Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-01-14
ORIGINAL PAPERS.
For the Spirit Of the Age.
META STANLEY.
OR, THE TEST OF LOVE.

OR, TIE TEST OF LOVE.
The home of Meta Stanley was in the
sunny South-in the small but pleasant
town Of P. She had what may be call
ed splendid house; everything necessary
to render it both comfortable and magniG-
cent 1t was her childhood's home. and
had been the witness to all her joys and
sorrows. | say sorrows for think not
that her life had never been 'ershadowed
by single cloud No; there were times
when dark trial and sorrow would come to
her young heart but she bore up as only
her gentle spirit could, knowing that it was
the work of her Heavenly Father, and that
what he did would be for the best
Meta's first great trial was in the death
Of her mother, which occurred when she
was. only fifteen years Of age the time
when she most needed mothers love and
care to guide her Alright She had very
kind and indulgent father, who supplied as
nearly as possible the loss of her mother.
He had been successful merchant, and
had now retired from business with large
fortune. Would you have description of
our heroine? See her as she stands there
in the porch, encircled with the beautiful
rose vine which her own hand has twined
Alright, and her careful eye watched as the
timid looking buds burst forth in full blown
roses. Letuspush aside the bushes gently, so
as not to disturb her reverie, for with her
dark eyes cast upwards, she seems to be
intently gazing on the bright orbs of night,
as they move in all their splendour across
the surface of the heavens. She is lust
eighteen years Of age with fragile form
which it seems a breath Of wind might
sweep from earth, and bear the pure spirit
home to the Father who gave it. Her eyes
are large and black, while jetty ringlets fall
on neck which can scarcely be rivalled IN
Wilderness. Her complexion is very fair,
and sweet smiles play around her ruby
lips which when parted, show set of the
most exquisite teeth. Though thus lovely,
she was far from being vain, as some might
suppose. No; she scorned the very idea.
At balls and parties she was always "the
star Of the "goodlie compane." No one
glided so gracefully through the dance, or
was more entertaining in conversation than
she. Still she seemed to be entirely uu-
conscious of the homage paid her, and had
always kind word and smile for every one
from the prattling infant to the grayheaded
sire. One evening in the early part o
June, as she was sitting in the library en-
gagged in reading, servant handed her {
note. "Please marm," said the servant
ga servant of Mrs. IL. S brought it marm ,
She laid down her book and opened tn
note 1t ran thus:
"Mrs. H requests the pleasure O
Miss Stanley's company on Thursday even
ing, the 9Th inst
"Beacon St., June End.
"P. s. You must be sure to come, for
have nephew whom | particularly wis
to introduce to you, as | am sure you wi
like him. Yours, &C.,
Mrs. H was a much esteemed frien
Of Meta's, and she also had some curiosit
to see her nephew; therefore she decide
to go, and the answer was as follows
"NIiss Stanley accepts with pleasur
Mrs. H.-'s invitation for Thursda
evening, the 5th inst. -
"Green St, June End"
Why was it that she fingered littl
longer than usual before her glass on tina
evening? Was it to array herselfi in til
most fashionable costume-to place in he
dark hair sparkling gems, or clasp on he
fair arms glittering diamonds No
though they lay in profusion around he
she threw them aside with contempt; fc
though she had often been arrayed in sue
as these, it was only because the occasio
had required it; but this evening she ha
determined to dress as best suited her ow
taste. She felt little nervous, and 81
tried in vain to steady her hand, which
spite of herself trembled as she turned Il
knob Of her door, to descend to the DRAWN
room, where her father waited to accou
pany her.
Mrs Il had said, "I am certain yC
will like him." Surely" thought Met
"she knows me so we'll she can scarce
be mistaken" Now you can account
her actions, can you not Let us watC
her as with these thoughts she enters h
house Of her friend She is dressed
plain white Swiss. A golden chain
doubled around her fair neck, from viii,
cross is suspended. No ornament CT
increase tae beauty Of her jetty ringei
excitement has spread glow on her cheel
and lovely, indeed, does she appear as S
is thus ushered into the drawing room
Mrs. H, leaning on the arm of b
aged, but still noble looking father.
she entered, every eye turned to behold I
Miss Stanley, of whose beauty and accol
plishments they had heard so much. B