Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-01-19

been long aware that she loved him, for mute
yet powerful language had often revealed the
precious secret TO him. But, oh it was with
an agony far worse than death that he folded
her to his manly breast, and called her his be-
trothed, for there, still beside him, foated that
shadowy form, upbraiding him with eloquent
but quivering lip, the tears streaming from her
passionate eyes, as when he last beheld her.
For he felt that he was two-fold deceiver
And yet there was time-he might yet. as
it were, snatch himself from this great peril
and often, in the interim before the wedding
should take place, he was prompted to tell her
all; but alas ! he had gone too far his moral
courage had deserted him; he could not bear
to forfeit her esteem-forgettng the baseness
that would degrade pure, innocent woman
into a mere nominal wife, should Leila be liv-
ing-that would lead her to take part in a GER
emony that no vows could eonsecrate as holy
marriage.
Poor Herman, he was ire ding upon Goals
of fire. He did indeed enjoy a feverish sort of
happiness, but even his bride noticed upon that
most joyous day of her life, that when he took
her hand his was e.cold, and clammy that
his eyes were wild and restless, and his whole
| frame trembled violently; that he gazed hur-
riedly around him, as if fearful of meeting
some unpleasant face that his peace was dis
| But this impression passed away with his
| first pleasant smile. Herman seemed devoted
and she was one of the most cheerful and hap
py creatures in the world though sometimes
she was walked from her Slumbers by sad
groans, and once she fancied she heard name
distinctly pronounced, and that name sounded
| like Leila
This also distressed her for awhile, but be-
ing naturally of a buoyant spirit, it was soon
banishe6.
Hours they sat together, reading like child
rem from the same book or else the beauti-
ful Grace piled her shining needle busIy, ever
} aud anon glancing up with fond. sweet, con-
fiding look to the fine face of her Herman, who
now bent his whole energies to the study of
J the law.
The bands of the little community were
strengthening daily. There would soon be
: need of lawyer. 1t was not to be expected
that, of all the vast numbers constantly emf
grating, there were no contentious beings-nC
; brawlers-no babblers. The village was ID
/ ready town, and it did not look unlikely thai
the services of the young aspirant would bt
}, early called into requistion Ambition was
J Stanton's God now; his unhappy soul wal
e absorbed in the requirements of his profes
It sion.
And yet the avenger had not visited the
h transgressor.
IS Herman had built beautiful little bows
g at the back of his garden, and dedicated it +
n retirement and love, as he told his wife; wit
l. a strange, sad smile. They often passed tn
IT sweet summer evenings there, gazing out upo
e the calm beauty of the scenery beyond thei
If neat little habitation. Not far from his res
is dence, and nearly in a direct line with tn
d bower Herman had given directions to hav
sr favorite tree uprooted that it mi ght be tram
e. planted near his front entrance, for it was til
N fairest tree in the garden.
at Grace sat happily sewing by the little roun
y, table, on the evening subsequent Her hu
v band was meditating in brown study som
er case of difficult nature had evidently distrac
e. ted his thoughts.
or 1t happened that Grace paused every fe,
er moments, and laying the delicate material b
es searched through her basket, and, upon I'll
W floor, but evidently without success. At la
ly she came nearer Herman, and softly lifted IL
lis cover of his book fearful of disturbing hir
he what is it p he asked, somewhat impatien
ly, for her movements had broken upon /
tie reverie.
MS My thmble, dear-only nv thimble NJ
OF yeti would not lose it for the world she r
as piled, gently. 1t was my mothers, and We
IN precious tome on that account but-there
oP she suddenly added, with emphasis i remel
IN Der now, it is in the bower'
'ld well. let it be tonight. Grace said He
u man. do you know you have disturbed r
dreadfully, dear, this evening p he continue
er- half smiling, half querulous
,nS ,nS Her only reply was a kiss, and a playt
'eo laugh-so old-time musical that it rang Ii
~ IT. the soft chime of bells upon his ear, as 5
I'D I'D lightly passed him and disappeared from t
-l,t room.
5ho 5ho What startling sound was that? Horror
''t horrors! a shril agonized cry-a shrek &C
0uS ~ pied with his name So suddenly he spra
, 4" to his feet that the table and books were ov
-; turned. Like one frantic he flew through I
t 1;t door, with an inward despairing gro.n; dart
~ across the space between his home and
~, garden, and in another moment the inanim
st5' form of Grace was pressed close to his bose
as with uncomfortable sobs, he bore her il
'D'0 the house. She had fallen in the slight
on fatal excavation. The play of the mooni
,,;+t through the interlaced foliage had deceived
I'D sight. With wild lamentations, and heart t
- with anguish, he gently carried the loved fc
10. into her own little room, and teRderly laid
t. upon her couch. A whole lite of intensi
a.aa misery did he live in those few sad momen
: = Poor, sweet Grace, pale as a corpse,
ONO SOItIy VclneQ eyelldS tremulOuS ana ner WI
,rn1 lips quivering, answering not to the passion
rht entreaties of him she loved but too we'll
ST. deatll-ke she looked as she lay there so
- tonless And how different the scene Fl
auso the calm, sweet beauty pervading that ru
home but a short hour ago. now filled ,
sympathizing friends who stroye long in '
h'.n' to restore suspended animation.
9 III, IL Herman, sick at heart, hurried again
. oi the garden. There, looking up at the
moon, and tossing bis arms despairinsly,
ynal- would pray that his poor wife might be sa
rible, TO hm,-thcn. almost in the same breath
Vls- that, thus insensible of her suffering and
even crime she might pass up to heaven.
They called him and laid within bis arI
! anu beautiful infant; but even as he gazed |
: : ~. it with the yearning affection of fathe
n"o' ..n:. gasped and died. Then he knelt and
CnS tears of bitterness by the bed of his stri'
v",'If uOd wife, who for long, long years was new
, s,'' - know the blessing of health again. and fel
ia he looked into her dim, fearful eyes tina
.a1aSf ne wages of sin were more grievoas even
-: death. To be continued
h the ~---
s. on ~We see it stated that at NottingI
tor England, the great centre ofthe lace mani