Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-05-13

THE RASH MARRIAGE.
CHAPTER II
Cf1AI E1h II.
Alas they had bes0 friends in youth.
But whispering ton gaes can poison truth.
CoLERInnr
By 4 wv eoSrRBuroR.


Alas they had Pesn friends in youth,
But whispering tdng'as can poison truth.
CoLERIDGE.
One evening abog she middle Of the fol.
lowing September, Gfee Tilden was ,,.s nso; IN. :
with hasty staptla d66r of III. I,indlav;s pilsl.
parlog. while Azl sc IS the taxi ta6Ia
afsss'sss', as Gs,5 S: even Ds'1
fully flushed; her eye wore an anxious and
troubled expression, and her hand trembled
so perceptlbly, that she laid down the pic.
ture she had lifted from the table, At length
the young man paused in his walk, and ad-
dressed her.
Adelaide, do you still persist in refusing
me an explanation?
L tell you, as l told you before, sir, that
have none to give
But you surely cannot expect me to over
look this matter entirely?'
i expect nothing from you-nothing what
ever that is just and honorable-she was
about to add, for she was very much excited,
and hardly knew what she was saying.
But what am to believer
Precisely what you choose to believe, sir;
and, you will allow me to add, that it is quite
time our conference was ended
The color flashed to George Tiden's face,
and he grasped her hand impetuously; AIDE
ialde Llndsley, you do not love me-and you
never did,
1t would be very strange if I did, after
the language you have addressed to me this
evening she replied, striving to disenga
her hand, and as for the past, you are at
liberty to think just what you please with
regard to that. Will you release my hand,
sir?'
Yes-now and forever, said the you NO
man, throwing it angrily from him. Permit
me to bid you good evening. Miss Lindsey
Good evening. Mr.. Tilden.' The next
moment Georges footsteps sounded on the
gravel-walk, and Adelaide was slowly ascend
ing the stairs on her way to her own cham
Der
just then the curtain was slightly drawn
from before one of the upper windows, and
lace. on which many contending emotions
were depicted, looked cautiously out 1t was
Theresa and after an instant she drew back
and clasped her hands softly, but with an ex.
ultant air.
1t has worked we'll! she whispered
He goes early, and his step is not quite that
OF happy lover. AS I expected, he was too
much excited to approach the subject ration
ally; and Adelaide has been too proud to
give him any explanation. Well I am sure
L did not tell him anything but the truth.
And she had not sn acords, but that knowl-
edge was not s0fncienS to prevent her from
feeling greatly relieved when she remember
ed that her father was now on his return to
America, and that very few weeks would
ind her againsin her southern home.
The sisters always occupied the same room:
and when Kate entered it about an hour af
terWard, she ,was surprised to find Adelaide
there, with her arms folded upon the table
before her, and her forehead resting upon
them. She did not appear to notice her sis
ter entrance, and Kate, approaching, lightly
touched her shoulder.
What, are you here, Adelaide? thought
you were IN the parlor with George. What
made him 60 so early p
Adelaide lifted her head; her face was
fearless, and perfectly calm, but so pale that
Kate started back in ALRIGHT. ~
why, Adelaide, what Is the mattar with
you? you are as white as a sheeti;
Nothing, Kate-I am perfectly we'll i,
Oh ! know better, Ada ! let me feel vo,r
hands; why, they are as cold as ice and
your voice sounds SO strangely. I will 90
speak to father "--A 81
NO: no. Kate, cried Adelaide, CATCHING
hold OF her dress to detaIn her be oniet
VIII you! am not sick at all; but have
something to tell you-sit down. ,
nate obeyed, but with a very dissatisfied
~, don't want you ever to mention GEORGE
Illdens name to me again, Kate-we have
met for the last time.
Mates blue eyes opened wider than ever
and still more incredulouslY. For tho los.
time! Why, Ada, what do you mean ?, 1''
just what l say, Kate; we have nartod
forever!' p"i'eu
Oh, Ada, that cannot be!' Have Won
been quarrelingP' y"
NO, not quarreling, but George Ado.
ladies unnatural composure gave wav and
leaning her head upon her sisters shonldar
passionate burst of tears somewhat relieved
ner. nate kissed her fondly until her er-
cltement had IN measure abated, and than
whispered softly ''0n
Now tell me all about it, dear Ada. Tam
sure your dificulty-if you have had auvM
can be arranged. ) IVY
Never, kate-never replied Adelaide
Is she wiped away her tears, sand / do not
wish 1t, even if it could be. I am NOT as ,rao l.
as this emotion might lead you to suppose.
You may have given his words different
What did he say?' -A0"'
SSh OO hO ullsbdAS at all ah0ut IL
Kate. You know how Harry Melville has
tormented me ever since George went awav
how carefully have tried to avoid rnae;.
ing him, and how steadily refus to see
him when he called here, until I found that
it all did no good and then concluded that
the best course for me to pursue was to give
him an opportunity to say what he had to
say, and let that end the matter. / did So
and it did end it. But, it seems George has
in some way, heard different version of the
story, and, tonight, he called me to an ac-
count in the most lordly manner imaginable.
IF he had acted and spoken like a reasonable
man, would have told all about it: but
would not give him an explanation when he
demanded it so haughtily!' =
oh, Ada dear Ada! you were too proud
why didn't you tell him !? don't believe
he really meant what he said. Who told him
the story?'
Il don't know, and wouldn't have asked
him for the world. Kate-I was not one bit
too proud and you would have said so if
you had been present. My bitterest enemy
has never yet accused me of coquetry: and
George Tilden ought to have known me too
we'll to think I would find any thing very
attractive in the society of Harry Melville.
He doubted and suspected me without anv
sufficient cause, and told You, long ago. that
could not forgive that in any man.
| Kate shook her head sadly.
Il