Union County star and Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1859-1864, 1860-05-25

4 pIettu utT uTesS.
As the door opened, admitting Ros,
she turned quickly in her chair, fixiug be
eyes with look of fierce inquiry upon th
intruder.
elbow are you now, mother dear?
hope you feel in better spirits! ?" sal
Rose, laying off her bonnet, and coming t
the womah's side.
"Better. Where have you been?
have wanted you.'
81 have been-taking q walk throug
the woods, dear mother; and see, here ar
some wild strawberries l picked for yo
on my return. Will you eat them p sal
Rose, Offering her little basket.
"No; want rome Of them. Yon car
little for me.'
"Mother, don't say that. You do no
know how much love you"
"Hush, girl, you have little cause-ob!
And the woman suddenly struck he
hand upon her heart, dropped her hea'
upon her breast, aud seemed eonvulsed b,
some great agony. Her features worked
frightfully, her frame shuddered.
"Mother mother. what is the matter"
exclaimed Rose, throwing her arms arounc
the woman in great alarm.
"It is-past," gasped the woman, brea'
thing with great difficulty.
"What was it, dear p
ga spasm. 1t is gone"
GOb. mother. will il return 2"
"Perhaps."
"Let me run for ncighbor or the doc
tor"
"Nay, you must run somewhere else
Tomorrow, Laura-Lady E;heridge of
Swinburne, weds with Albert Hastings,
of Hastings Hall. 1t is SO, is it not?"
"Surely, dear mother, the village is
full of the wedding, aud talks of nothing
else. The village children have been en-
ployed all day in bearing flowers to decor.
ale the castle church, and to strew in the
path of the bride as she comes-they love
her so we'll"
"Yes, she is high and mighty lady ;
yet, sweet and gracious as becomes one so
exalted. Come hirher, girl, kneel down
before me, SO that may take your face
between my hands "
Rose obeyed, and her mother, bowing
her own stern, dark face, shu, that of the
sirl between her hands, and gazed upon it
Sistfully, critically, murmuring-
"Fair face, delicate features, complexion
pure as the inside Of conch shell, white,
md flushed with red hair like fine yel-
ow silk, and eyes blue and clear as those
If infancy; hands, small aud elegant. l
,ave not let poverty spoil your beauty,
lave |, my child?"
"No, dear mother, you have let kind
,ess more likely spoil me-" said Rose, in
imple wonder at her words.
81 have not let your person grow coarse
With hard work, have |, dear!"
"No, mother; notwithstanding that l
ught to have worked with you, aud for
'ou."
"Your hands have never been roughen.
d by helping me in the laundry Z"
"No, mother; though they ought to
ave been"
"Nor have your sweet eyes been spoiled
y Deedle-work p
"No, good mother; | have been as use
,ss as fine lady, to my shame"
Sand | have worked hard TO save you
-om work, and to pay for your schooling,
ave l not?"
"Dear mother, you have! You have
cen the best mother in the world, and on.
: too good to me. But | will try to re-
ay you"
"Think of all that to morrow, child
nd uhen all the country around Audders
my crime, arhen all tie people call dozen
nprecations upon my name, do 1ot ,you
urse one who has nourished you at her
osom, when that bosom is cold in DEATH"
aid the woman, solemnly.
"Oh she is mad mad!" exclaimed
Jose, in dismay, at hearing these words
,en lowering her voice, she said, "Mo,b-
r :! mother! try to collect YOURSELF! 1t
|, your poor daughter Rose, that kneels
efore you. Do you not know me ?"
cay, ! know you we'll, and l know what
say" repeated the woman, solemnly.
"Mother! oh, why do you talk so Wild
!? 1t is very dreadful! But YOU are
ot we'll let me go for some one."
eyes; you must 60 for some one. You
'ust 60 to the castle this afternoon" said
,e woman in the same tone of deep
ravity.
"Tothe castle! l, mother~ exclaimed
Jose, in surprise.
"Yes, you must 60 to the castle and,
hen you get there, ask to see her who
,lls herself Lady Etberidge"
"The baroness !! Dear mother, why
o your thoughts so run upon the baron
IS? What is she to US? Besides, is it |
kelly that she will see me, poor girl, a
erfect stranger, this day of all others,
hen she sees no one p
"Hush, Rose and for once obey one
HON you hare SO long looked upon as
our mother. 1t will be the last time l |
ill ask you to do so. Demand to be ad.
fitted to the presence Of the baroness.
ay that yo1 have come upon matter of
fe and death, that nearly concerns her
ldyship; insist, and she will not venture
, refuse you. When you stand before
.ady Etheridge, say that her old nurse,
Iagdalene Elmer"
"Her nurse, mother! You Lady Eth
ridges nurse! | never knew that be-
ore J" interrupted Rose, in surprise.
GTbere are mauy things that you peyer |