Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-06-20
.reating form, and she exclaimed, half

took him to be. I am happily disappoint-
ed in him. I wish | had not looked so
coldly upon him
That night Emma Douglass heart beat
quicker Us she attired herself for Madame
D-'s soiree. She was two hours longer
at her toilet than usual, and then left quite
with her appearance. She knew
she never looked worse in her life.
When she eutered the magnificent parlors
of Madame D, she glanced hurriedly
around amongst the large assembly, to see
if he was there-Richards. Her eyes spark
led as she beheld his glance directed towards
her. She hoped he would come toS
where she was, for be was at the farther
end ofthe room. Presently she saw him
make an attempt to that purpose, and as he
did so, she saw him blush, and look as en-
barrassed as some country clown. She had
always detested bashfulness, and considered
it weakness in man to inherit it. Rich
ards was basAful, and she considered it al
most a crime to be so besides, the ladies
had noticed his weakness, and were laugh
ing behind their fans at him.
How should she treat him, should he
place himself at her side, which he had all
the appearance of doing? Treat him cold
ly,' she muscd.
Richards felt that he was being laughed
at by the ladies' for, at previous enter
tainment, he had found that the female por-
ton there convened, did not consider him
quite 'duck of q man, which greatly ad-
dad 70 his embarrassment
After great deal of effort-more of
mind than body he reached the place where
Miss Douglass was-she received him cold
ly, as she had determined, which chilled
him like an iceberg He felt the hot blood
quickly recede from his brow to his heart.
He knew he was very pale, and he was
awore that she had perceived the change.
Had she aOonadn'S heart? If so, it
must be touched by my wretched appear
auce, he murmured. He glanced upon
her again; she was as cold as ever. He
g left heryside, mentally exclaiming
My life is in her hands. If fail to
awaken her sympathics, suicide shall be
stamped upon my cold brow, and murder
upon hers My life is in her hands,
What have | not-what would not do for
her ? he hurriedly continued. Sell my
self to sin, misery, shame, and death =
Love unrequited love, will drive man
to desperation when nothing else will !
With an air of madness, which was per
; ceived by Emma Douglass, Richards left
that fashionable assembly to return nc
more that-eVening. Miss Douglass, though
surrounded for the remainder of the even
: ing with host of adoring admirers. was
> restless aud unhappy. The sad face Of
y. Richards haunted her. She wished that
. she had shown him more pity-but thai
might have emboldened him to sue for hel
\ hand, which she should at once refuse fol
. although she might pity 6ashful man
she could never wed one-that was out o
the question. She returned home at al
- early hour that night. She felt sad ant
=, quite indisposed, and wished she was no
: so sensitive-wished that she was utterl
void of feeling, She passed restles
A. night,
,n On the following morning, while indul
. ging in her accustomed walk, she me
4 Richards. He looked pale and sad
ID When he saw her approaching slowly
, the spot where he was, he hastened away
- leaving her wonder-struck at his speed
~ disappearance. She recalled her conduc
n of the previous night, and blamed him no
y She became gloomy, and returned to th
a. house. Here lady friend was awaitin
10 her, who informed her that Richard
ne friend had told her husband that Richard
no was dissipated fellow-that he was we
- known everywhere but in that town-th
in the informant kept company with him
NJ the hope of reforming him.
At. Miss Douglass looked surprised al
~ troubled, but said nothing Her frie1
mt left her. and, as evening advanced, 81
Yin sought her favorite resort by the rive
bit side. She was soon lost in deep revert
20 She beheld not the form of man, as
emerged from behind large 'club
trees and drew near her. A heavy 81!
III fell upon her ear, and awOke her from b
Sbo reverie. She looked up, and beheld Ric
20 ards before her. She was about to ct
oso sure him, when tear on his check "
.oos perceived, and she checked herself.
the Miss Douglass exclaimed Richards,
OOr NLChOilbS5J hSoi iC1IluS oOhC, say Ghd1 J
in don't hate me for my past misdemeanors
had for know you must have heard the
any port concerning me-and | will die
EN-, peace!
less Die = returned the beautiful heiress
ap- ooh why were you SO weak she cont
she ued, in a piteous tone, as to yield
fore temptation? (? Why did you not hear t.
we'd mothers p aver, or fond sisters entr
ter ties? Why stood you not aloof Fl
!, to the black sea of despair and death 2
- 'Iwas young and inexperienced in
owe, ways of the world. The tempter came
ness | yielded There was no mothers pray
rom or fond sisters entreaties for me, for |
an orphan 2 The speaker bowed his h
re- and wept. A moment more. and he
my ded-' Had one female heart betrayed
,out slightest interest for my welfare at the
set, | had not been debased? AS it is,
Mss added, in the deep, hollow tone that !
her ceeds from heartin the moment preced
by despair, care not into what vice I'm
Per- or how soon my reckless career ends, f
the have not friend-not one who VIC
was tender the helping hand, or bid me h
that go-I 90 7 the speaker turned to DEP
fer as he did SO, sigh met his ear, then tt
cuse words -
wo- Stay-stay you are not friendless
lie of will be your friend--I will tender wore
over cheer-I will love-
ar Tho holf Go. IL