Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1856-08-06

pretty curl SO tightly as 10 h.s Der head.
The blessed truth c0ntinIsed the wicked
little tormentor. Did vou beet hin?
A very desponding yes, ~ the response.
Well, demanded Bridge am xiouslv. aid
he say anything mean, anztking paI1;ezs-
Tar ?
Hesonly said the weather mas pleasant.
and then passed on, without even shaking
hands with me, sadly replied Peggy.
Mark needn't have done Tint whatever
happens. he ought 10 be ts go'ls said
Bridget with peculiaf Il: 8n thar made
zslss hsaEt asttsI u - NJ i sig
Civil to mel what do you mean, Bird
get?'
Bridget hummed an air, and, as if ifsudden-
ly wishing to change the conversation, said,
gaily:
oh ! | forgot, we were to tell each others
dreams this morning Peg, YOU begin, what
did you dream about?'
Nothing, Bridget, didn't Sleep
Then you couldn't have Dreamed sagely
responded the other, but did,
What p
dreamed that had a beautiful new
gown given to me, and by whom do you
think 2
l don't know Ned, Riley, maybe
Ned Riley, indeed replied Bridget with
a sneer; not bit ofit. By finer man than
ever stood in his Shoes Who but Mark
Brady?'
Pegs heart sank within her.
This wasn't all Dreamed and she fixed
her wild eyes full on Peg, ia a way that made
hers fall instantly, L dreamed that / was
married to him.
TO Mark whispered Peggy.
TO Mark?'
Peggy didn't utter another syllable didn't
even look up, but sat motionless and pale We
ry pale. Bridget couldn't understand her
seeming apathy; a more acute observer would
have but contrasted it with the intense emo
ton which she felt whitman emotion not
whit lessened as Bridget continued, with
marked expression:
II dreamed all that this blessed morning,
and morning dreams, you know, alacays come
true"
Peggy, still SILENT seemed to be wholly oc-
cupied of faded flower which she had taken
from her bosom, lingering over its destruc-
tion as though a portion of her heart went
with each fragment when Bridget sudden
ly started up, exclaiming, Here comes
Mark, Declare
A painful spasm shot through Peggy's
frame, yet she did not stir from her seat
the only evidence that she heard Bridget's
exclamation was that her lips grew as pallid
as her cheek.
But law, what am | thinking about? I
must go and tidy my hair
And away flew Bridget up to her room
Il from whence she crept stealthily down. and
Il shugfy seasc0ace1 lselkss sE-ss the soor
Naughty girl to listen tcwhat transpired
Mark, who, since his conversation with
:. Bridget, had seriously contemplated suicide,
but was puzzled aboot the best mode of ma
king away with himself, had come to the
conclusion that to enter the army as a COM
' mon soldier would be the least criminal, al
, though certainly the most lingering proccs
: and it was to lacerate his feelings by
, ting interview with his dearly-loved p
: before he consummated the act of enlistme
that he now came.
!, Arrived at the door, he hesitated momel
s then giving one big gulp, he lifted the latch
and entered. There he saw Peggy herself,
looking straight into the fire, never once tur-
e ming aside or raising her eyes, proof positive
to Mark, if he wanted it, that she cared moth
ing orhim. He sat down, ,and for several min
: utes there was dead silence. Mark had
fully intended to say something frightfully
a cutting to his sweetheart, but as he gazed
e upon her white, sad face, his resentment
d vanished, and he felt more inclined to implore
70 than to condemn. He wanted to speak, but
what to say he had not the remotest idea
). AT last Peg broke the silence, by nurmuring
softly, as though it were but a thought, t.
1 which she had given involuntary expression
n May you be happy, Mark May you b'
s: happyP
It Happy !! echoed Mark, with sharp EN-
!. phasis, that thrilled painfully through Peg
% gy, Faith, it's we'll for you to be wishing
! me happiness
u Indeed, indeed l do, Mark mean MI
Brady meekly replied the poor girl.
4 Oh, that's right = said Mark, bitterly
], Mr. Brady 1t used to be Mark
But never can again. "a
You're right never
- Never 2 and poor PeggT sighed deeply.
- After another embarasslng pause, broker
J only by g sort of smotheled sound, whicl
miGAt have been the wind, but wasn't, Mar
a started up exclaiming:
L see my company issdispleasing to you
r but shan't troubley You long. That will b
~ done tomorrow vh1kh will separate US fol
- ever
Z Tomorrow SO, soon z replied Peggy
IL with stifed sob.
Yes! the sooner the better. What is
noao to you?'
.Oh, nothing, nothing But thought
that is-Pm very, very. foolish.
/ Poor Peggy's heart overhowed its bounds
burving her face IN her hands, she burst in
to tears.
or Mark didn't know what to make oft. Sh
Sc must have liked me little, thought he, q
a why this grief? Well, it's all my own faul
" Why didn't tell her Of my love, like man
OF and not sneak about, afraid of the sound
~ nv own voice. I've lost her, lost the onl
Nc thing that made life to me worth enduring
ne and the sooner I relieve her of my present
~ the better
he Miss May! Peggy 7 he said with an e
lr- fort at calmness, this is the last time we me-
meet on earth won't you give me your har
If. at parting.
'es ;nc throuoh her tears Mark Mark! th
is, indeed, cruel!
pol .It is, know it is p said Mark, brushir
ut awav an obtrusive tear. So, God bless 20
ay- and good angels watch over you; and if "
ne ever cared for me-
na sIfI ever cared for you oh, Mark
: sWhy! did your inquired Mark.
sYon were nv only thought, my life, n
banniness!' There was the same curio
led sound from the chamber door, but the il
ads cent wind had again to bear the blame.
Oh, Peggy continued Mark, would that y
! of had the same feeling for mel
he sIhad! I had frantically he repli
rcr and more oh much more than ]. have VOL
ss5 to speak. Why didn't We know this soone
'on- 'Ah! why, indeed 2 sadly replied Peg
but it too late.
n -