Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-05-28
ORIGINAL PAPERS,
Written for the Spirit Of the Age.
{ CECIL ARLIN GT0N;
INDRCIsION
BY MEMO.

Not far from the blue, rolling waves of
the Chesapeake Bay, stood the noble man.
sion of Mr.. Charles Arlington, half hidden
by grand old forest trees of century's
growth, which stood around it, 1t was a
beautiful morning ia the month Of SePtsnn-
Der. The sky was cloudless and the cool
breeze that swept over the wide, green
fields, bore upon its breath the fragrance
Of a thousand flowers.
Cecil Arlington leaned carelessly against |
the trunk Of tall oak, and gazed thought |
fully upon the green sward at his feet,
when "a light hand fell upon his shoulder
and a clear, sweet voice exclaimed, pray,
Sir dreamer, what may be the subject of
such profound meditation Z"
a bright smile lit up the countenance
of the young man, as he replied "Well,
Eva, my old friend, Gerald Hamilton, was
ia my thoughts at that moment-you know
this is the day fixed for his return"
"Yca, and am duly anxious to see him !;
your many glowing descriptions of the in
comparable Gerald have excited my femi-
nine curiosity to most uncomfortable
pitch"
Cecil Arlington was an only SON. His
mother at the opening Of our story had
been some time among the 4" loved ones
gone before" and about six months previ
ous to this date, MIR. Arlington had adopt.
cd AN orphan girl named Evelyn Sinclair
the daughter Of distant relative.
Cecil was about the medium height
slender and graceful His face was emi
nenty handsome and every lineament be
spoke genius of the highest order, but the
wavering glance and the lines about the
mouth marked too well the absence of tha
decision and energy which bespeak th'
soul to do or die
Evelyn Sinclair was very beautiful, ant
yet
"'Twos not the features changeless grac
But the sweet meaning of her face"
which clothed it with its greatest charm
Her brown hair fell round her neck in nat
ural curls, and her eye of deepest, darkes
blue beamed with the fire of intellect
Her form was perfect, every movemen
every gesture grace itself That Gee
should espouse iior tho I~-Iing wish
his fathers heart, but with Il keen inslgl
into human nature, he carefully forebo
all mention of the subject to his son, fec
inc we'll assured that he could not long I
sist the charm Of her society. And so
proved, for though scarcely SIX mont
had elapsed since they met for the II
time, Cecil loved her with all the fervor
n temperament naturally ardent and
ceptiblc. 1T was therefore, with qu
smile of satisfaction that Mr.. AIRING
looked after the young couple this morn
as they strollcd slowly down the gr
lawn, stopping now and then to pluck SC
tiny Gowret by the way. At some dista
from the house was a spring OF clear,
water and thithcr they now directed Il
steps, it being the customary morn
walk.
Conversing in low, confidential
they moved along the well-known
not noticing tall figure standing neal
spring, whose owner after surveying
for moment with apparently intense
riosity, stepped suddenly behind the
trunk of the overhanging oak and was
plctely concealed from view. Cecil sto
at the margin of the spring, and dip
up glass of water, handed it to Ev'
saving, ~ Yes, Gerald and | were l
attached to each other and it took
long time to recover my ordinary C
fulness after his departure, so you kr
am not little anxious to clasp his
once more
Then Cecil said deep, rich vol
side him, you need not defer that
urc any longer.
Cecil started back in astonshmen
then grusped the proffcred hand
friend with a force that left no doubt
sincerity. Gerald bowed to Evelyi
grace peculiarly his own, upon bel
troduced to her, and as they walked
ward together explained that as
Cecil had parted at the spring, he h
fancy to visit it first upon his way
Arlington's, though scarcely expee
find any one there so early.
Gerald Hamilton was the son OF
Mr.. Arlington's neighbors, and h
returned from his first sea-yoyage ;
absence of three years. He was
dignifcd in manner, with form OF
symmetry and evidently of great II
power. His eyes were very dark,
hair Of raven blackness, while
moustache gave him the air of bel
raj years older than he really was.
certainly handsome, but there wa
inc demon in his eye and bite
his smile that gave anything but
EXPRESSION to his features He
educated and possessed talents OF
enyiable order, but evil associat
deepened and darkened his faults
led out and obscured his virtue
naturally daring and adventurous
bade adieu, at the age Of sevente
Maternal mansion and his friend
brave the dangers of the great
now after having been tossed up'
less bosom for three long years, h
10 his home no more the happy
youth he left it, but with ever.
impulse extinguished in his hre
heart fitted for any deed. Yet
summate skill and care he yellec
self from every gaze and none
as he really was. -,
Mr.. Arlington received him
kindness, for Gerald had always