Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-02-09

if you did but know her Would you have
me break her heart 2
You have broken my mothers, said
Rosa, growing calmer as his manliness gave
way.
You cannot, will not exact this he con-
tinuel imploringly.
In justice to my mother, in justice to my
self, you shall declare your child an illegiti-
mate exclaimed the unrelenting creature,
the lines growing darker and harsher around
her delicate mouth.
The Judge, grown almost desperate, stag
gered back against the wall. His strength
deserted him, his brain was on fire. Murder,
with bis CORY hands, swan before his eyes J;
Grace was welteringin her blood for one
awful moment his frenzed thought took
that fearful shape, and he felt that rather
than the knowledge that could blast her
whole life, should be impaired to her, he
would consign her by his own act, with his
own hand-to the grave. Such fearful
deed did lie mediate, while the white walls
grew black and sailed away from his failing
sight while the room, and the lively fend,
whirled around with fantastic motions.
BY degrees he grew calmer the scatter
ing hand Of fire that seemed encircling his
brow, relaxed its tightness, and the hot blood
once more flowed freely through his veins.
Then you will not do me justice ; said
Rosa, hoarsely do understand that you
will not do me justice ?
He came towards her again with a slow
determined step, and though his face was
yet deadly pale, and his voice low and fall
tering he said, threateningly, There was
never certificate Of marriage you cannot
prove, here, in this new western world, the
validity of tho ceremony. Judge Stanton
will be believed before you
Base man. exclaimed Rosa, while the
veins in her brow stood out with the inten-
sity Of her passion; and springing towards
the door, she exclaimed, here is one who
has power to indict you and full liberty tc
carry on prosecution against you for biga.
my Vile man! | will rot call you father
witnesses shall not be wanting-ay those
who stood BY your side, those who gave hel
to your arms-my fortune is unlimited
yet'-her voice sofened, acknowledge be
fore your child my more rightful claim, anG
all this shall be spared you, then I vii
leave you and trouble you no more
The chancellor stood by Rosa's side; his
black eyes expressing all the disdain and an
ger he felt; you will save expense, and dis
grace" he added, in his wonderfully pene
trating voice.
Herman absolutely writhed with passion
ms ui1In rrTy, grew t,l,e,ur7,,
the power, he felt he would willingly smit'
them dead before him.
J He spoke again bis voice was changed
I his teeth seemed ground together with rage
and with every word they chattered as
under the cold spell of an ague fit.
'She shall not know it; she shall neve
}. know it; she shall die first ! and he turne
j to pass from the room.
f Then listen;' said his daughter, while
5 CLEAN Of exultation flashed over her fac
she already knows IL, foresaw this, an
= wrote her a letter with full account Of yot
C conduct,-yes, even while you have bee
a here, she has received it, and perhaps is no
reading it ; may it benefit her; think not
= have been seeking you these five years f
!, naught? .
e Ten thousand curses on you; are yo
g fends 2 yelled the miserable man, as ha
:, frantic with fear and remoTse, he hurrie
y from the apartment, pushed his way throu9
the throng at the entrance, and stopped n
"a till he had reached his home.
Where is Grace quick, answer-whe
p is Grace ? he inquired of the house-keepe
ut 'In her room, sir
How long has she been there?
r Nearly all the afternoon, SIR replied t
n woman, retiring pace backward, perplexe
agitated at his looks and manner
"a Has she seen company? he hurried
,e, importuned, or, or his voice failed HI
5 and he turned half from her.
She has seen no one this afternoon, S
he lie breathed more freely.
't. She has seen no one; you are confdel
he said in calmer tone.
ny | was mistaken, sir; black man in
lie cry, the same one who brought you
no note this morning, gave me letter for NJ
ur Grace I-are you sick, sir sir-Mr. St
ton-you frighten me ! can l get you sol
he thing, sir?
ulS WlthOut NOuchsannG an answer, the JUG
ng turned to his study, staggered in, locked
door, and with quick, uncertain step eros
hat and recrossed the room, the most terri
i'm, images of despair fitting through his or;
- In one moment of that eventful torment,
her suffered an eternity Of pain--that pain
led Of the body, so terrible to bear.
Every little while he would pause abry
oid ly, and listen, with a face rigid as iron
ek, Grace's room was overhead it was strar
Oiu awfully strange that he heard no footste
OF all was SO still; he could not resolve v
uld to do; 90 where he might, now, act a
ct would, he was henceforth to work in
this galley of retribution, loaded down with
'ltn chains ofinfamy; his honorable pame
red his proud fame that he had so slowly.
orc surely built up for himself, irretriev
blackened; bis dearest, sweetest, brigl
in- hopes, crushed forever; what cared he
ne life, now?
Not for myself; not for myself; ;
ure, would murmur, raising his clenched ha
ae- while the beaded drops of perspiration rC
r over his face; l would strive not to muI
tan at my own disgrece-but oh! my c
: that darling, helpless one; the very co
ror my heart-dearer, far dearer than my
l. III