Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-07-02
Spirit of tBs 9gn 8pleigg, yortg- G~arplina ;

4sRI 81! sV 'uns Sul4as eql uodn 4no pei
beams faded in the west, she was forcibly
reminded of her fathers dying hour, and q
thrilling feeling of mingled awe and pleas
ure crept over her mind, as she fancied his
spirit might be lowering near. Sinking
on her knees, and lifting her fearful eyes
to Heaven, she breathed an audible prayer:
ooh, thou departed, if thou canst leave
the company Of the immortal gods, to visit
} once more the scene of thy former life, look
down, | pray thee, on thine unhappy child,
and guide her safely through the perils
that surround. The lessons of virtue
which thou impaired, have failed to insure
promised happiness, and the rich store of
wisdom WHICH thou bequeathed, has not
even purchased the boon of content. Oh,
my father, without thee, thy instructions
are nothing. am like a barque moving
unguided over the waters, and speeding to
destruction. Life that was sweet while
shared with thee, is now a burthen too wea-
risome to bear. Shade of the departed, be-
seech the merciful gods to take me from
the earth, and give me a home with them
and thee"
This invocation, which expressed SO tru-
ly and %touchingly the deep sadness of A
thenais, was interrupted by the sound of
, approaching steps. She looked up; her
female attendant, Marina, had entered the
apartment-fear and anxiety was pictured
7 on her countenance, and Athenais felt that
some new trouble awaited her. Rapidly,
T and in a low tone, Marina impaired her
information. She had, a few moments be-
e fore, overheard a conversation between the
brothers and the admirer of her mistress.
/ By that, it appeared, Marbles, fearful
OF losing the prize he SO ardently sought
c had obtained from the brothers permission
to wed Athenais without further DELAY
Everything was prepared, and an early
d hour OF the following morning was the time
u appointed for the ceremony to take place
Their victims wishes were to be no longe
consulted she was to be forced to the al
tar, and If she there persevered in r~esistin,
q their commands, she was to be confined il
N a gloomy and solitary apartment, deprive,
y OF every comfort, and only supplied wit
as the smallest pittance to sustain lite. Thes
er were the cruel arrangements, and as tn
u faithful attendant disclosed the plot, sh
Wept at what she considered the inevitabl
fate of her mistress.
g Athenais sat a few moments in dee
IN thought, bordering upon the Intelligent
ne she had received, and revolving in ht
lat mind what course to pursue. There W;
not much time for reflection; only tn
IA night was left to decide and to act. tt
ut next morning she would be a prisoner in
dungeon, or a captive in a more fearf
90 bondage still. At length the r~esolutic
'ut was taken. She decided to steal n~oiseles
ly from the house-proceed without del,
es, to the seat Of government, and ask the a
ro- of royal protection against !.er unnatul
ty. kindred. 1t was not a long journey fro
md her brothers residence to the Imperial p
lad ace, and she felt that her desperate fortu
lgh would give her energy and resolution
ned endure whatever fatigue or hardship S
lful would have to incur.
sur CONCLUDED NEXT WEEK.