they were sunken and emaciat4d (,
! those Of DEATH Under her broad and prominent o..
head, and heavy black eyebrows, .hone pa,, ~
large, darkgay eyes, that burned fercely win o.
bros OF fever or Of frenzy. Her jet black hair selv
streaked with silver, was half covered with a "a
hanaEerhei ted beneaih her chin, and partly fallen
in elf locks down one side Of her face. rusty bIasL
gown and sLawl completed her dress.
As the door opened, admitting Rose she .nrnsA
quickly in her chair fixing her eyes with Iook Of
fierce inquiry upon the intruder.
" How you now mother dear hone you f.l
in better spirts'" said Rose laying off her bonner
and coming TO the woman's side.
Better. Where have you beeni have WAVED
YOU
az have been--taking a walk through the wood,
dear mother; and see, here wild strayb>y.
ries picked for you on my return. win You "a.
them ~ said Rose, offering her little basket
"No; / want none Of them. You care httle Tor
me-"
Mother, don't say that You do not know bow
"Hush, girl, you have little cause-oh"
And the woman suddenly struck her hand upon her
heart, dropped her head upon her breast aud seemed
eonvulsed by come great agony Her features worked
frigbtfully, her frame slIuddered.
Mother mother what is The matter 7" exclaimed
Rose, throwing her around the woman in great
alarm.
at is-past," gasped the woman, breathing wah
great difficulty.
What was il, dear y
"a spasm. II is gone
ooh, mother, will il return y
perhaps"
"Let me run for neghbor, or the doctor"
Nay, you must run somewhere che 10-morrow
Laure-Lady Etheridge of Swinburne, WEEDS wild
Albert Hastings, of Hastings Hall. IL is not p
"Snrely, dear mother, the village s full OF u wed.
ding and talks Of nothing else. The village children
have been employed all day in bearing flowers 70 deco.
rate the castle church. and TO in the path Of he
bride ar she oOmes-they love her 70 we'll
Yes, che is a high and mighty lady, yet, sweet and
gracious as becomes one 50 exalted Come hitler Rh
kneel down before me, 70 that | may take yoar lace
between my hands," said the woman, growing more
strange in her talk.
Rose obeyed, and her MOTHER bowling her owl stern.
dark face, shut that Of the girl between her banda
and gaztd upon il wishfully, critically, murmurng,
{" Fair face delicate features, complexion pure A
the inside of a conchsheD, white, and flushed witt red
hair like fine yellow silk, and eyes blue and char as
those of infancy; hands, small and elegant. have
not let poverty spoil your beauty, have my child :"
g No, dear mother, you have let kindness more
likely spo me, said Rose, in simple wonder, q her
words
Il have rot let your person grow coarse with hard
work have |, dear 7"
mo, mother notwithstanding that ought to have
worked with you and for you"
I" Your hands have never been roughened by helping
me in the laundry r.
No, mother; though they ought to have been.'
Nor have your sweet eyes been spoiled by needle.
work 2"
mo, good mother; have been az useless as fine
lady, TO nay shame"
:; And Ihaye worked hard to save YOU from work.
and to pay for your schooling, have not !" i
" Dear mother, you have You have been the ted
mother in the world, and only too good 10 me. Bal
will try to repay you"
Think of all that tomorrow, child; aud When an
the country around shudders my crime when all he
people cali down impreeations upon ray name do no.
you eurse one who Las nourishea you at her bosom,
when that bosom is cold in DEATH" said the woman,
solemly.
'"Oh che s mad madp' exclaimed Rose, in liz
may, at hearing these words then lowering her voice.
she said, Mother! mother try to collect yourself!
1t is l, your poor daughter Rose that kneels before
You. Do you not know me 7"
SAY, know you well, and / know what say
repeated the woman, soemnly.
Mother! oh, why do you talk so wildly III
very dreadful! But you are not well -let me 20 fr
ONE one"
Yes; YOU must GO for some one. You must a. 10
the castle this afternoon, said the woman the saus
tone OF deep gravity.
"To the castle /, motherw exclaimed Rose, in |
surprise.
''Yes, you must 60 to the CASTLE and when you Get
there, ark 10 her who calls herself Lady Ether
dge.n
T'The baronessl Dear mother why do yor
thoughts go run upon the baroness What is she 10
ls2 Besides, is it likely that she will see me, poor
GIRL perfect stranger this day Of all Others when she
ices no one =
Hush, Rose! and for once obey one whom ys
ave go long looked upon rs your mother. IL will b
he last time will ask you to do 70. Demand 10 v
admitted III the presence OF the baroness Say thar yot
ave come upon matter of life and DEATH that nearly
oncerDs her ladyship insist, and she will not ventur
Q refuse you. When you stand before Lady Ether Z
dge, say that her old nurse, Magdalene Elmer" L
"Her nurse, mother! You Lady Etheridgef I
ulse! never knew that before !" interrupted Rose
n surprise.
There are many things that you never knew, my \
hid But attend! Say to the baroness that Aagds
enc Elmer is dying
Dying Oh mother, do not say so II Is vep
ruel You are not sick in bed-you are sitting upl Il
ou are NOT old either but have many years Of life b.
ore YOU"
Child hear my words, but do not iudge them
lay to Lady Etheridge that Msgdaene Elmer bs
ymg nurse prays-nay, demands--to see her this I
ight Tel her that have confession tc make thsi
ne must hear tonight, or never Conjure her by al
he holds dear on earth by all her hopes Of Heaven Il
y all her fears of he'll to come to ne tonight Tel I
if she would escape the heaviest curse that cou1
arken womans life, 10 come TO me tonight 70
OF L
Mother -"
"Gor
Oh indeed fear her wits are wandering II
not safe to leave her alone 20 thought Rose, In dis
ets.
Rose, will you obey me Z"
Mother, yes, certainy but let me send some one
stay with you while am gone"
DO as you please az 10 that, only lose no time on u
Gun way TO the castle said the woman, in tone Of n
leriy that admitted of no opportunity 70 her will