Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-02-07

gathering tomorrow, on your birth day?
Bless me-. said the happy looking old man,
as he turned to where Ola had been sitting,
{ the child's motions are just like those of
bird; no sooner do turn my back, than
she wings out of my sight. All ha ! she
is tuning that always untuned harp in the
music-room I must hear one of my old
fashioned songs tonight, fer | really feel
young again
Irene's reyery was so absorbing, that
she seemed insensible to the presence of
Eugene, who had watched her intensely as
she read the letter. How.deep was that
.1sigh, when she threw it dove, murmuring
4 almost unconsciously-
Well, by bearing. we ma ftan conquer
-FOUR fate She started: al &ssxsring Ugh
fell on her ear-a voice spoke
TO love and be beloved, must indeed be
the happy fate of one like Miss Carlton,
and in the constancy of her own heart, that
of her betrothed cannot fail to be reflected ?
All ! Mr.. Mansfield, your prediction of
the former will never be my fate, and the
latter sentiment could hardly be said to
form component part of our compact
But is it not necessary one under the
existing circumstances p
| Con my part it may be, for you are
doubtless aware that am the plighted,
and the one to be released, not the liberator'
So know, but did not Mr.. Malcolm
} likewise seal the compact with the unerring
truth of pure love, and think you, feeling
) thus, man would regard his oath less sa-
cred than woma p
Oh, no 7 replied Irene mournfully.-
: Earnest Malcolm could not do otherwise
towards his adopted father, whom he regar-
t ded as his dearest benefactor, than to accept
| the proffered hand of his daughter; and
a alas her will was passive, because her heart
was ignorant of how much was involved in
e the fatal promise. Although time and its
e vlcissitudes may have wrought Indifference,
d or some change in has feelings, it still re-
mains with me to beware how 1 break it
! sOiyully'
r But is it not said 'uuheedful vows may
If heedfully be broken!' And probably YOU
d view your compulsion in an exaggerated
b light; besides, it has ever been the preroca-
tive and province of your sex to cancel or
d annul all such engagements? Your youth
It is another plea, which would readily excuse
Ii a non-fulfilment on your part
True, we were both very young, but
v young as [ was, my father had always
Is taught me to hold in sacredness my slightest
word of promise; consequently, could not
disregard that which have ever cherished
N as &C. existent with my earthly happiness, to
- wit, my truth. could never wresle against
= Tears like crushed jevs.s,I s.., iay on Che
u cheek of Irene, as she uttered the last words
"a and the voice of Eugene trembled with equal
re emotion when he spoke.
ur And does Miss Carlton suppose if he1
H. afianced were apprized oft dread revolt 0
,s her heart that he could so basely sacrifice
= hers, as we'll as his own happiness, by sucl
- exacting selfshness Would not the garland
q of love be converted into one of deadly thorn
IL piercing his brow forever
ny The gathering sadness seemed to pass ava
from her face, as if some sudden though
ok- had aroused her with its danger, and smilin
vas family she carelessly. replied
,,+ oh! we can better analyze our feeling
'oO when we meet. I am prepared for an
as change-being we'll schooled in the heart
cut stocism.'
lct, is it in Earnest Malcolm alone that yo
)W, anticipate change? All! Irene, how S,
our premely blest must he be, to possess Il
Irse inestimable boon of your constant love--f
:, if / have read your character Alright, m
~ thinks when once the fire of such is kindlt
~ ruA in your heart no chilling wind of time cou
IKE extinguish it. Say, have / not read "
nc truly' He took her hand and looked in
sup her face with the most passionate inquiry.
Perhaps too truly replied she, quick
ssa. Withdrawing her hlnd, would to heaven
l;fa could think it is Earnest alone who h
: changed-I would not now feel SO sensit
"a, IA the terrible void, the wandering though
ne which ever reigns within my bosom, VIII
rea- memory c!ings so tenaciously to my ro,U.
7ivi- All! we do not alooays make our own pa
our and fling our own shadow over it'-for, al;
,ost- over mine, deep shadow was cast, er,
.ool had passed the Threshold Of childhood
T" Irene! land Eugene's voice was startli
Du- from an unusual energy of tone) somethi
whispers, did this barrier not exist-w
7hen you not thus tettered, l. nay I, might d;
to claim your love. Forgive my seem
ding boldness, but obey the dictates of your he;
nina and render unto me the dear.confession, w
trn' it only to illuminate and dispel the d,
~ e clouds of despair, which your fatal VOW ca
&c ., u over my hopeless love-
e! Her face was averted-but Eugene
etely that some powerful emotion stirred will
al by for the ivid paleness again returned to
even Flip. How he shrunk back when she tur
anco her dark lustreus eye upon him-never
s. = a5 lit glanced such withering coldness
: az az j scarcely deem any answer incuml
meek upon me; for, such question should /
the been restrained as we'll for YOUR own. as
ID lip my sake. You do indeed suspect trufy.
IS his mine would be love not Lightly extinguis
.atelv but at the same tirae, you know not
,dono strength of that love, to imagine me ca
swayed to and fro by the ftful gust of
worthy passions, when honor and reason
oeep- mand my hearts subjecticn. Nature
# Eu- err, but truth never; the former shoul
e and subdued, the latter ever its guide. This
;, that been my aim through life, and it is no
:, tide Eugene Mansfield to undermine the ard
;nr 70 work of years, few though they be-
ins " Eugene was left alone. Strange but f
aue Oh less being museo he, 6 have sorely t,
ghtest ted you, and I will yet prove a succe
apidly tempter.' A portfolio Of drawings Law
IN un- before him; he knew they were sketch
instead Irene's, and taking it up, a small volum
..ugbt from it. Glancing his eye on a page Gu
- 1oIf down, the 2encillings of sentence ca
- - his eye.
no ner IT'S one thing to be tempted Escalus.
: calm But another thing to fall.
MS let sIrene,' was traced on the MARGIN
A proper and most significant war,
no. sit continued he but, I will shape a,
om;no course-pique has ever been subduing
80 ~ lon with woman-and ere throw asit
'eE Iuo r,osL Irona Carlton shall eonfass ho