Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-04-01

Vacation was ended, and | back at col
lege. But her memory haunted me. The
monotony of college life was intolerable.-
alleviated my misery by giving vent to
my feelings In scores of epistles to the The
Ringlets," and the reception of letter
written by her fair hand-and such a hand
made me happy for twenty-four hours
OF waking at least. Now and then, too, I
stole away from college duties, (my health
wouldn't bare close eonfnement,) and
basked in the glean1 Of my charmer's eyes.
30 passed the summer long.
just before the summer vacation [ re-
oeived q. note from The Ringiets," /" saying
that she was about starting TO Glen Cove,
quiet watering place, to spend the re-
malnder of the summer, and desiring me
to join her there. Glen Cove was de-
lightful spot, distant but few miles from
my fathers residence. I pretended to
spend that vacation at home, but any one
desirous of seeing me about those days,
would have done well to have called at
Glen Cove.
That passage of my life was an ecstactic
dream. was fairly beside myself We
were always together, Meg and strolling
on the sea shore, watching the restless
tide, or sitting under the cliff listening to
the roar of the waves, which to me chanted
only the music of her name. Sundays
found us ever at the little stone church in
the village, where she went to worship
Cod to worship her
During my acquaintance with Miss Mar
garet Winfree, alias "Ringlets," my curl
oslty, not to say jealously, had been fire.
quently aroused, by ascertaining the fact
that she was constantly receiving letters,
superscribed in bold, manly handwriting.
To my inquiries respecting the matter, she
told me very honestly, that those letters
were from gentleman, Mr.. Shipley by
name, then in California, who had formerly
been Ia business with her father, and upon
his decease had taken charge of portions
OF his estate; that he often had occasion
to write upon business relating thereto, and
wrote to her, as her grandmother was too
much of an Invalid to be annoyed thereby.
He was very fine man, and wanted me
to see him-thought | would like him ex-
ceedingly. | thought perhaps I should
not. But at any rate, l didn't think it
best to trouble myself unnecessarily,
about the unknown Mr.. Shipley. His
chance for favor with "The Ringlets,"
was evidently small, while I was about.
So | gave myself up to my dream of bliss,
and forgot all cares and griefs, in her pres
ence, while she wss apparently in state of
ssssssfartipn, 1sak tRe lsvst, when sss.s -
her side.
So matters rested, when call of business
summoned me from her was in an ag-
ony of impatience during my absence, and
used all diligence, you may depend, to
accomplish my duties and hasten to her,
in whom my very life was bound up
1t was just at evening when | met her
again. found her with gentleman, a
well built, manly looking fellow, and large
enough to whip church fulllike me,
without putting. A peculiar sensation
thrilled me, and nearly rendered me
powerless. She arose and taking me cor.
daily by the hand, said" Mr.. Hamilton
this is Mr.. Shipley, our friend of whom
you have heard me so frequently speak,
Her frank, honest hearted manner, restored
me. We sat and chatted, under some re-
straint it is true, and perhaps my pulse
was little feverish. After while Mr.
Shipley went in search Of the old lady, will
whom he had business, and Maggie propo
sed stroll in the garden. Her eviden
pleasure at seeing me again had quietet
alarm still thought 'twould not be amis
to prosecute few inquiries concerning Mr.
Shipley $50 your friend has returne,
in my absence" [ said "Why did vol
not tell me he was coming?"
"Yes," she replied "he arrived yer,
unexpectedly. Business has called hin
suddenly home"
"You seem to like him very much"
go, he is so kind to us" said she, witt
the most winning honesty.
"Do you know" said I, (and my hear
began to hutter,) } "do you know that fan
cy you like Mr.. Shipley much better thai
I wished you did p She looked at m
with surprise, and then with a face as i
the most ridiculous idea in the world ha
just struck her, she burst into ripplin
laugh and said, Well! if you are nc
jealous How perfectly absurd Iney
er once thought of Mr. Shipley as love
before. What strange ideas you men have
Why be is old enough to be my father !!
"I know that perfectly WE'LL" said
" but are you sure you only regard him a
a friend ?"
With look Of reproach that tscalded m
very soul she asked. And is this all th
confidence you repose in me? Have I e,
er given you reason thus to doubt M
truthfulness ?"
felt as wicked as if had stolen SOM
thing, and wanted to fall on my knee
pray for my pardon, and VOW myself ht
slave forever. But twas In the gardel
and | had on white pants; so that didn
assume the praying attitude, but as if DO
sessed of devil, wickedly perished ia N
questions. " But tell me, are ycu perfect
sure, you regard Mr.. Shipley as friend..l
She picked rose of the purest whit
and placing it in my hand, said, with
look and voice in which sorrow and reproae
were mingled "When that rose blush
you may doubt me, but not before"
was satisfied Twas a wretch-a fer
in human shape-to think for a minu
: there could be guile In that pure soul.
: We found our way to rustic seat u
, der an old chestnut tree, and the eveniI
I. sped over our headsto eternity The mo,
t was hurrying to its setting, and the bell
t the village church was tolling very sm