Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-10-31
RAlE1lG5l1ll - g. 0G109ER 3d. 1885,

Cnarl1eS gO0d nlSnt, ldtuer, Ieiualneu u0 =
Mrs. Rogers call to tea was un-
noticed, while sunlight, twilight, and moon
light were alike unheeded by him. He was
living over again in those few short hours a
whole lifetime, with its joys and sorrows,
and with all its bliss and woes. His
mind went wandering over the past resting
here on sunny happiness, and there on a
deepening gloom, from the daysofhis boyhood
down to the present. 1t was like vision
to him, or fancy picture of one of the old
masters, dark, dim and shadowy, with now
and then a flashing out Of brilliancy for a
moment to be again lost in the duskiness of
years; and ever anG anon, as the dream
went on, the depth Of emotion in the heart of
the dreamer played visibly over his fine coun-
tenance, now bathing it in rich food of rap
ture, and again in the darkness of despon-
dency. It was strange, wondrous strange,
how the pale face of the lonely Fanny vii.
son went fitting through the mazes of the
dream, mingling with the light and shade
abscurely, and just beyond the dreamer's
grasp, like some lofty and lovely ideal whose
spiritual existence we can often trace back to
our very cradles.
/ He awakes at length, and yet, he seems
dreaming still. He has taken his hat from
its accustomed place, and wrapping his cloak
about him, for the dews of evening are fall
ing, is vending his way up the green lane.
Where can he be going? Let US follow
Slowly he treads the moon-lit pathway, heed
lessly, for he is crushing the tiny flowers
beneath his feet as if they had no life, no
beauty. He is smiling too, though there is
no one near. All the fairies must be whis-
perlng tales of witchery in his ear, and in
deed, can almost fancy see the light of
their merry eyes, and hear the music of their
airy wings.
He pauses at the door of Dea. Monroe's
spacious homestead. We have it now; he
has come to scold the poor teacher for her
abuse of Susy Davis. His hand is raised to
grasp the old brass knocker, but just at that
instant he catches a glimpse of white dress
in the garden, and, without waiting for per-
mission to 90 so, he starts in pursuit.
Poor Fanny she has become aware of his
presence, and tremblingly awaits him. How
her little heart futters, andher eyes fill with
! tears. He alone has seemed to be her friend,
J has treated her with kindness; and now the
thought that che has offended him seems
more than she can endure.
Il expected you,' she said, as he took her
hand, Mrs. Davis told me she should go to
: you; | hope she has told you only the truth.
Why does he not speak to her? Why is he
2 gazing down Upon her blusing face in that
f unaccoantable manner? Anything would
be preferable to that. A good, round scold.
n ing a severe lecture, she has steeled her
heart to hear but That piercing gaze-it is
, too much, she will not submit to it.
: You will let ne explain to you, will you
:, not p she asks; you will not judge me un-
heard They are ell SO cold, and distant
l would. l have no sympathy, no love from
!, them; they treat me as their servant to dc
q their bidding, but think I have no soul, M
II heart O! sir, if you knew all, you would
= not blame me entirely and the poor CIR
} sobbed aloud.
t. Why, what is Mr.. Russell thinking OF? P
Yes, he certainly has encircled her with hi
t, arm, and drawn her to his bosom he is ac
9r tually pressing his lips to her fair brow.
ts Fanny, dear Fanny, come to my heart
- there is room for you here, and let us creat
- - a world of happiness of our own.'
rC The dark shadow is passing away from
re her leaf of life, never, never to return an
r giving place to sunlight more pure, NOR
a blissful than she ever dared dream of.
i Hezekiah's widow was astounded. To us
!, her own words, she never would have be
= lieved that Mr.. Russell could be SO blind t
III his own interest, as to marry that pennies
K schoo-ma'am; why, she was no more tina
ze child at BEST But she smothered he
tie chagrin sufficiently to make the wedding cal
ar and, during her stay, took an opportunity
v whisper in Fanny's ear, What dreadful
~ responsibility you have taken upon yourselfi
while she assured the husband at the doc
&c that she highly approved his choice an
s; that he could not have done better for hin
IT. self or family She departed, consolin
w herself with the idea that the new Wi
of would not live long, for the poor, pale thin
he was certainly in consumption.