Spirit of the age., 1853-09-14
POOR AGNES.

1OVA AONGO
The voice of the charmer-the voice of the
charmer-charm he ever so g wisely"
What does she mean ?'' asked, turning
to my companion but before he could an
swer, the wild looking girl took off her bon
net, letting shower Of curls fall over her
wan checks.
I've wandered through woods" she said,
"and picked up the dead leaves every autumn
to heap on my grave but the red glory ia
ded away, and my grave is not yetmade. I've
stood by flashing rivers, and gone down to
the moon in theiY dark depths, but the voice
Of the charmer, the voice of the charmer,
charm he ever so wisely-ah me J" and fling
ing herself upon the green bank, she laid as
motiOnless as if she were dead
"Come with me-" said my friend. Turn
ing off into a charming lane he led me to a
beautiful spot. A little cottage stood in the
midst Of q clump Of trees. 1t had new, yet
deserted and sorrowful look. The blinds
were covered with dust, weeds struggled a
round its base, and one red sunbeam, level
with our glances, gave almost supernatural
| tinge to the gloom within.
That cottage, strange as it may seem to
you, was raised ten years ago, and no living
person has ever slept beneath its roof. It
was built by Cleary Hale, young man born
and brought up in the village. This poor,
crazy creature whom you Just saw was his
betrothed. She was beautiful enough to be
the belle Of the place. Indeed, / can remem-
Der when with her thick glossy curls, and
vivid black eye, she engrossed all my youth
full attention. But, poor girl! she was the
victim Of slander. One who was jealous of
her influence, and envious of her beauty,
sought to work her ruin The child was as
inpocent as she was amiable, and just the
victim upon whom an artful mind might
work, and never be suspected.
!" With stories plausibly told linked to-
! gether with the little thoughtess actions and
speeches of this unsuspecting girl, the base
' woman succeeded in poisoning the mind of
her lover. Yet he did not turn, as she had
fondly counted, to her. Stung to the heart,
a he cast off all allegiance to the supposed false
C maiden, and left for foreign land. The Won
u der of her companions, their suspicious and
unspsken taunts, together with her desertion,
n drove poor Agnes mad, and so she has been
f. ever since. Cleary never came back he left
r his house as you see it, not quite finished g;
:''ia L.h1nld not wonder fit stood there un-
A. I" But was this Agnes guilty Of any impru-
IL dence ?"
g Guilty! wish to heaven my soul was as
p pure as hers and if Clcary but knew it, he
o. would condemn himself forever for his un.
JUST
in AT this moment gaunt face startled US a
is the window of the deserted house. We sprung
In to our feet, but hardly quicker than n mar
lr hurried from the threshold, and stood con
fronting us.
he Cleary," said my friend almost with
- shout. The figure seized his hands, bu
d, seemed unable to articulate, though his lip
cd moved.
pd At last he exclaimed, " Agnes-where i
il she 2"
You have heard us, then-you hear
what | have been telling ?"
he 4" Yes. every word-only carry me to he
let me see her-let me on my knees entrea
ed her to forgive me-"
ire We walked hurredy to where we had lei
We, the unhappy girl. She had fallen asleep. Th
'LA LNart~"St of her almost jetty curls with he
ith very pale face was almost startling. Clear
art folded his arms and stood gazing upon he
his His form shook like leaf trembling in til
he autumn wind his lips and cheeks were ash
tn white. Some mysterious sympathy, perhap
awakened Agnes. She looked dreamily roun
for and began her old strain, the voice of tt
lad charmer " the voice--hiS voice--hiS face
red she shrieked, catching the eye of the SUI
his burnt Clearly" his face, though altered
oh ! Cleary--how could you stay so long
on- have been so lonely, and suffered so much
- she sobbed, as he caught her and folded h
the to his breast.
oul. We could not but mingle our tears Wi
pity his. The Great Father had restored reas
ess to her throne, and she looked out from tho
t rs dark eyes half lovingly, half reprsvingly,
low if she ought but could not bear to chide t
cause Of her banishment.
No longer deserted, tho little cottage sho'
fore its red lights every evening through vim
IS OF and heinterlacing branches of trees Strai
vel of sweet music float through the pleasa
face rooms, and unite with the summer music
lave natures sylvan voices. Round dimpled chez
anu and sunny treSses shine out from the wiz
ows, and pretty childish hands gather ro
cred in the morning to set on the table for faith
fol- Agnes looks young again. The bloom
ex- come back in her cheeks, the fiery glances
sweetly subducd, and her eyes have gro
here soft and loving.
81 81 10 But she whofrst lifted the slanderer's vo
~ has grown old and unlovely. Despised
,I tne the part she had played in former years,
oAen body seeks her lonely retreat, and in all
et, the name, her miserable home is, indeed, ;
naso % and in truth, deserted cottage.
She 'o ~ ''''''