Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-11-30
CHAPTER Nv.
BIZ ANNIE GEORGE.
(coSTISUED FROM OUR LAsT.)

Mf
Saratoga was all sparkling and brilliant
with beauty, this season, and it was with diff
hculty our party procured pleasant accom-
modations. They succeeded though at last
and were soon q part Of the gay throng which
nightly crowded the saloon.
Belle and her mother were quite at home,
having spent the last season there, and were
soon exchanging salutations with old acquain-
tances aud friends, and Belle surrounded with
admirers.
The fresh young faces Of Kate and Annie
created quite a sensation, and they soon were
much admired by the beaux, and strange to
say, tnenvied and loved by their fair com
pAnions. aH ~
Annie was very happy, for she, though
scarcely knowing it, loved Horace Coleman.
He surely loved her, for every action, every
look, pr0Yea his tenderness.
One sftorroon she had a slight headache,
and had not Joined her friends on an excur-
sion. Che sas reclining on a lounge, half
dreaming, when a knock at the door aroused
her. On opening il, a boy handed her a note,
and saying IL needed no answer, withdrew.
She glaneed over it, and Keeling, turned dead
~ pale, and iell, almost senseless, to the floor.
For some NON ents she remained thus, then
recovering herself she again perused II. 1t
ran thus,
tMIss LoERAnE Take the advice Of a
friend, though unknown, who has been watch
ing you with interest ever since your arrival
in this place. Beware Of Horace Coleman.
4 kA01o him aocH. lie seeks to hirt with you,
to gain your love, and idly cast it away. Let
him sec you care nothing for him. Do not
refuse to converse, but smile at sentiments
from his false lips. If you have learned to
love him, (as l fear from the smile aud blush
MN yraof him trifh \ concool ~ IN uot.r Orrn
bosom. Appear indifferent towards him. He
will wonder, (for he is accustomed to ~success)
and perhaps seek an explanation. Your own
good judgment will guide you here. Take
Wy advice, l entreat you, for truly ] am your
friend, and know bat too tceU the fascinations
Of Horace Coleman" t.Af T.
She seemed turned TO stone. Feeling was
paralized. The shock was too great, For
sometime she sat thus, then rising, unlocked
her writing desk, and carefully placed the
note away. On returning to the lounge she
caught a glimpse Of her face in the mirror,
and started, to find it pale and rigid as mar
BILE. This seemed to open the fountain of
tears, and she wept long and bitterly. But
she bad not now to learn whence to procure
comfort, and kneeling, she implored Divine
help. Sho arose calner, but her heart was
crushed. oh if | could but remain here
alone, and see no one, but no l must &c
among them and appear as before, nay, gayer
for he shall never know how i love him. ]
will suffer and die, but he shall never know
the cause. Would | had never seen him
but L cannot control the past. 1t is number
cd with eternity. ! will try to guard The ia
ture, with the.help Of God. Oh Thankful
am ], that / learned this before it was to-
late. 10 is too late for my poor happiness
but hr shall at least respect me. Yes, lie
race Coleman, your triumph is not complete
Obi If | could but despiso him, as | should
but this foolish heart is yet too fond. I low
him, but my heart will break, ere / disclose i
to any one. Tonight, at least, / mast hav
solitude. | will tell them that my head-ach
is rather worse, which is true, and my hear
aches more than that
Thus soliloquizing, she remained till he
friends returned. Kate, who shared her room
came in, followed by Mrs. N. They enquire
how sho felt. my head aches very badly
and If you please, Mrs. n, l will remain
my own room tonight"
''Certainly, my dear, and | will stay wit
you. But let ms call my husband"
sob no W-began Annie, but she wa
gone, and soon returned with DIR. N. L
gave Aunic some soothing medicine, and r
commended quiet, then said-"Annie, m
child, mako haste to sleep off that pain in yol
head. We intend to visit the Falls to.mo
row, IL you are well enough"
Annie smiled. 'Never fear" said she
will be well enough, for you know how
have ever wished to witness that sublin
scene"
She was really no better when morhif
came, for she bad spent q ~sleepless night, b
resolving TO exert herself, she arose, and a
peared 4 the breakfast table as usual, ga
her eyes looked hollow, and cheeks pa
which were ascribed to the head ache Of "
terday For a moment her head grew dizz
and she fe,t as IL she would faint when u
race came 20 her side, and enquired anxior
ly and tenderly OF her health. But recovt
ing herself, she smiled and told him bett
but still not quite we'll" So
All through that day Annie suffered me
tai sgouies. Though she beheld the mol
Falls, she had ever longed to gaze upon, a
would, but for the events Of yesterday, ha
filled her soul with rapture yet they fail
TO give bar even 9 momentary joy. Moth
would do this Nothing fill the aching "
within 7&
Weeks passed on, and Annie's friends W.
dered. Sho had grown so gay, laughed, ch
ted aud firted with the flock of admirers, W
constantly surrounded her. She seemed
if carried away by excitement, and becai
the reigning belle Of Saratoga. She numb
ed among her train, the most distinguish
person A. the Springs. Bat alas PC
child How gladly would she have exchang
all this adulation for one 9ea4ine look,
word Of love from Horace Coleman. Nc
were more surprised than he at the chan,
lie was utterly astonished, perplexed i
grioved. By degrees, he could not tell b
self IN what way, she had chilled him, Q
alienated herself entirely from him, and
could not but believe-what at first We
have filed him with Indignation to hear
thus spoken of-she was . coquettc.
Though unknown to himself Belle lie
Artfully contriyed to deepen the prejudice
saw had taken root In his bosom.
III WAS never SO deceived IN Woms
thought he. mo one could have taught
70 believe Annie Lorraine to be q Ftrt.
L have ever detested the world 4 thou
her what size appeared, and sometimes, {
now, think her to DO actinga part. But
should she am weak. Ny great Low,
that girl humans me. CHI Annie, il you
knew how ] love you, how teRderly | W,
guard you from LIES ils, I think you VI
not have acted thus. But she has triAed,
me, destroyed my happiness. aud now, II
strive 10 drink Of the waters Of Lethe,
plunge in its waves, till forgetfulness C,
Ghe tempest raging in my bosom. D
- promised Belle . ride, | will go and see IL
is ready"