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


drops. but be resisted the craving thirst
reused him from his reverie :" A glass of
wine with you, Cecil" He locked, and
his charming little cousin, Fannie Morri-
son, stood holding a glass of wine, in an
attitude of expectancy her rosy lip wreath
ed with smile, and her eye flashing with
mirth. 81 have been waiting. sir, said
she, " some time for you to make the pro-
position to me, but you have been gazing
upon yoar wine as if it were some wonder
full curiosity, suffering me meanwhile, to
wait upon myself" and the mischievous
little gypsy tossed her head in we'll affected
pique. "You must excuse me" said, Ce-
Gil. {" | have vowed a vow to drink no
more wine."
Indeed, shall do no such thing" re
piled Fannie, 'and at your peril do you
refuse"
Again CeciPs eye rested upon the GRIM
son wine, flashing and sparklingin 10 the gol
den rays of the sun, and his resolution
faltered at the sight. With him, to hesi-
tate was to yield Indecision, the fatal
weak spot of his character, rendered him
utterly powerless before temptation, and
almost ere he knew it. his promise to Eva,
and his father was forgotten-6roken.-
only one glass; he whispered to his up
braiding conscience, only one glass, aud
it shall be the last forever" Alas poor
dupe, why has not past experience taught
him that the second sin is easier than the
6rst-that the warning voice of the moni-
tor within. once stihed, grows fainter and
still fainter with each succeeding guilt
Daring this time, Eugenia's bosom was
filled with anxiety in reference to Cecil
This was the first trial to which he had
been exposed since leaving Baltimore, and
she felt that if he sustained it unhinching
ly, she could once more place full conf
dencs in him, but that on the other hand
if he failed after having only on the pre-
vious evening pledged his word to her. she
could never, never trust in him again
How her heart then sank like leader
weight in her breast, as she soon saw Ce
Gil, conversing with that exhileratinn, that
flow Of spirits aud singular eloquence
which she we'll knew came from wine a
lone. Her heart grew faint aud sick, an,
the merry scene foated before her as she
sank trembling into seat. Gerald, il
alarm hurried away, aud soon returned
with glass of water, after taking portion
of which, she whispered eagerly to him
am tired of this scene. do you find Ceci
and tell him, wish to return nome.
Gerald complied with her request, bu
Cecil had just engaged his Cousin Fanni
for the next quadrile, and was unwilling
to leave so soon. "Persuade Eva to re
MAN," said ''he, and tell her we are goin
to waltz after this quadrille and want he
for my partner
Evelyu's brow flushed little when sh
heard this. '' [ wish to return noU, sal
she, ",ou will attend me home, and one {
the servants can bring Cecils horse
! him"
Gerald gladly acquiesced, for nov
thought he, this engagement is sure 10
broken off shall take care that it is ne
er renewed.
Cecil did not get back in time for supp
and Gerald soon after returned home. NJ
) Arlington made no inquiry for his son /:
Eyelyns fearful eyes and quivering lip
he read the story of his disgrace and
soon as Gerald left, he took his lamp, al
with deep sigh retired to his own root
f forgetting even to wish Evelyn good nigh
: TO BE CONTINUED