Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-03-23
CHAPTER II.

A few weeks later found MS comfortably
situated in the principal hotel in -.
The hotel was as usual crowded to over
flowing, with persons of every age and sex,
and it would have been an impossiblity for
any to have helped enjoying themselves,
where there were SO many inducements
held out to while away the time. There
were middled aged ladies and gentlemen,
with their blooming daughters widows
who did not seem to have any particular
objection to changing their names, bache-
lors who made it their avocation to " fly
around" extensively; ladies and gentlemen
whose calm, cold looks betokened them to
be natives of the chilly north and denizens
Of the sunny south, whose darkly glorious
eyes spoke the language of passion and
love, all congregated here.
1t was not long before our party, which
consisted of Lutte LIE Vert, Lcttie Percival,
Leila Linwood, Lora Ashley and myself,
conducted by Mrs. Sanborn, whose aristo-
cratic position placed our party at once as
leaders of the ton, became acquainted with
all the sojourners at the hotel, and various
were the plans INDUCED in by the merry
group to while away dull care Never was
there more marked contrast in looks and
characters than was presented by the mem
bers of our party but strange to say, all
were fondly attached to each other.
Lutte De Vert, as you may imagine from
her name, was native of the far South
Her early years had been passed amid the
orange groves and fragrant bowers of Lou
isiana and her heart, like her climate, was
warm, and her nature devoted and passion
ate. Her father removed to our village a
few years before, and about two years since,
Lutte was brought from her boarding school
just in time to receive the last kiss and
blessings other dying mother. Her father,
cotton planter, was immensely rich, and
hesitated on nothing that gave his mother
ter tis sanGhsfE sShtf r5Bd6 BdA64ssr rHF HrhHF at
thither, either as the wishes of her friends,
or her own reckless nature guided her,
To see her once would be enough to make
you remember her ever after. Her hair
was black and glossy, and she always wore
it in heavy bandeaux which looked like
satin. Her eyes were blue, but they ex
pressed a depth of thought that is rarely
seen. Her form was queenly, and she
moved with regal grace. She was by fa
the most beautiful girl that dwelt in ou
quiet village.
Lottie Percival and Lora Ashley wer
dear friends, and step sisters but as un
like each other, as it is possible for pei
: sons to be; yet a strong and deep affectio
existed between them. Lottie was nc
= beautiful, but pensive beyond her year
. but in society was all life and glee. Lor
q however, scarcely ever changed; she W;
4 quiet and still, with a touch of haught
? pride, but there was an undercurrent whiC
. sometimes ragged so fearfully, as to thre
Il ten to destroy the fabric it supported.
/ Leila Linwood was a dark complecte
j. curly-headed mischievous girl, who SCENE
" to think that fun was the object Of life.-
e. She always found amusement where othe
ii would have died of ennui. She was ns
ural coquette, yet she was great favor
with all who knew her.
As for myself, Leol;ne Fairfield, [ g
what the village gossips call, a predestln
old maid my chief delight being to res
write, take long walks, dream Of wh
might have been in the past, and pictr
out what may be in the future. | am nei
er very handsome nor very ugly, but as
old friend observed few days ago, w
interesting, though what tshe finds INTEREST,"
abou. me, | am at loss to imagine. n
ed that have pictured out the different me
as, bers Of our party, l will turn to other seer
ar The usual amount of talking, dancing,
ms ting, walking and riding is going on, {
the some of our party are engaged in it pre-
or extensively