Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-12-09
.IareSs not in our power,

AL0YeMS not III cur power,
Nay, what seemsst1anger, is notin our choice:
We only love Whefe fate ordains we should
And, blindly fond, "a slight superior merit
Wrapt in sweetAisions of unreal bliss, |
still listened to the aren voice, that was WOO
ing my young heart to misery. But there
came a waking hour he vision faded, the
roses twined around the lovely altar OF alice
ton Withered, and beneath | discovered only
a shapeless ruin. There cameinto the neigh
borhood of my home, q fair and lovely stran-
ger. Isabel Carlton. and what a beautiful
woman she was tall and stately, with the
step and bearing of a queen. You DO no not
wonder, therefore, that's small, childish De
ing like myself, should be forgotten IN the
sunlight of her exceeding loneliness. learned
to listen fora step that never came back to
sigh for a low-toned voice that mad become
earth's sweetest music-tone to me-. We met
amid crowds of friends and acquaintance,
but never alone. / saw him bending over
her with the same graceful homage that had
been mine her hand rested upon the arm
that had been my support, and | turned away
pale with the hearts first anguish. But in
my hour of sorrow there fingered one at my
side, who soothed By a quiet, unspoken SYM
pathy, that was d spell of comfort tony heart.
Unconsciously / forgot TO love him | can
not remember the day or hour [ ceased to
love him, but / knoa W. because | ceased
to respect ely believed him
worthy, I might H&en9s wasting un0n
him the deep Io<e ay heart unto thee
of life. But the scalds fell from my eyes, and
together I ceased to esteem and lovei Mad
am De Stael has truly said, that "a woman
can resist the love she feels, but cannot resis
the love she inspires / believe it. M,
Tl1oI - 49, - L---z L. TIC. o-.s-
calm, more thoughtful, but not less happy
Then came the real love ofmylife. I learne,
to look up to William Allison with the fon
affection Of a woman's heart. To Edwin Dc
costa | had given the wild, enthusiastic Low
of a school girl ; he had my first and widest
but not, oh! not my best love. Deep in m
Utmost heart is a deep, enduring devotion t
him with whom | hope and expect to wal
life's pathway. Be it fower-strewn or thorn,
| can rely on that fond, true, manly hear
that | Joy so much to have won. Wealt
| will not be ours, save heinexhaustible wealt
f of our pure and perfect love. Social positio
| we may also lack, the aristocratic may smi
, and pass us by, but in our plain and peacef
2 home, we will erect an altar unto God, arou1
: our happy fireside we will gather those WI
l love my betrothed for his noble qualities
+. heart and soul, his mild and christian chars
d ter, and me, for all that is lovable in me, fl
! giving all | lack. hope to welcome yo
e Gertie, you sweet Ada, and you beauti
i Carrie, to my home, when another, broad a
plain, shall enrich my finger in company W
this" and the young betrothed held up /
tiny white hand, upon which cleaned her
gagement ring, and a sweet smile play
around her small lips. And white orar
5. blossoms shall have rested on these soft, brig
curls" said Carrie, smiling, but saw a t
tremble upon her long lash.
We were silent a few moments, and Il
Ada said she would give US her heart histo
" and | pray God you may all be saved fl
the blight that has withered my bright hopt
:, said she with a quivering voice.
ny TO BE CONTINUED.