Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-06-18
ORIGINAL PAPERS,
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Written for the Spirit Of tho Age.
c ECIL ARLIN G I ON;
oh
INDECIsIoN.
BY MEMO.
III y NLMO.
(CONCLUDED.l

Gerald, horror-stricken at the result of
his disclosures, called loudly for assistance
Simply telling those who came that it was
a sudden and uHacc0uRtdJie attack Of Ap-
oplexy, he proceeded to bind up bis arm
and bleed him, but the sharp click Of the
lancet was only followed by small and
sluggish stream Of blood, and though eve
ry cfTrt was made, nothing succeeded in
arousing him from the deadly stupor which
after lasting few hours terminated in
death
10 describe Ceciis agony is beyond the
power Of language. lie loved his father
with his whole soul, aud now the thought
that he had departed without forgiving his
past misdeeds, and bcstowing his dying
blessing, racked his heart with new and
kocncr pangs When the sad scene was
over he drew Gerald aside and questioned
him as to what his father had said.
"Ilo said," replied Gerald, " fixing his
eyes stornly upon him, " that the draught
which you presented this morning at the
- bank was " forgery"
Cecil gazed at him moment with star
ing, dilated eyes, then tossing his hands
above his head he fell violently backwards
upon the floor.
For two long weeks the fever-fcnd sat
upon his flushed brow, and he talked in
wild delirium Of Eva, his father, Gerald,
all Of whom lie had loved SO well.
Gerald wrote to Eva, informing her of
these terrible events, and then after watch
ing with Cecil until the crisis was past,
returned to the country. Eva almost sank
beneath the combined weight of the loss of
him who had been father to her, and the
dark crime which was imputed to Cecil
She accepted q kind invitation of Mr.
Hamilton's to spend a few weeks in his
family until Mr. Arlington's affairs should
be arranged, and thus she was thrown eve
ry day into the attractive society Of the
young doctor Hamilton. AS soon as Ce-
ellis health permitted he returned to the
country and found the mansion closed, the
flowers which Eva had reared crushed and
dead and the whole place wearing such an
aspect Of desolation, that he sank down
upon the steps Of the home where his boy
hoods pleasures had passed away, and gave
way despite bis manhood TO flood of bit
ter tears. Learning that Eva was at Mr..
lIamilton's hc directed his steps thither
and inquired for her at the door. To his
uuboundcd amazement, she refused to see
him, as did also every one of the family
for whom he successfully inquired. He
stood moment at the door-shame, grief
and rage struggling in his breast the
while then turning, walked away mur-
muring to himself, ''they all think me
guilty aud God help me, | cannot bring a
single proof of innocence" When Mr.
ArIingtous VIII was examined, it was
found that ho had divided his property
equally between Cecil and Eva. Several
months were occupied in arranging his af.
fairs, during which Gerald strove with eve
ny energy to gain the affections Of the fail
girl whose sorrows he had caused. Al
length he named his love for the first time
lie told her that his heart had been her:
from the moment Of their meetng-that
seeing her attachment to Cecil, he had vain
ly strivcn to subdue his own, and ncvel
would have spoken of it had not Cecil
course rendered him unworthy Of her
IVA listened silently to his recital, anC
when he had concluded, replied that sh,
could never, never love again as she hat
once, that her heart had been crushed b,
sorrows from which it would never rouse
but that all covered with infamy as Ceci
seemed to be, she Sh0uR not stiHe her al
fcction for him entirely Gerald bit hi
lip with rage. In fancy he saw all his in
iquitous schemes melting away and wit
no result, and dark cloud began to cove
his brow, when Eva gcntly added, ne,
ertheloss, dear Gerald, if Cecil should NJ
in twelve months prove his innocence, (ft
cannot believe him guilty. and the gi
Of my hand will contribute to the happ
ness of one whom | esteem so highly,
will be sweet and pleasant to bestow it,"
As soon as business would allow Ce
returned to the city determined, if possil
to end some clue TO the plot which ho "
sure for some mysterious reason had be
wound around him. Weeks passed aw
in fruitlcss effort aud he was no nearer I
truth than ut first. He had, by hap
chance retained the envelope in which I
forged draught had been received, aud {
day in examining for the hundredth ii
the superscription so strangely like
fathers. he noticed in one corner the pC
mark and date Of mailing. y thoui
crossed his mind and seiziHg pen hcwr
to the Post Master at home TO know whC
er letter had been mailed upon that
TO Baltimore aud enclosed the envelope
In feverish impaience he awaited the
ply, and when it came, learned that not
ly there had been no letter mailed u
that day, but that the post-m0rh ,oaS co
ferteitcd. Here was one faint gimme
light. 1t was evident that the letter
been prepared in the city and sent by
penny post With very little hope that
would be able to derive any satisfact
from him, he found the letter carrier,
as he expected, could learn nothing of
particular letter. As he was about to lC
he inquired, "and can you not remen
whether any one ever gave you letter
me in the street," The man hesita
rubbed his head and at last exclaimed
do remember such thing happening
last winter. A tall man gave me OF
bout square from where you lived,