Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1850-10-18

g You, Florence, whom have so low
ed-you. it is who have destroyed my
happiness forever. Fool that was not
tosee that you loved another, and he my
friend; for Ineed not inquire TO whom
y ou have given your love but Walter
Leslie, from henceforth, is my foe. Yes.
| swear that he shall bitterly repent the
day thathe stole from his friend the only
love be ever coveted. Let curses des-
cend upon his head, bitter, aye, and
deadly
Hush. Edward, / implore you. Bring
no woe on has head-curse him not; it |
was | who bound him to secrecy-I only |
am TO blame. See, Edward, / kneel to
you; ] beseech you to recall your bitter, |
wicked Words fs
1 Z" 1t is useless" he replied coldIy, and
raising her from her kneeling attitudes
"iti is useless; henceforward for revenge,
and only for revenge, I live. Let the fu-
4 ture show how well l keep this promise.
Farewell"
l. The door closed after Edward Nelson,
and once more Florence was alone.
CHAPTER III.
: Many months had passed the rose of
: summer had faded, and the first leaves
: of autumn were strewn upon the path
! between the houses of Leslie and Mel
son. Again Walter Leslie sat in his stu
r dy, but not alone. Upon silken couch
near her beloved brother lay the beauti-
e full Gertrude. There was softer light
: in the hazel eye, and brighter glow up
!. on the fair cheek. She ,gazed upon the
# setting sun, and sweet were the thoughts
!, Eof the angel child as she looked upon the
S declining orb, buried in masses of Grim
/ son and gold. Slowly she turned from
l. the window and nurmured, Brother, |
= have been thinking of the angels, and |
have wished, as lay here. that when |
1t am taken from you, | may find home
ID beyond those purple clouds. have some.
e. times sorrowed thatI am so afflicted, foI
at l have wished to bound over the lawn
IS and gather those wild flowers we see ii
ID our rides but this evening / have heart
le the angels music, and could almost set
III the glancing of their sunny WINGS
re Gently her brother folded her TO hi
IS; bosom, spoke of his hopes that she wouI,
; : gladden. their hearts yet many days. Bu
glancing at her small. distorted foot, sh,
exclaimed, ooh? why was as am 2
ne Then meeting the sorrowful glance of he
lis brother, she whispered, (" Take me t
IN my mother; Inever murmur there" An
K; Walter took her, and pillowed her upo
SO that gentle bosom, SO ready TO receiv
d her idolized, though crippled child
~ CHAPTER Nv.
at, Once more it is summer-a still, su
ar try day IN August The heat was $
O. very oppressive, that the Nelson's ha
cd seated themselves under the old elm
ng some distance from their dwelling,
1m catch the slightest breeze. Walter Lee
re- lie was there, and by his side sat Flo
ence Neville, while, leaning against a
ne oak at little distance, stood Edwal
sin Nelson, with his naughty lip and scorl
er- ful eye; but there were no traces
passion on his brow, and nothing b
,ry sweetness in his tones. Florence W;
rls satisfied; she remembered her intervie
ak, with Edward, but as troubled dream.-
ent She had locked the secret in her bosor
ard $50 sure was she that lit was but a .su
sep den outbreak of passion on the part
ace Edward; and as he had never allud'
to the subject, but had treated her wi
ok, the frank. brotherly kindness of by-go
ged days, Florence imagined that Edwa
e had repented; for with her woman
lie confidence, she reasoned, 'ehe is I
ind same warm friend Of Walter Leslie, I
i in same kind cousin to myself"
,ale Kate Nelson, the merry heated sis
sol of Edward, had just returned from |
ght house, with the old. butler, abringi
be some refreshments and assshe pass
r. Walter and Florence, she Playfully I
eau claimed, csa. 5.,
,red "Here Walter is ajulepmade express
nile for you, as never could tempt you
you taste any thing of the kind ! now
my oblige me this once. Indeed, ] shall
my sist upon il, or els" e"-and she glanc
ion miscmevously at Florence.
Il of "fhank you, Kate; but am tee
nv taller, by principle, and the pure spai
only ling water my only beverage" Wal
my replied, with asmile.
=. "But just this once, Walter. w
mo- possible harm can there be in drinkin
his mint julep on summers eve so wa
oice as this NowH you were member
the temperance society | would thinl
rave wrong TO urge. But Florence. ioin-y,
if tsatreaties to mine, for am afraid my
only denee is Of no avail
your But her cousin only smiled at Kat
lced earnestness, and Edward added, in
le-l cold, sarcastic tone. ''
love Perhaps Walter fears a drunkar
I be- fate. L can remember, in early boyho
shall that he was not quite SO fastidious !;
.oud, ladies, believe me, Walter signalIy
even tiuguished himself. on one particular
icasion, as yotary of Bacchus.