Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-12-07
wmrnAN EoR tue SPImT OF THE ACE.
ANNIE T..
-OR-
LIES V~ICISSITUDES.
by ANNIE GEORGE.
y (c%oECLuDED.)
P VII.

NfNAtNf ANAn " HNoaAAb ~ "'N
moaths in that most delightful of countries,
Italy. After visiting Rome, and wandering
from place 10 place, they at length settled in
Venice, 1.-THE city Of the sea-" Having OBJ
tanned a pleasant residence on the Atlantic,
they never wearied Of wandering on its banks,
or in gondola, gliding on its bosom. All the
poetry OF Annie's nature was here aroused.
She again felt cheerful and happy. Her
cheeks recovered their roses, and the light OF
her eye returned. True, she had her hours
of sadness, but these grew less frequent than
Of yore, and were more easily conquered.
They formed many acquaintance. Many
Distinguished and gifted ones, from other
countries, daily visited them, who added bril-
liaucy and entertainment TO their circle
More than one. OF these great men laid their
. laurcls at the feet Of our gentle Annie, and
sought her for their own, but she did not
love them, and was too true to herself to
marry where she did not love.
Time passed freely, and but a month re-
NAMED Of the time they were 10 remain in
Venice. Annie felt really sad at the pros
pect Of l~eavinga place in which she had been
so happy. Nothing had occurred to give her
SORROW, save when she was forced to reject
those who would fain have won her. This
did grieye her at the time, as il doth the
heart Of every true woman. She was not a
~coquctte, and took no pleasure in scorning
those who in seeking her for their wife, paid
her q compliment the highest
One evening when walking out, and think
ing Of their anticipated departure, she saw
approaching her, a venerable looking old gen.
tloman, leaning on the arm of one, evidently
q servant, and who appeared very attentive to
him. She stopped on the bridge, and watch
ed them for some reason unknown to her.
sell, she felt greatly interested in them. As
they drew near, be looked up, and starting
violently, fell in the arms Of his attendant,
insensible. Annie, greatly alarmed, flew to
him, and had him carried to her own home,
where, fortunately, they found DIR. ". on the,
spot. He was soon brought TO his senses.-
Looking around, he saw Annie, and beckon-
cd her to him, 'liow very like my own child,
my precious, long lost Fanny" he feebly ex-
claimed then seeing her turn pale and be-
come agitatcd, he continued,-''My child,
your name. What is itY"
"Annie Lorraine" answered DIR. N, for
Annic's agitation was so great she could not
speak. Are you Mr.. Linton of New York ?
for he at once guessed all.
81 am" exclaimed the old man, springine
from the bed, and folding the almost f~aintinG
girl in his arms. "You are my own grand
child. Thank Heaven you are at last Civ
en- me. ! have for years sought you. Blu
Fanny, your mother, is she here ? Where /
my chllu
"Alasl" cried Annie, my poor mother
IN Heaven" then seeing how greatly he wa
agitRted, she continued, But looks fror
thence, dear Grandfather, and blcsses us"
He kept her by bis side, and by degree
learned her history. After listening, oft wit
tears, TO IFS recital, he spoke:
my child, you must despise me but nal
only child all his hopes and love. l was an
bilious she should make a brilliant allianc
Trne, l loved her mother, my sainted viii
who, while living, kept my natural dispo:
ton m check, but when she died, and tin
erased the first emotions of grief-I BEGAN
Intensely worldly lived but for the adul
ton which wealth and station bring-I place
too high an estimate on the paltry trifles-
and when my daughter, whom / worshippe
and intended should add brilliance to n
name, by her marriage-thwarted me, al
in her purity Of soul, utterly refused to pC
jure herself by marrying the man ofmy choi
Il grew beside myself intensely hat
your father, who truly was worthy of the
lection and respect of every one. ! vow
Fanny should, on a certain day, become
bride of Mr.. Morton and she, as You
aware, tho night before the appointed d.
eloped With your father. Oh Annie, 4
give me, but cursed him. Even in my
rage i could not curse my child-but resol'
neNes W SIC ucT more. Dcn passion W
off, the yearning to sec her became inten
and on the day your dear mother came to
house to see nc, / felt an almost ~irresisti
desire to clasp her in my arms and never IN
to part with her. But that resolue |
made in anger, and wicked pride triumph
and | wrote those cruel words, which s
her from me. Ny mind was greatly II
bled, so without telling any one my int
ton, ! sailed for Europe. remained
for years, so you now know, dearest An
. the reason when Fannie was in distres
did not relieve her. / never received
note she sent me-, for | was then in Germ
living the life of n hermit. Then q
years had passed, and sorrow, and bitter
Election had silvered these locks, and tau
me whence to procure comfort | longe
return TO my native country, and see
child. | was ready TO love her husband
well as herself. i went, but | could not
them, and could gain no information conc
ing them. | became very unhappy, so, sett
my affairs, l returned TO Europe. and
been wandering about ever since. On
few days since / came to this place,
thankful am ], that l have at least found
my precious child. feel that God led
hither. He has forgiven me. Can yo,
the same, my darling Anniep"
~Do not ask me, dear Grandfather. I
nothing TO forgive. | already love you
nmy dear mother was only with us, but
know her happiness isyet superior to IN
Mr.. Linton now became very anxior
return home. AS he had promised ney
separate Annie from the kind friends
had done so much for her, they hurried
preparations for leaving Italy. Annie
very happy. She had some one to love
was near TO her by the ties of kindred
she felt her heart filled with boundless
tude To her mother, who had ever bee
kind to her.
The time had expired. and they now
ted for "Home, sweet Home" Ami
more anxious TO return, now that She
found her Grandfather, and her mind
filed with thoughts for his comfort
plans for his happiness. She felt thu
had now something for which to live.
They reached France, and as Nh.
had business 10 Paris, they remained
fpr several weeks.
While at dinner a few days after tn
rival, on raising her eyes, Annie encou
AhNaR Nf Hnwuro nIl0unor -.