Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-07-14

1850 ~ SWIM AAA9 A0ElY
iano, IN the hope Of regaining in a warmer
climate his former strength.
accordingly he embarked with his wife and
lamiiy, and was soon upon the broad bosom
~ the Atlantic, bearing them away to far off
Flora and Eugene experienced all
nose FEELINGS of awe and reverence, which
are incident to those who for the first time
i0uha themselves upon the lonely bosom of
the ocean. The tedious monotODy of the
voyage preyed heavily upon the light hear
teu gfrl, who sighed for the flowers and groves.
and 3: rings, and riyulets she had left behind.
out the solemn stiffness of the broad waste
OF waters, broken only by the ripple of the
waves as they broke against the vessels side
seemed IN concordance with the pensiye spirit
OF Eugene. For hours he would lean over
the gun-waii and watch the waves as they
dashed against the vessels side or broke in
foamy masses on the prov.
The voyage occupied two weeks, owing to
the calmness of the weather and prevailing
adverse winds. At length they arrived safe.
~ at Bermuda, aud were cordially welcomed
oy Mr.. Beaumont's brother, who was residing
there.
The lofty mountains and murmuring
streams OF that summer land found deep adj
mrrers IN Eugene and Flora Here the warm
oreezes from the Indies wait perfumes of the
ricnest fragrance. Here are moaning water
iaiis, Ieaping cascades and all that charm the
eye and ear of the intelligent beholder. Well
mlgnt we suppose these green islands would
Seem loVeiy 10 the weary wanderers Of the
lo"eiy sea. During their stay here, Flora
anu nugene, when they were not at Mr.. Beau
monts bedside, spenttheir time in sa;linr on
S1e water; climbing the green hillsides, and
plucking the flowers which grew upoDt them.
CONTRARY TO expectation, the health of Mr..
Beaumont began rapidly to decline sid 90
great was the progress of the disease that
now there remained scarcely any hope Of his
recovery. Flora saw with silent sorrow the
gradual sinking of her beloved father. and to.
wards the last, was almost constantly "a his
oepslde, only when excluded from his yoOn.
by the physicians orders.
1t had long been the desire of NJ. Beau
mont that Flora and Eugene should be united
IN marriage, when they should arrive at a
proper age; but he had never made known
MS intentions to either. Now that his health
was declining without much hope of recovery.
1t was natural that he should wish to see the
marriage rites consumated. between his
daughter and adopted son. He had seen with
pleasure the regard of Eugene for Flora and
had hoped that the first budding of friend
snip might ripen into pure mutual love. He
mad Deheid them wander alone among the.
shady walks of Roanoke, and had looked ND
on the many acts of devotion from Eugene
with delight. He admired his noble nature,
ana saw IN him all those qualities which
woula constitute the future happiness of his
uaugnter. Their youth indeed seemed q bar
rler TO the accomplishment of his wishes but
ne lohsea ere ne deeended in the dark valley
TO see them Joined hand in hand, reaay to
launch out upon the treacherous billuws of
Inc sea OF lite. He desired his daughter to be
nappy: For this he had lived. For this he.
nag iaooTeu. But now he saw himsesf mark
Gu py the Pale Monster" for an early victim.
ana oeheld his beautiful Flora Just hadding
tnCo Womanhood, left with no protecting arm
70 Shle'd her from the rude buffettings of the
stormy sea; or to smooth the ruggcsEnesSof
ner lie path. To whom should he turn but.
70 the son OF ms former friend-his oua adop-
leu cAAot Who was more worthy to beher
protector Could he entrust her futrue- ham
piiess 10 any one save the devoted coxmpan+
loA OF her childhood--the noble and generous
Eugene?
One day when his waning form seemed to.
revive, giving to his friends a faint hone Hsat
the wan cheek of the suffering invalid uspra4t
again bloom with the blushing tints of heafsS-
he called Eugene and Flora to his room. sn.1
when none now fingered by his bedside, save.
they alone, said MY children, | am going
to de. Think not the flush upon nv cheek
ana the light which CLEANS more brightly in
nay eye, iorebodes the return of health. It.
is but the prelude of death. A few mure
weary, suffering hours and my spirit shall
wing Its flight to a brighter land am pre-
pared to brave the dangers and terrors of the.
dark valley. One thing alone binds me to
earth. | am willing to go! [ only ween
think of you. If | could know that.
you would be happy in future, death would
De welcome. | could then sleep peacefully.
while the breakers roar around nv island
Then joining their hands with his own, he
continued: my Eugene! my Flora YOU
lave lived long and happily in each others
compromising. A dying father wishes YOU
20 still live the same loving life! Nav the
same blue skies, the same fragrant zephyrs
you; and may you float peace
,uily over the waters of life, in the same at.
.ecnontrelghted bark Can you be content
% walk together along the windings of the.
way of life q
Here the speaker sank Gown upon his pil-
exhausted. For a long time the sobs of
Eugene and Flora alone broke the silence of
he room. At length he said, 81 am weak
now. Go! my children, and tell me when T
I'm better, it you can be happy in obeying
ne last request Of your father. Go and
nay God direct your
Flora quickly resolved to consent To the
OF her father; not that she loved
but because it was her fathers will
wen tearingthat Eugene would not be willing
% agree to a proposal which he would most.
1eslre, If he knew he could gain her love
sac loved her parent with all that feryor of
HAL affection, of which a maiden's heart ;s
capable; and it was her delight al, 4 de-,
sire to make the sacriice-if sacrifice it conld
called-when it was his last and diving re-
quest. Her young heart had as vet cluno to
10 one with passionate affection. It's slender
had never twined another's heart
she knew Eugene loved her-aye. adored
Ter. She thought she might yet learn to love
nm. He was all her heart could wish Int
TRANCE to say, she did not love him. She
,nly respected him. Why was it? She felt
hat with him, she could at least eniov as
sreat a degree of happiness as she had here
oiore. Thus reasoning, she determined to
'oey without a murmur. In fact she scarce.
y thought of the obligations she would incnr
~ such a step. She did not think. perhans
n after years her heart might meet its ;dai
md be compelled to pine in lonely wretcbed'
less, without the power to hursf tbo "