Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-08-23

the circle OF the young pady acquaintance
within the school-room4 4-but you, my old
Walter, yd shall see her.
In FIVE minutes Madame had gone to the
school-room and returned with our little
Aymee. The fair girl looked Cat least
Walter Hines thoug int so) more beautiful
than ever, in her plain, close fitting morn
ing dress of lght-blue perino.
Mr.. Hines wishes TO know you, Miss
De Wilton,' said Madame, as they entered
the room, Fand I am tIe more willing to
accord him this privilege, since know
how fervent an admirer you have long been
of bis ,writingss - 80
I do not think dn5 one else ever blush
ed so easily as Aymee, and smiles and
bushes fairly chased each other over her
radiant face, during her half-hours inter
view with Walter Hines. It was not the
last by many. Scarcely day passed that
bouquet was not left at the door for Miss
De Wilton-scarcely an evening that did
not find the poet-orator at her side. 1t was
but the old story told Ger again. Aymee
De Wilton loved, and was loved in return.
Examination-day came and went. Ay-
NEE received her diploma, and started for
her southern home, accompanied by Elsie,
her still constant attendant, and under the
protection of her betrothed.
Has my father returned p was her first
question to the porter who opened the
lodge gates
No, Miss Aymee, was the reply. 'We
looked for him yesterday, but he did not
come, and we expect him this afternoon
Aymee passed within, and ascended to the
same pleasant rosa sap4iehe hiehhe had been appro-
priated to her use in childhood, All was
unchanged The cheerful-patterned car
pet was still upon the foor--the same book
case hung upon the wall, and the same
mirror surmounted her little dressing bu-
reau But she herself was not quite the
same She had sat for nearly an hour,
busted in thoughts, when Elsie entered
with the information that Mr.. Hines was
waiting for her in the library, and was get
ting restless at her delay. Very rapidly
she completed her arrangement Of her sim
pie toilet, donned light robe Of snowy
muslin, with blue ribbon round her slen-
der waist, and scarf Of the same hue
thrown over her shoulders, and then she
| joined her lover.
Have you seen the pictures, Walter !?
| Was her first question.
mo, dear
s well, I will show you, then !
e She lifted reverently the heavy crimson
curtain -haneeipas ne e->.es =
t with teaFs, she g.lsa ared This IS my
S mother, Walter, isy own dear, beautiful
| mother in heaven, as I used to call her
e when [ was child
It The young man regarded it for a few
d moments with an expression of deep inter-
b est, and then turning to the young girl
: beside him, why, Aymee,' he said, this
l. ought to have been taken for you. Give
e the eye one touch more of the spiritual
u and it would be your very SELF
h The golden head was bowed upon his
IS shoulder, and he felt Aymee's slight frame
r tremble with her sobs. What is it, dar
l. ling, are you grieved? Have I pained
l. you ?
IL 'Oh, no, but I am so glad, so happy
s, Oh, Walter, she was so good, so long-suf
fering, ard gentle [ have prayed 50 t.
le be like her. But forgive me, | am very
as weak | must show you my other mother
ID For full ten minutes Walter Hines nei
re ther spoke nor moved, and during all tina
is time he never once removed his eyes from
- the picture. Then turning suddenly round
O. 'Aymee, he said, lis your mother
ID Mrs. De Wilton one-half SO, beautiful a
le that p
h Ooh, yes, mamma is much more beauti
ID full than her portraitp
s. Then she must be the brightest ange
out of heaven. How old is she?'
IN twenty-five now, believe
ce twenty-five, and you call her mother
te Why, little one, I'm two years older thai
IS that myself! What Tears in my littl
he girls eyes ? That won't do, my Aymee
or It's not because I called Mrs. De Wilto
IN beautiful, is it? would'nt give you, da1
r. ling,efor thousand such. You did'n
be think that I could love another, did you
n 'O,no, indeed, said the young gil
nd simply, 6 [ never thought of that, beside
es you know mamma is married but the teal
of came to my eyes because I, too, think he
so very beautiful, and she won't love me
ms Won't love you, Aymee p
dy No? and gently drawing her lover I
m seat by her side, she unfolded to him fc
the first time, the great grief of her chill,
to hood-the wild longing for love wAic
eat she was powerless to win. He listened tel
is derly putting back the hair from her fus
NO ed cheeks with gentle, soothing motioI
nd Never mind, darling he said when 81
of concluded, she will love you now, 81
nd cannot help it. [ could forgive woma
ith young and beautiful like her, for not trou
ac- ling herself about children in general, b
ng, you I don't see how she could have hel
are ed loving you from the first
m At that moment was heard the sound
a carriage approaching rapidly. 1T
papa, exclaimed the girl. 'Stay hel
Tho Walter, while [ 60 and meet them I
the coachman dismounted, and let down t
IS p steps. Harold De Wilton spraDg from t
De carriage, and clasped his child lovingly
dor his heart. Then turning from her, he pa
not his hand to Edith. She bent her c.
cheek, to receive Aynee's eagerly prof
ad- ed salutation, and then said, turning to
half husband with quiet dignity viii J
age- take me to my room, and then you will
Ient at liberty to return to your daughter : q
ten taking his arm she passed up the steps, /
the lowed by her waiting maid with hand-l
her and portmanteau.
Aymee did not return to the library,
Wv. awaited her father on the stairs
Tour caught her in his arms as he came do
L i I