Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-04-19

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his feelings. He had need of all this self
acquired power now. As the twilight be-
gan to fall, he laid his hands upon the
heads of Marie and Theresa, and said, with
a more genuine fervor than had ever ac-
companied his blessing: The God ofpeace
keep you, my children, and preserve you
from the snare of the fowler
There was something in the manner of
the priest that left strong impression on
the mind of Marie. This, under the cir
cumstances, could hardly have been other
wise. His voice fingered in her ears, and
seemed to possess world of tenderness.
On the next night, just as Marie was a.
bout preparing to retire, after performing
her evening devotions, she wSs startled. bsTs
, ss.1Ioise near one cfgthe windows, which
was Immediately afterwards thrown open,
and a man, closely wrapped in cloak,
stepped into the room A cry of alarm
Immediately fell from the lips of Marie,
who shrank to the opposite side of the
chamber as the intruder advanced.
Don't be alarmed my pretty onc,' said
the unceremonious visitor, in light, play
full voice, uncovering his face as he spoke,
and showing the bold but handsome fea-
lures of Prince Algardo. You know
have always admired you. Long ago
swore to possess you, and now have come
to make good the OATH
AS he said this, he laid his hand upon
the shrinking form of the frightened girl
and was about raising her from the floor,
when he was suddenly seized by powerful
arm, and drawn backwards. Disengaging
himself, he sprang to his feet, drawing his
rapier as he did SO. On turning, he found
himself confronted by stranger, fully
armed for the emergency. Maddened by
this unexpected and bold interference, the
prince made plunge at the heart of his
assailant, but his sword arm was thrown
cody up, and before he could recover him.
self, he received a severe wound in the left
side. A fierce struggle ensued, but it las
ted only for brief period, at the end of
which Prince Algardo lay upon the floor
that was deluged with his blood.
When Marie, whose senses had fed at
the moment of greatest peril, recovered
her consciousness, she found herself in an
apartment, with everything around her new
and strange. AS she started up with an
exclamation of surprise and terror, an old
man, whom she had not at first observed,
came quickly to her side; saying, BE
calm, my daughter, you are safe
There was something strangely familiar
in the voice, and Marie looked wondering
ly into the old mans face.
SPEAK! she said hurriedly. l hear
the rush of water. Where am II
'You, with your sister Theresa, are on
shipboard. See, there she lies, sweetly
asleep unconscious of any change But be
calm, my dear child and the stranger took
her hand and held it tightly. You re-
member Father Maroni? [ am he.
learned from faithful servant that Algar
do had bribed some of the domestics to ad
nit him to your chamber that he might re
move you to distance, and make you the
slave of his will. determined to preven
the execution of his plot. In order that
might be better able to do this, came tt
your uncle's villa, where met you. Oh
that was blessed meeting, for [ found il
XQH, Y,7I,..I Marie, the daughter Of my own child
bereft me of her mother. The locket yo
wear about your neck contains the mina
ture of one whose loss have mourned fo
nearly forty years
Marie looked bewildered. To her thi
strange revelation seemed like dream.
AS soon as I had learned this resume
Father Maroni, [ went on board an Eng
lish vessel Of war in the harbor, and mad
known to the officer in command that
was British subject, and that | had NJ
only large estates, but title at home.
had with me documents to satisfy him
once that my statement was true. [ the
related brief y my history-how, many yea
ago, had been wrecked on this sea,
which disaster my wife, and my child ais
as then supposed, were drowned al
that, broken in spirits by the shock, | h;
sought a cloister's retirement. [ thu
made known the fact had discovered, tn
you were the daughter of my child, W
had been strangely saved from death, al
that an unprincipled young nobleman, W
r possessed great power and influence, W
/ about sacrificing you, in your helpless, I
warned innocence, to his brutal passion.
Captain R entered at once into I
feelings, and to his courage and determin
resolution are you, my dear child, indebt
# for your rescue. My arm was too feeble
save you, though, had not other and bet
q aid been rendered, [ would have been
your side in the hour of danger. Even
a it was, was near at hand. The NOM
te the fierce contest that followed the meet
A. of Prince Algardo and Captain R
had been decided in favor of the latter, J
" and Theresa were removed by some of
of other officers who had accompanied US.
N hurriedly taken on board the ship, wh
A Immediately set sail. We are now on
ID way to England, and you are under the
" lection of hitherto unknown friend, '
in will love you and care for you with
50 deepest affection. The prince is power
or and if he should survive his wounds,
% revenge both towards you and me WI
as never be satiated short of the fercest
ed taliation. could no longer remain il
"a ally with any hope of retaining my
and l would not go away and leave you
"A Theresa there. Now, we are beyond
rm power of evil passions. AS for me, $
in lay aside my ecclesiastical VOWS. HoE
rt1 life has come warmly back into my bos
ia new current is flowing in my veins ;
d dead have been, as it were, restored to
Ian Long did Marie weep after this n
tho tive had ended. No doubts crossed