Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-06-14
JUNE *.
9aotts' Department,
me Broken Vow.

sky he will not come tonight is past
the hour-ha, he did not use to be so care
full about the weather. But ! will not IN
dalre in disduietdde-he has promised
ihc words died upon her lips she recol-
lccted his cOldness-tAe tone OF ambiguity
with which that promise had been repeated,
when Theodore last visited her, and IN a
confused and embarrassed manner, though
with much regret aud disappointment, as
sured her It would be impossible for him to
conform to his engagement, and marry her
at the time appointed. She remembered
how her heart shrupk within her at the
moment. and the strange presentlment that
crossed her mind that then, for the hrst
time. she thought how bitter a thing must
be disappointed love-for the first time telt
the force of the remark, which she had so
often heard Mems VOWS are brittle things.
Still, the natural buoyancy OF her spirits
forbade to despond. True, he had broken
his Grst engagement, but he had represen
ted to her the imperious necessity OF the
measure, and she had acquiesced IN it.T
True, he had not fixed the more distant
periol he had left the final hour indefinite
but she had his promise she had his
cath she would not believe him unfaith-
fpl she .G9ulls pet JheieyA DIV week, Winch
seemed to her a year, he visited the house
again, be once more mingled with the smil-
ing family circle he seemed the same he
had always been, and she was happy
But he retired before the family this cost
her a nights rest-it was not his usual
manner and she wondered why, at this par
ticular time, he should have 50 much more
business than usual. Still, she endeavored
to put the most favorable construction upon
every thing; she strove to acquit him in
her heart.
But love has eagle eyes, and from their
piercing vigilance, duplicity must be coup
LODI with most consummate art, if she would
avoid detection. Emma was caresscd by a
large circle of acquaintance. Theodore
was also a f%ayorite; in parties they frequent
ly met, and there, where the spirits are
up, and all reserve thrown off, the heart
unmlsks itself. There Theodore often for
got his caution, and not only abated his
rssal display Of partially for Emma, but
layished his fondness on another. The
generous girl forgavc him until forgiveness
became a crime committed against her own
heart. She resolved to lead q more seclu-
ded life, and in prosecuting her resolve,
soon found ample evidence of what she most
feared. His visits grew less and less fire.
frequent, until, at length, they were dis
continued altogether. Womanlike in the
deepest Of her sorrows, she retired as it were
within herself. She nursed her grief in
secret and put on a smile as sweet, if not
as gay-before the world. But at length
her feelings gradually obtained the victory
The agony which preyed on her spirit be
came daily more apparent the p~aleness o
departed health blanched her check non,
knew her grief but he who was its cause
and he shuddered at the ruin he had made
ny nau sUme rgTaUrvgsm bermuda, the
resolved to send her there. The voyag
had a salutary effect the change of seen
and circumstances-ncw friends and &C
quaintances, and the kindness she expert
cuced in her new abode, dispelled much 0
tie cherished gloom that pressed upon he
heart, and added life to her almost mani
mate frame. The flow of health gradual.
returned, and she shone in the maturity o
her beauty, a star of no common lastre il
the fashionable world of that delightful is
land. A year had not elapsed before tn
hand of one of the wealthiest merchants il
the Island was offered her. He was al
that the maiden heart desires-generous
noble, virtuous-and of years suited to he
own. She a~ccepted-and became a haI
py wife. Having left Philadelphia wit
tho intention Of returning, she now waite
%anxiousIy for the opportunity-but a va
riety Of causes prevented it, gear after yeal
A beautiful family of children grew aroun
her-her husband was deeply engaged j
an extensive and lucrative business, an
twelve yours passed by before she was en-,
blcd to accomplish her wishes, in all whic
time, she had never made an inquiry about
or once heard from her former lover.
Now Mr.. Lefere retired from bushes,
and proposed going with their far1ily, t
: America. They reached Philadelphia j
safety, and walked up Walnut-street to tn
old family mansion. 1t remained unaltel
cd her father and mother, the servaat
her former friends who remained, all we
coined her to her ancient home. Mr.. l.
ferc took a fine establishment in Chespu
street and lived in splendid style.
Emma used to ride out daily with he
infant family and as had long been he
practice, she carefully sought out such oil
jects of distress, as she deemed it would
charitable to relieve. One day, riding i
TIE suburbs of tho city, she saw a poe
half clothed man, lying on the ground, an
a tattered child crying bitterly by his side
to which he paid no attention. She direc
ted the coachman TO stop, and calling tn
man, inquired why he ~disregarded the chill
and whose it was? Ut is my own, said h,
Il came out hoping to get a place for it
yonder house, and / could mott is almo.
starved, and l have not the means to pr,
cure food for myself or it. She gave hi
a small sum, and directed him to call
her house the next day. He received
with tears, aRd promised compliance. A
the hour appointed, the poor man, With b
helpless child, waited in the kitchen fc
the call of his benefactress.
Mrs. Lefere sent for them into the breal
fast room, as sooR as the family had dis
persed, and desired to kaow by what mean
he had brought himself to poverty an
want. The man spoke out honestly. In
perance, he said, was the great cause
but his troubles had driven him to that
/ was a partner in a mercantile concern
l married. was deceivcd-the mothe
Of this poor child, after involving me i
ruinous debts, left me with a Ebertin,