Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-06-04


one morning he brought him home INTox-
IcATED. Scarcely were they seated in
Cecil's apartment before the door opened
and Mr.. Arlington, appeared upon the
Threshold. Cecil rose to offer his father
chair, and in doing so reeled and but for
grasping Gerald's extended hand, would
have fallen upon the floor Mr.. Airing
ton looked silently at him for rnomcnt
and two great drops fell from his cheeks
Then making sign for Gerald to follow
him, he retreatcd to his own room without
uttering a word. Gerald assisted Cecil to
recline upon. the sofa, and then walked
quietly into Mr.. Arlington's presence.
Take chair Gerald" said the afiic-
ted parent. "I wish to learn from you,
if you know, to what extent Cecil has this
winter carried his debaucheries
Gerald affected to sigh deeply as he re-
piled, 81 am sorry tt tell you, Sir, that
he has neglected his studies to an alarming
extent, and all my persuasion has failed to
draw him from the wine-cup."
And is it possible that you have con-
cealed this from me p asked Mr.. Airing
ton rcproachfully.
Oh, Sir" replied Gerald, "you know
my attachment to Cecil; could not bear
to expose his faults, hoping eventually to
turn him from his dangerous career my
self"
Well, we shall return home Tomorrow
said the good old man, gratefully pressing
Gerald's hand, "and shall depend upon
you to assist me by your influence and ex-
ample, in reclaiming my wayward, erring
boy. -
The next morning they all returned to
the country, and few days afterwards Mr..
Arlington called Cecil into his library and
conversed long and earnestly with him.
Faithfully did he point out the fearful evils
of intemperanee and strive to set before
him all the horrors that await the inebriate.
"The noblest form, said he. that God
ever gave to man, will wither beneath the
blasting spell, the greatest mind will fall
u ruin aud wreck before it. And remem-
Der, Oh my son, that upon you rests the
hope of father who loves you, and what
If you persevere in this course, you will
"bring down his gray hairs with sorrow to
the grave"
Cecil with moist eyes fell upon his knees
b""'.la his father and Promised that never
should another drop of wine pass his lips.
How often has that promise been made,
aud alas how often broken
: For a time the chill breath of distrust
had swept over Evelyn warm and loving
heart, but now that Cecil word was given,
confidence and hope returned. His morn
: ings he devoted to the study of his pro-
fession-his afte: moons to music, conver-
sation and long rambles with Eva. AS
e they sat together one evening, upon lit
!, tie rustic seat which he had erected at the
u ordinary terminus of their walks, he spoke
IT for the first time of hisatfection. {" love
1t you, dearest Eva, as have never loved
], | have found in life since we first met neE
r hopes aud aspirations, and upon you de
pends the JOY or woe of my whole life"
s As he spoke he passed his arm rounC
her waist aud drew her gently toward
10 him. Eva bent for moment her blush
. ing face upon his shoulder, then raising
u her beautiful EYES to his, she replied
e. you must have long known, dear Cecil
le that my heart was all your own, and
'e you will make me one promise, the day uI
. ON which give my happiness to you
T. u care will be the brightest of my life. J"
Il "Ard that promise" said Cecil,
t Is to drink no more wine forever
q; You know my opinions upon this subject
"a Grant me but this, and am yours; rC
X fuse, aud though my heart should brea
9, 9, in the struggle, never will beyopr wife
sd A half hour after this, the lovers return
t. ed to the house, and found Mr.. Arliugto
and Gerald seated upon the portico in from
ne Gerald saw at glance from the new jo
- beaming in their eyes, and which they vail
a ly endeavored to conceal, that they ba
eu come to an understanding, and moreove
70 he remarked upon Eva's finger, the di
, mond ring which he knew had been gi
ne to Cecil from his dying mother. A stor
Of conflicting passions and bitter feeling
~ rushed through his heart, but exer,ing b
wonderful self control, no one noticed b
re- !, momentary but striking change of cou
ige tenance He had not visited Mr. Arln
toms very frequently since their retu
'hI from Baltimore, for in carrying out |
heU plans in reference to Cecil, he had be-
'wo compelled to neglect his studies in gre
Gu measure, and now he was exerting the
gnu most powers of his mind to retrieve Il
Dm, previous negligence. He brought Ce
was and Evelyn Invitations to attend pic-l
Dut to be held the next day in a grove
"a many miles distant, and with Mr.. ArliI
'oth tons consent they both resolved to go.
Accordingly they drove to the appoln
uh- !, spot the next afternoon and found a la
MIN number of their friends and acquaintan
tne already assembled. A platform had bt
!, hes- erected beneath the large trees whose
III liage served to shade it from the full gl
PEAK If the sun, and ligh; feet were moving
sScu the inspiring music of an excellent b
which had been brought from the city
now that occasion. During the afternoon,
per- wearied dancers repaired to the long ia
close at hand. where an elegant rel
coai' was spared Every delicacy of the sea
me was there in abundance, and wine was
came wanting. Gerald managed to attend ]
lyn to the table, for be knew that ben,
ther, her eye, Cecil would be enabled to r,
naoit all temptation, but he hoped that reno
u . from her actual presence he would be
nted duced to forget bis promise.
At some distance, stood Cecil, and
q MS his side the untasted glass of wine.