Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-12-21

designs, | swear to keep my promise
| The Priest consented; when the two,
having consulted measures for the further
ance OF their scheme, the aspiring senator
withdrew; while the priest, drawing aside
a veil, entered an inner apartment, and the
shades of night enveloped the capital of the
world w0f1 ID -
The multitudinous noises of the CAV me-
tropolis had subsided the twilight had
passed away, and the moon shone brightly
in the cloudless frmament-'twas midnight.
Each pillar reared its graceful capital dis
tinct in the silvery food which illumined
the earth with nearly the brilliancy of sun
shine, save where its rays were caught and
reflected back by the pale marble, which
rose in tasteful intercolumniation, around
the princely mansion of Armenius.
One object only gave animation to the
scene, and even he appeared scarcely living,
for in the darkness of deep shadow, he
stood, as if tranixed, and made no motion,
save now and then the hand which was laid
upon his breast, would contract, as if with
nervous action
Another figure is added to the scene
she glides on tip-toe, and rapidly flies to
meet the youth she throws herself into
his arms-his lips meet hers--the sudden
transport of delight-the impassioned en-
brace declares them to be lovers
Stealing noiselessly into the deeper shade
of an adjacent wall, they are concealed from
| every eye, save that of Him who cannot
y look upon such love, so pure, so fervid and
= so disinterested, but with pity on the sad
!, fate which separated them.
: 'Agricola, love-, whispered the maid,
= :, have fingered too long from thee? Thou
} wilt forgive me; it was to avoid detection
= that tarried.'
- The youth seized her tapering fingers in
e I his own, and pressed them to his bosom.
,' :" NC, love- he cried, pressing her hand
y to his lips, and bathing them in the sea of
~ 4 agony, whieh was rushing from his eyes,
~ 81 No. alas thou hadst not fingered long
+ enough would that thou hadst never come !!
Say not SO, Agricola. Wherefore dost
-. thou weep thus ! she inquired soothingly
=, Because, he replied, this is the Last
- time that we meet, Maria, and may 1 moi
y consecrate it by a tear, as one of fond re-
y membrance p
y 'The last, Agricola ? sobbed the tender
L" girl Oh, name it not, we never will part
=, again
~ ALAS what would st thou 2?
'rs ~s Live with thee; die with thee; Mari
~ .s would be thy wife
20, S' NO, no! exclaimed the youth, as pan,
,rs ~, of grief darted through his soul nc
~ ~ Maria, it may not be F!
~ Then, said she reprovingly, thou dos
-, .n not love me, or thou would'st not cast m
Iu I off,
a:t n Love you = cried he, it is that 1 loy
ISS 'bv we'll, too
~ ~ Then, why not listen to my prayer? p
~ ~ Alas it is [ love too deeply
!, No. cried the girl, mo, Agricola :
- didst thou love like me, like me adore =
~ ~ thou wouldst cast aside these fears
-, G Fears 7 repeated the youth, droppir
80 30 his hand, and flashing fire from his ey
-, which illuminated the space about then
! - fears, Maria; thou dost not know ms
> to me fear is stranger. 'Tis not th
aol which influences me, but, recollect, girl
hox Agricola is slave 7
The momentary sternness which he h
al assumed, did not, however, damp the ard
1tv 1 Of the girl 1t seemed TO render him s
him dearer to her. She placed her fragile a
tarv about his manly neck, and in a tone of q
~ tie reproach Rebuke me not, my lov
,bon she said, thou knowest Agricoa is a sla,
,nae Cynthia would share his bondage with hi
r., Her love should make his slavery swee
80 far than freedom
teas Desist, pray thee responded the you
lsae m encirclng her waist with his arm, with
r. spectful tenderness, and softening his tor
,,;e. remember, your father Is a Roman
,h"u ] know it wel,' she answered eager
.Ia vet still love thee
hn, i know it. Maria, alas too well
anI were 10 wed thee, it would draw his
, H. dgnation on US both. For myself, C
obor not; but for thee-the gods know, 500
! ,he would | give my head TO the execution
- than those bright eyes should lower bel
h;s ,, the frown Of an angry father. Maria
- must not be- and clasping his hahds
= &c agony. he added, let me remain 81;
nnon m though | Ioye the worthy daughter {
Roman.