Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1894-10-12
CHAPTER XVIII
THE DAUGHTER AND uER MOTHER.

CHAPTER XVIII.
THE DAUGHTER AND uER MOTHER.
It required on the part Of Eugene Cleyo-
l1nd. this same mo ng, an exertion OF
all his courage 10 perform his duty as
gentlemen in receiving Mr.. and Mrs Le-
land uron their return home. But coura
had been for some time past his sole re-
naming virtue; and tbs, at least, he
sought never to lose.
He received them mos. gracefully-hls
father and mother-in-la as ttey de-
scended from their carriage aud entered
the broal hall.
MIR. Leland was much broken in health.
The trip, VIII ch it had cen hoped would
benefit, had only wearied him; and now,
on 9gain entering his own door, ne be ged
to be at ce as listed 10 his sleeping
loom.
Mrs. Leland fingered in surprise at not
seeing her daughter there to meet them,
and cast an inquiling look upon Eu-ene
lie informed her taat she had been a
little indisposed since the preceding even
inc. Notwithstanding the precautions he
took in his language and by his smile, he
could not PIE ent Mrs. Leland from feel
ing lively alarm.
lie did not pretend, howeve~, ntrely
to reassnre her. Under his reserved and
measured replies, she felt the present
ment OF some disaster. After having
pressed h m with many quest oas. she
suddenly turned and hurried up stairs
Flora, to spare her mother the first
shock, lad quilted her bed and dressed
herself: and the poor child had even put
little rouge en- her pale cheeks. Eu
gene. who had hastened after bis mother
in-law, himself opened for her the door
of her daughters chamber, and then
withdrew.
Allthat passed between them at first was
silent interchange OF mutual ca esses.
Then the mother seated herself near
her daughter, drew her bead on her
BOSOM and looked into the depths of her
eyes.
what is the natter" she asked sadly.
"Oh, nothing-nothing hopeless! only
you must love your little Flo more than
ever. Will You not:"
"Yes; but Why"
q must not worry you; and must not
wrong myself, either. You know why!"
yes; but L implcre you, my darling
to tell me,
VERY WE'LL Will tell you everything
But, mo.her, yoI must be as brave as
am.
She buried her head lower still on her
mothers bre st, and commsn snced to re-
count to her, in low voice, without
looking up once, the terrible revelation
which had been made to her, and which
her husbands az o val had confirmed.
Mrs Leland did rot oO:e interrupt her
during THIS cruel recital. She only i'm
printed a kiss on her hair from time TO
tune.
Flora. who id not dare 10 raise her
ewes to her, as though she were ashamed
of another's crime, might have imagined
that she had exaggerated the gravity OF
her misfortune, since her mother had re-
ceiyed the confidence W tn SO much calm
ness. But the calmness of Mrs. Leland
at this terrible moment was that of the
martyrs; for a that co Id have been
suffered by the Christians under the
claws of the tiger, or on the rack OF the
torturer, this mother was suffering at the
hands of her best-beloved daughter.
Her beautiful pale IA cher large eyes
upturned TO heaven, like those they give
to the pure Victims Rncel'ng in the koman
circus appeared as though demanding
for such torture.
strength to smile at her daughter, who at
last looked up to her with an expression
of timid un ertainity, embracing her
, more tightly still. 49,.
well, my darling" said she, at last, it
is a great Fiction, it is true. You ale
ii hit, notwithstanding; there is nothing
to despair of "
do you really believe so?"
Certainly. There is some inconceiv-
able mystery under all this; but be as
sured that tie evil is not so terrible as it
appears.
my poor mother but he has acknowl-
edged it?"
Il am etter pleased he has acknowl-
edged it. That proves he has yet some
pride, and some good yet left in bis soul
Then, too, he feels very much afllic ed; he
suffers as much 40 we do. Think ofthat.
Let us think of tn future, my darling
They clasped each others bands, and
smilsd at one another 10 restrain the tears
which filed the eyes of both.
After few minu e5
Il must 60 to your poor father now, nv
child" said Mrs Leland, END then l
would like TO repose for half an hour"
Il will accompany You TO papa's room.
Oh, can walk l feel great deal better. l"
Il think you had better wait little,
nv DEAR Your fatLer is reposing after
the fatig CUES of The journey. [ will come
for you by and by"
VERY we'll, mamma.
Mrs. Leland rose o leave the room. A
the door size turned:
"Be sensible" she sad with another
smile.
Aud yoa also, re, oined Flora, whose
voice failed her.
Mrs. Lei nd FASTENED to her own
p lvate room, closed and locked the door.
raised her cl.sped hands toward Heaven;
then, falling on her knees before the bed,
she buried her head it, and commenced
to weep despairngly.
Flora, left alone in her Dom, dropped
upon her knees, ella. ped her hands, and
supplicated the Great Thron9 for strength
TO bear the te1ible trial through which
she was pass ng.
Tie apartment occupied ty Engene was
continuous to this chamber. lie had been
walking with log strides up and down
thp r1Om eN. art inu avor ,,o,oont : . -