The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1860-01-18

ink it ANYTHING unusual.

"Good evening, sweet mother" he replied,
throwing himself at full length in an attitude
of careless grace on an ottoman near her.
She said nothing more-nothing of the anx-
iety she had felt from the unusual length OF
his evening ride asked him no questions but
sat quietly there looking at the stars which one
bv one blossomed on the heavenly field. Yet,
t6ouoh her ewes were liked on the heavens,
her thoughts were on the earth alone; her
heartfled with but one vision-herldollzed son.
He well knew this, and though her manner
was always studiously cold, he knew that he
was the idol on which her whole affections,
hopes and ambition conferred.
Left a p%enniless orphan while yet a mere
child, she had only learned the heartlessness
of the world by bitter experience, and natural
" of a proud and sensitive temperament, she
had repaid the many real or fancied sights
that she received with defiant hatred:
She had been placed at a boarding-school by
relatives. who deemed their duty discharged
in giving her an education, and for the gift,
grudgingly bestowed as it was, she felt no gra-
titude.
At school she was beloved by none, for her
naughty and impulsive manners were not cal
culated to gain friends; and when, soon alter
leaving school, she was addressed by a gentle
man of wealth and station, she married him,
not from love, but for a home and position.
She respected him, and in time might have
loved him, had not his death soon occurred,
leaving her a wealthy widow with an infant,
her Waldo. >
On this child, all the repressed affection of
| her passionate nature was lavished. For him
she had lived alone. His welfare and happi-
ness had been her only aim and he, IN return,
loved her with no common love
If she was proud in his manly beauty, of his
talents and accomplishments, he in turn adj
1911 H., orooafnl dignity her cold. DrOud
loveliness, and her polished case of manner
Her imperious will bent to him alone, and he
thus grew to manhood with his faults uncheck-
ed, feeling that his inclinaticns and wh1ms,
however unreasonable, must be gratlhed. His
was naturally a noble nature, but 1t had been
allowed to run wild, and the sturdy weeds of
selfshness had overgrown and nearly choked
out the better and more delicate plants IN his
hearts garden.
the fine manly form, the broad, white brow,
shaded by thick clustering brown curls, the
classical features and sparkling dark eyes OF
Waldo Maitland?
What wander, if even strangers, dazzled by
his graceful manners, saw none OF his faults,
that his mother was blind to them?
She still sat silent, lost in a 6ay-dream of
which he was the hero, when Waldo at length
recalled her from her reverie. "Mother, dear,
sing me a song ?" She rose at once, and going
to a piano near, played several pieces with fine
expression, then suddenly broke forth into song.
Her voice, LIQUID and clear, rang cut in the
stiffness. and Waldo was entranced. He lay
with a smile Just parting his lips, his cheeks
resting on his hand, and his eyes fixed on his
mother with all a lovers fondness.
"Mother," he said, after a pause, you sing
like an angel 1 have never heard but one
person sing like youP
"And who is that 2" asked Mrs. Maitland,
turning from the piano. "1s it Blanche Sey-
mour? And did you ride over to the Anchor
age to see her, that you were SO long away this
evening ?"
"No, mother" he replied 1T did not go to
see Miss Blanche. She sings like an angel !
No. indeed. 1t was Zoe Lyman that [ refer
red to, and I went riding with her this evening"
"Zoe Lyman!p exclaimed his mother, a
dark cloud gathered on her brow "and pray,
who is she z"
ais it possible that you don't know ?" re-
turned her son, coolly. DWELL, she Is the
daughter of Mrs. Maitland's overseer, and
lives in yonder white house that you see peep
ing through the trees" he said, pointing out
of the window.
mAnd is it possible that Waldo Maitland can
SO far forget himself as to pay attention to
such a girl 2" asked his mother, haughtlly.
"Such a girl r' returned Waldo; "she is as
far superior to simpering Blanche Seymour as
an angel to a mortal, and for that matter, far
superior to me, in goodness at least. 1 love
her, mother, and she loves me "
Mrs. Maitland turned pale.
"Can it be, Waldo" she said, in a faltering
voice, "that you would win the affections of an
girl SO far below you in rank, that a
marriage would be impossible, just to while
away the time that hangs heavily on your
hands, leaving her to a broken heart and bit
ter repentance? And what but bitter results
can arise from this mad and foolish attachment?
Oh, my son, 1 had hoped better things of you'll"
sMother ~ impetuously exclaimed Waldo,
"you are the only one who could with impuni-
ty hint at dishonor connected with my name
or Zoe's. You mistake altogether. l intend
to marry her, and that very soon"
"Waldo, you are not, you cannot be serious !
calculated Mrs. Maitland.
"Brt / am, mother; and directly after sup
per 1 am going to see her"
"Waldo !" repeated Mrs. Maitland, "tell me
at once that you are only jesting-a cruel jest"
she added, family.
"No, mother, 1 am serious Zoe Lymsn, and
no other woman, shall! be my wife, and mistress
Magnolia. That is my fixed determination"
"And mine," replied his mother, kissing her
words through her shut teeth, sis this-if you
marry Zoe Lyman, henceforth you are no child
of mine; L am mistress OF Magnolia, thanks
to your fathers foresight-the property is
mine, and [ can and will disinherit you
Think of this for SO sure as you do what you
have threatened, SO surely will [ perform my
solemn VOW. A mothers curse shall follow
you'll L will neuer forgive you"
"Never is a long day" said Waldo, careless
", rising from the ottoman where he had been
lying ~ am going to Mr.. Lyman's to supper,
and hope you will be in better humor when L
return"
So saying, he walked rapidly from the apart
ment, and in another moment his mother saw
his tall figure as ne passed toword the house of
the overseer.
She watched him till he reached the dwell
ing, and even saw the white waving garments
of Zoe, who sprang to meet him..
She could bear it no longer. She sank hea-
Willy into a chair, and pressed her hand to her