Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-05-25
T E r M 9
Original 4apers.
For the Spirit of the Age.
LOVES DREAM.
By MATTE.

By MATTE.
Marion Harlow was a beautiful girl of
eighteen, at the time our story opens. Her
form queenly and her whole bearing dig
nified, dark auburn hair flowed in luxu-
RANT curls from brow of unrivalled white
ness, and around her snowy neck, yet it
was seldom that the rich color nestled in
her fair cheek-and in her dark eye there
sometimes dwelt a cold, sad light, that
told Of inward struggles with some unspo-
ken sorrow. At other times her whole
nature seemed to change, and it was in one
OF these changes, that she entered the vii
lage church one morning. Her eyes spar
king and cheeks glowing, while the air of
devotion cast over her countenance, made
her irresistibly charming. Soon after be-
ing seated she encountered the eye of an
elegant looking gentleman fixed admiring-
ly upon her.
He was a stranger to her, but at one
glance she saw he possessed true nobility
of soul, and not strange either, for every
thought of the soul seemed to flash from
his lustrous eyes Of midnight darkness;
and she returned home, we fear, more i'm.
pressed with the handsome stranger than
the good Parsons sermon.
However that may be, we know thai
he mingled in her dreams that night, and
that she had lost some of her usual digni
ty when she came gliding into her Cousir
Edith Howard's room, and with sparkling
eyes said-"Cousin Edith, have seen my
ideal of a man at last, and lone the wors
nj - / m,
doubts whether the sermon edited eithe
of us much. But let me describe him t.
you, Edith, and see ifyou can tell me m.
ideals name: A tall, symmetrical form
features regular, high, intellectual forehead
from which dark, wayy hair fell in grace
ful nonchalance, and such an eye as locke
from beneath his arched brow! But
cannot describe him."
"Well, it matters not, Cousin Marion
Edith laughingly said, Gas | have seen thel
for myself; but agree with you in yol
glowing description, which sounds vel
much like one from heart pierced by q
pids arrow"
"Pshaw! Edith, but do you know him
81 do, and know him as one of "naturt
noblemen" Not a mere talking man, b
a doing one-one who never turns de
ear to the calls OF humanity, nor trampl
over his interiors"
"lIow is it that you never mention
him to me before! But you haven't to
me his name yet"
Haven't II 1t is Herbert Littletc
| became acquaintedeI with him VIII
in London, but never imagined he wou
ever be in this section of country. He
to be at Mrs. Brighton's party. Isuppc
you will be there and captivate him, if y
have not already done So"
81 will never affect to be more thar
am, to captivate any man, Coz" repli
Marion with seriousness. Moreover
would never hope to gain the love Of su
man as you say, and imagined him
be, by aifectedness-methinks his pierci
eve would soon see through the tlimsy 4
covering the true character. SO Cou
mine, do not expect to see me using art
captiyate any one, even though | lo'
him.
Here the two friends parted, promis
to meet at the party. But Marion
solved, Notwithstanding her apparent
gerness, that love should not gain poss
sion Of her until she was truly loved b
self; she knew too much of the dBappoi
ments to be met with in life.
The night Of the party came at leng
Marion attred herself in her usual pl
but elegant style. On reaching Mrs. Bri
toms, she found the company had nea
all arrived before her, and on looking
after being seated, she saw Herbert Lit
toms eyes again resting on her. He tur
away instantly when she saw him, but S
after came up with the hostess, who in
duced them, and turned away to greet
er guests.
Herbert fingered by her side all
ming, and this was but a type Of many
nings spent together in the next few VIZ
though not always in a crowded room,
Marion, though she had resolved th
stranger should not win her heart, felt
her power Of resistance was growing "
er and weaker.
One evening Marion was seated BY
paror window alene, when Herbert e
cd and took seat by her side.
"Nature has charms for You, Miss
low," he gaily said, "else you would n
so constantly rowing those dark orbs
this truly beautiful scene"
at has charms indeed, that neve
looking at" she replied in the same
strain, "for me all nature is beautiful, W
er in storms or sunshine, whether ainiG
ged mountains OF fowery Wales. The
possesses, to me-, wild sublimity in a
dance with my own mind, when '
review and think Of lifc's weary ups
downs And when view the sum,