Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-01-24

WV AVhS anu hHdclOub avenue OF
spreading oaks no longer gave to view its
pebbly smoothness, bei1g thickly strcwn
with November's most ample tribute; and,
~ sbe foot would press the crisped and
rostlin5 leaves how fpFcibly the hesEt felt
fi-aatan -. ssssz
"All that's bright must fade"
But the gloom without, was not greater
than that which shrouded the mind of Sir
Walter Carlton, as he sat beside the large
oriel window in the library Of his stately
mansion. A strife of conflicting feelings
evidently agitated his bosom for the shad-
ow resting oft and anon on his high pale
brow, bespoke the Aittering changes of res
olution and indecision. Suddenly his deep
reverie was broken by the booming of the
evening gun from an adjacent village, whose
white spires and smoke were plainly dis
cernible in the distance then as if to shake
of the gathering darkness of that painful
mental action, he hastily drew aside the
heavy curtains from the window, murmur-
ing
It is strange that now shrink from the
disclosure, for it must be made ere l depart.
What weight seems to cumber my spirits
thus lettering my will Can it be an
ominous warning that am shaping an un-
wise course for ensuring the happiness of
both p
A light step caused Sir Walter to turn !;
the contracted brow was suddenly exchang-
cd for the smile of parental fondness, and
the light of holy love beamed from the eye
OF the nobleman as it rested on his only
daughter. He drew her to low seat near,
and pushing back the clustering curls from
her face, looked sadly and anxiously on the
young being beside him. She was mere
child-but in her face, there cleaned not
one ray Of that sunny beauty ever belong
ing to childhood's happy careless time. 1t
spoke of feelings ripened into precocious
maturity-and an unusual cast of thought
fulness seemed entirely to displace all that
bounding joyousness which we so naturally
look for in one Of Juvenile years. The re-
semblance the daughter bore to the father,
was striking from this peculiar expression
of countenance, aud never did it appear
more so, than when she raised her face, ag-
itated by wonde ing expectancy-to hear
the reason OF his sSmmoulug her to his
presence at that unusual hour.
Irene, bring me that casket from yon-
der cscritoir-you have something strange
to hear
The casket was tremblingly placed in
his hand-he drew from his bosom small
golden key and opened it. Some moments
passed ere Sir Walter spoke-when he did,
the startling sadness of his voice hushed
the very breath of the listening child.
To day ushers you into your thirteenth
year, and the time has now arrived for a
ful6lment of my promise to the dead He
paused somewhat hesitatingly; then, taking
from the casket Il small miniature richly
set in diamonds, he continued
Is this familiar face to you, my daugh-
ter p
Irene gazed bewildered on the beautiful
picture, then timidly looking into her faith
e-'s working face, answered
L have seen some one very like it
look, dear papa, how sweetly the lips seem
to smile, just as brother Earnest's do when
we chase the butterflies and gather wild
aowers from the hillside. But then it
19ks like lady, and cannot be his; be-
SN,s his hair is much darker
S' Walters voice was hoarse, his dark
eye, ,Sgered with an unwonted tear, as he
IePi1S Irene, you now, for the first time,
's Ueno,u w mother of him whom you have
Gear, tsalueu . we and call your brother
aly ;sa,I.l nVt' ~ Wien tell you, Earnest Malcolm
d.Ou a. O ye 'no SeS of my adoption-not one
S;.hu ui'u' oeiAs do you two owe your
or,u S"t. - ra,n "a y''e5y which 1 am not at lib
.y eLty 10 reveal, ooseures his parentage-
these papers will solve it-but within this
casKet, they are to reuaiu until he Is Of
manhoods age-when the s"ai T r,an ha bro.
ken. This is the promise I ,a11 ~ ~ -
dying mother "' " D'''
The nobleman bent his head rron h;s
hand which clasped tightly the M M ,,n9 n.S
the tiny fe5ers Of his wonderino ch;lJ
were twineu in the wavy mass Of NJ. n,ao anaa
dark halr-for sorrow more than wears h. !
scattered ersilver tracery not a little throne
Its naturally rich and glossy black ness.
Irene spoke not as she laid her soft cheol
on that revered head, for she feared to dis
turo an emotion, which, young as she wa,
the sympathizing gentleness of her ow
heart felt to be too sacred for her curiou
inquiry When Sir Walter again spok
he had regained his usual calmness
The precariOus state of my health h.
warned me for some time past to undertal
my long anticipated, and now necessar
Journey to Italy. For your sake alone, Z
l desire to use every means, however futi
| may deem them, for my restoration ma
for the prolongation of my life ever a fe
more years, that | may guide your youtl
tul steps 10 virtues path and wisdom's wa
Heaven alone knows whether this last :
fort will result in the fruition of nv deare
hope-but cannot quell the dread foreb
ding that tomorrow leave England fore
er. If such should be the will of God. vr
have only one relation in the wide worl
to whom | could commit you, and fro
whom feel assured of your meeting wi
that fostering protection so soothing to II