Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-09-17


manhood The ful6knent Of this promise
had been deferred from time 70 time, though +
Elmira otter seminded him Of it. Leila,
in the comparative seclusion Of her life,
sighed for no such decorations, and now
her mourning dress preelQded them Mr. Il
Manners, finding himself N q munifcent
vein, in consequence Of the brilliant pros
poets opening though his rich brother-in-
law, gave them each the money requisite
for the purchase, and telling Them to make
their own selection, left them. that thexl.
-iFfrissAt thsif 11nt upon the ocea-
sion.
Leila followed him with blusing earnest
ness. Dear father" said she, thank
you more than can express for your kind
ness. Yet dare to ask for an additional
proof of your goodness. Would you be
dis2leased if appropriated this money to
another purpose than the jewels? I am in |
mourning now, and would rather not wear
them. Yet, if this is a gift to me, and | |
am permitted to use it as I would wish,
you will make me very happy"
Who ever heard of young girl that
did not want jewels before ?" exclaimed
rectness of his hearing.
"What other purchase do you wish to
make !? | thought your wardrobe was we'll
supplied"
And so it is" replied Leila, twisting
her fathers guard chain round her trem-
bling fingers, for she feared he would ques-
tion her too closel y-' buff you will al
low me to employ the money in the way I
like best, will make no unworthy use of
it. will do nothing which your own
heart will not approve Say yes, dear fa-
ther and do not ask me to tell you any
thing more"
Leila had such a bcseeching way with
her, it was impossible for any one but Aunt
Phillis to resist her. Mr. Manners was
touched by her disinterestedness Per-
haps his mind caught glimpse of her pur-
pose, and being ashamed that he had not
anticipated her, he forbore to ask her fur
ther questions.
You are a strange child" said he,
smiling, I" but believe [ must trust you
this time. Do what you like with it. It
is your own"
Leila threw her arms around his neck,
then running to her uncle's room, where
he usually sat reading at this hour, she
! knocked for admittance. She did not re-
alize the delicacy Of her Office til she stood
Ie convicted guilt, dyeing herseheeks.
: "What petition or confession, do thos
t, bushes herald? said he, laying down b
1t book, as she entered.
er "It is, indeed, petition, uncle, but
of know not how to word it; fear you vi
OF be offended, and l could not brook yo'
ad displeasure."
er 1T do not think it possible for you
a do any thing to offend me- answered b
lr- taking her hand in both his" nor dc
ly think l could refuse any petition y
i'd, might offer, even were it half of my kin
ad DOM"
ry "Then take this trife," said she, putt
on- the paper which contained the money
M his hand, and clasping his fingers tight
rs around it, "and let me see my dear un
in at Aunt Phillis' grand fete, as she calls
tn in a new suit, which he must wear, in h'
lch our of his, perhaps, presumptuous niece
er She dared not look in his face, and
ITS he did not speak Immediately, she fear
md he was offended, and that the pride of p
me erty rebelIed against the offering, bu
'ul, tear, which fell upon the hand which eli
ak sed his, convinced her that his silence '
ed, rot that of haughtiness or resentment.
try "I can say, with your favourite Mir
'ich da, that &c I'm fool to weep at what
'ein glad of" cried he at length, " for [
the prize your gift, my Leila, beyond all wor
ter. Not that attach much value to new C
life. after all, but the feelings which promp
Iere the act, sanctify the offering in my eyes.
are, know you will not love me more than
lure do in this old suit, which I must wrap
All in lavender and sweet-smelling shrubs,
was memento of my visit here-but strane
lent look at the coat, and not at the man. Th
cath are a great many Aunt Phillises in
OBJ world, and very few Lelias.'
ess, Leila felt so happy at the successful
lgth complishment of her wishes, that she "
con- warbling down stairs like bird, and a
day ally danced into the drawing-room, to
ften horror of Aunt Phillis, who thought i
hich objectionable sin for any one to dev
ma from the straight forward and perpend
one lar lines of utility and decorum.
st OF In the course of the evening, Eli
she asked her sister if she did not intend t
gure with her, in the morning, to purchase
was jewels.
,e SO g Leila don't care about jewels"
fear Mr.. Manners, significantly, +" she is a
the in ten thousand"
had Leila began to examine her work
ton very industriously, and pretended no
s re- hear what they were saying.
was 81 should not be surprised said I
sting ra, laughingly, " if she put her money
|, by at interest, or in the saving banks,
N he such utilitarian'
Her " Perhaps she is going to establ
epar- charity school," cried Aunt Phillis,
'nour sneer. Mr.. Banks not happening
dis present, she thought she might relax
Gle tie from her amiability.
SUIT. "To whatever use she has appropr
} pre- it," said Mr.. Clements, t" she will rec
g the not only thirty, but sixty, nay an hui
eaded fold"
Charles, who sat beside his cousin,
g that up spool of thread from her work
atiu- and appeared to be scrutinizing its a
such most earnestly, but he wasin reality "
lde, IT ing her downcast face, and thinking
N to scarcely merit in Leila to sacri6c
sonal ornaments, since she was in b
7oured so lovely and SO loveable. He kne'
promi- purpose to which she had devoted
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