Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-05-25

cred wales, and by the side Of the naorS, nu%
orooklet listening to its DANCING % na;ay
waters" noisy
"Ah! there l agree with you, Miss H.r.
lo"'-we lose many good lessons when ro
pass Nature by; but how much it enhances
us beauty, when lovely being. an;notad
Win the same thoughts and FEELINGS as onn
selves, can view it with us bo;aa
wnom we love and with whom ve woniS
sna1 our every pulsation beat in unison
ana who would always be with US in on,
s1SeVahTsftfHs saw WhetfHssr s have foHna MIR stfL-..--s
Marion trembled-she had not supposed
Though his every glance had spoken love)
that she would so soon be called to decide
his, and perhaps her own, happiness; she
did not think that any one should do so,
until they knew each other we'll, and that
the love of even true-hearted ones must
suffer change where uncongeniality of dis
position was found to exist. Occupied
with these thoughts, she had almost for
gotten that her lover was in suspense await
ing her answer, but rousing herself, she re-
piled with trembling voice, "We are
still strangers"
"Strangers!" he exclaimed, looking into
her down-cast eyes. "No, Marion, not
strangers. Do you not believe in first i'm
pressions, Marion? l do. When I first
looked on your face, | saw no afectation
to cover your true character, and I read
through those soul-speaking eyes, that your
heart was all purity and truth. But for
get mayhap you have not thought Of me
as have of you you see not the virtues
in me that you would have your life-com-
panion possess. Oh! Maroin, the thought
maddens me-"
"Call me Herbert!" he passionately ex-
claimed.
"Well, Herbert, then, such is not the
case-and l will be candid with you.
have looked on you as gentleman worthy
of esteem, eventhe hearts truest love. You
regard me as all purity; believe, Herbert
that it is in congeniality of natures and
dispositions that we find happiness with
others. After marriage, every imperfectior
will be seen by each other, perhaps unde1
circumstances which givethe worst coloring
1 IT'S then the trial of ourlove would come
: "But how are we to discover all this g
: Have we not that risk always to run?"
9 "By associating and studying well tn
y disposition before" she replied, glancin!
r into his eyes, then instantly dropping her:
o flor she feared she had made herself appea
Y strange to him.
!, 1t had evidently set him to thinkin
|, deeply, for he clasped Marion's small whit
: hands firmly in his own and sat musing fc
d some time; and as Marion sat looking {
| those intellectual features which she fe
had grown dear to her, and those dark orl
)" looking so beautiful in the moons pa
N light, oh! how much she wished she hs
IT never known distrust, and that she coul
~ be allhe wished and her own heart desired
u but she had resolved she would not uni
she feltthat they knew each other well. 81
?" knew all to be imperfect, and oh! she su
Is denly thought-has he given his heart
ut the Saviour? If he has not, he never ma
af and could rot spend my life with M
es of the world. How could 1 think of n
loved one going down to the dark pit
ed destruction. True, I could exert my
Id fuence to bring him to the Saviour, cor
pray with and for him, but it is God tt
IN. changeth the heart. I will find c
lie now and exert that influence if he will I
lid hear me now, neither will he then.
is may think me strange, but when our te
'se poral, and perhaps, eternal happiness is
on stake, what matters it if he does think
strange?
A | At this moment Herbert reused fir
led his reverie, and drawing her closer, said
"Marion, it is even as you say. In yoV
ch we often suffer ourselves to be blinded q
to rush into alliances with those we then thi
ing perfect, but instead of perfection, disco
'ail too late, that there is no harmony in
sin natures to keep love alive, consequer
to love ceases to reign and little aninosi
fed spring up. But Marion, do you think
can be deceived? | have observed '
ing closely, and the conclusion you alre;
re- know, neither do l fear | will be dis
ca pointed. You are professed followe
'es- the "Lamb of God;" nay, start not, l kr
ler- it-I also trust am follower, thoug
int confess an imperfect one."
"Oh! Herbert, how glad am to kr
,th. that you are indeed, a disciple of Jcsu
ain was just wishing l knew"
gh- "Then your wish is gratified. But
Irly very late and you seem fatigued, dear
up rion, think of the proposal have m
tie and answer me tomorrow evening,
ned you"
oon 81 WILL" Marion replied.
tro- "God bless you," and he was gou
9TH "God grant it may not be unfavorable,
murmured as he walked away, 'for
eve whole life seems bound up in her. Strs
eve that | should so soon learn to love he
seks, deeply; and | sometimes fear all will
and 90 as smoothly as I would wish, bu
at me not murmur should clouds come"
that For long time Marion sat in
Ieak- thought, then rising she found it eve
ter than she had imagined. Passir
: the her own room, she breathed a praye
nter- guidance, then sought her couch, W
she soon sunk to slulaber, but still he;
Har- the deep-toned voice of Herbert Lift
OF be sounding in her ears. When she arc
over the morning she felt languid, and we
her windew to feel the bracing no
r tire air. The sun was already up and NJ
3 gay gazed enraptured on the lovely scene
heth- met her gaze. The Villagers wene all
rug up and each one at his business, VIII
; first the other hand were vast fields of
Iccor- swavino to every DasSino hraaza and