Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-07-22

She turned TO the Hussar, and placed for
moment her cold hands in his, then rising
suddenly, she threw herselfat the feet of Karl
oh Karl, have mercy love another
you do not love me-haVe pity on usr
BY all the powers Of heaven and hell, You
shall be mine, Theresap
4 appeal to my father s1
'Will your father violate his promise to the
7 vii 81. saisa sI1udosic with soismnity.
Then. Theresa exclaimed Kap, with
fendish exultation, mo mower on earth shall
save you from being minen and saying thus
he left the house.
Theresa rose from her knees, and threw
herself into the arms of her lover The pres
ence Of her father was no restraint to her
pure tenderness. Her tears fell fast on his
manly countenance, but his agony was too
great for that relief. Ludovic was deeply
moved, Ho approached them, and endeav-
ored to calm their affliction. and he related
under what circumstances this promise had
been given but his concluding words, that
he must hold it sacred threw them into a
new paroxysm of grief.
we must part, then, Arnhold,' said the
weeping Theresa, we must part-ah! can we
survive this cruel blowT
No. said Arnhold, mol cannot live
without you, let us once more entreat YOUR
father to have pity on u.s. and the youthful
lovers threw themselves at his feet
'Arnhold' said Ludovic, sternly, thou a
soldier, and ask me to tarnish my honorv
Arnhold felt the appeal he started up,
raised the weeping Theresa, cut off with his
sabre one long bright tress, embraced and
kissed her, placed her in the arms of her
father, and fled.
do al, a
portion Of the forttude of Theresa, as she
saw the near approach of the period which
was to censign her to fate so dreadful
Three little weeks were all that lay between
her and misery. Ludovic endeavored to
soothe her, but she would not be comforted.
Even had her affections been disengaged.
Karl would have been distastefuI to her, but
with affections placed on another, the idea of
a union with him appeared insupportable.
My dear child would Ludovic say, inter
rupting passionate burst of grief, by what
magic has Arnhold gained possession of your
heart ?
He is Hussar,' replied Theresa.
There was something in this reply which
moved Ludovic. He recollected that he him
self had imbued the mind of his daughter
with sentiments of respect and esteem for the
character Of agood soldier and conscience
reminded him that he had too often exalted
urobtrusive occupations of The hus sbandman
Was it wonderful, then, that Theresa should
have imbibed something Of this spirit, Or that
she should have yielded her heart to one who
possessed courage to defend her, and tender
ness to soothe her under the affections of life.
Arnhold dwelt near them he had been the
early playmate of Theresa, and together they
had often, with glowing cheeks and sparkling
! eyes, listened to the warlike exploits which
! the good Ludovio delighted tonarrate to them;
and to these conversations may be attributed
the passionate desire of Arnhold to adopt the
profession of arms. Accustomed to see them
play together as children, and liking the So
, ciety of the generous and spirited boy, Lu-
/ dovic forgot the danger, when their child
hood passed away, Of their affection assum-
) ing a totally different character. 1t was so
: and LudoVic now saw, with deep grief, that
q his daughter was unalterabiy attached to the
. youthful soldier.
S If Theresa was unhappy, her father was
: scarcely.less SO. He blamed his own impru
n dence and on contrasting the characters O
IS the two Youths. violent conflict between hi
# feelings and his duty arose in his breast
!, but the stern honor Of the soldier triumpheC
n and he deemed himself bound to complete
3, the sacrifice. Unable, however, to endure
the sight of her grief, he carried her to tn
: abode of a Youthful female friend, who form
d erly resided near them, but on her marriag
o had removed to village distant about sixt
ie miles from the dwelling of Ludovic. Their
ia he left Theresa, after receiving her solem
t, promise that she would return with him tn
y day before that on which she should com
E. plete her eighteenth year. Father said she
Ss with streaming eyes, L have never deceive
d YOU. If | live, | will return-but do no
It grieye too deeply should my heart break i
le this fearful struggle The old Hussar dasl
to ed away tear which strayed down his SCARE
he and sunburnt cheek, embraced his child, an
departed.
to lime wore gradually away, and at last th
n day arrived which was to seal Theresa>s tatt
to 1t found her in state of torpid despair
ID Exhausted by her previous struggles, all fee
a. ing seemed to be dead, but her mind Wa
IN awakened to new suffering. A friend arri'
re ed to conduct her to her father. The goo
st Ludovic apparently lay on the bed OF deatf
v and, with breathless impatience Theresa pa
sued her journey.
Sc On her return her fathers sick-room wa
al not solitary. The detested Karl was ther
Vn and there too, was the youthful Hussar.
n MY child said Ludovic, my days al
u numbered; my late must soon De ueclue
to and, alas yours also. To my dying broth
ed l solemnly promised that on this day | wou
ed offer you to his son for his bride. Witho
lie fulfilling my engagement | could not die
In peace-even the grave would atoId no res
to Can you sacrifice yourself for my future I
pose?
as L can-I will,' cried the unfortunate Th
re- resa sinking on her knees, so help me, He
to ven =
to Heaven will bless dutif1l child 7 sa
ect Ludovic with fervor. Karl, draw near
OPP Karl obeyed-Theresa shuddered.
Karl, said Ludovic, you say you love I
arl. child /; cherish her, l conjure you, as y
be- hope for future happiness. In her you "
possess treasure-but | must warn "
orn she will bring you but one portion of my p
to sessions IA
cad Karl started and retreated few steps.
That, however, continued Ludovic. 'wh
look upon as my greatest earthly treasu
ana give you with my daughter. You, X;
believe me to have some virtues. Al;
side alas you know not the secret sins VIII
cad, have sullied my ife-the rapine-the m
an der-but enough of this. have confes
ther to my ghostly father, and have obtained
first solution for the dark catalogue, but on {
Ugh, dition that | leave all my wealth to
I'M : church, as-an atonement for my transg
cep- sions. l could not forget that was q fat
her Il pleaded the destitute state of my ch
rms, | implored, entreated-at length WI