Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-02-14

bout the peculiar attractiveness Of the
season, and the pleasures of short re-
union, as cloak to the real cause of my
request-and received an answer BY re-
turn of mail, saying that he would be
with me almost Immediately. A few
| days brought Clarence to our home
the same fine, noble fellow as when we
parted the year before In reply 10 my
interrogation whether he worshipped mu-
sic as devoutly as ever. he replied with
the greatest enthusiasm, s'Yes, Carl, il
is my second deity" In day or two
invitations were extended for large par
| ty, by one of our most fashionable fam.
| lilies, to which we were invited. This
secured 10 me the very time for the ex-
pertinent. Upon the appointed evening
! We went TO the mansion-which, were |
to name it, would be Immediately re-
cognized by many and found goodly
array of beatty, fashion and talent al
ready there. Clarence was introduced,
and speedily became engrossed in those
: colloquies which are incident to every
party, and which, like many of the
i speeches in Congress, are much better
when not reported. | will, however, say
in favor of Clary, that bis was not the
usual style Of fulsome fattery, varied by
occasional quotations from some one Of
j the poets, and made sickening by the
, perfume of romance-for Clarence was
sensible fellow, and his conversation
possessed the same characteristic.
had purposely avoided introducing
Kate and Clarence at first, for / knew
!, very well she would be the first one as
ked 10 sing-and was sure that the sur.
prise which her exquisite voice would
give him, would effect more than aughi
Icould do or say. The time soon ar
rived. Kate was conducted to the piano
and commenced new and lovely ballad
: in her own peculiar style. Clarence al
3 this time was busy in entertaining some
:, half-score of young ladies in the cornel
: Of the parlor, but, as expected. gradu
!, ally left off speaking and turned to lister
: 10 the music. Watching his counter nanc,
soon found that he was interested, hear
! and soul ; nor was I surprised when h
:. came over to me. and enquire6, with hi
peculiar warmth OF expression, -wht
. that absolute seraph wasp l was tol
:, glad 10 explain-and when she had fin
! ished ! gave him an introduction, AM
:, lefs them alone. may say that it wa
= whispered by more than one, ere the par
:. ty concluded, that Mr.. Coleman SCENE,
: TO be greatly enamoured Of Kate Morri
:. son! ! believed it.
= Ineed not give an account of the en-
gagement between Kate and Clarence
!. which took place in the course Of tn
> year following. These descriptions are
i i perhaps, well enough, when made b,
= those who can speak fIom actual exper
. 'ence bat when attempted by sobe
: Benedict, like myself, they appear soIr,
- enough. A tyro could not paint Venu
! nor can | with any power portray tn
r. delicacies of love-scene. Enough ths
u they were engaged, and that they love
each other sufficiently 10 cause me Otter
8 times almost 10 envy their happiness.
u Al this point the plot thickens. Ka.t
., although she did not for moment doul
"a the sincerity Of ClareRce's s affection, ha
'e nevertheless, a vague fear that her mt
u sical abilities had too much influence VI
re on him ; and, this fear increasing, ST
IS resolved to test the matter by exper
'~ ment. Twas much older than she was
as and for many years had been sort I
y; fdus .4chates 10 her. Sothat, of conrs
e was made participant in the ruse.
We will not say that exactly approved
lis the decision she had made--but still,
~ was too much Of a friend TO her to refu.
u my aid in what, after all, was little mo
dc than a whim. This was Kate's resol
lef tion-to lose her uoice and, by this ma
n ner, TO satisfy herself whether it was h
ne voice or herself that had won the hea
ay of Clarence. Accordingly as the d;
Jul for the celebration Of their nuptials Dire
M near, she was seized with nadladie In
:. er- ginaire, something like the bronchitis,
Tue suppose, which, after causing her an ii
mense amount OF feigned suffering, /
nn- : tally deprived her Of her beautiful voic
iar This she communicated TO Clarence, al
l'n you shall see the effect of the tidings u
SEQ on him. by the following extract from
we letter, which received from him f
oe- days after:
'ate Il cannot tell you. dear Carl, how Ii
IN stunning blow, dealt by some invi
me BILE hand, were the tidings contained
am Kate's recent epistle. You know ht
II passionately adore music-and h,
an more than passionately | loved her at
las- tiles. They first attracted me. and
licn that if nothing more. must count th,
ano Of infinite value. But / loved them
me themselves. loved them for the hi
o. piness they gave, and for the mellow
ing ticipaiions which they wove about I
ON And now that they are gone, gricve
ug1 their departure. as a mourning mot
nefs above her buried boy. In my heart b;
IL reared monument which bears
al record of regret for their loss--a reg