Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-11-23
Original Qapers,
Written for the Spirit of the Age.
A delaide e, The Orphan
(ooNcLUDED.)

Eugene said Ida to her brother, l 'un
derstand there is to be splendid bal
next week. Do you suppose / will be in.
vited T.
Yes he replied, looking up from his
book. Il saw one Of the managers yes.er.
day, and he sent you ticket, And SO
: saying, he thrust his white, jeweled hand
into his breast pocket, and handed it to
her. Its reception afforded Ida exquisite
pleasure, for she was extremely fond of at
tending such places Of amusement. Here
is one for Adelaide, alst' said Eugene
will you be SO kind as te give it to her q
Certainly will replied the young lady /;
and she arose and left the room, apparent
ly with the intention Of carrying it to the
owner but instead of SO doing, she went
to her apartment opened the bureau draw
or and threw it among some of her old let.
ters; saying-'Adelaide has no anxiety to
attend balls, and she shall never know that
she was invited
On the night of the ball, Ida was attired
splendidly, and then stood before the large
mirror in the parlor and surveyed herself
with vain admiration, as she soliloquized-
4 declare ! am dressed elegantly to night :.
AaRd< ltoply bod pretty favo, - %
the Belle Of tie bat. But as II is, know
I shall be the most homely girl in the
house > and as these words were spoken
she hcavcd heavy sigh.
why, Ida said musical voice behind
her, you appear to be troubled! What's
the matterF
well, really, Eugene, you scared me-
did not know you we're in the house.
How long have you been waiting for me 2
Il have not been ready longer than ten
minutes, and half an hour from now will
be time enough for us to start. But to
nv question, again; am anxious to find
out what you were signing so heavily aboutI
DO YOU really wish to know 2 asked Ida
Most assuredly do
well, it is simply because / am so des
titute Of personal charms
Il saw you gazing SO admiringly at your
self that I had come to the conclusion yo1
were very vain said Eugene, smiling.
you are greatly mistaken, Eugene,
YOU think have any vanity about me.
always knew was ugly-on account c
which l expect to live, all my days, an oil
maid
1T is my opinion, dear girl, that unmar
ried people are equally as happy as marie
ones; especially those who marry shallow
Drained fops, who spend their time idly an
their money foolishly, thereby becomin
too proud to labor and too poor to li'
without it.
what you have said, Eugene, is vor
true remarked Ida, though you mu
know that old maids are not treated VIII
that respect which is shown to married
dies. When the white, transparent SIX
becomes yellow and wrinkled, the ro
fades from the cheek, the flashing eye b
comes dim, the raven tresses sprinkled WI
grey hairs, and the sweet silvery voice !
longer musical-then are they deserted
those who once pretended to worship then
Eugene was about to make some rep
to what his sister had said when the do
was opened, aud as fair a being as ever t
eyes Of mortal gazed upon entered t
apartment. | shall attempt to descri
her, though do her injustice. She "
Of medium height and symmetrical hgr
ruby lips and rosy checks. She b
teeth as white as pearl, soft blue eyes, a
golden hair, which fell in beautiful ringl
over her neck and shoulders. This be'
teous maiden was no other than Adela
Corprew, who had come into the prese
of the brother and sister to inform th
Mrs. Stanly thought it time they were
Adelaide remarked Eugene, rising
Offering her a chair, Il expected to see
come in prepared to accompany Ida
myself to the ball.
When Eugenes sister heard him IN
this remark, her face, which was alW
pale, crimsoned with shame, for she ex
ted to hear Adelaide inform her bro
that she had received no invitation, but
reply Of the beautiful girl was, 1T Is ag'
the rules Of my church to attend balls !;
even il it were not so, should not GO
/ think should be profted more by
naming at home and reading my Bibl
After assisting Ida in making her
preparations, and comphmenting he
her good looks, she left the room and
TO the one in which Mrs. Stanly wa
ting and few moments later Eu
Stsnly arose, drew on pair Of whit
gloves, handed his sister in the carriag
drove off. In very few moments
wore in the brilliantly illuminated
Dom, which was beautifully decorated
rowded with lovely and elegantly dl