Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-09-22

ted Lillian. - pea
Forgive me, my darling, for not an
swering you- but fear your hopes are on
y visionary. Get me paper and pen. and
VIII write to your uncle. Perhaps he
NAV get yon employment as a teacher"
"'Oh mother, dread to 90 there that
fashionable cousin might treat me too cold
ily' and might forget my duty of respect
ing my mothers brother"
"Well, my child, you can but try him.
and If he will not assist you thus far, then
you have my consent to try and write.'
And now while Mrs. Woodbury. is wri-
ting her letter, we will return to Mrs. St.
Clair.
CHAPTER III.
1t is the day Of the party. The whole
house has been renovated, and every thing
wears holyday appearance. Mrs. st.
CLAIR and Eva are sitting in the Iatter's
dressing room, conversing. "Mama, am
so g lad that Percy Gilwood has returned
in time for the party. He is decidedly the
greatest catch" Of the season, and am
determined on winning him. He is said
to be very classic in his tastes, and that
was the reason insisted on getting that
pure white moire antique to wear"
"Well,' said her polite mother, "do your
best and look your prettiest; wish YOU
success in your undertaking, for l know
not how soon your father may become in
solvent, and then we would have to 90
down, and all hopes of good alliance for
you will be gone" So the mercenarv
mother and heartless daughter talked on,
until it was time to prepare for the party.
Always hard to please, the imperous Eva
was even more exacting than usual but
at last when she descended to the reception
rooms, there was none but what were ready
to ack knowledge that the peerless beauty
was wen more beautiful than ever. Her
queenly form, robed in the pure white silk;
| the silken lace that fell like feecy cloud
DER neck and arms, the golden bracelets,
and heavy chain, all tended to enhance her
almost unearthly beauty. Her hair which
was black as the ravens wing, was thrown
back and clasped with spray of pearls.
Her eyes flashed with conscious beauty, and
her forehead rivalled in whiteness the driv-
en- snow. Thus she looked, as she entered
the parlor, and was formally presented to
Percy Gilwood.
Percy Gilwood was the son of a "mer-
chant prince" who having amassed Il large
fortune, had retired from business, and left
his son in his place. Percy had recently
made tour to Europe, and had returned
only short time before. Unlike many
young men who are brought up in afflu-
ence, he did not worship gold, he only val
ued it as it enabled him to impart happi
ness to others. The very soul Of honor,
he never dreamed but that all others were
the same; and when he met Eva St. Clair.
he Immediately concluded that she was
the best, as we'll as loveliest girl, whom he
had ever seen. Alas that a form so fair.
can be the home of so cold heart The
party, like all other parties, at last came to
an end, and Eva retired to her room, with
the proud consciousness of knowing that she
had made an impression on the one she
desired to win.
When we left Mrs. Woodbury., she was
writing to her brother. 1t was the next
day after the party, when Lillian timidlv
rang the bell at her uncle's door. The ser
want ushered her into the parlor, where her
uncle, aunt and cousin were seated. She
hesitatiug made known her errand, and
gave her uncle the letter. Mr. st. Clair
silently perused it, while his wife and
daughter in scornful silence stared at Lii
liam, without ever deigning to offer her a
seat. AT last, handing the letter back, and
taking from his pocket five dollar bill,
he handed it to her saving" tell Mrs.
Woodbury. that she is no sister of mine.
and 90 not intend to be troubled with
her Why don't she take in sewing or
something of that kind. Poor people,
should think, ought to be able to work. A
school forsooth and what do Won know,
t that You aspire to be teacher 2" Atthesc
sneerlng words both ladies burstinto a Ioud
} laugh. An indignant flush manted the
cheeks of the young gill, at this manifes-
tation OF coarse feeling, and hastily giving
him back the bill, she left the room, and
soon arrived at home and related to her
mother, the unkind treatment she had re-
ccived.
: As she left her unces house, she met
| at the door young man whom she had
, never seen before and who as she d. seem
ded the steps, turned to look after her.
He entered the house and was shown in
l where the ladies were sitting. Hardly al
5 lowing the compliments of the day to be
: exchanged, he asked the name of the GIRL
e who had just left. "IIer name, think
t she said, was Lillian Woodbury." replied
Mrs. st. Clair. "She came to solicit our
/ notice in obtaining school, but of course
r we could not think of recommending a
g person of whom we know nothing"
Her face would be recommendation
e enough for me" said Gilwood (for he was
:, the one who met her,) she has the most
r noble, innocent, yet charming look ever
: saw"
: They are the very kind to be the worst
! those innocent looking ones" added Mrs
/. St. Clair.
!, woull wager that she is true to hei
/ looks" rtjoineI GiIwool; anl then the
!; conversation turned, and after making quite
/ hong call he departed but he could no
t Danish from his mind the beautiful face o
d Lillian. Her image fairly haunted him
o and he resolved that If he ever saw he