Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-06-11
ORIGINAL PAPERS,
Written for the Spirit of the Age.
CECIL ARLI N G TON;
Or
IEDEcIsIoH.
lContinaled from our ldst.l

(COHtftttcd from our tuSt
The next morning Cecil did not appear
at breakfast, he could not yet meet his
fathers reproachful eye, but after it was
over, he stole out to Evelyn's fower-gar-
den, where she always spent portion Of
her mornings. She stood in mournful
attitude. near a bed of dahlias, in the first
glory of their bloom. One of her garden
ing gloves lay upon the ground at her feet,
while the little white hand covered her
eyes, as if.to.shpt out some painful scene.
Cecil approached but though she heard
the sound Of his footsteps, she did not
move until be reached her side and placing
his arm around her, whispered softly,
Tell me, dearest Eva, can you forgive
me that have been led this once to forget
my promise to you 7"
Quietly but firmly disengaging herself
from his half embrace, she replied, freely
do forgive you all the pain and suffering
you have caused me, but the heaviest Llow
is that you have shaken the confidence l
placed in you, and for the present" she
continued, drawing Cecil's ring from her
finger, our engagement must terminate. )"
A proud flush rose to CeciPs brow, as he
received back the proffered ring, and turn
ing coldly upon his heel he was moving
away, when the sound of a half stifed sob
met his ear, and with softened features he
turned again towards her She still stood
in the same detected attitude, covering her
face with her hands, while through the
little, slender fingers triclllcd the tears that
she vainly struggled to repress.
oh too convincing-dangerous dear
In woman's eye the unanswerable tear ~
thought Cecil, as with an irresistible feel.
ing of tenderness he returned to her side
and taking one of her hands in his, i'm
plored her mt least to say, that she did moi
give him up forever /; and when they par
ted the engagement was to be renewed as
soon as he graduated if he remained faith
fu to his second-promise until then.
1t was not long until Gerald discovered
that Cecil's ring had returned to its place
upon his finger, and he now began again
to spend much Of his time at Mr.. Airing
tons, paying those numerous little atten.
tions to Evelyn that are SO agreeable to all
the sex. He rode with her in the morn.
ing while Cecil was poring over his books,
and in the evening they often would sing
and converse together for hours, yet SO
quiet and unobtrusive were his attempts
10 steal into her heart, that Cecil never FOL
a moment looked upon their daily increas
ing intimacy as anything likely to attract
Eyeyn's affections from himself. Sh'
was extremely fond of French, and there
fore Gerald devoted an hour every day T.
reading it aloud, and often the converse
tion was entirely maintained in that Ian
guage. considerably to CeciPs discomfort
for though he translated it very easily, h
was by no means so fluent i'll speech as th
others.
Thus the summer glided along in plea
ure, and the glad harvest time too passe
away. The reaper's work was done an
the yellow grain filed the wide barns, q
earnest of Gods blessing upon the till
of the soil. Soon the melancholy autum
season came, the fields began to lose the
brilliant hue, and the signing wind swe
through the forests, bearing upon its brea
the leaves already fading to decay. Al
now the opening of the University CALI
the Young men from home, and they we
soon again amid the whirl and tumult
city life. Cecil's promise thus far had n
been broken, for Gerald had not duri
the Summer exerted his influence oy
him. but now the time Of his second gre
struggle was at hand. Gerald knew
disposition perfectly, and exulted in
thought that he could push him again
will, into the great whirlpool of sin and d
sipation but THIS was not his present
tention. Their acquaintances were mum
GUS, and they soon began to spend one
two evenings in each week from home.
was not long before Gerald induced Ce
to Join him in game of Whist, rather !
willingly, however, for his fathers &C
counsel had prejudiced him against .
game of cards, even for amusement; but
usual he yielded to his friends persuas
and in a short time became passionat
fond of playing. He began to neglect
studies, attending the lectures in the mo
ings, but spending his evenings in his
vorite pursuit.
Gerald studied arduously; early
late his book was in his hand. After
old plan, he only pushed Cecil into
course which he desired him to follow,
then quietly retired himself leaving
friend to do as he pleased. The time S
came for him to strike the last and f
blow, and one evening when Cecil wen
his room, he was quietly perusing M
cal book, while upon the table by his
stood an open bottle of brandy, and b
filed glass. Cecil looked from it v
surprise to Gerald, remarking, "wh
thought you did not patronize strong dl
new"
81 felt unwell this evening"" rep
Gerald, "and hence you find me in 5
suspicious company
Cecil was not asked to partake-an,
too picked up a book and endeavore
fix his mind upon it. In vain he tr
the odor OF the brandy came upon hi
factories, it seemed to sparkle with a
and more euticing glow, and only 81
for the presence Of his friend, kept
from satisfying the demands Of appeti
At last Gerald picked up the glass
drank the balance contained in it, al