Spirit of the age., 1853-05-11

Mrs. Loring.
Yes, open it and read it; we are older
than you, and will be responsible for its pro-
priety,' urged several voices.
Jane, aud Clara, and Annie are my
friends and would not urge me to do wrong,
surely said Laura to herself and as she
turned over and over the little package,
strange fascination seemed to belong to it !;
she yielded, aud broke the SEAL then with
rapidly varying color, she read on to the
end, aud then, crushing the paper between
her cIasped bands, she looked up with a
face pale with anguish, and exclaimed, oh,
why did you urge me 1t was wrong 1t
was wrong. and | am punished and Laura
burst into tears, 90
There was alarm aud consternatioa ontGe
features of the plotting group, and their
glances told that they already feared they
should repent their folly. Jane Carson was
most self possessed, and snatching up the
note which had now fallen to the ground, she
said in tone Of surprise and sympathy,
Why. Laura, my dear. what is the mat
ter ? Has ANYTHING dreadful happened p
Let me see. Heyday! girls she continued
with forced laugh, "a love letter, as | live!
Who would have thought it :! Why, child,
what are you crying about? You should feel
highly fattered. for this is as pretty billet
doux as any little miss of twelve years ever
received
Had not Laura been crushed down by an
underlined sense ofshame. and blinded by bel
,bo i tl,o ~,
the forced expressions distorting the features
OF the girls who gathered round with laugh
ter and congratulatory words OF their lips
Only think who it is FROM said Mary
taking the note in her hand. I know who
| those initials at the bottom stand for, and
know the hand writing too. He might as
we'll have signed his full name
If were you, Laura, wouldn't let them
have the letter. Why don't you put it away
in your pocket? They shouldn't have mine
| know, said Annie.
He wants you to answer it, said Della
and you will, certainly, won't you Laura
1t will be such nice Bit ofromance, and al
schoolgirls have their little romantic love.
scrapes. There's no harm in the world il
such things. Wen help you and keep very
still about it,
No, will not answer it. said the weep
ing child as she started up with sudden en-
ergy, don't know who it's from. Give
it to me. Let me takeit to Mrs. Lorine
and tell her about it. Oh. it is shameful
Let me 60 to Bel
Laura, child you must not do such
foolish thing said Jane impressively, at tn
same time holding back the excited Laura
!, Listen to US she continued soothingly.-
t Do you not know that if you should sho'
this to Mrs. Loring, or any Of the teachers
you would be disgraced for ever, and PEI
haps sent away? It is written as if you ha
met this boy without their knowledge an
) encouraged him to write as he has
have not met him never saw him
e | don't know him! How could any one dzsl
e do such thing ?
No one would believe you if You shoul
t let them see this letter. If you tell Bel
IS bout it, | am sure she never would love yo
s. again
q Oh what shall I do! What must d1
d exclaimed the wretched child in piteo1
J. tones, and throwing up her arms implorin
a, ly.
y Why, dear me. it is not matter Of ar
d consequence unless you choose to make it S
d Almost every girl of your age is used
| such things, bur if you think it is not rigf
Of and want no more to do with it, why tn
just take no notice Of it. No one knows
"a it but US, and we are all your friends, al
won't mention it; but we warn you, as y
v value the love of your teachers and Bel, ne
1e erto mention it. Come, dry your eyes d
r get quiet for it is near school time
L am sure Bel will see something a
ry me- said Laura, struggling with her fe
rd ings.
r. Oh returned Jane, thoughtlessly. j,
st tell Bol, if she says anything, that one
IT. the little girls got angry with you and stru
you.
bo What tell a falsehood Tell an I
n truth to Bel 7 and Lauras wet eyeids
ot voluntarily betrayed look Of mingled S
d, prise and indignation. Annie winked 81,
er to the others, and drawing her arm arou
Laura, she led her away whispering in ki
nj manner
~ Don't let US stay with the unfeeling
~ They had no business to read your lett
ev and that impudeut boy, Lindley Morris
IT, didn't Mary call him ? be ought to be
- ged. and kept on bread and water for
Il month But why should you be troub
~ u, about it now Only think how it wo
T. + have been had any of the teachers got
i" letter.
/ While Annie was exercising her pow
nd to appease, by pleasantly and fallacious
ce' soning, the troubled feelings of Laura,
Tor party remaining in the arbor commenced
ale examinations.
Didn't tell you she was high TEN
art ed, spunky piece !! exclaimed Mary, wit
up. much triumph as her fears would allow
But you did not tell US, suppose,
ere turned Clara, that she was artful and
ave of admiration. Now, | would like you
show what proof of vanity, or affectatior
old hypocrisy there was in her natural burs
IN. feeling
ned Oh, that's the very way some folks
dis when they wish to impose on others b
ions that they are wonderfully good said D
9Th Clara was about to retort, when Jan,
terposed by saying, Don't let US qua
sent o;rls hafora tharo is onv occoc;op a