Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-11-07
Spirit of tBe 9ge> 8alsigB, U0rtB-Garolina

Eugenia glanced her ewes over the elegant
of the letter, and saw where ne
expressed his delighted acceptances of the
invitation, and his pleasure at so soon seeing
his "sweet Lucy" She returned 1t, and
upon Lucy, said
W will be most happy to have him come,
but we must do our best to make his stay so
pleasant, that he will forget when his allotted
fortnight expires"
In few days he came. Eugenia follow
ed Lucy into the room, and saw him clasp
her to his heart impulsively. 1t was q warm
affectionate caress-yet she could not repress
the thought that it was only brotberly. With
out the shadow of fading or r~eviying color,
Lucyclasped her white arms around his neck
and kissed his brow,-'twas so like a sisters
love. Lucy smilingly led Frederic up to
her side, and said, "my friend, Miss Mel
burne, Frederick" He bent gaily and grace
fully before his far hostess, and she bowed
her stately person before him, with a move
ment which was the very spirit of elegance
and grace.
81 welcome you to the South, Mr.. ALI
son, not only for the pleasure of your ac-
quaintance, but for the sake of my meek
young friend here, who chooses to believe
she IS beloved by none, save your own most
noble SELF" and Eugenia laughed merrily.
Il owe you many thanks, Miss Melburne,
for your kindness to my little cousin"-and
he bent his eyes fondly upon Lucy's face
as well as for the invitation | received in
the beautiful name of "Eugenia Melburne."
/ have ~ioyfully accepted it, for the three fold
pleasure of seeing my gentle Lucy, of visiting
your beautiful State, and seeing and becom-
ing acquainted with that Eugenia Melburne,
+, with whose noble character | I'm by no means
+ unacquainted," and Frederic bent gracefully
before her.
Frederic Allison was a perfect specimen
of light haired northern beauty. He was
t tall and graceful in form a noble intellectu-
al face clear sparkling blue eyes beauti-
ful auburn curls; and a frank smile, very
winning in its sweetness, wreathed his hand
some mouth. His manners were gay and
pleasant, his movements easy and graceful.
A-resemblance. which told of their relation
q ship, existed between him and Lucy. He
evidently loved her, for he seemed to antici-
u pate her every wish, and he followed her with
~ his eye wherever she moved, with a tender,
loving smile.
Eugenia's father and mother entered soon
y after, and were introduced to Frederic, and
re welcomed him to their nome with the true
m spirit of southern hospitality. He charmed
&c them with his gay, winning smile, his enter
1t tanning conversation Of lively anecdote, AM
lrt we'll told tales of college life. Sometimes h.
N; turned to his gentle Lucy, and breathed som
o. low tone of endearment, which charm t
Ply idolatry the heart of loving woman.
Often, in the course of the evening he un
ny consciously bent the gaze Of his sparklin
eyes upon the f~aultless face of Eugenia wit
cy. a look of the deepest admiration, and the
las suddenly withdrew it, and wonder why hi
> ! own Lucy did not occupy his every though
'ut and his love for her drown every other col
sa- sideration.
AS the evening wore AVA the family or
the by one quietly left the room, rightly judgin
- that the long separated cousins would hal
ne much to say to each other, and so we WI
to leave them.
ian A new feeling had crept silently into mo
= than one heart, as the inmates Of Melburl
the place sought their rest that night. Frede
ken les dreams wandered to the fair, slight for
of Lucy DeLacy. But ever between ther
nth moved the q~ueenlY form of Eu genia, and t
old soft touch of her hand seemed to linger up
his. And he would start from his unqui
His slumbers, and smile at the fair vision tn
'uld haunted his dreams, and slept but to drea
such of her again.
iful. Eugenia Melhurne stood musingly by t
and side of the broad window of her chamber, a
we'll over her face stole a dreamy, musing loe
talr which told too plainly that no more with
Eu- her bosom beat an unawakened heart.
S~hadowy and vague the new, strar
-ou thoughts stole across her heart, dim a
!. d~reamlike, until one more distinct than
and rest startled the rose from her cheek, a
way caused her beautiful lips to culver and C
able with a smile Of derision and scorn. Nov
alter from the window, she slowly unbound
'mli- long soft hair-removed some rose buds, a
alter glanced with a pleased look for a moment
here the form of loneliness reflected in the mir
ames But soon the same dream-like course
her thought returned, and chung to her like
10 we slumber of the early morning.
InGly All! Eugenia, thou of the proud, h
'und- heart, how wouldst thou start from that sv
revery like some guilty thing, did any
ured, whisper in thy ear the name Of Frederic
e her lison?
come, But no voice does whisper that nam,
oh OF break the spell Of the sweet fancies wi
are hanging around the heart. And so, v
n the her dark hair hanging in a cloud around
clear and a musing smile upon her lips, Eugt
I the Melburne passed to her rest.
lway. The splendid moonlight fell in silvery
'obes, upon the calm, sleeping face of Lucy Dell
noon but reelected back no look Of disquietuG
r and 20 scorn or distrust, naught but still
look perfect rest.
IT less CONCLUDED NEXT wEEK1