Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-04-19
VOL. v.
colin, but a cowled and hooded monk, r.
christened Maroni.

] -
tween the heart of Edgar Malcolm and all
worldly interests, and Father Maron is an
old and venerable man, beloved and respec-
ted in his order. From Palermo. his field of
usefulness has changed to Naples, where his
life is spent in binding up the wounds that
evil affections are ever making in the heart,
and endeavoring to pour oil upon the troub-
led waters of the passions.
One day, while in the confessional, SER
want belonging to family of rank, divulged
to Father Maroni plot, Of which she had
accidentally become cognisant, against the
honor of a lovely young girl, the orphan
child of a deceased nobleman, who had
squandered his estate, and left, at his death,
two children to the care of relative The
individual engaged 10 snnhall9wedaebeEae1
way Prince sAlgardo, Saan ofpowerfd con
neetions, great wealth, aud unscrupulous and
determined character. The name of the
beautiful girl was Marie Casteloni. 1t had
been arranged, in the absence of Marie's un-
Gle, that, on certain night, an upper SER
want or steward in the family was, for a large
brlbe, to admit the prince, and leave the un-
happy girl entirely in his power If she
yielded to his wishes, well; if not, he was to
carry her of by force and escape to France.
Every thing was arranged, so that, the mo-
ment that Marie was removed from the pro-
tecting roof of her uncle, the flight was to be-
gin. On the second night after the iniqui-
tous scheme was divulged, the evil deed was
to be consummated.
Rather MapOni Al ,roII IIt6o IL onoo
ter of Prince Algardo More than once had
he found himself called upon to step between
him and his intended victim, by which acts
he had made the prince his implacable ene-
my, and, in consequence, was bitterly threat
ened, notwithstanding his religious character,
If he ever crossed Algardo's path again.
Father Maroni understood we'll that this
was no idle threat on the part of the pnscru,
pulous nobleman. Bat he was not, by ma
ture, one who hesitated in fear of personal
consequences. He had seen Marie Castillo
nj few times-though she had never come
to him as her spiritual father-and had been
struck with something in her face that re-
minded him Of other times and Places
Hers was not an Italian beauty; the fair
complexion, blue eyes, and sunny hair were
those Of a race born in colder climate.
That sacrifice must not be made, said
Father Maroni, as soon as the servant had
retired.
Marie resided at beautiful villa, half
mile from Naples. 1t was near the setting
of the sun, and she was looking down from
a large window, upon the beautiful bay,
when a venerable priest approached end-stsl-
uted her with pious benediction. Marie
knew him as father Maroni, and invited him
to come in and rest himself. Once seen, no
one could forget Father Maroni. His face
was large, calm, and benevolent, while his
eyes and lips gave to his countenance an
expression Of great frmness and resolution.
Throughout Naples he was beloved by the
good and feared by the evil.
In the room where Marie was sitting,
played her little sister upon the floor; and
soon after Father Maroni had come in, the
two principal retainers in the family entered
and, not without feeling of uneasiness
found Marie at the feet of the priest, listen
ing earnestly to his low spoken words.
0eiI i,D2Hghter, avg Hg, said Father Maron, as he
gazed earnestly into her face, you do no
look like one of the children Of our Italy
Your mother was not born in this sunny re
gion.'
No, she belonged to another people, re
| turned Marie.
, In what country was she born? aske'
Father Maroni.
That do not know
. 1T must have been in England, said tn
. priest musingly, his eyes fixed almost by
spell upon the face Of the lovely girl
!, L do not know repeated Marie. M
). mother did not know. | have heard he
=. say that she was like one ocean born, an
=. thrown by the waves upon the shore
:, What did she mean by that!' inquire
a Father Maroni, speaking faster than usual
, "A ship was lost in the sea- replied tt
|. maiden, and she, a child too young to tf
~ of either her parents or country, Hoatt
q. alive to the shore
. The fires kindled by nature in the hea
~ of the venerable priest, though they hi
- - long been smouldering, had not burned OF
nj Memory blew upon them and revealed the
hidden intensity. Father Maroni foul
Of himself instantly agitated.
od did she not know her name he as
. ed.
= Marie said, yes, it was Emily
- Father Maroni started at the sound
he this name.
w "o Was there no relic found with her
on token of any kind ?
.on tYes, this locket and miniature a
"a Marie d rev from her bosom an exqui:
chased gold locket; it enclosed the mir
10 ture of a Young and beautiful woman.
~ One Glance suficed for the now dee
,IIv agitated priest. The likeness was that
rci 3 Emily, his lost wife-ofher who had b
an' w snatched from him by terrible death.
nod momentary excitement overcame him,
NJ he pressed the miniature to his lips gre;
him to the surprise of Marie, who did no
80 the least comprehend the meaning of
c. sudden change in the manner of Fat
- Maroni. But this ripple on the sur
quickly passed away, and the priest wa
tote calm as before. For an hour he lingC
III with Marie and her little sister Their
ia seeing each moment more clearly the
ness of that beloved one who had pas
Far,s @ amid the horrors of fearful ocean st
Cos to the abodes of the blessed. Far dow
E"- the undiscovered depths of the sea
ana wears before, he had believed his dear G
and lost to him forever. But it was not
lions the waves had borne the precious bu
Nal. that had been cast upon them safely t.