Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-01-12

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Herman sails from Cuba--Arrival in England--.Ths
Faithless Husdand--The Devoted Wife.
A year, whole year oh the thought
distracIs me-it is terrible, Herman whis-
pered poor Leila, her whole frame convulsed
with grief.
A year will slip by very fast, said her
husband, pressing her to his bosom; for now
that the hour Of parting had come, portion
Of his old affection rolled back upon his
heart.
You will come back to me- exclaimed
Leila. My poor heart whispers such pro.
phetic words--such doubts and fears. You
will come back again
Ny honor he whispered stcrnly, with a
glance ofreproof.
Oh I! ifhc had only said Ny love, she
murmured to herself
Herman, his father-in-law, and Leila stood
on board the vessel which was to sail in the
course of tho day. Servants were busily
carrying TO bis state room the young Eng
liShman's luggage, stored in which were
many costly gifts for lis parents.
Herman bad offered to take Leila; had
made some faint show of anxiety to induce
her father to allow it and she would glad.
ly have gone, but the old signor almostraved
at the idea. Leila was delicate he had
lost all his children save her-and, giving
her birth, her mother had died. If she left
him, he would be a lone, childless old man,
for likely he should never see her again
: Besides, he had required this pledge before
marriage, that Herman was never to take
her from home.
at parting, Sguor Vclasquez placed in
bis hand a purse heavy with gold, whispered
his blessing and adicls, bid him God-spced,
then returned with the mournful Leila to
the shore.
During the voyage, Herman was alter
nately light and depressed. To
drown thought he would indu &c in bolster
Gus mirth-apparently the gayest of the
gay-and then for hours he would stand
gazing over the ships side, lost in gloomy
reverie. He longed, with ill-conccaled i'm
patience, for the hour when he should hail
dear England once more. As they came
on soundings, rush of tumultuous feeling
glad and exhilarating, filled his breast
his fancy clothed the long, dark line o
mA62kaL - uuco VI Dcduty dlu WheH d
last he landed on British soil, he coul(
have kuelt and kissed the very ground.
1t was but the work Of a moment to orde
n coach and drive to the residence Of hi
parents. His old father had so far recovere
as to be able to hobble about the room, an
he clasped his son in his arms exclaiming
Il thank my God that behold you ono
more!
His mother-with her sweet blne ey,
undimmed, and fresh hue on her still Ia
cheek-seemed younger with the betterlr
of her fortune. She almost smothcred h
beloved child with kisses. but said, as 81
held him at arms length, All, my Hernia
that West Indian climate will spoil yo
beauty and why, pray, did you not bri
your young wife and settle in EnglandP 2
Yes, to be sure, spoke up the old ma
your 'preCey bvrt ,ls5--'v"'''' aasAs with sight
tion we thought you we'll nigh gone crazy.
Why has she not written us? We ha
never yet received one line from her
Herman blushcd but not willing to
pose Leila ignorance, he parried the qu
ton as we'll as he was able.
She has sent you some beautiful pr
SuLS, nC SalOy anu WlSUeS lO DS very al
tionately remembered to you
Weeks passed, aud alas he thoughtv
little Of his poor wife. There seemed to
great burden lifted from his mind,
while he chided himself for his indifferen
he still cherished it.
Known now as wealthy West Ind
resident, followers and fatterers were
wanting; his society was courtcd by the
fined, the intelligent; and as months
by, he lost the sallowness engendered by
climate of the tropics; his check recove
It's wonted bloom, his form its uprightr
his step its elasticity.
Handsome and reputcily rich, he
often in the company of young and be;
ful women, aud too often did he com
thc djgniGed, courtly manners. the
eompaexioas, and above all, the refined
cultivated intellectual endowments of
countrywcmen, with che insipid char;
and aimless existence Of his alien wife
that for hours he would sit and ponder
be could so faF have lost his senses q
marry her.
was mere boy, he would muttor
child in love affairs have ruined my
! find, alas too late; thrown myself
for senscless beauty. Better by far
remained in poverty-better have bee
outcast=zthan to suffer such agony eact
ment as | now endure And he "
walk his room till his misery became II
rablo; then, rushing out into the str
find himself in some Englishmansion,
ing in the mellow tones, listening t
sprightly wit of fair ladies.
1t was not till he could bring hims
forget his wife, that he could obtain rest
his harrassing thoughts.
The first few months Of his visit :
pleasantly enough; he had received
letters from his cousins, who, disliking
had never forgigen Herman for maj
her. AS consequence, they did not
bis wife in very faltering colors so t
last be omitted reading that part relat