Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-05-17

me, SO that | may take your face between
my hands," said the woman, growing more
strange in her talk.
Rose obeyed, and her mother, bowling her
own stern, dark face, shut that oft girl be-
tween her hands, and gazed upon it wistful-
", critically, murmuring-,
''Fair face, delicate features, complexion
pure us the inside Of a conch-shel, white,
and flushed with red: hair like fine yellow
silk, and eyes blue and clear as those of in
fancy: hands, small and elegant. have not
let poverty spoil your beauty, have |, my
child?"
'No, dear mother, you have let kindness
more likely spoil me-" said Rose, in simple
wonder at her words.
Il have not let your person grow coarse
with hard work. have |, dear?
'No, mother; notwithstanding that ought
to have worked with you, and for you"
"Your hands have never been roughened
by helping me in the laundry?"
mo, mother; though they ought to have
BEEN"
''Nor have your sweet eyes been spoiled
by needle work."
mo, good mother; have been as useless
as fine lady, to my shame"
"And have worked hard to save you from
work, aud to pay for your schooling, have |
not?"
"Dear mother, you have! You have been
the best mother i'll the world and only too
good to me-. But | will try to repay YOU"
"Think of all that tomorrow, child; and
mhem oH The count,y aro"nd shudcie's at my
crin,s 1rhen all tie yeopie Gull darn impreca-
fi0as npon my name, do not yoM curse one
who has nourishcd you at her bosom, when
that bosom is cold in DEATH" said the wo-
man, solemnly.
OH she is mad! madw exclaimed Rose, in
dismay, ut hearing these words; then lower
ing her voice, she said, Mother! mother !.
try to collect YOURSELF 1t is |, your poor
daughter Rose, that knecls before you. Do
you not know me?"
"Ay, know you we'll and know what
say" repeated the woman, solemnly.
Mother why do you talk 50 wildly? 1t
is very dreadful! But you are not well =
let me go for some one."
eyes; you must 60 for some one. You
must go to the castle this afternoon" " said the
woman, in the same tone Of deep gravity.
.'To the castle. | mother" exclaimed
Rose, III surprise.
"les, you must go to the castle; and, when
YOU yet there, ask to see her who calls her
self Lady Etheridge."
The baroness Dear mother, why does
your thoughts so run upon the baroness?-
What is she to us? Besides, is it likely that
she will see me, poor girl, perfect stran-
ger, this day of all others, when she sees no
Onc?'
"lIush, Rose! and for once obey one whom
you lure SO iomg lookei mpon as your mother.
1t will be the last time will ask you to do
~. Demand to be admitted to the presence
Of the baroness. Say that you come upon a
matter fife and death, that nearly concerns
her ladyship; insist and she will not ven
ture to refuse you. When you stand before
Lady Etheridge, say that her old nurse,
Maglalene Elmer"
.'IIer nurse mother! You Lady Ethe-
ridges nurse never knew that belore."
interrupted Rose, i'll surprise.
"There are many things that yon never
knew, my child. But attend Say to the
baroness that Magdalcnc Elmer is dying!'
" Dying. Oh mother, do not say sol it is
very cruel! You are not sick. in bed-you
are sitting up. You are not old either, but
have many years of life before you -
"Child, hear my words, but do not judge
them. Say to lady Etheridge that Magdalene
Elmer herdyIng nurse, prays-nay, demands
to see her this night. Tell her that Ihare u
contc$sion to maize Mat she must hcar to night,
or ncce,! Coniure her by all she holds
dear on earth. by all her hopes of Heaven! by
all her fears Of hell. to come to me tonight!
Tell her j size ~on'd escape tie heocteSt
culSc fhat couii dayLcN q woman'S life, to
come to me tonight. to come to me at once.
There, get on your bonnet, and go."
The above sall of this story that will be
published in our columns The continual
ton of it from where it leaves off here, can
bc found only in the New York Ledger, the
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where papers are sold. Remember and ask
for the New York Ledger of May 26, and in
it ynn Will lind the continuation Of the story
fron where it leaves off here.
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