Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-06-08
T Z r M s.
Original Aapers.
Written for the Spirit Of the Age
THE F0RSAK E N
BY LIMA LEE.

THE F0RSAKEN.
BY LIMA LEE.
,.In beauty cleaned the moon last night,
And uy star lamps shone,
The wind, among the linden trees,
Made music sad and lone.
The shadows of the freight danced
Like spriles upon the floor,
As moon ard star ray gently fell
Around the Cottsge door.
with brcathinCs hushed, we eat around
Tho couch where Ella lay,
And wept that one so beautiful,
SO soon must pass away"
I did not want TO sec my dear friend
die. closed my eyes as ifto shut out from
nv heart the thoughts that we're filling my
days and nights with anguish; that the
grave would soon be the resting place OF
one whom loved as a sister. hope l
did not have murmuring heart, or feel re-
belIous at the Divine will, yet could but
mourn and weep over the wreck OF one
once so fair and beautiful.
Ialways loyed Christine Clair. 1t might
have been because she was beautiful, tor
il is weakness of my nature to love lu-
tensely anything beautiful. The summer
sunset, tho purling brook, the crystal
stream, the sweet flowers OF Spring, the
ROSY clouds, and the beauty Of the human
countennnce, speak to my soul in a Ian
guage all unwritten, and cause emotions
there which are inde6nable. 1t might
have beep because ] knew her past hlsto-
ry, and felt such sympathy for her, that
from the time she came to us in her win
some sadness, had felt for her the tender
ness of a sisters love. But still l think
there was in her character a nobleness, an
independence and refinement. which could
inspire love only, particularly when this
was united to a lovely disposition. In the
midst Of the gay first saw her, where all
was life and Joy. l saw the shadows OF a
great sorrow resting on her noble BROW
/ knew the heart was not there, and as l
saw her day after day concealing her own
cares and sorrows. and ever with cheerful
ness ningling with the gay and happy with
so much dignity and forgetfulness OF self
l felt her life was living reproach to my
own selfshness, and an example high and
holy TO lead the mind to the true end ano
aim of life.
But now Sne WAS lduliIp iiOh IhS
and gladstone earth, felt that as | enter
ed her room, and gave her one earnes
greeting. For months past, away from
home and friends, had tried to walk un
falteringly the life-p path Of the teacher
gathering around my heart the beauty @
the past-the "memory of passed joys"
had lived in a world Of my own imagina
ton, peopled with the slowed and lost c
other DAYS" ever turning fondly 90 tn
home of my childhood, the friends Of ni
youth. But disappointment came. Tn
brightest of my hearts Jewels was bein
dimmed, even now the lustre was almos
gone. | received a message from the dy
inr Christine to visit her. "Christine, dal
ling, have come at last" whispered, as
bent over her and kissed her pale Eps.-
"Just in time, Lizzie. My sun has a
most set, but aim glad you are here
You will weep for Christine Clair, whe
she is cold and lone in the silent grave"
Talk of life, my own" | said, 'you wi
yet live to bless us"
"No, no, Lizzie, feel am going to tn
pure land, where sorrow will never com
| feel stronger this afternoon. Sit dow
Lizzie. We are alone-I will tell you
the happy years that have passed and lie
their weary impress on my brow. Let n
tell YOU Of dark shadows that have restC
on my heart, renderingit dreary sepulch
Of the past"
"Christine, you will kill yourself if y
talk so much. ! know your history, al
sympathize with you in yonr grief, l
calmly still. and let me read to YOU"
"No, no, my friend. The shadows
death are very near. You knew my
thcr-n
"Yes, and know that now he too is
rest with blessings on his name"
AMY mother, she, too, is enjoying b
bright reward. Yes, Lizzie, and Edwa
too, my noble brother, fell noble mart
in the cause Of science. They are all 90
and | was left alone to struggle with t
heartless world. have told YOU of I
little cottage iar over the Atlantic wav
close beside one of the little lakes, VIII,
clear waters reflect, like mirrors, the su
NIT Of the Alps. In dear Switzerland
passed the few first years of my life. Of
as the plaintiye airs Of my fatherland h;
fallen on my ear, have dreamed of its
mantle scenes, and longed there to rest
weary head but this has past, and swed
music than earthly instruments can q
will soon fall sweetly on my ear, even IF
the "golden harp of the angels" ne
told you, Lizzie, Of the love dream of
youth, that filled my heart with new hoI
new dreams of happiness. You have
nv friend, my best and dearest, you
weep when am gone. You will see hi
and she drew me nearer, "he will q,
mourn for her who has SO tondiy 10
him. Will yo1 take this ninisture