Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-11-30
CHAPTER VI.

Just as Horace drove in his elegant carriage
to the door Of the hotel, and Belle, brilliant
and exultant, was stepping into it, Annie, who
had been to walk, returned, accompanied by
Robert Manning. Each felt a pang of jealousy
pierce their hearts. Belle was too thorough
ly selfish to be willing for any one to occupy
her place in the affections Of Robert, though
at the same time scorning him herself.
On reaching her room, Annie wept bitter
ly. 'sTis but too true" she thought. "Why
did | ever believe he loved me? | am only
made unhappy by it. He loves Belle, they
will be married, so / must strive to forget
him. 1t will be sinful to love him then"
If Horace had appeared gay, or Indifferent
towards her, she might have ceased to love
him, or even had obtruded his attentions up
on her but he remained aloof. If thrown
in her company ne was eyer polite, but never
sought her presence. Often on raising her
eyes suddenly to his, she would start to find
his gaze resting sadly, even tenderly upon.
her. A thrill would pass through her heart,
and in spite of herself a blush suffuse her
face, but turning away to her companions,
and making some gay remark, would endea-
vor to hide her confusion from him. He
thought this but another mark of coquetry,
and wondered at the strong hold she had
Balneu on nS aIeCIlONS.
During the remainder of their %sojourn at
Saratoga, though Annie grew paler and thin
ner, she was cheerful, even gay to all appear.
ance. She and Horace were seldom together,
but he was ever lowering near Belle riding,
walking, or dancing, she was ever his part
uer, SO it became a general report, "Mr. Cole
man would shortly lead to the altar the beau
tiful Miss Leroy" 1t was looked on by their
portv n @ N cotflaH him o0uo hu Horoa m hsro
self, who had no such idea. Belle thoughr
herself secure in her triumph. "All, howey
or, rejoiccd when the day at length arrived
for leaving the Springs. Tnere they separa
ted. DR.. N. and his family proceeded to New
York, while the others visited Canada, anC
the Lakes.
Once at home, and away from the object O
her sorrow, Annie felt the greatest ~incentiv,
for Discrimination was gone, but still strug
! gled to appear as cheerful as possible, for sh,
tenderly loved the friends who had been 81
kind to her, and who endeavored in ever
way to make her happy.
Mrs. N. secretly noticed all that had oc
Cured in hersight, and had woven together tn,
chain of circumstances, thereby guessing tn,
secret, which Annie supposed known only t.
herself but with all, could not unravel TIL
mystery of their separation. She r~esseete,
too much the modesty and purity of he
adopted and beloved child to seek from he
the clue to the mystery She saw, with tru
woman's instinct, Anhie's struggles to b
cheerful, and realized how greatly she suffer
ed. She told these things to her husband
but neither by word or look, hinted to Ami
they suspected her secret. Everything whic
affection could suggest was done to- divert he
mind. She entered society in New York
where her intelligence and beauty gained he
many admirers and ~suitors. But her heal
was not there. When among the throng, tn
ready smile, and gay repastee were on be
lip, and she appeared happy, while "a thor
was ranking in her heart" When at hon
again, she would sink YEARLY down, ar
wonder when this would all be over.
The kind Doctor and his wife saw her grot
| ing thinner and paler. After conversing t
: gether one day, he said, ELLEN, have
idea. YOU remember | have been promisil
Il you q trip to Europe for several years.
! you agree, we win start in the Spring4ta1
with us Annie and the children. There, wi
. new scenes and fresh associations, Annie Y
! soon recover her health and spirits. The e
1 citcment Of preparing for il, will also do h
& good. 1t is now the middle of February, 6
n we start the first OF April. Can you get RI
dy by that time? Poor child / do not &
4 more attached to my own children %
I'll mo I; she is a noble girl, and is wort
d Of our love. We will meation it to her tn
al this evening. i can easily be ready by I
Ill frst Of April, and viii see that Annie is &C,
stl pied until we start for Europe" 49,
When Annie was informed of their int
Is ton, her eyes kindled, and cheeks flush
with pleasure. She could not express enou
le her Joy, and seemed to grow better from t
evening. The weeks few swiftly by,
there was much to be done, and soon Il
were ON the broad Atlantic, swiftly gliding
Ell its broad blue bosom. We will not fol
,y them closely, but while they are journey
M from place to place, and Annie is grow