Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-05-02

ion was not able wholly to underestimate
was so calm, and yet so passionate, so cold,
50 composed, yet so fierce and agitated-
While she gazed, occasionally assisting the
surgeon, the bandages were finished, "a
couch was brought, and Lance was laid up
on it.
Whittier do you take himf' she asked.
To Mrs. B-'s; perhaps afterward
to the hospital replied.
Where can you be found tomorrow {!
she asked again.
At the hotel. also, with seuor Creigh-
tom
She leaned over the couch, and pressed
her lips to Lance's forehead four men rais-
ed the couch, and leaving her standing in
the doorway, stately and composed, we lore
him away. s4i3 e
l watched with the surgeon at the bed
side all night. Toward morning Lance
ceased raving and relapsed into deep
slumber. Weary with excitement and anx-
iety, then left one of the patrol to watch
him, and retired to my bed. About eight
o'clock the soldier came into my room and
informed me that a young man sought ad-
mittance to Lance's bedside
You refused him, of course, said L
Yes, sir, the man replied but be re-
quested me to call you and ask permission
4 rose at once and walked into the dar-
kened room. Beside the bed stood youth
apparently not more than seventeen. He
was dressed in white, with blue foraging-
cap, around which was tied broad silver
T band. Thrown over his shoulders and drawn
: up around his neck as if to conceal It, he
wore light serape of green and gold but
between it and the cap l could see mass
Of curling auburn hair, partially concealed
by the serape, but evidently very long He
held one finger upon Lances pulse-and
his gaze was so intently fixed upon the sick
man ) pallid face that our entrance did not
disturb him. | walked rapidly up to his
side and laid my hand upon his shoulder
e He looked up, and I beheld the deep eye
q and remarkable face of Isabella de Montalva.
/, would not betray her to the soldier, but
P taking her arm, led her in silence to the 9th
: er room. Ipaused to close the door, and as
e turned toward her, she was standing in the
r middle of the room, her head uncovered,
It her white forehead bare and serene, with
K her beautiful hair thrown back, and falling
; in rich masses down upon her shoulders
n Much as she had impressed me before, was
now more surprised than ever, by the grace
l. ful selfcommand of her attitude, and the
I force and power of her face.
e have two requests to prefer to y0u,'
!; she commenced calmly. You have already
e done me great service, and / wish you
d now to do anOther-to keep my secret, and
p allow Inc free access to your friend 81
e L must ask you some questions" ;" I COM
D. menced. es
! Consider them all answered in the afir-
s native, she intercepted. Do love him
n Yes. Win nurse him like a mother or a SIS
n. ter? Will. VIII l ensure his safety o
ut Yes. Now, will you do what l ask 2
lg So far as can,' l answered. But
ne your secret cannot be kept-your hair alone
be will betray you.'
You have a negro boy, barber, with
er you,' she said let him cut it off,
to That hair y l exclaimed. 1t is too
n great sacrifice 7 W
as Of that l am the judge, she said, curt
ne ly. Will you do itI' =
L ol uO CilOiCe--lef llDer-
ious nature carried me away. The boy was
nd called in--the hair was taken off at once
mt and she was transformed int boy Of six
nd teen. then saw why her forehead was
whittier than the rest of her face--she had
he worn this costume before. ri+
ne When Ned was gone, asked her where.
SO in l had done her the service to which she
ry had referred.
1 Yesca de Montaverde was my husband
OK and you shot him. she replied.
IN, started back in amazement.
dy He told me Senor Creighton was dead,
his she continued, and proved it, as thought
ute incontestibly. then married him-for
aw believed that he aCas the murderer
nm What = exclaimed
un- Il married him. she repeated, to maxi
1on him miserable-as he had made me- /
ce, was then that l was able to explain the dey
il that looked out of that fathomless eye.
ny, Is it certain that he was killed? Ha
the his body been found y | asked
the He has not been found, she answered
be probably will not be found for some time
Il but he is dead beyond question
veil
1 will not dwell upon this painful part O
up my story.
uch When Lance was strong enough-afte
,nly about fortnight, during which she had see
Los him only when sleeping-I allowed her I
Al -