Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-02-23


charm for him.
Slowly, yet more slowly, he neared his
home He dreaded to see Grace to hear
her sweet tones, he felt. would at present be
torture He could scarcely summon cour-
age to step on the threshold-he knew not
why. The door stood ajar, and he entered
silently. How lonely it seelLed and there
sat Nurse Leland, in the little parlor,-her
eyes red, her face flushed, her whole man
ner disturbed.
The judge glanced carclessly towards her
at first, but halfperceiving something unu-
sual in her appearance he turned and gazed
with closer scrutiny, at which she began
to weep.
What is the matter 2 he asked in alarm,
looking round for Grace.
Don't ask me, sir. Miss Grace
What of her 2 he shouted, transfxed to
the floor.
She has not come back
What do you mean, woman ? in Hea-
ven's name what do you mean 2 he ejacu-
lated, breathing hard and turning to leave
I the room.
Alas sir, I know not, replied the nurse,
rising and following him 10 the door, Just
after you were gone, she went out for walk,
as she usually does. watched for her at
dinner she did not come nor at supper.
God preserve the poor dear darling y
What more 2 exclaimed Herman, hoarse-
ly, gazing warily around, and listeningin the
hush of the still evening" Where is my
child ? where can my poor child wander at
this hour 2
have been asking that question all day.
Little Jaques has been gone since the noon,
and don't know but he has got lost too
Which way did she 60 :? groaned rather
than spoke the wrctched father.
W hen last saw Ter she was some dis
tance up the hily road to the right there
hut you know, sir, that ends in the woods.
Whether she continued on, or came back
and struck off in another path, | can't tell
Hark! exclaimed Herman, sbrilly, his
heart leaping. Who is there?'
1t is |. sir, said the little French Jaques
who was a sort of errand boy in The family
Then you have not found her
No, sare; Ino find anything
%! pity me = he groaned; then turning
to the nurse, said, There is an old lantern
in the house somewhere
Yes; among the rubbish in the spare
room. will get it.
t Hurry, then; every moment Is precious
? Jaques,' he added, turning to the boy, gc
r up stairs and get my hunting belt. | mus
h carry weapons with me. Bring down m,
: double. barrelled Gun that you can shoulder
Quick, boy
!, The lads black eyes flashed with pleasur
If at the smallest prospect of an adventure; b
}, ran briskly on his mission and soon return
r ed with the gun.
IS Everything was in readiness,-the gu
1t loaded, the lantern trimmed and lighted, i
the boy s hand
n Are you afraid to stay alone p asked tn
j. Judge, turning to the nurse.
is Bless you, no. she resolutely replied
is Only find our poor darling. Leave me
Il. am not afraid
le You may have my heads to tell sal
n the little fellow, who was Catholic; an
d. he lifted them from his neck.
er Keep your beads; | have something be-
rs ter than beads TO sustain me- she replied
ID Crazed with thousand fears, the hewi
dered father hurried from home, scarce COZ
le scious where, with not the rcmotest idea
which path his child had taken. He toie
te up the steep rock-road which the nurse ha
IS, pointed out, and struck into the woods, mo
ly ing with hurried yet bowildered air, ar
ct constantly muttering, If she is here, wi
find her.
m Cautiously he ventured along the untriC
nd path, ,peering through the underbrush, calIir
IS, loudly and repeatedly upon the name Of i
be child
Morn came smiling over the mountain
it and the father, worn out and dispirited, S
ne cheeressIy down. No child vet! The da
at woods had echoed and re eechoed with |
lis passionate calls T; his strength was faiIil
ny him. not so much with the exertion of wal
be log as through the departure Of that fal
on energy which the will spiritual, not /
nd strength bodily, had given him.
en-, After one more hopeless search he retul
ect ed to the house, and found the nurse,
my though it was late in the morning, asleep
ch the sof ,wearied with watching and wcepir
Grace had not returned, and the poor fa
ow er, without allowing himself morsel
eel food, mounted his horse and galloped ba
into the town,
,us There he called at every place where
,ak Child had been in the habit of visiting |
lrn none had seen or heard tidings Of the mi
lrn ing one.
- The news flew rapidly: Judge Slant
ful had lost his child she had wandered aw
perhaps been taken BY the Indians, lal
ire, bands Of whom were or had been in the
ita- cinity. Many father sympathised with hi
obnoxious as his name had become; a
md forthwith a party was hurriedly formed
a a sconr the surrounding country and find
tile if possible, dead or alive. Many hoped
uld latter, and not uncharitably SO they
ght life would be to her one long and heavy /
den; and the gentle creature was belo
his ~ all who had known her, as much as
father was execraled and ceusurcd.
yed She could not have travelled far in
bout course Of a single day aud night. they S
,om. gested, so they determined to make The
ard cult Of twenty miles, searching as thorou
con y as they might be able, every place
ace, which a human being could have access.
They met with no success that dav.