Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1850-10-18
Cbnirf Iittraturf.
From the Monumental Fountain.
Walter Leslie. Or the Fatal Julep.


From the Monumental Fountain.
Walter Leslie. or the Fatal Julep.
CHAPTER l.
1t was the sweet hour Of twilight, and
Walter Leslie sat alone in his study, |
weaving those golden visions of the fu-
ture which are SO seldom realized
Scarce twenty summers had cast their
sunshine over the pale, calm brow ofthe
dreamer, and there were few shadows in
the dreamy depths of his deep blue eye.l
Tall and finely Proportiened, with a.
graceful carriage and fascinating dress,
Walter Leslie was one formed 10 attract
the attention and win the heart. He was
an only son, the hope and pride Of his
parents, the heir Of immense wealth, for
he had but one sister, a delicate, but
lovely child, of some nine years. Ger
trude Leslie was very beautiful, and also
very lame. The poor afflicted one was
the idol Of her parents and brother, and
| by he: sweetness and patience, together
with an intelligence beyond her years,
endeared herselfto all who knew her,
The nearest neighbors of the Leslies
were the Nelson's, family of considera-
able influence and wealth. Edward Mel
son, the eldest, was some FIVE years the
senior Of Walter Leslie; he possessed
great talents, but was in temper warm,
ardent and resentful. His demeanor
was scorhful and naughty in the extreme,
/ yet there was species Of beauty in the
proud curl of the red lip, or the light
ning-like glance Of the deep black eye
!, Kate Nelson was ii merry-hearted girl o
seventeen, full Of life and joyousness
while her cousin, Florence Neville, wa.
, being of gentleness and grace, exceed
ingly beautiful, and with shade of pen
siveness mingling with the natural gaye
E ty of the youthful heart.
: To return 10 Walter Leslie. Twiligh
shades were deepening into night, an,
! he still sat absorbedin a dreamy reverie
! The evening breeze. came gently in a
I the study window, bearing upon its wing
the breath of jassamine and rose, an
lifting the dark, clustering curls from th
: brow of the dreamer. But the playfr
: breeze was unheeded his thoughts wer
/ with the loved one, The idol of his dream.
!, and where was the beautiful Florence
CHAPTER II.
> In richly furnished apartment, in th
" splendid mansion Of MIR Nelson, sat b
e orphan niece. Her golden hair hung
Il rich curis over her fair. polished neck
Ie there was deep shadow in.the eyes
,e dark and deeply blue, and line Of sat
st ness upon the pure white brow. Sh
le too, had been musing : but. her though
u were with the past. Long had she sa
" recalling the images of the loved depa
g ted ones. Florence wept. The door
q, Ipened softly, and Edward Nelson stoc
n. before her. One glance at his weepir
of cousin, and the bright smile faded fro
eyI his lip: then, in tone Of mingled r
s. lproach and sadness, he Said
n Why do you weep, Florence? A
u you not happy With us2 Come, cous
nd mine, give me one of your heart-chee
N. ing smiles
he And Florence did smile, but We
d. family; and brushing back her long cul
she raised her beautiful face with fran
lot kindly look and met the warm, arde
I'll gaze Of her cousinbe upon her. Edwa
RS, seated himself beside her, and de
dE crimson oyerspead his usually pale IA
nd as he spoke.
do Florence, he began, and.the quit
5 restless glance Of his seyeswas eXchang
ler fora a softened look, Florence, | hav,
Cor few words for your ear. Listen, whil
the tell you that which has been on my mi
but for months. When | first saw you
= your mourning garments, looking SO p
! of andsad, | pitied you; and then res
md we'd that, wild and wayward as I mi,
be to others, to you | would ever
Ter, kind and gentle as an elder brother
,es, But when, day after day, | saw your be
YOU ty increase-when each hour rende
Vas dearerto to me the sunlight Of your sn
rch II loUed you; and when I found ]
TRY ever ready to palliatg and excuse
.on- faults, and sympathize with me in
rch very grief, | loved YOU yet more passi
its ately. With you, Florence, the evi
lent my nature seems subdued. And oh,
;on- cousin, scorn moi this love; it is the o
lolc bright spot in the wild desert of
ect. heart" .aS
for Edward paused, overcome by his Ell
it is ton, and the large drops stood upon
Iade forehead. Florence arose, and her "
the sad and mournful, as she said,
"Alas! Edward, that / should h
3. ever entered your fathers dwelling,
am to blight the. affections of his Q
date son !; and oh I my cousin. recall y
ned words Of Phrenzy. / am the afian
,ept- wife of another and if no tie bound m
iety. if Iswere free tomorrow j could never
ltion you but as.I now do Il should wither
His meath your scorn. But, Edward, I S
own regard you as my brother-my PR
exile, gifted brother-and / will love you c
,urse as / have ever done.'