Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-05-31

er it shone. In its light, the fountain, as
they could see, looked like sheet of white,
falling sunbeams. And ANA stood under
it until every foul spot was washed out of
her robe.
Then they went on again, and ANA whis-
pered-
do you see 4? She comes with us, the
glorious maiden. All Lii, perhaps she
is my life-angel, or yours
And Lii smiled and answered.
Il have seen her before. She often holds
her taper to show me the way
Then why, said ANA, do not I see
her; too p 81
Because said Lii, you prefer the
rainbow light to the white one, which,
therefore, seems dim to YOU
See if do not hereafter follow the mai
den with the white taper, wherever she leads
me- rejoined ANA
Here the cave began to grow narrower,
and doors opened into it on either side, and
people called to them from the chambers
within to come in and furnish themselves
with food and clothing for the rest of the
way, which they assured them would be
sometimes far more rough and dreary than
that over which they had passed. Anna
would have decked herself with useless fine
ry, and filled her wallet with sweetmeats
instead of bread; but her wiser friend Lii
interfered, and assisted her to obtain what
she really needed, so that at length they
were both tolerably equipped.
just as the cavern began to widen again,
they passed by half open door, which was
almost concealed by bush of red, fragrant
roses. As ANA ran up to pluck one, cum
ming little face peeped out, gay with smiles
and golden curls, and said
Come in, I have something for you 7
Pray, do not 60, said Lili Look at
those black letters which the light shows so
plainly upon the door Enter not
But ray from the rainbow torch had re-
hected strange splendor from some unseen
object within, and ANA did not heed the
warning, but ran in, and the door closed up
on her.
Lii waited long without, after having
called in vain to her friend to return. But
there was no answer, until, at length, she
heard deep groan. She tried to open the
door, but could not; so she called aloud for
help. And very soon the maiden with the
white taper approached, and with the first
ray that fell upon the door it flew open, and
ANA lay beside it, weak and bruised. Lii
lifted her tenderly, and led her away into
the pure light, without question; but when
ANA had reganed little strength, she told
her tale, Of her own accord.
She said that the room into which the
strange little creature led her was hung with
gilded pictures, and lighted up with many
twinkling torches, that glanced like frehies
over the walls and ceiling. Many fantastic
forms were seated around table loaded
with ripe, tempting fruit; and, with eyes
full Of wicked laughter, they beckoned hel
to sit down among them. They placed ro
sy apples before her, and tade her eat. Sht
tasted one, and found it full of ashes. He
companions pretended to pity her, whel
they saw that she was choked by the ashes
and offered her some black juicy -lookin}
cherries. But these were so bitter that sh
could not swallow them; and when she ros
2 in disgust to return to her friend, her tor
7 mentors threw off their disguise of smiles
, and pelted her without mercy With the deceit
t full fruit, and then ran away, the wild, dar
cling lights going out with them, and she
h bruised and sickened, haG not strength
}. escape.
8 Indeed, Lli,' she said, L never coul
It have got ont again, but for you
e And could not have helped you, Amt
l, but for magical ray of that white light thu
It fell upon the door and opened it. See, tn
d maiden holds it for US still and she poin
1t to the fountain. Your robes are dusty an
|, stained, and will have to be washed again
o The fountain, Lii? did we not pass
long ago.! ~.
s And have you not observed that W
IT have never been out of the reach of its spray
d or, at least, it has always been in sight
There is something very wonderful abo1
r that fountain; | think its waters could NJ
20 be scattered SO far, unless they fell from
greater height than we know Of
N When Ama's robes were cleansed agai
re they walked on. And now the way begs
* to divide into great many roads and foe
le paths, and they hardly knew which to take
ANA was disheartened and weary on a
t., count Of her troubles, aud looked wishful
y back towards the green and sunny openir
10 now so far away. But the gray-headed m;
lie held up bis pale taper, and though the di
it tance shone with delicate beauty in
ID azure radiance, he shook his head mournfull
1T and she knew that she could not return.
Then the smiling maiden with the tor
or of rainbow-ight glided before them, al
lie showed wide smooth path, bordered wi
le hedges Of fragrant, blossoming shrubs
he Birds with ghttering plumage were singh
I'D there, aud butterflies and sportive anim'
were all around.
he Come said ANA, we shall not find
ne pleasanter road
wv But Lila stood still, and babe her look
d. narrower path, upon which the calm m
ou den was throwing the white light of her
all per. 1t was steep and rocky, and thou
there seemed to be birds and flowers the
he they did not look so brilliant, from wht
lat they stood, as those upon the other road.
he 1t is the safetest way, ANA, said L
of for it leads upward, as we must 90,
lry course, to get out of this deep cave. I'll
rk. smooth road is beautiful in the rainbc
to light, but it soon ends in cloud, and
cannot see whether it lies up ward or dov
ow ward. Besides, she added, as ANA seen
ltv unwilling to remove her eyes from
the bright, broad way, you know you pre-
Its, Used to follow the maiden with the white
far per; and oh 1 think we are almost thr
hin for just then saw its rays meltinto be
hot of do1zling hnantv far nm the DorroVu ~,