Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-11-26
Original Story.
Written for the Spritit Of the Age.
LE0NORA CASTILLO,
A Venetian Tale Of Love and Pride.
BY cHAs. Y. w. DoBBs.
CHAPTER I.

THE HEROINE, THE DREAM, THE REFUSAL
Leonora CASTILLO sat in her chamber ln
her fathers elegant mansion, situated in
the city Of Venice, during the height of
her power. Geoffry CASTILLO was proud,
ambitious nobleman, high in power and
possessed of no very amiable qualities of
character, but he had gold and was there
fore held high in the esteem of the Doge.
Leonora, unlike her father, was neither
proud nor ambitious, except to be of SER
vice to the poor and needy. Ola charita-
bic disposition aud having recourse to i'm
mense wealth, she blessed many a home
and made happy what was before sorrowful.
Leonora had been weeping. Her eyes
still showed the trace Of tears She now
reclined on the richly cushioned sofa, and
as she sat there she looked indeed beauti-
full. Anon sigh would break upon the
silent air of the gloomy room, and she
would tremble as through fear
Father and mother have deserted me
and seem determined to wreck all my hopes
Of happiness on earth, aud to whom can /
go" came from her lips; eyes there is one
on whom / can rely to help me"
She arose and divesting herself she re.
tired to her bed She dreamed
A dark and dreary night was about tc
end. She stood by the bank of a river
into which from hundred streams, rush
ed troubled waters. 1t was Tashed into fu.
ry by the storm king bllows chased each
other in quick succession, and overtaking
tumbled over and left their white and fros
ty caps behind.
Looking around her, she saw party ap
proach. They had with them a young,
beautiful girl, who seemed to beseech ther
to save her from some dreadful fate, bu
no, her conductors have all hard and col
features no emotion of pity shows itse
upon their countenances. They reached tn
bank, and the fair prisoner was required
ford the dark and rapid river. She begged
eutreated; no use, irmness is stamped upo
her prosecutors brows, and die she thougl
she must.
Suddenly light, almost angelic, shor
around her, aud raising her hands and ia,
tossHeaven, the name of God-Jesus pas
ed her lips, and with firm, undauntt
step, sherushed forward The waters su
sided as she moved onward. Some A
mighty power seemed to buoy her up
Swiftly aud gracefully she reached the O
posite side. Fear seized upon her torme
tors and wildly rushing forward they roac
ed the centre Of the stream. Once mo
the storm king ragged, they were swept
way and their would be victim was save
Leouora awoke and gazed in astonis
ment around her. 1t was all dream.
ooh great God" shemurmured, "tl
vision is doubtless intended to teach me
rely on thee. Thy ways are ways of m
terry. Through the dark, tempestous way
of persecution thou leadcst in safety t
people"
The night passed and morning dawnt
Leonora seemed cheerful, even gay; /
parents were surprised for she had left
the day before in tears. Geoffry Castel
was, as we said at first, proud, ambitiC
nobleman Of Venice A hard and or,
master, he was distilled by the lower cl
Of citizens, aud liked bS none, but his
sition and wealth gained him the esteem
the government and Of those who wors
mammou.
Catrina, his wife, partook of her h
bands character; he to her, was patti
of wisdom. What he said was certai
right, and what he determined to do
seconded with all her power. She
was descended from an ancient and
orable family Of the Venetian Reput
In her youth, she had been beauty,
now, though the frost of fifty winters
upon her head, she still retained trace
her maidenhood beauty.
Leonora vas the only child of Il
union, living She was now eighteen
many fortune had already been lai
her feet. Heretofore she had met
none to whom she could consign the k
ing Of her heart but now she had
messed change.
She had met Lsrenza Montalgo,
Spanish ambassador at the Venetian cC
and she had allowed her heart to fee q
to him. For six months she had
constantly in his company, and they
toldmutually to each other, their love.
Signor Valencia was one of those
nora had rejected. He vowed revengc
told her father of his rejection. He
very indignant and told Valencia, he sh
have for his wife.
CASTILLO had told Leonora she must
by Valencia We will state the partic