Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-04-04

ledueT. OlenQ0ra, atlIreu Tor nef ONCE
OF brldemaid, and almost ready 10 seek
her cousins chamber approached her
dtesslng-table, and opened secret draw
erto look for Ida's gift-a little bouquet
OF diamonds, with which she was TO loop
up one side Of her luxuriant curls. AS
she touched spring the drawer flew
open, and there lay the object of her
search, but just above its cushion, and as
If thrown in hastily. the anonymous mis-
s've and the beautiful Italian polgnard.
She started, for it was the first time she
had seen them since her recovery, and
they brought back the fearful truth which
had maddened her as she tossed them
INTO that secret repository, and flung her
self upon the couch which almost proved
death-bed. Throwing the diamonds
on the toilette she took up the stiletto.
and hastily closing the drawer, turned
away to the open easement, as if for
space to breathe.
'rhe atmosphere is stirling she ra-
ther gasped than spoke, as she bent over
the stone frame work. and gazed out up
on the beautiful scene below. Again ii
was the early autumn. The yellow
moon-beams fell through the crimson
leaves of the OLD maple-tree. whose high
est branches looked into her window, ami
poured in food of radiance over the
, succeed walls of the mansion, the white
Offices, and dark oak grove which lay
like guardian army round the rear of
the house and garden, while down the
long avenue many-colored lamps glm-
mered through the trees, and at short
!, intervals was heard the rattle of wheels,
and the bustle announcing some fresh
), arrival Of the guests. 'Ora's heart was
;. a thousand miles away-she shivered TO
!. remember that this was the anniversary
d of that evening which one year ago had
e witnessed her last school girls triumph,
,r her first woman's degradation.
y That was but dawn to the deepen-
Il ing horrors Of the present, and GIendora,
1t with dropping eye, weary and sick at
e heart was about to close the easement,
l. when carriage dashed up TO the door,
l. and numberof gentlemen, among whom
i her quick glance detected the manly
i form Of Lyttleton Melbourne, alighted
Is and ascended the steps leading 10 the
lie grea, hall. A fash Of something almost
n like joyful surprise, yet waning into that
er singularIy cold and brilliant smile which
at was now peculiar to her wavering moods,
y quivered over her countenance Glen
$ dora was not quite herself, and thus she
re reasoned. His heart is mine, it shall
h be my protection. can make his hap.
ST piness and will do it. He loves me
ht he will save me this night decides it
" honor able protection, or honorable DEATH!
to and as she spoke her white finger,
Y clenched the gittering steel the doo
Ii opened, and hastily concealing it in hel
lg bosom, she turned to meet her cousin
g. and receive her gentle chiding
:, When GlendoIa, in compliance will
=, :, her cousins whispered request, left tht
- chamber 10 bring her the favorite rose
.. bud. it must be confessed it was no
he without some strange misgivings. Nat
y urally, fear was stranger to her nature
.r and had she now been in perfect health
she would have scorned the idea; bu
- weakened as she was by previous lines
I'd and agitated by a knowledge Of the ex
no tIaordinary circumstances which sur
= rounded her, her heart huttered beneat
the folds Of snowy satin, and she pause
~ moment as she reached the glass-doo
nd Of the conservatory. which open into tn
al garden, and looked around her. Gay-co
81 ored lamps hung amid the vines whic
ee clustered over the doorway, and wer
ch placed among the rare exolies which fl
= led the greenhouse, while beyond, th
taI moonlight slept far down the long prom
enade TO the very arbor at the eniranc
N. of which boomed the flower which sh
;s, was to gather. Still, the place SCENE
"a deserted, the guests had not yet begu
80. 10 leave the drawing and dressing room
-ls to wander about the beautiful grounds
On for the ceremony had not been perform
,b, ed and the servants, huIrying TO an
to fro among the offices, left this portion
ma, the domain in perfect solitude. 'Ol
cd saunteIed slowly down the moouIit wal
an pausing occasionally as if to reassure he
60 self; at length advancing to the arbo
,Id one half Of which was bathed in radiant
nd while the other slept in shadow. ST
ar reached ou, her hand 10 pluck the bud
in thorn pierced her delicate finger, and ST
,on uttere slight exclamation of pain
gh stantly there was heavy shutting souI
nd. within the arbor, and two deepmantl'
ed figures springing from its concave sid
I'M passed rapidly through the dark entran
me opposite 10 where the young girl stoo
ina and disappeared in the surroundiI
,or. gloom. Glendora tarried not momeI
mid tearing the blossom from IFS swayiI
as stems. she re:raced the path with hyi
the footsteps, and paused not until she sto'
e a half f-bewildered among the bridal gue'
the in her own chamber.