Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-06-13

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rightjudging wisdom. Any one we'll exper-
more Alright than did these simple, truthful
hearted villagers. /
With an art that Edward, in bis straight
forward, unsuspecting nature, did not faith
ON, she placed Edith in the light of a frivo-
lous young thing, very beautiful; and her
beauty she descanted upon, until Edward
felt that the winning beauty was given her
but to betray all who looked upon it. She
spoke Of Edith as designing evidently to
make use of her charms to oensnare him al
Sc of her great attention to bis children for
the same purpose. Her mother was old and
feeble, and could not live long; with her
died Eidth's means of support and it was
evident to the mind Of Miss Prudence that
Mr. Herbert's comfortable home possessed
a rare charm to her eyes. Alas, poor Edith!
Ny dear sir, should you not be able to
resist the temptation which. comes to you in
the shape ot this passing passion, / pray, be-
seeeh you not to sacrifice those dear children
that the sainted Martina left with such holy in
junction for their welfare. Should you not
feel strength given you to. overcome this
| weakness, intrust the dear infants to my care,
and will not betray the trust.
The smooth tones of that insinuating voice
dropped into his heart ike ice. Yes, Edith
was q child, too young and experienced to-
be mother to his children His feelings
for her must be checked. The spirit of bis
departed wife stood before him, and her last
injunction ruug in his ear. The plausible
| words Of the artful woman by his side seem
ed truth to him. And, as he was on the
) point of asking her to take charge Of him
! and bis. the image Of Edith rose up between
: him and the spinster, sopure and holy, that
he turned his sentence into an abrupt good
r by. a las 1s
i can ask her to be my wife at another
e time said be to himself, on his way home.
> Upon the following morning, the sun rose
lazily, not having made up bis mind exactly
a whether be would show his face to the world
I or not. All nature seemed as indolent. The
d air was heavy almost to suffocaiion. The
q noisy fowls andeattle were huddled togeth-
o. er in silent, groups under some shelter. A
!, hush peryaded all things. Even the merr,
a. birds were mute, as if in wait for some anti
nj cipated danger. Heagy nassesof black cloud
Isl darkening the thick air, foated listlessly ii
er the heavens, and the faT-of thunders wer,
'e muttering in a low, deep under-tone.
Edward Herbert was sitting in his owl
le room, after breakfast, with book before hin
to and lost in deep thought. His door softl,
ne opened, and the sunny face Of his little MAJ
ne tina appeared.
a ora cfo s.af,oo1
N than usual. dear papa. because it looks S
lg much ike RAIN
hO Very WELL my darling. Take good car
Of Minny.
Sc 'ob, no fear, dear papa, but that / will
id Give me one kiss and now good-by.'
e. The door was closed again, and Edward, 10
.of once more in bis own meditations,was not full
of aroused to the danger his little girls were Il
nor to his own want of thought in permittin
:. them 70 brave such threatening sly, unit
us there came fash of lightning SO intense tn
err it nearly blinded him, causing him to cove
!. both eyes with his hands Then followed
"a peal of thunder, most fearful in its deep stu
ning roar 1t seemed to waken all the echo,
for leagues around, and died with them in or
tor lingering, sullene sound. The fast rain WI
,I, coming down, not in pleasant drops, but
" one pouring, rushing stream Almost Il
sau darkness of night hung over the earth, vii
ex- the wind, like mad spirit sent abroad fer Dc
truction, shriehed and raved splintering ire
and tearing them up by their roots in its ang
Ter, might. How long it had been storning
she knew not; but, with thick beating heart for
'ru. beding i'll Edward fastened down to the Q
- housekeeper.
nii- m How long have the children been gone p
OuS 2 A Ir,. IoIE .al
re- makethem stay but they said they would 9
Dig the school-house long before the storm car
elf; up
is Pray Heaven they may have got there |
hat fear-I fear they have not. Give me my
ad- hat and thick boots They must have cross
~ Hemlock Rapids before now. Still / fear
anu !, them Never mind the boots will 90 as
NJ am. No, no mo umbrella /; the wind is
'ok, high ea 1s
ltI Some fifteen minutes before Edwards RAJ
nee, strides FLASHED through the road, that was
the ready more like river than carriage-w
e a Edith Moore, coming into the sitting-room
49, their little cottage, exclaimed
IN IN. There, dearest mother, have faster
gut tightly all the windows and doors. So n
2. the storm can't hurt us, unless itlifts our cas-
Mrs. up by its roots. and gives us ride through
age, air. How dark it grows, and how the W
lg a. hoWls There comes the ram Save US! W
soul sharp lightning How glad am the stc
80 has come on before Martina and little Mi
started for schoolp
Heaven shield the dear childrenp ejac
lmer ted Mrs. Moore. 5 I saw them mass the d
with full fifteen minutes ago.
love And they have to pass those fearful raT
eren- always swollen in stormP
liter. Edith waited not for another word Ain
sud- before her moIne5se1 tnat sne nad ieit her
had was 'se eos'ae,uuor croseu aser ner, anu
His t5s direction rect tbe ;tfe % Herberis [ had
'tlnle The sehool-house was on the edge of
J her village, and sheltered by picturesque
come wood II was full thrpe-nIlarters of a