Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-09-06


tieipations; Edgar was all that be had ho-
ped to see hima MAN IN every sense Of I
the term, with loftiness Of principle and
nobleness of heart stamped upon every fea-
ture. When be, Mr.. Vernon, looked for
ward to Lenlays future career, be could
see nothing but prosperity and honor a.
waiting him. Edgar's profession was that
of Medicine, and but few young physicians
ever started outwith more hattering pros
poets before them, than those of Lemay.
But, must We Gay it Z surely We must -
Dr:tI.egnay was an unhappy man. He
passionately loved Mary Vernon, but she
loved him as brother, not as suiter
And how could he help loving her Nis-l
si5Es Of beauty mad often iflsfsd before his
eyes, but none exselled the graceful Mary
Her form was a perfect model such an
one as a Vernon would prize, or Juno
envy. Her eyes, those speaking mirrors
of the soul, were light hazel and spoke a
language more impressive than any tongue.
Her hair was bright auburn and fell in
natural ringlets around neck of exquisite
mould. Her forehead was of parian puri-
ty and revealed a noble intellect. A queen
never boasted more regal step, nor pos
sessed more graceful bearing. Her mind
was sound and of the highest order When
engaged in conversation, the light of rap
ture would sparkle in her eyes; the con
scious purity of her young heart would
cause the warm blood to mount up and glow
like living blush upon her carmine cheek,
and her bosom would heave with the deep
emotion Of soul overfowing with sympa-
thy and love
Yet, Mary had one serious defect in her
character she was little coquettish : yet,
she never dreamed of injuring any one by
her caprice. She had many suitors, who
vainly aspired to her hand but among the
gallant admirers who almost daily bowed
at her feet, she found no one to whom she
could entrust her happiness. Mary pro-
nounced her confirmed coquette, others
said she was engaged to a wealthy gentle
man, then travelling in Europe But this
was mere conjecture; Mary felt confident
that her wealth was the great magnet of
attraction. She was fully resolved to avoid
MATRIMONIAL SUICIDE-to wait until she
was convinced that she alone was loved,
before she would accept the hand of ANY
MAN.
We have said that Dr. Lemay loved Ma
ry Vernon But he possessed too much Of
natures true nobility to offer his hand to the
heiresss. What he, the poverty stricken
young physician, the dependant, until re
Gently, upon another for his daily bread
dare to offer kis hand to one so far his su
i perior in. point Of wealth 9-.Ne. HE trem
bled at the very thought of it; but like
the noble Spartan boy, would conceal with
! In his bosom the fatal shaft that was pro
ducing his death. He felt to remain Ion
ger in her presence was hourly endanger
ing his future happiness; he must seek
home elsewhere must plunge into tn
cares of life, and, if possible, forget hi
unfortunate attachment to Mary. He dc
termined to seek home far from the wol
shipped one. The West presented wild
field to young men of industry and talent
To the west he resolved to go The Dot
tor made known his resolution to Mr.. We
non and his family. Mary almost starte
from her chair at the announcement, th
room appeared to be in perfect whirl, th
color faded ON her cheek and tear moi
: = tened her soft hazel eye. Lizzie Ashtc
noticed her agitation, and too we'll she il
terpreted the cause.
i Pray explain yourself, Edgar exclair
ed Mr.. Vernon, recovering from his su
0 prise. what do you mean, young man
Am [ to infer that you are growing tire
n of your home? That we ill-treat you
d not?
u Unfortunately for me- replied the D
| have no home that can call my owl
d if remain here I shall never be able
, repay you -.
= Repay me, repay me indeed ! exclail
/ ed the old man. Talk about repaying I
again and | will disinherit you. When
20 gave you home, it was not with the e
V pectation of being pecuniarily rewarded.
gave you home of son-humanity
TO quired it and the Bible sanctioned it !!
"a Now wou wish TO leave u.s. Edgar, [ b
70 hoped when my head lies beneath the cl
y of the valley, that you would protect I
Is my darling girls
Mr.. Vernon, answered the Doctor
IN MUST go; circumstances are such as
p preclude the possibility of my remainin
IS Here ! interrupted Mr.. Vernon. I
u: gar, you and my little Mary have be
l quarreling, for the fact is, you look lik
lis couple of criminals awaiting sentence
1t Doctor Lemay and myself have ne
Ut quarreled at any time during our lives
re- piled Mary before Lemay could answer
ny Mss Vernon is correct we--l'
us Stop Edgar again interrupted Mr.. Y
OF non. 4 am almost confident that someth
ed has gone wrong with you and Mary. "
re- re- is it that you SO strongly emphasize
us Mss /. You used to say MARY, not Il
Ae- Vernon =
80 | most candidly assert to you, replied
80 Lemay, that your daughter and myself
~ ~ the best of friends. But l was going O,
- say, that circumstances are such as to
al Il clude the possibility of my remaining
Wv, Chester. l am going to the West
IN ~ mind is made up on this point; l have
i'n tcular reasons for taking this step, al
-. may, at some future day, give you my r
onl ons for my present course of conduct
~ At this moment Mary arose and ret
Al AZ from the library, accompanied BY her C
'0P- in Lizzie.
I'M Edgar Lemay,' said Mr.. Vernon, I
had not attempt to prevail upon you to do
ow thing in opposition to your will; but go "
f;z f; and where you may, my blessings shall
NJ NJ follow yon' With these words Mr.. Yer
~ ~. left the library, and Doctor Lemay INN
4 L..