Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1852-12-22

slant to him. lie had lately heard she was
not married Inquired Lucinda :
Pardon me for past mdiscretion. Had it
not have been for the coziness and witchery
of beauty in leading my wayward steps as
trav, had not deceived thee, were it in my
IpowerI would give worlds to think | still
lived inyour thoughts, and enjoyed yourcon-
fdence How shall atone, though absent,
for the injury l have done thee? How shall
l impIore thy pardon? From the day Of
my unfortunate rencontre with the man [
murdered, love, fathomless, inexhaustible
love for YOU hath filed my bosom. The ,wo-
man who urged that inconsiderate step re-
ceived my scorn. Alas can | ever indulge
the hope of seeing my beloved Lucinda a
gain Shall her unfortunate voice never
greet me more? Shall | never behold that
eye, that mirror in which | oft have seen
your affection Alas all hope is vain, vet
still must indulgeit. Persuade your friends,
| if you love me, to permit you to come, or if
they will not, my overiowing heart pro-
mpts me to implore you to leave your home
with the bearer Of this note who has sworn
to protect you, and bring you to me, if you
only consent. Come, goddess Of my idolatry,
come and bless your Eugene.
There was a certain parsonage residing
near the town, whom Cotton thought, judg-
ing from appearance, was gentleman, and
understood he was going to the place, near
which MI Maynard resided.
He Immediately sent for him, and soon
after he made his appearance, SAID,
Mr. Somerville, good morning sir, sin
cerely hope You are enjoying health, &c.
Lie bowed, thanked, SC, when Cotton
said:
Understand from some indirect source
you intend to visit the little town of W
in short time. have. sir a very important
commission to entrust to you.
L shall be very happy to execute, sir
8 Thank you. wish you to bear this letter
to the daughter of Mr. Maynard. who re-
sides near W, and abide by her deci5-
ion. BE very guarded how you deliver it
lest you're discovered ry the family ; if you
wish to secure my, eternal happiness, do as
, have bid Won if You desire rather, to be
the author Of unutterable wo to me, deny nv
commission In great perplexity Mr.. S
remarked this, sir, must necessarily in.
volve me in very serious difficulty
! L Ipledge you my honor, as a gentleman
and the dearest Of friends, that you shall not
be harmed. 'Ts very probable her parents
will consent to her departure when solicited
by her; if so, all right. If not It's more
probable she'll elope very secretly with you
= Therefore you'll be extremely guarded; you'll
- inform her of my circumstances if YOU are
disposed to speak aught in my favor.
> Mr.. Somerville soon afterleft for W :, and ar
. rived there at very opportune season, hav
;, ;, ING understood to his great relief, that Mis-
, Maynard, was spending few weeks in tn,
: town with her friends.
i He fortunately was walking one evening
;. in company with gentleman Of the place
. and met Miss Ma, nard. Curiosity promp
ted him to inquire the name of that beauti
: ful creature. Upon being informed, he grad
= ualIy accelerated his step, without being nc
:. ticed by his friend He soon reached tn
= tavern, where he left him, sought the letter
and forthwith returned. lie encounters
J her in some retired part of the walk, seem
:. ing detected, and sickly.
= He bowed most gracefully, and introduce
'0 himself stating politely the place fror
!, which he came. Lucinda's blue eve bega
- :" to sparkle and she uplifted her beautfl
: countenance. She had previously found OF
l., the name Of his place. lie drew the lette
y y from his pocket and presented it to he
~ - with bow, saying he was requested to be-
CO that to her. She immediately unfolded
- and began to peruse its contents.
:. She sighed bitterly. Plunged in perple,
- ity, she knew not what course to pursue
~ ~ After she ceased weeping, she said {:
~ = is he well sir ? and pray, what is he d
-, ~ ING, and is he lovedl'
: Yes, Miss he said, be enjoys fine healt
- and is as handsome as he ever was. As
7 his profession-it is the law, in which he h
- proved eminently successful and is highly
ba i" spected by the people among whom he live
:" ~" lie lives now in beautiful, but small mansio
- enveloped in cedar trees, which he boa
~ has every becoming ornament, save you.-
" He seems to be recluse in his dispositio
:, seldom ventures abroad, except at the C.
- of necessity. He is melancholy for the INC
- part when alone, but assumes an unnatur
=, 1ticJ1, Will Ie IlldhGS Ills q dppSdIduC6
- company. He bade me intercede, tf
!. you might choose one or the other alterr
- tives; the one, bringing eternal JOY; the OF
- - er robbing of all for which he clings to Ii
700 She, enamored of the description,
credulous as woman ever is, and furth
!, more conscious that her parents would fro7
nny upon such step, said
ne My parents, | am truly confident, wor
nus most assuredly disapprove Of so bold
he step, and if go to consult them denialI sh
Of receive, and then | should loiter at home,
of marry, never should, such is my const;
k. cy. But going to him, whom love mc
. than all the world beside, | may gain WI
- desire, if not content me with my lot
'e' Then tomorrow, Miss, you'll meet me att
III hour, when | shall be prepared to carry y
ne to the one who loves you"
md Yes she uttered, with sigh.
: in They parted-she tripped home with S
res rowing eyes, oftimes kissing the letter
bore in her hand, but before she reached |
od destination she placed it away.
III III All that night she lay awake, at one ii
'uu flood of tears gushing from her eyes, VIII
= oP