Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-12-14
For Toe Spirit of the Age.
THE TWO PORTRAITS.
BY ' GRAHAM.

gers It's light neecy clouds, ere days proud
monarch should, in dazzling glory, advance.
Though thus early, the window of a lady's
handsome boudoir, was thrown up, and the
lady herself beautifully attired in a handsome
morning dress, sat there gazing on the love-
" scene without The look Of admiration
cleaning from her full dark orbs, showed
how she loved natures scenes and the calm
smile that rested lovingly on her placid face,
betrayed how inexpressibly dear were morn
ing's quiet beauties to her peaceful, conten-
ted mind. II seemed she was not the only
early riser in that grand old house, for her
revcrie was interrupted by a step on the
gravel walk near-a minute more and her
handsome cousin, Harry, had bounded eager
20 her side.
''Just in time, coz, to save you from losing
yourself in thought. Feel yourself under OBJ
legations to me, and cancel them by granting
me a favor. Will you promise? and, until
breakfast shall summon US, | am your hum
BILE servant, Harry Campbell" and the young
man who entered the room, threw himself on
the embroidered cushion at the lady's feet
very much with the air Of a spoilt child.
''First name II, Harry, otherwise, it would
be rash to promise" y
AUST like you, Miss Clara Campbell; you
always reason so cody; but if You must know
drst will come to the point at once, for /
am all impatience to hear the history of the
original Of two'Portraits which / have singled
cut from others in your possession. In the
one. 7 see a fair young girl whose bright eye
and rosy cheek tells Of naught but happiness;
in the other. | behold one whose cheek is
pale, and whose eye is dim, and the long
ringlets seem to be mournfully dropping over
the hand on which her head is resting, partly
concealing her features, as she gazes languid-
Nv on a likeness she is holding. Yet | know
they are the same, and that there is a story
connected with them. Say, is it not so cou-
sin ClaraY' Hi
f'You have conjectured rightly, Harry, and
though the story is a sad one, it is neverthe-
less true, and may prove a salutary and use
full lesson to you, twill listen to its teachings"
"0n o bright spring day, not many years
ago, we welcomed Ella Ross to our southern
home. | was hardly more than a child then,
yet the moment saw her | determined again,
as | had repeatedly done before her arrival,
that | would endeayor by every means in my
power to render her happy while with us,
that when she returned, no unpleasant recol-
l%ections might be mingled with remembrance
nf her brief sojourn among US. A lovely
flower from the western wilds, she was, for
a time, transplanted In a southern cline, and
ii was meet that we should cherish the ten
der blossom. But must describe her to you
as she was when | first knew her. Not
Beautiful you might say at a first glance,
and you would be perfectly right, though
there was asweet smile lowering ever around
her beautiful mouth and playing hide ant
Geek with the..most bewitching little dimplei
that ever graced fair ladye, which made het
very lovely to thosewhQ kaew her still sh'
could not be called beauiIInla Her complex
Jon was fair, her eyesof the softest blue, ant
. wealth Of sunny ringlets fell caressingly
over a neck Of snowy whiteness. One of tn
first gentlemen who called on Ella, was Mr.
Milford, or handsome Frank Milford as b
was generally called. There was no youn
gentleman in our family, and from being
first acquaintance, or some cause, he SCENE
TO claim the undoubted privilege of %escortin
her everywhere. In our long walks togetl
er to gather flowers, and in our moonligt
rambles, he would often join US, and feelin
myself dc tr0p,' | would remain some di
lance behind, or run on far before, apparen
ly much eng?ossed with some flower | ha
discovered, OF eagerly searching for new one
but in reality, only to leave them togethe
/ was acting a part, but | did it for my lo1
for her. They seemed so well fitted for eac
other, so happy when together, that | cou
not help building air castles for them +; ar
soaring on fancy's light wings into the futu
converted my dear Ella Ross into Mrs. Frar
Milford. ! knew she would prefer a sout
ern home; its balmy air, its orange grove
and magnolia wales possessed for her an
describable charm, and his home was in o
of the lovcliest spots creation could boast
She would only occasionally visit her re
tons, and after all, perhaps, / should r
have to give her up, as | at first expected,
ter she had spent the allotted time-a f
monthS-with us. / believed that he low
her. lie bad never been half so devoted
any one before, and all the other girls VIII
~ HuI .-nltynI -a1o c... - -..oJ
'agreeaote with. were envious that Miss r
mad come IN their mfdst, and without an
fort, was about TO bear off their shandso,
lively, witty lady's,man,' Frank Milfo
while they could not themselves help low
dear gentle Ella too. As for me, | knew
loved him With fond, true, womanly affecti
The night before her departure, fsat by
WlnooS y my own room % sns SUN mp 7 sat aaa &
waiting for Ella. At last / heard the st
door elose-Mr. Milford was gone-and
Iext moment Elias light ~footstep SCUM
along the passage, then up the long fiigh
stairs to my room. She looked far more |
ly than | had ever seen her-her light h
dress floated gracefully around her, and b.
cut low, exposed her white neck, and bes
fully rounded shoulders half hidden by
long ~ringlets; and as the moonlight ST
full on her slight form and Joyous
bathing her in q food Of pale light, one m
easily have fancied the resemblance to S
bright, angelic vision. She stood by my
without speaking, and taking her small v
hand within my own, l pointed to a be
fnl ring on her finger, one l had never
there before. Il know what you would
Clara she said and / will tell you. f
Milford has told me Of bis love, and l.
am so happy and throwing her arms ar
me she wept tears Of joy. This was
what 4 had been wishing for, still 1 fell
though | could not tell why yet to tel
truth | was very glad too, and | told he
As she was to start early, 1 feared
would be weary in the morning, but sh,
she could not sleep, and | would not
from Der side. Her head was reel
against the open window, the midnight
mer breeze gently kissed her fair cheek.
ly moving a ringlet, aud with a loving
lowering around her lips, / saw her
close 10 sleep. wished her pleasant dr.
n .Jappy life and soon under the gen
duences OF SomnuS, / myself had passe
drean-.and | do not know how long v
slept when my companion gave sudden
and slight SCREAM, which awoke me.
"Oh, Clal84 she exclaimed, II hay
such q dream. lido not believe in dr
but this one is so like some dread o
ean't snake Gifts influences. 1 dreams
Frank and were walking together in q