Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-11-09
ri.

Mrs. Lorraine was the pride and idol of her
father, Mr.. Linton, of New York. He was
wealthy and naughty, but worshipped his
daughter, sweet Fanny Linton. ITO know
her was to love her" and many were the suit
ors for her hand. But she seemed difficult
to please, and her father, though he would
have been glad to see her we'll established
in life, was by no means anxious to be rid of
her. Nineteen happy years had passed Ger
her head, and she was the belle of society,
the favorite with all her acquaintance. Just
then came two new ~suitors, a wealthy mer-
chant of Boston, Mr.. Moreton by name, and
Charles Lorraine, a young and handsome
Frenchman. From the first, Fanny felt hap
pier In the society of the latter, than ever be-
v~"ougnress oostIy Cham
those from Mr.. Moreton and many others, were
always received with asmile and a blush-to-
ken of the hearts preference.
One evening she reclined on a lounge half
dreaming away the hours, when a servant
reused her with a request from her father to
come to the library. S~pringing up lightly,
she obeyed the "Well, Papa, am
l not dutiful What momentous matter am
l to decide ? or are you only lonely and wish
entertainment? I feel very obliging this
evening, so what can I do for you ?"
"Take a%""seat, Fanny, I hare a matter for
you to decide, which can only be done by
you so be serious and listen. Mr.. Moretou
has, through me, to-day offered you his hand
and fortune assured him of my wishes fol
his success and now, Fanny, we only await
yoursanction, to pronounceIyour betrothal,'
then seeing her turn pale, and about to speak
he added, 'Wait Fanny, and listen. Mr.
Moreton is wealthy, handsome and agreeable
ne stands high in the estimation of every one
aoash you to marry him, for l know you can
not but be happy with him."
But Papa, | do not love Mr.. Moreton
and cannot marry him so please to say t,
him, feel highly honored by his preference
but not loving him, must respectfully declin
to become his wife,"
Il will say no such thing. I have neve
thwarted you, Fanny, and now you must &C
cede to my Wishes" and as she burst int
tears, he went on 'This is childish and IN
worthy OF you, Fanny. Mr.. Moreton adore
you, and your every wish will be gratifed.-
What desire you more, foolish child p
Papa, / cannot aoiU not marry Mr.. More
ton" and he was surprised to see so much {
~frmness in his gentle child. I mo, before
will perjure myselfby marrying Mr.. Moreton,
will 60 away and work for my subsistence,
But Papa, you will not let me do this, viii
stay with you. May 1 not ?"
"Do not coax me, Fanny" and his bro,
grew dark. Il know full well your reason ft
refusing my friend. You love that French
man poor and a foreigner. Is it possible m
child can SO bemean herselfl"
Her form was drawn to its utmost heigh
and her dark eyes flashed, as she reptile
"You have no right to speak thus of Mr.. Lo
raine. He is one of the first families in Franc
connected with the nobility, and in intel
: gence and nobleness of soul has no peer. Pc
: he is unfortunate also but not even 40
: child would bemean herself by loving, a,
: marrying Charles Lorraine"
"Go to your room, Fanny. Till you lea
i. to obey me, | will see that you meet that o
!. Gus Frenchman no more"
: Her eyes filled with tears, for she was t,
! derby attached to her father, and these W,
! the first harsh words he had ever spoken
o her but her pride as well as love was wo,
y ded, so turning she left the library. We v
= follow her. She has reached her chamb
and locking the door, she bursts into an a
ny of te rs. Poor Fannie this is the beg
Q ming of sorrow, for beneath the outward g
: tleness of her character, lay an under curr,
n of pride and frmness, Inherited from
father. Till now it lay dormant, but