Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-03-10

"AOON A1Lf a HOlC iatl vi lHOSL
and terrible reproaches, and ended it With an
limpassioned farewell forever. For year
he believed he had done right, but he saw
not single hour of rest. Her sweet, silyery
voice would startle him even from his |
| dreams. At last he resolved to look once
more upon her face His soul cried out,
hungry for her presence, and would not be
satisfied. The next day he resolved to set
out. That evening there reached him al
trusty messenger, who gave him her mar
| rage certificate, her letter and their child.
/ Too late too latel Henceforth there was
for him no hope of earthly pardon. The
true heart had loved too vainIy, too faith
! fully, and so it broke. There was to him
no heritage but memory and grase.--
! This then, was the wrong which had cloud
/ ed his life with remorse, of which he had
spoken to me so shudderingiy. Thank
Heaven it was no worse. He had secreted
these papers in the casket, because, except
the certificate Of marriage, he was unwil-
ling they should meet any eye but my own.
1t had never occurred to him that after all
| might fail to find them. His letter con-
cluded with an earnest prayer that would
judge him as gently as 1 might, that think
ing on his suterings would pity and for
give. Then there was postscript, telling
me that the picture of the Italian singing
girl WAS the portrait Of my own mother, as
he first saw her, at fancy ball.
"Too late!" was my first thought, as |
laid down the letters. " Had Reginald
Percy but known this three years ago,
might have been his wife. Too late, too late"
Then | asked myself" Ought | let him
know it now! :" Iresolved to let that even
ings testimony in regard to his position be
my guide, and smoothing down the folds
Of my velvet robe, | fastened a bandeau of
pearls in jetty braids, and went downstairs.
Already DIR. Hamilton was. writing in
the drawing-room He smiled when | en-
tered and exclaimed, with cordial shake
of the hand
swell, now, this is something like it,
! little woman. You look five years youn-
ger than you did this morning. and there's
such light in your eyes as haven't seen
/ there this many a day"
do not know what the opera was that
night, took no note of the performers. l
sat in a retired corner of the box secure
from observation, Mr. and Mrs Hamilton
[ being fortunately sufficiently occupied with
! he spectacle to let me have my own way.
f | could see every expression of face, every
: movement of General Illsiey's box distinct
3 ly. Ikecognized Marion at once. She
1 was eFti-49ss"s.--. Kat lar ax.
;. preston was the same Her features were
4 absolutely perfect. Her golden hair fell il
: long, spiral ringlets about her dazzling
T white neck and shoulders. Her dress wa:
= of deep azure satin, with frills of point-lace
i and was singuIarly becoming to her pecu-
! liarstyle. An opera-cloak OF violet-colored
;. velvet, lined with ermine, fell carelessly
i back, revealing the graceful waist, the ele
+ giant bust, and the rounded arms, with theil
). pearl bracelets. She was more beautiful
y even than | had ever imagined. Besid,
v her was Reginald, SO like, and yet SO diff
- ferent There was the same tint of pure
h gold On his curling hair, the same cloudles
1 azure to his deep eye, and'a corresponding
|, grace of figure /; and here the resemblanc
j. ceased. Both faces were expressive in thei
way. Marion's betokened fearless sell
n complacency, a full sovereignty Of pride
). and an admirable power Of self-comman'
a and concealment With her face, perso
n in an humber sphere would have bee
" pronounced passionate, ,self-willed and de
a ceitfll But such words were not admii
"A sible inthe charmed circle where moved th
od accomplished Miss Illsley, and certainl
IS none but true physiognomist could haN
-. detected these elements In a character vel
ho ed by SO sweet smile. Reginalds EXPIRE
NJ. sion was Just what L remembered it, boz
y fearless, true. He looked like one far abo'
nv even the imputation Of dishonor.. He ha
tly grown more manly In the three years SIM
n our last meeting. There was look
';s forced composure about the mouth, as
Nv one who had suffered deeply The for
r. head had two heavy lines across it, and
,a1 whole air seemed that of one who hi
he grown weary of the world. Marion Illsl
,ar evidently loved him. True, her calm che,
For wore no deeper crimson when he address
vas her, but her smile Frightened, and once
ac- saw her bosom throb tumultuously as,
he bent over and spoke to her in whisper.
he If l had hated Marian Illsley less.
Or should. have been less afraid OF treatil
me- her unjustly.. As it was, [ formed my r.
,tIv olution, with a, stern sense of justice,
led once stoical and conscientious. She Low
Iers him, thought, and heaven forbid that
Bile. her enemy, should dash the cup Of hap
9TH ness from her lips. He would be mine
was heaven. She should have him on the ear
he he should never see the maria e certific
her which had made my mothers memory
her sacred thing! | resolved, and my soul ,
ned at peace. He did not love her. |, VIII
per- he had loved, could see that very clea
but He did not look into her eyes, as in OF
,red days he had looked into mine-not o
e did his face kindle with the beaming sm
wa. my lightest word had had power to SUNNI
{ an Yet, it was evident, he thought her V
her. fair to look upon-he would take pride
hich her loveliness. / renounced him foreve
6 to this world; and there came to my sol
then sweet calmness, looking unto hea'
ured which was worth the sacrifice. After
that evening [ saw them no more, but In
e. months | heard Of their marriage. |
oom. ceived the news very calmly, and
eep- night, with lighter struggle than |
east. fancied it would cost, | bent my kne
lieve prayer, for Reginald Percy and-his "
guilt
and On my twenty-fifth birthday | sat a
upon in the drawing-room at Hutchinson-hc
sweet | wore the dress Of simple black silk, W
thout was now my habitual costume, and sm
!" he as looked in the glass, at the very (
table exterior "the oil maid had learne