Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-02-24

went back with an impression that l
should dislike my cousin, in spite of his
beauty but there was no resisting the
frank cordiality of his manner. Tea was
brought in, arranged with an eye to har-
mony of colors, and artistic effect, that
struck Reginald instantly. Indeed, he
seemed in a humor to be charmed with
every thing. The great rambling house !;
the cornices carved Ger and Ger with lilies !;
the antique mirrors in their cumbrous frames,
each and all seemed perpetual source of
delight.
II must see them all by daylight may
I not, Mr.. Hutchinson ?" he said, when he
rose to 60.
His words were addressed tor my father,
but his glance sought my face.
"You must ask Isa Hutchinson-house
is her castle"
g shall be very happy" stammered
blushingly !; and after that Reginald Percy
was my frequent visitor. He came often
when my father was away, and we used to
wander, hand-in-hand, through the great
desolate house, singing snatches of old bal
lads, and talking of every quaint and won
derful fancy which haunted our waywarG
brain. He used often to bring me flowers
aud one day, as he fastened cluster o.
white lilies in my heavy braids, he said,
earnestly:
"How beautiful you are, Isa You are
the very handsomest person ever saw, ex
cept Marion, and she's so different"
"Marion who?" inquired, with for
ced and painful calmness.
"Marion Illsley. Good heayens, Isa, hoy
pale you-are! Are you i'll? Lean on me
child-why, how you tremble. Isa, wha
IS the matter 2"
Nothing" | answered, as soon as
could speak. 1t was only sudden faint
ness. am better now"
"Are you subject to these turns, Isa 2"
Not very, but the room'was SO warm
From that day he spoke no more of Ma
rion Illsley, whether it was that he neve
thought of her, or that he fancied the sui
ject was distasteful.
Through the whole winter he came
see me almost daily. One day in the ca
ly spring, he came in thoughtfully.
Isa," he said, "do you think me so ver
young2"
"Young! no, indeed" answered, laugl
ingly. "You are four whole years olde
than I am, and | feel old enough for one
Methuselah's near relatives
"True, am four years older than yo
and | shall be twenty in a few months
think may speak. Sit down, lsa, al
listen seriously. Young as | am, l ha,
seen a great many beautiful women, an
had as many fancies as there are heads
your rosary, but this is no difference. Is
if | loved you. less.I could tell it to yo
better I seenn to.live only when | al
here With you. You can thrill me so wit
every tone of your voice, every look of yol
great black eyes never did, never c;
feel SO for any other. Isa, is it all
yain!"
hardly comprehended his meaning, al
| sat in silence.
IL know it is wrong," he continued, u
fair. | know you have seen no one elst
but for alI that, you can tell whether y
love me- Hyou do you never could 10
announcer, anu IL Is no uaTIIl. 10 IlOG ne
any iealously, or competition, to make I
feel your grace and beauty Darling, do y
love me better than your father %
Oh. [ thought at that momeht my he;
would break. with its wild rapture. Th
then, was love-. could not speak. | Il
ned my face toward him. My long lash
, veiled the.j beaning in my downcs
]. eyes, but the tell-;ale cheek, over viii
: theE-drooped, were crimson with blush
aYou do loye.me," he cried eagerly, a
> clasping his arms about me- drew me clC
!. to his beating heart.
"Say the words, lisa, Iwsnt to hear tn,
>. say Reginald, love your nay, bet
: than that, say Reginald, will be yc
l. wife"
! Hooked up timidly irons the shelter
.. bis arms, scarcely daring to trust my vo
: te,utter the words for which he waited.
"Reginald," | said, firmly, "dearest
. gipald," I love you, and. | will be "
. wife"
!, Heaven bless my darling was.the
vently uttered reply; and then drawing
n still more fondly to his breast, We sat th