Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-04-21
Written for the Spirit Of the Age.
OAK DALE "REMINISCENCES.
nv LIMA LEE.
(CGNnSUED FROM OUR LAsT.)
ELFIN DALE.
nv LIMA LEE

Tears will flow in vain we try to be
gay and Elite and Leila felt that the trial
was severe.
The examination was passed withhonor,
they reioicedin their success. Friends were
there too to witness it. Charley had come
over from the University and with him
Walton Glyn and Arthur Warren. They
were to accompany them home, and Lot
ty Leighton and Lucic Clare were to pass
the holy-days with them. The company
had retired Efie and Leila sat in the same
little room where two years before they
had unused in the twilight. Two yearshad
passed away. Two years To many they
had brought gnef and bitterness, changes
and dieappcintncnts. To these, they had .
only Brought happiness. Hand clasped in
hand, the sisters sat and with Thankful
hearts they rcoouated the blessings Of
the past two years, till they were Interrupt
ted by the entrance of Lucie Clare-bril-
liant Lucie, who exclaimed as she entered
"Efie, I have come to tell You / cannot 90
home with YOU. gogmnst excuse me, my
dear Eliic."
Why can you aot 90, Lucie? must
Tcmind you Of your promise to visit Elm
Dale"
true, Efie, but | cannot 90. Don't
insist help me to refuse; be my strength,
you ray Of sunshine. You have always
been my helper, Effe. Did you not say
this afternoon that Arthur Warren was to
20 with your
Yes; are you acquainted with him 2"
Her eyes, so bright and flashing, were
filed with tears as she rcplied-"Yes, Eff
fc, ! have known him for years. | saw
him here yesterday with your cousin, but
l knew not until this evening that he was
going to Elm Dale. | cannot 90 Efie,
darling. / will come in the winter"
but, Lucie, th0c is q mystery about it.
why wSl his going prevent yourvisit DO
you not like him.
Would that | did not, Efie. Don't
ask me row.. You know not the life-paths
Of those around you. | will explain, at
some time, why ] cannot 90 with you -
and bidding thom good night she hurried
to her own little room, where she endeav-
ored 10 tear from her heart the chainsthat
were binding it with giant strength.
When they had parted with unaffected
sorrow from the Misses Lacey, on the next
morning, Elie and Leila babe a fearful
farewell to all. Lucie was the last. A,
she hado her goodbye, Efie said, IRE
member your promise, Lucie !" Just ther
Arthur approached and gave her his hand
bending his head low he whispered some
thing in her ear which sent the crimson t.
her cheeks yet a smile was lurking there
They watched the green trees of Oak Dale
its pleasant walks, till they were no lorge
visible, and then weeping to think thos
pleasant days were never more to return
they turned their thoughts homeward
thinking Of the welcome waiting for then
lAao.p- u.in
Days passed merrily at Elm Dale. T
Efie and Leila they were happy days.
Charley too was happy in the society of h
chosen one. From childhood to manhoo,
he had loved gentle Efie. Years onl
Ftrengthencdthat holy passion which max,
earth an Eden. One more year and /
would call her his own forever. One beal
tiful eve, when all was calm and love
the still twilight hour, sweet time for 10y
Waller Glynn sat with Leila Lind in IL
portico. They had been conversing f
some time, with poetry for their delight
theme. Leila was an enthusiast. Poets
was to her, as a balm for the heart. "Lelia
he whispered, "you are the poetry of IL
life. SiGce | first saw you, | have love
you with madness. When l gaze on Il
beauties Of nature, your image is there, 7
Elected in the crystal stream, painted in Il
azure arch Of heaven. The sweet lowc
remind me only Of that h~owerwhich shou
bloom in my home. Leila will you 10
mel'
so, Mr.. Glynu, do not'a5k for any thin
save pure, never-dyiRg friendship. | gi
you this | can no more"
leila, may it not he love Think,
do not say no. Without your love l sh
pine away, and a poor, lone widowed mot
or will weep over her only one. | cam
live without You. All, all will be darkn,
around my lte-path " and by the subdu
light Of his dark eyes, Leila Lind read S
ccrity there.
Some one interrupted them, and tn
went into the parlor where Ehie, Let
Charley, Willie and several visitors W.
busily conversing. Never did Leila Ii
appear more beautiful. The blush paint
the rose on her fair cheek her gold
ringlets fell around her face. Walter Civ
gazed at her with an earnest look of 10
and a deep shade of thought rested on |
brow.
"Come, Leila, sing" said Charley, st
Is the time for music" Rising graceful
she seated herself at the piano; her
gers ran swiftly over the keys ina beaut
prelude, and she sang "Love not, love \
the thing you love may change" in a sw
yet sad voice.
"For shame, Leila" Willie said
that your theory? Love not WHY I
is what we live for! Is it not, my fricnC
Charlie said to EGie, 81 don't care
theory, so You don't practice it, Fife"
Walter Glynn was silent. His thouo
were not for any save himself. He k2
that a few days must decide his destiny
life. He retired early.
After the company had departed L
sat and unused. Her heart was oh. so
and weary and again the old time We;
ing for the "dreamless sleep" beside
mother, came back to her. She saw
memory's lamp the green grave of
mother i'm the sweet little yiIla0e she L,