Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-02-16
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From the New-York Organ.
THE CREOLE VIE E.
A ROMANCE OF THE WEST.
BY MRS. NJ. A. DEYIsoN.

study, and hestating as he sat down by his
writing desk, she said very softly, Father
you will forgive me that put any faith in
that letter yesterday l am afraid | said
some strange things
Judge StaRson started, and tturned bis
keen eye upon her.
You look so very sick this morning, dear
father, so pale apd haggard-indecd it must
be very hard, very, to be charged by your
child with such-such q crime-do forgive
me father, think was hardly in my right
mind-indeed it all seems like dream-llke
apainful dream she murinured, striving to
smile.
She had but ceased to speak when Sheriff
Courtney entered the room hastily in com
pany with lady, closely veied he looked
extremely agitated, and approaching Her
man, said, My dear sir, this is very painful
TO me, pardon me-and above all, explain
the meaning Of the strange situation in which
] find myself unexpectedly placed. | say it
with reluctance, sir, but am forced to arrest
you at the instance of this lady, who perhaps
you recognize
Grace, half finting, had sunk back upon
chair the judge sprang from his seat,
stamped upon the floor, and gazed furiousy
around him.
What means this interference 2 he asked
in tones whose startling emphasis had often
made the guilty turn white with terror
why is the sanctity Of my home invaded
and the feelings Of my child made sport for
your reckless furces? Am the Judge ofthis
community or the tool Of every foreign
impos;er that chooses to blast my fair fame
] warn you and his lips, deathy pale, were
covered with froth his eyes gIaring with
maniac fury. L warn you that | will not
abide this mad sport much longer
Rosa alone dared to face him she threw
back the thick veil that clouded her beauty
and fixing those glittcring eyes upon him till
he quailcd, she said, in low determined tones
DO you dare call inc an impostcr Look
again upon my face-these garments and
her shaw! falling to the floor displayed her
mothers bridal attire.
Grace flung herself at his feet, and grasped
- bis knees. Dear father she exclaimed,
who is this strange woman oh my poor
head is SO dizzy-what is the matter with
you ? with me, father why has the sheriff
come2 why do they persecute us thus they
surely will not take you to prison. dear faith
er-they cannot make me believe my fathc
is criminal ) and she turned her eyes ful
oftears towards Sheriff Courtney, who hard
ly less in the dark than herself, looked on
in surprise.
Il only know Grace, that have orders II
indict the judge, he said in Il less steady
tone.
90! you wW not take him from me. Wba
has he doEo not that-not that ); she sal
wildly, her mind for moment referring t
the cruel document of yesterday. Father
don't glare 50 -ifyon knew how YOU distres
me-oh what an awful hour it is-fathc
speak don't glare SO, you make me fear yo
father =
What my wretched child ?
Wretchad-wretched- am wretch
cd am not wrcched except that kno,
not tho cause of this cruel treatment
Father exclaimed Rosa, in deep voice
while Grace looked at her with an angus
she did not try to conceal; 'father-for sue
must call you though you have forfeited a
right to that holy tit,e,-unless you coafe
me your child 10y an honorable marriage, b
fore this young woman, your disgrace mu
be made public. You cannot avoid 1t. Yol
poor wife still lives, and there are clouds
witnesses really to testify tothe fact Of yol
descrtion Tell her, thcn-it is all ask, :
that am your iucfH child, not she
Grace relaxed her hold upon her father
knees an awful pallor overspread her fac
1T is false mutered Stanton, ferccl
feeling everything at stake.
a. ...o..
DO you so dare to perjure your own sou
Did you MOI marry Leila Nelasqucz in Cul
and desert her three years afterwards, bef,
was born? Did you not marry again, VIII
Col and your conscience said TO and
not this child ofyours ilegtimate Z
Daring this speech Grace had slow
crouyhel down to the floor her long,
hair sweeping the carpet in rich ma ,ses
hands clasped I'LL the veins seemed burstir
her whole auitud, one Of the most ali
shame. Crushed humiatei most cruel
strong sense Of her fatler's guilt wcigl
heavily upon her.
Save yourself father she whispered,
vcrting hes head never mind mo. y
father, peril not your soul for my sake.
will be calm. | will bear it. God will ST
port mo. | will try to bear it, Conf
father--do confess ! I-will-not love \
-auy the less,-you will still be my "a
CT, she faltered
The naughty West Indian stood look
with asonshment upon that noble, f.ai
creature How she could thus bear SO he
trial, was far be yond her comprehens
She would have upbraided him, she wo
have cursed him-nay, been tempted by
hot, impulSive temper that her poor MOI
had bcqucathed her, to have slcnced
forever ;-and she shrank from the wi
angol-like facO, as if it was too pure for
gaze Of one so much less hallowed.
Father, father again said the pleaC
voice do not peril your soul for me-
not whispered Grace again. oh, 1
treat yo1, listen to mo. Father, confes;