Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-09-29
CHAPTER VI.

we VIII now turn to far different
sccne-the principal hotel in Newport
Crowds Of the butterflies of fashion are
lounging in the saloon, or promenading.-
Flirting seems to be the order of the dav
No one appears to have any object in view
other thar. that of killing the time which
hangs SO heavily upon their hands. And
truly the old adage, "satan finds some mis-
chief still, for idle hands to do" is fully
verified. Fair lips are employed in tearing
up the characters of their fellow creatures,
and the venom of slander is cast upon
many fair form. Look at yonder party
seated by the window; 10 you recognize
the queenfy beauty wEo SO proudly Tears
herself! 1t is our old acquaintance, Eva
st. Clair. Listen at the conversation of
the fashionable throng Of worldlings, as
they while away those precious hours
Girls, listen, all Of you: "Have any of you
seen the Count De lie Lune 2" said little
witch OF a creature of sixteen, who had Just
come out" "For my part, am anxious
to see the great unknown; are you not,
Miss St. Clair 2"
Il can't say that I am particularly anx-
lous," was the reply, though at heart she
was. A spirited discussion was immediate
ly commenced, concerning the Count"
his reputed wealth, and noble family. But
before | further 60, let me describe him !:
A tall, dark, sinister looking man, with
gray eyes, and fierce moustache. As he
entered the apartment, he looked scornful-
ly around until he noticed the magnificent
Miss St. Clair, whom he honored with a
broad and impertinent stare. His manners
were made up of atfectation and impudence
and not one redeeming quality did he pos
sess, except his title and supposed wealth.
Yet, strange to say, he was caressed by the
ladies, and envied by the gentlemen. But
why should [ say that it was strange, for
do we not see in every circle of society the
same tendency to worship the monied aris-
tocracy, whereveritmay be found, be their
principles ever SO low, to the exclusion of
the honorable and high-minded poor. Miss
st. Clair was said to be the only child of a
millionaire, and as such commanded uni
versal attention. She soon became ac-
quainted with the "Count," and each at
tracted by the wealth Of the other, COM
menced siege upon each others hearts.
Eva played for him, danced for him, sang
his favorite songs, and wore his favorite
colors. Yet when alone with her mother,
she told her that she did not intend to ac-
7srSsstazzhiln, 7:res tzzhiln, until she returned home and
winning Gilwood. Alas! pv suGeAq95 In
efforts in that direction are in vain, for even
now he is breathing into another's ear VOWS
of love and tenderness. Another as beau
tiful as yourself, now claims the heart that
you would give world to possess. Such
is life
The season has passed swiftly away, and
it will now soon be time for the fashionable
idlers to return to their homes. The daily
papers have just been brought in, and Eva
is engaged in glancing over their contents
AS usual with ladies, she notices the mar
riaees first. But see! she starts turns
pale, and hastily leaves the room. Let us
again resort to the invisible ring, and fol
low her to her room. Look over her a:
she reads:
"Married, on the 22ndinst., in st. Paul'
church, Percy GiIwood to Miss Lillian
Woodbury., all of this city. We wish th'
utmost happiness and success to the nob
couple, and congratulate Mr.. GiIwood OF
hissuccess in winning the gifted Authoress.
Oh the rage of passion and despair,
indeed awful to behold; and when Mrs.
St. Clair entered her daughters apartment
she was horror-stricken at her appearance
The tale was soon told, however, and the
consoled each other in their disappoin
ment. When Eva again entered the So
loon, none would have dreamed Of tn
struggle through which she had passed.
The "Count" was now accepted, and ever.
thing went on swimmingly. They now r
turned home, and preparations were mao
on the most magnificent scale for their ma
riaoe. Mrs. St. Clair was determined I
spare no expense, to make it the "grande
; affair." that had ever been known in the city
1t is the evening before the wedding.-
Eva and her mother are in the same roo
= that they were when we first introduce
1 them to our readers. wonder why t
+ Count does not come Mama it is mu
S later than his usual time of coming. ]
: the way,I saw Percy Gilwood and his bri
/ this morning. They looked toward t
l. house and l expect she told him of /
i visit here, the morning she met him on t
d steps. Who would have thought that S
a. was the authoress, Lillian. l wish n
a. that we had not treated her so coldly
is we might have claimed her acquaintanc
a but of course she would not notice US IL
y Just then her father entered, and put
- stop to the conversation. His agitat
ht was Immediately remarked and inqui
er into, when taking the evening paper fr
ed his pocket, he handed it to his wife, v
lie, read aloud, the following announcem
sh extraordinary.
~. Accomplished William! A rogue '
ur has palmed himself off on some of our n
f respectable citizens while at Newport
nd the Count De lie Lune, turns out to be
re, scoundrel who broke the New Orleans
est and escaped about year ago. The
ac- GERS from that city arrived this morning
u" escorted the Count back to his cast
the namely, the jail He has wife and fal
ian now living in New Orleans. The annou
ag- ment was too much for Eva, and she
for relieved by insensibility.
to
sed CONCLUSION.
~ Reader our story is nearly ended.
e'n' with ms to splendid DWELLING in the