Litchfield enquirer., 1872-05-16
THE EXPERIENCES oF 4 HARRIS.
 TER...HO. g.
The Mother and Son.

The Mother and Son.
 Dinner had been over half an hour one Sunday afternoon-th only day on which for years have been able to enjoy din ner-and was leisurely sipping giass of wine, when carriage drove rapidly up to the door, a loud rat-fat followed, and my friend Dr. Curteis, to my great sur prise, was announced
 ''I have called" said the doctor as we shook hands, ''to ask you to accompany me to Mount Place I have just received hurried note from Miss ArInitage, stat ing that her mother, after a very brief illness, is rapidly sinking, and requesting my attendance, as we'll as that of legal gentleman, immediately"
 "Mrs. Armitage" I exclaimed, inex- pressibly shocked. ''Why. it is scarcely more than fortnight ago that met her at the Rochfords' in brilliant health and spirits"
 "Even so. But will you accompany me? l don't know where to find any one else for the moment, and time presses.
 "1t is an attorney, probably, rather than barrister, that is needed: but under the circumstances, and knowing her as I do, cannot hesitate"
 We were soon bowling along at rapid pace, and in little more than an hour reached the dying lady's residence, situat- ed in the county of Essex, and distant about ten miles from London. We en- tered together; and Dr. Curteis, leaving me in the library, proceeded at once to the sick chamber. About ten minutes af- forwards the housekeeper, a tall, foreign looking, and rather handsome woman, came into the room, and announced that the doctor wished to see me. She was deadly pale, and, ] observed, trembled like an aspen. I motioned her to precede me; and she, with unsteady steps, imme- diately led the way. So great was her agitation, that twice, in ascending the stairs, she only saved herself from falling by grasping the banister-rail. The pre- sage drew from the exhibition of such overpowering emotion, by person whom knew to have been long not only in the service, but in the confidence of Mrs. Armitage, was soon confirmed by Dr. Curteis, whom we met coming out of the chamber of the expiring patient.
 ''Step this way" said he, addressing me, and leading to an adjoining apart ment "We do not require your attend ance, Mrs. Bourdon,' said he, as soon as We reached it, to the housekeeper, who had swiftly followed us, and now stood staring with eager eyes in the doctors face, as if life and death hung on his lips. Have the goodness to leave us," he added tartly, perceiving she did not stir, but continued her fearful, scrutinizing glance. She started at his altered tone, flushed crimson, then paled to a chalky 1aff or% ment.
 ''The danger of her mistress has bewil- dered her, I remarked.
 ''Be that as it may, Mrs. Armitage is be- yond all human help. In smother hour she will be, as we say, no more. her disorder?'
 "A rapid wasting away, as I am in- formed. The appearances presented are those of person expiring of atrophy, or extreme emaciation."
 Indeed. And so sudden too!'
 ''Yes. am glad you are come, af- though your professional services illnot, it seems, be required-a neighboring at borney having performed the necessary believe, relative to
 
 further together by and by. In the mean ceptible tremor in his voice, ''it will do neither of us any harm to witness the closing scene of the life of Mary Rawdon, whom you and I twenty years ago wor- shipped as one of the gentlest and most beautiful of beings with which the Crea- tor ever gracsd his universe. It will be peaceful parting. Come"
 Just as, with noiseless footsteps, we entered the silent death-chamber, the last rays of the setting sun were falling upon the figure of Ellen Armitage-who knelt in speeches. agony by the bedside of her expiring parent-and fsintly lighting up the pale, emaciated, sunken features of the so. lately brilliant, courted Mrs. Armitagei But for the inefaceable splen- dor of her deep-blue eyes, I should scarce ly have recognized her. Standing in the shadow. as thrown by the heavy bed drapery, we gazed and listened unper ceived.
 'tEllen," murmured the dying lady, "come nearer to me. It is growing dark, and cannot see you plainly. Now, then, read to me, beginning at. the verse you finished with, as good Dr. Curteis entered. Ay," she faintly whispered, Sit is thus, Ellen, with thy hand clasped in mine, and with the words of the holy book sounding from thy dear lips, that I would pass away!"
 Ellen, interrupted only by her binding tears, making sad stops, complied. Twi- light stole on, and through its shadow over the solemn scene, deepening its holi- ness of sorrow. Night came with all her train; and the silver radiance kissed into ethereal beauty the pale face of the weep ing girl, still pursuing her sad and sacred task. We hesitated to disturb, by the slightest movement, the repose of a death bed over which belief and hope, those only potent ministers, shed light and calml At length Dr. Curtsis advanced gently towards the bed, and taking the daughters hand, said in 8 low voice, ssHad you not better retire, my dear young lady, for few moments?" She understood him. and rising from her knees, threw herself in an ecstacy of grief upon the corpse, from which the spirit had just passed away. Assistance was summoned, and the sobbing girl was borne from the chamber
 I descended, full of emotion, to the i- brary, where Dr. Curteis promised short ly to join me. Noiselessly entering the room, I came suddenly upon the house. keeper and tall young man, standing with their backs towards me in the recess es of one. of the windows, and partly shrouded by the heavy cloth curtains. They were evidently in earnest confer ence, and several words, the significance of which did not for the moment strike me, reached my ears before they per ceived my approach. The instant they did so, they turned hastily round, and eyed me with an expression of Hurried alarm, which at the time surprised me not little. s.An sis over. Mrs. Bourbon, !" said I, finding she did not speak; "and your presence is probably needed by Miss. A flash of intelligence, as spoke. passed between the pair; but whether indicative of grief or joy, 50 momentary was the glance, I should have been puzzled to de- termine. The housekeeper immediately left the room, keeping her eyes, as she passed, fixed upon me with the same ner- 'vous, apprehensive look which had before irrikafed DP Curfeis The v0uuO man