Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-09-05
Choir Literature.
THE MAID OF MYRTLE VALE.
by miss S. J. c. wnITrLEsEY.

Beautiful and bright are the memories
that cluster around that lovely spot, sweet
Myrtle Vale-memories that smile up thro'
the dim vista of departed years, in radiant
streams along the mazy aisles of the shad /
Owy Past
Voices soft and low as Eolian whisper
ings, come trembling up from that far-of
home in this hushed and purpling eve,
breaking upon our spirit-ear, in plaintiye
cadence, like the last lingering Of . sA.t
tered iute, waking in our yearning heart
mournful thoughts too deep for tears
Far away where the dear old naples
stretch their broad, leafy arms lovingly
over the low, white caves, with their thick
clusters of glossy green, damp and heavy
with twilight dew singing an evening an
them to the wandering wind-spirits that
creep from the dark, old woods, and nestle
amid their swinging boughs-dwelt in time
agone, the maid of Myrtle Vale-beauti-
ful Flora Fay.
Years, long years have gone down to
the great reservoir Of departed things, and
Times trembling hand hath traced broad
lines Of change and decay upon loveliness,
fresh and fairas mornings rosy dawn, since
we sat in the golden haze of that still June
evening, in the little white cottage porch,
with the soft stars glittering in the deep
clear azure of southern summer sky, hold
ing their tiny tapers to the young moons
silver car, as it swept along the broad, blue
meteor-track that spanned the distant heav-
ems.
Methnks | see her now, as in that balmy
hour, with one fair rounded arm peeping
out of the pure, white folds Of her muslin
robe, thrown over the hushed guitar, whose
last soft tremble had foated lightly off on
the wing Of cooling breeze. Her large,
dark eyes were lifted dreamily to the radi-
ant heavens, as though the young spirit of
the sweet warbler had gone up on the rich
gushes Of its own melody, to revel in the
cline of never ceasing song. The tender,
green coils of the clustering vine, that
crept up the slender pillars of the little
portico, and swung from the low, brown
caves, twirled and twisted amid the round
rings of her long black curls.
She was beautiful, sweet Flora Fay-in
the bud of girlish innocence-beautiful as
the ideal Of poets widest dream the
only child Of her mother and she widow J;
and beauty was her only dover.
FEditk,' she said, softly, lifting one ia.
per finger to large, full star, upon which
my own eyes had long rested, and laying
hand gently upon mine, Edith, there il
my destiny.star-choose darling, whicl
shall be yours
Laughingly | pointed to little gen
that lay sparkling nearest her own, an
called it mine.
May they shadow forth coming event
by
She ceased, for low sound, we'll known
came up on the perfumed air, from tn
swinging cottage-gate, and | looked roguish
ly into the frightened eye, and smiled pre-
vokingly at the deepening rose on her roun
dcd cheek for / knew it was the lovin
heart, that sent the quiver to the sma
white hand which lay upon mine.
A tall, manly form was shadowed in th
moonlighte gold on the pebbly walk, an
the visitor sprang lightly upon the vine
latticed porch.
The blushing maiden yielded to th
strong arm that stole round her slight form
and her full, cherry lip was printed wit
loves own token--for | was but chill
and they needed me not.
Long they sat in the holy hush Of tn;
starry night-the proud lover and the beal
tiful bride betrothed but shadow la
upon either brow, for the morrow's su
must dawn upon the departure of Edwar
Earle TO a distant land.
A sudden parting, such as crushes ii
life from out young hearts but the NAL
ly lip of Edward whispered hope to I'll
fearful one, as she leaned her bowed heo
upon his shoulder, and dreamed of days
absence, sad and dreary.'
The bright moon wheeled her swift cha
lot behind heap of clouds, piled high
the heavens, and pushing back the dar
thick ringlets that fell in a shower ov
her face, he kissed again and again h
cold white cheek and brow-and was gon
Six long, weary months must elapse, e
he should return to the home of his chi
hood and to his early love, and what cha
ges might not time effect during the 10
interim. But duty called him to the s.
rifce, and her mandate was ever sacred
Edward Earle.
Weeks rolled on, and messages of lo
and remembrance came from the lone W;
derer. Full oft did peep into the lit
lettcr-box for the white signal ; and
happily, it looked me iu the eyes, from
hind its transparent prison house, W
trembling hand l seized upon the preclC
missive, aud 'went on my way rejoicin
with the honey .freightcd thing snuI
slowed away in my book -bag'-that
dispensable appurtenance Of frolickso
child, daily creeping like snail UNIV
ingly to school,
o, the memory Of those days when
trudged along the shaded walks of
dear little village off to aquiet nook, wh
the old brown school house nestled dc
in great green clump of naples and
old elms-when the merry shout of n
checked girls and little jacketcd urcl
went up In glad gush through the in
laced limbs, that formed pavilion
the grassy play -groundl
There was the little desk beside
wide window with its broken panes
lose shutter, bearing many stripes Of b
nd blue upon its time-stained face.
ooked down upon the wild old pond, v
b merry birds chirped and sang so {