Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-07-04

be "dreadfully dignified," but to her friends
she is childlike and loving as ever.
Sorrow has dealt but lightly with Mabel
since she took up her residence with her un-
Gle. Her aunt and uncle are both very kind;
her cousin Helen loves her devotedly, and at
school though not caressed and fattered as
Helen, she is beloved by many fond, true
hearts who feel deeply for the silent, unob-
trusive girl. Her teachers aye proud of the
progress she has made, but they dare not
wound her sensitive nature by open praise
yet she feels and knows they approve of her
course, and IN attempting much, values the
task as light that can bring so rich reward
In appearance there has been more change
than in her cousin The form so delicately
moulded has lost none OF its symmetry in
expanding more fully. The cheek is less
pale, but purer and winter still the dark eye
IS eloquent with deep feeling, and the heavy
braids have been gathered up and round her
high, pure brow, giving to her petite figure
quite dignifed air.
One morning as the two girls walked slow
~ on to the Seminary in the opposite part
OF the town, Helen broke the-silence by ex-
Claiming" Mabel, love, am so glad school
VIII close next week, are not you Ofcourse
have not had much to do this season, moth
ing but my French and Music, but then it
will be so charming to be for once free, free
as the unfettered Gazelle''
You will be entering, my cousin, a school
OF sterner realities, with lessons to learn
transcribed in living characters on the pages
of your life-book"
How seriously you talk, Mabel, just as if
you We're not about to come out young
lady YOURSELF
If you refer to leaving school, with the
reluctant consent of uncle have decided to
take charge of a class at the earnest solicita-
tons of Professor NJ l have nothing
else to do, and besides, l dislike the idea of
leaving the institute where have spent SO
many pleasant hours"
" have been fearing you would Mabel,
and am sorry too, for | have so many nice
plans in view, and that reminds me there is
something particularly wish just now to
confide to you so prove Madam Listener for
half an hour till the school bell rings and you
shall hear don't be shocked at my mad ca
price either, for | only want to have little
fun and teach Mr. Charlie Ashton lesson"
They had not been noticed as they procee-
ded up the gravel walk by the girls who
sat with their books in han in groups on the
piazza, and turning aside they directed their
steps to Rose Arbor, quiet retreat quite
overgrown with vines, which they found un-
occupied.
Now, Mabel, in the first place, you know
that | love Charlie Ashton, and you are
aware too, that he loves me- Charlie
is handsome and witty, and one of these days
when he asks me, intend to say yes but
until then intend to enjoy myself first, as
often as wish smile on as many as please
and reserve my heart whole for Charlie at
last. He was piqucd at my allowing Mr..
Edwards to be my escort twice, when he,
vain fellow, started from home with the same
express intention | vowed vengeance when
a worthier rival than Mr.. Edwards should ap-
pear, and the sooner Mr. Charles Ashton can
be relieved Of the sgreen eyed monster the
better. Just such an illustrious parsonage
as | desire has arrived in town, and will un
, doubteoly be the lion of the season. They
say he is well bred, dignified, handsome, o.
f high birthiand standing; and he actually has
turned the heads of half the girls who have
the honor of his acquaintance; but just wal
until Miss Helen Carleton comes innocently
along to storm his castle, in order to teacf
, Mr.. Charlie Ashton that he who loves musi
e tremble too"
Just then the bell rang for study hours
: and Mabel had not time to reply, but shl
J knew that though Helen spoke thus lightly
! she had a true and loving heart
!. Helen Carleton never dreamed that Char
lie Ashton could love her less. She had no
: learned that "human love is harder to keel
, han win"
Helen and the distinguished stranger met
n nd of course she was delighted, as she ha
V ade up her mind before to be; and he Ger
I tnly was captivated by her artless, winnin
Nys, her beauty and her talented mind
70 Tough ever extremely polite and attentiy
Il hwas very reserved, and as Helen told Ma
II be cold as ice berg, perhaps from his visit i
lie fofgn cEmes and she was determined t
thas him. Charlie was still frequent viz
itort Mr.. Carleton's, and as he often foun
t. Hele out or entertaining company in tn
le draw,g room, he would seek the library, a
;e waysure of finding an entertaining con
o. paniolthere, for though Mabel Stunned S,
De ciety irself yet she had brilliant powers
te convention and would have been an orn;
le ment fashionable society had she degne
If to turn er attention thither. She sa& thi
Charlie as gricved, though he never spok
en- to her oHelen, and Helen was CROWN
n equally Sent with regard to the part she WI
sb playing, rhaps, too, she was tired of ac
en- ing, for helaugh was not joyous as of oil
i'm but she hatesolYed, and whatever it cost 81
ar would conRr. A word from Charlie migl
ar. have set e~y thing right, but he was &
Il proud to suewhen he could see nothing
4 seek forgivelss for.
- 4 RE coyTIxUrn1