Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-09-15
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA


Is the gifted, fattered, beautiful woman, and
an heiress During their long separation,
few brief, undecided letters had passed
between herself and Charles, but tie same
indefinite position existed between them as
on that evening when he offered her his
whole heart. Her return to the beauteous
scenery of her mountain home was announ-
ced, and he resolved upon speedy visit to
the loved place of his boyhood's spots and
manly dreams.
1t was IN the gorgeous summer time,
when all nature was rivalling itself in the
grandeur Of the scenery around and beneath
the mountain tons, Ella and Charles have
met and eeGh have felt that Sme and alb
sence have changed the warm, artless heart
of childhood, into the less feeling, prudent
department of ripper years. Along the
mountains base, the green meadows and
fowery lawns they have strolled, he dis
coursing eloquently of the beauties of ma
ture, and ever and anon reverting to their
youthful sports as they would pass some
favorite spot where they had sat and weav-
ed the gay garland Of rosy hope, and where
he had crowned hera thousand times with
woodland flowers, as the queen of his afec-
tions But all seemed not sufficient to melt
the icy GOODNESS that clung as an iceberg
about the conduct of Ella Leroy.
In vain did Charles implore for one kind
word-one token Of regard no sympathiz-
ing word was hers-not even an excuse
for her strange conduct could be wrung
from her. All was dark impenetrable-a
mystery he could not solve. Chagrin and
modification were fast taking hold upon
him; perhaps he was being made the sport
OF an unfeeling woman fashion and the
heartless insidiousness Of the gay circle in
which she had whirled for a few brief
months in the City of Charleston, added to
the atfectations learned at fashionable
boarding school, seemed to have destroyed
all that freshness and frankness of heart
that had once captivated his youthful ad-
miration.
Resolved to unravel the heart perplexing
mystery, Charles Summerfeld determI I'd
upon an interview the coming day and de-
mand an explanation and avowal of her
true sentiments towards him. Early next
morning found him at the stately mansion
OF Mr.. LIE Roy, where he was introduced
to Augustine Pinckney, young blood
from Charleston, one the 4. F.'s' of that
aristocratic city. The conduct of Ella was
even more reserved and strange now, assu
ming sometimes an Indifference that almos
amounted to repugnancc. 1t is true TIA
Oh. t~s e,sssn ficreg ~ysz.o row Cne euufa
ted gentleman, whose mind had fathomeC
the labaryrths of literature and science,
and with superior genias and native talen
his pathway loomed up with bright homo
and renown. But there was no chivalrou
knight errandry heralding the name Of il
lustrious family-he was the son Of homes
toll, but with all the proud consciousness
of free untarnished American name
Wealth was not his; but he possessed
treasure OF unestimabe worth in the e2
haustless riches of cultivated intellet
and a stern determination to build up
name, and fame, and wealth for himself.
Upon the distinguished visitor, Ell
seemed to lavish her bandest smiles an
to excel even herself in the bewitching a
fractions with which she was invested
4
cold and rigid dignity more beftting
! be bestowed upon Il stranger, than upC
the friend and lover Of her youth, and Il
noble hearted man who now offered ador
ton at her shrine. Stung to the quic
Charles availed himself Of the first oppo
tunity that was presented, to reproach b
for her unkindness. The interview was
bitter one-a lovers QUARREL terminati1
with the words from Charles Summerfeld
5 we meet no more, Ella | go to VIZ
ship less tickle and more constant st
. you, to sacrifice the hearts noblest, pure
! attributes upon the altar Of Mammon a
Fashion. God keep thy soul free from t
! corruptions of the base temple in which y
: have chosen to make your devotions.'
A sneering 'thank-ye for your he
f prayers was the only response Ella CAV
4 and the lovers before the insidious arts
o fashion and glittering show had pervert
3 the natural current of her pule mind, st
. arated-not as thefriends and pledged Oh
). they once had parted-but with an angu
. indescribable, by Charles, and not un
a. by Ella. SHALL THEY MEET AeAIs&
Three years have passed. The prime
estate of the Leroy family has been gr'
ly reduced by endorsing for his wealt
We aristocratic friends in Charleston. His
ur tentation and display had to be abandon
es the gay and dissipated throng that ev
u summer, for long time, had quartz
CT themselves upon him, came not this y
ed The beauteous mountain Nymph, wi
lis charms had robed her with all the inv
sts ture of goddess worthy Of heart-wors
mt was disregarded now, and she was g
MS over to the gallantry of her more sin
lis and honest neighbors.
as The quiet summers calm, through W
led Ella passed undisturbed, brought her tt
of Der reflections, and she thought not a
al of Charles Summcrield, aud of the {
u: Ji manner in which she had treated hi
,,Il nnt tt'e;r last interview. The pure, unaffe
rus rU' teellnse Of her heart began to well up,
rus the atfeceOns of her soul again run out
hm whom 1sssirlhood's days whose tel
III, ,lLu ness and love sh> had fondly cherishe
lays But the deep sigh N'4ich heaved her b
lyed told that she felt an l.spassable gulf
yhts been placed between then and deep
to row of heart took possession If her.
arm Charles Summerfeld, in the mean
has removed to one of the magnifcen
pa States that have sprung up on our w,
ut to- e.on+;ar oc ;f hv rnocr;o. xubo,o - L