Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-10-17

spoke ChrOuSn COoio 40 oAO "u"Ou1 HoiScU
me-
Forget never! neverp he broke
forth, rising and gathering her once more
to his bosom. Say that you love me,
and no power on earth shall divide u.s.
With the shield Of my name, and my pro-
lection, you may stand brayely before the
proudest. Lena, beloved belovedY
She struggled not to free herself from
that embrace; she turned not away from
the proffered kisses, but new power SEEM
Cd given her as she stood there in his arms,
and sic lifted her eyes toward Heaven,
and then turned their clear glance upon
him.
.'We must part, my lord she said
calmly 'never more must these arms en-
fold me, or these lips breathe of love-
What am l that you should regard me
Forget me and seek more fitting bride
among the noble ladies yonder.'
Never neverp he cried vehemently
| have chosen my bride. If she refuses
me, / walk henceforth alone He knelt
at her feet, he pleaded with sighs and
looks more than words, until her heart was
melted within her, and few broken ex-
pressions Of affection and tenderness es-
capped her lips
Louder then, than before, came the rich
notes of music from the hall, and it's echo
seemed to sweep mournfully along, as if it
were reproof to her.
Rise, my lord,' she said in an altered
voice. 1t is not meet that the proud
Lord should kneel before-before his gard
ener's child. She loves him, God knows
how well but they must part this hour,
and forever ? She faltered as she held
out her hand to him.
Never again forget, my lord, who l
am, who you are never again forget that
your sister is the high-born Leonore, for [
would sooner die than bring this great dis
grace upon her ? ..........
1t is well ! said a calm voice near by,
and looking around they saw the Lady
Leonore with her proud form drawn up to
: its utmost height, the rich satin of her
garments shining in the moonlight, and
jewels sparkling in her hair, like night
full of stars. She burst upon them like
a vision, in absolute radiance. There was
: long silence.
My sister p said the young lord al
length, coming to her side.
! 'Courtnaye Elvyn,' she responded, ia
, king his hand firmly, on this very spot
years ago, there knelt to me one as young
! and fair as you. He was obscure, un
known; he knew that noble blood coursed
in my veins, and yet he dared-he darec
talk of love to meme, Leonore Elvyn
,, | spurned him; told him the eagle stoop
! ed not to mate with the sparrow, that m,
! fathers child should henceforth lift her
: self above the reach of his vision Court
: naye Elvyn, forget not that you too, or
" my fathers child! Come = and she lai
! her hand upon his arm. Then he spoke
: But you loved him You loved Law
renee Beaumont !
= She started back, and stood there, &
:. :. white as the moonlight before him.
- - Il loved him yes = she said with quiz
20 ~ ering lips. .s
W W 80, God, how I loved him! but
~ loved honor more, and / flung him fro
:; me, as if he were common weed. le
No him there, there, on the bare earth whe
!, he had thrown himself at my feet. heal
III IN his groans, his cries for pity, his walls
,na anguish, but turned not back!
30, my sister ! cried the young lo
deeply moved, but she needed him not
W. W. 1t seemed as if the food-gates of memo
~ ~ were at length, unlocked, and the who
nse @ great river of feeling must pour itself
"a words. Her voice grew mournful as s
-. continued -
~ ~ The roses were in bloom as now 7
,m ,1 young leaves wakened from repose by t
o,n @ night wind, were laying their faces loving
on, together. Long strips of silver moonlie
O lay between the shadows as yonder, a
,nd music was heard from the hall. 1t v
,ant I such night as this, and 1 came out
oar @ listen to his cries once more. | alw;
- ~ hear them here in the moonlight! !
. Lena Grove had risen from the ba
~ where she had sunk down faint and tire
I oIo bling, and stood close beside her, start
9 e1~ to hear such strange, wild confessions Fl
i0i the lips of the proud Lady Leonore.
his Di0 n0 uio 'n0 "ni'P''00 A'oN' =
VI" Il know not I only learned that
had gone to foreign climes and his ma
hut has never passed my lips since that he
- ~ But it were better that he should DIE ev
~ than to bring such disgrace upon our lii
s;at go she added family; LENA Grove, REM
orth ooi .l"U '1J 'ni0 ~ "oio ooOOoi io'
will The young lord had stood in si
own amazement as she turned over these lea
rms in her hearts history, but now he b1
she forth impetuously.
r her My sister, 0, my sister by the
that you still bear Lawrence Beaumont, by
into agony he endured when you spurned
by the remembrance of all he might
been been to you, l plead with you not to
my this young girl from my side! Let
mile, your pride rise up to crush us both.
hith- ten Lenore do you not hear his cries
light, his pleadings, his vows of love-? See
which lies stretched at your feet crush him
sue again in your heart
Leonore started back. It was as if
hall expected to see him lying there, and
,rself buried her face in her hands and wep
IS she Elvyn looked at her an instant,
statue then gathered Lena once more to hin
noon and stood before her.
her Doom not our love to such dark
!. Leonore. She has refused me !
: she with her, my sister, by your own love
,mber sorrow, by Lawrence
nine NAY, nay, Courtnayep she said M
ink Of fully, speak not that name again
k her as | love it, stil it is not for my ears.