Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-10-10

III the IeVeT, and she owed MN heaVy debt
for blankets and Goals, and the doctor, which
he was willing toforgive, besides making the
cottage rent free, so long as she chose to live
and occupy it. Then her own foster-child
mistress at Ayton Hall The prospect was
too grand to indulge a moments misgiving
on the score of James Ellis.
She was ill-prepared for the storm that
burst when she con6ded to him the fine pros
poets of his friend Ellen. What, Ellen, the
playmate Of his boyhood, the darling of his
manly heart, given to the arms of that rough,
fox-hunting, winedrinking young spend
thrift Never, while he had life But the
contest was not SO easily decided, for no
promise had been exchanged between them
and Ellen, in the power of Dame Marjery,
seemed only the servant of her will. Her
heart was not in the Hall, with all it's rich
furniture and stately appointments-th
was plainl ly seen; but it had come to this,
that she had promised to meet him at Fairy
Knoll for the last time.
There they sat, side by side, as in child
hood. with the brook ripping before them,
and acorn cups scattered in the soft grass,
the very birds singing the song of old
nothing changed but those two human hearts.
Nelly, you can't mean what you say
There is not any law in the land that can
force you to marry him, if you don't wish it.
Dame Marjery has been like mother to
you, to be sure and we will always be kind
and good to her. She can have home with
us, poor as it will be now; and will work
day and night until that debt is paid I'd
work my fingers to the bone for you, Nelly"
But the girl only leaned her head against
the gnarled tree at her side, and closed her
eyes In a vain endeavor to shut back the
tears that trickled down her face.
Come, you must not be breaking your
heart it drives me mad, and could burn
the very house over his head for tormenting
you so. Only give me the right, darling,
and nobody shall harm you by word"
He tried to draw her to him, but she re.
sisted, with murmur-" have promised!'
No-no-not promised S''
hurriedly, choked by tears. And, oh
there is such weight from my heart fol
now you will hel me to bear it. [ think
was mad. They gave me no peace day mol
night; and at last they said it was you thai
hindered me. And Marjery told me strange
; things of you that could not believe-in.
deed l did not for an instant. But it was
not until his dreadful threats that prom
ised. could not have blood upon my head
and your blood, Jamie %
The coward He did not dare
Hush, Jamie it will do no good now
; and, indeed, [ had not a selfish thought
1t will be only prison to me'-and sh'
pointed to the brown stone turrets rising
!, above the trees. But he could ruin you
he said and Marjery called me ungrateful
and told me to think of the good could d.
with the money he was squandering-anC
bid me beware how told you what she ha'
:; said, for she could prove things that woul
: turn your love to hate
ats all false together, poor child =
There is nothing to prove, and he has not
5 feathers influence with Sir Edward Th,
country round despise him for an empty he
; head and as for that whining Old
I She laid her hand upon his arm with
u Il mute pleading look that was more eloquen
u D than words.
Don't check me now; I can't stand sue
|, oppression, and in country where the poor
q est may have justice. | swear you sha
never be his wife until you walk over m
q dead body to the altar Oh! Nelly''-an
il his tone changed to one of almost womanl
le entreaty-"think how have loved yo
( since we were little children together, and
j, made you moss-chains on this very bank =
~ You never knew, you could not dreal
u hOaO much for my lips can't speak all tn;
"a my heart thinks. The brook dosen't mal
le much noise here at our feet, Nelly; but yc
III know how deep it is for all that stillnes
l. and my love was like it. When ] grew 1
ne to be a man, | thought of you and dreame
g of you day and night. You were never O
of my thoughts. / said to myself, when
VS. can make home she shall share it if 81
y will and so | worked, and saved, and toll,
~ ~ all for you Nelly; and sometimes when
US was tempted to go with gay companion
ne that kept me back or, if was tempted
'n think the world was very hard, and thin
o. looked darker ahead, would get glimp
al of Ayton church, and remember who liv,
"a l very near it, and one day she might be min
al Oh Nelly-GOd help me-I can t bearit
+ He threw himself PROSTATE upon the ban
3l- while his hands tore the star grass convu
ne sively And yet she looked at him with
o1 weary hopeless gaze, as if she could not u
NJ derstand it, or had no consolation to offer.
ny 1T was wicked, wicked promise, Nell,
NC But it was made, and cannot break
II that would be sin. And now Mariery ca
en- E not reproach me, and no harm will come
~ ~ you, and suppose | ought to be very ha
nd py.'
CT He started up once more, and came to
ere side. Do you remember the marriage s
er- vice, and what you promise there? Do
Sc talk of perjury, if you can make those vo
ler to love and honor. Nelly, you can't
ne either /; you know you cannot-and you v
a ar live lie all your life long! Is it wo
'ne to break one ill-got promise for kn
'rts you were threatened into it.
led OF am very miserable =