Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-07-23
opposite in nature, brought into the closest
connexion
YOUTH AND LOVE.

In handsomely furnished, but private
former was seated quitely at an open win
dow, occupied with her knitting, while the
latter was carelessly playing the air of
song, called g Somebody s coming" Sud-
denly she sprang from her seat, and, with
one bound, was on her knees before the
elder lady.
All, as 1 gaze at that clear, fair skin, at
those bright blue eyes, lovingly raised to-
wards her companion, and at those golden
curls, falling in luxuriant showers ever her
fair, swan-like neck, methinks have seen
such face before, but where? for you,
sweet one, are surely stranger to me.
dearest aunt Alice, have secret to
tell you p exclaimed the happy maiden,
hiding her blushing face, for an instant, in
her aunt's lap, and then raising it, her
bright eyes sparkling with youth and mer-
riment.
"Welf, what is it, my Constance p said
the other. as she laid her hand affectionate-
ly upon her head. "if you make me the
keeper of your secret, you may be sure that
it will be safe"
Alice and Constance Both names to
History But how is it? One cannot
have risen from the dead, and yet there she
stands before me, in all her bloom and beau
ty. Is it the child, and not the mnther2
A second Constance Alb, in face and
features, how like the first Maiden, may
your life be longer aud brighter than hers
We'll, my secret is" exclaimed
Constance, bursting into loud and merry
laugh, "my secret is"
Out with it, child, for you are exciting
my curiosity -
And | was just about to tell it, aunt,
when you interrupted me-" said ber niece,
with mischievous lance at the former,
who bent over and pressed her lips upon
the fair flce which was raised towards hers,
and, as she did so, Constance threw both
her arms around her neck, saying, You
must let me whisper my secret, aunt Alice.
for you know that walls have ears And
the secret was whispered, but SO loudly,
-tbat, t,if.~.L-I--~'-'--,
"Well," said her aunt, laughing, "and
who is this great somebody p
Why, do you not remember that up
Gle Howard said he would bring Mr.. St.
Clair here this evening; handsome, intel
ligent young lawyer, just from our own
dear city in the Empire State? Oh how
| long to see him, that he may tell me of
my home, for it is two long years since we
left it. aunt"
"And are you tired, dearest, of this
beautifully country?" exclaimed Mrs. How
AID, "why, for one so young as you, should
think it would have more charms than even
your own home"
"Oh, it is beautiful, very beauty!" re-
piled the maiden, as she gazed from the
window upon the clear waves which flowed
gently beneath it, covered with barges,
gondolas, and fishing skiffs, perfect car
nival upon the watars; +" but it must ever
be my song, Home, sweet home, there is
no place like home"
"And mine, too J" exclaimed pleasant
good-natured voice, close behind her.
Constance started, and turning, said
Oh, uncle Geargc, why did you not
bring"
Whatever the young girl was about tx
say, she stopped, on perceiving, standing
just behind her uncle, young man whc
was perfect stranger to her. The colo
deepened on the maiden cheek, spreadini
t even to her neck and brow, when, after in
, PRODUCING his wife, Mr.. Ho aard turned
and putting his arm affectionately aroun
| his niece's waist, said:
e Constance, let me introduce Mr.. 81
;, Clair to you. This.is my niece, sir, Mis-
1 MelviH."
r The young man gazed for a moment cal
/, nestly aud admiringly at tie fair bein
4 before him, then bowed, saying that ne VIZ
q most happy at the opportunity of becomin
y acquainted with her.
d What with talking of old friends and ol
!, scenes, the time passed so rapidly that Il
g E->~.;~'.-.-lss sAIaIaal-d .i4. hAaIr-
f eleven, when the happy party though tb
d the evening had hardly commenced.
J. Mr.. ST. Clair was about to depart, NJ
lie Howard turned to his niece and said, IN
d significant tone
% By-the-bye, Constance, what were y
lie about to ask me, when we came upon Y
IS so unexpectedly this evening, that we GU
ys frightened the words out of your mouth
j! ooh it was nothing, uncle, nothing
p she hastily replied, as she cast beseechi
look upon him, deep blush rose to
ly check.
re "Yes, my young lady, but it was soT
Id thing" he persisted, for you said, &
uncle, why did you not bring
Well, wen!'' interrupted Constan
ed as happy thought seemed to fash acr
.ge her mind q and why did you not br
| it me that cameo breast pin, that you b
ty, been promising me for so long time
begin to doubt" she added, laughing
too "if shall ever receive it."
by "Ah, that was what you wanted,
the it?" said her uncle, as he glanced misch
nd ously across the table to where she and
of St. Clair were standing side BY side. w
ger l believe you have spoken the truth,
bed, continued, reaching her small box, wi
ood she Immediately opened. 1t contains
con- beautiful large stone cameo, the deslg
| in which was Cupid with his bow rt
In strung, as if preparing to shoot some 20
life full heart.
eme Constance blushed, while herunclela La